An IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) is a unique code used to identify an individual user on a GSM or UMTS network.  The IMSI is a 64-bit number which is usually represented as 15  decimal digits. An IMSI consists of three components: Mobile Country Code (MCC) (3 digits) Mobile Network Code (MNC) (2-3 digits) Mobile Subscriber Identity Number (MSIN) The Mobile Country Codes and Mobile Network Codes are listed at MCCList. In GSM networks, the IMSI is stored in the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM).  In CDMA networks, it is stored Read More

Here is a guide to where you can download cell phone manuals for some of the most popular cell phone brands. Manufacturer web sites usually require selecting a phone before showing a link to the manual. Instructions are provided to help you navigate to the manuals. BlackBerry Cell Phone Manuals To download a manual simply click on the Getting Started Guide or User Guide link for the desired model. Firefly User Guide for Parents   LG Cell Phone Manuals To get a manual choose a carrier in the Mobile Phones Read More

Prepaid cell phones are mobile phones that are not associated with a long term contract and, therefore, do not incur the overage charges and late fees associate with contract plans. Prepaid cell phones are paid before the mobile service is activated on a monthly or “pay-as-you-go” basis and are deactivated when the service term expires if the customer does not add more money to his/her account.   What Are Contract Phones? Contract phones are the most popular type of mobile phone and are associated with a long term contract. The Read More

A Blackberry is a “smartphone” that integrates a phone, media player, email client, web browser, camera, and personal digital assistant (PDA) in a single device. It has many purposes and allows users to perform a number of tasks such as creating notes, accessing the Internet, and scheduling events. Blackberry phones represent over 14% of the world’s smartphones and over 500 mobile service providers in 91 countries support them. Features The Blackberry’s main function is to provide portable email access to its user. Blackberry phones also provide the user with Internet Read More

PCS (Personal Communications Service) is a set of standards. Most PCS standards are based on an existing standard. PCS is little more than the operation of these standards on the frequency bands of 1930-1990MHz for receiving and 1850-1910Mhz for transmitting. PCS StandardBase Standard PCS TDMA IS-136 PCS CDMA IS-95 PCS 1900 GSM PACS PHS cordless DCT-U DECT cordless Composite CDMA/TDMA n/a PCS Network Operators Sprint PCS operates a PCS network in the United States. Additional Reading on PCS For more information on PCS, read Personal Communications Service (PCS) by the Read More

An IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, number is a number associated with a specific cell phone and can be used by authorities in a wide variety of countries to blacklist stolen cell phones, making them unusable to the thief, even if he/she replaces the phone’s SIM card. An IMEI number should not be confused with an IMSI, or International Mobile Subscriber Identity, number which is used to identify a subscriber. An IMEI is printed on the inside of the user’s cell phone and does not have any connection with Read More

The NAM (Number Assignment Module) is the EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) in a mobile telephone which holds information such as the MIN (or MDN) and SIDH.  The data fields stored in a phone’s NAM vary between the various mobile telephone specifications, such as AMPS/NAMPS, GSM, PCS, CMDA.  In modern networks, NAMs can be reprogrammed Over-The-Air (OTA). Dual and Multi-NAM Phones Some mobile handsets are equipped with NAM’s which can hold multiple telephone numbers.  This enables the phone to have multiple telephone numbers from one carrier or telephone numbers from Read More

Many wireless providers across the globe, including AT&T/Cingular, T-Mobile, Vodafone, and Verizon sell Blackberries. When these companies sell a BlackBerry, they do so at a discount in order to attract customers. The providers then make up the lost profits over the lifetime of their contract with the customer. To protect those profits, the wireless providers configure a “subsidy lock” into each BlackBerry. The subsidy lock prevents the BlackBerry from being used on another provider’s network. BlackBerry Unlocking There are four known methods for removing the subsidy code and unlocking the Read More

As technology has improved over the past few decades, cell phones have only gotten better and better.Though most people do not stop to consider the idea, it is still an amazing feat even today that what was once only an idea presented in movies and novels, has now become our number one modern-day communication device. Many people have even disconnected their landline telephones and replaced them with cell phones. With the ability to make phone calls, send and receive text messages and pictures, and even access the Internet, cell phones Read More

Sometimes called pre paid or prepay cell phone plans, Pay as You Go Cell Phones are usually used in specific types of mobile phone calling plans. Unlike standard mobile phone calling plans that charge a set monthly fee for a specific amount of calls, pay as you go cell phone calling plans only require the consumer to purchase calling minutes when they would like to make a call. Getting Started with a Pay As You Go Cell Phone Calling Plan It is important to note that in order to join Read More