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Hey guys.
I'm just about up for an upgrade with O2 from my XDAs (which I adore, even though I use like 10% of its capabilities!!) but the problem is that I'm living in the US now. So, I really want the Exec, as it'll save me lugging a laptop about, but am worried that it'll get uber expensive to run here, due to crazy roaming costs.
I'm thinking about changing my tarrif over to a "Data Only" with 5mb per month, at some 8 Pounds a month, but am I right in saying that as soon as I log on to GPRS in the US that I'll be charged "Roaming" fees and that my 5mb will go untouched? If so, is there anyway to get around this, as I like the look and the functionality of the Exec, but don't really have a desire to fork out $1000 for one! Are there going to be any compatability issues in using a UK handset as a main device in the US? Are O2 going to let me swop from my 200 Minutes plan to an Online plan that costs just 8 Pounds? Are there any requirements to being a "Business User"? I've Emailed O2, but to say that they were unhelpful is a huge understatement and then some!!
Lastly: can I play Java games on it/my XDA? Whenever I go to an onlione store with Java games, all of the handsets I see are Motorola and Nokia, etc, and never an XDA. I'm asuming that it must be able to play them, but does anyone have any comments or tips on the process? Thanks guys.
Why dont you just use a sim card from the US depending on where you go you can just buy a sim card if your phone is unlocked hope that help
Hmm. Okay, I think that that would make sense (tbh, I hadn't thought of that!). Okay, is the Exec unlockable? If so, how does one go about it? IE: is it an easy process?
The Exec should already be unlocked: http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=30330
yes all execs are unlocked. I have a spare one if you are willing to buy.
Hi GadgetGirl: thanks for the tip and link. I'll check it out.
Zillocx: thanks man, but I already have a line on one. Thanks for the offer though.
Teflon,
be sure to consider a T-Mobile USA SIM since T-Mobile uses GSM 1900 only which is the only US band that the Exec supports. Cingular uses GSM 850/1900 in most major US markets so you'd experience inconsistent since the Exec doesn't have GSM 850. T-Mobile USA is also the best US GSM network to use for data. They have unlimited data plans if you sign a contract with them. If I recall correctly, the unlimited plans run between $19.99 and $49.99 (Unlimited Internet Plan) per month.
http://www.t-mobile.com/services/webandinfo.asp (T-Zones Mobile Web Plan, $5.99/month)
http://www.t-mobile.com/plans/default.asp?tab=internet
I use a universal (Jasjar) and I live in the US, so I can tell you that it's definitely worthwhile I can also give you a bit of advice about a service provider...
Your two options for GSM providers are T-Mobile and Cingular. Like Triband said, T-Mobile only uses 1900MHz, so you know you'll get a signal as long as T-Mobile has coverage there. Cingular uses both 850MHz and 1900MHz, so you can run into some issues with Cingular. Generally, however, in the cities and more populated areas Cingular will have 1900MHz coverage while rural areas are more likely to be 850MHz only. Overall Cingular has better coverage then T-Mobile, but unfortunately there are no maps or anything available to consumers that show where they have 1900MHz coverage and where it is only 850MHz. I'm using Cingular with my Jasjar and I've had very few coverage problems.
Prepaid service in the US is considerably more than it would be with a contract, so if you're going to be in the US for a while, or you will be using your phone a lot you might not want to go prepaid (although I'm sure its much less than international roaming). Here Cingular has an advantage because they'll let you sign a month to month contract where you can cancel whenever you want. With T-Mobile you must sign a contract for a full year.
Please let me know if you have any other questions
Brett
Hi BrettS, where did you bought the Jasjar?
cktlcmd said:
Hi BrettS, where did you bought the Jasjar?
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I got mine from Expansys USA http://www.expansys-usa.com/
Brett
Hey guys,
Well, I just got married, so I'll be living in the US on a permanent basis. I'm towards the East Coast (New Haven, to be exact). My wife is American, and she's with Cingular, so that may be the way to go as calls between us would be free, from what she tells me. I'll do some detailed research into it, although further comments would be appreciated. I'll check out those links too. Now, if I can just get O2 to stop being such asses I'll be a happy man!!
