WEEE (Waste Electrical Electronic Equipment) disposed of to landfill, incinerated or recovered without any pre-treatment has potentially serious consequences for the environment and human health. You will find a crossed out wheeled bin symbol on the base of the product. The symbol means that the equipment should not be disposed of with general household waste.

There is no disposal charge for end of life EEE returned to Meteor stores or deposited at civic amenity sites. Meteor will accept old product on a one for one basis (must be equivalent type and have fulfilled the same function). There is no environmental management charge applied to mobile phones and accessories as Meteor have absorbed these recycling costs.

Waste batteries must never be placed in your waste disposal or recycling bins. There is a bin for small batteries in your local store. Battery recycling is free.

Play your part by:

• Not disposing of WEEE or batteries with your general household waste
• Bringing these waste products to your local civil amenity site at end of life for recycling.

• You can bring or post your old mobile phones or batteries to any Meteor store. You can identify a Meteor store in your area by clicking on this link.
• (For alist of Civic Amenity sites accepting WEEE visit http://www.weeeireland.ie/)

For more information about WEEE visit www.weeeireland.ie

Use a unique password:  Yes that’s it. Treat your voicemail like your ATM card and choose a password that only you will know. When you’re creating a 4 to 6 digit numeric password for your voicemail, don’t use 0000, 1111, 1234, 4321. These are easy to guess and make it easy to access your private information. Try to create something harder to guess, ramdom digits that you can remember. Don’t use the year of your birth, or the same PIN as your alarm code- someone else may know this!

Don’t use the same password for everything: We know that it’s difficult to remember all of your codes, and that many of us simply use the same code for everything. That makes it easier to access all of your personal details like voicemail, bank and alarm if someone manages to guess the code. Be clever, use codes that you can remember but that are difficult to guess.

Change your security codes regularly: Don’t use the same password for years. Every so often, change your passwords. Changing codes regularly means that if someone has managed to hack your information once, you can make it difficult for them to do it again!

For information on how to change your voicemail password click here

Lock your phone, too: If your phone takes a lock code use it!  Most phones now offer some sort of access code to activate it from sleep mode, if it does then use it. Not only can you access your voicemail directly from your phone, but you may also have email set up and your social networks singed in. Locking your phone keeps all of your information more secure. The secure PIN will also protect your phone if it is lost or stolen.

Don’t share your password: Finally, once you’ve created a good password for your voicemail, don’t give it out to anyone. It’s like giving someone your bank PIN!

If you get a call but no number comes up, you can reject the call on any of our handsets just by pressing the 'busy' button.

If you have a smartphone and you want to reject all anonymous calls, there's an app that will help you out. Go to the app store and search for 'Call Blocker'. Then select the app you want to download and use.

There are two ways to check your balance: 

1. The Quick way: Enter the digits *#100# using your keypad, and then press either the send button or the green call key. Your balance will appear on screen.

OR

2. The Phone call: You can dial 1742 (free call), and then follow the instructions from the pre-recorded message to find out your current balance

Changing your ring time before a call diverts (to voicemail or other number)
You can change your ringing time on your phone from 5 seconds up to 30 seconds (20 seconds is the default but any automated reset may reduce this to 10 seconds).

On your mobile:
1. Type **61*(number to divert to)**(ringing duration in seconds)#
2. Press Call or Send.

For example, if you wanted to divert to 0851234567 after 30 seconds (the maximum time) you would key in **61*0851234567**30#.

To divert to your Voicemail for free you would divert to your mobile number with a 5 between the third and fourth digits. For example, **61*08551234567**30#.

Android: Go to Settings>Wireless and Networks>Mobile Networks> Uncheck Data enabled.

IOS: Go to Settings > General > Network > Set Cellular Data to off.

RIM: Go to Options > Networks and Connections > Mobile Network > Set Data Services to off.

Windows mobile: Go to Settings > Mobile Network > Set Data connection to off.

Symbian: Go to Settings > Connectivity > Settings > Set Mobile data to off

How do I divert / forward my calls?

