I know Verizon Wireless uses a CDMA network for their services. But LTE is GSM right? I remember the UMB standard which gives 4G on CDMA was abandoned in favor of LTE. So does that mean the Droid RAZR/MAXX have both GSM and CDMA radios? Also is it possible to have voice/video calling on 4G LTE?
Yes, the XT912, XT910, and Maxx phones use the same chipset and have GSM and CDMA radios. They have just been disabled for the different regions.
LTE is entirely separate and different then CDMA/GSM. LTE uses the 700Mhz spectrum, while GSM/CDMA uses 850Mhz to 2100Mhz. Eventually, once LTE becomes more mainstream will we see chipsets that support GSM/CDMA/LTE/HSPA+
The Razr has the capabilities to be used with GSM and CDMA, carrier depending. But not LTE. It simply doesnt have the chipset.
And 4G is a loose term. It is used in reference to LTE, and HSPA+. Since our phone only supports data speeds up to 14.4Mb down (HSPA), it is not a 4G device.
g2tegg said:
LTE is entirely separate and different then CDMA/GSM. LTE uses the 700Mhz spectrum, while GSM/CDMA uses 850Mhz to 2100Mhz. Eventually, once LTE becomes more mainstream will we see chipsets that support GSM/CDMA/LTE/HSPA+
The Razr has the capabilities to be used with GSM and CDMA, carrier depending. But not LTE. It simply doesnt have the chipset.
And 4G is a loose term. It is used in reference to LTE, and HSPA+. Since our phone only supports data speeds up to 14.4Mb down (HSPA), it is not a 4G device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The cdma Droid razr and maxx are LTE phones. I don't know about the GSM Motorola razr.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using XDA
wildklymr said:
The cdma Droid razr and maxx are LTE phones. I don't know about the GSM Motorola razr.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it often makes economic sense for a large scale electronics manufacturer to make only a single bit of hardware and then enable/disable various bits in software. Intel has been doing this for almost 30 years. I've seen several references to all RAZRs having identical hardware including one from a Verizon employee who claimed could flash a RAZR from gsm to cdma and then back again.
---------- Post added at 08:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:00 PM ----------
what i often wonder is if there is a 1700 (tmobile) radio buried somewhere deep in the RAZR.
iolinux333 said:
]what i often wonder is if there is a 1700 (tmobile) radio buried somewhere deep in the RAZR.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nah, iFixit did a teardown and found a Qualcomm MDM6600 baseband. That doesn't have T-Mobile's frequencies. If it had the option for pentaband GSM, Motorola would definitely market the hell out of that - think about how many more customers they could get.
http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Motorola-Droid-RAZR-Teardown/7048/1
wildklymr said:
The cdma Droid razr and maxx are LTE phones. I don't know about the GSM Motorola razr.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your right. I had no idea that Verizon had a LTE version. I guess thats the difference between the XT910 and the XT912. Im curious to know if the XT912, unlocked, will work with other LTE carriers besides Verizon.
On top of that, I am unable to find any ifixit reviews of the XT912. Only the XT910. Is there actual hardware differences?
My question is since LTE is GSM and Verizon is NOT GSM, how do they manage to provide LTE service? Does the phone keep switching between CDMA and LTE or what?
cheekrox said:
My question is since LTE is GSM and Verizon is NOT GSM, how do they manage to provide LTE service? Does the phone keep switching between CDMA and LTE or what?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you're in an area that has LTE coverage, you'll get LTE. When you're in an area that does not have LTE coverage, the phone automatically switches to CDMA.
The Verizon RAZR does have a GSM radio. But as others have said, it's disabled. Verizon has said they're going to enable the GSM radio on the Droid 4 for international use in the future, and since the Droid 4 and the RAZR are pretty much identical internally, many people think that Verizon may eventually enable the GSM radio on the RAZR as well at some point (though there has not been any official or unofficial word from Verizon/Motorola on that).
To answer your questions:
1. They are using GSM. They partnered with Vodafone in 2007 and have been building their LTE network since then.
2. Yes. CDMA for 3G and LTE for 4G.
cheekrox said:
My question is since LTE is GSM and Verizon is NOT GSM, how do they manage to provide LTE service? Does the phone keep switching between CDMA and LTE or what?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Riight! So the DROID RAZR keeps switching between LTE (which is GSM) and Verizon's CDMA network right? Which means that it HAS TO have a GSM radio in it for LTE to function? Also I heard voice is NOT possible over 4G, is this true?
cheekrox said:
Riight! So the DROID RAZR keeps switching between LTE (which is GSM) and Verizon's CDMA network right? Which means that it HAS TO have a GSM radio in it for LTE to function? Also I heard voice is NOT possible over 4G, is this true?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like myself and others have already said, there is a GSM radio in the Verizon RAZR. It is just not possible to use it. The Verizon RAZR will not work on a GSM network (at least not until the capability is enabled by Verizon or a developer).
