Constant dropped calls. - Treo Forums

Horace Constant · 04-25-2007, 02:00 AM

My Treo 650 (unlocked Cingular GSM) won’t hold a call for more than 40-ish seconds (usually less). I can text message all day long, but calls won’t stay connected. I can call any number, but the calls drop almost instantly. The timer continues to run, but the other party can’t hear me, and I can’t hear them.

My SIM card seem snug enough, but I don't really know how tight it needs to be.

Any ideas on what the problem might be?

stevetaz · 04-25-2007, 08:49 AM

Hi Horace:

What kind of connection are you getting? How many bars? Could you have a weak signal?

You might want to contact Cingular and ask about reprovisioning (I am not sure if that is the right term) for updated cell towers.

SteveTaz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horace Constant

My Treo 650 (unlocked Cingular GSM) won’t hold a call for more than 40-ish seconds (usually less). I can text message all day long, but calls won’t stay connected. I can call any number, but the calls drop almost instantly. The timer continues to run, but the other party can’t hear me, and I can’t hear them.

My SIM card seem snug enough, but I don't really know how tight it needs to be.

Any ideas on what the problem might be?

Horace Constant · 04-26-2007, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevetaz

Hi Horace:

What kind of connection are you getting? How many bars? Could you have a weak signal?

You might want to contact Cingular and ask about reprovisioning (I am not sure if that is the right term) for updated cell towers.

SteveTaz

How do I check how many bars?

I can't get Cingular (I'm in Canada. I got the phone off e-bay.).

stevetaz · 04-26-2007, 06:01 AM

In the Phone screen, look in the upper right and you should see three icons. First is the Bluetooth, then is the Signal Strength Meter (also displays status of connection) and last is the Battery Power.

The Signal Strength Meter:

Displays the signal strength. The stronger the signal, the more bars
appear. If you are outside a coverage area, no bars appear.

I can't help with Canadian service as I know nothing about them, but can you just buy a phone off eBay and just start using it? I am with Sprint and I am also not familiar with GSM service. I am guessing you are with Rogers as that seems to be a provider I have seen named often on these boards. Did you have to do anything with them to get the phone registered to their network?

SteveTaz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horace Constant

How do I check how many bars?

I can't get Cingular (I'm in Canada. I got the phone off e-bay.).

Horace Constant · 04-26-2007, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevetaz

In the Phone screen, look in the upper right and you should see three icons. First is the Bluetooth, then is the Signal Strength Meter (also displays status of connection) and last is the Battery Power.

The Signal Strength Meter:

Displays the signal strength. The stronger the signal, the more bars
appear. If you are outside a coverage area, no bars appear.

I can't help with Canadian service as I know nothing about them, but can you just buy a phone off eBay and just start using it? I am with Sprint and I am also not familiar with GSM service. I am guessing you are with Rogers as that seems to be a provider I have seen named often on these boards. Did you have to do anything with them to get the phone registered to their network?

SteveTaz

As far as I know, the point of GSM is that you can drop your SIM card in any GSM phone and be up and running.

Though your signal question raises a good point. I'm not seeing any bars at all. Maybe those asses at Cingular somehow locked the phone to their network (it's been unlocked, only the Cingular ROM remains. Maybe they did something to the hardware.) But I wonder how a lack of signal is related to the fact that I can text message all I want.

It’s a noodle scratcher.

If I come up with anything, I’ll be sure to post it.

stevetaz · 04-27-2007, 08:07 AM

Hi Horace:

Have you checked with your provider to see if they can provide any insight? I believe you are right about the concept of GSM, but I have no experience as I have always been with CDMA providers. I don't know of any providers that disable the signal strength meter, but stranger things have happened.

Does your phone display the provider's name on the upper left side or does it say Roaming? Since you can text I am guessing you see the provider shown. I do know that in my case the data type functions do seem to have the ability to connect and work even if I can't receive calls due to weak reception. For example, while in my basement I cannot get any telephone connection yet I do receive email and texts.

The provider may be your best option for information. Have you looked for a provider specific manual on the Palm support site? Maybe that can clarify what should be displayed and what won't be.

SteveTaz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horace Constant

As far as I know, the point of GSM is that you can drop your SIM card in any GSM phone and be up and running.

Though your signal question raises a good point. I'm not seeing any bars at all. Maybe those asses at Cingular somehow locked the phone to their network (it's been unlocked, only the Cingular ROM remains. Maybe they did something to the hardware.) But I wonder how a lack of signal is related to the fact that I can text message all I want.

It’s a noodle scratcher.

If I come up with anything, I’ll be sure to post it.

cchalkley · 04-27-2007, 12:09 PM

I had GSM, but still had to activate the sim in the unlocked phone to be recognized by my provider....ie

I had a Cingular phone and unlocked it to use with Suncom and dropped the card in but the card has an ID # that has to be loaded with your provider to use, and then could be 24-48 hours after that to make outgoing, but you can get incoming immediately.

That was my only exp on GSM, back on CDMA now thank god

Horace Constant · 04-27-2007, 07:00 PM

Palm hasn't been much help. The top corner of the screen shows both "roaming" and "Fido" (my carrier, though I'm not officially signed up to use that phone with them).

You bring up an interesting point, cchalkley. I may have to try that.

cchalkley · 04-30-2007, 09:26 AM

I dont know if every carrier is that way, that was my one exp with GSM

plunker · 04-30-2007, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horace Constant

Palm hasn't been much help. The top corner of the screen shows both "roaming" and "Fido" (my carrier, though I'm not officially signed up to use that phone with them).

You bring up an interesting point, cchalkley. I may have to try that.

You are not signed up with your carrier (fido) and you are wondering why the phone won't stay connected? Who is providing your service??