[Q] Should I get ATT or TMobile GS3 - T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII

So I am looking to switch to T-Mobile from sprint and want to get the S3. I understand the T-Mobile GS3 works on HSPA+ and operates on the 1700 Band. I also see that the T-Mobile version does not have LTE. Now the ATT version operates on the 1900 Band and will only work on slower speeds until T-Mobile activates the 1900 Band here. Spoke to several reps and they state sometime this month. Will the ATT GS3 have the LTE that will work on T-Mobile when they activate it? So would it be better for me to get an ATT GS3 so that I have LTE when it becomes available? Thanks in advanced

mastercpt said:
So I am looking to switch to T-Mobile from sprint and want to get the S3. I understand the T-Mobile GS3 works on HSPA+ and operates on the 1700 Band. I also see that the T-Mobile version does not have LTE. Now the ATT version operates on the 1900 Band and will only work on slower speeds until T-Mobile activates the 1900 Band here. Spoke to several reps and they state sometime this month. Will the ATT GS3 have the LTE that will work on T-Mobile when they activate it? So would it be better for me to get an ATT GS3 so that I have LTE when it becomes available? Thanks in advanced
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I have Tmobile and it works ok, It depends on the service coverage cause where I live I don't get 4G on any carrier lol.

That's a tough question to answer. Is it a matter of want or need LTE on your mobile device?
Arguably, at&t has better service than t mobile. But since t mobile is still at the stage of refarming their antennas/towers, Tmo could be just the same as their counterpart after its done. I have t mobile and coverage has been excellent. Data speeds are speedy but not quite as fast as at&t's LTE.
On HSPA+, i get great to decent speeds that can get all of my mobile needs online. It would be a plus to have LTE but i don't need it.
Do you get what i trying to get at?
Sorry i had to write this quickly.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

mastercpt said:
So I am looking to switch to T-Mobile from sprint and want to get the S3. I understand the T-Mobile GS3 works on HSPA+ and operates on the 1700 Band. I also see that the T-Mobile version does not have LTE. Now the ATT version operates on the 1900 Band and will only work on slower speeds until T-Mobile activates the 1900 Band here. Spoke to several reps and they state sometime this month. Will the ATT GS3 have the LTE that will work on T-Mobile when they activate it? So would it be better for me to get an ATT GS3 so that I have LTE when it becomes available? Thanks in advanced
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I say go for the Tmobile S3. T-mobile's LTE rollout won't be for a long while, and even when it does become available we don't know if it uses the same LTE band as ATT. My guess is that it won't. Tmobile's HSPA+ is plenty fast where I live for all my needs. You will only get EDGE (2G) speeds with TMobile on the ATT version of the S3 until Tmobile refarms their network. But even if they do refarm where you live by the end of the month, the many other places will still only be covered with the 1700 spectrum.

S3 on Edge is a pointless phone. Even with the 1900 mhz bands rolling out, your data will be spotty at BEST. Even in NYC Manhattan, the 1900 mhz bands are probably 20% complete. Go with the TMO version and you won't regret it.

I get up to 25mbps I average about 7-12 who cares about LTE? Go with T-Mo its cheaper and you will get faster speeds. At my home I get faster data speeds than my baby mama on ATT with her HoX soon to be OG Note
sent from my Samsung Gangster S III on the T-Mobile network

I also have the same dilemma.
If T-Mobile will use LTE on the same frequency as ATT currently does, won't using the ATT SGS3 future proof it for LTE on T-Mobile network?
Am I missing something or do these devices have same specs (except T-Mo having 1700) once 3G moves to 1900 on T-Mo?
OP, I suggest you test T-Mo's network for coverage and speed in your area. I will be doing the same.

Get the T-Mobile version if you value fast data speed.
Don't buy a phone and hoping that it will have the correct technology to work on a network that has not even start to build yet.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

Related

Network Modernization

Hey guys I was wondering if anyone knew what network modernization meant for us as phone buyers. I am really interested in picking up an S3, but want to continue to use my web2go/tzones plan. I was considering buying either an AT&T or international version and saw http://blog.t-mobile.com/2012/06/14/fast-progress-on-4g-network-modernization/ this article and was wondering the implications. Will the 1900 replace the 1700 in HSPA+? Does that mean phones that work on AT&T(1900/2100) will now work on Tmobile(1700/2100)?
Thanks for any info you guys can provide!
That is correct. Once the refarm is complete we will be able to use phones with the international att bands at full speeds on tmobile. 1700/2100 will be used for LTE
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
I would not get the AT&T or International version just yet. It is quite likely that you will experience slow speeds due to lack of proper frequency support at this time. Eventually T-Mobile's HSPA will be moved over to the 1900 band, however, this is a transition, not a on/off type of thing. There will still be HSPA on 1700 bands for well over a year from now, probably more like two. I think it will be a mix of 1900/1700 bands for HSPA in a couple of years, with LTE in the 1700 band exclusively. So, if you get the AT&T version now, you should hope that your city or region is one of the first for the transition, and don't plan to have good support while traveling. If you are on T-Mobile, you will have to choose great HSPA support now with no LTE ever (T-Mobile version), or no HSPA support now, and maybe some mixed LTE and HSPA support down the road (AT&T version; no LTE on International version).
I would personally get the T-Mobile version if I were you. LTE is not going away, and there will be plenty of LTE phones on T-Mobile in a couple of years. But HSPA has great speeds now, and will still have decent speeds in a couple of years.
The T-Mobile version already supports HSPA+ over 1900 MHz..so it's ready if you're planning on using it on Tmobile.
Just when I thought about dumping T-Mobile, looks like they might be heading in the right direction.
T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S3 SGH-T999 Tapatalk 2

Does the international one x work with tmobile 4g?

Will the international HTC one x work with T-Mobile 4g?
Thanks in advance!
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
I was told no it will not. So, I went and got a prepaid Verizon Jetpack Hotspot because using their wifi is actually LTE...not bad with a $25 prepaid AT&T card
Sent from my EVO using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2
Tmo in the US uses 1700 MHz for its 4g data afaik which is not compatible with the Intl. One X. You will not be able to use 4g data.
Tmobile doesn't really have 4g out yet, they do promise to roll out LTE later. If you wait for winter quarter 2012, Tmobile promised that they will refarm 1900 for HSPA , therefore the international HOX will be able to run its 3g speed on Tmobile, which is 21mbps I think.
T-Mobile HAS BEGUN the process of refarming their 1900 mHz band to HSPA+. That being said, there are still many places that only get EDGE service on the One X. It will take some time to complete the refarming process.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
I just switched away from T-Mobile due to their coverage map being a bit....optimistic. None of the major us carriers support 4g yet. What they call 4g is actually more like 3.9g. It is more correct to call it LTE than 4g. Having said that, the global hox supports most of the frequencies that tmobile uses, just not in the way that T-Mobile uses them. The best you can get with a global hox on T-Mobile is 2G. My suggestion is to use att or an att compatible prepay carrier. You can get their 3g network which usually has decent seed.
orthanc77 said:
Tmobile doesn't really have 4g out yet, they do promise to roll out LTE later. If you wait for winter quarter 2012, Tmobile promised that they will refarm 1900 for HSPA , therefore the international HOX will be able to run its 3g speed on Tmobile, which is 21mbps I think.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
42Mbps Of course that's only theoretical though, but that's what they advertise their HSPA+ network as in the largest cities.

[Q] GT-N7100 T-Mobile USA Prepaid

Is anyone using the international version of the Note 2 (Which I gather has the model number N7100) on T-mobile in the US? I am only interested in makign sure HSPA+ "4G" speeds will work for me.
In case originating country matters, I am looking to import from India.
The 3g speed will not work on T-mobile only edge. I am using At&t and I am having hspa+.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2
kojaraty said:
The 3g speed will not work on T-mobile only edge. I am using At&t and I am having hspa+.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
Have you tried using it? The 7100 specs show support for 2100 band o 3G and wikipedia says T-Mobile runs on 1700/2100 for 3G. Do both bands need to be supported for it to work?
pvc104 said:
Have you tried using it? The 7100 specs show support for 2100 band o 3G and wikipedia says T-Mobile runs on 1700/2100 for 3G. Do both bands need to be supported for it to work?
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Click to collapse
Yes, TMo US uses a split AWS band 1700/2100 for 3G and needs both to work.
However, in some cities TMo has refarmed some spectrum at 1900MHz for 3G use, and if you are lucky enough to be in one, you would get 3G.
Regards,
Dave
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2
pvc104 said:
Have you tried using it? The 7100 specs show support for 2100 band o 3G and wikipedia says T-Mobile runs on 1700/2100 for 3G. Do both bands need to be supported for it to work?
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Click to collapse
For t-mobile USA, their HSPA+ network (or 4G you called) use AWS band, which refers to 1700/2100. The international version N7100 is UMTS/HSPA 800/850/1900/2100. This N7100 is missing the t-mobile USA magic number 1700. So you will not get their HSPA+ speed.
However, with recent t-mobile project on refarming their PCS1900 frequency in the US, the N7100 will work on HSPA+ network, BUT not at current moment in all states. Only specific cities such as Las Vegas, NV will work.
T-mobile USA promised the PCS1900 band will fully operate by end of 2012, so i would say NO for now, but yes in year 2013.
It will depend on how long you would like to wait but t-mobile does have galaxy note 2 (model SGH-T889) which might start selling on October 24, 2012.
Side Note - October 24, 2012 is a big day for US people who want galaxy note 2 as this is the day Samsung Mobile Electronics USA makes for the US Launch events in New York City for Samsung Galaxy Note 2 for all 5 US major wireless carriers. :good::good::good::good::good:
foxmeister said:
Yes, TMo US uses a split AWS band 1700/2100 for 3G and needs both to work.
However, in some cities TMo has refarmed some spectrum at 1900MHz for 3G use, and if you are lucky enough to be in one, you would get 3G.
Regards,
Dave
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
njfpolyr6 said:
For t-mobile USA, their HSPA+ network (or 4G you called) use AWS band, which refers to 1700/2100. The international version N7100 is UMTS/HSPA 800/850/1900/2100. This N7100 is missing the t-mobile USA magic number 1700. So you will not get their HSPA+ speed.
However, with recent t-mobile project on refarming their PCS1900 frequency in the US, the N7100 will work on HSPA+ network, BUT not at current moment in all states. Only specific cities such as Las Vegas, NV will work.
T-mobile USA promised the PCS1900 band will fully operate by end of 2012, so i would say NO for now, but yes in year 2013.
It will depend on how long you would like to wait but t-mobile does have galaxy note 2 (model SGH-T889) which might start selling on October 24, 2012.
Side Note - October 24, 2012 is a big day for US people who want galaxy note 2 as this is the day Samsung Mobile Electronics USA makes for the US Launch events in New York City for Samsung Galaxy Note 2 for all 5 US major wireless carriers. :good::good::good::good::good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks guys, I really appreciate the input. Gives me a better idea of what I am looking at. I spoke to T-Mobile and it looks like my area does not have 3G on 1900/2100 as yet. (Though a couple of towns close by seem to have gotten it recently).
I was looking at getting the phone quickly as I am stuck with a Nokia N9 with a cracked screen and need a new phone.
I really dislike the T-mobile branding on the phone. Are there any other issues like locked Bootloader or T-Mobile bloatware I should be worried about? And do they sell unlocked versions from day one?
pvc104 said:
Thanks guys, I really appreciate the input. Gives me a better idea of what I am looking at. I spoke to T-Mobile and it looks like my area does not have 3G on 1900/2100 as yet. (Though a couple of towns close by seem to have gotten it recently).
I was looking at getting the phone quickly as I am stuck with a Nokia N9 with a cracked screen and need a new phone.
I really dislike the T-mobile branding on the phone. Are there any other issues like locked Bootloader or T-Mobile bloatware I should be worried about? And do they sell unlocked versions from day one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, in my opinion i would say i will get the t-mobile branded t-mobile galaxy note II. Reason why is the FCC report for SGH-T899 shows it is LTE ready. N7100 is LTE capable, but you wont be able to use T-mobile LTE network when they finsihed deploying. Again, T-mobile LTE magic number is 700 and 1700 for their LTE band frequency. I am not exactly sure if N7100 has 700 mhz band, but if not, then it will be stuck in HSPA+ while others can enjoy the LTE speed.
Yes, SGH-T899 does have t-mobile bloatware, and bootloader might be unlocked but since you are in this forum, so i am sure great developers in this forum can get easily fixed.
They dun sell unlocked version, but if you are the t-mobile primary account holder, you can call them for the unlock code. They will email you unlock code and instruction with 48 hours.
Side Note - N7100 UMTS/HSPA max speed is 21Mbps. T-mobile branded SGH-T899 is 42.2Mbps max speed for HSPA+.
pvc104 said:
Is anyone using the international version of the Note 2 (Which I gather has the model number N7100) on T-mobile in the US? I am only interested in makign sure HSPA+ "4G" speeds will work for me.
In case originating country matters, I am looking to import from India.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am currently using my GT-I9300 on T-Mobile's 1900 band in Las Vegas and i'm getting "ok" speeds of about 4-6mbps down and 1mbps up in certain areas and at certain times. For example during night time i get that speed but throughout the day i get 2-4 down and 1 up. It's ok, not that great...not awful either but it works. I'm honestly tired of having a beast phone with a crap internet connection. Take the bad with the good if you can.
I'm a little confused. I thought (and was pretty sure) N7100 does not support 4G LTE.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app
pvc104 said:
Is anyone using the international version of the Note 2 (Which I gather has the model number N7100) on T-mobile in the US? I am only interested in makign sure HSPA+ "4G" speeds will work for me.
In case originating country matters, I am looking to import from India.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I am.
I live in the DC area and usually get h+. Only problem is that when I am moving around and going into an area that hasn't been refarmed, I pass to edge...
It got so annoying that I bought a nexus 4 and started using that, which always worked on h+ seamlessly.
Too bad I got tired of it after two weeks and went back to the note2! I'm hoping that tmobile will improve the areas it covers with h+...
EDGE only
njfpolyr6 said:
For t-mobile USA, their HSPA+ network (or 4G you called) use AWS band, which refers to 1700/2100. The international version N7100 is UMTS/HSPA 800/850/1900/2100. This N7100 is missing the t-mobile USA magic number 1700. So you will not get their HSPA+ speed.
However, with recent t-mobile project on refarming their PCS1900 frequency in the US, the N7100 will work on HSPA+ network, BUT not at current moment in all states. Only specific cities such as Las Vegas, NV will work.
T-mobile USA promised the PCS1900 band will fully operate by end of 2012, so i would say NO for now, but yes in year 2013.
It will depend on how long you would like to wait but t-mobile does have galaxy note 2 (model SGH-T889) which might start selling on October 24, 2012.
Side Note - October 24, 2012 is a big day for US people who want galaxy note 2 as this is the day Samsung Mobile Electronics USA makes for the US Launch events in New York City for Samsung Galaxy Note 2 for all 5 US major wireless carriers. :good::good::good::good::good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wish this was true..I have a Galaxy Note II GT-N7105T:
2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - N7105
4G Network LTE 800 / 900 / 1800 / 2600 - N7105
I live in an area in Las Vegas where 1900 is supposedly refarmed but I am only still getting EDGE.

