TDMA to GSM DON'T Understand Cingular several issues
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total confused Posts: 7
Wed Aug 16, 2006 9:19 pm
I have a couple of different, extra GSM phones. Also a GSM account, and a TDMA account.
The GSM phones will not dial 911, or 611, *611, when there is no account connected with the phone.
I have tried using and older Sim card in them, still wont work. If I put a current Sim logged in account card, they work just fine.
I have a few TDMA phones, and they are not in use any more, but I can still call 911 on any of them, or 611. *611.
I was under the understanding, all phones would dial, 911.
Also Cingular, does not want to transfer my TDMA phone number, to a GSM phone Sim card.
They want me to take a contract and a new phone.
I do not need another phone.
I now have 2-Motorola V 220, and 2-Motorola Razors 3 phones and several others, all GSM.
I think this is enough current, new model phones, to use on system, and not have to have a new contract.
I just had phone number changes, and the Girl who first changed the number, programmed the phone as a GSM, instead of TDMA.
It took 5 days, for them to correct, and find problem.
So I know, it can be done.
If they are so all fired up, to get there customers, to change to a substandard
service, GSM, than TDMA, they should work with us. I tried again today, and was turned off by 2 representatives, so I hung up.
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FlyerTDL Posts: 157
Phone Model: Nokia 8260/6235i
Service Provider: The New AT&T/Alltel-U
Wed Aug 16, 2006 10:22 pm
I'll I try and reply by breaking up your post into points. I, II, III, etc.
total confused wrote:
I:I have a couple of different, extra GSM phones. Also a GSM account, and a TDMA account.
The GSM phones will not dial 911, or 611, *611, when there is no account connected with the phone.
I have tried using and older Sim card in them, still wont work. If I put a current Sim logged in account card, they work just fine.
I have a few TDMA phones, and they are not in use any more, but I can still call 911 on any of them, or 611. *611.
I was under the understanding, all phones would dial, 911.
II:Also Cingular, does not want to transfer my TDMA phone number, to a GSM phone Sim card.
III:They want me to take a contract and a new phone.
IV:I do not need another phone.
I now have 2-Motorola V 220, and 2-Motorola Razors 3 phones and several others, all GSM.
V:I think this is enough current, new model phones, to use on system, and not have to have a new contract.
VI:I just had phone number changes, and the Girl who first changed the number, programmed the phone as a GSM, instead of TDMA.
It took 5 days, for them to correct, and find problem.
So I know, it can be done.
VII:If they are so all fired up, to get there customers, to change to a substandard
service, GSM, than TDMA, they should work with us. I tried again today, and was turned off by 2 representatives, so I hung up.
I: Any phone, be it TDMA or GSM, should be able to dial 911 w/o active service and/or an installed SIM card. That your GSM phones are not is puzzling, and disturbing.
To me though it just makes sense that a TDMA phone would easily be able to dial 611 w/o service b/c TDMA phones were always locked to one specific provider. GSM phones on the other hand would not be able to dial 611 w/o a SIM to tell it which network's 611 it was calling. That's what I think anyway.
II: I think that is odd that they would not be over joyed to do that. Were you in a store, or over the phone?
III: You do not have to sign a 1 or 2yr agreement. You could just go into a store and sign up for the "no commitment" contract (month 2 month), tell them you have your own phone, pay for the SIM card (I think it is about $25), and you are done. Of course you would not get m2m/n&w, and this assumes the activation of a new number, but you would not be locked in a contract.
I am not sure if this would work if you only wanted to add a line to an existing account, but I do not see why not.
IV: I agree, you seem to have enough phones. You ought to be good for a while.
V: You do not have to sign a new 1 or 2yr agreement if you do not want to. You just take your phone to a store, ask for a "no commitment" contract (month 2 month), tell them you have your own phone, pay only for a SIM card (I think that it is like $25), walk out of the store and your done. Of course you would not get any m2m/n&w, and this assumes that you are signing up for a brand new number.
VI: Specifically, what numbers were changing and how? Were you moving so you had to get a # in your new area code; were you trying to migrate an old TDMA account to a GSM account; were you trying to change phones on a TDMA account (old phone broke, had a spare and just wanted to activate the replacement); or was it something else?
I will answer slowly.
1>I have tried over and over no conection on GSM phone unless it has a registered Sim card in unit. All three ways, 911, 611, *611. does not work. GSM card must be registered. tried with working Phone, and working SIM card.
2>I was at a company cingular store and also an outside sales store and also called several times on phone.
3>I have new, not used, Sim cards that I just need to register, and they want to put me into a contract like I was a new customer.
4>Agree
5>Agree
6>I had changed the numbers of both cell phones because they had gotten out, and I was being harassed cingular let my numbers show when they were suppose to keep totally blocked. Same Area code and samefirst 3 digits of number. When they changed number of GSM they had no problem but the TDMA they programed as a GSM phone, and phone was down 6 days. When they found there mistake it went righ over to TDMA. No one said I was going to have to change from TDMA to GSM or pay moreany time I was talking to reps.
I was trying to be nice and change other phone to GSM. to be rid of this coming conflict.
7>I will read shortlyyour url you gave. http://forums.mobiledia.com/topic50011.html
FlyerTDL Posts: 157
Phone Model: Nokia 8260/6235i
Service Provider: The New AT&T/Alltel-U
Thu Aug 17, 2006 1:04 am
1. Got me. Perhaps Cptech or elmo can provide direction here.
2. Neither one wanted to migrate you??? Strange. Was there anything on your account that might raise a red flag and not allow you to migrate? I've never heard of such a thing, just tossing out ideas.
3. Well then just tell them that you want to add a new line to your existing account and say you have your own phone. Then just purchase the SIM.
4. Consensus.
5. I repeated myself w/o realizing it. Sorry.
6. Sorry about your predicament. Now were they trying to migrate your TDMA line and you didn't realize it, or were trying to get it migrated all along and the rep fouled up? What "coming conflict" were you referring to btw?
You also never mentioned, are you a fmr AT&T customer, or have you always been a Cingular Orange customer (TDMA and GSM)?
total confused Posts: 7
Thu Aug 17, 2006 5:28 am
I have been Ameritech, then Cingular, since day one, and had mobile telephone, before that with Ohio Bell.
Also had my own, VHF hand held two way radios with repeater. Didn't have conflicts then.
FlyerTDL Posts: 157
Phone Model: Nokia 8260/6235i
Service Provider: The New AT&T/Alltel-U
Thu Aug 17, 2006 6:00 pm
You can still use VHF for calls?
Sweet!
That was cool equipment. I did not think that anyone even bothered with that anymore. At least until I listened in on family friend's HAM scanner last year and it picked up someones phone call. That was some pretty cool toy back in the day. Great to see that some else still using it.
total confused Posts: 7
Fri Aug 18, 2006 4:07 am
I like to be prepared with back up equipment, since the cellular equipment, is so very dependable.
And all the internet phone services, are also very dependable.. LOL
Power outs or Towers down, Equipment failures
LOL
I did not think that anyone even bothered with that anymore. At least until I listened in on family friend's HAM scanner last year and it picked up someones phone call. That was some pretty cool toy back in the day. Great to see that some else still using it.
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