Buying a mobile phone in Florida

[xXxArielxXx]

Hi,

Does anyone know if i buy a mobile phone in Florida if it will work here ect.
Have seen some nice ones in the sidekick style and Blackberrys which are a LOT cheaper there!

Sorry if this has been asked before-couldnt find it in a search

Many Thanks! :D

[TiggerD]

We was after a new virgin one 2 years ago and was told they wont work in the UK

Not sure if it goes for all the US mobiles

[xXxArielxXx]

Thanks TiggerD !

[Denny Crane]

It all depends on what frequencies they will work on.
the USA uses different frequencies to Europe etc.

[martyboy]

Everytime I have enquired ,the sales clerk say they have not got any phones that will work in the UK

I wonder what the americans do that come here buy payg?

[castanea1985]

We use Tracfones out there, but they don't work here!

Pretty sure any phone you buy in the US will charge you international rates, even if it can be used in the UK :omg:

But if you're looking for something that is cheap to use out there and convenient.. I'd go for the tracfone.

On offer at the moment in Walmart :
Basic motorola with double mins for life for just $12.88

Tracy xx

[Denny Crane]

Why not buy a tri band or quad band phone over here unlocked (many available on that auction sitye) then just get a PAYG sim card when in the USA?

[xXxArielxXx]

Thanks everyone!

[kcanderson]

We use Tracfones out there, but they don't work here!

Pretty sure any phone you buy in the US will charge you international rates, even if it can be used in the UK :omg:

But if you're looking for something that is cheap to use out there and convenient.. I'd go for the tracfone.

On offer at the moment in Walmart :
Basic motorola with double mins for life for just $12.88

Tracy xx

Do these phones have a life span ie if not used for so many months they are switched off ,or can you return after a year and use again
cheers
Chris

[Denny Crane]

Do these phones have a life span ie if not used for so many months they are switched off ,or can you return after a year and use again
cheers
Chris

Thats the problem i had. The Tracfone was not used for 12 months and they would not restart the phones sim, so they said taht a new sim had to be supplied. the sim arrived only two days before we went home.

[castanea1985]

Do these phones have a life span ie if not used for so many months they are switched off ,or can you return after a year and use again
cheers
Chris

We've never had a problem with them?! But then again, the longest they've been left between visits was 5 months.

Found this on the tracfone website:

Why does my phone display SIM card registration failed?
When your TRACFONE is turned on you may receive the message "SIM card registration failed" because your phone has not yet been activated. Disregard this message and clear the display by pressing the navigation key, which is the button below the display.

Tracy

[castanea1985]

Thats the problem i had. The Tracfone was not used for 12 months and they would not restart the phones sim, so they said taht a new sim had to be supplied. the sim arrived only two days before we went home.

Seem to remember we bought these tracfones on recommendation from Obi :d: :d: :d: :d: :d: :d: :d:

Tracy

[Denny Crane]

Seem to remember we bought these tracfones on recommendation from Obi :d: :d: :d: :d: :d: :d: :d:

Tracy

Hoisted by my own Petard.. :grin: :grin:

I think there has been a change of T & C's as they alway did reactivate the Sims in the past, not last year though

[castanea1985]

Hoisted by my own Petard.. :grin: :grin:
:pgig:

We'll have to see how they go...we've had plenty of use out of them so far - we just pass them over to another family member on each visit!
I'm pretty sure one of them already has a top up date of 2009!
Maybe there is a 'niche' market out there... for an international payg phone!!

Tracy