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  1. #1
    Russell
    Guest

    I'm on a prepaid plan from Beyond Wireless which operates on what was AT&T
    Blue. The phone is in NC where Cingular never had a TDMA presence and
    divested the AT&T Blue towers to SunCom in July 2005. The phone used to
    displayed AT&T when powered up until a couple of months ago. It then
    switched to displaying Cingular. Until last week (late November 2005) when
    powered on it would promtly lock on to Cingular's TDMA signal (the phone is
    tri-mode TDMA/Analog) and I was charged on-network rates (due to, I suspect,
    a reciprocity arrangement between Cingular and SunCom).

    Last week, everything changed. When powered on it now locks on to an analog
    signal and displays "Extended Area". This is off-network and I'm charged
    four times the regular rates to use it. I can do a network search and find
    a digital signal which displays "ROAM". This I believe is Cingular's TDMA
    on SID 1645 (1900 Mhz TDMA) based on doing a "Field Test". I can then do a
    manual search and set this signal - what's nice about using this is that the
    reciprocity arrangement mentioned above causes me to be charged on Network
    rates and so this plan is most affordable.

    However, anytime the phone is powered on it automatically finds the analog
    network. And, if I go to some area where there is no signal and then it
    needs to reacquire the signal it's back to the analog signal. The phones
    are Nokias (actually I have three of them - for other family members) -
    3560, 6360 and 8260. Is there any way for them to be configured so that
    they choose ANY 1900 Digital signal over Analog (since the only TDMA signal
    here is SunCom, that would work perfectly for us)? Please, please tell me
    there is and you can help me! I know how to type in *3001#12345# to get
    into the various configuration screens, but I couldn't find a way to diddle
    the network search order (if that's what it would take). I'd be quite happy
    with a solution that only works locally (as there phone are rarely used
    outside the local area).

    I appreciate the time you take to read this. If you think you can help me
    and think it's simpler to talk, I'll be happy to call you on my dime. The
    reply address is spam proofed - please reply to russell7702 at earthlink dot
    net.

    Russell





    See More: TDMA Phone techical help needed




  2. #2
    Jud Hardcastle
    Guest

    Re: TDMA Phone techical help needed

    In article <[email protected]>,
    [email protected] says...
    >
    > Last week, everything changed. When powered on it now locks on to an analog
    > signal and displays "Extended Area". This is off-network and I'm charged
    > four times the regular rates to use it. I can do a network search and find
    > a digital signal which displays "ROAM". This I believe is Cingular's TDMA
    > on SID 1645 (1900 Mhz TDMA) based on doing a "Field Test". I can then do a
    > manual search and set this signal - what's nice about using this is that the
    > reciprocity arrangement mentioned above causes me to be charged on Network
    > rates and so this plan is most affordable.
    >
    > However, anytime the phone is powered on it automatically finds the analog
    > network. And, if I go to some area where there is no signal and then it
    > needs to reacquire the signal it's back to the analog signal. The phones
    > are Nokias (actually I have three of them - for other family members) -


    The search order is controlled by the IRDB database within the phone.
    Sounds like it must have downloaded a new copy that's either just plain
    wrong OR it's being affected by an old network code in the phone that's
    not updated by the download. You may need to get into the config screens
    and change an ATT code to the Cingular one (assuming the phones aren't
    locked). Someone here will probably supply the codes if not ask CS to
    turn in a real problem ticket (so you can get to a tech person who knows
    what they're talking about and they may be able to help). Be ready for
    CS 1st level to try to convert you to GSM of course. Good luck--let us
    know how it goes.
    --
    Jud
    Dallas TX USA



  3. #3
    SMS
    Guest

    Re: TDMA Phone techical help needed

    Russell wrote:
    > I'm on a prepaid plan from Beyond Wireless which operates on what was AT&T
    > Blue. The phone is in NC where Cingular never had a TDMA presence and
    > divested the AT&T Blue towers to SunCom in July 2005. The phone used to


    <snip>

    The last time I activated a BeyondWireless phone, I asked them about the
    TDMA network and how long it would last. They did mention something
    about Cingular divesting some of the AT&T TDMA network somewhere in the
    south, and that while the network was still operating, it would now be
    roaming coverage.

    You might want to call BeyondWireless about this, but it's probably as
    you stated, a reciprocity agreement has likely ended.



  4. #4
    Lena
    Guest

    Re: TDMA Phone techical help needed


    Russell wrote:
    > I'm on a prepaid plan from Beyond Wireless ....
    > Last week, everything changed. <snip>


    Russell, Granted you may have the technical espertise to modify the
    internal workings of your phone, but what percentage of the other users
    of Beyond Wireless or any other TDMA prepay does? And what do think
    the vast majority of other users with no programming skills are going
    to do as the phones are on the "Extended network", costing them four
    times the airtime rate, for TDMA coverage that is shrinking as you read
    this? I have read in many forums that after Dec 31, 2005, Beyond
    Wireless and other resellers of TDMA airtime will not be able to sign
    up any new customers.

