Everything you need to know, and something things you don’t, about buying and using a cell phone in Namibia GSM. CDMA. MTC. GPRS. 3G. WTF?

Phones are not for calls Calls –Expensive, usually more than $1/min –Missed calls SMS –40c per (N$1 to USA, only AT&T and T-Mobile) –Free SMS plans –Creepy SMSs Internet –Read news, –Research Applications –Games –Chat The many uses of a mobile phone

Contract or Tango? Contract –Usually requires 2 year commitment. –Very few people have one Tango –Prepaid, recharges available everywhere –Unlocked phones can be used all across Africa and Europe –Beating VAT with Metro –Includes free SMSs

MTC –Most coverage – GSM (SIM Card) –Most widely use –Many free SMS options –No contract required CellOne –Less coverage, but still GSM –Sometimes cheaper calls –New competitor –Endorsed by Gazza –No contract required Telecom –Poor coverage, uses CDMA (No SIM card) –No one really uses it.

El Cheapo Internet Phones Bluetooth Phones Smart Phones Phones

El Cheapo Pros –Makes calls –Sends SMS Cons –That’s about it –Sometimes lacking important features –Sometimes hard to use/confusing

Internet Phones Internet phones (Likely Nokia, Sony Ericsson) ← Best Buy –$700-$1100 –Everything the El Cheapo has PLUS: –GPRS capable –Browse websites designed for phones and some web based . –Google wireless trans coder –Camera –Downside: Usually can't link with laptop. Bluetooth Phones (Likely Nokia, Sony Ericsson) –$1400+ –Everything the Internet phone has PLUS: –Link up with Bluetooth capable laptop for internet –Sometimes 3G for faster internet (only in very major towns) – client –Sometimes a music player, memory card slot

Smart Phones $ Definitely 3G Bigger, more memory, maybe GPS (Nokia N95). Sometimes full keyboard Big downside: Uncomfortable to use in social situations.

Your American Phone Needs to be at least tri-band. Quad band phones will have better coverage Needs to be unlocked. Some small shops do this. Many of your old carrier specific features may not work. Extensive reprogramming sometimes required

No more Newsweek :-( Read popular publications worldwide: –BBC News, Reuters, New York Times –ABC/NBC/Fox News –Wall Street Journal –Slate –Wikipedia –The Onion FaceBook Look up recipes and other useful info. using built in client, provider's webmail or Google's java client Java Application support –Chat online with eBuddy (AOL, MSN, Yahoo) – –Google maps application –Self Plug: NamGuide The Internet and Your Phone The case for not cheaping out