1208 working in the GSM networks in the U.S.?

Question

Question: any idea whether the 1208 model would work in the U.S. GSM networks?
On the sales package I got there is this marking
"GSM 900/1800 EGSM850/1900" which I believe indicates that it should work in the GSM networks in the U.S.
When I tried the online phone feature comparing tool on nokia.com, it's also indicated there that the frequency bands include 850/1900.
But the user guide of my phone [phone]/Issue 3 EN) says
"The wireless device described in this guide is approved for use on the GSM 900 and GSM 1800 networks."
That is, the phone would not work on the 850/1900 bands.
So which info is correct?
Thanks

Answer 1

Hi guys,
I found your posts and got strongly interested in.
I'm on a business trip in Canada. I bought Nokia 1208 in Russia, my service provider is also in Russia and gives me international roaming including a one in Canada.
The operating frequencies mentioned on the phone wrapping are exactly the same as “pafr” wrote above. And the ones mentioned in the user guide (2 ones) are the same as “pafr” has in his own guide with the only difference: my user guide is in Russian
The trouble is the phone is not working in Canada. It writes "No network coverage". The phone worked in Russia but it isn’t in Canada.
When I was buying the device, I asked the vendor whether it would work in Canada, and they answered YES. Having faced with the issue, I asked Nokia Support (at their site) what’s wrong with it. But they answered the phone should work and no actual help.
A friend of mine has got Motorola. He also bought the phone in Russia and has international roaming here, in Canada. He took his phone with him to Canada on a business trip too. It works. I borrowed his phone and inserted my SIM card into it. With my SIM card inserted in his phone, the network was immediately found (Rogers). Our location is Belleville, Ontario. Then we put his SIM-card in my Nokia 1208 and it didn't work either. So, it's not an issue with service provider. The service works indeed. It's the issue with the phone itself (Nokia 1208).
I’ve got an expert opinion that the phone is dual band but it comes in two versions, one for USA/Canada (GSM 850-1900) and one for Europe (GSM 900-1800). Obviously I have the European version, so... To my deep disappointment, Nokia Support (neither Canadian nor Russian) did not manage to agree with that and continue answering my phone should work in Canada. That’s all “help” I have had from them. This is extremely strange that Nokia look incompetent with their own product.
Do you know if there’s any chanсe to make my phone work? My be it needs some kind of initial activation, so that it could work then? How did “pafr” make their Nokia work?
Message Edited by gorizont on 06-Feb-2008 07:21 PM