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my thunderbolt similar just went bad when switching between my thunderbolt and incredible. I did not hit *228 on my thunderbolt which makes your similar bad. the tech support Guy said once you activate another phone, the similar goes bad. is this true? if not l, what's the easiest method to do this?
What's a similar
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
1234567188 said:
What's a similar
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
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My guess is he means Sim [card] and it's autocorrecting to similar
To OP: You're stuck, at least as it comes to your 'bolt, for the time being. You CAN activate another phone on your plan (like your inc) but the only phone on VZW that uses a sim right now is the 'bolt, so you will have to take it in and get a new SIM card, or have VZW send you one.
I don't have personal experience, as I haven't switched back from the 'bolt to a non-LTE phone yet.
So with the new SIM card, it is my understanding there is no need for activation anymore, correct? I had to have my first 'bolt replaced due to mic issue, and when I popped the SIM in the new phone, it just worked. I have never activated it. Any info if this is the case with all phones that will have a SIM. If it is I am so totally getting an Xperia play, if it has a SIM slot.
madfatter said:
So with the new SIM card, it is my understanding there is no need for activation anymore, correct? I had to have my first 'bolt replaced due to mic issue, and when I popped the SIM in the new phone, it just worked. I have never activated it. Any info if this is the case with all phones that will have a SIM. If it is I am so totally getting an Xperia play, if it has a SIM slot.
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Click to collapse
Right - the SIMs, as they stand, are interchangeable between 'bolts. No more activation or other things, but it won't work with just any phone - it has to be a Verizon network phone because the tech for 4G is different (it's not like when people could swap sims between ATT and TMo phones) - so, right now, since the Thunderbolt is the only 4G phone on Verizon, swapping SIMs will only work with other Thunderbolts
VZW explained it to me this way .... when going from a 4G LTE device to another 4G LTE device there is no activating anymore, you simply drop in your sim card. But, if you activate a non 4G LTE phone on your account that will deactivate your sim card and will require you to return to the store for a new sim card. This was in response to me asking them if I could switch between my Droid and Bolt.
For once VZW was very helpful in store. I normally don't go to the brick and mortars but being new to 4G I had questions I needed answerd.
The SIM doesn't get "destroyed" and can be re-used.. but... you have to call Customer Service for them to enter the SIM number...
here is what I did...
When I first got my TB, VZW was having network issues, and it took well over an hour for my "activate device" request to "clear the switch" and the TB to become active.
Having intermittent data issues over the next week, I decided to swap back to my INC, wait, and later return to the TB... I thought maybe due to the network issues, the TB didn't get all its programming info "over the air" or something.
When trying to return to the TB via the Activate Device link on the My Account web site, after entering the MEID/IMEI... I got prompted about needing a SIM... so I enter the SIM number and got...
"The SIM associated with the SIM ID you entered cannot be activated at this time. Please contact Customer Service at 800-922-0204 for assistance."
CS rep couldn't help... she had me on hold while she got Tech Support...
They had to manually add the SIM number back on the account.
Moral of the story... if you activate an LTE device and remove it from your account to use a 3G device.. you'll have to call back in and manually switch devices if you want to go back to using the 4G device.
spyderman09 said:
Right - the SIMs, as they stand, are interchangeable between 'bolts. No more activation or other things, but it won't work with just any phone - it has to be a Verizon network phone because the tech for 4G is different (it's not like when people could swap sims between ATT and TMo phones) - so, right now, since the Thunderbolt is the only 4G phone on Verizon, swapping SIMs will only work with other Thunderbolts
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Click to collapse
The real reason you can't put your SIM in an ATT or Tmo phone would be the tech. ATT and Tmo use the GSM/UMTS/HSPA (3GPP) family for "2G"/"3G"/"3.5G" where as Verizon uses CDMAone/CDMA2000/EVDO (3GPP2). SIM cards are only on Verizon now that they're using LTE which is the next step in the 3GPP family but not quite 4G. Any phone made for AT&T or Tmobile is a "GSM" phone using the 3GPP family radios which are incompatible with Verizon's 3GPP2 network (towers). On top of that, they all use different frequencies. That's why unlocked iPhones can only use "2G" on Tmobile.
KidJoe said:
The SIM doesn't get "destroyed" and can be re-used.. but... you have to call Customer Service for them to enter the SIM number...
here is what I did...
When I first got my TB, VZW was having network issues, and it took well over an hour for my "activate device" request to "clear the switch" and the TB to become active.
Having intermittent data issues over the next week, I decided to swap back to my INC, wait, and later return to the TB... I thought maybe due to the network issues, the TB didn't get all its programming info "over the air" or something.
When trying to return to the TB via the Activate Device link on the My Account web site, after entering the MEID/IMEI... I got prompted about needing a SIM... so I enter the SIM number and got...
"The SIM associated with the SIM ID you entered cannot be activated at this time. Please contact Customer Service at 800-922-0204 for assistance."
CS rep couldn't help... she had me on hold while she got Tech Support...
They had to manually add the SIM number back on the account.
Moral of the story... if you activate an LTE device and remove it from your account to use a 3G device.. you'll have to call back in and manually switch devices if you want to go back to using the 4G device.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for your help, looks like i gotta call them in the morning .
Originally Posted by KidJoe
The SIM doesn't get "destroyed" and can be re-used.. but... you have to call Customer Service for them to enter the SIM number...
here is what I did...
[snip]
CS rep couldn't help... she had me on hold while she got Tech Support...
They had to manually add the SIM number back on the account.
Moral of the story... if you activate an LTE device and remove it from your account to use a 3G device.. you'll have to call back in and manually switch devices if you want to go back to using the 4G device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jamezelle said:
Thanks for your help, looks like i gotta call them in the morning .
