Hi Mike,
If you remember the New York City blackout of a few years ago, you
may remember that the only communications devices left working were
the satellite-based Blackberries! Cell phone towers were downed by
lack or power! Today, there are even more options, and selecting the
best one is rather subjective, depending on features and service plans
that appeal to you. Features you think you really don?t want may just
come in so handy, you?ll wonder how you lived without them! (MP3
player, camera, etc.)
?One Merrill Lynch executive was trading e-mail with his sister on the
West Coast using his BlackBerry e-mail pager, asking her for updates
on the situation. BlackBerries rely on an older network than mobile
phones.?
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,60043,00.html?tw=wn_story_related
You have a choice of technologies; satellite, GSM, Tri-band, GSP,
Roaming SIM, and as of this writing, possibly more! Sadly, some
technologies work in Europe, and not in the US, and vice versa. It?s
mid-boggling to read about the technology and services! After
carefully researching your needs and products available, it has come
down to the BlackBerry vs the SideKick vs Palm One Treo vs the
crème-de-la-crème Nokia 9500 (Since price is not an issue). Keep in
mind, the service you subscribe to will depend on the plan that suits
your needs the best, and what is available when you travel. While
Verizon usually rates highest in customer satisfaction, it does not
currently offer international compatibility. (This may change at any
minute!) T-Mobile rates highly in international service.
Communications companies seem to come and go? many of these reviews
mention Cingular, AT&T, Sprint , and Nextel; some of which may own the
other by the time you read this!
?It's not easy to test cell phone service. You can't, for example,
test the same cell phone in the same location using Verizon, Sprint
and T-Mobile. That's because each company uses a different network
technology. A mobile phone made to work on Verizon's CDMA (Code
Division Multiple Access) network will not operate on Sprint's PCS
system or T-Mobile's GSM (Global System for Mobile) network. Even if
you could use the same phone to test multiple carriers, you'd only
have results for one particular location, and as you probably know,
you could walk 500 feet away, try the test again, and get different
results.
For that reason, the most effective way to judge cell phone service is
through massive owner surveys?massive enough that you'd still have
thousands of respondents in the same areas?enough that you'd be able
to collect a consensus of opinion to finally conclude which carriers
have the best network coverage, the fewest circuit overloads, the
least number of dropped calls and the most effective customer service
hotlines. Two reviewers in our All Reviews chart have the budget and
wherewithal to do just that: Consumer Reports magazine collected
responses from over 39,000 of its subscribers in seventeen major
cities. Meanwhile, J.D. Power and Associates was busy polling nearly
21,700 households. PC Magazine conducts the third-largest survey,
polling 8,000 magazine subscribers.?
?Results in the J.D. Powers tests are then further broken down into
region, an idea that makes sense to us due to coverage differences
between providers. T-Mobile finishes first in every region, which
includes four ties with last year's leader?
?Although experts say Verizon has the lead, there are a few reasons
you may choose another service. Cellular companies in the U.S. use a
number of proprietary networks for their service, and that means that
a phone made to work with Verizon's CDMA network will not work on a
GSM network, such as those also supported by T-Mobile and Cingular.
This could be important for you if you travel to other countries and
would like to take your phone with you. Most European, African and
Asian cell phones work on GSM networks, and in order to use your U.S.
phone on foreign soil, you'll need a GSM phone, such as those sold
with plans from T-Mobile or Cingular. Be aware that American GSM
phones and foreign GSM phones work on different frequencies, so you
will need a specific dual- or tri-band world phone that operates on
multiple frequencies. Once you're overseas, you'll need to swap your
American SIM card for the other country's SIM card. (The SIM card is
the little chip installed in your phone, usually under the battery.)
Experts say T-Mobile is the best GSM carrier, easily besting
Cingular/AT&T in nearly every performance factor, and for
international travelers who want to use their phone in other
countries, T-Mobile has the best service and options.?
http://www.consumersearch.com/www/electronics/wireless-plans-reviews/
This page has a nice ?quiz?, halfway down the page, to help you
determine your best choice of service.
?Even after you've completed this research and made your choice,
you're unlikely to have a 'perfect' solution. Sure, you've hopefully
identified the best-for-you solution from the four imperfect
alternatives, but whatever your choice, it is still going to be more
expensive than it should be.
