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I am always confused between CDMA and GSM...
Why a 4 band phone ,Evo 3d will not work in Europe?
BTW I am searching to buy one at Ebay. the search shows only Spirit branded phones. do they work in Europe (GSM)?
What is ESN clean or Bad ESN? Whats is the meaning of "unlocked" and if i buy a locked one can i unlock it by my self?
Thank You
adempozhari said:
I am always confused between CDMA and GSM...
Why a 4 band phone ,Evo 3d will not work in Europe?
BTW I am searching to buy one at Ebay. the search shows only Spirit branded phones. do they work in Europe (GSM)?
What is ESN clean or Bad ESN? Whats is the meaning of "unlocked" and if i buy a locked one can i unlock it by my self?
Thank You
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm far from the expert so I'll give your questions my best shot and maybe somebody else with more experience on GSM can fill in some of the gaps.
bad/clean ESN only applies to CDMA. CDMA does not use a SIM card. once a CDMA phone has had its ESN marked as bad, it will not operate on that carrier. example, sprint (only CDMA network) evo 3d, the owner doesnt pay his bills, they mark the ESN as Bad for that device. if he sells the evo 3d, it can't be activated on sprint's cdma network. if you want to activate it on another CDMA network, like metropcs, it is doable, but sometimes considered a legally *gray* area.
"unlocked" in regards to the carrier of the device only applies to GSM type devices. on GSM type devices, once they has been "unlocked" they will operate on any GSM carrier.
i'm not about the band count, i.e. 4 band GSM. i would suggest looking at which frequencies are used in those bands and matching them up by frequencies and GSM/CDMA. as your profile is marked albania, i think most of europe uses GSM so CDMA will probably not be useful for you.
hope that helps some of the questions!
thank you... you were very clear.
still searching for the last question. If i buy a locked GSM phone, can i unlock it here by myself or i have to buy unlock code?
Well, doesn't all phones come unlocked in Europe anyway? Locking applies to GSM phones, and I've always thought only north American carriers do that. For example, if you, living in Europe, wanted the infuse 4G which is locked to ATT in America, you would need to unlock it to use it. Moreover, you must make sure the phone's frequencies match your carrier's. If I'm not mistaken, I think unlocking an Android phone is similar to rooting it. It's a different process all together, but its something you would do on your own.
Before Android tho, you simply need to call your carrier, tell them you're traveling overseas and you wanna use your phone there, and they'll give you the unlock code. Use some special commands to bring up the carrier unlock screen, input the unlock code, and bam, you're good to go.
I don't know if you still need an unlock code with Android phones, but if you want it, you would get it from the carrier of the phone.
You won't see any unlocking tutorials for the EVO 3d in the forums for the obvious reason that its cdma phone in America. But I'm sure once its released on Tmo-us, then there'll be a method.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA App
Sorry for asking stupid question....
I did some research, but I still can't figure out why DNA can't uses other CDMA network.
Is it the problem if radio???
According what I see, DNA is able to unlock bootloader, s-off, root.
What stuff should I waiting for? Radio?
Your answer will help me know what kind of threads I should pay attention to. Thanks a LOT in advanced!
BTW, I am planning use DNA in Taiwan with a CDMA network provider.
I had checked the hardware is fitted to my network (CDMA2000 800Mhz). Thanks for all concerned!
siekaiser said:
Sorry for asking stupid question....
I did some research, but I still can't figure out why DNA can't uses other CDMA network.
Is it the problem if radio???
According what I see, DNA is able to unlock bootloader, s-off, root.
What stuff should I waiting for? Radio?
Your answer will help me know what kind of threads I should pay attention to. Thanks a LOT in advanced!
BTW, I am planning use DNA in Taiwan with a CDMA network provider.
