I would love to be able to use this amazing phone in on T-Mobile in the US without crippled data speeds as well as seamlessly on voice. Anybody here have experience with this new phone on this network?
ST18a is supposed to be for AT&T, but I speculate that ST18i might be better for T-Mobile US due to 900/2100MHz. 1700MHz is missing though. I also don't know how accurate this is:
hxxp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-Mobile_USA#Radio_frequency_spectrum_chart
Just today a T-Mobile Tier2 told me all I needed was 900 / 1800 / 1900MHz for 3G, and 1700 and 2100 for 4G.... so I am left very confused.
Note even access to 3G via roaming on this phone would be acceptable.
just to relieve you from misunderstanding, the ray is not 4G, and the bandwidth 2100 is 3G, and is used mostly in europe and asia pacific, which ever version you get, the umts is available in 5 bandwidth and are all 3G
Hi kms108,
What's your experience with the ST18i? Are you using it in the US? Possibly on T-Mobile?
Thanks!
i have the hong kong version, which is unbranded and using it in hong kong.
i'm liking it very well, just the right size to hold, not a android phone on the market to match it in quality, specs and size wise.
Xperia ray DOES NOT support 3G from Tmobile.
I own the device and I learned it the hard way.
Although ray supports 2100 MHz, the only device that can access Tmobile 3G is the one with BOTH 1700/2100 MHz. It is because Tmobile split both frequencies: one for download and the other for upload.
While for other carriers your phone will work in 3G if it supports either one of the frequencies, however, Tmobile is different.
Having said that, almost ALL of the unlocked phones in the market won't be capable of accessing Tmobile 3G.
If you wish to access 3G, the only carrier that will work is AT&T.
Jon-
Which version, ST18a or ST18i, did you buy? See following:
hxxp://androidforums.com/sony-ericsson-xperia-ray/443709-3g-4g-us-t-mobile-using-st18a-st18i.html
Mine is the ST18i.
Well, neither version will support Tmobile 3G.
ST18i UMTS HSPA 900 (Band VIII), 2100 (Band I)
GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900
ST18a UMTS HSPA 800(Band VI), 850 (Band V), 1900 (Band II),
2100 (Band I)
GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900
Here's the specs from the manual.
Since both are missing 1700, neither will be capable of receiving 3G from Tmobile.
AT&T
What irony -- maybe the AT&T acquisition of T-Mobile will have some benefits after all, especially those who buy the ST18a...
This wikipedia link confirms your experience: hxxp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-Mobile_USA#3G_upgrade
The Xperia X10 had 1700, too bad Sony eliminated it.
jon12315 said:
Mine is the ST18i.
Well, neither version will support Tmobile 3G.
...
Since both are missing 1700, neither will be capable of receiving 3G from Tmobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Want to get the s3 but want to make sure it works with TMobile.
No, you will only get edge speeds, no 3g.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
It works for me. Bought my unbranded, non-simlocked phone in Europe. Visiting US now. Daily plan with T-Mobile works fine for me.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
shaft77 said:
It works for me. Bought my unbranded, non-simlocked phone in Europe. Visiting US now. Daily plan with T-Mobile works fine for me.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And you are getting 3g speeds??
I doubt that, the international version doesn't have the frequency for tmo's 3g.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
i also tried my att i747 sgs iii after i unlocked it with a t mobile sim.. works but also only get edge.. maybe it would work if i flashed the t mobile modem?
lgkahn said:
i also tried my att i747 sgs iii after i unlocked it with a t mobile sim.. works but also only get edge.. maybe it would work if i flashed the t mobile modem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I pressed thanks instead of quote.
No, its nothing to do with the modem. If it was, people all over the world would be buying devices from other countries.
The fact is the international GSM version only works on the frequencies its designed to work on. This is a hardware limitation and no amount of software will resolve that.
International frequencies are different to USA frequencies and as such, devices not designed for the USA will not work to their full potential in the USA.
UK (international) uses 900 Mhz/1800Mhz GSM/3G where as USA T-mob uses 1900Mhz GSM and 2100Mhz 3G.
