Vaio UX180P: Cingular EDGE woes

When I decided to sign up with Cingular to access its EDGE network on my UX180P, I was already well aware of the cost advantages of unlocking the UX and using my exisiting T-Mobile SIM card. But since Cingular offers a 30-day free trial and the UX ships with a SIM already loaded, I assumed the integrated process would be quick and easy. I was leaving for New York the next morning, too, so I didn't have time (not to mention the patience or interest) to waste on calls to Sony Tech Support. I've had some experience with Sony's representatives in the past and have since vowed to take alternate routes to avoid them whenever possible.

The preinstalled SmartWi Connection Utility is one such route.

Clicking on "Activate Cingular Account" cues up the application process.

In order to take advantage of the free trial, you need to go through the motions of signing up for a data plan first. I chose the overpriced $80/month 2-year contract with the intention of cancelling before the trial period was up. So the "free trial" isn't really free. It's free if you remember to keep track of time, and  Cingular obviously hopes you won't (otherwise it would offer the 30 days without making you sign up for anything first).

The terms and conditions come up next, followed by the subscription form that asks for your Social Security but not your credit card number.

All that's left to do after filling out the form is to wait. Cingular will review your application and activate your account within 2 business days.

You can check to see when your account has been activated through the SmartWi Connection Utility. (You could also just turn on the WWAN radio and try to get online.)

Now, I admit that when I got to this point, my hopes were high. The activation process had been quick and easy and I didn't have to talk to any of those friendly customer service representatives. It was everything I wanted.

Well, almost. Don't ask me how or why, but my activation request was rejected. Rejected! The "Click here for an explanation of possible statuses" elucidated that a "rejected" status meant that an activation request had been successfully submitted but rejected. How helpful.

And that's where things stand right now.

My trip to New York came and went (the hotel had wi-fi), and I still haven't conceded that I need to call Cingular and/or Sony to sort everything out. I occasionally flip the WWAN switch on with naive hopes that I'll be able to connect, but to no avail.

Searching for network indeed!

Comments

[Danny]

I had the same problem when I attempted to activate with a TMOB sim card. I never did get it to work.

I do have to say...getting the unlock code from Sony was almost too easy. I had the code in under 5 minutes.

Good Luck

[skippythelizard]

Jenn,

You should have just called Sony to ask for the unlock code. In fact, you should do that right now.

I called Sony, and told front line support that I was about to travel internationally, and needed to unlock the UX180P modem.

They asked if I was familiar with the procedure, and I told them that I was ... and just needed the code.

Tap, tap, tap on the other end ... asked for my details, the IMEI number of the modem ... they gave me the code ... OK response from the modem, and I was good to go.

Out goes the Cingular SIM, in goes a T-Mobile SIM. Change the APN setting to internet2.voicestream.com and I was good to go. (To add insult to injury for Cingular, the trip that I was about to go on was not international, but it was in an area where T-Mobile doesn't have coverage, and T-Mobile users roam on Cingular's network.)

I've had the modem unlocked for over 2 months now, so forgive me for not remembering the exact details. Here's the link that helped me: http://mobilitytoday.com/news/sonyux_180_unlock.html

But there was really nothing to it. It took me 15 minutes, and 10 minutes was my waiting on hold.

So it was a good experience with Sony tech support for me.

Better experience than dealing with SonyStyle. I ordered an extended battery ... they sent me an e-mail with a supposed FedEx tracking number, and FedEx never actually received the package from Sony ... which made it difficult for FedEx to deliver the package to me (FedEx is kind of particular about details like this). It took me over four weeks and numerous phone calls and lost faxes to get my money back. (In the meantime, I managed to get the extended battery cheaper at Buy.com.)

And to think that I had avoided SonyStyle for 3 years before this experience because of the way they screwed up the last time I tried to order something from them.

Sometimes it amazes me that Sony can actually produce such great products ...

[Jenn]

The main reason I didn't go the unlock route is because I have only one T-mobile SIM card and didn't want to carry around a screwdriver to swap the card between the UX and my phone.

I'm tempted now...

@ skippy: SonyStyle isn't my favorite place either. I love their stuff, of course, but they always charge an arm and a leg for shipping to Hawaii. Always. It's as though they don't know that we're part of the U.S. and can be reached by services other than overpriced, next-day express delivery.

[Dave]

I activated the Cingular account only to cancel within 10 days. I found the speed very slow - about that of a 56 K dial-up. What's been your experience with T-Moble. Are there any other choices?

[Jenn]

I ended up cancelling my T-Mobile data plan before I tried it out with my UX, but I've always been under the impression that it's slower than EDGE.

I don't keep up with all the different carrier plans, so I don't know what Nextel, Sprint, or Verizon offer and whether their services can be used with the UX. I haven't heard of anyone using them, but you want to poke around Howard Forums or Micro PC Talk.

[digitaldion]

Yup, I had a few woes with my GPRS module. The biggest problem I had was that I don't live in the USA! SO, to get the Cingular contract would not work. Also, dialing SONY support in the USA could have cost me quite a few hundred Dollars (just to hang on for a representative!)

Amazingly, I managed to find a sim card from one of our cellular providers that just worked! We have 4 major cell providers in South Africa (MTN, Vodacom, Cell C and Virgin Mobile). I simply tried Sim cards from various providers, and suddenly when I inserted the Cell C card it connected (although it reports that it is working via roaming). Sadly, Cell C does not have EDGE, so it is ONLY slow GPRS, but it is still worth using when I am on the road.

Now all that I need to get is a cheap external battery to run my UX for a few hours and I shall be quite pleased!

[Jenn]

Good to hear you've found a workable (albeit slow) solution, digitaldion.

These aren't exactly cheap, but I've read positive reviews about Portable Power Stations and the MP3400 Powerbank. You can probably find some nice deals on eBay. Good luck!

[michael]

how do i activate my phone online

[Jenn]

Hi michael. Are you asking about the UX Micro PC or a cell phone? The UX doesn't have any calling capabilities and the activation process (though unsuccessful for me) is outlined in the article.

[copkilla]

Link

How to unlock vaio ux series gsm edge modem.

[Bob L]

New to the VGN-UX380N and am wondering if the New AT&T 3G SIM card will work?

[Jenn]

The card should work with no problems, but you'll still only get EDGE speeds. The UX isn't capable of 3G.