[Q] Help Galaxy Note 2 on Tmobile USA - Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Okay, so I have my Galaxy Note 2 and here is the problem. I'm ONLY getting edge data. Now according to Wikipedia TMo's HSPA/HSAP+ runs on the 1900MHz band (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-Mobile_USA#Radio_frequency_spectrum_chart) which the phone is suppose to support. I assume I got the international version, though I got it from Newegg.com and it came with a US Charger and everything.
Can anyone help with this, is there a way to fix it, via any rooting means, etc? I'm ungoddly disappointed as I use my phone a LOT...i can't even use maps because I'm getting like 20K/s on Edge and that's just disgusting.

Unfortunately for you my friend the phone needs to support the 1700/2100 aws band. The international version that you have does not support it.
The best you can hope for is for tmobile to get there 1900 spectrum refarmed in your area to hspa+.
If I were you I would try sending the phone back and just get the Tmobile version when it's released tomorrow.
The only other option would be to sign up with at&T. You will get hspa speeds with them. Or buy the straight talk at&t SIM.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

busab said:
Unfortunately for you my friend the phone needs to support the 1700/2100 aws band. The international version that you have does not support it.
The best you can hope for is for tmobile to get there 1900 spectrum refarmed in your area to hspa+.
If I were you I would try sending the phone back and just get the Tmobile version when it's released tomorrow.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
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Well.......damn...I can't afford to buy the phone straight out, I bought this one from Newegg using my bill me later credit card. So I didn't have to pay anything down either....this actually blows.
Is the wiki completely wrong? It says the 1700/2100 band is for LTE starting 2013. But the 1900MHz band began service in 2011. So are some areas of the US on 1900 and others on 1700/2100 still? Is there some where you can find out what band your area is on if that's the case?
Thanks for the update, btw.

Kaanha said:
Well.......damn...I can't afford to buy the phone straight out, I bought this one from Newegg using my bill me later credit card. So I didn't have to pay anything down either....this actually blows.
Is the wiki completely wrong? It says the 1700/2100 band is for LTE starting 2013. But the 1900MHz band began service in 2011. So are some areas of the US on 1900 and others on 1700/2100 still? Is there some where you can find out what band your area is on if that's the case?
Thanks for the update, btw.
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There are only like 3 cities where the 1900 band will get HSPA+ on T-mobile.

Right tmobile is currently updating the 1900 band to hspa+. It is live in some areas like Las Vegas and parts of new york, while it is still in testing in many other areas across the country.
If you are not getting hspa+ speeds in your area I think it's safe to say it's not available in your area just yet.
This website shows areas where hspa+ has been spotted. But not officially live so they may not be available 100% of the time.
http://www.airportal.de/
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

Well this makes me kind of sick to my stomach. I'll have to decide what I want to do. They are planning on rolling out LTE in 2013...so...maybe HSPA+ will be moved to 1900MHz soon. Because I'm really loving this phone and don't really want to give it back and not be able to afford the official TMo version.
Choices Choices....
I'll have to see what Tmobile will let me do as well. Guess this is the price you pay for trying to keep up >.>

T-mobile claims the 1900 mhz refarming would be completed by the end of 2012. Check airportal.de (sorry noobs can't post outside links) to see if you are near any refarmed areas then test just to see if the hspa+ radio is working on your Note 2. I get 7-11mbps DL and 2-3 mbps UL on my Note 1 when there is hspa+ coverage.
I'm waiting to for the T-mo version to launch which is what I'll probably get. I believe it will have a faster hspa+ radio at 42mbps compared to the the international version's 21mbps. And possibly future proofed with LTE.

Baratheonist said:
T-mobile claims the 1900 mhz refarming would be completed by the end of 2012. Check airportal.de (sorry noobs can't post outside links) to see if you are near any refarmed areas then test just to see if the hspa+ radio is working on your Note 2. I get 7-11mbps DL and 2-3 mbps UL on my Note 1 when there is hspa+ coverage.
I'm waiting to for the T-mo version to launch which is what I'll probably get. I believe it will have a faster hspa+ radio at 42mbps compared to the the international version's 21mbps. And possibly future proofed with LTE.
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Click to collapse
Baratheonist - Are you referring to the version that's launching tomorrow? I can't get H+ to work consistently on my Note 1 (int'l unlocked) so I am looking at the T-Mo version as well.

doubledragon said:
Baratheonist - Are you referring to the version that's launching tomorrow? I can't get H+ to work consistently on my Note 1 (int'l unlocked) so I am looking at the T-Mo version as well.
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For my international GNote 1 , I get Edge speeds in my place. Doesn't matter because I use the home wifi. The nearest H+ coverage is a mile away, which I drove to, just to test H+ and it worked and was consistent. It was in a mall with a T-mobile store in it. So I guess that factors in.
Even if the GN2 launches tomorrow, I will wait and see how it turns out with other users. No reason for Tmo not to support GN2 on its 42mbps H+..
Some claim 20-27mbps DL speeds on units that support 42mbpsH+. With that speed - it's even faster than my home wifi, I don't need to look for LTE now although future proofing is very much welcome.

