Phone wanted that will work EVERYwhere

snidely · **Phone wanted that will work EVERYwhere -** 17-01-2008, 16:05

Is there a phone out there that works not only on the 4 GSM bands, but in Japan and S. Korea as well?
I believe for Japan you need WCDMA 2100.
For S. Korea UMTS? 2100? or WCDMA?

If no such phone exists, which phones are quad GSM and WCDMA for Japan?
Which phones would be quad GSM for S. Korea?

Or is S. Korea WCDMA like Japan?

Thanks in advance for any enlightenment on this subject. Both ATT and T-Mobile USA have roaming in both those countries as do some of the prepaid cards mentioned here. I could find a WCDMA phone on either ATT or T-M's site.

...mike

Stu · 17-01-2008, 16:54

WCDMA and UMTs 2100mhz are the same for voice purposes. On the data side UMTs, HSPDA, HSPUA, and HSPA all really deal with the data pipes and their speed.

ATT has a few phones (the new Blackjack II and the Tytn II a/k/a "the Tilt") which handle the US 3g standards and 2100mhz. The Nokia E61, E61i, and E65 all have 2100mhz. The Nokia n95 can either have 1900mhz or 2100mhz so be careful.

You should also be aware that ATT and TMobile will be using incompatible 3g standards. ATT will be on 1900/850mhz. TMobile will be on 1700mhz. In sum, there will be four frequencies for WCDMA worldwide. 3 for the US. 1 for the rest of the world.

I like the E series Nokias because they have built-in VOIP.

Bossman · 17-01-2008, 17:40

You can also add the Treo 750 to that list Stu. It has all 4 GSM bands and WCDMA 850 / WCDMA 1900 / WCDMA 2100

PhotoJim · 17-01-2008, 18:27

Canada's 3G is on 850/1900 and 1700 also.

Stu · 17-01-2008, 20:36

Jim,

I know about the 850mhz/1900mhz 3g in Canada with Rogers, but who is doing the 1700mhz?

For the record, I think Canada is semi-compelled to follow US standards on radio. We share one of the longest borders in the world with tons of cross-border traffic. Even if Canada theoretically disagreed with a US standards choice in radio, they would probably comply rather than dealing with the interference and roaming problems. 2100mhz v. 1900mhz WCDMA is not akin to asylum laws, Iraqs, or pack & strap.

**AndreA** · 17-01-2008, 20:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu

In sum, there will be four frequencies for WCDMA worldwide. 3 for the US. 1 for the rest of the world.

Poor us

VladS · 17-01-2008, 21:02

AFAIK the only operator with active WCDMA 1700 towers is T-Mobile US. Rogers in Canada acquired the spectrum but doesn't operate any towers on that frequency.

PhotoJim · 17-01-2008, 21:12

VladS is right. 1700 is not yet deployed in Canada. In fact the spectrum isn't even up for auction until later this year, but the auction date has been announced.

snidely · 18-01-2008, 03:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu

WCDMA and UMTs 2100mhz are the same for voice purposes. On the data side UMTs, HSPDA, HSPUA, and HSPA all really deal with the data pipes and their speed.

ATT has a few phones (the new Blackjack II and the Tytn II a/k/a "the Tilt") which handle the US 3g standards and 2100mhz. The Nokia E61, E61i, and E65 all have 2100mhz. The Nokia n95 can either have 1900mhz or 2100mhz so be careful.

You should also be aware that ATT and TMobile will be using incompatible 3g standards. ATT will be on 1900/850mhz. TMobile will be on 1700mhz. In sum, there will be four frequencies for WCDMA worldwide. 3 for the US. 1 for the rest of the world.

I like the E series Nokias because they have built-in VOIP.

Stu -
So, are you saying that phones like the e61 series, e65 and 2100 ver. of the e95 can be uses in both Japan and S. Korea? What is the diff. in systems between S. Korea and Japan? From what you say, can I stick a T-M SIM (or ATT or MaxRoam) SIM in one of these phones and roam there? They all claim to have roaming agreements there.

...mike

**Effendi** · 18-01-2008, 10:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by snidely

So, are you saying that phones like the e61 series, e65 and 2100 ver. of the e95 can be uses in both Japan and S. Korea? What is the diff. in systems between S. Korea and Japan? From what you say, can I stick a T-M SIM (or ATT or MaxRoam) SIM in one of these phones and roam there?

Yeah, both Japan and South Korea use W-CDMA 2100 (the supposed to be "World Standard" for W-CDMA, but our north-american friends decided to use strange frequencies like 1700, instead...), so you should have no problems using such a phone there (as in all Europe).
I'm going to Japan next week and I've an E65. I'll try to use Travelsim and Maxroam.

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	(#1 (permalink))
snidely (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Expert Posts: 355 Join Date: 09 May 2005 Location: Berkeley, California and Miami Country:	Phone wanted that will work EVERYwhere - 17-01-2008, 16:05 Is there a phone out there that works not only on the 4 GSM bands, but in Japan and S. Korea as well? I believe for Japan you need WCDMA 2100. For S. Korea UMTS? 2100? or WCDMA? If no such phone exists, which phones are quad GSM and WCDMA for Japan? Which phones would be quad GSM for S. Korea? Or is S. Korea WCDMA like Japan? Thanks in advance for any enlightenment on this subject. Both ATT and T-Mobile USA have roaming in both those countries as do some of the prepaid cards mentioned here. I could find a WCDMA phone on either ATT or T-M's site. ...mike Primarily uses my grandfathered U.S. T-M phone when traveling - 29¢/min. incoming in many countries. [Had to give this up last year when I changed plans.] Now also make usee of T-M's UMA/wifi free calling from any place in the world w. access to wifi. Wife uses BB 8900, I use BB 9700, both UMA capable. U.S. T-Mobile unlimited minutes - $40/mo. BB is $20 extra + $5 for SMS.