BrettS said:
I got mine from Expansys USA http://www.expansys-usa.com/
Brett
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Do they have warranty on it or does I-mate honor the warranty no matter where you bought the unit? I saw that the I-mate Phone store has it too for 1200 USD. Why did you not bought it from them and opted for expansysUSA?
cktlcmd,
I have a Jasjar as well and I also got it from expansys. I use expansys because I purchased the previous two devices (XDA, I-mate PocketPC Phone ) from them. During my purchase of the Pocket PC phone, I original got the Qtek 2020 and I was not happy. They took it back and sent me the I-mate version without any issues. Overall all accessories and devices purchased from them have been a good experience. In all cases they did honor their 15 days policies if the product did not perform as expected.
Teflon, I am using Cingular and they seems to have the best coverage for GSM in the US. I am located in the East Coast.
http://www.orange.co.uk/business/corporate/brighterthinking/articles/edge.html
M5000 is one of only 5 compatible handsets apparently...
Is this so?
JasJar doesn't support EDGE. Wizard does. Besides, what's the point? EDGE is a step back from UMTS. Jasjar is more advanced :wink: .
Orange want 3G users to have an alternative when they are out of 3G coverage - which is no use if you have a Universal!
jah said:
Orange want 3G users to have an alternative when they are out of 3G coverage - which is no use if you have a Universal!
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I don't think that that's the reason, are there any devices (even normal phones) supporting BOTH?
Have you read the Orange weblink I posted?
5th paragraph, 2nd line
???
anyway - whats the difference?? EDGE or UMTS
How odd
At launch, there are five 3G and EDGE-enabled handsets in the Orange portfolio - the Nokia 6280, 6630, 6680 and N70, and the SPV M5000 (developed for Orange by Taiwanese manufacturer HTC).
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The Universal definatly doesn't support EDGE
well I just saved that web page for errr... future reference... we ALL know what Orange are like don't we?
spare batteries and the like, eh? :wink:
philtech44 said:
Have you read the Orange weblink I posted?
5th paragraph, 2nd line
???
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I've red it just now. That's why I was asking, now I know that new Nokias are both EDGE and UMTS(WCDMA) enabled.
Both with M5000 they're wrong.
And about the differences - good article:
www.touchbriefings.com/pdf/744/wire041_pearson.pdf
i havent read the article just the posts but knowing orange itll be a disaster and cost a fortune
Any idea if/when O2 are going to enable EDGE on their network? I'm sure many XDA mini users will be keen to know considering the lack of 3G support on the mini.
mrleee3 said:
Any idea if/when O2 are going to enable EDGE on their network? I'm sure many XDA mini users will be keen to know considering the lack of 3G support on the mini.
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I wish they'd leave all these dodgy systems alone, and concentrate on good honest 3G.
Forget EDGE, and O2, please definitely forget stupid, silly i-mode.
Why do companies think that steps back are good?
Throw all the resources into improving the 3G network.
rottie said:
jah said:
Orange want 3G users to have an alternative when they are out of 3G coverage - which is no use if you have a Universal!
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Click to collapse
I don't think that that's the reason, are there any devices (even normal phones) supporting BOTH?
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Sorry friend, look at this extensive article from www.silicon.com
http://networks.silicon.com/mobile/0,39024665,39156108,00.htm
@belfast-biker
O2 are piloting high speed 3G with the potential of 2MB download speeds soon and upto 20MB in the future. I know O2 have been slow to roll-out 3G but I have found the performance on their network better than on Vodafone and T-mobile.
jah said:
@belfast-biker
O2 are piloting high speed 3G with the potential of 2MB download speeds soon and upto 20MB in the future. I know O2 have been slow to roll-out 3G but I have found the performance on their network better than on Vodafone and T-mobile.
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They're diluting the message with i-mode.
I like 3G, even though I only get 180-220Kbps on their network in Belfast, on a theoretical limit of 384K.
And that's after fighting them via phone and email to get the 128K limit lifted on my XDA, a limit imposed purely because I wasn't on a business tariff. Fcuking idiots wasted about an hour of my life until they relented.
Definitely not as forward looking as I'd like. And I work for them.
hi, title says it all really. i'm looking to get a new contract and 3 seem to have a good deal, i just have a bad feeling about them.
how is reception?
how is the internet? i used to have orange and their internet was slow, wouldnt load up youtube videos nicely compared to my o2.
and is there anything else i should know??
thanks in advance.
they are present in many countries around the globe and their reception
would most likely differ in various countries
so stating where you live would most likely be helpful
hi sorry, i am in uk.