This situation will likely improve over the next few years, just the
same way that domestic roaming has evolved in the US. In the mid
1980s, if you traveled to another service provider's network, you
often had to set up a fresh new account, plus perhaps pay a daily
roaming fee, and people had to dial very complicated special numbers
to find your phone, with these numbers changing every time you moved
to a different city or state. Now, domestic roaming is automatic and
'invisible' - and also affordable. Let's hope the same evolution
occurs internationally, too.
HopAbroad the usual best choice:
For most people with average requirements, and the expectation of
traveling abroad at least once every year or two, the HopAbroad global
roaming solution is perhaps the best compromise. If you travel less
frequently, then the Mobal product may be more cost effective, and if
you travel regularly to a few countries, or stay in selected countries
for extended periods, and plan on making extensive use of your phone,
then buying local SIMs are the best approach.
If you already have US GSM service, and a tri-band phone, then simply
using your present phone overseas is surely the easiest answer of all.
But it will quickly also become the most expensive solution if you use
your phone much, and so even if you already have US service, you might
want to get your phone 'unlocked' and then use a HopAbroad, Mobal or
local SIM with your phone.?
http://www.thetravelinsider.info/2003/0801.htm
Here is a comparison chart from the University of Washington, Feb.
2005, of SmartPhone service costs.
http://www.washington.edu/computing/smartphone/phonecosts.html
?To get cellphone service in another country you need both a
compatible phone and a compatible account. You can either buy or rent
a cell phone, either in the US or overseas, but be sure you get one
that will be compatible internationally in the countries you plan on
traveling to (see part six). And you have several different ways of
getting airtime as well. Read on for an explanation of all these
issues and suggestions on the best way to get a phone working.
Frequency and Compatibility Issues
?The good news is that almost everywhere in the world (except for the
US and Canada) uses GSM type digital cellphone service. This service
was originally at a frequency of 900 MHz and now increasingly is being
upgraded to an 1800 MHz service. If you have a GSM phone, in theory
you can access service in 212 different countries! (As of Nov 04)
By contrast, in the US, most digital cellphone service is both of a
different type (CDMA or TDMA, or, in Nextel's case, iDEN) and a
different frequency as well!?
?If you want a phone that will work in the US as well as
internationally, you'll need to sign up with a carrier that provides
GSM service in the US.
The three major suppliers of GSM service in the US are currently
T-Mobile, AT&T and Cingular. Note that the merger between AT&T and
Cingular has now been essentially completed, and so for new service
your choice is essentially either T-Mobile or Cingular.
Nextel is thought to possibly also provide some GSM service. Other
carriers that exist in small parts of the US can be found listed on
this site (make sure the listing on the page refers to a carrier with
current GSM service!).?
http://www.thetravelinsider.info/2002/0308.htm
Telestial HopAbroad
According to this site, one solution would be to have two accounts, on
in Europe, and one in the US, and tout the Telestial system. ?The
HopAbroad service is available through Telestial in the US. A $99
registration gets you the SIM and international account, plus $15
worth of airtime.
This establishes a pre-pay account for your phone number, and as long
as you have money in that account, you can place and receive phone
calls. When your balance is used up, you can get a 'recharge code',
either by phone or online from Telestial and add more units to your
account. You can check your account balance, for free, anytime you're
in a GSM covered area. Additional airtime can be purchased, either in
lots of $50 (costing $65) or $100 (costing $120) - I think the extra
cost covers the 'line rental' part of the service.
Your phone number is actually a number within the Monaco phone system
that anyone can call from anywhere in the world. It does not change as
you move between countries, same as your phone number on a US
cellphone doesn't change as you move from one state to the next.
As long as you buy a $65 recharge at least once a year, your phone
number remains active and unchanged, so it can become a permanent
phone number for as long as you wish to keep it.? ?This is a brilliant
concept and flawlessly implemented. It is easy to set up and use, and
is an affordable and practical solution to the problem of keeping
conveniently in touch while traveling internationally.