I had checked the hardware is fitted to my network (CDMA2000 800Mhz). Thanks for all concerned!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
First of all, you must understand that GSM & CDMA are dissimilar technologies, whereas with GSM you can easily swap between carriers so long as they have the same/supported radio frequencies and your phone is sim-unlocked, this is not possible with CDMA. CDMA devices do not use a sim card to retain your account information or activation abilities. When it comes to CDMA (from my understanding) the ESN is key, the ESN must be added to your networks (for lack of a better term at the moment) ESN database. In the United States, most CDMA carriers will not add ESN's of other carriers phones to their network, your results may be different, because of your location. If your carrier were to allow or be willing to add the ESN of the DNA you obtain to their database than there is a possibility that it may work. (I am unsure if that can just be done or if it would have to be removed from Verizon's network & so forth, because I've never personally had to do such a thing)
There is a second problem though, the LTE radio / sim card interface. Because of the way these phones work on Verizon with LTE, I am unsure if you could even activate it, because it looks like the LTE sim is needed to authenticate your account to the carrier like a regular GSM phone. I have no idea how you would activate this phone without LTE / GSM on your carrier, even with the CDMA ESN added. It seems like it would be a double edged sword, but I could be wrong in this respect.
Also at this current time, this phone has root, and an unlocked bootloader through HTCDev, but is still **S-ON**.
Though none of those things have to do with you being able to use this phone on your carrier.
If your carrier was GSM I would say go for it because this is a GSM Global phone as well, but because its CDMA that you need I really incredibly doubt you'll be able to use this phone, but I may be wrong, but until someone else states otherwise I would look for a different phone.
Hope this Helps!
I am also interested in it. How can we check it out? I should go to my CDMA carrier and ask to activate my ESN?
Where can i find ESN? In Settings-About there is only MEID, IMEI, Phone serial number and IMSIAdded
I work for a CDMA carrier in the USA and with lte on the phones now, they truly act as gsm phones. If your CDMA carrier has lte then they can give you a sim and it will activate your DNA. However, if they only operate on 2g/3g then the post above me is correct with the ESN database and will USUALLY not activate the phone (in store sales reps usually don't even have the ability). Even if they have lte, activating another carrier's phone is not in the best interest of the sales Rep and they usually won't.
YMMV
Sent with my DNA
kyleco said:
I work for a CDMA carrier in the USA and with lte on the phones now, they truly act as gsm phones. If your CDMA carrier has lte then they can give you a sim and it will activate your DNA. However, if they only operate on 2g/3g then the post above me is correct with the ESN database and will USUALLY not activate the phone (in store sales reps usually don't even have the ability). Even if they have lte, activating another carrier's phone is not in the best interest of the sales Rep and they usually won't.
YMMV
Sent with my DNA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should mentions that we don't have LTE in Taiwan so far.
My carrier provides CDMA2000 1xEV-DO rev.B (I guess it is)
Is it operate as LTE OR 2G/3G you mentioned?
siekaiser said:
I should mentions that we don't have LTE in Taiwan so far.
My carrier provides CDMA2000 1xEV-DO rev.B (I guess it is)
Is it operate as LTE OR 2G/3G you mentioned?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From my experience, they will not be able to activate it if they do not have lte, as they would need to have a settings file made for that phone to get it to work on their network. Nevers hurts to call and ask though.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using xda premium
Hi,i am from Austria,i have a Droid Dna by Verizon and the Phone works fine here in Austria, 2G and 3G/HSDPA
I unlocked some others LTE bands on VS985, I tried other tips from Sony Xperia forum with no success and now just with hiddenmenu it work, for that:
1. Download Shortcut Master (lite) from play store
2. Top right -> App Explorer ->Verizon Hidden Menu
3. go to -> LTEBandSelection tap and select Launch
4. Now choose all Bands and Save and reboot
Need ROOT
That's all
This sounds cool in theory, but I'm skeptical. Not every VZW LTE tower uses every band. Different locations may even require specific bands. I'm not sure of the implementation details but our modems negotiate connections with towers, and this includes which band and channel within the band to use. If you enable all bands all the time, you're making your phone scan more frequencies, which takes more time and therefore increases battery usage.
b0bj0e said:
This sounds cool in theory, but I'm skeptical. Not every VZW LTE tower uses every band. Different locations may even require specific bands. I'm not sure of the implementation details but our modems negotiate connections with towers, and this includes which band and channel within the band to use. If you enable all bands all the time, you're making your phone scan more frequencies, which takes more time and therefore increases battery usage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, not all bands, only 2 bands, BANDS 3/7 which it's the most used in europe
Do you get signals on these bands? Could just have software support because most of the software is shared between versions, but not have hardware support at all.
scy1192 said:
Do you get signals on these bands? Could just have software support because most of the software is shared between versions, but not have hardware support at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I have 4g now, and in France most used band is 3 (1800mhz) and I get it
Just wanted to say thanks for this
Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk
Either lollipop changed or something else changed. The app crashes on the App Explorer function
Anyone know what stock bands were set at? I forgot to look before I checked them all. vs985 here. Thx
gatorstew said:
Anyone know what stock bands were set at? I forgot to look before I checked them all. vs985 here. Thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Band4 and Band13 are default for me. Verizon G3 stock ROM. Roll Tide.
