Is it possible to buy a SIM card in Korea? - 8125, K-JAM, P4300, MDA Vario General

Okay, call me a newb or whatever, but I cannot find this information. I was with T-Mobile using my MDA, and everything worked fine. Now, I have moved to Uijeongbu, Korea and I can't seem to locate a place that sells SIM cards for my MDA. All the retailers i have contacted sell phones that do not use SIM cards (possibly CDMA?) I saw a link somewhere (possibly on this site) that had a list of worldwide carriers and a map of their service types. Can anyone recommend a carrier in Korea where I can get service and a SIM for my MDA? Thanks!

snootch said:
Okay, call me a newb or whatever, but I cannot find this information. I was with T-Mobile using my MDA, and everything worked fine. Now, I have moved to Uijeongbu, Korea and I can't seem to locate a place that sells SIM cards for my MDA. All the retailers i have contacted sell phones that do not use SIM cards (possibly CDMA?) I saw a link somewhere (possibly on this site) that had a list of worldwide carriers and a map of their service types. Can anyone recommend a carrier in Korea where I can get service and a SIM for my MDA? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't believe that you will find one.
This is because the Koreans use CDMA and not GSM/GPRS - completely incompatible systems.
My Korean colleagues are somewhat jealous of my XDA Mini S because there is nothing similar available in Korea or that works on their CDMA network, although there are a few basic PDA phones appearing on the market.
What you can do (and it does not help you) is rent a phone at Incheon Airport that accepts the GSM SIM card and allows you to keep you mobile phone number on a Korean CDMA phone.

well, what u could do is purchase a CDMA phone (yes i know thats not what ur asking) but just match the frequencys up.. maybe some sprint or alltel phones will work.. UT starcom's xv6700 maybe.. its the cloest thing to a mda in CDMA format i do believe.
or.. u could do as parbrook said :| those damn koreans!
oh wait.. verizon sells a world phone that accepts GSM/CDMA.. maybe look into that.

That is what I thought after some more research. That sucks. The whole point of the MDA/Wizard is to converge devices. Dammit. Now i'll have to carry two phones.

Related

Can I purchase a pay-as-you-go SIM in the US?

I'm taking my T-Mobile Vario II from the UK to the US next month and I was wondering if I can simply buy a PAYG SIM card in the States and use this on my phone while I'm there?
I know that the phone is locked so can I buy a T-Mobile SIM and use that?
Cheers.
Out of interest is there any reason why you do not unlock your phone first?
Sure, Cingular and T-mobile both sell prepaid sim cards (though you may be better off trying to get one on ebay first).
A T-mobile UK phone will NOT accept a T-mobile US sim without unlocking it, they are considered different networks and a phone locks itself to the network code.
Keep in mind though that in the US we don't have prepaid data like in the UK. PAYG in the US lacks many other things like roaming and cheap calls abroad.
Wam7 said:
Out of interest is there any reason why you do not unlock your phone first?
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Click to collapse
To be honest, I don't know how to! I have a T-Mobile Vario II with the standard ROM.
Are PAYG SIMS available in Canada?
Is Canada considered 'abroad' with regard to a US SIM? And vice versa?
I'm going to both Canada and the US this year and want to know the score.
Thanks
mindracing said:
Is Canada considered 'abroad' with regard to a US SIM? And vice versa?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I was in Canada in July, Tmobile2Go SIM would *NOT* register. Note that in late '06 Tmo said 2Go SIMs would get roaming - dunno if that applies to Canada or not though. I just looked online and I'm still not sure You can easily pick up a Nokia 6030 here with a Tmo2Go SIM for ~$40. If you unlock and sell the 6030 it's cheaper than buying a SIM alone from Tmobile.
If your Vario II is a Hermes (I don't know T-mobile model names), you should have little trouble unlocking it using the Wiki instructions here.
PM me if you need help acquiring a US SIM card.
HTH,
Richard
Only Rogers pay as you go sim card has US roaming, but that's really expensive!

[Q] T8282 + Prepaid?