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Were they able to re-add your sim to the account? I had a Thunderbolt which I traded for another phone, and switched to a couple of 3G phones in the interim. The Verizon store person told me my sim would be good for 90 days if I got another Thunderbolt. So I did, popped in the sim, and called support to switch over from my Fascinate to the new Thunderbolt. They got tech support on the line, and I was told that switching to a 3G device from a 4G device causes the 4G sim to be "retired" and that I needed to have them send me one, or go pick up one at the store. So the story was different from what happened to KidJoe and I wonder what your experience was.
A couple possible reasons why my situation was different: It was not the same Thunderbolt the sim was originally in. Also it's possible in playing around with the new Thunderbolt, I may have done a *228 just to see what would happen. Someone else suggested that would tank the sim.
I plan to go the store tomorrow and see if they can resuscitate my old sim, or if they give me a new one.
I had activated my thunderbolt when I got it with no problems. I decided to switch back to my incredible for a day and the sim was deactivated. Vzw gave me the run around between going to the store and calling customer service for a few days then they finally said they would have to send me a new sim because as soon as I switched to the inc my sim was "retired".
droidmark said:
Were they able to re-add your sim to the account?
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Click to collapse
Yes. They were.
I did my switches only a few hours apart... (i.e. switched to INC, waited an hour, switched back to TB). And used the same phone and SIM. Not sure if that had anything to do with it.
There obviously is an inconsistency in VZW's system somewhere... the message you get when using "Activate Phone" on the my account web page to switch away from the TB says the SIM will be deactivated after 90days. But its being deactivated IMMEDIATELY. Either that message needs to be changed, or VZW's system isn't set up correctly.
droidmark said:
Were they able to re-add your sim to the account? I had a Thunderbolt which I traded for another phone, and switched to a couple of 3G phones in the interim. The Verizon store person told me my sim would be good for 90 days if I got another Thunderbolt. So I did, popped in the sim, and called support to switch over from my Fascinate to the new Thunderbolt. They got tech support on the line, and I was told that switching to a 3G device from a 4G device causes the 4G sim to be "retired" and that I needed to have them send me one, or go pick up one at the store. So the story was different from what happened to KidJoe and I wonder what your experience was.
A couple possible reasons why my situation was different: It was not the same Thunderbolt the sim was originally in. Also it's possible in playing around with the new Thunderbolt, I may have done a *228 just to see what would happen. Someone else suggested that would tank the sim.
I plan to go the store tomorrow and see if they can resuscitate my old sim, or if they give me a new one.
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Click to collapse
Yea that's what they told me, I ended up having to get a new sim from the store
I am traveling soon and thought I would set up an APN for the FONIC sim card I have. (German GSM SIM) I wen to settings->more settings->mobile networks-> access point names. THen I pressed menu button and expected to see a "new apn" menu item ... but there is only a "reset to default". I talked to the verizon people and they indicated I have to be out of the country to set it up. Does not sound right. I have a feeling they disabled it. Anyone know how to put in an APN on this phone ?
On the positive side the sim slot is unlocked.
It might be the same situation as with the droid4. With the Droid4 Verizon disabled the phone to work with US GSM so it cannot be used on T-Mobile or AT&T in the US, but it works fine abroad.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
I'm not sure. It's possible. But the "new apn" menu item is missing. I'm afraid the verzion people cut it out.
According to Verizon, Samsung has designed it that way...
I have just spoken with Verizon global tech support. The rep said that Verizon orders 4G devices factory unlocked. They no longer prevent the vendor (Samsung, HTC, etc...) from allowing the phone to work on another carrier in the US. However, it is apparently Samsung's policy now that their CDMA capable devices (Verizon, Spring, etc...) are always shipped locked to the carrier of origin and that there is no official means of breaking this lock.
This is interesting because it seems to apply only to mobile data. The Note 2 will function as a dumb phone just fine on a non-verizon network. However, there is no supported means of selecting a new APN on it, other than perhaps rooting it and changing that part of the ROM. So, assuming the verizon rep was correctly informed, shame on Samsung.
yeyoman said:
I am traveling soon and thought I would set up an APN for the FONIC sim card I have. (German GSM SIM) I wen to settings->more settings->mobile networks-> access point names. THen I pressed menu button and expected to see a "new apn" menu item ... but there is only a "reset to default". I talked to the verizon people and they indicated I have to be out of the country to set it up. Does not sound right. I have a feeling they disabled it. Anyone know how to put in an APN on this phone ?
On the positive side the sim slot is unlocked.
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Click to collapse
ARRRGGGG! This sure seems to be the case.
Same problem. Wanted to use Straight Talk SIM BUT cannot change APN. I have a HTC DNA with no issues changing APN. Looking for a non root work around else Note 2 will go back to Verizon
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
I have to be missing something. This is the premier verizon global phone. How can they not let you set an APN?!!??? It's not global at that point.
When I talked to verizon they indicated you could select it when in europe. Could it be possible that apn selection shows up when you are over there and you put in FONIC (german) sim?
How would the phone know when you're in Europe to let you change/add an APN? Would you be able to just turn on airplane mode so the phone doesn't know where you are at and then try?
Well I've talked to Verzon and Samsung numerous times. I have found that each blames each other for no ability to set APN. They leave the sim slot unlocked but this is how they make sure you don't use the phone on any one else network. I asked her how it can be international if I can't set up a APN. She indicated in the small print it says not all featues will work, that is ....no data when roaming. But you can use it as a dumb phone. She said you have to use wifi. So rooting and addinf an apn will fix it.
