Related
I discovered something ... thought I'd share to see if anyone has any insight.
First off, I do NOT have a data plan with t-mobile. I am out of contract, and have a family plan. No data whatsoever.
I was messing around with Map4PDA (great app!), and since I did not have any WiFi or LAN connection, it opened EDGE to pull map data.
At first, I freaked, and thought I would get some hefty bill in the mail from t-mobile. So, I called t-mobile customer care, and asked the girl how much I would get charged. She said she thought they had a flat rate for data xfer out of a data plan, but she would have to check. She consulted her manager (who didn't know) and 5 other techs. Finally, she found some internal note about it. T-mobile's policy:
If you do not have a data plan, and are able to connect to EDGE, you will not be charged. However, the connection is a fluke, and you will be cut-off shortly thereafter.
That is not the case with me.
I am able to connect, surf the net, download map data, etc. I don't get cut off. I don't want to ruin a good thing (maybe posting this will ruin it?), so I am going to passively test my free EDGE connection over the next couple of weeks, and report back here.
Here is my phone/ROM setup:
I have a t-mobile MDA (HTC Wizard). I flashed it with Faria's AKU 3.3-8mb ROM, and set my t-mobile connection to "T-Mobile WAP". (The other option was "T-Mobile VPN". Not sure what the difference is ...? I know VPN = virtual private network, and WAP generally stands for Wide Area Protocol. Not sure how this relates to cell service though ...)
So, with that setup, I have full access to EDGE on T-Mobile, without a price.
I hope it will last.
Another minor detail: I am in the United States. (I read on another post about t-mobile elsewhere in the world)
swingheim said:
. . and WAP generally stands for Wide Area Protocol. Not sure how this relates to cell service though ...)
So, with that setup, I have full access to EDGE on T-Mobile, without a price.
I hope it will last.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just thought I should point out WAP stands for wireless application protocol.
Sorry for being pedantic.
WAP on Wikipedia
Its all good.
This thread can be closed ... since I found a similar thread here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=288844
Maybe you should check out Howard Forums
http://www.howardforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=324
This is a very well know issue which has been going on for months. Nothing new here. It will closed though.
..........
That link from swingheim is my. I found out that sometimes it will stop working but later it will work. and you can do this with any phone(needs opera mini to work) and even with a prepaid sim card.
Thread closed for reasons given above - existing thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=288844
Mike
Man I really hate T-Mobile's tech support. I called them to ask a simple question:
If I cancel my Total Internet Package which is just 20$ more on by phone bill that I don't really need to be spending, will I be charged for using the WIFI on my phone when I am at home?
I have Comcast cable internet at home and can pick up the router's signal with my MDA even with the sim card out and browse the internet.
They turned around and told me that I would be charged per Kb if I canceled my Total Internet Package and then used my WIFI to pick up my home internet service.
By the way this was T-Mobile's Windows Mobile Department that told me this...
-------------------------------------------
Ok now I have 2 questions for all of you.
Is what T-mobile told me true?
Is there a cheaper way to get unlimited GPRS internet than T-Mobile's $19.99 Total Internet package?
The only time I use my GPRS is to update WeatherPanel and when I am using the OZ Instant Messenger. All other time I spend on the internet is with WIFI turned on and GPRS turned off.
Please, all help will be greatly appreciated and well received.
Thanks in advance, your friendly neighborhood computer geek, Dan.
Well I hope I can help answer your question somewhat.
I do not pay for the GPRS service through Tmobile, I try not to use it at all. If I pull data through it then I am charged. But if i use a wifi hotspot then Tmobile will not charge me. In truth they should have no way of telling if and when I use a WiFi connection. The reason the rep told you this was really a twisting of the truth. He can probably get away with telling you this because it will cut your access to Tmobile HotSpots which you get access to with the data plan. Sneaky sneaky bastards, you should post this little tale on http://consumerist.com/ .
