GSM Operating Bands

[2.2vtec]

All the good phones out there operate on 900/1800/1900 bands but I was told that its better to get a phone that operates on 850/1800/1900. Why is this try or not true and is there a noticable difference?

[shakalaka]

Thats because canadian gsm providers operate on the 850 band. So phone with that band get better reception in Canada. Similarly if you get a quad band phone which has 850 and 900 band, they work anywhere in the world. So even if you move to America or whatever which has 900 band, your phone will work fine. Obviously the phone needs to be unlocked before you can switch different GSM sim cards.
EDIT: Even if you get a 900 band you should still get an alright coverage with rogers, I think. Unless they changed their frequency or something. But 850 you deffinately don't have to worry about loosing reception.

[wesseam]

i personaly have used both and have not noticed a huge diffreince, but you will have people here say that im on crack and the 850/1800/1900 is way better.

[2.2vtec]

So if you have a phone that operates on a 900 your pretty much only running on 1800 and 1900mhz?

[wesseam]

i though you were only really running on 1900 if im not mistaken

[shakalaka]

Check these links out
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=503115
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=464527&highlight=%2Bgsm850+%2Bfaq

[Shaolin]

I noticed a difference when I got a phone with 850/1900 when I had a buddy that lived in the basement suite.. before having 850 I'd have 1 bar, and sometimes 0 bars whenever I'm over.. when I got the 850 band I had 3 to 4 bars..

[xkon]

Canada runs 850 and 1900 - so does the US. Getting an 1900 phone will work, but not as well as a 850/1900 phone! In Europe they use 1800/900...

I personally noticed a HUGE improvement when I got my first 850 phone, and wouldnt go back to a 1900 only phone