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Welcome to the Wireless Notes page!
This space is provided by Interpage Network Services Inc.,
Purpose:
We hope to be able to provide a system by system listing of
system-specific or regional (multi-system) service problems, interesting
features, progressive rateplans and items of interest, which will be
continuously updated (as work will allow) as problems are
identified/remedied, and as services are enhanced or built-out.
Other information is obtained from posts to Usenet groups and distributed
mail digests, such as the Telecom
Digest and its archives. A good source for SIDs for analog systems is
located there at:
A HUGE list of SID codes and the markets/carriers/area
codes served may be found at: http://9x.tc/new.rel/npanxx.txt
Note,
however, that this is not an official site of any of the carriers noted,
but just a series of (hopefully accurate!) observations and comments by
myself and others who are interested in improved wireless services and
performance from the carriers.
The SID List is mainly a list of systems which
have been
tested and tried, with observations listed in the following order:
Other specific notes following the SID list (that is, located under the
SID list entry on this page) are detailed posts or messages regarding a
given system or systems.
Nextel
Repeated Drops: A List of areas, roads, and train routes where Nextel
(and Boost/Nextel) drops calls on a regular basis, as compared to other
carriers in the same area, which is a particularly frustrating
aspect of Nextel's service. Started 03/28/2002, continuously updated.
ATT
Wireless (including ex-Cingular/ex-Dobson
GSM Repeated Drops: A List of areas, roads, and train routes where
AT&T Wireless' GSM service drops or fades out calls on a regular basis.
Started 06/01/2006, continuously updated.
Verizon
Repeated Digital Cellular Drops A list and descriptions of Verizon
Wireless drops on their cellular voice networks
Verizon
Express Network 1XRTT and EvDO Drop List and Service Difficulties
details issues, both mobile and stationary, with the Verizon 1XRTT/EvDO
"High Speed" data network, including issues, complaints filed, and
resolutions, if any. A summary of these current/existing drops, as well as
those which were fixed, is listed on the main Verizon Express Network
Data Problems page.
Verizon 1XRTT and
EvDO Early Implementation and General Issues offers a more detailed
history of 1XRTT and EvDO/EvDO Rev.A implementation problems with
Verizon's Express Network data services and a chronology of how these
issues were addressed and if they were eventually remedied. The 1X/EvDO
History/General issues list also contains more detailed articles and
posts on Verizon 1X and EvDO issues, some of which are listed below:
Verizon Analog Service Failures in
their "A" and "B" block markets, mainly along the East Coast, Verizon
Wireless's ex-Bell Atlantic Mobile and ex-NYNEX Mobile properties are at
times neglecting their analog service customers by allow long stretches
of road to suffer from "analog mute" coverage. In such areas, the
cellular channel remains open and strong, but the voice on the uplink
and/or downlink is muted and inaubdible. The channel(s) remain open, but
no conversation can take place. There is no static since these occur
generally in areas of good/strong coverage, and calls will go in and out
of "mute" condition as one traverses these areas. The list documents
these issues and our attempts to have Verizon correct them. Started
06/15/2005, continuously updated.
System by System Notes: A list of systems,
primarily concentrating on roaming integration, but also including notes,
features, etc. Last update: 05/22/2000
ATT/Cingular TDMA Issues and ATTWS
Unlimited "For Life": A post from April, 2007, about how Cingular is
effectively forcing TDMA customers to migrate to GSM by allowing the TDMA
network to degrade to extent that it is increasingly unuseable.
Additionally, ATT/Cingular is making no provisions to seamlessly
migrate TDMA customers to GSM, but instead is treating them as if they are
new customers and forcing them to enter into a new contract and pay fees
that they would not have to pay under TDMA, making customers bear the cost
of converting to GSM rather than Cingular. Also discussed are AT&T
Wireless's Unlimited Off-Peak "For Life" promotions (links to brochures
are enclosed) and how this migration appears to vitiate representations
made therein.
