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I noticed that the SIM cards keep changing every so often.
The new SIM cards have a smaller gold-metal surface area, whereas the older ones have a bigger gold-metal surface area.
Any ideas why?
Is there any benefit to swap out your SIM card to the newest? The SIM that comes in the box has a smaller gold-surface area.
(When was using previously using the iphone, my SIM was pretty beat up from switching phones all the time and the gold-metal part practically had indentations, which did give me reception problems. When I swapped it out with a new one at the store it did fix the problem. Obviously a surface contact problem.)
* Picture attached below *
iunlock said:
I noticed that the SIM cards keep changing every so often.
The new SIM cards have a smaller gold-metal surface area, whereas the older ones have a bigger gold-metal surface area.
Any ideas why?
Is there any benefit to swap out your SIM card to the newest? The SIM that comes in the box has a smaller gold-surface area.
(When was using previously using the iphone, my SIM was pretty beat up from switching phones all the time and the gold-metal part practically had indentations, which did give me reception problems. When I swapped it out with a new one at the store it did fix the problem. Obviously a surface contact problem.)
* Picture attached below *
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's the pic.
I did have a weird situation where replacing the sim actually somehow increased my data speeds...the old sim was only a year old ...but i ain't complaining
didn't really notice any less surface area tho
newspeak said:
I did have a weird situation where replacing the sim actually somehow increased my data speeds...the old sim was only a year old ...but i ain't complaining
didn't really notice any less surface area tho
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's interesting....hmmm....now I'm really curious haha...
I swapped out my 1 year old SIM as well and now im getting 3G signals in my house whereas my old sim would drop 3G service more often.
Idk I change sim cards for all my phones since g1 since there's nothing on it ever since using google contacts
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
There is typically no need to replace your sim card unless you are having problems with it (ie not registering on the network.)
However older sim cards have a restriction on how many times they can register on the network, and after they hit the limit the phone will stop connecting, so if you want to prevent this issue (usually takes a couple years, and is a lot more likely in areas where your signal drops, for people who travel a lot, and in 3G coverages areas where you swap back and forth between 3G and 2G) you can use one of the newer sim cards. To Identify whether your sim is the newer variant with no registration restriction look at the back where the gold contacts are, if its a newer sim it will say in small lettering "TMXXXX" (where X is a number, ie TM4322) and it will also have an expiration date printed (it must be activated by this date or it becomes unusable.)
In terms of 2G/3G the sim card itself and its age should not make a difference as the capability to connect to those networks is dependent on the phone, not the sim. You can think of a sim card as a gateway that connects your phone to the billing system and authenticates it.
Having had said that, if you are having connection issues it could just be a defective sim card, to check, just place the sim in a phone that isn't having any connectivity problems, if it starts having problems, replace your sim.
In terms of the digit you highlighted in that picture, I believe it has to do with the manufacture year, although if I remember correctly its digits 4 and 5 that make up that information, but otherwise isn't anything important to a consumer.
well i got curious and checked ....i have the bigger sim ...i don't think the numbers matter much
Aphotix said:
There is typically no need to replace your sim card unless you are having problems with it (ie not registering on the network.)
However older sim cards have a restriction on how many times they can register on the network, and after they hit the limit the phone will stop connecting, so if you want to prevent this issue (usually takes a couple years, and is a lot more likely in areas where your signal drops, for people who travel a lot, and in 3G coverages areas where you swap back and forth between 3G and 2G) you can use one of the newer sim cards. To Identify whether your sim is the newer variant with no registration restriction look at the back where the gold contacts are, if its a newer sim it will say in small lettering "TMXXXX" (where X is a number, ie TM4322) and it will also have an expiration date printed (it must be activated by this date or it becomes unusable.)
In terms of 2G/3G the sim card itself and its age should not make a difference as the capability to connect to those networks is dependent on the phone, not the sim. You can think of a sim card as a gateway that connects your phone to the billing system and authenticates it.
Having had said that, if you are having connection issues it could just be a defective sim card, to check, just place the sim in a phone that isn't having any connectivity problems, if it starts having problems, replace your sim.
In terms of the digit you highlighted in that picture, I believe it has to do with the manufacture year, although if I remember correctly its digits 4 and 5 that make up that information, but otherwise isn't anything important to a consumer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your input.
As for the exp. date, where is that located. I don't see it.
Aphotix said:
In terms of 2G/3G the sim card itself and its age should not make a difference as the capability to connect to those networks is dependent on the phone, not the sim. You can think of a sim card as a gateway that connects your phone to the billing system and authenticates it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I thought...until a lot of people started noticing better 3g connection/speeds with the new sim cards. Just a placebo effect perhaps?
The size difference could also be for users who want to make it a micro sim so they can put it in their unlocked iPhones. I don't have either of these sim cards to compare, so I'm not sure.
hmm.. the sim im using is almost 8 years old. its been moved from phone to phone so many times there are wear marks on the contacts. still works fine though.
When I first got my g1 a few years ago I had issues with the market. There were apps that I knew were available (private apps) but I could not download them. I went to a T-Mobile store and looked at the display phones. One of them was able to see private apps, the other like mine, could not. I talked it over with the rep and we decided to replace the sim card. It was a random, no other ideas, decision. Started the G1 back up and Market was now working as expected. There were no other benefits noticed. Since then, I tend to replace the sim anytime a new phone is purchased.
Your milage may vary.
-Ryan
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
When I got my Vibrant, coming from the g1, tmo wanted to just pop it in the Vibrant. I made them put in the new sim card just to be safe, figured the one that came in the box brand new SHOULD be better.
iunlock said:
Thanks for your input.
As for the exp. date, where is that located. I don't see it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its only on the newer ones, the old ones don't expire, they just stop working after a set number of registrations on the network.
In regards to sim issues, they really shouldn't have any impact at all. Changing a sim card refreshes the billing information in the system (like what kind of services your phone is supposed to have and what not) customer care can do this without the need for a new sim.
Hoenstly though, sometimes a sim replacement is needed, I've seen stranger things.
s15274n said:
When I got my Vibrant, coming from the g1, tmo wanted to just pop it in the Vibrant. I made them put in the new sim card just to be safe, figured the one that came in the box brand new SHOULD be better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I bought my phone out right, the rep opened the box and took out the SIM then sold me the phone.