To answer the second if Tmobile is your carrier then NO I dont believe you can get GPRS data from another carrier. Unless your phone is sim unlocked and you choose to use another carrier to get your data through, but this will need you to switch sims out. Either way your gonna pay for it. I would hold out till 1-2 quarter of 2008 Tmobile will start its HSDPA role out, providing upwards of 3Mbps for data. Of course you will need a phone capable of HSDPA, but such is life.
If I am uninformed of another method maybe someone here will be so kind as to enlighten us.
ritalin said:
Well I hope I can help answer your question somewhat.
I do not pay for the GPRS service through Tmobile, I try not to use it at all. If I pull data through it then I am charged. But if i use a wifi hotspot then Tmobile will not charge me. In truth they should have no way of telling if and when I use a WiFi connection. The reason the rep told you this was really a twisting of the truth. He can probably get away with telling you this because it will cut your access to Tmobile HotSpots which you get access to with the data plan. Sneaky sneaky bastards, you should post this little tale on http://consumerist.com/ .
To answer the second if Tmobile is your carrier then NO I dont believe you can get GPRS data from another carrier. Unless your phone is sim unlocked and you choose to use another carrier to get your data through, but this will need you to switch sims out. Either way your gonna pay for it. I would hold out till 1-2 quarter of 2008 Tmobile will start its HSDPA role out, providing upwards of 3Mbps for data. Of course you will need a phone capable of HSDPA, but such is life.
If I am uninformed of another method maybe someone here will be so kind as to enlighten us.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I figured T-Mobile was full of S**T... I know I can access the internet via WIFI even without a sim card in the device. I only use it at home or in hospitals anyway. Like I said though, the GPRS for me, is just for WeatherPanel. That's why I am trying to find a cheaper way...
Thank you for your help though. Not the answer I was hoping for but very grateful non the less.
Dan.
You won't get charged for using wifi. If weather panel is all you really use GPRS for then go to the 5.99 plan. That's what I use and have no problem using weather panel or even browsing the web. The other day I even streamed video over it, although GPRS is way too slow to be any use for that but I wanted to see if it worked. The only apps that I know of that do have problems are mostly IM apps since they have most of the ports that those programs use blocked on the 5.99 plan.
Just realized that you said that you use OZ IM, I'm not sure if that will work or not, I can't seem to get it to work with WM6.
You will not be charged per kilobyte, whoever told you that was either new or retarded. The only difference you will see is that your instant messaging will go thru text messages instead of wifi, charging you per message, to log in, to log out, etc. That's due to the way the OZ instant messaging is written. The 5.99 has been working for a lot of people, but it was a glitch in the system that is slowly being fixed market by market, so don't get upset if it doesn't work for you or if it suddenly stops working, as it was never meant to work. If you connect thru wifi, you won't pay anything as it's your connection thru wifi to your phone's wifi, and the T-Mobile network is nowhere in the mix. Again, the Instant Messaging will be billed as text messages.
johnny12times said:
You will not be charged per kilobyte, whoever told you that was either new or retarded. The only difference you will see is that your instant messaging will go thru text messages instead of wifi, charging you per message, to log in, to log out, etc. That's due to the way the OZ instant messaging is written. The 5.99 has been working for a lot of people, but it was a glitch in the system that is slowly being fixed market by market, so don't get upset if it doesn't work for you or if it suddenly stops working, as it was never meant to work. If you connect thru wifi, you won't pay anything as it's your connection thru wifi to your phone's wifi, and the T-Mobile network is nowhere in the mix. Again, the Instant Messaging will be billed as text messages.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is really good to know. Can you tell me or direct me to a thread that explains the real difference between the 5.99 plan and the 19.99 Total Internet Package?
i don't know about the question you had, but I've had the other extreme as far as Tmo's customer support/tech support... always been great to me. Even after 2 refurbs.
Whoever told you that you'd be charged using Wi-Fi was either full of it or was ASSUMING you would then be accessing T-Mo services...why would you? Just use whatever service you use from home.
I use my MDA with Wi-Fi in my house ALL the time and it has NOTHING to do with T-Mobile. It's not EDGE/GPRS--it's a totally different technology, just like hooking your wireless laptop up to your home router.
