[Q] Rooted. Edge only. Special case here - AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II SGH-I777

Long story short, I rooted using the Exynos Abuse and flashed the SuperNexus I777 ROM and am only getting EDGE.
My friend gave me his ATT Galaxy S2 SGH-1777. I have a local carrier that also uses GSM. So I have a non-ATT SIM card.
When I plugged in the SIM card to this ATT SGS2, only the texting and dialing worked. I didn't get any data. I talked to ATT for an unlock code (which they gave me). It wasn't until after I got the unlock code that I found out the phone was already GSM unlocked.
So I proceeded to root and flash the ROM I listed above. I am only getting EDGE data. Wifi works and as far as I know (with the minimal poking around) everything else does so far.
Am I missing something in terms of toggle switches inside the settings menu to turn on EDGE? Is this carrier specific? I don't see why EDGE would work but 3G wouldn't if I am in the coverage area.
I am doing this for a friend. I am a HTC Thunderbolt user so the SGS2 is new to me. What are these modems people are flashing? Should I flash one of these in hopes of picking up a 3G signal through the Non-ATT carrier?

zilla. said:
Long story short, I rooted using the Exynos Abuse and flashed the SuperNexus I777 ROM and am only getting EDGE.
My friend gave me his ATT Galaxy S2 SGH-1777. I have a local carrier that also uses GSM. So I have a non-ATT SIM card.
When I plugged in the SIM card to this ATT SGS2, only the texting and dialing worked. I didn't get any data. I talked to ATT for an unlock code (which they gave me). It wasn't until after I got the unlock code that I found out the phone was already GSM unlocked.
So I proceeded to root and flash the ROM I listed above. I am only getting EDGE data. Wifi works and as far as I know (with the minimal poking around) everything else does so far.
Am I missing something in terms of toggle switches inside the settings menu to turn on EDGE? Is this carrier specific? I don't see why EDGE would work but 3G wouldn't if I am in the coverage area.
I am doing this for a friend. I am a HTC Thunderbolt user so the SGS2 is new to me. What are these modems people are flashing? Should I flash one of these in hopes of picking up a 3G signal through the Non-ATT carrier?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What carrier are u on? If u are accessing other towers besides at&t then u will pretty much get edge
Sent from my Pink Unicorn stable

brandonarev said:
What carrier are u on? If u are accessing other towers besides at&t then u will pretty much get edge
Sent from my Pink Unicorn stable
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The carrier is Cincinnati Bell. Is it possible to get the phone to pick up towers specific for Bell or do I need the carrier to do this?

zilla. said:
The carrier is Cincinnati Bell. Is it possible to get the phone to pick up towers specific for Bell or do I need the carrier to do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure Cincinnati Bell uses T-Mobile towers so all the limitations that T-Mobile had with At&t phones on its network applies here
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

Pirateghost said:
I'm pretty sure Cincinnati Bell uses T-Mobile towers so all the limitations that T-Mobile had with At&t phones on its network applies here
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^^This! Confirm what network your carrier is accessing. If it's T-Mobile you're out of luck
Sent from my Pink Unicorn stable

brandonarev said:
^^This! Confirm what network your carrier is accessing. If it's T-Mobile you're out of luck
Sent from my Pink Unicorn stable
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the phone is GSM unlocked, should it be able to access the respective tower of the carrier that is tied to the SIM card?
If not can the radios (?) specifically select towers?

zilla. said:
If the phone is GSM unlocked, should it be able to access the respective tower of the carrier?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not if the phone doesn't have the hardware to support those specific bands.
Sent from my Zanpakuto using Getsuga Tensho!

zilla. said:
If the phone is GSM unlocked, should it be able to access the respective tower of the carrier?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Your phone is GSM unlocked; therefore it can access the Cincinnati Bell towers. However, since those are actually T-Mobile towers, you can only use T-Mobile bands. Since T-Mobile and AT&T used different bands for 3G, and the phone's radio is designed to use AT&T's bands, you can only access the 2G bands.
EDIT: Ninja'd

mattdm said:
Yes. Your phone is GSM unlocked; therefore it can access the Cincinnati Bell towers. However, since those are actually T-Mobile towers, you can only use T-Mobile bands. Since T-Mobile and AT&T used different bands for 3G, and the phone's radio is designed to use AT&T's bands, you can only access the 2G bands.
EDIT: Ninja'd
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the insight. I will call to confirm.

