its going to be on a new network called voicestream

Voicestream is definitly not a new company. They are a GSM provider, much like the rest of the world and have been around for a long time in smaller markets. Colorado has been one of their bigger places, and service here is great. To me, they were better then USWest, so my cell phone became my only phone years ago. Their rates have always been better then the competitors here in the US, and I have a feeling part of that is due to not needing to develop an entire system like CDMA.

GSM is the only way I will go. SIM cards, good digital connections, and the best selection of phones.

Cingular (They were PacBell once wen't they?) also uses GSM on the same 1900 frequency. AT&T is also rumored to be using GSM now as well, so hopefully soon the US will see the death of non-standard cell phone networks.