[Mark_Venture]

Originally Posted by mckinneycm

I never said it wasn't Quad Band GSM. I was told by RIM that the agreement made with Verizon would be that the North America GSM bands would be locked so that you couldn't use the Storm on another US carrier..

I was replying mainly to your comment about...

Originally Posted by mckinneycm

...while the 9530 has the North America GSM functions disabled. So, yes the Storm does have Quad-band GSM and CMDA/EVDO; however, it depends on what version you have as to what carriers are possible.

which I read to mean... the VZW Storm/9530 will have the two NA GSM bands (850/1900MHz) disabled.

I guess I don't understand what you are saying because..

in my mind, if the two NA GSM bands are disabled, its not QuadBand GSM, it would be Dual Band GSM, right?

Dual vs Quad is important to know because there are Central/South American countries that also support GSM 850/1900MHz such as Argentina, Peru and Columba.

And If the device is SIM unlocked, it should work with all SIMs no matter the carrier, even North American carrier's sims, right?

Sorry, a little help please?

[mckinneycm]

It is Quad Band, in the sense that the hardware is there to support it. However, the agreement with RIM/Verizon states that the functionality will be disabled. For example, the Verizon 8830 is a Dual Band GSM "World Phone". It has ONLY the European GSM bands. The 9530 Storm has all 4, but the 850/1900MHz will be locked. If you want 850/1900MHz functionality, you need to buy the 9500 from Vodafone.

[crisambo]

Originally Posted by StuartV

My point exactly. Just because it has the hardware in there does not mean that you can jump to the conclusion that it will be usable.

...which is the main topic of this thread - T-mobile SIM in a VZW Storm . . .

AFAIC, VZW is trying to be cute with their "WOW points"... making it appear that they have the latest and the greatest, (for a change?!?). . .

I'm also leary about it's ability to roam on GSM networks in Eurio/Asia without being tied to a VZW SIM . . .

[mckinneycm]

Originally Posted by crisambo

I'm also leary about it's ability to roam on GSM networks in Eurio/Asia without being tied to a VZW SIM . . .

There is no such thing as a VZW SIM. SIMs are for GSM networks. The 8830 which is a Verizon phone, has a SIM slot for use on GSM networks in Europe/Asia and it works very well.

[crisambo]

Originally Posted by mckinneycm

There is no such thing as a VZW SIM. SIMs are for GSM networks. The 8830 which is a Verizon phone, has a SIM slot for use on GSM networks in Europe/Asia and it works very well.

For this device, VZW will be providing GSM SIM cards to traveling users for use overseas, so they can charge international roaming rate$$$ . . . to be used solely for GSM roaming...

[Jason Mark]

Originally Posted by mckinneycm

Not really, because the graphic is true. The Storm does have all 4 bands of GSM. Verizon has just made an agreement with RIM to have the North America GSM bands disabled.

This is incorrect. The 850/1900MHz GSM bands are not disabled. They are however locked. Theres a difference.

[crisambo]

Originally Posted by Jason Mark

This is incorrect. The 850/1900MHz GSM bands are not disabled. They are however locked. Theres a difference.

...you trying to be cute, too???
Disabled . . . Locked . . . same difference... bottom line - as it is, unusable on the North American GSM networks...

[Jason Mark]

Originally Posted by crisambo

...you trying to be cute, too???
Disabled . . . Locked . . . same difference... bottom line - as it is, unusable on the North American GSM networks...

I wasn't trying to be cute. Disabled and locked aren't completely different in my opinion. Both devices are the exact same, hence the 9500 and CDMA, but it's disabled. Meaning it will never work. However on the 9530, if unlocked the quad band radio will work. Big difference in locked and disabled.

[Mark_Venture]

Originally Posted by mckinneycm

It is Quad Band, in the sense that the hardware is there to support it. However, the agreement with RIM/Verizon states that the functionality will be disabled. For example, the Verizon 8830 is a Dual Band GSM "World Phone". It has ONLY the European GSM bands. The 9530 Storm has all 4, but the 850/1900MHz will be locked. If you want 850/1900MHz functionality, you need to buy the 9500 from Vodafone.

Originally Posted by crisambo

...you trying to be cute, too???
Disabled . . . Locked . . . same difference... bottom line - as it is, unusable on the North American GSM networks...

Ok, now you are confusing me again.

Are you saying that the two NA GSM bands (850/1900MHz), which are also used by some central/south american GSM companies, will be Disabled/unusable on the VZW Storm/9530, so that its GSM support operates in the same way as the 8830 with only 900/1800 ever being usable?

That if I go to Peru which uses 850/1900 GSM bands, and have the Verizon Storm with Vodaphone SIM, I can't use it?

If so, that is NOT the information I'm getting from RIM and Verizon at the various presentations, meetings and launch events I've attended. I'm told that 850/900/1800/1900 are all useable.

Yes, the Storm will be SIM card locked.. meaning you can only use the included Vodaphone SIM. And I'm guessing the Storm wont Roam onto USA GSM networks when using the Vodaphone SIM as its meant for use outside the USA. So in that sense, yes, the support of the USA GSM frequencies is irrelavant.

I have not received 100% definate confirmation on the Sim unlockabilty of the storm. I've been told either the same as the 8830 (they will give you the code after 60 or 90 day of device usage)... Or VZW wont ever provide the code.

IF the information presented at the launch event, and in the several meetings I've had with Verizon, RIM, and even Vodaphone, is correct... All 4 GSM bands are enabled, and usable with the included Vodaphone SIM when roaming. But it is SIM locked, so you can only make use of the Vodaphone SIM.

But this also implies that if one could SIM unlock the Verizon Storm, since all 4 bands are usable, then you should be able to put a T-Mo, ATT, or any other sim in the storm, force it to GSM (I've seen that menu option on the Demo devices at the various events), and go (minus some service books).

[crisambo]

Originally Posted by Mark_Venture

Ok, now you are confusing me again.

Are you saying that the two NA GSM bands (850/1900MHz), which are also used by some central/south american GSM companies, will be Disabled/unusable on the VZW Storm/9530, so that its GSM support operates in the same way as the 8830 with only 900/1800 ever being usable?

That if I go to Peru which uses 850/1900 GSM bands, and have the Verizon Storm with Vodaphone SIM, I can't use it?....

If you were to go to Peru with your Storm, you probably would be forced to connect to a CDMA network and pay $2.89 per minute . . .

Checkout VZW International Roaming info --> Calling From Peru

[BBSwany]

Originally Posted by mckinneycm

There is no such thing as a VZW SIM.

[Mark_Venture]

Originally Posted by crisambo

If you were to go to Peru with your Storm, you probably would be forced to connect to a CDMA network and pay $2.89 per minute . . .

Checkout VZW International Roaming info --> Calling From Peru

Or possibly GSM rates of...

GSM Standard Roaming Per Minute Rate: $2.89
GSM Value Plan Roaming Per Minute Rate: $2.89

according to -> Calling From Peru

If you click on the link from that page for compatible devices... ( Enter your location )

It only lists the BlackBerry® Storm™ 9530 smartphone, Samsung Renown™, and Samsung Saga™ which are all QuadBand GSM and CDMA phones.