WirelessAdvisor.com Forums - GENERAL Wireless Discussion http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/ START HERE unless your topic fits in one of the forums below.Post questions about cell phone coverage and wireless service for your area in this forum. en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:52:54 GMT vBulletin 60 http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/wa_2007_style/misc/rss.jpg WirelessAdvisor.com Forums - GENERAL Wireless Discussion http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/ The Cell Phone Junkie no Evolution of the Wireless Industry (My personal commentary) http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76695-evolution-wireless-industry-my-personal-commentary.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:08:09 GMT This has been an interesting year in the wireless industry. I know in the past I have posted on how the wireless industry has the consumer in a vice grip and controls everything, especially when it comes to phones, high price plans, and contracts. It seams like things are changing very fast.

As far as the lock down on phones there has not been much change. We have seen a little bit of change with Best Buy selling unlocked phones, and we can also purchase them in a few Wal-Mart stores. Specialty electronic stores almost always have them. Of course we have online stores, but you have to be actively looking from them there and you cannot just stumble upon them like you can at Best Buy. Hopefully with LTE around the corner, the free market will demand change.

This year we have seen vicious competition in the industry. The plans are down to fifty bucks for unlimited minutes with unlimited text thrown in at an additional ten bucks a month. We have both unlimited pricing in messaging and phone data (with soft caps of course).

Finally we have also seen the carriers start to prorate their ETF's. For the most part the ETF's are not directly tied to the plans anymore, just to the devices. You can get month to month service off of the Verizon website and T-Mobile Website. ATT allows you to sign up on a month to month bases in its corporate stores. With the economy turning sour and peoples credit scores getting destroyed because of it, I see the prepaid side of the house increasing to protect both the carriers (they do not have to worry about people not paying their bills) and the consumer (you will never owe the carriers money.)

The most exciting things that I think are happening CURRENTLY in the industry is T-Mobile completely separating their devices and rate plans, (shows the consumers that there is a different way, one that works very well in Asia and about half of Europe chooses) Verizon jacking up their ETF's (what a way to burn your customers) and this ridiculous lawsuit (disgust the consumers even more and shows the childish, that's not the word, dirty and disgusting side of the industry). I hope that these events combined with the free market, competition and consumers demanding with their dollars a fair system continue to change the industry.

So, what are peoples thoughts on this? Do you agree or disagree? Why? ]]> GENERAL Wireless Discussion Simon5282 http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76695-evolution-wireless-industry-my-personal-commentary.html no Can incoming messages be filtered into groups or contacts? http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76680-can-incoming-messages-filtered-into-groups.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:44:55 GMT As far as I know, no carrier has anything like this, but I was wondering if anyone knew of something similar or a function which could possibly do the same job by different means. :confused:

Gmail accounts (and most email clients I believe) can setup filters for incoming messages so that if the specified message content, subject, or sender is found, then an automatic action can be assigned for the message. (placed into a group, deleted, saved, etc.)

My use would be for filtering messages that are from any sender including certain numbers into either a group, or optimally all as one contact.
ex. Any message received from a sender who's number begins with "32665" will be labeled as "Facebook" regardless of the rest of the number. (so "32665-123" or "32665-789" would both appear as "Facebook")

I apologize in advance if any of this is unclear, but any feedback or even questions would be appreciated- I'd be glad to elaborate. :biggrin: ]]> GENERAL Wireless Discussion salulos http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76680-can-incoming-messages-filtered-into-groups.html no The Cell Phone Junkie Show #181 http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76665-the-cell-phone-junkie-show-181-a.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:35:46 GMT The Cell Phone Junkie questions@thecellphonejunkie.com 206-203-3734 Facebook Mickey Twitter Joey Twitter How to Listen: Subscribe iTunes Download the show directly 510-495-6352]]> The Cell Phone Junkie Show #181 58:10
Show Notes
Samsung launches it's own OS, a huge charger recall and the Palm Pixi is available.

