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OperaMan · Nov 30, 2003, 02:37 PM

I'm very interested in the Sony Ericsson t616, but it isn't offered by my cell phone provider, T-Mobile. I have found places that will sell an unlocked version, but that is where my question comes from.

Does T-Mobile support the 850mhz frequency?

danbrew · Nov 30, 2003, 05:35 PM

No - they don't. The T610 is the US version of the European T616 - the 610 supports 900/1800, while the T616 supports 850/1900.

Go for the T610 - I just picked one up and it works with my Al 17" like they were designed for one another. I'm a T-Mobile customer as well. BTW, I think Verizon offers 850/1800 here in the States - but if you're a T-Mobile customer, you won't be able to use the T616.

Also, I paid $100 for the phone - and didn't have to extend the contract. You'll pay at least $300 for an unlocked version. Unless you *have* to have an unlocked version, go for the $100.

:->

Kenneth · Nov 30, 2003, 05:38 PM

Don't think so..
T-mobile runs the 900Mhz and 1900Mhz band.

Try Cingular.

OperaMan · Dec 1, 2003, 07:28 PM

Im sorry to hear this, but thanks for the replies anyway. I want to get the t616 because I've heard that the 850 band gets better reception in the US, and I'm not planning on going to any foreign country for a long time. I'm just thinking toward the future, and trying to avoid thd disappointment from my t68i. Maybe I'll try to get Cingular.

todrain · Dec 1, 2003, 09:42 PM

My T-Mobile T610 has been great.... I'm glad I have a bluetooth adaptor for my PowerBook!

maxintosh · Dec 1, 2003, 09:52 PM

AT&T and Cingular are pushing 850 MHz mostly because they have such incomplete GSM networks at the time, and T-Mobile is way ahead of them. 850 MHz is a quick and dirty way to convert old CDMA towers. That said, T-Mobile still has better coverage in most areas (for now). Go for the T610, it's more world-friendly anyway (900/1800/1900).

pknoll · Dec 1, 2003, 09:53 PM

The T616 is available from AT&T. They are in the process of upgrading their 850 coverage, and I can actually tell it's getting better here (MN, Twin Cities) as the weeks go by.

Mine works very well even now, and as another poster mentioned, it works with my PowerBook like they were designed for each other.

veryniceguy2002 · Dec 2, 2003, 04:37 AM

Originally posted by maxintosh:
AT&T and Cingular are pushing 850 MHz mostly because they have such incomplete GSM networks at the time, and T-Mobile is way ahead of them. 850 MHz is a quick and dirty way to convert old CDMA towers. That said, T-Mobile still has better coverage in most areas (for now). Go for the T610, it's more world-friendly anyway (900/1800/1900).

You may be right saying it is a quick (or sure if it's a dirty way or not) way to convert CDMA tower to GSM, but one benefit of using 850MHz is that the radio coverage from one single 850MHz tower is bigger than a 1900Mhz tower. (A sample example is the FM radio broadbast cannot cover as big area as the AM radio broadbast)

Ususally it is a bad thing, because it reduces the frequency reuse (that means there is less effective "lines" available for phone users in a particular city). However, if the phone company are not willing to put up more phone tower (because it cost more $$$$$), then using 850MHz would requires less phone towers to cover a city then using 1900MHz.