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T68 Phone use in the U.S. --- Please help |
FlyMolo
Joined: Apr 26, 2002
Posts: 3
PM |
Hello,
I've decided to buy a new cell phone, and narrowed it down to the t68 or the nokia 8390. Unfortunately, AT&T (the only service available for the t68 in the us to my knowledge) doesn't offer service in my zip code. They say they have to finish the gsm network yadda yadda yadda. Also, the nokia needs the same network.
So I've read a few things about "unlocked" phones that you can get off ebay and such, but also read that that's risky.
So my question is, is there any way I can get the t68 or 8390 in Virginia (area code 22003) without having to wait for the AT&T network to be up?
Thanks a bundle | |
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ralphn
Joined: Mar 27, 2002
Posts: 67
From: USA
PM |
Quote:
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On 2002-04-26 21:03, FlyMolo wrote:
Hello,
I've decided to buy a new cell phone, and narrowed it down to the t68 or the nokia 8390. Unfortunately, AT&T (the only service available for the t68 in the us to my knowledge) doesn't offer service in my zip code. They say they have to finish the gsm network yadda yadda yadda. Also, the nokia needs the same network.
So I've read a few things about "unlocked" phones that you can get off ebay and such, but also read that that's risky.
So my question is, is there any way I can get the t68 or 8390 in Virginia (area code 22003) without having to wait for the AT&T network to be up?
Thanks a bundle
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There are three GSM carriers in the U.S. AT&T, VoiceStream and Cingular. All three are large service providers. You can use an "unlocked" phone with any of them. Using an "unlocked" phone is not the least bit risky and whomever you got that information from doesn't know what he/she is talking about.
You can go to each of the carriers web sites and see if there is coverage in your area. I believe VS has coverage in your area but I may wrong.
As an aside, the 8390 in no way compares to the T68 with regards to functionality or expandability if that is important to you. |
FlyMolo
Joined: Apr 26, 2002
Posts: 3
PM |
Thanks for the fast response.
I think the person who said it was risky meant buying something from someone on ebay who claimed it was unlocked. Is there an easy way to do it by yourself, or is that a well-kept secret? I don't want to pay a lot just because someone else can unlock it.
I was pretty set on the t68, the only reason i mentioned the 8390 was because i was pretty sure more than one company had service available for it, so it might've been easier to get in my area.
Anyway, is the best way to get an unlocked phone off of ebay, or what?
Thanks again
[ This Message was edited by: FlyMolo on 2002-04-26 20:16 ] |
rdlc
Joined: Dec 21, 2001
Posts: 90
From: uk
PM |
Theres also verzivon as well which will soon be vodafone have a look on there web site if u type in a zip code it will give u ur closet store and whether they can support your area. type in vodafone.com theres a link to it from there |
FlyMolo
Joined: Apr 26, 2002
Posts: 3
PM |
verizon and cingular both have service in my area, but I don't know if it's GSM...i guess I'll give them a call.
Also, I did a search on unlocking t68's, and some people have said it's as simple as pushing the joystick and buttons in a certain order. Is this true?
oh yeah, and if you unlock one of the phones, do you need to get a different sim card for the service provider you use?
[ This Message was edited by: FlyMolo on 2002-04-26 20:41 ] |
darwint
Joined: Apr 22, 2002
Posts: 19
From: Seattle, WA, USA
PM |
I bought both a t68 and t68i on ebay, no problems at all, and were both unlocked. I'm in Washington state, and am offerred cingular, voicestream, and att gsm. I'm using vstream. I would advise not to get the att gsm service until it is complete, the service around here is horrible.
Verizon is CDMA instead of GSM.
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ralphn
Joined: Mar 27, 2002
Posts: 67
From: USA
PM |
Quote:
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On 2002-04-26 21:39, FlyMolo wrote:
verizon and cingular both have service in my area, but I don't know if it's GSM...i guess I'll give them a call.
Also, I did a search on unlocking t68's, and some people have said it's as simple as pushing the joystick and buttons in a certain order. Is this true?
oh yeah, and if you unlock one of the phones, do you need to get a different sim card for the service provider you use?
[ This Message was edited by: FlyMolo on 2002-04-26 20:41 ]
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I don't think Verizon has any GSM coverage. AT&T and Cingular are mixed markets (GSM in some areas, TDMA in others). VoiceStream is all GSM I believe and shares infrastructure with Cingular. Just to make sure go look at http://www.gsmworld.com. They have a listing of all the carriers and what they provide.
Unlocking the phone requires a code that is service provider and phone specific. I have never seen anyone post any success (in any newsgroup or usenet) at trying to unlock a late model Ericsson phone. It might be possible but not easily.
Yes, you have to have a SIM card for the service provider you are using. It is no problem to walk into a store and buy a SIM on contract.
[ This Message was edited by: ralphn on 2002-04-27 01:12 ] |
MicroT13
Joined: Apr 21, 2002
Posts: 64
From: New York
PM |
Since the Nokia 8390 was mentioned a number of times, does anyone know if it was officially released yet? If it has, does Voicestream carry it? Though it is inferior to my T68, I wouldn't mind buying the 8390, it's a well designed phone. |
bsiegler
Joined: Apr 19, 2002
Posts: 13
From: Washington, DC
PM, WWW
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I'm in the washington DC area, and I just picked up a T68 off of ebay. If you have a good ebay profile, try emailing the sellers of the T68 directly about an off-auction purchase. Offer them $325 shipped, and you should have no complaints. The T68i will run you $425. There IS NO place in the DC metropolitian area to buy these phones, or to see any bluetooth products. Actually, Microcenter in Vienna/Fairfax will have Bluetooth PCMCIA cards, Printer Server Adapters, and USB dongles.
Good luck. | |
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Posted: 2002-04-26 21:03
