[FAQ] Why Can't My Streak Connect Or See My Network? - Streak 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

The Dell Streak is a GSM device. GSM is an abbreviation for "Global System for Mobile Communications". GSM is a European phone standard that has become a global standard, with some 1.5 billion people using it. Phone carriers such as Verizon and Sprint in the United States, as well as Telus and Bell Mobility in Canada, utilize a different standard, CDMA. CDMA is an abbreviation for "Code Division Multiple Access".
The two standards are incompatible, even though both may use the same frequencies. CDMA devices cannot see a GSM network, and a GSM device like the Streak is unable to see a CDMA network. This is because the method these companies use to transmit their data on their cellular networks are completely different.
"It all has to do with the way your data is converted into the radio waves that your cellphone broadcasts and receives. To keep from lulling you to sleep with the deep dive, I'll just scratch the surface and say that GSM divides the frequency bands into multiple channels so that more than one user can place a call through a tower at the same time; CDMA networks layer digitized calls over one another, and unpack them on the back end with sequence codes."
--Gizmodo Explains GSM vs. CDMA
EDIT: This thread was initially a global post to a few Canadian Streak users trying to use the Streak on their networks. I did research into this, but did not double-check my research before posting. The network they were attempting to use (Bell Mobility) in fact uses dual networks utilizing CDMA and GSM. So I deleted the information directed towards the Canadian users in question and apologize to them for making the error.

Is it possible that a a carrier using a dual network may have different apn settings depending on the type of phone? Could it be that the Canadian Streak users are using settings that are apparently correct, but aren't because they have a GSM phone?
You may also want to mention the varying radio bands used by different carriers even if they use the same technology, for example T-Mobile and AT&T in the US. Both are GSM, but phones dedicated to one network can not use 3G on the other.

I thought about mentioning the frequency difference between AT&T and T-Mobile when I wrote the FAQ. However, since an AT&T/Unlocked Streak can see the T-Mobile network and a T-Mobile Streak can see the AT&T network, even though the Streak is unable to take advantage of 3G/HSPA in either case, I decided against it.
As for the APN settings, I honestly don't know on that one. I am sure that the APN settings will be different depending on whether the phone is using CDMA or HSPA+. But how different I couldn't tell you. There are more than a few Canadian Streak owners that have posted on these boards the last four days that have run into issues getting their phones to see the Bell Mobility network. In fact, the rash of such posts is what prompted me to write this FAQ in the first place.
The biggest issue I believe is that Bell's HSPA+ network is still new compared to Rogers', and thus not as well established.

Good post !
For those looking for more Canadian carrier specific info such ad APN, there's a popular phone forum which has sub-forums dedicated to individual CDN carriers.
Just Google "howard" and "forum" together.
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA App

Related

A T-mobile and Sprint Merge?

