Kiev..

[borya]

Hi, I am moving back to Kiev, but I have not lived there since 1998.

I have a Nextel i860 phone, and I wish to use a contract service with it in Kiev. I know Kiev does not have a walkie talkie network, but I simply want to drop a sim card in the phone, however someone told me that it would have to be unlocked first? Does anyone know any information about such things?

Also, I was wondering if anyone knew any information about shipping electronics to Kiev. I need to ship computers, and other medium sized electronics over there and was wondering if anyone knew any information about that as well. Such as insurance, prices, customs, anything really, I am shipping from the east coast in the US.

Any information would really be appreciated, you can reply here or by email at "kievakula@hotmail.com", thanks~

[SweetNovember]

In terms of networks, we have either GSM900/1800 or CDMA.

If your phone supports either of this but you bought it before through your service provider, it is very likely that it only accepts their sim cards. There are plenty of small stalls in Kiev where you can have it 'unlocked' to be used with a ukrainian provider.

On imports... don't know. Consider selling and buying everything new. Will save you a lot of hasle (and money).

[JG]

Hi,

Your Nextel i860 won't work in Ukraine. It uses the relatively uncommon IDEN 800 standard. It would probably be best to sell the phone and get a GSM phone (either in Ukraine or in the US). If you get a tri-band (or quad-band) GSM phone, it will work in Ukraine or the US.

As for the electronic stuff - only bring what you really have to. The more stuff you take with you, the more hassle and expense it will be. Remember that the mains voltage in Ukraine is 220 Volts, which may or may not be compatible with equipment you have purchased in the USA.

Good luck with your move...

JG