I found out quite late that Tmobile is limited to 2G data on IPhones.. (or atleast IPhone 4S). I use TMobile prepaid 3$/day package as my usage is limited and sporadic.
Considering the S3, can anyone please tell me if Samsung has released distinct versions of the S3 for the two networks, or the same model covers both?.
Thanks.
I believe att has the lte version. Yes different phones.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Thanks Mr?Bmg
I suppose, the question I really wanted to ask was, is one network's version more of an international phone than the other with regards to data?... i.e if I were to take the phone to a)UK/Europe, b) Pakistan,
Would both phone be able to get atleast 3G, or, would the TMobile version still be restricted to EDGE?.
Thanks.
Riz
RizSher said:
Thanks Mr?Bmg
I suppose, the question I really wanted to ask was, is one network's version more of an international phone than the other with regards to data?... i.e if I were to take the phone to a)UK/Europe, b) Pakistan,
Would both phone be able to get atleast 3G, or, would the TMobile version still be restricted to EDGE?.
Thanks.
Riz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are different versions of the S3 for both the ATT and TMobile. On the S2, the difference was in the apearance, where the ATT was a little more square like, and TMobile had rounded edges. In the S3 though, the only difference is the name printed on the back (where it has either the Tmobile or the ATT logo). As for the mobile network support, I think that only the radio is different. Even now, you are not limited to 2g by your phone, but rather whatever TMobile decided to give you. Both phones will get atleast 3g. I know that TMobile version does not have LTE support, but im not sure about the ATT version.
RizSher said:
Thanks Mr?Bmg
I suppose, the question I really wanted to ask was, is one network's version more of an international phone than the other with regards to data?... i.e if I were to take the phone to a)UK/Europe, b) Pakistan,
Would both phone be able to get atleast 3G, or, would the TMobile version still be restricted to EDGE?.
Thanks.
Riz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you bring an AT&T phone to T-Mobile, you will not get 4G.
You can best 3G if your AT&T Phone has the 1900 range, you can get 3G on T-Mobile's service. Not sure how well it will be since it's only picking 1900 without others.
If you unlock your T-Mobile S3 you should be able to get 3G/HSPA+ on AT&T. The T-Mobile S3 is a pentaband device.
RizSher said:
I found out quite late that Tmobile is limited to 2G data on IPhones.. (or atleast IPhone 4S). I use TMobile prepaid 3$/day package as my usage is limited and sporadic.
Considering the S3, can anyone please tell me if Samsung has released distinct versions of the S3 for the two networks, or the same model covers both?.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are using an iPhone you might as well do the $2 a day since the $3 will only affect you if your phone gets 4G. They will be exactly the same performance on the $2 since it will just be on unlimited EDGE.
rmanne said:
There are different versions of the S3 for both the ATT and TMobile. On the S2, the difference was in the apearance, where the ATT was a little more square like, and TMobile had rounded edges. In the S3 though, the only difference is the name printed on the back (where it has either the Tmobile or the ATT logo). As for the mobile network support, I think that only the radio is different. Even now, you are not limited to 2g by your phone, but rather whatever TMobile decided to give you. Both phones will get atleast 3g. I know that TMobile version does not have LTE support, but im not sure about the ATT version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The AT&T version does not get 3G on T-Mobile save for a few sporadic locations across the states. And yes, it also has LTE.
joshnichols189 said:
The AT&T version does not get 3G on T-Mobile save for a few sporadic locations across the states. And yes, it also has LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also want to know about this
suhailstar said:
I also want to know about this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Know about what?
Sent from my SGH-T999
Related
I'd like them not to be able to know that this is a Galaxy 3. Who else sells the I747 with ATT's LTE and 3G bands?
The att logo is on the battery cover you could easily buy an international back cover from ebay with no logo search the accessories forums there's a thread about it!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747!
Buy it from att. Then buy a different battery cover from eBay/amazon.
Do a search. They sell ones without gs3/att branding on it
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Or scratch off the att logo with a coin.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
synpax said:
I'd like them not to be able to know that this is a Galaxy 3. Who else sells the I747 with ATT's LTE and 3G bands?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe a rogers phone from Canada could work, but not sure if it is enough to stop them from detecting your phone.
