Can I have one?

[kasperknop]

Maybe a little strange title XD...

I live in Denmark (EU) and would really like this phone although I just bought a HTC Hero XD ... so I was thinking if there is any official release date in europe (will it even come to europe and is there a US release date?)

If not... is it possible to buy a phone from the US and use it in Denmark? Or will the phone always be locked or just not working with my SIM card for the hero?

 

[celios]

Hi kasperkop, hopefully you and I will be able to get a Droid. This article gives me some hope:

Motorola Sholes/Droid Headed To Europe? | Android Phone Fans

The initial release is likely to the in the USA only, but since this seems to be Motorola's big comeback phone, I'm sure they will launch in Europe soon after the US launch.

 

[kasperknop]

Sounds interesting But what if I decide to import one? Is that possible at all and will it give me any disadvantages?XD

 

[celios]

Sounds interesting But what if I decide to import one? Is that possible at all and will it give me any disadvantages?XD

I think if you import a phone intended for Verizon's network it's not likely to work with the GSM/3G bands we use in Europe...

 

[kasperknop]

I think if you import a phone intended for Verizon's network it's not likely to work with the GSM/3G bands we use in Europe...

Oh :/ are you sure? 'Cause I just heart it should be able to work in denmark as well from a friend who works in the buisness. He was positive that the phone could do both.

 

[celios]

Oh :/ are you sure? 'Cause I just heart it should be able to work in denmark as well from a friend who works in the buisness. He was positive that the phone could do both.

I can't say about Denmark, but I don't think the Verizon version would work well in the UK.

 

[kasperknop]

I can't say about Denmark, but I don't think the Verizon version would work well in the UK.

Oh ok... so when EU versions of mobile phones are released their hardware is normally altered?

 

[celios]

Oh ok... so when EU versions of mobile phones are released their hardware is normally altered?

No, it's more a case of Europe and the rest of the world doing things one way and the USA doing them another way

The wireless spectrum is split into 'bands' and Verizon utilise different bands to most European networks (and a different way of encoding the mobile phone signals). Even within the US there is incompatibility between different networks - phones that work on Verizon's network will physically not work on AT&Ts.

I don't think Verizon phones even have SIM cards...

 

[kasperknop]

No, it's more a case of Europe and the rest of the world doing things one way and the USA doing them another way

The wireless spectrum is split into 'bands' and Verizon utilise different bands to most European networks (and a different way of encoding the mobile phone signals). Even within the US there is incompatibility between different networks - phones that work on Verizon's network will physically not work on AT&Ts.

I don't think Verizon phones even have SIM cards...

Wuut. Seems like that more or less nails the coffin? No possibility to import the droid! We'll just have to wait and see then :s

 

[billd]

A phone made for Verizon will not be usable in Europe. No SIM cards. Phones are tied to carriers, pretty much for life in the CDMA world. It's also a different phone technology. It just won't work.

 

[kasperknop]

Oh ok - thanks for clearing that out bill then we just have to wait and see if and when it arrives here in eu... any "guestimates"?

 

[celios]

Oh ok - thanks for clearing that out bill then we just have to wait and see if and when it arrives here in eu... any "guestimates"?

Since they have already got a GSM compatible device passed by the FCC (see the link in my original reply) they already have the hardware ready.

I am guessing they will want to satisfy intial demand in the US market first, and then launch in Europe. My guess would be a launch in November in the US followed by a December or (more likely) early 2010 release in Europe.

Vodafone are part owners of Verizon, so it makes sense that they will be the first non-US network to get the Droid.