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Thread ID: 130940 2013-04-21 06:04:00 Buying cellphone offshore kandjc (15143) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1337837 2013-04-21 06:04:00 What specifications are required for a cellphone purchased offshore (say from dhgate.com) so that it would work on Telecom's network?
Thanks.
kandjc (15143)
1337838 2013-04-21 08:36:00 It needs to be unlocked that way you won't get stuck with Telecom but can use any of our cell networks gary67 (56)
1337839 2013-04-21 09:05:00 If it says it'll work on AT&T then it'll work on XT

Specifically XT uses WCDMA on the 850Mhz and 2100Mhz frequency which is what you wanna look for.

What particular model phone are you looking at getting?
Chilling_Silence (9)
1337840 2013-04-21 09:27:00 It needs to be unlocked that way you won't get stuck with Telecom but can use any of our cell networks

What??
Alex B (15479)
1337841 2013-04-21 09:54:00 Generally speaking phones Telecom phones may work on others if they are not Telco locked *sometimes called simcard locked* but they are mostly likely to work in the main cities only b/c most phones when you get to the Vodafone smaller towns the frequency typically isn't on the Telecom phones. For many phones there is a USA version and a EU version.

The 850Mhz is Telecom only but the 2100Mhz is used by both Vodafone and Telecom but perhaps more in the larger cities ... Vodafone is more 900Mhz for the country-wide.
Nomad (952)
1337842 2013-04-21 11:01:00 They'll be *so* terrible with their coverage, so you need to plan:
Am I going on XT / Skinny?
Am I going 2 Degrees / Vodafone?
Do I want to get a phone that works on all 4 networks (Such as the Nexus 4)?

It's not worth getting a phone for the XT network then trying to use it on 2 Degrees / Vodafone, it really isn't, not unless it's one like the SGS3 / One X / Nexus 4 that works on all of NZ's networks...
Chilling_Silence (9)
1337843 2013-04-21 11:06:00 As long as it supports 850Mhz WCDMA you're fine. Makes sure its 850 in the WCDMA band, not just the GSM. Although telecom supports 2100Mhz You'll REALLY want to get one that supports 850 (if you intend to use Telecom) since the 2100Mhz freq has pretty limited coverage.

As chill said, let us know what phone you're after.
The Error Guy (14052)
1337844 2013-04-22 04:07:00 Many thanks for the response.
I was looking at something like this for my telecom connection - tinyurl.com
kandjc (15143)
1337845 2013-04-22 04:17:00 It'll work, poorly, I personally wouldn't get that, or I'd use it with the Vodafone / 2 Degrees network.

Also, for that kind of money, you're better off saving for a little while longer and getting yourself a Nexus 4, you'll likely be so much happier with it ;)
Chilling_Silence (9)
1337846 2013-04-22 04:30:00 Nexus 4 is $600, nearly 3 times my budget!
Thanks
kandjc (15143)
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