And for the other two replies I believe he doesn't want att to detect the phone on the network not cosmetic changes.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
Just to clarify, he wants AT&T's database to not recognize the phone as an S3.
I don't believe buying a new battery cover would accomplish that...
gpgorbosjr said:
Just to clarify, he wants AT&T's database to not recognize the phone as an S3.
I don't believe buying a new battery cover would accomplish that...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably not! I'm not even sure if that's possible - Unless the Korean or Japanese version had the AT&T LTE radio bands on-board already you'd have to do some serious hardware modifications to you phone.
I don't think anyone else uses AT&T LTE bands which are 700mhz and 2100mhz I believe.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
you won't be able to use lte without att's lte Sim, and they don't let you use the cheap non smartphone data plan on lte.
Sent from my Galaxy S III
dLo GSR said:
you won't be able to use lte without att's lte Sim, and they don't let you use the cheap non smartphone data plan on lte.
Sent from my Galaxy S III
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an ATT LTE microsim. I think. Or, yesterday, I got a microSIM from ATT. It should be 4G enabled... right?
Nonetheless, I am not getting LTE... which I guess is okay. I really fail to see the point of using LTE on a mobile phone when you burn through your total monthly allotment in under 8 hours.
synpax said:
I have an ATT LTE microsim. I think. Or, yesterday, I got a microSIM from ATT. It should be 4G enabled... right?
Nonetheless, I am not getting LTE... which I guess is okay. I really fail to see the point of using LTE on a mobile phone when you burn through your total monthly allotment in under 8 hours.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you received an AT&T micro SIM with your SGS3 then it is a 4G LTE enabled one. And it is a matter of personal preference as to whether LTE is worth it or not to you. For some folks, HSPA+ is perfectly fine and you could put a 3G micro SIM into your phone and have it work without LTE.
synpax said:
I have an ATT LTE microsim. I think. Or, yesterday, I got a microSIM from ATT. It should be 4G enabled... right?
Nonetheless, I am not getting LTE... which I guess is okay. I really fail to see the point of using LTE on a mobile phone when you burn through your total monthly allotment in under 8 hours.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WA_Bob said:
If you received an AT&T micro SIM with your SGS3 then it is a 4G LTE enabled one. And it is a matter of personal preference as to whether LTE is worth it or not to you. For some folks, HSPA+ is perfectly fine and you could put a 3G micro SIM into your phone and have it work without LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The sim card does not determine the service. ATT will not give you any HSPA+ or LTE if you don't have that plan added to your phone. They can differentiate between the plans and devices. If you pay for the non smartphone data they will stick you on 3g only.
WA_Bob said:
If you received an AT&T micro SIM with your SGS3 then it is a 4G LTE enabled one. And it is a matter of personal preference as to whether LTE is worth it or not to you. For some folks, HSPA+ is perfectly fine and you could put a 3G micro SIM into your phone and have it work without LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got the microSIM in person, not with the phone. Do you think it's LTE capable?
If you call att and have lte data activated on your account, it will.
I've got an unlocked AT&T Galaxy SIII, and I only get Edge for my data connection. Do I need to flash a T-Mobile radio? APN settings look okay, as far as I can see.
Also, can I flash a T-Mobile ROM and use Wifi calling, or is that asking too much?
I searched and couldn't find anyone asking these questions in the Q&A forum....
there are already like 3 threads below this one concerning the 3g/4g topic on a att sg3 working on tmobile. No it will not work because att sg3 does not support the aws tmobile frequencies. you will only be able to get edge. NOW if it were a tmobile sg3 on att then it would work.
All the threads I could find in this form on my search went the other way: T-Mo phone on AT&T.
Does anyone actually know whether a T-Mobile modem on an AT&T phone would work or not? I looked at the main board in my phone, and it's labelled with both SGH-I747 and SGH-T999, which makes me think the internals are fully identical.
I'd like to know this too! I also have an AT&T Galaxy SIII and was seriously considering moving to T-Mobile because of the new unlimited data plan they were going to start offering on 9/5. I had also looked through this forum, and could only find questions of the situation the other way around, T-Mob GSIII phone on AT&T network.
Basically, was wondering:
- is there a hardware limitation that APN settings and/or installing a new modem will not get me good data speeds?
- would I need to burn a new modem?