Because the International GSM quad band device is:
850/900/1800/1900 MHz...
The GSM and 2G function works on 1900 (T-mob) but has no way to use 2100 for 3G as its not physically possible
Edit:
USA Carrier Voice Frequencies (MHz) 3G 4G Notes
AT&T 850 (Band 5)/ 1900(Band 2) 850 / 1900 Band 17 (700MHz)/AWS (1700/2100 MHz) GSM
MetroPCS 1900 / AWS 1900 / AWS AWS CDMA
Sprint 1900 1900 2500 / 1900 G-Block CDMA
T-Mobile USA 1900 AWS(1700/2100 MHz)/PCS (1900) AWS (1700/2100 MHz) GSM
Verizon 800 / 1900 800 / 1900 700 / AWS CDMA (GSM for 4G)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellular_frequencies
rootSU said:
Sorry I pressed thanks instead of quote.
No, its nothing to do with the modem. If it was, people all over the world would be buying devices from other countries.
The fact is the international GSM version only works on the frequencies its designed to work on. This is a hardware limitation and no amount of software will resolve that.
International frequencies are different to USA frequencies and as such, devices not designed for the USA will not work to their full potential in the USA.
UK (international) uses 900 Mhz/1800Mhz GSM/3G where as USA T-mob uses 1900Mhz GSM and 2100Mhz 3G.
Because the International GSM quad band device is:
850/900/1800/1900 MHz...
The GSM and 2G function works on 1900 (T-mob) but has no way to use 2100 for 3G as its not physically possible
Edit:
USA Carrier Voice Frequencies (MHz) 3G 4G Notes
AT&T 850 (Band 5)/ 1900(Band 2) 850 / 1900 Band 17 (700MHz)/AWS (1700/2100 MHz) GSM
MetroPCS 1900 / AWS 1900 / AWS AWS CDMA
Sprint 1900 1900 2500 / 1900 G-Block CDMA
T-Mobile USA 1900 AWS(1700/2100 MHz)/PCS (1900) AWS (1700/2100 MHz) GSM
Verizon 800 / 1900 800 / 1900 700 / AWS CDMA (GSM for 4G)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellular_frequencies
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes i agree for international version.. but if you read closer i DONT have the international version but the att version.. and as far as i know all the usa versions are the same with just diff. modems.
The international version will work in areas where T-Mobile is refarming 1900mhz to 3G. However this is only happening in parts of the coasts. I'm using it in Ohio and getting EDGE only. That said, it isn't too bad.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
joshnichols189 said:
The international version will work in areas where T-Mobile is refarming 1900mhz to 3G. However this is only happening in parts of the coasts. I'm using it in Ohio and getting EDGE only. That said, it isn't too bad.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Erm, it's being tested in some coastal areas, but the 3g/hspa+ over the 1900 band is slated to go live on the majority of the network by the end of the year.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
No service HELP or clairfication PLEASE
I purchased a Tinji i9300. I have been working on this for over 3 weeks. I have no service with T-mobile. It recognizes my SIM card as T-mobile. In Engineer Mode, my bands are, EGSM900, DCS1800, PCS1900, GSM850, WCDMA-IMT-2000. I have tried numerous ROMs (stock and custom) and have rooted the phone. I have changed the IMEI. No service at all. Any thoughts? Band issue? T-mobile issue? Possible solution? **** out of luck? :crying:
Thank you!
Hi !
like u see in the title i have a mini pro sk17i and i have no 3G conexion bicause am from colombia and frequency are diferent i want to flash to sk17a to get latinamerica frequency and have 3G conexion in my country. I´m very bored with EDGE conexion.
can i do that? if i can how can i do it?
Thanks very much, sorry my english i speak spanish
t0m4s_g1l said:
Hi !
like u see in the title i have a mini pro sk17i and i have no 3G conexion bicause am from colombia and frequency are diferent i want to flash to sk17a to get latinamerica frequency and have 3G conexion in my country. I´m very bored with EDGE conexion.
can i do that? if i can how can i do it?
