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Cellular Phones/Can't connect to network.

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Expert: - 9/2/2009


Question

image of phone searchi
Hi, I bought a motorola v6 cell phone on ebay. the phone is bran new and unlocked, however when I put my SIM card and try to use the phone in my house it just says searching. When I go out to the street it pick up the AT&T network and I can make calls but the reception cut of, they can hear me fine but I can't hear them to well. Sometimes even outside it could have five bars and 2 seconds later be searching again. the phone says 2g on the screen when it is connected not 3g. Please help me to see If I should return the phone or I can fix this problem. Thank you.

Answer
The device that you purchased is only a tri-band phone and works only on the 1900 band in the US. In order for a device to work properly on AT&T's network, it needs to work on both the 850 and 1900 bands. When you are getting a signal, you are on the 1900 that it can pick up, but when it is searching, it's because there is no 1900 frequency and AT&T is using 850 in that area. Additionally, this phone came out in 2005, so that would make the device you bought at least 3 to 4 years old. I would have to say that even though it is "brand new", it's been sitting on a shelf for a long time. It will never say 3G because the device isn't 3G capable, it's a 2G device. If there is any possible way to return, I would strongly recommend that you do so. This device was intended to be used in the UK and was not intended for the US and with only one band capable here, won't work on any of the US GSM networks consistently. I hope this helps. Thanks. DebIN

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DebiN

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 and T-Mobile) and CDMA (Verizon, Sprint/Nextel). 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 20 years in the Telecom industry working for the carriers with individuals, small business, medium business and large corporations(Fortune 500). Also worked as a professor in Maryland for 10 years teaching telecommunications.

Organizations
I belong to several organizations

Education/Credentials
Master's in Telecommunications

Awards and Honors
Received several awards for papers that I have published over the years

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