Switching to GSM, which carrier which phone?

[Doboji]

I am doing way too much international travel these days for my Verizon Fascinate to fit the bill anymore. So I will be switching to a globally capable phone and carrier in the next month or so. Question is how do AT&T and Tmobile compare? Which phone?

I'm leaning towards Tmobile and the HTC Sensation... But also considering going sooner for the G2X or waiting later and going for the Galaxy S 2 on AT&T....

 

[kaerflog]

If you decide to on Tmobile, they will unlock your phones NP.

 

[XJustMeX21]

If you like Verizon they sell quite a few global android phones.

 

[zerogear]

AT&T bands seems more universally compatible, in terms of if you unlock the phone, you can buy a SIM card locally at the destination (prepaid) and use it. T-Mobiles work as well, but if you use data, it might have some issues of being Edge only for some countries.

 

[kaerflog]

AT&T bands seems more universally compatible, in terms of if you unlock the phone, you can buy a SIM card locally at the destination (prepaid) and use it. T-Mobiles work as well, but if you use data, it might have some issues of being Edge only for some countries.

Ummm.....this is false.
Most other countries use 2100mhz band for their 3G.
Pretty much all of ATT and Tmobile phones contain 2100mhz band.

 

[ponyo]

They're going to be the same company soon. Because of that if I was buying a new phone it would be AT&T band phone. Used phone is different story and I would get a cheap Vibrant which has partial AT&T 3g band. T-Mobile has Wifi Calling feature which could come in handy during travel if you can find Wifi signal. I would go with AT&T for their superior US coverage and better international compatibility.

 

[lothar]

They're going to be the same company soon. Because of that if I was buying a new phone it would be AT&T band phone. Used phone is different story and I would get a cheap Vibrant which has partial AT&T 3g band. T-Mobile has Wifi Calling feature which could come in handy during travel if you can find Wifi signal. I would go with AT&T for their superior US coverage and better international compatibility.

How do you know the merger will be accepted by anti-trust regulators?

 

[super_sinbad]

AT&T and iPhone 4, it's unlockable most of the time and works very well globally.

Better off, buy a factory unlocked iPhone 4 and you won't have to deal with unlocking the phone every time a new update comes out.

 

[ponyo]

How do you know the merger will be accepted by anti-trust regulators?

Because the merger was made with the regulators already on board. They were bribed before the merger became public. They're just going through the motion now. You dont take that kind of risk without already knowing the outcome. It's business.

 

[Dulanic]

How do you know the merger will be accepted by anti-trust regulators?

It's easy to know... it's a multi billion dollar company. They will ensure it gets passed by throwing money behind it.

 

[s44]

US coverage depends on your area, obviously. Data speed will be better on T-Mo if they cover you. AT&T's 850 band gives better building penetration.

If you want dev support, get the G2X or SGS2. (For a SGS2 now, go contract with an iPhone and sell it to pay for an import.) Sensation looks nice if that's not a concern.

 

[vshah]

i believe verizon also offers the incredible 2 and droid 2 global which have gsm support as well as cdma

 

[tonygeor]

Verizon global phones in a heartbeat

 

[Doboji]

The Verizon global phones suck... I can get what... a DI2? a Droid Pro? Droid 2? All minor upgrades over my Fascinate if they can be considered upgrades at all... If I knew the GSII was going to be a global phone on Verizon then that would be the clear and easy answer. But I doubt it will be.

I need more understanding of this whole "unlock" concept... having never used a GSM phone since like 10+ years ago. If I subscribe to an international plan that my company pays for, do I even have to unlock? I thought I could use the existing SIM card and just roam on the international GSM networks?

 

[s44]

If I subscribe to an international plan that my company pays for, do I even have to unlock?

No. You only need to unlock to use a non-carrier SIM.

If your company is willing to foot the huge international data roaming bills, that's their decision.

 

[kaerflog]

The Verizon global phones suck... I can get what... a DI2? a Droid Pro? Droid 2? All minor upgrades over my Fascinate if they can be considered upgrades at all... If I knew the GSII was going to be a global phone on Verizon then that would be the clear and easy answer. But I doubt it will be.

I need more understanding of this whole "unlock" concept... having never used a GSM phone since like 10+ years ago. If I subscribe to an international plan that my company pays for, do I even have to unlock? I thought I could use the existing SIM card and just roam on the international GSM networks?

You can be on any network and use it internationally.
You'll probably be paying $4.99++ per minute for it.
If company is willing to pay for that, you don't need to worry about GSM concept.

GSM phones are popular because pretty much everyone else around the world uses it.
If the phone is unlocked. When you travel to a certain country, you can buy a local SIM card, pop it in and use it as normal.
In some countries, buying local SIM is as easy as stoping by a mom and pop store. Some will be harder.
Tmobile will unlock your phone as long as you ask. ATT have major restriction.
ALL ATT and Tmobile smartphones are compatible worldwide. Even 3G as everyone else uses 2100mhz.

T-mobile has a very generous international plan where for $10 a month, you can use your regular minutes. Of course it has to be within a list of countries.
T-mobile coverage is very spotty but much cheaper than ATT.
Of course I like ATT selection of smartphones much better.