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Hello,
I currently have US Cellular and i have great service in my area. My girlfriend wants to switch to US Cellular also due to the fact that in our area T-Mobile sucks. She currently has a Vibrant and wants to switch but doesnt want to pay big bucks for another android phone similar to the vibrant. So i suggested unlocking the phone and putting the service on the vibrant. The only problem is i dont think US Cellular uses sim cards. I currently have a samsung acclaim and it does not haev a sim card. So what i was wondering is if i am able to switch my services over to her phone even tho i dont have a sim card?
Thanks in advance,
Jacob
T-Mobile = GSM (digital Antenna digital frequency)
US Cellular = CDMA (Analog frequency with simulated digital properties) TDMA (straight up old school analog, Think... Radio)
CDMA networks keep all your information sever side, whereis a GSM network uses your SIM Card to Identify you.
You should be able to get a phone from any of the following Carriers (as long as it is not imei Locked (reported as stolen)
Sprint CDMA/PCS 1900, 2100
Verizon CDMA 800, 1900, 2100
Alltel CDMA 800, 1900
Regional Carriers Technology Bands
Metro PCS CDMA 800, 1900
U.S. Cellular CDMA 800, 1900
Edge Wireless CDMA 800, 1900
more information
U.S. Cellular is a large multi-regional carrier offering service in 155 markets - in 26 states - across the country. The company primarily uses CDMA technology, and also provides legacy TDMA service. Most coverage is cellular-band (800 MHz), with some PCS (1900 MHz) areas in the Central region.
(so what this means is check your local area for Coverage and make sure the CDMA phone you purchase supports BOTH 800/1900 Frequencies.
I had read in a thread by azwildcat98 "We know that AT&T uses the 850/1900/2100 MHz US 3G bands, while T-Mobile uses the 1700/2100 MHz US 3G bands, therefore making each carrier's hardware incompatible with the other's 3G network"
I am looking for possibly a list of non-AT&T distributed phones that work on AT&T's 3G network. My reason is that I currently have a T-mobile HTC HD2 connected to AT&T's EDGE network and i am paying $10/month for "non-smartphone internet" (because AT&T and T-Mobile dont exchange their IMEI # database apparently) AT&T thinks i have a crap flip phone... So i dont have to pay $30/month for "smartphone internet." How can i achieve AT&T's 3G speeds while not purchasing an AT&T branded phone so i can continue paying for "non-smartphone internet'?
My problem could be solved by just buying an AT&T branded phone, but im saving $20/month my way.
The only answers I really want to see in this thread are: What non-AT&T branded Android smartphones are out with 850/1900/2100 MHz US 3G bands?
xtremetimma said:
I had read in a thread by azwildcat98 "We know that AT&T uses the 850/1900/2100 MHz US 3G bands, while T-Mobile uses the 1700/2100 MHz US 3G bands, therefore making each carrier's hardware incompatible with the other's 3G network"
I am looking for possibly a list of non-AT&T distributed phones that work on AT&T's 3G network. My reason is that I currently have a T-mobile HTC HD2 connected to AT&T's EDGE network and i am paying $10/month for "non-smartphone internet" (because AT&T and T-Mobile dont exchange their IMEI # database apparently) AT&T thinks i have a crap flip phone... So i dont have to pay $30/month for "smartphone internet." How can i achieve AT&T's 3G speeds while not purchasing an AT&T branded phone so i can continue paying for "non-smartphone internet'?
My problem could be solved by just buying an AT&T branded phone, but im saving $20/month my way.
The only answers I really want to see in this thread are: What non-AT&T branded Android smartphones are out with 850/1900/2100 MHz US 3G bands?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are a few carriers that use the same bands. None in the US though. The Closest is Canada. Just a warning, the carriers and OEMs to prevent this sort of thing. While they can't tell what phone your using they are starting to be able to tell if its a smartphone or dumbphone.
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A
I finally found a non AT&T branded phone that has the 850MHz required AT&T 3G frequency! but i dont want that phone, any others?
http://pocketnow.com/hardware-1/how-to-get-an-htc-hd2-with-3g-on-att
Edit: I think i came to the conclusion that any unlocked phone will achieve AT&T 3G speeds if is has 850MHz, and i can get my "dumbphone internet" if the phone is "unbranded" or branded as a carrier other than AT&T.
HTC Sensation z710a (Unbranded) will work with AT&T 4G speeds! gonna try to get one and hope my $10/ month deal holds up... I figure im saving 12months x $20 = $240/ year without "smartphone internet" so i dont care how much i pay for the phone.