Baratheonist said:
For my international GNote 1 , I get Edge speeds in my place. Doesn't matter because I use the home wifi. The nearest H+ coverage is a mile away, which I drove to, just to test H+ and it worked and was consistent. It was in a mall with a T-mobile store in it. So I guess that factors in.
Even if the GN2 launches tomorrow, I will wait and see how it turns out with other users. No reason for Tmo not to support GN2 on its 42mbps H+..
Some claim 20-27mbps DL speeds on units that support 42mbpsH+. With that speed - it's even faster than my home wifi, I don't need to look for LTE now although future proofing is very much welcome.
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Thanks for the info. The Tmo store next to my office confirmed it's in stock for tomorrow. Based on those speeds I would have no hesitation switching over from VZ since I'm off contract. I'm going to attempt to stick to my plan of waiting for Nexus 4 announcement.

Dont feel bad, im stuck with GT7000 5month from now which only got 2g onTmo but good news are Tmo keep update their 1900 spectrum like the other said.All we do now is patient ..

I did contact TMo today to find out about the GNote 2 being released tomorrow. The lady told me, at my local store, the projected price point is $699, which means I'd have to put down 299 to finance it for the 24 months >.> Not exactly looking forward to that. Then I will have to call another location to request the RMA for this international unlocked one.
I've used the Note 2 today on wi-fi all day and I have to say, I truly love this phone...hence the reason I'm willing to drop the cash on it at my local store. Though this is my first Phablet, I didn't get the Note 1, simply because I wanted to see where they went with it....I see and I'm impressed, now.

Sell your N7100. You should get at least $650 and go buy the T-Mobile version.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

Not gloating or nothing but i seen the note on even wirefly.com on the 23rd and still wouldnt buy it. After all the problems i have with tmobile customer service alone, i couldnt even imagine trying to get any help i wouldnt already know from their less than even sad customer service for a phone not bought directly from them. But lucky me knew that note 2 was going to be released online an hr after midnight pacific time in the u.s, and as of today i the happiest phone owner around,lol. the reason for my response, i stopped buying cell phones from anywhere but the company whom i will have service with due to the fact it's purposely not mentioned about compatibility so you have trouble returning it, cause they give you their old, " well it was in our 1000 page agreement you need a damn lawyer to go over. I also have a phone like yours but from verizon, a droid incredible 2 with many different bands, that i use once and a while for something different on my t-mo account, but once i step out the city, i cant even open something as simple as googles homepage cause i lose the 3g signal and drop to like -2g,lol. But the closer i get to the Illinois/Wisconsin border the 3g signal damn near runs on 4g speeds, and i even swear one time while driving the h symbol popped up but changed back to 3 really quick. But when im in Milwaukee, Wisconsin i get great 3g signal. Screw 2013 and waiting, just have whatever fun you can with it now via wifi seeing there will be no world after it ends on Dec 21st, 2012, lol. Edit: had to add it kind of sucked the phone was supposed to be 299.99 on tmobile which was supposed to be the highest selling price with the others projected to sell it for 199.00. But they sure as hell where happy to use us wanting this phone against us and charging 443.00 after tax just for the phone. And thats at the lowest price they possibly had on a 2yr contract.

Ive heard with root there's a mod or setting change to access Hspa+.
Anyone heard anything.
To OP...I still have my Sprint MiFi at $35/mo w/unlimited data,then
spend $30 on TMobiles prepaid plan. Doing that for now.
Consistant 5-6 Mps

Baratheonist said:
For my international GNote 1 , I get Edge speeds in my place. Doesn't matter because I use the home wifi. The nearest H+ coverage is a mile away, which I drove to, just to test H+ and it worked and was consistent. It was in a mall with a T-mobile store in it. So I guess that factors in.
Even if the GN2 launches tomorrow, I will wait and see how it turns out with other users. No reason for Tmo not to support GN2 on its 42mbps H+..
Some claim 20-27mbps DL speeds on units that support 42mbpsH+. With that speed - it's even faster than my home wifi, I don't need to look for LTE now although future proofing is very much welcome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are only getting those speeds as its fairly empty at the moment
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

I'm having the same issue
Anybody wanna buy a intl note :/

Related

So lost right now!! Which provider??

