Straight Talk – Page 3 – Paul's Tech Talk

How to figure out which Straight Talk Sim to buy!

PaulApril 16, 2012

So you have an Unlocked Phone!

Just because you have an unlocked phone and can use a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) doesn’t mean it will work with Straight Talk. Let’s face it, not all phones are going to be compatible with Straight Talk service. I talked about How I did it with my HTC inspire 4G phone, but I am sure some of you have tried and failed at this because of the phone in question. So what phones work with Straight Talk? I’m here to help, I might not know all the answers but I will at least give you the important details and point you in the right direction.

It is about the Cell Carriers!

Knowing how some carriers only will work in certain areas can help you determine which SIM card to buy. It however isn’t always going to help. There may be more than 4 to 5 Cell Carriers in your area and thus you might not know which phones will work with any particular Cell phone. So I’ve decided to break this down into small parts and thus maybe then you can figure out if it will work with your phone!

The Data Speed of the Phone!

It isn’t really the amount of data that we are worried about but which version of antenna your phone is using. Some phones use Code division multiple access (CDMA) and others use Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and thus if your try to use a CDMA on a GSM network which really are incompatible with each other. So I will tell you which ones the major providers use:

This is just a short list of providers but these are at least the major players in the USA, so you can see it is a split between CDMA and GSM!

Now that you figured that out!

You’ve figured it out now, you’ve can know if your cell phone will work with Straight Talk. If you have a CDMA phone you will not be able to use it with Straight Talk, but if your have a GSM. You now have to ask find out which Frequency your phone uses! Many GSM phones will use different frequency, some use 800 mhz and others use 1900 mhz spectrum. You have to choice the right SIM card from Straight Talk but you also have to have the right Phone. I suggest buying an Unlocked GSM phone [Affiliate Link]and then picking the SIM card.

This should help you determine if your phone will work with Straight Talk but you can always go buy a GSM Unlocked Phone [Affiliate Link]to be sure! Nothing is a guarantee when it comes to phones though!

Paul Sylvester

Buy an Unlocked GSM PHONE [Affiliate Link]

How to get the HTC Inspire 4g AT&T to work with Straight Talk

PaulApril 8, 20125 Replies

It really wasn’t hard!

I have been doing a lot of stuff with this HTC Inspire that I got from a family member. Here are some of my observations about this phone that I wanted to share with you before we get into making it work with Straight Talk. Afterall I want to be fair to you my readers.

The HTC Inspire in whole, isn’t really that bad of a phone. There will be some caviates of the phone though. The battery that was in the phone has been charged and discharged so many times that I can’t reliably say that the battery is bad. So with that in mind, I plan on making a trip to Batteries Plus to buy me a new battery. The Screen on the Inspire gives you so much more than you get on most other smart phones. The Resolution of the screen is crisp and you can do a lot with the Apps from the Marketplace.

How I did it!

If you’ve been reading my blog the last week or so, you would of noticed that I showed you how to unlock the HTC Inspire 4g AT&T Phone yourself for free. I did unlock it successfully, because when I got the new sim it had to be set to be used it but didn’t say it couldn’t use that SIM. If your really unsure of it yourself you might just got buy an unlocked HTC Inspire 4g AT&T Phone . I really don’t want you to brick you phone but you can also try to get AT&T to unlock it or you could buy the Unlock Code. I really don’t know if they will or not but it is always a possiblity.

Getting the Right Sim Card from Straight Talk!

I’ve found in the past that if your are going to use a phone from a carrier unlocked it sometimes the best results can be continueing to use the same carrier in one aspect or another. So choose the right Sim for the phone you have and you won’t be disappointed. This will be a short tutorial for the AT&T HTC Inspire that I just got done unlocking. You will need to unlock your HTC Inspire to do this successfully, but if your are successfull, you will be able to use their service for much less than you normally would.

Make sure you pick the AT&T Compatible Sim!Once you unlocked the cell phone and gotten the AT&T Compatible Straight talk SIM card, you will need to set up some Access Point Names(APNS) for the HTC Inspire 4g Unlocked Cell phone.

On the Inspire itself hit:

MENU > Settings > Wireless & networks > Mobile Networks > Access Point Names

There you will see two APN’s already set by AT&T. They are MEdia Net and MMS (Wap.cingular). Mine were locked but I left them alone on my phone In order to get both internet and mobile calls on you phone you will need to create two APNS: (This would be a good time to bookmark my site in case you need to come back to it!)

