Important Information On Roaming

Your cellular phone is assigned a phone number just like a land-line. The phone number is assigned by one of the typically two cellular system operators in your area. One of the cellular system operators, called the wireline operator, is also a supplier of land-line phone service in your area. The wireline system is also referred to as the "B" system. The other system operator, to prevent a monopoly on cellular phone service, must not be run by the local land-line service supplier. This system is referred to as the non-wireline and also referred to as the "A" team. Whichever system, A or B you are on in your Cellular Service Area is referred to as your home system.

When you are in your home system, you can typically place phone calls just as you would from your home or once phone and you can be called in your car in the manner. However, if you are called and are not in your car with your phone off, instead of infinite ringing, the calling party will be given a message stating that you have left your vehicle or left your home system.


When you leave your home system and enter another cellular system, you are considered to be roaming. When you are roaming the Roam indicator will either light steadily or flash to indicate your roam status. If you are roaming on the same type system as your home system (A or B), the Roam indicator will light steadily If you are roaming on a system of the other type, the indicator will flash.


Because cellular systems are not all interconnected, you cannot be called directly as when in your home system. Instead, to person calling you must first dial the Roamer Access Number for the cellular service provider on whose system you are roaming. Then, on receipt of a second dial tone, he dims your 10-digit mobile phone number. Similarly, if you wish to place a local call in the metropolitan area in which you are roaming, you may have to enter the area code of the city you are in. This is because your phone is still considered to be in the area code of your home system.

Also, you may not be able to automatically place or receive calls in a given Cellular Service Area unless you call a special number and guarantee payment via a credit card. Your home cellular service provider can give you further information regarding roaming.

As you travel, you will encounter areas without cellular coverage, typically rural areas located away from major interstate expressways. In these areas, you will not be able to place or receive phone calls. You will know when you are not in a service area by the No Service indicator being lit. If you try to place a call when not in a service area, you will experience a series of alternating high-low tones, called "Intercept" tones.

If you are in a service area, but the system cannot process your call, you will hear a fast busy signal. This is referred to as "Reorder" tone.