Registered: Sep 1999
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 431

Nokia 6162i TDMA connection possible?

Based on other posts that I've seen, I purchased a DLR-3 datacable and a DCH-M9 Visor-to-modem cable. When I connect these up to the Prism and the Nokia 6162i (TDMA) phone, the Prism cannot find the modem. I have tried many different kinds of settings and markspace.com only talks about a Sprint and Verizon connection setup. I have Cellular One service.

I suspect that I cannot use this phone as I need a CMDA phone. Does anyone know if this is case? Is there any way that I should be able to get my current setup working?

Thanks

Registered: May 2000
Location:
Posts: 209

I think you're hosed and out a few bucks for purchasing the cables.

IIRC, the 6162i doesn't have a modem. All the cables netted you was the ability to transfer the phone book data back and forth between the phone and a PC (using FoneSync).

And, to further pile on the bad news: Since the 6162i is also a TDMA phone, even if there was a way to use it as a method to get online (and you possibly could--- connect an external modem between the Prism and the 6162), TDMA data services are not enabled in the U.S.

Since you mentioned you have Cellular One and it looks like you're in SF, you're in ATTWS territory-- and that means the only wireless data support available for AT&T Wireless customers is CDPD. Your phone doesn't support this data mode.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 431

ProjectZero,

Thanks for your input. I suspected that the 6162i might not do the job. I can get refunds on both my cables so I'm not too concerned about that -- I'll just be out shipping costs.

The company that I bought the cable DCH-M9 cable from did not feel that TDMA was an issue and that my configuration should work. I'm going to do more testing tonight otherwise I'll just have to return the cables.

I'm still confused though as the Nokia 6162i data page says "Use your Nokia phone to retrieve email, send faxes and browse the internet with your computer. Additional cables or software may be needed, depending on your handset model. (Actual Digital Data service is dependent on your operator.)" This implies that I should be able to make the connection that I want.

Registered: May 2000
Location:
Posts: 209

If you don't plan on moving out of the U.S., return the DLR-3 cable (the other cable might come in handy if you switch wireless operators). That last set of words you quoted from the Nokia site applies here-- "dependent on your operator". In the U.S., none of the TDMA operators have enabled data services.

But in Brazil and in some parts of Canada, the TDMA providers there have flipped the switch. I wouldn't hold my breath for any U.S. TDMA operator to do the same-- they are more likely to plow ahead with 2.5G/3G implementation-- which will require customers to use new phones (opportunity to make more money, etc.).

Anyways, with the 6162i, there really isn't an internal modem inside the phone; I believe what occurs is if TDMA data services is enabled, the data service itself look like a modem to a terminal device.

TDMA might not be an issue if your phone could be forced into analog mode, *stay* in analog mode and you have a compatible modem to interface between the Visor and the phone. However, unlike older Nokia phones, there's no easy way to switch to analog mode on a 6162i, let alone make it stick (there probably is a way through the test mode enabled on the keypad. And if that's the case, enabling the test mode through the Visor might be problematic, if not impossible... and if any data commuications occurred on the phone's port automatically resets the phone to digital, then you're really out of luck).

Registered: Aug 2001
Location: Westboro, MA
Posts: 7

<<<In the U.S., none of the TDMA operators have enabled data services. >>>

We have TDMA data services here in the States. I am a RF Performance Engineer for Cingular Wireless (850 TDMA not GSM). The Nokia 7160 and the new Motorola V60 both have circuit-switched data capabilities. In fact, right now, as I type this, I am in my truck connected to the Internet via my 7160 & laptop. And this is not in analog, either...true digital bit stream. Granted, it's only 9.6 kb/s but it works and for what you would use it for on your HS it is certainly bearable (low graphics content).
-JR

__________________
John F. Robinson, Jr
RF Performance Engineering
Cingular Wireless, L.L.C.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 431

quote:

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Originally posted by John Robinson
...We have TDMA data services here in the States...

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John,

Thanks for the info. You've given me a little hope...

I did some more testing last night and was able to get my Visor to talk to the 6162i. It says it's "Calling" and then a while later it says "Cancelled". I don't know if some scripting is needed or whether TDMA data services are not supported by Cellular One or the 6162i won't work or ...

Brian

Registered: Aug 2001
Location: Westboro, MA
Posts: 7

The 61xx series does not support CSD (circuit-switched data). It will do an analog data call but that's not what you really want. Analog phones send and recv messages from the Switch via a method known as 'blank and burst'. Control msgs that tell the phone what to do are sent down the link to the phone on the actual voice channel. The phone then blanks out the other party's voice and send a msgs that only the phone can 'hear', it's out of our hearing range. You can hear it doing this sometimes though....you may hear what sounds like little 'zaps' in the background. Now obviously, anything that mutes out the modem tones from the far end in NOT good at all. This forces the modem to have to retrain and miss alot of data. Digital data has overhead control channels for messaging between the phone and the switch. Make sense?
-JR

__________________
John F. Robinson, Jr
RF Performance Engineering
Cingular Wireless, L.L.C.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 431

John,

Thanks again! The explanation makes enough sense for me to realize that I need to get a new phone if I want this connectivity from the Visor. Maybe I should switch to Cingular

Brian