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Hi guys,
I just got my C6806, and went to AT&T to activate it. But I'm only getting HSPA+, and no LTE speed. I'm using the apn setting that the phone automatically downloaded. Do I need to change the apn setting myself in order to get LTE? The phone is on 532 firmware.
Thanks.
eureka9 said:
Hi guys,
I just got my C6806, and went to AT&T to activate it. But I'm only getting HSPA+, and no LTE speed. I'm using the apn setting that the phone automatically downloaded. Do I need to change the apn setting myself in order to get LTE? The phone is on 532 firmware.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may need to edit your APN. I would take the settings from another ATT LTE phone and create a new APN or just edit yours if necessary. I should be getting mine tomorrow and if you can't get yours to work I will do mine and let you know what I did.
Later
this is what I've got for att. I have c6833, so it's not on lte, but you can try it anyways. got those settings off att website.
pw is CINGULAR. things capitalized need to be put in capitalized.
Sent from my C6833 using xda app-developers app
Hi eureka9, I don't think this has to do with the APN settings. I believe this is an issue with AT&T based on my research with my dad's Xperia ZL.
Based on what I have read, AT&T has a list of approved devices (or IMEI, not sure which) that can use the LTE network (basically the phones you can buy from AT&T). Because Sony's new devices (XZ, XZL, XZU, etc.) are not offered by AT&T, the best you can get is HSPA.
The way to get around this is to have your line associated with an approved LTE device (e.g.: SGS3) then just take the SIM and put it in your ZU. I came off of a Galaxy Note 2 but I didn't not call AT&T to "activate" or anything, just put the SIM in. My ZU connects with LTE (when there's reception of course but that's a whole other issue). I can do a screenshot and post if you want (just need to know how to do that, got my ZU just yesterday and loving it).
With my dad's Xperia ZL, he was coming off a Moto Atrix 2 which has no LTE capabilities. Calling AT&T and activating the Xperia ZL didn't help as he still only got HSPA. I did a test and put in my SIM from my Galaxy Note 2 (this was several months back BTW) and voila, LTE connection.
As mentioned, I did some digging when working with my dad's XZL and besides having a SIM already activated with a LTE phone, some AT&T stores may be nice enough to put a "dummy" IMEI from a LTE phone (like a demo unit or something). If you Google "AT&T Xperia ZL LTE" (or something like that), you should find some posts on other forums that talk about this method (but YMMV depending on the store). I haven't done this myself but I'm planning on switching to T-Mobile anyways.
Hope this helps.
Thank you very much for your replies!
I tried the APN on a HTC One with LTE working, but no luck.
I think it's probably as nOrbX187 said, AT&T didn't want me to have LTE speed if I'm not buying stuff from them.. Anyway I'll try putting my gf's HTC One's sim card in the Ultra and see if it works.
By the way, if I register the HTC One's imei with the sim card of my Ultra, will the HTC One still have LTE?
My understanding is that if the ph is international unlocked, then you will not get lte on att. So my question is whether the xperia z ultra sold by sony USA is international unlocked or non international unlocked?
Can someone enlighten me on this?
Thanks
antmay1 said:
My understanding is that if the ph is international unlocked, then you will not get lte on att. So my question is whether the xperia z ultra sold by sony USA is international unlocked or non international unlocked?
Can someone enlighten me on this?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's completely unlocked.
As for the OP, his sim probably isn't provisioned for LTE. It works completely fine in my Ultra.
Funk2641 said:
It's completely unlocked.
As for the OP, his sim probably isn't provisioned for LTE. It works completely fine in my Ultra.
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Click to collapse
Funk2641,
Thanks for your reply. I have another question.
Since unlocked's IMEI isn't in the ATT database, do I need to provide another IMEI number from another LTE ph in order to get LTE service for my c6806?
Can you explain your process of having it provisioned for LTE?
Thanks again
Hi antmay1,
I believe that is the case. All you really need is to have the IMEI of an AT&T LTE phone on the SIM card. Again, the key is that the IMEI needs to be an AT&T LTE PHONE.
Again, I just took the SIM which has been activated for my Galaxy Note 2 and put it in my ZU and I get LTE.
As mentioned in my post, some AT&T stores may be able to help you out but YMMV per store.
Hope this helps.
nOrbX187 said:
Hi antmay1,
I believe that is the case. All you really need is to have the IMEI of an AT&T LTE phone on the SIM card. Again, the key is that the IMEI needs to be an AT&T LTE PHONE.
Again, I just took the SIM which has been activated for my Galaxy Note 2 and put it in my ZU and I get LTE.
As mentioned in my post, some AT&T stores may be able to help you out but YMMV per store.