I think this would be a terrible idea since i switched from t-mobile to sprint for better reception.
Check it out
http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/13839.cfm
P.S. Just realized that I posted this in the wrong section. Mods please feel free to move to the appropriate catagory.
if they do it will suck but i hope they switch to sim cards
Even if T-Mobile's parent company buys Sprint, they will never change the existing technology. If the deal happens, I bet they don't even change the name. Just because the parent company of T-Mobile buys Sprint doesn't mean that Sprint goes away completely and all your handsets now say T-Mobile...it just means you'll be forking over your paychecks to a different money hungry conglomerate.
I.E., Sprint will never use SIM cards, nor will they switch over to GSM...that is until maybe 2010 when LTE gets rolled out, but that's a horse of a different color.
I hope they dont switch to the sim cards those are jus easy ways for someone to steal your expensive pda
coming from T-Mobile to verizon I love the extra data speed but I hate that VZW using CDMA (i.e. no SIM cards) because I travel around the world extensively and stupid CDMA means I have to have a different phone (and number) on a GSM phone so i can use it overseas.
CDMA might be great here in the US, but it sucks everywhere else in the world. GSM might be older technology, but I have never found a country yet that my old nokia gsm phone doesn't work immediately as soon as I step out of the plane.
Why cant people just get along and all start using the SAME technology all round the world.
(I am not originally from the USA, so don't get me started on PAL vs NTSC or ATSC vs DVB. I cant get any AV equipment from OS to work here in USA or vice versa - forgetting even about the voltage difference!!!)
Ya, unfortunately CDMA really is the best option here in the US. Hopefully with Verizon going LTE for 4G we will see more convergence with global standards. And even if GSM is older than CDMA voice channel technology, HSDPA gives up nothing to it's CDMA counterparts (EVDO Rev A). How many 7.2 or 14.4 mbps EVDO networks are opperating in the states? Zero.
See that's the thing though...sadly GSM networks in the U.S. suck the proverbial big one when it comes to voice quality. As I said in my previous post, I have my fingers crossed that when LTE is rolled out in a few years, it fixes a lot of the problems here in the good ol' US of A.
bedoig said:
Ya, unfortunately CDMA really is the best option here in the US. Hopefully with Verizon going LTE for 4G we will see more convergence with global standards. And even if GSM is older than CDMA voice channel technology, HSDPA gives up nothing to it's CDMA counterparts (EVDO Rev A). How many 7.2 or 14.4 mbps EVDO networks are opperating in the states? Zero.
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Click to collapse
Is LTE the natural progression path for both CDMA and GSM? If that would be the case then things are looking up for equipment compatibility.
gc, Agree though that in US, CDMA really is king - for now.
I don't buy what the articles says about Sprint users having to get GSM phones...
more than Half the value of sprint assets is in the infrastructure they have built, Not the actual subscribers who use that infrastructure.
What is more likely is that T-Mobile will add GSM support to the existing Sprint towers so that their coverage is better but keep the CDMA business since that is the one most prevelant in the US and the one most likely to generate additional revenues based on relay calls from other CDMA carriers.
At some point the phone industry has to start building dual format phones for those who need both GSM for overseas and CDMA for US use.
gcincotta said:
See that's the thing though...sadly GSM networks in the U.S. suck the proverbial big one when it comes to voice quality.
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Ah, I didn't know voice quality on GSM networks was any lower. I've only been on Sprint and Verizon myself.
maccaberry said:
Is LTE the natural progression path for both CDMA and GSM?
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Click to collapse
To my knowledge, LTE is actually unrelated and incompatible with any existing CDMA or GSM technologies. It would be a new from the ground up system. LTE seems to be the path that the global standard will take though, and since GSM (and its related data protocols) is currently the global standard, the two are often associated.
Asphyx said:
At some point the phone industry has to start building dual format phones for those who need both GSM for overseas and CDMA for US use.
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Click to collapse
There are a few (mostly Blackberries I think) but they are nothing that I particularly care for.
I dont know where they came up with sprint switching to gsm,my guess is the article was written by a gsm fanboy. Eventually of course,they would want to transition everyone onto a single network.A model for this is the sprint-nextel merger. Sprint still runs an IDEN network along side their CDMA netowork. In that case there were reasons to keep IDEN around,since PTT did not really work well over their data network. (I understand that EVDO rev A has QOS features that make it work better)
If sprint ends up merging with T-Mobile,I expect that something similar might happen. T-Mobile does not have nearly as good of data coverage as Sprint does. (Although I have heard rumors of HSPDA coming to T-Mobile,but havent really looked into it that much) For the time being they would run both networks. Its possible that they might actually convert the whole network to CDMA instead of GSM due to the fact that sprints network seems to be more developed.
In that case,they would probably stop selling new GSM handsets. When a customer wanted to upgrade their handset,they would have to get a CDMA unit. Eventually,there would be very few GSM users left,all of which would have older handsets. They would then offer those last few new handsets and discontinue GSM service. Other carriers have done exactly this in the past. I imagine that roaming agreements with at&t would actually allow them to turn off their gsm towers before they had transitioned those last few customers to CDMA. At the end of the day,they of course get those last customers to sign new contracts,a win for Sprint-Mobile.( T-Sprint? S-Moprint?)
Similarly,if they decided to go to GSM,they would have to wait untill a HSPDA network was ready. The transition would go the same way.
To my knowledge, LTE is actually unrelated and incompatible with any existing CDMA or GSM technologies. It would be a new from the ground up system. LTE seems to be the path that the global standard will take though, and since GSM (and its related data protocols) is currently the global standard, the two are often associated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is untrue. LTE (Long Term Evolution) is the code name given to the project that the 3GPP is currently working on for their 4G standard (Release 8), and is aimed towards improving the current UMTS standard. The outcome will be modifications or extensions to UMTS, not a brand new system. The architecture we will likely see will be E-UTRAN (built off of existing UTRAN) standing for Evolved UTRAN which is on the access side, and EPC (Evolved Packet Core) on the core side, which make up the EPS architecture (Evolved Packet System).
Verizon has already announced they will be using "LTE" as their standard instead of UMB which is the successor in the CDMA2000 family. AT&T will also be using it as their 4G standard, but will provide HSUPA and HSPA+ as bridge standards.