Only fill in the ones I tell you, Leave all the rest blank or <Not set> and it all CASE Sensitive:

MENU > Add APN

Name : straight talk

APN: ATT.mvno

MMS protocol: WAP 2.0

MCC: 310

MNC: 410

MENU > SAVE

MENU > Add APN

Name: mmsc

APN: ATT.mvno

MMSC: http://mmsc.cingular.com

MMS Proxy: 80

MMS protocol: WAP 2.0

MCC: 310

MNC: 410

APN type: mms

MENU > SAVE

So if you have done this right, it is now time to reboot your HTC Inspire 4G unlocked Cell phone. Hold the power button down for 3 seconds and hit RESTART once you have done this you should be able to use both internet and make calls on the Straight Talk Network with your SIM. Remember you will need to register the sim with Straight Talk before you can use it but if you haven’t now would be a good time to Activate the SIM and associate that SIM with your Account.

I hope this helps you figure out how to use your new found freedom with yoru android device and thus you should be all set to make calls and surf the web with your HTC Inspire 4G. If you have any questionns please feel free to contact me or leave a comment.

Paul Sylvester

Nokia Lumina Phones work with Straight Talk Sim!

PaulMarch 6, 2012

Straight Talk Makes it easier!

If you’ve wanted to have another phone besides what is offered on their website. This is the time to invest in a phone of your choice to use with Straight Talk. According to their website this is what they say: “BRING AN AT&T OR T-MOBILE COMPATIBLE GSM PHONE, OR AN UNLOCKED GSM PHONE make sure it operates on our compatible frequencies“. Your probably wonder some questions. I’m here to answer them.

What is the Compatible Frequencies?

The Frequencies range from 380 to 1800 spectrum and thus if your looking for an unlocked cell phone, you can pretty much buy a phone with that range and it should work. So if your like me and wanting to go to Amazon [Affiliate Link] or other places that might have an unlocked phone, this is the first thing you should look for. You will see something like this on Amazon : “GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900” which is what you are looking for. Read More

How to fight text message spam on your cell phone!

PaulJanuary 30, 20121 Reply

Fighting Spam is a Never Ending process!

I got a text message on my phone and it said:

Need a little extra $ today? Bills past due? We can help, visit www.24hrquickfunds.com, takes 5 minutes or less 0.9122046

After Doing some research, I found a pastbin file:

From: 7605147163
Sent: Jan 16 5:45pm
Message:
In need of some quick $? We offer up to $1200 instantly.
Its easy and takes 5 minutes, www.24hrloanvip.com

www.24hrloanvip.com,60.190.222.136

Announced By
Origin AS Announcement Description
AS4134 60.176.0.0/12 CHINANET Zhejiang province network

