If I unlock an iPhone 3G/3GS will I be able to...

[minty142]

i've been considering for a while to buy an iPhone, but the only problem is i don't want to use any of the networks that have it, i am from england and o2, orange and now vodafone have the iPhone, but i am on 3, which is a 3G network. Anyway, here is my question, if I buy an unlocked iPhone 3G or 3GS, or even an iPhone and unlock it, will i be able to use the 3G network from 3 or will i have to stick to the 2g network it borrows from orange?

[Poseidon79]

If it runs on a compatible 3G frequency that the iPhone picks up it should work.

[minty142]

Thank you, i'll have to google that, i'm pretty sure all the networks in the UK run in the same frequency, but i'll double check

OK i just had a look and it seems as though all the Networks in the UK run on the 2100MHz band for 3G, in that case i take it if i put my 3 SIM card in an unlocked iphone, then i should be able to pick up and use the 3G network

[satch2501]

Just make sure that your carrier supports GSM and its not a CDMA style carrier.

[minty142]

we don't have CDMA in the UK, and yes it does support GSM, but because 3 only has a 3G network, in areas where there is no 3G coverage it switches over to orange and borrows their 2G service. I feel a lot happier now i know that it will work with my carriers 3G service

[techierob]

Hold on there... 2100 on the iphone is only for voice and 2g not 3g. If it's a US Iphone the 3G bands are only 850/1900.

[minty142]

UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)
GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)

taken from apples website. And I found a site that says all 3G networks in the UK run on the 2100 MHz band =]