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks nOrbX187 for your prompt reply. I have an iphone 4s LTE capable that I am not using. But the iphone 4s uses a different sim card and I cannot just drop it into the z Ultra. I will have to bring both the iphone 4s and Z Ultra to the ATT store for them to activate my ultra with LTE service.
you sure? i went from 4s to z ultra and its the same sim size. the 4s is "4G", but lte didnt come until the 5. if you call 611 from an iphone, itll send you to a iphone call center. explain you have a factory unlocked phone and theyll usually just set you up with right plan since they are only really trained for iphone support. the tech i called even called sony and got the specs of the hardware to troubleshoot my network issues. lol
Sent from my C6833 using xda app-developers app
ij0rgei said:
you sure? i went from 4s to z ultra and its the same sim size. the 4s is "4G", but lte didnt come until the 5. if you call 611 from an iphone, itll send you to a iphone call center. explain you have a factory unlocked phone and theyll usually just set you up with right plan since they are only really trained for iphone support. the tech i called even called sony and got the specs of the hardware to troubleshoot my network issues. lol
Sent from my C6833 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ij0rgei, Thanks for replying. I will check the size of the sim card on my iphone 4s. From what I have googled, 4s uses the nano sim card and the ultra uses the micro sim card. But I could very well be wrong since you switched from 4s to Ultra.
ij0rgei said:
you sure? i went from 4s to z ultra and its the same sim size. the 4s is "4G", but lte didnt come until the 5. if you call 611 from an iphone, itll send you to a iphone call center. explain you have a factory unlocked phone and theyll usually just set you up with right plan since they are only really trained for iphone support. the tech i called even called sony and got the specs of the hardware to troubleshoot my network issues. lol
Sent from my C6833 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ij0rgei,
Another question for you. When you setup the new ultra using the previous iphone 4s account, did you manage to get LTE on the new ultra?
Thanks,
Anthony
no LTE since I'm missing the 700 band. I got anxious and ordered the international version. att didn't have the phone in database so it defaulted me to a unlimited blackberry plan. they changed it to a generic unlimited plan instead. even as we speak, the phone icon I have is for a grayed out flip samsung when I'm managing my account online.
the plan they have me on is a LTE plan, but I'll probably never get to use it unless the USA changes bands all of a sudden. not planning on holding my breath for that one. I get 5mbps download on hspa+ so I'm happy. faster than most base home Internet services. lol
Sent from my C6833 using xda app-developers app
Solved
I chatted with att this afternoon, and have the imei of my gf's HTC One associated with my ZU. Both phones have lte now.
So the solution is to just get any ATT lte enabled phone, and register its imei with your ZU.
Do certain APNs need to be changed to allow the C8606 to enable the LTE?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I467 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
---------- Post added at 07:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:12 PM ----------
eureka9 said:
I chatted with att this afternoon, and have the imei of my gf's HTC One associated with my ZU. Both phones have lte now.
So the solution is to just get any ATT lte enabled phone, and register its imei with your ZU.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you register the imei with the ZU?
awol.sin773 said:
Do certain APNs need to be changed to allow the C8606 to enable the LTE?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I467 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
---------- Post added at 07:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:12 PM ----------
How do you register the imei with the ZU?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just leave the default APN settings for the ZU for AT&T.
Just find a LTE at&t phone. Put your Sim in and make sure you get LTE data service. If not call AT&T and have them change your plan to an LTE plan. Once that is done you can take the Sim out and use it on the ZU and you should be getting LTE service.
That's all I did with mine. Setup my ion, or 920 forget which one it was, initially and ever since any phone I use can utilize LTE (provided it supports it that is and is unlocked if not an at&t phone)
Sent from my Sony Xperia™ Z Ultra
I got my 6806 and had the same problem. Luckily my corporate IT dept (it's a company number/SIM/data plan) was able to help me out.
They took an IMEI number from a GS4 that was overheating, and called AT&T to update my number and SIM with the IMEI from the GS4. Power down and back up again, and boom - LTE.
(Wow I need to update my sig!)
from iPhone 5
I put the nano sim in an adapter in the 6806, only had h+
Switched sim to the larger micro sim and had at&t switch imei to an android imei
Restart phone
Boom
Lte baby!
I snagged one of the $29 dollar Verizon Wireless Moto E LTE Model XT1528 and was wondering if anyone has been able to use any of the guides I have found on XDA for enabling GSM and LTE bands on the XT1528
It is on backorder and I won't get it until around June 22nd so I don't have the phone yet to try yet.
I didn't see a thread for this model so wanted to ask on the forum.
If you did get this to work, can you share the steps you took to accomplish it. I am planning on giving this to my wife to replace her original gen Moto G as she keeps running out of space on it due to not having a SD memory card. We are currently using Cricket Wireless for our Cell phone service. If I can turn on the necessary LTE bands for AT&T / Cricket this would be additional Icing on the cake for this sweet deal.
Thanks for any info you can share.
doctor_evil
It's pretty much as described in the threads.