some of the newer tablets have both bands built in....so then you could use both gsm bands on tmo and att.....like the new note 8....it will have more gsm and lte bands than those in the past

mokokawi said:
some of the newer tablets have both bands built in....so then you could use both gsm bands on tmo and att.....like the new note 8....it will have more gsm and lte bands than those in the past
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for this insightful post that has ZERO to do with the i777.....

mattdm said:
Yes. Your phone is GSM unlocked; therefore it can access the Cincinnati Bell towers. However, since those are actually T-Mobile towers, you can only use T-Mobile bands. Since T-Mobile and AT&T used different bands for 3G, and the phone's radio is designed to use AT&T's bands, you can only access the 2G bands.
EDIT: Ninja'd
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for bringing this up again, I was looking at the specs of the SGH-I777 (ATT's SGS2) vs SGH-T989 (T-Mobile's SGS2). It looks like both of the phones use the same bands except T-Mobile is capable of one more: WCDMA 2100. Is this the band that T-Mobile transmits it's 3G over? Otherwise they look almost identical.
Attached screenshot of comparison: http://imgur.com/8OQXftD

T-Mobile utilizes AWS (1700 MHz) band. Look better and you'll see that what you marked isn't a difference, 1700 is.
Google "List of UMTS networks".

Jack_R1 said:
T-Mobile utilizes AWS (1700 MHz) band. Look better and you'll see that what you marked isn't a difference, 1700 is.
Google "List of UMTS networks".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh of course. I glanced over that way too fast. Thanks.

Related

[Q] 3g/4g on t-mobile US

I recently purchased an unlock galaxy s2 i9100. It is supposed to be GSM unlock with HSPA+ 21Mbps/HSUPA 5.76Mbps, EDGE/GPRS Class 12, Quad band GSM 850/900/1800/1900, Quad band UMTS 850/900/1900/2100 hardware capabilities. since I have gotten the phone i have not been able to connect to anything but edge. Tmobile assured me i had the correct APN setting. I would like to know if anyone know what I could to to enable the HSPA+ T mobile US uses UMTS 2100 to connect. I rooted and flashed the lite'ning rom.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1095274
I am a bit of a newby and would appreciate any advice.
Nope you won't get hspa speeds on Tmobile with the current international version. You have to wait for the Tmobile variant. International version gets
3g speeds only on att.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Kantankerousmind said:
T mobile US uses UMTS 2100 to connect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is correct. However, it's only used for one way traffic (either uploading or downloading, i'm not sure which). UMTS 1700 is used for the other direction of traffic on T-Mobile. This means no 3G/4G without both frequencies.
Your 2 options:
1. Get a T-Mobile phone.
2. Switch to AT&T.
Electroz said:
This is correct. However, it's only used for one way traffic (either uploading or downloading, i'm not sure which). UMTS 1700 is used for the other direction of traffic on T-Mobile. This means no 3G/4G without both frequencies.
Your 2 options:
1. Get a T-Mobile phone.
2. Switch to AT&T.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
kirdroid said:
Nope you won't get hspa speeds on Tmobile with the current international version. You have to wait for the Tmobile variant. International version gets
3g speeds only on att.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the quick and concise responses. I have a clarification: does this mean that I when Tmobile comes out with the variant my phone will be able to upgrade to Hspa via a rom or radio update or that if i want to keep this model i will have to wait to swap it out for the tmobile version
Kantankerousmind said:
thanks for the quick and concise responses. I have a clarification: does this mean that I when Tmobile comes out with the variant my phone will be able to upgrade to Hspa via a rom or radio update or that if i want to keep this model i will have to wait to swap it out for the tmobile version
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The I9100 will NEVER work on T-Mobile. The SGS2 that they are releasing has different HARDWARE. There will never be a way to make the phone you have now work on T-Mobile 3G.
As others have said you'll need a different phone in order to get it to work on T-Mobile USA's 3G/4G frequencies.
You'd need a penta-band phone in order for it to work on all of them. I think Intel is curently working on that or already did but that's all there is. You'd need both 1700/2100mhz in order to use it with 3G.
I don't get how people don't research before they buy!!
Sent from yo momma

Alternate SGSII modem that'll allow band\manual network selection?

