Sony Ericsson / Sony : Symbian phones : G700 and the Viability of GSM1900-Only in Canada
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Hi everyone.
I am looking to get a new phone, and I was very interested in the G700 - it isn't clunky-looking, it has a good touch UI and it doesn't have too many unnecessary features. It is probably the best match for me for my price range.
Unfortunately, it is tri-band, EDGE-less (except for the G700c Chinese version, if I am correct) and for UMTS, 2100MHz-only. That means in Canada everything is ruled out except basic GSM 1900MHz. Not even 850MHz.
How crippling is this? For calling, texting and occasionally sending a picture, will this be a problem? I don't browse the internet, video call or do anything else that's really data/speed-intensive.
It's a shame, because I really think I like the SE G700, but if this is a problem then I will continue in my search for a new phone.
Thanks in advance for your help!
[ This Message was edited by: hauton on 2008-07-08 12:10 ]
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Posted: 2008-07-08 13:09:13
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Well. by the looks of it, it all boils down to the Network you're on. What band do GSM networks in Canada operate?
Welcome to Esato btw..
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Posted: 2008-07-08 14:05:16
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Thank you for the kind welcome!
Canada operates 1900MHz for almost every city, with 850MHz as a backup and rural areas. My last phone lacked 850MHz as well and it worked fine. I heard 850MHz helps in rural areas and the occasional weak spot (parking garage, basement, etc.). Of course, if your phone already has good 1900MHz reception, you should be fine.
My concern is that it won't even have EDGE. My old phone had EDGE and no 3G, the G700 will have neither (because its 3G doesn't work here). I think I need EDGE/3G, because I don't use my cell to browse the internet, video call or stream media - which I understand is the function of these faster services.
But I think I've got it sorted out, and if it really doesn't work out, there are other phone to choose. Oh well, thanks for the help anyways!
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Posted: 2008-07-08 17:50:18
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I'm using a P990i in Canada (with Rogers), and am therefore faced with the same issues as you. The 3G is useless, and since it's only a tri-band phone, it lacks the 850 MHz band, which does mean than rural areas, you may get no signal at all. I've also found that in certain areas of my home town, signal strength is considerably lower than a phone, which carries the 850 MHz band.
That said though, it's never been too much of an annoyance. I'm currently mostly in the Kitchener/Waterloo area in Ontario, and have never had any serious problems.
Regular voice calls, texting, the regular stuff, you should be ok. EDGE and 3G will only be more useful when you start surfing the internet, or if you want to make video calls, etc.
I do actually use GPRS without EDGE, and while it's not as fast as things could be if the phone had EDGE, or if I could use 3G, it's usable for what I need it for (checking email occasionally, or using Google Maps if I get lost).
[ This Message was edited by: rcxAsh on 2008-07-09 00:42 ]
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Posted: 2008-07-09 01:41:38
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