GSM Info/Advice

[vetteguy]

I am just now able to get GSM through Voicestream in my area, and being new to it I have a few questions. Well, one main one actually. How does the SIM chip thing work? When I buy a GSM phone and take it to be activated, to they program the phone or just the chip? And if it's only the chip, does that mean I could theoretically have more than 1 phone, and depending on which one I wanted to use just swap out the chip? Also, the phone I'm considering is the Ericsson T39m. I was all ready to buy one the other day when I saw an article about the T68 (color) model, but it unfortunately won't be available until "Quarter 4" (which means probably not till early next year). Should I wait for that phone, or get a T39 now and in 6 months upgrade? If I had a ballpark estimate of the T68's price it would be easier. I can get a T39 for $295. If the T68 is more than $500 I probably am not interested. Thanks for any answers/suggestions.

 

[rootaxs]

Coming from a proud GSM user for the past 5 years i'd like to congratulate you on your choice

How does the SIM chip thing work?

Answer: It's short for Subscribers Identification Module. Basically that's where your information is stored - including a good chunk of your phonebook (you normally can specify where you can save your data, i choose SIM so i can move my phonebook easily when changing phones)

As for the rest of your question, when you purchase your phone (i presume it's a kit from Voicestream) then it will come with a SIM Card module. All you have to do is charge your phone, insert the SIM card into it and call Voicestream to activate your line. The last two steps shouldn't take more than a few good minutes.

If you're planning on travelling outside the US a lot i would suggest a multi-band phone (VS calls it an International Phone or a World Phone). A good one would be the Ericsson T28w (also the cheapest and lightest around!). I hear it's $49 after rebate now. If you get it through Best Buy then BB will also give you a $50 gift card via mail.

Anyway, should you wish to buy another phone in the near future through other means the answer is YES - all you have to do is move the SIM card to the other phone and it'll work right away. No reprogramming needed (Unless of course the phone is "locked" to a certain carrier outside of VS).

Hope that helps answer your questions. Enjoy!

P.S. If you also want to know how to send text/SMS messages to friends in Europe and Asia PM me and i'll walk you through it.

- Mike

 

[Shantanu]

$300 for a cell phone? Damn, I'd just get the free one, and then get a new one (also free) when your contract is up. Cell phones tend to get beat up and scratched, so you wouldn't want to invest too much money in one. That, and the $300 phone your considering right now will probably be given away for free next year.

I got Voicestream, and I use the Nokia 5190 (free). Works pretty good.

 

[vetteguy]

Thanks for the quick replies! Right now Voicestream doesn't offer the T39 (or most "cool" GSM phones) so I'm having to resort to eBay, etc. They did assure me that it would be no problem for them to activate though.
As far as the cost vs. the "free" phones, I have a major pet peeve with big clunky phones. I had a 6120 for awhile, and even it was too big for me. Plus, the free ones usually don't have the features I want (the T39 has a ton of "extra" stuff for example), so I guess to me the cost is justified based on convenience for me as well as available features. I look at it the same way as a new PC: I can either buy semi-outdated technology on the cheap (because there's always something "down the road", or I can just buy what I want and be happy with it while I have it). It's the same argument for buying a new car. The $10,000 Chevy will get me the same place as a $60,000 BMW. Both will wear out, both will have a "new" model next year. But only one of them makes me satisified. I'm just picky!

 

[Nexx]

Having tested both the T39 and the R520 I'd go for the R520, simply because of it's larger screen. Although I don't think the sell the R520 in the US...of some strange reason. However, in my belief, the T39 is a great phone and traveling is no problem since it support both the 900, 1800 and 1900Mhz bands.
I personally wait for the T68 though, I've talked to some people who's been over to Ericsson and tested it (they have a research facility here closely connected to my university) and based from their reviews I decided to wait
I'll just wait and see...
Siemens got a few nifty phones coming too....but Nokia is unusually quiet.

 

[Asha'man]

yep when you have gotten used to the GSM system you'll never go back....

I'm going to buy the T68 when it gets here but then I already have a phone working just fine right now.

Cell phones is one of those things that at least I don't like to be too cheap about since you don't want a bulky cheap version with almost no features which you WILL handle badly and therefore you'll have to buy a new one soon. But if you spend a little more money you'll be nicer to it and it'll be modern much longer anyway.

Good luck to your new phone!

Asha'man