Furthermore, you can use the Wi-Fi with T-Mobile Hot Spots if you have that subscription with ANY Wi-Fi computer you have--no reason to have more than one Hot Spot account--many hotels now have it, not just Starbucks.
T-Mobile NOW forces you to pay for Hot Spots with Internet Service as a bundle but they are different technologies.
The Internet Service is EDGE/GPRS and that is a CELLULAR service and is programmed into your SIM chip. I use that too. My MDA can hook into eMail and web sites without a Wi-Fi connection via the cell modem. But it's not nearly as fast.
I actually have 2 SIM chips with this service--I got one for my old IPAQ6315, but that's in the MDA. The one in the MDA is in my notebook computer--it has a Cingular Sony Ericsson cellular modem that I got the unlock code for, and put the chip from the MDA in there--I ALSO can use my notebook with EDGE/GPRS, or Wi-Fi (or even RJ45) connections.
I have the eMail for my regular eMail routed to my MDA--no messing with another address. So it's working a lot like a Blackberry as well.
Finally, you asked if there's a cheaper alternative: There is. It's called "T-Zones" and it's T-Mo's WAP service, for $6 or $7/month. It gives you the limited access you get on cell phones, and you already have it with the fancier internet access--click on T-Zones and you'll see it.
Generally, with T-Mo, service is a waste of time till you get to Level 2. But if you get to Level 3, then you get the techs that really know their business. The PDA support can be similar. But you got to jump through a lot of hoops to reach that level and that can take 30-45 minutes on the phone. Be persistent.
dharvey4651 said:
That is really good to know. Can you tell me or direct me to a thread that explains the real difference between the 5.99 plan and the 19.99 Total Internet Package?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the 19.99 plan gives you your actual connection to the GPRS/EDGE(and in 4 test markets 3G! T-Mobile bought a whole lot of 3g network up recently.) network (internet2.voicestream.com), by connecting thru this route you are given access to the ports required to get to full websites, as well as email servers, etc.
the 5.99 plan is your basic wap access, t-zones and other wap sites. It's what is used by motorola's, samsungs, basic phones. Gives you access to your account information from T-Mobile's wap sites (but not on an mda running less than wm6 and having had the tzones applett installed), accuweather's website, and other wap websites. By connecting thru the wap APN, you are directed thru a filter that doesn't allow you full access to normal websites.
Now, T-Mobile has a glitch in their system where every now and then you get 5.99 internet and your number isn't put into the filter, so the ports that were supposed to be closed off to you never were, and you can browse and email just as if you had the 19.99 feature. The only problem? They know of the glitch and are closing it market by market, which has been taking the better part of 7 months now, but it's not that far from being finished.
Almost all programs you have installed on the mda that are third party will default to what ever internet connection is available, however, the OZ instant messaging program from the MDA and almost all other T-Mobile PDA's is written specifically to use the SMS (short message system) as the next backup if you aren't connected thru the internet2.voicestream.com, or blackberry.net apn if you are using a blackberry, so if you are connected thru wifi, then you will be charged text for each message.
Hope this helps, if not, let me know.
Johnny
okay, heres the issue. I've comfirmed many times that the data plan in canada from rogers/fido works with all wm devices. however, there seems to be a problem for shift to pick it up. any advice would help. i'm just asking on behalf of someone and plus, since i'm looking to get shift myself, would be nice to have this resolved. i think only the vista side is having trouble picking up the 3G network. anyone have the same problem or have already fixed it?
Follow Up
Hello Cheapjing,
Early this morning I spent 2 hours on phone with HTC to resolve the issue of Fido connection not working with HTC Shift on Vista side.
I was able to get a connection for 30 min, when I tried again today after Vista hibernated, I could not get the connection back.
I again spent 1 hour with HTC tech support, still no connection. HTC agrees I have right Fido settings, still cannot find solution.