Hello all, so I recently consulted your fine website about purchasing the Optimus G to use on T Mobile here in Pittsburgh. It seemed to me that people were able to get HSPA+21 and LTE on the phone in the right circumstances, and that was good enough for me. So I bought the phone, unlocked it through cellunlocker.com and everything seemed to be going smoothly. I punched in the standard fast.tmobile.com APN address and I got 4G HSPA+ right away. I then proceeded to drive into downtown Pittsburgh, which now has T Mobile LTE, to see if it would connect. It didn't connect and stayed on HSPA. At that point I drove out of the city and went back down to EDGE and my phone no longer connected to HSPA anymore, only EDGE, until I went into my Mobile Network settings and selected the carrier directly. So I went into T Mobile to ask why my phone won't automatically connect to the most OPTIMUM speed and he couldn't figure it out. As a last ditch effort, we switched SIM cards and my phone automically jumped to LTE and his was stuck on HSPA. So hey, we figured it must be the SIM card keeping me from LTE. He gave me a new card, and it was on LTE until I left the store's broadcast radius. From then on, same story. The phone seems to pretty frequently get stuck on EDGE speeds and I contantly have to go and manually set the network to get HSPA+. What's more, I can't seem to get LTE under any circumstances. Can somebody out there please tell me what's going on? Do I have a defective phone with confused radios? Is T Mobile having a hard time syncing with my AT and T device? Do I need to do something with my APN or Mobile Network settings? Does this have anything to do with the way I unlocked the phone? Is it because the LGOG shares radios for LTE and HSPA or something that it won't default to LTE when it's around? I love absolutely everything about this phone and would like to keep it, but if it keeps behaving like this and won't even give me LTE or consistent HSPA+ then I might as well just get a crappy LG Optimus L9 that at least was designed for the network. Any insight you guys can offer would be much appreciated. Thanks so much!
Here are my current APN settings in case that has anything to do with it:
APN: fast.t-mobile.com
Proxy: Not Set
Port: Not set
Username: Not Set
PAssword: Not set
MMS Proxy: Not set
MMS Port: Not Set
MCC: 310
MNC: 260
Authntification: Not set
APN Type: Not Set
Network Operator: Automatically select
Try flashing the 33-84 radio: http://www.mediafire.com/download/wec8eeext05x8ge/LTEhybrid33-84.zip
That's what I use to flash my LGOG. That's from the Nexus 4 radio thread, and from T-Mobile N4 devices. I was able to add a different APN for AT&T easily, maybe can do the same for your T-Mobile.
- Combines the latest .84 radio from T-Mobile N4 and .33 LTE support.
- The N4 Radio thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2087227
I see. Well seeing as I'm kind of a noob at this your post intimidates me a bit. How dangerous is it to put these N4 radios onto an LGOG? Will I risk bricking this thing or losing signal forever if I screw it up? Also, I'm assuming that the device must be rooted to do this? Also, if you think it's safe to try is there a thread or something that you can link detailed instructions for? I've never done anything like this in my life...I felt like a rebel just unlocking my phone! Thanks!
acshaffe said:
I see. Well seeing as I'm kind of a noob at this your post intimidates me a bit. How dangerous is it to put these N4 radios onto an LGOG? Will I risk bricking this thing or losing signal forever if I screw it up? Also, I'm assuming that the device must be rooted to do this? Also, if you think it's safe to try is there a thread or something that you can link detailed instructions for? I've never done anything like this in my life...I felt like a rebel just unlocking my phone! Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not dangerous if you use TWRP. Just make a backup of your current stuff, and if it doesn't work can just restore. It won't hard brick your phone. And I've had it flash on more than one rom so far.
Root needed?
zymphad said:
Not dangerous if you use TWRP. Just make a backup of your current stuff, and if it doesn't work can just restore. It won't hard brick your phone. And I've had it flash on more than one rom so far.
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Click to collapse
I see. Will the phone need to be rooted for that app to be used for the radio ROM? That's probably a silly question to ask on this website especially...but there it is.
I just got this phone and I'm loving it..came from the gs3. I was looking for a thread like this...hoping for a way to unlock the aws band..will root and flash tarp and try this tonight.
Sent from my LG-E970 using Tapatalk 4
---------- Post added at 10:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:12 AM ----------
Twrp** darn auto correct..lol
Sent from my LG-E970 using Tapatalk 4
I don't get lte at all with the FAST apn, I get very fast h+ with epc.tmobile.com. It all depends on your area though, if your tmo towers are refarmed for the correct band that our att phones support.
Sent from my LG Optimus G using Tapatalk 4
Jakeroxs said:
I don't get lte at all with the FAST apn, I get very fast h+ with epc.tmobile.com. It all depends on your area though, if your tmo towers are refarmed for the correct band that our att phones support.
Sent from my LG Optimus G using Tapatalk 4
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So this modem works on our LG optimus g?
Sent from my LG-E970 using Tapatalk 4
would like to know if there's any update, thank you!
I have almost exact same problem. T-mobile lte not working for me, always getting the hspa+. I went to store and asked for a replacement sim card, then bang, lte shows up with the new sim card. Right after I walked out of the store and left in about 1 minute it's gone, forever. I'm not able to pick up any lte signal anymore. When I put this sim card in my ogp, it fires up lte right away.
I have read in another post people reporting they get lte with unactivated sim card but it went right away when they activated it. Really hope someone to explain for us how this situation is happening.
Thank you for all your great work.
---------- Post added at 02:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:15 PM ----------
I couldn't edit my last post so I'm putting a new reply to add some info.
Both my og and ogp have the same apn settings. I tested them using the same sim card.
I just put another unactivated sim card in the og and surprisingly it picks up lte immediately. I don't want to activate this sim card right now so I can't tell if it would go away if I activate it. I hope this info would help a little bit.
qwertyegg said:
would like to know if there's any update, thank you!
I have almost exact same problem. T-mobile lte not working for me, always getting the hspa+. I went to store and asked for a replacement sim card, then bang, lte shows up with the new sim card. Right after I walked out of the store and left in about 1 minute it's gone, forever. I'm not able to pick up any lte signal anymore. When I put this sim card in my ogp, it fires up lte right away.
