Cingular Dual Band = Problem?

[Tikirific]

So I was thinking about getting an OEM unlocked tri-band phone to use for the foreseeable future, but noticed all of them are tri-band in the "world phone" range - 900/1800/1900. This of course, differs from the "US" GSM frequencies of 850/1900.

My current provider is Cingular, and I do not plan to change service, but I have heard that there may be coverage problems as part of their network is purely 850Mhz. Is this the case? In other words, if I buy a 900/1800/1900 phone, is there a chance I could be left high and dry without coverage?

I live in Chicago, by the way, and plan on living in the States for quite some time, though there is a chance that I may be abroad later on.

[carcomptoy]

Yes, there is a very good chance you may have limited or no coverage if you do not have the 850MHz band. I myself have T-Mobile, which only uses the 1900MHz, and thus I have no problems in choosing phones. Hence that is my qualms in possibly switching to Cingular, as I'll have to deal and worry about an extra band. I know there are quadband phones out there, but none of them are the beloved Series 60...besides, most of the quadbands Cingular offers are Motorola, which I absolutely hate. Now, Cingular offers "B" versions of phones, meaning the 900MHz is replaced by the 850MHz. While this will be useful for usage on the Cingular network in the US, it will leave you without coverage in countries that use 900MHz exclusively or for the most part, such as the Philippines and New Zealand (those are the only two that I MYSELF know; of course there must be others). Even then, if a combination of 900 and 1800 are used, it might leave you with subpar coverage if you don't have the 900MHz, just like if you don't have the 850MHz on the Cingular network. However, if you plan to live in Central and South America, the 850MHz band would be useful as it is being used there. Otherwise, you'd be better off with a quadband phone or better yet switching to T-Mobile:D

[Ohm]

The good phone (and quite expensive) that support quad band is HP iPAQ h6315
http://www.shopping.hp.com/cgi-bin/hpdirect/shopping/scripts/product_detail/product_detail_view.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@069078445 8.1107963927@@@@&BV_EngineID=cceiadddkmhelfdcfngcfkmdfondfgf.0&landing=null&category=handhelds&subcat1=ipaq_phone&product_code=901327&catLevel=3

$599.99

And the 900MHz network are available in Thailand, Singapore, China, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and more. (More than 100 operators around the world)

[jmax577]

this topic is getting old

[carcomptoy]

The good phone (and quite expensive) that support quad band is HP iPAQ h6315

But because it's exclusive for T-Mobile USA, I think it's locked, so you'll either have to find somebody to do it for you, like an established T-Mobile customer, or find a good professional unlocker...

[carcomptoy]

this topic is getting old

At least I conceded the usefulness of the 850 band...

[Ohm]

I am not sure that HP6315 is lock is US or not. You can ask HP Customer care for more detail. Better bring your sim card and try at retail store to make sure. Because in my country, all the phone are unlock.

[jmax577]

At least I conceded the usefulness of the 850 band...

this is true. :D

[carcomptoy]

I am not sure that HP6315 is lock is US or not. You can ask HP Customer care for more detail. Better bring your sim card and try at retail store to make sure. Because in my country, all the phone are unlock.

Yes, but you must remember this is the US and this is T-Mobile USA...their phones are initially locked. It's too bad they're not like Cingular in THAT respect...

[Ohm]

Yes, but you must remember this is the US and this is T-Mobile USA...their phones are initially locked. It's too bad they're not like Cingular in THAT respect...

Thanks.

[Romulo Ladislau]

I´ve buyed a nokia 3300 (b) USA , it works with 850mhz/1900mhz frequencies DUAL BAND!
But I live in Brazil network here is 900mhz/1800mhz!:(
Its possible do something for this nokia 3300b (carrier unlocked),operate here? with any frenquencies, 900mhz or 1800mhz?
Thanks!:rolleyes:

[Serifan]

All GSM phones run on one or more of the following frequencies:
800/850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 1900 MHz.

Whenever you see 800 MHz OR 850 MHz, they are referring to the SAME frequency range. 850 MHz is more accurate, and has become more commonly used when discussing GSM frequencies. In North America, GSM is run on 850 MHz and 1900 MHz. In Europe, Asia, Australia, and other countries abroad, GSM is run on 900 MHz and 1800 MHz.

Many customers want GSM phones from abroad, or from EBay, to use with Cingular, and attempt to use a phone with incorrect bands. A 900/1800 MHz phone will NOT work in the USA. When looking at a GSM phone to use in the US, you need to look at which of the North American bands the phone uses. In other words, does it use the 850 MHz band? does it use the 1900 MHz band?

Cingular runs GSM on 1900 MHz in some markets, 850 MHz in others, and has a dual band 850/1900 MHz network in others. To find out what frequencies are used in your market, check www.wirelessadvisor.com.

If your area is one where Cingular is strictly 1900 MHz, you will have no issues using a GSM phone with just 1900 MHz. If your area is strictly 850 MHz, a GSM phone with 850 MHz is required. In dual band markets, a phone including 850 MHz may be required, or may not be. This depends on whether the Control Channels are running on 850 MHz. The control channels keep you connected to Cingular while not using your phone. Cingular has been switching Control Channels over to 850 MHz in dual band markets as of late. This means a 1900 MHz phone will get No Service, as it can not access the 850 MHz Control Channel, even though Cingular is running service at 1900 MHz!!