I have read all the postings on XDA Developers and have tried all the info suggested:
using high performance battery mode and/or AC power
disabling weather and active sync to update automatically
reset snapview
connecting and disconnecting the modem
not using modem on/off in connection manager like HTC advises in manual
HTC did suggest that Fido may not support modem tethering, if this is the case, why did it work for 30 min.
I am in area with GPRS and EDGE, still should connect, runs very well in Snapview, connects to exchange server and gmail.
I will call Fido tomorrow and ask about tethering, my concern is their customer support do not allow customers access to technical support, they are becoming just like Rogers, crappy customer service.
If they do charge extra or do not support tethering, Fido has lost a new customer!!!
Tethering
Hi All,
I feel like I been taking a very long and challenging adventure with Fido.
After speaking to 2 customer support people and retention, I do have 100% assurance that Fido does support tethering and does not charge extra (I have 3 other customer service people advise me they do incl one supervisor)
Now, how can I get it to work, have 10 more days before 1st 15 days are up and I can cancel.
Dave
that seems odd. as far as i know it should work with no extra charge. i'm sure the best way to figure out is to call billing department or any department just be like, i'm calling wondering if i'm going over my minutes/data usage. that should pull up if there are extra charges on tethering. I'm 100% sure that there shouldnt be charges or they wouldnt have to charge that much for a data plan. If that was the case then they could have easily charge $20 and advoid having telus and bell stealing their customers.
well, with all aside, i just hope someone from this forum can help you to fix the problem with the 3g connection.
Data Plans
I think the Fido outsourced customer support has no clue what is offered and what is not included.
Once I spoke to Fido retention and he could verify that data plan included tethering, he was 100% certain after speaking to his technical support team.
I am guessing the outsourced team advise customers anytime it is not a Fido supported phone, nothing will work!!
As far as getting Fido running on Shift under Vista, I have waited 2 days for HTC Shift team to get back to me.
My last resort is hard reset of both snapview and Vista and start again.
I have 7 days from this Thursday to have Fido 3G working on Vista, if not, I will cancel Fido service.
Ever since I received this device, 3G was flakey on Vista even with AT&T in US.
Dave
Update
I think I have resolved the issue.
I liberated my Shift last week at same time I was trying to get Fido connection to work.
Part of the liberation process is a USB Tool that connects Snapview to Vista.
Once I enabled the tool, and made sure Internet Connection sharing was working, the Fido connection seems to work.
I will test today, if this works well, I am happy camper.
Dave
So I just wanted to post on my information..
I have a HTC TyTN II on Fido with tethered always on data/exchange push
i just got my HTC Shift, which I have on Rogers...
TyTN II running for about 6 months, NO issues with data, always on never any issues..
ive been using my shift for the past 6 hours HARDCORE and havn't had any issues with Rogers..
ONE funky thing I did know with the HTC Shift, is that with autoconfiguration it configures a proxy server... I have NO idea whos this is, or where its going but this could be causing issues...
only reason why i noticed it is cuz I had to configure my vpn.com apn to access my VPN server...
One more thing I want to add, is that I am ALWAYS usually on HSDPA.. I have coverage everywhere in my city...
rarely when im out of the city with low HSDPA coverage, it jumps back and forth... those are the only times Ive had issues with my TyTN II....
Wont even bother using internet when im in a "backandforth" zone...
great to hear that you got it up and running. which brings up another question, since its using wm side as a modem, how is the speed on hspa network? so tempted to get one myself however, still waiting till end of aug to strike some deals with fido
Speed is good, havn't done any tests so I can't come up with numbers, but its definatly usable...
I'm having a few issues with the way they designed the network sharing with the WM side, but thats a topic for another forum...
Performance
I am mainly in EDGE network.
My issues with network connection sharing was after I liberated my Shift.
My only 2 remaining issues are:
increase memory (no solution)
better battery life (waiting for Mugen Battery)
Zharick, did you get the 6GB plan, its a good deal.
Please note I was also able to connect via PDAnet with my Telus Touch, just does not work on Snapview.
Dave
Where are you that you only rock EDGE?
In Calgary, AB, I get pretty much FULL HSDPA coverage everywhere.