This may be stupid, but I can't find the answer in this forum.
I am drooling over the Titan, but am with T-mobile US and can't switch anytime soon.
If I buy a Titan 3rd party, can I use it for voice and data on T-mobile? Will I get full speed data?
Thanks.
You will get voice and data, but only 2G speeds. That goes for both the international version and att version.
Any info on some kind of quad band version that will work on both AT&T and T-Mobile?
pistol44 said:
Any info on some kind of quad band version that will work on both AT&T and T-Mobile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Titan is quad band according the htc.com
HSPA+/WCDMA 850/1900/2100MHz and Quad-band GSM/GPRS/Edge 850/900/1800/1900MHz
Shouldn't this work then? ATT's specs also say 850/1900/2100 MHz for HSPA/UMTS. T-mobile's HSPA/UMTS is on 1700/2100 MHz (according to Wikipedia). For the 2100 band, it should work, right? I am unsure as I am a simpleton and just comparing numbers and assuming that is all that has to match.
I would guess this would require an unlock.
T-Mobile uses both 1700 and 2100 bands for their 3G/HSPA+.
This is why it will not work.
I know because it pains me to not be able to get this device on T-Mobile.
wade_link said:
Shouldn't this work then? ATT's specs also say 850/1900/2100 MHz for HSPA/UMTS. T-mobile's HSPA/UMTS is on 1700/2100 MHz (according to Wikipedia). For the 2100 band, it should work, right? I am unsure as I am a simpleton and just comparing numbers and assuming that is all that has to match.
I would guess this would require an unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried, don't even think about it.
Go with AT&T GoPhone if you have Titan (Simfree), i am enjoying Unlimited All, (Call + Text + Web 4G ) with only $50 a month . Titan can get HSDPA+ (i think) on AT&T.
Im using the titan, unlocked on t-mobile and it does run on edge. honestly its not tooo terrible but edge sucks. and i cant get picture messages. idk i just might keep my hd7, sell this phone and wait for something better on t-mobile that i can actually use hahah but i love the giant screeen
Does this mean the Titan would get 3G or better on T-Mo US now?
http://www.phonearena.com/news/T-Mobiles-consolation-package-3-billion-7-year-3G-roaming-deal-128-AWS-markets_id24956
AT&T and T-Mobile UMTS Roaming Agreement
AT&T and T-Mobile agreed to roam on each other's UMTS bands for the next 7 years following the formal withdraw of AT&T's merger offer. As to when that becomes effective I do not know; I've yet to get an answer from either AT&T or T-Mobile on the subject and that's assuming they'll tell you; it takes an act of God to get through to AT&T's equivalent of T-Mobile's Tier 1,2 and 3 tech support. We have both AT&T and T-Mobile; and in the here and now, neither are compatible on each other's high speed bands; I have the Titan with AT&T and the Rhodium with T-Mobile; my Rhodium unlocked for use on AT&T and despite 3G in Columbus, GA and Auburn-Opelika, AL; I can only use Edge on AT&T. On my Titan it's either "E" or "4G", no 3G. What I have noticed is the Titan favors 4G and seeks those towers which is great if you're in the city, but rural; forget it. It's all Edge out here. It will hit the T-Mobile tower which is 4 bars in our Opelika location but immediately go to either no service or a 1 bar sometimes on 4G and others on Edge. We all know that "4G" isn't 4G and of course "Unlimited" isn't unlimited and politicians and marketing gurus think we're all stupid.
Hi all,
I see a few threads about folks trying to make lumia 920 work on Tmobile USA and I see some talk about quadband vs pentaband, which I am unable to follow. I am planning to buy an unlocked lumia 920 from expansys. I see they are selling unlocked lumia 920 for 450$ and for 550$. I am not sure what the difference is. Can the experts here take a look at the below links and let me know what the difference between the 2 models are and which one would work on Tmobile USA 3g and 4g bandwidths?
www .expansys-usa.com/nokia-lumia-920-windows-phone-white-238632/
www .expansys-usa.com/nokia-lumia-920-windows-phone-236632/
www .expansys-usa.com/nokia-lumia-920-windows-phone-yellow-238634/ (my preferred color!)
www .expansys-usa.com/nokia-lumia-920-windows-phone-rogers-branded-black-unlocked-241692/
If someone could point me to some website (other than ebay) to buy an unlocked lumia 920 (yellow/red) which could be made to work with Tmobile USA, that would be really helpful!