Now, as of right now, Sprint on the other hand has announced they will be using WiMAX as their 4G standard. IF the Sprint - T-Mobile merger happens, we will not be seeing Sprint customers walking around with GSM handsets, instead we will see both Sprint and T-Mobile customers walking around with either full WiMAX handsets, or if they choose to, dual CDMA + WiMAX handsets.
gcincotta said:
This is untrue. LTE (Long Term Evolution) is the code name given to the project that the 3GPP is currently working on for their 4G standard (Release 8), and is aimed towards improving the current UMTS standard. The outcome will be modifications or extensions to UMTS, not a brand new system. The architecture we will likely see will be E-UTRAN (built off of existing UTRAN) standing for Evolved UTRAN which is on the access side, and EPC (Evolved Packet Core) on the core side, which make up the EPS architecture (Evolved Packet System).
Verizon has already announced they will be using "LTE" as their standard instead of UMB which is the successor in the CDMA2000 family. AT&T will also be using it as their 4G standard, but will provide HSUPA and HSPA+ as bridge standards.
Now, as of right now, Sprint on the other hand has announced they will be using WiMAX as their 4G standard. IF the Sprint - T-Mobile merger happens, we will not be seeing Sprint customers walking around with GSM handsets, instead we will see both Sprint and T-Mobile customers walking around with either full WiMAX handsets, or if they choose to, dual CDMA + WiMAX handsets.
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That's interesting. I was under the impression that although LTE was an evolution of current standards, in practice there would not be backwards compatibility with existing networks. I could very well be wrong, so please provide some evidence to the contrary (no wikipedia please).
Also, I believe that Sprint is second guessing their position on WiMax. They may still go forward with that technology, but I think (based on conversations with people from Sprint) they are evaluating other options now as well.
http://www.gsacom.com/news/gsa_240.php4
http://www.3gpp.org/Highlights/LTE/lte.htm
http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/04/verizon-announces-700mhz-lte-plans-can-you-wait-3-years/
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/ATT-Plans-2008-3G-Expansion-91637
Thanks for the links.
While it appears that most networks will support both LTE and legacy technologies concurrently, the two are not interchangeable. A strictly LTE device wouldn't function on an HSDPA/HSUPA/UMTS/GSM network, and vice versa.
From the first link: "...co-existence with GSM/EDGE/UMTS systems..."
The two will not interfere with each other, and they can even be run from the same tower, but that is as far as it goes. They are still totally seperate technologies.
This is illustrated further in the second link you provided: "Co-existence in the same geographical area and co-location with GERAN/UTRAN on adjacent channels." The two cannot operate simultaneously on the same channel. Towers that support both LTE and existing technologies will be able to hand off the connection from one to the other though:
"E-UTRAN terminals supporting also UTRAN and/or GERAN operation should be able to support measurement of, and handover from and to, both 3GPP UTRAN and 3GPP GERAN."
"The interruption time during a handover of real-time services between E-UTRAN and UTRAN (or GERAN) should be less than 300 msec."
This supports my original statement. I may have been overly broad in saying that LTE is completely unrelated to existing technologies. There are undoubtebly some similarities, but the radio technology is radically different than anything currently used.
In practice, I would assume most devices will support both systems until 3G (and earlier) technologies are completely phased out. It would be a similar situation if Sprint decides to deploy a WiMAX network. The first WiMAX devices that appear would naturally support Sprint's existing networks as well as WiMAX. The device may operate on both WiMAX and EVDO, and may even be able to seemlessly hand off between the two, but that doesn't mean they are related.
You seem to be forgetting the original question you were answering though. One of the posters had asked if LTE is the natural progression path for CDMA and GSM networks. You answered him by stating that it is completely unrelated and is a completely new system altogether. I corrected you by saying that it is untrue as LTE is the natural progression path for GSM/UMTS/HSDPA networks as it is wholly based off current UMTS networks. I then went on to say that Verizon opted to vary off their natural progression path towards UMB instead by choosing to adopt LTE.
Though the radio/network infrastructures will be different, current GSM/UMTS/HSDPA providers will continue to support GSM/UMTS/HSDPA alongside LTE as it is their natural progression path. I wasn't trying to say that a GSM handset would simply work fine when trying to use a PURE LTE network. Providers will not just wake up one day and pull down all existing architecture completely expecting everyone to go buy a new PURE LTE handset. Just like when digital networks first came out, analog stayed around for a WHILE before they pulled it down...and handsets had BOTH analog and digital capabilities.
gcincotta said:
LTE is the natural progression path for GSM/UMTS/HSDPA networks as it is wholly based off current UMTS networks. I then went on to say that Verizon opted to vary off their natural progression path towards UMB instead by choosing to adopt LTE.
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I agree that I may have oversimplified by calling them completely unrelated, but I think it is a bit of a misnomer to call LTE the natural progression path for one and not the other. Implementation of LTE will require a rollout of completely new network infrastructure. It is not merely an update to existing UMTS hardware. The two protocols have virtually nothing to do with each other, other than the fact that they were both introduced by the same regulatory body. It is the same thing with UMB. Just because CDMA and UMB were both developed by Qualcomm, doesn't imply a great deal of similarity or interoperability. UMB is only considered the natural progression of CDMA (as LTE is to UMTS) because they are both sanctioned by the same group. I don't think it is any more of a natural progression for an existing UMTS network to implement LTE than for Verizon, as both will have to roll out entirely new systems. The only difference would be that Verizon's network would be a mixture of CDMA and LTE, while the global standard would be a mixture of GSM/UMTS and LTE.
It looks like you are definetly right about Sprint going WiMAX. The Sprint/Clearwire deal that had previously fallen through is now back on. Several other companies like Intel, Google, and Time Warner are now investing in the deal as well. WiMAX it is.
bedoig said:
It looks like you are definetly right about Sprint going WiMAX. The Sprint/Clearwire deal that had previously fallen through is now back on. Several other companies like Intel, Google, and Time Warner are now investing in the deal as well. WiMAX it is.
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Well.. there goes standardization down the toilet..
I think they do it deliberately so we can't port or devices from one carrier to another.
Yeah you'd think Sprint would smarten up too when they see every other top carrier in the U.S. choosing LTE as their 4G solution...