Just like on the Samsung Infuse 4G, ATT's radio on the SGSII restricts the band selection\alternate carrier selection when using different SIMs .... are there any radios yet that can be flashed to disable this limitation yet? Flying to Asia tomorrow so would be nice to have the ability.
As far as I knew it has nothing to do with the Carrier software (at least it doesn't with non-android phones I have. They have a manual selection menu hidden, it's just the SIM locks it down.
naturefreak85 said:
As far as I knew it has nothing to do with the Carrier software (at least it doesn't with non-android phones I have. They have a manual selection menu hidden, it's just the SIM locks it down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if a sim locks it down that's a carrier restriction
If all you want is Sim unlock, get your Sim unlock code. ROM or modem won't make that happen.
There are a few ways to unlock your phone. Do a search.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
foxbat121 said:
If all you want is Sim unlock, get your Sim unlock code. ROM or modem won't make that happen.
There are a few ways to unlock your phone. Do a search.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to be rude but there's more to it than that... I travel internationally weekly and you're correct when it comes to using country specific Sims in thosecountries bit not when it comes to using a "country x" sim in "country z" on an att phone. I went through this with infuse too and flashing Rogers radio solves the issue. Its an att imposed limitation.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
That is because if you are using AT&T Sim, there is a built in preferred carrier list from
AT&T to keep the cost down, to At&t, not necessary to you.
IIRC, if you Sim unlock and use a local Sim, you will have the option to manually select network.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
foxbat121 said:
That is because if you are using AT&T Sim, there is a built in preferred carrier list from
AT&T to keep the cost down, to At&t, not necessary to you.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right and that's why I said yo don't understand because I'm not referring to att Sims. Its a function of the radio and affects any sim hence why I had to flash the Rogers radio
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
foxbat121 said:
That is because if you are using AT&T Sim, there is a built in preferred carrier list from AT&T to keep the cost down, to At&t, not necessary to you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Known as a PRL (preferred roaming list) but this does not effect the ability to use a different SIM. The PRL is on the SIM not on the phone. Typically, you have the option on the device to ignore the PRL and do a manual network selection but only if the subsidy lock allows it.
bella92108 said:
Right and that's why I said yo don't understand because I'm not referring to att Sims. Its a function of the radio and affects any sim hence why I had to flash the Rogers radio
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be able to remove the subsidy lock without having to change the modem firmware. As for the band selection, a modem from the international version of SGSII is probably your best bet. But do a search to see what happens when applying different modems for overseas use.
bella92108 said:
Well if a sim locks it down that's a carrier restriction
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But that's not a carrier software and will not be resolved by flashing a different Modem software.
ianwood said:
Known as a PRL (preferred roaming list) but this does not effect the ability to use a different SIM. The PRL is on the SIM not on the phone. Typically, you have the option on the device to ignore the PRL and do a manual network selection but only if the subsidy lock allows it.
You should be able to remove the subsidy lock without having to change the modem firmware. As for the band selection, a modem from the international version of SGSII is probably your best bet. But do a search to see what happens when applying different modems for overseas use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, that's the issue is I need to be able to select a carrier. The phone is sim unlocked, but it's preferring a different carrier than I need to be using. Any way to free myself from being able to get the international version? Won't the International version not have the appropriate "4G" AT&T frequency\technology?
Thanks!
As a side note, I'm in Bangkok at the moment. I just grabbed a dtac one day sim (cause using local sims work, it's just when using foreign roaming sims i have the att issue selecting a carrier manually), and whatever category of HSPA+ they're using is rockin no a mofo... I'm getting 11mbps down and 2.44mbps upload. Now THAT seems more like "4G" than anything we have back home in the US, hehe.
naturefreak85 said:
But that's not a carrier software and will not be resolved by flashing a different Modem software.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not true, on the Infuse and this phone, it's ATT's radio that prevents manual selection of networks. If you take an infuse, and unlock, then try to manually select a network operator, the menu is grayed out. If you then flash the rogers radio, wa=lahh... the network selection is available.
Yea, this restriction has nothing to do with the SIM. It's the AT&T-customized radio that's in our phones. The AT&T Android also removes the 3g/2g toggle, but that has nothing to do with the radio, and is a simple Android tweak.
