Buying a mobile phone from overseas
2005/04/06 14:19:43
I was wanting to know that if I purchase a mobile phone from overseas, would I
be able to use it in Australia?
-- Submitted by: Vanessa, via e-mail
Answer by:
Jeremy Roche
That said, GSM networks in Australia operate on the 900/1800MHz spectrum, which is compatible with most networks in the UK, Europe and Asia.
So ensure any phone that you purchase is, at minimum, a dual-band handset supporting the GSM 900/1800 standard. As a rule of thumb, steer clear of phones from the US and Canada. North American networks are generally based on the GSM 850/1900 standard. However, if you plan on frequently travelling overseas, look for a tri-band (GSM 900/1800/1900) or quad-band (GSM 850/900/1800/1900) handset for maximum flexibility. For more information on the different networks in overseas countries, take a look at the GSM Association's Web site.
A word of warning before you make your purchase, ensure the phone is not SIM locked. Mobile phone providers often lock handsets that are given out free of charge on a contract to only accept SIM cards from their own network.
Finally, if you are buying your phone though an online auction site such as eBay, make sure to check the feedback in the seller's profile before placing a bid.
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Not_A_DoDo
18/10/2007 02:53 AM
Thank you for the tip, went to link and still don't know if my Tri-Ban 900/1800/1900 with GSM/GPRS will work in Japan. Apparently if I have a Quad band it will do global roaming. The phone I am talking about is i-mobile 902 and I know it works in Thailand and Australia? Help Please
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karlos51
07/11/2007 04:57 PM
yes it does, I have two here in Perth and they're fine :)
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Not_A_DoDo
30/11/2007 09:59 PM
Thanks Karlos51, Unfortunately I only got notification of your reply today. Did I understand you correctly and the I-mobile will work in Japan and Austalia? Also are there any other phones apart from Nokia which will work in Japan and Australia, take good photos and also records Videos at 30fps?
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