You can divert calls to your voicemail or another Irish phone number. This means that a friend can call you on your mobile number and you can answer on another phone. Your phone can be set up to divert calls to your voicemail if they are unanswered. This function is free of charge, however, calls diverted to another phone are charged at normal phone call costs 

Options:

Depending on your make/model of phone, the full range of options for call diverting are;

• Divert all Voice Calls
• Divert if busy
• Divert if not answered 
• Divert if out of reach
• Divert if not available
• Divert all fax calls
• Divert all data calls
• Cancel all diverts

As explained above, you can either choose to divert to your voicemail directly, or to another Irish Number.

Dual Access allows both the parent/guardian and child to have access to the records held by the mobile operator regarding the child's account, including;

• All numbers called
• The account balances
• The services available on the child's mobile phone.

The process for setting up the Dual Access:

• Call Customer Care.
• Customer Care will check that the account has been registered with Meteor.
• Customer Care will then send out a form to the registered account holder, which needs to be filled out by both parent/guardian and child.
• Once the form is returned,  dual access is set up. 

Phone codes:

If you are experiencing problems with making phone calls, please check the following:

• Error message: Please check what error message you are receiving when trying to make a call. This message can give you a clue as to what could be wrong.

• Credit: If you are a Pay As You Go customer check that you have enough credit to make a phone call. (click here to find out how to check your balance)

• Network: Is there any network signal showing on your handset? If not then you could be in an area with poor coverage. 

• Number: What number(s) are you attempting to call?

• Active phone account: You can call Customer Care and double check your phone is active on the Meteor system

If you are experiencing problems with receiving phone calls, please check the following:

• Call diverts: Make sure all your phone call diverts are cancelled. You can either do this by going into your "menu" or by simply typing ##002# then make a test call. 

• Network: Is there any network signal showing on your handset? If not then you could be in an area with poor coverage. 

• Active phone account: You can call Customer Care and double check your phone is active on the Meteor system.

1. Where to buy your phone.

You can buy your meteor phone from any Meteor store or online at www.meteor.ie. You can also buy your phone at Carphone Warehouse, 3G Mobile, Xtravision and a host of independent Retail outlets.

2. What you get with your new phone.

Your starter pack:

• User manual
  
• Guarantee
  
• Phone
  
• SIM
  
• PUK
  
• Battery charger
  
• Phone number (otherwise known as MSISDN)

3. Start using your phone.

• Follow the instructions in the user manual for how to put your SIM in.
  
• Charge phone for 12 hours
  
• Turn phone on by entering SIM number
  
• To be able to start using your phone, you need to make a phone call. If you are Pay As You Go customer, make sure that you have credit in your phone.

Registration

To register your phone go to www.mymeteor.ie

Porting (Full Mobile Number Portability - FMNP) was introduced in July 2003, and it effectively permits both Pay As You Go and Bill Pay mobile subscribers to move between mobile networks while retaining their complete mobile number. e.g. moving to Meteor but keeping your 087 / 086 number.

If you would like to join Meteor, please visit one of our many Meteor stores or visit our Online Store.

Definitions:

SIM (Subscriber Identity Module):

This refers to the small chip / card that contains the phone's identity. It stores information such as:

• The network you are on i.e Meteor
  
• Your mobile number
  
• Your name and whether you have registered with the Meteor network
  
• Your messages and phone directory (unless you have otherwise saved them straight to your phone and not your SIM.)

Thus, a SIM becomes your own personal phone account and you have a key to access this account - which is referred to as your PIN.

PIN (Personal Identity Number):

When you receive a new phone and new account with Meteor, you will receive a SIM in your Meteor pack as well as a PIN number. Once you have fully charged your phone and are ready to start using it, you insert the SIM into the back of the phone, turn it on, and enter the PIN number you were given. Once you enter it correctly, your phone is now ready for use.

If you incorrectly enter your PIN more than 3 times, you will be asked to enter a second security code to allow you back into your phone. The second code is called the PUK code.

PUK (Personal Unlocking Key):

A PUK code is the second level for unlocking your phone, when you have entered your PIN incorrectly more than 3 times. This code is found with all of your starter information when you first become a new Meteor customer.

