Help - Motorola Tracfone stops being digital

I bought a Motorola V60i from Tracfone to replace my old (analog) Nokia
that I had with US Cellular. It worked great, not complaints. So I
decided to close my US Cellular account, and port my old cell phone
number to the Tracfone. Ever since, the Tracfone uses only analog when
in my home area. When it's roaming, it goes back to being digital. As
soon as I return to my home area, it switches to analog. That's very
annoying, because in analog mode, the battery lasts a lot less than in
digital mode. Before I ported my phone number, the Tracfone had good
digital service everywhere I went.

I stronly suspect that the problem is somehow related to the fact that
I ported a number from an analog phone, can it be that my local network
still thinks I have my old phone and refuses to give me digital
service? How can I fix this? Tracfone "customer service" has been
very unhelpful.

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› See More: Help - Motorola Tracfone stops being digital

> <[email protected]> wrote in message
> I bought a Motorola V60i from Tracfone to replace my old (analog) Nokia
> that I had with US Cellular. It worked great, not complaints. So I
> decided to close my US Cellular account, and port my old cell phone
> number to the Tracfone. Ever since, the Tracfone uses only analog when
> in my home area. When it's roaming, it goes back to being digital. As
> soon as I return to my home area, it switches to analog. That's very
> annoying, because in analog mode, the battery lasts a lot less than in
> digital mode. Before I ported my phone number, the Tracfone had good
> digital service everywhere I went.
>
> I stronly suspect that the problem is somehow related to the fact that
> I ported a number from an analog phone, can it be that my local network
> still thinks I have my old phone and refuses to give me digital
> service? How can I fix this? Tracfone "customer service" has been
> very unhelpful.
>

JoshIII responded:
Maybe your carrier does not have digital coverage locally for your zipcode.
What is your zipcode.

Are you way out in the country over 10 miles from the nearest interstate
highway or city?

What is your local home carrier with your TracFone v60i? If you don't know
dial 611, Send then listen to the automated operator announce the name of
the carrier.

Do you have the CDMA v60i or the TDMA v60i version. The CDMA version would
have an extendable antenna. The TDMA version just has the stubby fixed
antenna.

Once you answer these questions, we can go from there on the next steps to
try.

JoshIII, 13 OCT 05
upstate south carolina
http://pasofinosc.tripod.com
Activating a TracFone soon? Get a referral from a
TracFone user before you activate and you'll both receive
100 Free airtime minutes! See the above website for free
airtime minutes and free TracFone details.


..

> JoshIII responded:
> Maybe your carrier does not have digital coverage locally for your zipcode.
> What is your zipcode.

It's 98902. I had good digital coverage before I ported my phone
number from my old US Cellular account.

> Are you way out in the country over 10 miles from the nearest interstate
> highway or city?

In the city, on the interstate, still only analog. Used to have
digital in the whole city before.

> What is your local home carrier with your TracFone v60i? If you don't know
> dial 611, Send then listen to the automated operator announce the name of
> the carrier.

Interesting, it's US Cellular, my old provider. I wonder if it was
different before I ported my number. Could it be US Cellular hasn't
quite "let go"?

> Do you have the CDMA v60i or the TDMA v60i version.

TDMA

> Once you answer these questions, we can go from there on the next steps to
> try.

Thanks for your help!

Jan

----- Original Message -----
From: <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2005 2:29 AM
Subject: Tracfone

> Hi, Josh,
> <snip>
> Briefly, I have a Motorola Tracfone that was
> getting good local digital service, until I decided
> to cancel my old US Cellular account (analog Nokia)
> and port my old cell number to my Tracfone. Ever
> since the port went through, my Tracfone only works
> in analog mode. It's a TDMA phone, and when I dial
> 611, I'm told that I'm with US Cellular. I know that
> there's good digital coverage here, because I was
> getting a strong digital signal (with the Tracfone) before
> I ported my phone number.
>
> I really don't want the phone to be only analog, because
> that eats up battery power too fast. I 'd appreciate any
> help you can give me.
>
> Jan

JoshIII responds with:
Hi Jan,

What Motorola model you have? I remember, its the v60i (TDMA), that's
right.

After doing some research using your zip code (98902) on the US Cellular
website, US Cellular is not selling any TDMA phones for new customers with
your zipcode. US Cellular only sells its new customers CDMA2000 models for
your zip code now.

I know the TDMA networks across the whole USA, regardless of carrier, are
systematically, but surely, being phased out, turned off, or converted to
GSM or CDMA. I have seen other TDMA users commenting in the news groups
(alt.cellular) that their TDMA coverage is diminishing where they use to
have digital coverage.

I would almost bet this is the problem you are faced with now, and its not
the phone. Simply the TDMA network where you are is no longer operational.

