General
Do I pay for shipping and taxes on my order?
No. All orders will be shipped via UPS at NO cost to the customer. However, New Jersey Law requires 6% sales tax for all orders shipped to New Jersey. No other orders will be charged sales tax.
How long will it take to receive my order?
Customers are contacted by phone within 48 hours to confirm the order information. The order is then shipped within 24 hours of confirmation via UPS ground service.
What does it cost to use TeleBright?
Nothing. You can compare and purchase telecom products and services through TeleBright at no charge 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
How does TeleBright make money?
TeleBright receives a comparable commission or residual revenue from the service providers it represents. For this reason TeleBright provides an unbiased environment to the consumer. TeleBright is a free service to our customers.
How do I make a purchase from TeleBright?
Once you find a service or plan you would like to purchase, simply click on the shopping cart icon. If you have not registered already you will be prompted to do so at this point. Registration is free and the information you supply is used only for shipping and provisioning. Once you have completed the order process TeleBright will contact you via e-mail to confirm the order. Additionally, TeleBright will e-mail you with the status of your order during the fulfillment process. You may also check the status of your order on the “Order Status” page in the “My Account” portion of TeleBright.
What if I have a question?
You can post your inquiry on the Contact Us form or if you’d like a more immediate response you may call one of our telecom experts at 800-550-9414 or chat live with one of them by clicking on the “Live Help” box Monday thru Friday 8am – 7pm EST.
Does TeleBright have the most current plans and rates?
TeleBright recognizes the importance of offering the most current, competitive rates and updates daily if necessary. We are closely tied to our suppliers and the TeleBright Tariff Analysis staff makes sure that TeleBright displays the most current rates available.
How does TeleBright decide what service providers to feature?
TeleBright conducts a rigorous search to find the best telecom companies from which to choose. The service providers undergo a thorough screening process before they are added to the site. The compilation of carriers is representative of the carriers available in your area. Every attempt has been made to ensure that you have as wide as possible selection of suppliers, from the large well known to some smaller and often more competitive companies.
Does TeleBright have a “Privacy Policy”?
TeleBright is committed to your privacy and satisfaction. Please read our Privacy Policy for more details.
Wireless Service
What kind of range does a wireless phone have?
Wireless phones have the same distance capabilities as normal phones because the radio wave transmission portion of the call is only as far as the nearest transmitter. After the call is received at the cell tower it is transmitted through cables like any other call.
Can I call other countries with my wireless phone?
Many service providers offer the ability to call internationally – but the service may have to be activated by the service provider. Activation of international calling should not cost anything, but different providers have different policies.
Why do calls get “dropped”?
Calls can be “dropped” for a number of reasons. These include, but are not limited to geographic obstructions, equipment failure, atmospheric anomalies, or moving outside of the cell coverage area. A dropped call is simply one terminated by means other than the calling parties.
Why does my reception fade in certain areas?
As wireless users move about in their various coverage areas the signals transmitted from their handsets are picked up by receivers and handed off to other receivers as they change their location. Eventually the limit of the coverage area is reached or some other phenomenon (ie buildings, mountains, weather, etc.) interferes with the signal and the full signal strength is compromised. The result is often a static, choppy sound or even calls being dropped.
What are peak and off-peak periods?
Peak and off-peak periods are time slots determined by the carrier during which certain rates apply. Typically, the peak period is during the business day and the off-peak period is evening and overnight.
Do all wireless phones have the same features?
No. With new advances the wireless phone industry is in constant flux. Some of the features are very popular and will end up on most phones. Whereas others are exclusively for the high-end user and will for now only be offered on a select few models.
Why are some wireless phones free?
As part of some promotions, wireless service providers may occasionally offer a low-end handset free of charge for subscribing to specific plans.
What should I do if my wireless phone gets damaged?
Many providers offer a handset protection plan or phone insurance. If by chance your handset gets damaged check the providers’ policy for repair. If you have the handset protection plan, a deductible applied to repair or replacement of the equipment is usually the case.
Can I have more than one wireless phone with the same number?
Yes. It is possible to have two or more wireless phones with the same phone number. Each phone will have a unique ESN or Electronic Serial Number. However, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC.) has allowed several wireless handsets to have the same phone number.
What does “roaming” mean?
