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Ill be moving to japan by years end and was wondering what network could I use to work with the Atrix? And if anyone has any experiance living in japan, how does billing work?
From everything I've heard Japan has domestic market phones that make the Atrix look like old news. You might be better off getting a phone/plan locally when you get there.
...I beg to differ on that one.
Here in Japan, there are some good Android phones, but they're almost always locked down. For example my SH005. great phone except the battery won't last a whole day.
I picked up an Atrix I plan on unlocking and using that over here.
anything that has the 2100 band (pretty much all 3G phones in the US) will work on Softbank. if you're going there permanently, then if your phone is unlocked you can probably just drop the SIM in. if you're going temporarily then you will probably need to grab a prepaid SIM but it should still work in the phone. you pay for all minutes used, incoming calls are free, and softbank has a good deal on unlimited mail for prepaid (300 yen per month) plans.
shadowfalx had issues with softbank in JP.. he tried 2 Atrix handsets and couldn't get either of them to work with data..
It had to be his APN settings. I've used dozens of non-softbank phones over here, starting with my GSM WinMo Treo 750, and as long as the APN settings were correct, it worked on data fine. There's one other person with an Atrix I know here in Tokyo; He's a Google employee here. So I know it'll work.
Kueller said:
From everything I've heard Japan has domestic market phones that make the Atrix look like old news. You might be better off getting a phone/plan locally when you get there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like what?
Japan is behind the times these days, still loving flip phones, blackberries and just joining the iphone love.
Symbian is alive and well in Japan. That should tell you everything.
starrwulfe said:
It had to be his APN settings. I've used dozens of non-softbank phones over here, starting with my GSM WinMo Treo 750, and as long as the APN settings were correct, it worked on data fine. There's one other person with an Atrix I know here in Tokyo; He's a Google employee here. So I know it'll work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you ever heard of people getting extremely high charges for data? I read about that on another forum (gaijinpot, search for "softbank bill" on the title, I can't link to it). They say softbank will usually not allow you to use a cell phone they didn't sell on their data network if you ask them directly. The thread is 3 or so moths old, I don't think too much has changed since then.
Again, it's all in the plan/APN settings you start off with beforehand, along with checking My.softbank.ne.jp to see if you're getting ridiculous charges...
Some people go into the store, get a prepaid phone, then just swap the SIMs. No prepaid phone here comes with data!
Others are moving from a featurephone to a smartphone. Those have data, but are tied to a specific APN. When pulling down more data than allowed from that APN, they charge exorbitant fees. Hence plan changing is a good thing.
Finally, some people go from iPhone to another Android. iPhones here have totally different APNs they attach to.
It's all in the name controlling the plans for their customers, that's all. Connect to the one you're paying for, then you shouldn't have any problem.
Again, I used an AT&T treo 750, HTC Tilt, HTC Tilt 2, from T-mobile, and an out-the-box unlocked iPhone 3GS from Singapore with no issues. Of course you NEVER tell them that you're using a different phone from the one that's on their system. But as long as you're connected properly, they generally don't care.
That being said, theres another option called B:mobile here. They're an MVNO and use DoCoMo's network. They just sell you a prepaid SIM card. I may try them out, just to see what kind of service is there and if it could save me some ¥. This guy is test one right now actually:
http://softbanksucks.blogspot.com/
Wow, that was really informative starrwulfe. I was looking for this kind of info because I just got an Atrix off of ebay and I plan to use it with a Dell Streak's SIM which I got from softbank on the 2-year contract. You're saying that if I backup my APN settings from the Streak I should have no problems on the Atrix, correct?
For the record, I pay about 9,000 yen per month. That includes ~6,000 for the unlimited data plan, ~1800 for the phone, and all the crap you have to sign in when you make the contract.
OP, If you are going to stay in Japan long enough and you intend to use a lot of data on the Atrix you may want to consider getting a basic android smartphone from softbank on an unlimited data plan and swapping SIMs.
Exactly.
I have a Sharp Galapagos SH005 here now, but like you, I'm switching to an Atrix too (in fact it should be here before Saturday) and that's exactly what I plan to do.
Easy way to tell what APN you should connect to is to check the color of the SIM cards. Black ones are iPhone only cards, gray ones with green bands specifically say "SMARTPHONE" on them-- they go into the Android phones here. Feature phones have a regular gray card.
