I've been wanting into the oneplus ecosystem of insanely good development for awhile, but unfortunately am stuck with Verizon in my area. Any chance this will be the phone that supports Verizon bands?
Unfortuately, the leak shows no band 13: https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-5t/how-to/oneplus-5t-leak-t3703244
You can read more if you like as to what that means as that was the same with OnePlus 5: https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-5/help/verizon-compatibility-t3623695
MRog40 said:
I've been wanting into the oneplus ecosystem of insanely good development for awhile, but unfortunately am stuck with Verizon in my area. Any chance this will be the phone that supports Verizon bands?
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Click to collapse
You can really give up on version support. CDMA is a hard area to get into as most of the phone functions are not open source and licensing is always an issue. Will just have to wait for Version to get off of the old standard and use something that isnt 50 years old.
I was looking at this but in same boat with Verizon.. pulled trigger on the PH-1.. cant beat it for the price
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk
zelendel said:
You can really give up on version support. CDMA is a hard area to get into as most of the phone functions are not open source and licensing is always an issue. Will just have to wait for Version to get off of the old standard and use something that isnt 50 years old.
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Click to collapse
Licensing of CDMA is a trivial issue, many unlocked phones are now offering it including VERY inexpensive phones from Motorola.
For many of us Verizon is a requirement, not an option. It's the only carrier I can use that doesn't constantly lose LTE service. So in a way, their LTE network is more advanced, more built out. All of my voice and data traffic travels over LTE on Verizon 99%+ of the time.
Glad to have CDMA as a backup plan, even though my phone hasn't fallen back to CDMA in a long time. It does sometimes in the mountains where only 1.228 MHz CDMA slices work well. Verizon will get rid of it when the world is ready, there's nothing technically stopping them today, they would just lose some of their coverage advantage.
Was interested in the OnePlus 5T, but will happily keep using my Pixel 2 so that my phone actually has service where I live and travel. Where Verizon uses "50 year old technology," other carriers often has no service at all.
nadrojjordan said:
Licensing of CDMA is a trivial issue, many unlocked phones are now offering it including VERY inexpensive phones from Motorola.
For many of us Verizon is a requirement, not an option. It's the only carrier I can use that doesn't constantly lose LTE service. So in a way, their LTE network is more advanced, more built out. All of my voice and data traffic travels over LTE on Verizon 99%+ of the time.
Glad to have CDMA as a backup plan, even though my phone hasn't fallen back to CDMA in a long time. It does sometimes in the mountains where only 1.228 MHz CDMA slices work well. Verizon will get rid of it when the world is ready, there's nothing technically stopping them today, they would just lose some of their coverage advantage.
Was interested in the OnePlus 5T, but will happily keep using my Pixel 2 so that my phone actually has service where I live and travel. Where Verizon uses "50 year old technology," other carriers often has no service at all.
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A trivial thing yet soo many dont or cant do it. You also have to remember that CDMA is only used by Verizon and sprint along with a few smaller carriers. The rest of the world uses GSM.
That is already starting with them working with ATT to build new towers.
I could say the same for where I live. Here ATT is your only option. Nothing else works here.
zelendel said:
A trivial thing yet soo many dont or cant do it. You also have to remember that CDMA is only used by Verizon and sprint along with a few smaller carriers. The rest of the world uses GSM.
That is already starting with them working with ATT to build new towers.
I could say the same for where I live. Here ATT is your only option. Nothing else works here.
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Fair enough, every location is different. I just think phone manufacturers choosing to omit CDMA is more a numbers game than complexity. The Snapdragon chips/modems support it, antenna tuning is not an issue since the phones already run on those bands, etc. If Motorola can ship a $99 unlocked unsubsidized non-prepaid phone with CDMA, surely OnePlus could have put it in the 5T. Perhaps it would have been $519, though, and they wanted to hit that $499 price point. Who knows.