However, even if the control channels are running on 1900MHz, in a dual band market, a phone with the 850 MHz band will give you much greater reception, as you are able to utilize all Cingular towers. The 850 MHz signal travels further than a 1900 MHz signal, therefore even if all the 850 MHz towers include 1900 MHz, the 850 MHz signal will reach further, and penetrate deeper into buildings.

There are exceptions of course to everything. Such as Cingular offering free roaming on other carrier's 1900MHz signals in a Cingular 850MHz market. However, you should beware that Cingular can turn this roaming off at any point in time. Cingular also has the right to cancel your contract if you are roaming more than 50% of your minutes for 3 consecutive months.

With the buyout of AT&T Wireless, Cingular now has 1900 MHz in almost every market. At the same time, they have 850 MHz in almost every market. Therefore using a phone with only 1900 MHz will really drop your level of service.

When looking to use a GSM phone on Cingular's network, you should first check the bands used by the phone. www.phonescoop.com is an excellent resource for this. If the phone is not on the site, chances are very good it does not work in North America at ALL. If it is, Phone Scoop lists the frequencies used. You can always double check at the manufacturer's web site. More and more GSM phones are coming out with the 850 MHz band included. Quad Band phones are even appearing, such as the Motorola RAZR.

The only main issue other than frequencies with using your own GSM phone, is whether the phone is "locked" or not. Many carrier's "lock" their phones to be able to use only their own SIM cards. So a T-Mobile GSM phone can only work with T-Mobile SIM cards. Putting a Cingular SIM card in it will give an error. An "unlocked" phone will work with ANY sim card. Therefore to use a GSM phone on Cingular, the phone must be locked to Cingular, or be unlocked. It is possible to buy a locked phone and have it unlocked. However, the simplest thing would be to buy an unlocked phone, or one already locked to Cingular.

[Romulo Ladislau]

Is it possible to find a software to change the frenquencie or put an additonal frequencie?
The Nokia 3300 b (for USA) is dual band 850mhz/1900mhz, its possible replace one for 900mhz, 1800mhz or insert a new frequencie turn able Nokia 3300 b be a Tri band device? 850mhz/1900mhz/?(900mhz or 1800mhz).I live in Brazil(900/1800mhz)!:o
I use four carriers here OI ( http://www.oiloja.com.br/wb/POi/POi_visiting_brazil ), TIM ( www.tim.com.br ), CLARO ( http://www.claro.com.br/portal/popRoamingInternacional.jsp ), TELEMIG ( http://v2.telemig.infoinvest.com.br/?language=enu )!;)

[Michael]

No, it is not possible to change the frequencies used by a phone.

Is it possible to find a software to change the frenquencie or put an additonal frequencie?
The Nokia 3300 b (for USA) is dual band 850mhz/1900mhz, its possible replace one for 900mhz, 1800mhz or insert a new frequencie turn able Nokia 3300 b be a Tri band device? 850mhz/1900mhz/?(900mhz or 1800mhz).I live in Brazil(900/1800mhz)!:o
I use four carriers here OI ( http://www.oiloja.com.br/wb/POi/POi_visiting_brazil ), TIM ( www.tim.com.br ), CLARO ( http://www.claro.com.br/portal/popRoamingInternacional.jsp ), TELEMIG ( http://v2.telemig.infoinvest.com.br/?language=enu )!;)

[gofonz]

I have heard that there may be coverage problems as part of their network is purely 850Mhz. Is this the case?

Let's try to answer his actual question, and who cares if it's been gone over before. I have used ATT Wireless and now Cingluar since Jan 2004. Despite the scare stories, my 1900mhz only phones have always done the job for me, all over the US. I have used an Ericsson r520m, then a t68i, now a t630 - none of which support 850mhz. I have only been to Ohare, but got plenty of bars there. Living in NYC, I have excellent results; in DC I enjoyed great coverage; I have been plenty satisfied using my phone on vacation in Boston, the Bay Area, Iowa City, Denver, Nashville, and Phoenix. I think it matters a lot how good the antenna is; definitely there are spots where the r520m with its external antenna did a fine job and the t68i/t630 had trouble...but these phones are universally blamed for having lousy reception.

[carcomptoy]

Is it possible to find a software to change the frenquencie or put an additonal frequencie?
The Nokia 3300 b (for USA) is dual band 850mhz/1900mhz, its possible replace one for 900mhz, 1800mhz or insert a new frequencie turn able Nokia 3300 b be a Tri band device? 850mhz/1900mhz/?(900mhz or 1800mhz).I live in Brazil(900/1800mhz)!:o
I use four carriers here OI ( http://www.oiloja.com.br/wb/POi/POi_visiting_brazil ), TIM ( www.tim.com.br ), CLARO ( http://www.claro.com.br/portal/popRoamingInternacional.jsp ), TELEMIG ( http://v2.telemig.infoinvest.com.br/?language=enu )!;)
Considering how you have the option of using Europe and Asia-only phones there in Brazil (the only place to do so in the Americas), I would take advantage of that wholeheartedly!

Sidenote: why exactly did Brazil choose to have Eurasian frequencies??:confused: