vB Easy Archive - Cingular compatablity.

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Cingular compatablity.
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Posted by: XninjaR

I have always claimed that I am somewhat of a phone junkie; however, there has always been one question that has plagued me.

What is compatible with what network is always an issue I can’t get straight?

Cingular is an 850/1900 bands thou 850 mainly is the band Cingular uses in the US, and T-Mobile runs on 1900 almost exclusively. SO theoretically, I would need to find phones that have 850 as a band available, usually quad band phones support the 850.

However, things that confuse me are this.

For example the SE M600i
Is a UMTS / GSM 900 / GSM 1800 / GSM 1900 phone, would that work for Cingular? Is the UMTS bandwidth compatible with Cingular?

Another example the Samsung D520 and E870
Are a GSM 900 / GSM 1800 / GSM 1900 phone, since this doesn’t utilize the 850 bandwidth, it is wont work with Cingular right?

I am pretty confused; can anyone enlighten me about the details about the frequencies that carriers use?

Thank you

Posted by: pcmagsascha

OK.

If a European phone says "UMTS," they almost always mean UMTS 2100. That band is totally useless in the US. Pretend it isn't there. It has no value to us. So just pay attention to the GSM bands.

Cingular uses both 850 and 1900. 850 in some places, 1900 in others, both in some places. A phone without 850 will work in some Cingular markets but not others, and it won't get the best possible reception in some markets. So I generally don't recommend those phones to Cingular users even if they work for some people, in some places.

T-Mobile is all 1900, so you're safe using phones without 850.

Posted by: Im_A_Drunk

Using a triband phone is good except for areas where T Mobile has to roam on 850 correct? The 2100 band that is utilized in Europe will be different than the one that TMO is going to use correct? I want a N73 among others but whats the point of getting that phone if you cant even use 3g,etc in the future. What do you think?

Posted by: fractured

Quote:

Originally Posted by Im_A_Drunk

Using a triband phone is good except for areas where T Mobile has to roam on 850 correct? The 2100 band that is utilized in Europe will be different than the one that TMO is going to use correct?

You are correct on both points.

Posted by: XninjaR

DAMMIT, so essentially, Cingular wont be able to use most of the cool phones that come out, only T-mobile.

Posted by: ItalianAngel831

Cingular wont be able to use most of the cool phones that come out, only T-mobile.
now ur getting it welcome to cingular!

Posted by: i0wnj00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Im_A_Drunk

Using a triband phone is good except for areas where T Mobile has to roam on 850 correct? The 2100 band that is utilized in Europe will be different than the one that TMO is going to use correct? I want a N73 among others but whats the point of getting that phone if you cant even use 3g,etc in the future. What do you think?

Europe uses the 2100/1900 MHz pair while the US will use 2100/1700 MHz pair and for 3G/UMTS current phones out in the market such as the N73/SH903 etc.. they only support the European version for 3G/UMTS. Until somebody makes software-defined radio a possibility for cell phones we are stuck with what we have in terms of phone selection.

Posted by: Im_A_Drunk

If one was to buy an unlocked phone such as the Nokia N73, would it work with limitations or would it not work at all? I ask because I have read folks who have such phones including the Moto V3x, SE K800i and they said it works but they just havent said (or I havent read all of their posts ) what couldnt work. I am not saying you are wrong. I know you are right. I just want to know if these unlocked phones would work as a "phone" (ie making calls with no reception, etc problems, texting, etc) Thanks so much!

Posted by: i0wnj00

At the most, data, voice and txt will be fine on the N73. MMS may or may not work since the size of pics/videos may be reduced or stripped off.