Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Alabama, USA
Posts: 92

One thing that is not really talked about is if the VisorPhone works out of the USA. We all know it's a GSM phone, but Handspring had indicated that they will be shipping a version of the VisorPhone later this year for Europe. This lead me to believe the VisorPhone would need some new modification to work in Europe, not the case from what I can see.

I'm currently on a business trip in Europe and happy to report that my VisorPhone (resting on my Prism) that works so well in the Good'ole USA works even better in Europe (Worked in Sweden and Finland so far).

The service provider that I have, Powertel, was a bit of a problem though (but I do understand why and do not blame them). Before you can setup international roaming, you must be with them for 6 months. At least that is what they told me initially. After complaining many times, I was able to pay for the first 3 months and they allowed me to enable International roaming for an additional $3 per month. The waiting period is due to people signing up and not paying the bill.

The rates are not really that high when you take into account how much the Hotel/calling card charges will be. It's $1 per min if you initiate the call and $.50 /min if someone calls you. Probably even cheaper than using a land-line while overseas.

I am also able to dial up the local Compuserv phone number to access my e-mail, etc. wirelessly. Very convenient! But something I only do once a day and for about 3 min ($3).

I just wanted to let those of you know with VisorPhones that you aren't restricted to the USA. The phone works great across the pond! Or at least in the two countries I tried it above.

Do not assume the prices above will be the same with your provider, your rates may differ and should be researched prior to using the capability!

The VisorPhone and Prism is, in my opinion, the perfect solution for the RoadWarrior-Gadget Geeks. Since I'm going to carry a PDA with me anyways, the size of the VisorPhone while in my Prism is still much smaller than carrying a PDA and phone separately. I never used to carry my phone with me since there wasn't room in my pocket for my phone and PDA (PDA always won). Although, there is a drawback. If you remove the phone from the PDA you won't be notified of a call. Although, there is a 3rd party company working on an attachment for the VisorPhone that may be good for those who have a problem with this (according to Handsprings website but haven't seen anything lately).

If you want to discuss the VisorPhone, have at it... Anyone try it in any other countries successfully? I would be interested to hear what other countries it works in.

Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 138

Great Post!

Thanks for the information! Your post has given me vitally important information and encouraged me to get the phone which I've been waffling about. Now all I need is someone to "show me the money..."

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Luxembourg
Posts: 68

This puzzles me because I believed the VisorPhone sold in the USA worked only on the 1900 MHz frequency used by GSM in North America, while in Europe GSM uses 900/1800 MHz frequencies...

Can anyone confirm this information?

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: El Segundo,CA
Posts: 374

When I tried to use my phone in Luxembourg it showed it had service but did not connect the one time I tried to make a call.

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Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Alabama, USA
Posts: 92

International Roaming Must be Enabled through your Provider First

I believe the reason why the phone didn't work in Luxembourg was that International roaming was not setup prior to using the phone there. This has to be done through your Cell provider (in my case, Powertel) prior to your trip. The roaming feature must be activated in your country of origin also prior to going abroad.

I went to a trip in Milan, Italy about a month ago and when I did a network search it found two GSM providers but would not let me connect to their network(International roaming was not enabled then). Even though the phone could see the network, it would not allow a connection without that option turned on. When I landed in Sweden/Finand, both times it took about 1min or so to register on their network. Once registered, connectivity was immediate throughout the remainder of the trip.

Powertel required me to pay for the first 3 months before they would enabled International Roaming. So unless you've had your VisorPhone for a little while, you may not be able to setup international roaming immediately. Check with you proviers though to be sure.

When I called Powertel to setup international roaming they sent a broadcast message (SMS) to the phone indicating some form of "Band Test Pass" message (I can't recall exactly the message). However, the test they performed determined that the phone was capable of being used internationally, I'm assuming.

Here in Finland, I've had a full signal wherever I go above ground. Even inside buildings. When I went down into a basement area, the signal strength was 3 bars (out of 4). Coverage has been exceptional. At home I usually have mid-high singal strength.

I've been receiving calls all week long on the VisorPhone without problems. I'm not sure exactly what frequencies this thing is operating off of but whatever frequencies used in Europe has worked with my VisorPhone (Software Version: Phone v. 1.0 Built Dec 11 2000).

Checking e-mails via a local compuserv dial-up number has also worked without problems. I did try to make a data call originally using a number in the States. This didn't work (Perhaps signal loss going via satellite). However, using the local compuserv number, it worked great ever since.

I hope this additioinal information is helpful.

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Luxembourg
Posts: 68

Hmmm.... This is puzzling me more and more...

I checked the Handspring web site for VisorPhone specs, and it's not written anywhere what frequency the VisorPhone operates at. The only thing I found was in the FAQ: "The GSM system in North America operates at the 1900 MHz radio band", which leads to think the VisorPhone operates ONLY at 1900 MHz. I remember reading some articles in VisorCentral and other places that also stated this.

Yet, the GSM networks of both Finland and Sweden operate exclusively at 900 MHz or 1800 MHz (You can check there: http://www.gsmworld.com/membership/...plete_page.html)

So what does it mean? The only thing this can mean is that your VisorPhone does not operate only at 1900 MHz, but also at one of the 900 or 1800 MHz frequencies.