Nextel Beats Verizon/BAMS, AT&T, Sprint, and
Cingular/SNET to cover CT-34 and I-84 Sections: After years of no
coverage and/or drops along CT-34 near Derby, Connecticut, and I-84
southeast of Poughkeepsie, NY, Nextel provides a level of service in
these two areas which much older, more established carriers who have been
notified of these problems years ago apparently can not. Posted
03/25/2003, updated as conditions indicate.
Nextel's Poor Customer Service: Reply
to a post on alt.cellular.nextel about Nextel's Customer Service. Posted
03/31/2003.
Verizon/Sprint/Nextel
Data Comparison: Response to an
alt.cellular.nextel query comparing Verizon, Sprint and Nextel's Data
Services in terms of speed, reliability, and service areas. Posted
05/05/2003.
AT&T's new GSM Service not allowing types of Call
Forwarding and other problems with features on the AT&T Wireless GSM
product. Posted 10/14/2002.
Post and URL links to LobbyByFax.Com to send
Connecticut/CT. Governor Jodi Rell an immediate fax urging her to veto
the proposed Cellular Phone ban prohibiting driving without a cumbersome
headset. Posted 06/08/2005.
Post and letter to NJ Gov. McGreevey in
opposition to a handheld cellphone ban in that state. Please
redistribute freely. You may also wish to mail/fax it to him; his office's
fax # is: (609) 292-3454. A further response to subsequent posts is
located here.
New York State's Moronic Cell Phone
Ban: A response to a post on rec.autos.driving and
alt.cellular.verizon concerning cellphone use, driving, and NY's
cellphone ban. Posted 09/29/2002.
AT&T Wireless to Discontinue CDPD
Data Service: AT&T announced it will stop accepting new CDPD
customers and discontinue their CDPD service by 2003/2004. Posted
10/16/2002.
Comparison of Bell Atlantic Digital
Service: Roaming and Feature integration comparison between CT/A
00119 BAMS Digital Choice phone and Philadelphia/B 00008 Digital
accounts. Note: Most of these problems have been
resolved as the Digital Choice program becomes more commonly used, but
this is left here for reference.
Gouging Roamer Practices Examples:
Response to a post on the Telecom Digest regarding excessive roaming and
long distance charges while roaming.
Response to a post regarding
poor coverage and poor seamless roaming in the US as compared to other
countries, as well as a brief discussion of problems with call delivery
for AT&T Digital One Rate/PCS subscribers, a post from 6/14/99. A related
and more recent posting, regaring Verizon/BAMS/GTE Mobilnet/PrimeCo
integration failures for voicemail and text notification, is also
available by clicking here.
Response to CDPD inquiry on Cellular Mailing
list regarding general questions on wireless 'Internet' services and
usage.
Simple Comparison between BAMS, ATTWS and
Sprint in the DC Metro and Northeast Markets. Opened: 01/29/2000
(no disposition required)
Reply to Post about Sprint Coverage
Problems in SF East Bay hills and alternatives with Cell One/SF and
GTE. Opened: 01/31/2000 (no disposition required)
Reply to Post about Sprint Coverage and
Comparison with Verizon / Ex-GTE Mobilnet. Opened: 03/21/2002 (no
disposition required)
The Current Use and Utility of
Roam Ports: A response to a post from May, 2002, inquiring if Roam
ports are still used and what are they useful for. Opened: 05/17/2002 (no
disposition required)
Specific Issues in Detail: Current/Unresolved
Verizon's 1XRTT Data Express
Network Service Dropping and Resetting Connections in the NY Metro
Market: BAMS'S/Verizon's NY 00022 market's 1XRTT coverage is dropping
active connections immediately north and south of I-287 in Westchester
County, at the NJ side of the Outerbridge Crossing, and other areas.
Additional posts on the Verizon 1XRTT/Express Network Mobile Data Service
are located here.
Opened 10/01/2002, no resolution as of yet.