I have read in another post people reporting they get lte with unactivated sim card but it went right away when they activated it. Really hope someone to explain for us how this situation is happening.
Thank you for all your great work.
---------- Post added at 02:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:15 PM ----------
I couldn't edit my last post so I'm putting a new reply to add some info.
Both my og and ogp have the same apn settings. I tested them using the same sim card.
I just put another unactivated sim card in the og and surprisingly it picks up lte immediately. I don't want to activate this sim card right now so I can't tell if it would go away if I activate it. I hope this info would help a little bit.
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Click to collapse
Help! I have the exact same problem. I have a brand new att lg optimus g and unlocked it. Popped in the sim and bam LTE! Ran a bunch of speedtests, drove to my friends house and it switched to 4g and hasn't come back. The guy at tmobile wasn't sure. ...any help ? I'm going to root this and try flashing a new rom...maybe radio?
Seems to be an issue with this device, perhaps it's doing something to the SIM cards (who the hell knows) because mine did/does the exact same thing, and here's my particular example:
When I first got this LGOG last Sunday (8 days ago) I put my T-Mobile microSIM in it (one of the TM9190 series SIM cards) and got LTE off the bat without any issues. I kept the stock ROM on here for the first day or so and never had any issues and then I got into doing the typical root/unlock bootloader/install recovery/backup stock ROM/flash custom ROM/etc routine and even after that I was still able to get LTE working almost immediately.
A few days ago I noticed that the LTE wasn't being picked up, and it hasn't since. I've flashed several radios for testing (.33, .48, .33-.84 hybrid, etc) and the ones that are LTE ready still didn't get LTE so I just flashed the whole thing back to complete JB stock (JZO54K, the last available LG build) and even that didn't help - I've yet to see LTE show up in any respect at all with that SIM card.
Now the interesting part:
I have another microSIM that had prepaid service a few months back, bought it at the same time as the one I use for my primary service - they were on sale from T-Mobile online for $.99 each so I got two and kept the other one around just to have it.
In spite of all the flashing I've done in the past few days, with like 5 ROMs tested, a kernel or two, and maybe 7 flashes back to pure stock using LGNPST and the LGE970AT-01-V20j-310-410-MAR-08-2013 ROM (the stock one), after all that flashing torture I put this LGOG through, as soon as I put that other SIM card in it - which is not active at this time - and powered up the phone I got an LTE signal right off the bat without a problem. Had already made the APN changes to fast.t-mobile.com so they just kicked right in and wham, 4G LTE right there on the status bar.
And yes, the SIM cards are the same "series" (?!?!) with TM9190 imprinted on both of them - they also have the same code on the front side (620048) and their serial numbers are just a few digits off in sequence - like I said, I bought both of them with the same order so, it stands to reason they'd be from the same batch.
Loaded a few web pages on the T-Mobile prepaid billing site (it's what comes up when you insert a prepaid already activated but not presently in use SIM, very limited but it does work), checked the system stats, everything showed me I was connected to T-Mobile with their LTE service, this phone, and that other SIM card including the status bar icon being the traditional 4G LTE one (big 4, little G, little LTE under it).
Then I rebooted the phone and that was that, the LTE capability just up and vanished like a fart in the wind, and I've done most everything that I could do - including reading a few hundred posts in two dozen threads - to get it functional again and it just doesn't work anymore.
I suppose it's not a big deal to me since T-Mobile's HSPA+ is fine with me, I regularly pull in 10-15Mbps on a speed test in various locations (was out earlier today testing stuff in the eastern parts of Vegas), but I am somewhat pissed that I am unable to get that LTE functionality working again.
Tried:
- a complete stock flash, several times, of the AT&T JB ROM, no dice
- all the currently available LTE-capable radios, no dice
- an AT&T SIM but it's not provisioned so it doesn't work at all (T-Mobile doesn't do that, hrmmm... their SIM cards work months later even after the number has been assigned to another customer, go figure)
- all the hidden menu options (3854#*970#, WCDMA automatic, tried forcing LTE only, several other things), no dice
- tried manually setting LTE only with *#*#4636#*#* using custom ROMs, no dice
- adding the LTE enabling lines to build.prop, no dice
Nothing works, so I'm only left to conclude that either a) T-Mobile is doing something funky (highly unlikely), b) something is borked with the phone (potentially true), or maybe c) the phone is doing something to the SIM cards after a reboot or any change in the network mode from LTE to anything else (leaning towards this possibility more).
I can't explain it, I can't figure it out, and I can't get LTE working anymore but as I said, the HSPA+ is enough for me as here at home the LTE signal is somewhat weak (1-2 bars at best whereas HSPA+ pulls in 5 bars and a -61dB signal almost constantly).
I wish I could figure it out because I'd like to do more testing with LTE enabled but apparently once LTE gets disabled for whatever reason after having it actually working, not once but twice now it just dies and never becomes possible again.
Stranger things I suppose...
If anyone does ever figure this fiasco out, post whatever solution you came up with or discovered so the rest of us can give it a shot as well 'cause I'd love to be able to enable LTE if I so chose. This is pretty frustrating in the long run - if it never ever worked at all that would be one thing, but having it work then suddenly just disappear never to work the same again, that's just pooched.
Slightly off-topic, but how's the battery life compared to AT&T? Or, in general, is it okay?
br0adband said:
Seems to be an issue with this device, perhaps it's doing something to the SIM cards (who the hell knows) because mine did/does the exact same thing, and here's my particular example:
When I first got this LGOG last Sunday (8 days ago) I put my T-Mobile microSIM in it (one of the TM9190 series SIM cards) and got LTE off the bat without any issues. I kept the stock ROM on here for the first day or so and never had any issues and then I got into doing the typical root/unlock bootloader/install recovery/backup stock ROM/flash custom ROM/etc routine and even after that I was still able to get LTE working almost immediately.
