OT- need a new GSM provider

Thu Sep 2 23:09:27 UTC 2004

On Fri, Sep 03, 2004 at 10:47:43AM +1200, Randy Bush wrote:

> strongly recommended.  or, as here in fiji, one can get a phone
> unlocked for a few bucks (couple of guys on a bench in a street
> stall).

Triband phones mostly operate on 900/1800/1900 frequencies. There is a
major US deployment of GSM on the "cellular" GSM 850 band. So if you are
with a triband phone on anyone other than Tmobile (which uses only
1900gsm in the US), you will not get adequately covered. You want either
a US centric triband for use in the US with ATT/cingular that operates
on GSM 850/1800/1900 and then get a world triband on GSM 900/1800/1900
and swap sims in and out (trivially easy to get most gsm phones
unlocked), OR you want a quadband like the moto v600 or treo 600 GSM
which operate on 850/900/1800/1900.

> voicestream is t-mobile.  telephant stupidity and error rate are
> proportional to size.  hence, coverage and intl roaming with clue
> and good billing are not likely.

Verizon now has a worldphone that will roam onto vodafone GSM
internationally. Their rates don't appear to be too prohibitive. Though
if you are going to be calling a lot while abroad, I suggest picking up
an unlocked nokia 6310i and prepaid sims as you fly into airports.

Put up a web page with your current phone number of choice.

Also note due to fraud mitigation, most phones only allow you to call
within the country you are in or back to the home country, all the while
charging you an exhorbitant price.

If you _really_ need to be connected at all times, get a sat phone. Some
mobile gsm roaming charges are more expensive than a globalstar.

/vijay