I totally don't know which provider to choose for the galaxy nexus!!!
Should I pay $750 for the GSM version??
I would be able to
-get the $30 walmart/tmobile plan
-no contract
-able to save $$ overtime....
-Speeds wont be fast as the Verizon model
Or
Get the Verizon Nexus!
-I have LTE in my area
-My bill would be $79.00 plus taxes
If you was in my position, which model would you get?
whats more important to you? speed or cost?
For me, it was a pretty easy choice. I use wifi the majority of my day, at work and home. So I go for cost
Easy decision for me, I'm stuck on Verizon until I get rid of my ~$1100 in ETFs, plus the LTE is fantastic around here. It's nothing to pull 16 Mbps down.
Ez decision. Big red robs you and make you think you like it. Pay the money upfront for the phone and get your tmob plan to make it back in the short and long term.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Well you get what you pay for.
$30 vs. $80.
5-7 mbps vs. 20+mbps
100 minutes vs. 450 minutes
unlimited text vs. 0 text
Is the $50 premium worth it? Do you really need more than 7mbps down? I would say no unless you are tethering. GSM HSDPA+ is perfectly fine for a phone. Nobody needs 20mbps to stream media of any kind.
You wanna be the tortoise or the hare? Lol
I was in the same boat on AT&T after having been bitten by the iPhone 4S bug. After a few weeks, I totally realized I never should have bought it. Battery life is great and all and the apps are well designed, but there is something about having the same phone as my mother that rubs me the wrong way. Verizon's LTE is mighty tempting as well and even though we just launched a few LTE devices on AT&T, none of them caught my eye.
I ultimately decided to go with importing since my monthly bill would be lower with my work discount. LTE is great, but I can't imagine doing anything with it that I can't do on AT&T's HSPA network. Plus with how the launch of this phone has gone, I didn't want to take the risk that this would be Verizon's first and last Nexus phone. Hopefully AT&T does decided to launch an LTE version of the Nexus in the next six months. If not I'll just wait for the next Nexus....
I would also add... if you plan to travel outside of north america get the gsm phone, cdma doesn't work outside of North America (ok china and india?)
also. i've been using tmobile and not at&t which is awesome where I live. (~9mbit/s down). I cannot speak to the battery usage of LTE, but I hear its terrible
I say go with GSM
(note CDMA/LTE version is slightly heavier [15g] and thicket [0.5mm])
It was easy for me.
Got the imported GN. Went into AT&T store renew my contract by getting a iphone 4S for 200 hoping that I would be able to sell it for 500+ on ebay etc. That would help me cover some of damage that importing GN did to my bank. lol.
FastMhz said:
You wanna be the tortoise or the hare? Lol
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Please explain what you can do on the LTE network that is impossible on a 7mbps+ HSDPA+ connection?
I use slingbox, tunein radio and SiriusXM without a hiccup.
How would Verizon make this stream better??
These outrageous LTE speeds only benefit users if you are tethering to download an .iso or something. Outside of that, it's marketing gold.
Discuss.
If I get the verizon lte model I may actually get the Big old Cheese during a wootoff for once with the better speeds and ping.
All of these posted speeds are nice, assuming that for both AT&T and Verizon provides the same level of coverage and network performance as promised. Even though my area is in HSDPA+, AT&T service is crap and isn't worth a damn during peaks times when I need to use my phone. I'd be lucky to get 1MB down if that.
fr4c said:
All of these posted speeds are nice, assuming that for both AT&T and Verizon provides the same level of coverage and network performance as promised. Even though my area is in HSDPA+, AT&T service is crap and isn't worth a damn during peaks times when I need to use my phone. I'd be lucky to get 1MB down if that.
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This is *exactly* the problem. Here are my AT&T HSPA+ speeds on my GSM Galaxy Nexus:
From my house -- 5 mb/s
From random place in the west part of the city -- 10 mb/s
From downtown at 10 PM -- 5 mb/s
BUT, from downtown during the business day, when it matters -- 0.5 mb/s
It's what I call the football game effect. At a football game, AT&T phones get basically zero service, whereas Verizon's CDMA network is capable of normal speeds. Downtown has that same issue during the day, as will any crowded area (shopping mall, etc).
This is the reason why I'm likely going to switch to Verizon if they ever release the phone. Enjoying LTE has less to do with the crazy 50 mb/s speeds than it does with enjoying reasonable speeds even in crowded areas. I'll still keep the GSM phone for international travel, though.
I wanted a GSM device and I didn't want anything a carrier had a chance to mess with. This meant importing. Yeah, I paid about $750, but it was worth it. I get updates prompt from Google, I don't worry about carrier apps that can't be uninstalled, I can change phones whenever I want without having to call or get permission from my carrier, and I'm stuck on AT&T for a while anyway.
I'm very happy with my purchase. Honestly, with the VZW one, you'll be tied in to a contract anyway. You'll end up paying more than the phone's cost over that time regardless. The GSM import is just more up front. And if you can get WiFi fairly often, then it's worth it to go with the cheaper plan.
Also, to reply to the poster above me: I haven't had any issues with speed in Boston on AT&T. It seems pretty consistent. Maybe your area is more of a problem area? I know a lot of people hate on AT&T, but I've found their network to be quite stable.

Does Sprint Note II support TDD-LTE?

I recently just read that Sprint's partner Clearwire will roll out a different varient of LTE, TDD-LTE rather than FDD-LTE which is normally use in the US. So, if this phone cannot use TDD-LTE then, it's like buying a new phone now and you won't have a 4G in middle of next year. This is like going back to WiMax all over again.
NVM, found the answer. Mod can delete this or leave it up for reference/search. I got a brain fart when I heard something that don't feel good and my google brain wasn't functional properly.
Sprint has said they wont have phone that cover the band Clearwire will use for LTE till sometime next year, but Sprint is doing a LTE roll out on band 25 right now that you either have now or have to wait over a year to get. Clearwire's will be used to supplement overloaded areas. Check with your local store and see a phone run Speedtest.net then believe it. I don't trust any phone company agent to be accurate. I just got told the S3's in T Mobile's store will do LTE next year when it gets it. It won't, doesn't have the hardware. It will do HPSA but not LTE. Speedtest at the Tmobile came in at 3mbps download.

T-Mobile Note II or AT&T Note II?

