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-   -   Mobal Cell Phone - Great! (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/mobal-cell-phone-great-513793/)

xyz123 Apr 21st, 2005 04:32 PM

I respectfully disagree..

When you turn on a mobile gsm phone, the first thing it looks for is a valid sim card. If the sim card is not valid for whatever the reason, it gives a message. If the sim card is valid, it then tries to register on a network agreeable to the sim card. You will see this is so if you insert the O2 sim card that comes with the mobal phone, it will boot up, give you no message and then be unable to register and no US gsm carrier operates on the 2 frequencies of the phone namely 900 and 1800.

Nextel I don't think is gsm. It should recognize either a t mobile or cingular sim card even if it can't register.

It is real odd that you get no response when entering an unlock code; either it will say sim card restriction lifted or you will get an error message. Getting an error message 5 times is bad as it means the phone can no longer be unlocked with a code but it can be unlocked with a cable by a professional unlocker (although this is rarely free)....my guess remains is that somehow you are not properly entering the unlock code (I know you say you are and I have no reason to doubt you) but I've never heard of your situation arising. The unlocking of the phone is an internal matter of the phone, it has nothing to do with the frequency issue or any other external factors.

Interestingly enough, several people reported on this forum that when they bought the tri band 3100 from mobal, it arrived unlocked. Mine most certainly did as I put a t mobile US sim card in it and it's working perfectly.

Does the phone recognize the O2 sim card that came with the phone...try to boot it up. It won't register as none of the US companies with which O2 has roaming arrangements is on the frequencies of the phone.

Also, just for fun, try the free web site and see if you get the same unlocking code.

Hope that helps.

suntravler Apr 21st, 2005 07:17 PM

When I inserted the O2 SIM card in the Mobal dual band phone, it booted up and I got a greeting.

Even though I couldn't make any calls in the US, I was able to select ring tones, program phone numbers, set the time, and make other settings (or rather my teenage daughter was able to).

When I put in the t-mobile SIM card, it just said "Invalid SIM card."

I would also like to correct something I wrote earlier. In order to charge the battery I used the convertor/adaptor kit I've always used for travel...NOT the converter/adaptor that came with the phone.

xyz123 Apr 21st, 2005 10:12 PM

Let me throw out one other possibility that I just thought of while talking to somebody...

It is possible that mobal sold you a used phone perhaps a phone somebody returned after making the 5 attempts allowed to unlock it.

Again, if you enter an unlocking code into the phone, you either get a message the sim restriction has been lifted or you get a code error message. The fact nothing is happening is somewhat suggestive that perhaps somebody had the phone, made the 5 efforts to unlock it with the code the software allows and then returned the phone and mobal sold it to you....

I would return the phone to them and demand a new phone; not somebody else's reject.

ggnga Apr 21st, 2005 10:39 PM

Travelnut,

The first time I entered the code I only put in the first one. My code had a code and then one directly under it also. I thought it was a choice of them. Next time I put in both codes #pwblahblah and then the second #pwblahblah. On the first try with only one code no message, the second time it flashed so quickly something about no restrictions. Did you put in both codes? I did not pause just put in the first and second like they were one long code.

The message that came up made me wonder if the phone was locked in the beginning. It did not say it was had been unlocked but something to the effect that it had no restricitions. Others said the phones weren't locked when they first started going out, especially with the O2 SIM.
Also when I put in the O2 SIM mine booted up like suntraveler. That was why I thought it had some battery charge.

My adapters both say 250V not for use in UK, use only on the continent. My plug that it came with I assume is for regular UK use. I also travel a good bit to the UK so that will be helpful.



You take out the SIM to unlock it. I followed http://www.trycktill.com/eng/unlock_swe.asp

I will next get a Nokia US charger online or get one at Target and tackle the charging.

If I have to use my phone just for emergencies or brief contact with apartments, hotels or airlines and for my family to contact me in emergencies with the O2 card, it will be worth it. I guess I will find out for sure if it is unlocked when I get to Paris in May. My real need for the phone will be driving alone in France in Septemeber, so I should have all the kinks worked out by then, I hope.

I started to really consider a need for a phone after our trip last March to a wedding in Rome. We arrived about 10pm and luckily had gotten a car service. At the B&B, the owner was not there, we were to call on his mobal. Luckily the driver used his cell and we were let in soon. We needed to call the wedding party that night for meetings the next day but were unable because the tabac was closed and the phone booth did not take coins. Also there were no phones of any type in the B&B and I was having very bad asthma. I felt uncomfortable not having some kind of phone link to emergency services in the middle of the night. I could just picture my husband running into the street or out in the hall of the building trying to scream for help in English. I watch too much bad TV!
I hope you work it out travelnut.

Thanks so much to all of you. I might be back if I have trouble with the charging. I will definitely report back on the France SIM after I return in May. One last question, where do you recommend I go to buy a French SIM in Paris?


suntravler Apr 22nd, 2005 04:27 AM

ggnga:

Good luck with the battery charging.

If I managed to do it, anyone can.

Have a wonderful and safe trip.

suntravler Apr 22nd, 2005 04:44 AM

ggnga:

Sorry for some confusion and misinformation on my part, but I just figured out how I charged the phone because I am re-charging it now.

You don't need to go out and buy anything. This is what I did. The phone comes with 2 adaptor gadgets. As I previously said, it was like a puzzle.

First I connected the CHARGER plug (with the 3 prongs) into the adaptor that has the 2 ROUND prongs.

Then I plugged that adaptor into the other adaptor that has the 2 FLAT prongs (like used in the US).

Then I plugged that into my wall socket. And the phone is charging. After a few seconds, on the right hand side of the screen you will see the dotted line moving...which indicates it is charging.

