--------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 223 CELLULAR Ref: E5200000 Date: 05/02/97 From: THE REAL TOM MARKS Time: 12:01am \/To: GEORGE ERDNER (Read 2 times) Subj: Re: Ukraine / GSM-900 -=> Quoting George Erdner to The Real Tom Marks <=- GE> It's nice in theory, but doesn't work well in practice. To leave an GE> SMS message for someone, you have to have special software for your PC, GE> or else call an operator to have the message keyed in by hand. Few GE> people have the former, and if you're going to phone in the message GE> anyway, you might as well use voice mail. I have the software for the PC, it works incredibly good. You can send text files that you have typed out to the pager, and it recieves them in about 15-30 seconds. And they can be very long too, I paged a copy of my autoexec.bat and config.sys just to give it a try, it even sends all of the punctuation right. Since your just going to talk anyways, why is it more difficult to use an alpha than voice mail? GE> Like I said, I haven't been able to get a single customer excited GE> about the feature. Alphanumeric messaging on a pager is preferrable to GE> simple numeric paging, but isn't as useful as true voice mail. It may GE> be preferrable from the receiver's point of view to be able to read an GE> alphanumeric message, but from a sender's point of view, voice mail is GE> much easier. One thing I don't understand is the people that have an alphanumeric pager and then voicemail on that pager. My voicemail on my cellular phone has 3 options when a user calls, 4 = Leave a Fax, 5 = Leave DTMF call back #, #=Leave a voice message. It works pretty good. But I think having the pager is a pretty good alternative, you get the message without having to call to pick it up. Comes in handy, especially if you are in an area where it is inappopriate to be on the phone, or if you are out of range. ... That was Zen, this is Tao. ~~~ ReneWave v2.00 Gamma-1+ --- Renegade * Origin: LOTL/2 * 412 746 3592 * lotl2.slip.lm.com * USofA (1:129/230) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 223 CELLULAR Ref: E5200001 Date: 05/02/97 From: THE REAL TOM MARKS Time: 12:01am \/To: GEORGE ERDNER (Read 2 times) Subj: Re: Re^4: This echo -=> Quoting George Erdner to The Real Tom Marks <=- TRTM> And when are they going to star TRTM> making digital incar phones? They should. GE> They area available right now. ALL digital phones in the states are GE> designed to work at 200 mWatts of power. There is no extra powerful GE> digital mobile phones. Therefore, if you use your Qualcomm phone in GE> your car, then it is an "in car" phone. You can also get handsfree kits GE> an cigarette lighter adapters for handheld phones to make them more GE> like "in car" phones. Hehe, there isn't no 3000mw digital car phones then? That would kick serious ass. Hehe, yeah I use my Sony in the truck so I guess it's a truck phone :) But in all seriousness, how much does it cost to get a car phone over there, if you already have a portable phone? I want to get one in my car so I can have a speaker phone or something, I don't like having to hold my phone and talk, or at least a earpiece (my friends call it the FBI) so I can talk with my hands free and shift and be able to concentrate more on driving than rying to hold the damn phone without dropping it. ... Meaningless tagline attached to pointless message. ~~~ ReneWave v2.00 Gamma-1+ --- Renegade * Origin: LOTL/2 * 412 746 3592 * lotl2.slip.lm.com * USofA (1:129/230) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 223 CELLULAR Ref: E5200002 Date: 05/02/97 From: THE REAL TOM MARKS Time: 12:01am \/To: TOM COLE (Read 2 times) Subj: Re: calling party pays -=> Quoting Tom Cole to Ziggy Malter <=- TC> I had a AT&T rep tell me that the reason for the different rates at TC> different times was to entice people to use the service more during TC> times which normally it would sit more or less idle. If the rates were TC> flat, people would tend to call more during the day when the system is TC> already loaded. If the system had to be expanded to carry the TC> increased load, then more equipment would sit idle in the evenings, TC> weekends, etc. By charging cheaper rates during the off peak times, TC> they entice more people to use the system during those times and TC> balance the system usage somewhat.. I'd figure for most PERSONAL usage, the cell phones would get the most usage during off peak times, but its true for businesses that they get most of their usage during peak times. But with SO MANY personal phones