By: Arthur Cooper
Submitted: 2010-12-30 07:52:24 | Word Count: 664
If you are looking for an unlocked cell phone that can be used in Canada, then make sure you choose the right GSM phone. GSM is the Global System for Mobile Communications; as such, it is the worldwide wireless standard, widely available in countries outside of the United States.
Competitive technology within the United States utilizes CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) phones, which are as yet still only available in the US and parts of Asia. CDMA phones do not have SIM cards, but are hardwired for the carrier who offers them; therefore they cannot be unlocked and reused on a different carrier or in a different country.
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But, if you are looking for a phone that will travel with you, get an unlocked one—which means a GSM phone—and make sure it operates on the right bandwidth. Basically, if you want to be able to use your unlock cell phone in Canada or any other country, you have to choose one of the higher level bandwidths.
Dual-Bandwidth only works in Europe, Australia, Asia, most of South America, and Africa, so it is not suitable for Canada.
To get most of North America, including many Canadian territories, you have to choose at least a Tri-Bandwidth GSM phone. The tri-bandwidth runs on three different frequency bands: 1900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 900MHz. This means it can work in a heck of a lot of places: Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, almost all of North America (not South America), and Africa.
However, the most versatile option would be to get a Quad-Bandwidth Unlocked GSM phone. This type of phone will let you roam virtually anywhere on the planet. In addition to working on the three previously listed frequencies, it also works on 850 MHz, which covers many countries who only use this frequency.
There is no doubt that GSM phones are the way to go if you are looking for a cell phone that will be able to find and deliver service to you when you are traveling out of country. You don’t have to take the extra step of buying the quad-bandwidth if you don’t travel the globe. If you only travel between the USA and Canada, a Tri-band will obviously work. The dual- bandwidth is more than adequate if you are traveling between Spain and Argentina. But oddly enough, if you are going from Mexico to the USA to and on to Canada, then only a quad-bandwidth phone can keep you in touch with your business partners.
There is also another option that will save you from roaming charges. You still have to use an Unlocked GSM phone, but you can always switch out the SIM card to a local SIM card when you get to your destination. Then you wouldn’t have to buy a quad-bandwidth or pay overseas roaming charges. However, this necessitates you buying an extra phone and maintaining a phone service in the destination country. Whichever option works out cheaper and easier for you depends on your situation.
For more information on unlocked cell phones with global reception capabilities, contact ConfigureMyPhone.com.