I removed the VZ sim, put in one of my other sims, got out of the VZ/moto setup, turned on wifi and downloaded one of the apps that let me change the radio bands to verify it was set for GSM/LTE, profit.
Nothing else was needed to get LTE on my Cricket (AT&T) or T-Mobile sims.
jdc said:
It's pretty much as described in the threads.
I removed the VZ sim, put in one of my other sims, got out of the VZ/moto setup, turned on wifi and downloaded one of the apps that let me change the radio bands to verify it was set for GSM/LTE, profit.
Nothing else was needed to get LTE on my Cricket (AT&T) or T-Mobile sims.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Upon switching to a different sim, did any of you guys experience the signal constantly changing from 4gLTE down to E or no signal or emergency calls only? happens to me quite often resulting in me always having to switch the cellular network from 4g to 2g, reboot, let it finish booting then change back to 4gLTE, then it is fine for a while(couple hours maybe), then falls back to E or no signal/emergency calls only again. annoys me quite a lot..
P.S. I'm on T-Mobile btw and I've provided a video file for exampleMoto E 2nd gen VZW on TMO with cellular network issue
explorer-10 said:
Upon switching to a different sim, did any of you guys experience the signal constantly changing from 4gLTE down to E or no signal or emergency calls only?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't say I've had that happen, but then again, it's a backup phone for me, not my primary. I just tested it to see if it worked and went back to my main phone after that.
How long will it work normally before that happens? Does it do it with the wifi off?
After getting my Oneplus 2, I went to the store to get my nano SIM as I still had my micro SIM from my OPO. When I went to the store to get my SIM the CSR scanned my OP2 IMEI. Since this is not recognized by AT&T as a known device, you will be unable to get LTE. If you simply swap the IMEI back to a supported device (can be just a demo phone on the floor) and LTE will be restored. Hope this is helpful to some!
gobig89 said:
After getting my Oneplus 2, I went to the store to get my nano SIM as I still had my micro SIM from my OPO. When I went to the store to get my SIM the CSR scanned my OP2 IMEI. Since this is not recognized by AT&T as a known device, you will be unable to get LTE. If you simply swap the IMEI back to a supported device (can be just a demo phone on the floor) and LTE will be restored. Hope this is helpful to some!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if I just go ask for a Nano Sim and don't let them scan my lmei my lte will work? Which version do you have?
They don't need your IMEI. Just tell them you need a new nano sim.
Then do this: Go to Settings and under Wireless & networks select "More". Then go to Cellular Networks->Access Point Names and change your APN to "ATT LTE / pta". Press the back button on the top left, reboot and walla.
How about if you currently get LTE on your OPO with AT&T, when you receive your OPT shouldn't it be as easy as cutting your sims to a nano size and putting it in the OPT and receive an LTE signal?
Yup, just make sure you have the correct APN selected.
I'm on AT&T and got LTE with no issues. It just took like 15 mins after first installing sim card.
I got LTE just fine as well when I got my OPT. The APN it's currently set on is "ATT Phone".
I got LTE no problems removing my sim from my nexus 6 to the OP2.
Sent from my ONE A2005 using Tapatalk
I had the same issue coming from the OPO to the OPT. I just went up to the AT&T store and the guy immediately recognized my OPT and got me set up with a new nano sim in less than 5 minutes. He didn't need to look at my phone or old sim. They have everything they need in the system to activate your new nano sim. After installing the new sim it only took about a minute to get an LTE signal and start making calls. Hope this helps!
I'm on Cricket, which is owned by ATT. I got a new Nano, called up Cricket to activate it and I've had LTE since. They did require the IMEI for the OPT however. I did a speed test and managed to get around 6-7MPBS which is normal since Cricket is throttled to 8MPBS on ATT's network.
Out of curiosity, are you guys not getting the LTE icon? Or just not getting LTE speeds?
what band is AT&T ?
xfox said:
what band is AT&T ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check here.
I'm in Dallas, got my op2 on Friday, att store on Saturday and I have LTE. All good
martinezma99 said:
I'm on AT&T and got LTE with no issues. It just took like 15 mins after first installing sim card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just popped in my SIM Card and was up and running immediately with ATT/LTE. No edits to the APN required.
MrPACS said:
I just popped in my SIM Card and was up and running immediately with ATT/LTE. No edits to the APN required.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At&t sim card? Coming from what device?
SysAdmNj said:
At&t sim card? Coming from what device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One Plus 2.
Sent from my ONE A2005 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 04:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:13 PM ----------
SysAdmNj said:
At&t sim card? Coming from what device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oops sorry, sony Xperia Z3+
Sent from my ONE A2005 using Tapatalk
I strolled into the AT&T store, told them I go back and forth from OnePlus to Note 4 (for work) and that I needed a new Nano Sim. They don't say a word, NOR CAN THEY, so tell them to walk off a bridge if they do.
