Travel Technology - Sony Ericsson T68i vs. T68m and voicestream

So it looks to me like the difference between the T68i and T68m is that the i is capable of MMS (multimedia messaging service).

My questions are, is this correct and does it really matter if I only have the T68m, assuming voicestream is the carrier.

Also, does it matter if I buy through voicestream (t68m) or through a dealer (t68i)?

Finally, does anyone know if the phones that voicestream sells are simlocked?

[This message has been edited by Dudster (edited 07-09-2002).]

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[This message has been edited by jetsetter777 (edited 07-11-2002).]

www.tsixtyeight.com (http://www.tsixtyeight.com) will answer all this and more!

FYI, the "i" upgrade has been out for about a month now. It adds MMS, a prettier user interface, and better support for the CommuniCam.

I don't think there are any MMS servers available in the US so far, so this is kind of a moot point.

You should be OK with either one.

-alan in seattle

The "i" also has a "photo album" that said the games in the non-"i" are superior to the upgraded phone!

I'm pretty clueless about how GSM phones work. I understand that, being in Chicago, I could sign up with AT&T for their new service. My concern is that coverage is pretty limited. Some questions:

1. With the T68, I wouldn't be able to use the phone on AT&T's non-GSM network which has much broader coverage. Is that right?

2. If I manage to get an unlocked T68, are there other networks in the U.S. that I could use without signing up for some other plan? Could I just get some prepaid or similar plan from someone else?

3. My understanding is that in Europe, I could fairly easily do what I'm describing in (2). Is that right?

Thanks for any answers. I looked through the T68 site but still wasn't clear on these issues. (And a bit afraid to post there.)

If you want the benefits of GSM (which are many), IMO AT-n-T is not the way to go right now. VoiceStream is the only carrier that has a more-or-less nationwide network you can use all over the country. Cingular will let you roam onto VoiceStream's network when you're out of their GSM service area, but I don't see any reason to choose them over VS. They are typically more expensive, though this varies by market, their network in CA and NV is overloaded to the point of prompting a class-action suit, and their customer service is only open WEEKDAYS.

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1. With the T68, I wouldn't be able to use the phone on AT&T's non-GSM network which has much broader coverage. Is that right?
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That is right. ATT is selling a Siemens Frankenstein phone with TDMA and GSM in the same handset that will let you use GSM when it's available and TDMA when it isn't. This unit is not a good compromise in terms of features or performance. ATT will *not* let you roam onto Cingular or VoiceStream at this time.

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2. If I manage to get an unlocked T68, are there other networks in the U.S. that I could use without signing up for some other plan? Could I just get some prepaid or similar plan from someone else?
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You can use a prepaid SIM from either VoiceStream or Cingular. Or get an international "roaming" SIM from any one of a number of carriers. But why? Unless you are getting ATT for free or have to keep your existing number, there is little to recommend them. Their network is almost non-existant, voice rate plans uncompetitive, and high-speed data freakishly overpriced at $10/MB.

If you want a T68, go buy it from VoiceStream for $249, sign up for a plan you like, and start enjoying the features and voice quality of GSM. Their coverage in Chicago is generally very good. Activate international roaming and use it almost anywhere in the world just like you were at home with rates about 70% lower than ATT or Cingular.

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3. My understanding is that in Europe, I could fairly easily do what I'm describing in (2). Is that right?
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Europe and the US are the same in this regard, except in some European countries you would have more choices of carrier.

It sounds like I am pushing VS, I think. I'm not. Usenet has a long and rich history of my rants against them. But from a service/company perspective they are no better or worse than any of the other US carriers, and from a network/technology perspective they simply have a better product.

-alan in seattle

Alan,

Thanks for the detailed response. I'll look into Voicestream. I'm not set on AT&T, just happened to walk by their store. One last question. If I manage to buy an unlocked phone, do I just call up Voicestream and say I've got a phone already and just want to sign up for the plan and get a SIM card? It wasn't really clear from their web site.

MagMile,

Yup, that's exactly what you can do. They will charge you $20 for the SIM, if I recall correctly.

If you go to a store, chances are they will give you a phone for free (or nearly so). You may as well take it. It never hurts to have a backup, even if it one of those dreadful Motorolas. This phone will be locked to VoiceStream but it should be fine as a backup.

On the other hand, you can buy a locked T68 from them for $249 after rebate, which is much cheaper than you can buy an unlocked one. After you've been a customer for six months (and sometimes before, YMMV), they will unlock it for you.

I'd think that is your best bet.

-alan in seattle

I know some people were curious about this, so I thought I'd post.

Voicestream (T-Mobile) launches in California today.