I think we're gonna have to wait and see if an I9100 modem will work with our GS2s and if it will support both 850 Mhz and 1900 Mhz WCDMA...
Shammyh said:
Yea, this restriction has nothing to do with the SIM. It's the AT&T-customized radio that's in our phones. The AT&T Android also removes the 3g/2g toggle, but that has nothing to do with the radio, and is a simple Android tweak.
I think we're gonna have to wait and see if an I9100 modem will work with our GS2s and if it will support both 850 Mhz and 1900 Mhz WCDMA...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. I'm finding that it's not a huge deal anyhow w\ Google Voice. More and more while travelling I want to use my phone for internet, and thats never cost effective for using a global roaming sim like Tru anyhow. Here DTAC, the biggest carrier just turned on "4G" (funny enough they call it 4G+ haha), and I'm getting 10mbps+ down and 2.5mbps+ upload. It's crazy-fast compared to my ATT at home. And for 30 Thai Baht per 24 hours it's unlimited data and unlimited local calls. Can't beat that. Here until Friday, so for $5 I have a week of amazingly fast internet.
Question for you. Does the International unlocked version have the ability to use the same HSPA+ frequencies and work fine on ATT? I like that idea if it does, seems a lot more people developing for it. But I'm not sure I can give up having 4 capacitive touch keys having had them for 2 phones now, hehe. A physical button just looks so old-fashioned, hehe.
Thanks!
bella92108 said:
Question for you. Does the International unlocked version have the ability to use the same HSPA+ frequencies and work fine on ATT? I like that idea if it does, seems a lot more people developing for it. But I'm not sure I can give up having 4 capacitive touch keys having had them for 2 phones now, hehe. A physical button just looks so old-fashioned, hehe.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
International version of GS2 has quad-band HSPA+ radio (supports all AT&T bands w/o problems) while AT&T GS2 has only tri-band HSPA+. If you travel a lot internationally and want local 3G/4G data speed, international vesion is a better choice.
foxbat121 said:
International version of GS2 has quad-band HSPA+ radio (supports all AT&T bands w/o problems) while AT&T GS2 has only tri-band HSPA+. If you travel a lot internationally and want local 3G/4G data speed, international vesion is a better choice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That seems like it'd solve my issues. Just wish it had the 4 capacitive buttons not the silly big button.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
foxbat121 said:
International version of GS2 has quad-band HSPA+ radio (supports all AT&T bands w/o problems) while AT&T GS2 has only tri-band HSPA+. If you travel a lot internationally and want local 3G/4G data speed, international vesion is a better choice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any idea what the best going price on these is? I'll look at the market here in BKK
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
foxbat121 said:
International version of GS2 has quad-band HSPA+ radio (supports all AT&T bands w/o problems) while AT&T GS2 has only tri-band HSPA+. If you travel a lot internationally and want local 3G/4G data speed, international vesion is a better choice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That may not be the case.
The Captivate had a published "tri-band UMTS radio w/ 850/1900/2100" support, but in reality the radio supported 850/900/1900/2100. Suspect it's the same case with the SGH-i777. Further, the potentially missing UMTS/WCDMA band (900 MHz) is used in very few places, and almost no where exclusively.
But back on topic:
When I have some more time and feel like mucking around, I might run through a bunch of different i9100 modems and see what happens.
Shammyh said:
That may not be the case.
The Captivate had a published "tri-band UMTS radio w/ 850/1900/2100" support, but in reality the radio supported 850/900/1900/2100. Suspect it's the same case with the SGH-i777. Further, the potentially missing UMTS/WCDMA band (900 MHz) is used in very few places, and almost no where exclusively.
But back on topic:
When I have some more time and feel like mucking around, I might run through a bunch of different i9100 modems and see what happens.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm. If the phones were physically identical I'd have done the i9100 in a heartbeat. For me the radio issue is annoying .
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
bella92108 said:
Any idea what the best going price on these is? I'll look at the market here in BKK
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In US, i9100 is around $550 to $600 but none of them come with any US warranty, only international warranty which ironically excludes US.
Shammyh said:
That may not be the case.
The Captivate had a published "tri-band UMTS radio w/ 850/1900/2100" support, but in reality the radio supported 850/900/1900/2100. Suspect it's the same case with the SGH-i777. Further, the potentially missing UMTS/WCDMA band (900 MHz) is used in very few places, and almost no where exclusively.
But back on topic:
When I have some more time and feel like mucking around, I might run through a bunch of different i9100 modems and see what happens.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This same thing is true with the i777. And turning on the 900MHz band is done with the same method. Not sure if it will stick though.