Isn't the Tillman deal just adding another lease operator similar to American Towers and Crown Castle? Most towers in our area are owned by those two with multiple operators on them, though we have a ton of Verizon micro cells in town that are seemingly build directly by Verizon. Outside of town there seem to be a lot of towers with JUST Verizon or AT&T on them, and that's where the coverage differences really start. Will the Tillman towers be LTE-only?
nadrojjordan said:
Fair enough, every location is different. I just think phone manufacturers choosing to omit CDMA is more a numbers game than complexity. The Snapdragon chips/modems support it, antenna tuning is not an issue since the phones already run on those bands, etc. If Motorola can ship a $99 unlocked unsubsidized non-prepaid phone with CDMA, surely OnePlus could have put it in the 5T. Perhaps it would have been $519, though, and they wanted to hit that $499 price point. Who knows.
Isn't the Tillman deal just adding another lease operator similar to American Towers and Crown Castle? Most towers in our area are owned by those two with multiple operators on them, though we have a ton of Verizon micro cells in town that are seemingly build directly by Verizon. Outside of town there seem to be a lot of towers with JUST Verizon or AT&T on them, and that's where the coverage differences really start. Will the Tillman towers be LTE-only?
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Click to collapse
Eventually yes. LTE is the next step. This is why Verizon has been using LTE Sim cards for the past few years. They are slowly having to convert as CDMA tech is just too old and limited for the direction of mobile connections.
Motorola has a stake in doing it. China also uses a few old CDMA setups. They also have the money to pay the licensing and what ever price Verizon charges to test the device and work with them for putting the needed software on it. Remember the base phone functions for CDMA tech us not open source. Not even in Android.
zelendel said:
Eventually yes. LTE is the next step. This is why Verizon has been using LTE Sim cards for the past few years. They are slowly having to convert as CDMA tech is just too old and limited for the direction of mobile connections.
Motorola has a stake in doing it. China also uses a few old CDMA setups. They also have the money to pay the licensing and what ever price Verizon charges to test the device and work with them for putting the needed software on it. Remember the base phone functions for CDMA tech us not open source. Not even in Android.
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Ahh yeah, I forget about the Verizon testing/certification fees. Was interesting that Essential released the phone before Verizon approved it (of course they paid the Qualcomm royalties, though), and then said later that it was certified to run on Verizon. People already were using them, but not using Verizon's official provisioning page that fixes Visual Voicemail and such upon activation, so there were quirks. Considering this, I suppose it would be quite a pain for OnePlus to go through the Verizon testing/certification for a relatively small amount of customers on the world stage.
zelendel said:
You can really give up on version support. CDMA is a hard area to get into as most of the phone functions are not open source and licensing is always an issue. Will just have to wait for Version to get off of the old standard and use something that isnt 50 years old.
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Poor effort...if essential can manage to do it while being a way smaller company OP can do it especially when their owner is Oppo.
The fact is they don't want to..for whatever reason..it's not about money, they have it..it's not about time, they have had it. So let's stop with those excuses.
From Pete Lau:
As for our carriers, OnePlus will partner "if we can find the right fit," according to Lau, who suggested that OnePlus fans on Verizon reach out to their carrier to get Verizon "to come to us."
"If we can keep creating good products and getting a lot of positive word of mouth from our users, and have the users push Verizon to come to us, that will make things a lot easier," he said.
Source: http://uk.pcmag.com/oneplus-5t/92062/news/pete-lau-wants-you-to-trust-oneplus
tahlsr said:
Unfortuately, the leak shows no band 13: https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-5t/how-to/oneplus-5t-leak-t3703244
You can read more if you like as to what that means as that was the same with OnePlus 5: https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-5/help/verizon-compatibility-t3623695
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure where you live exactly but I was on Verizon for over 10 years and finally dumped them so I could get the oneplus 5. I switched to cricket which uses AT&T's network and I get at least 99% of the coverage I did before.
