What is Signal Strenght ASU?

Even in SideKick technical support department couldnt even answer my question.

As what I was trying to find out whats the matter with my SideKick....
I'm not able to show any signal strenght thats show how many bars but constantly blinking in X. While I decide to bypass over "waiting for activation" screen to jump screen. T-Mobile suggested me to go Menu, Settings, Network and as I click scroller button to do this scan and select manually, which I did and show only 1 listing and I did choose this network. It ask me did I get any pop up message that says "No Network Available!". I said no nothing pop up yet after I choose this network. Then they keep talking like have no clue which they tell me it means no T-Mobile in your area. Again we do have partnership roaming with T-Mobile for Montana that should work for T-Mobile since it combine to to all network that makes it work. As they told me thats correct as they can say. They dont really know about Network Status when I tell them what it does means..and lastly suggested me to send it back wherever I got it from and it may be SIM or the SideKick becuz of handheld is not registering at all and as we did hard reset reset+power=sametime...No help yet..

Im inside of network according on T-Mobile map coverage and under Network Status it tells me I have signal strenght 26 ASU (numberous change up and down in dbm+) . Its depend on areas really high and low (highest I seen 103dbm) while ASU signal strenght change between 6-41 is only I seen is the highest ASU.. In that time right below Signal Strenght:... under GSM Registration: its showing me Not in Registration.. In other area will show Denied.. while signal strenght showing 99 ASU (unknown) that is when Im outside of than according to their map which is not marked for partnership market..

Which means?

In whatever it means by signal strenght that shows some activity on under Network Status and should it show signal bars or once it strong enough to show 1 bar?

What is the average in ASU signal strenght got to be in order to work for SK II?

If I cannot get true answer, I'll just have to exchange which is not a problem, but first I'd like to know is there something to try get this activation go through while my acct is already past 48 hours and is being activated..

Due to facts I cannot get any service in Montana according to prepaid coverage theres none in Montana... than the other coverage map which I need contract service in order to use in Montana.. Prepaid only works on T-Mobile coverages only.. (sigh)...

Pretty old post but I'm answering anyway. I recently looked for answers on this and there's not much but questions out there.

In a 3G network your cell phone tries to open three channels to three radios so they can locate you and hand you off properly.

Those three channels make up you ACTIVE SET.

ASU is ACTIVE SET UPDATES or the rate at which your phone is able to update its location to the towers/radios.

This rate is affected by signal strength, load, and probably a lot of other factors that I haven't puzzled out yet.

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