US Xperia...Not really meant for US?

[wickettaker]

Now that Sony Ericsson's mighty X1 has earned the FCC's love and affection, you won't be an outlaw for using one in the States -- but unfortunately, you won't be a speed demon everywhere, either. The version that just nabbed approval here is the X1i, and anyone familiar with Sony Ericsson's naming scheme can tell you that an "i" means a phone's not really meant for North American consumption; in this case, we're lucky to squeak by with UMTS Band II support, which means we'll theoretically be able to pick up some of AT&T's 1900MHz signal. On 850, though, you'll be stuck with EDGE. Of course, a true global launch has been in the cards for the X1 from day one, and we're not worried that we won't see a more 3G-rife model getting torn down by the feds -- this just ain't it.

Link: http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/04/f...rs-arent-band/


Well that just sucks even more...Guess I need to save up $1000 for the overseas model (original plan anyway haha)

[Captain828]

aaah... the X1i is the International version and is not meant for the US; the X1a is the one you'll want as it features support for T-Mobile's 3G network

[carp0708]

dont know if this has been posted or not but here is a site to find 850/1900 umts bands in ur area:
http://www.wirelessadvisor.com/
just type in ur zip code.

[wickettaker]

The version that just nabbed approval here is the X1i, and anyone familiar with Sony Ericsson's naming scheme can tell you that an "i" means a phone's not really meant for North American consumption;

They say the x1i is for the US? Argh I'm confused...

[norseman]

The one that has just got approved is the UK version, the reason for this is that there will be a lot of US people buying the UK version as it comes out way before the US one.

Even though the X1i version will not be sold in the US it has to still pass the FCC in order to be used in the US. This way you are not using the phone "illegally" in the US.

It's a bit like if I imported a car into the UK, it must still pass a UK MOT and emissions control etc for me to use it as a normal car in the UK (not just visiting)

[Pinguino1]

Originally Posted by norseman

The one that has just got approved is the UK version, the reason for this is that there will be a lot of US people buying the UK version as it comes out way before the US one.

Even though the X1i version will not be sold in the US it has to still pass the FCC in order to be used in the US. This way you are not using the phone "illegally" in the US.

It's a bit like if I imported a car into the UK, it must still pass a UK MOT and emissions control etc for me to use it as a normal car in the UK (not just visiting)

Hi Norseman,
SE is not obligated to pass FCC approval for the X1i. Why they do it then?
Are you saying that the thousands and thousands of phones bought in Eu + Asia and the ones of the nillions of tuorist are illegal?

Are they taken them away in airports at custums or the FCC has some secret police? If someone drives from Mexico or Canada are they stopped at the border?

[wickettaker]

Ah Norseman that made sense. Thanks!

But Pinguino1 has a point :P

[bloob]

Well, thousands of people owning the X1i from UK and the rest of the world may visit the US too, and they may want to use their X1i in the US where networks allow. So FCC also needs to ensure the X1i complies with FCC regulations.

This is a sensible step. It wasn't so long ago we had to rent a phone at US airports instead of using global roaming connection with our existing phones.

[norseman]

@Pinguino1 shh... they might be listening...

I do think that it would be nigh on impossible for people to know whether or not you had an approved phone, I think it is more politics than anything but it does let you guys know that it is safe (like the CE and kite certification we have in the UK).

I assume that it will also pavea faster way for the X1a to pass as the specs are very similar.