[Q] AT&T Galaxy S II i777 on T-Mobile

Once unlocked,will the i777 be able to access data at 3G and 4G speeds on T-Mobile USA's cellular network?
monoloco1 said:
Once unlocked,will the i777 be able to access data at 3G and 4G speeds on T-Mobile USA's cellular network?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
to put it plainly,
NO
the i777 does not support the required bands for accessing TMobile's 3g/4g network.
Had the merger gone through, possibly. But as of right now, no.
Tmobile is on 1700MHz and 2100MHZ while AT&T is on 850MHz and 1900MHz.
No, and this is the case for every AT&T device in existence to my knowledge.
In fact, the ONLY device I know of that is not sold by T-Mobile and supports their HSPA bands is the GSM Galaxy Nexus, which is one of the first (if not the first) phones to do pentaband HSPA.
Personnally I tested the Unlock Process with a T-Mobile SimCard...not sure if working properly due to a operation range described by the fellows
Entropy512 said:
No, and this is the case for every AT&T device in existence to my knowledge.
In fact, the ONLY device I know of that is not sold by T-Mobile and supports their HSPA bands is the GSM Galaxy Nexus, which is one of the first (if not the first) phones to do pentaband HSPA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
actually....
in even more bastardization provided by Samsung, the skyrocket can work on TMobile's 3/4G as long as you flash a TMo modem.bin to it.
jcomana said:
Personnally I tested the Unlock Process with a T-Mobile SimCard...not sure if working properly due to a operation range described by the fellows
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can still get 2G on T-Mo because T-Mo uses the standard 850/1900 for 2G. What OP asks is 3G/4G.
Entropy512 said:
No, and this is the case for every AT&T device in existence to my knowledge.
In fact, the ONLY device I know of that is not sold by T-Mobile and supports their HSPA bands is the GSM Galaxy Nexus, which is one of the first (if not the first) phones to do pentaband HSPA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actualy the T-Mobile version of the Samsung Galaxy SII Can work on AT&T`s 3G network. with BETTER Speeds than the AT&T version Data wise
hyelton said:
Actualy the T-Mobile version of the Samsung Galaxy SII Can work on AT&T`s 3G network. with BETTER Speeds than the AT&T version Data wise
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How is that an exception to what I'm saying. The T-Mobile version is not a device sold by AT&T, and is, by definition, a device sold by T-Mobile.
It's always been a bit easier to get T-Mo phones to work on AT&T - a number of them support the AT&T bands. But it's never been easy (and with the possible exception of the Skyrocket, never even possible) to go the other way without losing 3G.
Entropy512 said:
How is that an exception to what I'm saying. The T-Mobile version is not a device sold by AT&T, and is, by definition, a device sold by T-Mobile.
It's always been a bit easier to get T-Mo phones to work on AT&T - a number of them support the AT&T bands. But it's never been easy (and with the possible exception of the Skyrocket, never even possible) to go the other way without losing 3G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
exactly. The skyrocket is the ONLY at&t phone i have seen that has this capability, and i have been hacking away on phones for a while, and i have both carriers
Pirateghost said:
to put it plainly,
NO
the i777 does not support the required bands for accessing TMobile's 3g/4g network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be the obvious answer based on the published specs, but I found an unselected listing in the hidden modem/ band settings for WCDMA 1700 MHz (Band IV) on my i777. I don't know if it works, but it's listed. From the phone keypad on the stock version, type in *#2263# and then look under Combinations. The phone lists 7 different GSM/PCS/WCDMA frequencies and only the obvious 5 are selected.
