My first unlocked phone/carrier switch - T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S 4

I recently switched from AT& T to tmobile because of crappy service where I live. Now I have crappy service everywhere else. I unlocked my s4 and made the switch. I understand I need to treat this like a att phone still, but I was wondering how different att modems will affect my tmobile service. Is it the same deal., just try them and see which one is best? I feel like other official tmobile phones I've seen have better service than my unlocked one. If tmobile uses ATT towers, why isn't the service similiar? Thanks

Since when does tmo use att?

Simple solution, go to TMOBILE and purchase a Tmobile phone.
They work every time.
Pp.

I did the same with my wife's AT&T S4 with no problems, you can't tell that it wasn't a T-mobile phone, all is working

ShinySide said:
Since when does tmo use att?
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Click to collapse
Heh, I was wondering the same thing. I think he's just mixing up them both being GSM carriers.

Punkamonk said:
Heh, I was wondering the same thing. I think he's just mixing up them both being GSM carriers.
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Click to collapse
At one point when T-Mobile/VoiceStream/Powertel (my first mobile was Ericsson T28w on Powertel) was a lot smaller, and their coverage was not as good as now, you could ROAM on AT&T in areas that didn't have a T-Mobile tower. Not sure if they still do it or not. I'm not usually in areas not covered by TMO.
Rob

Related

Sprint SGSIII Other Carriers?

Hi
I was recently offered a good deal on a Galaxy S3 from a friend of mine, but he is currently with Sprint. I know that Sprint Galaxy S3 devices don't have a Sim Card slot, which sucks. I used to have Sprint, and though I cancelled on good terms without a balance. I don't feel like going back to Sprint. Especially while I'm paying $50.00 a month with T-Mobile.
My question is, are there any other carriers that I could take the Sprint Galaxy S3 to? Maybe through Flashing or carriers that will add the ESN to their database?
Slap-Yourself :) said:
Hi
I was recently offered a good deal on a Galaxy S3 from a friend of mine, but he is currently with Sprint. I know that Sprint Galaxy S3 devices don't have a Sim Card slot, which sucks. I used to have Sprint, and though I cancelled on good terms without a balance. I don't feel like going back to Sprint. Especially while I'm paying $50.00 a month with T-Mobile.
My question is, are there any other carriers that I could take the Sprint Galaxy S3 to? Maybe through Flashing or carriers that will add the ESN to their database?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What carriers are in your area? That should narrow your list down. You will want to look for CDMA carriers. You can check the list at the link below to see what carriers have what network type, if you don't already know. Beware, some carriers won't allow this (though you may be able to get it to work by flashing.) I read that Verizon tends to give people a hard time with this. Good luck.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_wireless_communications_service_providers
P.S. If you can, get some speed tests on those networks. Don't get yourself trapped on a slow network.
Killa357 said:
What carriers are in your area? That should narrow your list down. You will want to look for CDMA carriers. You can check the list at the link below to see what carriers have what network type, if you don't already know. Beware, some carriers won't allow this (though you may be able to get it to work by flashing.) I read that Verizon tends to give people a hard time with this. Good luck.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_wireless_communications_service_providers
P.S. If you can, get some speed tests on those networks. Don't get yourself trapped on a slow network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, from what I know we have:
T-Mo
AT&T
Verizon
Sprint
Virgin
Boost
Cricket
I don't there are any others available. Last time I knew Cricket service sucked A** here, and Virgin and Boost don't offer 4G speeds (Not that we have it available here anyway.) :/
I can't think of any other CDMA carriers though since I don't really deal with them......
I will most likely be moving to Houston, TX in the next 5-7 months though.
Slap-Yourself :) said:
Well, from what I know we have:
T-Mo
AT&T
Verizon
Sprint
Virgin
Boost
Cricket
I don't there are any others available. Last time I knew Cricket service sucked A** here, and Virgin and Boost don't offer 4G speeds (Not that we have it available here anyway.) :/
I can't think of any other CDMA carriers though since I don't really deal with them......
I will most likely be moving to Houston, TX in the next 5-7 months though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Small world. I'm actually trying to get a job I have Houston at the moment. Most of those carriers should have good coverage and data speeds in Houston though. Last time I used sprints service in Houston it was about the same as it is here in Lufkin as far as coverage and speed. I dont know about the other carriers, though LTE most likely won't be compatible with the other networks LTE.