So is the T-Mobile Note II better than the AT&T one? I know it has a better 3G radio with quad band 3G that does 42mbps rather than the AT&T one that only does 21mbps and is only tri-band. How feasible do you guys think it would be to buy a launch day Note II on contract, immediately sell it on eBay and buy a T-Mobile Note II for the same price?
Plausible if you expect to get $650+tax for the AT&T note.
Is T-Mobile's coverage that bad in your area? If T-Mobile has good coverage in your area then why not just go for T-Mobile? It would make sense to go for Verizon LTE services for the large coverage and high speeds even with the Verizon premium price. But for me it makes no sense in going to AT&T if you have good coverage with T-Mobile. Both the price and speed differences between T-Mobile vs AT&T itself would turn me to T-Mobile and away from AT&T. The only thing that AT&T beats T-mobile is having a larger coverage area. But otherwise there is no reason to go for AT&T.
I just think you are trying to go the long way around. Which is not making sense.
KosanRio said:
So is the T-Mobile Note II better than the AT&T one? I know it has a better 3G radio with quad band 3G that does 42mbps rather than the AT&T one that only does 21mbps and is only tri-band. How feasible do you guys think it would be to buy a launch day Note II on contract, immediately sell it on eBay and buy a T-Mobile Note II for the same price?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Answer to question number 1: Yes
Answer to question number 2: Very feasible.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
JaguarXT said:
Is T-Mobile's coverage that bad in your area? If T-Mobile has good coverage in your area then why not just go for T-Mobile? It would make sense to go for Verizon LTE services for the large coverage and high speeds even with the Verizon premium price. But for me it makes no sense in going to AT&T if you have good coverage with T-Mobile. Both the price and speed differences between T-Mobile vs AT&T itself would turn me to T-Mobile and away from AT&T. The only thing that AT&T beats T-mobile is having a larger coverage area. But otherwise there is no reason to go for AT&T.
I just think you are trying to go the long way around. Which is not making sense.
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I'm on contract with AT&T for another year so I'd have pay cancellation fees and what not.
And the T-Mobile service isn't very good in my area at all.. atleast it wasn't a year and a half ago.
Not to hog the thread, but, would a T-mobile Note 2 (once unlocked obviously), work on atleast HSPA speeds on AT&T - im not really too bothered about LTE, though obviously don't want the tmobile phone restricted to EDGE on at&t like iphones 4s are on tmobile _ this situation is the reverse of that scenario.
?
I have an option to buy a T-Mobile one for relatively cheap off a colleague, but want to use it on AT&T as thats the contract I have and T-mob don't have great reception in my house!!.
I know the 4G LTE in the T-Mobile Note II is currently disabled but... once enabled would it work on AT&Ts 4G LTE?
RizSher said:
Not to hog the thread, but, would a T-mobile Note 2 (once unlocked obviously), work on atleast HSPA speeds on AT&T - im not really too bothered about LTE, though obviously don't want the tmobile phone restricted to EDGE on at&t like iphones 4s are on tmobile _ this situation is the reverse of that scenario.
?
I have an option to buy a T-Mobile one for relatively cheap off a colleague, but want to use it on AT&T as thats the contract I have and T-mob don't have great reception in my house!!.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. I'm getting around 6-8 down on att's hspa. Waiting on unlocking LTE.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
RizSher said:
Not to hog the thread, but, would a T-mobile Note 2 (once unlocked obviously), work on atleast HSPA speeds on AT&T - im not really too bothered about LTE, though obviously don't want the tmobile phone restricted to EDGE on at&t like iphones 4s are on tmobile _ this situation is the reverse of that scenario.
?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you don't care about LTE, then get the T-Mobile one as that has 42mbps HSPA as opposed to 21mbps of all other Note II versions and it's also pentaband too so it'll work pretty much anywhere around the world
KosanRio said:
I know the 4G LTE in the T-Mobile Note II is currently disabled but... once enabled would it work on AT&Ts 4G LTE?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the T-Mobile phone has AT&T's LTE bands too, although when it will get enabled is still a question
tmobile note 2 will get LTE when its available
it has hardware built in
I'm curious does the T-Mobile Note II use a normal sized SIM card or a Micro SIM?
KosanRio said:
I'm curious does the T-Mobile Note II use a normal sized SIM card or a Micro SIM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Micro SIM card
From what I reading here, i am better off getting tmo version. I am going to give it a try
Sent from my MZ609 using Tapatalk 2
I'm considering the Note2 on all carriers even the international model if Multi-View doesn't come soon but last weekend tested the Note2 in a T-Mobile store & was impressed by the SpeedTest of 20 ( +/- 2) Mbps down & ~ 2 Mbps up (store is in a well covered area) & Friday night I was with someone where I'd more frequently use the Note2 & tested the network down on her original Galaxy S still pulling down ~10 Mbps down (+/- 5 with avg ~ 8 Mbps down-streaming quality video was great which I can't currently do with my Sprint EVO except off their network here on Wi-Fi) & still ~ 2 Mbps up.
So far I like T-Mobile speeds & plans (reasonably priced unlimited option should I need it though I usually but not always have access to fast Wi-Fi) yet I'm concerned they don't have the same coverage as AT&T (I'll also speedtest AT&T locally this week) so was considering getting the Note2 on AT&T & if not satisfied ($300 + $325 ETF) go get service on T-Mobile with option to go back to AT&T should I move. What limitations besides the 21 Mbps HSPA+ would I have if I get the AT&T model which would also offer me LTE ~ 20 miles away?
Appreciate your thoughts,
http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/Phones...ll-phone=Samsung-Galaxy-Note-II-Titanium-Gray
http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/devices/samsung/galaxy-note-ii-titanium-gray.html
http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note_ii_n7100-4854.php
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1960249
SMARTPHONEPC said:
I'm considering the Note2 on all carriers even the international model if Multi-View doesn't come soon but last weekend tested the Note2 in a T-Mobile store & was impressed by the SpeedTest of 20 ( +/- 2) Mbps down & ~ 2 Mbps up (store is in a well covered area) & Friday night I was with someone where I'd more frequently use the Note2 & tested the network down on her original Galaxy S still pulling down ~10 Mbps down (+/- 5 with avg ~ 8 Mbps down-streaming quality video was great which I can't currently do with my Sprint EVO except off their network here on Wi-Fi) & still ~ 2 Mbps up.
So far I like T-Mobile speeds & plans (reasonably priced unlimited option should I need it though I usually but not always have access to fast Wi-Fi) yet I'm concerned they don't have the same coverage as AT&T (I'll also speedtest AT&T locally this week) so was considering getting the Note2 on AT&T & if not satisfied ($300 + $325 ETF) go get service on T-Mobile with option to go back to AT&T should I move. What limitations besides the 21 Mbps HSPA+ would I have if I get the AT&T model which would also offer me LTE ~ 20 miles away?
Appreciate your thoughts,
http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/Phones...ll-phone=Samsung-Galaxy-Note-II-Titanium-Gray
http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/devices/samsung/galaxy-note-ii-titanium-gray.html
http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note_ii_n7100-4854.php
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1960249
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's my experience with T-Mo on a car trip from the NW to Midwest. The data was non-existent except on cities & towns, I'd say over 10,000. Where a data signal was available it was typically very good. I didn't speed test my note 2, but likely =/- 10Mbps. In the NW (Seattle area) I find some rural areas with poor data signal. My daughters house is on the edge of a town with pop of about 5,000. I have to go outside to get a descent data signal while she gets good signal inside with AT&T.
Personally I'm very happy with my T-MO service. I've been with then for 10 years, but only about 2 that I've been concerned with data, whereas previously I used primarily wifi and now using predominately data.
Hope with gives you at least one useful perspective.
audscott said:
Here's my experience with T-Mo on a car trip from the NW to Midwest. The data was non-existent except on cities & towns, I'd say over 10,000. Where a data signal was available it was typically very good. I didn't speed test my note 2, but likely =/- 10Mbps. In the NW (Seattle area) I find some rural areas with poor data signal. My daughters house is on the edge of a town with pop of about 5,000. I have to go outside to get a descent data signal while she gets good signal inside with AT&T.
Personally I'm very happy with my T-MO service. I've been with then for 10 years, but only about 2 that I've been concerned with data, whereas previously I used primarily wifi and now using predominately data.
Hope with gives you at least one useful perspective.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks:good:..confirms my interest in getting the AT&T model but use on T-Mobile if possible for its more flexible plans but less flexible coverage where I could switch to AT&T service should I expect to be outside solild T-Mobile coverage?
If you are asking about service go T-Mobile hands down. I have had both and ATT was horrible. Service was shakey, customer service was ridiculous. T-Mobile is all around better in my book
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app
ptmr3 said:
If you are asking about service go T-Mobile hands down. I have had both and ATT was horrible. Service was shakey, customer service was ridiculous. T-Mobile is all around better in my book
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will test to confirm but I think T-Mobile service will be faster on HSPA+ (LTE is 20 miles away & don't expect to get it here soon except for Verizon) & less expensive but I'm starting to suspect the potential for range anxiety (that people with electric cars often feel) when traveling out of metro areas hence consideration of AT&T model (which offers superior coverage as well as LTE in some markets now) to use on T-Mobile if possible?
SMARTPHONEPC said:
I will test to confirm but I think T-Mobile service will be faster on HSPA+ (LTE is 20 miles away & don't expect to get it here soon except for Verizon) & less expensive but I'm starting to suspect the potential for range anxiety (that people with electric cars often feel) when traveling out of metro areas hence consideration of AT&T model (which offers superior coverage as well as LTE in some markets now) to use on T-Mobile if possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My parents live in farm country about 40 miles out of the city and can't get service on Their ATT service, but my Tmobile is strong as if I were in Denver
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ptmr3 said:
My parents live in farm country about 40 miles out of the city and can't get service on Their ATT service, but my Tmobile is strong as if I were in Denver
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to look into this further (the T-Mobile pamphlet they gave me last weekend still listed "America's Largest 4G Network) but I'm going to try to check it out again in a T-Mobile store now:
http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/t-mobile-drops-americas-largest-4g-network-claim/2012-07-18
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2405596,00.asp
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2405643,00.asp
"T-Mobile's HSPA+ 42 is the 4G dark horse. It's really fast, covers a lot of the country, and is inexpensive. We found it to be faster than Verizon LTE for downloads in 11 cities (T-Mobile didn't win, though, because Verizon had much faster upload speeds.) Outside cities, where T-Mobile has coverage, it blew away other 3G networks. But that's the key: T-Mobile's truly rural coverage is slimmer than AT&T's or Verizon's."

