phone going into some sort of emergency mode?

Often, my best friend's phone goes into an emergency mode or something. During this time, she cannot recieve texts or calls, and can only make "emergency" phone calls

Its a samsug impression. Im only doing this cuz shes to lazy ....

Btw, ive googled, and some of the things suggested arent working for her

It's nothing to do with the fact that it has problems picking up cellphone reception?

A cellphone can make an emergency call even when not near a cellphone tower, as it uses satelites for that. Or so I've heard.

i seriously doubt that. Populated area + AT&T usually means good coverage. ill ask her after school tomorrow.

This sounds a lot like what my old Sidekick would do. For mine, it was the lack of the Sidekick plan that was causing the "Emergency Calls Only" thing. But, I'm not sure what kind of phone the Samsung Impression is. So...

I use a Samsung and ATT. It only happens when I enter shopping malls though; they seem to block connection in there. It's fine everywhere else.