Thanks very much, sorry my english i speak spanish
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is actually no difrent bro, I'm from Nicaragua and i already tried that, but it is a hardwere problem, the sk17i means that the phone is international type, and sk17a is for america. so unfortunately u can't change that, we will never have 3G with i Series :crying::crying::crying:
Are u really sure? bicause i have a samsung galaxy ace gts5830m and i can change kernel, rom and modem to other version to change 3g frecuency. am asking if ur very sure bicause suddenly u dident flash all ! only rom or well i really dont know how is in sony ericsson phones. but in galaxy u can flash only one. To change only one thing.
Thanks for ur answer
t0m4s_g1l said:
Are u really sure? bicause i have a samsung galaxy ace gts5830i and i can change kernel, rom and modem to other version to change 3g frecuency. am asking if ur very sure bicause suddenly u dident flash all ! only rom or well i really dont know how is in sony ericsson phones. but in galaxy u can flash only one. To change only one thing.
Thanks for ur answer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm so sure, i spend days trying to find the way to get 3G but i had no luck!!! Is hardware problem, because the 3G that work in Europa does not work in America! I know... that sucks but thats how it is
And btw with sony u can flash as many times as u need!!!
Sent from my SK17i using xda premium
daydu19 said:
It is actually no difrent bro, I'm from Nicaragua and i already tried that, but it is a hardwere problem, the sk17i means that the phone is international type, and sk17a is for america. so unfortunately u can't change that, we will never have 3G with i Series :crying::crying::crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you don't know about telecommunication implementation. How come you can't get 3G with i-series ??? Have you red that phone specification ???. If u know about GSM and 3G implementation as ido (i work in these telecommunication field as an network engineer implementation). If you read that phone spec --> http://www.sonymobile.com/us/products/phones/xperia-mini-pro/specifications/ (see under Networks) you'll see :
GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900 so for 2G connection it cover all that frequncies that use in all over the world (except Japan, coz Japanese have different 2G and 3G network implementation) see this --> http://www.worldtimezone.com/gsm.html.
UMTS HSPA 900, 2100 (Global except Americas) so it means it cover all 3G frequencies that use outside America.
UMTS HSPA 800, 850, 1900, 2100 (Americas) so it means it cover all 3G frequencies that use inside America.
So why you're all saying that this phone didn't support you're country 3G, except you want to you use your phone in Japan, then it won't works as Japan use 3G with frequecies 1700/2100 MHz. The only possibility that i know is you're area was not coverage by 3G connection or even if that 3G had implemented in your country but it can't reach you're area so this what we called "Blank Spot" area. So please first get to know how the netrwork implemented in you're are, does it coverage by 3G or not.
For the code series, yeah you're right SK17i - it means for international release outside America and SK17a for inside America but it's not related to the frequencies coverage (notice these). SK17x or Xperia Mini Pro has globally working in all over the world that use 2G frequencies 850, 900, 1800, 1900 Mhz and 3G frequencies 800, 850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz, except you're using it in Japan so it's useless.
googler78 said:
I think you don't know about telecommunication implementation. How come you can't get 3G with i-series ??? Have you red that phone specification ???. If u know about GSM and 3G implementation as ido (i work in these telecommunication field as an network engineer implementation). If you read that phone spec --> http://www.sonymobile.com/us/products/phones/xperia-mini-pro/specifications/ (see under Networks) you'll see :
GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900 so for 2G connection it cover all that frequncies that use in all over the world (except Japan, coz Japanese have different 2G and 3G network implementation) see this --> http://www.worldtimezone.com/gsm.html.
UMTS HSPA 900, 2100 (Global except Americas) so it means it cover all 3G frequencies that use outside America.
UMTS HSPA 800, 850, 1900, 2100 (Americas) so it means it cover all 3G frequencies that use inside America.
So why you're all saying that this phone didn't support you're country 3G, except you want to you use your phone in Japan, then it won't works as Japan use 3G with frequecies 1700/2100 MHz. The only possibility that i know is you're area was not coverage by 3G connection or even if that 3G had implemented in your country but it can't reach you're area so this what we called "Blank Spot" area. So please first get to know how the netrwork implemented in you're are, does it coverage by 3G or not.
