FAQs

  1. What is CDPD?

    • CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data) is a wireless data technology that allows phones to send and receive emails and web pages.
  2. Why is CDPD being discontinued?

    • CDPD is being phased out due to the availability of faster and more reliable data networks, such as GPRS.
  3. Who uses CDPD?

    • CDPD is primarily used by business users and shipping companies to send and receive data.
  4. What is the difference between CDPD and GPRS?

    • CDPD phones have to wait for a lull in voice traffic to send files, while GPRS phones are always connected to the internet, making them faster.
  5. How long has CDPD been in use?

    • CDPD has been in use for eight years.
  6. When will CDPD be discontinued?

    • CDPD sales will cease by March 31, 2003, and the network will be shut down by the end of 2003.
  7. What services will be affected by the CDPD discontinuation?

    • Services such as AT&T Wireless’ PocketNet wireless Web service and some shipping tracking services will be affected.
  8. What is mMode?

    • mMode is a new data network from AT&T Wireless that uses the GPRS standard and offers faster download speeds than CDPD.
  9. How much does mMode cost?

    • mMode services cost between $4 and $13 per month.
  10. What devices use mMode?

    • mMode can be used with devices such as Research in Motion’s BlackBerry and Palm’s i705 handheld device.
  11. Is Cingular Wireless still using CDPD?

    • Yes, Cingular Wireless is still using CDPD.
  12. What is Mobitex?

    • Mobitex is another data-only network used by Cingular Wireless to offer wireless services for devices like the BlackBerry and i705 handheld device.

Summary

AT&T Wireless plans to discontinue its CDPD network by the end of 2003. The network has been used for eight years to send emails and web pages to phones at 19.2kbps. However, faster and more reliable data networks, such as GPRS, are now available. AT&T Wireless will be migrating its CDPD customers to its new mMode network, which uses GPRS and offers faster download speeds.

If you are currently using CDPD services, you will need to switch to a different network or device by the end of 2003. Visit the AT&T Wireless website for more information on mMode and other available data services.