Unlocking Nexus One

runswithascript · 25-04-2010 10:45am #1

I'm browsing eBay for a Nexus One and wondering if I can unlock one tied into a contract from overseas or do I need to make sure I buy a SIM free one?

rmacm · 25-04-2010 12:47pm

Moved from Nets & Comms

blaz · 25-04-2010 12:59pm

Nexus One is never locked, even if bought on a contract.

runswithascript · 25-04-2010 5:55pm

I'm curious as this seller lists the phone as "WORKS IN AUSTRALIA BUT NOT WITH MY CONTRACT".

Random · 25-04-2010 6:22pm

thread moved to andriod sub-forum.

Brian · 25-04-2010 6:34pm

LA3G wrote: »

I'm curious as this seller lists the phone as "WORKS IN AUSTRALIA BUT NOT WITH MY CONTRACT".

I think that's because the network he is on uses different bands to the cellular radio in the Nexus One.

runswithascript · 25-04-2010 6:41pm

Baza210 wrote: »

I think that's because the network he is on uses different bands to the cellular radio in the Nexus One.

Will all Nexus One phones work in Ireland/Europe or do I need to watch out for specific bands?

blaz · 25-04-2010 6:45pm

Short answer: yes, every version (except the upcoming CDMA version for Verzion and Sprint) will work in Ireland.

Long version: All current Nexus One will work in 2G (GSM/EDGE) practically everywhere in the world, as they are quad-band. For 3G, there are two versions, one that supports 900/1700/2100 MHz, another that supports 850/1900/2100 MHz. Ireland uses 2100 MHz for 3G, so both work. AT&T in the US uses 850/1900 while T-Mobile in the US uses 1700, that's why there are two versions. The 850/1900 version is better because more countries outside of Europe use 850/1900 3G frequencies (for example parts of South America), while 1700 is only used by T-Mobile in US and Rogers in Canada.

runswithascript · 25-04-2010 6:56pm

blaz wrote: »

Long version: All current Nexus One will work in 2G (GSM/EDGE) practically everywhere in the world, as they are quad-band. For 3G, there are two versions, one that supports 900/1700/2100 MHz, another that supports 850/1900/2100 MHz. Ireland uses 2100 MHz for 3G, so both work. AT&T in the US uses 850/1900 while T-Mobile in the US uses 1700, that's why there are two versions. The 850/1900 version is better because more countries outside of Europe use 850/1900 3G frequencies (for example parts of South America), while 1700 is only used by T-Mobile in US and Rogers in Canada.

Thanks.

runswithascript · 25-04-2010 10:31pm

blaz wrote: »

Short answer: yes, every version (except the upcoming CDMA version for Verzion and Sprint) will work in Ireland.

Long version: All current Nexus One will work in 2G (GSM/EDGE) practically everywhere in the world, as they are quad-band. For 3G, there are two versions, one that supports 900/1700/2100 MHz, another that supports 850/1900/2100 MHz. Ireland uses 2100 MHz for 3G, so both work. AT&T in the US uses 850/1900 while T-Mobile in the US uses 1700, that's why there are two versions. The 850/1900 version is better because more countries outside of Europe use 850/1900 3G frequencies (for example parts of South America), while 1700 is only used by T-Mobile in US and Rogers in Canada.

And when somebody replies to me "GSM 900 and 1800 bands 3G networks" when asked whether 900/1700/2100 MHz or 850/1900/2100 MHz does this mean it's the former or is his answer totally irrelevant?

The item is listed:

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Network Type: [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]EDGE, GSM 1800, GSM 1900, GSM 850, GSM 900, HSDPA, HSUPA, UMTS[/FONT]

but I cannot discern from that which of the two 3G options you mentioned it is?

Brian · 26-04-2010 12:22am

Both GSM versions of the Nexus One work in Ireland.

blaz · 26-04-2010 8:01am

LA3G wrote: »

And when somebody replies to me "GSM 900 and 1800 bands 3G networks" when asked whether 900/1700/2100 MHz or 850/1900/2100 MHz does this mean it's the former or is his answer totally irrelevant?

Then he is probably American and confused

There is no such thing as "GSM 3G".

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Network Type: [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]EDGE, GSM 1800, GSM 1900, GSM 850, GSM 900, HSDPA, HSUPA, UMTS[/FONT]

but I cannot discern from that which of the two 3G options you mentioned it is?

The above info doesn't tell you. It tells you that it is 2G quad-band (850/900/1800/1900), that it supports EDGE, that it supports 3G (UMTS) and that is has high-speed 3G download (HSDPA) and upload (HSUPA). It doesn't tell you what frequencies the 3G part uses, but as I said, all version of the Nexus One support 2100 MHz for 3G, which is what is used in Ireland.

runswithascript · 26-04-2010 9:25am

Baza210 wrote: »

Both GSM versions of the Nexus One work in Ireland.

blaz wrote: »

It doesn't tell you what frequencies the 3G part uses, but as I said, all version of the Nexus One support 2100 MHz for 3G, which is what is used in Ireland.

Yes, this I am aware of because I did read that when it was posted initially but...

blaz wrote: »

The 850/1900 version is better because more countries outside of Europe use 850/1900 3G frequencies (for example parts of South America), while 1700 is only used by T-Mobile in US and Rogers in Canada.

I also read the 850/1900/2100 MHz will work in more places and I want to make sure I get that version for travelling and resale value

I saw one go for €404 new today and I've only been monitoring the market a day.

Thanks for the extra info.

runswithascript · 26-04-2010 9:35am

Listed on one of the sellers page already asked by another buyer:

Q: Hi, 1. Is that T-Mobile or at&t version of the phone (meaning what 3G bands are supported)?

A: Hi! Some answers to your questions. 1. The phone was a gift from Google so I don't know if it's a T-mobile or AT&T version.

Surely there must be some way to easily discern this?

Unlocking Nexus One

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