You might choose to do what I did. I went to Telestial and got one of
their complete kits that includes a tri-band phone that can be used in
any GSM country, including the US, plus also the HopAbroad card and
some airtime too. These kits are better value than buying a SIM and
phone separately, and for as little as $249 you have everything you
need for phone service in over 85 different countries (I treated
myself to the deluxe $329 product - as all regular travelers know,
weight and space are very precious, and the extra cost for this lovely
petite phone is, I believe, money very well spent). I recommend it
highly.?
http://www.thetravelinsider.info/2002/1101.htm
=================
Satellite Phones
=================
?A satellite phone is a special kind of mobile phone that is
designed to permit voice and data transmission via satellite. Unlike
most other mobile phones, satellite phones do not rely on cell towers
and cell sites. This geographical independency results in very
reliable and consistent coverage. In addition to the voice calls, most
satellite phones are capable of sending/receiving emails and text
messages. We offer satellite phones for rental or purchase from
Iridium, Globalstar and Thuraya. Our wide selection enables us to
match you with the service provider that best suits your needs,
ensuring that you get excellent coverage and competitive airtime
rates.
If you work, live or travel in areas outside cellular coverage or in
areas with inadequate landline service, a satellite phone is for you.
Eighty-six percent of the world's landmass and all of its oceans are
in areas with inadequate landline service. A satellite phone addresses
these situations by providing coverage in all ocean areas, air routes
and all landmasses - even the Poles. Unlike a GSM cell phone a
satellite phone offers a communications solution that is independent
of location.?
http://www.telestial.com/satellite_phone.htm
Telestial Plans
http://www.telestial.com/
Cellular Abroad Plans, includes a list of countries with service.
http://cellularabroad.com/simgsmpack.html
Satellite Phone Models
http://www.satphonestore.com/
Iridium
?The Iridium system is a satellite-based, wireless communications
network. Iridium offers voice and data telephone transmission and
will work anywhere on earth, at any time. It brings a new dimension of
capability by providing portable, universal service at very affordable
rates (between $0.85 and $1.40 per minute.)?
http://www.satphonestore.com/servprod/iridium/
Motorola Iridium Phones
http://store.yahoo.com/satphonestore/mot95pac.html
http://store.yahoo.com/satphonestore/mot95pac1.html
?Satellite phones can be the only choice when you absolutely,
positively need a phone in the far reaches of the world. Satellite
phones can be expensive, though Iridium's $1.50 USD charge is
sometimes equaled or surpassed by international mobile roaming rates
for some GSM carriers. However, only recently have they achieved
acceptable speeds for data transmission.
Since there needs to be a clear line of sight between the antenna and
satellite, performance can also be affected by poor weather and use is
generally restricted to outdoors (though they will sometimes work
through glass or canvas). This can also limit the ability to receive
incoming calls, though for applications on boats and other places an
external antenna can greatly enhance their use. Also, phones like
Qualcomm's GSP1600 (shown at right) offer compatibility with existing
AMPS and CDMA networks to help alleviate some of these drawbacks while
allowing users to stay connected well beyond the reach of lowly
terrestrial networks. Users of the Thuraya system serving Europe,
North & Central Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and the Indian
Subcontinent can also access local GSM networks in those areas. Also,
external antenna connections can help overcome some of the limitations
to indoor usage.?This site compares many phone technologies.
http://kropla.com/mobilephones.htm
Rental Information for GlobalStar
http://www.globalcomsatphone.com/satellite/phone_rentals_globalstar.html
WorldCell
?WorldCell offers Cellular service in over 170 countries and
territories & Satellite phones for remote areas where cellular
coverage is limited. WorldCell supplies the frequent traveler with
rental packages as well as purchase options. The WorldCell rental
packages come fully equipped with all of the communication
necessities.?
http://www.worldcell.com/
http://www.airtreks.com/travelstore/7_8cellphones.html
http://www.worldcell.com/airtreks/
http://www.1800mobiles.com/incelsolclic.html
===========
Blackberry
===========
This would be one of my choices, as you wished for a keyboard. While
small foldable keyboards are available as an accessory for some
phones, this would prove cumbersome in locations other than a hotel
room, or restaurant. You may find you want to synchronize your
Blackberry to your Mac, after all, and below is a website that tells
you how to do so.
?Plus integrated attachment viewing lets you read Microsoft Word,
Excel, PowerPoint, WordPerfect, and Adobe PDF files with ease.
Completely embedded wireless technology, lets the Blackberry travel
lightly with no extra attachments or dialing-in required to get
online.
Similar to a DSL line on a wired computer, the BlackBerry's
connection is designed to remain on and continuously connected to the
wireless network, so data and email is delivered to your handheld with
no extra effort required.
Services available include wireless e-mail, voice and SMS, mobile
data service, a wireless calendar, and of course, wireless Internet
access. The 7230's integrated phone features Tri-Band cellular phone
service, which operates on 900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS wireless
networks, allowing for international roaming between North America,
Europe, and Asia Pacific.
For security, the BlackBerry Enterprise Server supports the Triple
DES standard, which meets established corporate security requirements
for remote data access to allow secure sending and receiving of
confidential information from any location. Blackberry software is
supported by Microsoft Exchange Version 2.1 or higher, or Lotus Domino
Version 2.0 with Service Pack 2 or higher.?
http://www.pdasupport.com/RIM7230.htm
T-Mobile
?BlackBerry 7230 provides a secure, encrypted solution for sending and
receiving corporate e-mail. This tri-band handheld uses the world's
largest all-GSM/GPRS network covering more than 9,000 cities in North
America and over 100 countries around the globe.
This vast network gets you the information relevant to you and your
business at speeds up to 56kbps. Designed for corporate environments
using Microsoft® Exchange or Lotus® Domino, the BlackBerry from
T-Mobile is what you need for a complete, end-to-end wireless e-mail
solution.
· Network: TMobile Triband GSM GPRS World Cellphone
· Organizer with PC synchronization
· Memory: 16 MB flash memory plus 2 MB SRAM
· Full-color screen with easy-to-use icons
· Keyboard: Backlit QWERTY keyboard
· Internet Ready: Yes
· Messaging: Yes
· Modem: Embedded RIM wireless modem.?
http://www.1800mobiles.com/tmobile7230blackberry.html
http://www.blackberry.com/
?Big in the States, the Blackberry has yet to become a must-have
belt-clip accessory here in the UK. But give it time. The Blackberry
has primarily been pitched as a corporate solution. With a Blackberry
Exchange Server installed in your office, you can use the PDA to
manage your corporate mailbox as if you were right there at your desk
? so, an email deleted on the move is automatically deleted from the
desktop as well. Such real-time, wireless synchronisation is
compatible with all flavours of MS Outlook, ACT!, Lotus Organizer 5/6,
Lotus Notes 4.5 to 6, Schedule+, GroupWise and even Netscape. All data
is fully encrypted, and your IT department can manage the show.
For non-corporate users, the Blackberry 7320 is also available in a
?Prosumer? version. Without a Blackberry Exchange Server, individual
users can access POP3 accounts, but without the corporate
synchronisation benefits. However, with web-based filtering and
redirection options, you can easily set up the Blackberry to send and
receive via its T-Mobile address as if you were using your own
mailbox. Alongside the wireless data aspect, the 7320 also features
basic Calendar, MemoPad, Address Book and Task applications just like
any PDA. With a QWERTY keypad for easy data entry and a battery life
of around three days, it?s a remarkably useable device.?
http://www.pcplus.co.uk/reviews/default.asp?pagetypeid=2&articleid=28182&subsectionid=372&subsubsectionid=37
Blackberry 7290
http://www.blackberry.com/products/blackberry7200/blackberry7290.shtml
You may WANT to use your Blackberry with your Mac, and this site tells you how:
http://www.blackberry.com/news/events/macworld.shtml?CPID=ILC-nahmac
?Ideal for frequent business travelers, the BlackBerry 7230? supports
the comprehensive Hutchison Telecom Orange GPRS roaming services in
almost 60 countries and destinations in North America, Europe and Asia
Pacific regions. The world-capable BlackBerry 7230? and the original
BlackBerry 5820? provide unrivalled wireless email access that caters
to the different needs of users. Both models are available in Hong
Kong today exclusively to Hutchison Telecom Orange users.
