Cellular Phones

[sandbox]

OK, even though I swore I would never live with the interruptions again, with my pockets making noises, or vibrating with a beeper. I just can’t get around it anymore.

In the process of researching I found
this which lists all the cell networks on the planet. It also distinguishes between different technologies, and that’s where it loses me.

GSM v CDMA seems to be the competing choices in the US. I haven’t found an advantage to either, or a good explanation of their differences.

Anyone have a phone message they would care to share?

 Usa   3 Rivers Wireless   CDMA   1900
 Usa   Alltel Communications   CDMA   800 & 1900
 Usa   Amica Wireless Phone Services   CDMA   1900
 Usa   Blackfoot Communications   CDMA   1900
 Usa   CellCom   CDMA   800 & 1900
 Usa   Cleartalk   CDMA   1900
 Usa   Cricket Communications   CDMA   1900
 Usa   Nebraska Wireless   CDMA   1900
 Usa   NTELOS   CDMA   1900
 Usa   Penasco Valley Telecom   CDMA   1900
 Usa   PYSIX Communications   CDMA   800
 Usa   Qwest Communications   CDMA   1900
 Usa   Snake River Wireless   CDMA   1900
 Usa   Souris River Telephone   CDMA   1900
 Usa   South Central Utah   CDMA   1900
 Usa   Sprint PCS   CDMA   1900
 Usa   UBTA   CDMA   1900
 Usa   US Cellular   CDMA   800
 Usa   Verizon Wireless   CDMA   800 & 1900
 Usa   WirelessNorth   CDMA   1900
 Usa   Airadigm   GSM   1900
 Usa   Airlink PCS   GSM   1900
 Usa   AT&T Wireless   GSM   1900
 Usa   Cingular   GSM   1900
 Usa   Conestoga   GSM   1900
 Usa   Cook Inlet   GSM   1900
 Usa   Cross Telephone   GSM   1900
 Usa   Elkart Telephone   GSM   1900
 Usa   High Plains Midwest   GSM   1900
 Usa   Iowa Wireless   GSM   1900
 Usa   NPI Wireless   GSM   1900
 Usa   Panhandle   GSM   1900
 Usa   PCS One   GSM   1900
 Usa   PinPoint   GSM   1900
 Usa   SOL   GSM   1900
 Usa   South Caroline Phone   GSM   1900
 Usa   Third Kentucky Cellular   GSM   1900
 Usa   T-Mobile   GSM   1900
 Usa   Wireless Telecoms   GSM   1900
 Usa   MBO Wireless   GSM   1900
 Usa   Westlink Communications   GSM   1900
 
 [ 03-22-2003, 02:28 AM: Message edited by: sandbox ]

[Mrious_be]

Gosh, that list looks kinda impressive yes.
Basicly, i think these are the differences in the networks:
European networks mostly work on dual band frequencies (you can choose between 900 & 1800 Mhz frequency).
Problem is that the American states, Australia, Canada and probably a few outhers are going to 1900 Mhz frequency cause it can holds lots more traffic.
Also, since USA is that wide, a 1900 Mhz frequency is much more aplliable here, while in Europe the countries need to cover less space with their networks.
The 450 Mhz network is (as far as i know) the very first cellular phone network (remember the days the builded in phones in cars, wich had the size of a big radio?)  
In belgium i know they never closed that network off, don't really know why cause nobody is using it... i think.
Same like ISDN lines, people are still using it, but i think it's more expensive than let's say broadband connections.
Ah, than the CDMA's?
Hmm, not sure what they are, but i'm gambling that they might be the direct satelite connections or so? (satelite phone).

Not sure though if this answers somewhat your questions, but just thought of saying

[kelly]

Maybe something here.  

http://www.howstuffworks.com/cell-phone.htm

http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/wireles...3404869,00.html

These folks really do have good Product Reviews.

There seems to be a new Cell Phone about every week.

http://www.techtv.com/freshgear/products/s...3420127,00.html

[Bill]

Been thinking about getting another cdma cell.
Mine is so out dated they don't make the batteries anymore plus it's a dual mode not tri mode.Which means I can't utilize [so they say] the national coverage programs.

The real draw back is that I have two brand new backup cells waiting for the first one to kick the bucket.The sucker just keeps on ticking.For years now.
Plus all the new phones seem so plastic incased, I have my doubts if they'd last the abuse I would run it though.