[Q]Why Droid DNA can't use other CDMA network ?

Sorry for asking stupid question....
I did some research, but I still can't figure out why DNA can't uses other CDMA network.
Is it the problem if radio???
According what I see, DNA is able to unlock bootloader, s-off, root.
What stuff should I waiting for? Radio?
Your answer will help me know what kind of threads I should pay attention to. Thanks a LOT in advanced!
BTW, I am planning use DNA in Taiwan with a CDMA network provider.
I had checked the hardware is fitted to my network (CDMA2000 800Mhz). Thanks for all concerned!
siekaiser said:
Sorry for asking stupid question....
I did some research, but I still can't figure out why DNA can't uses other CDMA network.
Is it the problem if radio???
According what I see, DNA is able to unlock bootloader, s-off, root.
What stuff should I waiting for? Radio?
Your answer will help me know what kind of threads I should pay attention to. Thanks a LOT in advanced!
BTW, I am planning use DNA in Taiwan with a CDMA network provider.
I had checked the hardware is fitted to my network (CDMA2000 800Mhz). Thanks for all concerned!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
First of all, you must understand that GSM & CDMA are dissimilar technologies, whereas with GSM you can easily swap between carriers so long as they have the same/supported radio frequencies and your phone is sim-unlocked, this is not possible with CDMA. CDMA devices do not use a sim card to retain your account information or activation abilities. When it comes to CDMA (from my understanding) the ESN is key, the ESN must be added to your networks (for lack of a better term at the moment) ESN database. In the United States, most CDMA carriers will not add ESN's of other carriers phones to their network, your results may be different, because of your location. If your carrier were to allow or be willing to add the ESN of the DNA you obtain to their database than there is a possibility that it may work. (I am unsure if that can just be done or if it would have to be removed from Verizon's network & so forth, because I've never personally had to do such a thing)
There is a second problem though, the LTE radio / sim card interface. Because of the way these phones work on Verizon with LTE, I am unsure if you could even activate it, because it looks like the LTE sim is needed to authenticate your account to the carrier like a regular GSM phone. I have no idea how you would activate this phone without LTE / GSM on your carrier, even with the CDMA ESN added. It seems like it would be a double edged sword, but I could be wrong in this respect.
Also at this current time, this phone has root, and an unlocked bootloader through HTCDev, but is still **S-ON**.
Though none of those things have to do with you being able to use this phone on your carrier.
If your carrier was GSM I would say go for it because this is a GSM Global phone as well, but because its CDMA that you need I really incredibly doubt you'll be able to use this phone, but I may be wrong, but until someone else states otherwise I would look for a different phone.
Hope this Helps!
I am also interested in it. How can we check it out? I should go to my CDMA carrier and ask to activate my ESN?
Where can i find ESN? In Settings-About there is only MEID, IMEI, Phone serial number and IMSIAdded
I work for a CDMA carrier in the USA and with lte on the phones now, they truly act as gsm phones. If your CDMA carrier has lte then they can give you a sim and it will activate your DNA. However, if they only operate on 2g/3g then the post above me is correct with the ESN database and will USUALLY not activate the phone (in store sales reps usually don't even have the ability). Even if they have lte, activating another carrier's phone is not in the best interest of the sales Rep and they usually won't.
YMMV
Sent with my DNA
kyleco said:
I work for a CDMA carrier in the USA and with lte on the phones now, they truly act as gsm phones. If your CDMA carrier has lte then they can give you a sim and it will activate your DNA. However, if they only operate on 2g/3g then the post above me is correct with the ESN database and will USUALLY not activate the phone (in store sales reps usually don't even have the ability). Even if they have lte, activating another carrier's phone is not in the best interest of the sales Rep and they usually won't.
YMMV
Sent with my DNA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should mentions that we don't have LTE in Taiwan so far.
My carrier provides CDMA2000 1xEV-DO rev.B (I guess it is)
Is it operate as LTE OR 2G/3G you mentioned?
siekaiser said:
I should mentions that we don't have LTE in Taiwan so far.
My carrier provides CDMA2000 1xEV-DO rev.B (I guess it is)
Is it operate as LTE OR 2G/3G you mentioned?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From my experience, they will not be able to activate it if they do not have lte, as they would need to have a settings file made for that phone to get it to work on their network. Nevers hurts to call and ask though.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using xda premium
Hi,i am from Austria,i have a Droid Dna by Verizon and the Phone works fine here in Austria, 2G and 3G/HSDPA