I got LTE immediately, but I also am trying out the ATT LTE and PTA APNS if anyone has any experience with either let me know which they think works better.
I just cut down and sanded my micro sim from my OPO, then I did the same with my AT&T Hotspot from work. Now I use my sim for voice and the 2nd sim for data since it's on a 100 GB pool that's hardly used.
Got my OPT last week and needed a new AT&T sim card, as my previous phone's was too large. They did scan my IMEI at the store to enable the device on their network. I have been unable to get LTE and I just wasted an hour on the phone with AT&T with a guy that kept putting me on hold to speak with his supervisor. At the end he told me that unlocked devices are not compatible with the AT&T LTE network.
I am waiting for a call back from a supervisor now.
Any suggestions as to what I should ask AT&T to do to enable my LTE at this point?
nsiti said:
Got my OPT last week and needed a new AT&T sim card, as my previous phone's was too large. They did scan my IMEI at the store to enable the device on their network. I have been unable to get LTE and I just wasted an hour on the phone with AT&T with a guy that kept putting me on hold to speak with his supervisor. At the end he told me that unlocked devices are not compatible with the AT&T LTE network.
I am waiting for a call back from a supervisor now.
Any suggestions as to what I should ask AT&T to do to enable my LTE at this point?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's crazy. I bet your outcome would be different if you call back and talk to a different rep. I walked in and had them give me two nano sim cards without any hesitation. The guy did say he thought this phone was China only, but that's it. Took about 5 minutes.
Looked into Sprints Community Forum to see if they will support this device and it looks like they will not. I am getting this phone and it looks like I'll be leaving Spint.
Here is the thread to the forum. https://community.sprint.com/baw/message/1052157#1052157 Wanted to share in case anyone else is getting it in hopes that Sprint would support it.
Sprint generally tries to avoid factory unlocked phones so their bloatware stays in place.
Yep, Sprint has strict control over what is allowed access to their network. While the A7 has all the bands for Sprint usage, ZTE has said that they're working with Sprint (and Verizon) to get it approved for their networks.
I wouldn't bother too much with what Sprint_Jeffrey & co. said, they are probably in a similar position to the people within ZTE who claimed just days before the boot-loader unlock announcement that they would not be allowing unlocking of the boot-loader. Until an announcement is made by the Sprint people responsible for such things reps like Sprint_Jeffrey & co. are as much in the dark as the rest of us.
What I've heard about this phone and other unlocked phones with Verizon and Sprint support built into the hardware is.
From official channels you will get no support for the device and you can't go to the store and activate the phone.
But most of the time if you take an existing sim from your current phone and pop it in the new unlocked phone it will work just fine. It's worth a shot before leaving sprint if you like the existing service you have.
Unless you were already planning to leave for the greener pasture of GSM service, so many more device options available which is why i only consider GSM carriers myself.
Don' t know about Sprint but swapping in an active SIM from Verizon does NOT work. Been trying for three weeks. I am going to AT&T.
jaseman said:
Don' t know about Sprint but swapping in an active SIM from Verizon does NOT work. Been trying for three weeks. I am going to AT&T.
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Click to collapse
So you are disagreeing with the, probably, 50 posts I've seen with Verizon working on the Axon 7? I'm getting mine delivered today and will be trying it out tonight. I'm expecting it to work.
Eh, you won't miss Sprint. You could probably go with a cheaper service like Cricket and have better coverage, anyway. Verizon is the only CDMA carrier worth using, but you pay out the bum for the pleasure.
jaseman said:
Don' t know about Sprint but swapping in an active SIM from Verizon does NOT work. Been trying for three weeks. I am going to AT&T.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Works with my active Verizon SIM fine. Full bars Band 4 LTE, full bars CDMA, no roaming indicator (yet).
xtermmin said:
Works with my active Verizon SIM fine. Full bars Band 4 LTE, full bars CDMA, no roaming indicator (yet).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried again with Verizon and it is a no go. I hope those of you who are stuck with Verizon can get things worked out. I suppose Verizon will start to play nice in due time. I, however, have moved on to AT&T pre-paid. Took about 10 minutes for them to get my Axon 7 working properly. There were other ZTE devices in the store also. At least one other cell phone and a couple of other items. So they are already familiar with ZTE and had no trouble getting things setup correctly. Bye-Bye Verizon!
jaseman said:
I tried again with Verizon and it is a no go. I hope those of you who are stuck with Verizon can get things worked out. I suppose Verizon will start to play nice in due time. I, however, have moved on to AT&T pre-paid. Took about 10 minutes for them to get my Axon 7 working properly. There were other ZTE devices in the store also. At least one other cell phone and a couple of other items. So they are already familiar with ZTE and had no trouble getting things setup correctly. Bye-Bye Verizon!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you make sure to use the SIM1 slot instead of the SIM2/microSD slot? Only SIM1 is CDMA enabled.
