Hi all, first-time poster here.

I know it's probably cleverly concealed somewhere in the site, but what I want right now is some detailed info on the CELL PHONE functionality of the N900.

In particular, I'd like to know about SIM card use/cost; as well as plans and their rates, and what kind of service you get for them - -i.e., how much 3G internet access would I be able to get for the cheapest cost, for example.

I've seen threads with mixed amounts of info on this topic, but nothing dedicated and clean with lots of specific info. certaily nothing in the FAQ, if I'm not mistaken.

I am ready to love the N900 (not currently an owner yet), but I really need to know how much this thing is going to cost me and what kind of phone/internet service I'm going to get. Again, I'm NOT talking about WIFI at all at this point.

Thanks to anyone who can point me in the right direction.

Might help if you said what country you are in!

Sorry... I'm in USA, East Coast (New Jersey).

This really depends on where you live (country, region, etc). See the maemo.org wiki for some data rates by country. Good luck.

http://wiki.maemo.org/Data_plans

- This phone will only work on AT&T and T-Mobile's network.
- You will only get 3G (fast internet) on T- Mobile's network.
- Cheapest plan, for voice "and" data, is T-Mobile, 500 minutes/month for $29 (no contract plan), and add $10/mo. "web2go" internet service...just order "standalone SIM card".
- If T-Mobile knows you are using a "smartphone" they will probably change you to $25/mo smartphone data plan.

- You will probably find more plan/rate pricing info on the carrier's websites, or by visiting a store, or by calling them.

Does anyone know if it is possible to use a T-Mo SIM card for data downloading (i.e., to surf the Internet)?

The T-Mo rep told me it wouldn't work, and I'd have to go for the monthly data package.

I'm trying to make this as cheap as possible, and if I could save money by paying per minute instead of huge monthly bills I'd much prefer it (I don't use the Web/phone that much to justify the cost, but I still want them available).

Thanks to everyone so far for the help, and thanks to anyone with any additional info.

I have the N900 on T-Mobile US, I wouldn't advise going for anything other than a unlimited data plan. due to the fact that you will be browsing full feature rich websites. I think I transfered around a gig of data last month, and frequently find myself using my N900 for internet browsing that I would have previously done on my laptop and WIFi.

Again....:

Well, yes, that is what I was addressing. You say "get the SIM card", which is a completely seperate thing from "500 minutes/month for $29 (no contract plan), and add $10/mo. "web2go" internet service". So I was a little confused by your reply.