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I'm surprised to see that nobody has mentioned frequency bands yet. It sounds like your phone is a European model. The problem is that different parts of the world use different frequencies for mobile phone service, and now even different technologies, too.

From what I understand, pretty much all of Europe uses the GSM on the same frequency bands, so you can shuffle around SIM cards all day. But in the US, the frequencies are different from Europe. Even more of a problem is that GSM isn't dominant here. And now 3G and 4G are coming.

So sure, you could stick in a SIM card, but can your phone even talk on the right frequencies? If it is a "quad band" phone, you may be in luck.

Sounds like they need to build some more railway.

Ignorant comment that ignores how extensive China's railway system is and how it already plays a vital role in China's transportation infrastructure?

Perhaps I should have said "yet more railway", I'm aware of how fast China is adding to their network.

But, it's smaller than I thought it was. 3000 passenger trains and 33,300 freight trains sounds big, but Britain runs 20000 trains a day. 1.3 billion journeys in China, 1.23 billion in Great Britain. However, the average journey in China is 20 times the distance.

Why not use a cellular wireless internet card? All major carriers carry them. If he can get cell phone service, he can use them. (quick-googled)example: http://www.thetravelinsider.info/roadwarriorcontent/sierrawirelesscard.htm

They could use something like this: http://www.thetravelinsider.info/roadwarriorcontent/sidewinder.htm. It would probably work for their purposes.

Perhaps my subtlety isn't coming through. People don't know that their phones can be unlocked because no place that unlocks phones in the United States advertises so in the traditional media. Besides, IS-95 (commonly "CDMA") phones outnumber GSM phones in the United States, and the GSM carriers (Cingular and T-Mobile) are perceived as not having as much coverage as IS-95 carriers (Sprint and Verizon). This article claims that IS-95 phones cannot be unlocked.

if you're on a pre-pay, those phones are only good for that plan.

Not true. If a phone has been unlocked for $10 or so, it can be used on any compatible network. Meaning I could eBay a Cingular phone and use it with T-Mobile-To-Go and pay by the month.

Furthermore, for $75 I could eBay a used Motorola V330 that had been used with a T-Mobile 2-year contract. Then I could use it with T-Mobile-To-Go. I'd get a good phone for a great price that is more capable than the Samsung SGH-209. T-Mobile sells that one new for $99.

I happened to be researching them last week before buying.

You have to worry about two kinds of security: physical protection from damage and theft deterence. For both functions I recomend using multiple layers. Those those free Priority Mail boxes work well for small laptops. Also use some bubble wrap inside. Put that inside of another bag with lots of clothing and other padding around it and a TSA approved luggage lock on the outside.

They have been the drug smuggler's cases of choice for years now, and have a tendancy to get pulled by drug agency enforcers with alarming frequency

I haven't had DEA issues, but I did have the TSA swab the outside and inside for explosives the one and only time I went through US security with it.

You can't lock checked bagage any more

Yes you can, if you get one of these locks. There are a few manufacturers of them. Pelican has some in their lineup.

Here is an excellent article on what GSM frequencies are used in different countries:
http://www.thetravelinsider.info/roadwarriorconten t/quadbandphones.htm

I'd take a PocketPC or PalmOS PDA Phone and a Bluetooth GPS and a 4GB Microdrive, combined with some nice Hiking maps. And maybe some nice bright flashing toys from ThinkGeek. For Self-protection, I'd want a Taser. Oh yeah, and a Sidewinder so that I don't have to find a power supply for any of this stuff.

But the trains are really too noisy (underground) to have an intelligent conversation.

Maybe that will make noise cancelling headsets more popular

and it might well prove to provide nothing more than an expensive and false sense of security.

Which is the only kind our leaders seem to be interested in providing. I flew to Europe October, 2001, out of Raleigh/Durham INTL. There were MPs with M16s scattered all around the airport. Because, you know, having armed guards in the terminal is really useful and all...but hey, it sure does make people feel better! Who cares that you can smuggle just about anything you want into the baggage compartments of airplanes?

It works in the dark, on the go, and when you want it. FreePlay in particular has manufactured and sold WindUp Radios and Flashlights in Africa for some time now. Free Play WindUp Radios and Flashlights http://windupradio.com/windup.htm Sidewinder Portable Cell Phone Charger: http://www.thetravelinsider.info/roadwarriorconten t/sidewinder.htm For portable MP-3 players, I guess that you just have to bring extra batteries. They can last quite a long time, depending on your brand.

No, but in this instance they are right....Hit glass and the glass will shatter and suck everything out of it.

The crew compartments of fighter and bomber aircraft are pressurized. The whole plane doesn't rip to sheds if it takes a bullet.

The case you mention of a misinstalled cockpit window is completely different and has no bearing on this.

Not air powered, but in a pinch it serves the exact same purpose:
Hand Powered Cell Phone Charger

Virgin "upper class" has a bar. Champagne is served, massages in flight, clothes pressed at the destination. My friend got a flight on them and said it was fantastic. A $12000 ticket mind you if you were to buy it yourself.

http://www.thetravelinsider.info/2003/0425.htm/
Hedley

We're talking about cordless, not cellular. You furriners need to read for comprehension.

Some GSM cell phones run on the 900MHz band (880-960MHz).

Some US cordless phones run on the 902-928MHz band. But thanks for your insightful comment anyhow, AC.