- I'm assuming at minimum I'd need new APN settings, and am assuming T-Mobile would be able to help with that. Right?
Thanks, really interested in being able to do this!
---------- Post added at 03:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:13 PM ----------
Hey oblib - looks like there's an unfortunate hardware limitation we won't be able to get around: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1771021
oblib__ said:
All the threads I could find in this form on my search went the other way: T-Mo phone on AT&T.
Does anyone actually know whether a T-Mobile modem on an AT&T phone would work or not? I looked at the main board in my phone, and it's labelled with both SGH-I747 and SGH-T999, which makes me think the internals are fully identical.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where did you see that the boards were labelled the same?
AFAIK, the radio's are different and flashing a T-mobile modem could possibly brick your device. It would be much easier to buy a T999 and use it on T-Mobile (it'll even work on AT&T 3G if you want to switch back, no LTE though).
The SoCs are different. Flashing a T-Mobile modem will not give you T-Mobile HSPA.
Looks like I didn't take any pictures of that side of the phone while I had it open, and I'm not eager to pop it open again. It definitely listed both models on the PCB. If I'm remembering correctly, it's on the same side as the SIM and SD card slots, so it's just matter of removing the back plate to see it, no more disassembly than that.
joshnichols189 said:
The SoCs are different. Flashing a T-Mobile modem will not give you T-Mobile HSPA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have part numbers for the two? According to wikipedia, they are the same Snapdragon S4 MSM8960. I just find it hard to believe that they would be different, though if they have the same pinout, that would explain the markings on my PCB.
This has been rehashed countless times. They are not the same phone. If the phones were the same, people would not be in here asking if they were the same. The MSM8960 comes in more than one flavor, with different modem parts. Yes, the CPU's are the same, but the MODEMS ARE DIFFERENT. It is an S4 Qualcomm part that comes in many different configurations. Instead of just reading until you get to some information that reinforces your preconceived notion, try reading a little further into the links at the bottom of the page and elsewhere. Seriously, if you really really don't think that Qualcomm would make different versions of the same chip, or configure them differently for the hundreds of different customer requirements, then fine, don't believe me, but it defies logic. Sorry about being an ass.
oblib__ said:
Looks like I didn't take any pictures of that side of the phone while I had it open, and I'm not eager to pop it open again. It definitely listed both models on the PCB. If I'm remembering correctly, it's on the same side as the SIM and SD card slots, so it's just matter of removing the back plate to see it, no more disassembly than that.
Do you have part numbers for the two? According to wikipedia, they are the same Snapdragon S4 MSM8960. I just find it hard to believe that they would be different, though if they have the same pinout, that would explain the markings on my PCB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The T-Mobile version uses an MSM8260a. This SoC is the Krait with an adreno 225 GPU and no LTE. The MSM8960 has all three.
Sent from my SGH-T999
joshnichols189 said:
The T-Mobile version uses an MSM8260a. This SoC is the Krait with an adreno 225 GPU and no LTE. The MSM8960 has all three.
Sent from my SGH-T999
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the useful response. For those looking for even more detail, here's a link: http://www.qualcomm.com/sites/default/files/common/snapdragon-specs-06.07.12.pdf
According to that the MSM8960 (chip in I747?) has a "World Mode" modem, while the MSM8260a has a UMTS modem.
Edit: Ah, and I see both of you have answered this question before, which I would have found if I searched on MSM8260a. The threads have been dead for over a week, so I'm not surprised I missed them, but thanks for answering the same questions again.
T-Mobile HSPA not support i747 right now.
oblib__ said:
I've got an unlocked AT&T Galaxy SIII, and I only get Edge for my data connection. Do I need to flash a T-Mobile radio? APN settings look okay, as far as I can see.
Also, can I flash a T-Mobile ROM and use Wifi calling, or is that asking too much?