Unless you are truly in the sticks I bet a GSM network would work fine for you. I live in North Dakota so believe me when I say we are not the first to get new cell technologies by any means.
I sold y oneplus 5 while watching the launch event and am now patiently waiting for tomorrow so I can order the 5T.
With Verizon's LTE network being to a mature state I find myself on CDMA MAYBE once every six months. Could this be used on Verizon as an LTE only device if you already have an active sim? Also, I see band 13 is not supported, is this not supported in the hardware or is the band support there and it is just disabled currently? If the latter is the case is there any chance it could be enabled by devs in the future? Really liking and wanting this phone but work pays for my service and only offer Verizon and I'm cheap and don't want to buy a plan just to get the phone. Thanks for anyone shedding some light on this.
I ordered this not knowing it was not fully compatible with VZW's network. It's a shame as this thing looks like a beast. I just cancelled my order.
Oh well, I have too many phones anyway.
Yesterday I said "screw it" and reordered the 5T. I got a plan with T-Mobile. If I can get good signal, I'll switch as all our other phones over since T-Mobile is much cheaper than VZW.
Just to clarify - does voice and sms work on Verizon? I'm on T-Mobile and one of the places I visit has Verizon coverage not T-Mobile. I carry a payg phone for those visits. Don't need data just the ability for people to reach me. Be nice if I could use my 5T for that.
Thanks
Tolax
Tolax said:
Just to clarify - does voice and sms work on Verizon? I'm on T-Mobile and one of the places I visit has Verizon coverage not T-Mobile. I carry a payg phone for those visits. Don't need data just the ability for people to reach me. Be nice if I could use my 5T for that.
Thanks
Tolax
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Click to collapse
Voice does work. It does through 1x and you will get 3g most of the time. Not sure about MMS or SMS though.
This is likely a stupid question but I'm wondering since its a dual SIM if you can have a T-Mobile and a VZW SIM installed? Would that allow voice for VZW?
Mike02z said:
This is likely a stupid question but I'm wondering since its a dual SIM if you can have a T-Mobile and a VZW SIM installed? Would that allow voice for VZW?
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Click to collapse
Not stupid, and yes it does. I had a Tmobs and VZW SIM in a Oneplus 5 and it worked well together. But the VZW service is very poor.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
Related
Wow - looks like everyone is about to come out with their version of the TP2. The question for me now is - who to sign up with? What are the pros & cons of CDMA vs GSM versions? I've read about bad customer support with Sprint. Who's got the better (stable, coverage, speed) network? Any incentive to go unlocked?
Thank you!
I'll be getting one w/ tmobile usa because of the plan prices, great support, and GSM any where in the world!!
im going with Verizon,, im a sales man, and i need a reliable network.. if i dont get any signal i will lose clients. so im going with the best network in the US. you want the best you have to pay for it.
Lw00d said:
im going with Verizon,, im a sales man, and i need a reliable network.. if i dont get any signal i will lose clients. so im going with the best network in the US. you want the best you have to pay for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally I never lose reception in the U.S but I guess it all depends, so that is a good reason to go with Verizon, but I am gonna get it for T-mobile cause of an existing contract, otehr wise I think I would want to get it for [email protected]
If you want a weakened and crippled phone with horrible customer service then Verizon is definitly the way to go.
If you want a Touch Pro2 that works worldwide, that can be unlocked to any network, then go with AT&T or T-Mobile. Personally, I would go with AT&T as they have a larger 3G coverage throughout the US.
atomixpaintball said:
If you want a weakened and crippled phone with horrible customer service then Verizon is definitly the way to go.
If you want a Touch Pro2 that works worldwide, that can be unlocked to any network, then go with AT&T or T-Mobile. Personally, I would go with AT&T as they have a larger 3G coverage throughout the US.
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Click to collapse
I tend to agree, I am an ex- verizon guy and had to deal with the slow phone deliveries, dumb down hardware issues(Thank God for XDA) as well as the CDMA not in use with the majority of the rest of the world.