That is why TracFone Customer Service has been ineffectual helping you with
this problem. Its a transitional period in your zip code and beyond
TracFone wireless control.

If I were you I would call TracFone customer service, and ask them about
their Exchange program. The following excerpts were taken from the
www.tracfone.com website about TracFone(s) exchange program:

"What should I do if the wireless technology of my phone model does not
match the technology of my local area? Contact the Customer Care Center at
1-800-867-7183 in order to receive a phone that is compatible with your
calling area."

"How much will an exchange cost me? The exchange will be at no charge to you
and we will also compensate you for the shipping and handling charges."

When you call TracFone customer service, tell them the TDMA network has been
turned off for your zipcode, and you want to exchange your TDMA v60i for one
of the GSM models (v170, 2600, 1100, c155).

I am now wondering if US Cellular was ever TDMA in your zipcode? You would
have to call US Cellular and ask them that. If they were never TDMA there,
then they must have had a roaming agreement with another regional TDMA
carrier or something, because your home carrier was always US Cellular.
Water over the dam now really.

I don't know why TracFone does not offer CDMA models for your zip code now?
I suspect they will before too many more weeks or months from now, since
they already have the coverage agreement with US Cellular anyway. US
Cellular is CDMA2000 in your zip code now.

Hope this helps! Let me know what you find out from TracFone. If their
customer service isn't helpful now, just post a complaint detailing this
problem at www.planetfeedback.com and the TracFone Executive Resolutions
Office in Miami will call you.

JoshIII, 18 OCT 05
upstate south carolina
http://pasofinosc.tripod.com
Activating a TracFone soon? Get a referral from a
TracFone user before you activate and you'll both receive
100 Free airtime minutes! See the above website for free
airtime minutes and free TracFone details.

I understand that the TDMA technology is on its way out, but I find it
unlikely that they just happened to turn off digital service in Yakima
on the exact day, hour, and minute that I ported my old cell number to
my new Tracfone. Besides, when I drive a few miles out of town, just
far enough to be roaming, I get a good digital signal even with my
TDMA phone.

Even if US Celluar does not offer digital service here, I'm sure one of
the other providers does, I wish I could get my Tracfone to use one of
them. (Like it did before I ported my number).

But thanks for your assistance, Josh, I'll try the planetfeedback
route, maybe they'll be more helpful.

Well, after spending another hour on the phone with Tracfone customer
service, I finally got some answers. Turns out, yes, they do have
digital coverage for TDMA phones here, but apparently it's not
available for all phone numbers. The prefix for my cell phone number
(the one I want to keep, the one I had with my old US Cellular account)
will only work with CDMA/Analog towers. I guess certain numbers are
assigned to certain towers, and these assignments can not be changed.
So I can keep my phone, or keep my number, or get digital service, but
not all three. But they did offer to send me a new phone, same model
but in a CDMA version. They assured me I will get to keep my phone
number, and my unused minutes, and my double minute plan. We'll see
how it turns out.

[email protected] wrote:

> I stronly suspect that the problem is somehow related to the fact that
> I ported a number from an analog phone, can it be that my local network
> still thinks I have my old phone and refuses to give me digital
> service? How can I fix this? Tracfone "customer service" has been
> very unhelpful.

Yakima is still shown as having TDMA from the old AT&T TDMA network. I
assume that Tracfone is using the old AT&T TDMA network, since other
prepaid companies with TDMA service are using AT&T (Beyond Wireless and
CallPlus).

I doubt if it's directly related to your old phone number. After all,
you could have ported to Tracfone GSM which has no AMPS service at all.

You might order one of the Nokia TDMA phones from gobeyondwireless.com,
they're $10 with a $10 airtime credit, just to test it out. You won't
get a local area code, but it doesn't matter for testing the existence
of the TDMA network. Beyond Wireless is a much better deal than Tracfone
in terms of airtime cost, and minimums, but no local numbers where you
are. I got my kids some phones on gobeyondwireless, and told them to use
them sparingly, and it's been very helpful in terms of coordinating all
their after-school stuff.

[email protected] wrote:
> Well, after spending another hour on the phone with Tracfone customer
> service, I finally got some answers. Turns out, yes, they do have
> digital coverage for TDMA phones here, but apparently it's not
> available for all phone numbers. The prefix for my cell phone number
> (the one I want to keep, the one I had with my old US Cellular account)
> will only work with CDMA/Analog towers. I guess certain numbers are
> assigned to certain towers, and these assignments can not be changed.
> So I can keep my phone, or keep my number, or get digital service, but
> not all three. But they did offer to send me a new phone, same model
> but in a CDMA version. They assured me I will get to keep my phone
> number, and my unused minutes, and my double minute plan. We'll see
> how it turns out.

