Common NAM Performance Tweaks.

[canospinach]

Common NAM Performance Tweaks.
------------------------------


A little about our friend "NAM". NAM is an acronym for Numeric Assignment Module and is the place in TDMA/CDMA equipment where your phone number, ESN, system information and data settings live. In the old days we programmed handsets by hand, now it is usually done OTA (much is preset, a little is manually entered, data provisioning is truly OTA).

In this thread we will talk about (2)two common adjustments which will impact cellular/PCS performance.


ACCOLC - Access Overload Class - This code determines your priority to make and receive calls on the network. Higher the number, lower the priority. Lower the number, higher the priority. Emergency Services reserves 0 + 1 (please do not use these) leaving your choices to 2-9. Years ago we began defaulting this code to the last digit of a users MIN to help assure equal priority seeding.

SCI - Slot Cycle Index - This determines how often a handset polls the network for coverage and incoming packets. The default value is 2. A "Slot" is 1.28 seconds and doubles with each incremental change from 0 to 7 (0=1.28, 1=2.56, 2=5.12 seconds, etc). setting a handset to poll more often may use noticibly more battery if coverage is thin or lacking.



------------------
NOTE: - The NAM is a sensative place. DO NOT MAKE ADJUSTMENTS YOU DO NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND as performance and usability will be affected.
------------------

Things you will need:

MSL - Unique to each phone. Calculated using the ESN. Used to "open for editing". You can get this from your carrier.

http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/attachment...8&d=1184973825
------------------


Enter the handset programming mode by going to the phone screen and dialing

##778# ( alternate carrier ##778 ) or ##PST#


"View, Edit, or Cancel" (SEE IMG1)

Choose "Edit" It will ask for your MSL, enter this number now.

The first screen shows various info including "NAM Name", ESN. Your LEFT softkey choice should offer you "View Info".

Choose "View Info" then select "NAM Settings"


The screen will reload with your NAM specific settings. At the very bottom of "NAM Settings" you will see:

- ACCOLC (Access Overload Class). Adjust this number down as low as 2. (SEE IMG3)


Choose "View Info" then select "Modem Settings"


The screen will reload with your Modem specific settings. The top option is

- Slot Cycle Index - Default is 2, adjust between 0 and 7. (SEE IMG2)


Exit the program, perform a soft reboot and you are all set.





------------------
Glossary:
------------------

ACCOLC - Access Overload Class - This code determines your priority to make and receive calls on the network.

SCI - Slot Cycle Index - - This determines how often a handset polls the network for coverage and incoming packets. The default value "Slot" is 1.28 seconds and doubles with each incremental change from 0 to 7.

MIN - Mobile Identification Number - Unique 10 digit number used to identify the mobile subscriber (User Phone Number).

ESN - Electronic Serial Number - Unique number embedded into the hardware engine to identify the hardware.

MSL - Master Subsidary Lock - Your Carrier Locked Handset unlock code .

NAM - Numeric Assignment Module - Traditional Analog, FDMA/TDMA/CDMA handset

provisioning (programming) location. MIN, ESN, NID, SID, PRL, PRI as well as various data settings are all coded within the NAM.

SID - System ID

NID - Network ID

PRL - Preferred Roaming List

PRI - Primary Rate interface

[jamesus]

Interesting...

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but if I change my ACCOLC to 2, then the network would see my phone as a higher priority than 3 thru 9, meaning that if the network is overloaded, it would pick my incoming and outgoing calls before others that arrive at the same time?

[av8tr]

Originally Posted by jamesus

Interesting...

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but if I change my ACCOLC to 2, then the network would see my phone as a higher priority than 3 thru 9, meaning that if the network is overloaded, it would pick my incoming and outgoing calls before others that arrive at the same time?

That's what I got out of it, also. I already use SCI set to "1" and it seems to make a difference in which ring (from the caller's point of view) my phone rings.

[Dralic]

I can't get into the programing on my phone at all on my phone. I've programed NAMs for new activations before on cell phones and PDA phones. But the ##778# isn't working on my phone.

Is alltel different I've looked but couldn't find a clear answer. This shouldn't require an Unlock I don't think, I haven't had time yet.

Maybe I should swap carriers? SARS, or Scabies would be better.

[canospinach]

Originally Posted by Dralic

I can't get into the programing on my phone at all on my phone. I've programed NAMs for new activations before on cell phones and PDA phones. But the ##778# isn't working on my phone.

Is alltel different I've looked but couldn't find a clear answer. This shouldn't require an Unlock I don't think, I haven't had time yet.

Maybe I should swap carriers? SARS, or Scabies would be better.

try ##778 or you can manually go into the /windows/ and look for "epst" which is the manual executable for NAM programming.

Personally i enjoy SARS the most, seconded closely by my fresh case of Avain Flu the Scabies was just for fun.

[Dralic]

Originally Posted by canospinach

go into the /windows/ and look for "epst" which is the manual executable for NAM programming.

This works for me. But, well... My ACCOLC was already set to 0 I did not change it. Maybe Alltel is diff.


I did change the SCI to 1 I hope that will help some too. I hit talk so many times and no one is there and I have to call back...

[OR78]

Ok to better help some of you understand this: The ACCOLC is based on priority. First off, Sprint does not utilize this. Mainly it is for GSM phones. This was started in London around '05 i think after the terrorist bombings. If you are very inclined to change the number feel free to but if you are on the sprint network this will not change anything. Now that this has been said, the next thing is priority. The HIGHER the number the higher the priority, meaning 0 is the lowest. Anything higher than 9 is reserved and should not be used. 9 is the highest priority to non essential phones, meaning non emergency or gov't. It is against the law however to go above 9 on a personal phone. Hope this helps.

[sc00b4s7eve]

Originally Posted by OR78

Ok to better help some of you understand this: The ACCOLC is based on priority... The HIGHER the number the higher the priority, meaning 0 is the lowest. Anything higher than 9 is reserved and should not be used. 9 is the highest priority to non essential phones, meaning non emergency or gov't. It is against the law however to go above 9 on a personal phone. Hope this helps.

Interesting... I've always heard that 0 was reserved for emergency services and 1 was reserved for state/ gov't.
Where did you find this? Just curious.

EDIT: nevermind... you should just re-read post 1. Sorry. You got it backwards.

[canospinach]

Originally Posted by jamesus

Interesting...

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but if I change my ACCOLC to 2, then the network would see my phone as a higher priority than 3 thru 9, meaning that if the network is overloaded, it would pick my incoming and outgoing calls before others that arrive at the same time?

Yes!

if two callers are reaching the network at the same time, the system will accept and prioritize the lower ACCOLC. So 2 is priority over 4 or 7.

Chicago in July, i will be looking for you!

[jamesus]

Originally Posted by canospinach

Chicago in July, i will be looking for you!

I'm there! Bring the girl in the pink!