G1 World Phone?

[Adwohc]

I travel and want an unlocked Android system so I can call anywhere from anywhere...Is that possible with the G1?

[remister]

You will need to have Skype or VOIP on the phone to call from everywhere :)

[al74]

You will need to have Skype or VOIP on the phone to call from everywhere :)

Assuming you can get it unlocked it is a quadband world phone on regular GSM networks. As to 3G networks, it only supports T-mobiles UMTS 1700 in the U.S. and Europe's UMTS 2100.

[1279]

I thought that Tmo can give you a code to unlock the phone after 90days.

[al74]

I thought that Tmo can give you a code to unlock the phone after 90days.

It probably will.

[MrGibbage]

Just curious, why would tmo do that? I'm not doubting that they will or won't--I honestly don't know (nor do I have the desire to unlock my phone in the first place). But I wonder, from a business sense, why would tmo give unlock codes after 90 days or any period of time? Doesn't make sense to me.

[1279]

Just curious, why would tmo do that? I'm not doubting that they will or won't--I honestly don't know (nor do I have the desire to unlock my phone in the first place). But I wonder, from a business sense, why would tmo give unlock codes after 90 days or any period of time? Doesn't make sense to me.


The customer is already tied into the contract. So, providing the customer the unlock code would not really affect the business. It give the customer more flexiblity when they travel around the world. This is one reason why I didnt want to get an Iphone. ATT told me that after 2 yr contract if I leave them the iphone will not work at all.

I am from Hong kong and no carrier in Hong Kong locks their phone (even iphone).:D

[crpage77979]

is it truly a world phone as far as the qualband, i woould think being a t-mobile product it would be!?

[MrGibbage]

That's interesting. And once the phone is unlocked, and say I travel to Eastern Elbonia, where they only have u-Mobile service, will my phone *just work*, or will I need to have a u-Mobile contract first?

[Cricketman]

You'd be roaming in one of their services.

[MrGibbage]

But would the phone need to be unlocked to do that? My confusion lies in what exactly unlocking allows a phone to do. Perhaps someone could explain it here for me?

[Cricketman]

I'm not unlocked and I travel quite frequently.

When I go to Germany, it changes to "Orange". India - "Relience". France "O2" South Africa "Neo" (i think). England "Vadafone" Australia "3"... All I can remember right now :p

I think all you have to do is Call T-Mo and ask for International Roaming. It doesn't add to the monthly cost I don't think, but the price per minute is ridiculous.

[hawtseks]

If your phone is unlocked you can get a pre-paid sim card for while you're abroad. Its much cheaper than international roaming.

[MrGibbage]

And here I always thought it was some underground hacking thing. Very cool. I do occasionally travel overseas, so maybe I should look into that. Does it cost anything to get the unlock code and does it cost any more per month? Once I put the pre-paid sim card in, then the minutes just come off that--tmo is completely out of the picture then (except for my regular monthly bills)? Am I getting it now? (Sorry for all the questions today)

[ren857]

And here I always thought it was some underground hacking thing. Very cool. I do occasionally travel overseas, so maybe I should look into that. Does it cost anything to get the unlock code and does it cost any more per month? Once I put the pre-paid sim card in, then the minutes just come off that--tmo is completely out of the picture then (except for my regular monthly bills)? Am I getting it now? (Sorry for all the questions today)

To answer your questions in order:
No, it doesn't cost anymore per month for an unlocked device.
Yes, that is correct - TMobile is out of the picture with another pre-paid sim.
Yes, you are getting it! ;)

[hawtseks]

Right. Your T-mobile sim card is what links you to T-mobile. When you replace that with a different sim card, you're no longer using their service. You'll still get the monthly bill, it just wont have (as many) minutes used. For the new sim card to work, though, the phone must be unlocked. You can usually find those pre-paid cards at airports as most of the world uses the GSM frequencies for cellphones which is why quad-band cellphones like the G1 are called 'world phones'.

[MrGibbage]

And one question that wasn't answered--does tmo usually charge to provide the unlock code? Btw, how is the code applied? Is it over the air, or is it some series of keys that I will enter in?

Thanks for all the help!

[al74]

That's interesting. And once the phone is unlocked, and say I travel to Eastern Elbonia, where they only have u-Mobile service, will my phone *just work*, or will I need to have a u-Mobile contract first?

No phone "just works" (other than calling emergency services). You need to inser a sim card of a service provider and that sim card need to be tied to a service (either monthly or prepaid). If you use your T-mobile sim abroad you don't need to unlock your phone. You will just roam and pay a hefty rate.

[al74]

And one question that wasn't answered--does tmo usually charge to provide the unlock code? Btw, how is the code applied? Is it over the air, or is it some series of keys that I will enter in?

Thanks for all the help!

T-mobile unlocked 3 of my phones in the past 4 years. I never paid anything. Just called and told them I'm traveling abroad and what my phone to be unlocked.

[1279]

T-mobile unlocked 3 of my phones in the past 4 years. I never paid anything. Just called and told them I'm traveling abroad and what my phone to be unlocked.

How do you input the code into the phone?

[Audemars]

How do you input the code into the phone?

They'll explain it when you call to do it. It just depends on the phone.

[Gary.Lavin]

Is Skype going to be available at launch?

[almightyA]

VOXOFON offers a comparable application that runs in the background that charges you ridiculously discounted prices:



http://www.googleandroidsphone.com/news/voxofon-voip-application-google-android-phone/

[tread]

for international dialing rates

http://www.t-mobile.com/International/LongDistanceOverview.aspx

for international roaming rates

http://www.t-mobile.com/International/RoamingOverview.aspx?tp=Inl_Tab_RoamWorldwide

[RussianSolja]

im hoping they will let us SIM unlock the phones soon :)