Sierra Vista, AZ (confused & have ??'s)

[wahine]

Can someone give me some direction/understanding?

I’m currently on Cingular (migrated from ATT) in Texas. We’re due to move to Sierra Vista in June…

In short – I LOVE MY PHONE!!! (Nokia 6230 Unlocked) and really prefer not to part with it. I think I know the answers but I want to make sure I’m not confused.

Here are my questions:

Q) Is the SIM card in my cell phone the “telephone” line that brings service to the phone?

Q) Since my phone uses a SIM card does this mean it’s a GSM phone?

Q) Will I be able to find any provider that does GSM in Sierra Vista?

Q) When I was in Sierra Vista at Christmas time I had zero dropped calls and plenty of bars – how do I find out who’s “service” I was roaming on and maybe I can sign up with them?

Q) My niece is on Sprint with a Nokia 6225 – I had the 6220 on ATT before I migrated to Cingular and got the 6230. It worked on a SIM card… I’m confused because I’m told Sprint doesn’t use SIM cards. Her phone has a SIM card.

Q) If I where to offer to buy out her number would I then not be able to use my 6230 on the SIM card from her 6225?

I think I’m making this more difficult that it has to be but bottom line is – please help me to find a solution to keeping my phone. Silly as it sounds it’s important to me.

Thanks in advance for pointing me in the right direction.

[Airb330]

Originally Posted by wahine

Can someone give me some direction/understanding?

I’m currently on Cingular (migrated from ATT) in Texas. We’re due to move to Sierra Vista in June…

In short – I LOVE MY PHONE!!! (Nokia 6230 Unlocked) and really prefer not to part with it. I think I know the answers but I want to make sure I’m not confused.

Here are my questions:

Q) Is the SIM card in my cell phone the “telephone” line that brings service to the phone? Yes

Q) Since my phone uses a SIM card does this mean it’s a GSM phone? Yes, the 6230 is GSM. It works on 850 (cell) and 1900 (pcs) in north america, and on 1800 frequencies overseas.

Q) Will I be able to find any provider that does GSM in Sierra Vista? T-Mobile serves the area, but it seems weak. Someone else may know more. Check out T-Mobile's coverage

Q) When I was in Sierra Vista at Christmas time I had zero dropped calls and plenty of bars – how do I find out who’s “service” I was roaming on and maybe I can sign up with them? Most likely T-Mobile. CIngular usually roams on T-Mobile in AZ if Cingular (oldATT network) doesn'thave coverage.

Q) My niece is on Sprint with a Nokia 6225 – I had the 6220 on ATT before I migrated to Cingular and got the 6230. It worked on a SIM card… I’m confused because I’m told Sprint doesn’t use SIM cards. Her phone has a SIM card. Sprint is CDMA, so they don't useSIM cards or our phones. Might as well see if Sprint works well there too (if she's moving). The 6225 has a R-UIM chip, it's like a SIM card for CDMA, except Sprint,VZ doesn't sue them. Regardless, it's a CDMA phone and won't work on GSM.

Q) If I where to offer to buy out her number would I then not be able to use my 6230 on the SIM card from her 6225?

I think I’m making this more difficult that it has to be but bottom line is – please help me to find a solution to keeping my phone. Silly as it sounds it’s important to me.

Thanks in advance for pointing me in the right direction.

Hope I helped some, good luck!

[wahine]

Thank you for your fast reply -- Needless to say I'm bummed I'll shop for a new phone with Sprint then... sigh.

[Charlyee]

Originally Posted by wahine

Thank you for your fast reply -- Needless to say I'm bummed I'll shop for a new phone with Sprint then... sigh.

I have the 6230 and know exactly how you feel about it, I wouldn't want to change the phone either.

I have a question: in your note you said " When I was in Sierra Vista at Christmas time I had zero dropped calls and plenty of bars ", so, if your 6230 worked for you in Sierra Vista why are you looking to switch?

[wahine]

I have a question: in your note you said " When I was in Sierra Vista at Christmas time I had zero dropped calls and plenty of bars ", so, if your 6230 worked for you in Sierra Vista why are you looking to switch?

Since we're actually moving instead of just visiting -- anyone who calls me from there will be making a long distance call. I cannot see my son's school making a long distance call if they cannot reach me on any local numbers.

I'm thinking of doing a local service and forwarding the calls to my current account... hmm wonder how much that'll cost me

[Charlyee]

Originally Posted by wahine

Since we're actually moving instead of just visiting -- anyone who calls me from there will be making a long distance call. I cannot see my son's school making a long distance call if they cannot reach me on any local numbers.

Thanks, how about just getting the number changed to a local no. keeping the same phone & carrier. My SO (Significant Other) moved from IL to WI, kept the same phone with Cingular and just got a number change, I think it was $15.

[wahine]

Originally Posted by Charlyee

...kept the same phone with Cingular and just got a number change, I think it was $15.

