If i buy ANY GSM phone, will it work on AT&T's GSM service?

bmacd

Lifer
Jan 15, 2001
10,869
1
0
There are a ton of cool phones that the US doesn't seem to have, but places like India and Japan have. If i were to buy one and unlock it, will it work by dropping the SIM card in?

-=bmacd=-
 

ddwbi0

Senior member
Jun 22, 2002
530
0
0
not quite that simple...first the phone needs to be working on the same bands as att, then the phone needs to be unlocked...THEN you can drop your sim card in and it should work
 

Thegonagle

Diamond Member
Jun 8, 2000
9,773
0
71
Originally posted by: ddwbi0
not quite that simple...first the phone needs to be working on the same bands as att, then the phone needs to be unlocked...THEN you can drop your sim card in and it should work

Yeah. First and foremost, the hardware must support the frequencies used in the United States, or you'll have nothing more than a "cool" paperweight. Frequencies used in the US are 800 MHz (AKA "cellular" or 850 MHz) and 1900 MHz (AKA "PCS").

Then, as mentioned, the phone must be unlocked from the provider that origianlly sold the phone--some are never locked, but many are.

Finally, you'll need to contend with the issue of finding a charger for the phone that plugs into US outlets, or else finding an appropriate AC-AC adaptor.

Even after you've done all that, the phone may lack support for some AT&T specific features, though it should theoretically make and receieve calls just fine.

Is it worth it?
 

BD2003

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
16,815
1
81
The bands is the most crucial. Unlocking can be easy or a headache depending on the phone.
 

aolj

Golden Member
Feb 20, 2000
1,383
0
76
I believe by just getting a tri band phone would just do because it's GSM.
 

arcain

Senior member
Oct 9, 1999
932
0
0
Originally posted by: ^aolj^
I believe by just getting a tri band phone would just do because it's GSM.

Most tri-band phones do not support the 850MHz frequency.
 

rudeguy

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
47,351
14
61
just make sure its 1900MHz...be warned that your Mmode will not work without some serious tinkering.