My Painful Experience With Verizon

Disappointed with AT&T poor connection, I switched back to Verizon.

Here is the screenshots when I compared the Verizon and AT&T plans as of November, 2022.

Both are identical. Same money. Same features. So, placed an order to move all lines to Verizon from AT&T.

1. November 15, 2022: Verizon confirmed the order by email.
2. November 18, 2022: Verizon confirmed the signed up for paper-free billing and enrolling in Auto Pay.
3. November 19, 2022: Called Verizon at 888-844-7098 to question about one line not porting for 11 minutes. Their Porting Center said did not receive the order for that line.
4. November 22, 2022: Called Verizon at 866-338-7390 for the missing order. It turned out for some reason, they fulfilled all but one line. To correct, Verizon made another order to send a SIM card for that line. One hour and 33 minutes spent.
5. November 24, 2022: Called Verizon at 800-922-0204, 888-844-7095, and 866-338-7390 regarding to activate the missing line. One hour and 17 minutes
6. November 25, 2022: Continued call Verizon to resolve the porting issue. More than 6 hours to resolve the issue.
7. December 8, 2022: Called Verizon at 800-922-0204 for more than an hour to ask them correct the phone trade-in issue.
8. December 30, 2022: Called Verizon 800-922-0204 regarding to misleading Auto Pay.
   Updated: On 2023-01-08 Osman from the Verizon Executive Office called and we spent over 30 minutes to resolve this issue.
9. On going problem with poor connection. Worse than AT&T. Disappointed with their 5G at home and at work.

No Need Do Not Call List

My phone numbers already in DO NOT CALL list for a long time, over 10 years, I think. But the spammers, scammers keep calling to my number. Especially with the upcoming general election, my phone keep ringing with strange numbers.

I used to not pick up any strange number. When I have a spare time, I googled these strange numbers to see who they are. If they are complained by other people, those numbers will be block.

On iPhone, I use Block Contact feature.

On Android phone, I add to my SPAM - DNA (Do Not Answer) contact that automatic put all calls go to voicemail.

And the best blocking feature I like most, coming from Google Voice / Hangout. Why?

Google I/O 2010

Since Google I/O 2010 soldout early, I could not attend this great developer event. I watched the I/O keynotes live on the GoogleDevelopers YouTube channel from my office. With two computers, I multitasks: listened to speaker while worked on my desktop.

What I learn from Google I/O 2010:

• HTML5, VP8, webM
• Google TV
• Chrome Web Store
• Google Web Toolkit integrate with Spring Roo
• Using Google Wave to collaborate
• Google Apps Engine for Busines
• Google Google Storage for Developers

and of course, my favorite, Android development.

There are a lot of technical sessions I need to view this weekend. I'm so excited about Google development. I tell myself I will not miss the next Google I/O.

Cell Phones in Vietnam

Nếu bạn dùng cell phones của Verizon, Alltel, US Cellular với kỷ thuật CDMA2000 qua các tần số (frequency) 850MHz hay 1900Mhz như những chiếc dưới đây, bạn có thể dùng tại Việt Nam. Để hòa mạng S-Phone, bạn cần cung cấp Electronic Serial Number (ESN) của máy muốn dùng và cách program NAM (xem ở đây).

If you're using the cell phone from Verizon, Alltel, or US Cellular that support the frequency 850Mhz, you can using it in Vietnam. In order to join the S-Phone network, you need to provide your handset's Electronic Serial Number (ESN) or a Mobile Equipment Indentifier (MEID) and manual to program NAM (Read more here).

Motorola RAZR V3m
Band / mode: CDMA 850 / CDMA 1900
Release Date: Q2 2006
Phonecoop.com Mobiledia.com
This handset worked in Vietnam using S-Phone network.

Samsung A670 Dual band.
Band / mode: CDMA 850/CDMA 1900
Release Date: Q2 2004 - Discontinued
Phonecoop.com Mobiledia.com CNet
This handset worked in Vietnam using S-Phone network.

