Newbie + Need Help ASAP please :)

**Ahmed777** · 12-30-2012, 11:13 AM

Hello Newbie here from South Africa

I want to buy a 2 month old BlackBerry Bold 9900 from someone as I'm in the UK and it's about 3x cheaper than those in RSA.

I already own a 9780 and love it so I don't need any of that. My question for you experts is:
I will need it to work on VodacomSA when I get home so I can use BBM and AppWorld. Is this possible? If. Or how do I unlock the phone so I can use it on SA Vodacom. The person who owns it said it was O2 UK if that helps. Will it work the same as my Bold I bought in SA or will it be slower or something similar?

Pleaaseeee I really want this phone so I hope it works other than me wasting 2k on a BB I can't use.
Thanks

**Phill_UK** · 12-30-2012, 11:38 AM

I'm pretty certain Vodacom SA uses 900MHz GSM and 2100MHz UMTS frequencies, so you maybe ok with an O2 UK 9900. Best thing to do is to check the 3G bands of your current 9780, and make sure your new phone has the same bands. Just go to Options > Device > About Device Versions and check there.

If your 9780 has 3G bands 1, 4 & 8 then you will probably be safer getting a Vodafone UK 9900 that has the same bands, as the O2 9900 has 3G bands 1, 2, 5 & 6. Obviously which ever phone you get will need unlocking first before you can use it.

**Ahmed777** · 12-30-2012, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by Phill_UK

I'm pretty certain Vodacom SA uses 900MHz GSM and 2100MHz UMTS frequencies, so you maybe ok with an O2 UK 9900. Best thing to do is to check the 3G bands of your current 9780, and make sure your new phone has the same bands. Just go to Options > Device > About Device Versions and check there.

If your 9780 has 3G bands 1, 4 & 8 then you will probably be safer getting a Vodafone UK 9900 that has the same bands, as the O2 9900 has 3G bands 1, 2, 5 & 6. Obviously which ever phone you get will need unlocking first before you can use it.

Thanks alot for your quick answer.

My BB has the 3G bands 1,4,8. Does this mean I cannot use the BB 9900 which the seller has? Is there any way that I can use my SA Sim in this 9900 or is it a no-no? That would be very sad

**BigwhiteUK** · 12-30-2012, 11:53 AM

Also check it hasnt been reported lost or stolen...... see it working first

**Ahmed777** · 12-30-2012, 11:59 AM

I don't have it yet. The seller still has it as I am scared it may not work in SA

So if the bands are different is there no way to change them or use the phone with the wrong bands?

**Phill_UK** · 12-30-2012, 12:03 PM

It should work ok on 3G as both devices have 3G band 1 (2100MHz), but I can't say for sure. Sorry.
A Vodafone UK 9900 will definitely work though, as it also has 3G bands 1, 4 & 8.

**Phill_UK** · 12-30-2012, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by Ahmed777

So if the bands are different is there no way to change them or use the phone with the wrong bands?

Unfortunately not.
The bands are hardware and can't be changed, and if they're incompatible with your network you won't get 3G.

**Ahmed777** · 12-30-2012, 12:11 PM

So what can I do if I buy it and it doesn't work in SA? Is there any way to change the bands?
do you know where I can get a Vodafone UK BB 9900 for under 200 pounds?
How do I unlock the phone for free?

Thanks alot for the help thus far

**Phill_UK** · 12-30-2012, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by Ahmed777

So what can I do if I buy it and it doesn't work in SA? Is there any way to change the bands?
do you know where I can get a Vodafone UK BB 9900 for under 200 pounds?
How do I unlock the phone for free?

1) It will work, it just might not work on 3G
2) No
3) eBay?
4) Try the Unlocking Forum on here