Droid 2, Droid Pro World Phone

By on August 20, 2010 in Droid 2

The Droid 2 for Verizon recently hit the market and appears to be selling well.  It’s a direct replacement for the original Droid phone, which was heavily marketed by Verizon and one of the first next generation Android phones to hit the market.  It came bundled with Android 2.0 and sported a high resolution screen.  The Droid 2 built upon the popular Verizon phone with a faster processor and other features that really helped evolve the Droid.  Now, rumors are, Verizon is preparing another version of the phone, either called the Droid 2 WE (World Edition) or Droid Pro.  No matter the actual name, both rumors indicate the phone will support not only Verizon’s CDMA network, but GSM networks around the globe as well.  This could be a positive step in the right direction from the current inability for a true world phone that isn’t technically locked to one carrier.  I used the word could because it depends on what Verizon and/or Motorola end up doing.  While GSM voice capability is currently easily accomplished for any phone, typically supporting 4 bands, it’s the 3G connections that might be lacking.  Here in the US for instance, the phone would have to support 5 3G bands in order to really be network free, allowing for use on Verizon, Sprint, AT&T and T-Mobile.  However, the last remaining piece isn’t hardware limitations.  Instead it’s the fact most phones are network locked.  While you can call and have them unlocked, it’s unlikely that’ll be an easy process.

Let’s hope Verizon really allows for a network free phone, something I can take on travels, insert a local SIM card and start making cheap in country phone calls without the worries off having to call ahead and unlock my phone.

Let’s talk 3G for a second.  In terms of traveling abroad, 3G data may not be a smart idea.  Typically, if you do end up having a connection, the international roaming rates on data is sky high.  So, while it would be nice to have complete coverage here in the US and the ability to pop in, say your favorite AT&T SIM card and still maintain a high speed data connection, it probably won’t be used much overseas.  That being said, it’d be nice to have that option.

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  • Guapo131

    I would like to add something to what the author is saying. I currently have the Verizon HTC touch pro 2. This phone runs windows mobile 6.5 (or 6.1) and it has both CDMA technology and GSM technology (quad band). It also had 3G GSM capabilities in europe – and Edge GSM capabilities in USA. As per the discussion on xda-developers.com (a website-messageboard dedicated to enhancing the user experience of HTC smartphones), you can call Verizon wireless and unlock your HTC touch pro 2 sim card radio to be used in Europe (OR AMERICA). This is free of charge. The only catches are that your account is in good standing and you have been a VZW customer for something like 90 days. The CSRs were very helpful, nice, and knowledgable. I did this myself a few weeks ago, and my friend’s USA T-mobile sim card worked great in the TP2 here in America. I then went to the UK for business and got a pre-paid sim card from a local (UK) wireless carrier. This sim card worked very well over there in Europe. I was receiving HSPA+ speeds. I will also add that the particular company that i used in the UK had a 2.50pound per 5 days for unlimited internet (40mB/day max). So although i agree with the author’s statement about US companies charging an arm and a leg for foreign data, if you simply purchase a prepaid local sim card while overseas, you can save BOATLOADS on data and phone calls. FYI, i also paid 5pence per minute to call America, and free incoming calls (while in UK on the pre-paid sim – they have a different pay/calling structure vs USA for incoming/outgoing calls).
    So my point… The droid pro/2WE will not be the first verizon phone to have both CDMA and GSM capabilities and 3G+ capabilities in Europe. Also, you don’t have to pay verizon rates while overseas if you just get a pre-paid sim card.

    Hope i have helped some people.
    Kyle

  • Guapo131

    I would like to add something to what the author is saying. I currently have the Verizon HTC touch pro 2. This phone runs windows mobile 6.5 (or 6.1) and it has both CDMA technology and GSM technology (quad band). It also had 3G GSM capabilities in europe – and Edge GSM capabilities in USA. As per the discussion on xda-developers.com (a website-messageboard dedicated to enhancing the user experience of HTC smartphones), you can call Verizon wireless and unlock your HTC touch pro 2 sim card radio to be used in Europe (OR AMERICA). This is free of charge. The only catches are that your account is in good standing and you have been a VZW customer for something like 90 days. The CSRs were very helpful, nice, and knowledgable. I did this myself a few weeks ago, and my friend’s USA T-mobile sim card worked great in the TP2 here in America. I then went to the UK for business and got a pre-paid sim card from a local (UK) wireless carrier. This sim card worked very well over there in Europe. I was receiving HSPA+ speeds. I will also add that the particular company that i used in the UK had a 2.50pound per 5 days for unlimited internet (40mB/day max). So although i agree with the author’s statement about US companies charging an arm and a leg for foreign data, if you simply purchase a prepaid local sim card while overseas, you can save BOATLOADS on data and phone calls. FYI, i also paid 5pence per minute to call America, and free incoming calls (while in UK on the pre-paid sim – they have a different pay/calling structure vs USA for incoming/outgoing calls).
    So my point… The droid pro/2WE will not be the first verizon phone to have both CDMA and GSM capabilities and 3G+ capabilities in Europe. Also, you don’t have to pay verizon rates while overseas if you just get a pre-paid sim card.

    Hope i have helped some people.
    Kyle

  • Mike Petkof

    I was thinking about getting a Motorola Droid 2 that is supposed to come out soon as a world phone. I live overseas and was wondering if my mother purchased the phone on Verizon then switched to a regular cell phone (without the data package), therefore maintaining the contract, could I use the Droid in Europe using a prepaid sim card or connecting it, via sim, to a carrier? If not, what would you recommend?

  • Tlmckee92614

    I am going to purchase a Droid unlocked phone and I want to use it in West Africa. I do not want to enter a contract with a carrier here in the U.S. What is required for this?