AirGuardian
07-14-2005, 09:52 AM
This phone will not work on GSM networks here in the U.S.
Since GSM is 800/1900 and 900/1800 abroad, this phone only has the GSM overseas frequencies plugged into it. When operating in the U.S., it uses the CDMA network Sprint has provided here. :clap:
So, 2 bands here in the U.S. under CDMA(digital/analog) and 2 bands abroad with interanational GSM making it the Quadband it is I suppose...
The phone is unlocked :clap: since I used the O2 card in UK without a problem and the GSM nomenclature in the display lit up. Interestingly enough, when the phone did not have a sim card in it - it did give me the ability to use the GSM network under the vice of Emergency Calls only, which is nice if you're really in a pinch. I also stuck in my friends Cingular card from here Tri-band phone and it worked as well in the UK and Denmark, granted it charged her the minutes(and my other buddy) and ran under the guise of her/his phone number of course. The sim cards come with their own number as you know, but a small price to pay at 10 cents a minute or so with mostly free incoming calls... In the UK it's illegal to charge for incoming calls - at least that's what the rep said at the booth....hmmmm... :fingers:
So, it is unlocked(at least mine is) like the Sprint International rep said it would be and it will take sim cards using the existing international network as well. It tested well in Denmark as well. I'm headed back out to the Middle East soon and will update again later when I buy another sim card there. I have the Sprint Sim card for the flat rate of $1.50 per minute, but that's only for direct calls in a pinch - I'll keep buying sim cards whereever I can get my hands on them. It seems cheaper to buy them in country then at telestial.com or other sites. But if you need service right off the plane then you can't beat the online bought cards. Hope this helps!!! The Sprint international folks are very helpful and seem to be the only ones who really know how this phone operates and what we want as users. Take care and let me know if you have other questions! :headbang2
Note: The $150 upgrade rebate after 18 months of prior service on my original phone is in the works which Sprint has acknowledged through their rebate mailing service and I traded the Sanyo in for $50 as well. They even downloaded all 357 numbers straight into the A790 for me hassle free... still have 143 number openings left which won't take long to fill... :rolleyes:
Great display, screen is still hard to read in direct sunlight(just turn around with sun to back obviously) :irked: and the keyboard is easy to use.
Only drawback is the weird ringer tones as many have mentioned and the case which is very nice but it covers the frontside display. It also blocks out the speaker on the back when incoming calls are made somewhat. Nice laquer finish, but fingerprints are excessive and need to be cleaned off regularly. I'm just a neat freak I guess. Really have no complaints since it gives me worldwide coverage at decent rates which it was intended for. Once again, it's superior if you travel and want ONE PHONE - if you don't travel I guess it's nice to be the only one who has it....I guess.... :scare:
Since GSM is 800/1900 and 900/1800 abroad, this phone only has the GSM overseas frequencies plugged into it. When operating in the U.S., it uses the CDMA network Sprint has provided here. :clap:
So, 2 bands here in the U.S. under CDMA(digital/analog) and 2 bands abroad with interanational GSM making it the Quadband it is I suppose...
The phone is unlocked :clap: since I used the O2 card in UK without a problem and the GSM nomenclature in the display lit up. Interestingly enough, when the phone did not have a sim card in it - it did give me the ability to use the GSM network under the vice of Emergency Calls only, which is nice if you're really in a pinch. I also stuck in my friends Cingular card from here Tri-band phone and it worked as well in the UK and Denmark, granted it charged her the minutes(and my other buddy) and ran under the guise of her/his phone number of course. The sim cards come with their own number as you know, but a small price to pay at 10 cents a minute or so with mostly free incoming calls... In the UK it's illegal to charge for incoming calls - at least that's what the rep said at the booth....hmmmm... :fingers:
So, it is unlocked(at least mine is) like the Sprint International rep said it would be and it will take sim cards using the existing international network as well. It tested well in Denmark as well. I'm headed back out to the Middle East soon and will update again later when I buy another sim card there. I have the Sprint Sim card for the flat rate of $1.50 per minute, but that's only for direct calls in a pinch - I'll keep buying sim cards whereever I can get my hands on them. It seems cheaper to buy them in country then at telestial.com or other sites. But if you need service right off the plane then you can't beat the online bought cards. Hope this helps!!! The Sprint international folks are very helpful and seem to be the only ones who really know how this phone operates and what we want as users. Take care and let me know if you have other questions! :headbang2
Note: The $150 upgrade rebate after 18 months of prior service on my original phone is in the works which Sprint has acknowledged through their rebate mailing service and I traded the Sanyo in for $50 as well. They even downloaded all 357 numbers straight into the A790 for me hassle free... still have 143 number openings left which won't take long to fill... :rolleyes:
Great display, screen is still hard to read in direct sunlight(just turn around with sun to back obviously) :irked: and the keyboard is easy to use.
Only drawback is the weird ringer tones as many have mentioned and the case which is very nice but it covers the frontside display. It also blocks out the speaker on the back when incoming calls are made somewhat. Nice laquer finish, but fingerprints are excessive and need to be cleaned off regularly. I'm just a neat freak I guess. Really have no complaints since it gives me worldwide coverage at decent rates which it was intended for. Once again, it's superior if you travel and want ONE PHONE - if you don't travel I guess it's nice to be the only one who has it....I guess.... :scare: