VisorCentral.com - Sprint PCS Wireless Web Digital Link

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VisorCentral.com (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/index.php)
- Article Comments (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=17)
-- Sprint PCS Wireless Web Digital Link (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=20299)

Posted by VisorCentral on 12-18-2001 11:29 PM:

Sprint PCS Wireless Web Digital Link

It's a phone!... it's a wireless modem!... no, it's the Sprint PCS Wireless Web Digital Link SB3000, the first CDMA cellular Springboard module available for the Handspring Visor!

http://www.visorcentral.com/content/Stories/1346-1.htm

Posted by christopher_bailey on 12-19-2001 12:22 AM:

I'm SOOOOO frustrated with Sprint! Can someone tell me, if I am an existing Sprint PCS customer with a handset and with a phone number, why they can't find a way to say: "Mr. Bailey, your new Digital Link will utilize the same phone number, the same minutes, the same plan, the same everything AND you can continue to use your Samsung 8500."

What Sprint keeps telling me is: "Mr Bailey, you can have a phone in the bedroom, and a phone in the living room, but they're two different phones, so they require two different plans and yes, you'll have to pay twice."

I keep calling, hoping I'll find someone who can tell me otherwise, but I've yet to have any success.

I know what you're thinking ... ditch the Samsung. While in theory I could, I mean ... I cut my land line over three years ago and never looked back, not only am I not ready to ditch the Samsung, I have no desire to.

Have VisorPhone users had the same problem?

ARRRRGGGHHH!!!

(Other than that, I have been reasonably happy with Sprint PCS, by the way ... when I cut my landline, I signed up with Sprint and really haven't had any reason to leave them.)

Christopher

(edited for typos)

__________________
Visor Edge, Stowaway for Edge, Eyemodule I<br>(Visor Dx Ice - RIP)

Posted by MarkEagle on 12-19-2001 12:30 AM:

Unfortunately, I don't believe there's any cellular provider that will allow to phones to share the same number. I believe it's a technical limitation (or feature) of cell technology. Have you looked into Sprint's Add-a-Phone option? It allows multiple phones to share the same plan minutes.

__________________

God bless America, my home sweet home...

Posted by bob.os on 12-19-2001 12:33 AM:

Couple of things

quote:
"Mr. Bailey, your new Digital Link will utilize the same phone number, the same minutes, the same plan, the same everything AND you can continue to use your Samsung 8500."

Chris, you can do this, but it will cost you $10-15/month for what they call the "add a phone" plan. Of course, they could have ditched this feature, like they did with many of their other features that gave sprint the competitive edge like first incoming minute free, no contract and so on.

My question, as a long time Sprint user, is how do you update the PRL on the phone?

For those who don't know the PRL is the database of cell towers that your phone can talk to. It is loaded on every phone, and us updated 2-3 times per year.

With most phones, you just take it in to the Sprint store and they flash it up for you. If you're lucky, it won't kill your phone book.

Posted by christopher_bailey on 12-19-2001 01:54 AM:

Re: Couple of things

quote:

Originally posted by bob.os

My question, as a long time Sprint user, is how do you update the PRL on the phone?

For those who don't know the PRL is the database of cell towers that your phone can talk to. It is loaded on every phone, and us updated 2-3 times per year.

With most phones, you just take it in to the Sprint store and they flash it up for you. If you're lucky, it won't kill your phone book.

Whoa, cool!

I've never had to go to one of there stores for anything, so I guess I should consider myself lucky.

I have had two phones in almost four years (first a Qualcomm, now a Samsung 8500) and can't remember having to do anythingh like that, however, there have been times I have been asked to power off and power back on and (magically) something was done ... thought what I never knew.

(edit: added the word 'almost')

__________________
Visor Edge, Stowaway for Edge, Eyemodule I<br>(Visor Dx Ice - RIP)

Posted by christopher_bailey on 12-19-2001 02:07 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by MarkEagle
Have you looked into Sprint's Add-a-Phone option? It allows multiple phones to share the same plan minutes.

After getting thru your great review (answered a lot of my questions, especially about my new Stowaway for Edge keyboard), I read about the Add A Phone option on the final page, so I thought what the heck, I'll call one more time...

While the customer service reps are nice, they have no magic wands

that they can wave to get Sprint (or any cellular provider) to change there M.O.

I asked the rep about the Add A Phone plan and was given the following details:

* you need to be on a plan worth at least 49.99
* you can't be on a pay as you go plan
* your primary phone gets charged an additional $10 for this service
* your new phone gets charged $10 for this service as well

...and the kicker (for me anyway)...

* your new phone has a new phone number.

OK, better than what I thought my options were because I do get to share the minutes, but for someone on a $35/month plan, doubling my bill seems a little much.

