Carrier Question

[whoster69]

I'm currently an Edge Wireless customer. Edge Wireless used to be owned by AT&T (before it became Cingular). They have a special arrangement where they use Cingular's network and vice versa. Edge is a pretty small company, mainly in parts of Northern California and Oregon. I live in Ukiah, CA, about an hour north of Santa Rosa CA (2 hours North of San Francisco).

About a year ago I went into a Cingular store and asked if I could buy cell service/phones from them. They asked me where I lived and when I told them, they said they couldn't sell to me because of an agreement with Edge Wireless.

I just found out that the new Treo 750W (which I'd like to buy) will be exclusive to Cingular for 6 months (this is according to an Edge Wireless spokesperson -I was told Edge Wireless won't get it until April of next year). I feel like I'm in a Catch-22. I don't want a Treo 650. I want something with more capabilities, like the 750W (which should be out in about a month).

I feel like I'm stuck between monopolistic practices here on the part of Cingular and Palm. Edge Wireless won't have a new Treo for another 7 months yet I'm not allowed to buy from Cingular? How weird!

What I'd like to know is, is there some way I can buy from Cingular and if I do will I incur extra charges since I'm not in their area but they share networks? Verizon, Sprint, and US Cellular don't have good coverage where I live, so Cingular/Edge Wireless is really the only option. The spokesperson for Edge said they are coming out with some HTC phones (no ideas as to which -I hear the Hermes is nice). Should I go that route instead? I'd really like to get a Treo but feel Palm-Cingular are conspiring against me.

Any ideas are appreciated. I wasn't sure what forum to post this in. If it's the wrong one, please move it.

Thank you.

[Stillrockin]

Whoster, Edge Wireless is a new one on me! I understand your frustration. I do see a couple of options. First of all, the Hermes from HTC looks like a powerful little device, but no numbers on the unit at all. I know this is a trend here lately, but its one I personally don't care for. voicedial is the same as no dial in noisy environments, but works really well in quiet ones . . And if you can't voice dial, that leaves you with navigating screens to dial. I just don't like that approach. Another option would be to buy a Treo unlocked. You should soon see (I am guessing 4-6months) the 750P offered as an unlocked on Palm's website. Net rumors are that the unlocked version will retail for $699.

Finally, if I really was wanting a new 750P from cingy, I would be questioning the legality of this so called "agreement" I doubt that Sprint/Verizon has signed an agreement with "Edge wireless". I would think that if you are not bound by contract to Edge, you can buy any phone from any Carrier you wish. Your Local Cingular store nor your local Edge Wireless can stop you . . . As long as you aren't currently under contract with them.