A few days ago I noticed that the LTE wasn't being picked up, and it hasn't since. I've flashed several radios for testing (.33, .48, .33-.84 hybrid, etc) and the ones that are LTE ready still didn't get LTE so I just flashed the whole thing back to complete JB stock (JZO54K, the last available LG build) and even that didn't help - I've yet to see LTE show up in any respect at all with that SIM card.
Now the interesting part:
I have another microSIM that had prepaid service a few months back, bought it at the same time as the one I use for my primary service - they were on sale from T-Mobile online for $.99 each so I got two and kept the other one around just to have it.
In spite of all the flashing I've done in the past few days, with like 5 ROMs tested, a kernel or two, and maybe 7 flashes back to pure stock using LGNPST and the LGE970AT-01-V20j-310-410-MAR-08-2013 ROM (the stock one), after all that flashing torture I put this LGOG through, as soon as I put that other SIM card in it - which is not active at this time - and powered up the phone I got an LTE signal right off the bat without a problem. Had already made the APN changes to fast.t-mobile.com so they just kicked right in and wham, 4G LTE right there on the status bar.
And yes, the SIM cards are the same "series" (?!?!) with TM9190 imprinted on both of them - they also have the same code on the front side (620048) and their serial numbers are just a few digits off in sequence - like I said, I bought both of them with the same order so, it stands to reason they'd be from the same batch.
Loaded a few web pages on the T-Mobile prepaid billing site (it's what comes up when you insert a prepaid already activated but not presently in use SIM, very limited but it does work), checked the system stats, everything showed me I was connected to T-Mobile with their LTE service, this phone, and that other SIM card including the status bar icon being the traditional 4G LTE one (big 4, little G, little LTE under it).
Then I rebooted the phone and that was that, the LTE capability just up and vanished like a fart in the wind, and I've done most everything that I could do - including reading a few hundred posts in two dozen threads - to get it functional again and it just doesn't work anymore.
I suppose it's not a big deal to me since T-Mobile's HSPA+ is fine with me, I regularly pull in 10-15Mbps on a speed test in various locations (was out earlier today testing stuff in the eastern parts of Vegas), but I am somewhat pissed that I am unable to get that LTE functionality working again.
Tried:
- a complete stock flash, several times, of the AT&T JB ROM, no dice
- all the currently available LTE-capable radios, no dice
- an AT&T SIM but it's not provisioned so it doesn't work at all (T-Mobile doesn't do that, hrmmm... their SIM cards work months later even after the number has been assigned to another customer, go figure)
- all the hidden menu options (3854#*970#, WCDMA automatic, tried forcing LTE only, several other things), no dice
- tried manually setting LTE only with *#*#4636#*#* using custom ROMs, no dice
- adding the LTE enabling lines to build.prop, no dice
Nothing works, so I'm only left to conclude that either a) T-Mobile is doing something funky (highly unlikely), b) something is borked with the phone (potentially true), or maybe c) the phone is doing something to the SIM cards after a reboot or any change in the network mode from LTE to anything else (leaning towards this possibility more).
I can't explain it, I can't figure it out, and I can't get LTE working anymore but as I said, the HSPA+ is enough for me as here at home the LTE signal is somewhat weak (1-2 bars at best whereas HSPA+ pulls in 5 bars and a -61dB signal almost constantly).
I wish I could figure it out because I'd like to do more testing with LTE enabled but apparently once LTE gets disabled for whatever reason after having it actually working, not once but twice now it just dies and never becomes possible again.
Stranger things I suppose...
If anyone does ever figure this fiasco out, post whatever solution you came up with or discovered so the rest of us can give it a shot as well 'cause I'd love to be able to enable LTE if I so chose. This is pretty frustrating in the long run - if it never ever worked at all that would be one thing, but having it work then suddenly just disappear never to work the same again, that's just pooched.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for posting your experiences. I've had the exact same problem, though I've never been able to get LTE working at all with my phone. I'm planning on taking a trip to a T-Mobile location within the next few days and see what they can do. Maybe they'll let me try putting my SIM in some of their display phones to see if I can get an LTE connection. Then at least I could probably rule out the SIM as the problem.
643121 said:
Thanks for posting your experiences. I've had the exact same problem, though I've never been able to get LTE working at all with my phone. I'm planning on taking a trip to a T-Mobile location within the next few days and see what they can do. Maybe they'll let me try putting my SIM in some of their display phones to see if I can get an LTE connection. Then at least I could probably rule out the SIM as the problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure that your phone has the fast.t-mobile.com APN info in place (just create a new APN with that info if needed, maybe call it T-Mobile LTE and see what happens. My guess is if they put a new unused SIM into your phone it'll most likely kick into 4G LTE right from the start (as long as the APN is in place) and then at some point it'll switch to HSPA+ and it'll never go back like it has for those of us that have noticed it.
Who knows... it's probably just one of those things.
br0adband said:
Make sure that your phone has the fast.t-mobile.com APN info in place (just create a new APN with that info if needed, maybe call it T-Mobile LTE and see what happens. My guess is if they put a new unused SIM into your phone it'll most likely kick into 4G LTE right from the start (as long as the APN is in place) and then at some point it'll switch to HSPA+ and it'll never go back like it has for those of us that have noticed it.
Who knows... it's probably just one of those things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could be...I've always had my settings on T-Mobile LTE, and I even called T-Mobile and confirmed every field in the settings with them. When I explained that I still couldn't get LTE, they had no other solution for me. The lady on the line didn't even know that LTE was faster than HSPA+, so I wasn't exactly expecting any sort of resolution. I think the reps in-store will be more suited to this type of issue.