For the code series, yeah you're right SK17i - it means for international release outside America and SK17a for inside America but it's not related to the frequencies coverage (notice these). SK17x or Xperia Mini Pro has globally working in all over the world that use 2G frequencies 850, 900, 1800, 1900 Mhz and 3G frequencies 800, 850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz, except you're using it in Japan so it's useless.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thaks for the info bro!!! But actually it does not metter how hard u try, u will never get 3G in America with sonys i models... thats just the way they have set it i had a difrent phone before and the 3G worked as good as hell but with this phone i can only use wifi cuz the data connection sucks
Sent from my SK17i using xda premium
daydu19 said:
Thaks for the info bro!!! But actually it does not metter how hard u try, u will never get 3G in America with sonys i models... thats just the way they have set it i had a difrent phone before and the 3G worked as good as hell but with this phone i can only use wifi cuz the data connection sucks
Sent from my SK17i using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can u tell me what's your phone name and type that you say it that3G worked before you use this Xperia ???
I use Samsung Galaxy FIT and i can flash over and over again either thru flashtool (SAMSUNG flashtool named ODIN) or CWM, for a day now i've just reflash my Galaxy FIT with 12 ROM (7 Stock ROM and 5 Cutom ROM) with no problem with 3G Connection. In fact, Samsung has more simplicity in the software system. I've SK17i too, but since it's still have developer guaranted and i have this .62 firmware which must downgrade first to .58 then we can rooted so i'm leave it till my developer guarated expired then i'll install custom ROM too. Now plan to upgrade to ICS but Sony announced it'll decrease the performance, so i'll leave in GB for now.
Actually there's a software system which is involve for locking some frequencies for certain country, it calls MNC/MCC code --> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_Network_Code. You must first unlock this code for using that Xperia Mini Pro in your country. Are your phone comes with bundling from specific Telecommunication Company like AT&T or Vodafone or else ??? If yes, then your phone MNC/MCC had benn locked. For example :
- If your buy a phone in Europe which is bundling by Vodafone, then u cannot use it in America since it locked for Europe frequencies even the phone has global coverage frequencies but it's locked by that company.
But, as far as i know it included in ROM, so if you change your ROM with full flash then all the system and frequencies will be unlocked, just easy like that. And even your phone comes with bundling with specific country, actually it can't not use at all if your use it another country even for the 2G too, so when you use it say "Unknown Network" or "Network Unavailable" in the display, except your flash it with full flash.
googler78 said:
Can u tell me what's your phone name and type that you say it that3G worked before you use this Xperia ???
I use Samsung Galaxy FIT and i can flash over and over again either thru flashtool (SAMSUNG flashtool named ODIN) or CWM, for a day now i've just reflash my Galaxy FIT with 12 ROM (7 Stock ROM and 5 Cutom ROM) with no problem with 3G Connection. In fact, Samsung has more simplicity in the software system. I've SK17i too, but since it's still have developer guaranted and i have this .62 firmware which must downgrade first to .58 then we can rooted so i'm leave it till my developer guarated expired then i'll install custom ROM too. Now plan to upgrade to ICS but Sony announced it'll decrease the performance, so i'll leave in GB for now.
Actually there's a software system which is involve for locking some frequencies for certain country, it calls MNC/MCC code --> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_Network_Code. You must first unlock this code for using that Xperia Mini Pro in your country. Are your phone comes with bundling from specific Telecommunication Company like AT&T or Vodafone or else ??? If yes, then your phone MNC/MCC had benn locked. For example :
- If your buy a phone in Europe which is bundling by Vodafone, then u cannot use it in America since it locked for Europe frequencies even the phone has global coverage frequencies but it's locked by that company.
But, as far as i know it included in ROM, so if you change your ROM with full flash then all the system and frequencies will be unlocked, just easy like that. And even your phone comes with bundling with specific country, actually it can't not use at all if your use it another country even for the 2G too, so when you use it say "Unknown Network" or "Network Unavailable" in the display, except your flash it with full flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone I had was a LG Optimus Me (p350) but i also had a xperia play (R800a) and the 3G was good. My girlfriend has a xperia 10 mini pro (U20i) unlocked by the company and she has no 3G if there is a way to get 3G here with this phones, bro that will be awesome!!!!
