Xperia L & tata Docomo shows roaming..& camera problem

[ashwin21]

Hello

I've purchased Xperia L about 10 days back & right from day 1, when i inserted my Tata docomo sim-card, it has been showing roaming icon. I have contacted the Tata docomo service centre & they have assured me that the problem is not on their end as their database shows my sim as having normal status( instead of roaming)...Unlike roaming, where incoming calls are also charged, i am not being charged for roaming despite the phone showing Roaming status.

i inserted the same sim into other handsets & they worked perfectly..they didn't show roaming.

I also tried inserting 2 more sims( both from tata docomo) & both showed roaming..so i am assuming there's a compatibility problem on xperia's end.

A lot of other people are also facing the same issue as mine & i hope sony fixes this asap..

Other problem :

the camera.

Back Camera : A lot of noise is produced no matter how much i tweak the settings. It just doesn't feels like a 8MP camera.

Front Camera : feels like a black & white camera..very poor quality even for a VGA..:(

Without HDR :

With HDR :

Does sony plan to take any initiative to fix these problems or is the hard-earned money i spent on this device as good as lost ???

I am sorry to say this, but i am Seriously disappointed at sony

Topic was edited by: Rickard

[ashiquehaque]

I bought this phone today only and i m facing the same issue. I've a docomo card and its showing roaming and i m not able to connect to internet. I'm very disappointed as this my first smartphone and feel that i wasted my 17000 bucks. 

[jayaura]

I'm sorry to hear that. Probably you should have did some *more* thorough research before buying a smarphone. I knew its camera wont be that great, but still I bought it since it doesnt matter for me.

[ssanju707]

Even I am facing the same problem only with docomo sim. Not any others Sony please fix this issue as soon as possible LOVE YOU SONY

[Ashoksc19]

I'm also facing this but not in only Xperia L it's also same problem in Different models.

It's not a problem of device, it's problem by tata docomo. actually their network have type with Aircel Videocon, So if you want to use 3g then you have to search manual network tata docomo 3g and if you like to go with 2g then choose aircel network, don't select videocon and yes make sure data roaming selected in mobile network settings it will not cost you any charges and you can easily access internet so don't worry and one more thing TATA docomo net will disconnect in every 40 minutes.

So want better net surfing? transfer to idea or vodafone

[yogesh_marwaha]

This solution does not work for me.

Moreover, I do not agree with you that it is not a problem of the phone. This is indeed the problem of phone given that: -

1. TATA Docomo SIM works all right in my Xperia Neo V
2. TATA Docomo SIM works all right in my brother's Galaxy SIII Mini
3. Reliance/Vodafone SIM work all right in my Xperia L
4. With TATA Docomo SIM in Xperia L, phone stays in "Roaming" mode whereas I'm not roaming actually.
5. Some Xperia L users have also reported similar problems with Aircel network.

Now just pick the odd one out.

Another thing is that while the 'R' symbol is shown, there is no way to determine (apart from looking at Settings->About Phone->Status) whether the phone is connected (to data services/internet) or not.

Icing on the cake is the fact the there is no communication yet from SONY's side on this issue.

Is this forum meant to serve as their Customer Support? Or is there any direct e-mail support?

[Rickard]

I recommend that you first contact your operator to check that you have correct SIM-card for your country and region and that you're connected to the right network. As i understand it this has to do with mobile country code (MCC) and mobile network code (MNC). When the MCC/MNC in the SIM-card doesn't match the MCC/MNC in the network the phone will show that you're roaming (even if you're not).

Now what's strange is that this doesn't happen in Neo V with the same SIM-card (make sure it's the same SIM and not another SIM from the same operator). I would recommend that you contact your local Sony Xperia support (http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/support/contact-us/) to see if they have any information on this as it's hard for me to test this here.

In low light conditions it's normal that there's some noise as the camera uses a higher ISO but i recommend that you contact a service location to have the camera checked if you suspect a fault.

[ashwin21]

Hello Rickard.

Thanks for the response.

Like others, i can assure you that :

1. my sim works on all other devices normally.

2. other network sims works properly on my device ( except tata docomo ).

When i visited Tata docomo office, their database showed my sim inside home network. It wasn't showing Roaming in their system & i wasn't being charged extra for roaming.

When i visited the Sony service centre, they rudely replied the following to me.:

( approx translation from Hindi to English as per my knowledge )

Service centre guy : Xperia L will show roaming only. Don't worry, you won't be charged for roaming. Ask the support centre of tata docomo.

Me : I already visited the docomo service centre. Their system database shows I am registered in Home network. Its not a problem on their side. It Must be some fault with phone.

Service centre guy : No no no..it must be a problem on their end..Anyway, its just a simple R symbol. Why care so much about it as you're not charged ?? As of Now, we can't fix it.

What do you say rickard ? what should i do now ? the service centre guys have refused to acknowledge that there's a problem with my Xperia L. 😕

[Rickard]

I think the problem here is that the SIM-card you have doesn't match the network you get connected to for some reason. I would recommend that you contact our local Sony Xperia support (http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/support/contact-us/country/en_IN/) by either phone or email as they might have more information about this operator and be able to test this.

You may also want to check what MCC/MNC that your SIM and current network has when contacting them. You can do that using an app like https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gmail.take4555.mccmncchecker_us.

[Meenu]

Hello Rickard,

I am facing the same problems but with an Idea sim..With Airtel it works fine, but shows roaming with Idea sim..

I was using Idea on my Blackberry curve9220, n there was no such issue..In Sony Xperia L, i even changed my network selection as manual, but no changes...Unable to download internet settings as well.

Please suggest..