jean@hrcca.att.com (Nancy J Airey) (01/23/91)
Well, I thought I had talked my husband out of wanting a car phone -- but he came home last night with one that he got through our son. I am just waiting for him to see the first bill :-) [Moderator: The first bill will be a little higher because he will play with his new toy. After that, it really won't be bad.] Since I have ignored the previous discussions on "roaming" I'd like to ask the readers (and Moderator) of this group a question(s): I believe that the term "roaming" means the ability to continue to use ones car phone as one travels through different areas of cellular companies. Right/wrong? [Moderator: This is correct.] He has been told that he pays 24 cents a minute for a call. Is this good/bad/average? [Moderator: It depends on his overall calling patterns. I've seen lower rates at night and much higher rates during the day. When does he plan to make most calls? Under what conditions?] He has been told that he can go "anywhere" and he will be able to make his calls on the phone. This is not backed up in the documentation. I am assuming they are talking domestic US, as is he. I think. Is this likely? I got the impression that one had to pay for certain roaming privileges, and that one paid based on where one expected to roam. Right/Wrong? [Moderator: He can go anywhere cellular service exists *and* there is an inter-company agreement between cellular carriers -- which means almost anywhere in the USA. He will have to pay the going rate in the place where he happens to be roaming, plus a daily surcharge in many cases.] I've told him that if he does go into neighboring states (we're in IL, he expects to drive in Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio) and *if* the thing does work (I assume there are "blind" spots in states?) he will be paying his 24 cents/minute plus some long distance charge if he calls "home." Right/Wrong? [Moderator: Yes, there are blind spots, but they are growing fewer in number. He will pay the rate charged for 'guest users' in the area where he is roaming and the cost of a long distance call back to his home area. But in my estimation, unless one roams a great deal, the 'airtime plus long distance plus guest surcharge' rates he will pay when out of town are more than offset by the very large local service area in northern Illinois where he will pay *nothing* except airtime, at (the rate you quote of) 24 cents per minute.] Information -- and advice appreciated. att!hrcca!jean Jean Airey