Anyone with an unlocked i777 on Tmo want to try it out?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
Even though there is a setting for wcdma on 1700, it doesn't seem to make a difference. Still stuck on edge.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
desertflyer said:
Even though there is a setting for wcdma on 1700, it doesn't seem to make a difference. Still stuck on edge.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WCDMA is 2G/Edge technology. HSPA is 3G/4G technology.
maybe it will possible if we can flash a T-Mobile midem on out phone with out breaking it
jaysix79 said:
maybe it will possible if we can flash a T-Mobile midem on out phone with out breaking it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlikely. Unless the phone has the hardware support for it.
I found out after extensive research on the Nexus One, that even though the radio chip inside it supports both frequency sets (pentaband, I suppose); the power amplifiers were only connected to certain frequency outputs, depending on the carrier it was advertised for. Which means even if I flashed a T-Mobile radio, the signal wouldn't be strong enough to get outside the case of the phone, let alone to a cell tower.
Your best bet is with European phones, as I believe they use the same frequencies as T-Mobile (since they're owned by a euro company).
Someone should confirm, but I would guess that the I9100 will work on T-Mobile with 3G.
Phoenix84118 said:
Unlikely. Unless the phone has the hardware support for it.
I found out after extensive research on the Nexus One, that even though the radio chip inside it supports both frequency sets (pentaband, I suppose); the power amplifiers were only connected to certain frequency outputs, depending on the carrier it was advertised for. Which means even if I flashed a T-Mobile radio, the signal wouldn't be strong enough to get outside the case of the phone, let alone to a cell tower.
Your best bet is with European phones, as I believe they use the same frequencies as T-Mobile (since they're owned by a euro company).
Someone should confirm, but I would guess that the I9100 will work on T-Mobile with 3G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.
Tmo's AWS band its an odd ball. Only certain Canadian Carriers use the same band.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
Red5 said:
WCDMA is 2G/Edge technology. HSPA is 3G/4G technology.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, WCMDA = UMTS = pure vanilla 3G.
2G = GSM/GPRS
"2.5G" = EDGE
3G = vanilla UMTS (WCDMA)
3.5G = HSDPA
3.75G = HSPA+
3.9G (it's not really 4G) = LTE
true 4G = LTE Advanced
Most phones, even if they support advanced modulation schemes (HSPA, HSPA+) will list the band support as "UMTSxxxx or WCDMAxxxx"
I heard (it's actually confirmed, can't find the article), T-Mo has the same 3G bands as AT&T in some remote part of the USA, I think somewhere in Washington state, not sure though? The OP might want to move there
veliksam said:
I heard (it's actually confirmed, can't find the article), T-Mo has the same 3G bands as AT&T in some remote part of the USA, I think somewhere in Washington state, not sure though? The OP might want to move there
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That might explain why the Vibrant apparently supported one (but not both) of AT&T's bands.
As I understand it, unlike the N1, the international HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus is full-blown pentaband.
Tmo has roaming agreement with at&t. So it is possible in places there is no tmo tower, your tmo phone could roam to at&t tower without showing the roaming sign.
veliksam said:
I heard (it's actually confirmed, can't find the article), T-Mo has the same 3G bands as AT&T in some remote part of the USA, I think somewhere in Washington state, not sure though? The OP might want to move there
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App

Verizon Samsung Galaxy S4 to have AWS 4 Band (Tmobile LTE Capable?)

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....

Unlocked or get the Tmobile version?

