Frequently Asked Questions

What is VirtualRadio?
--> VirtualRadio is a radio player for mobile phones with Symbian Operating system. VirtualRadio connects from the phone to the Internet and plays existing MP3 Web radio streams.

On what phones does VirtualRadio work?
--> There are two versions:

VirtualRadio Java is a so-called Java version and runs on many regular mobile phones. (Also on smartphones with the Symbian operating systems). On older or weaker phones, VirtualRadio may NOT run perfectly. and if you are not having a good connection to the Internet, constant re-buffering may occur. To minimize the re-buffering, VirtualRadio Java only contains radio stations with low bandwidth radio streams! Try it out, it's free.

VirtualRadio for Symbian smartphones runs on phones with the Symbian operating system only. This version contains radio streams with low AND higher bandwidh.

How do I get my radio station included in VirtualRadio?
--> Any professional radio station with adequate sound and broadcasting on a 24/7 basis can be integrated into VirtualRadio!
If there are problems with your station, please check 'list of errors' Here you can see the errors of VirualRadio's automated test of the new stations.

What streams does VirtualRadio play?
--> VirtualRadio plays two sorts of streams:

Low bandwidth streams: MP3, mono, with a bitrate not higher than 32kb! Streams have to be in 8.000, 11.025, 16.000, 22.050, 32.000 or 44.100kHz. Recommended are 16.000 or 22.050kHz. Please use Shoutcast servers or Icecast servers. Low bandwidth streams can be played by all versions of VirtualRadio.

High bandwidth streams: MP3, 128 kbps, stereo with 44.1 kHz or MP3, 64 kbps, mono with 44.1 kHz. At the moment, only the Symbain version of VirtualRadio contains high bandwidth streams! High bandwidth streams can only be listened by users on a 3G operator’s network or having a modern phone with Wi-fi capability (WLAN)!

Should you have both, a low bandwidth stream and a high bandwidth stream, both streams can be included. For further information, check here.

I can not install VirtualRadio on my Nokia?
--> There are a few things that might be the reason:
- The SIM card is missing. Insert your SIM card.
- Date and time in the device are incorrect. Check and adjust date and time.
- Installation settings 1: Manager->Options->Settings->Software installation must show "On". On newer models it must show "All" istead of "Signed"
- Installation settings 2: Manager->Options->Settings->Online certif. check must show "Off"
- Installation on E Series: Menu->Tools->App.manager->Options->Settings->Software installation must show "On". On newer models it must show "All" istead of "Signed" and ->Online certif. check must show "Off"

Some stations don't work. Why?
--> The stations that are included in VirualRadio are normal web radio stations. Whenever they have too many listeners and too much traffic, their bandwidth and capacity is filled and you can not listen to them. Try again later or choose another station.

Will VirtualRadio work on a GPRS network or do I need a UMTS connection?
--> VirtualRadio is a typical 3G application, but it can also be used on GPRS and EDGE networks.

I have installed VirtualRadio but it does not work! Do I need to connect to the Internet to make the radio work?
--> Yes, VirtualRadio downloads music from the Internet. For this you need a connection to the mobile Internet. To establish a connection, you need to setp your Internet access point properly.
- If you are using a Nokia, you can order the setting from www.nokia.com/phonesettings!
- If you are using a Sony Ericsson, you can try it at www.sonyericsson.com/support!
- If these links do not help or if you use another phone, please ask your operator. They should know!
- If your operator does not know, please check our colleagues', Reqwireless, informal list of access points and configure the Internet access point manually.

How do I configure the Internet access point manually? My service provider is Cingular and I have GPRS. Am I supposed to switch it to data call?
--> There is need to switch the phone to data call. All you need to do is select an Internet access point as opposed to a WAP access point when the VirtualRadio application starts up. If you are not sure if you have an Internet access point, create one. As an exapmle, for Cingular and Nokia N-Gage QD, do the following: In Tools -> Settings -> Connection -> Access points, create a new access point. Now set the following field values:
Connection name: Cingular Internet
Data bearer: GPRS
Access point name: isp.cingular
User name: None
Prompt password: No
Password: <no need to set this>
Authentication: Normal
Homepage: None
Gateway IP address: 0.0.0.0
Ask other telephone operators/providers for their exact settings and ckeck your phone's manual!

I start the program and it says initializing for quite a while and then it gives me a server network timeout message.
--> This is a typical network problem. Either you don't to have the right Internet access point installed (which opens the door to your operator's mobile internet access, see above) or your operator's net is down. If your Internet access point is set properly, try again later or restart you phone.

VirtualRadio stops every now and then. Why?
--> VirtualRadio stops when another application starts running in the foreground. The screen saver is such an application. In order to enjoy uninterrupted radio pleasures, set the screen saver timeout to the highest possible value. Go to your phone setttings for this: Settings-> Phones ->Display

I'm having some sort of Flat Rate and can downlodad up to 5MB per month for free. How long can I listen to VirtualRadio?
--> It really depends on the quality of the streamed sound files. We are trying to use a reduced quality which should result in an average download of 250kb per minute. But please be careful, these are rough estimates!

Would your virtual tuner allow the Nokia 6620 to work as an fm radio without being on line?
--> Sorry, no. Virtualradio is a mobile Web radio player. To receive sound, Virtualradio has to be connected to the Internet. Unlike nomral radios the sound is NOT transported by air waves but through your mobile phone connection and the Internet.

Is it free to be added to VirtualRadio as a station? I would like to hear my favourite radio station on the phone. What shall I tell them in order to be added to VirtualRadio?
--> Tell them to get in contact with us! We do not charge any fees to be included into VirtualRadio. Any reliable radio station with adequate sound and broadcasting on a 24/7 basis can be integrated into VirtualRadio! We offer two sorts of streams. Low bandwidth streams: MP3, mono, with a bitrate not higher than 32kb! Streams have to be in 8.000, 11.025, 16.000, 22.050, 32.000 or 44.100kHz. Recommended are 16.000 or 22.050kHz. High bandwidth streams: MP3, with a bitrate not higher than 128 kbps, stereo with 44.1 kHz, 64 kbps, mono with 44.1 kHz. Tell your favorite radio station! We'll be glad to help.

Do you have any banners or icons that we can use to link to?
--> Yes, you can download our set of icons from here.