Sent from my SK17i using xda premium
googler78 said:
I think you don't know about telecommunication implementation. How come you can't get 3G with i-series ??? Have you red that phone specification ???. If u know about GSM and 3G implementation as ido (i work in these telecommunication field as an network engineer implementation). If you read that phone spec --> http://www.sonymobile.com/us/products/phones/xperia-mini-pro/specifications/ (see under Networks) you'll see :
GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900 so for 2G connection it cover all that frequncies that use in all over the world (except Japan, coz Japanese have different 2G and 3G network implementation) see this --> http://www.worldtimezone.com/gsm.html.
UMTS HSPA 900, 2100 (Global except Americas) so it means it cover all 3G frequencies that use outside America.
UMTS HSPA 800, 850, 1900, 2100 (Americas) so it means it cover all 3G frequencies that use inside America.
So why you're all saying that this phone didn't support you're country 3G, except you want to you use your phone in Japan, then it won't works as Japan use 3G with frequecies 1700/2100 MHz. The only possibility that i know is you're area was not coverage by 3G connection or even if that 3G had implemented in your country but it can't reach you're area so this what we called "Blank Spot" area. So please first get to know how the netrwork implemented in you're are, does it coverage by 3G or not.
For the code series, yeah you're right SK17i - it means for international release outside America and SK17a for inside America but it's not related to the frequencies coverage (notice these). SK17x or Xperia Mini Pro has globally working in all over the world that use 2G frequencies 850, 900, 1800, 1900 Mhz and 3G frequencies 800, 850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz, except you're using it in Japan so it's useless.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are mixing frequencies from sk17i and sk17a. In the same link you provide from Sony with the specs of MiniPro, there is a link to the white paper (pdf) and you can check that sk17i works with UMTS HSPA 900 (Band VIII), 2100 (Band I), and sk17a with UMTS HSPA 850 (Band V), 1900 (Band II), 2100 (Band I).
So, unless in America the provider was using 2100 band, the user wont get 3G connection with sk17i.
White Paper --> http://www-support-downloads.sonymobile.com/sk17/whitepaper_EN_sk17_xperia_mini_pro.pdf
jomofer said:
You are mixing frequencies from sk17i and sk17a. In the same link you provide from Sony with the specs of MiniPro, there is a link to the white paper (pdf) and you can check that sk17i works with UMTS HSPA 900 (Band VIII), 2100 (Band I), and sk17a with UMTS HSPA 850 (Band V), 1900 (Band II), 2100 (Band I).
So, unless in America the provider was using 2100 band, the user wont get 3G connection with sk17i.
White Paper --> http://www-support-downloads.sonymobile.com/sk17/whitepaper_EN_sk17_xperia_mini_pro.pdf
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Refer to the white paper, so there's a different between SK17i and SK17. So thanks for correction.
Refer to this link --> http://www.worldtimezone.com/gsm.html <-- , I'm still had curiousity about the hardware, i've used to works as a phone technician in Nokia and Sony Ericsson for about 12 years ago, and you know in that time, different country has different GSM implementation (3G has not been implemented in that time, only GPRS). And sometimes i got outside job to flash another phone of my customer that they bought outside my country says like from Europe, Middle East or China and most of that phone was locked with their country origin Provider, and definitely can't use in my country, so i just flash that phone and sometimes i just only remove the MNC lock code so it can be use in my country. So i'm still curious why if we flash SK17i with SK17a ROM, and still it can't be used to connect to the 3G 1900.
it should actually be sufficent to flash your SK17i with the SK17a version using flashtool. as they are using the same modem chipset with just different frequency table.
slade87 said:
it should actually be sufficent to flash your SK17i with the SK17a version using flashtool. as they are using the same modem chipset with just different frequency table.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, i agree with you. Coz in 2000 - 2002 when i used to work as Phone Technician, i saw that the phone only have one component crystal for generating base frequencies, and yeah when we unlock a bundling phone or locked phone we just had to add some files that contains all the GSM frequency table, and then that phone can use in all over country in the world except for country that don't use global GSM frequencies like Japan.