Hey guys,
I am trying to send a S4 to friend of mine as a gift... but its Verizon, and there is no Verizon in Europe. I don't know what to do with it so it would be sim unlock and it will work with different networks because I don't know what operator she will be using. The S4 is already rooted and I am trying different rooms. I am out of ideas because even when I put AT&T card inside it seems like it cant connect to network...so it cant work with ours network how in heck will work with theirs. In the end off all of it like a mention my friends is she, but that kind of she that will break it without even knowing it.
If someone would help me out pick the best room for her that will maybe be pure s4 with out a lot of complicated stuff, that maybe would self-update for her and any network friendly?
Thanks
PS. all that crap that Verizon is saying that phone is unlock free its crap. when you out there phone cant either connect to network or have that notification that is not Verizon sim witch is ridicules
SaNNeK said:
Hey guys,
I am trying to send a S4 to friend of mine as a gift... but its Verizon, and there is no Verizon in Europe. I don't know what to do with it so it would be sim unlock and it will work with different networks because I don't know what operator she will be using. The S4 is already rooted and I am trying different rooms. I am out of ideas because even when I put AT&T card inside it seems like it cant connect to network...so it cant work with ours network how in heck will work with theirs. In the end off all of it like a mention my friends is she, but that kind of she that will break it without even knowing it.
If someone would help me out pick the best room for her that will maybe be pure s4 with out a lot of complicated stuff, that maybe would self-update for her and any network friendly?
Thanks
PS. all that crap that Verizon is saying that phone is unlock free its crap. when you out there phone cant either connect to network or have that notification that is not Verizon sim witch is ridicules
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Verizon S4 is unlocked for international roaming. I have a friend who took his Verizon S4 to Europe, bought a pre-paid sim in Europe, popped it in, changed the mode to global, and it worked fine. I use Hyperdrive and have read in that thread about others using the Verzion S4 with European and other international sims. They may have to change the APN, but it should work.
psu90 said:
The Verizon S4 is unlocked for international roaming. I have a friend who took his Verizon S4 to Europe, bought a pre-paid sim in Europe, popped it in, changed the mode to global, and it worked fine. I use Hyperdrive and have read in that thread about others using the Verzion S4 with European and other international sims. They may have to change the APN, but it should work
My friend already had S4 from Verizon and when she put her card inside nothing was working... not even text messages... and she had that notification bar still... so idk... cant tell cuz I dint had Verizon phone out there jet.. its my first contract with them and my last I think.. ATT phone are so much easier to deal with..
but for know I need to think of something... for her I know hyper driver but I was using other rom I think google edition with original android? not Samsung edition and it look nice and smooth and easy, something for her but I cant find any room like that with option for international... or I think the main problem is to have option to have APN option so manually I can add network.. for not even ATT cant connect to it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
short version
SaNNeK said:
Hey guys,
I am trying to send a S4 to friend of mine as a gift... but its Verizon, and there is no Verizon in Europe. I don't know what to do with it so it would be sim unlock and it will work with different networks because I don't know what operator she will be using. The S4 is already rooted and I am trying different rooms. I am out of ideas because even when I put AT&T card inside it seems like it cant connect to network...so it cant work with ours network how in heck will work with theirs. In the end off all of it like a mention my friends is she, but that kind of she that will break it without even knowing it.
If someone would help me out pick the best room for her that will maybe be pure s4 with out a lot of complicated stuff, that maybe would self-update for her and any network friendly?
Thanks
PS. all that crap that Verizon is saying that phone is unlock free its crap. when you out there phone cant either connect to network or have that notification that is not Verizon sim witch is ridicules
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
basically what I need to do to:
1. Make Verizon S4 working in Europe?
2. What rom will be the best for that (self updating, not complicated, could look like Samsung android but I would prefer Google edition for her cuz it might be just easier on long rom)?
3. Does it have to be multi-carrier rom or just the one with open APN option?
4. Any other information I have to consider, since its going to be a gift phone I will not have future ability to look at it at least for know so I need something that might have chance to run smooth for couple months.
Original S4 with nothing done to it, pure out of box. dint work that well, was not able to send messages and they count add new APN. In the end of the story the phone was stolen... so I know I have to make this one work here before I will send it there...
psu90 said:
The Verizon S4 is unlocked for international roaming. I have a friend who took his Verizon S4 to Europe, bought a pre-paid sim in Europe, popped it in, changed the mode to global, and it worked fine. I use Hyperdrive and have read in that thread about others using the Verzion S4 with European and other international sims. They may have to change the APN, but it should work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just put hyperdrive on s4 and I will try to see my friend with att car but option to add ne APN is blocked
SaNNeK said:
I just put hyperdrive on s4 and I will try to see my friend with att car but option to add ne APN is blocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install a non-Verizon SIM and enable GSM mode. You'll then be allowed to enter an APN.
k1mu said:
Install a non-Verizon SIM and enable GSM mode. You'll then be allowed to enter an APN.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well I am waiting for friend of mine cuz he has ATT micro sim, but when I send first S4 to her, she went to phone store and apparently they tried with her sim card and it dint work neither... I am not saying u are wrong, I will try like u said with ATT card first and that first S4 was pure stock , so maybe that's why... idk...
any other suggestions?
can I use any rom as long is APN accessible ?
SaNNeK said:
basically what I need to do to:
1. Make Verizon S4 working in Europe?
2. What rom will be the best for that (self updating, not complicated, could look like Samsung android but I would prefer Google edition for her cuz it might be just easier on long rom)?
3. Does it have to be multi-carrier rom or just the one with open APN option?
4. Any other information I have to consider, since its going to be a gift phone I will not have future ability to look at it at least for know so I need something that might have chance to run smooth for couple months.
