So, want to get in on Cingular’s new UMTS network, and get a high-quality phone at the same time? You can, and it will cost you as little as $100 to do so.
We have pretty much confirmed that Cingular plans to rely heavily on 1900 MHz UMTS. So heavily, that they will be launching phones that lack UMTS 850. Why is this good news? Because that means that AT&T Wireless UMTS phones will work just as well as Cingular UMTS phones on the network.
Unfortunately, AT&T Wireless was gluttonized by Cingular before they could launch really high-quality UMTS phones (the E1000, and other UMTS phones were exhibited with AT&T Wireless branding). So, that leaves us with two devices; the Nokia 6651 and the Motorola A845.
The Motorola A845
We’re going to exclude the Nokia 6651, as it lacks GSM 850, which Cingular views as critical in moving forward. That leaves just the A845. The eBay value of this phone has fallen through the floor. Starting at $299, it has fallen to at times under $50 in a year and a half. Yes, we know, there aren’t that many on eBay, however, sometimes there are five or six that get posted in a day, supply does vary greatly, just have eBay email you when new ones are listed… So, let’s bring that value back up a bit. This phone is a very large phone, it easily fills at least half a pocket (probably more), but, it is the only UMTS phone in the U.S. currently suited for Cingular. All you need to do is unlock the phone, and drop in a Cingular SIM, then install the Cingular WAP/Internet profiles.
We suggest you send the phone to GlobalMob, but, you can also do it yourself with Unimoto. Unimoto simply requires a USB Motorola data cable, and a small fee.
Once installing the WAP profiles (just use the V3 RAZR Device Setup guides), you’re all set. The A845 supports H.324M, so, you’re all set for video calling too, it will even work with the video calling features on every Cingular UMTS phone to come in the near future.
so if i got my a845 cellphone unlocked i would be able to use a cingular smart chip in it
Yes, I’ve done it myself actually. It works, but keep in mind, the A845 only has UMTS 1900, and not UMTS 850. You may find that not all the UMTS coverage AT&T now offers to be available on that phone.
I was wondering if i went to a website and paid for a unlock code and enter it in the a845 cellphone that i have will it work fine because i don’t have the money to send it to a place and have it done.