Do I need the 900 MHz band in a GSM worldphone?

May 25, 2006 8:05 PM

How practical is a 850/1800/1900 GSM phone for international use?

I'm trying to chose a new cell phone, and I have a choice between a 850/1800/1900 triband model and a 850/900/1800/1900 quadband model. I realize that having the 900 MHz band is a good thing, but I'd like to know how much I would be missing out on without it. Are there many countries/regions with 900 MHz-only coverage? I'm especially interested in Europe, but I'm definitely curious about the entire GSM-using world. I've found maps of coverage, but nothing that breaks it down by band.

posted by mr_roboto to Technology (3 answers total)

I lived and worked in Europe (Swiss-based) for around 10 years up until a year ago. I can't remember any major western european city that didn't have dual-band GMS coverage. There might be some very remote areas that only have 900MHz
posted by michswiss at 8:19 PM on May 25, 2006

World GSM Frequency Bands

That should tell you (way, way) more than you'd ever need to know. :)
posted by antifuse at 1:17 AM on May 26, 2006

(Your non-900mhz phone won't be usable in Zambia, for instance. I know, I'd be bummed too)
posted by antifuse at 1:18 AM on May 26, 2006