Area code

mjdj1689 · 25-05-2007, 14:12

I cant remember whats its called but I have a unlocked sony k800i and I was just wondering if any one can tell me if you can still get the area code underneath the operators logo ie 0121 or 01772 cell site info or something??? I think it was o2 or vodaphone who did this , ?

Can a sony phone do this or was it just nokia ones

prking · 25-05-2007, 19:26

This used the Cell broadcast system, I'm not 100% sure but I think it was topic number 100 on Vodafone. You could see if your phone supports Cell Broadcast. I don't know if the info is broadcast anymore as no tariffs offer cheap local calls anymore.

AB · 25-05-2007, 19:32

I've only ever seen this work on Vodafone. I used to have a Sony Ericsson W550i and the area code would show up permanently under the operator's logo on that.

On my new Nokia N76 the area code appears briefly every so often under the battery level indicator. Don't know of any way to keep it visible all the time. EDIT: It will show permanently if 'active standby' is turned off.

stephen1980 · 26-05-2007, 15:35

On a sonyericsson, to turn it on,

Messages,
Settings,
(Go right) for Area info
Scroll down to Cell information

HughR · 27-05-2007, 06:03

My Nokias 5110 and 6310i on Vodafone permanently display the BT STD code under Vodafone.

eddie2004 · 27-05-2007, 15:05

Wot does it do exactly? I can get it up on mine but it appears to serve no purpose.

Mr. X · 27-05-2007, 15:10

I used to have Vodafone and it would always display that underneath the name of the network. Seemed a little pointless and not really that accurate -- "0161" would always carry on far beyond Manchester in the hills.

HughR · 27-05-2007, 15:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddie2004

Wot does it do exactly? I can get it up on mine but it appears to serve no purpose.

On mine it says 01634 underneath "VODAFONE" and above "Menu". When I move around the country it changes to correspond with the BT STD area code.

eddie2004 · 27-05-2007, 15:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by HughR

On mine it says 01634 underneath "VODAFONE" and above "Menu". When I move around the country it changes to correspond with the BT STD area code.

Still can't figure out why! If it dialed the area code for you so u only had to dial the actual number then that would be useful.

mjdj1689 · 27-05-2007, 17:04

If you have a 3g phone it does not show the cell info , only seems to show up on 2g mode.

Redcoat · 27-05-2007, 18:15

The facility is called "Cell Broadcast" - Vodafone carries it on Page 50 which is the GSM default. It normally carries the local STD code, and was more useful back in the 1990's when they offered a tarrif which gave discounted local calls.

O2 also have something similar, but theirs is on page 200. Can be useful to track a base station as it gives several STD codes for tarrifs or bolt-ons that use a home postcode for discounted or free calls.

kev · 27-05-2007, 20:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redcoat

O2 also have something similar, but theirs is on page 200. Can be useful to track a base station as it gives several STD codes for tarrifs or bolt-ons that use a home postcode for discounted or free calls.

Ah, is that why O2 says "0115 01332" then?

Apparently some Australian telecos use it to display the name of the suburb you are in, which may be handy if your slightly lost -at least you can find the right page of a map!

kev · 27-05-2007, 20:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjdj1689

If you have a 3g phone it does not show the cell info , only seems to show up on 2g mode.

I believe it's only in the GSM 900 spec, hence neither Orange or T-Mobile use it.

Everything Goes · 28-05-2007, 02:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by prking

This used the Cell broadcast system, I'm not 100% sure but I think it was topic number 100 on Vodafone. You could see if your phone supports Cell Broadcast. I don't know if the info is broadcast anymore as no tariffs offer cheap local calls anymore.

Vodafone topic number for Cell Broadcast is 050
On O2 its 200

AB · 28-05-2007, 23:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by kev

Ah, is that why O2 says "0115 01332" then?

Apparently some Australian telecos use it to display the name of the suburb you are in, which may be handy if your slightly lost -at least you can find the right page of a map!

Ah yes...I had forgotten about the other usage of the feature that you mention in relation to Australia.

When I was in Krakow, Poland last year, every base station (transmitter) seemed to transmit the name of the nearest main street to where you were, which I found a very useful feature!

richchall · 29-05-2007, 16:01

It wont work if you're connected to a 3G network only on 2G. Only Vodafone and O2 support the service.

To set it up on O2 using a Nokia phone you need to switch on 'Info Services' via the messaging menu and give it a 'Topic Number' of 200.

Vodafone use standard setting so it can be activated via the 'Phone Settings' menu by selecting 'Cell info'

25-05-2007, 14:12	#1
mjdj1689 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Cheshire Posts: 2,470	Area code I cant remember whats its called but I have a unlocked sony k800i and I was just wondering if any one can tell me if you can still get the area code underneath the operators logo ie 0121 or 01772 cell site info or something??? I think it was o2 or vodaphone who did this , ? Can a sony phone do this or was it just nokia ones

25-05-2007, 19:26	#2
prking Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Weston-super-Mare Posts: 9,167	This used the Cell broadcast system, I'm not 100% sure but I think it was topic number 100 on Vodafone. You could see if your phone supports Cell Broadcast. I don't know if the info is broadcast anymore as no tariffs offer cheap local calls anymore.