Just recently with me getting my shift I just upgraded to the 6GB plan... Lets see how it works out! Those plans are only eledgable to datacards, All my smurfing and dl'ing lately better be under the plan.. I donno if they use IMEIs to check or not...
6GB Data
I signed up for Fido 6GB plan, advised them I am using unlocked Windows Mobile device and they said OK. This plan supports tethering which is what Shift actually does.
I hate Rogers, I know Fido is owned by them, however this was best solution for me.
If I purchased CDMA version of Shift, neither Bell or Telus would allow it on their networks.
I would not pay the heavily marked up Rogers price, you can buy Shift for around $1300 on eBay.
Update
The dog has been shot!!!!!
on my 14th day with Fido, I called to again to make 100% sure tethering was covered after the retention rep told me it was.
Surprise, Surprise, tethering is not included in 6GB plan with Fido.
I sent an email to '[email protected]', according to Fido web site, he is VP Customer Service.
I have canceled the service, I think now my device is liberated, I may be able to use wifi from Vista side to update Snapview side of device.
I will go back to tethering HTC Telus device.
I guess $1,900 ARPU over 3 years is not worth keeping for Fido. Idiots!!!!!
The Fido service was convenient, however, I will not loose any sleep over it.
Cheapjing, if you have purchased the 6GB plan, have in writing that tethering is included in 6GB plan, Fido would not give me any assurances.
I have also emailed the story to Toronto Star, they have lots of horror stories regarding Bell and Rogers, now they can have a Fido horror story!!!!
I am guessing the Shift users in other countries are laughing their a%$es off at how backward Canadian wireless carriers are!!!
Good Luck
What is this about a Fido 6GB plan?
i thought most was 200MB for 100 bucks a month?
lmao, thats your issue right there!
That plan is only available with a 3 year contract, and also you are limited to a fido phone that was sold by fido to take advantage of it..
Thats not even a "real" data plan, its one of those SURF AS MUCH AS YOU WANT kinda thing...
to get your shift working, i suggest signing with rogers (i have 2 fido phones, and also a rogers sim card with a data plan, so thankfully i didn't have to get stuck with fido for my shift)
Rogers actually has a plan of REAL 6G for 100 bucks... Terms are your only aloud to use it with datacards, but thats kinda what rogers thinks cuz u cant pair it with a voice plan, which is fine (until voice gets hax0red)
$100 wow
What a rip off!
if this was for business and I could expense or write off no worries
for personal use I will tether my Telus touch with $15 unlimited data.
$30 [lus a voice plan was a stretch $100 way too much
Zhariak said:
lmao, thats your issue right there!
That plan is only available with a 3 year contract, and also you are limited to a fido phone that was sold by fido to take advantage of it..
Thats not even a "real" data plan, its one of those SURF AS MUCH AS YOU WANT kinda thing...
to get your shift working, i suggest signing with rogers (i have 2 fido phones, and also a rogers sim card with a data plan, so thankfully i didn't have to get stuck with fido for my shift)
Rogers actually has a plan of REAL 6G for 100 bucks... Terms are your only aloud to use it with datacards, but thats kinda what rogers thinks cuz u cant pair it with a voice plan, which is fine (until voice gets hax0red)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
$100 for a data plan, wow, I think it is a kind of ripoff. All these days I thought carrier providers in US are the biggest rippers, but now I feel they are second only compared to Canadian providers.
Thanks
--Ram--
Update
Even though I am not a Rogers fan, I called Rogers and asked about tethering and 6GB plan, they are OK with it. If you are only using for data, you can get a Manitoba number for $20/month and add the 6GB data.
I hope when the rubber hits the road, this will work.
Dave
Update
The Rogers seem to work well, I have 3G locally now and the modem works well on both Snapview and Vista.
I am having issues with the following:
sync errors with gmail in Snapview
sync error with POP account in Snapview
NewsGator cannot open IE links, getting error that it cannot find IE app which was loaded when I liberated Snapview
Live Search works well (too bad no Canadian content)
IE works well
added Office Mobile
Ok, this is goofy.