Can I use unlocked ATT S3 on tmobile $30 monthly 4g?

I am reading it might work on edge only is that true?
Different Bands... no 4g, just E... Maybe someone know more than me but IMO you cant use 4g
You can use the phone but you will be restricted to Edge data speeds. ATT and Tmo use different freq bands for 3G/HSPA.
ATT uses 850/1900
Tmo uses 1700/2100
You may be able to get 3G/HSPA speeds once Tmo refarms its 2G bands as 3G, but who know when that will be.
You will only get EDGE in MOST areas, T-Mobile is "re-farming" the 1900mhz spectrum from 2g to 3g/HSPA. They are doing this in order to be able to use the iPhone on their network, but it would have the same effect for any unlocked phone. They say they'll have their entire network re-farmed by the end of next year. I haven't found an official map, but this has places where it has been sighted: http://www.airportal.de/
dj_spore said:
You will only get EDGE in MOST areas, T-Mobile is "re-farming" the 1900mhz spectrum from 2g to 3g/HSPA. They are doing this in order to be able to use the iPhone on their network, but it would have the same effect for any unlocked phone. They say they'll have their entire network re-farmed by the end of next year. I haven't found an official map, but this has places where it has been sighted: http://www.airportal.de/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like there are many spots in Bay Area, CA.
I tried this on my att S3 and got the sim card and was on the phone with tmobile tech for hours...it never worked and he was trying to tell me it was my phone....not...my phone works great with straight talk.
It definitely works on the AT&T phones. I unlocked mine and bought a tmobile prepaid sim the other day. Able to get 3g in San Jose but still only Edge where I live. Will be switching and dropping at&T once the refarm hits my area.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
i live in brooklyn ,NY and i get t-mobile 4g on my at&t s3 i get about 10mbps down and about 1.5 up
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msgnyc said:
You can use the phone but you will be restricted to Edge data speeds. ATT and Tmo use different freq bands for 3G/HSPA.
ATT uses 850/1900
Tmo uses 1700/2100
You may be able to get 3G/HSPA speeds once Tmo refarms its 2G bands as 3G, but who know when that will be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a unlocked phone right now...is there any way to change how the phone receives the freq.??
My phone is asus padfone 2
LTE/WCDMA
HSPA+ UL:5.76 Mbps/DL:21 Mbps
LTE UL:50 Mbps/DL:100 Mbps
3G :
WCDMA :
900/2100
2G :
EDGE/GPRS/GSM : 850/900/1800/1900,
4G:
LTE:
800/1800/2600