VoLTE (voice over LTE) is possible, but no one is really doing that yet.
LTE is a form of GSM, but it's best to think about the two as completely different since in the real world their manner of operation is different. So don't think of LTE and GSM as the same type of technology that's interchangeable. Think of each as separate from the other.
Also, don't confuse what is often referred to as 4G on GSM networks (HSPA+) and LTE. They're also completely different. HSPA+ is often called 4G, but it's actually just an extension of existing 3G technology. LTE, for all intensive purposes, should be viewed as a completely different technology.
bsweetness said:
Like myself and others have already said, there is a GSM radio in the Verizon RAZR. It is just not possible to use it. The Verizon RAZR will not work on a GSM network (at least not until the capability is enabled by Verizon or a developer).
VoLTE (voice over LTE) is possible, but no one is really doing that yet.
LTE is a form of GSM, but it's best to think about the two as completely different since in the real world their manner of operation is different. So don't think of LTE and GSM as the same type of technology that's interchangeable. Think of each as separate from the other.
Also, don't confuse what is often referred to as 4G on GSM networks (HSPA+) and LTE. They're also completely different. HSPA+ is often called 4G, but it's actually just an extension of existing 3G technology. LTE, for all intensive purposes, should be viewed as a completely different technology.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you 100 percent. Except the fact that LTE is not a form of GSM nor CDMA. Its completely different.
The funny part about HSPA + is that its HSPA with mimo technology. Theoretically making it 3g on steroids.
razr maxx
There are two separate models of the Razr Maxx.
the first one, the xt912 released months ago is for the US market and is a CDMA phone
here s the link with all the specs:
developer . motorola . com / products / droid-razr-maxx-xt912
the second one, the xt910, is a gsm phone. and works on 2g and 3g networks around the world.
Connectivity
GSM 850/900/1800/1900,
W-CDMA 850/900/1900/2100
as u can read as well on Motorola website.
i cant post entire links due to restrictions to my new account but if u go on typing the url without spaces u will see all the specs
developer. motorola . com / products / razr_maxx_xt910
I have already bought the xt910 and i use it in Australia on normal 2g, 3g and 3.5g capable networks. It works on Telstra Next G network as well. The battery is amazing. 2 days of intense use in 3.5g without recharging it. 5 days of moderate use (gps - bluetooth - sync off) without a charge.
If you head over to the bionic forum a developer has been able to unlock the GSM radio for the RAZR/Droid 4/Bionic. It's compatible with ATT HSPA and T-Mobile edge. As far as I know it's still a work in progress.
Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX via XDA
And yes at this time no carrier (that I know of) carries voice over LTE. It's still in the experimental stages.
Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX via XDA
convert a cdma xt912
Hey guys I want to know if anyone could convert a cdma xt912 into a GSM phone by using a ROM or something ??
alyreda said:
Hey guys I want to know if anyone could convert a cdma xt912 into a GSM phone by using a ROM or something ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, you can get it running on 2G though I believe.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW
So is there any way I could get 4G working on my XT910?
cheekrox said:
So is there any way I could get 4G working on my XT910?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not that I know of.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW
Related
After CES, I'm beginning to put some serious thought into LTE and this phone. Dumping AT&T at this point is looking fairly good, as I've loathed their customer service for consistently soft-bricking my older phones due to their inability to properly unlock a phone.
How well does this phone handle roaming, especially in Japan, the UK and Australia? How compatible is the CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev. A. standard? I need to do a lot of travelling to these places and don't want to be short-changed. Does this support UMTS 2100 or international 4G? I plan to use the "buy a prepaid SIM" method.
Or should I be carrying around my unlocked Captivate for roaming?
If you want traveling to Western Europe (like in UK), forget it because GSM rules there. Just notice that the GSM represent 80% of mobile phone market but there is a website you can find the CDMA coverage in the world:
http://www.cdg.org/worldwide/
EDIT: About the 4G, a very very very few countries have it but it can be HSPA+ or WIMAX instead of LTE.
Another website for GSM coverage: http://www.worldtimezone.com/gsm.html
So, what you're saying is basically: Tote around the Captivate if I'm going to Europe, use the Thunderbolt for Japan?
