FAQ

About Roaming

Roaming is defined by the GSM Association as the ability for a cellular customer to automatically make & receive voice calls when traveling outside the geographical coverage area of the home network, by means of using a visited network.

Once a user travels outside that "home network" area the original carrier can no longer provide a wireless service. The user's cellular phone (provided it is of the appropriate system and frequencies) can connect as a "guest" through a local carrier that has cellular coverage in the visited area. The local carrier will accept the guest and provide cellular services, based on a roaming agreement it has with the original carrier. As expected, both carriers want to profit and the user pays the price.

Because of the high proportion of the population who used their mobile phone while on holiday or business abroad, the term has become widely understood, along with the implications:

• You pay to receive incoming calls on your mobile phone

• You pay substantially more for your usual calls to home and the office

• Calls "in country" cost much more than calls "at home".

• Calls to part of the same group traveling abroad are doubled: billed on the call-originating phone as an international call, and on the call-receiving phone as an inbound roaming phone call.

• Calls are particularly expensive if "pay as you go" phones are used; it is often justified as being less expensive than alternatives such as using hotel phone systems.

The saving potential begins from the possibility to select the cellular carrier that you will be using when traveling. The user can select more attractive rate plans for his or her travel destinations.

Having the Right Phone

About Cellular Phones

Cellular technologies and frequencies vary depending on the geographic region. GSM technology is the probably the most common technology. In Europe and several other countries it’s the only technology used. The only real device that would truly function globally (except perhaps a small number of locations) is a tri-band or a quad-band GSM phone.

A significant part of North American cellular subscribers still use technologies like CDMA 1X and PCS. These devices will not provide global coverage and travelers will need to equip themselves with an additional phone for travel. GSM users should also check their phones. The GSM frequencies used in North America are different than the ones in Europe. Only phone that support 900 and 1800 frequencies will provide true coverage when traveling overseas.

To enable the use of various SIM cards, the user must check that the GSM phone is UNLOCKED. In many cases, the cellular carrier subsidizes the phone as a part of a long term commitment plan. Doing this, the carrier also programs the phone to be restricted only to the use of its SIM cards. Unlocked phones are available at most retail and online shops that offer cellular phones. Carriers would "unlock" the phone once a full payment has been made for the device. The Internet also offers a variety of instructions and tools for those who wish to reprogram and unlock their phones.

How to check if you have a GSM Phone
In North America GSM is offered by Cingular, T-Mobile and AT&T and in Canada by Rogers and Fido. AT&T also offers TDMA so subscribers to that network should verify what they are using.
In general, if your phone uses a SIM card then it is a GSM phone.
A SIM card is a small "smart card" normally placed behind the battery. Remove the battery and check for a rectangular card of about 1 by 0.5 inch size (2.5 by 1.5 cm).
If you are still not sure you can check your carrier website this information is mostly visibly presented.

How to check if your GSM phone supports global frequencies

GSM is not the same everywhere. It is offered in a few incompatible versions around the world. The vast majority of the world uses the GSM technology with 900 and 1800 MHz frequencies. The US, Canada and a few other countries are offering GSM in a different frequency – 1900 MHz.

To ensure global coverage compatibility it is recommended to use tri-band GSM phones that support 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz frequencies.

Some of the newer phones offered GSM phones purchased in the US or Canada are tri-band, especially the higher-end phones. Nevertheless, it is highly recommended to confirm this before departure.

Phone compatibility can be checked on the product pages of your GSM carrier or on various websites. You would need to have the specific brand, model and number of your device. This information is found on the sticker behind the battery of the phone.

How to check if your phone is unlocked

The locking of the phone is a relevant issue only if your GSM phone supports the global frequencies. If it doesn't there is no point in unlocking it.

If your phone is compatible as explained, you’ll want to check if it is able to work with SIM cards of carriers other than your current.

The reasoning for the locking in the first place is to prevent users from abusing subsidized phone plans, provided as a part of term commitment plans by a carrier, and migrating to another carrier. If your phone was provided on a monthly plan with a term commitment and offered at an attractive subsidized price, it is most likely LOCKED.

If you are not sure about the locking status of the phone you can try a simple test. Find a friend with a GSM phone using a different carrier than yours. Turn your phone off, remove the battery, replace your SIM card with your friend's card, insert the battery and turn the phone on. If the phone is locked you will be prompted a message indicating that the SIM is not supported. If you can dial out and make a call – your phone is unlocked.

How to unlock a GSM phone

In most cases you can request that your carrier unlock your phone if you have completed the commitment period or if you pay in full the remaining unpaid value for the phone.

Locking and Unlocking of phones in the vast majority of the cases is done by punching a programming code into the phones keys or by connecting the phone to a special hardware device. For some models these codes are available on the Internet but there is never a guarantee that your phone will not be damaged. Your best bet is to have this done for you by one of many companies offering this service. Yu can find them by searching the Web for GSM unlocking service.

Compatible Models

The 09 SIM cards are built with strict compliance to the international GSM standards. Nevertheless, we have found that in some models of Nokia phones some features were not functioning properly. All other brands, to the best of our knowledge are functioning perfectly with the 09 SIM card.

SHIPPING

1. We currently ship to the US and Canada only. International shipments will be available soon, please stay tuned.

2. Please note that phones are opened and inspected for functionality and for package contents before shipping.

3. Please note that order of multiple items might arrive in separate shipments, as we hold stock in several locations.

4. We will place freight insurance for the full value of the items at no extra charge to you.

5. Package must be signed for at the recipient's address. Drop-offs without signatures will not be permitted – there will be no exceptions.

6. If you're not physically present at the shipping address, only one re-attempt delivery will be made. In case that fails, you will have to call 1-800-GO-FEDEX or 1-800-PICK-UPS (according to the courier indicated on your invoice) to find out the address of the pick-up location near you that will keep your package for no more than 2 business days for your pick up. If not picked up in that period, your package will be returned to us on your expense. Returned our refused packages will result in the payment of double freight. These charges will be assessed against your credit card.

7. Shipping Time – the shipping process begins only after payment is confirmed and cleared. Once the process begins, items usually leave our warehouse within 1 to 3 business days. make every effort to ship on the same day. Please note that we do not make commitments on delivery times. There might be factors like weather conditions, that are beyond our control and that might delay your shipment. In some cross-border or international shipments customs inspections or release procedures may cause additional delays. Please use the provided tracking number to follow the status of your shipment.

8. Shipping rates – to simplify the shipping we offer a flat rate, with a choice of ground or expedited shipment:

For additional information or inquiries please Contact Us

GSM World Network Information