Bell Atlantic Mobile/Verizon Wireless
overcharging Digital Choice customers in Hunterdon and other South Jersey
areas as highly-priced roamer calls rather than correctly-billed home
airtime; difficulty in their even acknowledging the issue. Opened
12/14/2001, No resolution as of yet.
Bell Atlantic Mobile/Verizon
Wireless overcharging Digital Choice customers in 5 Counties in
Pennsylvania (ex-Alltel markets) surrounding the BAMS/Philly 00008 PA
market. Opened 11/01/2000, No resolution as of yet.
AT&T Wireless NY Billing
Airtime and Long Distance for unanswered roaming and CF calls ATT
Wireless's New York City 00025 seems to be billing customers who receive
calls (but do not answer them) in Connecticut and have the calls answered
by a number in NYC for airtime and long distance charges even though the
phone was never used in Connecticut! Attempts to resolve the matter with
customer service were met with utter incompetance. Also included are
other AT&T Wireless NY market service problems. Opened 01/18/99, Last
update: 2/16/99, Unresolved as of yet
Cell One/Albany 00063
Billing Problems: Cell One Albany charging roamers for feature code
use, call delivery control, and unanswered calls. Was made aware of the
problem and has not as of yet corrected it. Opened 02/01/98, Unresolved
as of yet
Specific Issues in Detail: Old/Resolved
Verizon/BAMS CDPD and
1XRTT/Express Network experiencing very poor data connections and
latency; specifically on 9/10/2002 as well as more general service
problems with 1XRTT/Express Network at all times. Opened 09/10/2002,
generally resolved by 09/19/2002.
AT&T Wireless/Dobson Cellular
CDPD Failure and Deceptive Coverage Information. An extensive update
to the posts below regarding 'new' CDPD coverage in the Poughkeepsie and
Kingston NY markets and how AT&T publicizes the service even though they
are/should be well aware that their customers can not use
their wiereless
data services there. See also the following earlier posts on the matter
which this post clarifies and updates as of 03/09/2001:
AT&T Wireless starts CDPD Data
(Pocketnet) service in the Poughkeepsie, NY martket (ex-American Cellular
00503), but does not allow its customers to use it, causing problems with
interference with northern areas of the NY Metro Market. As problems
persisted as of 10/14/2000, a further/additional post detailing even more
areas where problems were ocurring and AT&TWS's lack of any response was
added. Opened: 09/28/2000, RESOLVED, 04/08/2001, CDPD IS WORKING!!.
Bell Atlantic
Mobile/Verizon NY's Metro 00022 market is not honoring No Answer Transfer
instructions when a phone is turned off or not able to be reached by
the network, causing calls which should be answered by a receptionist,
dispatch service, or alternate party instead being forced to voicemail.
Opened 11/09/2000, resolved 11/19/2000.
Nextel's Wireless Web Service
Inoperative Nationwide for over three days: Nextel Wireless Web
Customers can not access the Internet or send e-mail as the Nextel
Wireless Web service is currently inoperative and Nextel customer service
has no information as to when it will be working again. Opened 11/07/2000,
Resolved 11/13/2000.
Bell Atlantic/DC-Baltimore
Overcharing New Analog Account in terms of off-peak unlimited airtime
and local call toll charges. Opened: 02/03/2000, Resolved 03/25/2000
AT&T Wireless Data/CDPD
Pocketnet is incompetent at fixing a downed tower and takes over a week
to try to resolve it and still fails. Overall, a very poor effort which
does not reflect well on the AT&T Wireless Services Data Division.
Opened: 02/26/2000, Resolved: 3/8/2000
Continued Overcharges for New
Hampshire (00428) Bell Atlantic Mobile customers for local calls
(which should be free) in both the New Hampshire systems and in
a number of Extended Home markets in New England. Overcharges
continue to 3/2000 and onwards. Opened: 01/29/2000, Resolved:
03/21/2000.