Unlocking T-Mobile for AT&T service

hi everyone:
I have been looking via numerous thread online on many Android forums especially here and have been unsuccessful for the past 2 days now. So I figured I would need to create a thread and finally give in and ask for some help. I have a T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy 3 phone and I need to unlock it so that it will work on my AT&T service. Now i understand about rooting the phone and being able to play with themes etc, but its not that great if I can't use the phone itself.
Now without coming up with some kind of answer I must have watched about 40 youtube video's hoping to find out some kind of information. Mostly what I got out of it was numerous website that offer unlocking for phones at a certain price.
unlockcodesource(.)com
unlock2go(.)com
mobileunlockcodes(.)co.uk
Has anyone ever used any of these website or can someone give me some good advise on how I can get this phone unlocked please/
~Aqua
I think the toolkit stickied in the development forum has an option to SIM unlock the GS3. I have not tried this, and do not know if it works, but if the option is there, you might want to give it a shot.
If you're on contract with t mobile and your account is in good standing with them. Call them tell them you're going over seas and need to unlock your phone so you can use it. They will send you unlock code ... then pop in an att sim card and it will prompt you to enter the unlock code t Mobil gave you. Done
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
thanks _
Crisisx1 said:
If you're on contract with t mobile and your account is in good standing with them. Call them tell them you're going over seas and need to unlock your phone so you can use it. They will send you unlock code ... then pop in an att sim card and it will prompt you to enter the unlock code t Mobil gave you. Done
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK thank you. I followed your instructions and they said it would take up to maybe 24 hrs for the phone to be unlocked. If it isn't unlocked than she said to call back with the conformation number she gave me. If that doesn't work than they would have to give Samsung my info and could take up to 14 days. She said when you buy phones almost all stands and corp stores have already unlocked phones.
she also said it would be auto unlocked for good. Can they lock the phone back up once it is be unlocked?
~Aqua
edited: Once I have it unlocked ( if all goes good ) do i use the same APN settings that I needed to put into the phone in order for my phone to work on the AT&T network as I did with my S2 that I got unlocked ?
Don't they use different frequencies for HSPA+
You would be relegated to edge speeds, correct me if I'm wrong
speed issue
five40 said:
Don't they use different frequencies for HSPA+
You would be relegated to edge speeds, correct me if I'm wrong
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Click to collapse
I really don't know. That would be a great question if someone would be nice enough to help me with this information? Again i have a T mobile S3 hopefully its unlocked would I be losing speeds by being on the AT&T network?
thanks
~Aqua
AquaWater said:
I really don't know. That would be a great question if someone would be nice enough to help me with this information? Again i have a T mobile S3 hopefully its unlocked would I be losing speeds by being on the AT&T network?
thanks
~Aqua
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The T-Mobile S3 has the 850/1900 3G bands so it will work on AT&T's 3G network. It will not get LTE though.
You can unlock either by paying for a code from the various resellers online or requesting an unlock code from T-Mobile if you have an account in good standing with them. If you can't get the code from T-Mobile I suggest searching 'T999 unlock' on eBay and you'll find some good options.
The tmobile galaxy s3 will work on the ATnT HSPA+21 frequency. Same frequency the International version runs on for that network.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Edge network and 3/4G Question
I found an excellent place so far on eBay for buying unlock codes. they have almost 3800 sells with a 99% positive feedback. Great customer service. The guy answered numerous questions of mine and made sure i did everything correctly. Payment was $24.95 US, so hopefullly everything will go good.
He was talking about being on something called an " Edge " network which is a little slower, but he said you won't notice a difference between your unlocked S2 and the unlocked S3 now. Right now my S2 says I have 3G service when I use it. I dont understand how i had a inspire4G, what is the 4G for if AT&T only gives you 3G service? And where I am in United States I should have 4G service no matter what. I'm confused on that.,
AquaWater said:
I found an excellent place so far on eBay for buying unlock codes. they have almost 3800 sells with a 99% positive feedback. Great customer service. The guy answered numerous questions of mine and made sure i did everything correctly. Payment was $24.95 US, so hopefullly everything will go good.
He was talking about being on something called an " Edge " network which is a little slower, but he said you won't notice a difference between your unlocked S2 and the unlocked S3 now. Right now my S2 says I have 3G service when I use it. I dont understand how i had a inspire4G, what is the 4G for if AT&T only gives you 3G service? And where I am in United States I should have 4G service no matter what. I'm confused on that.,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Edge is 2G speeds, which are substantially slower than 3G speeds. IMHO, 3G speeds are livable, 2G/Edge is not.
