Understanding Quad-Band Cell Phones
Mon Jun 19, 2006 2:50PM EDT
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Reader Ramesh Venkat writes: I want to buy a Sprint Treo 650 on eBay and getting quite confused. I see some listings that say Sprint PCS network compatibility but they also list the phone as quad band/GSM. I also see this type of phone listed as unbranded and unlocked, world multi-band, and service compatibilty with all major phone service providers in the US, including Sprint. My questions are:
I understand that Sprint PCS is CDMA, how does this work with quad band/GSM?
Would sprint be able to put me on their network if I buy the unbranded world multi band? Or the quad band/GSM?
Is it possible to have a phone that works for both CDMA and GSM (can I use it on the sprint network and can also put
in my T-Mobile pay-as-you-go SIM or international SIM card)?
First a primer on quad-band: Quad-Band means the phone support multiple GSM bands. We use 850MHz/1900MHz GSM in the U.S. Overseas you find mostly 900MHz and 1800MHz GSM networks. A quad-band phone would support all of these, so you could use it anywhere in the world where GSM service is offered. World Multi-Band is more of a marketing term than a technical one and doesn't have an agreed-upon definition, but typically these phones support the same four bands.
Now to CDMA, which is a completely different network that requires a different type of radio. There are indeed a few phones that contain both CDMA and GSM radios. Verizon sells three "Global Phones," a Motorola a840, a Samsung a795, and a Samsung i830, all outfitted with both radios. Sprint does not appear to offer any such phones with both CDMA and GSM radios.
PalmOne does not make a dual CDMA/GSM Treo, so if the auction you're seeing isn't phony, it's probably a hacked-together version of a two Treos to include both radios. There's no way to know if the phone is legitimate or not, of course, without buying it.
Since Sprint is indeed a CDMA network, if the phone supports CDMA it will theoretically work on the Sprint network. However, it's up to Sprint to decide if they will allow it on the network: You will have to buy the phone, then call them and ask to have it activated. Since you didn't buy the phone from the company, it's up to Sprint to decide whether to do so, and it's under no obligation to allow the phone on the network at all. Typically, however, this is not a problem.
As for using the GSM features of the phone, this is theoretically possible, but maybe not exactly in the way you've described. There's no technical reason why you shouldn't be able to switch the phone from CDMA to GSM at will, but that would have to be a feature of the handset. Who knows how it's supposed to work. You should ask the seller of the phone, though you might not get a straight answer. This is eBay, after all. Perhaps some of this blog's other readers have done such a thing and can offer some advice from their experiences?
Comments on Understanding Quad-Band Cell Phones
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2 Posted by d.urbanski on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:33PM EDT Report Abuse
I am so confused...I just want a PHONE that I can use on my weekend property in Texas. I have been told I need a quad-band phone. Are there different strengths of quad-band, is one quad-band better than another as far as receiving service in a particular area?
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3 Posted by veiturbides on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:33PM EDT Report Abuse
Getting a Quad Band is the safest way to go and the strength of the quad band is the same on each phone. The make of the phone will be what determines if you get good sound quality from the phone. The strength of the single will be determined by the area you are in. Just pick a phone you like that has quad band and you will be fine. Just make sure that you find out what network is best in your area GSM or CDMA?
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4 Posted by c_chulo98 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:33PM EDT Report Abuse
Depends on what part of the world you are going. I have a Quadband phone gsm works fine all over the world except Japan. For that i need a wcdma, phone. There are several trinad 900/1800/1900 its ok but wont work the edge network in the US or at least not in houston. where u need to have the 850 band otherwise my internet on my phone wont work. If you notice Nokia my fav brand besides HTC will make a US version a Wolrd version. US is the only coundty that uses the 850 band most others use 900 or 1900. im still waiting for the quadband gsm/ w-cdma from HTC the makers of most windows mobile phones. i like having a full keyboard on my phone. Im just picky when it comes to my phones. LOL hope this helps if you need any help let me know.
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5 Posted by adad3131 on Fri Aug 14, 2009 11:18PM EDT Report Abuse
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1 Posted by fredbiker on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:03PM EDT Report Abuse
I use the Treo 650. I would like to purchase another Treo 650 or comparable world phone. I like to write on my screen on my phone, not using the key-board. TMobile does not sell a 650, and AT&T( Cingular ) tells me they will no longer sell the 650,nor provide a comparable phone; i.e. one I can write on. Since I am a TMoble customer, I need an unlocked world phone. Is there one available? If not, can a 650 be purchased since they are being outdated? Please help. Fred time