I guess it doesn't matter since swapping out your SIM at the T-Mobile corporate stores is free.
I just tried this since there is a tmobile store across from where I work. I used SpeedTest app and ran it 3 times before the swap. Average was about 2500 kbps download and 300 up. I swapped the sim out, went back to the spot where I originally tested and ran three more times and got about the same rate with the new sim. My old one was about 3 yo from when I had my Dash.
MonkySlap said:
I just tried this since there is a tmobile store across from where I work. I used SpeedTest app and ran it 3 times before the swap. Average was about 2500 kbps download and 300 up. I swapped the sim out, went back to the spot where I originally tested and ran three more times and got about the same rate with the new sim. My old one was about 3 yo from when I had my Dash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm thinking the only time one would see a difference is if they are having poor contact surface from the SIM wearing out. I've seen ooolld SIM's where the metal had indentations like no other.
Just read the thread and said why not had the same sim card since I first signed up with tmobile 5 years ago.
When I talked with the rep on the phone and explained this to him and asked could this help he stated that the official tmobile policy is if the old sim card works no need to switch. However, because of the technical specs on the card could cause better reception, they just can't guarantee it, they only guarantee it will not get worse. He asked if I was having issues and I said no i'm just a nerd and wanted to know if it would help. Just swapped it out going to give it a test around the house and will report back.
Back Story:
Upgraded from G1, perfect 3G everywhere in chicago, couldn't even get it to drop from 3G no matter where I went. With the Vibrant and and old sim card, constantly dropped to 2G no big deal still was speedy
New Sim Card:
will report after testing
Old Sim Card
My connection constantly jumped from 2G to 3G all over my house constantly
New Sim Card
Solid 3G all through the house, will report back after tomorrow when I travel all over chicago
I received my Le max 2 (x829) about 5 days ago hoping my carrier would "support" it. Turns out US Cellulars bring your own phone style plan is incredibly limited, and after about 3 hours on the phone I was told that based on the IMEI number I had given them, US Cellular's (USC) system wouldn't be able to support the phone.
Side note right there - I did notice that part of the "rules" given to me on this were already broken on my Current USC phone and that Both the x829 and current phone share some similarity in IMEI number rhythm (maybe nothing but wanted to note it) IE *405033* on one, and 454050** on the other.
Found some time to research today and have found several XDA members noting that they have their x829's working on T-mobile, even T-mobile through Straight Talk. However, when checking "phone comparability" with either one using the IMEI # that all companies want to know atm I'm given an error.
So My question is thus: How did you; a X829 owner get your phone to work on your desired carrier? It seems AT&T and T-mobile seem to be the go to on this which I'm fine with.
A side question would also be: could I use "xposed" to change the IMEI to something my current carrier would "recognize" / was this what every one else has done?
Isn't US Cellular CDMA? For the Le Max 2 you'll need a GSM network.
I just received my x829. Out of the box VoLTE and WIFI calling worked with T-Mobile (on all official EUI 16s roms). I currently use the MADSURFER and both wifi calling and VoLTE are working.
All I had to do was pick up a nano sim which I activated via phone. I bought the Fire HDX 8.9 SIM from amazon for $4.00.
*Edit MADSURFER ROM link is here https://forum.xda-developers.com/le-max-2/development/madsurfers-21s-eui-5-9-rom-t3497125
try this menu *#*#9439#*#*
xlcashlx said:
Isn't US Cellular CDMA? For the Le Max 2 you'll need a GSM network.
I just received my x829. Out of the box VoLTE and WIFI calling worked with T-Mobile (on all official EUI roms). I currently use the MADSURFER and both wifi calling and VoLTE are working.
All I had to do was pick up a nano sim which I activated via phone. I bought the Fire HDX 8.9 SIM from amazon for $4.00.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
US Cellular is listed as CDMA, but all the research I've done before going with the Le Max showed that other GSM only phones like the ONE plus 3t would work on the network based sole on the phones bands support by the phones hardware.
I have plenty of Nano sims thanks to the Straight Talk "phone kit", infact both the At&T and T-mobile ones are in the phone atm. I do appriciate you re-enforcing the notion that VoLTE and Wifi calling work (which would be to my benefit where I live) my fear is that calling and trying to activate the sim will lead the "rep" to ask for the IMEI and again tell me wont work.
@leptdre i'm very leery to try things with out a further explanation, kind of a side effect of the college days.
D4B3N said:
US Cellular is listed as CDMA, but all the research I've done before going with the Le Max showed that other GSM only phones like the ONE plus 3t would work on the network based sole on the phones bands support by the phones hardware.
I have plenty of Nano sims thanks to the Straight Talk "phone kit", infact both the At&T and T-mobile ones are in the phone atm. I do appriciate you re-enforcing the notion that VoLTE and Wifi calling work (which would be to my benefit where I live) my fear is that calling and trying to activate the sim will lead the "rep" to ask for the IMEI and again tell me wont work.
PS: I got the Chinese translation from this thread
https://forum.xda-developers.com/le-max-2/how-to/activate-band-20-lte-x829-t3590010
@leptdre i'm very leery to try things with out a further explanation, kind of a side effect of the college days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
US Cellular uses the CDMA band 20 (3G) 800MHZ. see: https://www.frequencycheck.com/carriers/u-s-cellular-united-states
I was thinking that the menu was for enabling Band 20 for LTE, but I was wrong. In fact it says: China Telecom's CDMA , china telecom uses CDMA band 20 (3G) like US Cellular.
https://www.frequencycheck.com/carriers/china-telecom-china
I think if you can get US Cellular to activate the service, with this option checked : *#*#9439#*#*, you can get your phone up and running.
I activated mine on Tmobile. Bought a sim from them and activated it online, used the 1st imei number on box, there's 2 imei numbers I assume 1 for each sim slot. After punching it in it knew I was on a LeEco Le Max 2. Rebooted phone and wifi calling appears. Also wife and son have same phone on T-mobile but already had nano sims so they just moved sim to their X829 and that was all they needed to do.
castuis said:
I activated mine on Tmobile. Bought a sim from them and activated it online, used the 1st imei number on box, there's 2 imei numbers I assume 1 for each sim slot. After punching it in it knew I was on a LeEco Le Max 2. Rebooted phone and wifi calling appears. Also wife and son have same phone on T-mobile but already had nano sims so they just moved sim to their X829 and that was all they needed to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile and AT&T are GSM carriers, which means that the sim is the only identification module.