iPhone/iPod Touch Application

TCPJ Unlocked Show #036

News
RIM and Adobe team up for Flash on BB
Apple widens lead over Nokia as most profitable manufacturer
Apple grabs 17% of worldwide smartphone market
New malware allows access to personal info on jailbroken iPhones
Google giving free Wi-Fi in airports during the holidays
Sears electronic trade-in program
Motorola sale of set-top unit could have implications for handsets
AT&T lowers Data Connect overage rates
Senator targeting Verizon ETF change
Sprint commits another $1 Billion to Clearwire
Sprint plans to lay off thousands
Sprint facing possible credit downgrade
T-Mobile dropping My Faves
T-Mobile says 21MBPS HSPA+ coming in mid-2010
O2 to unlock out of contract iPhones
Orange UK smashes single day sales record of phones with the iPhone

Thanks to our sponsor, Netflix

Devices
Palm Pixi Reviews
PreCentral Pixi Review
Pixi for $30 at Walmart
GSM Pre headed to Mexico on Telcel
HTC HD2 now on Vodafone
Nokia launches charger exchange program
Nokia N900 now shipping
N900 final specs
Telus bringing Milestone to Canada in Early 2010
Estimates of 100,000 DROID devices sold in first weekend
Saygus VPhone to be Verizon's first open development handset
AT&T USBConnect Lightning
NTT DoCoMo intros phone with detachable keyboard
T-Mobile Tap
Qualcomm says AT&T will launch first smartbook for them
What is a smartbook?

TCPJ Unlocked

Software
Slacker now available on Android
Google GPS Navigation on DROID does Turn by Turn directions
Navigon updates software
DROID software update coming mid-December?
Samsung announces its own OS
First Bada OS device?
QIK launches update, now streams in 480p
Windows Mobile 7 testing starting in early 2010?
Windows Marketplace comes to non-phone browsers
Blackberry App world to support carrier billing in 2010

Questions/Comments
Voicemail from Mr. X
Comment from Greg
Question from Paul
Verizon site for sending messages
List of all carrier texting email addresses
Pixdrop
Some email addresses for sending picture messages to people

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510-495-6352 ]]> GENERAL Wireless Discussion azcellphonejunkie http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76665-the-cell-phone-junkie-show-181-a.html no WEST U.S. -- Recommend a femtocell - signal booster? http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76663-recommend-a-femtocell-signal-booster.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:02:36 GMT In a Verizon 'dead zone' need a signal booster for use in and around my home - preferably wireless. Have heard that they are available on Ebay. Cany any one recommend a brand / model that is especially effective and reliable? ]]> GENERAL Wireless Discussion revted47 http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76663-recommend-a-femtocell-signal-booster.html no WEST U.S. -- gsm repeater http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76660-gsm-repeater.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:07:18 GMT I am looking for a recommendation for a repeater for my house in Baja. The GSM carrier is Tel Cel. I can get an intermittent signal at my garage but not at my house which is 100 feet lower on the cliff. I am considering erecting a mast to mount an antenna for the repeater(s) on my garage. I would also like a VHF antenna or repeater on the same mast to hear local fishing and boat chatter. Any advice for having these two on the same mast to minimize interfearance problems? I am tech savy but not so much on wireless. I am looking for a recommendation for a repeater for my house in Baja. The GSM carrier is Tel Cel. I can get an intermittent signal at my garage but not at my house which is 100 feet lower on the cliff. I am considering erecting a mast to mount an antenna for the repeater(s) on my garage. I would also like a VHF antenna or repeater on the same mast to hear local fishing and boat chatter. Any advice for having these two on the same mast to minimize interfearance problems? I am tech savy but not so much on wireless. ]]> GENERAL Wireless Discussion danmck http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76660-gsm-repeater.html no CENTRAL U.S. -- which do you prefer? http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76657-which-do-you-prefer.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:21:36 GMT Iphone or android? Iphone or android? ]]> GENERAL Wireless Discussion cellurtech http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76657-which-do-you-prefer.html no Cell Signal Booster http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76633-cell-signal-booster.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:58:55 GMT Hello, I live in a log cabin that is in the Verizon coverage area. But because the cabin is in the back of a canyon and at the foot of a mountain, I get only one signal bar when I stand on the front porch. If I go 3 tenths of a mile down the driveway I can get 4 bars. (I get no bars inside the cabin). Does anyone know of a signal booster I can use? I heard of a booster where the antenna is placed on the chimney with a wire that runs inside to a booster. Does anyone know about this? Thanks, Rob Caldwell Hello,

I live in a log cabin that is in the Verizon coverage area. But because the cabin is in the back of a canyon and at the foot of a mountain, I get only one signal bar when I stand on the front porch. If I go 3 tenths of a mile down the driveway I can get 4 bars. (I get no bars inside the cabin).

