I am having real problems connecting when roaming.

I am on Vodafone in the UK and if travelling to a country with a vodafone network there doesn't seem to be a problem logging on.

However, in a non-vodafone country, such as Norway, the phone won't connect automatically to another network. If I then try a manual search, then sometimes I get a list of available networks, and sometimes it says no networks available - despite a full signal strength indication on the phone and mobiles in use all around me.

If networks are found, then sometimes it allows me to connect and other times it says registration is forbidden. If I do get a connection, and then for instance the train I'm on goes through a tunnel and the signal is lost, I have to start all over again trying to log onto a network.

This is driving me nuts, as I like everything else about the phone (except perhaps battery life). Vodafone's response was to first replace the SIM card, without improving the situation, and then replacing the phone - again without any noticable improvement.

Is this just my problem or does it ring any bells with anyone else ?

My phone details are :

Phone : CXC 162037 R9DA001
BT : CXC 162058 R3A01
Org: CXC 162088 R1E01
CDA : CDA 162017/18 R1A12

From the sounds of your problem I would have thought the issue to be sim card related. But as this has been tried and the phone has also been replaced then it has to be something else.

Have you considered de-branding the phone and applying the latest generic firmware updates?

Doing this has resolved all sorts of problems for me - it might or might not help with the network connection problem...??? Only one way to find out.
The least it would do is sort out all the other problems that the phone has....

http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58890

Helpful Links:
http://uiq3.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/CDA/W950i
http://blog.artesea.co.uk/2007/02/debrand-your-p990i-m600i-w950i.html
http://www.kulankendi.com/index2.php?pMenuG=14

Thanks for the suggestion, but I don't think I'm brave enough to invalidate my warranty with Vodafone just yet !

In the meantime, I've updated the firmware, but won't know if this has made any difference until my next trip.

Try selecting GSM only
in mobile networks select more then select GSM/3G networks
you have 3 options gsm only - 3g only - gsm and 3g
select gsm only and your battery life will increase

My phone actually only has 2 options - "gsm only" or "gsm and 3G".

I take the point on just using "gsm only" to extend battery life, but should this affect the way the phone logs on to available networks ?

Im not sure if this will cure your problem but its worth a try...

I had connection problems and poor reception during calls

Changed it to gsm only and never looked back

give it a go and let us know how you get on...

will do - thanks.

how did you get on any luck ???

I'm in Oslo now.

Automatic search failed to pick up any networks - despite full strength signal showing.

Tried a manual search, got a "Prohibited" message when I tried to register with Netcom.

Tried a manual search on GSM only as suggested and finally got a registration with Telenor.

So, I'm OK for now, but still don't understand why it's so difficult !