Expert: DebiN - 8/3/2010

Question
Hi I just wanted to know if the motorola backflip will be able to work on koodo mobile's new network. They just got sim cards and they have this phone compatibility thing for you to check if it is capable of working with them but the only problem is you need the imei number for the phone and I don't want to buy a phone if it doesn't work with their network. I can't find an imei number anywhere for the motorola backflip, I would have to buy it to get the number so I can check. I'm hoping that you will be able to somehow check that for me or figure it out. Here's the link for the phone compatibility thing:

http://koodomobile.com/en/on/phonecompatibility.shtml

Thanks, Sara

Answer
The Backflip is a GSM phone that works on the HSPA network, so as long as it is unlocked, it will work with Koodo. You don't need the IMEI. The only reason that they are telling you to do this is because the first certain number of number in the IMEI of a device type identify that exact model of device and Koodo can check their database to validate the specifications of the phone. So, even if you went to a store that sells the Backflip and looked at the IMEI of that device in the store and wrote down the numbers, Koodo could tell you that it worked. So, in my opinion, as long as you find a SIM unlocked quad band HSPA phone, it will work. Keep in mind however, that they would have to provide you with the WAP and MMS settings to get the data to work properly and this is an Android phone so be sure that Koodo can work properly with the Android OS. You might want to give them a call to ask them if they can work with Android phones first. You may be better off with a BlackBerry or something else, but check that first and don't worry about the actual IMEI, it's just to figure out the type for them. Thanks.