out now, I think they are already getting flooded with offpeak calling. That is why our TDMA carrier Cellular 1 stopped providing Unlimted Offpeak calling I think, because their TDMA system couldn't handle it. Keep on getting retry attempts especially after 7. I was talking to one of the people that work for the network assistance (*811) and they told me that its much busier at 6pm than 8pm, I guess there are alot more business users than I thought. Having 3 cell phones in my name, and not having any credit sucks :) Hehe. ... Humpty Dumpty DOS - Just a shell of himself. ~~~ ReneWave v2.00 Gamma-1+ --- Renegade * Origin: LOTL/2 * 412 746 3592 * lotl2.slip.lm.com * USofA (1:129/230) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 223 CELLULAR Ref: E5200003 Date: 05/02/97 From: THE REAL TOM MARKS Time: 12:01am \/To: CHARLES HUNTER (Read 2 times) Subj: Re: Prepaid Cellular 2 -=> Quoting Charles Hunter to George Erdner <=- CH> You reveal your ignorance and arrogance with that one, Mr. Erdner; but CH> I understand since you have been rubbing shoulders with Bell Atlanticy CH> Nynex. In addition to the things I have already stated, Bell Atlantic CH> Nynex (among others) discriminates against all of their customers when CH> they give them the bull about "free phones" and thereby violate the CH> Credit laws and engage in deceptive business practices. The phones are free, I don't know what bull your talking about. Over here in CA they pay you like $75-100 to take a damn phone. ... General stupidity error reading drive C ~~~ ReneWave v2.00 Gamma-1+ --- Renegade * Origin: LOTL/2 * 412 746 3592 * lotl2.slip.lm.com * USofA (1:129/230) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 223 CELLULAR Ref: E5300000 Date: 05/02/97 From: TOM COLE Time: 06:23am \/To: THE REAL TOM MARKS (Read 2 times) Subj: Re: calling party pays -> I'd figure for most PERSONAL usage, the cell phones would get the mos -> during off peak times, but its true for businesses that they get most -> their usage during peak times. But with SO MANY personal phones out -> I think they are already getting flooded with offpeak calling. That My actual reply was regarding Landline LD, but it would seem to apply to cellular as well. But, you are quite correct in your assessment of personal cell phone usage. Both the local carriers here upped their rates for unlimited offpeak calls, as well as their normal offpeak rates. They are also pushing their high usage plans, (1000 minutes for $189)... We don't use any of our phones enough to justify even a third of that cost. --- WILDMAIL!/WC v4.12 * Origin: A.L.T. BBS Shreveport, LA (318) 687-8912 (1:380/64.0) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 223 CELLULAR Ref: E5300001 Date: 05/02/97 From: CHARLES HUNTER Time: 03:37pm \/To: SCOTT CURRIER (Read 2 times) Subj: Prepaid Cellular 2 SC>I think that the credit checks are a pain in the neck, rather than ecurity >deposits they could just limit those that may be more of a risk. Shut the >account off at 50 bucks or something. A security deposit isn't the only answ >and it isn't the best answer. It would be easy to put down a $400 security >deposit and then run up a few thousand dollars worth of calling in the first >month and keep going until shut off. They would have gotten more than heir >moneys worth. >I was reading that some of the PCS systems will allow you to put a limit n >your account, go over that limit and you're done for the month. I think it w >Sprint Spectrum in DC that offered this. >Rather than a security deposit, a reasonable limit may be a better olution >for both the carrier and the buyer. >Unfortunately, the credit check has become and industry standard, ellular, >PCS, and probably even the SMR/ESMR companies are all doing it. Of course what you suggest is workable; but you fail to note that all of this money that they take in as security deposits can be used by them, at a lower interest rate than borrowing, to expand their system. That is the main reason that the cellular companies want deposits. CHARLES * 1st 2.00 ~ To poldly bow air mobius gumby four: Star Trek on novocaine. --- QScan/PCB v1.19b / 01-0671 * Origin: AirPower Information Services 610-259-2193 (1:273/408) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 223 CELLULAR Ref: E5300002 Date: 05/01/97 From: LEN MORGAN Time: 07:33am \/To: SCOTT CURRIER (Read 2 times) Subj: Two Phones Hello Scott, Wednesday April 30 1997 12:24, Scott Currier wrote to Len Morgan: SC> Some carriers offer that service, others don't. I have two phones SC> on my Cellular