Does anyone know of a signal booster I can use? I heard of a booster where the antenna is placed on the chimney with a wire that runs inside to a booster. Does anyone know about this?

Thanks,

Rob Caldwell ]]> GENERAL Wireless Discussion highred http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76633-cell-signal-booster.html no The Cell Phone Junkie Show #180 http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76621-the-cell-phone-junkie-show-180-a.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:45:44 GMT The Cell Phone Junkie questions@thecellphonejunkie.com 206-203-3734 Facebook Mickey Twitter Joey Twitter How to Listen: Subscribe iTunes Download the show directly 510-495-6352]]> The Cell Phone Junkie Show #180 1:12:10
Show Notes
T-Mobile has a major outage, Verizon's Droid hits the market, and ETF's are going up.

iPhone/iPod Touch Application

News
Telecom Companies intro SMS and Voice-over-LTE solution
Top 10 carriers - Q3 2009
Who still needs Windows Mobile?
AT&T sues Verizon for "map for that" ads
AT&T launching new stuff
AT&T completes Centennial Acquisition
Radio Shack will sell the iPhone
Verizon confirms ETF going up to $350
Verizon debuts daily/weekly/monthly prepaid broadband
Sprint and Clearwire announce numerous markets
Sprint also announces Dell Mini 10 netbook
Sprint rolling out PTT in more areas of Iowa and Illinois
Sprint says no change in its ETF policy
T-Mobile USA joins the WiFi Alliance
T-Mobile outage
T-Mobile says all services restored
Software error caused outage
T-Mobile Q3 earnings
T-Mobile says 40% of it's Q4 sales will be smartphones
Metro PCS expands Florida presence
MetroPCS posts larger profits
China Unicom hits 1 million 3G users, only 5,000 iPhones
Bell HSPA network goes live
FCC approves Dell Mini 3iX

Thanks to our sponsor, Netflix

Devices
Smaller iPhone under contract and coming to CDMA in 2010?
T-Mobile gets HD2
FCC LG WinMo device for AT&T
Celio Redfly support for Blackberry
Verizon announces Blackberry Curve 8530
Sprint to get Curve 8530 as well
Blackberry Bold 9700 now on Rogers
Sprint launches Samsung Moment
CLIQ lands in T-Mobile stores
Motorola Milestone is DROID in GSM clothes
EAS on DROID is only $30
Verizon says Droid tethering coming in 2010
Tethering will be $30
Sony XPERIA X10 announced
HTC Hero comes to Verizon as Eris
Peek's dedicated Twitter device
Verizon launches LG Chocolate Touch

TCPJ Unlocked

Software
Google Voice search supports S60
Opera announces Mini 10 beta for Symbian
Blacksn0w now available
Dutch hacker access jailbroken iPhones
How the SSH worm works
WebOS speed fix
Samsung Jack gets WinMo 6.5 upgrade
Palm demos Web-based Ares SDK for webOS
Google ads NYC subway maps to Google Maps for Mobile

Questions/Comments
Comment from Dave
Voicemail from Michael

How to Contact us:
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questions@thecellphonejunkie.com
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Subscribe
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510-495-6352 ]]> GENERAL Wireless Discussion azcellphonejunkie http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76621-the-cell-phone-junkie-show-180-a.html no Duracell USB charger http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76609-duracell-usb-charger.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:59:36 GMT Duracell: Smart Power | Portable Instant Power Charger For USB Compatible Devices The ultimate blend of size and function, the Instant Charger gives up to 35 hours of backup power to devices with regular USB ports in addition to mini-USB ports. 1150 mAh Li-Ion battery USB and mini-USB ports Up to 35 hours of backup power Can charge: Run/ Talk time: iPhone 180 minutes iPod Classic 50 hours iPod Nano 45 hours Blackberry phones 180 minutes Motorola phones 180 minutes Devices with a mini-USB port (many digital cameras) Image: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51H8UHdf7rL._SL500_AA280_.jpg ]]> I was in WalMart today, and saw this Duracell brand USB charger for $29.95.