Thanks
kroukes2000 said:
I unlocked some others LTE bands on VS985, I tried other tips from Sony Xperia forum with no success and now just with hiddenmenu it work, for that:
1. Download Shortcut Master (lite) from play store
2. Top right -> App Explorer ->Verizon Hidden Menu
3. go to -> LTEBandSelection tap and select Launch
4. Now choose all Bands and Save and reboot
Need ROOT
That's all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello.
without ROOT, impossible to use more LTE band?
I am currently using VS985 in Korea(South) with 3G mode only because of Korean SIM.
Really want to use LTE in here.
Thanks.
yebbijun said:
Hello.
without ROOT, impossible to use more LTE band?
I am currently using VS985 in Korea(South) with 3G mode only because of Korean SIM.
Really want to use LTE in here.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No for this app you need root. You should just root. Its very easy and will allow you to activate the other bands.
This thread/mod isn't getting much play it seems. Is there really any benefit from this in the US? Or will it drain battery looking for the other bands?
Works good
Thank you so much for sharing :good:
I am using vs985 verizon in pakistan. Service provider is warid. Coustomer service told me that they're offering 4g on band 3, 1800mhz
So i unlocked band 3 by using this method. works like a charm
Thanks again
Good looks on this! I did it for the hell of it. Might as well have all 4 bands selected
gatorstew said:
This thread/mod isn't getting much play it seems. Is there really any benefit from this in the US? Or will it drain battery looking for the other bands?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very good question...!!
Here is a link to LTE bands by country/region if anyone needs/wants it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LTE_networks
It's wikipedia though, so it may not be 100% accurate.
Ok but what bands does this actually unlocked vs those already in us for a specific region...
I ask this b/c in my limited theory, one could unlock said bands and theoretically use the phone on diff bands/carriers without having to go thru the hassle of 'begging' for a carrier unlock, correct? Essentially you could create your own carrier unlocked and/or international compatible G3... But I may be completely ass backwards wrong.... lol
kinfolk248 said:
Ok but what bands does this actually unlocked vs those already in us for a specific region...
I ask this b/c in my limited theory, one could unlock said bands and theoretically use the phone on diff bands/carriers without having to go thru the hassle of 'begging' for a carrier unlock, correct? Essentially you could create your own carrier unlocked and/or international compatible G3... But I may be completely ass backwards wrong.... lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3 and 7
kinfolk248 said:
Ok but what bands does this actually unlocked vs those already in us for a specific region...
I ask this b/c in my limited theory, one could unlock said bands and theoretically use the phone on diff bands/carriers without having to go thru the hassle of 'begging' for a carrier unlock, correct? Essentially you could create your own carrier unlocked and/or international compatible G3... But I may be completely ass backwards wrong.... lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The vs985 is already carrier unlocked, but I get what you're asking. And I think that, yeah, if you know the bands in the country/region you're in you can unlock those bands to get 4g working there. Post #14 is a good example of that. I believe bands 3 and 7 are used for global lte, which would be why his/her carrier told him to use band 3 for lte in Pakistan.
I have an old M8 lying around that I fired up and had remembered I had rooted it and the bootloader is unlocked.. Is there a way to 'trick' this phone into thinking it's an AT&T branded phone? hboot, etc. and that will allow me to RUU something official from AT&T? I know this sounds really strange and probably stupid but.. I just can't sleep and need something to fill the time.. Can I do it?
Don't think so, radio hardware is different, not to mention the partition layout.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
jbarcus81 said:
Is there a way to 'trick' this phone into thinking it's an AT&T branded phone? hboot, etc. and that will allow me to RUU something official from AT&T? ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely not. At least not any way that is known; and your chance of failure is high (with a brick being the possible or even probable result).
