Korean Job Discussion Forums

[CanadianBanana]

I been looking into getting a new phone here in Korea. I was looking at the
Samsung Anycall SPH-2700 Also know as the Softbank 707 sc. I believe that this phone can run on GSM triband networks 900/1800/1900 but Im not sure. This is a WCDMA and 3G phone (I dont know what that means). I am I would love to buy this phone and use it traveling or back home, using prepaid SIM cards. But im not sure this phone is capable to doing so. I asked at the shop and they said no, But they are legit. I was wondering if this phone was unlocked would I be able to use it with GSM SIM cards.

I know people will say CDMA phones will never work in North America because of GSM stuff. But i have witnessed it with my own Eyes. My friend had a phone he was using for 1 year here. He brought it back to Canada got it unlocked. and now he is using it with Telus back in Vancouver. It is not all phones, but certain models and years. Seems to be a closely guarded secret. haha

If you have a better depth of knowledge about this stuff, please share.



http://navershop.gmarket.co.kr/go.nhn?mn=G%B8%B6%C4%CF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gmarket.co.kr%2Fchallenge%2Fneo_jaehu%2Fjaehu_goods_gate.asp%3Fgoodscode%3D128439816%26GoodsSale%3DY%26jaehuid%3D200001169%26nv_pchs%3D2hLE5%252FpzWCeFePxVC2UCbmDzRKY9i0d3

[Ut videam]

Yes, that phone will work overseas.

WCDMA is not related to CDMA. The name is actually rather misleading, as WCDMA is not the 3G follow-on to CDMA but rather to GSM. 3G CDMA uses the EVDO protocol, whereas UMTS (3G GSM) uses WCDMA.

Thus, a WCDMA phone from Korea will work on overseas 3G networks, as the migration path for most providers is GSM > WCDMA.

Incidentally, this also means that the 3G iPhone will most likely work in Korea, as Korea's embraced WCDMA as its 3G standard and the 3G iPhone is far more likely to be WCDMA than EVDO.

Oh, and I'm pretty sure that particular model is backwards compatible with GSM (2G). So it should take a prepaid GSM SIM, although by default it uses a USIM (next generation SIM used in 3G phones).

[CanadianBanana]

http://www.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=124605580&pos_shop_cd=SH&pos_class_cd=111111111&pos_class_kind=T&keyword_order=124605580&search_keyword=124605580

Cool thanks. I know this will work overseas on Roaming charges, but can i interchange GSM SIM cards at will? Like any other gsm phone?[/url]

[Ut videam]

I *think* that model will take a GSM SIM, but I'm not positive. But I know someone who will know. I e-mailed him, and I'll let you know what he says.

[Ut videam]

Okay, I heard back from the guy. Here's the scoop on the -2700:

YES, the phone will work on GSM systems worldwide as well as 3G systems. This is as I thought.

NO, you can't just pop in a SIM from another carrier�at least not yet. He reminded me of something I'd forgotten: all Korean carriers SIM-lock their phones. Until recently, each phone was locked to a specific SIM; it couldn't be used with another SIM. This restriction has been partially lifted, but they're still carrier restricted: only an SKT SIM can be used in an SKT phone, KTF SIM in KTF phone, and so on. Reportedly this restriction will also be gone by sometime this summer, but for now that's the situation.

[stealth_fighter]

Same question here ... http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?p=1319737&highlight=#1319737

I have this very same phone and took it home last winter. With the KTF's USIM card, and roaming enabled, and I can use the phone in any of the local GSM networks for making and receiving calls/messages, but at a high cost. When I tried to put a local 3G GSM SIM to it, the phone can connect to the locak network and menus associated with the 3G services appeared. But when I try making call, a message appeared saying "Locked!".
Incoming also didnt work. I assumed that the key is breaking that lock.
So, I gave it to a geek who analysed the phone and said that something can be done to unlock it, but as he wanted more time, I dropped the idea for this time.
If there is a breakthrough, please do let me know too.

[CanadianBanana]

Cool Thanks for the info. I think I am going to give up on the SPH-2700 since it is hard or impossible to get this phone on a plan with SK and KTF. Both these companies are foreigner unfriendly unless you go with their pre-paid service.

Might just splurge a little and go for the LG Viewty.