Re: Cell phones, etc.

["Linus D. Toy" <linust@interramp.com>]

>	So what's the deal here? Do I have a phone which can make outgoing
>	calls only on a pay-per-call basis, or am I still on the other guy's
>	service somehow?  Could it be that he had this phone cloned and
>	is still using the other?  If so, why couldn't I reach that number?

using a "non-activated" phone:  in the past, this was not universally true
(use for 911, credit card, collect calls, etc)...it maybe today, but if so,
it's a function of the local service provider, not the phone itself--will
the local cell system accept "foreign" or otherwise unrecognized phones?
generally (in the US), if a non-native phone is used in a cell system, its
ESN/MIN combo is researched in a nationwide roaming verification db--if its
a legit combo ("activated" to a billing account on a home system somewhere),
the calls go through, otherwise the calls get blocked.  the cell system can
be set to allow certain calls (911, for example) to go through regardless of
roaming verification.  and, some providers simply don't allow roaming in
certain areas (some parts of the east coast are notorious for cell phone
fraud).  some time back, there was a proposal to enable cell systems
nationwide to allow all cell phones, whether "activated" or not, to make 911
calls.  this may be the state of the industry today.  

cloning phones: it may or may not be legal, depends on your local service
provider.  of course, they're gonna want to know about it, or, as in Eric's
case, provide it for you (probably at $$$).  i know that years ago, one
local cellular provider *did* provide this feature, but not to the general
public (government, emergency healthcare, etc. only).  don't know about today.

oblig q-list content:  my '91 200q had its standard cell phone "deleted" at
the factory.  what would i do with one anyway ;)
--linus
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* linus toy           email:  linust@interramp.com                   *
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