Replacement SIM card

There are a number of reasons why a customer would need a replacement SIM card, the main ones being;

1. They entered both their PIN and then their PUK incorrectly, leaving their SIM card blocked and out of use.
2. They have lost their SIM.

Procedure for requesting a replacement SIM

You need to call Customer Care and request a replacement SIM, as well as outlining the reasons why you need it.

• The new SIM card will be posted to you, usually arriving within 5 working days.
• When you receive the SIM, it will be inactive. You need to call our Customer Care team to get it activated so you can start using it.
• Please note: Our Customer Care team will only send out a replacement SIM to you if you are registered with Meteor.
• You may be charged for replacement SIM cards.

Before you can send/receive picture messages, check the following:

• Is your phone MMS compatible? You can check this by going to the Download settings page on www.mymeteor.ie

• Ensure that your MMS / GPRS settings are correct.

• Before you can receive a picture message, please note you first need to send one in order to activate  the MMS functionality on your phone. 

How to send /receive picture messages:

• Go to your MENU

• Go to the Messages section

• Choose Multimedia Messages

• Create Message - Simply enter text as you would for a normal text message. When you are in the create text screen, go to options, and select "Insert" in order to insert a picture.

• Once you have created the text message with / without the image attached, send as normal. (Please note, to receive a picture message the recipient must have an MMS compatible phone).

How do I send a text message?

1. Go to the Menu on your phone and click on "messages".

2. Choose "text messages"

3. Choose "create message / new message"

4. You can now key in your message. You can change the way you write your text message to Predictive text. (See your start guide manual for more information.)

5. When you are finished typing, go to "send" the message (option should be displayed on bottom of screen on your phone). You can either send it to a number already saved in your phonebook or you can enter the number yourself.

How do I receive a text message?

1. When you receive a text message, an envelope will appear on your phone's screen and you will also hear the message alert.

   If the envelope is CLOSED, this means you have a NEW, unread text message. Click on this envelope and it will go straight to the new message. OR;

2. You can go to the menu, select "messages", select "text messages" and select "Inbox".

3. Go to Inbox and you will be able to see the new, unread message. (Shown by a "closed" envelope symbol) 

Please note - an envelope that is 'opened' symbolises a text message that you have already read.

As a Meteor customer there are a number of countries that you can send a text message to from Ireland. 

• Click here for a list of these countries

• Costs - It is more expensive to send a text message to a country outside of Ireland. (Standard cost for an International Text is €0.15c). 

• Country Codes - To send a text message from your mobile phone in Ireland to an International country, you must remember to include the international country code for that country. e.g. +61/ 0061 for Australia  (See International Dialling codes for the full list of country codes).

• Check the Message Centre Number on your phone. (This should be +353857000000)
  (more information)
• If you are a PAY AS YOU GO customer, check that you have enough credit on your phone.
  (more information on checking your balance)
• Check that the number you are trying to send the text message to is correct.
• Check your signal / reception. (Click here for more information)
• Check that the person you are trying to send the text message to is not overseas, that their phone isn't broken or that there is no other reason they cannot receive messages.
• If you're having problems receiving text messages, your Inbox might be full. Deleting old messages might fix the problem. To delete messages one by one select the message you wish to delete, choose Options and choose Delete. You can also delete a group of messages by choosing Messages on your phone, followed by Delete Messages.

What is Spam?

Spam is unwanted marketing communications sent to you by companies without your permission. If you happen to receive a spam, you should contact the sender who’s details may be provided in the message.  For more information on how you can protect yourself against spam, visit dataprotection.ie and phonesmart.ie websites. 

Meteor co-operates closely with the relevant authorities- the Data Protection Commissioner and ComReg, to help stamp out SPAM.  We provide a Spam reporting number which you can use to help us in identifying spam sent by text.  You can play your part by forwarding suspected Spam texts free of charge to 50002 which is a dedicated number for Meteor customers.  We can then report cases of suspected Spam to the appropriate authority for further investigation.  This service guards against large scale spam incidents and is not designed to handle individual cases therefore you should contact the sender to opt out of receiving such communications. 