As mentioned in the previous comment, the partitioning on the phones is different. If you try to run the RUU, you at best it will fail, at worst it will brick the device.
Most other M8 versions (that don't support CDMA) can be "converted" from one version to another (other exceptions being dual SIM and M8 Eye). But Verizon and Sprint are the oddballs here. Some experienced devs have been messing around with these variants from the start (to try to convert them) with no success.
Perfect! All I needed to hear! Ah well.. it was worth a shot! Just trying to get my account provisioned for LTE so I can get LTE on my unlocked devices.. I've been told, and read, that if I can get an AT&T branded LTE capable phone to just swap my SIM in it.. and let my account provision, then I'll have LTE on any device AT&T or not... Just trying to avoid a contract..
jbarcus81 said:
I've been told, and read, that if I can get an AT&T branded LTE capable phone to just swap my SIM in it.. and let my account provision, then I'll have LTE on any device AT&T or not... Just trying to avoid a contract..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as the phone is SIM unlocked (Verizon version is) then you should just be able to put an AT&T SIM in, and enter the proper AT&T APN for service, as long as the phone supports the proper bands. Its irrelevant whether the phone is AT&T branded or not.
Now the underlined bit in the paragraph above is the main issue. The Verizon M8 only supports one of the four bands (Bands 2, 5, 4, and 17) used by AT&T for LTE (Verizon M8 supports Bands 3, 4, 7, and 13). So depending on what band is used in your area, you may or may not get LTE.
But GSM (2G) and HSPA (3G) should work just fine on AT&T.
redpoint73 said:
As long as the phone is SIM unlocked (Verizon version is) then you should just be able to put an AT&T SIM in, and enter the proper AT&T APN for service, as long as the phone supports the proper bands. Its irrelevant whether the phone is AT&T branded or not.
Now the underlined bit in the paragraph above is the main issue. The Verizon M8 only supports one of the four bands (Bands 2, 5, 4, and 17) used by AT&T for LTE (Verizon M8 supports Bands 3, 4, 7, and 13). So depending on what band is used in your area, you may or may not get LTE.
But GSM (2G) and HSPA (3G) should work just fine on AT&T.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the odd part.. My main phone is the S6 Edge from Verizon.. it's on the AT&T network and I assume my APN is correct.. But it's not picking up LTE and I am almost certain the S6 Edge from Verizon will pick up the correct band for AT&T LTE .. But it's only using the H+ speed.. What's even more strange?? When I throw my SIM into the M8? I get LTE on AT&T and verify with 30+mpbs speeds.. I have no idea what's going on...
jbarcus81 said:
That's the odd part.. My main phone is the S6 Edge from Verizon.. it's on the AT&T network and I assume my APN is correct.. But it's not picking up LTE and I am almost certain the S6 Edge from Verizon will pick up the correct band for AT&T LTE .. But it's only using the H+ speed.. What's even more strange?? When I throw my SIM into the M8? I get LTE on AT&T and verify with 30+mpbs speeds.. I have no idea what's going on...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, that is strange. According to the specs for the S6 Edge here, the Verizon version supports the same LTE bands as the VZN M8, and actually some additional bands (2 and 5) that also happen to be bands used by AT&T.
One thing I can think of, is that the VZN M8 in actuality supports some bands that are not advertised/explicit in the specs. It wouldn't be unheard of, as members here have reported some versions of the non-CDMA M8 as supporting some bands not indicated in the specs. And that band happens to be what AT&T is using in your market region. In this case, that band would seem to be Band 17 (the only band that AT&T is known to use, that isn't listed on the S6 Edge specs).
Or the other possibility, is there is just some issue with the S6 that is preventing connection to LTE (but on the same supported band that the M8 has).
redpoint73 said:
Yeah, that is strange. According to the specs for the S6 Edge here, the Verizon version supports the same LTE bands as the VZN M8, and actually some additional bands (2 and 5) that also happen to be bands used by AT&T.
One thing I can think of, is that the VZN M8 in actuality supports some bands that are not advertised/explicit in the specs. It wouldn't be unheard of, as members here have reported some versions of the non-CDMA M8 as supporting some bands not indicated in the specs. And that band happens to be what AT&T is using in your market region. In this case, that band would seem to be Band 17 (the only band that AT&T is known to use, that isn't listed on the S6 Edge specs).