I don't know why Sprint and Verizon are dicking around. Moto G4 and Google Nexus phones can run on their networks why not ZTE Avon?
rczrider said:
Eh, you won't miss Sprint. You could probably go with a cheaper service like Cricket and have better coverage, anyway. Verizon is the only CDMA carrier worth using, but you pay out the bum for the pleasure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not if you have RingPlus. I have 5 RingPlus free monthly lines each having 6000 mins/ text/ MB waiting to be ESN swapped out to better equipments
ultrasoul said:
Not if you have RingPlus. I have 5 RingPlus free monthly lines each having 6000 mins/ text/ MB waiting to be ESN swapped out to better equipments
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have RingPlus with a "free" ($15 initial top-up) 1400 plan. And it's great that you have 5 nice plans, but let's be honest, R+ isn't the same as it was last year. Plans like that don't come up much (if ever) anymore and when they do, the hoops make it a real PITA. I'll be surprised if R+ is even around in another year.
And in any case, it's still Sprint and Sprint's network is literally the worst you can use. It's great if you never travel and don't need service outside of cities, but "free" is the only case in which I would use their network. I use R+ with my Moto E as a streaming music player when I'm on the beach or out mowing or doing something else where the phone might get trashed.
xtermmin said:
Did you make sure to use the SIM1 slot instead of the SIM2/microSD slot? Only SIM1 is CDMA enabled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, all attempts were in SIM slot number 1 only. Constant roaming. On AT&T now and all is working great for less money. No brainer if you can do it.
jaseman said:
Yes, all attempts were in SIM slot number 1 only. Constant roaming. On AT&T now and all is working great for less money. No brainer if you can do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Er, constant roaming is normal... it's one of the many bugs that the A7 has on Verizon right now. Just had to check "data when roaming" and you would have been good to go.
xtermmin said:
Yep, Sprint has strict control over what is allowed access to their network. While the A7 has all the bands for Sprint usage, ZTE has said that they're working with Sprint (and Verizon) to get it approved for their networks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint locks their RUIM/SIM cards to the MEID of the device. Verizon does not engage in this 'anti-consumer' practice.
So can I just put a Sprint Note 4 sim in the Axon 7 and it will work?
I switched from sprint to cricket when I bought the axon 7. Got a good deal for signing up for auto pay and the signal has been wayyy better (in Pittsburgh). I drive all around town for work and only ran into one (almost) dead spot.
Active iPhone Sprint SIM doesn't work in Axon 7
sounreal said:
So can I just put a Sprint Note 4 sim in the Axon 7 and it will work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No this almost surely won't work. Though it's hard to be 100% sure as Sprint is so finicky with their different SIM card types...my Sprint phone is an iPhone 6S so perhaps the SIM isn't as friendly to Android phones (which is ridiculous but Sprint really does differentiate Android vs. iOS SIMs, which I found out the hard way)...
But I tried anyway with my FreedomPop Sprint SIM...below are some pictures of what happened. The Axon 7 showed a signal and a 4G/LTE icon, but the internet connection didn't work (it just shows a constant upload indication) and there was no 1X signal either when I checked LTE Discovery. So it seems that Sprint is effectively blocking the Axon 7 (as it would any non-Sprint MEID'd phone I believe) from making a data connection or making calls/texts.
It's a shame...Verizon doesn't do this...my Verizon SIM works great in the Axon 7...this is purely a Sprint limitation it seems, which is funny as they're the most desperate of the four major carriers and yet make it nearly impossible to do business with them even though we have a perfectly viable Sprint phone in the Axon 7.
Sprint binds the imei, icc id and phone number to the account. Everything has to match or you get no service.
Sprint is dead, move to a different carrier.
If you have an old Verizion (USA) unlimited data plan (or perhaps other "older" phone plans) that you've been holding onto AND you plan on buying unlocked phones you may want to read about what I learned today... This is mostly a PSA, but if anyone knows of a way to actually "fix" the issue please reply.
The short version is that apparently the old (original) unlimited data plans are setup to only work with locked down "Verizon" phones. I'm still working out all the ramifications of this and could use some help further down in this thread. What this means is that you can NOT activate a NEW sim card in an "non-Verizon" (unlocked) phone IF you're also on an original unlimited data plan (and perhaps any other older plans beyond a certain date?). You CAN; however, activate a NEW sim card in an OLD Verizon phone and after setup is complete you can then move that sim over to your new phone. This should not be a problem for NEW Verizon phone plans OR locked down phones that are considered "Verizon phones" by Verizon software.
As far as I can tell (so far), activating a new sim in an old phone and then moving to the new phone doesn't cause any issues with your service, but I could use some help testing this out in greater detail to confirm.
