So let me get this straight

[RESmonkey]

I have T-mobile (some plan w/ extended family, has unlimited texting, 2 out of the 4 people in it have data plans).

I have a free phone I got when I was added to the family plan, some old Samsung. No data plan , no nothing cept unlimited texting.

Question: Can I just buy an unlocked G1 or iPhone 3g (or 3g S) and throw in my SIM card? I don't really care for the data plan features; I just want to use *WIFI* for internet browsing.

If this isn't how it works, please explain. if I wanted to buy one of these unlocked phones, how would I go about doing it/what should I look for?

 

[abaez]

Yes, should be ok. I usually buy unlocked from myworldphone or something similar based in Asia. They are expensive though.

 

[zerocool84]

Yes you can buy either of those phones unlocked and they will work fine. Like abaez said, they will be expensive though.

 

[Wonderful Pork]

Originally posted by: RESmonkey
I have T-mobile (some plan w/ extended family, has unlimited texting, 2 out of the 4 people in it have data plans).

I have a free phone I got when I was added to the family plan, some old Samsung. No data plan , no nothing cept unlimited texting.

Question: Can I just buy an unlocked G1 or iPhone 3g (or 3g S) and throw in my SIM card? I don't really care for the data plan features; I just want to use *WIFI* for internet browsing.

If this isn't how it works, please explain. if I wanted to buy one of these unlocked phones, how would I go about doing it/what should I look for?

In addition to the expense, you should also call T-mo and make sure they block all data on your line. If you set up email, or weather, or whatever (on an iPhone atleast) it generally moves a couple hundred kb/day over the cellular network. At the astronomical rates carriers charge, that could end up being a hundred bucks for accidentally checking your email.

 

[RESmonkey]

Originally posted by: Wonderful Pork

Originally posted by: RESmonkey
I have T-mobile (some plan w/ extended family, has unlimited texting, 2 out of the 4 people in it have data plans).

I have a free phone I got when I was added to the family plan, some old Samsung. No data plan , no nothing cept unlimited texting.

Question: Can I just buy an unlocked G1 or iPhone 3g (or 3g S) and throw in my SIM card? I don't really care for the data plan features; I just want to use *WIFI* for internet browsing.

If this isn't how it works, please explain. if I wanted to buy one of these unlocked phones, how would I go about doing it/what should I look for?

In addition to the expense, you should also call T-mo and make sure they block all data on your line. If you set up email, or weather, or whatever (on an iPhone atleast) it generally moves a couple hundred kb/day over the cellular network. At the astronomical rates carriers charge, that could end up being a hundred bucks for accidentally checking your email.

Wait, so I should just call them, ask them that if HYPOTHETICALLY I were to use an iPhone, Tmobile will block all data?

And what is this I'm hearing about 3g on iPhone not working w/ Tmobile, only EDGE (what is EEDGE?). I just want to make phone calls, text, and check internet/email via WIFI only.

 

[pm]

Originally posted by: RESmonkey

Wait, so I should just call them, ask them that if HYPOTHETICALLY I were to use an iPhone, Tmobile will block all data?

And what is this I'm hearing about 3g on iPhone not working w/ Tmobile, only EDGE (what is EEDGE?). I just want to make phone calls, text, and check internet/email via WIFI only.

I don't think he meant for you to call in advance. He's saying that if you do go ahead with this, make sure that before you start using an iPhone or a G1 or anything else, make sure they block all data because otherwise you'll be hit with a lot of excessive data charges becaue the iPhone is frequently updating itself.

EDGE is slow internet. 3G is fast internet. The iPhone doesn't support T-Mobile's 3G network, so you'll be stuck on EDGE if you subscribe to one of T-Mobile's data plans. Since you aren't going to be using data from T-Mobile, this doesn't matter.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Craigslist...unlock it yourself.

 

[Wonderful Pork]

Originally posted by: RESmonkey

Originally posted by: Wonderful Pork

Originally posted by: RESmonkey
I have T-mobile (some plan w/ extended family, has unlimited texting, 2 out of the 4 people in it have data plans).

I have a free phone I got when I was added to the family plan, some old Samsung. No data plan , no nothing cept unlimited texting.

Question: Can I just buy an unlocked G1 or iPhone 3g (or 3g S) and throw in my SIM card? I don't really care for the data plan features; I just want to use *WIFI* for internet browsing.

