Never having had a cell phone, I’m quite uninformed about them. And having been tethered enough as yet in this passage, I have not been driven to seek the accompaniment of one.
But now I’ve gone and got myself a car that has one built in. So the thought occurs that, since it’s there, perhaps I’d be wise to effect a minimal degree of functionality that would at least allow me to summon 911 services or roadside mechanical aid.
I’m not a telephone talker, and when I hear these ads for 1000 minutes a month I have to think, “Who are these people that talk on the phone that much?” Well, I recognize that they’re out there, there’s one on my bumper just now.
It’s just that such a plan isn’t designed for me. Ten minutes a month, with an extreme duress codicil, would work fine for me.
So, questions:
1.) The car came with a factory built-in phone that was originally on a plan administered by the manufacturer (BMW). Since I doubt that would be the best source for economical service, can I engage the services of another provider with this phone? Is there some industry standard against which I can compare this hardware for compatability?
2.) What sort of bare bones plans are out there, and how do they work? Had dinner with the ex tonight, and she could only offer that her plan costs her $30/month, whether she uses it at all or, well, more than she ever will. That’s far too pricey for the two or three times a year I might actually need it.
Yes, in fact several charities collect old cell phones to distribute to various groups to use soley to dial 911. I’m not sure when exactly this was legislated, but when the phone was manufactured has no bearing on it. 911 access is provided by the service provider’s equipment, not the phones.
Amusing-but-true anecdote: When Sprint PCS first launched in 1998, their system programmers were very lazy when comforming to this legislation (or at the very least, failed to research the issue), and set the system up to pass any calls with a number starting with 9. Since I was in the newly-allocated New Jersey 908 area code, I could dial any number in my area before my service was activated, as long as I dialled the 908 area code first.
In the absence of any subscribed provider, the phone will connect with whatever local service is available that matches the phone’s programmed NAMM parameters. If the phone was once programmed, it will attempt to connect to the provider that is specified by the programed SID, and if that is not available will connect to the local provider that serves that particular band and mode (e.g. digital 900 MHz cellular or 1.9 GHz Digital PCS). If the phone was never programmed it will simpley connect to the local provider on its band and mode.
In addition, I know that in Ontario you can buy phone cards for use with a cell phone – rather than being on a monthly plan, you pay for the minutes as you use them.
Do they sell phone cards for cell phones in the US? Do regular calling cards work with cell phones? That might a way for you to call AAA and such, Ringo, without signing up [sub]to sell your soul[/sub] to a service provider on a monthly plan.
Yes, they do, in a way. Many US service providers offer prepaid service with no contracts. You simply prepay for your airtime, and when the time is used up, you buy more. Most of these prepaid services have airtime that expires within a certain amount of time, typically 60 days, before which you must purchase a minimum amount of airtime to keep your service active. Some of them allow your airtime to carry over each month, and some do not. Shopping aropund is the best thing to do.
Try dialing “O” and see what happens. On some phones, you can make credit card calls at some moderately high fee/minute. (Usually, older, analog phones.)