Bell Atlantic
Mobile/Manchester, New Hampshire customers are incorrectly being billed
for toll calls in free markets; also 3-way calling not operating
properly for them. Opened: 12/22/99, Resolved: 03/21/2000
Bell Atlantic/NY Metro
abruptly gets rid of off-peak unlimited airtime for analog customers:
Discussion of off peak analog plan and inferiority of Qualcomm's CDMA
digital service used by Bell Atlantic as a replacement for stronger 3-watt
analog phones; alternatives to BAMS discussed. Opened: 10/1/99 (no
disposition required)
BAMS SMS Messaging Problems and Fix
As a result of an upgrade to their alpha messaging system, BAMS
customers with Qualcomm or Sony 800 CDMA phones may have problems getting
their messages. This post discusses the problem and solution which does
not require the purchase of a newer phone. Last update:
1/28/99
ATT Wireless in New York City
has undercapacity problems in Hoboken? Tests during late January 1999
indicate extensive periods of no call completion in the Hoboken, NJ area
of the ATWS/NY 00025 system. Last update: 1/27/99
Bell Atlantic 00119 Connecticut and
Western Mass stopped displaying caller ID outside of 00119 system as of
April 3, 1998; also alpha messaging still not working in large parts of
NYC. Status: Resolved, 2/99
Bell Atlantic Philadelphia
charging for Unlimited airtime: BAMS Digital Choice (and other?)
customers in the Philadelphia market are being charged airtime for
free/unlimited weekend and/or off-peak calls; BAMS is crediting manually.
Status: Resolved, 6/99
Misc. Issues and Articles
Nextel's
very poor coverage/dropped calls and at times horrid voice quality in
their Northeast region markets. A response to a post on alt.cellular and
other similar groups from 3/26/2002, regarding some very obvious instances
of Nextel's inability to maintain a connection while driving on major
Connecticut (CT) and New York City highways. Also a brief discussion of
poor voice quality for long distance calls placed FROM a Nextel phone.
Continuously updated.
Stop
Tolls on East River Bridges in New York City: A post and letter to the
Governor and Legislature in Albany as well as the NY City Council urging
lawmakers to resist pressure from the MTA to increase its road tolling
monopoly and use its usual "financial crisis du jour" as a means to
compel tolling of the currently free East River and Harlem River bridge
facilities. (This letter can also be faxed to the above by clicking here;
please make sure you select New York from the state
selection menu.) Posted 03/23/2009.
Stop
Maryland's Use of Photo Radar: A post and letter to lawmakers in
Annapolis to stop Maryland's use of photo radar statewide, as well as red
light cameras specifically in Prince George's and Montgomery Counties.
Automated speed, red light, and traffic "enforcement" are nothing more than
revenue generation masquerading as safety measures and should be outlawed
on a nationwide basis! By creating a civil penalty system with little if
any due process by farming out ticketing to for-profit companies who have
no interest in fairness or the veracity of their ticketing, Maryland has
created a profit-center which, once started, will be hard for localities to
stop using. To stop Maryland's use of photo radar, speed cameras, red
light cameras, and other photo enforcement now, click here
to immediately fax an letter to the Governor, County Executives and
lawmakers in Annapolis telling them to end these deceptive and legally
questionable practices! Posted 03/23/2009.
Amtrak's Rewards Program and Overall
Poor/Lacking Customer Service: Post from June 1st, 2003, detailing
horrid Amtrak customer service and response to an issue/problem which they
created. Also, an argument to get rid of/remove Amtrak and replace it
with a more responsive and professional entity. Posted: 06/01/2003
Discussion of problems with Amtrak's No Cell
Phone/Quiet Car implementation, how their well-intentioned policy
doesn't work, Amtrak's (unfortunate) overall administrative incompetence,
etc. Posted 07/16/2002.