Capped at 2G by T-Mobile?

I bought 2x Samsung Galaxy Note 2 phones off newegg for $650 each. These are unlocked phones, specifically, this device:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16875176414
The data service for just about everyone I've tried sucks horribly. I decided to give T-Mobile a try since they offer 4G HSPA+ 42 in this area.
The person in the store says that I can buy prepaid sim cards. I wind up ordering them over the phone since they only cost $1 instead of $30 for a microsim if you order it that way. The website says I can get 2GB of 4G data per month for $60. I pay my $66 and change after tax.
Immediately, I notice I am getting crappy 2G / Edge comparable speeds. I call customer service and they tell me that because the phones are unlocked and not bought from T-Mobile that 2G / Edge is the maximum speed I can get and that 4G speeds are not possible without purchasing a phone direct from T-Mobile. Neither the person in the store, nor the person that sold me the sim over the phone mentioned this and they are refusing a refund.
Is there any truth to what they are saying about not being able to get 4G if I don't purchase direct from the service provider. Are there any work arounds?
I'm burning with rage right now.
Thanks,
-Bob
r0b126 said:
I bought 2x Samsung Galaxy Note 2 phones off newegg for $650 each. These are unlocked phones, specifically, this device:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16875176414
The data service for just about everyone I've tried sucks horribly. I decided to give T-Mobile a try since they offer 4G HSPA+ 42 in this area.
The person in the store says that I can buy prepaid sim cards. I wind up ordering them over the phone since they only cost $1 instead of $30 for a microsim if you order it that way. The website says I can get 2GB of 4G data per month for $60. I pay my $66 and change after tax.
Immediately, I notice I am getting crappy 2G / Edge comparable speeds. I call customer service and they tell me that because the phones are unlocked and not bought from T-Mobile that 2G / Edge is the maximum speed I can get and that 4G speeds are not possible without purchasing a phone direct from T-Mobile. Neither the person in the store, nor the person that sold me the sim over the phone mentioned this and they are refusing a refund.
Is there any truth to what they are saying about not being able to get 4G if I don't purchase direct from the service provider. Are there any work arounds?
I'm burning with rage right now.
Thanks,
-Bob
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They told you right about the Edge. Our phones don't use the band that T-Mobile uses for 3G.
what about 4G? and are there any work arounds for this? How is t-mobile selling the galaxy note 2 to its customers with the 4g service?
Are there any providers that offer faster than 2G / Edge for Galaxy Note 2?
Also, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16875176414
I posted a bad link in the original thread earlier
Kno you will have to ... go with Att .. man and there prepaid is not as good as Tmoble ..... Blahhhhhhhhhh that sucks
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
I use Straight Talk with AT&T and it has 3G. Thing is AT&T & ST are parting ways. You can only find Straight Talk AT&T Sim cards on Walmart.com & eBay now, and they're going fast. Straight will only be using T-Mobile and that will suck. I'll change so fast their heads will spin if they try to force me from AT&T to T-Mobile.
Although the International Note II's don't have same bands as Tmobiles HSPA+ and you normally will only get 2g/Edge, if you are one of the lucky ones in a TMobile refarmed area you should get HSPA.
Sent from my GT-N7105 using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 11:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:55 PM ----------
T-Mobile's version of the Note 2 has the HSPA+/4G band for their specific network which the N7105 doesnt have..
Sent from my GT-N7105 using xda app-developers app
Well A) you've bought an n7100 which doesn't support dc-HSDPA anyway so you'd only get up to 21 instead of 42mbps
B) you bought it without checking if it supports the radio bands you need for your carrier, which it doesn't, which is why you're only getting 2g speeds. It's nothing to do with t mobile capping you to 2g
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
r0b126 said:
Immediately, I notice I am getting crappy 2G / Edge comparable speeds. I call customer service and they tell me that because the phones are unlocked and not bought from T-Mobile that 2G / Edge is the maximum speed I can get and that 4G speeds are not possible without purchasing a phone direct from T-Mobile. Neither the person in the store, nor the person that sold me the sim over the phone mentioned this and they are refusing a refund.
Is there any truth to what they are saying about not being able to get 4G if I don't purchase direct from the service provider. Are there any work arounds?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, lots of wrong information both there and in this thread.
This is a quick post so some of my numbers might be wrong, but here's the basics:
Two years ago, t-mobile's 3G/4G relied on the 1700 band, which the N7100 doesn't support.
To make a long story short, t-mobile is using 1700 for LTE, and moving their 3G onto the univerally supported 1900 band, which works on our N7100 and most international phones.
This is a gradual rollout. If your area has been 'moved', you'll get 3G. And by gradual I mean one tower at a time.
I don't think they expect full US 1900 3G till end of 2013.
It's only recently that NY had enough 1900 band support that I have now decided to move over to t-mobile.
we might not support 4200, I did some random spot testing and I think I was only getting 2100.
Previously, with my note 1, I had to dump t-mobile and go to AT&T which fully supports 1900.
- Frank
I went to Dallas the other day and brought the Tmobile sim with me. The my speed changed from E to H+ (sometimes 3G) and the data connection was considerably faster than 2g or 3g, but I frequently get a message stating, "You have lost data connectivity because y".... the rest of the message is cut off and I haven't found a way to read the entire thing because touching it brings me to a settings screen and trying to move the text by swiping or sliding clears the message.