Wifi works great
EVDO connects to internet and works great
3g shows 3 bars, but will not connect to internet
This is true even after a hard reset. Must be a settings issue? I did a hard reset, let it set up, and still same problem.
I got the same problem. Purchased the phone yesterday morning. I never had the data plan before. I called T-Mobile twice and they told me that it can take up to 48 hours for the data to kick in. If it doesn't work by tomorrow morning, I'll give them a call again.
i got the same thing too guys. it is fine now and i got a text message from tmo so it it cuts out again i will chime back in.
buy yeah, yesterday i lost connection twice for long periods of time, like a couple of hours.
Thanks for the info! Seems pretty weird that it works when I'm in an E area, but not on 3g. Maybe different towers or something. Friggin awesome phone though!
LOL, WTF
i just tried to go on yahoo on my hd2 just now after posting and guess what.... it's out again!
OK so I pulled the battery and popped it back in and my internet is back.
i hope this isn't a hardware issue!
Yeah, this is interesting. Popped my TMo sim into my Xperia, could only get E level of service for some reason but could connect to the internet. Put the sim back in my HD2, took it to the far corner of the basement where it drops to E service and it connects to the internet. Back in 3g zone and it won't connect at all. At least it seems to have a stronger antenna than the Xperia. I'll have to give them a call and see whats going on.
there was an issue with the settings...
you can try a couple of things first...
if you are familiar with windows (which sounds like you are), you need to go change the access point name (apn) to one of 2 options...
wap.voicestream.com
epc.tmobile.com
I called into customer service about same issue. I was told to power down, remove battery and start it again and check. It worked afterward.
Maybe it was due to them activating my new data plan, from Android data to Smart phone data. I don't know, just guessing.
I thought maybe I was having this same problem yesterday..
thought eh its all in my head.
Maybe it was due to them activating my new data plan, from Android data to Smart phone data. I don't know, just guessing/QUOTE]
What phone did you have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is tmoUS, guys. They're notorious for having ****ty 3G service. No point in having HSPA+ when the majority of the people are still reliant on EDGE. Hopefully by summer you guys will get decent coverage.
hazard99 said:
I thought maybe I was having this same problem yesterday..
thought eh its all in my head.
Maybe it was due to them activating my new data plan, from Android data to Smart phone data. I don't know, just guessing/QUOTE]
What phone did you have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC Dream.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lude219 said:
This is tmoUS, guys. They're notorious for having ****ty 3G service. No point in having HSPA+ when the majority of the people are still reliant on EDGE. Hopefully by summer you guys will get decent coverage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in NYC. The 3G is good here. Rarely had problems. Probably only a day or something that I can remember.
spotty here in denver. got mine last night. can't get any gps satellites for google maps either.
-Tony
""there was an issue with the settings...
you can try a couple of things first...
if you are familiar with windows (which sounds like you are), you need to go change the access point name (apn) to one of 2 options...
wap.voicestream.com
epc.tmobile.com""
It was set to epc.tmobile.com
I tried to change it to wap.voicestream.com, but that setting errored out.
Then couldn't get the epc.tmobile.com setting to work which is strange. Soo, did a hard reset and let it set up again. Same thing. I can connect to internet with Edge, but 3g even though it shows the signal bars and everything seems great will not connect to internet, download email, update weather, etc.
I too am have this problem... Sometimes web works great, other times no web but strong 3G.... I thought I was going crazy...
My internet was working really slow yesterday when I first got the phone (5-60 kbit/s). Called up tmo to ask if maybe they had set me up with just tzones or something. The guy said "no everything looks fine here...oh wait I see there's something that needs to be reset; I'm surprised you were getting internet at all." When I asked him what it was he said he "couldn't really explain what it was", to which I replied "..."
Anyway, it seems to be working fine now. Don't know if this could be related to the problems you're having, but giving tmobile a call couldn't hurt, maybe they can flip the magic unexplainable switch for you.
