Factory Unlocked iPhone 4 - A Guide For World Travelers and Users Outside The US

People want a factory unlocked iPhone 4 for various reasons. A large proportion of interested parties live in countries where the iPhone 4 is not yet available. Another large group consists of those who travel abroad extensively, and want to be able to switch to carriers based within the countries they visit. This article will help prospective users to choose a phone correctly configured for their needs and inform them how to get the phone activated.

Why The Factory Unlocked iPhone 4 uses GSM

The two main cellphone network technologies globally are CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) and GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication).These technologies are not compatible. This means a GSM configured phone cannot work with a carrier using CDMA, and vice versa.

GSM is the predominant technology globally, available in over 200 countries and territories, providing service to more than 3 billion people and supplying travelers with mobile access almost wherever they go. It's used in Europe (where it's the standard), Canada, the Caribbean, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, and much of Asia and the Middle East. AT&T and T-Mobile operate GSM networks in the United States.

CDMA, although big in the States, provides smaller worldwide coverage than GSM.

Another plus for GSM phones is that they use the convenient SIM cards, which CDMA does not. This allows you to, among other things, switch phones and SIM-based carriers more easily.

GSM configuration is therefore the best choice for a true "world" phone.

Which Band? Be Sure With a Quadband World GSM iPhone 4

Not just any GSM phone will do the trick. There are four GSM bands used around the world: 850, 900, 1,800, and 1,900MHz.

North America uses the 850MHz and 1,900MHz bands. In contrast, Europe, uses the 900MHz and 1,800MHz bands.

In order to have a phone that will work in the most countries possible, you must ensure that your handset is Quadband (GSM 850/900/ 1,800/1,900MHz).

Cutting Things Down to Size - SIM to MicroSIM

The iPhone 4 uses a MicroSIM, and a normal SIM card won't fit into the phone's SIM slot. You will have to cut your SIM card down to MicroSIM size. This is quite easily done, using a SIM cutter, which is inexpensive and available through online stores. Do not use scissors!

Micro SIM Adapters allow a MicroSIM card to be used in handsets that use a full size SIM, so you don't need to own two SIMs.

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