Expert: DebiN - 11/10/2011

Question
QUESTION: I just started my service with Virgin Mobile on their unlimited data/texting beyond talk plan. I've had several people tell me that when dialing my number the phone rings busy without even going to voicemail. I did a test while my phone was in full service and this happened still. It's not 100% of the time, but I've missed job opportunities because of it. It seems like a backend issue at Virgin and I've contacted them, but all they suggested was re-activating my phone, which did not fix it. I don't have the money to keep calling them and arguing so was wondering if you had any suggestions?

ANSWER: I'm afraid that my suggestion is to choose another carrier. Virgin may be inexpensive, but part of the reason is their limited network coverage. When you have an unlimited plan like this many people take advantage of it and without the network capacity behind it, you have the issues that you are experiencing. Reactivating your phone has nothing to do with this issue and I'm sorry that they weren't more forthcoming with you. I would strongly recommend changing carriers. There are other carriers with unlimited plans and T-Mobile, for example has a pretty low cost unlimited plan. I don't know who you had service with before, but if you had a better experience, I'd go back to them. Remember that with the major carrier, mobile to mobile is free and there are a lot more of their customers and that might make up for not having to pay more for unlimited. I hope this helps.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your answer and I will definitely look into changing carriers, however I talked to Virgin today and they mentioned that it is an Android OS issue. Something about if I'm browsing the internet on 3G coverage while someone is calling it might not go through? Is this correct? Shouldn't a message pop up and give me the option to answer it? Once again I have an LG Optimus V running 2.2.2 on kernel 2.6.32.9. I'm trying to google a fix for this issue, but do you happen to know of anything?

Answer
The network allows you to only do one thing at a time, as it relates to voice and data. If you are using the data network, you can't receive a phone call and when you are on the phone, you can't access the data network. This is one of the constraints of CDMA technology and why carriers today using GSM like T-Mobile and AT&T are far superior for SmartPhone users because GSM allows for simultaneous voice and data. It would make sense that there should be a message while you are on the data network that you have a call so that you can leave the data and answer the voice call and I believe that's the way it is typically handled with CDMA carriers, however, it's likely that the Android OS has not yet addressed this issue where the BlackBerry OS already has. It's my understanding that today, Android blocks calls when you are using data. Try it specifically where a friend calls you when you are on the data network, and you can validate this for certain. That's why I recommend GSM. Thanks and hope this helps.