Continued from the 'Are we deluded' Thread...

[55Kevy]

So Sven and I had some exchanges on the thread titled "Are we deluded" regarding WP7 and syncing Outlook data... here are some more questions:

I've been living overseas for several years and have become accustomed to purchasing unlocked 3G GSM phones through internet providers so that I can drop in my foreign service SIM card when overseas and my T-Mobile pay/go SIM when in the US. These have been conventional cell phones (current one is a Nokia 3120 purchased in Singapore a couple years ago). I have used a WM PDA since 2000, however my current iPAQ 210 has developed a power leak that I cannot seem to correct. So it looks like I need to bite the bullet and move to a converged device. As noted in the previous thread, I use the PDA primarily to:
- Keep my calendar and contacts synced between PDA, work PC, and home PC. I use PI to manage my PIM data.
- Sync my work email so that I can access it outside the office.
- Track password and other important info using eWallet.
- Formerly to read books (eReader) but now use a Kindle.
- Play occasional games.
Sven has graciously commented extensively on these uses wrt WP7.

I'll repatriate in June, and my question now is, can I buy an unlocked HTC HD7 and expect to be able to use my T-Mobile pay/go card and the SIM card of the service my employer uses (either ATT or Verizon: most people I know now use Crack(er, Black)berries)? In practice I'd probably use the HD7 with my work SIM and that would be my primary contact for incoming calls, but keep my personal SIM in the Nokia for out-going, non-work-related, calls.

I ask the question because of a comment in another thread that questioned the data connection with an unlocked phone vs. hardware provided by the SIM provider.

Thanks!

Kevy

[Sven Johannsen]

The rub is that our GSM carriers use different bands for their 'premium' data services. So while you can stick any SIM in any unlocked phone and make phone cals and text, you may be limited to Edge speeds if the phone hardware doesn't match the carrier bands. A T-Mobile HD7 with an AT&T SIM will run EDGE data, and an AT&T Focus with a T-Mobile SIM will run EDGE. Verizon and Sprint are not GSM carriers and their phones are stuck on their own networks. No SIM to swap.

So, if you can find an unlocked phone, for which you will of course pay full price, it is likely it will only be fully functional on one network. You also need to be careful about what you sign. While T-Mobile has a no-contract plan, that is not clearly advertised, if you bring your own phone and ask, AT&T will lock you into a two year 'lease' even if you don't want a phone.