The newest model of the BlackBerry Wireless Handheld? series - the
BlackBerry 7230? - offers users an even more engaging experience with
its high resolution display, which supports over 65,000 colors. The
BlackBerry 7230 is the ideal integrated voice and email solution for
individuals, small businesses and corporate enterprise, supporting
both corporate email and Internet Service Provider (ISP) email through
the recent introduction of BlackBerry Web Client. With always-on,
push-based wireless email (including attachment viewing), a built-in
phone and integrated support for organizer, SMS, WAP and J2ME?
applications, the tri-band BlackBerry 7230? is designed to keep users
always connected around the world.
The original BlackBerry 5820? provides a lower cost choice to
customers who want wireless email access. This dualband wireless
handheld also supports email, phone, organizer, SMS, WAP and J2ME
applications.?
http://www.blackberry.com/news/press/2003/pr-19_11_2003.shtml
?The next Blackberry devices maintain much of their original look and
feel, but an earpiece will be built in at the top of the display
screen and a microphone will be added at the bottom.
The flagship product will likely be the "world band" version of the
Blackberry phone. It will work on GSM/General Packet Radio Service
wireless networks of any type, which in the U.S. means that it will
work on the networks run by VoiceStream and Cingular Wireless, but
that it also travel easily from the U.S. to Europe or Asia and back
without losing service.? This is excerpted from a 2002 article.
http://www.forbes.com/2002/06/28/0628tentech.html%20
?Optus has extended the reach of its text messaging service to mobile
users in 90 countries around the world, and most recently BlackBerry®,
a leading wireless platform marketed around the world, has joined the
Optus suite of business mobile email products.
Allen Lew, Managing Director, Optus Mobile, said the expansion of its
international SMS service meant customers could stay in touch while
living or travelling abroad, and that the addition of the BlackBerry
technology was part of Optus? approach to ensure its customers had
access to a range of clever email solutions
"International SMS is a simple, discreet and cost effective way for
mobile users on Optus? network to stay in touch with their friends,
relatives and colleagues overseas. The recent addition of networks in
North American countries - such as the United States and Canada - was
particularly significant. It gives our customers the opportunity to
reach millions of additional mobile users via SMS," he said.
The extension of Optus? international SMS service to North America was
supported by an intercarrier messaging platform provided by United
States based company, InphoMatch. The platform enables messages sent
or received by Optus customers to be converted between its global
system for mobile (GSM) network, and the code division multiple access
(CDMA) networks common in North American countries.
BlackBerry, a popular corporate wireless service in Asia, Europe and
the US, provides integrated access to email, data, Internet, phone and
personal information management applications on a single wireless
handheld. BlackBerry is a totally integrated solution that includes
hardware, software and service. BlackBerry Enterprise ServerTM
software is available on Microsoft Exchange® and IBM Lotus® DominoTM
platforms. BlackBerry is deployed by thousands of corporations with
over 1.3 million active subscribers worldwide.
?Accessing email on the go is no longer just for technology
evangelists, it?s become a basic requirement for most businesses,?
said Allen Lew.?
http://unsw.innovationxchange.com.au/networknews.read.html?ft_id=00000000306
Blackberry User?s Forum-Gain insight on user?s experiences.
http://pdaphonehome.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=d8416badc0df7f646c7c37f3d1c29b69&forumid=80
========
SideKick
========
The SideKick has more memory(48MB) than the Blackberry(16MB), out of
the box, but memory can be added.
?The Sidekick II weighs 6.49 ounces and measures 5.12 x 2.60 x 0.87
inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4.5 hours of digital
talk time, and up to 60 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the
GSM/GPRS 900/1800/1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one year
limited warranty.? ?The overall size of the Sidekick II is another big
change. The unit is approximately 25 percent thinner than the previous
version. Overall, it has been improved to provide a more comfortable
feel when used as a phone. It's also been designed with an integrated
camera for the first time. The camera, LED flash unit and self
portrait mirror are located on the back of the Sidekick II.
The Sidekick II runs on the proprietary Hiptop OS, which is designed
with a unique wheel-shaped menu for easy selection of applications and
functions. The device is built with a total of 48 MB of internal
memory.?
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/wireless/B00063DKVC/glance/qid=1111347224/br=1-1/ref=br_lf_wr_1/102-0151843-2968118
?The thin new T-Mobile Sidekick II makes it even easier to stay in the
know (and on the go).
