I have a friend of mine in Japan who wants to give me his Sharp SH-06A cell to me. Compared to my old cell, it would be a welcoming change. (Switching the cell is merely $15, so it's ok with me) However, I was told that only Rogers or Fido have GSM compatibility. This is not cool with me because I am under TELUS contract.

But I was told that TELUS is launching a new network system called HSPA, and it's apparently more high-tech network method compared to GSM. (For 3G and 4G, I think that's what they said. And it just got started today... they can even start working with iphone now) Since SH-06A is relatively new cell (I think it was launched this summer, I think... it had good rating, right next to newly introduced iphone) could this mean that the Japanese cell may work with HSPA if I can get their sim card?

I tried to check it out with TELUS, and they said if the phone is relatively new... there's a good chance that it would work. Sadly enough, the cell's IMEI number is not registered with TELUS system yet. They cautiously said that the system may be at fault... and I should check it out in a week or so when the system is fully updated.

I did a bit of research to make good Samaritans' life a bit easier.
According to this post, it says..

# The HSPA networks is deployed in the existing Cellular (850MHz) and PCS (1900MHz) spectrum, just like what the existing CDMA2000/EVDO Rev. 0/A networks are deployed in.

# A GSM-only phone (e.g. Quadband GSM 850/900/1800/1900) WON'T WORK on the TELUS or Bell HSPA networks.

# A 3G capable phone w/ only WCDMA/UMTS/HSPA 2100 WON'T WORK on the TELUS or Bell HSPA networks.

# A Multi-mode/band phone that INCLUDES the 3G WCDMA/UMTS/HSPA 850/1900 (e.g. Quadband GSM + 3G w/ 850/1900) WILL BE REQUIRED.


See this link as a reference...

http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache...n&ct=clnk&gl=ca

This is how SH-06A was advertised in eBay. (Yes, I am desparate enough to trust them... )

Docomo Sharp SH-06A (Grey)

- Network : GSM (2G) 900/1800/1900 UMTS (3G) 2100 / WCDMA(3G)/GSM(2G)
- Bilingual phone (can be changed from Japanese to English and vice versa)

From the spec, it sounds like it will work. (When I presented this info to Telus staff, they start mumble a bit and said wait until HSPA releases full list of workable IMEI...

If anyone is knowledgeable in cell tech area, do you think I have a good chance? I miss using Asian cell, and I really wouldn't mind pay some expense to make changes.

Thanking you in advance,

neogenesis

PS: I cannot change TELUS contract. (I still have 2 years of contract that I must "honour") And I donno if I want to wait 2 years till I switch into something else. (My cell is in limited production, and my friends really want to send it as a gift ASAP)

PPS: I understand that TV, and GPS function may not work... but does anyone know if I can still upload mp3, video and picture files like a mp3 video player?