You can find the APN info and password easily by googling a little... But if you can back up your APN info, can you share it with me? mine is locked (current phone can't be rooted)
Ok, now I'm having trouble here with getting my Atrix set up on the Softbank network.
Phone calls and SMS work, but data doesn't.
Seems they have some unpublished APNs now with the new android phones. My Galapagos plugs into some other APN than what the normal silver cards did. Unfortunately I can't see what my APN is now on my current phone since they've locked that part out.
What I'm also afraid of is that they may have also started using things like imei checking and user agent binding as well. Great, now what can I do?
Sent from my SBM005SH using XDA App
Just so you know, I have this with sim card out of my iPhone and my atrix works on the softbank network. So it was see if only thing stopping me for connecting to softbank is apn info.
again if anybody has sharp galapogos APN information for softbank I would happily pay pal a donation
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
starrwulfe said:
It had to be his APN settings. I've used dozens of non-softbank phones over here, starting with my GSM WinMo Treo 750, and as long as the APN settings were correct, it worked on data fine. There's one other person with an Atrix I know here in Tokyo; He's a Google employee here. So I know it'll work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was APNs....sort of. Motorola Atrix requires you to add your Username and Password to a file in '/system/etc/ppp/peers/pppd-ril.options'. With out this you can call and use wi-fi but can not use mobile data.
and for APN's this site is helpful:
http://android.modaco.com/content/a...internet-mms-apk-for-softbank-users-in-japan/
Just remember is you want tethering and aGPS add them to the list in APN Type. So it should read default,supl,mms,agps,dun,tether remember NO spaces
Starrwulf do you have root on you Galappagos phone? if so you can look at the APNs.....Let me make a guide quickly and I will update this post.
Required:
SQLite editor
Root
1) Open SQLite editor and accept the root permissions.
2) Go to Dialer storage.
3) telephony.db
4) carriers
This opens a database file with all the APNs preloaded on the phone. You should be able to look for the one that has a 'Yes' in the current field.
I assume this is the same or similar on the Galapagos (I don't have one specifically though)
Thanx _Dennis_ for being so helpful!
Unfortunately, this thing has no root-- or rather may have temporary root, but not full root.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1054132
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=13747122
If I could gain just enough access to that file, then maybe theres a good chance it's in there.
I don't think SuperOneClick works... any suggestions?
maybe try gingerbreak? it may gain you root but you may not be able to change anything, which would be ok.
Or even better do you have adb access? if so I will find the correct .db file.
--edit: correct file is /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/telephony.db
or try these settings:
apn carrier="SoftBank Internet"
mcc="440"
mnc="20"
apn="andglobal.softbank.ne.jp"
user="andg001softbank"
password="pumbbghkpgyybsxa"
mmsc="http://mms/"
mmsproxy="andmms.softbank.ne.jp"
mmsport="8080"
type="default,mms"
preferred="true"
from: http://android.modaco.com/content-p...-mms-apk-for-softbank-users-in-japan/page/40/
I'm on the freenode IRC channel #moto-atrix, my name is shadowfalx do to someone already having _dennis_ registered though, if you want more real time help
You, another friend of mine here on Gtalk, and I found that MoDaCo thread all at the same time!
Those settings did the trick actually! So now I'm good to go. Now I need to figure out how to push that other mms.apk thru ADB to get my useragent changed...
BTW I'm new to the Android Mod scene. I started messing with WinMo back in the States, then moved here and had a very hacked Tilt 2 on softbank... when it gave up the ghost, I went into the iPhone jailbreak scene. Now I'm here! So I'll accept any and all advice you can give me, sensei/senpai!
You don't really need the mms app Download 'Handcent' from the market and change the UA in settings. Also I suggest getting 'market enabler' requires root but it allows you to fake a US sim card in the market and get US only apps.
I have Hancent... But I don't see anywhere to change the UA in the settings.... Am I missing something?
I have searched and searched and cannot find an answer. I recently acquired a Verizon Droid X2 and had it switched to my Alltel plan. Phone works great, but I cannot fix the dreaded no 3g no mms issues.
I have tried everything I could think of, but nothing. Wifi works fine, dialing out and receiving calls work fine, and sms text works fine.
I looked at the apn setting, which are not easy to find without the help of a 3rd party program on the market (apn shortcut), but now what I see is 5 entries for Verizon related services:
Verizon CBS
Verizon DUN
Verizon FOTA
Verizon IMS
Verizon Internet
But they all have a lock icon next to them, so I can't change any settings. I have tried creating a new entry but it doesn't save for some reason (my wife has the milestone x for alltel, works fine, I used tried to use her settings)
I have tried updating the prl, tried things like ##778 and all that, but none of these work for alltel.