In short answer, Yes
But you can't use the 4G Lte in Japon because it doesn't exist (yet).
Anyway, there is one carrier available which support the CDMA in Japan according to the website.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Fightspit said:
In short answer, Yes
But you can't use the 4G Lte in Japon because it doesn't exist (yet).
Anyway, there is one carrier available which support the CDMA in Japan according to the website.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do know that KDDI supports CDMA2000 and 1xEV-DO Rev. A on the right bands in Japan, so I'm hoping that it's enough. I don't need data roaming that badly, and if its service is comparable to Verizon's EV-DO service, it's good enough.
If youre gonna roam, bring along the captivate.
Or, you can get the droid 2 global, but there's no lte in there lol
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
A_Flying_Fox said:
If youre gonna roam, bring along the captivate.
Or, you can get the droid 2 global, but there's no lte in there lol
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sir,
I want to buy Galaxy SII duos. It works with CDMA2000. However, I used to go to Hong Kong. I want to use 3G (i.e. WCDMA). Can I root the ROM so that it can works with WCDMA?
I recently saw that the HTC Thunderbolt will support simultaneous 1X Voice and EV-DO Data (SVDO 3G). Does anybody know if existing phones such as the Fascinate can support this?
I don't think fascinate does that.
I believe the phone requires special hardware to be able to support SVDO, which the Fascinate probably lacks.
Possibly, but we're likely missing a crap load of software that would be required for it to work, and potentially hardware. Feel free to look into getting it to work on our phones as well. I'm sure many people would like to know how it's done.
Isn't this one of the perks of being on GSM network? Afaik, LTE is a GSM technology, and therefore would support SVDO.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
SVDO means that the phone supports simultaneous 1x voice and EVDO data. Has nothing to do with LTE as far as I know.
papstar said:
Isn't this one of the perks of being on GSM network? Afaik, LTE is a GSM technology, and therefore would support SVDO.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, this is called SVDO, basically it take's two radio's so it can run 1X which is the CDMA2000 voice standard and EVDO which is the CDMA2000's 3G evolution and run both at the same time which previous radio's couldn't. Nothing to do with LTE.
Also LTE isn't GSM, it's an evolution of UMTS. GSM cannot do simultaneous voice and data, only 3G UMTS/HSPA can achieve that.
No, at the moment the thunderbolt is the only phone on verizon capable of SDVO.
Will the J butterfly work on verizons netowrk and their LTE?
o boy, no it wont lol.
gocool767 said:
Will the J butterfly work on verizons netowrk and their LTE?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I asked this question (more generically, if it will work with any US carrier), and haven't gotten a response yet. My guess is no, if for no other reason than the carrier there is notorious for locking devices, not to mention the fact that I think Japan uses different freq for LTE / GSM.
charlatan01 said:
I asked this question (more generically, if it will work with any US carrier), and haven't gotten a response yet. My guess is no, if for no other reason than the carrier there is notorious for locking devices, not to mention the fact that I think Japan uses different freq for LTE / GSM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This along with the fact that Verizon's voice and 3G network are CDMA. CDMA devices are not locked so to speak, but they must be in the carrier's database in order to function (and Verizon will not add non-Verizon CDMA devices to their database). The GSM part will have no impact on Verizon since it's not GSM.
So, no. The J Butterfly will not work at all on Verizon.
bsweetness said:
This along with the fact that Verizon's voice and 3G network are CDMA. CDMA devices are not locked so to speak, but they must be in the carrier's database in order to function (and Verizon will not add non-Verizon CDMA devices to their database). The GSM part will have no impact on Verizon since it's not GSM.
So, no. The J Butterfly will not work at all on Verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the clarification.
Hi,
So I've read the FCC documents located here: LINK
Page 1 and Page 5 are the most interesting! These state that the Verizon model SCH-i545 will have AWS band 4 (of course 13 too) which does support T-mobiles LTE network right? It never states 1700/1200 frequencies.
Thing I want to know from the pros is will this phone indeed offer LTE support for T-Mobile or and I'm just seeing things?
Also, for all the other people that are wondering if the ATT model will offer LTE support for T-Mobile as well? It will since it supports both bands 4 and 17 But wait is that AWS band 4?... the jury is out on that! -_-
Many Thanks
Becool0130 said:
Hi,
So I've read the FCC documents located here: LINK
Page 1 and Page 5 are the most interesting! These state that the Verizon model SCH-i545 will have AWS band 4 (of course 13 too) which does support T-mobiles LTE network right? It never states 1700/1200 frequencies.
