Registered: Aug 2002
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 108

Has VoiceStream/T-Mobile data services policy changed?

I have seen several posting regarding the use of VoiceStream's ISDN number for use as an ISP to connect to the Internet for conventional browsing (non-WAP) and e-mail when using a PDA with Visorphone or connected to a GSM cell-phone with built-in modem capability.

However, on the new T-Mobile website, the data services policy states that the user must have their own ISP for non-WAP browsing and e-mail:

"Data Services (web and email access): Included* (minutes deducted from monthly total). ISP account (such as Earthlink or AT&T WorldNet) required for Internet and email access. "

Or did I misread that, and they only mean that they do not support any e-mail client software directly, and e-mail must go through your own ISP?

That would be fine with me, as I have Charter Pipeline cable Internet, and can access my on-line e-mail from any Internet connected browser. However, when I am away from home or office, I must have the browsing capability of my Visor/Visorphone/cellular modem enabled to do this through the VoiceStream ISDN, since there is no dial-up with a cable modem.

I am also confused about their policy of deducting data minutes from regular monthly airtime. Does this include the week-ends? If I have unlimited weekend airtime, will my "anytime" minutes still take a big hit if I surf the net on the weekend, or not?

I will really appreciate it if anyone can clear this up for me, because I really need to sign up with a new cellular service, and T-Mobile and the Visorphone (or modem capable cellphone) could be a winning combination for me (here in St. Louis).

Thanks!

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The Prismer

"I am not a number, I am a person!"

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: New York City
Posts: 158

It's not a matter of the service changing; the ISDN service was never an official option for voice customers. I know it still works (because I used it yesterday, dialing in from NYC to the FL number.)

I don't know if the new T-Mobile customers will have access to this, though.

Additionally, while you will be able most likely to pick up mail from your current email server, you won't be able to send, as most only let you send mail while you are dialed into them.

You should check though; many broadband providers have alternate dialup numbers for when their members are travelling, etc.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 242

Wasn't Verizon advertising THEIR ISDN service as a free add-on to get business? If VS/T-Mobile is discontinuing that as a service, and given that I see other alternatives coming in GSM, I'll drop them so fast it won't be funny....

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Registered: Aug 2002
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 108

Here is what I was told today by a T-Mobile Rep from the Data Services group (who was familiar with Visorphone):

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ME: I have a cable modem. My ISP is Charter Pipeline (Cable). How would I access the Internet for browsing with a Visorphone?

TM: You would still need a dial-up ISP.

ME: Doesn't T-Mobile have an ISDN number for Internet access, which could help customers with my problem?

TM: If anyone is doing that, they are doing so illegally.

ME: OK, so I get another ISP account with a dial-up. T-mobile has unlimited week-end minutes right?

TM: That is for voice only. Your weekend data minutes will be charged against your "anytime" minutes.

ME: So basically, if I get a Visorphone to browse the internet, I will have to pay extra for another ISP, and be charged by T-mobile for every minute I use it, even though I am buying a Handspring Visorphone with T-mobile service primarily for wireless browsing the internet?

TM: Yes, we are not too friendly with Handspring.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I take back anything good I ever said about T-Mobile!!!!!!!!!

Where was that info about free data services at Verizon???!!!

I guess I better get the free phone with built-in modem and cable or wireless (IR or Bluetooth) connection to my Visor Prism! Then again Earthlink CDPD with a Minstrel Wireless Springboard might be an option, if I have to pay for another ISP anyway!

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The Prismer

"I am not a number, I am a person!"

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 242

This contradicts in many respects what many have been told before, particularly with respect to data minutes.

The customer service at Voicestream has always been abominable. John Dvorak actually had a column about it at one point in PC Magazine--none of them actually ever seem to know what they're talking about.

Registered: May 2002
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 78

Dont Listen

Prismer

That T-Mobile dude is a bunch of bullcrap. Honostly the guy does not know what he is talking about.

I have had a VisorPhone for 3 months and have been using a SWB account to get on to the internet. There is no extra charge or fee for getting on the internet with that, all you are doing is using your minutes. And on the weekends it is even better because the weekends are unlimited and there is no extra charge for getting on the internet, theres no data minutes charge, like that dork said.