If you need world wide connectivity and the best US 3G, Att is your best bet, but to be honest who deploys first tends to win. I guess the race is on.
Price, world-wide connectivity, un-crippled phone features, and customer support all point to Sprint as the best choice for someone about to choose a carrier for the first time and wanting the TP2.
The reports you've read about Sprint's CS are BS. I've been with them for 3 years and have had many opportunities to work with customer support and have walked away from the experience satisfied and better off every time. They clearly have been and continue to work hard to turn around a bad customer service department, and it's paying off.
Also, in all that time I've not had a single dropped call, save for one area between me and my office that is a "dead zone" that no carrier apparently covers (I car pool and we all use different carriers. We all drop at the same place).
I vote for Sprint. Better data network than ATT and T-Mo combined plus i read that Sprint's version is going to be dual mode (CDMA/GSM 900/1800?).
So you get good CDMA coverage in the States and when abroad, pop in a SIM and use a local GSM network. Works for me that way.
First of all, the Sprint and Verizon versions ARE global. They are CDMA and GSM. Get it straight people.
I have been with Verizon since before they were Verizon, and I have had absolutely ZERO issues with customer service, billing, phone replacement, coverage, dropped calls, etc. That is also having lived in 2 different regions of the country in that time.
I agree, they're sometimes slow to release phones, and hopefully the TP2 crippling isn't reminiscent of the TP1, but we'll have to wait and see. It all comes down to the best network in your area. In mine, Verizon is hands down the best, followed by AT&T second, a tin can with a string 3rd, and Sprint 4th.
Sprint. CDMA
zeo2k said:
Sprint. CDMA
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Click to collapse
Yes, Sprint is CDMA, and the Touch Pro2 for Sprint and Verizon will be dual mode (CDMA/GSM).
im an existing tmo customer (very happy with their service) and am craving to get tp2, but willing to switch to at&t since my contract with tmo has expired and i might get a better price at at&t as a new customer
sprint .. eh .. not sure, maybe
would be great if someone could do an in depth side-by-side comparison of these companies, like prices, features, extras ..
for example, i found out that at at&t and sprint you get to listen to pandora for free, but not on tmo, also engadget figured that at&t has better 3G than others, stuff like that
in general, question stands - tmo, att or sprint?
well, the CDMA phones cannot use voice and Data at the same time. so that's a big deal.
coverage and network speed vary largely depending on area. and nobody knows what the phone will cost yet through any of the carriers.
good, something new, kinda rules out sprint
hihik said:
im an existing tmo customer (very happy with their service) and am craving to get tp2, but willing to switch to at&t since my contract with tmo has expired and i might get a better price at at&t as a new customer
sprint .. eh .. not sure, maybe
would be great if someone could do an in depth side-by-side comparison of these companies, like prices, features, extras ..
for example, i found out that at at&t and sprint you get to listen to pandora for free, but not on tmo, also engadget figured that at&t has better 3G than others, stuff like that
in general, question stands - tmo, att or sprint?
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Click to collapse
tmo hands down.... check billshrink.com to compare all four carriers (its not endorsed by any carriers by the way)
Hope this isn't a thread hijack.. what's the scoop on ROM support for CDMA versions of HTC phones? (I see the posts about TP2 being CDMA+GSM)
I've been here flashing ROMs for 8125/8525/8925, but always had a GSM version... and have really NOT noticed ROMs for the CDMA flavors of those phones..
Sprint appears to offer me the best price for a family plan with 2 data phones + messaging (~$130 vs. $170/month if I've got my info correctly), so I'm thinking heavily about dropping ATT after ~8 years... but wanted to be sure I wouldn't lose access to all the fantastic ROMs from XDA.
Lw00d said:
im going with Verizon,, im a sales man, and i need a reliable network.. if i dont get any signal i will lose clients. so im going with the best network in the US. you want the best you have to pay for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i second this!! no substitute for getting service everywhere
ckeegan said:
Yes, Sprint is CDMA, and the Touch Pro2 for Sprint and Verizon will be dual mode (CDMA/GSM).