I have the unlocked version sitting on my desk right now.
The only difference seems to be that the radios are not the same?
But I've been reading that the radio might be flashable so it can accept Tmobile frequencies.
One question though, can ROMs from the unlocked version be used on the Tmobile version? Thanks
teatime0315 said:
I have the unlocked version sitting on my desk right now.
The only difference seems to be that the radios are not the same?
But I've been reading that the radio might be flashable so it can accept Tmobile frequencies.
One question though, can ROMs from the unlocked version be used on the Tmobile version? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I have read, the T-Mobile H1 can flash any ROM.
The radio flashing is an open question. So far attempts to get the AWS working on the dev / unlocked models have not worked. HTC says they have different radio hardware, but at this point it is anyone's guess if we will ever get AWS working on dev.
If you use the unlocked / dev on TMO, you will get 21 Mb on the 1900 refarmed band, and eventually LTE if you live in an area that has it. Right now there are maybe three areas with LTE.
If you got the 32 Gb unlocked, in my opinion it has no advantage over the T-Mobile model. The Dev edition has 64 gb of storage.
stevedebi said:
From what I have read, the T-Mobile H1 can flash any ROM.
The radio flashing is an open question. So far attempts to get the AWS working on the dev / unlocked models have not worked. HTC says they have different radio hardware, but at this point it is anyone's guess if we will ever get AWS working on dev.
If you use the unlocked / dev on TMO, you will get 21 Mb on the 1900 refarmed band, and eventually LTE if you live in an area that has it. Right now there are maybe three areas with LTE.
If you got the 32 Gb unlocked, in my opinion it has no advantage over the T-Mobile model. The Dev edition has 64 gb of storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The tmobile version flashed to the unlocked ROM should retain AWS on HSPA+, correct? That's the route I will probably be taking. The additional LTE bands are inconsequential for me - mainly south america and Philippines.
zaos said:
The tmobile version flashed to the unlocked ROM should retain AWS on HSPA+, correct? That's the route I will probably be taking. The additional LTE bands are inconsequential for me - mainly south america and Philippines.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think anyone has tried that yet. I suspect AWS wouldn't work without some modification because the ROM would not support AWS. But I don't think it would hurt anything either.
zaos said:
The tmobile version flashed to the unlocked ROM should retain AWS on HSPA+, correct? That's the route I will probably be taking. The additional LTE bands are inconsequential for me - mainly south america and Philippines.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, flashing ROMs doesn't affect frequency compatibility. All GSM One variants have the same hardware and ROMs/kernels are cross-compatible (international HSPA-only, and EMEA/AT&T/T-moblie LTE). ROMs don't include radio software, and so far at least, radio software hasn't affected available frequency bands.
teiglin said:
Yes, flashing ROMs doesn't affect frequency compatibility. All GSM One variants have the same hardware and ROMs/kernels are cross-compatible (international HSPA-only, and EMEA/AT&T/T-moblie LTE). ROMs don't include radio software, and so far at least, radio software hasn't affected available frequency bands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If flashing ROMs (not radios) to/from intl, US, EMEA models don't affect supported bands, I don't see why it would affect tmobile -> unlocked. Advantages would be no tmobile bloat, no hacks to please the tmobile overloads, etc.
zaos said:
If flashing ROMs (not radios) to/from intl, US, EMEA models don't affect supported bands, I don't see why it would affect tmobile -> unlocked. Advantages would be no tmobile bloat, no hacks to please the tmobile overloads, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It sounds like you're disagreeing with me or something, but yes, flashing an international ROM on tmo One is great because it gets rid of bloat, can edit APNs to enable tethering, and always based on latest firmware rather than waiting for tmo to push an update. Only downside I know of is no wifi calling. I'm running TrickDroid on mine and it works great.
teiglin said:
It sounds like you're disagreeing with me or something, but yes, flashing an international ROM on tmo One is great because it gets rid of bloat, can edit APNs to enable tethering, and always based on latest firmware rather than waiting for tmo to push an update. Only downside I know of is no wifi calling. I'm running TrickDroid on mine and it works great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, that was more directed at stevedebi's comment. Wifi calling can be replaced with SIP calling so that should be fine.
Warranty problems?
One potential issue with getting the T-Mobile version could have to do with the warranty. U.S. carriers seem squeamish about people modding their phones and threaten to void the warranty for unlocking bootloaders, rooting, etc. That said, I don't have specific info at hand that HTC unlocked phones are much more lenient but seems worth looking into.
