Sony Ericsson S710a
Question about GSM
If a certain service provider uses "GSM 900/1800", does that mean that phones with either band will work, or that you need both bands to get it to work?
Will this phone (which doesn't have 900) work with such a provider?
Sorry I am new to this GSM thing...
Will this phone (which doesn't have 900) work with such a provider?
Sorry I am new to this GSM thing...
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Here's the break down
T-Mobile uses GSM 1900
Cingular uses GSM 850 and 1900
GSM 900 and 1800 are for international roaming, meaning, these GSM bands are only used outside of the US, like Europe for example.
If you're with T-Mobile, any GSM phone with the 1900 band will work.
If you're with Cingular, any 1900 band will work too. BUT, alot of Cingular's coverage area consists of the 850 band, so if you're planning on going with Cingular, I'd recommend havign a phone that utilizes both GSM 850 and 1900.
Some phones may say GSM 800, which is the same thing as 850.
"Will this phone (which doesnt have 900) work with sucha provider?". Yes, it will work with both T-Mobile and Cingular.
If you are planning to get Cingular...
(continues)
T-Mobile uses GSM 1900
Cingular uses GSM 850 and 1900
GSM 900 and 1800 are for international roaming, meaning, these GSM bands are only used outside of the US, like Europe for example.
If you're with T-Mobile, any GSM phone with the 1900 band will work.
If you're with Cingular, any 1900 band will work too. BUT, alot of Cingular's coverage area consists of the 850 band, so if you're planning on going with Cingular, I'd recommend havign a phone that utilizes both GSM 850 and 1900.
Some phones may say GSM 800, which is the same thing as 850.
"Will this phone (which doesnt have 900) work with sucha provider?". Yes, it will work with both T-Mobile and Cingular.
If you are planning to get Cingular...
(continues)
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Hey thanks for the reply.
I was more concerned with using the phone this summer, when I will be abroad. (I purchased it from cingular with a plan but I will be in HK this summer.) So I gather that the s710a will work if the provider uses 900/1800, its just that since it doesn't have the 900 band, the phone won't work as well as another with both the 900 and 1800 bands. Correct?
I was more concerned with using the phone this summer, when I will be abroad. (I purchased it from cingular with a plan but I will be in HK this summer.) So I gather that the s710a will work if the provider uses 900/1800, its just that since it doesn't have the 900 band, the phone won't work as well as another with both the 900 and 1800 bands. Correct?
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The S710a will work if the area you're living in utilizes the 1800 band.
I've checked it out and it seems China has an extensive coverage area with GSM 1800, so you should have no problem.
Here is a link to where you can check the 1800 band coverage by different Hong Kong carriers.
http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/cou_hk.shtml »
I've checked it out and it seems China has an extensive coverage area with GSM 1800, so you should have no problem.
Here is a link to where you can check the 1800 band coverage by different Hong Kong carriers.
http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/cou_hk.shtml »
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Will this s710a work in Vietnam since the providers only support 900MHz ??? because i will be in Vietnam for a month and think that it would work there. thank you in advance
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No, the S710a will not work if a the providers only support the 900mhz band. The 900mhz band can be found on the S710a's counterpart, the S700i.
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Also, do you plan on using a prepaid SIM card when in Hong Kong? If you go there with your Cingular service and use it just like that, it will cost you ALOT. Maybe even up to a few dollars per minute.
Or unless you set up an international account with Cingular, maybe you have, just wondering, trying to help.. 😁
Or unless you set up an international account with Cingular, maybe you have, just wondering, trying to help.. 😁
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What you should do is get an unlocked quad band phone like the razr or v635 or whatever else is quad band. The quad band implements 800(850)/900/1800/1900mhz bands. This would allow you to only have to buy one phone so you can use it wherever you are in Europe or Asia.
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He's already got and S710a 😳
But he could always get some cheap little phone with the 900 band too.
But he could always get some cheap little phone with the 900 band too.
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I didn't get the impression that he already had the s710 but was considering it if it would serve his purpose.
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Nah the s710a is only triband 850/1800/1900. So technically it could work overseas but you wouldnt have the more reliable 900 band to work with. But ive never been overseas so who knows... 😕
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The 1800 mhz band would do just fine in Hong Kong, you can check out coverage at gsmworld.com
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Thanks for all of your replies. I already have a service in Hong Kong (so I will have to get my cingular phone unlocked in HK and just switch the sim card out). Also, I have the s710a but I have a couple days left before I can exchange it.
You've all been very helpful; I may get the razr instead (it is also cheaper).
You've all been very helpful; I may get the razr instead (it is also cheaper).
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