Expert: DebiN - 7/24/2009

Question
QUESTION: I want to buy either a T-Mobile G1 or a MyTouch, unlock it and then use it in Australia with either a Telstra or Optus SIM. (I have done this very successfully each of the past years with my Motorola Krazr 1 phone.) The G1 and MyTouch are 3G phones and in a previous answer to a similar question you said that the internet features would not work in Australia. I wonder why that is. Below are the frequency details for both of these Australian carriers. Can you confirm what I features I WILL be able access if I take either a G1 or a MyTouch to Australia and use their SIM? Many thanks

Telstra Mobile NextG
Radio Frequency: 850Mhz
Voice system: WBCDMA
Mobile Internet System: 3G UMTS and 3G HSDPA

Telstra Mobile 3G
Radio Frequency: 2100Mhz
Voice system: WBCDMA
Mobile Internet System: 3G UMTS and 3G HSDPA


Optus Mobile 3G
Radio Frequency: 2100Mhz
Voice system: WBCDMA
Mobile Internet System: 3G UMTS and 3G HSDPA


Telstra Mobile GSM
Radio Frequency: 900MHz/1800Mhz
Voice system: TDMA
Mobile Internet System: 2G CSD / 2.5G GPRS / 2.75G EGRPS (EDGE)

Optus Mobile GSM
Radio Frequency: 900MHz/1800Mhz
Voice system: TDMA
Mobile Internet System: 2G CSD** / 2.5G GPRS




ANSWER: My response related to not being able to use a Sidekick in Australia. The Sidekick requires a Sidekick data plan (like a BlackBerry requires a BlackBerry data plan). This does not relate to any other T-Mobile device. If the device works on the 3G frequency that you have in Australia, it will work unlocked for you there. The 2100 frequency is what you need for 3G. The G1 should work on the 2100 MHz frequency. The MyTouch will work as well. Hope this helps. Thanks. DebiN

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for this answer. Can you explain what UMTS is? Keep it simple, I'm a novice here. Does it apply to the GSM frequencies or only the 3G frequencies?

Also, will the GPS work in Australia as well?

Answer
UMTS is high speed. It is also referred to as 3G. It's actually the data portion of the highspeed network. GPRS is the lowest data speed, then EDGE (2.5G) then UMTS (3G). It only has to do with highspeed GSM on the data side. Nothing to do with voice.

GPS is satellite based and will work wherever. It's based on whether you have a GPS program that will work with the GPS in your device. If your carrier doesn't support it, it won't work. If you buy a device from someone other than your carrier that has GPS, it may work or it may not work. It's based on whether it is compatible with your carrier. I hope this helps. Thanks. DebiN