| Author |
Message |
computerslayer
Posts: 120
Phone Model:
Blackberry 8820
Service Provider:
AT&T |
 
Mon Jan 08, 2007 5:41 am |
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions on our forum, as well as some useful references for AT&T customers. The information is up-to-date and checked periodically for changes. Simply check the list of questions and then scroll down to it. The relevant links are always at the bottom of the explaining paragraph.
Of course, if your question isn't answered here, or if we're wrong (its rare, but it happens every now and then), feel free to post a thread about it. Our forum has plenty of knowledgeable users and AT&T customer representatives (CSRs) who can answer you questions.
#1. What are the text messaging(SMS)/web browsing (WAP) settings for my phone?
#2. How can find out if I have coverage in my area?
#3. How can I find out if someone's phone number is free under AT&T’s "Mobile to Mobile" plan?
#4. Whats the deal with unlocking phones and how can I do it?
#5. I keep being asked to put in a PUK code, but I don’t have it, now what?
#6. I have [X] phone and would like to use it in [X] country/provider, will it work? (an explanation of phone bands – 850/900/1800/1900)
#7. What is the difference between GSM, CDMA and iDEN?
#8. I would like to know more about service providers, where do I go?
#9. I have [X] complaint about AT&T, what now?
#10. How can I contact AT&T?
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#1. What are the text messaging/web browsing (WAP) settings for my phone?
To setup your phone you should visit the AT&T tutorials on phones. AT&T has a relatively comprehensive list and can walk you through putting in the settings into your cell phone. The current settings for text messaging and WAP (phone web browsing) are below.
AT&T cell phone support, as of July 26th, 2007
Existing and New AT&T wireless services customers:
The common message center number] provisioned on all AT&T SIM cards nationally is +13123149810. Multiple Message Center Numbers are available for each region; however, each will function the same regardless of what is chosen. If there are problems using the national message center number, please [contact AT&T customer care for an alternate number.
Message center information, as of July 26th, 2007
Former AT&T Wireless Customers:
All former AT&T Wireless Customers use +19703769301 nationally.
IMPORTANT: A plus "+" sign MUST precede the 11-digit message center number in order for SMS to function.
The current web session setup is as follows (as configured for a RAZR V3, but it is about the same for everything!):
Name: MEdia Net
Homepage: http://device.home
Service Type 1: WAP
Gateway IP: 66.209.11.61
Port 1: 9201
Domain 1: Blank
Service Type 2: WAP
Gateway IP 2: 000.000.000.000
Port 2: 9201
Domain 2: blank
DNS 1: 000.000.000.000
DNS 2: 000.000.000.000
Timeout: 15 minutes.
CSD No 1: 14152441012 or 18472549271
Username: WAP@CINGULAR.COM (required for CSD use only)
Password CINGULAR1 (required for CSD use only)
Speed (Bps) 1: 9600
Linetype 1: ISDN
CSD 2: Blank
Username 2: Blank
Password 2: Blank
Speed (Bps): 9600
Line Type 2: ISDN
GPRS APN: wap.cingular
Username: WAP@CINGULARGPRS.COM
Password: CINGULAR1
Websession information, as of July 26th, 2007
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#2. How can find out if I have coverage in my area?
AT&T offers an easy web service that allows you to check your coverage area. Simply put in the zip code and it will open up a coverage map of that area. You can zoom in or move around, much like other map services that you may be accustomed to (Google maps, MapQuest, et cetera).
Coverage map service, as of July 26th, 2007
We here at Mobiledia also offer our own cell phone reception guide. It is more comprehensive than AT&T’s service (despite lacking the official endorsement of AT&T). You can check your coverage area, search for dead spots and even look up what towers are in your area. At the very least, it offers a second opinion.
Mobiledia cell phone reception guide, as of July 26th, 2007
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#3. How can I find out if someone's phone number is free under AT&T’s "Mobile to Mobile" plan?
AT&T offers unlimited calling between its own customers. To check if your buddy's phone number falls into this category, AT&T offers an easy tool online. Simply put in the phone number (or multiple phone numbers) and it will let you know.
AT&T’s mobile to mobile lookup service, as of July 26th, 2007
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#4. Whats the deal with unlocking phones and how can I do it?
When you buy a cell phone from a GSM carrier (in the United States, primarily T-Mobile & AT&T), they "lock" the phone from being used with GSM SIM chips from competing companies. This is sometimes referred to as a “subsidy” lock. The SIM chips is the thumbnail-sized card in your phone that contains the information that allows you to connect to a network.
This is done for a couple of reasons. The main reason is that phone companies sell phones at lower prices than if you bought them without any kind of service. A Motorola Razr V3, for example, still costs over $200 by itself. When you buy it from AT&T, with a service plan, its usually around $80. They can sell it this cheaply because over your contract period you will make up the difference in the profits they make. However, if you cancel your plan, you get to keep the phone. A carrier doesn't want to lose the money that it cost them for that phone, so they charge you the difference (the early cancellation fee) and the phone is locked. Is locking a phone unfair? Perhaps, but it is the current business practice and certainly legal for them to do.
Unlocking your phone is fairly simple to do, provided that you bought your phone from AT&T; AT&T will actually provide the code for you. However, you must fulfill the following criteria: a) Your phone must be AT&T branded. In other words, AT&T can't (not just won't, but can't) unlock T-Mobile phones. b) You must be a customer - in good standing - for at least 90 days. c) You must not have unlocked a phone for at least a year to-date.