Or the other possibility, is there is just some issue with the S6 that is preventing connection to LTE (but on the same supported band that the M8 has).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah.. I'm not worried about it.. I've been told that all I need is an AT&T branded LTE capable device hooked up to the account and that my account hasn't been provisioned for LTE .. I've seen this in a few places so it's worth a shot.. I ordered a junk LTE phone branded AT&T to test it out.. ordered a OnePlus 2 and will likely unload the S6 Edge (if it never picks up the LTE from AT&T)
jbarcus81 said:
I've been told that all I need is an AT&T branded LTE capable device hooked up to the account and that my account hasn't been provisioned for LTE ..)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I've already mentioned, its not really necessary to have an AT&T branded device. I suspect the reason you've seen people say this, is that AT&T branding means by definition the phone has all the bands used by AT&T for LTE; since obviously the phone is intended for use on AT&T's network. Since AT&T uses a number of bands (4) and LTE bands being used worldwide has become very un-standardized, its somewhat difficult to find a non-AT&T phone that has all the bands. But they do exist, such as the US unlocked M8, Dev Edition M8, and Nexus devices. Also, I've seen folks used other non-ATT branded phones, which may not have all 4 LTE bands used by AT&T, but the one(s) needed in the particular user's region. Not ideal, but sufficient for some folks.
Another reason why some may say the phone needs to be AT&T branded, is that AT&T tech support won't provide you any support if you have a non-ATT phone. But honestly, I've used non-branded devices (and plenty of folks here have), and this is very rarely an issue. The folks here on XDA will usually provide you better support, anyway!
Of course, your ATT account needs to be provisioned for LTE in order to have that service. Its a simple matter, and doesn't cost anything (just need a smartphone data plan).
redpoint73 said:
As I've already mentioned, its not really necessary to have an AT&T branded device. I suspect the reason you've seen people say this, is that AT&T branding means by definition the phone has all the bands used by AT&T for LTE; since obviously the phone is intended for use on AT&T's network. Since AT&T uses a number of bands (4) and LTE bands being used worldwide has become very un-standardized, its somewhat difficult to find a non-AT&T phone that has all the bands. But they do exist, such as the US unlocked M8, Dev Edition M8, and Nexus devices. Also, I've seen folks used other non-ATT branded phones, which may not have all 4 LTE bands used by AT&T, but the one(s) needed in the particular user's region. Not ideal, but sufficient for some folks.
Another reason why some may say the phone needs to be AT&T branded, is that AT&T tech support won't provide you any support if you have a non-ATT phone. But honestly, I've used non-branded devices (and plenty of folks here have), and this is very rarely an issue. The folks here on XDA will usually provide you better support, anyway!
Of course, your ATT account needs to be provisioned for LTE in order to have that service. Its a simple matter, and doesn't cost anything (just need a smartphone data plan).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've dug deeper and have to not only have an AT&T branded phone, I have to register the IEMI on my account, then swap the SIM card back into the other phone. I've got the phone but can't find a way to do this online so I'll have to call tomorrow...
Sent from my ONE A2005 using Tapatalk
I have a m8 whl sprint abd does not use CDMA only gsm network. I can I change the mid and convert the phone to get latest ota for dev edition version? I thanks
long.nguyen said:
I have a m8 whl sprint abd does not use CDMA only gsm network. I can I change the mid and convert the phone to get latest ota for dev edition version? I thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely NO.
What I mentioned above (Post #3) for the Verizon variant, also applies to Sprint (both versions support CDMA - the fact you don't use it is irrelevant). If you try to convert to another version won't work, and will probably result in a brick.
Also, even if you didn't have a CDMA version M8, you typically can't convert using an OTA, it has to be an RUU.
redpoint73 said:
Absolutely NO.
What I mentioned above (Post #3) for the Verizon variant, also applies to Sprint (both versions support CDMA - the fact you don't use it is irrelevant). If you try to convert to another version won't work, and will probably result in a brick.
