Digicel & its network

[pcchick]

I don't live in Jamaica any more (as you know), and I heard that the digicel cellphones is off the chain. My sister wants me to buy her a flip phone (has to be flip) and send for her. She said it must be GSM compatible.

Now can you please tell me, since I am not at home, what is this GSM? How do I know that if I buy the phone and send to her it will be straight?

[stilkriss]

GSM: global system for mobile networks
phone needs to be unlocked from its network provider if locked!!! needs to be on bandwidth 900/1800

[nder]

Ok, where do you live, US? England? Elsewhere? If we know that then we can give you a better idea of where to get GSM phones.

A GSM phone as stilkriss pointed out is a phone that uses a technology called GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication). This is the defacto standard in Europe. However, North America has basically standardized on CDMA.

If you are going to get a GSM phone for your sister, then you will want to purchase a Tri-band UNLOCKED GSM phone. If you get a Tri-band then you are guaranteed that it will work (then u dont have to worry about it being 900/1800 or 1900). Make sure you get TRI-BAND, not necessarily TRI-MODE. Its the band that is important. Secondly, make sure that it is UNLOCKED. This means that it is not programmed for a particular carrrier (service provider). Phones that you buy from cellular companies and their dealers will be locked. So you have to buy from an independent phone dealer or from phone manufacturers directly (eg. Motorolla, Panasonic).

Your sister may be after a Motorolla. You can check Digicel's website: http://www.digiceljamaica.com/mobile_phones/ for the phones that Digicel has on the market here in Jamaica.

[pcchick]

My bad, I live in FL, USA.

[yeayea]

Your use of the words "tri-band" makes it sound like only 1900/1800/900 determines what a tri-band phone is.

Seeing as she lives in America, there are a lot of phones that operate in the 800 (850) mhz band. Manufactures, that sell phones in the North America, now have a lot of phones that offer 1900/1800/850 (notice it is tri-band, but missing 900).

When purchasing a phone for your sister, just make sure it is capable of working in the 900 mhz band.

[Chris]

For additional info you could visit Digicel's website (http://www.digiceljamaica.com/mobile_phones/) and take a look at the phones they offer and the respective model numbers. You will then have a good idea of exactly what to look for.

[nder]

Well yes, thats true. Tri-Band not limited to 900/1800/1900. But if youre gettin a phone for the Digicel network those are the bands that matter. CW uses 850.

[pcchick]

Thanks guys very useful information.

Chris, thanks for the link. She has made up her mind and now I need to gather this information and go seeking a decent phone for her.

[MiTcHiE]

Buy any Tmobile phone, they use the exact same band as digicel.

[pcchick]

Now I am faced with a problem.

A good techie of mine says that it is cheaper more time to send the money down there to Jamaica so that she can buy the phone of her choice. I donot want to spend the money for the phone and extra dollars for accessories and activation when it gets down Ja. I am confused. I donot know whether to just tell her no, here is the money or to send it. Hmmmm.

Then theives and all the we have to take into consideration..(so I was told). Because she wants the newest phones. I do not know what to do.

[nder]

Send her the money. Easier, and she will get what she wants.

[Collin]

Buy any Tmobile phone, they use the exact same band as digicel.

Thats not exactly true!!!

I purchased a T-Mobile phone recently only to come to Jamaica and realise that it does not work on Digicel network!! but only on CWJ - ended up giving it to a friend whose CWJ phone was acting up!

You need to very the frequency on which the phone operates.

[Nastrodamus]

I think Collin wants to say "verify" the frequency.

[pradere]

Buy any Tmobile phone, they use the exact same band as digicel.

T-Mobile USA is 850/1900Mhz (Same as CWJ) will not work on Digicel (unless the phone is tri-band 900/1800/1900 which I doubt it would be if bought in the US.)

T-Moble UK or any other European network's phones are 900/1800 like Digicel so will work if unlocked, no problem.

[Collin]

I think Collin wants to say "verify" the frequency.

Thanks Nas, thats exactly what was to be said.

[marlonxp]

Some times the cost for phones in the us is the price out here.(some times)

[gairy]

Your use of the words "tri-band" makes it sound like only 1900/1800/900 determines what a tri-band phone is.

Seeing as she lives in America, there are a lot of phones that operate in the 800 (850) mhz band. Manufactures, that sell phones in the North America, now have a lot of phones that offer 1900/1800/850 (notice it is tri-band, but missing 900).

When purchasing a phone for your sister, just make sure it is capable of working in the 900 mhz band.

I bought a sony ericsson T637 in the states a few months ago (Cingular). Band 850/1800/1900. It works perfectly with CWJ. It also works with digicel but has problems maintianing the signal in some areas where digicel would normally work. Why is this so? I was told digicel operates on 900 or 1800 mhz. My phone has to be compatible with both frequency in order to work properly? What's the difference between 900 and 1800 mhz? :eusa_pray