Hello All,
Just recently came across a T8282 for sale, At a local thrift store of all places (lol).
Aside from some screen scratches (I assume these did not come with a factory protector/layer I can just peel off?) and missing the stylus + SIM card, But It works perfectly.
Anyway,
This is my first "Real" cell phone or "Modern" I guess you would say.
I've always used Prepaid service and Phones provided by the Prepaid Carrier, As has my family.
We all use Virgin Mobile, And I already have an established account with funds on it for them.
Also, They just added a very reasonable monthly Data Package Plan that seems to be the best deal around in prepaid.
Would there be any possible way to use Virgin Mobile Service with my new T8282?
I'm aware Virgin does not ussualy use SIM cards (or at all) in there phones, But, I've seen some Virgin Sim cards up for sale on auctions sites that appear to be available from outside the US.
Would I be able to make one of these "Foreign" SIM Cards work properly inside the US?
And if not~
What is a good Prepaid Service Provider that uses SIM cards I could switch over to?
I'm aware prepaid is not really the way to go with a phone like this, But I'm not really a hardcore user, And Non-Contract has always got me through just fine.
Sorry if this is in the wrong area.
Oh, And does this phone come already unlocked? Or will I need to do that also?
Bad news I'm afraid
The T8282 is a European GSM/UMTS handset and as such won't work on Virgin Mobile in the US (which uses the Sprint CDMA network)
You'll need to switch to a US carrier which uses GSM - AT&T and T-Mobile are the two big networks which do. In addition, you'll only get voice and GPRS data as the phone can't use the 3G frequences used in the US (the T8285 was the version with US bands)
Virgin Mobile is a global brand, but each country runs its network seperatly. You won't be able to pick up a SIM card and expect it to work on the US Virgin network.
As ther T8282 wasn't sold officially in the US, it will already have been unlocked if it has been used with a US network.
There's other people here which have used a T8282 in the US, it's worth searching the forums.
*Facedesk*
Thanks for all the info handsomedog.
I kinda figured Virgin wouldnt work out, But had to ask.
I dont mind switching Carriers as long as its a prepaid service, But did not count on the phone not being able to "Fully" function... That really sucks.

[Q] CDMA carriers in Spain?

Hey XDA, just got a quick question. Im heading to Spain on a trip tomorrow and I want to take my phone with me. Im on Verizon right now (Galaxy Nexus) and was wondering if there were any CDMA carriers in Spain to connect to. Searched the net but havent found anything yet. Too lazy to call Verizon and thought you guys would be more helpful. If you know any carriers, lemme know and I'll look em up. I always thought spain was a GSM only country but I can always hope.
I sold my old global phones way back when so I dont have anything left to use hah...
There are no CDMA operators in europe (for general phone service).
Unfortunately, Europe is GSM only. Your Verizon Nexus wouldn't get any service there at all. You could only use it for wifi. Verizon would be able to loan you a "global" phone to use there if you want to keep your phone number. However, it wouldn't be as nice as your current phone, it'd probably either be a basic flip-phone or a BlackBerry at best.
Otherwise, you'd have to rent a phone there and get a local sim, but you'd get another phone number as well.
nerdydesi said:
Unfortunately, Europe is GSM only.
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Click to collapse
Well technically there are CDMA providers in europe, but not that provides normal cellphone service (forexample ice.net)
mshdk said:
Well technically there are CDMA providers in europe, but not that provides normal cellphone service (forexample ice.net)
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Well, thanks. I learned something new today. I did not know that.

[Q] Verizon Samsung S4 SIM Card Unlocked?

I've been hunting for an answer to this semi-simple question everywhere, and have found about 4 answers (all different ones - somehow :silly: ) So I'll try asking here.... I'm going to study abroad in Spain this semester, and I just bought a Samsung Galaxy S4 from Verizon (it was an upgrade contract, not full price). When I asked the sales rep he said that the SIM card would have to be unlocked. However, when I talked to Verizon "technical support" they said, no, they're already unlocked and ready for international use. What I've seen in other forums is that people say it seemingly takes SIM cards but won't pick the network up. Does anybody here have experience with the Verizon S4 being used internationally? Can it be done? Do I need to unlock it? Thanks for any insights!
BelowAverage355 said:
I've been hunting for an answer to this semi-simple question everywhere, and have found about 4 answers (all different ones - somehow :silly: ) So I'll try asking here.... I'm going to study abroad in Spain this semester, and I just bought a Samsung Galaxy S4 from Verizon (it was an upgrade contract, not full price). When I asked the sales rep he said that the SIM card would have to be unlocked. However, when I talked to Verizon "technical support" they said, no, they're already unlocked and ready for international use. What I've seen in other forums is that people say it seemingly takes SIM cards but won't pick the network up. Does anybody here have experience with the Verizon S4 being used internationally? Can it be done? Do I need to unlock it? Thanks for any insights!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As a Verizon phone uses a CDMA signal, I don't think it is going to work anywhere in Europe where they use GSM signals. Sorry.
bsam55 said:
As a Verizon phone uses a CDMA signal, I don't think it is going to work anywhere in Europe where they use GSM signals. Sorry.
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Click to collapse
The S4 is equipped with a GSM radio, I checked on that much at least.
Yes
I went ahead and just bit the bullet and bought a SIM card here, and good news: it works :good:
HOWEVER, I believe the problem that others who tried to use it globally were having is that it defaults to Global mode, which doesn't really seem to work (No clue what Global mode is, but I got a signal with no data connection). For anyone who wants to use it internationally, you will have to manually switch to GSM/UMTS by going to Settings>Connections>More networks>Mobile networks>Network mode>GSM/UMTS

