What's my handset's serial number?
All mobile phone users should keep a note of their
handset's serial number (known as the 'IMEI'),
as it's very handy if the phone is lost or stolen.
The number can normally be found under the battery
(looking something like 004400/01/123456/7).
You can also get this number from the phone software,
by entering '*#06#' as a phone number and pressing
'Send'.
Can I read my email on my mobile phone?
Smartphones (advanced mobile phones with lots
of features) allow you to access e-mail from your
POP account via their own dedicated email application.
We offer connectivity help on our Smartphones
page
If you don't have a smartphone, but have a phone
that supports Java applications & games, there's
a small program called EmailViewer, that allows
you to collect your POP or IMAP email from your
mobile - it also lets you send.
Failing that, you can have message summaries
sent to your mobile via text messages (your network
operator may offer this), or you can access email
via WAP. If you have a PDA, you can connect and
access your POP3 email on the move (Click for
Psion, Palm, Pocket PC information)
Surf the Net from your mobile?
You've probably heard of WAP - access to the 'Mobile
Internet' - special cut-down sites optimised for
use on a mobile - for more on WAP, see our WAP
page.
But what about the rest of the Internet? As well
as accessing WAP, there are ways to access the
Internet from your mobile. Here are some of the
options:
Many phones now have a built-in web browser,
as opposed to a WAP browser. As an example, Symbian
Series 60 phones such as the Nokia 6680, Nokia
7610, and the Siemens SX1 come with a basic, but
functional HTML web browser, as do some other
phones including the Sony Ericsson P900 and various
Pocket PC and Palm OS powered devices. Pictured
on the right is a screenshot of this site on a
Nokia 6600. For help getting connected with a
Series 60 phone, see our dedicated page.
If you're familiar with Google, you can use your
WAP phone to search and display web content on
a WAP phone - details on our WAP page
If your mobile has Bluetooth or Infrared, you
may be able to use it as a modem, and connect
to the Internet with a PDA or laptop.
Lost/stolen mobile?
All mobile phone users should keep a note of their
handset serial number (see above), just in case.
This can be used to bar your phone quickly, and
to enable the police to trace a stolen phone.
If you lose your handset, you need to contact
the Service Provider (and the police). The Service
Provider will bar both the mobile phone and the
SIM, so that both are useless to anyone who tries
to use either
How do I find out my own mobile number?
If you've got a SIM card for a mobile, and don't
know what the phone number is, the easiest way
to check is to use the card to phone a landline
phone number, and then from that landline phone,
dial 1471. Caller identification should then repeat
the number to you. For more, see our CLI page
Note that the telephone number itself isn't stored
on the SIM card (this is how you're able to change
phone number without getting a new SIM). The phone
stores a unique number called a Subscriber Identity
number (IMSI). Provided that you're able to connect
your phone to a PC, you may be able to use PC
software such as Oxygen to extract the IMSI from
the SIM. Once you have the IMSI, you may be able
to contact the SIM network operator & ask
them to tell you which number maps to the IMSI.
Why is it cheaper to get a new handset on
a new contract than to upgrade?
The networks pay a commission to the dealer when
a customer signs a new contract. This saving benefits
you in the form of a lower price. It seems that
the networks are less keen to subsidise upgrades,
and are more keen to attract new customers than
to keep existing ones happy.
You may find it cheaper to switch networks (taking
your phone number with you) when you buy a new
phone. You can switch back next time you change
phones!
Which is the best handset?
Which is the best TV programme? It depends on
what you like, doesn't it? The most popular programmes
are the soaps, which few would rate as quality
programs. Similarly, the best-selling handsets
are the cheap ones. Are they the best?
How long should I charge my battery for?
For the initial charge, at least 14 to 16 hours
continuous charging. After that, preferably overnight
every time. See the Battery page for more details.
How long should my battery last?
This depends. Expect a NiCd battery to last up
to 500 to 600 charge cycles. A NiMH battery slightly
less. Li-Ion batteries fade away gradually. After
500 cycles, they have about half their initial
capacity. You have to decide when the battery
is "too small". Expect to buy an new
battery every 18 months.
Why do people shout into their mobile phones?
There are three explanations: The technical one
is that mobile handsets don't have the "sidetone"
(a little of the microphone sound fed straight
back to the earpiece) that is present in fixed
phones. People can't hear their own voice, so
they assume the other end can't either. The less
technical one is that they think the person at
the other end will hear better if they shout (the
opposite of the truth, in fact). The third and
usual reason is that people simply aren't aware
that they're doing it.
