A question about using a UK phone in WV
 

I travel to WV a lot to see family, but live in the UK. I have a contract with Cellular One (now AT&T) via my other half, who lives in WV. The phone I got with the contract is ok, but hardly earth shattering.

So, I had a UK phone (previously on O2) unlocked at a shop in the UK.

When travelling to the US a couple of weeks ago, it seemed to only work in urban areas. Going through ORD was fine, as was CRW. However, as soon as I went into rural WV, the phone no longer picked up a signal. I assumed it was simply because of lack of cell mastsin a low population area.

Curiously, I switched the SIM back in the original Cell One phone, and the signal was fine.

Anyone got an idea as to why this might be?

thanks

US GSM currently uses two frequencies. 1900mhz and 850mhz. Many European tribands only have 1900mhz. 1900mhz doesn't have great rural coverage.

Note: The US FCC has just granted licenses in the 700 and 1700mhz bandwiths as well.

That's right US bands are 850/1900, the 1900band is used in urban place,while the 850band is used in rural areas. I hope this clarifies it.

Depending on where you were in rural WV, if you drifted too far from an Interstate highway, you'll not get signal here. Where exactly were you at? (I'm in the southernmost part between BLF and BKW... where if you go too far off I-77 or US 460, you'll easily get no signal.)

If you can pick up a quad band phone, it will work pretty much anywhere. You can check here to see the signal for where you were,

http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer/

but unless you were so far from anything it's probably because you didn't have the right band on the phone.

That's really helpful, thank you. I am in central WV, around Flatwoods, just off I-79. The explanation about the frequencies would explain why my phone works in Charleston, but nor further North.

Can anyone tell me some possible (UK) phones that will work on 850 band?

thanks again.

Look at phonescoop.com. They have a phone finder where you plug in the specs you want and they give you a list of the phones that meet the bill.

I have a Nokia E65 and it works just about anywhere and has built in VOIP to boot.