Different phones have different radios which work on different frequencies. Some phones are not compatible with other services at all, and some will work on other carriers but often not at optimal speeds.
Darmokk said:
Edge is 2G speeds, which are substantially slower than 3G speeds. IMHO, 3G speeds are livable, 2G/Edge is not.
Different phones have different radios which work on different frequencies. Some phones are not compatible with other services at all, and some will work on other carriers but often not at optimal speeds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So than why would someone suggest that I would get "edge" instead of what i have now? I'm getting 3G now with my T-Mobile S2 unlocked on AT&T, but now I'm going to have an unlocked S3, why wouldn't it be the same?
Because the radios in the devices are different.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
So than why would someone suggest that I would get "edge" instead of what i have now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because he/she doesn't know what he/she is talking about. You will be fine with a T-Mobile S3 on AT&T.
That's what I said earlier in not so many words.
Voice willl work fine you will not see HSPA+ speeds on At&t with a T-Mobile Galaxy SIII.
If the T-Mobile SIII has the hardware capability to support the At&t HSPA+ bands you would need modified radio software to unlock this ability.
I believe this was done on the Galaxy Note to tun on T-Mobile HSPA+ network before it was officially launched on T-Mobile.
kmdub I believe your the one that's wrong.
five40 said:
That's what I said earlier in not so many words.
Voice willl work fine you will not see HSPA+ speeds on At&t with a T-Mobile Galaxy SIII.
If the T-Mobile SIII has the hardware capability to support the At&t HSPA+ bands you would need modified radio software to unlock this ability.
I believe this was done on the Galaxy Note to tun on T-Mobile HSPA+ network before it was officially launched on T-Mobile.
kmdub I believe your the one that's wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I unlocked my t999 and am using an att straight talk sim getting HSPA speeds. Going to switch back to tmobile prepay because it is way faster than att HSPA with better latency. Although coverage may be lacking, i may just switch to an att ST sim.
To answer your question, a Tmobile S3 will work on ATT HSPA+ network with the HSPA+ Speeds of up to 6-7mbps in NYC area. The average I've been getting is around 2-3.5 mbps. With the tmobile prepay sim I have, it's usually around 2-18mbps down in NYC area.
The T-mobile S3 will not work on the ATT LTE network because it lacks that radio (or so they say for now); there have been other threads suspecting it's just a matter of flashing the right radio to "turn on" the ATT LTE radio. However, if all you want is HSPA+ speeds, rest assured it will work fine.
The ATT S3 is lacking the AWS bands for TMobile so it will not get the HSPA+ on Tmobile.
Best regards.
radio issue
First off, I would like to thank everyone who has been helping me along with my issues with my phone. I appreciate it a lot and I'm picking up more knowledge more and more everyday from you guys and reading heavily on the forums.
if the hardware in the phone doesn't support HSPA+ 1) will i have to root the phone and 2) change the radio? And 3 ) if I change the radio does that mean I would need to install a custom ROM i order for it to work properly?
Also, from one of the post they said "The T-Mobile S3 has the 850/1900 3G bands " - of that is true will than I should be able to have the 3G speeds correct?
I really hope I am not making some people angry, I'm new to this and trying my hardest to understand everything so I don't make mistakes. Please bare with me. Again, thank you so much everyone who has contributed so far. I still have a lot to learn. The reason why is because I just don't want it to work ( I do, want it to work ) but I want to understand why everything is working they way it is and I've over the past almost month have been picking up a lot of knowledge. Can't wait to hear from you guys
kmdub I believe your the one that's wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, actually, you are wrong. The T-Mobile S3 does not need any modification to work properly on AT&T's HSPA network. Seems you are confusing something else with frequency. Quit spreading bad information.
OP: Don't worry about it. Some are making this way more complicated than it needs to be. As said before, if you have the T999, you will be fine on AT&T's HSPA network without any modifications (other than an account...lol). Just get the phone SIM-unlocked, pop in the right SIM, you are good to go. Seriously, it is that easy.
Well there it is, I stand corrected!
I had no idea the T-Mobile SIII supports At&t HSPA+ bands.
Is the same true to all T-Mobile HSPA+ phones?
Sorry for any issues, just learning
Hi everyone,
thanks so much for the info. Will the S2 I needed to put in certain APN settings inorder to receive MMS ( picture ) via texts. Do i use the same settings for the Samsung Galaxy 3?
kmdub said:
No, actually, you are wrong. The T-Mobile S3 does not need any modification to work properly on AT&T's HSPA network. Seems you are confusing something else with frequency. Quit spreading bad information.
OP: Don't worry about it. Some are making this way more complicated than it needs to be. As said before, if you have the T999, you will be fine on AT&T's HSPA network without any modifications (other than an account...lol). Just get the phone SIM-unlocked, pop in the right SIM, you are good to go. Seriously, it is that easy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I too have learned from this thread