I know, I know, I'm asking too much, but really, I'm going to stick with my previous analogy, slightly modified:

If I have a phone in the living room and a phone in the bedroom, let them both work off the same phone number.

I may change my mind down the road (read: I could be enticed by deeper discounts), but for now I will remain hopefully optimistic that someone finds a way to resolve this.

Thanks for letting me get this off my chest, and my number one Visor point-of-reference.

Christopher

__________________
Visor Edge, Stowaway for Edge, Eyemodule I<br>(Visor Dx Ice - RIP)

Posted by JHromadka on 12-19-2001 04:28 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by christopher_bailey
I know what you're thinking ... ditch the Samsung. While in theory I could, I mean ... I cut my land line over three years ago and never looked back, not only am I not ready to ditch the Samsung, I have no desire to.

Have VisorPhone users had the same problem?

That is the beauty of GSM. Pop out the card from one phone and insert it into the other without losing any of your contacts. Damn I can't wait to get a Treo.

__________________
James Hromadka
Old Friend

Posted by Stanward on 12-20-2001 08:45 PM:

VisorPhone sucks

After reading the Sprint PCS review, that module kicks butt.

The VisorPhone module I have sucks, as the battery life is the real big pain. I have to recharge my VisorPhone once a day now(used to be recharging once every 2 days).

My Visor Prism will never see 3/4 full battery because by the time it gets near there, the VisorPhone needs recharging!

I've heard Handspring will be phasing out the VisorPhones, and concentrating more on the Treo.

Stan

Posted by Stanward on 12-20-2001 08:48 PM:

Oh, I forgot to add

How long do we wait for this Sprint module to drop from $249 to $199 to $99 to free????

Stan

Posted by MarkEagle on 12-20-2001 10:07 PM:

I just came across this at Handspring: The Digital Link is available for $189.99 with service activation.

quote:
For a limited time, save $60 (with service activation) when you buy a Sprint PCS Wireless Web Digital Link� module. Simply sign up for a new service plan and you'll receive a $60 rebate. It's the perfect way to send a Season's Greeting! But hurry�offer ends December 31, 2001

__________________

God bless America, my home sweet home...

Posted by Loaderloser on 12-21-2001 02:19 AM:

WWDL Case

Got the WWDL a month ago & love it. Anyone know if there's a form fitting case that will fit it without getting one of those big generic cases? Tried getting the E&B case meant for the Visorphone. It's close but just doesn't quite fit. I think the WWDL has a chunkier battery and throws off how the cutouts line up with the buttons on the unit. Any help appreciated. Post reply here or send me a private EM.
P.S. Anyone who's already bought it got any ideas on how to get Sprint to give us a retroactive rebate? :^)

Posted by dsds88 on 01-26-2002 07:46 AM:

You might try a cable made by these guys:
http://www.gomadic.com/

It allows you to use your cellphone as a wireless modem so you can dial into any ISP.

Posted by Talldog on 02-19-2002 07:33 PM:

This review mentions being able to use the SB3000 to dial a 3rd party ISP. Has anyone actually been able to do this. I haven't been able to get it to work (it looks like it makes the connection to AT&T Global Net and then fails on handshaking). A 2nd level support guy at Sprint didn't think it could be done, and sent me to AirPrime. The first person I spoke to at AirPrime also said that she thought it couldn't be done. I'm waiting for a callback from a 2nd level person, but I'm not hopeful.

__________________
Talldog

Posted by MarkEagle on 02-19-2002 10:28 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by Talldog
This review mentions being able to use the SB3000 to dial a 3rd party ISP. Has anyone actually been able to do this.

Yes, I was able to connect to EarthLink as an ISP. Most likely, your problem is either in the Connection/Network Preferences (possibly the script settings) or AT&T GlobalNet requires an encrypted login.

__________________

God bless America, my home sweet home...

Posted by appler on 11-09-2002 05:45 PM:

No 3G upgrade

On Page 6 of the article it states:

quote:
And since the Digital Link is software upgradeable to the upcoming 3G technology (due sometime in 2002)

However, according to a Handspring help file:

quote:
Is the Sprint PCS Wireless Web Digital Link upgradeable to 3G (PCS Vision) services from Sprint?

No. The Sprint PCS Wireless Web Digital Link uses 2G (Free & Clear) wireless technology.

It is not compatible with the new Sprint PCS Vision plans and must be used with a Free & Clear plan. To sign up for a new plan or to transfer service to your Digital Link module, please contact Sprint directly. There is a $34.99 activation fee for all new accounts.

Of course I can't really complain since today I ordered my WWDL for just shipping & tax, no charge.

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