2011-08-20 17:14:27 +01:00
2004-04-22 19:13:46 +01:00
< html >
2002-08-03 19:20:06 +01:00
< head >
2004-04-22 19:13:46 +01:00
< title > CUCC Expedition Handbook: Mobile Phones< / title >
2013-06-20 04:06:44 +01:00
< link rel = "stylesheet" type = "text/css" href = "../css/main2.css" / >
2002-08-03 19:20:06 +01:00
< / head >
< body >
2013-06-20 04:06:44 +01:00
< h2 id = "tophead" > CUCC Expedition Handbook< / h2 >
< h1 > Mobile Phone Use Guide< / h1 >
< p > After many years of using complicated radio systems of varying degrees of complication and reliability, we have finally settled on a foolproof method for communicating callouts from top camp to base camp: mobile phones. Cheap Austrian pay-as-you-go mobiles have sufficiently good reception on the plateau for sending SMS messages, and even occasionally for conversation.< / p >
2018-06-18 03:30:49 +01:00
< p > We are using the "B-Free" mobile scheme. (In 2011 we tried using another provider which picked up the T-Mobile network, however the reception was not as good as B-Free. B-Free has an annual renewal of the SIM which gets you the phone number and connection (plus some credit). More credit comes in the form of a receipt with a printed code or a card with a scratch-off secret number.< / p >
2013-06-20 04:06:44 +01:00
< h3 > Annual renewal< / h3 >
2018-06-18 03:30:49 +01:00
< p > This has to be done in less than 13 months otherwise it costs a more as you
essentially have to start from scratch (~EUR10 for a new SIM with EUR5 of
credit). The phone cannot be used in the last month, but renewal is cheaper
than starting from scratch.< / p >
< h3 > Checking credit< / h3 >
< p > The simplest way (which doesn't require understanding a number read out to
you in German) is to dial < b > *101#< / b > . This doesn't actually make a
call but results in you getting an SMS-like message containing the balance
details. There's no charge for this.< / p >
2013-06-20 04:06:44 +01:00
< h3 > Adding credit< / h3 >
2018-06-18 03:30:49 +01:00
< p > If you need to buy more credits for a phone the simplest way is to just ask
for a "B.Free" top-up at the supermarket checkout (Unimarkt definitely did them
in 2016). They'll give you a printed receipt with the code to key in. See
below for how to use it.< / p >
< p > (Other options we've used were:
2013-06-20 04:06:44 +01:00
< ul >
2018-06-18 03:30:49 +01:00
< li > go to the Hartlauer shop (on right of road to railway station, not far
beyond the post office). Wave the phone and ask for a 'B-free Bon'.< / li >
< li > go to post office and ask for B.Free 10 euros for each phone.< / li >
2013-06-20 04:06:44 +01:00
< / ul >
2018-06-18 03:30:49 +01:00
< p > You should be given a aufladecode, which may require scratching off a panel at lower right back of card.)< / p >
2013-06-20 04:06:44 +01:00
< ul >
2018-06-18 03:30:49 +01:00
< li > Dial < b > 0800 664290< / b > (if you're lucky someone might have put this in the phone address book possible under the name "Check balance")< / li >
2013-06-20 04:06:44 +01:00
< li > Listen to an audio menu and Press 2 (to select something)< / li >
< li > Then type in number on the scratch panel, followed by #< / li >
< li > Listen to the number read back to you, and press 2 to confirm code is correct.< / li >
< li > Press No twice to end the call.< / li >
< / ul >
2018-06-18 03:30:49 +01:00
< h3 > Tips and Tricks< / h3 >
< ul >
< li > If you're in an area where reception is poor and you need to go to a
particular spot to check messages, try dialling the balance request
number (< b > *101#< / b > ) once there - this usually seems to trigger delivery of any
pending SMS messages.< / li >
< / ul >
2004-04-22 19:13:46 +01:00
< hr / >
2002-08-03 19:20:06 +01:00
< / body >
< / html >
