Lanier --
Well -- actually, you can't, at least not directly. The database is accessed
through a special high speed switching protocol called IS-141C. That same
signaling network is how you get your cell phone call no matter where you're
located. Remember follow me roaming? 141 signaling made that a thing of the
past.
When a cellular company loads the info for a handset into its switching
system, the switch will make an inquiry to this central database and return
a go/no-go response.
Usually -- but not always -- a no-go will return a failure code. The
agent/customer service rep will usually escalate the result code to a switch
tech or loss prevention tech for resolution before completing the
transaction.
Stolen handset ESNs (electronic serial numbers) are distributed via paper
lists and e-mail. Each company makes a decision on whether to look up the
no-go ESN and see why -- or simply send a command to remove the ESN from the
negative database. Again, its a policy and value judgment by the cellular
provider attempting to load the phone into their switch.
Usually, since they are associating a new phone number with the ESN (in
theory the ESN never changes) they'll go ahead and program the phone, then
purge it from the negative file. The entity that placed the ESN in the file
gets notice of that purge, and can take whatever action is appropriate.
I know this is a long explanation, but here's a real life example. Motorola
just had a huge number of phones stolen in transit. They neg listed them in
the database. As soon as carriers started purging them, they knew where the
phones were being activated. Didn't take a rocket scientist to track them
back to the guys that stole 'em.
Think of it from this perspective... the only purpose of the neg database is
to prevent non-revenue producing customers from using a phone on another
system. If you look like a revenue producing customer, that ESN will be
purged from the neg file by almost any system operator because they want you
to take the service.
If you don't apply for service, the ESN will likely remain in the neg
database. That's the marketing gimmick used by the 911 only phone guys.
Simple test if you're just concerned about buying a phone for emergency
use -- try and make a test call using a credit card. If you can't, then you
might want to pass on that phone and try another. With so many cellular
handsets out there that are simply disconnected, chances are good you can
find one that isn't in the neg file.
You can also always dial 611 on any handset. You'll likely get the cellular
customer service center, Ask them if there is any reason you can't use this
phone for emergency or on a pay per call basis. They'll usually tell you,
but try to sell you service at the same time, so be persistent.
One final thought, and I know this is obvious, but you can't get calls on
phones in this configuration... they don't have a working phone number
associated with them at all, regardless of what number may come up in the
display when you power it up.
That 'dormant' number will be held in the issuing system according to the
carrier's policy. The wireless industry consumes phone numbers at an
alarming rate, and is one of the reasons for all the new area codes that
exist... all those wireless phone numbers aren't re-used.
Hope this helps...
Mark
|-----Original Message-----
|From: owner-gmcmotorhome
|[mailto
wner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of HLBF
|Sent: Thursday, August 26, 1999 9:40 AM
|To: gmcmotorhome
|Subject: Re: GMC: Emergency Cell Phones
|
|
|In a message dated 8/25/99 7:34:17 AM Central Daylight Time,
|mgrady
|writes:
|
|>
|
|How can we access this database??
|TIA
|Lanier
Well -- actually, you can't, at least not directly. The database is accessed
through a special high speed switching protocol called IS-141C. That same
signaling network is how you get your cell phone call no matter where you're
located. Remember follow me roaming? 141 signaling made that a thing of the
past.
When a cellular company loads the info for a handset into its switching
system, the switch will make an inquiry to this central database and return
a go/no-go response.
Usually -- but not always -- a no-go will return a failure code. The
agent/customer service rep will usually escalate the result code to a switch
tech or loss prevention tech for resolution before completing the
transaction.
Stolen handset ESNs (electronic serial numbers) are distributed via paper
lists and e-mail. Each company makes a decision on whether to look up the
no-go ESN and see why -- or simply send a command to remove the ESN from the
negative database. Again, its a policy and value judgment by the cellular
provider attempting to load the phone into their switch.
Usually, since they are associating a new phone number with the ESN (in
theory the ESN never changes) they'll go ahead and program the phone, then
purge it from the negative file. The entity that placed the ESN in the file
gets notice of that purge, and can take whatever action is appropriate.
I know this is a long explanation, but here's a real life example. Motorola
just had a huge number of phones stolen in transit. They neg listed them in
the database. As soon as carriers started purging them, they knew where the
phones were being activated. Didn't take a rocket scientist to track them
back to the guys that stole 'em.
Think of it from this perspective... the only purpose of the neg database is
to prevent non-revenue producing customers from using a phone on another
system. If you look like a revenue producing customer, that ESN will be
purged from the neg file by almost any system operator because they want you
to take the service.
If you don't apply for service, the ESN will likely remain in the neg
database. That's the marketing gimmick used by the 911 only phone guys.
Simple test if you're just concerned about buying a phone for emergency
use -- try and make a test call using a credit card. If you can't, then you
might want to pass on that phone and try another. With so many cellular
handsets out there that are simply disconnected, chances are good you can
find one that isn't in the neg file.
You can also always dial 611 on any handset. You'll likely get the cellular
customer service center, Ask them if there is any reason you can't use this
phone for emergency or on a pay per call basis. They'll usually tell you,
but try to sell you service at the same time, so be persistent.
One final thought, and I know this is obvious, but you can't get calls on
phones in this configuration... they don't have a working phone number
associated with them at all, regardless of what number may come up in the
display when you power it up.
That 'dormant' number will be held in the issuing system according to the
carrier's policy. The wireless industry consumes phone numbers at an
alarming rate, and is one of the reasons for all the new area codes that
exist... all those wireless phone numbers aren't re-used.
Hope this helps...
Mark
|-----Original Message-----
|From: owner-gmcmotorhome
|[mailto
wner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of HLBF|Sent: Thursday, August 26, 1999 9:40 AM
|To: gmcmotorhome
|Subject: Re: GMC: Emergency Cell Phones
|
|
|In a message dated 8/25/99 7:34:17 AM Central Daylight Time,
|mgrady
|writes:
|
|>
|
|How can we access this database??
|TIA
|Lanier