US Cellular, Verizon, Sprint are CDMA carrier, the identification must come from the phone it self. The sim is only use for 4G LTE because 4G uses a standard relying on GSM to identify the customer.
You should see this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OrNuAf6C3I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTgxp7WTnKw
Thanks guys, sorry I work nights so I'm just getting all this... I'll take a look at the videos first.
Will SMS and MMS work over the wifi as well or just calling?
xlcashlx said:
Isn't US Cellular CDMA? For the Le Max 2 you'll need a GSM network.
I just received my x829. Out of the box VoLTE and WIFI calling worked with T-Mobile (on all official EUI roms). I currently use the MADSURFER and both wifi calling and VoLTE are working.
All I had to do was pick up a nano sim which I activated via phone. I bought the Fire HDX 8.9 SIM from amazon for $4.00.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you mean you use MADSURFER custom rom and wifi calling is working on T-Mobile US? Can you point to the rom page? Thanks.
castuis said:
I activated mine on Tmobile. Bought a sim from them and activated it online, used the 1st imei number on box, there's 2 imei numbers I assume 1 for each sim slot. After punching it in it knew I was on a LeEco Le Max 2. Rebooted phone and wifi calling appears. Also wife and son have same phone on T-mobile but already had nano sims so they just moved sim to their X829 and that was all they needed to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a Straight Talk kit from an earlier attempt to use a Zenfone 2... the rep with strait talk wouldn't "force" activate the sim for my area because "no coverage". Apparently my city/town where I will use it the most doesn't have enough coverage From At&T or T-mobile to warrant being able to transfer my number from USC. Going to try "re-upping" the AT&T sim A user on another thread has noted that @ stock on EUI rom wifi calling was still available with At&t.
Edit:
https://www.amazon.com/Fire-HDX-8-9-Activation-T-Mobile/dp/B00L8BYGJQ - decided to go with that as xlCashlx did and try t-mobile... so far out of all the reps I've delt with over the last couple of days, t-mobile's has been more forth coming with information than any of the others.
jeeradej said:
Did you mean you use MADSURFER custom rom and wifi calling is working on T-Mobile US? Can you point to the rom page? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://forum.xda-developers.com/le-max-2/development/madsurfers-21s-eui-5-9-rom-t3497125
OP Good luck with T-Mobile
So did anyone tried to use it with Verizon? According to willitwork site should be a go, but someone needs to confirm. For example I am using the Zuk Z2 from China and the 4G on VZN is working like a champ.
T-mobile here. When my x829 arrived, I simply pulled out the sim in my Moto G4 and immediately had service on the le max 2. Didn't even contact T-mobile.
orangepowerpokes said:
T-mobile here. When my x829 arrived, I simply pulled out the sim in my Moto G4 and immediately had service on the le max 2. Didn't even contact T-mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did it came with the stock rom or some sort of custom one when you bought it, thanks?
It came with the EUI factory rom by letv. Now that I think about it, I never actually tested TMO on that factory ROM. My wife has the x820 and I have the x829, both on TMO and both on different roms.
However, I have flashed the small EUI rom with no problems, plus you can find other user's experiences with TMO on stock EUI and everything I've seen points to good compatibility.
I'd recommend looking thru some of the threads on slickdeals for this phone. There has been a lot of discussion on different experiences with US carriers, mainly from a budget/value perspective. I'm on the walmart TMO $30/mo 5GB LTE plan (pay as you go) and really like it.
https://slickdeals.net/newsearch.php?src=SearchBarV2&q=le+max+2&searcharea=deals&searchin=first
To answer my own question and to advise everyone else that lives in the US and is planning to use the phone on Verizon network, you need to look elsewhere. Let me elaborate, I am getting LTE on the phone right after inserting the SIM card, but voice is not working no matter what, I even made a trip to my nearby VZN store to make sure that they dont have to go and white-list my IMEI or something. To put it in a more polite words, they declined to do anything, even after the fact that I have a corporate SIM that my company pays hundreds of thousands of $ per year to VZN for all the subscribers we have internally, on top of that I had my Zuk Z2 to prove them that, other phones that are not VZN "approved" can work with no problem with both LTE and voice. The last comment from the representative was that there are loopholes and some not approved phones can work, duh, I had the evidence with me, and again they refused to add the LeMax 2 IMEI to their "good" list.
So if you are planning to buy this phone, consider the fact that you will only be able to use it on ATT, T-Mobile and the rest of the GSM providers in the US.
(US ATT and T-Mobile)
I have this phone, but only by way of ATT telling me my non-VoLTE 4G LTE phone would not work after ATT shuts down 3G.
I move over to T-mobile recently. All works ok. I then activate VoLTE on the Mi. All works ok.
But I had to call a T-mobile rep regarding my iPhone, in that conversation I asked if VoLTE was even needed, and he tells me no, that T-mobile will still do voice data w/o VoLTE enabled.
So, VoLTE is a feature of LTE and implemented on 4G/5G, and really has nothing to do with 3G being shut down.
There's so many sites stating you "need" VoLTE to keep making voice calls after 3G is gone. This is not true.
"As 3G is switched off, you need VoLTE or HD Voice support to make calls on 4G networks."
Explained: AT&T and T-Mobile VoLTE phone cutoffs
Everything you need to know about AT&T's move over to HD Voice and T-Mobile's transition to VoLTE, and what it means for smartphone calls.
www.androidauthority.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I understand it you need 3G for voice.
You may be able to use internet service but without VoLTE, no phone service.
If the device is not white listed it likely will not be able to have phone service as your link states.
I have straight talk with AT&T sim, I was using my Black Shark 3 pro which has volte and all of a sudden Friday at midnight, no data or phone service. At that time my bs3pro has been having heating issues, so i moved everything over to my redmagic 6 which has volte. I noticed my sim was locked in apn, totally different apn info than my bs3pro, so i called support, since everytime I tried to make call it blocked calls and sent me to support. The CS person did something on their end, had me restart phone, then service was back to normal and been fine since.