Here's my story:
I've been on a Verizon unlimited 4G data plan since they first offered them many years ago. I've remained on this plan through price increases and the removal of unlimited only to watch them return it (I almost switched to a new plan months ago... almost). I used to have a Droid Razr Maxx which got rooted and I enjoyed root for awhile. I eventually upgraded to the Droid Turbo (employee edition) which took a long time to gain root so I simply never tried. I decided I wanted root access again and all the joys that brings so after much research into my next phone I landed on the LG V30 unlocked edition. I got my order from B&H Photo a few days ago. I also decided that I wanted a new sim card as I've always felt my old one was "touchy". Could never put my finger on, but mostly I just wanted to start fresh with the V30.
A couple days ago I went into an official (USA) Verizon store and made my request to get a new sim activated on my V30. I didn't think this would be an issue as they sell V30s and I know others have been running "non-Verizon" phones without issues. The CS rep was supportive of this, but after inserting the new card and trying to activate it the Verizon software on his employee tablet shot back something about "this phone does not support this data plan" (or something similar). He tried to troubleshoot the issue for about 10 minutes, but then gave up since I was able to get the V30 working by using my old sim from my Droid Turbo. I accepted this and decided I'd just try again in a few days.
During this time I had no issues with the V30 using my data or making phone calls. I did eventually "kill" the V30 by exploring the band selection screen in the service menu, but a hard factory restore later and I was up and running again. Today I decided to try and get a new sim card again, only this time I decided to head to Best Buy since they sell the unlocked V30 online. My thought was "if they sell the unlocked V30, maybe they'll better understand my issue with a new sim activation"....
After finding the "sim card expert" I requested we went to work. He pulled our a new SIM, dialed up his Verizon contact number and we waited. Once the Verizon rep was on the phone we continued onto activating the sim only to be met with the same error "phone & plan don't like each other". The Verizon rep was stumped after many trial and error attempts on getting it to go through. My issue was eventually escalated to a tech that had more power to get things working and even he was stumped. After nearly 2 hours of digging into provisions and my account info he informed me that my "old" data plan was setup in such a way that it ONLY allows new activations with "Verizon" phones. Of course he suggested I move to a new unlimited data plan (with all the new fine print and prioritizations after 22GB intact of course, ha). He added that there was nothing he could do to change my plan settings to allow new "non-Verizon" phones. He was supportive of activating the new sim on my old Droid Turbo and then placing it into the V30 though. Once we did that the V30 was up and running again. On some quick tests everything appears to be working as well (would like some help to verify this though).
So there's the info I learned today, hopefully this helps someone else avoid any headaches later. How accurate this info is depends on the Verizon tech on the other end of the phone though as I'm only repeating what I was told. The tech did say that he never ran into this before (as I assume most people simply keep swapping in their old sim cards) and he did add that newer plans and phones shouldn't run into this issue and that it's strictly my old plan causing the hiccups on their system. He did check into moving me to the new data plan for activation and then putting my back into my old plan, but came back with "it's not possible".
Now then... all the above said I could use some help ensuring that my unlocked V30 is working correctly on Verizon with my current phone plan.
I've installed an run "RX Monitor", but what I notice is that I see no CDMA options listed under "operator" or "registered cells" or "Neighbor cells". All I see are "LTE" connections that seemingly only use "Band 13". I've driven between different cities from corn fields to the center of town and any time I check I see only "LTE" and "Band 13". Based on what I've read this seems odd... but I don't know enough about it to say for certain.
What I can say is that I can make phone calls (though they seem to be going over LTE and using HD Voice) and I send/receive SMS and MMS texts. I can go online and download and all the good stuff.
Is there a way to further test my phone? When I run RX Monitor on my wife Droid Turbo I can see a CDMA option and other LTE cells, but her phone does not report enough data to compare (ie, it doesn't list the band anywhere in the data) that I can see.
Is there another program or some other way to test or check this? My concern is that I've yet to see "3G" or "1x" on my V30 and I worry that if I end up in an area with more limited coverage that the V30 will simply not work vs switching to 3G or lower (something my Droid Turbo has done in the past).
Any thoughts?... and thank you.
teknomedic said:
The short version is that apparently the old (original) unlimited data plans are setup to only work with locked down "Verizon" phones.
What this means is that you can NOT activate a NEW sim card in an "non-Verizon" (unlocked) phone IF you're also on an original unlimited data plan (and perhaps any other older plans beyond a certain date?). You CAN; however, activate a NEW sim card in an OLD Verizon phone and after setup is complete you can then move that sim over to your new phone. This should not be a problem for NEW Verizon phone plans
After finding the "sim card expert" I requested we went to work. He pulled our a new SIM, dialed up his Verizon contact number and we waited. Once the Verizon rep was on the phone we continued onto activating the sim only to be met with the same error "phone & plan don't like each other".