But as inform by mr.daydu19 that he has just do that, and still he can't connect his SK17i which use SK17a ROM to the 3G 1900 America.
Can you provide a link to SK17x schematic diagram as i want to learn the hardware configuration.
Is it possible that maybe there's a hidden code/algorithm in the ROM SK17a so if u inject it to the SK17i then the ROM SK17a recognize that destination phone is SK17i, then it block again the 3G 1900 frequencies table files so we can't use that frequencies ?
Usually you will need to flash the entire FTF of a SK17a version which also includes the baseband, besides that the old x10's had a switch within the build.prop to decide which model it is and changed the frequencies if i remember correctly!
SK17a and SK17i UMTS Block
Now i attached schematic diagram from SK17i and SK17a.
You'll see that SK17a and SK17i has the same UMTS block named UMTS1 Band 1, UMTS Band 2 and UMTS Band 5, it's just on the SK17i at the UMTS Band 5 block it's using different chip with the SK17a. Here the list of the Chip on the UMTS Blok:
A. SK17i :
1) UMTS Band 5 block use chip SKY77705 which is an IC's for Band VIII --> http://www.skyworksinc.com/uploads/documents/201224a.pdf
2) UMTS Band 2 block use chip SKY77702 which is an IC's for Band II --> http://www.skyworksinc.com/uploads/documents/201217b.pdf
3) UMTS Band 1 block use chip SKY77701 which is an IC's for Band I --> http://www.skyworksinc.com/uploads/documents/201216a.pdf
B. SK17a :
1) UMTS Band 5 block use chip SKY77704 which is an IC's for Band V --> http://www.skyworksinc.com/uploads/documents/201222a.pdf
2) UMTS Band 2 block use chip SKY77702 which is an IC's for Band II --> http://www.skyworksinc.com/uploads/documents/201217b.pdf
3) UMTS Band 1 block use chip SKY77701 which is an IC's for Band I --> http://www.skyworksinc.com/uploads/documents/201216a.pdf
So SK17a and SK17i almost have same HARDWARE, the differential only at SK17a it works in three BAND 3G which is 850, 1900 and 2100, and SK17i works in 900, 1900, 2100. Good news is SK17i also has UMTS Band II block, means it can connect to 3G America with Band II which is 1900 MHz.
So if you full flash FTF SK17a to SK17i phone, it means your phone SK17i now can connect to 3G America 850 and 1900, but since the hardware only has 900, 1900 and 2100, so you can't connect to 850 coz it hardware was 900. But still you have 3G America 1900, and if you still can't get connection to 3G 1900 America in your country so i can be sure that your area was not cover by 3G Band II which is 1900 but your area was cover by 3G Band V which is 850 MHz, but since SK17i Band V block works as Band VIII, so it can't connect too. So, like i said before, please make sure what 3G Band that cover in your area and please post in here.
daydu19 said:
The phone I had was a LG Optimus Me (p350) but i also had a xperia play (R800a) and the 3G was good. My girlfriend has a xperia 10 mini pro (U20i) unlocked by the company and she has no 3G if there is a way to get 3G here with this phones, bro that will be awesome!!!!
Sent from my SK17i using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As in my previous post, so there's bad news, since you live in Nicaragua that only has 3G Band V 850 MHz, so it useless for you to fullflash FTF from i-series, since i-series only has 3G Band I - 900, II - 1900 and VIII - 2100 MHz in it's motherboard/module. So now u had to be notice for choosing phone that comes outside your country, even if you want to flashfull that phone.
Same as your girlfriend phone, it has hardware configuration like SK17i, even more bad news to this phone. Coz the schematic comes with only one for all (i mean it's not separate between U20i and U20a), so i can't be so sure if the 3G Band II - 1900 chip was exist for U20i too or it just 3G Band for U20a coz it's same schematic not separated. Even worse news is it comes with two hardware, one is with 3G Band II - 1900 and another with 3G Band IV - 1700. If your girlfriend phone maybe comes with 3G Band IV - 1700, so it's no other way you can get 3G in your country with this phone, but if it comes with 3G Band II - 1900 like SK17i, then u just have to wait till your country provide 3G Band II - 1900 and then u can flashfull FTF your phones.