If your service provider only provides 4G infrastructure like mine... then you need VoLTE otherwise no phone calls. They are new and never had any 3G and below infrastructure. I tried making calls .... it doesn't.
My service provider annoyingly doesn't provision volte for my volte capable handphone (this makes my eyes swivel) but does provide an app to support phone calls without volte.. but it chews up battery
@roger_rex
But T-mobile (US) runs 4G and 5G, but # of towers with 5G not as plentiful as 4G. I connect 4G LTE most of the time, voice & data works just fine. T-mobile rep told me it will work w/ or w/o VoLTE enabled on phone. The APN used is the "fast" APN one.
A 5G connection does not negate any benefits from using VoLTE.
Was on phone again today with a T-mobile "tech team supervisor" for a service issue (they accidentally turned off one of my SIM cards). I then asked about VoLTE, he tells me it's no longer needed on T-mobile 4G or 5G LTE, but using VoLTE will still work. He seemed to suggest VoLTE not needed at all on 5G because the speed of the wireless can carry both voice and data fast enough. He also hinted their 4G can do the same.
If you have a fast pipe then you really don't need a side channel for the voice.
But duly noted, everything technical that I have read about on VoLTE, using that feature gives better voice call on any LTE that supports VoLTE. The supervisor also mentioned that "VoLTE" will basically go away at some point.
Pretty sure on 4G LTE you need either VoLTE capability or a 3G connection for voice calls.
Redirect Notice
4G VoLTE will likely be here for a long time as 5G is distance/obstacle limited, the former is very hard to overcome due to the wavelength's physical properties.
@blackhawk
I am not disputing how online info says it's required, I am just copying what T-mobile has told me.
T-mobile store rep tells me VoLTE is not really needed, then their online support supervisor tells me the same thing. So it is for sure confusing.
Call a T-mobile support # and ask.
Why would a 3G/4G-LTE phone have an option to turn off VoLTE?
https://www.republicworld.com/technology-news/mobile/what-is-volte-and-what-it-does-is-5g-volte-know-everything-here.html
ChuckStein123 said:
@blackhawk
I am not disputing how online info says it's required, I am just copying what T-mobile has told me.
T-mobile store rep tells me VoLTE is not really needed, then their online support supervisor tells me the same thing. So it is for sure confusing.
Call a T-mobile support # and ask.
Why would a 3G/4G-LTE phone have an option to turn off VoLTE?
https://www.republicworld.com/technology-news/mobile/what-is-volte-and-what-it-does-is-5g-volte-know-everything-here.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never paid much attention to this and still have questions but it's back burnered for when I run across it. From what I'm reading the T-mobile reps sound like they don't understand it either.
Even if they don't understand it... the only thing that matters immediately is if it will work. Hopefully that intel is correct!
Really until AT&T implements the change I won't be 100% sure. However pretty sure I'm ok as the devices don't use the 3G band and in hidden user settings VoLTE is toggled on. The only indication other than the 4G that VoLTE is active.
Probably HD too, but no indicator or setting other than very good call quality.
To make matters even more confusing AT&T changed the format and models listed drastically 2 weeks ago from their December whitelist. So small wonder reps might be confused too. Makes you wonder if it was deliberately self serving, an oversight or ongoing system modifications?
So, I have not been paying close enough attention to cellular these days. The cell companies have amassed large sets of licensed bands, probably near 200+ bands between 2G/3G/4G LTE and 5G NR.
Interestingly enough, 5G is not LTE at all. I suspect operators call their crud "5G LTE" to signify they support 5G-NSA or 5G-NR (or both), and, the older 4G LTE.
Some airlines are worried about two cell C bands (n77 and n79) that back up onto aircraft radio altimeter that run 4200-4400Mhz.
VoLTE has a long history, but it seems 5G-NR does not even use VoLTE (because VoLTE is a LTE feature, and 5G is not LTE). Can a 4G/5G phone still use VoLTE? Sure, if the firmware is implemented to use it. Likely will use it if the device connects 4G LTE, but perhaps will not when connected to 5G-NR. It's not clear to me if a device will use both 4G LTE and 5G-NR at the same time, but I suspect not. I mean, you could technically connect a device on 5G-NR for data, and then use VoLTE on 4G LTE for facilitating voice calls.
Some reference links for the interested reader.
5G Frequency Bands & Spectrum Allocations - CableFree
5th generation wireless systems, or 5G, may use existing 4G or newly specified 5G Frequency Bands to operate. Technologies include: Millimeter wave bands (26, 28, 38, and 60 GHz) are 5G Massive MIMO, "Low-band 5G" and "Mid-band 5G" use frequencies from 600 MHz to 6 GHz, especially 3.5-4.2 GHz.
www.cablefree.net
5G NR frequency bands - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
LTE frequency bands - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
List of LTE networks - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
Voice over LTE - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
What is 5G LTE, NR, NSA, and MIMO Technology | How Will 5G RAN be Deployed? | Corning
Learn about 5G deployment including RAN, 5G-NSA, 5G-NR, and what they mean for LTE networks.
www.corning.com
LTE vs NR: Reference signal design
NR downlink reference signals are tailored for specific roles and can be flexibly adapted for different deployment scenarios and spectrum. 5G Training
www.5gworldpro.com
ChuckStein123 said:
@roger_rex
But T-mobile (US) runs 4G and 5G, but # of towers with 5G not as plentiful as 4G. I connect 4G LTE most of the time, voice & data works just fine. T-mobile rep told me it will work w/ or w/o VoLTE enabled on phone. The APN used is the "fast" APN one.
A 5G connection does not negate any benefits from using VoLTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My understanding on this is that voice was using some 3G or below service. My provider was purely 4G and above - so unless my phone was provisioned by the cell company - no voice calls. I tried & it didn't work. I changed to an older device that they did support via VoLTE and calls worked. I can download an App from the cell company that allows my pixel 2XL to work on their system.