	(#2 (permalink))
Stu (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Specialist Posts: 886 Join Date: 11 Feb 2004 Location: Dubai (& Detroit) Country:	17-01-2008, 16:54 WCDMA and UMTs 2100mhz are the same for voice purposes. On the data side UMTs, HSPDA, HSPUA, and HSPA all really deal with the data pipes and their speed. ATT has a few phones (the new Blackjack II and the Tytn II a/k/a "the Tilt") which handle the US 3g standards and 2100mhz. The Nokia E61, E61i, and E65 all have 2100mhz. The Nokia n95 can either have 1900mhz or 2100mhz so be careful. You should also be aware that ATT and TMobile will be using incompatible 3g standards. ATT will be on 1900/850mhz. TMobile will be on 1700mhz. In sum, there will be four frequencies for WCDMA worldwide. 3 for the US. 1 for the rest of the world. I like the E series Nokias because they have built-in VOIP.

	(#3 (permalink))
Bossman (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Guru Posts: 1,117 Join Date: 22 Apr 2005 Location: Chicago Country:	17-01-2008, 17:40 You can also add the Treo 750 to that list Stu. It has all 4 GSM bands and WCDMA 850 / WCDMA 1900 / WCDMA 2100 Phones: Iphone4, HTC Inspire, Nokia E63, BB Curve 8310 Sim cards: AT&T (Contract), Tmobile USA, Virgin UK, TelnaMobile, Ekit

	(#4 (permalink))
PhotoJim (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Expert Posts: 381 Join Date: 10 Dec 2006 Location: Regina, SK, CA Country:	17-01-2008, 18:27 Canada's 3G is on 850/1900 and 1700 also. GSM: CA: SaskTel (postpaid voice/data,,postpaid data), Rogers (postpaid data); UK: Orange, 3; CH: Swisscom; AT: tele.ring; US: T-Mobile, AT&T, Red Pocket Mobile, Telestial Simple Calling; EE: AirBalticcard CDMA: US: PagePlus Hardware: iPhone 4, iPhone 3G, Nokia E63, Nokia Nuron, Novatel Ovation MC950D & MC998D data sticks, Huawei UG1691 data stick (3G AWS), Motorola RAZR V3, Sony-Ericsson K610i, Sony-Ericsson Z310i, Otech F1 (quad sim) (all unlocked)

	(#5 (permalink))
Stu (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Specialist Posts: 886 Join Date: 11 Feb 2004 Location: Dubai (& Detroit) Country:	17-01-2008, 20:36 Jim, I know about the 850mhz/1900mhz 3g in Canada with Rogers, but who is doing the 1700mhz? For the record, I think Canada is semi-compelled to follow US standards on radio. We share one of the longest borders in the world with tons of cross-border traffic. Even if Canada theoretically disagreed with a US standards choice in radio, they would probably comply rather than dealing with the interference and roaming problems. 2100mhz v. 1900mhz WCDMA is not akin to asylum laws, Iraqs, or pack & strap.

	(#7 (permalink))
VladS (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Pioneer Posts: 513 Join Date: 22 Jun 2004 Country:	17-01-2008, 21:02 AFAIK the only operator with active WCDMA 1700 towers is T-Mobile US. Rogers in Canada acquired the spectrum but doesn't operate any towers on that frequency. VladS Mobile Phones: Nokia E72-2 (3G/GSM/VoIP), Nokia E71-2 (3G/GSM/VoIP), Samsung BlackJack II (GSM/3G) Mobile Data Cards: Novatel MC950D, Huawei E220, ZTE MF668 Postpaid SIMs: CA: Fido - US: AT&T - FR: SFR Prepaid National SIMs: DE: Aldi, Fonic - AT: yesss! - RO: Orange, Vodafone - UK: O2 & T-Mobile - US: AT&T & T-Mobile Prepaid International SIMs: eKit, Sim4Travel Dead Prepaid SIMs: United Mobile +44, United Mobile +423, ICQSIM and 09

	(#8 (permalink))
PhotoJim (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Expert Posts: 381 Join Date: 10 Dec 2006 Location: Regina, SK, CA Country:	17-01-2008, 21:12 VladS is right. 1700 is not yet deployed in Canada. In fact the spectrum isn't even up for auction until later this year, but the auction date has been announced. GSM: CA: SaskTel (postpaid voice/data,,postpaid data), Rogers (postpaid data); UK: Orange, 3; CH: Swisscom; AT: tele.ring; US: T-Mobile, AT&T, Red Pocket Mobile, Telestial Simple Calling; EE: AirBalticcard CDMA: US: PagePlus Hardware: iPhone 4, iPhone 3G, Nokia E63, Nokia Nuron, Novatel Ovation MC950D & MC998D data sticks, Huawei UG1691 data stick (3G AWS), Motorola RAZR V3, Sony-Ericsson K610i, Sony-Ericsson Z310i, Otech F1 (quad sim) (all unlocked)