I hope someone can help me...I just got a certified 2000 ML320 and it's fully loadly. I want to activate the phone that comes with the car but I've been told I can't because it's a dual band Star tac. It was originally activated by AT&T but they say since they are moving to GSM, they can no longer do it.

Someone said if I can find a Mercedes Star-Tac for the Verizon Network, it will work.

Has anyone ever heard of this? Please help!!!!!

 

I do not know about ATT as I have been told that they were a terrible carrier but things may improve since they were bought by Cingular, which I have used for years. I do not know if the 2000 model used a digital or analog phone. The 98 I had used an anolog and my current 02 ML500 uses a digital. I do not think that MB called their phone (Motorola) a Startac. Mine is called a Timeport. One thing is for sure, to integrate with the system in your car you must have an MB branded phone.If I were you I would go to Cingular and ask them if yours will work and if not buy the phone that they say will work

 

All of the Mercedes phones sold for the US market are either CDMA or TDMA ... AFAIK today. The only way to get a GSM phone is to install a Euro-spec Mercedes phone system

I am not sure why AT&T would not activate a Startac even though it is only an AMPS-800MHz phone, especially if you already have service with AT&T. I recently activated another Mercedes V60i with AT&T which is a TDMA tri-mode phone.

Be careful with Verizon right now. Beginning the first of the year Verizon may only activate FCC E911 compliant phones for new service. There are folks out there buying non-compliant MB/Verizon phones on eBay that can't get them activated for new service ... but this is not true in all cases or areas. It's best to talk to your current or intended service provider.

Mercedes/Motorola has released 3 digital phones over the past several years for the US market. The StarTac was avaialble in 1999-2000, the Timeport in 2001, and the V60/V60i (and now X, and S) since then.

Paul

 

Thank you all for your replies. The Star-Tac I have is a dual mode(analog/digital), that's why AT&T couldn't activate it. They said if I had a S-tac tri-mode, then they could. I will give Cingular a try. Just pretty bummed that I may not be able to use that feature. The dealership said that if I wanted to change to a new model phone like the V60, something about the way the handsfree system is set up, it isn't just a software change, they would have to replace it...$$$$$. So maybe I'll opt for a bluetooth hands free install like the Nokias have. Think it will work just as well?

BTW, does anyone use mid-grade gas on their ML? With the way gas prices are out here in SF (!) Premium is going to kill me!

Thanks again!