[geeks] GSM coverage in southeastern PA.

[Nadine Miller]

On May 25, 2009, at 9:47 PM, gsm at mendelson.com wrote:

> On Mon, May 25, 2009 at 02:53:24PM -0700, Nadine Miller wrote:
>> She can use her quad band GSM phone with a prepaid T-Mobile or AT&T  
>> SIM, just like a person from the US would do if they were going to  
>> Europe.  Can't speculate as to which would have better coverage for  
>> Philly, though.  T-Mobile's coverage map for the US is pretty  
>> detailed, and they have good roaming agreements.  AT&T probably has  
>> better coverage, though.
>
> Thanks, the problem with that is the phone is SIM locked, and  
> unlocking it
> would cost more than a cheap phone. She got it as a package deal  
> from the
> carrier (Israel Orange).

As it's a quad band phone, you might call your carrier and ask if they  
will unlock it for overseas travel.  In the US both T-Mobile and AT&T  
will provide the unlock codes if you contact customer service and tell  
them you want to use the phone outside the US.  Worth a shot; worst  
they can tell you is "no".

Currently AT&T has prepaid "unlimited" calling with their Go phones.   
You pay $3 per day (plus taxes) vs. per minute charges.  You can get a  
refurb Nokia 2610 for $9.99 (refurb) or $29.99 new; not clear if that  
comes with any pre-paid time.  T-Mo has $6.99 SIM kit (put in any  
unlocked GSM phone), or two $20 phone (Nokia) options that include $25  
prepaid cards.  All of these are web prices, so probably a little  
higher if you go to the AT&T/T-Mo store.

=Nadine=