Motorola V600
SIM Free
Hi Everyone. At the risk of being blasted and called "ignorant" or something, let me start by saying I'm new here and rather than poke around to try and find an answer, I figured it would be quicker and easier to pick the brains of the experts. 😁
No, I'm not going to ask what CDMA vs GSM is...
I keep hearing the Motorola V600 referenced on the web as being "sim free" Is this just a fancy way of them saying the phone is unlocked in the case in which they are referring? I think no. If that's the case and this is SIM free, can't we use this phone on any GSM network?
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
No, I'm not going to ask what CDMA vs GSM is...
I keep hearing the Motorola V600 referenced on the web as being "sim free" Is this just a fancy way of them saying the phone is unlocked in the case in which they are referring? I think no. If that's the case and this is SIM free, can't we use this phone on any GSM network?
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
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to my understanding the phone will be locked. i spoke to a Motorola rep, and thats what was referred to me. so it wont be as easy as you thought, you will still have to get the phone unlocked, or buy an unlocked phone.
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Locked to what?? Unless you buy it through a service provider, or from someone who bought it with a subsidy lock in place, it should be open. If you do buy a locked phone, unlocking codes/services are available for a few dollars on e-bay and elsewhere.
To answer the original question, however, in the GSM universe "SIM free" = "unlocked". You do need a SIM card, but any provider's SIM will work on the handset if it supports that provider's frequency(s); 1900Mhz North America (or 850/1900Mhz for AT&T and Cingular with the 850 TDMA overlay) and 900/1800Mhz for most of the rest of the global community.
To answer the original question, however, in the GSM universe "SIM free" = "unlocked". You do need a SIM card, but any provider's SIM will work on the handset if it supports that provider's frequency(s); 1900Mhz North America (or 850/1900Mhz for AT&T and Cingular with the 850 TDMA overlay) and 900/1800Mhz for most of the rest of the global community.
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What is the 800 GSM band for? Does "850 TDMA" ("800 GSM"?) mean it offers additional coverage for Cingular and AT&T users?
BTW, I am choosing between the v600, the Panasonic X70 and the S-E Z600. Any advices?
Thanks.
BTW, I am choosing between the v600, the Panasonic X70 and the S-E Z600. Any advices?
Thanks.
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The term "800 GSM" used by this and several other forums is the same thing as the 850 GSM band referenced by the GSM Association and most manufacturers in their phone specs.
The really easy answer to your second question is yes; but only with respect to using an 850/1900 terminal (phone) as opposed to a 1900 only terminal on those two specific carriers. T-Mobile, which has always been GSM only, built their system solely on 1900.
Please bear with me a bit for part three (or just skip to the end):
Simplisticly -- the original 850Mhz TDMA system was an early digital network built regionally by AT&T on roughly the same frequency as analog. It was then supplemented by 1900Mhz TDMA service when that frequency was allocated to cellular us...
(continues)
The really easy answer to your second question is yes; but only with respect to using an 850/1900 terminal (phone) as opposed to a 1900 only terminal on those two specific carriers. T-Mobile, which has always been GSM only, built their system solely on 1900.
Please bear with me a bit for part three (or just skip to the end):
Simplisticly -- the original 850Mhz TDMA system was an early digital network built regionally by AT&T on roughly the same frequency as analog. It was then supplemented by 1900Mhz TDMA service when that frequency was allocated to cellular us...
(continues)
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It's the kind of detailed info I was hoping for. Thanks a lot! 😎
I am using Cingular's GSM service in the L.A. area, and I do limited travel within the U.S. -- seems like the 850 band is a preferred but maybe not vital feature for me.
I am using Cingular's GSM service in the L.A. area, and I do limited travel within the U.S. -- seems like the 850 band is a preferred but maybe not vital feature for me.
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As far as I can tell, you should be fine with 1900 Mhz only in L.A. Cingular has a map on their web site that can tell you roughly where the 850 Mhz service lives. Anything west of Texas is, I think, 1900 only and, by far, the heaviest concentration of 850 is in the East.
Also, I reqalized I wasn't quite correct when I said AT&T built the 850 TDMA network. AT&T was the major player, but the collection of Baby Bells and other providers that now make up Cingular were part of it, too. Although to what extent I really don't know.
Also, I reqalized I wasn't quite correct when I said AT&T built the 850 TDMA network. AT&T was the major player, but the collection of Baby Bells and other providers that now make up Cingular were part of it, too. Although to what extent I really don't know.
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