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Click to collapse
but isnt GSM mode disabled? I thought that it was disabled and there was no way to enable it... but then again im not completely sure.. but will it even have a sim card slot?
ckeegan said:
Yes, Sprint is CDMA, and the Touch Pro2 for Sprint and Verizon will be dual mode (CDMA/GSM).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry duplicate post
Any news on release dates for the different carriers?
Hi
I'm new to the US, and I'm not familiar with the wireless companies system here..
I have some question:
1. Which service provider is better? I'll be living in Berkeley, CA?? I keep hearing that At&T has bad reception.. which one should I go for??
2. The 30$ data plan: all companies say that this plan is unlimited, but I keep reading (at least for Verizon) it's 5 GB/month.. is this true?? and are there any companies that offer real unlimited data plan...
Because I was thinking of using my phone as a modem for my PC, I don't want to pay more 30-40$ for DSL if I already have a true unlimited data plan
3. Roll over minutes: does this apply only to AT&t, or all carriers?
Thanks in advance guys
duke911 said:
Hi
I'm new to the US, and I'm not familiar with the wireless companies system here..
I have some question:
1. Which service provider is better? I'll be living in Berkeley, CA?? I keep hearing that At&T has bad reception.. which one should I go for??
2. The 30$ data plan: all companies say that this plan is unlimited, but I keep reading (at least for Verizon) it's 5 GB/month.. is this true?? and are there any companies that offer real unlimited data plan...
Because I was thinking of using my phone as a modem for my PC, I don't want to pay more 30-40$ for DSL if I already have a true unlimited data plan
3. Roll over minutes: does this apply only to AT&t, or all carriers?
Thanks in advance guys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just left AT&T due to extremely poor customer service. AT&T is the only carrier that offers rollover minutes, but their 3G coverage is spotty, and when switching from 3G to Edge or vise versa, you will experience a lot of dropped calls. If you want to use your phone as a modem with AT&T you have to get a tethering plan which will run you $60/month. Verizon has a much larger 3G coverage area, and you don't have to worry about the network being burdened by iPhone users. Sprint has rolled out 4G coverage in some areas with plans to expand. Sprint has cheaper calling plans, but their subsidized phone prices are higher. All in all, do your research, and check online for reviews of coverage, network speed, and customer service.
1. reception obviously varies by location. VZW probably has the best claim to the best nationwide coverage--their business model has very much focused on network building, and up until very recently, their phone selection sucked because they didn't invest as much in securing great smartphones. Alternatively, ATT has focused investment heavily on having great phones, and haven't focused investment as much on building any of their networks.
That said, ATT has great phone reception in a lots of metropolitan areas. There might even be some areas where they have better coverage. And while their 3G data coverage isn't nearly as broad, where it exists, it has been tested as being the fastest (especially when you're not using an iPhone).
2. No, all wireless carriers have a cap of some kind. Further most will charge an extra $30ish a month on top of the $30ish a month for smartphone data for tethering (using your phone as a modem), and they'll still have a data cap.
3. I don't know VZW's plans.
ive been with ATT for YEARS and their costumer service can kiss my ass because i never use it. why? because they offer best reception where im at. why would i want to find out how good t-mobiles costumer service is? i just want a reliable network. all carriers have crappy prices and conditions here. just find the one that works for you and dont listen to what anyone else says. why would you care if verizon has 3g in montana and att doesnt if you live in LA?? its irrelevant. find the least crappy one for you and stick with it.
Do some research on the difference between CDMA and GSM networks. One may work better than another in certain situations.
T-Mobile has cheap rate plans and free tethering.
Sprint has a WiMax network rolling out, although all of the carriers are working on LTE or some other standard of 4G- Not really a concern at this point, since few phones support it.
