"Bert Hyman" <bert@iphouse.com> wrote in message
news:Xns9B575D5A47C8AVeebleFetzer@216.250.184.7...
> 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

The only problem I have with the V195 is the occasional hang when first
closing the lid (the T-Mobile logo is upside down and the phone is hung and
you have to unplug the battery to get it working again). Sent one of our
phones back for the problem and they adjusted the lid switch but it still
happens. This is very seldom though and I think the phone is great for the
price.