Phone Option
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2003
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Phone Option
Dear All,
I have optioned out my 2004 E55 with the MB phone and voice activation. However, I think it is an expensive option. I live in the So. California area and currently use Verizon for my cell phone. I was going to switch to Cingular for their roll over minutes or maybe T-Mobile for their pooled minutes. But, what would happen to my E55 phone? Isn't MB's phone specific to the different carrier? Do I have to buy a new phone everytime I switch carriers? Does MB support all the cell carriers in the LA market?
Any info would be helpful. Thanks
amgB
I have optioned out my 2004 E55 with the MB phone and voice activation. However, I think it is an expensive option. I live in the So. California area and currently use Verizon for my cell phone. I was going to switch to Cingular for their roll over minutes or maybe T-Mobile for their pooled minutes. But, what would happen to my E55 phone? Isn't MB's phone specific to the different carrier? Do I have to buy a new phone everytime I switch carriers? Does MB support all the cell carriers in the LA market?
Any info would be helpful. Thanks
amgB
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 206
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From: Rancho Bernardo, CA
2001 MB CLK55
Re: Phone Option
Originally posted by AMGB
Dear All,
I have optioned out my 2004 E55 with the MB phone and voice activation. However, I think it is an expensive option. I live in the So. California area and currently use Verizon for my cell phone. I was going to switch to Cingular for their roll over minutes or maybe T-Mobile for their pooled minutes. But, what would happen to my E55 phone? Isn't MB's phone specific to the different carrier? Do I have to buy a new phone everytime I switch carriers? Does MB support all the cell carriers in the LA market?
Dear All,
I have optioned out my 2004 E55 with the MB phone and voice activation. However, I think it is an expensive option. I live in the So. California area and currently use Verizon for my cell phone. I was going to switch to Cingular for their roll over minutes or maybe T-Mobile for their pooled minutes. But, what would happen to my E55 phone? Isn't MB's phone specific to the different carrier? Do I have to buy a new phone everytime I switch carriers? Does MB support all the cell carriers in the LA market?
Changing from Verizon to anyone else would require the purchase of a new phone from MB (at ~$500) IF that anyone else is the other supported provider. If not, you're just SOL.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2003
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From: Northern NJ
2014 BMW 550i
Typically, yes, whenever you switch carriers, you usually have to switch phones. Exceptions might be if you went between carriers that operate on similiar frequencies.
FYI, T-Mobile, Cingular, and AT&T all use GSM (AT&T's old service uses what was called TDMA. GSM is upgraded TDMA, but they are not compatible). A switch between any of these carriers would probably NOT require a switch of phones).
Verizon and Sprint use CDMA, the much more dominant service type in the US. A switch of these carriers WOULD require a switch of phones.
And any switch between GSM to TDMA or CDMA WOULD require a switch of phones.
And MB only supports a limited number of carriers.
FYI, T-Mobile, Cingular, and AT&T all use GSM (AT&T's old service uses what was called TDMA. GSM is upgraded TDMA, but they are not compatible). A switch between any of these carriers would probably NOT require a switch of phones).
Verizon and Sprint use CDMA, the much more dominant service type in the US. A switch of these carriers WOULD require a switch of phones.
And any switch between GSM to TDMA or CDMA WOULD require a switch of phones.
And MB only supports a limited number of carriers.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2003
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From: NOVa
98 Ml320
Originally posted by alewifebp
FYI, T-Mobile, Cingular, and AT&T all use GSM (AT&T's old service uses what was called TDMA. GSM is upgraded TDMA, but they are not compatible). A switch between any of these carriers would probably NOT require a switch of phones).
[/B]
FYI, T-Mobile, Cingular, and AT&T all use GSM (AT&T's old service uses what was called TDMA. GSM is upgraded TDMA, but they are not compatible). A switch between any of these carriers would probably NOT require a switch of phones).
[/B]
Most carriers will not unlock the phone, they will not even confirm they can do this until really pushed. Even at that, i know AT&T will not unlock your phone unless you have had at least one year on their GSM network. Im sure the other carries do something similar to discourage network switching without buying a new phone
Cheers.