Roaming is when a wireless user operates a handset in a coverage area other than the home coverage area assigned to that handset. In other words, if you leave the area where you activated the handset and operate it in another city, you would be utilizing the roaming capability of that handset.
Will my wireless phone work in other cities?
Yes. Most wireless phones have the ability to operate or Roam in areas other than the owner’s home coverage area -- either on the carrier’s network or possibly another carrier’s network.
Will my wireless phone work in other countries?
Usually not. There are different wireless standards around the world and not all of those systems are compatible. But as the wireless market grows, so do the technologies and the ability to integrate those technologies.
Can I use my wireless phone while traveling by plane/ train/ boat?
While traveling, wireless phone use can be difficult. The airline industry has strict regulations about when wireless devices may be operated. It is advised that you check with airline authorities before attempting to operate your wireless phone. By train, wireless phone operation should be possible. The coverage areas are the same but there may be occasional dropouts. When traveling by boat however, you’ll have to use a satellite phone or the ship-to-shore phone. Wireless coverage only extends about six miles from a given tower.
Wireless Health and Safety
Can cellular phones cause cancer?
The World Health Organization has stated “there is no convincing evidence that exposure to RF (radio frequency) shortens the life span of humans, induces or promotes cancer.”
Can I use my wireless phone while I’m driving?
Studies have shown that those using wireless phones while driving are more likely to be involved in traffic accidents. The Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) has recommended the following guidelines:
Make sure that your phone is positioned where it is easy to see and easy to reach. Be familiar with the operation of your phone so that you’re comfortable using it on the road.
Use the speed-dialing feature to program the frequently called numbers. Then you can make a call by touching only one or two buttons. Most phones will store up to 99 numbers.
When dialing manually without the speed-dialing feature, dial only when stopped. If you can’t stop or pull over, dial a few digits, then survey traffic before completing the call. (Better yet, have a passenger dial)
Never take notes while driving. Pull off the road to a safe spot to jot something down.
Let your wireless network’s voicemail pick up your calls when it’s inconvenient or unsafe to answer the car phone. You can even use your voicemail to leave yourself reminders.
Be a wireless Samaritan. Dialing 9-1-1 is a free call for wireless subscribers; use it to report crimes in progress or other potentially life-threatening emergencies, accidents or drunk driving.
Can wireless phones cause headaches or other symptomatic problems?
There does not seem to be evidence suggesting biological effects of wireless phone use.
Will my wireless phone interfere with my hearing aid?
Possibly. There is no definite answer, but the World Health Organization states the possibility exists if the devices are used in close proximity to each other.
Will my wireless phone interfere with my pacemaker?
Possibly. There is no definite answer but the World Health Organization states the possibility exists if the devices are used in close proximity to each other.
What does it cost to call 9-1-1 from my wireless phone?
Dialing 9-1-1 is a free call for wireless subscribers; use it to report crimes in progress or other potentially life-threatening emergencies, accidents, or drunk driving.
Why do some construction zones require that I turn off my wireless phone?
Construction sites often use radio-controlled detonators for explosives. Do not use your wireless phone or adjust your radio in designated construction zones.
What is “one key emergency dialing”?
One key dialing is a feature that allows a user to assign a single key a preprogrammed emergency number to be dialed by pressing that one number in case of an emergency.
Security Issues
Can people listen in on my calls?
While no radio transmission is completely secure, digital transmissions are more secure than analog, which can be intercepted on simple scanners. The level of security employed in wireless transmission is always improving and is constantly updated.
What should I do if my wireless phone is lost or stolen?
If your wireless phone is lost or stolen, contact your service provider as soon as possible. By doing so you will minimize cost and hassle by allowing the provider to deactivate the phone quickly to avoid unauthorized use.
What does “cloning” mean?
Cloning is a term referring to the practice of assigning a legitimate serial number to a second handset. This second handset or imposter can now steal the service of the legitimate handset.
Accessories
What is a “hands free” device?
A hands free device is one that allows the wireless user to talk on the phone while not occupying the user’s hands. This device may come in the form of an installed speaker and microphone in the driver compartment of the user’s car. Or it may be as simple as a small earplug and microphone headpiece. Either way the focus is the same; to free up the hands of the driver.
Can I link my wireless phone to a PDA or computer?
