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1. How does
wireless phone service work?
2. What is the difference between analog
and digital?
3. How can I protect myself from wireless phone
fraud?
4. Are wireless phones safe to use?
1. How
does wireless phone service work?
Similar to how a cordless phone works with its base in your kitchen
or bedroom, wireless phones receive and transmit messages using
low-power radio transmitters located in your community. Each
transmitter serves a geographic area called a cell. Equipment within
each cell relays your message to a mobile telephone switching
office, which in turn sends the message to the local landline
telephone system to complete your connection. As you travel from
cell to cell, your calls are transferred to you without
interruption.
2.
What is the difference between analog and digital?
Wireless calls can be transmitted using either digital or analog
technology. Analog technology transmits your voice over airwaves to
cellular antennas, much like a radio broadcast. Digital technology
converts your voice into groups of electronic bits that are
"reassembled" into your voice when they reach their destination.
Digital transmission allows for greater voice clarity, privacy,
advanced telephone features and more capacity.
3. How can I
protect myself from wireless phone fraud?
Wireless phone fraud is the unauthorized use of a wireless telephone
network with the intention of getting free service. This kind of
fraud is a costly crime in the wireless industry.
To help protect yourself from wireless
phone fraud, please: Lock your wireless phone (with a PIN code) when
not in use. Immediately report a lost or stolen phone to U.S.
Cellular. Look for any unusual activity on your bill. Report
frequent wrong-number calls or hang-ups to U.S. Cellular customer
service at 1-888-944-9400. Ask us to remove long-distance calling
features if you have no need for them. Do not give out your
electronic serial number over the phone unless you initiated the
call to U.S. Cellular customer service.
Here are additional tips to help
protect yourself from subscription fraud:
- Only give out your social
security number when absolutely necessary.
- Do not give it out over the
phone.
- Do not carry extra credit
cards, your social security card, birth certificate or passport
in your purse or wallet, except when necessary.
- Shred or rip up preapproved
credit applications before throwing them away. Do the same with
bank statements, phone bills and credit card receipts.
- Get a copy of your credit
report regularly, if possible, to check for any errors.
- Have your name removed from
promotional lists operated by credit reporting bureaus and those
who extend credit.
- Keep your wireless service
agreement in a safe place.
4. Are wireless
phones safe to use?
All wireless phones that are sold in the United States, including
those sold by U.S. Cellular, must meet minimum guidelines regarding
safe exposure to radio frequency (RF) energy emissions. To learn
about these guidelines and RF emissions and health, visit the
following Web sites:
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