A Smart Phone Built For Networks Outside of North America

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A Smart Phone Built For Networks Outside of North America

by Wei725 Nov 2, 2013 1:57PM PDT

I am considering whether it is feasible to bring a smart phone built for outside of North America to US or not. The phone has two card slots: one for TD-SCDMA and the other one for GSM, or one for WCDMA and the other one for GSM. Can the phone work in a North American wireless network such as T-Mobile?

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Thanks both

by Wei725 Nov 3, 2013 2:31AM PST

Thanks for your inputs. You gave a lead on my question.

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Network data

by Wei725 Nov 3, 2013 4:10AM PST

Radio frequency spectrum chart
Further information: UMTS frequency bands and LTE frequency bands
The following chart describes radio frequency spectrum bands accessible by the company's customers using compatible GSM based devices.
T-Mobile GSM-based Network
Frequency Band Band number Radio Interface Generation Status Notes

1700 MHz AWS 4 UMTS/HSPA+ 42Mbit/s 3G[57] In Service Markets 3G HSPA+ as "4G" starting from 2010.
1900 MHz PCS 2 UMTS/HSPA+ 21Mbit/s 3G In Service/Building out Moving 3G HSPA+ to this band[5
1700 MHz AWS 4 LTE 4G In Service/Building out

And the phone information on this subject:

network standard: GSM TD-SCDMA
Network frequence: GSM 900/1800/1900, TD-SCDMA 1900/2100
Data service: GSM/GPRS/EDGE/TD-SCDMA/HSDPA/HSUPA

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I would have to see more about that handset

by Pepe7 Nov 3, 2013 10:38AM PST

Understand, the TD-SCDMA interface is a separate technology than what's used on handsets in North America, and is intended for use on Chinese-only networks. Although that handset appears to contain a few of the bands used by T-Mobile, it lacks others, and uses a different air interface (T-Mobile uses W-CDMA, btw). You would only be able to jump on parts of T-Mobile's network here in the U.S. that uses 1900 GSM since it lacks 850, the one that's helpful for roaming outside urban areas. Also, not having a handset for T-Mo w/ 1700 UMTS is a problem too. Link for reference:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-Mobile_US#Wireless_networks

Bottom line is, I would instead pick a standard world phone that support quad band GSM (850/900/1800/1900) & ideally, tri band UMTS (W-CDMA) 1700/1900/2100. Any global LTE support would be a bonus, of course.

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Sorry

by Pepe7 Nov 3, 2013 10:48AM PST

I partially misread your post.

That handset should be fine for GSM networks outside North American since it contains 900 & 1800 frequency bands. Data OTOH might be an issue since it seems to lack W-CDMA 1700/2100.

http://www.t-mobile.com/International/InternationalDevices.aspx?tp=Inl_Tab_InternationalDevices

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Thanks for your information.

by Wei725 Nov 4, 2013 12:39PM PST

Thanks Pepe for your educational information.

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Answer

Sure.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Nov 2, 2013 4:59PM PDT

But keep in mind that carriers have the final say. You might be fine then they decide your foreign phone is not allowed on their network. I guess folk forget it is their network and may get upset over the answers but in my opinion it's not worth it.

Your money so your choice.
Bob

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T-Mobile says it is ok

by Wei725 Nov 3, 2013 3:51AM PST

I called T-Mobile this morning. A customer service representative said that I can bring the phone to one of their store to check out whether it can be used in their network or not. He didn't ask a large part of my question in the technical terms.

Back to Android forum

birdmantd · Accepted Answer · Nov 2, 2013 11:32PM PDT

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The main issue....

by birdmantd Forum moderator Nov 2, 2013 11:32PM PDT

.....is whether the phone has the proper cellular frequencies for the network you want to use it on. In addition, the US carriers will have very limited tech support for a non-branded device. All warranty work will have to be done by the manufacturer and not the carrier.

A Smart Phone Built For Networks Outside of North America

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