vB Easy Archive - Using International Phones in the US?

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Using International Phones in the US?
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Posted by: ossilix

Sorry if this has been asked a million times. I searched but couldn't find any threads. I'm looking at "unlocked" International market cell phones and was wondering how they function in the US? I read that they may not be able to use the internet. Are there any other limitations? Can you place a prepaid SIM card in the phone and start using it?

Posted by: Agent22

2 GSM carriers are AT&T and T-Mobile, that should get you searching

Posted by: Nodakawa

Quote:

Originally Posted by ossilix

Sorry if this has been asked a million times. I searched but couldn't find any threads. I'm looking at "unlocked" International market cell phones and was wondering how they function in the US? I read that they may not be able to use the internet. Are there any other limitations? Can you place a prepaid SIM card in the phone and start using it?

If you have network coverage they function just fine. GSM is able to use the internet. Slower on T-Mobile, faster on ATT. Prepaid works, but no data on T-Mobile.

Posted by: ossilix

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nodakawa

If you have network coverage they function just fine. GSM is able to use the internet. Slower on T-Mobile, faster on ATT. Prepaid works, but no data on T-Mobile.

Thanks. The sellers of some of the phones I looked at said their phones weren't able to access the internet in the US, but other sellers said they could. I guess it varies from one phone to another?

Posted by: yangj08

Yep. Some phones have the internet settings menu blocked out for some reason or other.

Posted by: Bugwart

If you want a phone which works internationally (Eurasia and Americas), then it must have an unlocked handset with 4 GSM bands PLUS 3 HSDPA bands. HTC, RIM (Blackberry), Samsung and a few other manufacturers make such phones.

The bands are:
GSM Americas: 800 and 1900 MHz
GSM Euraisa: 900 and 1800 MHz
HSDPA Americas: 800 and 1900 MHz
HSDPA Eurasia: 2100 MHz