Flip open the big color screen and shoot off unlimited e-mails on the
better-than-ever QWERTY keyboard. Snap a photo with the new built-in
camera and send it to your friends. Hop online and check your top Web
picks. Or just pick up your Sidekick II and make a call.
On second thought, don't bother picking it up. It's also got a speakerphone.
E-mail - Get your own free 6 MB e-mail account (username@tmail.com).
You can also set up as many as three external e-mail accounts to
deliver e-mail directly to your Sidekick II inbox.
*****Note: Corporate e-mail is not supported.*********
Instant messaging - Chat instantly, anywhere, with even more buddies,
using the installed AOL® Instant Messenger? (AIM®) service. Or you can
download the Yahoo!® Messenger through the Download Fun? catalog.
Full-featured world phone - Get WorldClass international calling and a
better phone experience with the improved design of Sidekick II--now
with speakerphone! You can even personalize yours by downloading HiFi
Ringers? (clips of actual music) and MegaTones® (ringtones that sound
like the real thing).
Web browser - Unlimited real Web browsing allows you to surf virtually
all of your favorite sites--at lightning speeds.
Camera with flash - The new integrated camera with built-in flash
allows you to snap a shot and share it with friends. It even comes
with your own online photo gallery.
Organizer - Do it all from your Sidekick II--check your calendar, find
a phone number, write a note, and update your "to do" list--and
synchronize wirelessly to your desktop interface.
Cool phone upgrades - You'll dig the improved phone comfort and
upgraded phone features, like Photo Caller ID, handier external
navigation buttons, and more!
Features:
6 MB e-mail account included
Instant messaging (AOL® and Yahoo!®)
Real web browsing
World Phone (Tri-band)
Integrated camera with flash
Speakerphone
Photo caller ID
Vcard support
Download Fun?: Cool new games plus hot sounds and voices from your
favorite artists
Organizer: Synchronize it all wirelessly to your desktop interface
Use text messaging to send and receive quick messages?
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?ref=froogle&pfp=froogle&product_code=316329&cm_ven=froogle&cm_cat=&cm_pla=&cm_ite=feed
T-Mobile Sidekick, GSM 900/1800/1900; GPRS, Tri-Mode
http://www.letstalk.com/product/product.htm?depId=1&pgId=100&prId=26607&brandId=209&to=8369
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000A0AZC/102-0151843-2968118?v=glance
=========================
Motorola A630, GSM only
=========================
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0003RA29O/ref=cm_custrec_gl_rec/102-0151843-2968118?v=glance&s=wireless
=========
Panasonic
=========
Weight: 2.50 oz. and Height: 3.1 inches !
· Modes: GSM 900 / GSM 1800 / GSM 1900
· Compatible carriers in the U.S.A.: *CINGULAR GSM, T-MOBILE GSM
http://www.1800mobiles.com/panasonicg50unlocked.html
=====
Nokia
=====
Nokia 9500 ? This PDA phone does it all! Includes a camera, MPEG4
video player, and MP3 player!
?Browse the Internet in rich full color, on a wide, easy-to-read
screen. Work with office documents - not just letters and memos, but
presentations and databases too. Get them from your corporate network
via Wireless LAN or fast mobile access. The Nokia 9500 Communicator
offers high-capacity built-in memory - 80 MB, plus a memory card slot
for even more storage space. Keep your Personal Information Management
data in sync and up-to-date - with PC Suite and OMA Data
Synchronization, you can easily exchange data between your Nokia 9500
Communicator and a compatible PC.?
http://www.1800mobiles.com/nokia-9500-cell-phone.html
============
PalmOne Treo
============
?Now you can use just one device instead of many to get it all done.
The Treo 600 seamlessly combines a full-featured mobile phone and Palm
OS organizer with wireless applications like email, text messaging,
web browsing and even a digital camera. And you get it all in one
device that's so small it fits right in your pocket. With Treo 600,
not only do you have everything you need it's all incredibly easy to
use. That's because everything is totally integrated, so you can check
your calendar while talking on the phone, dial calls directly from
your contacts list, or take a picture and email it to a friend without
having to jump through hoops.?
http://www.1800mobiles.com/treo600unlocked.html
Editor?s choice, PalmSpring Treo 650, PC Magazine
http://www.pcmag.com/category2/0,1738,1638917,00.asp
?Our "unlocked" GSM Treo? 650 smartphone works with almost any
GSM/GPRS network worldwide, so you can use it with your existing
GSM/GPRS service plan. Or use it overseas with additional
international service from your service provider or a new SIM from an
international service provider. Perfect for the frequent international
traveler.
