GSM phone question

[paulney]

I am planning to go to Europe soon, and a friend loaned me his unlocked 'travel' phone: Motorola V173 GSM.

What kind of sim card should I get for it? GSM 1800 or 900? Looking at the phone spec I see that it's dual-band geared for US (GSM850/1900). Will the European sim card even work with it? (yet, I know it was used in Europe before and successfully).

Thanks.

 

[Duddy]

It doesn't matter if it's quad-band. Most GSM phones have either 3 bands or 4.

Besides, you should just focus on the 1st band. If it's 850, then get a provider that uses the 850Mhz frequency.

The 900 will work, but you'll have horrible reception.

 

[paulney]

Hmm. I took off the battery cover and popped the battery out, and it says it's actually v188, not v173. This is much better since it's a quad band phone.
Cool, thanks.

 

[George P Burdell]

Originally posted by: Duddy
The 900 will work, but you'll have horrible reception.

Hogwash

 

[Sphexi]

The sim cards do not determine what frequencies you support, the phone does. The sim card simply supplies your phone with service information. If the phone is unlocked, then buy a local prepaid card and put it in, and use that while you're over there, otherwise the sim card from your provider here will work fine in it, and you'll roam with their fees/rates.