Some examples of what my samsung cdma has been put though.

I've dropped it off a roof onto concrete twice.

I had an old motorola analog years ago. Lost it in the snow in my local mountains overnight "on" and the next morning once we found it ... cleaned/dried it up ... worked like a champ.

Never thought this samsung could come close that old 'tank' motorola but a similar situation happened just recently with it. It fell in a trench and buried for about three hours before I realized what happened. Dug it up ... cleaned etc ... fired right up.

If it wasn't for the battery bit,I wouldn't even think about looking at a new-and-improved cell. Yet I've just about ran past all the internet battery suppliers now and none have come up with a decent battery.Well except one but they decided to go towards a more lucrative income.

Anyways. SB I've been a cdma guy from get go. Other than Nextel,I've no desire to switch. Even though Nextel phones are built like 'tanks' they don't really suit my needs.
I was in a five million gallon water tank a few weeks back while the welders were fine tuning the seals on the walls and my samsung couldn't EVEN get out but their super started yacking with another super on another jobsite (fifty plus miles away) through the two-way radio part of the phone!
They are great but not for me.

[Bruce_F]

I found this article on CDMA vs GSM. They have a simple explanation of the disavantages and advantages of each.

 Explaining CDMA vs GSM

[CyberPet]

Since we have diffrent "bands" we bought our mobile phone's (I can't like to call them "cell") have three bands so that when we visit the Canada we can use it there and when we're back home we use the band used here. The third band I'm not sure where it's working, but I asume Japan and that area.

Sony Ericsson is pretty cool and so is Nokia since they all make mobile phone's that works around the world and not only on one continent.
 
 [ 03-22-2003, 02:35 PM: Message edited by: CyberPet ]

[Bill]

Yeah but CyberPet in Sweden I hear even the animals have "mobile phones"!
After all many of the manufactures come from -around- there.
I've read that your phones have so many bells and whistles ... nobody cooks over there any more.

[sandbox]

Hey M_B that was helpful  
Yes I remember car phones 1970’s, $2000.00 and $200 per month, but it paid for itself.
When cells first came out I had one and a beeper, our Main office was in the middle of nowhere, Rapid City S.D. and the phone didn’t work there 1980’s.... In the 90’s yet another one Gov. issue MCI, but it couldn’t get over the Rockies.  

I really liked my double sideband CB. I could skip around the world and get anyone I wanted, in time.

Thanks kelly, I have a few select options here, Sprint PCS $$$, Alltel, T_Mobile AT&T, and a few others, Verizon doesn’t work across the Ocala National Forest type of restrictions is what I’m faced with. Here in the outskirts of Tampa Bay they all work, but the Boss, my dear, needs one that works in remote areas with picture capability. I just need one that doesn’t shut off when I put it to my face.    

Bill I was told to try to get Motorola, for durability, I might have to think about that, but Jane wouldn’t. I’m leaning to T_Mobile GSM because they work in a place where people who live there now are happy. If I go 50 west to Jen’s house they may not, it’s one of those places.

Thanks Bruce, I saw an article stating the AT&T was adding GSM and thought it might be the way to the future, they do there homework!  

CyberPet, thanks for the across the pond info, I’m sure it will come in handy, how about these Phone choices?    

Oh Jen, I saw Prayther this weekend, and he said his AT&T works everywhere but Inglis, you remember, he lives in Inglis!  

He told me their putting up a tower now, and that should cover the  blind spots for all the participating service providers, and that North & Central Florida will be complete. He also told me about the Naturecoast Run & Swap Meet on the 11th, and I thought you might know about it already, being a nature coaster and all?

[Bill]

Well I got tired of thinking about this battery hassle that I have SB and bit the bullet for one of these new-and-improved cell phones. Supposedly these batteries are interchangeable with other models and they'll be around/available for a while. OH have I heard that before.!. Well see.

Went with a little motorola cdma flip. Not to keen on the flip part. A flip I had before broke right off when it accidentally opened.Weak spring latches. This one seems ok.
Got a feeling when it falls off the belt once or twice ... splatter city though. Not to mention it tasting dirt. Guess it'll be the old baby it route.
Push comes to shove,can always replace it or swap for a different model. Yet the pickens are pretty slim in these here parts. Oh tons of fancy ones with features coming out the kazoo but ...

Although the main issues: reception,drop calls and voice clarity seem fine so far.
Haven't climbed in a wishing well yet for a real test.