3 is an okay network in the UK, they have been doing a lot of work recently to improve signal throughout the UK. I get full signal nearly everywhere I go around London and the local suburban area's, but there are a few dead spots, which can be fixed by moving a few cm to the left or right
I've had no problems with 3 been with them for about 4 years now
Yes!
I have been using them for more than 5 years and overall it is very good network, I live in london and I hardly had any problem in anything watching youtube videos even bbc iplayer is super smooth as well as the internet browsing HSDPA speed is enabled.
The coverage in the North East is slightly better than it was, but it's still pathetic, unless you're in a city, and even then it's just adequate.
3 RAN share with t-mobile's UMTS network so you should see a lot better performance than in the early days, Although I am not to sure what the customer services are like as I have heard nothing but bad stuff!!
3
i am on orange myself but have heard 3 use tmobile for a lot of coverage and with a possible merger soon between tmobile and orange will they still get to piggyback ?
markthomson1404 said:
i am on orange myself but have heard 3 use tmobile for a lot of coverage and with a possible merger soon between tmobile and orange will they still get to piggyback ?
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3 wont be un shared with T-Mobile as they both benefit from the agreement. I don't think internally many people know what will happen network wise between orange and t-mobile yet..
I'd really advise against going with 3.
The offers all look too good to be true and in my experience they are....
There customer service is non-existant and 4 years after i cancelled my contract i started getting letters from them and a bogus debt collection agency trying to get money out of me.
If you think mine is an isolated incident... Google "3 mobile lowell"
I never had any issue with coverage though, so if you plan to stay with them forever and dont see yourself needing to contact customer services then it's up to you.
Three Connection for internet data is crap
all the data are crap in australia when it comes down to wireless
the only good networks well anywhere is telstra
i hope they could fix all the network problem
the download speed and time is not faster enough.. and we are so way be hide
with technology comparing to the asia
I'm going to spain on holiday for a couple weeks. (I know luxery )
But I do want internet when I'm there.
I want to buy a Huawei E160 USB-UMTS dongle.
And then I need a (UMTS) SIM card and an internet subscription.
Do you know company's who have prepaid cards?
I've searched, but only found old threads.
One thread of 2 years ago speeks about Movistar.es
That costed 21 euro for 4 weeks unlimited internet.
I'm also looking for that.
Is that still possible, or are there better alternatives?
Hope you can help me.
Thanx in advance!
hey! I'm from Barcelona (Spain) and have done some searching. It looks like the best option is buying a yoigo prepaid card. costs 3 euros every day you connect to the internet and you're allowed to download 100mb, then your speed is reduced to 64 kbps.
I was just looking for the same thing in the US, I'm going to cali in vacation and will be taking a nexus one to use it as gps, find hotels etc. do you know what options I have?
Just out of curiosity, where in spain are you going?
PS: here's a link http://www.yoigo.com/tarifas/internet_para_llevar.php
At&t used to for $20.00 a month.. untill the iphone came along and screwed everything up.
But i see that in europe you have to make a contract no matter if you want a phone from them or not.
In america, a plan and a contract are different things,
If you go to a cell phone company provider with your own phone, you do not need to sign a contract for 2 years to use thier service plans.
I am also going to spain (galicia) this summer, and i was going to call about that.
(And im sure you know, that At&t and T-mobile are the only GSM provider in the US)
TurboX2 said:
At&t used to for $20.00 a month.. untill the iphone came along and screwed everything up.
But i see that in europe you have to make a contract no matter if you want a phone from them or not.
In america, a plan and a contract are different things,
If you go to a cell phone company provider with your own phone, you do not need to sign a contract for 2 years to use thier service plans.
I am also going to spain (galicia) this summer, and i was going to call about that.
(And im sure you know, that At&t and T-mobile are the only GSM provider in the US)
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You don't need to make a contract in spain to get a prepaid card. Only thing you need to do is give them your ID for security purposes
josealb said:
You don't need to make a contract in spain to get a prepaid card. Only thing you need to do is give them your ID for security purposes
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that is right, it is not worth paying an 18 month contract if you are only staying here a couple of weeks, Personally I would recommend Vodafone cause they have better internet quelaity connection (at least in southern spain), and they offer prepaid sim cards and usb modems without a contract (although movistar, yoigo and orange offer them as well). The question would be, what part of spain are you traveling to and wich company has the better internet reception on that area... if you are traveling to rural areas, I would stick to the 2 major companies (Vodafone and Movistar). Hope it helps.