Also, even if you didn't have a CDMA version M8, you typically can't convert using an OTA, it has to be an RUU.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@redpoint ; don't we have any chance to install different provider radios to Verizon Htc devices..?
because verizon devices you know that support 3, 4, 7, and 13 bands,but i want to enable band 20 for europe LTE..
pls help us to enable other bands =( because only u can do that as a genius =)
thanx a lot
cincon said:
@redpoint ; don't we have any chance to install different provider radios to Verizon Htc devices..?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely NOT. As already thoroughly discussed on this thread, if you attempt to install another version's radio on the Verizon version, it won't work, and you may radio brick the phone (permanent damage possible).
Different radios, different partition layout.
Don't even try it. Experienced devs have tried to "convert" by various methods and mods, and failed.
But there may be other ways (besides flashing another version's radio) to enable the band(s) you want, read on:
cincon said:
[MENTION=434105]
because verizon devices you know that support 3, 4, 7, and 13 bands,but i want to enable band 20 for europe LTE..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can take a look at the following method, as it claims to enable Band 20: http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-htc-one-m8/general/lte-band-7-2600mhz-finally-guide-t2992523
Read the thread, and proceed at your own discretion. I'm not knowledgeable with changing NV values (it doesn't work on "GSM" M8 variants, so does not apply to me). I simply know this thread exists.
cincon said:
[MENTION=434105]
pls help us to enable other bands =( because only u can do that as a genius =)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Far from a genius, and I don't create any of these mods. I just contribute by passing on knowledge I've gained here. Really, that is part of what XDA is all about.
I have a free government phone that uses a Sprint SIM, I almost always have LTE coverage with it, I recently purchased the V30 and it should be here soon. The seller described it as GSM unlocked and I'm aware Sprint isn't GSM, but unfortunately forgot about these things until after I purchased.
Is there any way I'll be able to use the SIM in the V30?
And if it requires any changes, if I need to return the V30 will those changes be noticeable or reversible if so?
Any help is extremely appreciated, thanks!
ResidentKaga said:
I have a free government phone that uses a Sprint SIM, I almost always have LTE coverage with it, I recently purchased the V30 and it should be here soon. The seller described it as GSM unlocked and I'm aware Sprint isn't GSM, but unfortunately forgot about these things until after I purchased.
Is there any way I'll be able to use the SIM in the V30?
And if it requires any changes, if I need to return the V30 will those changes be noticeable or reversible if so?
Any help is extremely appreciated, thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you cannot use T-mobile H932 with Sprint SIM card. Sprint still uses CDMA bands and has some extra LTE bands not on the H932. You cannot convert the T-mobile H932 to any other variant.
You need to return it and get Sprint LS998 instead. Cool thing about that is all LS998 are actually V30+ (128GB internal memory), while most T-mobile H932 are only V30 (64GB) -- although there are some T-mobile H932 V30+ in existence, which was sold for limited time by T-Mobile.
ChazzMatt said:
No, you cannot use T-mobile H932 with Sprint SIM card. Sprint still uses CDMA bands and has some extra LTE bands not on the H932. You cannot convert the T-mobile H932 to any other variant.
You need to return it and get Sprint LS998 instead. Cool thing about that is most (if not all) LS998 are actually V30+ (128GB internal memory), while most T-mobile H932 are only V30 (64GB) -- although there are some T-mobile H932 V30+ in existence, which was sold for limited time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. The website "WillMyPhoneWork?" (can't post link) says the H932 has one of the bands Sprint uses for their 4G LTE network (Band41-2500MHz), and because of that, it "may" work, what's your input on that?
ResidentKaga said:
Thanks for the reply. The website "WillMyPhoneWork?" (can't post link) says the H932 has one of the bands Sprint uses for their 4G LTE network (Band41-2500MHz), and because of that, it "may" work, what's your input on that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My answer stands.
You may not have that one LTE band in your area or elsewhere, you will need CDMA for some stuff, and Sprint won't accept a T-Mobile H932 on their Network.
You're trying to make this difficult, when I already answered your question.
For other reasons I don't want to go into here, the only people who should get the T-Mobile H932 are actual T-Mobile customers. No matter how much allegedly "SIM card unlocked". One reason being that when updating to new OS firmware, that carrier unlocking is sometimes canceled, and then you have totally useless phone (if you are not a T-Mobile customer).