[Q] How to Unlock G7109 CDMA SIM Slot

Hi guys. I have a Galaxy Grand 2 (G7109), China Telecom model.
It has two SIM card slot, one for CDMA(Slot 1) and the other for GSM(Slot 2) network.
Slot 2 is originally unlocked. But Slot 1 is locked for China Telecom.
Are there any ways to unlock Slot 1 so that I can use other SIM cards for 3G connection or for use abroad?
My phone is rooted. Thanks in advance!
takapitan said:
Hi guys. I have a Galaxy Grand 2 (G7109), China Telecom model.
It has two SIM card slot, one for CDMA(Slot 1) and the other for GSM(Slot 2) network.
Slot 2 is originally unlocked. But Slot 1 is locked for China Telecom.
Are there any ways to unlock Slot 1 so that I can use other SIM cards for 3G connection or for use abroad?
My phone is rooted. Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, thanks for using proper English.
Your operator will unlock the SIM slot if you pay a contract termination fee.
Tried with American operators.
WaseemAlkurdi said:
First, thanks for using proper English.
Your operator will unlock the SIM slot if you pay a contract termination fee.
Tried with American operators.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your kind reply and the useful info. I will go to the carrier shop and ask if they do the same in my country.
Would there still be other ways to unlock it? I am not going to terminate my contract for the moment but I have a plan to go to another country for a few weeks.
takapitan said:
Thank you for your kind reply and the useful info. I will go to the carrier shop and ask if they do the same in my country.
Would there still be other ways to unlock it? I am not going to terminate my contract for the moment but I have a plan to go to another country for a few weeks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You still have to pay some fee if you purchased the device ON CONTRACT WITH YOUR PHONE LINE (SIM CARD).
Your operator knows better.
WaseemAlkurdi said:
You still have to pay some fee if you purchased the device ON CONTRACT WITH YOUR PHONE LINE (SIM CARD).
Your operator knows better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went to the China Telecom shop a few days ago and asked the staff if they can unlock the phone. He said, "The phone is not locked. Some people from other countries told me that they were able to use the phone in their country. Just try using it." So I am here in Japan and tried to use it. But unfortunately it IS locked and Japanese SIM doesn't work. Any solution??
takapitan said:
I went to the China Telecom shop a few days ago and asked the staff if they can unlock the phone. He said, "The phone is not locked. Some people from other countries told me that they were able to use the phone in their country. Just try using it." So I am here in Japan and tried to use it. But unfortunately it IS locked and Japanese SIM doesn't work. Any solution??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It may be a compatible band range issue.
Operators in Asian countries operate very strange bands (especially China, for political reasons, and Korea).
As I have heard, you cannot travel and bring a smartphone from outside China as the airport cops will confiscate it AND because it won't work.
Operators are the worst liars ever. Rogers, a Canadian operator, repeatedly told me that its Nexus 5 was locked. They lied. Again. And again. Over different shops. But a quick Google search revealed that North American Nexus devices are ALL unlocked. Don't trust your operator.
I'm quite sure it is the bandwidth. Ask your (destination) operator if it operates your device's bands. It also happened with me. Almost tricked by an operator called Vidèotron into buying a SIM card, but it turned out that they don't operate the bands my dad's Note II (Saudi Arabian unit). Checked with other operators and, luckily, some did operate them. Just try different operators.
WaseemAlkurdi said:
It may be a compatible band range issue.
Operators in Asian countries operate very strange bands (especially China, for political reasons, and Korea).
As I have heard, you cannot travel and bring a smartphone from outside China as the airport cops will confiscate it AND because it won't work.
Operators are the worst liars ever. Rogers, a Canadian operator, repeatedly told me that its Nexus 5 was locked. They lied. Again. And again. Over different shops. But a quick Google search revealed that North American Nexus devices are ALL unlocked. Don't trust your operator.
I'm quite sure it is the bandwidth. Ask your (destination) operator if it operates your device's bands. It also happened with me. Almost tricked by an operator called Vidèotron into buying a SIM card, but it turned out that they don't operate the bands my dad's Note II (Saudi Arabian unit). Checked with other operators and, luckily, some did operate them. Just try different operators.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the message. Yes, I also think it is a problem of bandwidth. I guess China Telecom version of Galaxy Grand 2 doesn't work with UMITS 2100MHz, which is a common bandwidth in Japan. I was just able to use it in China, Macau & Hong Kong. It's a good device but useless in Japan...

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