Verizon has the best customer satisfaction ratings, but their phones are often locked down with software.
AT&T has a history of dropping calls, but has the fastest recorded data speeds.
No matter whom you may chose, you will end up disappointed over some facet or another. You will need to get DSL or some other form of land-based internet, unless you can keep yourself constrained to the 5GB data caps that ALL of the carriers have.
I guess I'm gonna go with verizon then..
I asked a Veizon representative today about the Touch Pro 2, and he said it's only CDMA ... although on their websitethey say it's GSM Quad Band!!! Is there anything that I'm missing?
Will I be able to use out side the US if travel home?
cheers
duke911 said:
I guess I'm gonna go with verizon then..
I asked a Veizon representative today about the Touch Pro 2, and he said it's only CDMA ... although on their websitethey say it's GSM Quad Band!!! Is there anything that I'm missing?
Will I be able to use out side the US if travel home?
cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, it's kind of misleading. The Verizon Touch Pro2 is actually a CDMA/GSM hybrid device, which works on Verizon's CDMA network or any GSM network. In theory, you should be able to use it on any GSM network in any country as long as you have a valid SIM card.
you cant trust advertising. it makes it appear that all options are shiney. verizon claims all of its wireless technologies as 3g no matter what they are, whether they have speeds slower than atts 2g or worse. the verizon touch pro will not actually work in the us or canada on gsm. you also need to pay for vodofone service separately to get international coverage. you can flash a radio that will let you use atts network but youll loose the cdma network verizon uses. sprints 4g network is not as promising as i hoped. its slower than atts 3g network and to use it you have to buy a $10 1-day pass that will let you use 4g in about 10 or so cities. its also not on any phones. in terms of data or unlimited plans, i would probably have to recommend t-mobile. even though i think they have the ugliest version of the touch pro 2. verizon does limit there unlimited plans to 4gb a month i think. and yes att is the only one with roll over. i never use my minutes so i up to about 10000 minutes rolled over. i will never be charged overage as long as i live.
I was with ATT when they were known as Cingular for three years. One day I got a call and they said I was using it off their network too much and I had to stop it or they would cancel me. Since I was not even living in their area, it was not going to happen.
So I signed up with Verizon, which did not even sell phones within a hundred miles of where I would be using it. That was in March of 2007. I went to Alaska for 16 months where it roamed constantly. Not a peep from Verizon about not being on their network. When going to a remote village for more than a month where no cell phone would work, I would just call them and they would suspend my phone for the time I was there. No bill at all and no charge for turning it off. So I have to say the customer support from Verizon is the best there is and ATT is the absolute worst.
texascbx said:
I was with ATT when they were known as Cingular for three years. One day I got a call and they said I was using it off their network too much and I had to stop it or they would cancel me. Since I was not even living in their area, it was not going to happen.
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Click to collapse
they wouldnt say something like that. the entire gsm network is theirs.
btw att, verizon, and sprint all have horrible customer service. youre going to always loose with any provider.
The Jack of Clubs said:
they wouldnt say something like that. the entire gsm network is theirs.
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Click to collapse
Last I checked, Tmobile's network isn't owned by ATT.
thanks a lot for your help guys, I really appreciae that.
I have one final question: Is there a way I can buy verizon touch pro 2 without a contract, and use it with verizon prepaid service (if that is possible in te first place)?
I'm new here and I don't have many people to speak with, and since I'm a student, I could use any some extra money
Cheers
duke911 said:
thanks a lot for your help guys, I really appreciae that. I have one final question: Is there a way I can buy verizon touch pro 2 without a contract, and use it with verizon prepaid service (if that is possible in te first place)? I'm new here and I don't have many people to speak with, and since I'm a student, I could use any some extra money
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I purchased my VZW off contract. Unsubsidized is probably about $500.