OG
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 612
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From: Santa Clarita, CA
one of seven
to add to what blurz has to say - for MY 03 MB offered (in the US) the V60 in CDMA for Verizon or TDMA for AT&T. AT&T is slowly switching over to GSM nationwide. Hopefully this year (04) MB will offer a V60/GSM phone for AT&T. I checked the Motorola site last night and they do make the V60i in CDMA, TDMA and GSM. TDMA will dissapear from the scene as GSM gets built out nationwide. AT&T is now only adding GSM towers and are no longer adding TDMA towers. Unlocked phones are readily available on the web, the question is will they work in MB (probably not - incorrect software). Most other nations have GSM systems and that makes getting a GSM phone in the USA attractive. Too bad since I own stock in Qualcom who have patents on CDMA (but also on GSM G3). 
FYI - I have both MB phones, one for AT&T and one for Verizon and the AT&T is a 'bit' clearer in my tests. Here's hoping for an MB GSM V60i. 
FYI - I have both MB phones, one for AT&T and one for Verizon and the AT&T is a 'bit' clearer in my tests. Here's hoping for an MB GSM V60i.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 917
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Originally posted by blurrz
Incorrect, If you own a GSM phone the phone is "locked" by the carrier so that you can only use the phone on their network. To unlock the phone you must either buy an unlocked phone from europe or have the carrier unlock your phone.
Most carriers will not unlock the phone, they will not even confirm they can do this until really pushed. Even at that, i know AT&T will not unlock your phone unless you have had at least one year on their GSM network. Im sure the other carries do something similar to discourage network switching without buying a new phone
Cheers.
OG
Incorrect, If you own a GSM phone the phone is "locked" by the carrier so that you can only use the phone on their network. To unlock the phone you must either buy an unlocked phone from europe or have the carrier unlock your phone.
Most carriers will not unlock the phone, they will not even confirm they can do this until really pushed. Even at that, i know AT&T will not unlock your phone unless you have had at least one year on their GSM network. Im sure the other carries do something similar to discourage network switching without buying a new phone
Cheers.
OG
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Member
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Albuquerque
2003 E320
Absolutely not T-mobile because they are 100% GSM. If the ATT and Cingular services are GSM (I think some parts are GSM, some not for these carriers), then MB does not presently support them either. The others, I do not know. There are no Mercedes GSM phones in the USA although they supply GSM phone systems for cars in other parts of the world. GSM phones, domestic or foreign, will not work in USA Mercedes without major modifications to the car.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2003
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From: Northern NJ
2014 BMW 550i
Quick note about the myth of GSM, and that is that simply because other nations use GSM does not automtically mean that you can use it. Many of the foriegn nations use a slightly different frequency than the US. You also need to make sure that you carrier has the necessary roaming requirements. Although, with many GSM phones, you would be able to add in a SIM card for the local carrier while you were in that foriegn land.
Many tricks can be done with mobile phones to unlock them. Even CDMA carriers have the subsidy lock that can be overcome. Like mentioned, a local, non-branded store will most likely be able to help you.
For more information about cell phones, that can probably answer any questions you might have is http://www.howardforums.com.
Many tricks can be done with mobile phones to unlock them. Even CDMA carriers have the subsidy lock that can be overcome. Like mentioned, a local, non-branded store will most likely be able to help you.
For more information about cell phones, that can probably answer any questions you might have is http://www.howardforums.com.
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 216
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From: Albuquerque
2003 E320
I have not seen a posting of anyone successfully putting a GSM phone in a USA 211 but here is one for putting it into a C240 (different interfaces from the 211). It should give you an idea of the problems and complexity.
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=19579
Another posting:
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...m&pagenumber=1
Also, the new GSM phone system for the European Mercedes is called a "universal handy interface". Some think it might someday be available in the USA but I do not think Mercedes has said that.
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...m&pagenumber=1
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=19579
Another posting:
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...m&pagenumber=1
Also, the new GSM phone system for the European Mercedes is called a "universal handy interface". Some think it might someday be available in the USA but I do not think Mercedes has said that.
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...m&pagenumber=1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 285
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Just talked to my salesperson yesterday and he checked on the phone carriers for me.
The only phone carriers MB supports for the 03 model is Verizon and AT&T in the LA market.
I really wanted to switch to another carrier. Now I can't.
amgB
The only phone carriers MB supports for the 03 model is Verizon and AT&T in the LA market.
I really wanted to switch to another carrier. Now I can't.
amgB