If this isn't how it works, please explain. if I wanted to buy one of these unlocked phones, how would I go about doing it/what should I look for?

In addition to the expense, you should also call T-mo and make sure they block all data on your line. If you set up email, or weather, or whatever (on an iPhone atleast) it generally moves a couple hundred kb/day over the cellular network. At the astronomical rates carriers charge, that could end up being a hundred bucks for accidentally checking your email.

Wait, so I should just call them, ask them that if HYPOTHETICALLY I were to use an iPhone, Tmobile will block all data?

And what is this I'm hearing about 3g on iPhone not working w/ Tmobile, only EDGE (what is EEDGE?). I just want to make phone calls, text, and check internet/email via WIFI only.

You dont have to say you're using an iphone, just say you want all data blocked as you're nervous about incurring unexpected & unwanted charges. Just FYI, its possible request blocking text messages/MMS too, so this request shouldn't be something new for a provider. Its done on their backend so you dont have to worry about anything.

EDGE is basically the cellular equivalant upgrade of 56K from 28.8. 3G is "broadband" like DSL, future upgrades are going to be akin to cable/FiOS.

Currently T-Mobile supports the European 3G cellular band (2100MHz), so if you want to import a European phone it'll work at its full potential here. Since you're using WiFi only it doesn't matter to you.

 

[uli2000]

Originally posted by: Wonderful Pork

Originally posted by: RESmonkey

Originally posted by: Wonderful Pork

Originally posted by: RESmonkey
I have T-mobile (some plan w/ extended family, has unlimited texting, 2 out of the 4 people in it have data plans).

I have a free phone I got when I was added to the family plan, some old Samsung. No data plan , no nothing cept unlimited texting.

Question: Can I just buy an unlocked G1 or iPhone 3g (or 3g S) and throw in my SIM card? I don't really care for the data plan features; I just want to use *WIFI* for internet browsing.

If this isn't how it works, please explain. if I wanted to buy one of these unlocked phones, how would I go about doing it/what should I look for?

In addition to the expense, you should also call T-mo and make sure they block all data on your line. If you set up email, or weather, or whatever (on an iPhone atleast) it generally moves a couple hundred kb/day over the cellular network. At the astronomical rates carriers charge, that could end up being a hundred bucks for accidentally checking your email.

Wait, so I should just call them, ask them that if HYPOTHETICALLY I were to use an iPhone, Tmobile will block all data?

And what is this I'm hearing about 3g on iPhone not working w/ Tmobile, only EDGE (what is EEDGE?). I just want to make phone calls, text, and check internet/email via WIFI only.

You dont have to say you're using an iphone, just say you want all data blocked as you're nervous about incurring unexpected & unwanted charges. Just FYI, its possible request blocking text messages/MMS too, so this request shouldn't be something new for a provider. Its done on their backend so you dont have to worry about anything.

EDGE is basically the cellular equivalant upgrade of 56K from 28.8. 3G is "broadband" like DSL, future upgrades are going to be akin to cable/FiOS.

Currently T-Mobile supports the European 3G cellular band (2100MHz), so if you want to import a European phone it'll work at its full potential here. Since you're using WiFi only it doesn't matter to you.

Tmobile uses a 1700mzh downlink and 2100mhz uplink. a European phone with 2100mhz HSPDA wont do you any good. If you want a 3g phone for Tmobile, currently, you pretty much have to get one of their phones. Hopefully, manufactures will start including 1700mhz as standard soon.

 

[DVDnewbie]

Are there any USA sources for unlocked iPhones? I'd like to buy a 3G but not an ATT subscription.

 

[Wonderful Pork]

Originally posted by: uli2000

Tmobile uses a 1700mzh downlink and 2100mhz uplink. a European phone with 2100mhz HSPDA wont do you any good. If you want a 3g phone for Tmobile, currently, you pretty much have to get one of their phones. Hopefully, manufactures will start including 1700mhz as standard soon.

I stand corrected. Thanks for the info.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Originally posted by: DVDnewbie
Are there any USA sources for unlocked iPhones? I'd like to buy a 3G but not an ATT subscription.

Yes. Newegg and Amazon have them, but if you want a more exotic selection, try Plemix or MobileCityOnline. Ebay has a good source or two. x1387 is an excellent and reputable seller. Yes I read plenty of HowardForums.

BTW, I heard for the iPhone, you should jailbreak and install BossPrefs and turn off all possible network stuff because some people have reported data seeping through unintentionally.