They (Cingular) keep telling me they don't have 520 numbers

[Charlyee]

Originally Posted by wahine

They (Cingular) keep telling me they don't have 520 numbers

Oh I see, Cingular does not service in that area. According to T-Mobile coverage map, they have coverage in Sierra Vista so that's probably what you were roaming on. Maybe you want to check T-Mobile's street level coverage map and if satisfactory, get their service and then you can use your unlocked 6230 with T-Mobile's SIM.

[wahine]

[quote=Charlyee]...Maybe you want to check T-Mobile's street level coverage map and if satisfactory...QUOTE]

Thanks Charlyee -- This helps tons! Now I think I'll jump into the TMobile area and see if anyone there is actually on TMobile that lives in SV. This has helped bunches

[WiggyFife]

Originally Posted by wahine

They (Cingular) keep telling me they don't have 520 numbers

Sierra Vista may have 928 area codes!!!

[WiggyFife]

Originally Posted by wahine

Can someone give me some direction/understanding?

I’m currently on Cingular (migrated from ATT) in Texas. We’re due to move to Sierra Vista in June…

In short – I LOVE MY PHONE!!! (Nokia 6230 Unlocked) and really prefer not to part with it. I think I know the answers but I want to make sure I’m not confused.

Here are my questions:

Q) Is the SIM card in my cell phone the “telephone” line that brings service to the phone?

Q) Since my phone uses a SIM card does this mean it’s a GSM phone?

Q) Will I be able to find any provider that does GSM in Sierra Vista?

Q) When I was in Sierra Vista at Christmas time I had zero dropped calls and plenty of bars – how do I find out who’s “service” I was roaming on and maybe I can sign up with them?

Q) My niece is on Sprint with a Nokia 6225 – I had the 6220 on ATT before I migrated to Cingular and got the 6230. It worked on a SIM card… I’m confused because I’m told Sprint doesn’t use SIM cards. Her phone has a SIM card.

Q) If I where to offer to buy out her number would I then not be able to use my 6230 on the SIM card from her 6225?

I think I’m making this more difficult that it has to be but bottom line is – please help me to find a solution to keeping my phone. Silly as it sounds it’s important to me.

Thanks in advance for pointing me in the right direction.

Why ya moving to Sierra Vista??? Are you going to be stationed @ Fort Huachuca for the Military???

[larry]

Sprint uses their affiliate called Alamosa PCS in many parts of rural AZ (including Sierra Vista) and I've heard very good reviews about them.

[wahine]

WiffyFife: Answer 1) SV is one of the cities that "STAY" in the 520. Answer 2) We're moving so we can be closer to family, my SIL passed away in Aug leaving two kids behind with Dad's that aren't in the area so I want to be there for them as well as for my kids to see the Grandparents on a regular basis. We where miliary not anymore though

Larry: Alamosa PCS would mean not being able to use my beloved 6230 though right

[Charlyee]

Originally Posted by wahine

Thanks Charlyee -- This helps tons! Now I think I'll jump into the TMobile area and see if anyone there is actually on TMobile that lives in SV. This has helped bunches

You are welcome, anything to help a fellow 6230 fan . Hope T-Mobile works out for and you can kep the 6230.

Originally Posted by wahine

Larry: Alamosa PCS would mean not being able to use my beloved 6230 though right

Yes, you are right, you will not be able to use your 6230 (sorry Larry answered for you )

[wahine]

Originally Posted by Charlyee

...fellow 6230 fan ...

Charlyee -- Regarding the 6230... what is the "b" stand for on yours? How do I know which one I have?

[WiggyFife]

Originally Posted by wahine

WiffyFife: Answer 1) SV is one of the cities that "STAY" in the 520. Answer 2) We're moving so we can be closer to family, my SIL passed away in Aug leaving two kids behind with Dad's that aren't in the area so I want to be there for them as well as for my kids to see the Grandparents on a regular basis. We where miliary not anymore though

Larry: Alamosa PCS would mean not being able to use my beloved 6230 though right

So sorry about your SIL!!! About the Area Code, I used to live in Tucson, so I was just thinking of the other area code... Good luck on the move...

[wahine]

Originally Posted by WiggyFife

So sorry about your SIL!!!...

Thank you -- she is missed in a huge way!

[Charlyee]

Originally Posted by wahine

Charlyee -- Regarding the 6230... what is the "b" stand for on yours? How do I know which one I have?

wahine, the "b" stands for the US version which has the 850 Mhz, as opposed to the Eurasion version which has the 900 Mhz.

From Phonescoop...Modes.

Mine says 6230B, right on the box itself. If you got your phone from Cingular, I am sure yours is a "b" also.

PS: Sorry to hear about your SIL, that is very sad.

[Andy]

Just a thought-you might wanna shop for a new carrier after having moved, because even though a carrier might have great overall coverage in the area, your new home might be a dead spot, so I advice waiting till you get to your new location...but that's just a friendly thought

[WiggyFife]

Originally Posted by wahine

Thank you -- she is missed in a huge way!

I'm sure she is... Best Wishes!!!

[WiggyFife]

I know it sounds like you want to go GSM, but for Me, VZW is perfect for me. I don't lose any calls... HTH!!!