Have Cell Phone, Will Travel

May 14, 2005 10:03 AM

I currently live in Iceland but I'm immigrating to the US this summer. I have a cell phone that I'm quite attached to (Nokia 2650) and would like to be able to use it in the US (I'm moving to NYC or Boston, if that matters any). Googling for info has told me that this is impossible. Is there something I can do or will have to resign myself to getting another handset when I've moved to the US?
posted by Kattullus to Technology (16 answers total)

Best answer: Don't think so. US phones don't use sim cards like European phones do.
posted by gfrobe at 10:11 AM on May 14, 2005

Best answer: Looks like the 2650 only operates in the 900/1800MHz bands. I think you're out of luck; US GSM is in the 850/1900MHz bands.
posted by uncleozzy at 10:13 AM on May 14, 2005

T-Mobile USA has pre-paid sim cards that you will be able to pop into your phone and use in NYC and Boston, if you wanted to go beyond that. You could get a regular 1 year contract plan that gives you a lot more minutes for your money. You can get a free phone from T-Mobile as a part of your contract, and then resell that on eBay once it is unlocked by T-Mobile.

As long as your phone is unlocked, you can use it with T-Mobile in USA, they use GSM 900/1900 Mhz. Although I'd write to 'em and confirm it first.
posted by riffola at 10:32 AM on May 14, 2005

T-Mobile USA is all 1900MHz*, so your 900/1800MHz phone isn't going to work, and I don't think any US GSM networks use either of those bands. So, no, you're out of luck, and there doesn't appear to be a US version of the 2650 that would be compatible.

(* some of their handsets are 900/1900MHz to operate abroad)
posted by cillit bang at 10:46 AM on May 14, 2005

Don't think the phone will work because it's not tri-band, but FWIW, Cingular also do pre-paid sim cards and have a much better deal than T-Mobile USA.

And don't forget - unlike Europe, you also have pay when you receive cell calls in US: what a scam!
posted by forallmankind at 11:15 AM on May 14, 2005

Yeah, Cingular's GSM frequencies are 850/1900MHz, so you wouldn't have any luck with them either. Sorry, that looks like a really cool phone.
posted by zsazsa at 11:33 AM on May 14, 2005

"US phones don't use sim cards like European phones do."

Completely untrue. US cell phones have used SIM cards for years and years. Unfortunately, the cell phone in question doesn't operate on the bands used here, so Kattullus is SOL anyway.
posted by majick at 1:34 PM on May 14, 2005

i feel your loss, that is such a pretty phone... *drools*
posted by stratastar at 3:35 PM on May 14, 2005

you also have pay when you receive cell calls in US

Wow, I did not know that. Shit.
posted by mr.marx at 3:59 PM on May 14, 2005

you also have pay when you receive cell calls in US

Well, it counts against your minutes, but it isn't like it costs you more when you receive a long-distance call, even if it costs you more to make one (either international or if you don't have a national plan). And remember, even though you don't feel like you're calling internationally when you call Canada, you are.
posted by dame at 4:31 PM on May 14, 2005

dame: it counts against the minutes that you, uh, paid for....
posted by forallmankind at 5:22 PM on May 14, 2005

I apologize for derailing the thread, but I am intensely curious: why are you leaving Iceland for the States? Please feel free to ignore me if it's too personal for you to discuss.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 8:08 PM on May 14, 2005

Response by poster: No need to apologize, as I'm an intensely curious person myself, I understand your plight and my question has been answered already.

I met, and later married, a very lovely American and mefite. We've been living over here for the past year and so spending at least the next year in the US seems only fair :) Also, immigration law makes it easier for us to live in America than here.
posted by Kattullus at 8:37 PM on May 14, 2005

There is a 2651 model of the phone that supports US bands. It is a little hard to find because its a dualband US only phone and no major US carrier has picked it up. Some sites on the internet do seem to sell it. I can't recommend any, the big resellers don't seem to stock any. My understanding is that it is available in other American countries like Mexico.
posted by joelr at 10:29 PM on May 14, 2005

Response by poster: Thanks joelr! Now that I know the name of the American model have found a carrier that might have the 2651 soon, TracFone Wireless. However I've been unable to confirm this or find out when this might happen. Tracfone is also something I'm quite happy to find out about since I'm used to prepaid minutes with cellphones (it's how we roll over here) and I won't be penalized for having no US credit history. I've sent them an e-mail to see whether I can find out more.
posted by Kattullus at 11:25 PM on May 14, 2005

Thanks, Kattullus... And congrats!
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 2:08 AM on May 15, 2005