If you need further assistance in relation to specific spam that you have received you should contact phonesmart.ie where a premium service is involved (involving numbers in the form 5XXXX or beginning with 15XX) and dataprotection.ie in other cases of spam. 

A mobile phone is really a radio - an extremely sophisticated radio, but a radio nonetheless.

A good way to understand the sophistication of a mobile phone is to compare it to a CB Radio.

A CB is a Simplex Device. This means that two people are communicating using the same frequency, so only one person can talk at a time. By comparison, a mobile phone is a Duplex Device.

Duplex Communication

A mobile phone is a duplex device - it uses one frequency for talking and a second, separate frequency for listening. A CB radio has 40 channels. A mobile phone can communicate on 1,664 channels. Mobile phones also operate within cells and they can switch from cell to cell as they move around.

What's a Cell?

Cells give mobile phones incredible range. A walkie-talkie can transmit perhaps a mile. A CB radio, because it has much higher power, can transmit perhaps 5 miles. Someone using a mobile phone can, on the other hand, drive across an city and maintain a conversation the entire time. It does this by using several 'Cells'.

How a Cell works

The key to the cellular system is the realization that a city can be divided up into small cells, and that the cells allow extensive frequency reuse across a city. Frequency reuse is what lets millions of people own mobile phones without problems.

Meteor divides up an area (such as a city) into cells. Each cell is typically sized at about 10 square miles (perhaps 3 miles by 3 miles). Cells are normally thought of as hexagons on a big hexagonal grid. Because mobile phones and base stations use low-power transmitters, the same frequencies can be reused in non-adjacent cells.

Each cell has a base station that consists of a tower and a small building containing the radio equipment. For example, a typical site has 3 x antennae, which has 48 voice channels of which 6 are used for control. Therefore a maximum of 42 calls can be made simultaneously.

What are the advantages of cellular technology?

Mobile phones have low-power transmitters in them. Low-power transmitters have two advantages:

• The power consumption of the mobile phone, which is normally battery-operated, is relatively low. Low power means small batteries, and this is what has made hand-held mobile phones possible.
• The transmissions of a base station and the phones within its cell do not make it very far outside the cell.

Therefore, in the figure above, both of the orange cells can use the same frequencies. The same frequencies can be reused extensively in non-adjacent cells across the city.

The cellular approach requires a large number of base stations in a city of any size. A typical large city can have hundreds of sites. Each carrier also runs a central office called the MSC (Mobile Switching Centre). The MSC can handle many thousands of calls and subscribers each day.

Meteor's national network operates a dual band GSM900 and DCS1800 system. The international guidelines for these types of transmitters are the responsibility of The International Commission for Non Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).

• The current guidelines were developed in co-operation with the Environmental Health Division of the World Health Organisation and with sponsorship from the United Nations Environmental Program.
  
• ICNIRP published its latest guidelines in April 1998 based on the most up-to-date research information. The guidelines are widely accepted in the developed world and have been adopted by the European Commission for a proposed recommendation to the member states to adopt these levels as national legal limits.
  
• ComReg (Commission for Communications Regulation) is responsible for carrying out ongoing monitoring of all transmitters in Ireland. In 1998 it commissioned Forbairt to carry out a survey on a range of transmitters.

The levels measured at transmitters similar to those used by Meteor were typically more than 1,000 times below the international limits.

'Having a base station near you is less harmful than having a radio alarm clock wake you every morning.'
- Forbairt 1996

'...present scientific information does not indicate the need for any special precautions for use of mobile phones.'
- World Health Organisation, June 2000

'...Base station transmitters communicate with mobile phones by means of radiowaves which are a form of invisible energy similar to sound waves. It is the same technology that allows TV and radio stations to broadcast their programmes to your home'
- Dr Chris Sharpe, Head of the Medical Division at NRPB

If you have any queries - please contact us at communityrelations@meteor.ie

1. How does a mobile phone work?

A mobile phone is basically a radio - albeit a very sophisticated one. Mobile phones are small, low power devices, which transmit and receive information. They convert sound waves and data into radio waves, which are then transmitted through the air. Mobile phones are designed to operate at the lowest level needed for a quality phone call.