Original S4 with nothing done to it, pure out of box. dint work that well, was not able to send messages and they count add new APN. In the end of the story the phone was stolen... so I know I have to make this one work here before I will send it there...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I install rom from different country on my Verizon s4?
SaNNeK said:
well I am waiting for friend of mine cuz he has ATT micro sim, but when I send first S4 to her, she went to phone store and apparently they tried with her sim card and it dint work neither... I am not saying u are wrong, I will try like u said with ATT card first and that first S4 was pure stock , so maybe that's why... idk...
any other suggestions?
can I use any rom as long is APN accessible ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"I am not saying u are wrong". Actually, yes, you are. However, whomever tried this gave you bad info, I was tempted to ignore this (ignorance is bliss), but in case someone actually believes you...
My phone is stock, rooted. Verizon Galaxy S4, running ME7.
Here's what I just did (I tried this again just to prove you wrong...)
I inserted my GoSIM (ekit, Jersey Telecom) SIM, GoSIM has pretty good European coverage, good prices.
The phone comes up with a "Non-Verizon SIM" (this SIM card is from an unknown source") warning. Ignore that.
Menu/Settings/More Networks/Mobile Networks.
Tap on Network mode. Select "GSM/UMTS". When it asks you "System select" choose Automatic.
You've got to disable Global mode since that will prefer CDMA, which is still working for you in the US in a VZ coverage area. GSM/UMTS disables CDMA.
Now, click on "Access Point Names". The VZ LTE one shows but is now greyed out.
Click on the Menu soft key, Click on "Add new access point". That's now enabled. (If you try this with a VZ SIM installed, that menu will be greyed out, which is quite reasonable.)
Fill in the APN, hit save. Now you can select that APN.
Mobile data is now enabled. It reads "AT&T UK" as the network for me, which is reasonable since I'm using a UK SIM.
As several people have said, this phone is unlocked out-of-the-box. It doesn't matter what ROM you run, you can use whatever GSM SIM you like as long as the network bands that the GS4 supports match what your provider uses.
I don't know if there's something in the stock ROM that blocks US domestic carriers (t-mobile, at&t); that's possible, as VZ has done stuff like that in the past. That's not what you asked, however. At least in my case, a non-US SIM works without anything special to do.
k1mu said:
"I am not saying u are wrong". Actually, yes, you are. However, whomever tried this gave you bad info, I was tempted to ignore this (ignorance is bliss), but in case someone actually believes you...
My phone is stock, rooted. Verizon Galaxy S4, running ME7.
Here's what I just did (I tried this again just to prove you wrong...)
I inserted my GoSIM (ekit, Jersey Telecom) SIM, GoSIM has pretty good European coverage, good prices.
The phone comes up with a "Non-Verizon SIM" (this SIM card is from an unknown source") warning. Ignore that.
Menu/Settings/More Networks/Mobile Networks.
Tap on Network mode. Select "GSM/UMTS". When it asks you "System select" choose Automatic.
You've got to disable Global mode since that will prefer CDMA, which is still working for you in the US in a VZ coverage area. GSM/UMTS disables CDMA.
Now, click on "Access Point Names". The VZ LTE one shows but is now greyed out.
Click on the Menu soft key, Click on "Add new access point". That's now enabled. (If you try this with a VZ SIM installed, that menu will be greyed out, which is quite reasonable.)
Fill in the APN, hit save. Now you can select that APN.
Mobile data is now enabled. It reads "AT&T UK" as the network for me, which is reasonable since I'm using a UK SIM.
As several people have said, this phone is unlocked out-of-the-box. It doesn't matter what ROM you run, you can use whatever GSM SIM you like as long as the network bands that the GS4 supports match what your provider uses.
I don't know if there's something in the stock ROM that blocks US domestic carriers (t-mobile, at&t); that's possible, as VZ has done stuff like that in the past. That's not what you asked, however. At least in my case, a non-US SIM works without anything special to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How am I wrong? By saying "I am not saying u are wrong"? I dint tried it... I dint had that phone in Europe... and I dint plug in card... I said she put hers in and when to some kinds a store... they dint do it... not me... and even by saying that I was not trying to offend you... and that's why we have forums so we can learn and ask questions...
either way that notification "The phone comes up with a "Non-Verizon SIM" (this SIM card is from an unknown source") warning. Ignore that." can it be removed? that phone will not be use in US any time soon maybe in 6 moths.. so I am trying to make it look as normal as it can...
can I use any rom and will that method work? I am trying to get her something with 4.3, looks nice and its simpler that Samsung stock OS...
SaNNeK said:
either way that notification "The phone comes up with a "Non-Verizon SIM" (this SIM card is from an unknown source") warning. Ignore that." can it be removed? that phone will not be use in US any time soon maybe in 6 moths.. so I am trying to make it look as normal as it can...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's something I can't answer, but it's very possible that custom ROMs won't display that noise. Unfortunately, that'll mean rooting it, installing SafeStrap, then experimenting.
SaNNeK said:
can I use any rom and will that method work? I am trying to get her something with 4.3, looks nice and its simpler that Samsung stock OS...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone is SIM unlocked, so any ROM will be able to work with whatever SIM you install. In other words, the hardware doesn't have any problem with it, so use whatever software you want. However, I don't know if there's any 4.3 ROMs yet that are SafeStrap compatible.
k1mu said:
"I am not saying u are wrong". Actually, yes, you are. However, whomever tried this gave you bad info, I was tempted to ignore this (ignorance is bliss), but in case someone actually believes you...
My phone is stock, rooted. Verizon Galaxy S4, running ME7.
Here's what I just did (I tried this again just to prove you wrong...)
I inserted my GoSIM (ekit, Jersey Telecom) SIM, GoSIM has pretty good European coverage, good prices.