I can only guess T-mobile has 3G and below network infrastructure still. My provider is brand new and never built any 3G stuff and have no intention of rolling out obsolete stuff. VoLTE is annoying in that the provider gets to pick and choose which cellphones they allow (to use a standard protocol)
This may not be 100% - I've been kind of forced into a crash course on this myself over the last few days
@roger_rex - Take a read here
{Guide} QXDM Port activation on Pixel 2 XL, (VoLTE,WoWIFI,CA)
Hi all. First of all I DO NOT PROVIDE ANY KIND OF SUPPORT. YOU ALONE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY POSSIBLE ISSUES. I wrote this post during my vacation. I know it could be quite handy, but unfortunately/thankfully my primary sources of money are...
forum.xda-developers.com
Pixel 2's all have ability for VoLTE.
A cell operator should not be blocking any phone from using VoLTE.
When you call your provider what do they tell you when you tell them your Pixel 2 has VoLTE for 4GLTE but your Pixel won't make calls on their network?
I can tell you for sure, the operators play games with their support of hardware.
My iphone XS was connecting to ATT with a "5G" icon from time to time, so why does T-mobile say 5G is a "no"? I moved the XS to T-mobile and the phone won't ever connect to 5G, and the APN settings appear to be blocked.
Tutorials | T-Mobile Support
Update: I find many sites that say the Xr and Xs do not support 5G, so now I scratch my head, my Xs would sometimes show "5G" icon for cell wireless, when it was on ATT network. Apparently AT&T supports Xs and 5G, hence the Xs does have 5G capable radio.
Apple iPhone Xs / Xs Max - Signal & Cellular Data - AT&T
Get Apple iPhone Xs / Xs Max support for the topic: Signal & Cellular Data. Find more step-by-step device tutorials on att.com.
www.att.com
ChuckStein123 said:
I can tell you for sure, the operators play games with their support of hardware.
My iphone XS was connecting to ATT with a "5G" icon from time to time, so why does T-mobile say 5G is a "no"? I moved the XS to T-mobile and the phone won't ever connect to 5G, and the APN settings appear to be blocked.
Tutorials | T-Mobile Support
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think they go at least partially by number of a given model in use. My guess is it's not a painless procedure for them to configure their system for a given model.
AT&T first listed their Note 10+ variant but not the unlocked variant, a month later it was added as well. It may be a work in progress... it seems sort of helter skelter, oh my gawd get it done, whatever it takes... kind of deal
You know they are catching Berlin air raid volume flack
Before buying Mi 11 Lite 5G I went into a T-mobile store (not an affiliate). I asked if the Mi 11 Lite 5G will work on T-mobile and the rep told me all phones work on T-mobile as long as they are not locked to another carrier, and, the T-mobile freq bands ("channels") are covered by the phone.
Unless LTE or 5G-NR/5G-NSA is improperly implemented on the device, then I don't see why all phones should not work. They should all work.
Think about hotspot. The carrier can control is the device can use that service, or at least can with some devices, but why bother, who cares how the data on the data plan gets chewed up. Go over the plan and get charged. Thus far I have not seen unlimited hotspot data, T-mobile only allows 40G on their Magenta Max plan.
Good thing is, Mi 11 Lite 5G phone (model M2101K9G) works a-ok on T-Mobile USA. I did have to manually set the APN to the "fast" one, and had to use dial code for VoLTE, 4GLTE and 5G works.
Straight talk now keeps shutting off my service every 3 days, last night again, so 3 times now. Call and back working. But seems like they only care about giving me some crappy free phone and seems like they outsource. The redmagic 6 is not on AT&T list, if any more issues I will switch to T Mobile, T Mobile recognized my phone by imei and said it is fully compatible. I Noticed on my Redmagic 6, sim 1 is only 14 digits but sim 2 is 15, so I moved sim card, might be issue, but doubt it.
@Rotwiler I see you posted about the IMEI digit thing in another post/forum. *#06# should reveal a 15 digit IMEI. If it shows only 14 then the phone is hiding one digit. Put sim card in sim slot that has the 15 digit IMEI.
What does *#*#4636#*#* get you? Do some gooling around for activating VoLTE on RedMagic 6
Phone lists for carriers are mostly for support reasons. If the phone has all the cell bands the operator uses, then it should be good to go. If the phone only has some of the cell bands used, then the phone may work ok in one area, but not good in another, all depends on how the operator runs the bands in different areas. The cell operator does not want the support headache for a phone that only has partial bands, "hey ATT, my phone not working in Timbuck-too", etc.
The RM6 appears to have most of the ATT 4GLTE bands (all the major ones), so it should work a-ok on ATT (US). 5G should also work. It appears the RM6 had a firmware update about 26d ago. Make sure the firmware is updated to latest.
Are your APN settings correct?
Program Data Settings for Your Device
Can’t connect to the internet on your mobile device? Here’s how to set up the access point name (APN) to get you going again.
www.att.com
I am using AT&T through Straight Talk. I did move sim card to slot 2 to see if issue was due to sim one showing only 14 digits. Phone is fully updated. Odd thing is I cannot change the APN since this new Volte, there is red check mark and everything is grayed out. I have always been able to modify APN until now. My sim card is really old, used to be full size and over the years cut it down for new phones, is probably 8+ years old, had it since Android phones came out, but has always worked great.
Rotwiler said:
I am using AT&T through Straight Talk. I did move sim card to slot 2 to see if issue was due to sim one showing only 14 digits. Phone is fully updated. Odd thing is I cannot change the APN since this new Volte, there is red check mark and everything is grayed out. I have always been able to modify APN until now. My sim card is really old, used to be full size and over the years cut it down for new phones, is probably 8+ years old, had it since Android phones came out, but has always worked great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
APN settings are grayed out when the phone is locked to carrier. Can you at least see what the APN settings are? If the phone is owned outright by you then tell the Straight Talk folks you want the phone unlocked.
As for old sim card, then just go get a new one from the store for a few $, and then move your number to the new sim card via online.
Phone is Redmagic 6 global version, never was locked.
So far it appears that only tmobile networks allow this phone, since at&t does not support VoLTE with this phone (must set to 3g in order to receive texts/calls). I love this phone, but tmobiles cell towers don't offer a good signal in my area (using straight talk w/ tmobile card). So this got me wondering, which wireless carriers can this actually use now days? What do you personally use with this phone, and how is the service? Verizon definetly won't work either, so it looks like I am out of options... Any replies to this would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks!
