This is a FAQ for Nokia 8110-type phones namely the 8110 for GSM900 and
8146/8148 for DCS1800/GSM1800/PCN, recently announced at CeBit '97. Some info
probably applies to the new 8110i. A more accurate name would be: Nokia
8100-series FAQ.
Comments are welcome! You can also go
directly to the general GSM
links.
Latest 8110 News
TDK GreyCell (Yes, TDK Systems has bought GreyCell) has shipped
GlobalPulse. Here's the news straight from the horse's mouth: TDK Grey Cell
GlobalPulse (formerly Grey Cell SoftMobile) is shipping (at last!). Initial
units are rolling out through The Link (Dixons) (or so I'm told) but you'll see
wider availability very soon. It's shipping for 8110/3110 and 2110 on Win95 only
at present, but more phones (including the 6110) and operating systems are
coming soon. It's also Nokia OK. You probably know that Nokia have stopped
building data cards; but our 4000 (PSTN/GSM) and 6000 (GSM only) cards are now
Nokia OK, for those who want a PCMCIA solution. TDK bought Grey Cell back in
August, so we are now TDK Grey Cell. We're well on the way to integrating the
TDK modems and data cards with the Grey Cell range, so expect to see the best of
both worlds in the coming months!
GreyCell's SoftMobile is late again, and has now been renamed to
GlobalPulse.
The complete info for GSM Adapter for PalmPilot is now available at
Option
Good news: Erik Bussink has reported that Option
is planning a GSM Adapter for PalmPilot (although there's nothing on their site
at the moment). What's more amazing, it's supposed to cost only $170 (not clear
what $, but most probably US$), which translates to £100. Erik has re-typed
the brochure for us. It seemed to be a well designed
product, supporting SMS, supporting all the major phones (including Nokia 8110
of course), and putting an emphasis on low battery consumption.
Greycell's SoftMobile is late. It is now listed as shipping in Mid October
1997.
Why is it so hard to connect a PalmPilot to a GSM phone? I think it's
because PalmPilot is an American product, and we all know that the Americans
know nothing about the beauty and elegance of GSM :) On a more positive note, a
news brief at PilotGear H.Q. said
something about "planned" GSM connectivity.
Psion Dacom says that they will
also release a software modem for Nokia, called Easy GSM. In addition to the
usual Windoze platforms, this one will also run on a Psion (No, not the
PalmPilot). This is good news, because I am sure that this will drive the price
down further, or at least encourage porting to other platforms. So here's the
list of software modems so far:
Nokia Cellular Data Suite (Win95 only, shipping, £100)
Most asked for application: PalmPilot
GSM software modem. I don't think this is impossible, especially with the
unofficial 3 MB RAM available for PalmPilots. Anybody want to give it a go? A
more reasonable solution is a hardware GSM modem, similar to the currently
available PalmPilot wired modem. This would basically be the same as current PC
Card modem (sadly, including the price...). As a reference, CDPD (data on AMPS)
PalmPilot modems are already on the market.
Which phone? Should I get Nokia 8110 or <some other phone>?
Sorry, but this issue is approaching religion status, meaning that
sometimes the reply you get is not technical, sometimes even illogical! So the
short answer is: it depends... For instance, in UK, Ericsson GH388 is cheaper
than Nokia 8110. Does that mean GH388 is inferior to Nokia 8110? Don't even
suggest that GH388 owners! Also some features deemed important by Nokia 8110
users like me (the slider, believe it or not) could the most repulsive thing to
some other.
Tips collected from the Net. Basically, the standby time depends on your
talk time (including SMS and cell broadcast) AND your network provider. But rest
assured that in sleep mode, Nokia 8110 uses only 3 mA, compared to 5 mA for 1610
and a whopping 13 mA for 2110.
This is a link to GSMOnline, formerly known as Mat's GSM Page. There is
also a
pinout of the bottom connector. But there is no known code for accessing
so-called 'monitor' mode.
Nifty keypad shortcut: while reading an SMS, you can press
to immediately delete
the message. Saves going through Option etc.
How do I unlock a SIM-lock/SIM-restriction/phone-tied-to-one-network?
First, somebody suggested: "The code is *#746025625#. This also works
on Nokia 1610." Then Dr. Who from Sinister Networks, and also somebody from
Finnish LappLand (SMS: +35840xxxxxxx) said that this is not true. This only
shows the status of the SIM clock stop mode, and only works on some software
version. So there is still no known way to unlock a provider's SIM-lock. Best
advice for now: don't buy from a provider who locks their phone!
How do I find out the 5-digit security code?
You can't. If you forget it, you have to go to Nokia and reprogram it. From
what I heard, Nokia will want you to prove ownership, before reprogramming any
phone.
How do I find out the PUK/PUK2 (PIN/PIN2 unblocking key), because I
forgot my PIN/PIN2?
The PUK is SIM dependent, so the place to go is your service provider, not
Nokia.
What accessories are available? And how much?
In the UK, there are
JMComms,
Mobile Communications, and
Freedom Phones. I like their
site because they list prices that include VAT and delivery in UK. All claim
to offer the best prices, but a quick browse will convince you that some things
are cheaper on one or the other. For data solutions, only
JMComms
provides a complete list with explanation and prices.
Info on the new 8110-compatible Nokia Data Card. Other data cards like
Greycell,
Option,
Psion Dacom, are cheaper, and may
include PSTN fax/modem. But a data card solution is old news, because at CeBit
'97 Nokia has announced the
Cellular Data
Suite.
This is not meant to be comprehensive list of links. It's just the links I
visit most often, mainly relating to SMS, GSM900, Nokia 8110, and Cellnet. For
more complete list, see GSMOnline
formerly known as Mat's GSM Page or for a site specializing in UK see the
UK Mobile Phones Page
My experience and tips on getting a mobile phone for use outside UK. The
same principles probably applies to other contract-subsidised phones, like in
Australia.
A planned commercial worldwide e-mail-to-SMS (and back, presumably). If
it's reasonably priced, it's going to be a great success. In the UK, there's
already Airmail, but I consider it too
expensive. Locust is cheaper,
but it's limited to Orange (GSM1800) only.
My network provider in UK. Sadly, I will be leaving the UK in Sept '97,
back to my home in Indonesia. There are three GSM900 operators there:
Satelindo,
Telkomsel, and
XL.
to immediately delete
the message. Saves going through Option etc.
