Phone Question Again!

[Nylah]

Re: Phone Question Again!


It is kinda silly that a major airport wouldnt have a cell phone kiosk

I'm renting a car and drivig myself sistcaf, so this is why I was looking for places to pick up a phone for myself.

My last trip, the guy that was sweet on me did purchase a phone for me to use so I didnt have to worry about it. I gave the phone back to him at the end of the trip and told him one of his kids should have it - not me. Didnt want to give him the wrong impression but it was quite handy to have it.

So this time aroud, homegirl needs to look after herself

[Diplomat]

Re: Phone Question Again!

If you're flying to Montego Bay, you can get a phone at the airport. But why not unlock your phone and simply get a SIM card when you get there? Then you just need to top up your minutes, and if you'll be calling Canada/NA, you can also get 1,000 international minutes for J$1,000.00. Works like a charm...

[Nylah]

Re: Phone Question Again!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChurchDude</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you're flying to Montego Bay, you can get a phone at the airport. But why not unlock your phone and simply get a SIM card when you get there? Then you just need to top up your minutes, and if you'll be calling Canada/NA, you can also get 1,000 international minutes for J$1,000.00. Works like a charm... </div></div>

ah okay. Most ppl were under the impression that Digicel no longer has a kiosk in the airport. So I was going to hit Blue Diamond Mall on the way out. I'll ask in the airport before I leave.

So...you obviously havent read the thread in its entirety eh?

I can unlock my phone but Bell Mobility doesnt support SIM technology, so I have no SIM card to replace. It is much easier to buy a phone there and use it.

[Diplomat]

Re: Phone Question Again!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nylah</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
So...you obviously havent read the thread in its entirety eh? </div></div>
All of three pages? Nah Actually, I'm still in Jamaica and leaving tomorrow, so only had time then for an online &quot;drive by&quot;.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I can unlock my phone but Bell Mobility doesnt support SIM technology, so I have no SIM card to replace. It is much easier to buy a phone there and use it. </div></div>
Gotcha! Time to get going with SIM technology though

[Nylah]

Re: Phone Question Again!



oh so you come to show off that you in JA still eh?

If you want to cuss out Bell then go ahead. Their Blackberries dont have the SIM tech and they obviously do it for a reason.

Doesnt matter though. A cheap digicel phone works just as well and is just as hassle free.

[Seveen]

Re: Phone Question Again!

wanna bet we have this phone thread again in say - 6 weeks

[Diplomat]

Re: Phone Question Again!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nylah</div><div class="ubbcode-body">oh so you come to show off that you in JA still eh? </div></div>
No man; just wanted to help you out since I did see a phone store at the airport in MoBay For me, it's time to come home. The place is HOT, with temps about 2 degrees C higher than normal (one guy said it is the worse Summer in 50 years!) Tomorrow can't come soon enough

[Nylah]

Re: Phone Question Again!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Seveen</div><div class="ubbcode-body">wanna bet we have this phone thread again in say - 6 weeks </div></div>


stap ie

CD - I have gotten the &quot;hotter than Hades&quot; reports as well. I dont know how my butt is gonna handle it cause me and heat dont mix But I will try and grin and bear it!

Safe travels home

[Diplomat]

Re: Phone Question Again!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nylah</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Safe travels home </div></div>
Thank you Got in safely last night after a wonderful Mission 2009, and back at work today. Trip report will be ready when I sort out my thoughts and the pictures

[Gen]

Re: Phone Question Again!

yup. and no matter how many times I read them I am still confused

just found out yesterday the carriers that use GSM vs CDMA and that I need to differentiate between the 2


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Seveen</div><div class="ubbcode-body">wanna bet we have this phone thread again in say - 6 weeks </div></div>

[Seveen]

Re: Phone Question Again!

In cellular service there are two main competing network technologies: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). Cellular carriers including Sprint PCS, Cingular Wireless, Verizon and T-Mobile use one or the other. Understanding the difference between GSM and CDMA will allow you to choose a carrier that uses the preferable network technology for your needs.