zaos said:
Sorry, that was more directed at stevedebi's comment. Wifi calling can be replaced with SIP calling so that should be fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, most of the new T-Mobile plans come with unlimited hotspot and WiFi calling. I'm not planning to unlock mine. My One is performing fine on the stock ROM, and TMO will update the software (eventually).
As noted above, I'm not sure that T-Mobile looks kindly on having TAMPERED show up on a phone. They might well deny a warranty claim.
For me get the T-Mobile HTC one I had the 64gb edition got tired of the stupid refarm 1900mhz frequency my icon was switching from H to 3G. Now with my original T-Mobile HTC one I get steady 4g icon and good speeds
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
stevedebi said:
Well, most of the new T-Mobile plans come with unlimited hotspot and WiFi calling. I'm not planning to unlock mine. My One is performing fine on the stock ROM, and TMO will update the software (eventually).
As noted above, I'm not sure that T-Mobile looks kindly on having TAMPERED show up on a phone. They might well deny a warranty claim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here mine is stock Rom with no root or unlocked bootloader only have about 5 T-Mobile apps that don't worry me.
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
ahernandez4110 said:
For me get the T-Mobile HTC one I had the 64gb edition got tired of the stupid refarm 1900mhz frequency my icon was switching from H to 3G. Now with my original T-Mobile HTC one I get steady 4g icon and good speeds
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Switching from H to 3G is just what the radio does; it's how the interface is supposed to work. The T-Mobile version works exactly the same way--and you can see this if you flash an international ROM on your tmo One--but tmo assumes Americans are idiots who a. don't know what HSPA+ is, and b. get confused if the radio idles at "3G" when they expect to have "4G" coverage. So stock tmo ROM just shows 4G all the time, but it is just themed connection icons really. Seems like they're right to do this, which is a bit sad.
Of course, that doesn't mean that you would be getting the same speeds with the dev edition, since even in refarmed areas, you could well get better UMTS coverage over AWS than PCS.
teiglin said:
Switching from H to 3G is just what the radio does; it's how the interface is supposed to work. The T-Mobile version works exactly the same way--and you can see this if you flash an international ROM on your tmo One--but tmo assumes Americans are idiots who a. don't know what HSPA+ is, and b. get confused if the radio idles at "3G" when they expect to have "4G" coverage. So stock tmo ROM just shows 4G all the time, but it is just themed connection icons really. Seems like they're right to do this, which is a bit sad.
Of course, that doesn't mean that you would be getting the same speeds with the dev edition, since even in refarmed areas, you could well get better UMTS coverage over AWS than PCS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to mention that in many cases you get EDGE on 1900 even in refarmed markets.
yeah I was thinking of getting the DE because its 64gb but then I realize that with wifi everywhere, I can just upload pictures or videos to you box account, then delete them to make room, and keep installing apps I want and delete those you dont.
After dealing with 16gb in a Gnexus, you learn how to manage to space
teiglin said:
Switching from H to 3G is just what the radio does; it's how the interface is supposed to work. The T-Mobile version works exactly the same way--and you can see this if you flash an international ROM on your tmo One--but tmo assumes Americans are idiots who a. don't know what HSPA+ is, and b. get confused if the radio idles at "3G" when they expect to have "4G" coverage. So stock tmo ROM just shows 4G all the time, but it is just themed connection icons really. Seems like they're right to do this, which is a bit sad.
Of course, that doesn't mean that you would be getting the same speeds with the dev edition, since even in refarmed areas, you could well get better UMTS coverage over AWS than PCS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are right if you go to phone settings-about- network you could see UMTS and HSPS+ it swicthes between UMTS 3g and 4g HSPS+ and my 4g icon stays the same, this also happen to my old HTC one 64gb developer edition but it never showed the 4g icon like T-Mobile HTC one all it showed was 3g and H icons this happens in a 1900mhz refarm area. Look at T-Mobile HTC One as example thank god it has 1700mhz built-in that's why I got ridoff my developer Edition
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
zaos said:
The tmobile version flashed to the unlocked ROM should retain AWS on HSPA+, correct? That's the route I will probably be taking. The additional LTE bands are inconsequential for me - mainly south america and Philippines.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes flashing the TMO version on an unlocked rom will allow you to retain the AWS bands tmobile uses for 3g/HSDPA/HSPAP(HSDPA+)
i bought the TMO HTC one and am now using ordroid 4.2.0 on se7en kernel and i have AWS signal. and not just refarmed signal also umts signal as well.

Categories

Resources