You sure? Here's the AT&T white list, more may have been added since...
I am positive. And yes, I have seen my phone on the list. no phone calls or text messaging when on LTE (and at&t). I looked into changing the IMEI so that I could use a random generated one that matches an s20 or some other phone that is more compatible, then gave up on it. At this point Im looking to sell my s10 lite so I can buy a oneplus 8T/Pro, just so I get better compatibility. Supposedly AT&T is also dropping support for international versions of cell phones, which this is. I went through 3 different at&t sim cards and all have the same result. I just wish there was a way to change my IMEI (or somehow spoof a different phone some other way)
On The Go Repairs said:
I am positive. And yes, I have seen my phone on the list. no phone calls or text messaging when on LTE (and at&t). I looked into changing the IMEI so that I could use a random generated one that matches an s20 or some other phone that is more compatible, then gave up on it. At this point Im looking to sell my s10 lite so I can buy a oneplus 8T/Pro, just so I get better compatibility. Supposedly AT&T is also dropping support for international versions of cell phones, which this is. I went through 3 different at&t sim cards and all have the same result. I just wish there was a way to change my IMEI (or somehow spoof a different phone some other way)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is VoLTE enabled etc in hidden phone settings?
Did you have AT&T reset it on their end?
Talk to AT&T advanced tech support.
If white listed it should work!
I have straight talk which gives three options: at&t, TMobile, or Verizon (so I can't call att directly). I went into the hidden menu settings and VoLTE was turned off and greyed out. I even opened a file and added a few lines (might have been build.prop or something like that, don't remember) and all that did was switch it on in the settings (but still greyed out).
When I called straight talk tech support and asked them to provision VoLTE, all they would say is that the sim card is provisioned, and that's all they can do. Phone and text used to work if I set it on 3g (instead of lte), but this was less than optimal. I also read a reddit post today from someone four hours away that said they killed off the 3g now, so I'm not going to try using another at&t card until I get a different phone that is compatible. I know this phone is capable of VoLTE but at&t sucks, and they want to force a bunch of people to upgrade to newer phones for whatever reason.
I've even had this phone work with a Verizon sim card swapped from a different phone, but after a few days it gets shut off. So it's not a question of compatibility more than it is at&t just being jerks.
OnTheGoRepairs said:
I have straight talk which gives three options: at&t, TMobile, or Verizon (so I can't call att directly). I went into the hidden menu settings and VoLTE was turned off and greyed out. I even opened a file and added a few lines (might have been build.prop or something like that, don't remember) and all that did was switch it on in the settings (but still greyed out).
When I called straight talk tech support and asked them to provision VoLTE, all they would say is that the sim card is provisioned, and that's all they can do. Phone and text used to work if I set it on 3g (instead of lte), but this was less than optimal. I also read a reddit post today from someone four hours away that said they killed off the 3g now, so I'm not going to try using another at&t card until I get a different phone that is compatible. I know this phone is capable of VoLTE but at&t sucks, and they want to force a bunch of people to upgrade to newer phones for whatever reason.
I've even had this phone work with a Verizon sim card swapped from a different phone, but after a few days it gets shut off. So it's not a question of compatibility more than it is at&t just being jerks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Straight talk maybe the issue. I don't know for sure. Maybe it's the sim card.
Both my N10+'s N975U, N975U1 made the jump seamlessly, no changes were needed on my side.
However the N975U was configured for 4G VoLTE already.
On the new N975U1 all I did was plug the N975U sim card in and it was online.
I feel you... this was an unwanted learning curve for me and had me doing a lot of Google searches.
Hello!
Can someone please help me with this?
Everything was fine until 2-3 days ago. When all of a sudden I was unable to send text messages or make phone calls. All the while I could access internet without any issues.
If I switch to 2G or EDGE for the Subnetwork, I can make calls and send SMS.
How can I fix this?
Could dropping the phone have caused this?
Dropping could certainly break something, of course, but let's assume that's not it.
What carrier? Is the phone officially supported by them (ie, IMEI matches the carrier)? Are you on their official ROM? Does/did your VOLTE work (before and after the "few days ago")?
Some carriers are switching over to VOLTE-only setups, so they may be testing that to see what works/doesn't before they make it final. In other words, maybe your phone is not "officially" supported by VOLTE on the carrier, which is why it's failing? Without VOLTE, I think text may fail as well (even if you're not actively on a call?)
That would be my first guess. In my case, for example, I was on a US998 phone (per IMEI) running VS996 on Verizon. Since the IMEI didn't match a VZ phone, they refused to say it was compatible (even though it worked fine for many years). The IMEI stuff is a bunch of BS, but that's a whole separate topic... but I wonder if this is what you're running into. It's the carrier's way to force you into "their" device, even though it's not any different from any other variant (when the proper ROM is installed).
schwinn8 said:
Dropping could certainly break something, of course, but let's assume that's not it.
What carrier? Is the phone officially supported by them (ie, IMEI matches the carrier)? Are you on their official ROM? Does/did your VOLTE work (before and after the "few days ago")?
Some carriers are switching over to VOLTE-only setups, so they may be testing that to see what works/doesn't before they make it final. In other words, maybe your phone is not "officially" supported by VOLTE on the carrier, which is why it's failing? Without VOLTE, I think text may fail as well (even if you're not actively on a call?)
That would be my first guess. In my case, for example, I was on a US998 phone (per IMEI) running VS996 on Verizon. Since the IMEI didn't match a VZ phone, they refused to say it was compatible (even though it worked fine for many years). The IMEI stuff is a bunch of BS, but that's a whole separate topic... but I wonder if this is what you're running into. It's the carrier's way to force you into "their" device, even though it's not any different from any other variant (when the proper ROM is installed).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Carrier texts should theoretically still work as they are "data". It's the "voice" part of VoLTE that won't work. That's why I can still receive carrier texts on my Galaxy Note 9 with AT&T -- which still has older firmware (so I can be rooted). A few months ago, I lost the ability to make/receive phone calls on my AT&T number when 3G towers were decommissioned in my area... But luckily I have Google Voice number, which also uses "data" (VoIP) so I make/receive all my Google Voice phone calls. (That's been my main phone number for years.)
