I have a T-Mobile prepay account which I am using with a Pantech PG-C300
(originally sold by Cingular). I've been using in low-usage mode for many
months without problems, but lately it's been doing something strange
every time I call someone on their Verizon cell phone.

When you place a call, normally the phone displays "Calling [contact
name]" and plays a little ding-a-ling to let you know it is dialing. Then
you hearing the ringing tones and connect.

Now, whenever I call someone on their Verizon cell phone, it displays
"Calling", lets through the first ringing tone, mutes the earpiece, and
then plays a "ding-dong" tone and displays "ALERTING [contact name]" instead.

If the call goes through (i.e. either the person or their voice mail answers)
the speaker unmutes (late enough to cut off a second or so of audio from the
beginning of the call) and the call proceeds.

I'm unable to determine what situation the phone is interpeting when it
says "ALERTING" instead of "CALLING", but it ***ONLY**** happens when
calling a Verizon phone, and it happens whether or not the recipient has
the phone on or off, or actually answers themselves.

Any ideas? Anyone experienced this in any other setup when calling Verizon
cell phones?