Can anyone offer any help? Phone is almost worthless for me if I can have 3g and mms.
Thanks,
andyw123,
If you are subscribing to these service's that's something you should call Alltel / Verizon about. Verizon ownes Alltel I'am not sure if you know that.
{In early 2009, Verizon Wireless acquired Alltel, although the Alltel brand will remain until it is gradually phased out through the middle of 2009. Alltel was a large regional CDMA carrier offering service in 33 states, primarily in the south, midwest, and west. In 2005, the company acquired Western Wireless, a smaller carrier that operated under the Cellular One brand with service in 19 western states.}
Hope's This Help's
Thanks for the quick reply!
Ya, I tried that. They basically told me in a polite way that I shouldn't have taken a phone that wasn't part of Alltel's current line up and activated it on Alltel. Alltel told me that they could activate it, but couldn't guarantee that it would even work at all, which doesn't suprise me at all coming from Alltel.
I stopped at a total of 3 places, 2 alltel's and 1 verizon store. The first alltel told me they couldn't activate the x2 at all, but he tried, which messed up my current phone (he somehow deactivated it). Then went to Verizon next, they told me that I couldn't activate it at all because it wasn't part of Alltel's line up. Then I went to a corp store to get my old phone fixed, and somehow they were able to activate my x2, but with no data and no mms. Told me I was basically out of luck.
So, trying to decide if I should just sale the x2, which I don't want to do because currently the best phone Alltel has is the milestone x, which my wife has and it is dreadfully slow, slower than my old htc desire.
Anyone know of any other options that I might have?
Thanks
To access the programming menu open the dialer and dial ##PROGRAM the spc code is 000000
Sent from OH MY GOD IS THAT A SQUIRREL!
Thanks Juhde,
I've already been in that menu, made sure ALL (except for my phone number) settings matched my wifes milestone x phone, and still nothing. I'm not an expert, but sounds to me like it has something to do with the APN settings, which I cannot seem to change.
Funny thing about this is, I can "copy" the apn-conf.xml file or whatever it is called from the system/etc folder on the phone, and it shows my custom settings that should work (the same file was on my HTC phone, which worked). But, when I use the program from the market called "APN Shortcut" to view my apn settings, it doesn't show anything other than the verizon defaults. I have tried to add a new APN entry, but when I click save, it acts like it did save it, but no new entry.
I'm wondering if there is another location that is saving these entries and somehow verizon has figured out a way to bypass the default location to save apn settings. Later, I'm going to search on the phone and see if there is another xml file that contains those settings.
Thanks for the help!
I'm no expert at this, but a lot of the times "replacement" files won't function unless the permissions are set correctly. I'm not sure what the permissions should be for that file but you might want to look into it.
EDIT: after taking a closer look, the app APN Manager seems to be a better program for adding an apn. Wither it works I can't say but when I used it to swap apn it stuck after reboot.
Sent from OH MY GOD IS THAT A SQUIRREL!
This isnt alltel but i got my phone activated on another carrier.like you talk and txt worked. It wasn't until I flashed a few prl's and found one that got my 3g and mms working.mms still works spotty sometimes ,however.
I have 4 Verizon branded phones (mine is an x2) all using an alltel plan. I don't understand why you are having any problems at all
Do you mind give me some info from your x2? Like what the apn settings are set to and what prl you have?
Thanks!
i also have an alltel dataplan with an X2, no issues,
and no offense, but i dont know what is privileged info and what is not, so i wont be sharing
sorry
fischb22 said:
i also have an alltel dataplan with an X2, no issues,
and no offense, but i dont know what is privileged info and what is not, so i wont be sharing
sorry
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WTF do you mean privileged info? I think he is just wanting to compare the numbers, what is he going to do with the info from your phone, besides compare to his current setup?
There is nothing that I can do with your apn settings or your prl version that you are running. This is just so I can see if my setting are the same as your working settings. I have compared them to my wifes Milestone X and they are the same.
On another note. Here is something wierd. I was able to erase all the apn setting from verizon (i think) and then I added the apn setting from my wifes phone, clicked on save, and then it went back and didn't actually save them.