After nearly 2 hours of digging into provisions and my account info he informed me that my "old" data plan was setup in such a way that it ONLY allows new activations with "Verizon" phones. He added that there was nothing he could do to change my plan settings to allow new "non-Verizon" phones.
He was supportive of activating the new sim on my old Droid Turbo and then placing it into the V30 though. Once we did that the V30 was up and running again.
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Thank you for all the information.
ChazzMatt said:
Thank you for all the information.
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I know it was a long read, but hopefully it made sense.
With full root access would it be possible to label an unlocked V30 as a "Verizon" V30 in software to trick the Verizon registration process into direct activation?
I don't know. The two have different FCC ID, so that would be one way for Verizon to tell the difference.
On the U.S.Moto Maxx 1225, people could unlock the bootloader, then flash Verizon firmware over it to turn it into a Droid Turbo XT1254 because they had the exact same FCC ID and were exactly the SAME device. Verizon just rebranded theirs as a "Droid Turbo" to pretend it was some kind of exclusive. It wasn't even exclusive in the U.S.!
Until Sunshine came along to unlock the Droid Turbo bootloader (a year after release), the Moto XT1225 served as the "dev" version of the Droid Turbo.
Sent from my LG-US998 using Tapatalk
I assume I'm not the only grandfathered Verizon data plan with an unlocked V30... can anyone else confirm that simply moving the sim over from another phone allows the V30 full access to the Verizon network.. CDMA, LTE, 3G, etc?
As I've said so far I only ever seen LTE with 4G. Though I did see CDMA once shortly after activation.. but then nothing
I recently got a Note 8 (at best buy, 300 off,but a down payment, and device payment plan). The sim activated on the Note 8, but my previous active sim was on an Unlocked S8 Plus (g955u1). I then activated the Note 8 Sim on my wife's back up S5, and then put the sim in my S8 plus unlocked. Inhave used the Note yet, because I dont have a glass protector yet and in case I have buyers remorse, I can return the Note 8.
If you have the grandfathered plan (which I do), you jusy simply have to get a 4g Verizon smart phone with a nano sim slot , activate it in there and put it in the Unlovked Lg v30. You should be able to get CDMA and 4g LTE connection.
Sent from my SM-G955U1 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Hmm I've had the same sim (just shaved down) since my OG Droid. Would this make a difference?
Ooo yeah here we go
Per Verizon's agreement with the FCC when they purchased radio band frequencies, Verizon must allow any compatible device to work on their network. If your device has CDMA and the LTE bands (2, 4, 13) then it will FULLY work. You will be able to make CDMA calls, LTE calls if VoLTE is functional on your device, and use data.
It is true that they are stingy on activation and there is NOTHING the techs can do to activate an unlocked phone. They did't write any code to block it let alone are aware of it. Don't bother even trying. Just get an old Verizon phone that takes nano SIM or go to a store and find an employee willing to activate it in a display phone then give it to you.
I've been using the same SIM for years from my Droid Turbo. It's been in a Nexus 6, Nexus 5x, Moto G4 Play, and an HTC One M8 without any usability issues.
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Charlie_Don't_Surf said:
Hmm I've had the same sim (just shaved down) since my OG Droid. Would this make a difference?
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Yes, that SIM card you have is still considered a mini SIM and will not activate in newer phones that take nano SIM.
I shaved down a micro SIM to fit a nano Sim slot. I tried to have it reactivated and Verizon was unable to. I informed the tech that it was actually a micro SIM and he activated it in a dummy Galaxy S3 and it worked.
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teknomedic said:
I know it was a long read, but hopefully it made sense.
With full root access would it be possible to label an unlocked V30 as a "Verizon" V30 in software to trick the Verizon registration process into direct activation?
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Verizon and probably the others use the IMEI number to check if it is a VZW or non-VZW phone before activation. Unless you obtained another IMEI number and used it, they can always tell it is a non-VZW phone. But I'm pretty sure that is illegal.
I'm on an unlocked/google Nexus 6. It wasn't purchased from Verizon. I also have an old unlimited data plan. Once a stockish rom comes out for the LG V30 I'll take the plunge and test this out. Hopefully my sim will work in the v30, since it already works with an unlocked phone.
All good info. Thanks everyone.
How could I test the phone though? Is there a way to force CDMA calling vs LTE.... Also... Using RX monitor why would I only be seeing band 13 with no CDMA listed?
I'll update here what I learn comparing a "Verizon V30" vs my B&H unlocked V30. I purchased a second V30 using the Verizon $300 off deal to combine it with the $400 rebate from LG. I know, I know.. it's locked down... but for a cheap backup phone I'm not complaining. I'll run as many comparisons for cellular service as I'm able to.
I know of RX Monitor... hopefully that will confirm or deny that my unlocked V30 is using the network in the same way as the "Verizon" V30.
Any requests or other programs I should use for comparison??