Thing I want to know from the pros is will this phone indeed offer LTE support for T-Mobile or and I'm just seeing things?
Also, for all the other people that are wondering if the ATT model will offer LTE support for T-Mobile as well? It will since it supports both bands 4 and 17 But wait is that AWS band 4?... the jury is out on that! -_-
Many Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I am correct, Verizon phones do not use sim cards (CDMA) and AT&T and T-Mobile are GMS (sim phones). So even if the bands are supported, I don't see how a Verizon phone would work on T-Mobile or AT&T unless they are CDMA / GSM dual phones. And even then they would have to be unlocked.
scott14719 said:
If I am correct, Verizon phones do not use sim cards (CDMA) and AT&T and T-Mobile are GMS (sim phones). So even if the bands are supported, I don't see how a Verizon phone would work on T-Mobile or AT&T unless they are CDMA / GSM dual phones. And even then they would have to be unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All of the major Verizon releases over the past year have come GSM unlocked. They are world phones that contain GSM and CDMA radios. I'm using a Verizon iPhone 5 on the Straight Talk (AT&T) network currently.
All lte phones have sim cards as it is a gsm technology. My girls verizon gs3 has a sim. As far as it being compatible that is a hell of a question.
OneStepAhead said:
All of the major Verizon releases over the past year have come GSM unlocked. They are world phones that contain GSM and CDMA radios. I'm using a Verizon iPhone 5 on the Straight Talk (AT&T) network currently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes! I sold my iPhone 4s to get Samsung galaxy s4 and it sold to someone over in the UK world (Ireland) that says it works! Lol.
I've also seen threads about sim unlocking the Verizon S3 for domestic and international use. Some people use HiAPN as system app along with other steps and viola... Working on whatever network you want
Question is... Am I seeing right that Verizon S4 will support AWS Band 4 for t-mobile?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda app-developers app
good news
OneStepAhead said:
All of the major Verizon releases over the past year have come GSM unlocked. They are world phones that contain GSM and CDMA radios. I'm using a Verizon iPhone 5 on the Straight Talk (AT&T) network currently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey this is one question i have lingering on my mind. How is the StraightTalk connection? Is it any good? Are there call drop issues? And do they have data plans?
if i buy a tmobile s4 will it work on verizon??
I know most things are under the catagory of speculation/rumor but i was wanting to to check out tmobile network for a bit.... the no contract is appealing. If i bought the phone outright and ending up not liking tmobile i would switch to verizon. Short of selling the tmobile and getting a verizon phone i was wondering about just activating the same phone on verizon?
Will there be "one phone" in US or would they all have thier own modem chips i guess is the real question....
thanks for the guesses and speculat'n!
You have to consider its Verizon and they have 700Mhz LTE and you can't roam on AT&T's 700Mhz so I would not expect to access Verizons AWS spectrum on T-Mobile or vice versa. Remember when they said LTE was the unifying spectrum to allow for easier use across networks and carriers, well that was a pile of BS.
Great news, but I heard verizon was purposely going to burn in their logo onto the amoled screens.
RaptorMD said:
You have to consider its Verizon and they have 700Mhz LTE and you can't roam on AT&T's 700Mhz so I would not expect to access Verizons AWS spectrum on T-Mobile or vice versa.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wrong: those "700mhz" frequencies are different bands. Both T-Mobile and Verizon are building out LTE on the same band: 4 (AWS). They will be interoperable device-wise.
AT&T also owns a lot of AWS, and though they're currently running LTE on it only in one market (somewhere in Oklahoma IIRC), all their LTE devices do come with band 4 enabled.
The more I read about the differences, the more I'm convinced that the Verizon model is more cross compatible with all other services. It's still the only CDMA model. But it's also gsm unlocked if you know how to program APNs. Any thoughts?
jerzyboy2421 said:
The more I read about the differences, the more I'm convinced that the Verizon model is more cross compatible with all other services. It's still the only CDMA model. But it's also gsm unlocked if you know how to program APNs. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I posted a pretty detailed analyzation of the LTE bands the different GS4 models work with here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=40974831#post40974831
if we ever get to the point where we don't need 3g at all any more (CDMA) and we can get VoLTE and use the LTE band exclusively that will eliminate a lot of the incompatability between Verizon and GSM carriers .