The following is from an article in VisorCentral (http://www.visorcentral.com/page/0-2-882-2.htm) about the announcement of the upcoming VisorPhone World Phone:
"VisorPhone World Phone is similar to the existing VisorPhone available in the US, however it operates in both 900 and 1900 MHz mode. The US version only works with 1900 MHz systems."

I believe that for some reason, you do have a VisorPhone World Phone, which operates at both 1900 and 900 MHz.

I also suspect all the VisorPhones sold now are already capable of using both frequencies. Technically this makes sense, why would they design a product like this for North America only, while with little effort they could make it a bi-band phone that can also be used in Europe? If this is true, the "VisorPhone World Phone" would be yet another marketing creation, involving only the introduction of service plans to Europe.

What do you think?

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Germany
Posts: 116

Strange - very strange

quote:

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Originally posted by olivier101
This puzzles me because I believed the VisorPhone sold in the USA worked only on the 1900 MHz frequency used by GSM in North America, while in Europe GSM uses 900/1800 MHz frequencies...

Can anyone confirm this information?

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Luxembourg
Posts: 68

Re: Strange - very strange

quote:

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Originally posted by ChrisMarx

So I am really puzzled that the Visorphone works here in Europe. Looks like they made a triband phone module.

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Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 97

From the "details" section of the current Handspring site:

** VisorPhone is a 900/1900 MHz world phone and can be used internationally with a corresponding international roaming service from the respective carrier. Handspring recommends using a Visor Prism, Visor Platinum or Visor Edge handheld with VisorPhone when using the product as a world phone as they are best optimized to run on both the 900MHz and 1900 MHz bands.

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Germany
Posts: 116

Yabba - thanks for that - now on with ordering. I only found the phone bundled with a service plan. Is there a possibility to buy it without a service plan - and what are the costs?
Just asking because I have a service provider here in Germany.

CU
Chris

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Luxembourg
Posts: 68

rosswords: thanks, I guess that clears all the remaining questions. I think this was added recently to the "details" page because I could swear it was not there when I last looked!

ChrisMarx: I'm in the same situation, I already have a subscription with a GSM provider here so I just need the bare module...

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 97

quote:

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Originally posted by olivier101
rosswords: thanks, I guess that clears all the remaining questions.

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Germany
Posts: 116

Rosswords: Maybe because of the RF-Interference. Because when everybody wants to exchange their VDX - that can drive a company to a RIP. So it is better to buy a "new" Visor.
Just a thought.

olivier101: Hmmm - no sign of them here in Germany. Heard of it in Luxemburg? Maybe we have to order overseas.

Take care
Chris

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 97

I just called Handspring Customer Care and got an answer to my own question. Apparently, you can't use VDX with Visorphone in Europe because of the processor speed. The slower Solo and Deluxe can't pick up the faster 900MHz waves. That's why you need the Platinum, Prism or Edge with the 33MHz processor.

But frankly, Customer Care wasn't very well versed in these issues, so if anyone else has better information, I'd love to hear it.

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Alabama, USA
Posts: 92

Need a VisorPhone Module

I noticed a few of you who were asking for a VisorPhone module. There are two that I saw for sale on Ebay. I won't put the links on here, I'm not affiliated with the seller in any way but still... It wouldn't be good since I started this thread.

Again, there are two (possibly more if you try Visor Phone instead of VisorPhone) on there. Selling for about $225 or so. Just thought this might be helpful for those wanting to buy it from Overseas. You should be able to just insert your existing SIM card into the module (I've done this with a few other people's SIM cards and it works just fine).

Also, make sure the seller is willing to ship it overseas before you think about bidding. Sometimes, they won't do that (my wife sells allot on Ebay, that's how I know this).

If you wind up getting one and trying in Germany, it would be great to hear how it worked.

Good Luck!

Registered: May 2000
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 1429

Handspring yesterday(today?), officialy announced that the Visrophone was world GSM compatible. See the latest news item for more..

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Germany
Posts: 116

rossword: they really told you that?! Hmmm - I do not think that the VDX hast to handle the waves - this should be done by the module. And at least we have also the ability to overclock. I think they are not knowing what they are actually talking about - or the have to give you this answer because of bad RF-Shielding by the most VDX we have here in the European market.
But I would love to have confirmed that the VDX is working.

What do they tell you about the shipping date?

Jonecool: Thanks for that tip. Are the first sold also World phones? I mean do you know whetheer they all could handle the 900 MHz?

CU
Chris

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: El Segundo,CA
Posts: 374

quote:

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Originally posted by ChrisMarx
Are the first sold also World phones? I mean do you know whetheer they all could handle the 900 MHz?

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My Treo has more memory than I do.

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Germany
Posts: 116

quote:

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Originally posted by j762538

I ordered the phone the first day available and I could get service when I used my US phone in Luxembourg.

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Registered: Feb 2000
Location: El Segundo,CA
Posts: 374

It was a 2 meg upgraded to 8 meg. (I have 16 on a Platinum now.)

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My Treo has more memory than I do.