OK well I purchased one of these things...
http://dx.com/p/samsung-i917-wcdma-wp7-5-smart-phone-w-4-0-capacitive-single-sim-wi-fi-and-gps-black-124038

and a 32Gb micro-SD card.

All good on the micro-SD, recognised and soaked that up on a reboot. 

pulled the SIM from my Android phone, and put that in, all good too.

But a whole lotta stuff doesn't work...
* can't TXT to more than one recipient
* can't send or receive MMS messages.
* can't download any apps (says it's got to 100%, then stops and comes up with retry/cancel).

The last one's a killer, because I see if I go into the Marketplace and then Samsung Zone, there is a "Network Profile" app (as well as a Tango app that would be nice!) to install. 

This *may* fix my problem?

I have phoned 2 degrees, and was escalated to a tech dude that rang me the other day, explained that I need (probably) an NZ compatible ROM.

So I phoned Samsung NZ, and they don't wanna know about it - not a supported phone in NZ 'cos they don't have 'em here in NZ.

So Samsung, USA - online live chat...
Please wait for a Samsung Agent to respond.   You are now chatting with 'Cindy'. There will be a brief survey at the end of our chat to share feedback on my performance today.   Your Issue ID for this chat is LTK56401435526X   Cindy: Hi, thank you for contacting Samsung Technical Support. How may I help you today?

Visitor: Hi Cindy,   Visitor: I'm from New Zealand   Cindy: Hi, please let me know how I may help you.   Visitor: And Samsung NZ told me they can not support my AT&T World i917 phone   Visitor: it does not work correctly here in NZ   Cindy: I apologize for the inconvenience.   Visitor: I believe that a ROM might be available for it   Visitor: but I cannot download *any* apps - including the Samsung ones   Visitor: I am wondering if it's possible to send it to you in the USA, and get Samsung USA to put a New Zealand compatible ROM on it   Visitor: I purchased it from Dealextreme - and I guess my other option is to return it to them.   Visitor: However, I'd really like to get it working.   Cindy: I understand that you want to know whether there is an option to install compatible ROM for your phone. Is that correct?   Visitor: yes, a ROM that will allow it to work correctly here in New Zealand   Visitor: I have done some searching, and found this forum ...   Visitor: http://club.dx.com/forums/Forums.dx/threadid.1172193?page=1   Visitor: which looks promsing, in terms of putting ROMs on it.   Visitor: However, I cannot download them via the phone   Cindy: I am sorry, we in live chat do not have access to open third party web-sites.   Visitor: other things don't work either, such as MMS, and sending TXT's to more than one recipient   Cindy: I will be  happy to provide you the required information.   Visitor: yes I know that, but it looks like it might be possible - from what I've seen on sites like that, that a ROM's are available.   Visitor: I would rather have experts like you folk do do the job, if it is possible   Visitor: and am happy, of course, to pay for the postage etc.   Cindy: Unfortunately, we in live chat do not have information whether a new ROM can be installed manually on your phone. However, I recommend you please contact Samsung Voice support as they will provide you with the required information for the same from their end.   Cindy: You can contact our voice support at 1-888-987-4357, Mon-Fri: 7 AM - 9 PM (CST), Sat: 9 AM - 6 PM (CST).   Cindy: I apologize for the inconvenience.   Visitor: OK, happy to ring - however, not sure how to ring that number from New Zealand   Cindy: I would have surely helped you if I had the information for the same at my end, due to the fact that this might lead to inaccurate information and confusion.

Cindy: My technical expertise lies only with troubleshooting technical issues for US model phones.   Visitor: is that like an 0800 number (free call) number?   Cindy: Yes, its a toll-free number   Visitor: do you have a normal contact number I can use - as I don't think I can use a free call number like that from New Zealand   Cindy: I am sorry, the only contact number available is 1-888-987-4357.   Visitor: OK, well I'll give it a go! :)   Visitor: thanks for your help, Duncan.   Cindy: You're welcome. Is there anything else I can assist you with?

Visitor: nope, all good thanks Cindy   Visitor: Cheers.   Cindy: It was a pleasure assisting you. Thank you for contacting Samsung Technical Support. If you have a minute, please click on the blue “X close” button to receive a transcript of your chat and fill out a brief survey to help us serve you better. Have a wonderful day!   Chat session has been terminated by the Samsung Agent.  

So I'm still really in nowhere land.

Does anyone have any advice about the best way to proceed from here?

Is a ROM available?

How does one call a freecall USA number? :)

Cheers,  Duncan.