Ok so I couldn't get internet for two days now, I called T-mobile twice and told me to wait 48 hours. After thinking something was fishy, I looked at my receipt from Wal-Mart where I purchased the phone and I noticed something peculiar: "REQ Android Web: 30:00". Knowing damn sure I did not purchase an android phone, I called T-Mobile for the third time, complaining, so the first guy transferred me to another operator. He checked out my account and it turned out that I didn't have any data plan at all. So he added the plan and within 20 minutes I was surfing. Everything works great. I'm getting about 850 kbps in northwest Indiana.
It's very interesting that the first two operators I called never even bothered to look at my account to see if I have a data plan.
Just discovered new regarding the no data issue.
I had the no data problem again today, even though it was working in the morning. I decided to reboot and check, but then I noticed the 'Terminate Data Connection' option when I hold down the power button. So I tried it. It killed the data connection and when I went into Google Maps, the data connection reactivated and everything was fine again.
So, it may be a bug!
I have a really good plan (grandfathered unlimited data, enough said?), thus i'm sticking with bell. I originally got the LG quantum when it came out, however since October i had my eyes set on the Focus.
Other then being heavy and small screen, i had no issue with the quantum. I ordered the Samsung Focus from rogers site.Once i got it, i stuck in my bell SIM and got a screen asking for a code. Took the phone to a local independent cell phone store in Downtown london, ont. the guy took my IMEI and gave me back the phone, a few hours later he e-mailed me the a code. Once entered, the phone went to start screen, everything seemed good.
Could text, and make calls. NO data, NO MMS!!
I found that adding the bells APN (pda.bell.ca), sort of gets data working.
However, It feels as if i would I have to make multiple attempts to force the phone to connect via HSPA+ network (i.e. get 3G+ icon to appear). If on 3G not data works!
and even there it doesn't stay connected. (disconnect between surfing sites, making transactions is a pain) On top of this phone sometimes, looses it's ability to make call or send texts, even with full bars, until soft reset (i.e. power down and up).( only happened once, after i swapped SIM card, hasn't re-occured since hard reset)
Ultimately , the issue is the network profile has been manual programed in the phone to use ROGERS addresses for DATA and MMS. Thus far i can't find a way and the community hasn't helped figuring out how to change the profile, by either manually changing it or changing to a Bell preset.
I can't believe that the phone does not get data in 3G mode. I have a theory, either because the bell network is new it doesn't support 3g data mode, which i doubt as my Quantum seemed fine, or bell doesn't have my IMEI which is how they provided data access on old network. I'm going to a bell store today and giving them my phones IMEI i'm hoping this might provide a break through. (will update afterword)
Samsung offers a network profile app via marketplace, however, once launched it provide the following msg "The application can't be launched with your mobile operator".
I will be contacting Samsung tech support this afternoon, hopefully they'll help with a solution. Although i suspect they say some BS about exclusive to roger, we can't help.
Ultimately, i've played with all WP7 device available in canada. The Samsung focus is the one i enjoy they most. My only let downs are the 16 bit screen which doesn't show gradients, and the OS lacking of essential features (hidden Wi-Fi access, multiple calendars, etc.). When data works i am absolutely in love. hopefully this issue can be fix soon.
UPDATE:
Having provided bell with the IMEI (rep at stored scanned it in from behind battery), nothing has changed still having issues.
I still think it's Network Profile, however in post #3 someone mentions an alternative APN, going to investigate and see what the LG quantum uses then might try.
I wonder if this is due to the Bell network, or if it's due to the Focus coming from Rogers?
I have an AT&T ordered, and it should be here within the week. Let's hope I don't have the same problems as you :S
reaver_shadow said:
I found that adding the bells APN (pda.bell.ca), sort of gets data working.
I can't believe that the phone does not get data in 3G mode.
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There have been some cases reported with new phones on HSPA not being able to connect on pda.bell.ca and that APN setting having to be changed to inet.bell.ca.
