It's not a matter of being free to pick. Instead, it's a matter of cost.
Verizon service (stuck with) service for the car is not changable to another
carrier.
I can combine it with "normal cell phones" at a group rate.

So far, CSR's for either Verizon, On Star, or for that matter, Cingular are
not really knowledgeable about the overall situation.

>I've never used Verizon so I can't really give you advice there except to
> say I'm from the camp that believes you pick the service provider that
> meets your needs first, then choose compatible equipment.

"Todd Allcock" <elecconnec@AmericaOnLine.com> wrote in message
news:et3r40$qq9$1@aioe.org...
> At 11 Mar 2007 23:15:31 -0400 Chuck wrote:
>
> > Replacing the phones gets into one bag of worms,
> > since Cingular is GSM only in my area, other than some AT&T and old
> analog
> > cell sites. Since Cingular is going to 3G in the future, a replacement
> phone
> > should be compatable with my existing data use and 3G as well as GSM.
>
> The 6340, IIRC, only does CSD data (9.6-14.4k using minutes) which is
> "1G." Not GPRS (30-60kbps, or 2G, which is billed by the kb.)
>
>
> > Unfortunately, a new contract would change some of the existing service
> > options to a "charge extra" rather than the current included in base
> rate
> > status.
>
> Eventually, you'll likely have no choice. You're probably currently on a
> GAIT plan, which Cingular will likely discontinue when the officially
> terminate TDMA and analog service next February, forcing you on a new
> plan anyway.
>
> > In addition, the "new" contract would charge based upon data usage
> > as well as minutes. Currently, only minutes are chargable.
>
>
> I doubt that. I suspect your plan uses minutes for data. (So free
> nights and weekends, etc. are free for data as well, etc.) I a sume you
> are charged nothing OTHER than minutes for data use. (My old Cingular
> TDMA plan was like that- the "usual" $3.99/month data fee was waived.)
>
> Cingular MIGHT be able to move that feature ("Included CSD") to a new
> account, but don't think that means you'll get "unlimited" 2G or 3G data-
> it just means your future 3G phone will still be able to dial out at 9.6k
> using minutes, just as your broadband-connected desktop PC can still use
> it's trusty 56k modem if you tell it to.
>
>
> > Since I have a newer car with a built in cellphone (Locked to Verizon)
> I'm
> > seriously considering forgetting about Cingular and switching.
> >
> > Any pros and cons concerning Verizon service?
>
> I've never used Verizon so I can't really give you advice there except to
> say I'm from the camp that believes you pick the service provider that
> meets your needs first, then choose compatible equipment. Already having
> a Verizon cellphone in my posession wouldn't influence ME in choosing
> Verizon, anymore than already having a spare Ford key in my pocket would
> lead me to buy a Ford automobile!
>
>