Dual GSM-CDMA Handset Launched UTStarcom has unveiled a dual-mode, dual-standby CDMA/GSM handset, the T66 and also announced that China Unicom has signed a contract to start selling the handsets. The CDMA and GSM modes of the T66 handset is designed to be able to stand by simultaneously, which can enable users to choose either mode at any time to make a phone call or send a short message. The original World Wind dual-mode phones could support either CDMA or GSM at any one time, but could not support both simultaneously. "We're very happy that our advanced T66 dual-mode solution was selected by the top mobile service brand in China," said Simon Le, senior vice president of UTStarcom China. "We believe the contract lays the foundation on which we can continue to develop more best-in-class products for World Wind users by leveraging our expertise in dual-mode technology." The T66 has two 2.6-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) color screens and a 1.3 megapixel camera that supports several camera modes and digital zoom plus a built-in 64M T Flash. The handset is also designed to support MP4 film broadcasting and stereo sound, as well as MP3 broadcasting and a music information display. The T66 has a classic, stylish shell design with three groups of functional buttons and a flashlight. The handset will be available in both black and silver. http://www.cellular-news.com/story/18084.php
This could cause an interesting issue here in the US if they went with it, now the carriers would all have to come up with roaming agreements with every carrier if they would want people to use either service. I don't think it would fly here in the US, but I could be wrong.
I know verizon and Cingular have roaming agreements in a bunch of places, such as florida and texas, and much of the south where VZW is PCS. I've used my VZW phone on cingular in analog, however, they do not have an agreement to use Cingular AMPS here in WI, as the network doesen't validate the phone. Most other places in WI tho, I can use my verizon phone on most compatible carriers, including Dobson.
That's because Analog is a standard they all used when everything started, by the beginning of next year Cingular is shutting down their Analog service, so that will reduce roaming abilities for people with Analog enabled phones. With CDMA & GSM they are 2 different technologies that don't allow you to roam on each others systems and I don't think the carriers want to start doing this agreement, they would rather have you on their own network to keep cost's down. You never know though, but I really doubt they will go with a phone like this.
Let's not overlook the frequencies. There's no information in the article regarding what bands it uses. If it doesn't have GSM or CDMA at 850/1900, its a no-go in the US regardless.
