I'm in the military and right now I'm stationed here in the United States, but there is always a possiblity if getting stationed in lets say, Germany, Japan, Italy or where ever. Since the iPhone is quad band, would I be able to use it under a foreign carrier? Could I just buy a prepaid sim card to use it? Thanks
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Will the iPhone work all over the world?
- Thread starter HitmanX
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Not in Japan. Japan doesn't use GSM, IIRC. But it should work in any other country that has GSM carriers that have roaming arrangements with AT&T/Cingular.
http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/international/roaming/international-roaming.jsp
http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/international/roaming/international-roaming.jsp
I haven't been stationed anywhere in Japan, but from what I hear, they are well beyond the iphone in phone tech over there anyways. You'd want to buy another phone in that case, so no worries there.
Yeah, 3G is a standard in Japan, which this phone lacks. I don't mind spending $600 bucks on the phone, but if I got orders a year or so from now, that could possibly render this phone useless, lol. Guess, I have to do some thinking before I make the purchase. Also, have you been stationed anywhere overseas? I too am in the Air Force.I haven't been stationed anywhere in Japan, but from what I hear, they are well beyond the iphone in phone tech over there anyways. You'd want to buy another phone in that case, so no worries there.
Remember that "3G" is a loose term, just like "high-speed Internet" can mean cable modem or DSL, even though they're two totally incompatible technologies.
AFAIK, Japan's wireless carriers run wCDMA networks, whereas US carriers run either GSM or CDMA networks. So even if the iPhone were 3G, it'd be 3G for the US networks, making it worthless in Japan. I don't think any of the US carriers sell a phone that will work here and in Japan.
Luckily ebay exists and folks willing to pay for used stuff
so you wouldn't exactly be SOL in that case. I've actually been conus my entire time in. Baby on the way here pretty soon, so hopefully no big move anytime soon. Wish I wasn't stuck with these damn noisy F15E's though.
Congrats on the baby. I'm looking forward to go overseas. I'm an Air Traffic ControllerLuckily ebay exists and folks willing to pay for used stuff
I've actually been conus my entire time in. Baby on the way here pretty soon, so hopefully no big move anytime soon. Wish I wasn't stuck with these damn noisy F15E's though.
Congrats on the baby. I'm looking forward to go overseas. I'm an Air Traffic Controller
Thanks and hopefully you get those orders. Good luck with ATC, good job in and out, depending on the base. Talk to you folks all the time(I'm Airfield Management).