In many cases hardware and software have been developed to link wireless handsets to user’s PDAs and computers to “share” information. Address books to emails can be sent back and forth quite easily.
What accessories are available for wireless phones?
Accessories for wireless phones come in all shapes and sizes, from lighted antennas to message keypads. There are earphones and faceplates, even downloadable ringers.
Can I buy accessories from companies other than the maker of my wireless phone?
Yes, as long as the accessory is compatible with your model handset.
Technology
How do wireless phones work?
Wireless or cellular phones work by transmitting voice signals and data content in the form of radio waves. Older wireless networks use analog signals while the newer networks utilize digital signals. The analog system operates in the 800MHz frequency range and is in wide use across America; about 95% coverage. This analog system or air interface is known as Advanced Mobile Phone Service or AMPS. The digital air interface also operates in the 800MHz frequency range and is available in several varieties of transmission method, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA). Personal Communications Service (PCS) is an all-digital network that operates in the 1,900MHz and is available in and around metropolitan centers. PCS networks are CDMA, TDMA or GSM (global system for communications).
Wireless networks are laid out in an array of antennas with overlapping coverage zones. The term cellular comes from the honeycomb-like arrangement of the antennas. The user’s wireless handset when activated seeks the nearest antenna and locks in the signal. As the user moves around within the coverage area the antennas hand off the user to the “now” closest antenna. Each antenna is connected to a Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MTSO), which connects the mobile signal to the local telephone service for transport of the call. If the call is to a standard telephone it will be terminated through this system. If the call is going to another wireless user it will be handed to the recipient’s MTSO and then transmitted to the terminating handset.
Is there a difference between cellular and wireless?
Cellular refers to the pattern formed by the overlapping coverage areas of the antenna towers that make up the wireless network. Whereas the term wireless has come to mean “operating locally without wires.”
What is the difference between Analog and Digital phones?
The difference is in transmission format. The analog phone transmits a constant radio signal. This signal goes unbroken during the call process. This method is inefficient in terms of network capacity. The digital phone on the other hand, packages the voice data as digital statements into packets, these packets are then transmitted simultaneously to the appropriate receiver where they are reassembled into voice signals. This type of transmission allows greater traffic on the network and significantly reduces the presence of static.
What is PCS?
PCS or Personal Communications Service is an all-digital network that operates in the 1,900MHz and is available in and around metropolitan centers. PCS networks are CDMA, TDMA or GSM (global system for communications).
What are the available wireless network formats?
There is an analog system that operates in the 800MHz frequency range and is in wide use across America; about 95% coverage. This analog system or air interface is known as Advanced Mobile Phone Service or AMPS. There is also a digital air interface that also operates in the 800MHz frequency range and is available in several varieties of transmission method, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA). In addition, there is Personal Communications Service (PCS), an all-digital network that operates in the 1,900MHz and is available in and around metropolitan centers. PCS networks are CDMA, TDMA or GSM (global system for communications).
Why don’t wireless phones have a “dial tone”?
The dial tone is used by terrestrial phone services to alert the user to dial now. The tone indicates that the local switch is set up to make the call and is awaiting instruction; telephone number. Because the wireless phone searches out a local tower, the antenna strength indicator on the handset face is in essence the dial tone. If you have a signal you have a dial tone.
Billing
How is wireless airtime billed?
Unlike standard telephone service, wireless phone service begins to bill as soon as you initiate a call. If the call is not picked up on the other end no charges are made. However, if the call is completed, the billing starts when you press ‘talk’ or ‘send’ -- and not when the call was connected. The call will continue to bill until just after the connection is broken.
Do I have to pay for fraudulent usage?
No. If you notice fraudulent usage on your billing statement, call your service provider to have the charges removed or credited. If they are unwilling, consider filing a complaint with the FCC:
Federal Communications Commission
Common Carrier Bureau, Consumer Complaints
Mail Stop 1600A2, Washington, D.C. 20554
Can I bill calls to a calling card or credit card?
Yes. Just follow the same procedure you use with other phones.
Why am I billed for incoming calls?
Unfortunately, unlike the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), wireless users are paying for access time to the wireless networks regardless of who initiates the call. Some carriers offer the first incoming minute free as a perk.
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Do I pay for shipping and taxes on my order?