AboutDebiN Expertise I can answer questions on cellular phones, the physical device, the network, contracts, billing, ordering, porting and what to look for when purchasing cell phones. I am located in the United States. I am an expert on BlackBerrys, Treos, HTC devices and iPhones as well as cellphones and aircards. I have over 15 years of experience in both the wireless and wireline world with the carriers. I have a lot of knowledge regarding the wireless providers - their services, prices and policies, both GSM (AT&T (formerly Cingular) and T-Mobile) and CDMA (Verizon, Sprint/Nextel (iDEN)). I am very familiar with the individual devices and their specifications. I can also answer questions regarding BlackBerrys, iPhones and other PDAs, both Palm-based and Windows-based. I can troubleshoot most any problem someone is having with their cellular device or with the provider.
Experience Over 15 years in the Telecom industry working for the carriers with individuals, small business, medium business and large corporations(Fortune 500)
Education/Credentials Master's in Telecommunications
I am writing on behalf of my poor daughter who decided to spend her $50 vacation shopping money on a Chinese made dual sim cell phone, with analog Tv & many other wonderful features. Brand name is M.REN, bought in the Philippines. We were assured by the salesclerk this would work in the U.S. Her Globe (local) Sim card worked fine in that country. Back in the U.S. now with prepaid AT&T sim card in 2nd slot, only to find " No service" on screen.. Tried to select EDGE and Cingular among the preferred networks shown on network setup list but it was not able to register a network. Can she ever use this phone here? Many thanks for any help
ANSWER: I was not able to find any information on a phone called M. Ren. Is it possible that it called something else? Can you see if you can find a different name on the phone and I can tell you what I can find out? If it is a tri-band phone, then the reason it most likely won't work is because it doesn't transmit in your area on the band that AT&T is using. If it is quad band (i.e., works on 850 and 1900 in the US), it should be working with AT&T (i.e., either EDGE or Cingular). If it is quad band and doesn't work, then it is a defective phone, I'm afraid. Let me know more details and I will try to help. I'm very sorry that she spent her hard earned money on this junk, though. I try to caution people not to buy phones from Chinese manufacturers. They are very troublesome. Thanks. DebiN
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QUESTION: Thank you Debi. As per your request, here's more info. Apparently this is a Nokia (perhaps a knockout?) as it is discreetly stamped as such above the screen. I recall the salesclerk saying that it takes a Nokia battery. The ph comes with a free 2nd battery. I googled M.Ren Chinese cell ph and saw a website reference. How can i determine if its triband or quad? We are in Southeast Florida, zip code 34996 about 100 miles south of Orlando & 100 miles north of Miami. Also, why does EDGE and Cingular come out as a preferred network provider on the top list. Is there an automatic detect of the sim card? the numbers 310410 (Cingular) and 310090 (edge) come up when I search preferred network list, in addition to other Cingular with different asociated numbers. Perhaps it is not defective as it worked very well with the Globe local sim card in the Phils. When I type in *#06# it does give me a IMEI number but I don't know as yet if this is Sim card #1 or # 2. Can it be that her prepaid At&t sim card does not work on this ph? I assume it is unlocked as I had used 2 different provider sim cards on it while in the Phils. I just don't recall if the sim cards occupied the dual slots at the same tim. Any help you can give is very much appreciated.
Answer I am not able to find the specifications for this phone anywhere and I have been looking for quite awhile. If you can find the specs, you just need to know if it works on 850 and 1900. Most likely, it is only tri-band. And more than that, what I did find led me to believe that this is not a Nokia phone, it is a rip off of a Nokia. Nonetheless, I can pretty much guarantee you that it isn't going to work here in the US. The IMEI doesn't matter. You can try the SIM in the other slot, but if it still doesn't work, it's not going to work, I'm afraid. I am so sorry that your daughter spent her money on this and hope that you may be able to get her a new phone because this one is not going to work for her, I'm afraid. I hope this helps. Thanks. DebiN