The more and more I think about it, I am wondering if it is a PRL problem instead of the apn settings problem. Seems alot of people got this problem fixed on their phone by doing the prl change. Problem with that is, most people say to do a ##prl to fix it, that doesn't work on this phone. The only code I can get to work is *#*#program#*#* or something like that. So, anyone know of a way to manually change my prl on my phone?
The prl update number for Verizon is *228 since Verizon owns Alltel I think it's the same.
Sent from my Android device.
Ya, thats it if you want to download whichever one that want to give you, but it won't let me put one on there that I got, if that makes any sense at all.
Basically, is there a file location that I can copy it to or maybe a way to install it like I would a zip from recovery or anything like that? I already have the file download that I want to try to use, but basically going to try a few to see if I notice any difference.
p.s. Now I think my phone is actually only ringing part of the time, the other times it seems to go straight to voice mail even though I have 4 bars and not in roaming...
Thanks for the input everyone by the way!
Sooooo you have dialed *228 and it didn't work? Verizon also has forced and secondary prl update numbers. Try *22898 & *22899. Also what does your network banner say? Alltel? Extended network? If it says Extended network you might call Alltel up and ask them where the nearest Alltel owned tower for you is, drive to its area, reboot and try to update again. 3rd party towers *usually* don't carry the data encryption key your phone needs to activate the data plan.
Sent from my Android device.
Ok, well... I called both the other *228xx numbers, and I was greeted by alltel. I clicked on 2 and it said "Your phone already contains the latest update" and that was it. and as far as my banner, it doesn't actually "say" alltel, or anything like that. Just shows with the 4 bars, or a triangle if I am in roaming. I know from past that in a near by big city does have alltel towers around, and I was there but no difference.
So, still back to square one.
Thanks again for all your help!!
Another quick update. I finally found a way to update just the prl file. So, I tried 41003.prl and updated it manually (was not too difficult, just alot of trial and error). Phone worked just fine, but still no 3g coverage. Next I went to 31005.prl which is an actual alltel prl, but still the same effect - no 3g.
So, I went back to the latest prl from alltel which is 31011.
So, I am pretty sure that the prl file is not the problem. I guess now I need to figure out the apn setting issue that I am having, which is basically the default verizon settings are not working for me, even if I am in a verizon territory (like columbus ohio, big city). Using an app that was suggested to me on this thread I was able to delete the verizon apn settings fine. But when I went to create new apn settings, I went through it all and clicked on save, but it didn't actually save them. So, back to square one.
It would be nice if someone who is currently using a stock x2 from verizon on alltel would tell me what their prl version number is and their apn settings are (using an app like apn shortcut - found on the market).
On a side note. One difference I noticed. Looking at my old android phone (htc desire), it shows the same apn setting basically as my wifes phone, but the MNC number is 120, mine is currently set to 004, which is not changeable.
Several weeks later, and still no 3g data at all. Wireless works flawless, and phone calls work (actually phone works better than an alltel phone)
One thought that I had but not sure if I posted about yet...When I got the phone from the guy I got it from, he said he "thinks" it has a bad esn. So, I got it on a chance, afterall I could sell it on ebay for more than I paid for it with a bad esn. Anyway, if it does have a bad esn on verizon, I'm not entirely sure that Alltel would check it or even care about that. So, since alltel is owned basically by verizon, but still a separate company as of now, I wonder if verizon is blocking data access because it might have a bad esn.
I guess my next step is to call verizon and see if they can tell me if the esn is bad. I have tried a verizon store, and they were NO help to me at all, and actually very rude. Alltel just tells me that "I won't be able to get data because I am not using one of their phones" which is crap.
So, I think ultimately we have eliminated the prl possibility, apn is still my number one concern, but now I am leaning towards a bad esn. If that is the case, does anyone have any ideas on what I might be able to do with a bad esn? I know it is illegal to "change" an esn, and I don't think it is possible right now with the x2, but do I have any other options besides going back to my old phone (htc desire - not a bad phone, just want the larger screen and faster performance).
Thanks again everyone. Everyone has been alot of help!
If you wanna take drastic measures, search for a program called radiocomm, it's what motorola uses to program the radio.
A word of warning: if you change something with radiocomm and do it wrong the radio will become useless and the software is VERY complex to use. It could take you literally years to figure out but who knows, maybe you can find out exactly what parameter needs tweaking. I'd advise caution using radiocomm though. I just wanted you to know of the option.
Sent from my Android device.
I'm looking to potentially let my best friend use my S4 and wondering a few things since my best friend is on T-Mobile...
