Travel Technology - TMobile, UMA, uma and Wi-Fi

I am admittedly confused ... for those using T-Mobile and uma - do you really look at the phone before each call when wi-fi is connected to see what type of UMA, uma or blank is being displayed? What is covered or not -- text message, voice mail notification, email, data access -- when it is capital versus lower case or wi-fi is connected with no 'uma' code displayed?

At my office I connect to our guest network and it flits around to each of these entries at different days/times leaving me :confused: and unprepared to take this thing on an international trip where I hope to leverage wi-fi connections to the greatest extent possible (but am now not sure what that means)

ps I have the new BB 8900

If you are that worried about it, turn off the cellular radio before using the phone.

Capital letters (GPRS, EDGE, or UMA) indicate a connection to the Blackberry data infrastructure. Lowercase letters (gprs, edge, uma) indicate that data is available on the network but that the Blackberry hasn't been able to access the Blackberry data infrastructure. When you see lowercase letters, you won't be able to use any data services. If it shows "GSM", then no data is available and you'll only be able to make voice calls and send SMS/MMS messages.

So there is nothing I can do to move it to uppercase or did to cause it to go from upper to lower?

How about the calls - can they be done via upper or lower case (where it looks like its all from the US, regardless of where you are calling from?)

Added: Sorry, I do need clarification - when you say no data - is it no internet, no email when it is set to lower case? So the only thing I'd have is voice/text at that point or are those also unavailable? How about when there is no uma/UMA displayed at all but I'm connected to a network?

Nope, upper/lowercase is just dependent on the network it's using...maybe your wifi is a little screwy.

You can make calls any time you have any signal.

Nope, upper/lowercase is just dependent on the network it's using...maybe your wifi is a little screwy.

You can make calls any time you have any signal.
No doubt.

When you say "have a signal" are we saying uma/UMA shown and/or have the antenna with bars? E.g. if I shut off the tmobile antenna - it shows OFF (vs SOS if there is non signal) - what do I need to make a call? I just tried this at my office - today I'm connected to the network, but no uma/UMA is displayed - tried to make a call with the antenna off and got the tone that said forget it.

Thanks for helping a newbie out to understand this!!

Okay, I think I have it ... the antenna is needed if uma/UMA is unavailable in order to make a call or receive/send text messages. If the uma/UMA is available, I could shut off the antenna to be sure I'm connected via wi-fi when making the call while I'm out of the country. As I want to receive/send text messages, I'll have to leave the antenna on at other times and just forward my voice calls to v-mail directly.

As for data, with no antenna and no uma/UMA listed, I was able to receive emails and access the internet. uma and UMA therefore have no impact to these aspects although the internet access may cost me based on what you posted in another thread depending on how the provider I'm on bills t-mobile for the access.

If I'm wrong - please correct me, otherwise thanks!!

Yes, if you have an antenna with bars or it says uma/UMA yo ucan make a call.

When i first started using this, always got CAP UMA icon but then for some period of time it would only show lowercase uma. Now it's back to upper case UMA.....

UMA or uma will pop up only when you get wifi connection.

In both cases, it was free call. If you're worried, turn off network.phone button. I use BB 8820.

When i first started using this, always got CAP UMA icon but then for some period of time it would only show lowercase uma. Now it's back to upper case UMA.....

UMA or uma will pop up only when you get wifi connection.

In both cases, it was free call. If you're worried, turn off network.phone button. I use BB 8820.

Lower case usually indicates a Blackberry/RIM issue. It means you have connectivity through the T-Mobile network but cannot access the blackberry infrastructure. Data works ("hotspot" browser, t-zones, tethering), but blackberry services would be unavailable (email, "internet" browser).

Lower case usually indicates a Blackberry/RIM issue. It means you have connectivity through the T-Mobile network but cannot access the blackberry infrastructure. Data works ("hotspot" browser, t-zones, tethering), but blackberry services would be unavailable (email, "internet" browser).

I actually exchanged my original BB due to this UMA vs uma problem - the replacement was just as 'quirky' but fortunately both signals gives me free minutes. And my BB 8820 will be one year old soon - maybe upgrade/change to Curve

I actually exchanged my original BB due to this UMA vs uma problem - the replacement was just as 'quirky' but fortunately both signals gives me free minutes. And my BB 8820 will be one year old soon - maybe upgrade/change to Curve

Odd. Do you also get lower case "edge" when not on wifi?

For the past two plus days on the network, I haven't seen uma/UMA come up at all. I might swing by the t-mobile store soon just to see if there is an upgrade or known problem/setting that I need to do something about

Odd. Do you also get lower case "edge" when not on wifi?

Not sure - don't pay attention. What is weird is last night, when I turned off the cable modem and router, I got AT&T as my carrier on a locked BB 8820 with a TMO account? Was going to call CS to inquire but never did....

I use UMA all the time. I have the plan and text, data(RIM), calls all of it works. I have used it in other countries and for a while it was not working in Korea but I can report it works and no problems. There was an issue also with Apple Airports but it seems to have gotten resolved.

What type of router are you using?