May make the switch from the Verizon S3 to T-Mobile S4

I have the S3 with Verizon but am thinking to maybe make the switch to the S4 on T-Mobile, and pay the Verizon etf (8 months into my contract)
While Verizon service has been excellent, the data costs have been getting a little to expensive for me, as sometimes I need to increase my data to 4 or 6gb from my normal of 2gb.
I was looking at the plans and I like getting unlimited everything for $50+$20=$70+$20 per month for 24 months for the S4, if I don't buy it outright.
Right now I'm paying approx. $125/mo. with 2GB data.
I'm also paying $35/mo. to Virgin for there bb2go Unlimited Data 4G Wimax service so I can tether my pc and S3.
Total cost comes to approx $160 now.
Compared to approx. $70 for Tmo service Unlimited.
Not sure of Tmo service in NYC and Florida.
I see that LTE will not fully be implemented until between the summer and the end of the year.
I don't want to get stuck with LTE promises like I did with Sprint LTE promises prior to switching to Verizon.
I'm in the middle of researching and wanted to get some real world feedback on Tmo service in the areas mentioned.
Also, before possibly porting to Tmo from Vz, I'd want to try out the service for the trial period, which means I'd need a new number, but if I liked Tmo, I would eventually want to port my present #. I gotta do some research on that one.
Bump.
Any feedback re NYC voice/data reception is appreciated.
There is Tmobile LTE in NYC, parts of it have yet to be turned on. And I keep reading more and more parts of Florida are seeing better data performance.
I'm in the same boat as you, thinking of leaving version for tmobile and Tmobile keeps looking promising from what I've been reading and seeing.
Sent from my DROID RAZR
I appreciate your feedback.
Thanks
The issue I have is that I don't want to fall into the same carrier promising bs of LTE like I did with sprint.
I'm not saying Tmo is like sprint re this.
I just don't know if the Tmo network is set up in a way that is vastly different than sprint, in that they'll be able to deliver the LTE network as promised.
With that being said, I'd settle for HSPA+ for now.
How is voice reception?
Update:
From my research thus far, it reappears that Tmo is not consistent.
With that being said, it is a shame that only the most expensive, monopolized carriers offer consistent services (Two Carriers to be specific, which is really pathetic)
I'll continue to research, because as long as I get consistent service both data and voice in the areas I'm mostly in, than I don't care about whether there is consistent service in the areas I'm not in.
I am pretty sure Tmobile's LTE rollout will be nothing like Sprint's. And even thought LTE isn't everywhere yet, Tmobile's hspa+ network still offers some pretty good data speeds
Sent from my DROID RAZR
I just switched from Verizon to Tmo for the same reasons (among others). I live in Atlanta and service has been great. I'm actually driving down to south Florida tomorrow, so we'll see how well service is down there. With that said, it's going to greatly vary on your location. I would check out their coverage map as it seems to give a pretty good indication on what to expect from what I've seen. Its not like Verizon's where they just say if you have 3g/4g or not. T-mobile's actually tells you the quality of the signal.
As far as the LTE, I wouldn't worry about it. Their HSPA+ "4G" network are pretty decent in my tests, with download speeds averaging around 5mb/s. A lot of times it's higher than that, but I've never seen anything lower than 1.5mb/s, and that's with 1 bar of service. Again, this will vary based on your exact location. I can't wait for LTE to launch, but until then, I'm content.
As far as wanting to port over your number after the fact, they can do it when you're ready. When I ordered mine online, I didn't do the port then as it could be ported in transit. After I got the phone, I called them up and they had to first activate the phone along with a new number. Once that was fully activated, they processed the port request and that was done within seconds.
@steveo11284
Thanks for that info.
Much appreciated
Regarding HSPA+, I'd be happy with those speeds until LTE comes online, as the S4 would be able to handle those bandwidths.
I didn't want to be in the same boat as when I had Sprint and the S3. The S3 was not backwards compatible with 4G Wimax, so if you were not in an LTE area, you were stuck with 3G. In addition, calls were dropping all day long. This was about 8 months ago, so maybe Sprint has their LTE available in more areas, although I was in a NYC sprint store 2 weeks ago, which had no LTE, and the S4 was connected to Wifi. The tech had no idea when lte would be available.
I mention Sprint because I don't want to be in the same boat if I port to T mobile. But it looks like Sprint and T mobile are comparing Apples & Pears, and I'll have a much better experience with T mobile re data, even though LTE is not available yet, HSPA+ is available in a majority of markets.
For clarification regarding delayed porting:
- I can try Tmo without porting, and just get issued a new number to try their service re coverage, data, dropped calls, etc.
- if Tmo doesn't work out, I can return the device within 14 days and pay a $50 return fee.
- if Tmo works out, I can ask Tmo to port over my Verizon number. If this is accurate, does Tmo just port over my existing Tmo number that I was given when I purchased Tmo service?
Obviously I would not port my Vz number to Tmo initially because I want to make sure I have acceptable service with Tmo before terminating the my Vz service and paying the etf, which would be $350 less $80
(8 mos. service) = $270
Yeah I wouldn't really compare Tmo to Sprint. I actually tried Sprint first and ended up returning everything a few days later. I've had 0 issues with Tmo though.
Your first 2 things regarding delayed porting are correct. I'm not sure I understand your last one though:
