shackrat you may want to investigate the tri mode a little further. I was told by the VWZ rep and I am currently looking at a flyer from Samsung/VWZ that the phone would be dual band meaning CDMA 1900mhz and 800mhz digital only.
Although this info was about 1 1/2 months ago, the flyer is dated 4/03.

The problem is that Sprint refers to dual band as 1900mhz digital and 800 mhz analog as the second mode. Sprint has no 800mhz digital. Verizon calls these phones Tri mode. 1900/800mhz and analog.

I've have come the realization that it’s all just marketing. The VWZ i700 should NOT work if you roam on an analog area on the VWZ network.

This is why I am waiting patiently for the Sprint PCS version because I need the analog rural coverage.

Hope this is not as confusing as it sounds.