I'm going to Salou, about 150km south of Barcelona.
Thanx for your answers.
I hope yoigo has coverage over there.
And are there any other alternatives?
Hi,
I'm from Reus, a city near Salou (about 8km). The UMTS coverage in salou is good for all the service providers in spain.
My mobile ISP is Simyo with good prices, the only inconvenience is that don't have physical shops to buy prepaid modems/sim. My voice provider is Yoigo and they have good prices too.
My advice is that you go to a ThePhoneHouse shop, there are Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo, and they will tell you which solution was better.
You can find thephonehouse in tarragona (10km from salou) and Reus in
http://www.phonehouse.es/app/searchStore.do
Ok, I hope so that the coverage will be good.
And how are Vodafone and Orange? Are they more expensive and/or better?
ronh said:
Ok, I hope so that the coverage will be good.
And how are Vodafone and Orange? Are they more expensive and/or better?
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Vodafone will almost always give you the best coverage, at a higher price. Orange is cheaper and with a little les coverage, Simyo borrows the network from Orange so its coverage will be the same at best.
I didn't know Vodafone offered prepaid cards, if they do I'd recommend you vodafone
PS: Offtopic, Salou is cool, I've been there in vacation often but it's full of tourists, I would recommend you to move a little bit if you wanna see more of Spain than beaches, maybe driving up to Barcelona
Hi Guys,
just wondering, does anyone have a desire Z on orange UK? I was wondering if the phones are sent out with orange software etc rather than plain android operating system? I know the older phones orange used to brand them by not just the sticker but also their software...
Also are the phones normally simlocked?
One more thing - how has your experiance been in orange network? I have seen some complaints as to getting internet can be slow etc... Not sure if this is the right place to ask but would like to know...
I am planning to move to a desire z on orange - currently got a htc touch hd on O2.
Thanks for your help!
Orange as a network are not too bad, and are getting slowly better again.
Their phones will be sim locked, and also while locked you won't be able to install any new radio firmware on your phone (they just won't work).
They have been known to use their own launcher lately, however sense will still be installed so you can swap to htc's stock launcher, not sure on what they are doing with the Z though.
I have an unbranded unlocked z and running on orange, the signal is fantastic.
I got mine from Mobiles.co.uk and all their handsets are supposed to be unlocked and unbranded. Mine is definately unbranded but haven't tested if it's unlocked.
Do Orange even sell the DZ ? I can see the DHD on their website, so I guess there's a good chance the DZ is following behind.
Remember that coverage can vary greatly, depending on where you are. See if you can borrow a phone from someone you know who has Orange, to test the signal out in your area. Or get a free pay-as-you-go SIM from Orange to test out the signal before you commit. Orange and T-Mobile are merging, so their coverage should improve through that.
Orange is terrible where I am and Vodafone is good, but if I moved somewhere else it could easily be the other way round.
Well Orange and T-Mobile have/are merging so they will have the best coverage in the country come March.
Lennyuk said:
Well Orange and T-Mobile have/are merging so they will have the best coverage in the country come March.
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Well, if they both had dodgy coverage in a particular area, then with the merger they'll still have dodgy coverage there. So I'm not sure it's that simple ?
steviewevie said:
Well, if they both had dodgy coverage in a particular area, then with the merger they'll still have dodgy coverage there. So I'm not sure it's that simple ?
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how many places in the country don't get either signal though? only places right in the sticks would fail to get a signal.
Lennyuk said:
how many places in the country don't get either signal though? only places right in the sticks would fail to get a signal.
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You'd be suprised. For example, in my house the Orange and T-Mobile signals are bad (had them before), but Vodafone is fine. Similarly a friend's house in a different part of the country has the same issue (Vodafone isn't that great there, but a lot better than the Orange/T-Mobile signals).
Orange vs T-Mobile
Thanks guys... well I was planning to get the phone from CPW - like mentioned it is not offered directly from orange.
T mobile has good offers for the phone as well... but have read that when getting the phone from places like CPW, they cap the speed of data which has me concerned. Otherwise their 1GB allowance is definitely more attractive to try out.
hmm anyone has got any experiance of T-mob data speeds?
Audette said:
Thanks guys... well I was planning to get the phone from CPW - like mentioned it is not offered directly from orange.
T mobile has good offers for the phone as well... but have read that when getting the phone from places like CPW, they cap the speed of data which has me concerned. Otherwise their 1GB allowance is definitely more attractive to try out.
hmm anyone has got any experiance of T-mob data speeds?