"If this is accurate, does Tmo just port over my existing Tmo number that I was given when I purchased Tmo service?"
Once you port over your number from Verizon, the number that Tmo gave you will get deactivated and will just go back into their pool of numbers to get used again by another customer in the future. Your account at Verizon will automatically be terminated and you'll receive a bill with your ETF on it.
For clarification, I meant that after using the number Tmo assigned me and I decided to keep Tmo service, Tmo would port my Vz number over, and my originally assigned Tmo number world drop off my account.
As you said, the answer is yes.
Thanks
I may just try out Tmo and see how it goes. If it doesn't work out, I'll lose $50, but if it does work out, I'll save mucho dinero on data costs.
When I worked at sprint in launch day in Dallas we thought it was going to have a good launch. Then to find out they put towers around Dallas not in the major parts. It was a horrible launch. I got tmobile before LTE was announced in Dallas. I just got LTE at my home near rockwall and im hitting 40Megs down and 15 up everytime. This is great because the only way to get Internet at my house is through a sloe satellite.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda premium
Sprint LTE roll out is the worst. T-Mobile was the last to roll out LTE and I get LTE now every where I go in California bay area (San Jose, Santa Clara, Cupertino, mountain view, Campbell, willow Glenn, Sunnyvale, even fremont and Hayward). I had sprint for 9 years and left them last year. They still haven't rolled out lte here. They were supposed to start March and should've had it up and running by now. My gf has s3 and she's still yet to see sprint lte anywhere.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
It does look like Tmo is on the ball, and getting to where they wanna be.
A while ago it wasn't like that and that's why I was hesitant.
But if it works for me, I can save approx. $50-60 per month, and have HSPA+ and eventually LTE, but I may get LTE now. I gotta give the S4 a test run.
As I said before, I'm paying on average $130-135 with Vz for 4GB average (varies between 2-4gb, and sometimes 6gb) with TEP + $35 for Virgin bb2go for unlimited Wimax data.
I see that Asurion insurance with Tmo is $11+ compared to Vz Asurion plan for $6.99.
But I just got an Asurion replacement that was borked outta the box, so I stuck with my cracked screen S3. Maybe I'll try Squaretrade.
Just got the T-Mobile M919 S4. I didn't port from Verizon yet as I'm taking the S4 for a trial run, and so far I'm very impressed although it's only been a couple of hours.
Obviously the S4 is a premium device and I'm very happy with the brightness and crispness of the display. But I digress, as this thread is about Tmo.
I have gotten 4G LTE in the locations where I have been so far, and have done side by side speedtests with the S3 on Verizon, and so far the S4 has achieved equal and/or higher speeds in the 3 speedtests.
The dl/ul speeds have been:
Tmo - 16/10, 9/7, 14/8
Vz- 9/13, 5/8, 7/12
I know I'm comparing an S4 to an S3, and don't know if that makes a big difference regarding the speedtests. I was comparing the LTE networks
The speeds are not earth shattering, but what I am happy most about is that I'm getting nice 4G LTE speeds with Tmo, and it's Unlimited for $20/mo.
If things go nicely for the next few days, I'll port over from Verizon and save some nice money monthly, and have Unlimited LTE with speeds that will suffice for my needs. I'll be a very happy camper. I'll also save money by not having to pay Virgin for their Wimax Broadband2go service.
The ironic thing is that across the street from Tmo is Sprint, and their in store S4 is working off their in house wifi network, as LTE is not available yet.
For now, I'm paying the $7.49/mo for the insurance with $175 deductible.
I may switch to Square Trade if I keep the S4, but I'll decide later on.
I'm gonna Root and see how things go.
Update:
Ooops
LTE went bye-bye......
I just have the 4G icon in the tray which must be the HSPA+.
The speeds (cough, cough,) are dl/u:
.79Mbps/.04
2.53/.56
And LTE just came back up
While it appears LTE is inconsistent so far, it is up and running, and this in it of itself won't be a negative in whether I port or not.
Afterall, I think the NYC LTE switch was just turned on recently.
Nyc Tmobile. One bar of LTE. Pic below.
Just hit 17.88Mbps/10.30.....dl/ul
I'll know more this week regarding voice/data/reception/coverage capabilities.
criticalchild said:
Nyc Tmobile. One bar of LTE. Pic below.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that is only 1 bar of LTE, I can't wait to see those data speeds with more bars
Sent from my DROID RAZR
I was sitting at an intersection this morning near the airport in Palm Beach FL and noticed my phone said 4G LTE.... I did a speed test and WOW. 33mbs down and 17 up! I never got that with Verizon, even before it got congested. Things are looking good!
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda premium
Good to hear that about the PBI vicinity
As you can see, things are also looking good in NYC so far.
Considering the 'switches' are just being turned on, and the build out is continuing, I'm impressed with what I've experienced in the past day. Hopefully things will continue to look good and I'll port from Vz in a few days.
Biker1 said:
Good to hear that about the PBI vicinity
As you can see, things are also looking good in NYC so far.
Considering the 'switches' are just being turned on, and the build out is continuing, I'm impressed with what I've experienced in the past day. Hopefully things will continue to look good and I'll port from Vz in a few days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw the same when they were rolling out lte in my area and it didn't take long before it was completely on. I would say less than a month.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

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