Why does Cingular block out "System Selection" option?

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Hman - 11 Jul 2003 05:12 GMT

A guy I work with got a Nokia 6340i today.

I have an unlocked Nokia 3590 with a SwissCom SIM.

With the SwissCom SIM I am able to perform System Selection on my 3590,
letting me see all the GSM carriers in the area.

Here in Milwaukee Systems ATT (GSM 1900), T-Mobile (GSM 1900), and Cingular
(GSM 850) show up on my 3590.

I put my coworkers Cingular SIM in my 3590. The phone registered on
Cingular. When I went to find System Selection it was gone!!!

How is Cingular able to block certain features of an unlocked GSM phone with
it's SIM.

It there any way to get these "blocked" features back.

Any info would be great.

Thanks

Hman

Reply to this Message

Steven M. Scharf - 11 Jul 2003 15:24 GMT

> How is Cingular able to block certain features of an unlocked GSM phone with
> it's SIM.

They can control which systems are avaialble for roaming in which area
via the SIM (similar to PRL)

CDMA carriers do this as well.

It's very annoying, but I guess they don't want angry consumers complaining
about roaming charges when making calls in their home area. After all, how
many people really check what system they're on before making a call?

Reply to this Message