The following A records are set to 60.190.222.136:
1000atmcash.com,60.190.222.136
1500atmcash.com,60.190.222.136
1minuteloan.org,60.190.222.136
1stcashplace.com,60.190.222.136
1stcashspot.com,60.190.222.136
1stcashstop.com,60.190.222.136
1stdollarsite.com,60.190.222.136
1stdollarspot.com,60.190.222.136
1stdollarstop.com,60.190.222.136
1stmoneyplace.com,60.190.222.136
1stmoneysite.com,60.190.222.136
24hrcashquick.com,60.190.222.136
24hrfastcash.com,60.190.222.136
24hrfastloan.com,60.190.222.136
24hrfundsquick.com,60.190.222.136
24hrhelpcash.com,60.190.222.136
24hrlendatm.com,60.190.222.136
24hrlendcash.com,60.190.222.136
24hrlendvip.com,60.190.222.136
24hrloanvip.com,60.190.222.136
24hrquickfund.com,60.190.222.136
24hrquickfunds.com,60.190.222.136
24hrrushfunds.com,60.190.222.136
24hrvipatm.com,60.190.222.136
aidota.com,60.190.222.136
atmcashholiday.com,205.189.71.207
atmcashrush.com,60.190.222.136
atmforholidays.com,205.189.71.207
atmfundssafe.com,60.190.222.136
atmfundstoday.com,60.190.222.136
atmholidayvip.com,60.190.222.136
atmviprush.com,60.190.222.136
bestcashsite.com,60.190.222.136
cash24hrsite.com,60.190.222.136
cashadvanceholiday.com,205.189.71.207
cashatmloan.com,60.190.222.136
cashhloanholiday.com,205.189.71.207
cashholidayatm.com,205.189.71.207
cashholidayfunds.com,60.190.222.136
cashholidaysnow.com,205.189.71.207
cashsitetoday.com,60.190.222.136
dollarsitenow.com,60.190.222.136
ecashsholiday.com,205.189.71.207
eholidayfunds.com,60.190.222.136
eholidayloan.com,205.189.71.207
eholidaysfund.com,205.189.71.207
eholidaysfunds.com,60.190.222.136
eloanholiday.com,60.190.222.136
eloanholidays.com,60.190.222.136
fastsafeatm.com,60.190.222.136
getholidayscash.com,60.190.222.136
holidaycashseason.com,205.189.71.207
holidayloanvip.com,60.190.222.136
holidayvipatm.com,60.190.222.136
loancashholiday.com,205.189.71.207
myholidayfunds.com,60.190.222.136
quickatmfunds.com,60.190.222.136
recordlf11.com,60.190.222.136
recordpw11.com,60.190.222.136
recordspdp11.com,60.190.222.136
rushfundssite.com,60.190.222.136
safefundssite.com,60.190.222.136
vipatmrush.com,60.190.222.136
vipholidayloan.com,205.189.71.207
fastatmlend.com,60.190.222.136
fastviplend.com,60.190.222.136
getholidaysfunds.com,60.190.222.136
holidayfundsvip.com,60.190.222.136
holidayscashquick.com,205.189.71.207
holidayvipcash.com,60.190.222.136
loancashholidays.com,205.189.71.207
myholidayloans.com,60.190.222.136
quickhelpcash.com,60.190.222.136
recordlf12.com,60.190.222.136
recordpw12.com,60.190.222.136
recordspdp31.com,60.190.222.136
rushholidaycash.com,205.189.71.207
safeholidayatm.com,205.189.71.207
vipcashrush.com,60.190.222.136
vipholidaypay.com,60.190.222.136
fastcashlend.com,60.190.222.136
funds24hrsite.com,60.190.222.136
getholidaysloan.com,60.190.222.136
holidayloancash.com,60.190.222.136
holidaysloannow.com,60.190.222.136
lendcashtoday.com,60.190.222.136
loanforholidays.com,205.189.71.207
myholidaysatm.com,205.189.71.207
quickhelpfunds.com,60.190.222.136
recordln11.com,60.190.222.136
recordslf11.com,60.190.222.136
recordspw11.com,60.190.222.136
rushholidayfunds.com,60.190.222.136
secureholidaycash.com,60.190.222.136
vipfundstoday.com,60.190.222.136
vipholidaysatm.com,205.189.71.207
fastfundsatm.com,60.190.222.136
funds4today.com,60.190.222.136
helprushcash.com,60.190.222.136
holidayloanfast.com,60.190.222.136
holidaysloanseason.com,205.189.71.207
lendsafesite.com,60.190.222.136
loansafesite.com,60.190.222.136
quickatmcash.com,60.190.222.136
quickvipcash.com,60.190.222.136
recordln12.com,60.190.222.136
recordslf12.com,60.190.222.136
recordspw12.com,60.190.222.136
rushholidayloan.com,60.190.222.136
secureholidaysfunds.com,60.190.222.136
vipholidaycash.com,205.189.71.207
vipholidaysfunds.com,60.190.222.136
fastlendtoday.com,60.190.222.136
fundsforholiday.com,60.190.222.136
helprushloan.com,60.190.222.136
loan24hrsite.com,60.190.222.136
moneysitenow.com,60.190.222.136
quickatmfund.com,60.190.222.136
quickvipfunds.com,60.190.222.136
recordpdp11.com,60.190.222.136
recordsln11.com,60.190.222.136
rkwh.com,60.190.222.136
safecashholiday.com,205.189.71.207
shabiao.com,60.190.222.136
vipholidayfunds.com,60.190.222.136
wanbar.net,60.190.222.136
recordpdp31.com,60.190.222.136
recordsln12.com,60.190.222.136
rushfundssafe.com,60.190.222.136

Contacting Straight Talk was a Waste of time!