Help
Save Amtrak for FY2006 and beyond! Send an immediate, free fax
to your Senators and Representative in Congress! (Provided via LobbyByFax.com(sm). Posted
06/12/2005
New York City Congestion
Pricing is just a pretext to toll the free bridges: A post to
newsgroups regarding Mayor Bloomberg's June, 2007 plan to introduce
"Congestion Pricing" for those who drive into or through Mahattan and how
it is a thinly veiled attempt at tolling the free bridges which currently
connect Manhattan to the rest of the City of New York. A LobbyByFax.com free fax petition to the
Mayor, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, the Governor, and NY State
Senate and Assembly members is available
here
(select "New York" from the state selection drop-down list), and a similar
fax alert is available to the US Congress to stop funding for such
schemes and instead implement non-punative transportation alternatives
here.
Post to misc.transport.road in response to
a post discussing tolling (currently) free Interstate highways. Posted
01/29/2003.
Millburn, NJ Misposted
Routes: Millburn, NJ has some of the worst road signage in New
Jersey! A post reagrding completely inaccurate and missing signage for
two signnificant routes through town - CTY-527 and CTY-577. Posted
04/05/2003.
Feature Codes: Current 2003 list of
commonly used feature codes (* codes) on Verizon. Posted 01/30/2003.
AT&T Wireless introduces UNLIMITED
Off-Peak with Unlimited Long Distance,
post from 11/12/2001 about AT&T's new unlimited offering covering large
regional calling areas and what, if anything, their competitors are doing
to match this new offering. The plan is now unavailable as on Feb
2002, but you can strill pay extra to get unlimited AIRTIME but not
unlimited Long Distance. Nextel still offers this if you can put up
with all of their dropped calls, as does VoiceStream but on
weekends only. Last update:3/25/2002
Verizon Combined BA/GTE CDPD, post
from 10/16/2000 about Verizon indicating on their Web site and CDPD
coverage maps that the Bell Atlantic and GTE CDPD systems have been
merged and that the Unlimited Plan(s) apply in all Verizon markets. Posted
10/15/2000.
AT&T EasyReach 500/700
access via 0+ not working from New York City, post from 6/11/99.
The problem was corrected on Sunday, 6/13/99.
AT&T EasyReach 500 service problems:
Why the service, although well-intentioned, is so crippled that is it
generally too difficult and expensive for most customers/callers to use.
6/10/98.
Overview:
As Interpage and its staff are involved (in part) in wireless-based
businesses, we have a general, business and even hobbyist-related interest
in the wireless industry and promoting increased functionality and
interoperability throughout the wireless industry. We hope this page will
eventually serve in some small way to further these goals.
Info & Lists:
Many of these reports and posts are the results of testing while
driving or traveling by train, however, a good deal of the information is
gleaned from reports by other Interpage staff members and people who write
in to make additions, report updates, submit corrections, etc. We strongly
encourage such participation, and will attempt to verify (where
possible) and codify all such reports and post them as quickly as
possilble.
http://massis.lcs.mit.edu/archives/cellular/carrier.codes.
. The list includes an
overview and summary of the service difficulties, histories, and current
status of noted outstanding/unresolved issues with failures/problems of
Verizon's cellular mobile networks. Started 06/01/1998; check the list for
last update date, but it is continuously updated.
Lists of Cellular Systems/Features/General
(from oldest to most recent)
(from newest to oldest)
(from newest to oldest)
(from most recent to oldest)
Contact:
Disclaimer:If you have questions, comments, or need help, please contact us via:
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E-mail at: abcwireless@interpage.net , removing the first three letters of the alphabet in the e-mail address.
Telephone: +1 (510) 315-2750 during Pacific Business Hours
Interpage Network Services offers a variety of Internet and Telecommunications-based services, including paging, SMS, and paging gateway services, voice, text-to-speech, e-mail to fax, fax receive and send services, voice and text to speech messaging, site monitoring and other services, oriented towards the continued integration of the Internet with traditional communications media.The opinions expressed above are not necessarily those of Interpage. No part of the above information may be reproduced for any for-profit purpose without the express consent of Interpage. Use of the information for purposes of remedy and/or enhancement of difficulties or services described herein constitutes fair use and is acceptable. Although all efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this site, neither Interpage nor any of its agents or affiliated concerns shall be held responsible for any information contained herein.
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