25-05-2007, 19:32	#3
AB Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 180	I've only ever seen this work on Vodafone. I used to have a Sony Ericsson W550i and the area code would show up permanently under the operator's logo on that. On my new Nokia N76 the area code appears briefly every so often under the battery level indicator. Don't know of any way to keep it visible all the time. EDIT: It will show permanently if 'active standby' is turned off.

26-05-2007, 15:35	#4
stephen1980 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: London Posts: 954	On a sonyericsson, to turn it on, Messages, Settings, (Go right) for Area info Scroll down to Cell information

27-05-2007, 06:03	#5
HughR Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 107	My Nokias 5110 and 6310i on Vodafone permanently display the BT STD code under Vodafone.

27-05-2007, 15:05	#6
eddie2004 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,997	Wot does it do exactly? I can get it up on mine but it appears to serve no purpose.

27-05-2007, 15:10	#7
Mr. X Banned User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: On top of a hill Posts: 3,694	I used to have Vodafone and it would always display that underneath the name of the network. Seemed a little pointless and not really that accurate -- "0161" would always carry on far beyond Manchester in the hills.

27-05-2007, 15:42	#8
HughR Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 107	Quote: Originally Posted by eddie2004 Wot does it do exactly? I can get it up on mine but it appears to serve no purpose. On mine it says 01634 underneath "VODAFONE" and above "Menu". When I move around the country it changes to correspond with the BT STD area code.

27-05-2007, 15:46	#9
eddie2004 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,997	Quote: Originally Posted by HughR On mine it says 01634 underneath "VODAFONE" and above "Menu". When I move around the country it changes to correspond with the BT STD area code. Still can't figure out why! If it dialed the area code for you so u only had to dial the actual number then that would be useful.

27-05-2007, 17:04	#10
mjdj1689 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Cheshire Posts: 2,470	If you have a 3g phone it does not show the cell info , only seems to show up on 2g mode.

27-05-2007, 18:15	#11
Redcoat Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: The wilds of West Tyrone Posts: 2,122	The facility is called "Cell Broadcast" - Vodafone carries it on Page 50 which is the GSM default. It normally carries the local STD code, and was more useful back in the 1990's when they offered a tarrif which gave discounted local calls. O2 also have something similar, but theirs is on page 200. Can be useful to track a base station as it gives several STD codes for tarrifs or bolt-ons that use a home postcode for discounted or free calls.

27-05-2007, 20:04	#12
kev Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: South Notts (Waltham TV TX) Posts: 20,200	Quote: Originally Posted by Redcoat O2 also have something similar, but theirs is on page 200. Can be useful to track a base station as it gives several STD codes for tarrifs or bolt-ons that use a home postcode for discounted or free calls. Ah, is that why O2 says "0115 01332" then? Apparently some Australian telecos use it to display the name of the suburb you are in, which may be handy if your slightly lost -at least you can find the right page of a map!

27-05-2007, 20:35	#13
kev Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: South Notts (Waltham TV TX) Posts: 20,200	Quote: Originally Posted by mjdj1689 If you have a 3g phone it does not show the cell info , only seems to show up on 2g mode. I believe it's only in the GSM 900 spec, hence neither Orange or T-Mobile use it.

28-05-2007, 02:12	#14
Everything Goes Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In the future.... Posts: 11,259	Quote: Originally Posted by prking This used the Cell broadcast system, I'm not 100% sure but I think it was topic number 100 on Vodafone. You could see if your phone supports Cell Broadcast. I don't know if the info is broadcast anymore as no tariffs offer cheap local calls anymore. Vodafone topic number for Cell Broadcast is 050 On O2 its 200

28-05-2007, 23:34	#15
AB Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 180	Quote: Originally Posted by kev Ah, is that why O2 says "0115 01332" then? Apparently some Australian telecos use it to display the name of the suburb you are in, which may be handy if your slightly lost -at least you can find the right page of a map! Ah yes...I had forgotten about the other usage of the feature that you mention in relation to Australia. When I was in Krakow, Poland last year, every base station (transmitter) seemed to transmit the name of the nearest main street to where you were, which I found a very useful feature!

29-05-2007, 16:01	#16
richchall Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: London Posts: 47	It wont work if you're connected to a 3G network only on 2G. Only Vodafone and O2 support the service. To set it up on O2 using a Nokia phone you need to switch on 'Info Services' via the messaging menu and give it a 'Topic Number' of 200. Vodafone use standard setting so it can be activated via the 'Phone Settings' menu by selecting 'Cell info'

DS Forums

Area code