How do i get a phone from T-mobile London to work in the USA

[LondonRockz568]

I have a slight problem and even tho this may be a repost, ive searched.

I have a relative in London who bought me a phone from both T-mobile and Vodafone in the UK. They want to send the phone over to me here in Florida but they arent sure that ill even beable to use it here on the american T-mobile network. The phones she's sending are the Sony Ericsson 850i from T-mobile.co.uk and the KG800 LG Chocolate from Vodafone.co.uk.

My question is what are the steps i need to take so she wont waste her money buying a phone that i wont beable to use here in the USA, and how do i make them work here, because she says the dealer says the phones are locked to only work in London, but they can be unlocked.

[carcomptoy]

As long as they're unlocked, which is a lot easier over there in the UK, you should be able to use it on T-Mobile or Cingular.

[LondonRockz568]

So if i have her get the phone unlocked it should beable to get it to work over here on T-mobile correct?

Ok are the two phones i specified hard to unlock?

[carcomptoy]

I believe it's just a matter of asking the respective companies for the unlock codes. Otherwise I think a local phone store could do the job. Just assuming though.

[TheZodiac]

Its not that simple - typically, only a world phone, or a quad band phone will have the supported frequencies. If you have a tri-band, chances are, only (maybe) one frequency is supported.

[LondonRockz568]

I thought GSM to GSM was the same. Yes the US T-mobile dosent have 3g yet, but i just want the phone.

My brother suggested that since i like to browse the web/check myspace/ play music the LG chocolate would be good for T-mobile.

He also suggested if i cant get the phone unlocked i should get a Helio. Are they anygood? All i know is they're CDMA but they have some good plans.

[carcomptoy]

Its not that simple - typically, only a world phone, or a quad band phone will have the supported frequencies. If you have a tri-band, chances are, only (maybe) one frequency is supported.
In this case he should be fine, granted he'll be missing 850MHz...but so do I.

In any case, GSM to GSM isn't the problem, it's the carrier. Most if not all carriers put locks on their phones so that if you really like the phone you'll have to stick with them. Sure the SE might be T-Mobile, but it's a different branch of T-Mobile in another country so it's still as if you're dealing with a completely different carrier.

[TheZodiac]

Unlocking shouldnt be a biggie, anyway. I havent done the homework, so Ill go with the phone he has is at least a quadband. It would have t be to have the 850, since tribands, that are UK or JP phones typically would have the 1900 and 1800 as we asll 900. Though, the Quad would have all 4, including the 850.

Anyhoo... Inquiring minds wanna know ;) (I want to know!)

;)

[LondonRockz568]

So, just get the phone and unlock it, then go to T-mobile and start up a contract??

I know a guy who dosent have anyproblems about activating non US market phones and putting them on T-mobile.

[carcomptoy]

Yeah it's easy with unlocked phones. I have a non-US market phone on T-Mobile. It's easy as just putting in your SIM card.

Again, it's just a case of getting it unlocked.

[LondonRockz568]

Ok, If she gets a phone from Vodafone and gets it unlocked, will it work with T-Mobile?

[carcomptoy]

Yes.

[asics8]

hi, i have nokia 6131 t-mobile uk and i live in spain.

is it possible unlock? In spain i can´t unlock