The phone comes up with a "Non-Verizon SIM" (this SIM card is from an unknown source") warning. Ignore that.
Menu/Settings/More Networks/Mobile Networks.
Tap on Network mode. Select "GSM/UMTS". When it asks you "System select" choose Automatic.
You've got to disable Global mode since that will prefer CDMA, which is still working for you in the US in a VZ coverage area. GSM/UMTS disables CDMA.
Now, click on "Access Point Names". The VZ LTE one shows but is now greyed out.
Click on the Menu soft key, Click on "Add new access point". That's now enabled. (If you try this with a VZ SIM installed, that menu will be greyed out, which is quite reasonable.)
Fill in the APN, hit save. Now you can select that APN.
Mobile data is now enabled. It reads "AT&T UK" as the network for me, which is reasonable since I'm using a UK SIM.
As several people have said, this phone is unlocked out-of-the-box. It doesn't matter what ROM you run, you can use whatever GSM SIM you like as long as the network bands that the GS4 supports match what your provider uses.
I don't know if there's something in the stock ROM that blocks US domestic carriers (t-mobile, at&t); that's possible, as VZ has done stuff like that in the past. That's not what you asked, however. At least in my case, a non-US SIM works without anything special to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow... Pulling this old thread up to say thank you.
I had previously gotten my phone to work on EU carriers but for the life of me forgot how and have been struggling with this for a few days now.
Anyway, I did some searches in Google and kept running into walls and after a few days of [foolishly] not searching XDA I called Verizon and they told me I was **** out of luck.
Well, here I am, back on good ol' XDA and 10 minutes of searching I read your post which gets my memory clear and I remember to enable the GSM option. So simple.
Anyway, big thanks to you and big thanks to the community as always.
|mpulse said:
Wow... Pulling this old thread up to say thank you.
I had previously gotten my phone to work on EU carriers but for the life of me forgot how and have been struggling with this for a few days now.
Anyway, I did some searches in Google and kept running into walls and after a few days of [foolishly] not searching XDA I called Verizon and they told me I was **** out of luck.
Well, here I am, back on good ol' XDA and 10 minutes of searching I read your post which gets my memory clear and I remember to enable the GSM option. So simple.
Anyway, big thanks to you and big thanks to the community as always.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
Oh, and don't be "that guy" (i.e. ME.)
I was complaining about how poor coverage I was getting. Apparently, switching to "Global" mode versus "CDMA/LTE"
Gee, I betcha it'll work a lot better with that mode enabled here in VZ-land.
I'm going to London in October for two weeks and was planning on buying a PAYG sim card to use once I was over there. Do I still need to call Verizon to have them "unlock" it like we did in the past or should I be good to go? The last time I went I had to sign up for their global plan @ .99 ¢ / min and the data was something horrendous like $25 for 50 megs.
Sent from my tf700t using Tapatalk
No. Buy a local prepaid 3G SIM chip, insert chip in place of Verizon SIM, create the appropriate APN and set data type to global. Reboot. Your new SIM should be activated, might require you enter a pin. Don't expect much if any LTE speed.
My Lady Susan used her Verizon LG G2 this way in Scotland and several chip vendors failed to be able to set it up right for her because they forgot to restart after the APN and settings changes. Eventually one figured it out and the phone worked fine.
Though the VLG G3 is reportedly more band-limited than the G2 (?), not less as one might expect, it should still serve you quite well as a World Phone. It does not require any unlocking at all.
I ran VLG G3 yesterday on my T-Mobile and AIO pre-paid sims here in the States. Got Edge on Tmobile and H on AIO/cricket.
trent999 said:
No. Buy a local prepaid 3G SIM chip, insert chip in place of Verizon SIM, create the appropriate APN and set data type to global. Reboot. Your new SIM should be activated, might require you enter a pin. Don't expect much if any LTE speed.
My Lady Susan used her Verizon LG G2 this way in Scotland and several chip vendors failed to be able to set it up right for her because they forgot to restart after the APN and settings changes. Eventually one figured it out and the phone worked fine.
Though the VLG G3 is reportedly more band-limited than the G2 (?), not less as one might expect, it should still serve you quite well as a World Phone. It does not require any unlocking at all.
I ran VLG G3 yesterday on my T-Mobile and AIO pre-paid sims here in the States. Got Edge on Tmobile and H on AIO/cricket.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fantastic thank you. I went on the Vodofone site and they give you all the APN info I'd need.
Hi trent999
There's not option to add new apn in the setting, could you please tell me how to do it?
thank you
From my experience you cannot add a new APN while there is a Verizon Sim card on the phone. What I did was remove the Sim card, power on the phone( without the card) and then this will enable the option to add a new APN in Settings/mobile networks/access point names. From there click on the three dot overflow menu and select "add new APN".
At least that's how I remember I did it.
Let me know if it works.
It worked pretty good. We went to a 3three store and was able to buy a PAYG card for about $25 US. The tricky part was finding the right APN values to put in. Different websites sometimes had a little different info. But after fiddling a bit I got it to work.
My fiancée's AT&T iPhone 4s was a different matter. I thought all iPhones were GSM unlocked but nope. Couldn't use the one I bought her.
Sent from my tf700t using Tapatalk
sasquatch1 said:
It worked pretty good. We went to a 3three store and was able to buy a PAYG card for about $25 US. The tricky part was finding the right APN values to put in. Different websites sometimes had a little different info. But after fiddling a bit I got it to work.
My fiancée's AT&T iPhone 4s was a different matter. I thought all iPhones were GSM unlocked but nope. Couldn't use the one I bought her.
Sent from my tf700t using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am headed to Asia soon and was wondering the same thing about my phone... As far as the APN edits go can one just edit the Verizon APN or will need to follow the steps above and remove the SIM, reboot, to clear the Verizon APN altogether and then enter the new APN?