The free T-Mobile ISDN is great too, I use that acually more then my SWB because it connects a lot faster to the service. There is a big discussion on this ISDN and its concluded that it is NOT illegal. I would definitly read that discussion and use that ISDN. There is NOT an extra charge. Dont listen to that idiot.

The VisorPhone is great too, I highly recommend it and really T-Mobile is good too. They have updated their voicemaail and are doing more random updates to their service. I have noticed better reception too since its now T-Mobile and not VoiceStream.


Thats about it. Cya later.

Jonathan

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The Internet is a great way to get on the Net.
--Bob Dole

Registered: Aug 2002
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 108

Now I am really confused. I don't want to "buy a pig in a poke", and be stuck for a year if it will cost more to do what I want to do than I originally thought. There are other options out there.

Have you really checked your T-mobile bills lately and know that weekend data/internet minutes are NOT being deducted from you monthly "anytime" minutes? Maybe existing VoiceStream customers are being "grandfathered" as long as they keep their current contract, but new T-mobile customers must live with the new "policy".

I understand how a kiosk sales person may be uninformed, but when I call T-mobile's customer service line, and the lady says, I will transfer you to the Data Services group, you would think that person would know what he was talking about!

What is a poor Prismer to do?

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The Prismer

"I am not a number, I am a person!"

Registered: May 2002
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 78

My Bills are fine

Im looking at my past month T-Mobile bill and I have no extra charges anywhere. What I am assuming is that the T-Mobile people you are talking to really dont know what a VisorPhone is and they probably think you are talking about some GPRS phone that you can use with T-Mobile. They prob think the VisorPhone is GPRS so they transfer you to the Data center. This is my best guess. Good luck!

__________________
The Internet is a great way to get on the Net.
--Bob Dole

Registered: Aug 2002
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 108

Yes, but data is data and voice is voice right? The guy SAID he knew what the Visorphone and Treo were and how they were different. There was no mention of GPRS. Nothing he said contradicted what is posted on the Handspring website when you select T-Mobile as the cellular service provider. It does say that internet browsing minutes are deducted from your monthly minutes. It just does not specifically say whether or not that applies on weekends, when you have "unlimited" airtime.

I would love to hear from someone who has purchased a Visorphone recently and received at least their first month's bill on T-Mobile already.

Also, what ISDN number should I use for calls from the St. Louis area? Will this work even if you do not have T-Mobile service or does it require a valid T-Mobile password, mobile phone #, SIM card or other authenticating device?

Thanks for any help.

__________________
The Prismer

"I am not a number, I am a person!"

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 242

The confusion over data and voice has persisted at Voicestream since I took the account out last year.

The first person I spoke to ASSURED me that you had to buy the datastream package to have data services. False. The next person I spoke to assured me that data minutes would simply be charged like any other minutes--the only difference with the datastream package is that it offered you more minutes for less money. True. THat's how my bills have worked and are working.

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Registered: Aug 2002
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 108

BUT, what about "new" customers?

Well, I think there is some "begging the question" going on here.

The question remains, are there "new" (or newly enforced) rules for new T-Mobile subscribers, and "old" rules (or laissez faire policies), which remain in effect for old VoiceStream customers "grandfathered" into T-Mobile?

What I want to know is how are "new" customers being treated with regard to the billing of weekend data minutes. Also, can a "new" customer (particularly in St. Louis area) access the T-Mobile ISDN Internet line?

Thanks!

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The Prismer

"I am not a number, I am a person!"

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: New York City
Posts: 158

Well, FWIW, yesterday they updated my sim card so that the service on the VisorPhone now reads "T-Mobile" instead of "VStream". The first thing I did was check the ISDN diallup, and yes, it still works.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: Noblesville, IN
Posts: 96

quote:

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Originally posted by dennisl
Well, FWIW, yesterday they updated my sim card so that the service on the VisorPhone now reads "T-Mobile" instead of "VStream". The first thing I did was check the ISDN diallup, and yes, it still works.

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