Frequently Asked Questions

What does “call failed” mean?

The CALL FAILED message occurs when an attempt to make a call does not go through the system.

Please report this problem to your service provider for troubleshooting. They may need to know your location, the date and the time when this message appeared, as well as other details. The problem could have something to do with the parameters that are programmed into your phone or it may relate to the corresponding settings programmed into the service provider’s network. In other words, your phone may not have permission to make calls.

What does it mean when I see the “No Service” icon?

The NO SERVICE icon appears when the phone is not detecting a service signal. Please contact your service provider for information regarding home and roaming coverage areas. What does the “R” icon mean? The ROAMING icon is an “R" which turns on when the phone is not receiving a signal from its programmed home service provider's system but from another service provider.

If you are within your home system's coverage area and your phone is displaying the ROAMING icon, you should check your SYSTEM SELECT or SET SERVICE settings prior to contacting your service provider. Your service provider will be able to troubleshoot coverage issues, system selection settings and/or explain roaming issues with you.

What does the “D” icon mean?

The phones will display a "D" icon on the top line of the display when a Digital Signal is detected and allowed to acquire service on the system. Acquiring service on a digital system is dependent on the phone's service programming and the system's over-the-air messaging sent on the digital paging channel.

How do I use Caller ID?

The CALLER ID function is controlled by your service provider's network system. Your phone cannot disable or enable Caller ID for your account from any handset menu or feature item. This type of control is available by dialing specific command codes. Each service provider may have different procedures and command codes for controlling the features of Caller ID. The best way to contact your service provider regarding this feature is by dialing *611 on your cellular phone.

How do I activate/use Call Waiting/3-Way Calling/Call Forwarding?

Please contact your service provider for customer support for these features. Call waiting; call forwarding and 3-way calling services may vary upon the service provider's network and billing systems. You may call *611 from your cellular phone for further assistance. Your user manual provides some basic information on call waiting and 3-way calling if the service provider supports these services.

How do I get my phone programmed/activated?

Please contact your service provider or place of purchase. The service provider controls the starting, stopping, billing or changing of services.

How do I adjust my Date/Time display?

Some systems time and date information is displayed on the phone is by the service provider's network system and cannot be controlled or adjusted by the user. The time and date settings are sent to the phone as part of an overhead message, which is controlled and set by the service provider's system. Your user manual provides some basic information on adjusting the date and time for phones that have this programming ability.

How do I use my voice mail features?

Contact your service provider for information on how to set up or disable the voice or text messaging service. Also consult them for instructions on how to record a personal outgoing message, or to inquire about password or any other type of information required to operate voice mail service. The best way to contact your service provider is by dialing *611 on your phone.

Voice mail is not stored within the phone itself. You must use your phone to call your service provider's voice mail system. The types of voice mail systems in use vary among service providers and even by geographic market.

How can I determine the quality of my signal?

Most wireless phones RSSI display (the Antenna icon with 0-4 vertical bars) is designed to show the approximate probability that a call can be placed successfully. RSSI is an indication of received signal quality. The indicator on the phone display shows one to four bars.
· 4 bars indicate that 97% or more of all calls attempted should succeed
· 3 bars indicate that 90% or more of all calls attempted should succeed
· 2 bars indicate that 75% or more of all calls attempted should succeed
· 1 bar indicates that 50% or more of all calls attempted should succeed

These indicators are based on the phone’s evaluation of the current radio signal conditions. They do not consider transient network problems. If you are having difficulty completing calls, and the RSSI is indicating high probability, please contact your service provider for further assistance.

How do I know if my phone has digital data services?

Many cellular phones are digital data capable. But the availability of digital data services is dependent upon the service provider's network capabilities. Please contact your service provider for details.

Can I/How do I change service providers?

Changing service providers requires reprogramming of your phone. It is the policy and business decision of the original service provider that decides if such requests for reprogramming are possible. Most wireless phones, along with those sold by other phone vendors, contain a service provider proprietary list of systems and channels. The phone reads this file when it is turned on. This file is not accessible or changeable by the user through the phone’s user interface. Only the original service provider has control of this file and the ability to replace it.