[Q] Sprint to Verizon?

I've seen some threads that are close, but I wanted to know if I can flash my GS3 from Sprint for use on the Verizon network? I'm not trying anything shady, it's just that Sprint's network has me about at my end, and I was given a demo S3, and man, it's not even close.
So, I have an S3, with no outstanding contract from Sprint, can I use it with a new account on Verizon? Just trying to avoid ending up with a Sprint GS3...
Thanks
No, you can't. I'm pretty sure the Verizon version uses frequencies that the Sprint version can't. For instance, Sprint's version uses 1900MHz for LTE, but Verizon's uses 700MHz.
Even if the radios matched, it wouldn't work because the Verizon one requires a removable SIM for LTE, and that's not an option on the Sprint one.
On the bright side, there's a chance you could do an even trade with someone who has the Verizon S3, so no one has to spend extra money.
Verizon and Sprint use a different frequency between networks, the actual hardware in the phone (radio) cant pick up anything else than its been made to see. Best bet is selling sprint phone and buying a verizon model
Really? My Sprint GS3 was flashed to Verizon with no issues. LTE of course does not work but I knew that prior to flashing. My 3g speeds are pretty good anyway, much faster than Sprints.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
ret4425 said:
I've seen some threads that are close, but I wanted to know if I can flash my GS3 from Sprint for use on the Verizon network? I'm not trying anything shady, it's just that Sprint's network has me about at my end, and I was given a demo S3, and man, it's not even close.
So, I have an S3, with no outstanding contract from Sprint, can I use it with a new account on Verizon? Just trying to avoid ending up with a Sprint GS3...
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I have my sprint gs3 flashed to page plus which is Verizon prepaid. Everything is working fine as well!
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

Tmobile note 2 on AT&T?

My wife and I are considering taking our tmobile phones over to AT&T. There both unlocked... Note 2 & sg3. Question I have is would I have to flash AT&T modems and roms to be able to fully utilize the new network? Just don't want to end up with bricks. AT&T already told me both devices unlocked will work fine on the network.
Wat I'm asking is if I can utilize the lte on the t-889 if I put it on AT&T? I found a bunch of threads with mixed responses.
fix-this! said:
My wife and I are considering taking our tmobile phones over to AT&T. There both unlocked... Note 2 & sg3. Question I have is would I have to flash AT&T modems and roms to be able to fully utilize the new network? Just don't want to end up with bricks. AT&T already told me both devices unlocked will work fine on the network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should work fine but the only problem is you wont have LTE
chousayz said:
It should work fine but the only problem is you wont have LTE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why's that? AT&T says I will be able to use lte since my area has it. If not I probably won't do this. As I've said I've read mixed responses. Could I flash AT&T radios to utilize it?
It will give you weak service because att and t mobile run on different bands which is hardware related not software
Sent from my GT-N7105 using xda premium
Android The Greek said:
It will give you weak service because att and t mobile run on different bands which is hardware related not software
Sent from my GT-N7105 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dunno about that as many said everything works but LTE. I have also read a few that says they have LTE enabled. That's what's confusing. I may go to AT&T tomorrow and have them test a sim before I decide to switch. I assume if I change to AT&T apn ill get better 4g speed at least. The limitation your speaking to its a locked radio for the t-889 that prevents LTE from being enabled currently.
I can't quickly tell, but if it has LTE support on band 17 (700MHz) then it will work. It's a T-Mobile phone so it has support on band 4 which AT&T only uses for a very small part of its LTE network.
Like you said the radio it comes with might be locked to not allow LTE. If you can flash an AT&T radio without issue then you'd be able to see if it works.
If I were to guess I'd say it would have the right band since it's basically the same phone that AT&T sells.
Does it at least get hspa+ and 3G? I can wait for lte.
fix-this! said:
Does it at least get hspa+ and 3G? I can wait for lte.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should. Just put an AT&T SIM in and see.
petard said:
It should. Just put an AT&T SIM in and see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll be going to AT&T tomorrow to test before I switch carriers.
fix-this! said:
Why's that? AT&T says I will be able to use lte since my area has it. If not I probably won't do this. As I've said I've read mixed responses. Could I flash AT&T radios to utilize it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The AT&T rep you spoke to definitely isnt informed on the hardware issue.
If you are switching over you should just sell those two phones you have and just buy new ones since its new activation Im sure you can get a good price on the phones
chousayz said:
The AT&T rep you spoke to definitely isnt informed on the hardware issue.
If you are switching over you should just sell those two phones you have and just buy new ones since its new activation Im sure you can get a good price on the phones
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I understand its not hardware, it's because of a radio limitation currently. Lte isn't enabled yet on the t-889. That's why I asked if I could flash a AT&T radio. As long as I get 4g and 3G ill switch. The whole point was to save $$ on buying new devices.
fix-this! said:
From what I understand its not hardware, it's because of a radio limitation currently. Lte isn't enabled yet on the t-889. That's why I asked if I could flash a AT&T radio. As long as I get 4g and 3G ill switch. The whole point was to save $$ on buying new devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well please understand it's hardware. Been that way forever
Sent from my SGH-I777 running AOKP
brandonarev said:
Well please understand it's hardware. Been that way forever
Sent from my SGH-I777 running AOKP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well as long as I get 3G and decent hspa+ speeds ill be happy. I'll be getting the s4 anyways when it comes out. I don't have lte anyways with tmobile lol.