There's other reasons too.
ChazzMatt said:
My answer stands.
You may not have that LTE band in your area, you will need CDMA for some stuff, and Sprint won't accept a T-Mobile h932 on their Network.
You're trying to make this difficult, when I already answered your question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not that I want to make things difficult, I don't want that at all really, it's that I was clinging on to any last piece of hope since I'm in a very time and money sensitive situation currently where I need a better phone to relieve significant issues I have using my current (really bad) I use phone for work, it's holding me back big time. If there truly is nothing I can do I'll have to not only wait for the phone to come, but also need to do what's required to ship the phone back to the ebay seller and wait for my refund, all things I was really trying to avoid.
Hopefully that's more understandable why I replied the way I did, the last thing I wanted to do was burden you as I really do appreciate your advice. I have a couple more questions but it's understandable if you prefer not to assist anymore in this thread Chazz.
I wanted to know what was meant by "You'll need CDMA for some stuff", and about Sprint not accepting the phone. I already have active Sprint service with the SIM I currently use, was hoping to only need to take the SIM out of my current phone, and put it into the H932.
ResidentKaga said:
Thanks for the reply. The website "WillMyPhoneWork?" (can't post link) says the H932 has one of the bands Sprint uses for their 4G LTE network (Band41-2500MHz), and because of that, it "may" work, what's your input on that?
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The site is absolutely correct. It may work....in a very limited fashion.
Carriers don't deploy every frequency at every tower, partly for practicality reasons (e.g. out in the middle of nowhere it makes most sense to use CDMA+band 26 to eke the most range possible out of the tower and adding more radios to the tower is a waste of money) and partly licensing (they may own band 25 in one area but not another).
You might very well have a band 41 tower near your house, and it would appear to work properly (maybe even with VoLTE, if Sprint has that and the T-Mobile ROM will connect it). But if you head to work, and the tower nearest there only has band 25, then you're SOL; technically there's "Sprint" coverage, just not what your extremely limited cross-compatibility needs.
When @ChazzMatt was saying that you'll need CDMA for some stuff, it's because carrier models tend to only support their own VoLTE implementation out of the box, and need some work to get it working otherwise. It may not work at all without running the Sprint ROM; same with wifi calling if Sprint supports that.
Without those two, you'll have no voice and texting services, because those are what the CDMA connection is for. Without VoLTE, your LTE band is strictly data-only (though you COULD use IM and voice apps like Google Voice, since those use a data connection).
I think CDMA carriers are still running whitelists anyway, regardless of what the phone supports --- and Sprint is probably taking it a step further by only allowing Sprint and (possibly) Unlocked phones.
Because of the whitelist BS, you ideally need a Sprint model (as the whitelist goes by IMEI, not what software is flashed, although non-Sprint software may have issues with the initial activation so do that before flashing anything). If you're on Sprint itself rather than an MVNO, you might be able to get away with just swapping the SIM into a CDMA-capable phone, but it really depends on how the network is set up.
To summarize:
Because it only supports one band (a data-only band, even), your coverage will be extremely limited
In the same vein as above, unless you can get either VoLTE working over that single band, or wifi calling to connect, you'll have no native voice/text services due to lack of CDMA
Sprint will absolutely not freshly activate a non-Sprint (as indicated by IMEI) phone on their network, maybe not the unlocked US998 model either (however this probably won't stop you from swapping your SIM in)
Ideal course of action is to return your H932 (and eat any return cost, unfortunately...), obtain an LS998, get it activated, then flash whatever ROM you like (if desired)
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If you're curious as to why anyone would want an H932, given it being harder to unlock and root and being limited strictly to T-Mobile bands: it's the only model that supports band 71, TMO's new-in-2017 long-range band --- the US998 both lacks the band out of the box and is unable to activate it in software for whatever reason.
At a guess, this was due to an exclusivity agreement between LG and TMO in order to sell more carrier models...which is utterly moronic because b71 support was nearly useless in Q4 2017 (barely any sites deployed). But hey, what do I know, I'm just a random consumer and certainly don't know better than LG's fantastic marketing department.
(that last bit was sarcasm, if it wasn't obvious, LG's marketing is a joke/worst-in-industry)
@Septfox Thank you for the thorough and very helpful answer!