MOBAL CELL PHONE USE
May 8th, 2008, 12:56 PM
#1
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MOBAL CELL PHONE USE
I just purchased the $99 Mobal phone to useon our trip to London later this month. In trying to get it to work it shows no service (in New Mexico), I would like to know if the phone is working before I get to London. Has anyone had this problem or know what I'm doing wrong. I called the company yesterday and they just said there's just no towers. We have all kind of towers around. Please help. Thanks
May 8th, 2008, 01:17 PM
#2
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Well you did not give enough info but I have used Mobal in Europe and their service was good (expensive).
Some time ago in the area of western Virginia my cell stopped working (T-Mobile), no coverage and the local cell providers did not support roaming from T-Mobile.
Check to see if T-mobile or AT&T have coverage in your area, if they do then it should work, mine did interface with both companies.
Some time ago in the area of western Virginia my cell stopped working (T-Mobile), no coverage and the local cell providers did not support roaming from T-Mobile.
Check to see if T-mobile or AT&T have coverage in your area, if they do then it should work, mine did interface with both companies.
May 8th, 2008, 01:30 PM
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Stormin280, thanks for replying at all. This was my first post and am real green. My question is if the phone I bought, like is recommed on this forum, will work at all. I turn it on and it should work because it is supposed to work in the US and all over the world. I would like to know that small thing.
May 8th, 2008, 04:04 PM
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Okay jjkey, I have like I said used Mobal in Europe (no problem) and on an occasion in the States (service was provided by AT&T). Your phone is GSM, compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile.
Who are the cell phone companies that provide service in your area?
If you are outside the area serviced by AT&T wireless or T-Mobile, you will get the warning "No Service".
The phones that Mobal sells are locked meaning that you cannot swap the sim card out for one from another company.
The GSM phones are not always compatible with the various US cell providers.
If you cannot get a signal and are really unsure about the phone, return it. I cancelled my service with Mobal because of the expense, surprise bills and poor response from their support staff.
I simply purchased an unlocked cell phone (Tigerdirect.com or others) and when I got off the plane in Dublin went to a Vodafone shop and bought a "new number pay as you go"
package (about $20), worked perfectly and had no surprise bills.
Vodafone also has shops in London.
You can also purchase pay as you go phones in London. Top off cards are available at shops all over the UK and Northern Ireland.
Who are the cell phone companies that provide service in your area?
If you are outside the area serviced by AT&T wireless or T-Mobile, you will get the warning "No Service".
The phones that Mobal sells are locked meaning that you cannot swap the sim card out for one from another company.
The GSM phones are not always compatible with the various US cell providers.
If you cannot get a signal and are really unsure about the phone, return it. I cancelled my service with Mobal because of the expense, surprise bills and poor response from their support staff.
I simply purchased an unlocked cell phone (Tigerdirect.com or others) and when I got off the plane in Dublin went to a Vodafone shop and bought a "new number pay as you go"
package (about $20), worked perfectly and had no surprise bills.
Vodafone also has shops in London.
You can also purchase pay as you go phones in London. Top off cards are available at shops all over the UK and Northern Ireland.
May 8th, 2008, 04:26 PM
#6
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Based on the review by The Travel Insider, the Mobal cell phone service in not a good option for most travelers.
http://www.thetravelinsider.info/
http://www.thetravelinsider.info/
May 8th, 2008, 04:31 PM
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Well, good option or not, jjkey has one. I think you will be all right, jj, I got two Mobal phones a couple of years ago. Neither worked in the States, but when I turned them on in Heathrow, both came on, connected, and worked in the U.K., France, Italy, and Croatia.
Have a great trip!
Have a great trip!
May 8th, 2008, 06:20 PM
#8
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No problems with our 2 $49 Mobal phones, and no 'surprise' billing. They clearly state their rates online. They provide a detail on your online profile. Emails were answered promptly.
Sorry, can't speak for the USA-service, or lack thereof - sounds like Stormin understands the routine.
Sorry, can't speak for the USA-service, or lack thereof - sounds like Stormin understands the routine.
May 8th, 2008, 07:03 PM
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jjkey,
I bought the $49 Mobal phone a few years ago. Like nukesafe, mine doesn't get a signal in the US, but it works like a charm in Europe.
I've used it in Ireland, UK, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Croatia and Turkey. Yes, the charges can be expensive, but I typically only use it for touching base back at home when I travel.
You should be able to turn it on (at home) and enter phone numbers you want to save in your phone.
Have a great trip!
I bought the $49 Mobal phone a few years ago. Like nukesafe, mine doesn't get a signal in the US, but it works like a charm in Europe.
I've used it in Ireland, UK, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Croatia and Turkey. Yes, the charges can be expensive, but I typically only use it for touching base back at home when I travel.
You should be able to turn it on (at home) and enter phone numbers you want to save in your phone.
Have a great trip!
May 8th, 2008, 08:18 PM
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As I understand it, mobal has 2 offers...a $49 phone which is a gsm phone with the 900 and 1800 mhz frequencies....such a phone will most assuredly not work in the USA as those two frequencies are not used in the USA for mobile phones. End of story there.
The $99 offer, which is the one the OP boughtt, is trickier. I would assume it is a tri band phone with 900/1800/1900 mhz frequencies. It should work in the USA but not everywhere. You see, the two major gsm carriers in the USA, T Mobile USA and AT&T (aka Cingular) operate a bit differently (they would most likely be the roaming partners in the USA)...
T Mobile USA was the original gsm provider here. It's entire network operates on 1900 mhz and should be accessible in those areas where t Mobile USA provides service but, and it's a fairly large but, T Mobile USA coverage is a bit spotty especially in rurual areas away from the interstates.
AT&T, OTOH, operates most of its service on 850 mhz (they do some 1900) for which this phone will not work.