Parafly said:
if we ever get to the point where we don't need 3g at all any more (CDMA) and we can get VoLTE and use the LTE band exclusively that will eliminate a lot of the incompatability between Verizon and GSM carriers .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When we get to that point, Verizon will basically be a GSM carrier. Considering LTE is just an evolution GSM, both developed by 3GPP.
camaroz28 said:
When we get to that point, Verizon will basically be a GSM carrier. Considering LTE is just an evolution GSM, both developed by 3GPP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When it gets to that point, the question is will LTE then become open so Google can sell a Nexus that works on every network without carriers involved?
Schoat333 said:
When it gets to that point, the question is will LTE then become open so Google can sell a Nexus that works on every network without carriers involved?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not just Google...all the manufacturers could do it. But...don't get your hopes up. That situation is not in the carriers' nor major manufacturers' interests, and they sit on the standards bodies. No one represents the users/customers.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda premium
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=43469207&postcount=11
samsung GS4
scott14719 said:
If I am correct, Verizon phones do not use sim cards (CDMA) and AT&T and T-Mobile are GMS (sim phones). So even if the bands are supported, I don't see how a Verizon phone would work on T-Mobile or AT&T unless they are CDMA / GSM dual phones. And even then they would have to be unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon does use sim cards I am in the process of trying to unlock
SCH-I545 On T-Mobile
i Have This phone running on T-Mobile and have notice it does pick up AWS but very limied when compared to a T-Mobile branded phone... im wondering if anyone has tested flashing the T-Mobile modem??
---------- Post added at 04:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:56 AM ----------
No need to unlock just go into settings on the phone and under mobile networks their should be a tab that says prefered network.... click it and select global....
Guys, I want to buy new HTC Droid DNA, but the seller said, if I used for GSM network its only can running on EDGE only (still locked). any idea how to get full range on GSM Ntework (HSPA / 3G)?
Thanks
+1 to this. I have the DNA in hand but unactivated and have heard mixed things from carriers and online. T-Mobile won't really discuss the refarm of their 1700Mhz to 1900/2100. According to information online they have completed a lot of the refarm so that more GSM unlocked devices can run on their high speed data network. A common denominator from each case is that data constantly switches between low and high speeds. I'm thinking of checking out straight talk or net10 although I've heard negative things about them both and simple mobile. Still looking for a great review of this phone on one of these carriers.
xlxcrossing said:
+1 to this. I have the DNA in hand but unactivated and have heard mixed things from carriers and online. T-Mobile won't really discuss the refarm of their 1700Mhz to 1900/2100. According to information online they have completed a lot of the refarm so that more GSM unlocked devices can run on their high speed data network. A common denominator from each case is that data constantly switches between low and high speeds. I'm thinking of checking out straight talk or net10 although I've heard negative things about them both and simple mobile. Still looking for a great review of this phone on one of these carriers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do it, its fine. Mine has never seen a day of service on Verizon, I use T-Mobile and get H+ all over the place. The fluctuating does occur as they're still refarming towers but it doesn't cause much of a problem.
The refarm isn't for more devices its to move the bands down and use LTE on the 2100 or whatever band instead. It just happens to mean non T-Mobile or pentaband phones gain 3g/H+ ability on their network. Just means phones like the DNA without the higher band support gain faster speeds, or I guess I phones will to, whatever doesn't use the higher bands from at&t networks.
Tapatalked from my HTC DNA - Carbon
pio_masaki said:
Do it, its fine. Mine has never seen a day of service on Verizon, I use T-Mobile and get H+ all over the place. The fluctuating does occur as they're still refarming towers but it doesn't cause much of a problem.
The refarm isn't for more devices its to move the bands down and use LTE on the 2100 or whatever band instead. It just happens to mean non T-Mobile or pentaband phones gain 3g/H+ ability on their network. Just means phones like the DNA without the higher band support gain faster speeds, or I guess I phones will to, whatever doesn't use the higher bands from at&t networks.
Tapatalked from my HTC DNA - Carbon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I said "more devices" I meant the handsets that are only 1900/2100 capable and not 1700 capable. The former is supported by more devices hence "more devices"
It depends on your carrier. On most carriers, like AT&T, it works fine and dandy, on the other hand with carriers like t mobile, it's complicated
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using xda app-developers app
Bigandrewgold said:
It depends on your carrier. On most carriers, like AT&T, it works fine and dandy, on the other hand with carriers like t mobile, it's complicated
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
complicated meaning what exactly...can you be more specific. Somebody chimed in and said HSPA+ is indeed working on their DNA on T-Mobile. The coverage obviously varies but do you have any information that would suggest it wouldn't work on T-Mobile?