However, I no longer can make/receive AT&T phone number calls -- which is fine. I switched Google Voice settings to data/Wi-Fi only instead of piggy backing on carrier phone number. Yet, I still receive AT&T texts, which is good because my bank insists on using a "real" (carrier) phone number for SMS security code confirmation.
Amer28 said:
Hello!
Can someone please help me with this?
Everything was fine until 2-3 days ago. When all of a sudden I was unable to send text messages or make phone calls. All the while I could access internet without any issues.
If I switch to 2G or EDGE for the Subnetwork, I can make calls and send SMS.
How can I fix this?
Could dropping the phone have caused this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are in Portland? What carrier are you using that still has 2G and Edge?
ChazzMatt said:
You are in Portland? What carrier are you using that still has 2G and Edge?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm with a company that uses T-Mobile towers. I connect just fine with 4G LTE, and get reasonably good speeds over it. But when I'm on 4G, I cannot make or receive calls or text. It says Emergency Calls Only.
So far, I've tried everything. I resettled network. I looked for different APN values that may fix the issue. When I couldn't think of anything else, I did a factory reset. (I mean, I wiped Data, and all other partitions in TWRP except for System and SD Card.) There have been no changes.
I'm starting to think the issue may be hardware, I did drop the phone a couple of times the day it stopped working. Though I usually end up dropping the phone once a day or every two days. I can't believe the screen hasn't cracked yet, at all. Could a drop from 3-4 feet on hard surface like tiles damage the antenna in such a way that only 4G data works?
I'm ready to give up and buy a new phone even though I can't really afford it. It would be awesome if I can get this to work.
schwinn8 said:
Dropping could certainly break something, of course, but let's assume that's not it.
What carrier? Is the phone officially supported by them (ie, IMEI matches the carrier)? Are you on their official ROM? Does/did your VOLTE work (before and after the "few days ago")?
Some carriers are switching over to VOLTE-only setups, so they may be testing that to see what works/doesn't before they make it final. In other words, maybe your phone is not "officially" supported by VOLTE on the carrier, which is why it's failing? Without VOLTE, I think text may fail as well (even if you're not actively on a call?)
That would be my first guess. In my case, for example, I was on a US998 phone (per IMEI) running VS996 on Verizon. Since the IMEI didn't match a VZ phone, they refused to say it was compatible (even though it worked fine for many years). The IMEI stuff is a bunch of BS, but that's a whole separate topic... but I wonder if this is what you're running into. It's the carrier's way to force you into "their" device, even though it's not any different from any other variant (when the proper ROM is installed).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on T-Mobile towers with the US998. I don't think there is an issue with IMEI. How would I connect to data with 4G if that was the case?
I never had Volte on this phone. I do recall seeing it when I first got it but I'm running stock rooted Android 9.
When I say it used to work a few days ago, I mean it just stopped working at one point. I wanted to make a phone call, and all of a sudden, I couldn't. I noticed then that it says Emergency Only sign, so I walked around the house for about 15 mins to try to get signal. Then I went to my car and drove around, but nothing.
I messed around with Network settings, and figured out that Voice and TXT worked when I switch to a lower 'Sub-Network' setting that says, "GSM / GSPR / EDGE Only".
To get 4G Data back, I have to switch it back to "LTE/Legacy 3GPP multi"
These two are found under "GSM/UMTS Settings", after clicking on "System Select" in "Mobile Networks ".
I want to also mention that my carrier website has been talking about a data migration that would affect phones using their old SIM Card.
When I saw that, I called them and had them send me a new SIM. I thought surely this must be it, but the new SIM works exactly like the old one.
Perhaps the migration or whatever it is they did that required new SIM cards just doesn't work well with my phone? Even though, before putting the order in, the rep I spoke to did check my IMEI and said that my phone is compatible.
Agreed, it doesn't sound like an IMEI issue.
FWIW, I showed a 4G connection on a phone (I don't remember if it was my V30 or a Galaxy S10+ that I was going to replace it with). On that phone, at one point, but there was no actual connection. So, the indicators aren't always accurate. That's why I thought maybe the data isn't really working, and if data isn't working then VOLTE won't work... and with many of the carriers switching off non-VOLTE calling, that could kill the ability to make calls?
In your case, you said data worked... but if VOLTE was never enabled, and the carrier dropped non-VOLTE, then, again, you may lose calling.
In any case, these were my theories. I think you're on top of the situation but I don't have any other ideas for you to try...
Instead of buying a new phone, have you considered installing and setting up Google Voice, as ChazzMatt said? I recently had to do that because AT&T's 3G shutdown meant that I could no longer place or receive calls. My quick guide on doing that is here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...-based-custom-roms-when.4138223/post-87342453
I don't know why you can't also send or receive texts, but the Google Voice app has the ability to do that, so maybe try using that after you've set it up.
Amer28 said:
I'm on T-Mobile towers with the US998. I don't think there is an issue with IMEI. How would I connect to data with 4G if that was the case?
I never had Volte on this phone. I do recall seeing it when I first got it but I'm running stock rooted Android 9.
When I say it used to work a few days ago, I mean it just stopped working at one point. I wanted to make a phone call, and all of a sudden, I couldn't. I noticed then that it says Emergency Only sign, so I walked around the house for about 15 mins to try to get signal. Then I went to my car and drove around, but nothing.
I messed around with Network settings, and figured out that Voice and TXT worked when I switch to a lower 'Sub-Network' setting that says, "GSM / GSPR / EDGE Only".
To get 4G Data back, I have to switch it back to "LTE/Legacy 3GPP multi"
These two are found under "GSM/UMTS Settings", after clicking on "System Select" in "Mobile Networks ".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's been reports T-Mobile which is now merged with Sprint has borked the ability for VoLTE/VoWiFi calling on US998 firmware phones (native or Frankenstein'ed). Apparently they only allow it now on T-Mobile H932, whereas pre merger they were happy to give VoLTE and voWi-Fi calling to "US998" phones
First, it was reported with new SIM cards they were distributing earlier this year. Then people who kept their old SIM cards found they didn't work after a forced "security update."
This seems to have also trickled down to the T-Mobile MVNOs.
