Not a dumb question.

Some phones (Motorola's) go under the assumption when in GSM1900 that the phone should never scan GSM900/1800 and vice versa.

GSM900 and GSM1800 are NOT used in the US, they are used everywhere in the world except for the America's (exception being Venezula; GSM900, some French territorial areas and Brazil GSM1800).

GSM1900 is only used in the America's.

To pass all regulatory easier the phone cannot be aggressive in scanning for networks. Technically a GSM1900 phone shouldn't be trying to do anything in the GSM800 or GSM1800 bands as they are used for other things. Motorola chooses to make it the users selection on where to search for networks. Other handset mfr's do other methods to scan the bands.

Bottom line: Choose GSM1900 when in the US
Choose GSM900/1800 when you go OUTSIDE the America's. Once you do that THEN scan for a network.

[This message has been edited by NickP 1K (edited Jan 22, 2004).]