[Q] AT&T HTC One on Verizon

Is there any way to get the AT&T variant working on Verizon? Heard users could flash the T-Mobile radio for them but what about Verizon?
No. Not at all possible.
Thank you, it was worth a shot
Airo18 said:
Thank you, it was worth a shot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the correct answer is, no one knows yet. Modern smartphones are capable to supporting multiple network types, frequencies and technologies. Hardware-wise, the AT&T, T-Mobile, and (probably) the Sprint versions are identical and differ only by provisioning and preloaded software.
d2kplus said:
I think the correct answer is, no one knows yet. Modern smartphones are capable to supporting multiple network types, frequencies and technologies. Hardware-wise, the AT&T, T-Mobile, and (probably) the Sprint versions are identical and differ only by provisioning and preloaded software.
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Click to collapse
Verizon and AT&T while both "4G LTE" using basically the same technology, have different frequency radios in them. They aren't cross platform capable.
d2kplus said:
I think the correct answer is, no one knows yet. Modern smartphones are capable to supporting multiple network types, frequencies and technologies. Hardware-wise, the AT&T, T-Mobile, and (probably) the Sprint versions are identical and differ only by provisioning and preloaded software.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rogue Leader said:
Verizon and AT&T while both "4G LTE" using basically the same technology, have different frequency radios in them. They aren't cross platform capable.
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Click to collapse
It's not possible, period. Sprint and Verizon operate on CDMA networks, whereas AT&T and T-Mobile operate on GSM. As long as the proper frequencies are supported, any GSM phone can run on any GSM network provided they're SIM unlocked.
4GLTE is currently only used by Verizon for data connections, and not for voice/text--that relies on the 3G CDMA antennae. The same goes for Sprint. The AT&T/T-Mobile-/International HTC One does not physically possess an CDMA atennae. Now before you get your hopes up about using a Sprint phone on Verizon, here's another little wrinkle. As you know, every phone has a serial number. That serial number is known as the IMEI on GSM carriers, and ESN on CDMA carriers. Both Verizon and Sprint operate a massive list of ESNs for everyone phone that can operate on their network. If your ESN is not found on that list, then you cannot activate it on that particular network period, paragraph, end of story. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.
Things get a little murkier with CDMA when it comes to flashing the radios over to other CDMA carriers, but you're looking at services like MetroPCS, PagePlus, etc and that's outside my realm of expertise.
Airo18 said:
Thank you, it was worth a shot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rogue Leader said:
Verizon and AT&T while both "4G LTE" using basically the same technology, have different frequency radios in them. They aren't cross platform capable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Verizon and AT&T networks use the different frequencies and technologies. However, the HTC One (like the iPhone 5) is able to run on nearly all permutations of modern phone networks. Apple makes only two versions of the iPhone, one for AT&T and one for everyone else. The AT&T version only exists because AT&T strong armed Apple into removing AT&T's LTE block from the main model.
For example, the Sprint version of the One is a world phone, usable on global "GSM" networks, as well as Sprint's "CDMA" networks. I put GSM and CDMA in quotes because modern wireless networks are more complicated than either of those two designations, and high-end phones are now designed to deal with those complexities via soft configuration vs. dedicated hardware.
d2kplus said:
The Verizon and AT&T networks use the different frequencies and technologies. However, the HTC One (like the iPhone 5) is able to run on nearly all permutations of modern phone networks. Apple makes only two versions of the iPhone, one for AT&T and one for everyone else. The AT&T version only exists because AT&T strong armed Apple into removing AT&T's LTE block from the main model.
For example, the Sprint version of the One is a world phone, usable on global "GSM" networks, as well as Sprint's "CDMA" networks. I put GSM and CDMA in quotes because modern wireless networks are more complicated than either of those two designations, and high-end phones are now designed to deal with those complexities via soft configuration vs. dedicated hardware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sort of, sort of. You're going in the right path, but still not quite there. Hardware is still very important.
GSM phones are considered world phones because most of the networks operated in foreign countries run on GSM, right. CDMA world phones possess both antennae in order to access the networks over seas, but GSM phones don't have CDMA antennaes because... well, they don't need them. Your chances of going to a CDMA-only country is so very small that it's not worth while to make the investment. Let's take the opposite example using the iPhone 5: You can't take an AT&T/T-Mobile/International iPhone 5 and put in a Sprint SIM card. You can even do a iTunes restore using the Sprint IPSW onto that phone(actually don't know if that would work or not, but I digress) and it STILL won't get a signal because it physically lacks the antennae.
unremarked said:
Sort of, sort of. You're going in the right path, but still not quite there. Hardware is still very important.
GSM phones are considered world phones because most of the networks operated in foreign countries run on GSM, right. CDMA world phones possess both antennae in order to access the networks over seas, but GSM phones don't have CDMA antennaes because... well, they don't need them. Your chances of going to a CDMA-only country is so very small that it's not worth while to make the investment. Let's take the opposite example using the iPhone 5: You can't take an AT&T/T-Mobile/International iPhone 5 and put in a Sprint SIM card. You can even do a iTunes restore using the Sprint IPSW onto that phone(actually don't know if that would work or not, but I digress) and it STILL won't get a signal because it physically lacks the antennae.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, I was talking about modern phones (like the HTC One), which are designed to be multi network and multi frequency global phones by default. HTC makes three versions of the phone: UMTS/GSM Only (MDM8215), UMTS/GSM+LTE (MDM9215), CDMA + UMTS/GSM +LTE (MDM9615). Sprint sells the version using the MDM9615 chipset which supports CDMA + UMTS/GSM + LTE. The Sprint variant has the capabilities to support all of the US/Canada frequencies, but I don't know what would be required to activate non Sprint frequencies. Neither do you. It's foolish to make grand pronouncements stating what is or isn't possible with phones until someone has actually attempted something.
Regarding your antenna statement, the HTC One has three antennas, one for WiFi and BT and two for wireless. The phone selects the best antenna to use in any given situation.
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d2kplus said:
