3g on GSM

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

SPAMYAMAMA@mailinator.com - 16 Nov 2006 09:30 GMT

My friend has a GSM T-Mobile contract. She is not at all techy, and
after long loyalty to her Nok 8310, has upgraded to a 6233. This is a
3G phone, and I'm surprised, as I thought SIMs couldn't operate in a
USIM slot. Unsurprisingly, the 3G features on the phone aren't
functioning.

I've heard that GSM standards have been updated, but still, how does
this work on a GSM-only account, and how is T-Mobile gaining from this
inappropriate use of technology? Are they maybe secretly transferring
her calls using spare 3G capacity? Perhaps this is a sneaky way to port
people across to 3G? Does this mean that I myself (T-Mob GSM contract)
can hold out for a Sony-E Walkman-type 3G handset, (if they ever
release one with a decent autofocus camera, and reasonable build
quality)?

Any links to threads discussing this issue in Usenet or elsewhere
welcome - I couldn't find any in a quick search.

O.

Reply to this Message

Alec - 16 Nov 2006 10:42 GMT

> My friend has a GSM T-Mobile contract. She is not at all techy, and
> after long loyalty to her Nok 8310, has upgraded to a 6233. This is a
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> Any links to threads discussing this issue in Usenet or elsewhere
> welcome - I couldn't find any in a quick search.

All she is doing is using the GSM functionality of the handset - all 3G
phones sold in this country are dual-standard WCDMA (UMTS)/GSM. To get 3G
service she needs to get a 3G sim (USIM) from T-Mobile.
It's quite easy to move over from 2G to 3G service, though you get a better
deal by taking out a new 3G contract, perhaps with a new provider and
porting your number to them.

Alec

Reply to this Message

Dave C - 16 Nov 2006 11:40 GMT

> My friend has a GSM T-Mobile contract. She is not at all techy, and
> after long loyalty to her Nok 8310, has upgraded to a 6233. This is a
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> O.

T-Mobile do not have separate 3G SIMS all of mine work on 3G perfectly.
Possible reasons for GSM only use are: the phone is set to work in GSM
mode only - check how to change this in manual: the customer is outside
a 3G area or, the SIM needs an update.

Signature

Dave C

Reply to this Message

>-©LuVbuG©-< - 16 Nov 2006 14:59 GMT

> T-Mobile do not have separate 3G SIMS all of mine work on 3G perfectly.
> Possible reasons for GSM only use are: the phone is set to work in GSM
> mode only - check how to change this in manual: the customer is outside a
> 3G area or, the SIM needs an update.

When I upgraded to a 3G phone with T-Mobile, I did not need a new SIM to
access the 3G network (which surprised me at the time! I thought the CSR was
talking crap!). However, I checked my account again after the upgrade and
noticed that I had a new service added on called "UMTS access service" or
similar, and had had received a SIM update after I had registered the new
phone.

This would suggest that T-Mobile can 'activate' 3G on any recent SIM. The OP
would need to contact T-Mobile to have the 'service' added.

Signature

Antz
Part of the UKtm family

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Reply to this Message

SPAMYAMAMA@mailinator.com - 16 Nov 2006 17:08 GMT

> > My friend has a GSM T-Mobile contract. She is not at all techy, and
> > after long loyalty to her Nok 8310, has upgraded to a 6233. This is a
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> --
> Dave C

Thanks for responses. Actually, she doesn't want to shift to 3G mode, I
was just wondering why T-Mob were supplying her with a 3G handset for
2G use. Unless they have stacks of unused 3G handsets that they need to
unload, I can't see their advantage in doing this.

O.

Reply to this Message

Dave C - 17 Nov 2006 07:42 GMT

> Thanks for responses. Actually, she doesn't want to shift to 3G mode, I
> was just wondering why T-Mob were supplying her with a 3G handset for
> 2G use. Unless they have stacks of unused 3G handsets that they need to
> unload, I can't see their advantage in doing this.
>
> O.

From what I read the 6233 Isn't doing to well in the sales stakes.
Still being outsold by the 6230i - so maybe they have a lot of stock to
shift.

Signature

Dave C

Reply to this Message

>-©LuVbuG©-< - 17 Nov 2006 13:32 GMT

>> Thanks for responses. Actually, she doesn't want to shift to 3G mode, I
>> was just wondering why T-Mob were supplying her with a 3G handset for
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> From what I read the 6233 Isn't doing to well in the sales stakes. Still
> being outsold by the 6230i - so maybe they have a lot of stock to shift.

Ahh, that's interesting, I can't fault the 6233 so far - are there any
problems with it?

I was never convinced to get a 6230i though - charge or no charge for the
privilege, just didn't like it!

Signature

Antz
Part of the UKtm family

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Reply to this Message

Dave C - 17 Nov 2006 15:51 GMT

>-©LuVbuG©-< wrote:
>>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> I was never convinced to get a 6230i though - charge or no charge for
> the privilege, just didn't like it!

Some say it's not pleasing to look at - too old fashioned / retro.

Seems ok to me.

Signature

Dave C

Reply to this Message

>-©LuVbuG©-< - 17 Nov 2006 16:06 GMT

> Some say it's not pleasing to look at - too old fashioned / retro.
>
> Seems ok to me.

Nah, I don't agree with that!

Its smooth/shinyness makes it more stylish than the 6230i IMO.

Signature

Antz
Part of the UKtm family

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Reply to this Message

Jonathan Quirk - 17 Nov 2006 20:52 GMT

>> Some say it's not pleasing to look at - too old fashioned / retro.
>>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Its smooth/shinyness makes it more stylish than the 6230i IMO.

One thing in the 6233's favour is the display 320*240 v the 6230i's
208*208. I went for the 6233 and I think it's a fabulous phone. I only
engage 3G for data use though as it appears to eat the battery: that's my
only complaint so far.

Signature

Regards, etc.
Jonathan Quirk
jonathan AT quirk DOT force9 DOT co DOT uk
Ascot, Berkshire, UK

Reply to this Message

SPAMYAMAMA@mailinator.com - 18 Nov 2006 10:46 GMT

> >> Some say it's not pleasing to look at - too old fashioned / retro.
> >>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> engage 3G for data use though as it appears to eat the battery: that's my
> only complaint so far.

Reply to this Message

Jonathan Quirk wrote:

> On Fri, 17 Nov 2006 16:06:01 -0000, >-©LuVbuG©-<
> <luvbug_usenet.a@ukonline.co.uk> wrote:
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> engage 3G for data use though as it appears to eat the battery: that's my
> only complaint so far.

You can engage 3G mode at will? Is your basic tariff a 3G one?

On 6233, I can only imagine that there is an unusually huge warehouse
stacked with 6233s somewhere, as I can't see anything too terrible
about its' appearance/spec that would stop it from selling. 6230i is
not particularly handsome either, and I would imagine that the 6233s
would sell to Nok loyalists; to others who are not too bothered and
also to the more exacting that find that it suits their requirements.
Business as usual, in other words.

O.

---

The display on the 6233 is the best I've seen so far against battery life
for a non-smartphone.

I'd like to know what is stopping people from getting it? The only reason I
can think of is that most people who would even think of it may already have
a 6230i and so can't justify the upgrade (which I can understand).

Remember the 7250/7250i, and the T68/T68i ? Hmmm, does that mean there could
be a 6233i just around the corner???? It wouldn't surprise me! At least SE
provided a *legit* firmware upgrade.

Signature

Antz
Part of the UKtm family

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Reply to this Message