LG V VX-9800
Band / mode: CDMA 850 / CDMA 1900
Release Date: Q3 2005 Discontinued
Phonecoop.com Mobiledia.com

Audiovox CDM-8900 (Verizon Wireless CDM 8910)
Band / mode: CDMA2000 1X 1900/800 / AMPS 800
Phonescoop.com Mobiledia.com CNet

Motorola V265
Band / mode: AMPS 850 CDMA 850 / CDMA 1900
Phonecoop.com Mobiledia.com

Theo trang "CDG: CDMA Worldwide" có ba công ty hiện đang xử dụng kỷ thuật CDMA ở Việt Nam: S-Fone (đầu số 095) và EVN Telecom (đầu số 096) và Hanoi Telecom. Thực ra, Hanoi Telecom (hay HT Mobile) đã chuyển từ kỷ thuật CDMA sang GSM (Ericsson to take over HT Mobile) từ năm 2009. S-Phone hoạt động trên tần số 800Mhz (như Verizon, Alltel). EVN Telecom hoạt động trên tần số 450MHz (theo CDG).

S-Phone Hỏi & Đáp: Máy di động mang từ nước ngoài
Các kênh phân phối của S-Phone
Mở mạng dùng mạng Sfone các máy xách tay

Các công ty điện thoại di động hàng đầu tại Việt Nam:

1. Viettel Mobile chiếm 41% thị trường với 5 đầu số: 097, 098, 0168, 0169, 0166
2. Mobifone chiếm 29% thị trường với 5 đầu số 090, 093, 0122, 0126, 0121
3. Vinaphone chiếm 24% thị trường có 4 đầu số: 091, 094, 0123 và 0125
4. S-Fone chiếm 5% thị trường có đầu số: 095

GSM:
Điện thoại di động dùng kỷ thuật GSM có 4 tần số: 850Mhz (USA), 900Mhz (Internationally), 1800Mhz (Internationally) và 1900Mhz (USA)

Trích từ Dual, Tri, or Quad Band GSM Phone?

Two frequencies are 'must have' frequencies - 900 and 1900 MHz. The other two bands are nice to also have, with 1800 MHz typically opening up more of foreign countries than 850 MHz would open up in the US.
Ideally the best solution is to get a quad-band phone with all four bands.

Nếu bạn dùng phone của AT&T hay T-Mobile có cả bốn băng tần (quad-band) 850, 900, 1800, 1900Mhz qua kỷ thuật GSM, bạn có thể dùng tại VN. Cứ việc mua SIM của Viettel, Mobilfone, hay Vinaphone ở Việt Nam gắn vào là alo, alo :)

Một số Quad-band world phones (850/900/1800/1900 MHz):

• Motorola V195: Prepaid from T-Mobile; unlocked from Amazon
  
• Motorola RAZR V3: Prepaid GoPhone® from AT&T. Prepaid Phone (T-Mobile) from: Amazon, Target, Wal-mart
• Motorola KRZR K1: Unlocked Cell Phone -- International Version with No Warranty (Cosmic Blue) from Amazon
• Samsung A237: GoPhone® from AT&T
• Samsung A437: GoPhone® from AT&T
• Samsung A737: Pre-paid GoPhone® from AT&T (Refurb)
• LG CP150: Pre-paid GoPhone® from AT&T
• LG CU515: AT&T
  
• Nokia 6085: GoPhone® from AT&T
• Sony Ericsson Z310a GoPhone® from AT&T

On the Net:

• CDG: CDMA2000 Subscribership Accelerating In Vietnam, Up 230% In 2007
• Số thuê bao CDMA2000 tại VN tăng 230%
• CDMA và GSM vẫn sẽ song hành tại Việt Nam
• Trào lưu bỏ CDMA theo GSM
• TheGioiDiDong.com
• DiDongCDMA.vn