Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!accuvax.nwu.edu!nucsrl!telecom-request
From: motcid!sirakide%cell.mot.COM@uunet.uu.net (Dean Sirakides)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: First Time Cellular Phone Buyer Needs Advice
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Date: 14 Dec 89 15:51:10 GMT
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pml4791@rouge.usl.edu (Landry Patrick M) writes:

>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?

A quailfied *yes*. In each cellular service area there are two
licenses, one wireline and one non-wireline (this is attempt to allow
for competition in any given service area). The wireline licenses
are used by the local Bell Companies, the other license is used by the
company that was lucky enough to win the right in the FCC lottery.
This brings us to your second question:

>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?

Each carrier may offer different features depending on which type of
equipment they own (even though it is not uncommon for each to have
identical CO equipment).  The best question to ask is in regards to
ROAMING: how much $, can your phone be tracked automatically when you
leave your home area...

>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?

Cellular phones come in there power levels: 4.0, 1.6, 0.6 watts (ERP).
4 watts is used by most car phones and bag phones. 0.6 watts is used
by most portables. Bottom line: usually all phones of the same type
use the same power levels.

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

You got me with that one, I'm not sure they are public information.

>5) Anything else a novice should know before purchasing? 

Buying a cheap cellular phone is like buying a cheap house phone don't
kid yourself that "a phone is a phone". Ask the dealer which phones
are always coming back for repair.


Dean Sirakides                            uunet!motcid!sirakide
Motorala Cellular		          Arlington Heights, IL
Of course I speak for myself, not my employer...