zeeshmk said:
Hi all,
I see a few threads about folks trying to make lumia 920 work on Tmobile USA and I see some talk about quadband vs pentaband, which I am unable to follow. I am planning to buy an unlocked lumia 920 from expansys. I see they are selling unlocked lumia 920 for 450$ and for 550$. I am not sure what the difference is. Can the experts here take a look at the below links and let me know what the difference between the 2 models are and which one would work on Tmobile USA 3g and 4g bandwidths?
www .expansys-usa.com/nokia-lumia-920-windows-phone-white-238632/
www .expansys-usa.com/nokia-lumia-920-windows-phone-236632/
www .expansys-usa.com/nokia-lumia-920-windows-phone-yellow-238634/ (my preferred color!)
www .expansys-usa.com/nokia-lumia-920-windows-phone-rogers-branded-black-unlocked-241692/
If someone could point me to some website (other than ebay) to buy an unlocked lumia 920 (yellow/red) which could be made to work with Tmobile USA, that would be really helpful!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Well, I am not an expert but here's my two cents:
Quadband vs Pentaband refers to the bands the phone can work on. If you go to the technical specs on the pages you posted, you'll see this:
Network: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900; HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100...which means that the phone has 4 (hence 'quad') bands in both GSM and HSDPA. In the case of a pentaband HSDPA, it also includes a fifth (and for you very important) band -1700 MHz.
Your last (and most expensive) option should work for sure, since it is a pentaband Rogers-branded model, even though the technical specifications do not mention the 1700 MHz frequency which is one of the two T-Mobile uses (the other one being 2100). But other vendors, including the one I've purchased my 2 Rogers-branded 920s from, do not list this frequency either, since they just take the info from one source and never bother to correct it when wrong.
The other (cheaper) options are most likely the ATT version, which does not have the 1700 MHz band, but technically can be flashed to Rogers and unlock this band (there's lots of info on this forum on how to do it). There's always a risk to brick the phone (render it unusable), but it's minimal. I guess it depends on your risk-management level, whether you feel comfortable enough to save $220 and carry all the process of flashing the phone, or shell out the full amount and have it working out of the box.
There's also the possibility that the cheaper ones do work on your area without flashing, depending on whether T-Mobile has already deployed the 1900 MHz band:
From: http://explore.t-mobile.com/phone-sim-card#faq
Will non-T-Mobile phones without the AWS 1700/2100 band not work on T-Mobile's 3G / 4G network?
A: T-Mobile provides 4G data services nationwide on the AWS 1700/2100 bands, and is in the process of adding service on the PCS 1900 band. Today, phones with both AWS 1700/2100 bands (not just one or the other) work nationwide on T-Mobile’s 4G network. PCS 1900 band phones (sold by AT&T and others) work on the T-Mobile 4G network in cities where 1900 service has been added. Check with your local T-Mobile store or call customer service to learn about the network status in your area.
You could also buy it from another place, more reasonably priced. This is where I bought my first one in December, and my second one a couple of weeks ago when I lost my first one Mind you, I did not buy either online, but actually went to their retail store to get them. Some people tend to think that they have a bad reputation, but my experience has been quite satisfactory (I bought the first one locked for $500, and they sold me the second one unlocked for the same price, virtually unlocking it for free). I do not know if they ship to the US, and if so, how much it costs but you could try contacting them... The downside is that they only have black. Here's the links:
$499: http://canadagsm.ca/NOKIA/Nokia-Lumia-920-Unlocked-Penta-band-lte/
$550: http://canadagsm.ca/NOKIA/Nokia-Lumia-920-LTE-Windows-8-Rogers/
You could buy the locked one and order an unlock code for about $15 on sites like cellunlocker.net
Attached is a pic of the box to show you that it does have the 1700 MHz frequency...
HTH
--
ARG
Thanks Abelitin for the detailed response. Appreciate your help!
I did go through some threads in this forum and it appears that flashing an Rogers version onto an unlocked ATT 920 involves so many steps that I got confused. Also I think there was one more thread about Nokia locking out the "navifirm" software that people use to get the different carrier versions.
In any case, after searching quite a bit, the cheapest I have found was in Negrielectronics and they are selling the Rogers version for 450 - 530$ range. Even ATT unlocked versions seem to fall in the same price range. So I might as well get the Rogers version.
zeeshmk said:
Thanks Abelitin for the detailed response. Appreciate your help!
I did go through some threads in this forum and it appears that flashing an Rogers version onto an unlocked ATT 920 involves so many steps that I got confused. Also I think there was one more thread about Nokia locking out the "navifirm" software that people use to get the different carrier versions.