I searched and couldn't find anyone asking these questions in the Q&A forum....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile uses a frequency for their 3g and 4g network that only T-Mobile branded phones have. Any other GSM phone will never get 3g or 4g on T-Mobile network unless it supports the T-Mobile band, which I believe is 1700MHz. It's limited by hardware. Nothing you can do to the phone will give you the 3g/4g you have to have a T-Mobile branded device.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
elesbb said:
T-Mobile uses a frequency for their 3g and 4g network that only T-Mobile branded phones have. Any other GSM phone will never get 3g or 4g on T-Mobile network unless it supports the T-Mobile band, which I believe is 1700MHz. It's limited by hardware. Nothing you can do to the phone will give you the 3g/4g you have to have a T-Mobile branded device.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not completely true. Since The Galaxy SII and the Galaxy Note (AT&T) have software radios, you can flash a radio from the TMO GSII and get 4G on TMO. I was running mine and many customers of mine like that for months until i switched phones.
Making your AT&T i747 GS3 work on T-Mobile 4G (without rooting)
oblib__ said:
I've got an unlocked AT&T Galaxy SIII, and I only get Edge for my data connection. Do I need to flash a T-Mobile radio? APN settings look okay, as far as I can see.
Also, can I flash a T-Mobile ROM and use Wifi calling, or is that asking too much?
I searched and couldn't find anyone asking these questions in the Q&A forum....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It works fine for me, the area i'm in does not support 4G on the 1900MHz frequency so I can definitely confirm my stock non-rooted AT&T i747 galaxy SIII is working on T-Mobile USA's 4G data network. I've uploaded a video to youtube of how to get this to work, should also work for the AT&T i317 note II as well. I can't post links on here I guess so just type my youtube username and search my videos.
youtube username: 6italia0
Video title: How to get AT&T gs3 i747 to work with Tmobile 4G (no root!)
6italia0 said:
It works fine for me, the area i'm in does not support 4G on the 1900MHz frequency so I can definitely confirm my stock non-rooted AT&T i747 galaxy SIII is working on T-Mobile USA's 4G data network. I've uploaded a video to youtube of how to get this to work, should also work for the AT&T i317 note II as well. I can't post links on here I guess so just type my youtube username and search my videos.
youtube username: 6italia0
Video title: How to get AT&T gs3 i747 to work with Tmobile 4G (no root!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you just got it to work because T-Mobile launched 1900Mhz 4G starting 2013?
doutlaw said:
I think you just got it to work because T-Mobile launched 1900Mhz 4G starting 2013?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ive got a friend whos got this working, im gonna try and let you know!
I just picked up a t-mobile sim on ebay for a florida trip in a few weeks. Im hoping to get the $3 a day plan for my unlocked Galaxy s3 and hoping to get 1900mhz 4g service.
Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk 2
Same with the s2 flash an tmobile radio combo on the skyrocket and get 4g but with the s3 might be different
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
IT CAN WORK (see details!)
elesbb said:
T-Mobile uses a frequency for their 3g and 4g network that only T-Mobile branded phones have. Any other GSM phone will never get 3g or 4g on T-Mobile network unless it supports the T-Mobile band, which I believe is 1700MHz. It's limited by hardware. Nothing you can do to the phone will give you the 3g/4g you have to have a T-Mobile branded device.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is NOT TRUE, please be careful when making such "absolute" statements -- I just got a ATT i747 from craigslist, and it DOES work with the $30 Walmart plan - on 4G and LTE (depending on location).
The TRUE ANSWER IS -- IT DEPENDS -- if you live in an area that was recently upgraded to LTE (in my area was 02/13), you can get LTE/4G since t-mobile added support for it on 700 MHz (band 4) AWS (unverified - source: youtube video named "Tmobile 4G on att i747 gs3 data fix". Sorry I am not allowed to post web-links yet).
Anyway, I DO get 4G/LTE, I guess I was lucky
momchi said:
This is NOT TRUE, please be careful when making such "absolute" statements -- I just got a ATT i747 from craigslist, and it DOES work with the $30 Walmart plan - on 4G and LTE (depending on location).
The TRUE ANSWER IS -- IT DEPENDS -- if you live in an area that was recently upgraded to LTE (in my area was 02/13), you can get LTE/4G since t-mobile added support for it on 700 MHz (band 4) AWS (unverified - source: youtube video named "Tmobile 4G on att i747 gs3 data fix". Sorry I am not allowed to post web-links yet).
Anyway, I DO get 4G/LTE, I guess I was lucky
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do realize you resurrected an old thread, and responded to a post that was made a year ago??? Long before LTE rolled out. At the time of his post, he was 100% correct.
