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From: pml4791@rouge.usl.edu (Landry Patrick M)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: First Time Cellular Phone Buyer Needs Advice
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Date: 11 Dec 89 16:41:12 GMT
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X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 9, Issue 569, message 3 of 10


I am considering the purchase of a cellular phone for my father and
would appreciate it if a couple of things could be explained to me. I
will be purchasing a portable unit (as opposed to a car-mounted one).
I understand the way cellular works but I don't know some of the
admisistrative details.

1) Do the Bell Companies actually own the cells?

2) What is all the hubbub about subscribing with a certain carrier?
   What are the differences between different carriers?
   What questions should I be asking to find the right carrier for me?

3) What is the maximum power (watts) cellular phones are allowed to
   transmit? What kind of power can I expect to find in the consumer
   market?

4) How can I get my hands on a cell map?

5) Anything else a novice should know before purchasing?

Thanks for the time. I can provide a condensation of replies if anyone is
interested.


patrick
pml@cacs.usl.edu
uunet!dalsqnt!usl!pml