Will my Smartphone work in coastal NSW using Telstra

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KiwiTim

376 posts

Ultimate Geek

#172146 13-May-2015 07:28

Although I am generally very good with technology and computers, I am pretty much a newbie to the smartphone world. I finally caught up with the masses and purchased a Samsung Galaxy Ace Style SM-G310HN for the princely sum of $77 at Christmas.

Details: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_ace_style-6284.php

This is locked to the 2Degrees network. I understand that I can unlock this phone, but 2Degrees will charge me $30.

Is there a way to unlock it without cost?

I'm moving to the north NSW coast and am hoping this phone will work with Telstra. Can someone confirm yes/no?

Many thanks,

Tim

Behodar

10504 posts

Uber Geek

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#1303276 13-May-2015 07:30

I might be blind since it's first thing in the morning, but those specs don't seem to list the frequencies. Do you have the official specs somewhere? If not, the easiest thing is probably to try a Spark SIM; Telstra's network is very similar.

KiwiTim

376 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1303279 13-May-2015 07:36

Technology GSM / HSPA

2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900

3G bands HSDPA 900 / 2100

Speed HSPA

GPRS Yes

EDGE Yes

Is this what you need?

Behodar

10504 posts

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#1303281 13-May-2015 07:38

Yep, those are the details. No luck with Telstra, I'm afraid.

KiwiTim

376 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1303282 13-May-2015 07:53

What about Optus or Vodafone?

johnr

19282 posts

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Inactive user

#1303284 13-May-2015 07:59

Yes to Optus and Vodafone

KiwiTim

376 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1303288 13-May-2015 08:17

Great news, Optus it is then!

trig42

5810 posts

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ID Verified

#1303328 13-May-2015 09:34

You will still need to get it unlocked by 2 Degrees, and $30 is very reasonable to do it. It was cheap ($77) because it was locked. It would have probably been a $149 phone unlocked.

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KiwiTim

376 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1304508 13-May-2015 13:37

Yes, $30 is cheap. I thought there might be some hack to unlock android smartphones. I know next to nothing about smart phones, but am very useful with PCs and other devices like Smart TVs, so I am used to following technical instructions, but if there is no tried and true procedure to unlock it, I'll let 2Degrees do it for me.

Thanks for the advice.

Tim

Smithy100

180 posts

Master Geek

#1307868 19-May-2015 16:22

Be sure to check out some of the re-sellers as there are some really good options available depending on your needs (ie: Vaya, Yatango) besides the main carriers (also Virgin is on Voda I think?). The market there is much more fragmented... also, go prepay at least initially until you get your head around the best option/s.

old3eyes

9119 posts

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Subscriber

#1307878 19-May-2015 16:47

From memory you have to produce your passport to be able to buy a SIM in Ozz..

Regards,

Old3eyes

Technofreak

6530 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1307895 19-May-2015 17:48

old3eyes: From memory you have to produce your passport to be able to buy a SIM in Ozz..

No you can buy pre paid at somewhere like Coles or Woolworths, no ID required.

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Athlonite

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#1307897 19-May-2015 17:54

trig42: You will still need to get it unlocked by 2 Degrees, and $30 is very reasonable to do it. It was cheap ($77) because it was locked. It would have probably been a $149 phone unlocked.

That is very cheap going the other way Telstra to NZ unlock they wanted $100AUD for the pleasure so I told them where they could stick it and just bought the son a new phone