<p>What is the best cell phone operator in the US (East Coast) for an intl student?
Is my Nokia 6610i (900/1800 MHz) gonna work or will I need a new mobile phone?</p>
<p>I know that my Nokia didn’t work in the US… any cell phone to use in the US has to be triple-bended, which, as far as I know, most Nokias aren’t…</p>
<p>Nora,</p>
<p>Do you mean tripple-bended 900/1800/1900 MHz?</p>
<p>It would have to be tri-band but also have an unlocked SIM card.</p>
<p>I don’t remember… After that, I got a cellphone that they guaranteed me would work in the US.</p>
<p>It depends on what carrier you’re going with. Cingular, T-Mobile and a few other small carriers require 850/1900 MHz phones.</p>
<p>First of all, you’ll need to get your phone unlocked (though it’s possible it might be already). The US uses the 850/1900 frequencies, so unless your phone is at least tri-band it will not work at all. Cingular is the main provider of GSM service in the US. Verizon is the other main cell provider, but their phones use a different technology (CDMA).</p>
<p>If you do indeed decide to change companies, Verizon is widely regarded as the best of the major ones on the east coast.</p>
<p>Cingular gets good reception up and down the East Coast. Verizon is probably second best. Watch out for T-Mobile: it’s good in big cities but if you’re out in the country or in a small town, you might not get any reception at all.</p>
<p>I have Cingular. It works well. I have a motorola phone (V551 and I’m getting the Razr when I move.)</p>
<p>My Verizon phone has worked up and down the East Coast, South, Mid-West, and West Coast. Make sure it is Tri-Band. Don’t get a pure digital phone, because the towers here are still mostly analog.</p>
<p>Get an analog Verizon based phone, and make sure it’s an LG. AVOID THE RAZR. It’s problematic, unreliable, and prone to injury. Probably the most over-rated gadget of 2006. I’ve had two LGs now and both have been great, as have all the LGs that my friends and family have owned. No complaints from anyone. I’ve had many complaints from friends owning Razrs.</p>
<p>If for some reason you absolutely need that pink phone, you can always get a case for your LG to make it pink.</p>
<p>I’m not real hard on my phone. It’s almost a year old and I’ve made 523 calls (the phone has a tracker), which have amounted to 44 hours. Keep in mind this was my only phone for three months, so it got more use than it usually gets. I’ve sent zero text messages.</p>
<p>you can unlock nokias more easily than any other phone, so it wouldn’t hurt to try, search google…</p>
<p>otherwise, wait till you get there and go with the provider with the best service for your area.</p>
<p>another question, though to tack on: i’m moving to the other side of the US (CO to PA), should I keep my number or change it out for a PA number? I’d use the same provider, as I’m under contract and have a great phone (cingular 2125 … though they may upgrade me to an 8125)</p>
<p>No reason not to keep your same area code - most people do. I happen to be very attached to mine, plus it makes me feel elite (NYC area code of course 
)</p>
<p>
Agree completely</p>
<p>Get TRI-MODE. Do not get a phone that is pure digital or pure analog</p>