[Zepp88]

Basically, what I don't know about is using different phones with different providers, SIM chips, and this "unlocked" phone buisiness.

Could somebody give me a run-down of how all of this works?

[eleven59]

Here's some info, based on my limited knowledge Most (?) providers (not sure of the percentage or anything like that) use SIM cards for their service, which is a little card sitting in the back under the battery usually. You can take this out and swap it to a new phone if you get a new phone from your provider, or you can get a new SIM card if you switch plans but keep your phone.

An "unlocked" phone can take any SIM card, so you can use it no matter who your provider is (or something along those lines).

[Zepp88]

I know that Verizon does not have the removable SIM card. But say, if I bought a cell phone/smart phone/black berry off line that was "unlocked" I could bring it in to say...AT&T and ask to have an account with them, and to use this phone?

[Vegetta]

GSM Frequently Asked Questions

GSM Unlocked New World Phones are Unlocked GSM Phones which can be used with Any GSM Wireless Network Anywhere in the World.

The Term Unlocked is meant for Cellular Phones which have not been subsidized and Locked by any Wireless Services Provider, therefore, unlocked phones can work with any GSM Wireless Service anywhere in the World.

GSM is a Wireless Platform and the technology that carries the signal back and forth from the phone to the receiver (Receiving Towers).

Unlocked GSM Phones will only work on GSM Platform that means that your Wireless Service Provider has to be a GSM Service Provider. In the USA, T-Mobile, Cingular GSM and AT&T Digital GSM are the popular companies that use GSM Technology to provide Wireless Services to their end users.

SIM Card, also called the Smart Card is a small chip that contains your wireless service account information. You can insert the SIM Card into any unlocked GSM phone and instantly transfer your phone number and account to the new phone. If the Phone is locked, it may not accept your SIM Card.

Tri Band is a Term used for Phones that will work with 900/1800/1900 MHz Frequencies.

The Popular Frequency in USA is 1900 MHz.

In Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa, the popular frequencies range between 900-1800 MHz.

South America and the Caribbean's have a mix of 1900 along with 900/1800 MHz.

A Good source to check for what frequency Maps in a certain region is the web site by GSM association. Click here to see the Maps.


Case Study of World Travel.

Lets say, you live in the USA and your service provider is T-Mobile. You are planning to travel to UK this summer. Here is how you can save yourself some bucks.

Step1: Purchase a GSM Unlocked World Phone from Our Online Store and use it with T-Mobile services.

Step2: When you travel and arrive in UK, buy a local prepaid SIM Card (Range $10 - $30) from any wireless store over there and insert the SIM Card into your Unlocked Phone. Change the frequency (by going into Menu Options and Network Options) on your phone to 900/1800 MHz and start using your UK Local Phone number over there for local and international calls. Local Calls will not cost you more than 20-30 cents/minute if you are using a local UK Phone number. If you Roam on your American Phone number, please expect to pay somewhere between $1.00-$3.00/minute.
This procedure will save you tons in communication cost within foreign countries.

they have a nice selection of unlocked phones

[eleven59]

Originally Posted by Zepp88

I know that Verizon does not have the removable SIM card. But say, if I bought a cell phone/smart phone/black berry off line that was "unlocked" I could bring it in to say...AT&T and ask to have an account with them, and to use this phone?

Best bet would be to ask to purchase a SIM card and start up a plan, no need to bring the actual phone as far as I know

[Zepp88]

Vegeta, thanks a ton for that

[Jason]

Basically Zepp Tmobile,At&t/Cingular run off of gsm which is a technology and they use sim cards. Start service with any of them and you can buy any gsm unlocked phone and use it with any provider.

[Zepp88]

Fucking sweet


I guess that's what I'll do when it's time to get a new phone, Verizon has too many limitations it seems, compared to the others.

I like the enV a lot though, I just wish it had better software...