Perhaps it has been out for a while. Very slim, small and rechargable Li- Ion. via a USB cable. Available in 1150, 2000 and 500 mAh

Duracell: Smart Power | Portable Instant Power Charger For USB Compatible Devices

The ultimate blend of size and function, the Instant Charger gives up to 35 hours of backup power to devices with regular USB ports in addition to mini-USB ports.

1150 mAh Li-Ion battery
USB and mini-USB ports
Up to 35 hours of backup power
Can charge:

Run/ Talk time:
iPhone 180 minutes
iPod Classic 50 hours
iPod Nano 45 hours
Blackberry phones 180 minutes
Motorola phones 180 minutes
Devices with a mini-USB port (many digital cameras)

]]> GENERAL Wireless Discussion viewfly http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76609-duracell-usb-charger.html no Do you think you will buy a Motorola DROID phone? (poll) http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76599-do-you-think-you-will-buy.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:37:36 GMT Verizon's DROID page.]]> I wanted to put up a poll to see if people are thinking about a Motorola DROID for their next phone.

I'm past two years on my VZW phone, so I voted option #3. I'm considering it.

FYI, Verizon's DROID page. ]]> GENERAL Wireless Discussion JFB http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76599-do-you-think-you-will-buy.html no New carrier - unlimited talk/text/data $39.99... prepaid. http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76596-new-carrier-unlimited-talk-text-data.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:40:41 GMT Eclipse Mobile (TwitwithEclipse) on Twitter Does anyone use them or heard anymore about them? I wonder if they offer any other services like GPS navigation/tracking, real caller ID, push-to-talk, TV/radio, 2nd line service, call waiting, 3-way calling, callertunes; does anyone know if they offer any of these additional services? If so, how much do you pay for them? -tmobiley ---End Quote--- Hrm... I found this over at HoFo... I wonder if it's true. I looks like a pretty good deal if it is... interesting... Does anyone have EclipseMobile as a provider of service? Any input?]]>
Quote:
Unlimited Talk/Text/Data plan for $39.99 a month from Eclipse Mobile - it's supposed to include Blackberry Data (but not the BB Storm...). I wonder if they allow tethering...

I heard you can get unlimited 3G aircard for $69.99 ($60 if you bundle it with the $39.99 plan) too - finally an unlimited prepaid data option!!!

This is very interesting. From their website... it seems they are using the Verizon network (since they have BB Storm and V-Cast phones).

SOURCE: Eclipse Mobile (TwitwithEclipse) on Twitter

Does anyone use them or heard anymore about them?

I wonder if they offer any other services like GPS navigation/tracking, real caller ID, push-to-talk, TV/radio, 2nd line service, call waiting, 3-way calling, callertunes; does anyone know if they offer any of these additional services? If so, how much do you pay for them?

-tmobiley
Hrm... I found this over at HoFo... I wonder if it's true. I looks like a pretty good deal if it is... interesting...

Does anyone have EclipseMobile as a provider of service? Any input? ]]> GENERAL Wireless Discussion Nextel32708 http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76596-new-carrier-unlimited-talk-text-data.html no Newbie needs a hand with Blackberry parts http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76593-newbie-needs-a-hand-blackberry-parts.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:56:25 GMT Hi there....I'm looking to find parts for older Blackberry phones. I need battery doors for the discontinued BB 7520 for Nextel. I've had no luck on the internet, ebay, google, or other forums, other than finding one or two at a time for very high prices. I know it's an old model, and I need a bunch of them, 100+. Maybe someone on here knows of a company that sells older discontinued cell phone parts???

If you could please reply or PM me I would sure appreciate it. :O ]]> GENERAL Wireless Discussion Beezer49 http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76593-newbie-needs-a-hand-blackberry-parts.html no WEST U.S. -- Need a little bit of help getting any signal at all in SoCal http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76587-need-little-bit-help-getting-any.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:59:28 GMT I moved full time to my ranch in Flamingo Heights about four years ago, after selling my ISP and datacenter in Orange County. Bought a small retail business and having since sold it, I'm going back into IT work.

I'm familiar with ISP operations and enterprise management, including VoIP services which I'm thinking about providing in my area here as a WISP startup.