2. What are radio waves?

Radio waves are used to transmit and receive mobile phone calls. They are part of a group of waves called the electromagnetic spectrum. The electromagnetic spectrum is a part of everyday life. Natural sources such as the Sun and the Earth emit electromagnetic waves as well as sources such as TV, Radio, household electrical appliances, baby monitors, clock radios and mobile phones.

3. What is the difference between ionizing and nonionic radiation?

Radio waves from a mobile phone are a type of nonionic radiation. This means that they occupy the lower end of the spectrum, have low frequencies and energies and hence lack the energy to break chemical bonds. If absorbed at all, this type of energy is absorbed as heat. On the other hand, ionizing radiation occupies the higher end of the spectrum. It includes X-rays and gamma rays, and has a known capacity to cause biological harm by damaging genetic material.

4. What are typical uses of radio waves?

Many uses have been developed for radio waves. Familiar applications involving telecommunications include mobile phones, alimentative, AM/FM radio, televisions, baby monitors and many more.

5. How does a mobile phone network work?

In order for mobile phones to send and receive calls, the mobile phone system requires a transmission network. The network consists of a series of antennas. When a mobile phone call is made, signals are sent to or from the nearest antenna site, which connects with the local phone network.

The mobile phone network divides areas up into cells. Each cell is equipped with its own radio antenna, called a base station.

Scientific Research

1. How much scientific research has been done regarding mobile phones?

Whilst mobile phones have only recently become widely used, research projects assessing their safety go back many years. Some 25,000 articles have been published over the last 30 years into non-ionising radiation. Scientific knowledge in this area is extensive. However, to date, there has been no peer reviewed scientific research showing mobile phones have an adverse affect on the health of the general population.

2. Who funds this research?

Major academic institutions and non-governmental agencies carry out research, a lot of which is done with no industry support. Organisations such as the World Health Organisation, and the EU have also commissioned independent research. And the Department of Public Enterprise in Ireland participates directly in EU and World Health Organisation expert groups providing advise on the subject.

3. Is there ongoing research?

As a continuous reassurance and as a response to some concerns from the public there are a number of international research projects ongoing. For example: WHO established the International EMF Project to assess the scientific evidence of possible health effects of electromagnetic frequencies. Specific studies have been identified to address the issue of localised exposure. The project commenced in 1996 and is due for completion in 2005. The WHO is committed to developing public information materials and bringing together standards groups worldwide in an attempt to harmonise exposure standards.

4. International Agency for Research into Cancer (IARC)

A large epidemiological study is being co-ordinated in over 10 countries by the IARC - a specialised cancer research agency of the WHO. The studies are concentrating on links between mobile phones and adverse health effects. This study is due for completion in 2003.

5. European Union (EU)

The EU has set up a 5 year Europe-wide programme of research to examine all possible health effects of mobile phones. This programme of research aims to provide a definitive study of any effects.

6. National Radiological Protection Board (UK)

The NRPB has initiated a 3 year study into occupational exposure to radio frequencies from various sources, including broadcast and telecommunications.

Health Concerns

1. Do mobile phones cause cancer?

There is no conclusive evidence that low frequency radio emissions within the established limits, such as those from mobile phones, pose health risks of any kind.

2. What are emissions levels from a radio base station?

The emission levels from a Meteor radio base station depends upon a number of factors, including the area the cell is designed to cover and the number of simultaneous telephone calls it is designed to carry. Depending on the base station, the level will normally be between 2 and 50 watts. These power levels correspond to the power of a torch bulb or to that of an ordinary household light bulb and are within maximum permissible limits.

3. Can emission levels from radio base station affect the health of people who are nearby?

Electromagnetic frequencies surrounding a base station do not cause any adverse health effects to the population. The most recent study carried out in the UK by the Government Radiological Protection Agency in May 2000, found that the emissions from base stations were 0.2% of the recommended international guidelines.

4. Does Meteor Mobile Communications take into account public concerns about possible health effects when deciding where to put its base station sites?