1) Does anyone have a reliable list of the APNs for LTE, MMS/SMS, etc for T-Mobile? And I'm assuming the LTE APN also covers GSM that T-Mobile uses too, right?
2) With LTE/data use when a person hits their LTE cap will it still drop them down in speed with the same APN or does that require a different APN for the lower speeds?
Thanks so much in advance. I tried to Google search on this but got confused a bit so I felt it was better to ask than to try to assume things based upon what I am reading.
Bump hoping that I got overlooked. Still needing help and searching didn't seem to clarify things for me.
I bought this phone and it seems that I can get 2&3g but not 4g. I'm wondering if anyone is currently using the phone successfully. I have the emerald green one if that makes a difference. I have called tmobile, she said everything seems fine. I'm confused and extremely disappointed. Thanks anyone for your help.
UPDATE:
I called T-Mobile last night and was asked if my APN network is "T-Mobile US LTE". I stated no, but she continued on to other things. I had in inkling that that was what the issue was. I let it go, and decided to call T-Mobile today and speak with tech support again. I asked about the APN network. I explained that the name did not have T-Mobile US LTE . She had me add a new APN, and it magically worked. Please check your APN and see if it says LTE. It makes a difference. If you need help, message me. I will give you the APN information!
rubiarohan said:
UPDATE:
I called T-Mobile last night and was asked if my APN network is "T-Mobile US LTE". I stated no, but she continued on to other things. I had in inkling that that was what the issue was. I let it go, and decided to call T-Mobile today and speak with tech support again. I asked about the APN network. I explained that the name did not have T-Mobile US LTE . She had me add a new APN, and it magically worked. Please check your APN and see if it says LTE. It makes a difference. If you need help, message me. I will give you the APN information!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm thinking about buying the SM-G925F version (because I'm interested in the emerald green color) but would be using it with T-Mobile in the USA. Have you had any further issues with yours on T-Mobile?
I couldn't find clear confirmation that the international version supports Band 12... have you been able to connect using Band 12?
Verizon Samsung Galaxy S4 (SCH-I545), AT&T SIM: very low signal, no picture messaging
I recently switched from Verizon to AT&T, bringing the S4 I had on Verizon. At the AT&T store, they added a new SIM everything seemed to work OK except for a constant "non Verizon SIM" message.
However, upon taking the phone home, or anywhere else, my signal strength is too low to do anything at all. (It worked at the store only because they have an antenna on the top of their building) This is a phone problem and not a network problem as everyone else I know has excellent signal in these areas. The signal strength in my house is -113 dBm, 0 asu. And for the record, my signal strength with Verizon was fine, so this is AT&T SIM specific.
A possibly related problem is that I cannot send picture texts at all. I can sometimes receive them, but it's buggy. Regular SMS texts will sometimes go through, albeit very slowly with many dropped messages, due to the signal issue mentioned above.
The AT&T store has been absolutely worthless in helping me. They did confirm that my APN settings are correct at least.
I rooted the phone because I didn't really know what else I could try. I currently have the phone rooted using Odin, MobileGo, and Supersu using the tutorial found here (I did reflash the kernal back to OF1):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-verizon/general/samsung-s4-i545-verizon-of1-root-t3254434
I basically would like to know what settings I could change to try and fix this issue.
I'm not sure what the forum's policy is on "bumping" unanswered posts, so I apologize if this is inappropriate.
I am really at a loss though as to how to approach or fix this problem. I am rooted but don't know what settings I should play with.
I've bought an unlocked S5 to replace this one since my last post. So I am open to taking some more risky measures to get this now extra phone working (so long as they make logical sense).
Please let me know if there is any additional information I can provide. I am slowly trying to learn more about Android OS and cell phones, but it's a pretty daunting subject.
I have no links for you but search around and investigate the APN settings. Normally MMS issues are due to incomplete or incorrect APN settings on the affected device. It could also be contributing to you signal issues.
FernBch said:
I have no links for you but search around and investigate the APN settings. Normally MMS issues are due to incomplete or incorrect APN settings on the affected device. It could also be contributing to you signal issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I appreciate your response! I am using the APN settings listed for Android here:
https://www.att.com/esupport/article.html#!/wireless/KB424489
This is about the ONLY thing I'm sure I have configured correctly.
Although I will mention, that if I remove the AT&T SIMM card, the APN settings are removed and the phone defaults back to CDMA/LTE preferred network.