For some reason I couldn't get the charger plug to connect directly into the adaptor with the flat prongs, although it looks like it should fit.

Anyway, what I described is accomplishing the goal of charging the phone. Good luck.

Travelnut Apr 22nd, 2005 05:27 AM

ggnga:
I received 3 codes - I only tried the 1st one (the primary level) and got the 'no response'. I will try one more time and enter the 1st and 2nd codes as one long string:
#pw+1111111111+1##pw+2222222222+2#
including the ## to end 1st code and start 2nd code.

The O2 SIM does work, so I know I'll have at least the Mobal service.

xyz123: I bought the 3410, so maybe only the more expensive ones were unlocked. Thanks for your followup, as well. I did see one statement on a forum that indicated a USA-network SIM (specifically T-Mobile) would not work in a 900/1800 phone. Well, we'll see what happens!

ggnga Apr 22nd, 2005 07:26 AM

travelnut, I read on the info somewhere that the phones can have as many as 4 locks so maybe that is why we got more than 1 code. I would put in all three if that is what your code worked out to be, not just 2. I did not put in the ### to end the first just put it in exactly like both codes were one long one. As soon as I finished the second one the message flashed.

I will return to the drawing board with the adapters I have to try and charge the phone. Thanks suntraveler.

Thanks again xyz123 and everyone.


Travelnut Apr 22nd, 2005 10:42 AM

gggna, I'm going to beat this thing into submission!

which way?

#pw+1111111+<b>1#</b>pw+22222222+2#
-or-
#pw+1111111+<b>1##</b>pw+2222222+2#
-or-
#pw+1111111<b>+1pw+</b>22222222+2#

(ie. 1#, 2# or no # between the two codes?)

I'm on vacation next week, so you'll all get a rest from this!

Tyrannulet Apr 23rd, 2005 09:12 AM

This thread has been most helpful in my cell phone dilemna. Based on all of your suggestions and other research I've done, I've ordered a Mobal phone at $29 - couldn't not at that price! Hopefully it is unlocked, and if not I'll figure our how to do it, or have them unlock it for me in the UK. We're going to Scotland and Poland in June for 3 weeks, and won't be in any one location for very long - touring alot, and I just could not imagine not having a phone with us - especially with a teenager and 2 young adults left at home to look after the house! You've all been most helpful! I'll let you know how I make out!

Carmen Apr 23rd, 2005 12:12 PM

I got mine yesterday, and I'm very happy with the decision to go this route. All the information here was very helpful.

AnneO Apr 23rd, 2005 08:23 PM

I just ordered it at $29...thanks for the tip! One thing...you have to have an American Airlines FF # to get that price, so have it handy.

Anne

nukesafe Apr 23rd, 2005 09:49 PM

You do not have to have an AA FF# to get the price. I just ordered two on Thursday -- price $29.00. No #, No problem. Will wait until I get to Europe to see if I can unlock them. Even if I cannot get them to unlock they are a good deal.

We'll be in Scotland for a week, and then on a canal boat for another. I always managed with pay phones and phone cards in France before quite nicely before.

I figure the cell phones will come in handy when one couple is away from the boat, and needs to communicate a change of plan such as acute intoxication or finding neat antique shops. They could also help when there is a holdup at a lock and someone goes up to the lock to find out how long the delay will be, etc. I used to use those little walkie talkies for that purpose, but they are not really legal in Europe - wrong frequency.

ggnga Apr 24th, 2005 03:42 AM

Travelnut, the 3rd way, no # in between, just the code and straight into the next code.

I haven't tried to charge it yet, working this weekend.

Good luck and happy travels to all.

Carmen Apr 24th, 2005 10:34 AM

Mine charged up with no problems. It should be fine.

Sher Apr 24th, 2005 01:14 PM

Man of us have purchased Mobal cell phones because they are such a good buy now.
We are using our credit cards to purchase them.
Maybe this has been addressed, but I am wondering if Mobal is going to start to get suspicious because the SIM cards are not being used in many cases.
Does anyone have any thoughts about this?

Also, on one of the above posts, it says that they could tell the phone is unlocked because after booting it up, they inserted a SIM card and they were able to change ring tones, etc. Well, the Samsung phone I have has always let me do those things after I charged it. I feel stupid, but I just don't have another SIM card I can put in it to tell if it is locked.

When I turn it on it says, searching for service. It gives the phone number and model of phone.

Thanks

Postal Apr 24th, 2005 04:42 PM

I used the Mobal phone with the Mobal rates for a couple of days before I switched to a new SIM card in Germany. That cost $32.70. So at least they got something from me! I just bought another one, at $29, for my daughter is going back to Germany next month. You just can't beat them for emergencies, even at the higher priced minutes.

misa Apr 29th, 2005 03:08 PM

To xyz123,
Thank you so much for recommending this great unlocking website. I posted and got my unlock code very quickly! I found your information to be very clear and concise. I even bought a mobal phone based on all I read on this thread for my upcoming trip to Europe. I'm so glad I found this forum. Thanks again!

misa Apr 29th, 2005 03:13 PM

I forgot to note the website:
www.unlockme.co.uk
It's free and they are very helpful when I had questions.

brigdoon May 7th, 2005 12:27 PM

I just spoke to cingular-of course they won't unlock my LG L1200 phone, but I got a friendly rep who informed me that my sim card is 64K card and I won't find one of those in Italy, so even if I do manage to unlock it, I won't find a sim card to make it work. However when I checked my sim, it says 32K GT? So I am not sure whether to pay the $10 for the unlock code or not. By the way, www.unlockitnow.com will email you an unlock code for only $10.


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