Yes, absolutely. Meteor Mobile Communications is aware of the public concern about possible health effects from its radio base station sites and gives careful consideration to selecting sites, taking into account not only health and safety requirements but also aesthetics and its impact on public and private views.

5. How close can members of the general public get to a base station and not exceed exposure limits?

Exposure can be harmful if people are within 1-2 metres of the antennae for any period of time. Meteor therefore ensures that antennae are high up on roof tops or masts where possible.

6. Does the size of the mast make any difference regarding health effects?

No. Radio equipment and the mast structure are two separate things. The equipment on the mast, in other words, the antennae and the high frequency point to point communication equipment, transmits radio waves. The mast itself takes no part in the transmission. It purely provides a support structure for the equipment.

7. Will a radio base station interfere with my computer network, PC radio or TV?

This is unlikely to happen. In 1989 the European Commission issued a directive (89/336/EEC) governing all forms of electronic equipment both in terms of the interference that such equipment can produce and the interference that it can tolerate (its immunity to interference).

8. Can a mobile phone interfere with a pacemaker?

There is a small risk that digital mobile phones may cause interference with a pacemaker. This interference is temporary and only some types of pacemaker are susceptible.

9. Why are you requested to switch off your mobile phone on board aircraft?

Aircraft contain a vast array of complex electronic equipment and communications systems. Using a mobile phone in an aircraft could cause interference to these systems because they are not designed to tolerate such interference. It is for this reason that the use of laptop computers, portable stereos and other personal electronic equipment is also prohibited on board. The credit card mobile phones now provided on some aircraft do not interfere with aircraft systems because they are wired to a special "base station" that has been designed to safely receive and transmit radio signals in the aircraft.

10. Can a mobile phone cause hearing aid interference?

Yes, some hearing aid users may experience interference while using a mobile. Hearing aid interference comes from many sources, such as fluorescent lights, computers and other electronic devices including mobile phones. Interference varies greatly with the type of hearing aid and depending on the level of immunity designed into the hearing aid. In Meteor we recommend that the hearing aid user try out different models of phone with a hearing aid before making a purchase to ensure they are compatible.

11. Do radio waves cause cancer, birth defects or general ill health?

There is no substantiated scientific evidence that low intensity radio waves cause any of these conditions.

12. What are the implications if there is more than one operator on the site?

In Ireland we follow the guidelines and safety standards set by the International Radiation Protection Association(IRPA) and The International Commision for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Under these guidelines, even with several operators on the site, field strengths in publicly accessible areas will always be significantly below recommended levels.

13. Do mobile phone or base station cause headaches?

There are anecdotal reports that mobile phones cause headaches. However, there is no real biophysical or physiological basis for suspecting a connection between the two.

14. Who sets safety standards and guide lines?

In the Republic of Ireland the guidelines and safety standards followed are those set by the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA) and The International Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). The Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation (ODTR) regulates these guidelines. The levels of exposure recommended are 1000 times lower than IRPA guidelines and ensure there are no hazardous biological effects.

15. Will the erection of a base station or mast effect the value of my property?

There is no reason why the erection of a mast should have an adverse effect on property prices. The erection of a large TV and radio mast in RTE's headquarters in Donnybrook, Dublin 4, has had no adverse effect on property values in the area, so there is no reason why much smaller and less powerful mobile transmission equipment should effect property values.

Meteor's committment to the Environment

It is Meteor's aim to minimise the impact of our mobile service on the environment.

Our policy is to:

• Work within government guidelines as detailed in the government paper - 'Telecommunications Antennas and the Support Structures Guidelines for Planning Authorities'.
  
• Work with local communities and authorities to find the best solution for all parties.
  
• Minimise the impact of mobile telephony on the environment by:
  
• Erecting antennas on existing sites e.g existing telecommunications facilities or other suitable structures like ESB pylons.
  
• If a new mast has to built, we will use the most discreet mast design to minimise the impact on the environment.

Our community relation's programme is designed to keep local communities abreast of developments in their areas.

If you have any queries - please contact us at communityrelations@meteor.ie