I dont think this is the intended way to get your 10 posts btw. There are plenty of recent issues to respond to. Thx.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Which carrier will maximize the capabilities of the Note 2?
I can go on either carrier... If calling/data plans are not a concern which carrier should I go?
johnjph said:
Which carrier will maximize the capabilities of the Note 2?
I can go on either carrier... If calling/data plans are not a concern which carrier should I go?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From the FCC documents I think the way to go is T-mobile.
T-mobile version will have all the bands needed for LTE in USA and all bands needed for use overseas.
spridell said:
From the FCC documents I think the way to go is T-mobile.
T-mobile version will have all the bands needed for LTE in USA and all bands needed for use overseas.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But Tmobile will not have the LTE ready for another year or so. In the mean time will AT&T be faster?
johnjph said:
But Tmobile will not have the LTE ready for another year or so. In the mean time will AT&T be faster?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you live in an area where T-mobile is switching over their 1900mhz frequency T-mobile might be faster. If not ATT will probably be faster.
Here is a map of T-mobile progress.
http://www.airportal.de/#
Only problem is the T-Mobile sold the S3 at a significantly higher price then AT&T. Hope it does not happen with the Note.
gedster314 said:
Only problem is the T-Mobile sold the S3 at a significantly higher price then AT&T. Hope it does not happen with the Note.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Assuming that the hardware for the TMO and ATT versions are different, will there likely be a substantially different price for the unlocked versions of these phones?
I read the wiki entry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_Galaxy_Note_II and there are the usual different models for each carrier and region of hte world. I have AT&T so my choices are obviously going to be either the model for AT&T or some international version that uses AT&Ts bands. Is there anything broken about the AT&T model? Any reason to consider some other model? I know some models don't have wirelsee charging and other lack the FM radio. So, which one is best?
I like the international versions . They seem to get all the attention on xda. They have many ROMs out there for the lte 7105 and it seem to get updates fast . Just my opinion
AT&T NOTE 2 JDEVIL LK7 ROM
jeremyandroid said:
I like the international versions . They seem to get all the attention on xda. They have many ROMs out there for the lte 7105 and it seem to get updates fast . Just my opinion
AT&T NOTE 2 JDEVIL LK7 ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
true opinion. but a few of the international ROMs have been ported to work with the ATT variant. I chose the ATT model because of warranty/LTE compatibility. i'm not sure which, if any, international variants have ATT LTE bands enabled. if some new feature/functionality is available on the international version, it will get ported to the ATT version at some point. just my 2 cents opinion.
cortez.i said:
true opinion. but a few of the international ROMs have been ported to work with the ATT variant. I chose the ATT model because of warranty/LTE compatibility. i'm not sure which, if any, international variants have ATT LTE bands enabled. if some new feature/functionality is available on the international version, it will get ported to the ATT version at some point. just my 2 cents opinion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you both for your feedback.
What is LTE? Is it a band that enables faster upload/download? If I get an international one that does not have LTE will my speed suffer? Warranty isn't an issue as I'll be buying and paying full price and not getting it from AT&T (They think I still use a flip phone with unlimited data plan).
rogerbacon50 said:
Thank you both for your feedback.
What is LTE? Is it a band that enables faster upload/download? If I get an international one that does not have LTE will my speed suffer? Warranty isn't an issue as I'll be buying and paying full price and not getting it from AT&T (They think I still use a flip phone with unlimited data plan).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LTE provides much faster internet uploads/downloads. since i'm accustomed to seeing downloads speeds averaging 31 Mbps (uploads 20 Mbps), anything else would be much slower. three caveats: to get LTE speeds, you have to (1) be in a LTE supported market (2) use a phone with LTE radio bands compatible with ATT and (3) have your device provisioned - by ATT - for LTE speeds/access. you can keep your unlimited plan.
regarding warranty, consider who provides service should something happen with your phone. with ATT, if you have an issue within the first year (notwithstanding abuse) they'll swap with another (likely refurbished) device. that's my additional 2cents answer to your questions!