Again, I was talking about modern phones (like the HTC One), which are designed to be multi network and multi frequency global phones by default. HTC makes three versions of the phone: UMTS/GSM Only (MDM8215), UMTS/GSM+LTE (MDM9215), CDMA + UMTS/GSM +LTE (MDM9615). Sprint sells the version using the MDM9615 chipset which supports CDMA + UMTS/GSM + LTE. The Sprint variant has the capabilities to support all of the US/Canada frequencies, but I don't know what would be required to activate non Sprint frequencies. Neither do you. It's foolish to make grand pronouncements stating what is or isn't possible with phones until someone has actually attempted something.
Regarding your antenna statement, the HTC One has three antennas, one for WiFi and BT and two for wireless. The phone selects the best antenna to use in any given situation.
MY EDIT: REMOVED IMAGE.
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I think you're a little confused on exactly what we're talking about here. Yes, you're absolutely right that the Sprint HTC One possess all the necessary ingredients to operate on just about any network/carrier in the world--GSM or CDMA. And, actually, I do know what's required in order to it to happen. For a GSM network, the only requirements to do so is a correctly provisioned SIM cards and the applicable access point names for the network you're trying to utilize. I've personally taken an CDMA world device and used it on a GSM network(VZW iPhone 5 on Straight Talk/AT&T). The Sprint HTC One would even work on Verizon, provided you get the ESN added to the master database of approved devices which is highly unlikely. Source: I worked for Verizon Wireless. Other CDMA carriers like MetroPCS, PagePlus, Cricket, etc do not have this requirement and it's relatively easy to flash Sprint/VZW phones over to their network.
But that's not at all what's being debated. WiFi and Bluetooth likewise have nothing to do with this conversation. As you've correctly noted, the MDM9215M chipset(step 10, highlighted in green) which powers the wireless antennae and allows them to connect to cellular networks does not support CDMA in the AT&T/T-Mobile/International version of the phone. Because of this fact alone, regardless of software configuration, these phones will never operate on a CDMA network. Now if you're an enterprising individual and decide to open your phone, remove the chip, and replace it with one that does support CDMA... you'd still run into the issue of the master database.
EDIT: I removed the image just to clean up the look of the post.
unremarked said:
Sort of, sort of. You're going in the right path, but still not quite there. Hardware is still very important.
GSM phones are considered world phones because most of the networks operated in foreign countries run on GSM, right. CDMA world phones possess both antennae in order to access the networks over seas, but GSM phones don't have CDMA antennaes because... well, they don't need them. Your chances of going to a CDMA-only country is so very small that it's not worth while to make the investment. Let's take the opposite example using the iPhone 5: You can't take an AT&T/T-Mobile/International iPhone 5 and put in a Sprint SIM card. You can even do a iTunes restore using the Sprint IPSW onto that phone(actually don't know if that would work or not, but I digress) and it STILL won't get a signal because it physically lacks the antennae.
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unremarked said:
I think you're a little confused on exactly what we're talking about here. Yes, you're absolutely right that the Sprint HTC One possess all the necessary ingredients to operate on just about any network/carrier in the world--GSM or CDMA. And, actually, I do know what's required in order to it to happen. For a GSM network, the only requirements to do so is a correctly provisioned SIM cards and the applicable access point names for the network you're trying to utilize. I've personally taken an CDMA world device and used it on a GSM network(VZW iPhone 5 on Straight Talk/AT&T). The Sprint HTC One would even work on Verizon, provided you get the ESN added to the master database of approved devices which is highly unlikely. Source: I worked for Verizon Wireless. Other CDMA carriers like MetroPCS, PagePlus, Cricket, etc do not have this requirement and it's relatively easy to flash Sprint/VZW phones over to their network.
But that's not at all what's being debated. WiFi and Bluetooth likewise have nothing to do with this conversation. As you've correctly noted, the MDM9215M chipset(step 10, highlighted in green) which powers the wireless antennae and allows them to connect to cellular networks does not support CDMA in the AT&T/T-Mobile/International version of the phone. Because of this fact alone, regardless of software configuration, these phones will never operate on a CDMA network. Now if you're an enterprising individual and decide to open your phone, remove the chip, and replace it with one that does support CDMA... you'd still run into the issue of the master database.
EDIT: I removed the image just to clean up the look of the post.
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Click to collapse
The ESN information for LTE enabled smartphones is included on the SIM/UICC/R-UIM rather than the phone itself, so the issue is one of provisioning a given phone's capabilities to work on the VZW vs the Sprint network. I don't know if this is user configurable or if carriers would be willing to do.
Regarding the antennas, the same antenna configuration is used on all models. There is no additional antenna on the CDMA capable model. That functionality is provided by the Qualcomm MDM9615. It's a bit unfortunate that HTC didn't take Apple's approach in using the MDM9615 on all HTC One variants. I assume that VZW's decision to pass on the phone may have had something to do with it.
Now back to your original point, I was mistaken and you are correct. While the Sprint version could potentially be used on AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon. The AT&T (UMTS/GSM+LTE) version cannot be used on the Verizon network, and that's a damn shame.
unremarked said:
It's not possible, period. Sprint and Verizon operate on CDMA networks, whereas AT&T and T-Mobile operate on GSM. As long as the proper frequencies are supported, any GSM phone can run on any GSM network provided they're SIM unlocked.
4GLTE is currently only used by Verizon for data connections, and not for voice/text--that relies on the 3G CDMA antennae. The same goes for Sprint. The AT&T/T-Mobile-/International HTC One does not physically possess an CDMA atennae. Now before you get youSprint
esopes up about using a Sprint phone on Verizon, here's another little wrinkle. As you know, every phone has a serial number. That serial number is known as the IMEI on GSM carriers, and ESN on CDMA carriers. Both Verizon and Sprint operate a massive list of ESNs for everyone phone that can operate on their network. If your ESN is not found on that list, then you cannot activate it on that particular network period, paragraph, end of story. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.
Things get a little murkier with CDMA when it comes to flashing the radios over to other CDMA carriers, but you're looking at services like MetroPCS, PagePlus, etc and that's outside my realm of expertise.
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IMEI/ESN is carrier specific. Can't be changed. However can't we trick the phone itself through software to unlock the capability of using a Verizon LTE Sim in a Sprint phone. Flash a Verizon ROM? Sprint and Verizon are the exact same CDMA/LTE band, same internal hardware.
Speaking only of using a Verizon LTE sim for data on a Sprint device. I have a Sprint One. Not with Sprint any longer. Want to use my device as a PDA, internet capable.

