I understand the older 'bag phones' can send out a much stronger signal. There are plenty of fringe reception areas even in "developed" states all over the U.S. If one looks closely at a carrier's map, they'll find lots of places with the different shade to indicate no or limited service.
Clearly there is a need for such higher powered phones.
There are also those of us who have plain vanilla cell phones and call-plans who have no need or desire for fancy phones or services. Yet we are being pressured to spend our money to upgrade to stuff we don't want by forced obsolescence.
Years back GM got hammered by its "planned obsolescence" of automobiles. At least an automobile would physically wear out and had a limited life. Telephones, especially when not used often, don't wear out.
Why is the FCC pushing this? Is it really good for the country or actually good for the carriers to make more money selling replacement phones and fancier services and plans?
I get offers from my carrier to "upgrade" to digital. They'll sell me a crappy phone and double my monthly charge and give me LESS than I have now!
Who the heck are these people?
So my cell phone won't pinpoint me. (Actually I kind of like that.) But I'm pretty good with geography and know where I'm at.
[public replies please] [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Our local Cingular Wireless agency here in Independence tells me that all they are allowed to sell now for use in the 620 area (that is, local service) are the newer GSM phones. If a person _insists_ on having one of the older style phones it has to be in the 316 Wichita area; 620 is now strictly GSM. She told me I can continue to use my older Nokia 5165 phone (either the Cingular Wireless one or the AT&T Free2Go phone 'for maybe another year or two' until they are eventually phased out. PAT]