In news:m65sh49er5vi3e2dbmh7sb64rqmh3dghng@4ax.com me@privacy.net wrote:

> SMS <scharf.steven@geemail.com> wrote:
>
>>me@privacy.net wrote:
>>> Any advice on which prepaid phone kit to buy?
>>>
>>> Which one is best phone for general purpose use?
>>
>>I bought the Motorola V195 because it's quad band. I had it unlocked
>>so I could use it with a prepaid SIM card in Asia. The RAZR V3 is also
>>quad band.
>
> Ok thanks
>
> But why is having quad band important?

It's useful if you're traveling outside the US; the rest of the world
uses different frequencies for GSM service than are used in the US. In
the US, it's 850MHz and 1900MHz; elsewhere it's 800MHz and 1800MHz. The
V195/V197 is quad-band, and I think all the various V3 models are too.

Having the phone unlocked is a good idea too; otherwise, even though the
phone will be compatible with the foreign services, you'll still be
paying T-Mobile's international roaming rates. With an unlocked phone,
you can pick up a pre-paid SIM at your destination for a lot less money.

--
Bert Hyman St. Paul, MN bert@iphouse.com