The information below is designed to help
answer general questions from Simple Mobile customer and retailers. It
features a combination of questions commonly asked by our customers
though our Customer Care and Sales organizations.
What is GSM?
Global System for Mobile communications
is the most popular standard for mobile phones in the world. Its
promoter, the GSM Association, estimates that 80% of the global mobile
market uses the standard GSM is used by over 3 billion people across
more than 212 countries and territories. The ubiquity of the GSM
standard has been an advantage to both consumers (who benefit from the
ability to roam and switch carriers without switching phones)
What phones work on Simple Mobile 3G?
Only phones with 1700/2100 AWS band work on our 3G network.
What is 3G?
3G is the generic term for third-generation wireless networks. Analog
was 1G, Digital was 2G, and 3G is the third-generation platform for
innovative, high-speed products and services. 3G makes staying connected
faster, easier, and more fun, with increased speed for Web browsing,
downloading content, attachments, and video, playing games, and much
more.
Where does Simple Mobile offer 3G coverage?
We currently offer 3G coverage in more than 130 U.S. cities, and we're
continually expanding our coverage.
How do I access the 3G network?
To access the 3G network, you'll need a 3G phone or device. If you have a
3G phone and you are in an area with 3G coverage, you will
automatically connect to the 3G network. You will notice a 3G indicator
on your phone's screen
What happens to my 3G call if I leave the 3G area?
Since Simple Mobile’s 3G phones operate on both the 2G and the 3G
networks, you won't notice a thing. Your calls simply transfer
seamlessly from network to network while you travel. The 2G network is
fully capable of supporting all voice and data services that are handed
off from the 3G network.
What will I notice when on a 3G network?
Using one of today’s 3G-capable devices in an area with 3G coverage,
you'll notice faster Web browsing and content downloads. Web browsing
speeds using a 3G phone on the 3G network will typically range from 200
to 300 Kilobytes per second, with peak speeds of up to 1 Megabyte per
second.
What activities work best on a 3G network?
If you plan to access the Internet extensively on your phone, 3G is a
great choice for you. 3G is best for viewing content-heavy websites
(lots of images or videos playing), viewing YouTube files and other
videos, uploading large files (photos, videos, presentations) to sharing
websites, and downloading large files from an e-mail or a website.
What if 3G isn’t available in my area yet?
Our network offers moderate-speed data service, and many of the
applications on our 3G phones will work well on 2G or 3G, including:
E-mail, instant messaging, and texting; downloading ringtones,
wallpaper, and light data files; and sending photographs via e-mail or
picture messaging.
What phones are available?
Simple Mobile provides a
variety of phone options that include the latest in mobile technology.
You can choose from a large selection of the latest flip, QWERTY and
smart phones. To view our complete list of phones and their features,
visit our website at mysimplemobile.com.
Can a customer use their own phone with Simple Mobile's
service?
Absolutely! If you already have an unlocked GSM phone
all you have to do is check our approved handset list of over 180 models
and we will set you up.
What rate plans are available?
Please refer to our
Plan page or brochure. Simple Mobile offers unlimited voice, text and is
one of the only GSM flat rate programs that offers an optional data
service with full mobile web access.
Does a customer have to sign a contract?
We do not
require a contract for our plan, however all customers must agree to our
terms and conditions prior to activating the service.
Is there an activation fee?
Our plan does not
require an activation fee. No silly rules apply here.
Where does Simple Mobile have coverage?
More places
than you probably realize. Simple Mobile offers service across from
coast to coast with no roaming or long distance charges. See our
coverage map.
Will customers be charged more for long distance calls?
No,
Simple Mobile provides free domestic long distance. If a customer would
like to place international calls they can purchase an ILD PIN that
will allow for international dialing.
Are there roaming charges?
No, Simple Mobile
subscribers are not charged additional roaming fees for calls placed on
our network within the US. Please see simplemobile.com for detailed
coverage map. You phone will indicate No Service outside our coverage
area.
Is porting from other carriers possible?
Yes,
porting from all carriers is supported. Just make sure to request a
phone number transfer at time of initial activation.
Can a customer text message a friend who's not on Simple
Mobile?
Absolutely! Not only can our customers' text message
any other phone with text messaging in the US, they can also send a text
messages to over 180 different countries worldwide.
How many characters can a text message contain?
Text
messages can contain up to 160 characters including spaces in each
message. If a message is longer than 160 characters, it will be
delivered in multiple messages.
Do our phones have character recognition capabilities?
Yes.
Most of our phones have character recognition. This feature varies by
model. Please refer to the user's guide for details.
Can a customer set up an email account on their phone or
access their personal e-mail with their Simple Mobile Smart handset?
Yes. Email can be accessed through the "Internet" pop 3 service as long
as you choose to purchase our data access option.