[Q] Nexus 9 LTE on Vodafone UK doesn't get LTE

Hi,
There's a thread going on on the Vodafone UK forums about the Nexus 9 LTE not connecting to Vodafone UK on anything higher than 3G. I don't think this is very well known as the LTE version isn't as popular as the Wifi version, and then there are multiple mobile operators to choose from, so this might not affect many people.
Basically, a known working Vodafone 4G SIM in a known 4G coverage area will only establish 3G, never H, H+ or LTE/4G - this has been tested with multiple devices (I've got two here now) and multiple SIM's. The devices are unlocked, Vodafone don't require IMEI registration or anything like that. It should just be a case of putting the SIM's in. I've done all the checks I can think of (SIM's in another device - they get 4G, other operators SIM's in the device get 4G) etc.
Vodafone use LTE band 20 (and band 7 in a very few locations for LTE-A). Band 20 is known to work on the radios in the device because the same devices can connect to EE, who also use LTE band 20.
HTC are not interested as they say its a network problem, the device can register on EE and advised me to contact Vodafone.
Vodafone are saying its an unsupported device, I didn't buy it from them and don't really care, their first line support said the SIM is registering on their GSM network but never registers on the 4G network hence no coverage. After a conversation with second line support I was told that the device is trying to register on band 8 (900MHz) rather than band 20 (800MHz) which means that its a software/hardware problem - I'm a little bit dubious about this as how would they know unless it was negotiated by the SIM or something as their equipment uses 800MHz... ? I think he was basically lying to me to fob me off.
Google don't even have a way of contacting them about the device.
So as a consumer I'm stuck! Is there anyway I can debug the device myself? Can I see what bands are being used at different points in he SIM registering process with any software? Basically - any help or advice at all guys. It sucks to spend a load of cash on a device that half works, but what REALLY sucks is having no way to escalate a clear cut problem because there are so many companies involved!
Thanks in advance!