What are some of the factors that affect battery performance?

There are many factors that affect the phone battery standby and talk times that typical users may experience. The following list defines many of these factors, and can be used to determine probable causes for the decreased standby/talk times. Ask yourself which factors apply to your situation. If you still have difficulty, please contact your service provider for additional troubleshooting assistance.

. Display backlight is on much or all of the time
· Battery wasn't fully charged prior to use
· Distance of the phone base stations (cellsites) when the phone is in a (digital) call. For example: less transmit power is required when the phone is located closer, than when it is farther away
· Percentage of time being used for talking · Percentage of time in analog mode (if the phone is dual mode); this mode requires much more power than digital
· Data cables or accessories connected to the phone
· No service available or coverage holes. Phones trying to acquire or reacquire service use more power than when they find service and go into power efficient operation
· Frequency of when voice mail notifications, pages and text messages are received, and when the user acknowledges them
· Earpiece and ringer volume settings (higher settings require more power)
· Antenna up or down (a down antenna requires more power)

How do I dispose of a battery?

Please contact your service provider or their authorized service center for information about their policy on accepting batteries. GoPcs.com. does not issue Return Material Authorization (RMAs) for, or accept shipments of, spent lithium ion (LiIon) batteries that are beyond the warranty period. Please check with local environmental authorities to ensure compliance with disposal regulations in your area.

Lithium ion batteries are considered "environmentally friendly" when compared to other rechargeable battery technologies. Unlike lead acid and nickel cadmium, LiIon batteries contain no toxic metals and are suitable for disposal in household garbage by individual consumers. However, when an authorized service center collects quantities of spent LiIon batteries, there may be federal, state, provincial or regional-specific regulations that must be understood to ensure compliance with environmental protection codes.

How do I prevent overcharging my phone?

Most original chargers sense when the battery is fully charged. At that point, it will drop down to a "trickle charge" mode in order to maintain the charge. In this mode, the battery will not be overcharged. There are no limitations on how long the phone can remain charging. What is the frequency range that my phone transmits/receives at?

Cellular Band: 824.01 - 848.97 MHz transmitter 869.01 - 893.97 MHz receiver

PCS Band: 1850-1910 MHz transmitter 1930-1990 MHz receiver

How do I get phone insurance?

Getcellular.com does not offer insurance for products. Please check with your service provider or your insurance company. What is the transmit power of my phone? For specific information on your particular phone, please refer to the “Safety Information” section of your phone's user guide.

What is a Single Band phone?

A wireless phone that is capable of operating on only one band, such as 1900 MHz.

What is a Single Mode phone?

A wireless phone that is capable of operating on only one network, either analog or digital.

What is a Dual Mode phone?

A wireless phone that is capable of operating on both analog and digital networks.

What is a Dual Band phone?

A wireless phone that is capable of operating on two frequency bands such as 800 MHz and 1900 MHz.

What is a Tri Mode phone?

A TriMode phone operates on two frequency bands, such as 800MHz and 1900MHz, as well as operating in both digital and analog networks.

What is GSM?

Global System for Mobile Communications or GSM is the digital transmission technique widely adopted in Europe and supported in North America for PCS. GSM uses the 1900 MHz. GSM uses 900 MHz and 1800 MHz in Europe.

What is PCS?

Personal Communications Service (or System). Generally, a marketing term used to describe a wide variety of two-way digital wireless service offerings operating at 1900 MHz.

In August 1996, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted radio frequency (RF) exposure guidelines with safety levels for hand held wireless phones. These guidelines are consistent with the safety standards previously set by both U.S. and international standards bodies in the following reports: · ANSI C95.1 (American National Standards Institute, 1992) · NCRP Report 86 (National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, 1986) · ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Protection, 1996)

Your phone complies with the standards set by these reports and the FCC guidelines. For more information regarding the safety of mobile phones please refer to the FDA Consumer Update on Mobile Phones.