[Q] on AT&T, which carrier N4 should I get?

Well after the fiasco with owning an AT&T Note 3 and rooting, bootloader, etc. I'd like to not make the same mistake with the Note 4.
Which carrier Note 4 should I get for unmolested use on AT&T? Will the Verizon version have a sim card and LTE? Or is the Tmobile version better and does it have all the bands? I'm hoping either of them will have unlocked bootloader and also be unlocked from the carrier, and of course be rooted.
T-Mobile would be the one if you are going to get it from a carrier, however your best bet might be to get the factory unlocked version see link below.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00N2...200_QL40&qid=1410728312&sr=8-1#ref=mp_s_a_1_1
****UPDATE**** 09/15/2014
It has been brought to my attention by another forum member that the international version of The Note 4 may not work properly with 4G Data. Please confirm before buying.
cinnaC2C said:
T-Mobile would be the one if you are going to get it from a carrier, however your best bet might be to get the factory unlocked version see link below.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00N2...200_QL40&qid=1410728312&sr=8-1#ref=mp_s_a_1_1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sigh....that's getting pretty pricey for a phone. I've been planning on getting at TMO. Not sure what I'll end up doing, but not sure I'll be putting out 900 for a phone.
T-Mo is the only one you want to get for an AT&T plan.
Stay away from SPR, VZW and all International phones.
See my sig.
If you got 4 carrier where you live, I would choose T-mobile. Cause its SIM and thats the world and their prices are awsome! Why pay more?
chong67 said:
If you got 4 carrier where you live, I would choose T-mobile. Cause its SIM and thats the world and their prices are awsome! Why pay more?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T and Verizon also use SIM cards... He may want to pay more because T-Mobile has crap rural coverage.
cinnaC2C said:
T-Mobile would be the one if you are going to get it from a carrier, however your best bet might be to get the factory unlocked version see link below.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00N2...200_QL40&qid=1410728312&sr=8-1#ref=mp_s_a_1_1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think that the international version will support T's LTE frequencies? You will be limited to 3G on this version.
geoff5093 said:
AT&T and Verizon also use SIM cards... He may want to pay more because T-Mobile has crap rural coverage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very true on TMO coverage--that's why I "had' to move to ATT
Will wait and see if the TMO one runs well on ATT, in case I want to continue to flash roms--
chong67 said:
If you got 4 carrier where you live, I would choose T-mobile. Cause its SIM and thats the world and their prices are awsome! Why pay more?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
geoff5093 said:
AT&T and Verizon also use SIM cards... He may want to pay more because T-Mobile has crap rural coverage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not seeing where Tmobile is really much cheaper. Comparing my plan, they are $10 cheaper total, for 2 lines. With the amount of reception I'd lose with them it's in no way worth $10/month. All this promotion that they do, when they just need to put all their money into their network.
rugmankc said:
Very true on TMO coverage--that's why I "had' to move to ATT
Will wait and see if the TMO one runs well on ATT, in case I want to continue to flash roms--
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not that T-Mobile's coverage is bad, its the fact that their signal goes about half as far as AT&T's if that. They also need more towers in an area to ensure good coverage. AT&T's 700/850 frequencies can travel a lot further than 1700/2100 and penetrate buildings much better.
BlockEight88 said:
It's not that T-Mobile's coverage is bad, its the fact that their signal goes about half as far as AT&T's if that. They also need more towers in an area to ensure good coverage. AT&T's 700/850 frequencies can travel a lot further than 1700/2100 and penetrate buildings much better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was hoping they improved from 18 months ago. Sounds like they haven't. I was half mile off I75 in a decent size town and couldn't make a business phone call. That was it for me. That was before tmo lte in my area, so maybe it is better. But, I have good lte and at least some some signal were ever I go. Not bashing anyone, it is what it is--

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