need help on phones

[dawnknight]

Hi all i would like to clarify on some handphone issues, can any handphone experts kindly help. thanks. so here goes:

#1. 2G network is going to be phased out in April 2017, so by then i need to get a handphone that is at least 3G capable. Right now, my phone is only 2G.

#2. so i went to browse for some phones, then the shops have basically two kinds of phones:
TYPE A: the shop denotes it as "for export only, no local warranty"
TYPE B: the shop denotes it as "for local use, with warranty"

#3. Now here is the confusing part: the shop displays a particular phone model (lets call it model X) and interestingly, model X is both being displayed, in the display shelf, as being both TYPE A and also simultaneously TYPE B as well i.e. there is one physical display set of model X under the TYPE A category, and sitting just 1 meter away in the same display shelf, there exists another physical display set of model X, under the TYPE B category.

#4. As far as i understand, TYPE A ("for export only, no local warranty") phones are at risk of violating IDA regulations because TYPE A phones can "...potentially interfere with local wireless networks...". Thus, technically speaking, i should not buy a TYPE A phone nor should i use it locally, if i want to stay on the safe side of the law.

#5. so all i need, is to preferably buy a TYPE B phone ("for local use, with warranty") that is 3G, so that when 2G network ceases, i can still communicate on the go.

#6 another thing pertaining to TYPE A vs. TYPE B, is that technically speaking, TYPE A has the technical capability to violate IDA regulations (i.e. "...potentially interfere with local wireless networks...") while TYPE B, supposedly does not have such technical capability to violate IDA regulation. However, the difference in such technical capability, was explained by the salesman over the counter, as being colloquially equivalent, as "..TYPE A dont have warranty, but TYPE B have waranty..." . So, as i dont understand much about warranty, can any expert kindly explain how the appearance of this "warranty" thingy, enables TYPE B not to violate IDA regulation? is "warranty" some kind of hithero unknown technical modification that enables TYPE B phones to be on the safe side of the law? or is "warranty" just a piece of paper and if so, how does the technical modifications to avoid violation of IDA regulations, manifest itself magically??? i.e. what does "warranty" really entail??

#7 which brings us back to point #3: why is the same model of phone X being categorised as both TYPE A and TYPE B at the same time?? so which is it? and if i buy one of TYPE A and one of TYPE B and leave the shop, i now, supposedly, possess the essential difference in my hands (pun intended), to simultaneously be at risk of violating IDA regulation and also not violate IDA regulation. it really feels weird and ironic but why would the shop categorise the same phone under both TYPES???

thanks in advance

 

[agent007bond]

Ever heard of Schrodinger's Cat?

#1. Yes, you need 3G capable phone. Go for 4G if you can. Later 3G also phase out then how?

#2. Noted.

#3. Non-warranty sets are sold cheaper. If it has IDA sticker at the back, then it doesn't violate IDA regulation (but dunno whether the sticker can be faked).

#4. Even if you have two phones of the same model, if you bought them in two different countries, there could be some very subtle differences. Not always, but possible. Also, they are not big differences to cause your phone to not work in another country. It will work fine as long as the network frequency is supported by the phone.

Again, IDA sticker.

#5. Don't think you will be breaking law, because visiting tourists use phones that did not go through IDA checks, and they are able to use it without problem. It's not going to wreck havoc on the mobile network. If your phone can't connect, then it can't connect. End of story.

#6. The phones without warranty don't necessarily violate regulations. They just sell cheaper due to lack of warranty. Now I don't know if these pass IDA checks but it seems a lot of people here do buy and use non-warranty phones. If you see IDA sticker, then you have nothing to worry. If you don't you still have nothing to worry (except when your phone breaks down and you need warranty to cover the repair). The police is not going to break down your door, so chill.

#7. As explained, which "type" you want to buy depends on whether you want the comfort of warranty or not. For me, I rather have the warranty.