I know so very little about cell phone technologies. Shame on me.

When I moved here full time I was on the 5000 minute plan w/T-Mobile, and my coverage ended at the top of my driveway. My usage went from 4000+ minutes/mo down to maybe 40 minutes, and most of that was just to pass time while on Interstate 10, since I know longer had to provide technical support over the phone.

Now I need a cell phone here at the ranch, and want to use it as one of my primary numbers. to avoid all of that crap with the term contracts I got Boost Mobile, and it works great in the city, but not at all here at my house.

I'm located exactly here: 34.21565046008699, -116.44767791032791

My boost mobile service is only fifty bucks a month for unlimited everything, which I think is kewl, except that it doesn't begin working until I'm 12 miles south of my house, when decending into the town of Yucca Valley - where it works flawlessly.

The Sprint coverage map shows that coverage exists about 200 to 400 yards east of me running along highway 247, and ends somewhere near the edge of my property.

Boost has told me that I'm on Nextel Towers, unless I want to change phones to the ones w/o the PTT feature, such as the Motorola W385, which uses Sprint towers. I like the idea of a SIM chip, I can swap phones on the fly if I like, but my current phone, an i776 which uses a SIM card also uses the Nextel towers.

Nextel coverage, according to the Sprint coverage map, occurs seemingly about 100 feet above me and a few hundred yards west of me, in the hills behind me, which is ironic because There's nothing there. The coverage is very spotty according to the map in surrounding areas, but I'm only concerned with coverage at my house.

I just purchased a T-Mobile SIM Chip w/10 minutes on it to see if T-Mobile has gotten any better out here, but want to avoid using them due to contract terms which I hate, and also having to pick a plan that isn't unlimited everything for a flat fee - or at least not one as economical as Boost's.

Given the expertise here on these forums, I was wondering if the following schemata would work for me here at my house, considering I've provided exact coordinates that will yield lat/lon and elevation:

A Wilson Electronics 301111 Yagi (I have a thirty foot push up pole and other external mounting capabilities, and can even purchase a tower if need be since I'm a Ham radio operator too with special priviliges for raising towers if need be).

A Wilson Electronics 804006 60db wireless amplifier.

I have no way of knowing whether this will work, since I have no heading to point the yagi towards the nearest Nextel tower, and don't even know if there is one in LOS, although I would imagine there is based on the coverage map that I've seen.

I have no way of knowing whether this is overkill either, and would opt for a much cheaper solution if that would work. I don't mind spending the money on the components, but if I did that and it didn't work then I'm out about 600 bucks.

To keep Boost Mobile, I would even, as a second choice, go with the Motorola W385 which uses the Sprint towers and use the Wilson 801365 amplifier that works with Sprint (and T-Mobile too).

I looked at the zBoost products (much less expensive, but do not work with Nextel services) at wi-ex.com but that's only an option if I switch to the phone that uses Sprint's network (or anyone else but Nextel, apparently).

I don't know of any real resources to find the towers or see any real topo surveys by carrier, other than what the carriers themselves publish, so If anyone can offer some help and guidance I would really be grateful.

Kindest regards,


Bradley D. Thornton
Manager Network Services
NorthTech Computer
EDIT: Please do not include personal information in the public forums. If you wish to contact someone please use the PM function to send that information privately. ]]> GENERAL Wireless Discussion tallship http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76587-need-little-bit-help-getting-any.html no Kiwi pcs http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76586-kiwi-pcs.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:34:53 GMT Does anyone know anything about them. They cover in Wilmington and Raleigh/Durham NC. I heard they had a habit of selling refurbished phones as new.? Does anyone know anything about them. They cover in Wilmington and Raleigh/Durham NC. I heard they had a habit of selling refurbished phones as new.? ]]> GENERAL Wireless Discussion myone http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76586-kiwi-pcs.html no Confused: Need help with internet settings. Three Network, UK http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76582-confused-need-help-internet-settings-three.html Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:52:23 GMT My motorola c975 cant acess the internet ive upgraded the software and i still cant acess the internet. Im very confussed My motorola c975 cant acess the internet ive upgraded the software and i still cant acess the internet. Im very confussed ]]> GENERAL Wireless Discussion XBOXJOHN http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/76582-confused-need-help-internet-settings-three.html no