    I threw in the towel on BW this summer, as the coverage got worse and
    worse in the DC metropolitan area. A friend who's ATT TDMA phone used
    to work well in our campground in western MD can no longer make a call.


    The end is rapidly approaching. Be wise and don't sink any more effort
    or money into airtime on a TDMA system. There are other prepays out
    there, not as cheap as BW, but at least the phone will work when you
    have to make a call.

    Lena




  5. #5
    Russell
    Guest

    Re: TDMA Phone techical help needed

    "Lena" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    >
    > Russell wrote:
    >> I'm on a prepaid plan from Beyond Wireless ....
    >> Last week, everything changed. <snip>

    >
    > Russell, Granted you may have the technical espertise to modify the
    > internal workings of your phone, but what percentage of the other users
    > of Beyond Wireless or any other TDMA prepay does? And what do think


    Lena, I'm puzzled by your question.

    > the vast majority of other users with no programming skills are going
    > to do as the phones are on the "Extended network", costing them four
    > times the airtime rate, for TDMA coverage that is shrinking as you read
    > this? I have read in many forums that after Dec 31, 2005, Beyond
    > Wireless and other resellers of TDMA airtime will not be able to sign
    > up any new customers.
    >


    I've no doubt all of what you say is accurate but not really germane to my
    question.

    > I threw in the towel on BW this summer, as the coverage got worse and
    > worse in the DC metropolitan area. A friend who's ATT TDMA phone used
    > to work well in our campground in western MD can no longer make a call.
    >


    The circumstances in SunCom territory are rather unique and I posted looking
    for a solution. I've found one. Once again I have rock solid TDMA service
    where I live in SunCom territory through Beyond Wireless at the non-roaming
    rate.

    >
    > The end is rapidly approaching. Be wise and don't sink any more effort
    > or money into airtime on a TDMA system. There are other prepays out
    > there, not as cheap as BW, but at least the phone will work when you
    > have to make a call.
    >
    > Lena
    >


    I was well aware of TDMA's decline when I posted, which is what I meant
    about your response being not relevant to my technical question. I have no
    particular expertise with cell-phones other than being literate, turn it on,
    read information on the Internet and press various buttons on the phone.

    Fwiw, my understanding is that Beyond Wireless will be entering the GSM
    arena in the near future.

    Russell





  6. #6
    SMS
    Guest

    Re: TDMA Phone techical help needed

    Russell wrote:

    > I was well aware of TDMA's decline when I posted, which is what I meant
    > about your response being not relevant to my technical question. I have no
    > particular expertise with cell-phones other than being literate, turn it on,
    > read information on the Internet and press various buttons on the phone.
    >
    > Fwiw, my understanding is that Beyond Wireless will be entering the GSM


    Yes, this is correct. I'm kind of bummed that they didn't go to CDMA,
    since I'd much rather have CDMA/AMPS than GSM/no AMPS. But Verizon
    apparently charges a lot to the MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators)
    so few of them want to use Verizon.



  7. #7
    Russell
    Guest

    Re: TDMA Phone techical help needed


    "SMS" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > Russell wrote:
    >> I'm on a prepaid plan from Beyond Wireless which operates on what was
    >> AT&T Blue. The phone is in NC where Cingular never had a TDMA presence
    >> and divested the AT&T Blue towers to SunCom in July 2005. The phone used
    >> to

    >
    > <snip>
    >
    > The last time I activated a BeyondWireless phone, I asked them about the
    > TDMA network and how long it would last. They did mention something about
    > Cingular divesting some of the AT&T TDMA network somewhere in the south,
    > and that while the network was still operating, it would now be roaming
    > coverage.
    >
    > You might want to call BeyondWireless about this, but it's probably as you
    > stated, a reciprocity agreement has likely ended.


    BW gets their information from Cingular and there appears to be an issue
    with the accuracy of the information. I'm in the area mentioned which
    Cingular and BW claimed would switch to romaing in the middle of the year.
    However, I've never roamed and with my recent SID setting still don't roam
    (except for a one week period when I hadn't "fixed" my phones).

    Russell





  8. #8
    Russell
    Guest

    Re: TDMA Phone techical help needed


    "SMS" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > Russell wrote:
    >
    >> I was well aware of TDMA's decline when I posted, which is what I meant
    >> about your response being not relevant to my technical question. I have
    >> no particular expertise with cell-phones other than being literate, turn
    >> it on, read information on the Internet and press various buttons on the
    >> phone.
    >>
    >> Fwiw, my understanding is that Beyond Wireless will be entering the GSM

    >
    > Yes, this is correct. I'm kind of bummed that they didn't go to CDMA,
    > since I'd much rather have CDMA/AMPS than GSM/no AMPS. But Verizon
    > apparently charges a lot to the MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators)
    > so few of them want to use Verizon.


    Page Plus is an operator you may want to consider if interested in a Verizon
    based MVNO operation.

    Russell





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