Cheap GSM phone for India/Singapore
Oct 13, 2003, 2:38 pm
#1
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Cheap GSM phone for India/Singapore
I will be visiting India/Singapore soon for 4 weeks and looking for a cheap GSM phone. I will later buy a local SIM card for operating it. I checked ebay and found a lot of them but I was unsure whether I should get a unlocked GSM phone ...
Oct 13, 2003, 2:43 pm
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by debo_nair:
I will be visiting India/Singapore soon for 4 weeks and looking for a cheap GSM phone. I will later buy a local SIM card for operating it. I checked ebay and found a lot of them but I was unsure whether I should get a unlocked GSM phone ...</font>
I will be visiting India/Singapore soon for 4 weeks and looking for a cheap GSM phone. I will later buy a local SIM card for operating it. I checked ebay and found a lot of them but I was unsure whether I should get a unlocked GSM phone ...</font>
Oct 13, 2003, 3:30 pm
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Make sure you buy a 900/1800 phone. There are lots of old 1900 GSM phones on eBay and they won't work there either.
What you are looking for is an unlocked, GSM900/1800 or GSM900/1800/1900 phone. Like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=41348
There doesn't seem to be much on eBay right now. A nice request would probably prompt an FT'er to scrounge something from their junk drawer...
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-alan in sitges, home of Si-Do
What you are looking for is an unlocked, GSM900/1800 or GSM900/1800/1900 phone. Like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=41348
There doesn't seem to be much on eBay right now. A nice request would probably prompt an FT'er to scrounge something from their junk drawer...
------------------
-alan in sitges, home of Si-Do
Oct 13, 2003, 4:30 pm
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Oct 13, 2003, 6:40 pm
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Good catch alanw, I didnt even think to mention that.
As to buying there, what is the cost like compared to here, especially if they buy a used one here.
As to buying there, what is the cost like compared to here, especially if they buy a used one here.
Oct 13, 2003, 9:52 pm
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In India I will be travelling to Mumbai and Kerala and they are covered by http://www.bplmobile.com
I didnt see the prices online but their gallery must be the one setting the prices.
I didnt see the prices online but their gallery must be the one setting the prices.
Oct 14, 2003, 1:22 pm
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In India, you may need to get a friendly local to buy a SIM for you since most vendors ask for proof of some kind of address in India. For Mumbai, check out Hutchinson Max Touch's prices (they may still be under the Orange brand). They were lower than BPL's on my last visit.
BPL did have an edge in that their pre pay SIM allowed roaming in other parts of India though I expect Hutchinson to have caught up by now.
The good news is that international call costs from India using a pre pay SIM should be relatively low.
Edited to add: Enjoy India!
[This message has been edited by Internaut (edited 10-14-2003).]
BPL did have an edge in that their pre pay SIM allowed roaming in other parts of India though I expect Hutchinson to have caught up by now.
The good news is that international call costs from India using a pre pay SIM should be relatively low.
Edited to add: Enjoy India!
[This message has been edited by Internaut (edited 10-14-2003).]
Oct 14, 2003, 7:42 pm
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by alanw:
There doesn't seem to be much on eBay right now. A nice request would probably prompt an FT'er to scrounge something from their junk drawer...
</font>
There doesn't seem to be much on eBay right now. A nice request would probably prompt an FT'er to scrounge something from their junk drawer...
</font>
It's an Ericsson T28 World, and it's yours if you want it. Just drop me an email with your address, and pass it along to another FTer when you're done with it.-Jeffrey
Sep 24, 2004, 3:31 pm
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Followup/update requested.
Originally Posted by debo_nair
I will be visiting India/Singapore soon for 4 weeks and looking for a cheap GSM phone. I will later buy a local SIM card for operating it. I checked ebay and found a lot of them but I was unsure whether I should get a unlocked GSM phone ...
Sep 24, 2004, 3:50 pm
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Originally Posted by SoManyMiles-SoLittleTime
Did the OP actually go to India, and if so, what was the way he/she worked out the phone situation? A relative will be doing the same in a few weeks, so an update appreciated.
Sep 24, 2004, 6:20 pm
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OP borrowed my phone
Originally Posted by SoManyMiles-SoLittleTime
Did the OP actually go to India, and if so, what was the way he/she worked out the phone situation? A relative will be doing the same in a few weeks, so an update appreciated.
I don't know why he is banned.
Sep 24, 2004, 8:07 pm
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Back on topic, I'm planning a week-long biz trip all over India. Which is the best nation-wide carrier to buy a pre-paid SIM from? I mainly want to receive calls for free, but might make a few international calls too. It would be nice if I could buy this at DEL or BOM.