From what I see, the OP is in an area where T Mobile USA does not provide service and the only gsm provider is AT&T operating on 850 mhz. which would not work where the OP is presently. It might well be if the OP were to travel a few miles, it might be able to pick up a signal from t mobile USA. But since the phone is booting up and the OP is getting a message NO SERVICE provider, that would be the most likely cause of this.
Thanks AT&T for giving the USA yet another incompatible gsm frequency which causes this problem all the time for people.
The $99 offer, which is the one the OP boughtt, is trickier. I would assume it is a tri band phone with 900/1800/1900 mhz frequencies. It should work in the USA but not everywhere. You see, the two major gsm carriers in the USA, T Mobile USA and AT&T (aka Cingular) operate a bit differently (they would most likely be the roaming partners in the USA)...
T Mobile USA was the original gsm provider here. It's entire network operates on 1900 mhz and should be accessible in those areas where t Mobile USA provides service but, and it's a fairly large but, T Mobile USA coverage is a bit spotty especially in rurual areas away from the interstates.
AT&T, OTOH, operates most of its service on 850 mhz (they do some 1900) for which this phone will not work.
From what I see, the OP is in an area where T Mobile USA does not provide service and the only gsm provider is AT&T operating on 850 mhz. which would not work where the OP is presently. It might well be if the OP were to travel a few miles, it might be able to pick up a signal from t mobile USA. But since the phone is booting up and the OP is getting a message NO SERVICE provider, that would be the most likely cause of this.
Thanks AT&T for giving the USA yet another incompatible gsm frequency which causes this problem all the time for people.
May 9th, 2008, 07:06 AM
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Thanks to everyone that answered. My problem seems to be that we live to far in the sticks, that we don't have cell service for either T-Mobil or Cingular, as they do 200 miles in any direction from us. I'll just go with what I have and if it won't work in London, I will find something there. Last year we didn't have a phone and it was kind of nice. Thanks to stormin, nukesafe, travelnut, LowCountryIslander and xyz123.
May 9th, 2008, 07:46 AM
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Having a phone is 'kind of nice', too. You control the phone - keep it turned off and just check for messages. Turn it on only if you get separated from your travel partner. No need at all for the presence of a phone to interfere with your trip enjoyment.
May 9th, 2008, 07:52 AM
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jjkey, we have the $99 phone and if I remember correctly somewhere on the set up page that came with the phone is a statement that reads the phone will not work in the U.S..
Before our trip to Spain last month I wanted to test the phone to make sure it was still working since we hadn't used it since Italy, Dec 2006. We have international calling on our home phone so I used it to call the Mobal...had a nice conversation with myself, lol. Hope this helps.
Before our trip to Spain last month I wanted to test the phone to make sure it was still working since we hadn't used it since Italy, Dec 2006. We have international calling on our home phone so I used it to call the Mobal...had a nice conversation with myself, lol. Hope this helps.
May 9th, 2008, 09:49 AM
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the $99 phone works in the US, the $49 does not.
If you use it to text instead of talk you will spend much less--it is 80 cents to send a message and does not cost to receive. Also a cheaper way to check the phone in the states for service is to send a text rather than call.
If you use it to text instead of talk you will spend much less--it is 80 cents to send a message and does not cost to receive. Also a cheaper way to check the phone in the states for service is to send a text rather than call.
May 9th, 2008, 05:42 PM
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cherrybomb and cynthia_booker, thanks for your response. I did email the company and got an answer this afternoon saying what everyone here had already said.
As far as being hooked on this site, to late. Most of the time I just read and outside of this post have never asked. About the time I have a question, I find an answer here, thanks to all posters.
As far as being hooked on this site, to late. Most of the time I just read and outside of this post have never asked. About the time I have a question, I find an answer here, thanks to all posters.
May 9th, 2008, 09:15 PM
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With a Mobal SIM, it would be a good idea to check your phone manual and learn to lock the SIM. Be sure to select a code you will never, ever forget, and make a record of it in a safe place. Be sure to refer to the Mobal instructions in this regard also.
If your phone is lost or stolen, anyone could run up a huge bill on your account. Mobal will cancel your account as soon as you call them, but serious charges could be incurred in the meantime. And, be sure to have the Mobal number for reporting lost/stolen phones handy. Make sure you have the emergency number, not the one with limited hours.
If you lock your SIM, no one can access your SIM, or use it in another phone.
Note that SIM lock and Phone Lock are two different functions.
If your phone is lost or stolen, anyone could run up a huge bill on your account. Mobal will cancel your account as soon as you call them, but serious charges could be incurred in the meantime. And, be sure to have the Mobal number for reporting lost/stolen phones handy. Make sure you have the emergency number, not the one with limited hours.
If you lock your SIM, no one can access your SIM, or use it in another phone.
Note that SIM lock and Phone Lock are two different functions.
May 9th, 2008, 10:36 PM
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I have a tri-band phone, which I've had for years (Sony Ericsson T610), and two Mobal SIMs I received four years ago. When I first inserted the SIMs, I got no local signal but was able to program phone numbers into the phone book, so assumed the SIM was in working order. They worked just fine in London and Paris.
I finally located (the safe place where I stored) the SIMs and inserted one. I am getting a very week (often yellow bars instead of green) TMO signal. (We live 40 miles northwest of Boston.)
I finally located (the safe place where I stored) the SIMs and inserted one. I am getting a very week (often yellow bars instead of green) TMO signal. (We live 40 miles northwest of Boston.)
Jun 10th, 2008, 10:58 AM
#19
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I would like to report back on the use of my phone. It worked great in London and in Paris. We used it almost daily, calling home. The connection was as good as anything I have used here in the states. Again thanks for all the response before our trip.