NOTE: Please call your mobile phone service provider to make sure
their service is compatible with phones that run on the GSM/GPRS
network before purchasing an unlocked GSM Treo 650 smartphone.
Why an unlocked GSM Treo smartphone costs more:
Through an agreement with service providers, we are able to give a
significant discount to customers who get a new phone line and sign up
for a one-year service contract when they purchase a Treo smartphone.
However, when you purchase an unlocked GSM Treo smartphone, you are
purchasing it without a service plan or contract. As a result, we are
unable to provide a new activation discount.?
http://web.palmone.com/products/communicators/config/unlocked_gsm.jhtml?categoryId=30025
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1757446,00.asp
Palm Treo 650 was rated highly by c/net reviews:
http://reviews.cnet.com/Smart_phones/4502-6452_7-0.html?cdi=5503244
========
Reviews:
========
Amazon customers rate PDA Phones
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/864136/102-0151843-2968118
C/net PDA Phone reviews, in best to worst order
http://reviews.cnet.com/4502-6452_7-0.html?tag=srch&qt=&cdi=5503244&orderby=-7eRating
PC World?s PDA Smartphone reviews
http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,118795,pg,5,00.asp
PC World has a great cell phone comparison, in general, in an article here:
http://www.pcworld.com/howto/bguide/0,guid,7,page,3,00.asp
Blackberry 7750 was highly rated, but for it?s size, by c/net
http://reviews.cnet.com/RIM_BlackBerry_7750/4505-6452_7-30893956.html?tag=pdtl-list
Sidekick review from c/net
http://reviews.cnet.com/T_Mobile_Sidekick_II/4505-6452_7-30981614.html?tag=pdtl-list
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Technology
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Locked Phone? Unlocked Phone?
?What is a locked cell phone?
A locked cell phone is one that has been altered in order to use only
one particular cellular network. This is often referred to as a
service provider lock or "SP lock" for short. All GSM network
operators lock the GSM cell phones they sell or offer with their
cellular services. This is the hidden cost of the otherwise "free" or
heavily-discounted phone you might receive directly from a network
operator by signing a service contract. The cost of providing you with
a "free" or low cost phone is subsidized over time through more
expensive phone rates when you make calls domestically or roaming
overseas. In the end, you end up paying much more for your "free"
phone and service than you would if you purchased a package through
Cellular Abroad and had the rock-bottom prices available everywhere.
An unlocked phone is therefore one where this software restriction has
been removed.?
http://www.cellularabroad.com/q_as.html#sim
?Any of the international cell phones below are network unlocked and
without service agreement. They can be used on all GSM frequencies in
the US, Europe and Asia. You can also use these international cell
phones (world phones) in the US with any North American GSM carrier
and abroad with European/Asian/Latin American GSM carriers either in
"international roaming" with your US carrier or using local prepaid
minutes.
Most European carriers such as Telecom Italia, Vodafone etc offer
prepaid cards that can be purchased in airports, news-stands and
wireless stores.? This page also has plan comparisons along the
left hand column. http://www.1800mobiles.com/incelsolclic.html
?What is a SIM card?
The SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card also known as a "smart chip"
is basically the "brain" of the phone, providing cellular service as
well as many other functions including call log, voice mail and SMS
and GPRS (internet connection standards). SIM cards are the size of a
credit card but they have a pop-out chip about the size of a postage
stamp which fits into all modern GSM phones. The smart chip is
embedded with circuitry and when inserted into a GSM mobile phone
provides wireless phone service on a particular GSM network. SIM cards
are usually available prepaid or on a contractual basis, however
Cellular Abroad only offers the prepaid version which is the most
popular because of the user's complete control over how much they
spend. There are no hidden fees or surprise charges. To see what a SIM
card looks like, click here for our visual guide.?
http://www.cellularabroad.com/q_as.html#sim
http://www.cellularabroad.com/start.html
?There is no reason why you can't buy half a dozen different SIMs for
half a dozen different countries and change SIMs every time you change
countries. The only disadvantage is that it makes it difficult for
people calling you to know which number to call you at, and you have
to remember many different phone numbers and be juggling many
different accounts, ensuring that none of them expire or run out of
credit.?
http://www.thetravelinsider.info/2003/0801.htm
?How is the cellular coverage in other countries?