Note, however, that under the inet.bell.ca setting, you will incur charges, unless you have a true data plan (150MB/500MB/1-6GB) and not the Unlimited Mobile Browser, which many have historically (and wrongly) referred to as "unlimited data". It's just that pda.bell.ca has never charged people correctly, even now. Expect that free puppy to go the way of the dinosaur, though.
zing said:
There have been some cases reported with new phones on HSPA not being able to connect on pda.bell.ca and that APN setting having to be changed to inet.bell.ca.
Note, however, that under the inet.bell.ca setting, you will incur charges, unless you have a true data plan (150MB/500MB/1-6GB) and not the Unlimited Mobile Browser, which many have historically (and wrongly) referred to as "unlimited data". It's just that pda.bell.ca has never charged people correctly, even now. Expect that free puppy to go the way of the dinosaur, though.
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On my plsn it lists "unl Email-Internet Windows 30". Is this consider a "true data plan", and not the historically wrong one?
reaver_shadow said:
On my plsn it lists "unl Email-Internet Windows 30". Is this consider a "true data plan", and not the historically wrong one?
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Neither the UMB, nor the email-internet 30 (often referred to as UNPDA 30, or simply UNPDA), nor the email-IM 15 are true data plans. People everywhere have been calling their UNPDA and UMB plans as unlimited data, only because Bell has not been properly metering and charging through pda.bell.ca portal. The metering of the sessions through pda.bell is actually capped at some ridiculously small amount, whereby you can essentially use "data" well beyond that point and presumably with no limit and the meter still shows stuck at that silly low figure (that figure being in kilobytes and not even reaching megabytes).
It's all good and well to take advantage of this wonky metering. I had the UMB for three years and loved it. "Unlimited data" for 7 bucks! Who would say NO to that? The problem arises when metering actually does function properly. If and when they do correct it, they *can* charge you retroactively for at least that one month of usage not in accordance to your initially agreed to contract. When you first signed up, you agreed to use the UNPDA for emails and internet browsing (and sometimes IM); not for downloading movies, listening to radio and podcasts or tethering to your laptop.
Rather than play hookie with the likes of Bell and go to bed every night praying that today was not the day they fixed the metering, because you just watched "How to Train a Dragon" on your phone, I would suggest to renegotiate a true data plan. This way, you can browse, stream, listen and tether all you want - within reasonable limits.
I switched from the $7 UMB to the 6GB data with tethering plan and I don't lose any sleep. Even with tethering and watching a couple of movies a month, I don't come close to the limit. Oh, and I actually pay about $5 more than I did before for this peace of mind. Some people have even negotiated plans lower than mine.
For some related reading, google "Pda.bell.ca and Tcare Data Usage Meter". A thread from HowarForums should come up at the top. See especially post #14.
I unlocked my Rogers Focus and using it on Telus no problem.
Do you have a friend with a Telus sim?
Maybe the phone is faulty.
geological1 said:
I unlocked my Rogers Focus and using it on Telus no problem.
Do you have a friend with a Telus sim?
Maybe the phone is faulty.
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WOW
This sucks, I have questions:
1) How did you unlock you device
2) does network profile app give you error msg when try to launch it?
3) can you MMS?
4) when the phone is in 3G can you use data
5) can you access the root menu using #634# -> *#197328640# ?
Thanks for your reply
reaver_shadow said:
WOW
This sucks, I have questions:
1) How did you unlock you device
2) does network profile app give you error msg when try to launch it?
3) can you MMS?
4) when the phone is in 3G can you use data
5) can you access the root menu using #634# -> *#197328640# ?
Thanks for your reply
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Click to collapse
You may want to change the title of the trhead as it is a bit alarmist.
1. I unlocked it from a code supplied from a seller on Ebay.
Great service but the listing is gone now for some reason.
MobileXpress Canada (just one "e")
2. I did install it and yes it gave me an error message so I just uninstalled it.
3. I haven't tried yet
4. Oh ya...big time 3G+ icon at times.
5. I don't want to muck with the root menus until other guinea pigs want to.
I am enjoying the phone too much to mess it up.
I'll let you know if the MMS works after I try it.
You did set up the APN correctly right?
Try another sim??