US to UK tri-band mobile calls

[Hilary]

I apologise if this is a dumb question but here goes:

If I have a tri-band phone in Florida, can I call/text a non tri-band (dual band?) mobile in the UK, and vice versa, or do they both need to be tri-band to 'talk' to each other?

I know I can call a UK land line from the US using a tri-band mobile, but I'm not sure about the mobile to mobile compatibility.

 

[kristieuk]

As long as your phone is triband, you will be fine (unless the phone you are calling is in the US also!).

 

[arieliwish]

I think the triband thing is just to get your call/text from US networks to UK networks. We used ours over there last year and managed to send/call dual band phones over here. Our phone switched networks as we moved around Orlando for best coverage.

One word of warning - if anyone in the UK calls your mobile, it still costs you around £1 per minute to receive it - my work called me (at 6.30am US time) to see if we were ok after Hurricane Frances - 11 minutes and £11 on my bill later, yes we're fine!!

 

[patdavies]

Tri-band is only necessary to connect to the US networks as they use different frequencies.

When you call the UK, the call is passed to the UK operator and can be connected to any mobile connected to the UK operator concerned.

 

[mrs-mac]

We're with Orange and we managed to use our phones ok while in Florida but it cost 45p to send a text and 70p a minute to receive a call!

But a word of caution my phone is the Nokia 3220 which is tri-band and ok to use but the charger is not compatable in the US. Instead of charging the phone it drained the battery completely. So try to remember to take your in-car charger with you.

 

[tim june and sam]

But a word of caution my phone is the Nokia 3220 which is tri-band and ok to use but the charger is not compatable in the US. Instead of charging the phone it drained the battery completely. So try to remember to take your in-car charger with you.

Most Nokia chargers are now multi-voltage (100V to 240V) and if yours isn't you can get one for less than £15 new or less than £1 on e-bay.

A common multi-voltage charger number to look out for is a ACP-12X, although this does not fit ALL Nokias.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Yes,
tri band is required as the USA uses a different frequency to the Uk & Europe.
You can call any number worldwide and receive calls and texts from anywhere
You can use your tri band to make a call to the pizzeria down the road in Florida a well. (If you have the number!)

 

[Hilary]

Thanks, everyone That's been really helpful!

 

[mrs-mac]

Most Nokia chargers are now multi-voltage (100V to 240V) and if yours isn't you can get one for less than £15 new or less than £1 on e-bay.

A common multi-voltage charger number to look out for is a ACP-12X, although this does not fit ALL Nokias.

My phone is only 3months old and came with a charger that requires 230V so i take it Nokia have changed in the last 3 months. But its handy to know that the multi-chargers aren't that expensive for when we go next year.

Thanks

 

[Hilary]

In the past we've used UK 240v chargers in the US for items such as digital camera batteries, camcorder, toothbrush, shaver, etc., and they've worked eventually but taken a loooooong time. Why don't the phone chargers work in the same way?

 

[tim june and sam]

In the past we've used UK 240v chargers in the US for items such as digital camera batteries, camcorder, toothbrush, shaver, etc., and they've worked eventually but taken a loooooong time. Why don't the phone chargers work in the same way?

Perhaps they do, but I never had the chance to check. However, I did buy a 110V rechargeable battery charger (you know the AA type batteries) at Walgreens in '03 to re-charge my digital camera batteries. Think it cost about $9 - less than a fiver.

Consider that a good investment so as not to risk electrical damage?

 

[tim june and sam]

My phone is only 3months old and came with a charger that requires 230V so i take it Nokia have changed in the last 3 months. But its handy to know that the multi-chargers aren't that expensive for when we go next year.

Thanks

Surprised Mrs Mac - I had a new Nokia 2-3 weeks ago and although specifically bought a tri-band phone, was told that universal voltage charger was the norm. If you are interested in getting one, post your model number on here and I can tell you which charger type you need to look out for.

Seriously, you can buy them on e-bay for less than £1 if you are lucky, but never more than £5.

 

[Hilary]

Perhaps they do, but I never had the chance to check. However, I did buy a 110V rechargeable battery charger (you know the AA type batteries) at Walgreens in '03 to re-charge my digital camera batteries. Think it cost about $9 - less than a fiver. Consider that a good investment so as not to risk electrical damage?

I agree - especially if you're a regular traveller to the US and will get repeated use from it.

Our 'problem' is prising ourselves away from the parks long enough to go shopping for this kind of item over there before we need it! Once we arrive in Orlando, the last thing on our minds is shopping - not for the first few days anyway. I'll have to train myself to buy things like this later in our trip ready to use on the next trip!

 

[Hilary]

If you are interested in getting one, post your model number on here and I can tell you which charger type you need to look out for.

Mine's a Nokia 7210 - any suggestions about the charger gratefully received

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Get an in car charger and charge it whilst going to and from the parks, shopping etc.....That's what I do, even though my Nokia 6310i has a multi charger (and the phone is two years old, ancient in mobile terms <grin>)

 

[tim june and sam]

Mine's a Nokia 7210 - any suggestions about the charger gratefully received

Hi Hilary - my research says that you indeed need an ACP-12X like I detailed above - just like mine!

I also spy an original Nokia one on e-bay right now at £2.99 +P&P. Price in local Tesco for same is £14.99. This is a multi-voltage type charger although you'll need the usual 3-pin to 2-pin UK-US plug in "thingy".

Free of charge technical helpdesk!

 

[Hilary]

Free of charge technical helpdesk!

LOL! Thanks