[sandbox]

I think we’re going to the Mall tomorrow to test drive T-Mobile’s phones. They have all the buttons she wants and a 600 minute plan. When I counted out the time she needed it was about 500, I’m sure she’ll find a way to use the rest. It’s a on year contract, and with it I can drop one of these hardwire lines.

I have HotFax MessageCenter that will handle call transfers and all that jazz, I just need to get back into it again, haven’t used all the features for 3 years. These learning curves with no banks or guard rails have me in a ditch.

[sandbox]

Well I got it, T-Mobile is the winning cellphone provider.
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,3959,984860,00.asp

And Samsung S105 is the Phone.

They are now offering 3000 anytime minutes for $50.00 per month!  

Thanks for the Pointers!

[Bill]

Betcha all the outer shells are made by Benj the bongo designer on some hidden island SB as a side job.
All the flips seem to have the basic similar looks.
Kind of like basketballs. They're all round with a few squiggly thrills.
It's the air inside that makes it bounce high or splat.

[kps]

I wish I've done as much research as you SB...    

I wanted to use Bluetooth to surf the net on my Powerbook through the cell phone using GPRS and the providers network, so off I went...looking.

Rogers AT&T, provides GPRS and sell the Sony-Ericsson T68i...rep tells me no problem, so I sign up and buy the phone.

Wrong! They don't offer the surfing through bluetooth or wire. Can't connect to their network other than through the phone and the phone's browser. $50 per month data option cancelled.

Still have the expensive bluetooth phone, which developed display problems and other issues. Called Ericsson, they told me to take it back.

Lots of fun...

[sandbox]

Bill I’ve look at them all, no phone covers all the bases, so you compromise. I needed at least 500 min. I went for the plan that had 600, the day before I bought they raised it to 3000 for an additional $10 bucks. I wanted a phone with a camera, the ones on the market are battery killers, and slow, Including the Samsung v205, with a built-in, this phone has an attachable camera,more and better pictures, has it’s own power source.

I like the Motorola v60, but it’s hard to open with one hand, the camera attachment was bad, no extra battery, lousy batteries, But the clincher was the the Samsung 105 is universal, the SIM card can be swapped by any service provider. If T Mobile doesn’t work, I keep the phone and call At&T get a SIM card, and there I go.

I was thinking about getting a two phone services for a 14 day trial, just to check out who works where, already this service doesn’t work in Ft. Myers fl. 125 miles south of hear, but going there is a rarity, the test is up around Jen’s place.

KPS, I was considering the Bluetooth option in a Nokia phone, then I read the fine print.

 I read the fine print these days by Find Word (under edit) In a browser search. I put in a word I don’t want to see, and try to find it, works for me anyway.

[Bill]

"I like the Motorola v60, but it’s hard to open with one hand"
You got that right. Picked up a case for it and now it's real easy sence your thumb catches the case lip.

"camera attachment is bad"
Don't know. Haven't gone that route. Not sure if I will.

"no extra battery, lousy batteries"
The one it came with was a puny slim 600mah. Yet for its size,it does alright. About 40/50 hours in standby on the first charge. Second charge just shy of 90 minutes talk time.
Although I've picked up some larger batteries.With the one I have in now (900mahs), after the initial two drain/charges,I'm sitting at 118 minutes talk time and going on 60 hours with the battery bar still having four of the six full. Noticed once the first 600mah battery hit the half way mark though it [battery scale] started to take a quick nose dive. Got a feeling this ones going to take a swan dive soon also. I'll be happy if this 900 makes it too 180 minutes talk. *They* say they're supposed get more but you know how that goes.
Compared to the old samsung I had active,those times are great.And still have a couple other batteries I haven't even set a spark plug to yet.

A bud of mine has the T-720 model. Because of the colored graphic display my V60 leaves his at the starting gate. Same goes for another bud who has the LG 4400.
Oh both have more bells and whistles but for my purpose ... never use them.
Basically just make sure the phone yells at me and I can yell at it out in no-mans-land jobsites with out doing one of those - CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW (S) -.
Haven't had one single [legit] drop call yet and I've taken it through some heavy dead spots.

Other than straight communicating I haven't even gotten around to the other bell and whistles on this thing.

Fact is Kps I was looking at the browser mode in this puppy today.
That was about it ... skimmed through the menu. <gr>