One Boston account, one hand held and the other a SC> 3 watt transportable. Bell Atlantic, in the same market, SC> unfortunately doesn't offer the same service so I'm stuck with SC> just a transportable on that account. SC> Call up both cellular carriers in your market and see if either SC> of them offer it. Both of our local carriers don't offer this service. They want me to take out a seperate plan for the second phone. SC> I pay an extra $16 a month for the second phone. Not cheap but SC> could be worse. That's in the neighborhood of what they want here for a second plan. Len A thought for today: ...New computer? But I like my vacuum tubes... They keep me warm. InterNet: len.morgan@730.gigo.com Node 1 1:203/730 HST/DS/FAX 33.6 - Node 2 1:203/731 HST/DS 14.4 --- GoldED/386 3.00.Alpha5+730LM7 * Origin: QST Sacramento's Premier Ham BBS V.ALL 916-920-1288 (1:203/730) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 223 CELLULAR Ref: E5300003 Date: 05/01/97 From: LEN MORGAN Time: 07:37am \/To: THE REAL TOM MARKS (Read 2 times) Subj: Two Phones Hello The, Thursday May 01 1997 00:01, The Real Tom Marks wrote to Len Morgan: TM> Over here for $15 a month you can get your phone programmed to TM> the existing #, and dial *ONE to switch between phones. It's TM> called the ONE plan if you didn't know. But I think it's bogus. TM> Find someone with an ESN changer and just get your ESN matched to TM> either phone from the other, and program the # yourself. Seems like a rip off. All I want to do is to take the portable into a store when we leave the 3 watt in the car. It's a bag phone and too big to lug around. I'd like to do what you suggest, however, it seems that finding someone who would do this is very difficult. I'm not even sure how to go about finding someone to program it. Salutations, Len A thought for today: ...Null modems were created when God got no handshake. InterNet: len.morgan@730.gigo.com Node 1 1:203/730 HST/DS/FAX 33.6 - Node 2 1:203/731 HST/DS 14.4 --- GoldED/386 3.00.Alpha5+730LM7 * Origin: QST Sacramento's Premier Ham BBS V.ALL 916-920-1288 (1:203/730) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 223 CELLULAR Ref: E5300004 Date: 05/03/97 From: THE REAL TOM MARKS Time: 12:01am \/To: CHARLES HUNTER (Read 2 times) Subj: Re: Prepaid Cellular -=> Quoting Charles Hunter to The Real Tom Marks <=- CH> You are somewhat naive; or you haven't been paying attention to all of CH> the hype the cellualr companies have been pushing. i.e. it's not safe CH> out there unless you have a cellular phone; don't get a flat or break CH> down unless you have a cellular phone. You are the naive one thinking that just because it's not safe out there without a cell phone you have to have one. Where I live it's not safe to walk around without a gun but I dont have one. You need to stop drinking Evian and start drinking coffee or something to open your eyes. CH> Those plans where you pay for what you use (prepaid?) cost an arm and CH> a CH> leg and are excessive. The business rights of the cellular company CH> are subject to the public interest in their natural resource and the CH> neccessity of communication devices. Well like I said if you don't want it, don't get it. Don't say they are extorting you. CH> Your remark is a bit libelous. I don't comnplain about REASONABLE CH> deposits; what I complain about is the extorting of huge deposits from CH> customers so that cellular companies like Bell Atlantic Nynex can CH> expand their system. Think about it as buying a CD, it is nearly the exact same thing. ... Marriage, a romance but the hero dies in the 1st chapter. ~~~ ReneWave v2.00 Gamma-1+ --- Renegade * Origin: LOTL/2 * 412 746 3592 * lotl2.slip.lm.com * USofA (1:129/230) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 223 CELLULAR Ref: E5300005 Date: 05/03/97 From: THE REAL TOM MARKS Time: 12:01am \/To: CHARLES HUNTER (Read 2 times) Subj: Re: Ukraine / GSM-900 -=> Quoting Charles Hunter to The Real Tom Marks <=- TR>That is a pretty good deal, I only get 180 minutes for $80.35. But then >I get unlimited off peak for $15 dollars and I use over 2000 minutes a CH> By the way, the first month I get triple minutes (900) for that Compare to my bill: I used 275 peak, 1180 offpeak, and 790 weekend, and my bill was $101.93. How much would your bill be? I have insurance on my phone, roadside assitance, and digital messaging too all included in that price. ... Even a noseless dog can stink. ~~~ ReneWave v2.00 Gamma-1+ --- Renegade * Origin: LOTL/2 * 412 746 3592 * lotl2.slip.lm.com * USofA (1:129/230)