iphone/ Appalachian Wireless Question

[Kyboy13]

Let me stress one thing first I know almost nothing about cellphone/wireless technology ............ and this may be a stupid question but i've been looking around the on the net tryin to find an answer but i can't. I just keep getting confused by all the providers and letters. So i figured i'd join a forum and ask for my self so here goes: Where i live (SouthEastern Ky.) there are only 2 service providers AT&T and Appalachian Wireless. Appalachian Wireless provides better service but no cool features like AT&T for ex. App. wireless has no mobile email,internet, or instant messangers. Basicly its just call and text which sucks! So I was wondering if i buy an unlocked iphone(or any cool phone with internet) can I get all the features of AT&T with the signal of App wireless? Thanks in advance for any help!

[Mobile Mike]

Originally Posted by Kyboy13

Let me stress one thing first I know almost nothing about cellphone/wireless technology ............ and this may be a stupid question but i've been looking around the on the net tryin to find an answer but i can't. I just keep getting confused by all the providers and letters. So i figured i'd join a forum and ask for my self so here goes: Where i live (SouthEastern Ky.) there are only 2 service providers AT&T and Appalachian Wireless. Appalachian Wireless provides better service but no cool features like AT&T for ex. App. wireless has no mobile email,internet, or instant messangers. Basicly its just call and text which sucks! So I was wondering if i buy an unlocked iphone(or any cool phone with internet) can I get all the features of AT&T with the signal of App wireless? Thanks in advance for any help!

First off, it doesn't matter what capabilities a phone has, if the wireless network it uses does not support these capabilities, you're out of luck. Many of the iPhone's features work because of AT&T's network support of them, like data for internet browsing, e-mail, google maps, and visual voicemail.

If Appalachian Wireless can't support any of these things, there's nothing you could do but cancel your account with them and go with AT&T.

Also, whether you'd be able to get an iPhone unlocked is another story. I got mine locked and was able to unlock it with readily-available software. The phone works great on T-Mobile.

Hope this helps, and welcome to Wireless Advisor, by the way.

[Kyboy13]

Thanks, for the reply Mike!
I think i understand you but could i pick up service off the app wireless towers with an unlocked iphone only when i couldnt get at&t signal? and then use all the features when i had signal again with at&t?

[Mobile Mike]

Originally Posted by Kyboy13

Thanks, for the reply Mike!
I think i understand you but could i pick up service off the app wireless towers with an unlocked iphone only when i couldnt get at&t signal? and then use all the features when i had signal again with at&t?

Only if AT&T has a roaming agreement with them or vice versa. What AT&T's roaming agreements are in your are, I don't know. Just keep in mind that if there is no roaming agreement between AT&T and Appalachian Wireless, you are unable to select the other network. If by some technical glitch you are able to, be aware you might be in for some sizable roaming fees on your bill.

[hwertz]

Appalachian Wireless is CDMA. The Iphone will not work with them.

[Kyboy13]

Originally Posted by hwertz

Appalachian Wireless is CDMA. The Iphone will not work with them.

thanks mike and hwertz for the help!........by the way would anyone mind explaning what CDMA means i've seen these and other letters alot. Thanks

[Mobile Mike]

Originally Posted by Kyboy13

thanks mike and hwertz for the help!........by the way would anyone mind explaning what CDMA means i've seen these and other letters alot. Thanks

CDMA stands for "Code Division Multiple Access". It is the network technology used by Verizon, Sprint, and by your carrier Appalachian Wireless. You don't need to worry about the technicalities of how CDMA works.

GSM is the acronym for the network AT&T and T-Mobile use. I've heard a lot of meanings for what GSM stands for, but it's commonly referred to as "Globals System for Mobile communications". GSM carriers use what are called "SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) Cards in their phones which basically hold the important information for the phone to work. When you hear a phone is "locked", this simply means that a particular carrier has locked the phone from being used with other carriers. SIM cards allow for ultimate portability. You can take your SIM out of a phone and put it in another GSM phone at it will work (when a phone is unlocked, that is). CDMA carriers do not use SIM cards.

It is a very different and incompatible technology with CDMA. Which is why, as hwertz mentioned, the iPhone is not compatible with Appalachian. The iPhone is designed to work with GSM carriers only.

One last note to mention, if you hear of letters like GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, WCDMA, HSDPA, HSUPA, and LTE, these are associated with GSM. They are parallel technologies which carry data (and a few carry voice as well) on GSM phones. It gets a little confusing trying to explain exactly what each of them do, but just know they are related to GSM.

For CDMA, you'll hear of EV-DO. Which is the data-carrying relative of CDMA. There are also upgrade revisions of EV-DO known as "Rev. 0, Rev. A", and "Rev. B".

Nextel uses a network technology called iDEN (integrated Digital Enhanced Network), in other words this means walkie talkies. It is completely incompatible with CDMA and GSM. Nextel phones do use SIM cards like GSM carriers do, but these SIM cards are incompatible as well.

So there you have it. Hope this answers your question.

[Kyboy13]

That clears things up alot. Thanks again Mike!

[markuhde]

GSM actually means Groupe Spécial Mobile, it's a French tech. In English it's been translated to Global System for Mobile, yes.

CDMA does mean Code Division Multiple Access and while we use it like it's a technology, it's not really. It's an air interface. The actually technology family is Qualcomm CDMA, and within that there is cdmaOne and CDMA2000

[ekntech06]

FYI...

Appalachian Wireless DOES offer a full CDMA 1XRTT Wireless Data Network.

Services include Web Browsing, Email, IM, WAP, BREW, and Modem connectivity using a variety of handhelds, BlackBerry devices, Windows Mobile smart phones, and aircards.

For those of you in their coverage area, expect some exciting announcements from them in the very near future!



Appalachian Wireless