From what I understand, the grandfathered Unlimited has nothing to do with it. As far as I know, Verizon has only activated NEW sim cards on Verizon branded equipment. Once your number is provisioned on a Verizon phone, there is no issue moving the sim between unlocked phones.
Guyinlaca said:
From what I understand, the grandfathered Unlimited has nothing to do with it. As far as I know, Verizon has only activated NEW sim cards on Verizon branded equipment. Once your number is provisioned on a Verizon phone, there is no issue moving the sim between unlocked phones.
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THIS. This is what I've always been told the past few years. Recently someone said Verizon had changed their policies and they somehow activated a SIM card on a 2015 Moto X Pure, but I think that was some kind of fluke. I would still use this policy as the guiding principle for control freak Verizon.
AT&T and T-mobile don't care where your phone came from, they'll activate your phone. I'm on AT&T and have never had an AT&T branded phone. I even brought in two Moto XT1225 from other countries; the Moto XT1225 is the "international" version of the Verizon Droid Turbo XT1254. It was also basically a 5.2" version of the Moto Nexus 6. AT&T didn't have the XT1225 in their database. I said call it a Moto Nexus 6, which they did have in their database. BOOM. Activated. Two of them. And not just on AT&T, but AT&T Prepaid, because I own my phones and only want to pay for monthly service not pay an arm and a leg to subsidize some AT&T branded phone I will NEVER buy.
I'm not here to bash carriers (but I will bash most MVNOs), but the CDMA twins Sprint and Verizon are more trouble than they're worth, in my opinion. I want to use a carrier's signal, but I don't want to buy a carrier's locked down, often overpriced, devices. I don't want to have to buy a carrier phone just to be able to activate a non-carrier phone on that carrier. That's ridiculous.
Does the hot spot work out of the box on the unlocked V30 US998 on the old verizon unlimited plan?
bugswray said:
Does the hot spot work out of the box on the unlocked V30 US998 on the old verizon unlimited plan?
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yes, it does.
I have the B&H US998 V30+ on Verizon, but I gave up unlimited a year or two ago. Still not on the new unlimited yet.
Are you able to get any VM notifications on this phone?
I only get garbled text messages from Verizon, and there is no VM indication.
I have to check for missed calls and manually call *86 to see if I have any voicemail.
Other than that I think it is functioning fully. However I have never seen a 3G icon in the status bar.
I have a Verizon 4G Network Extender in my house, and I get good 4G at work.
teknomedic said:
I assume I'm not the only grandfathered Verizon data plan with an unlocked V30... can anyone else confirm that simply moving the sim over from another phone allows the V30 full access to the Verizon network.. CDMA, LTE, 3G, etc?
As I've said so far I only ever seen LTE with 4G. Though I did see CDMA once shortly after activation.. but then nothing
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I am a Grandfathered user with 450 anytime minutes and paying for text messages still. I moved from an LG G4 to an HTC 10 to an LG V30 just fine. Popped the simcard out of my HTC 10 and installed it into my unlocked V30 and it works perfectly. I don't have any wifi calling though and I'm assuming because I'm not installing any verizon apps what so ever. I don't require wifi calling so i'm good. But it drops to 3G when it has no LTE signal just fine and VoLTE works perfectly. Hope that helps you out.
dvgb173 said:
I have the B&H US998 V30+ on Verizon, but I gave up unlimited a year or two ago. Still not on the new unlimited yet.
Are you able to get any VM notifications on this phone?
I only get garbled text messages from Verizon, and there is no VM indication.
I have to check for missed calls and manually call *86 to see if I have any voicemail.
Other than that I think it is functioning fully. However I have never seen a 3G icon in the status bar.
I have a Verizon 4G Network Extender in my house, and I get good 4G at work.
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It's the same for me... just messed up text messages. I even tried to source the Verizon Voicemail app, but it refused to install... sooo... I setup Google Voice instead and after some tweaking it's working great, Google AI or whatever even gives me its best translation of the voice mail too in text form so I don't need to listen
The one thing I have noticed with Google Voice and normal voicemail is that if I let the phone ring through Google voice works perfectly, BUT if I decide to swipe the "ignore" or whatever button, then the normal voicemail picks it up. It's kinda nice in a way having two voice mail boxes... but also wish I knew how to fix that issue and force everything to google voice.
FunktasticLucky said:
I am a Grandfathered user with 450 anytime minutes and paying for text messages still. I moved from an LG G4 to an HTC 10 to an LG V30 just fine. Popped the simcard out of my HTC 10 and installed it into my unlocked V30 and it works perfectly. I don't have any wifi calling though and I'm assuming because I'm not installing any verizon apps what so ever. I don't require wifi calling so i'm good. But it drops to 3G when it has no LTE signal just fine and VoLTE works perfectly. Hope that helps you out.
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It does help, thank you.