That's the best option, since CDMA coverage is superior to TDMA and GSM.
Hopefully the phone they send you will still have AMPS (analog as well)
if you ever go into the mountains, or off the beaten path.

SMS wrote:

> You might order one of the Nokia TDMA phones from gobeyondwireless.com,
> they're $10 with a $10 airtime credit, just to test it out. You won't
> get a local area code, but it doesn't matter for testing the existence
> of the TDMA network.

Oh, I know that there is a working local TDMA network. When I first
got my TDMA/AMPS Tracfone, it worked fine in digital (ergo TDMA) mode.
It was only when I tried to port my old number that it went to anaolog
only. The way it was explained, that phone can only talk to TDMA or
AMPS towers, and my old cell number (all numbers with the 930 prefix)
can only connect over CDMA or AMPS towers. Which is why I only had
AMPS service.

I don't know what would have happened if I bought a GSM phone and tried
to port the number - maybe they would have told me I just can't do it.

So anyways, on Tuesday the Tracfone customer service guy told me that
he'd send me a new CDMA phone by overnight mail, but he'd have to
inactivate my old phone first. So I'd be without a cell phone for a
day or two. OK, I agreed. By Friday, still no phone, so I call back,
and they haven't sent it yet. Another promise to overnight it. We'll
see if arrives by Monday. In the meantime I'm stuck without a cell
phone.

Well, late Monday I got a call from UPS. There's a package from
Tracfone, but they got the name wrong, and the address wrong, so UPS
can't deliver it. I pick it up, and find that the wonderful Tracfone
"customer service" got something else wrong - they sent me the wrong
phone.

They were supposed to send me a CDMA version of the phone I bought, a
Moto V60i. Instead, they sent me a Moto C343, totally different. Not
a flip phone, and a lot bigger and clunkier.

I guess I'll get to spend another hour talking with their customer
service tomorrow.

<[email protected]> wrote in message
> <snip>
> They were supposed to send me a CDMA version of the phone I bought, a
> Moto V60i. Instead, they sent me a Moto C343, totally different. Not
> a flip phone, and a lot bigger and clunkier.
>
> I guess I'll get to spend another hour talking with their customer
> service tomorrow.


TracFone Inc. - "Where the right hand doesn't know what left hand is doing"

.... but really, this could be said of any bureaucracy.

The C343 is a CDMA trimode like the v60i(c), but the C343 has color display.

Does TracFone even offer the v60i refurbished? Maybe they have a short
supply of the refurbished versions if they do.


JoshIII, 25 OCT 05
upstate south carolina
http://pasofinosc.tripod.com
Activating a TracFone soon? Get a referral from a
TracFone user before you activate and you'll both receive
100 Free airtime minutes! See the above website for free
airtime minutes and free TracFone details.

JoshIII wrote:

> TracFone Inc. - "Where the right hand doesn't know what left hand is doing"
> ... but really, this could be said of any bureaucracy.

Well... <rant> more specifically, most of their customer service people
are not very good. Many have a limited understaning of cell phone
technology. Most seem to struggle a bit with the English language.
They answer the phones in a very noisy environment, and there seems to
be a lot of static or interference on the line whenever I call them,
which makes communication that much more difficult. And then there's
the issue that even when I make myself understood, and the service
person tries to send me what I need, someone in shipping sends
something totally differet.

And as bad as their telephone customer service is, their on-line help
is even worse. Worthless, actually. I don't think a human being is
actually involved in the on-line ansewring process, I think it's just a
program that looks for certain keywords in your question, and emails
you the appropriate section of the FAQ. Things like, make sure the
phone is turned on, etc. </rant>

> The C343 is a CDMA trimode like the v60i(c), but the C343 has color display.

It's not a camera phone, so what the heck do I need a color display
for? Really, I suspect that anyone who buys a Tracfone only wants a
basic, inexpensive phone without too many bells and whistles, I'm
surprised they even offer one with a color display. But maybe that's
just the Luddite in me, heck, I still use my monochrome PalmVx.

> Does TracFone even offer the v60i refurbished? Maybe they have a short
> supply of the refurbished versions if they do.

Well, if they don't have any CDMA V60i's to send me, then they
shouldn't have told me that they were going to send me one. Duh. Oh,
wait, what did you just say?

JoshIII wrote:

> TracFone Inc. - "Where the right hand doesn't know what left hand is doing"
> ... but really, this could be said of any bureaucracy.

Right. Well, today I spoke with them again, the lady said she would
put in another request for the warehouse to send me a CDMA V60, and I
should have it within 24 hours. Thing is, I'm not convinced that she
even knows whether they have any in stock. I guess I'll find out in a
few days. I just wish they hadn't deactivated my cell phone, if I
don't get the right phone in a day or two I'll insist they re-activate
it.