EDIT: Added a recent picture showing LTE upload speeds.
cortez.i said:
(3) have your device provisioned - by ATT - for LTE speeds/access. you can keep your unlimited plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK< thanks. That decides it then. I will get hte AT&T model. One quesiton though about #3 above. What do you mean that AT&T has to provision my device? They think I have a non-smart phone and I don't want thtem to know about my new phone since I am paying $15 a month for unlimited data (A plan they don't offer to smart phone users). On my existing phone I can get around 250kb per second speed so do you think my account is already 'provisioned' for high speed access?
Oh, I found out both the AT&T model and the international one lach the FM radio so that's one less concern I would have had about choosing the AT&T model.
rogerbacon50 said:
OK< thanks. That decides it then. I will get hte AT&T model. One quesiton though about #3 above. What do you mean that AT&T has to provision my device? They think I have a non-smart phone and I don't want thtem to know about my new phone since I am paying $15 a month for unlimited data (A plan they don't offer to smart phone users). On my existing phone I can get around 250kb per second speed so do you think my account is already 'provisioned' for high speed access?
Oh, I found out both the AT&T model and the international one lach the FM radio so that's one less concern I would have had about choosing the AT&T model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i had trouble connecting to the internet and obtaining LTE speeds until they provisioned me for LTE (e.g., did something on their end). the other thing i forgot to mention is that you'll need a micro-sim card. if you had no need for LTE speeds, then i doubt you've been provisioned for it. and, if my math is correct, 30 Mbps (or 30,720 kbps) is more than 100 times faster than 250 kbps. i'll put it this way, when i tether my phone to my laptop (e.g., use my Note 2 to access the internet), it's faster than my Verizon FiOS wireless connection.
Hi,
I am thinking about moving my Galaxy S4 and moto RAZR from Verizon wireless to iwireless (a t-mobile affiliate). I understand that I need to unlock my phone but I am unable to find out if I move it to iwireless if I will still have 4G data. The iwireless sales rep said that I will still have voice and 2.5G service but couldn't tell me if I would still have 4G.
I was looking at this table I found on a site explaining how to unlock the phone but I don't know enough about the subject to make an informed decision.
Samsung Galaxy S4
Can someone confirm whether or not my Verizon S4 or RAZR can be unlocked to work with the iwireless/t-mobile 4G network?
sgibbers17 said:
Hi,
I am thinking about moving my Galaxy S4 and moto RAZR from Verizon wireless to iwireless (a t-mobile affiliate). I understand that I need to unlock my phone but I am unable to find out if I move it to iwireless if I will still have 4G data. The iwireless sales rep said that I will still have voice and 2.5G service but couldn't tell me if I would still have 4G.
I was looking at this table I found on a site explaining how to unlock the phone but I don't know enough about the subject to make an informed decision.
Samsung Galaxy S4
Can someone confirm whether or not my Verizon S4 or RAZR can be unlocked to work with the iwireless/t-mobile 4G network?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems as though your grasp of the subject is strong enough to know that it might work as you'd like - and it might not. You need to call back and ask to speak to a CSR that actually knows what bands their service works on so they can give you accurate information. That's kind of their job...
Also -
Verizon LTE operates on Band 13 while T-Mob operates on Band 17, both of which carry completely different spectrums; this means no LTE on either of your unlocked phones.There's a slim possibility that you will get intermittent 3G but the most likely scenario is that you will get talk, text and 2G / 2.5G only.
Band 17? My Verizon branded S4 is getting T-Mobile LTE. I'm fairly sure its on band 4.
T-mobile is band 4 which is 1700/2100 mhz. The Verizon s4 is not capable of 1700mhz. But if you are getting 4G it may be because your area is using 2100 mhz. I am specifically moving to iwireless and I was told they use the 1700 mhz band.
Bsliv, how did you unlock you phone?
sgibbers17 said:
Bsliv, how did you unlock you phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many Verizon phones are sim unlocked, so it's most likely unlocked as well
serio22 said:
Many Verizon phones are sim unlocked, so it's most likely unlocked as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I think all Verizon LTE capable phones are unlocked.
The I545 (Verizon S4) can receive LTE on band 4. T-Mobile serves LTE on band 4. The coincidence works well.
bsliv said:
Yes, I think all Verizon LTE capable phones are unlocked.
The I545 (Verizon S4) supports LTE on band 4. T-Mobile serves LTE on band 4. The coincidence works well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My RAZR MAXX HD definitely wasn't SIM unlocked... For the life of me I couldn't get it to work when I moved to ATT from Verizon... Not even GSM would work.
