How does wireless phone service work?
When you make a call on your wireless phone, a generated signal goes to a nearby cellular tower. The tower redirects the information and forwards it to a switching station. The switch reads and redirects your call to its final destination.
As you travel through the network, you’ll automatically switch from one cell site to another cell site. (hand-off)
<back to top>

My first bill
You’re billed one month of service in advance plus a partial charge for the current month of service to the end of the billing cycle. This partial charge is a pro-ration. We pro-rate your current month's minutes, too. The first invoice may also include a one-time activation charge, taxes, Universal Service Fund (USF) and Emergency 911 charges. Other charges may include additional minutes over your plan, roaming and long distance charges, and possible equipment charges.
<back to top>

What are my payment options?
You may select the conventional check payment method, the option of automatic bank draft, or choose to have the balance transferred to one of your credit cards. We now offer E-bill. E-bill is a convenient way to review and pay your bill online. You will also receive a detailed description of your calls with E-bill. Any of these options will save time. Call a local customer service representative and they will be happy to assist you.
<back to top>

How can I visit with a customer service representative?
Call 800.944.5526 or 611 SND Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They can review your bill and recommend plan saving changes.
<back to top>

What is the best way to notify us of an address change?
1) You can list your account changes on your monthly payment return stub.
2) Stop into any of our retail locations and report your changes.
3) Call us during regular business hours at 800.944.5526 or 611 SND, Mon – Fri, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
<back to top>

How do I use my phone outside my "home" system?
In an effort to provide seamless roaming throughout the United States for all cellular customers, the various carriers sign "Roamer Agreements". These agreements allow customers to go to virtually any area of the United States and use their wireless phone. Place local or long distance calls in roaming areas by dialing 10 digits (area code + prefix + number). Long distance charges may or may not apply dependent upon your rate plan and program.
<back to top>

What is roaming?
Roaming is the term applied to using your wireless phone outside your home calling area. Please refer to your plan’s calling map to determine your “home” area. Maps are only a representation of your outlined service area and may not be an actual reflection to your “true” service area.
<back to top>

Do roaming charges appear on my bill right away?
Some carriers take up to 60 days to forward their charges to us. In some instances, it could take up to three billing cycles for the roaming charges to appear.
<back to top>

How do we bill airtime?
You use airtime when making or receiving calls on cellular systems. When you press the SEND, you begin using the network. Press END and your session ends. We round all calls up to the nearest minute.
<back to top>

Will I use airtime against my minutes for toll free calls?
Yes, toll free numbers such as 800 numbers are billed airtime usage.
<back to top>

How do I make emergency calls?
Emergency calls to 911 and *55 (Iowa Highway Patrol) are free and available in all areas as long as there is a usable signal from the cellular tower. Simply power on the phone, dial 911 or *55 and press SEND. Your call routes to the proper authorities. Be prepared to give your exact location and details on the emergency-situation.
<back to top>

What is digital service?
We have selected CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) technology for their digital technology. CDMA is also the choice of many of the carriers operating in our surrounding area allowing our subscriber to use their digital service in the home area as well as while roaming. Digital service allows several advantages over conventional analog service including longer battery life, enhanced voice privacy and many other features. Some of the extra features that are available today are…
1) SMS (Short Messaging Service) allows subscribers to send and receive text messages via their cellular phone. Messages may store in queue until the phone powers on or a necessary digital signal is received.
2) Caller ID – Allows subscribers to know who is calling before answering the call.
3) Message Waiting - Lets you know a message is waiting either in your voice mailbox or via SMS.
*Some features listed above may not be available in all areas.
<back to top>

Will any phone work on Digital?
No, only phones equipped to provide CDMA service along with 800 MHz analog will work today. To allow for proper roaming and to make sure you receive optimum service we require you purchase a new CDMA phone with all new digital activations and trade-ups.
<back to top>

How long is the warranty on my phone?
Your warranty period is one-year from the date-of-purchase. If your phone needs repaired while under warranty, we will provide you a loaner phone until it is returned. This may take several weeks. It is the customers responsibility to replace damaged and abused handsets.
<back to top>

What is Caller ID?
This feature allows you to know who is calling when the phone rings. While it is a tremendous screening device for selecting who you want to talk to, it is equally effective when you need to personalize your incoming calls. There are, however, occasions when the calling party’s number will not be displayed. The following are some exceptions:
1) When the Local Telephone Company where the call is coming from is incapable of passing the calling party’s number on. In this case the phone may say "NO ID" or "RES" for restricted.
2) When the calling party blocks the presentation of their number, "PRIVATE" or "NO ID" may appear on your phone.
3) When the call originates from a payphone or through an operator assisted call.
4) In some roaming environments.
5) When you’re not receiving a signal from a cell site that is caller ID capable.
<back to top>

What is Short Messaging Service?
This feature allows you to receive and send numeric or text messages with and to phones, just like a pager.
<back to top>

What is the Message Waiting Indicator?
The Message Waiting Indicator enables the subscriber to know there is a message in voice mail without the need for a pager or repeatedly calling to check. The icon illuminates on the phone when a message is waiting.
<back to top>

What is BREW and how does it work?
With BREW, you can download ringtones, wallpapers, educational items, informational updates, games and more. To download these applications, you need a BREW compatible handset supported by us along with a data package.

The data package allows you to download useful applications from a cell tower to your phone. We measure data in kilobytes and/or megabyte(s). Each BREW session uses data to transmit and receive an application/information. Overage charges may occur.