How do you set up voicemail? Is there a temporary password?
Yes,
the temporary password is the last 4 digits of your mobile number.
Simply press the 1 key or dedicated voice mail key after the phone has
been activated and follow the voice prompts.
Do I need to manually program the phone?
Our
handsets do not require manual programming. Simple Mobile handsets are
programmed automatically over the air. If you find you have a handset
that requires additional programming, please contact Customer Care and a
representative will assist you.
Can a customer download music, photos and videos to their
phone?
Yes, if your handset has a media player then you can
side load media into the memory card by loading the content directly
from a computer.
How does a customer side load content into their Simple
Mobile phone?
Most phone models can side load music two ways.
- Leaving the memory card in the phone: Put phone into USB mode
(Menu > Settings > USB Mode > USB Drive)
- Plug phone into USB cable
- Plug cable into computer
- It will show up as a removable drive
- Drag and drop the music from the computer to this removable drive.
- Or you can remove the memory card from their phone, place it in a
SD adapter and insert it into a card reader directly on the computer.
Can a customer’s phone be used as a modem?
No,
Simple Mobile does not allow tethering the phone as a modem.
Is there an early termination fee?
No, our program
is month to month and can be terminated at anytime.
How do customers add funds to their account?
Unlocked Cellular is the fastests way, since you don't need to create an account just click your plan and pay!How much is each payment?
It depends on which
additional services have been chosen by each customer. Simple Mobile has
payment increments available in the following denominations: $10, $40,
$45, $50, $55, $60, or $65
When do funds expire?
All unlimited plans expire 30
days after initial payment. However, Int'l LD balances carry forward to
the following months until used.
What happens if a customer doesn’t add funds within 30 days?
If the balance remains at $0 for more than 30 days, the mobile number
will be deactivated and the customer will lose their mobile number.
For live customer service & technical service:
Call (877) 878-7908 (24/7)
To get account info and usage via SMS: Simply text
INFO to 848484
To add a PIN to your account via SMS: Simply text
REUP#PIN# to 848484
To reset your voicemail: Simply type #PWD# or #793#
SEND (last 4 digits of your mobile number will be your default pass
word)
To call voicemail from your mobile phone: Perform
the following steps: (Press and hold the 1 key or dial 1-805-MESSAGE
from your mobile phone and follow the prompts to listen to your messages
and for initial setup)
To send a text message via email to any Simple Mobile phone:
Simply email the 10-digit wireless number plus:@smtext.com (example:
9495551212@smtext.com).
How to make international calls and get rates:
Purchase a $10 Simple Mobile International Long Distance PIN and dial
one of our regional access numbers and save it as a speed dial to your
phone [Seattle (206) 607-1847, Miami (305) 423-1218, Los Angeles (213)
477-1110, Chicago (773) 634-2019, Dallas (214) 530-5812, Boston (617)
603-0072]. When you hear a welcome greeting and your account balance.
Then, enter the number you are calling starting with 011, the country
code and then the phone number. It's that Simple!
Voicemail Instructions for Domestic & International
|
Option 1:
Calling voicemail from your mobile phone |
|
To call voicemail from
your mobile phone, perform the following steps:
1.Press and hold the 1 key or dial 1-805-MESSAGE from your mobile
phone. If dialing from another country, type a plus sign first (+
1-805-MESSAGE).
2. Interrupt your greeting by pressing the Star (*) key.
3.When prompted, type your password. This is the password you
selected when you first set up your voicemail. |
Option 2:
Calling
voicemail from a landline |
|
NOTE:
You will be billed applicable long distance fees from the landline
carriers in the area you are located. Simple will not credit these
landline charges.
To call voicemail from a landline, perform the following steps:
1. Dial your mobile number from a landline.
2. Interrupt your greeting by pressing the Star (*) key. You may need
to press the Pound (#) key instead.
3. When prompted, type your password. This is the password you
selected when you first set up your voicemail.
NOTE: If your handset is powered on and/or you are
registered on another mobile company's network, please be aware that
call delivery fees will apply. To avoid these fees, power off your
handset before calling your mobile number from a landline. Even then, it
may take up to an hour for the mobile company to drop your
registration. |
Option 3:
Calling
voicemail from a landline by
dialing 1-805-MESSAGE |
|
NOTE:
You will be billed applicable long distance fees from the landline
carriers in the area you are located. Simple will not credit these
landline charges.
NOTE: You will be required to type your mobile
number.
To call voicemail from a landline by dialing 1-805-MESSAGE,
perform the following steps:
1. Dial 1-805-MESSAGE from a landline.
2. Type your 10-digit mobile number.
3. Interrupt your greeting by pressing the Star (*) key. You may need
to press the Pound (#) key instead.
4. When prompted, type your password. This is the password you
selected when you first set up your voicemail. |