Signal drop and only Edge speeds with Cricket Wireless

I have Cricket Wireless and I can only seem to get Edge speeds on my m7vzw.
What's weird is I have previously put a different Cricket SIM in the phone before the device was switched from Verizon to Cricket and I got H+.
The band frequency charts would suggest that I should get at least H+.
I'm using the ROM below:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2531235
I tried the Google Edition radio, just left me with no signal.
After that didn't get me anywhere I flashed m7vzw_5.28.605.2_1.13.41.0702_Radio, which gave me back the weak Edge signal again.
LTE/H+ was working fine before I ported from Verizon.
I don't know what Firmware the device is on, or how to check.
Any thoughts?
I do not know how you got H+ before, maybe it was a Cricket SIM before AT&T took over and was a Sprint one? That wouldn't make sense though as Sprint doesn't use SIM cards. Below is the official specs for the Verizon one. AT&T only supports 850/1900 H+ which our phone does not support. I do not know why you are getting bad edge reception though.
Verizon: 800/1900MHZ, UMTS/HSPA 900/2100MHz,GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900MHz, LTE 700MHz (Band 13)
http://www.htc.com/us/smartphones/htc-one-m7/
"We currently use frequencies in the 1900 MHz and 850 MHz ranges, although we have licenses to operate in other ranges."
http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=14003
AT&T bought out Leap Wireless (Cricket) a few years ago, so that is whose towers you are connecting through.
My only thought is maybe you live in a refarmed T-Mobile area and the phone roamed you to H+?
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using XDA Free mobile app
Uzephi said:
I do not know how you got H+ before, maybe it was a Cricket SIM before AT&T took over and was a Sprint one? That wouldn't make sense though as Sprint doesn't use SIM cards. Below is the official specs for the Verizon one. AT&T only supports 850/1900 H+ which our phone does not support. I do not know why you are getting bad edge reception though.
Verizon: 800/1900MHZ, UMTS/HSPA 900/2100MHz,GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900MHz, LTE 700MHz (Band 13)
http://www.htc.com/us/smartphones/htc-one-m7/
"We currently use frequencies in the 1900 MHz and 850 MHz ranges, although we have licenses to operate in other ranges."
http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=14003
AT&T bought out Leap Wireless (Cricket) a few years ago, so that is whose towers you are connecting through.
My only thought is maybe you live in a refarmed T-Mobile area and the phone roamed you to H+?
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It might of been 3G and not H+ to be honest. I just know it wasn't Edge. I do still have the same SIM I tested with before, and it also only produces Edge while in the HTC One. When I previously tested for service the phone was active with Verizon, but with a Cricket SIM for the test. I performed this test about 5-6 weeks ago.
Sounds like I did everything I could on my end though. I might have to explore other phone or carrier options.
vpxf said:
It might of been 3G and not H+ to be honest. I just know it wasn't Edge. I do still have the same SIM I tested with before, and it also only produces Edge while in the HTC One. When I previously tested for service the phone was active with Verizon, but with a Cricket SIM for the test. I performed this test about 5-6 weeks ago.
Sounds like I did everything I could on my end though. I might have to explore other phone or carrier options.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do know cricket is starting to drop support on Sprint towers and by March of this year their phones will not reach Sprint towers. You might have still had some towers that were Sprint in your area a few weeks ago that finally don't work on Cricket anymore and you got forced to AT&T. It would be the only logical situation.

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