In any case, after searching quite a bit, the cheapest I have found was in Negrielectronics and they are selling the Rogers version for 450 - 530$ range. Even ATT unlocked versions seem to fall in the same price range. So I might as well get the Rogers version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad to help...
The cheapest variants on that website do no specify if they are Rogers, but the tech specs do mention they have the 1700 MHz band, so you should be ok.
Nokia did close access through Navifirm, but apparently it is still possible to flash using Nokia Care Suite, as per the post below...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=40988591&postcount=8
It is a simple but risky process, so if negrielectronics is selling an unlocked pentaband version for $450, that is the best option, imho.
Good luck in your quest. It's a great phone... You won't regret having purchased it! (Incidentally, my carrier also works on the 1700-2100 MHz frequencies. I was waiting for last September's iphone release, hoping it would add the 1700 band, but it didn't, so I then decided to get another Nokia (had had a 5230 for 1 1/2 years) and went for the Lumia 920. The very same day I lost it, Apple came out with a new version of the iphone 5 that does support the 1700 (therefore, it also works on T-Mobile), but now there is no way I go the iphone road, so I got another L920!)
--
ARG
Hi guys,
I am on T-Mobile prepaid plan. I bought a Lumia 920 from Singapore few months ago in anticipation of the 1900 refarm from T-Mobile. But while the default APN profile has been updated to "T-Mobile LTE" from the carrier from months ago, the max speed I see now is 3G in Chicago. I've done some research and tried a couple of the following:
1 Added new APN under epc.tmobile.com
2 Enable ENS
3 Limit the connection speed to 3G instead of 4G
But none seems to bring me to the LTE speed. I thought maybe because LTE has not arrived in Chicago yet, but few days ago I went to one of the T-Mobile store and found that their demo Lumia 925 showed LTE. The stuff from the store said because I am using an unlocked 920, LTE is not supported. I don't think this is the right answer.
Does anyone has the same issue with your international 920 under T-Mobile in the US?
t_huankiat said:
Hi guys,
I am on T-Mobile prepaid plan. I bought a Lumia 920 from Singapore few months ago in anticipation of the 1900 refarm from T-Mobile. But while the default APN profile has been updated to "T-Mobile LTE" from the carrier from months ago, the max speed I see now is 3G in Chicago. I've done some research and tried a couple of the following:
1 Added new APN under epc.tmobile.com
2 Enable ENS
3 Limit the connection speed to 3G instead of 4G
But none seems to bring me to the LTE speed. I thought maybe because LTE has not arrived in Chicago yet, but few days ago I went to one of the T-Mobile store and found that their demo Lumia 925 showed LTE. The stuff from the store said because I am using an unlocked 920, LTE is not supported. I don't think this is the right answer.
Does anyone has the same issue with your international 920 under T-Mobile in the US?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What version you bough RM-820, 821 or 822 from Singapore. I think you have not supported LTE bands, so probably you got 821 / 822
boril said:
What version you bough RM-820, 821 or 822 from Singapore. I think you have not supported LTE bands, so probably you got 821 / 822
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow I just checked, it's indeed a RM 821! I did a search and found the following info from WP Central forum:
RM820 is the North American variant. Has pentaband UMTS (850/900/1700/1900/2100) and North American LTE bands.
RM821 is rest-of-world (except China). Has quadband UMTS (850/900/1900/2100) and European LTE bands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My understanding is as long as it supports 1900 band it can access the LTE speed on T-Mobile. That's not the case then?
t_huankiat said:
Wow I just checked, it's indeed a RM 821! I did a search and found the following info from WP Central forum:
My understanding is as long as it supports 1900 band it can access the LTE speed on T-Mobile. That's not the case then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just because it supports the 1900 band, does not mean that the ROM and hardware are setup to support LTE. The market the 821 was released for does not have LTE so the protocols where never implemented in that model. The 3G you see the phone operating at is the highest speed the market it came from supports. So that is the highest protocol that was installed into that model. You may want to sell it and get one of the other models.
Incompatible Bands
t_huankiat said:
Wow I just checked, it's indeed a RM 821! I did a search and found the following info from WP Central forum:
My understanding is as long as it supports 1900 band it can access the LTE speed on T-Mobile. That's not the case then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi t_huankiat,
To the extent of my knowledge, T-Mobile has only deployed LTE on the 1700/2100MHz frequency band (different from 2100MHz, that is IMT) commonly known as AWS spectrum or Band 4. The only variants of the 920 that contains these are RM-820 models. The good news is, an unlocked AT&T Nokia Lumia 920 can be used on T-Mobile's LTE network because they both use AWS spectrum to deliver LTE service. The downside is that in areas without LTE or refarmed HSPA+, your service will drop to 2G. In order to prevent these shortfalls, the only RM-820 variants that run on AWS HSPA+ are the Canadian and Developer Edition, given out at Microsoft BUILD 2012.