Hope this helpful, and please take some research for your country 3G Band, what 3G Band has implemented ? and posting it here. Coz as far as i know Nicaragua only implemented 3G Band V - 850. But since you live there, maybe you can get update data.
googler78 said:
As in my previous post, so there's bad news, since you live in Nicaragua that only has 3G Band V 850 MHz, so it useless for you to fullflash FTF from i-series, since i-series only has 3G Band I - 900, II - 1900 and VIII - 2100 MHz in it's motherboard/module. So now u had to be notice for choosing phone that comes outside your country, even if you want to flashfull that phone.
Same as your girlfriend phone, it has hardware configuration like SK17i, even more bad news to this phone. Coz the schematic comes with only one for all (i mean it's not separate between U20i and U20a), so i can't be so sure if the 3G Band II - 1900 chip was exist for U20i too or it just 3G Band for U20a coz it's same schematic not separated. Even worse news is it comes with two hardware, one is with 3G Band II - 1900 and another with 3G Band IV - 1700. If your girlfriend phone maybe comes with 3G Band IV - 1700, so it's no other way you can get 3G in your country with this phone, but if it comes with 3G Band II - 1900 like SK17i, then u just have to wait till your country provide 3G Band II - 1900 and then u can flashfull FTF your phones.
Hope this helpful, and please take some research for your country 3G Band, what 3G Band has implemented ? and posting it here. Coz as far as i know Nicaragua only implemented 3G Band V - 850. But since you live there, maybe you can get update data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did a little research, and the company my phones is working with has a GSM 1900 with extended coverage, UTMS 850 MHz just for the city I'm at!!! so i guess that i can't use 3G :crying: is that so?
googler78 said:
Refer to the white paper, so there's a different between SK17i and SK17. So thanks for correction.
Refer to this link --> http://www.worldtimezone.com/gsm.html <-- , I'm still had curiousity about the hardware, i've used to works as a phone technician in Nokia and Sony Ericsson for about 12 years ago, and you know in that time, different country has different GSM implementation (3G has not been implemented in that time, only GPRS). And sometimes i got outside job to flash another phone of my customer that they bought outside my country says like from Europe, Middle East or China and most of that phone was locked with their country origin Provider, and definitely can't use in my country, so i just flash that phone and sometimes i just only remove the MNC lock code so it can be use in my country. So i'm still curious why if we flash SK17i with SK17a ROM, and still it can't be used to connect to the 3G 1900.
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Hi. I have read all what u wrote guys (again sorry my english i can understand good but when i write am not so good) for a moment i thought that what u sed of unlocking frecuencys in sk17i was posible but i realise that yes there are diferent frecuencys in both phones.
am gona respond ur question and if am wrong someone to correct me.
U can flash sk17a rom in sk17i phone i heard a lot of people that do it. the only thing they do is save VPN configuration to conect to 3G network. but these phones came with frecuencys in hardware not in software modem driver mode like my samsung galaxy gt-s5830m that i can change mi modem with ODIN like u sed and rom to transform it in gt-s5830i (Indian model) so if a go to india y can use the 3g network no problem with that. So i think thats the problem with this sony ericsson models that frecuencys are in hardware. i read in taringa some user that said that with flashtool we can modify those frecuencys in the hardware to ad america´s. I send a private messege but he has not respond me. Well in htcmania spanish forum i olso asked but had the same respond that it was not posible and i will be always with EDGE conexion. but if someone have some news we will really appreciate that!!
In Colombia were i live i have
COMCEL NOW CLARO MOVIL
GSM: 850MHz
UMTS/HSDPA: 850Mhz
MOVISTAR
GSM: 850MHz
UMTS/HSDPA: 850Mhz
TIGO
GSM: 1900MHz
UMTS/HSDPA: 1900MHz
Am claro movil so if i use tigo i can have 3G conection with 1900 frecuency in sk17i
t0m4s_g1l said:
Hi. I have read all what u wrote guys (again sorry my english i can understand good but when i write am not so good) for a moment i thought that what u sed of unlocking frecuencys in sk17i was posible but i realise that yes there are diferent frecuencys in both phones.
am gona respond ur question and if am wrong someone to correct me.
