Frequently Asked Questions

I want to know how SMS/GPRS/WAP works.

What technology do we use?

At ‘Home and Away’, we use the Australian GSM mobile phone network to transmit information to your mobile phone.

We use the Short Message Service (SMS) part of the GSM network to do this, which means you can access us with nearly every GSM mobile phone on the market!

Our website uses the latest technology to display text and graphics. Sometimes this means that our website can only be viewed from newer browsers. We therefore recommend that you use the latest version of your current browser. We recommend you use Firefox or Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 or higher. You should also have the latest Macromedia Flash and Adobe Acrobat Reader for the best browsing experience.

What is GSM?

GSM stands for Global Systems for Mobile.

It is a European Standard for digital cellular phones and has gained wide acceptance around the world including Europe, Asia and parts of the US. The GSM system supports voice, data and short messaging. GSM is one of the most comprehensive mobile communications systems ever designed. It was designed to be very flexible and to allow new services to be added in the future. It is the most popular mobile phone system in the world today and has the most users of any mobile phone standard.

What is a SIM card?

SIM stands for Subscriber Identity Module.

The SIM card is a tiny memory chip card which has information stored on it. Your mobile phone reads the information in your SIM card when it connects to the mobile phone network and may also use it to save information such as your phone book. The network uses the SIM card to identify the user of a mobile phone and needs this information for billing purposes. Because the "identity" of the user is contained in the SIM card and not in the mobile phone, you can use the same SIM card in another mobile phone and retain the same mobile phone number. Often, SMS messages are also stored in the SIM card.

What is WAP?

WAP stands for Wireless Application Protocol.

It is a communication standard which is designed to allow Internet information to be translated into mobile information. We use WAP to download content to your mobile.

What is GPRS?

GPRS stands for General Packet Radio Service.

It is a data communications service for GSM networks and is used for accessing the Internet on a mobile phone.

What are OTA downloads?

OTA stands for Over The Air.

OTA downloads are a way in which mobile phones receive special instructions "over the air" via SMS to change settings in the phone such as changing the ringtone or receiving a graphic logo. These special SMS messages cannot usually be displayed on the phone.

When the mobile phone receives an OTA download, a message is usually displayed on the screen of the phone indicating that an OTA download has been received. Follow the instructions on the phone to view, save or discard the OTA download. Not all brands of mobile phone support OTA downloads. Check with your phone's user manual for more details. Examples of OTA downloads include ringtones, pictures and games.

We are currently developing an OTA service that lets you activate your WAP/GPRS settings through ‘Home and Away’.

WAP and GPRS

What is the difference between WAP (CSD), WAP (GPRS) and Wireless Internet?

WAP (CSD) uses the GSM network to allow customers to access modified Internet WAP sites directly from their mobile phone.

WAP (GPRS) uses the GPRS network allowing customers faster access to WAP sites directly from their mobile phone.

Wireless Internet uses the GPRS network to deliver high-speed data connections between mobile phones and the Internet with the mobile phone being used as a modem.

Can I receive SMS while using WAP (GPRS)?

Can I receive voice calls while using WAP (GPRS)?

Can I make a voice call when using WAP (GPRS)?

Yes, if you are not downloading or transferring data then you can make outgoing calls.

If you are actually downloading or transferring data, the WAP (GPRS) connection must be terminated before you can make an outgoing call.

Can any mobile phone access WAP (GPRS)?

I can't connect to WAP (GPRS), what could be wrong?

Please check your GPRS settings with your network operator (Optus, Telstra, Vodafone, Hutchison) and confirm that the correct settings are saved to your phone, if not, you will not be able to access GPRS.

For contact details to get in touch with your network operator, check out the list below. They will be able to help you get the Internet (GPRS) enabled on your phone.

Do you have coverage where you are? Check the coverage bars on your mobile phone. If you are not in a coverage area, your service will not be able to access the network.

• How do I go about buying stuff?
• I’ve had a problem buying stuff.
• I ordered but never received anything.
• I have a question about my handset.
• I have a problem with billing.
• I want to know how all this SMS/GPRS/WAP stuff works.
• Other stuff.