I just need to get some clarification from you guys. Are your VZW phones bought in the US and being in the US on t-mobile's or iwireless's 4g network. Because after I made the first post I went to the phone unlocking place in my local mall and talked to there techs, they said that the VZW S4 will not get 4g. I have also been doing extensive searches online and keep finding half saying it will work and half saying it won't. I have a feeling that the ones that work are working outside of the US as I found posts saying as such.
I read some where that the razr you had to flash the radio FW to get GSM to work properly.
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I got my vzw S4 off craigslist but 99% sure it was purchased in the USA. I'm on T-Mobile's $50/mo plan.
Verizon's LTE phones are sim unlocked due to an agreement with the FCC when vzw purchased some bandwidth.
I think there was an update around 03/2014 that enabled band 4 on the I545. Then had to make some apn changes and tell the modem to use gsm/lte on band 4.
The one quirk I have is it will say "no service" after a reboot and until I make or receive a voice call. Then I get the "T-Mobile" instead of "no service" and things work as they should.
bsliv said:
I got my vzw S4 off craigslist but 99% sure it was purchased in the USA. I'm on T-Mobile's $50/mo plan.
Verizon's LTE phones are sim unlocked due to an agreement with the FCC when vzw purchased some bandwidth.
I think there was an update around 03/2014 that enabled band 4 on the I545. Then had to make some apn changes and tell the modem to use gsm/lte on band 4.
The one quirk I have is it will say "no service" after a reboot and until I make or receive a voice call. Then I get the "T-Mobile" instead of "no service" and things work as they should.
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I'll have to go to iwireless and have one of the tech put a SIM card in my s4 and razr to give it a try.
The only options I have for the network mode on my s4 is
Global, LTE/CDMA, and GSM/UMTS. Can you post you settings?
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I was just at iwireless today and tested my phone with their network and was unable to get it to work. iwireless is a t-mobile affiliate but they do not use 4G LTE in my area. Their system runs on a 3.8G 1700MHz which the VZW S4 does not have. I am told that they will be starting to switch all the 2G radios in the area to 4G LTE later this year, which should work with my VZW S4. So I am just going to have to wait till the end of the year and go back and test it again.
Frankenscript said:
My RAZR MAXX HD definitely wasn't SIM unlocked... For the life of me I couldn't get it to work when I moved to ATT from Verizon... Not even GSM would work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That phone was before VZW bought the band 4 spectrum and cut the deal with the FCC. All VZW LTE phones are SIM unlocked. Any AWS capable VZW phone is SIM unlocked and can use LTE on band 4. The S4 got it with an update last year.
I am probably going to do the $30 plan soon and plan to use my VZW S4. I am not going to port my number right away in case the service in my area sucks (doubtful, live in DFW in dense surburbia).
I went out off town this weekend and went to a t-mobile store and was able to get 4g service after adding the correct APN. But it is too bad that iwireless that is in my area does not use that band yet, they are staring to upgrade to that band later this year. Until then my s4 will only get edge service.
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I was able to get H+ on my s4 from Verizon to tmobile by changing the network mode to global and the App to fast.T-mobile.com
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With the announcement of the T Mobile $100 2 line unlimited everything, I'm also interested in bringing my Verizon S4 MDK boot loader phone to T Mobile, but want to do my research first-- is it as simple as signing up for T Mobile and getting one of their SIMs and then-- would I be able to flash any of the ROMs in the S4 T Mobile Dev forum or is the T Mobile S4 a completely different device? Any caveats? Would I have to LokiDoki after the flash? Would I need to flash a T Mobile specific radio too (currently on i545vrufnk1)? Or is that all just overcomplicating things? Would i be able to just adjust the APNs on my current ROM after inserting a T Mobile SIM?
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Quick reply to my post and for anyone else interested-- there's a post here that talks about using a 4.4.2 T-Mobile ROM by Fenny on the a Verizon S4: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=57453019 I've tried it and LTE works great, MMS works properly, phone calls work as well. I'm on the Verizon i545vruamdk bootloader and Verizon i545vrufnk1 radio. The ROM is a T-Mobile m919uvufnb4 by Fenny.
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