Haunted phone?

Q: I have a Nokia 6800 cell phone with Cingular. I plug it in at night in the bedroom, and periodically it will drive the TV crazy, even if the TV is off. I can not use it at work because it affects the clarity of the phone lines. Is it the phone? Other people I talk to about it say their phones don't cause this. Also, the same phone won't ring but will give me a missed call or a message instead. Is it haunted or what?
--Larry

A: Many cell phones can cause interference with other gadgets. But in my experience, it is the cell phone that suffers most. I can get static during a call when I'm close to my television, my microwave, or my computer. Many times, there's not a lot you can do, save trying a different phone, as it can just be the nature of two electronic devices trying to exist in the same space. We test our phones for interference, and if we encounter anything, we try and include it in the review.

That said, your predicament is peculiar. I've never seen cell phones cause interference in a TV that is turned off. I'm not exactly sure what is happening, but I don't think there's anything particular about the Nokia 6800 that would cause this to happen. If there's a metal surface around your charging place, your TV that could be a factor as metal tends to disrupt cell signals. As for your other question, calls that go straight to voicemail can happen when you're in an area with spotty reception. If these problems continue, I would contact Cingular and ask about exchanging the phone.

Without SIM
Q: What can I do to replace a broken AT&T phone without having to change carriers? My plan with the former AT&T cannot be beaten by any plan available today for the money. I've read I could buy an unlocked phone, but my phone never had a SIM card. Am I out of luck?
--Janice

A: SIM cards may be commonplace now, but just a few years ago, most phones didn't have them at all. I remember when I bought my first cell phone, I purchased the ubiquitous Nokia 5160 (the GSM version of the Nokia 5185i) with AT&T. Like your mobile, the 5160 did not have a SIM card.

Unfortunately, your options are limited. Only GSM cell phones with SIM cards can be unlocked so that you can easily change the phone number. If you bought another SIM-less phone, you'd have to ask Cingular (who now owns your AT&T contract) to activate the new mobile with your current digits. The carrier might be willing to do so without a new contract, but it has no incentive to keep you on an old AT&T plan. And even if it does so, you aren't entitled to the rebates that come with a new contract, and you'll wind up paying full price for the new handset. Alternatively, if you bought a new unlocked phone that requires a SIM, you'd have to ask Cingular for a card. No, it's not particularly fair, but it's what I see happening.

Bluetooth beware?
Q: Much has been said about cell phone radiation. What about Bluetooth radiation? I use my Bluetooth headset sometimes and would like to know how safe it is.
--Prasanna

A: As we report in our quick guide to Bluetooth, Bluetooth signals work via a short-range radio frequency. That frequency operates at a much lower power level than your phone, so the threat from radiation is insignificant. Also like a cell phone, Bluetooth devices disperse their signals in random directions, rather than in a straight beam. If you're really worried about radiation, keep in mind that when using a headset, your phone will probably be resting away from your body. Since your handset will have a much higher SAR rating than the headset, you'll probably feel better with this arrangement.

Signal boosters

Q: Are there technologies or products that can be used in areas of weak cell phone signals to improve reception?
--Thomas

A: There are a number of signal boosters available, but we're skeptical about their effectiveness. I can't recommend any at the moment, as we have not reviewed them, but we will begin evaluating them soon. Stay tuned for further details.