This is why we told someone else recently they should probably convert their phone from US998 on T-Mobile to Verizon VS996 firmware.
Then get a Verizon sim card or Verizon MVNO SIM card, and activate it in an old cracked screen Verizon phone off eBay, then put that already-activated SIM card into their "VS996" V30.
They will have VoLTE and VoWi-Fi calling.
Alternatively, if you really want to stick with T-Mobile network, you can do what @osprey00 suggested -- which is get a Google Voice number and use it as a tool to forward your carrier calls to it.
You can read his post, see his experiences, and see if this would apply to you.
For ME -- I've been using Google Voice for the past 10 years as my main phone number. I ported my carrier phone number at the time to Google Voice. Then got throwaway carrier numbers (whoever had cheapest plan) but never gave those to my friends. To my friends nothing ever changed. I've had the same "number" for the past two decades.
But within the past couple years, I had to start giving my bank and my cable company my carrier phone number for SMS security codes. Very annoying, because in the past they used my Google Voice number to text me with no problem.
So, even though under my current firmware (on my rooted Note 9) I cannot get carrier phone calls, I still have LTE data. And with the LTE data, I can use Google Voice (calls and texts) because it's VoIP. I also get AT&t carrier texts, as that is also data. It's just AT&T phone calls I cannot send or receive.
AT&T deactivated the SIM card in my native US998 V30+ and sent me a replacement phone, which is a Samsung Note 9. I'm staying with AT&T for a reason. Otherwise I would probably pull the "V30" Verizon trick also.
I bought both my wife and my elderly mother 64GB V35 phones -- which is basically an upgraded 64GB V30. (They previously had native US998 V30.) AT&T gives V35 VoLTE and WiFi calling, and for them there was nothing new to learn.
ChazzMatt said:
There's been reports T-Mobile which is now merged with Sprint has borked the ability for VoLTE/VoWiFi calling on US998 firmware phones (native or Frankenstein'ed). Apparently they only allow it now on T-Mobile H932, whereas pre merger they were happy to give VoLTE and voWi-Fi calling to "US998" phones
First, it was reported with new SIM cards they were distributing earlier this year. Then people who kept their old SIM cards found they didn't work after a forced "security update."
This seems to have also trickled down to the T-Mobile MVNOs.
This is why we told someone else recently they should probably convert their phone from US998 on T-Mobile to Verizon VS996 firmware.
Then get a Verizon sim card or Verizon MVNO SIM card, and activate it in an old cracked screen Verizon phone off eBay, then put that already-activated SIM card into their "VS996" V30.
They will have VoLTE and VoWi-Fi calling.
Alternatively, if you really want to stick with T-Mobile network, you can do what @osprey00 suggested -- which is get a Google Voice number and use it as a tool to forward your carrier calls to it.
You can read his post, see his experiences, and see if this would apply to you.
For ME -- I've been using Google Voice for the past 10 years as my main phone number. I ported my carrier phone number at the time to Google Voice. Then got throwaway carrier numbers (whoever had cheapest plan) but never gave those to my friends. To my friends nothing ever changed. I've had the same "number" for the past two decades.
But within the past couple years, I had to start giving my bank and my cable company my carrier phone number for SMS security codes. Very annoying, because in the past they used my Google Voice number to text me with no problem.
So, even though under my current firmware (on my rooted Note 9) I cannot get carrier phone calls, I still have LTE data. And with the LTE data, I can use Google Voice (calls and texts) because it's VoIP. I also get AT&t carrier texts, as that is also data. It's just AT&T phone calls I cannot send or receive.
AT&T deactivated the SIM card in my native US998 V30+ and sent me a replacement phone, which is a Samsung Note 9. I'm staying with AT&T for a reason. Otherwise I would probably pull the "V30" Verizon trick also.
I bought both my wife and my elderly mother 64GB V35 phones -- which is basically an upgraded 64GB V30. (They previously had native US998 V30.) AT&T gives V35 VoLTE and WiFi calling, and for them there was nothing new to learn.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it was a hardware problem, honestly.
No matter what I did, I even tried different ROM to ensure I didn't mess around with root settings and somehow enabled or disabled something that I should not have. I tried flashing stock radios, and no, nothing would fix it.
I took my brothers phone to see if the SIM card would work with his phone, an unlocked Google FI phone. As soon as I installed the SIM, and booted up the phone, I could tell it was working perfectly even on the lock screen. Right away the status showed the name of the wireless company, and active 5G data icon on the status.
I must have damaged the internal radio or the LTE data modem when I dropped the phone last. The screen of the phone never broke even though I dropped the phone countless times, though the back glass has cracked lines all over even if the surface is still smooth and the phone continued being waterproof (I tested).
Anyway, I have since bought a new phone and the Data/Text/Talk all work perfectly on it.
I'm not sure what I'll do with this phone, as selling it wouldn't be ethical. And I doubt anyone would buy a phone with the warning that service may not work.
Ah well, I may just keep and use it as a test device.
Thanks to all who tried to help.
Amer28 said:
I think it was a hardware problem, honestly.
No matter what I did, I even tried different ROM to ensure I didn't mess around with root settings and somehow enabled or disabled something that I should not have. I tried flashing stock radios, and no, nothing would fix it.
I took my brothers phone to see if the SIM card would work with his phone, an unlocked Google FI phone. As soon as I installed the SIM, and booted up the phone, I could tell it was working perfectly even on the lock screen. Right away the status showed the name of the wireless company, and active 5G data icon on the status.
I must have damaged the internal radio or the LTE data modem when I dropped the phone last. The screen of the phone never broke even though I dropped the phone countless times, though the back glass has cracked lines all over even if the surface is still smooth and the phone continued being waterproof (I tested).
Anyway, I have since bought a new phone and the Data/Text/Talk all work perfectly on it.
I'm not sure what I'll do with this phone, as selling it wouldn't be ethical. And I doubt anyone would buy a phone with the warning that service may not work.
Ah well, I may just keep and use it as a test device.
Thanks to all who tried to help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tried a rom on a j7 2015 because android 6 is going to be left and I only get emergency calls on lte and on 3g, no problem. It's not imei problem maybe exynos processor. I went back to 6.0.1 and no problem with 4g lite. By the way, I'm not in the USA.