The GSM Association is an international organization founded in 1987, dedicated to providing, developing, and overseeing the worldwide wireless standard of GSM. CDMA, a proprietary standard designed by Qualcomm in the United States, has been the dominant network standard for North America and parts of Asia. However, GSM networks continue to make inroads in the United States, as CDMA networks make progress in other parts of the world. There are camps on both sides that firmly believe either GSM or CDMA architecture is superior to the other. That said, to the non-invested consumer who simply wants bottom line information to make a choice, the following considerations may be helpful.

Coverage: The most important factor is getting service in the areas you will be using your phone. Upon viewing competitors' coverage maps you may discover that only GSM or CDMA carriers offer cellular service in your area. If so, there is no decision to be made, but most people will find that they do have a choice.

Data Transfer Speed: With the advent of cellular phones doing double and triple duty as streaming video devices, podcast receivers and email devices, speed is important to those who use the phone for more than making calls. CDMA has been traditionally faster than GSM, though both technologies continue to rapidly leapfrog along this path. Both boast &quot;3G&quot; standards, or 3rd generation technologies.

EVDO, also known as CDMA2000, is CDMA's answer to the need for speed with a downstream rate of about 2 megabits per second, though some reports suggest real world speeds are closer to 300-700 kilobits per second (kbps). This is comparable to basic DSL. As of fall 2005, EVDO is in the process of being deployed. It is not available everywhere and requires a phone that is CDMA2000 ready.

GSM's answer is EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution), which boasts data rates of up to 384 kbps with real world speeds reported closer to 70-140 kbps. With added technologies still in the works that include UMTS (Universal Mobile Telephone Standard) and HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), speeds reportedly increase to about 275—380 kbps. This technology is also known as W-CDMA, but is incompatible with CDMA networks. An EDGE-ready phone is required.

In the case of EVDO, theoretical high traffic can degrade speed and performance, while the EDGE network is more susceptible to interference. Both require being within close range of a cell to get the best speeds, while performance decreases with distance.

Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards: In the United States only GSM phones use SIM cards. The removable SIM card allows phones to be instantly activated, interchanged, swapped out and upgraded, all without carrier intervention. The SIM itself is tied to the network, rather than the actual phone. Phones that are card-enabled can be used with any GSM carrier.

The CDMA equivalent, a R-UIM card, is only available in parts of Asia but remains on the horizon for the U.S. market. CDMA carriers in the U.S. require proprietary handsets that are linked to one carrier only and are not card-enabled. To upgrade a CDMA phone, the carrier must deactivate the old phone then activate the new one. The old phone becomes useless.

Roaming: For the most part, both networks have fairly concentrated coverage in major cities and along major highways. GSM carriers, however, have roaming contracts with other GSM carriers, allowing wider coverage of more rural areas, generally speaking, often without roaming charges to the customer. CDMA networks may not cover rural areas as well as GSM carriers, and though they may contract with GSM cells for roaming in more rural areas, the charge to the customer will generally be significantly higher.

International Roaming: If you need to make calls to other countries, a GSM carrier can offer international roaming, as GSM networks dominate the world market. If you travel to other countries you can even use your GSM cell phone abroad, providing it is a quad-band phone (850/900/1800/1900 MHz). By purchasing a SIM card with minutes and a local number in the country you are visiting, you can make calls against the card to save yourself international roaming charges from your carrier back home. CDMA phones that are not card-enabled do not have this capability, however there are several countries that use CDMA networks. Check with your CDMA provider for your specific requirements.

According CDG.org, CDMA networks support over 270 million subscribers worldwide, while GSM.org tallies up their score at over 1 billion. As CDMA phones become R-UIM enabled and roaming contracts between networks improve, integration of the standards might eventually make differences all but transparent to the consumer.

The chief GSM carriers in the United States are Cingular Wireless, recently merged with AT&amp;T Wireless, and T-Mobile USA. Major CDMA carriers are Sprint PCS, Verizon and Virgin Mobile. There are also several smaller cellular companies on both networks.