where does G1 work?

[and0960]

Hi, I bought a G1 in the US with the aim to use it also abroad as I spend most of my time in Asia (I am based in China) and also Europe for work. Unfortunately, nobody at T-Mobile told me that the G1 does not work anywhere in Asia (I tried so far in China, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand and no, it does not work) which is kind of disappointing. Local telecom companies told me that the 3G system here is different than the US one and not compatible. Does anybody know anything more about the roaming service for G1 in Asia? It would be great to know that there is (or there will be) a way to use this phone in Asia and that I didn't throw away my money. I have another 3G phone from Europe and it works everywhere... I love G1 but find it disappointing that it doesn't. Thank you for your help!

[gbk1]

Well I think you'd be more interested in the GSM networks with different SIMS for travel.
TMobile uses a unique frequency, 1700, which is ... well unique and no other 3G signal will work for the G1.

Strapped to TMobile.

[Xenobiologista]

Well I think you'd be more interested in the GSM networks with different SIMS for travel.
TMobile uses a unique frequency, 1700, which is ... well unique and no other 3G signal will work for the G1.

Strapped to TMobile.

Sorry I don't think that's correct. I bought a second-hand G1 in the USA on eBay and paid a third-party service to get an unlock code so I could use it with a non-T-Mobile provider in the USA. Later I went home to Malaysia and then moved to Singapore, it works all right in both countries with prepaid SIM cards (Maxis' Hotlink and M1's M Card respectively).

Anyway to clarify something for the OP..."roaming services for the G1" is a bit confusing. Roaming services are controlled by the network, which is determined by the SIM card inside the phone. Maybe T-Mobile just doesn't have good roaming services. Did you try taking out the SIM card and buying a cheap prepaid local one in the countries that you visited? The other problem of course is that the G1s are locked (means it's programmed to work only with T-Mobile), but you can buy an unlock code (to let it work with any GSM provider) like I mentioned above for about $25 from various third parties.

[tmrepp]

yeah dude gprs/edge would work but 3G does not work on any other service provider, unless somehow someone else is using T-Mobile's proprietary 3G bands...lol