If you've done all that, simply call up AT&T - preferably from a landline and ask them to help you with unlocking your phone. Make sure that you have your phone on hand so that they can get the necessary information. They will e-mail the code and the instructions in a couple of days.
There are also third-party services that will unlock your phone for you, usually for a fee. Google is your friend here (as are the forums), but you should always try to go through AT&T first - it is free after all.
If you are concerned about the legality of unlocking your phone, rest assured that it is 100% legal to do so. Effective November 27th, 2006, an exemption was made to laws around circumvention of copyright protecting software, particularly allowing for unlocking. Read no. 5 of the relevant copyright office document.
Once your phone is unlocked it is permanently unlocked. There is no real disadvantage to having your phone unlocked and several advantages. If you leave AT&T, you can take your phone with you and use it with any service that uses GSM, nationally or internationally. The only thing you need to be sure of is that your phone uses the necessary frequencies that your new service uses.
(Information correct & current, as of July 26th, 2007)
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#5. I keep being asked to put in a PUK code, but I don’t have it, now what?
Unlike subsidy locks, a PUK code is a phone issue. When you enter the incorrect PIN (a security code that you can choose to have on your phone, or not) three times, your phone automatically locks itself until the correct PUK code is entered. If you put in the wrong PUK code ten times, your SIM card is irrevocably locked and you will need to get a new one.
If you’ve gotten to the point of being asked for a PUK code, STOP. Assuming that the phone was bought from AT&T, you need to contact AT&T OR follow the instructions below:
If you should experience a locked phone, you can visit our Technical Support Chat for assistance or you may go to http://www.wireless.att.com/ and log into myWireless Account and follow the steps below to obtain your PUK code.
1.Go to www.wireless.att.com/ and log into myWireless Account
2.Select Phone & Device
3.Select the Unblock SIM Card link
4.Follow the instructions on the pop-up page
(Information current as of July 26th, 2007)
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#6. I have [X] phone and would like to use it in [X] country/provider, will it work? (an explanation of phone bands – 850/900/1800/1900)
Without going into a huge explanation of cell phone technology, here is the basic breakdown. Your GSM phone uses bands to connect with a cell phone tower. Think of it as analogous to a radio station and you’re pretty much there. However, both nationally and internationally, cell phone companies use different bands. AT&T uses two bands: 850 & 1900. T-Mobile uses 1900. Internationally, 900 & 1900 are most common, though many also use the 1800 band.
This concerns you if you are planning on switching providers or going outside of the United States. You need to make sure that the phone you have works on the necessary bands. If not, you won’t get any reception, even though the service or country has cell phone service in that area. The long & short of phone bands is that you should do a little bit of research on your phone if you’re planning any use outside of the cell phone company that you bought the phone from.
A thorough explanation of cell phone bands, although written in 2005
The wikipedia entry on GSM frequencies
(Information current as of July 26th, 2007)
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#7. What is the difference between GSM, CDMA and iDEN?
We get questions about phone compatibility a lot, so it seems fair to explain a bit. Here is a break down of the acronyms:
GSM: Global System for Mobile communications
CDMA: Code Division Multiple Access
iDEN: Integrated Digital Enhanced Network
There are plenty of technical explanations out there, but you can read those yourself at Wikipedia. The simple explanation is that these three technologies are not compatible. So if you have a GSM phone and want to switch to a company that uses CDMA or iDEN, you need a new phone.
It has been noted before that GSM and iDEN both use SIM cards. Current information online suggests that modern iDEN SIMs are compatible with GSM & vice versa for overseas roaming. However, iDEN phones are not compatible with GSM networks & vice versa. Sorry folks.
AT&T & T-Mobile use GSM, Verizon & Sprint use CDMA, Nextel uses iDEN.
If you’d like to read about the various technologies, here are the relevant Wikipedia links:
GSM technology
CDMA technology
iDEN technology
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#8. I would like to know more about service providers, where do I go?
Well, you should definitely read up on the forums. Wikipedia is also a good start, though not necessarily 100% accurate (its the internet, take it with a grain of salt). Here are some of the wikipedia links. Of course, if you have a specific question that isn’t answered, feel free to post it on the forums!
Wikipedia on AT&T
Wikipedia on T-Mobile
Wikipedia on Verizon
Wikipedia on Sprint/Nextel
(Information current as of July 26th, 2007)
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#9. I have [X] complaint about AT&T, what now?
No one will ever be 100% satisfied, but that isn’t a reason to ask for excellence in service. However, make sure that your complaint is well-articulated, polite and not already addressed in AT&T’s online help or their terms of service.
Before posting for help here or calling AT&T, double check the resources that AT&T offers. If you’re obviously in the wrong (“I have [X] charges and I don’t want to pay”), haven’t done your research or are simply looking for a fight, odds are pretty good you’ll be ignored or banned.
Here are a couple of good places to look for help:
AT&T Answer Center
AT&T Terms of Service
(Information current as of July 26th, 2007)
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#10. How can I contact AT&T?
If you have a AT&T account, simply dial 611. Otherwise, AT&T has a page that offers chat, e-mail and phone options for contacting them. In general, if the problem is about your phone, even if your phone will still make & receive calls, call AT&T from a landline so that they can work on your phone with you.
AT&T contact information, as of January 8th, 2006
Last edited by computerslayer on Thu Jul 26, 2007 11:24 pm, edited 4 times in total |
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