All about unlocked cell phones

Q: I'm debating purchasing the Sony W800i or the W810i as an unlocked phone. What do I need to do to get it on Cingular's network? I currently don't have a plan, but I will sign up for one.
—Chris

A: Hooking up an unlocked phone for service is a relatively easy process, even if you don't have a Cingular contract already. Your first task is to order and sign up for Cingular service either at a store on the carrier's Web site. Of course, they will ask you if you need a phone, but you don't have to buy one by any means. Just tell the sales representative that you already own a handset. They may ask which model you own, but they shouldn't require that information to provide service. Once you've signed your contract and have your SIM card , just pop it into the phone and start making calls.

There are a couple points to keep in mind, though. In order to browse the Web, you will need to make sure your phone is programmed with the Internet settings unique to Cingular. The carrier can give you the settings, but you also can find them on Sony Ericsson's Web site. And don't listen if the store reps try to dissuade you from using an unlocked phone by telling you it's inherently faulty. That simply isn't true.

Also, if a phone comes free (or nearly free) with your contract, you should think about getting it anyway. It's always a good idea to have another phone around in case your primary handset is lost or stolen.

Q: I am considering buying an unlocked Nokia E61. I'm most interested in the support for push-to-talk (PTT) walkie-talkie service that comes with the phone. Cingular currently has PTT, but will this functionality work on any phone that has PTT?
—Larry

A: Though you'll be able to use the E61 (see our Nokia E-series line show for more information) for making regular calls with Cingular, you may not be able to use it with the carrier's PTT network. Carriers can be very picky about which phones will be compatible with their various services, so even though Cingular has a PTT network, it can choose to make only certain PTT phones compatible with it. So on that note, you should definitely check to make sure. It's rumored that Cingular will offer the E61 eventually, but the carrier hasn't made an official announcement yet.

Q: I'm a former AT&T Wireless customer, and I'm interested in buying some unlocked phones on eBay. However, I've been warned that the phones would have to support certain band frequencies and network types, beyond just being unlocked. What should I look for?
—Zach

A: For the best coverage, you should make sure that your desired phone supports the 850 and 1900 GSM bands, the main GSM frequencies used in the United States (900 and 1800 are used overseas). Your phone will work if it supports only the 1900 band and not the 850 band, but your best bet is a phone that supports both. That way you'll have the widest available GSM coverage nationwide.