Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Standard Land Telephone Line
What is a Standard Land Telephone Line?
How do I apply for a Land Line?
Where will STG products and services be available?
How do I order products and services online?

GSM
What does GSM stand for?
What is the term 'Dual Band' or 'Tri Band'?
What is SIM Card memory?
What is PIN provided with the SIM Card?
What is PIN2 provided with the SIM Card?
What is PUK Code provided with the SIM Card?
What is CLI (Calling Line Identification) or CLIP?

About Handset Phones
Which is the best GSM phone?
What is the IMEI number?
Why is the GSM phone telling me that the memory is full each time I try to receive a message?

About GSM Security
Is GSM secure?
About Health Issues
Is there a health risk using mobile phones?
I've read that mobile phones can cause cancer. Is this true?
What about other health risks?
Why are there so many restrictions on using mobile phones in hospitals?

Standard Land Telephone Line

What is a Standard Land Telephone Line?
A standard Land Telephone Line is a normal telephone line service offered by STG for residential and commercial Requirements.

How do I apply for a Land Line?
You can apply for a Land Line by visiting your nearest STG Office. Our staff will be more than happy to welcome you and process your requirement.

Where will STG products and services be available?
We presently are in more than 10 cities, including Hargeisa, Bossaso, Galkaio, Burao, Garowe, and Berbera . Additionally, we plan to be in new cities through the next couple of years. Please visit the Contact Us section of our site and fill out our online form and we'll notify you when we're in your city.

How do I order products and services online?
We now have an online product catalog for most products and services. If we're not yet in your area, please visit the Contact Us section of our site and fill out our online form and we'll notify you when we're in your city.

GSM

What does GSM stand for?
GSM stands for Global System for Mobile Communications. This is a standard for digital cellular communication which is used worldwide today. GSM is the world's first and best digital standard.

What is the term 'Dual Band' or 'Tri Band'?
The working frequencies of GSM handsets on particular networks. There are 3 working frequencies - 900/1800/1900. GSM handsets which work on 2 frequencies are called dual band while those which work on 3 frequencies are called tri band. This facility allows the user to use the handset on 2 different networks.

What is SIM Card memory?
This is the storage capacity of your SIM Card on which you can store telephone numbers and SMS.

What is PIN provided with the SIM Card?
Personal Identification Number (PIN) is a code used for all GSM based phones to establish authorization for access to certain functions or information. The PIN is provided by the operator with your subscription. The PIN code can be changed.

What is PIN2 provided with the SIM Card?
Personal Identification Number 2 is an authorization code used only for special services available on your GSM handset for e.g. setting Call Charges Meter or Barring Calls through your GSM handset. The PIN2 Code is provided by the operator with your subscription and can be changed.

What is PUK Code provided with the SIM Card?
Personal Unblocking Key Code is used to unblock a blocked SIM Card. This comes with your subscription and it is advised to keep the PUK Code safe for use in such a situation. If the customer loses the PUK code he/she has to pay for unblocking the card.

What is CLI (Calling Line Identification) or CLIP?
CLI shows the number of the person calling you on your mobile phone display. Your network must support this service to enable you to use it.

About Handset Phones

Which is the best GSM phone?
It is impossible to say. Most GSM phones are good enough. Try to ask your friends and colleagues what their experiences are. You almost always get what you pay for. Check the real prices, not the subsidized ones and you will get a hint of what you can get. The three largest producers in the world are Nokia, Motorola, Ericsson Samsung.

What is the IMEI number?
The International Mobile Equipment Identity Number is the 14-15 digit serial number of the GSM handset that is fixed on the phone and cannot be changed. This number is always on the back of the phone and also built-in on the screen. If you type *#06# the IMEI number will be displayed on the screen.

Why is the GSM phone telling me that the memory is full each time I try to receive a message?
It just means that the memory is full. Clear all unwanted saved messages and it should be OK.

About GSM Security

Is GSM secure?
GSM has been designed to be a very secure system. Transmission protocols and algorithms are constantly being enhanced and added to the system. GSM remains the most secure public wireless standard in the world.

About Health Issues

Is there a health risk using mobile phones?
There is no present reliable evidence that mobile phones constitute a health hazard. Research is ongoing to check whether the relatively low power of the transmitted signals can affect human cells. The GSM Association in collaboration with WHO are constantly researching this issue.

I've read that mobile phones can cause cancer. Is this true?
There is no convincing evidence that the use of mobile phones causes brain tumors or other cancers in humans. It is the consensus of the worldwide scientific community that the low powered radio signals produced by a mobile phone do not have sufficient intrinsic energy to affect genetic material.

What about other health risks?
Independent scientific institutions around the world review relevant research as it is published. The consensus of these expert groups is that there is no demonstrable evidence of a risk to human health from mobile phone use. The GSM Association however, continues to support international quality research into this question.

Why are there so many restrictions on using mobile phones in hospitals?
At short range, the radio signal from a mobile phone may cause interference with electronic medical devices. At distances greater than 2m, the possibility is substantially reduced. It is possible for mobile phones to be used in designated areas of hospitals, however you should obey any warning signs and the instructions of hospital staff. If you use electrical medical equipment in your home, we recommend that you seek the advice of your doctor or equipment supplier.