Generally speaking, cellular coverage overseas is excellent?much
better than average coverage in the US and Canada. Cellular usage is
more common overseas than it is in the US and the GSM standard is a
higher quality than many of the technologies available domestically.
One point to make, however, is that buildings in Europe are sometimes
many hundreds of years old. Thus they have much thicker walls than
relatively modern US architecture, so if you are indoors and away from
a window, you may have difficulty getting reception.
What are PIN and PUK numbers?
Some prepaid SIM cards have a security mechanism in place that
requires the subscriber to enter in a PIN (personal identification
number) code every time the GSM cell phone is turned on. When a PIN
code has been assigned it is important not to forget this code. If you
enter the PIN code incorrectly into the phone 3 times in a row then
your GSM cell phone will display a Blocked message on its LCD. When
this occurs you will then be required to unblock your phone using the
PUK code. If you enter the PUK phone incorrectly 10 times in a row you
will block your SIM card indefinitely. All phones have a different set
of procedures to unblock and you will need to consult your GSM cell
phone manual when this occurs. We strongly suggest that if you have
the PIN-check feature enabled on your SIM card, that you turn it off.
Please consult your phone manual's index under the "security" or
"lock" section if unsure how to disable PIN-check.
f the SIM card costs $80, do I get $80 worth of talk time?
When you purchase the prepaid SIM card, you are buying the brain that
inserts into your GSM cell phone and makes it work. There is always
some credit included with new SIM cards, but the amounts vary from
country to country. Additional airtime is purchased locally and
usually available at or near face value. For example, a 25 Euro
voucher will credit your SIM card 25 Euros. The remaining cost for the
SIM card is a set-up fee which pays for service on this particular
pre-paid account.?
http://www.cellularabroad.com/q_as.html#sim
GSM
?GSM is also known as Global System for Mobile Communications, or
simply Global System for Mobile. A technology started development in
1985 by a French company formerly known as Groupe Spécial Mobile. It's
main competetor is CDMA, currently in use by Bell Mobility, Telus
Mobility and Mobility Canada carriers.?
http://www.canadiancontent.net/tech/mobile/gsm.html
http://www.telestial.com/faq_gsmphone.htm
CDMA
?Because Qualcomm Inc. created communications chips for CDMA
technology, it was privy to the classified information. Once the
information became public, Qualcomm claimed patents on the technology
and became the first to commercialize it.?
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/C/CDMA.html
?CDMA, for Code Division Multiple Access, is different than those
traditional ways in that it does not allocate frequency or time in
user slots but gives the right to use both to all users
simultaneously. To do this, it uses a technique known as Spread
Spectrum. In effect, each user is assigned a code which spreads its
signal bandwidth in such a way that only the same code can recover it
at the receiver end. This method has the property that the unwanted
signals with different codes get spread even more by the process,
making them like noise to the receiver.?
http://www.tsp.ece.mcgill.ca/Telecom/Docs/cdma.html
Spread Spectrum Technology
http://sss-mag.com/ss.html
Whew? Well, Mike, I hope this answer has cleared things up for you. I
think you will come to rely on your PSA Phone more than you expect!
Pay close attention to whether you want a locked phone, or not, select
a model that has attractive features, and sign up for a plan! You
could start by using the link below to locate a T-Mobile store in your
location. Visit the store and seek out the most knowledgeable employee
and ask what options and plans they can give you. Compare them to the
CellularAbroad and Telestial links I gave you above.
http://www.t-mobile.com/locator.asp?referer=/coverage/Default.asp%3Fclass%3Dcoverage
If any part of this answer is unclear, or you need further assistance,
please do not close this question by rating. Simply request an Answer
Clarification, and I will be happy to respond.
Regards, Crabcakes
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