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I am currently on ORange in Dundee with a Pro2, data and voice been fine almost anywhere in the city (3G loses a bit when I'm in the middle of my house but it IS a new build so the attic is extra thick for insulation. However I noticed that when I set up the T-Mobile/Orange roaming a few weeks ago, it picks up a strong T-Mobile signal in the places it couldn't before. Now I have taken out a Desire Z via MobilePhonesDirect.co.uk on T-Mobile and I'm still using the Orange SIM in the Desire until my contract runs out come February and it's given me no problems. Simply roams to T-Mobile in several consistent blackspots... Once the T-Mobile 3G can be used on Orange it'll be even better!
Audette said:
hmm anyone has got any experiance of T-mob data speeds?
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Multiple tests using speedtest.net app.
Down - Up
766 - 493
1455 - 503
1867 - 485
1872 - 470
1891 - 441
Wifi
Down - Up
9363 - 545
Am I getting what I should be getting?
Hello
I just happen to have upgraded to desireZ with cpw, and im on orange uk. Internet speed is fine (when u get H connection). In london though its pretty much everywhere
Whats best with orange is fact that they joined with t_mob and now the coverage is even better, although 3G will only start after Xmas :S...
Otherwise, phone is brill, but Im still getting used to android (used to be winmo for past 3 years...)
Hope this helps
sent from htc desire Z
I also upgraded via CPW, it's worth pointing out that 90% of their phones are sim unlocked and unbranded
Am currently on TMob and with the recent merge Tmob/orange you have the option to jump network when reception is crap, at the moment it's only 2g tho
Stea1thmode said:
I also upgraded via CPW, it's worth pointing out that 90% of their phones are sim unlocked and unbranded
Am currently on TMob and with the recent merge Tmob/orange you have the option to jump network when reception is crap, at the moment it's only 2g tho
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What do you think of the data speeds on T-mobile network? Do you experiance it to be slow??
wolek76 said:
Hello
I just happen to have upgraded to desireZ with cpw, and im on orange uk. Internet speed is fine (when u get H connection). In london though its pretty much everywhere
Whats best with orange is fact that they joined with t_mob and now the coverage is even better, although 3G will only start after Xmas :S...
Otherwise, phone is brill, but Im still getting used to android (used to be winmo for past 3 years...)
Hope this helps
sent from htc desire Z
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Am gonna be moving from Win Mo as well... so not even sure how much data usage I might need per month on android!!!!
Do you find that 500MB is sufficient for your use?
Audette said:
What do you think of the data speeds on T-mobile network? Do you experiance it to be slow??
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I've not done a speed test yet nor experienced any slowness, only when there's bad reception.
Audette said:
Am gonna be moving from Win Mo as well... so not even sure how much data usage I might need per month on android!!!!
Do you find that 500MB is sufficient for your use?
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To be honest I'm not sure, am on unlimited web n talk (internet) which works out to be 3gig for an extra fiver a month. I think with these types of phones you'd be better off with unlimited if you can get it
Is 500mb enough?
Well, I used to be on 500 for 18 months, and only once went over when my landline i-net was down due to BT. But now with the upgrade Ive gone for 1gig, and Im glad I did. This market thing is so much bigger than msofts winmo! Also, fone seems so much snappier with inet, utube,msn... I will deffo go over 500/month.
Just realized I havent installed skype yet...
Is 1gig gonna be enough...???
sent from htc desire Z
wolek76 said:
Is 500mb enough?
Well, I used to be on 500 for 18 months, and only once went over when my landline i-net was down due to BT. But now with the upgrade Ive gone for 1gig, and Im glad I did. This market thing is so much bigger than msofts winmo! Also, fone seems so much snappier with inet, utube,msn... I will deffo go over 500/month.
Just realized I havent installed skype yet...
Is 1gig gonna be enough...???
sent from htc desire Z
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There's an app on market called NetCounter which shows your data usage, might be worth using that to help monitor data.
Im currently on Orange (contract now expired) and also looking to upgrade to a Desire Z with Orange (currently using HTC Touch HD).
I'm going to call Orange direct first and see what I can get. If they still don't do the Z then I might get it through Phones4U, on Orange, as they are offering the Z for free on a 24 month contract @ £25 pm which seems quite good.
Phones4U can also do upgrades so I have sent them a request to see if they can offer anything better than the £25 pm contract.