Unlocked Tmobile Note 8 on Sprint

I have been reading a lot of different things about doing this with no definitive answer. It looks like, as of recently, it should be as simple as popping in the sprint Sim card and it should work but I want to be sure before hand. Are there any downsides at all about using tmobile Note 8 on Sprint?
Hi there, I'm not sure but Sprint SIM cards are lock. You can try and see, I had Sprint before and try using there SIM card in my unlock tmobile Galaxy S7 Edge running the unlock S7 Edge firmware, it keep reconfiguring over and over. Maybe you might get better than me.
cmdauria said:
I have been reading a lot of different things about doing this with no definitive answer. It looks like, as of recently, it should be as simple as popping in the sprint Sim card and it should work but I want to be sure before hand. Are there any downsides at all about using tmobile Note 8 on Sprint?
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Sprint doesn't allow other carriers phones on their network. Unlocked or not. T-Mobile does though...
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-8/help/cdma-unlock-verizon-note-8-sprint-t3732364
First question would be: Does Sprint allow to use their SIM cards within non-Sprint devices? That I can't answer. Because I never used Sprint services.
The second question is: Would the T-Mobile radios work with Sprint? LTE radios would most likely work if Sprint allows you to use their SIM card with that device. When LTE is weak or not available the answer is: No. The active radios within T-Mobile and even AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note 8 are both LTE and GSM (Both 3G and 4G). Both Sprint and Verizon uses LTE and CDMA (each has their own CDMA) radios. You can't use GSM radios with Sprint and Verizon right now. Though that will end up changing as CDMA gets phased out.
To top things off each GSM carrier maybe using different frequencies with some (but not all) of their GSM radios. So changing a cellular device from a GSM carrier to another GSM carrier may have limits with GSM services.
Sprint and Verizon services have problems with international areas (outside of the USA) where LTE is weak or no LTE. The reason is that CDMA is very limit or doesn't exist in most international areas (outside of the USA). The areas that CDMA still works internationally (outside of the USA) will be phased out (mostly in the near future). Only a few places outside of the USA, like China, would CDMA not be phased out so quickly. But CDMA will end up completing phased out all together sometime in future (including in the US).
If you want to be truly Global then go for carriers that have both GSM and LTE, like T-Mobile, AT&T, etc. Then once you unlock the SIM then you can use your carrier's roaming (which don't need SIM unlock) or switch the SIM card with a carrier in that country to get service internationally. Just a side note: T-Mobile does have Unlimited 3G international roaming without any extra cost (this is subject to the type of plan you have with T-Mobile).
The only way this would work for you is if the CDMA radio is built into all Note 8 devices. If so then you just need to flash the correct radio firmware to active the correct carrier radios. But I don't believe this is the case. And this wouldn't solve the Sprint SIM lock issue.
The short answer is no. Read this thread. I thought you could just pop in an activated SIM, but it's not that simple.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-8/help/cdma-unlock-verizon-note-8-sprint-t3732364
JaguarXT said:
First question would be: Does Sprint allow to use their SIM cards within non-Sprint devices? That I can't answer. Because I never used Sprint services.
The second question is: Would the T-Mobile radios work with Sprint? LTE radios would most likely work if Sprint allows you to use their SIM card with that device. When LTE is weak or not available the answer is: No. The active radios within T-Mobile and even AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note 8 are both LTE and GSM (Both 3G and 4G). Both Sprint and Verizon uses LTE and CDMA (each has their own CDMA) radios. You can't use GSM radios with Sprint and Verizon right now. Though that will end up changing as CDMA gets phased out.
To top things off each GSM carrier maybe using different frequencies with some (but not all) of their GSM radios. So changing a cellular device from a GSM carrier to another GSM carrier may have limits with GSM services.
Sprint and Verizon services have problems with international areas (outside of the USA) where LTE is weak or no LTE. The reason is that CDMA is very limit or doesn't exist in most international areas (outside of the USA). The areas that CDMA still works internationally (outside of the USA) will be phased out (mostly in the near future). Only a few places outside of the USA, like China, would CDMA not be phased out so quickly. But CDMA will end up completing phased out all together sometime in future (including in the US).
If you want to be truly Global then go for carriers that have both GSM and LTE, like T-Mobile, AT&T, etc. Then once you unlock the SIM then you can use your carrier's roaming (which don't need SIM unlock) or switch the SIM card with a carrier in that country to get service internationally. Just a side note: T-Mobile does have Unlimited 3G international roaming without any extra cost (this is subject to the type of plan you have with T-Mobile).
The only way this would work for you is if the CDMA radio is built into all Note 8 devices. If so then you just need to flash the correct radio firmware to active the correct carrier radios. But I don't believe this is the case. And this wouldn't solve the Sprint SIM lock issue.
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ALL US Note 8s (N950U and N950U1) are identical. Same radios. Same hardware. Same everything. Only difference is the preloaded firmware. I actually think the Canadian Note 8s (N950W are the same, too, sonce they can run the N950U firmware).
So it's not an issue of missing a CDMA radio. It's an issue that Sprint will not accept the IMEI for another carrier branded Note 8 (or S8/+). You can only activate Sprint or Factory Unlocked devices on Sprint.
As Note 8 has both GSM and CDMA capabilities, why shouldn't an unlock T-Mobile work with Sprint?
RossTeagan said:
As Note 8 has both GSM and CDMA capabilities, why shouldn't an unlock T-Mobile work with Sprint?
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Sprint won't accept any devices on their network unlocked or not if they came from any other carrier. Sprint only allows Sprint phones and factory unlocked devices. Its Sprint, they suck.
Gizmoe said:
Sprint doesn't allow other carriers phones on their network. Unlocked or not. T-Mobile does though...
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-8/help/cdma-unlock-verizon-note-8-sprint-t3732364
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Gizmoe said:
Sprint won't accept any devices on their network unlocked or not if they came from any other carrier. Sprint only allows Sprint phones and factory unlocked devices. Its Sprint, they suck.
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i just switched my tmobile note 8 to sprint today, lol..
Thread cleaned due to much spam! I remind you to follow XDA Rules and especially to respect all XDA users.
ilikebigjugs88 said:
i just switched my tmobile note 8 to sprint today, lol..
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On Sprints website it still does not list the tmo note 8 as compatible for BYOD. It says only the note 8 special edition is. However it is not unlikely they stopped blocking the other U.S. carrier versions. People have gotten devices to activate in the past, but with minimal network functionality. Is your Note 8 fully utilizing the LTE network?
Either way this thread brings trouble so its now closed
Sprint allows sprint capable devices such as clean sprint,Boost and such and subsidiaries that run on sprint only.
@cp1024 @Gizmoe
The Special Edition devices are the ones sold directly by Samsung as factory-unlocked models. Samsung over the years has used the term inconsistently across their site and marketing materials.
Only Sprint calls them "Special Edition", otherwise they are the U1 models, vs U for carrier branded.
Which means they as of the time this was printed will only accept this model
Maybe some others have managed to pull something off but this is official answer
my post above is how it has always been in the past
And it ends here

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