U can flash sk17a rom in sk17i phone i heard a lot of people that do it. the only thing they do is save VPN configuration to conect to 3G network. but these phones came with frecuencys in hardware not in software modem driver mode like my samsung galaxy gt-s5830m that i can change mi modem with ODIN like u sed and rom to transform it in gt-s5830i (Indian model) so if a go to india y can use the 3g network no problem with that. So i think thats the problem with this sony ericsson models that frecuencys are in hardware. i read in taringa some user that said that with flashtool we can modify those frecuencys in the hardware to ad america´s. I send a private messege but he has not respond me. Well in htcmania spanish forum i olso asked but had the same respond that it was not posible and i will be always with EDGE conexion. but if someone have some news we will really appreciate that!!
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Click to collapse
sorry this i did not read the second page when i wrote this.
daydu19 said:
I did a little research, and the company my phones is working with has a GSM 1900 with extended coverage, UTMS 850 MHz just for the city I'm at!!! so i guess that i can't use 3G :crying: is that so?
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Click to collapse
Unfortunately you can't use 3G Band V - 850 at this SK17i coz it's hardware only has 3G Band VIII - 900. This is details :
SK17a ROM has 3G frequency table :
1. 3G Band V - 850 ---> flash to SK17i that has chip for 3G Band VIII - 900 ---> so this 850 frequency table not work as hardware at 900. So you forget about this 3G Band V -850, it's useless for you if you wanna use this frequency to your SK17i.
2. 3G Band II - 1900 ---> flash to SK17i that has chip for 3G Band II (according to schematic diagram, it can be exist or not) ---> so this frequency table and hardware are matching so it'll work.
3. 3G Band I - 2100 ---> this of course match to SK17i, but since your living in America that's not implemented this frequency so forget about this frequncy too. But according to this link ---> http://www.worldtimezone.com/gsm.html some country in America has implemented this frequency too. So just take some research for what 3G Band your area covered.
Now, all we can rely is to the 3G Band II - 1900. I've just email some of my friends that still working as a technician in Sony to make sure that the 3G Band II - 1900 chips is exist in the SK17i motherboard/mainboard but still got no respons. But from my experience as a technician for about 16 years and since my school basic was in Tehcnical, if some component was not exist in BOARD but exist in SCHEMATIC so that component must be marking .or surrounding with "dash-line". And as you seen that our SK17i 3G Band II - 1900 chips was not marking or surrouding with "dash-line" so it's must be exist.
---------- Post added at 09:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:38 PM ----------
t0m4s_g1l said:
In Colombia were i live i have
COMCEL NOW CLARO MOVIL
GSM: 850MHz
UMTS/HSDPA: 850Mhz
MOVISTAR
GSM: 850MHz
UMTS/HSDPA: 850Mhz
TIGO
GSM: 1900MHz
UMTS/HSDPA: 1900MHz
Am claro movil so if i use tigo i can have 3G conection with 1900 frecuency in sk17i
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Click to collapse
As my theory yes. Maybe you can try it and give result in this page. And make sure TIGO really works in 3G 1900 not two band, coz sometimes telecommunication provider expand their network by add another 3G Band but they not announced that as they don't have to. So this is what you've got to do:
As i used too works as customer service/front-desk from a providerGSM/3G card, you've come to one of TIGO customer representative office and asking if their GSM/3G card are works in 1900 only or two bands which is 850/1900 ??? If only 1900 then you don't have to changes/request to a new card. But if they card works in two band, then you have to request new card only works for 1900, as you wanna prove my theory if it's right or wrong. Coz if you put card that has two bands which is 850 and 1900, maybe your ROM can detect the 850 and it algorithm push only the 850 frequency table to works too, so the 1900 will not works. So just to make sure, please do as i say above.