Handset compatibility

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Handset compatibility

Johnny Mak

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#55271 27-Dec-2009 23:22

Hello

I am on the XT network

I need a new handset and was thinking about getting one from overseas off ebay.

I understand my XT sim card will only work with some handset's

can someone please tell me what specs I need to check the handset has so that it will work with my XT sim card

Thanks

nzbnw

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Spark NZ

#285512 27-Dec-2009 23:40

Any phone needs to support WCDMA on the 850 MHz band.

Note that GSM on the 850 band is not supported as XT is a 100% 3G network, with no 2G GSM component. Make sure the phone is unlocked, and try looking for models suited to AT&T or Telstra Next G.

What sort of phone are you after?

nzbnw

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richms

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#285524 28-Dec-2009 02:40

there are heaps on ebay US that are suitable, and some on ebay AU at much better prices than any of the local parallel importers are selling at.

Richard rich.ms

Johnny Mak

37 posts

Geek

#285540 28-Dec-2009 08:58

not to sure what sort of phone im after, nothing to flash maybe something in the $150-$300 range

any recommendations?

I have had a bit of a look on Ebay, would one like this work on XT

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-NOKIA-3G-6600-Slide-6600s-3MP-AT-T-T-MOB-CELL-PHO_W0QQitemZ190360876605QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCell_Phones?hash=item2c5264763d

I see telecom sells the same exact phone but on the auction I can't find it saying that it supports WCDMA

Thanks

Behodar

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#285573 28-Dec-2009 12:06

For your purposes, UMTS is the same as WCDMA. The specs list UMTS 850/2100 support so it should work.

nzbnw

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#285654 28-Dec-2009 17:16

FYI that phones only $399 here and includes a SIM, so you need to do the math around shipping, GST and warranties etc. I wouldn't think it would be worth your while at $188 USD?

http://store.telecom.co.nz/mobile/prepaid/nokia-6600#special-offer-tab

nzbnw

EDIT: add hyperlink

Linuxluver

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#286933 4-Jan-2010 17:17

Be aware that a phone sourced over seas may be locked to a particular telco and may not be usable here despite having perfect specs.

Example: I have a Samsung phone bought in Canada that can't be used with NZ telcos because it is locked to Bell Canada. I could use it to roam here on a Bell account....but that was all I could do. Very expensive.

Most US and Canadian phones are locked to the network of the telco that sold the phone. Some telcos let you unlock for a fee. Others don't provide any such service. Getting them unlocked can be perilous or expensive.

NZ is one of few countries where all phones sold are unlocked, so we don't tend to think about such things, but overseas the locking issue is the first hurdle anyone needs to overcome in order to move to any other telco than the one that sold the phone.

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I've been on Geekzone over 16 years..... Time flies....

Johnny Mak

37 posts

Geek

#423630 3-Jan-2011 09:30

I am thinking about purchasing the following cell phone:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nokia-3710-Fold-Quadband-UMTS-3-2MP-Black-Unlocked-Wty-/170583704027?pt=AU_Mobile_Phones&hash=item27b794c1db

Can anyone please tell me if this will work with my telecom NZ simcard?

Many thanks in advance,

Regards
Johnny

Behodar

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#423636 3-Jan-2011 09:41

No.

"Network (3G): UMTS 900 / 1900 / 2100"
You need 850 for Telecom.

Edit: Telecom sells a compatible model.