User's Manual

Section 27
Performance and Safety
46
Performance and Safety
Important Information About Your Phone and Service
Keeping Tabs on Signal Strength
The quality of each call you make or receive depends on the signal strength in your area. Your phone informs you
of the current signal strength by displaying a number of bars next to the signal strength icon. The more bars
displayed, the stronger the signal. If you’re inside a building, being near a window may give you better reception.
Understanding the Power Save Feature
If your phone is unable to find a signal after 15 minutes of searching, a Power Save feature is automatically
activated. If your phone is active, it periodically rechecks service availability or you can check it yourself by
pressing any key. Anytime the Power Save feature is activated, a message displays on the screen. When a signal is
found, your phone returns to Standby mode.
Understanding How Your Phone Operates
Your phone is basically a radio transmitter and receiver. When it's turned on, it receives and transmits radio
frequency (RF) signals. When you use your phone, the system handling your call controls the power level. This
power can range from 0.006 watts to 0.2 watts in digital mode.
Knowing Radio Frequency Safety
The design of your phone complies with updated NCRP standards described below. To further limit RF exposure,
you can limit the duration of your calls and operate your phone in the most power-efficient manner. In 1991-92,
the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
joined in updating ANSI's 1982 standard for safety levels with respect to human exposure to RF signals. More than
120 scientists, engineers and physicians from universities, government health agencies and industries developed
this updated standard after reviewing the available body of research. In 1993, the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) adopted this updated standard in a regulation. In August 1996, the FCC adopted hybrid
standard consisting of the existing ANSI/IEEE standard and the guidelines published by the National Council of
Radiation Protections and Measurements (NCRP).
Maintaining Your Phone’s Peak Performance
There are several simple guidelines to operating your phone properly and maintaining safe, satisfactory service.
 Hold the phone with the antenna raised, fully-extended and over your shoulder.
 Try not to hold, bend or twist the phone’s antenna.
 Don’t use the phone if the antenna is damaged.
 Speak directly into the mouthpiece.