You may be thinking, what is with this confusion. Previously, T-Mobile USA rolled out their 3G HSPA network on AWS spectrum, because they hadn't won any PCS spectrum (1900MHz). In the Americas, AWS spectrum was not deployed as prevalent as PCS. The result, T-Mobile required special handsets to access 3G. When they transitioned over to HSPA+ and DC-HSPA+, they continued to use AWS widening the compatibility gap. After the AT&T/T-Mobile buyout fell through, T-Mobile gained PCS licenses as part of the deal. T-Mobile, shortly after, announced the jump to LTE and the refarm of HSPA+ (current 3G/4G service) to the PCS spectrum. As of now, the refarm isn't fully complete so some areas still broadcast 3G/4G on on the AWS spectrum. To add insult to injury, these areas do not have have LTE deployed either. Summing up what has been said, the best options for a seamless wireless experience is to use a Nokia Lumia 925 or find a non-AT&T RM-820. If you look on eBay, you will find a few for sale right now. I really hope this helps!
-Arekusandaa
Solarenemy68 said:
Just because it supports the 1900 band, does not mean that the ROM and hardware are setup to support LTE. The market the 821 was released for does not have LTE so the protocols where never implemented in that model. The 3G you see the phone operating at is the highest speed the market it came from supports. So that is the highest protocol that was installed into that model. You may want to sell it and get one of the other models.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should have done more research before I bought the phone! I did not realize 920 has so many variation even in Singapore! While I will miss the LTE, I can live with 3G speed since I don't use the phone for streaming or anything bandwidth intensive.
Arekusandaa said:
Hi t_huankiat,
To the extent of my knowledge, T-Mobile has only deployed LTE on the 1700/2100MHz frequency band (different from 2100MHz, that is IMT) commonly known as AWS spectrum or Band 4. The only variants of the 920 that contains these are RM-820 models. The good news is, an unlocked AT&T Nokia Lumia 920 can be used on T-Mobile's LTE network because they both use AWS spectrum to deliver LTE service. The downside is that in areas without LTE or refarmed HSPA+, your service will drop to 2G. In order to prevent these shortfalls, the only RM-820 variants that run on AWS HSPA+ are the Canadian and Developer Edition, given out at Microsoft BUILD 2012.
You may be thinking, what is with this confusion. Previously, T-Mobile USA rolled out their 3G HSPA network on AWS spectrum, because they hadn't won any PCS spectrum (1900MHz). In the Americas, AWS spectrum was not deployed as prevalent as PCS. The result, T-Mobile required special handsets to access 3G. When they transitioned over to HSPA+ and DC-HSPA+, they continued to use AWS widening the compatibility gap. After the AT&T/T-Mobile buyout fell through, T-Mobile gained PCS licenses as part of the deal. T-Mobile, shortly after, announced the jump to LTE and the refarm of HSPA+ (current 3G/4G service) to the PCS spectrum. As of now, the refarm isn't fully complete so some areas still broadcast 3G/4G on on the AWS spectrum. To add insult to injury, these areas do not have have LTE deployed either. Summing up what has been said, the best options for a seamless wireless experience is to use a Nokia Lumia 925 or find a non-AT&T RM-820. If you look on eBay, you will find a few for sale right now. I really hope this helps!
-Arekusandaa
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The main reason I got the phone from Singapore was because it supports 1900MHz and it's in Chicago now. But I overlooked the fact that the ROM matters too. So now I am pretty much stuck with 3G speed. It's a lesson learned, I will have to be extra careful next time when I get an unlocked phone. Thanks for your insight!
It's Not The End of the World
t_huankiat said:
The main reason I got the phone from Singapore was because it supports 1900MHz and it's in Chicago now. But I overlooked the fact that the ROM matters too. So now I am pretty much stuck with 3G speed. It's a lesson learned, I will have to be extra careful next time when I get an unlocked phone. Thanks for your insight!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't worry, you will still be able to use their DC-HSPA+ network, where available. This technology is capable of up to 42.1Mbps theoretically. Even before T-Mobile began deploying LTE, their DC-HSPA+ network was usually testing faster than Verizon's LTE network. While you may not see LTE until you upgrade to an AWS capable handset, their "fallback" 4G should suffice.
-arekusandaa