I tried to call Straight Talk wireless since I am using their prepaid service. So I was told they couldn’t block it or do anything about it. I decided enough was enough. Since they weren’t going to help me, I’d help myself.

The First step is of course finding the carrier that spammer sent the text message from. This however will not help you since it requires you to have access to the phone in question. So I thought I would help you find it another way.

If your looking for the spammers cell phone network, then you can do a reverse cell phone look up. I found a great little widget to find the network:

The widget searches public and premium listings. White Pages APIs are used for locating numbers. Unpublished and mobile numbers can be viewed via specialized directories while landline numbers are traced via public databases.

Free Reverse Phone Lookupgreat free widgetsWidgetboxMore info

Now it is time to Email!

Once you kn
ow which network they are on, you can simply email the abuse department and have them investigate the text messages that are spam. Most companies have a NO Tolerance to spam with emails and thus have the same tolerance to spam as text messages. It is merely letting the right network know that it is going on. Here are a Few email address that can help you:

AT&T and Cingular Wireless — abuse@att.net, although I have read calling them can sometimes get you the help you need. It is however very difficult to speak to someone who can do anything about it. This way you can be sure that when you send it to the abuse department that it is being documented somewhere and somehow. You also retain a copy of the sent email for later on.

Verizon — Abuse@verizon.net, you may
also email them using their website. There isn’t an abuse subject like but you can always select other and then put the information down there.

Sprint — abuse@sprint.net, that seems to be the best approach. Although if your a sprint customer, you can simply block them from what I understand. If you have questions on that though. Please refer to sprint because they know what they can and can’t do.

T-Mobile — forward message to 7726 (which spells “SPAM” on most phone keypads) if you have a T-mobile account with them. if not you will have to call 1-877-453-1304 and report the abuse that way. I am sure there is an email address but unsure as to where to send it.

There are probably other providers that you need to talk to but these are my top 4 that will most likely be the culprits of the sending the spam text messages. If you have any other suggestions feel free to leave a comment, I’m sure others are fascinated as to how to stop some of these types of abuses with getting spam SMS messages and not knowing how to fight for your rights.

Paul Sylvester

Crackdown on Spam Text Messaging (5min.com)

VIDEO: Crackdown on spam text messaging (bbc.co.uk)

Nokia Fined for Spam Texting in Australia (devicemag.com)

Send SMS (text messages) via PHP script (mt-soft.com.ar)

Why Straight talk is better than Tracfone!

PaulJanuary 10, 2012

Image via Wikipedia

Would you pay more for your Minutes?

I’ve read how some people are really liking their Tracphone service but I have a few questions about that. We’ve all had those times when we don’t always use all our minutes. I know I sometimes don’t use my 1,000 minutes and 1,000 messages but It is better than paying for 120 minutes and that includes messages.

I’ve talked about how I like my Straight phone and I must say that I have been happy with the phones that I have bought. I’ve had my reasons for staying with Straight talk, and one of the more reasons is that they have unlimited talk and unlimited data when you need it. I’ve dropped down to the 30$ cards because I no longer need unlimited data which is 45$ a month.

Would you pay more for less?

Tracfone seems to think that we would want to pay more for less. Why would I pay more for their minutes. I am always looking to buy minutes for less. I know people aren’t always thinking about cost versus price but if your are like me and use your phone more than 120 minutes per month than you will definitely want to consider looking for something other than Tracfone.

Isn’t Tracfone and Straight Talk the same?

There are two separate companies but Tracfone owns them both. I am quite certain that most people think that they are exactly the same. I disagree, they don’t have anything in common besides the phones. Everything else is all different and that is fine with me. The Customer service is basically part of Tracfone but again, it isn’t exactly the same.

I don’t need Carry over minutes!

This is the one thing that really bothers me about Tracfone, they let you carry over your minutes but that is besides the point. I don’t need carry over minutes if I have 1,000 minutes to use per month. I have already used 200 minutes and I still have half the month to go. I’ll probably use 400 minutes before this is all over. If you really think about it, it is probably cheaper than Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint’s contracts. I’d probably pay $40 to $60 a month for 400 minutes. That is after all I guess but I am sure that if you look at their plans you will see the prices.

I think I will keep with Straight Talk because of everything that I get with it.