Registered: Jul 2001
Location: Weston, MA
Posts: 11

Roaming?

Hey guys, I was wondering how I would be able to tell if, when using my VisorPhone, I were "roaming" (and thus being charged per minute)? I use Voicestream as my service provider, and whenever there isn't coverage, I get the flashing red light on the phone unit and the No Service message. There doesn't seem to be any option to forsake Verizon's service and to look for another provider...

Hmmm, what about using the "Search for Networks" option in the menu? Suppose I had an emergency, and Voicestream's service, which is quite spotty and crappy in my home area, doesn't cover me. Also, for the sake of the example, suppose that Sprint or Verizon (etc) DO cover the area I'm in. How can I switch to them to render the phone functional?

Thanks!

-Sherv

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: El Segundo,CA
Posts: 374

When I was in Utah my phone displayed Voicestream instead of Cingular (which is my carrier in L.A.) and I was able to use it. I suppose they have some agreement

__________________
My Treo has more memory than I do.

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 125

First thing you need to remember is that the Visorphone runs on a GSM network (Voicestream and Cingular are the two main providers). Verizon and Sprint use CDMA netowrks while AT&T uses TDMA. None of these three different netowrks are compatible with each other so in short, you can't use your visorphone on the Sprint, Verizon, or AT&T netowrks. GSM is by far the least utilized standard in the US (its the exact opposite in Europe) which unfortunately means a much less coverage compared to the other two netowrks. So as far as roaming goes, the only time you'll be able to roam is when Voicestream doesn't cover the area you are in and Cingular does. Many providers such as AT&T (and I suspect Voicestream as well) require you to use their network (through the phone's programming) when the area you are in is covered by them. Only when your phone cannot detect a signal from Voicestream will it switch over to Cingular's GSM network, which isn't that much better as far as coverage goes.

Marty

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: El Segundo,CA
Posts: 374

Just got my bill and when using it out of Cingular and in Voicestream area the per minute data charge was 40 cents/minute! (normally 15)

__________________
My Treo has more memory than I do.

Registered: Jul 2001
Location: Weston, MA
Posts: 11

Well, I was down in Baltimore this past weekend, and when using my VP, I saw that the service provider's name, displayed in the upper left corner of the quickdial screen, would blink out and the word "Roaming" would replace it, and they would keep alternating like this for a bit.

Just in case anyone was wondering...

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Houston
Posts: 72

I got to use my Visorphone in Italy last June, in areas where they have more than one GSM provider. You can use the Network Search feature to display all the providers in an area, and then select the one you want. (As mentioned above, however, this is not really relevant in the US.) What is of more interest - when moving from one provider's service area to another (Italy to the UK), the phone would waste a lot of time searching for the last provider it used before trying to find a new provider. The search feature proved to be the answer for this problem. If you are traveling and in the event your phone doesn't pick up service in an area where you think it should, you should try the search feature.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 242

I just bought the VisorPHone and it's been quite confusing figuring out the international roaming aspects.

Handspring's web site seems to imply you throw a switch, get Voicestream to approve roaming, and you're on your way. But no one seems to know much about it. I received info on "new simms cards" from one Handspring tech. Then, a Voicestream person told me they knew nothing about activating international roaming. Then, a Handspring tech told me NO providers have a plan like that and I needed a second account and second phone number.

Apparently, all this info is false. You do indeed throw a switch and just activate with Voicestream. It would be nice if I could get Voicestream to answer the phone, however.

Can you give me some idea of how easily this works--I waited just so I could get this dual use feature--and how much the charges were when using it in Europe?

__________________
Visit the E-Zine on WINE AND ITS Bulletin Board at http://marksquires.com
Available on <a href="http://avantgo.com/channels/_add_channel.pl?cha_id=2733" target="_blank">AvantGo</a>

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Houston
Posts: 72

I got my visorphone about 2 weeks before a planned trip to Italy (my high school reunion...another story). I called Voicestream and told them I wanted to use the phone in Europe. The CSR took my information and said they would get back to me. Sure enough, in a couple of days another Voicestream rep called and verified the information. He told me everything was set, the phone was cleared for international roaming.

Landed in London, turned on the phone, and connected right up to Vodaphone. Made 1 call to the States to test - it worked. On to Rome. Network search connected to Omnitel (owned by Vodaphone, BTW). Immediately got spammed by SMS for some number you can call in Rome when you are near a tourist attration and they will give you information about it, for a fee of course. Used the phone in Rome and Naples to check my e-mail at work, and my personal e-mail, once or twice a day. Also made a dozen or so calls back home to check on kids, the house, etc. Made local calls in Italy to make reservations, get directions, etc. Phone worked flawlessly.

In two weeks I accumulated about $85 in charges. Here's the kicker, though - incoming calls were FREE. So if I had been smart, I would have called people in the States and told them to call me right back. The charges in Italy were approx. $0.95 for the first minute, and slightly less for succeeding minutes. Like $2.35 for a 3 minute call. All in all this was the best experience I have had with Voicestream. Good luck, hope yours turns out the same.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 242

Sounds excellent, and just what I hoped for. I'll be in France...

__________________
Visit the E-Zine on WINE AND ITS Bulletin Board at http://marksquires.com
Available on <a href="http://avantgo.com/channels/_add_channel.pl?cha_id=2733" target="_blank">AvantGo</a>

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 242

Not that I doubted you, but I figured I'd ask again. Big mistake.

How many different stories have I heard from these incompetents?

1. Voicestream: Oh. You need a TRI band phone to work in Europe. Dual band won't work.

2. Handspring: You have to change sims cards.

3. Voicestream; There is no dual band phone.

4. Handspring: you have to flick a switch.

Tonight a rep told me that you just turn it on, it's automatic.

However, I'm shocked that they would advertise this feature so clearly yet neither the manual nor the box even mention the possibility. The only thing it says is "USA 1900mh adapt"

Why am I not filled with confidence? Why do I feel like after some 10 calls I'm in the middle of a death march and this is becoming my life's work?

The level of ignorance and incompetence here is amazing. I'm so frustrated. If I didn't already own a visor, and for some time, I might out of spite just pack everything up and send it back.

__________________
Visit the E-Zine on WINE AND ITS Bulletin Board at http://marksquires.com
Available on <a href="http://avantgo.com/channels/_add_channel.pl?cha_id=2733" target="_blank">AvantGo</a>