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Change GSM frequencies?
I just discovered that it is possible to change GSM frequences on a tri-band phone. It is indeed possible to change network settings from say 900/1800 to 850/1900.
Curious about the limitations to these changes - which options are generally available and does this apply to all tri-band GSM phones?
Why, then, do they make different models for Europe/Asia/Australia and the US? Why not just switch settings?
Why is there a SE T630 and T637 - essentially the same phone but the latter is distributed in the States while the former is Europe/Asia/Australia. Why not just change the network settings?
I'd appreciate any clarification.
Curious about the limitations to these changes - which options are generally available and does this apply to all tri-band GSM phones?
Why, then, do they make different models for Europe/Asia/Australia and the US? Why not just switch settings?
Why is there a SE T630 and T637 - essentially the same phone but the latter is distributed in the States while the former is Europe/Asia/Australia. Why not just change the network settings?
I'd appreciate any clarification.
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1. No, that does not apply to all phones, tri-band or otherwise.
2. While a phone's circuits may support all four bands, (and again not all are like this,) the antenna is generally designed only for the 2-3 bands it was sold for. So if you have a 900/1800 phone and manage to hack the firmware for 850/1900, you'll still have a 900/1800 antenna. It may still work in strong signal areas, but your reception will generally be anywhere from sub-par to dismal, since your antenna will not be "tuned" to those frequencies.
3. Sometimes it's just an issue of testing. Each band a phone is tested and approved for costs money. For a low-end phone that is targeted at people who probably don't travel much, it's cheaper to just worry about the two band...
(continues)
2. While a phone's circuits may support all four bands, (and again not all are like this,) the antenna is generally designed only for the 2-3 bands it was sold for. So if you have a 900/1800 phone and manage to hack the firmware for 850/1900, you'll still have a 900/1800 antenna. It may still work in strong signal areas, but your reception will generally be anywhere from sub-par to dismal, since your antenna will not be "tuned" to those frequencies.
3. Sometimes it's just an issue of testing. Each band a phone is tested and approved for costs money. For a low-end phone that is targeted at people who probably don't travel much, it's cheaper to just worry about the two band...
(continues)
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Thanks for the response. I knew it couldn't be that easy.. I was just surprised and drooling at the possibilities.
About hacking the firmware- I wouldn't call it a hack, you just select to choose the network manually and it searches and gives you options. I just saw the guy do it with a Motrola v600.
But thanks for the info, and great site!
About hacking the firmware- I wouldn't call it a hack, you just select to choose the network manually and it searches and gives you options. I just saw the guy do it with a Motrola v600.
But thanks for the info, and great site!
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bobcat zoidberg said:
... About hacking the firmware- I wouldn't call it a hack, you just select to choose the network manually and it searches and gives you options. I just saw the guy do it with a Motrola v600. ...
Oh... well that's totally different. You asked about tri-band phones, but the V600 is a quad-band phone, so it's designed to work on all four frequencies. The antenna is tuned for all four frequencies.
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Yoh, I forgot that handy little fact. Of course he could select the option on a quad-band phone. He left me with the impression that it was possible on triband phones.
Okay sorry for kicking up a fuss over nothing.
Okay sorry for kicking up a fuss over nothing.
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