I've tried hard to avoid knowing much about these things. Just want to make and receive calls. Yes, I know I'm a dinosaur!
Got a new phone on plan from Telstra back in 2007 - an LG thingie. Not as good as my first LG but it worked. Out of plan now and they called me up some months ago and gave a discount to keep going. So I did. But the LG has obviously reached its specified obsolescence date and is starting to switch itself off - no it's not a flat battery. So time for a new phone.
Went into Telstra, they said best for you, if you are happy with your current plan, is to buy a new handset, swap over SIM card and carry on happily into the future. OK, that'll do me. But not overly fussed with their cheap handset offerings. Wandered through Crazy Johns, "3", Vodaphone - nothing excited me much. I'm looking to spend a whole $100-130!!
Checking around, I reckon I can do better off the internet shops. I like the (bit old now - 2008 vintage) Nokia 5220 XpressMusic handset. I can get that for $135 plus postage.
BUT - when I got the LG thingie, it was 3G and I had to get a new SIM card. Do I have to buy a 3G phone for the SIM card to work in it? Or can I buy a GSM (is that called "2G" now?) handset and insert my SIM card? The Nokia 5220 is not 3G.
I found this website I think it says that you can use the old card but you wont be able to take advantage of the 3G features of the phone. The below info was copied off the website in the link
I am changing plans and upgrading my Samsung flip phone from Cingular at the end of June. I am probably going to get the V3xx or something "3G".
I have a fairly new 64k SIM card from a insurance replacement this year and it has all my numbers (etc) on it. So do I have to use the newer "3G" labeled Cingular / ATT SIM cards to get full benefit, or can I just pop in my old SIM card?
If the new phone is 3G then you will need the 3G sim in order to take advantage of 3G services.
3G relates mostly to internet speed and services. Now they 3.5G (also known as NextG and HDSPLA) and Vivid Wireless use 4G (not available in my area). In most they have increasing faster internet speed.
Although 2G can run internet servises it is very slow so they use older WAP services, above this normal webpage can be downloaded. 3.5 or H is great for remote obs IT connection although I would only recommend Telstra
$12 a month plan with $12 calls included for 12 months plus $20 for a Nokia5000 handset. The handset is cheap but seems solid enough and does all that I want from a basic phone.
Some phones you can get free on a 6 month $12 plan.