Different carriers have different rules for their prepaid services. With GSM carriers, TMo and ATT, it's easy to pop a prepaid sim into any phone. With CDMA (Sprint and VZW), I'm not sure. Best bet is to call and ask.
well i had sprint for ever...I switched to tmobile.. to get that tp2 free through wmdeals.com even though coverage sucks at my house im happy.. I have wifi for data when im home.. when i leave my home i have edge service everwhere.. til i start getting close to mesquite ( texas ) it goes to 3g.. but edge works great with opera mini.. and for updating certain things.. but so far tmobile rocks..
The Jack of Clubs said:
they wouldnt say something like that. the entire gsm network is theirs.
btw att, verizon, and sprint all have horrible customer service. youre going to always loose with any provider.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's where you are wrong. They did cancel me and one of my brothers living in another town shortly after I got the call and letter. The explanation was they had contracts with other providers to cover you when your were roaming. And roaming was fine, as long as you did not do it too much. I roamed all the time, for about three years.
I called Verizon today, and the representative said that I can't use their prepaid service on a smart phone... although I'm not really sure about, as she sounded clueless, and I had to do lots of explanation until she got the basic idea..
anyway... I like really the verizon version of the Touch Pro 2..
If I go for month-to-month and get it for full retail (490$).. can I cancel with Verizon after that, and unlock my phone, then use it with some other network like T-mobile or At&T????
I never used CDMA before, and after reading some info, I think GSM is better for me, at least for now...
duke911 said:
I called Verizon today, and the representative said that I can't use their prepaid service on a smart phone... although I'm not really sure about, as she sounded clueless, and I had to do lots of explanation until she got the basic idea..
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Click to collapse
You never know with reps. I seem to recall that VZW's prepaid might have some unlimited data intended for dumbphones, which of course they wouldn't want you to use with a smartphone.
There are MVNOs, like Page Plus, that use VZW's network, but have prepaid plans where they probably wouldn't be concerned about smartphone usage (pay per kb instead of unlimited).
If I go for month-to-month and get it for full retail (490$).. can I cancel with Verizon after that, and unlock my phone, then use it with some other network like T-mobile or At&T????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can get it unlocked here and use it on ATT or TMo (minus 3g, 2g data still works), and as to whether you can cancel after the fact without penalty, it depends on exactly what you signed up for at VZW.
texascbx said:
That's where you are wrong. They did cancel me and one of my brothers living in another town shortly after I got the call and letter. The explanation was they had contracts with other providers to cover you when your were roaming. And roaming was fine, as long as you did not do it too much. I roamed all the time, for about three years.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
fortunz said:
Last I checked, Tmobile's network isn't owned by ATT.
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Click to collapse
well then double check because att hardware can not utilize tmobile 1700 band. if you in the country you are never going to use another carriers network. and roaming only applies to out of country. even if you stand anywhere on the canadian or mexican borders, you wont be charged roaming. the system isnt that fd up.
The Jack of Clubs said:
well then double check because att hardware can not utilize tmobile 1700 band. if you in the country you are never going to use another carriers network. and roaming only applies to out of country. even if you stand anywhere on the canadian or mexican borders, you wont be charged roaming. the system isnt that fd up.
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Click to collapse
Well, that's not entirely true. AT&T devices can use T-Mobile's network, just not HSPA (3G), and vice versa. Before I got my 8925, my main phone was an old T-Mobile Blackberry 7200 which I unlocked to use on AT&T. It could make phone calls and browse at EDGE speeds just fine. The 3G bands are f*cked up internationally since they often differ by country and carrier, but the EDGE and basic GSM bands are pretty much compatible with any GSM phone (since most GSM phones are Tri-band or Quad-band capable).
In addition, it's perfectly possible to use another network in the same country. If a company like AT&T doesn't have infrastructure in a remote area and wants to add service there, they'll often strike a deal with a local carrier who does. It's usually a seamless transition for the user, and it doesn't generally cost the user a cent. Rather, AT&T is the one paying the local cellular operator for allowing the AT&T customers use the local carrier's network as opposed to the alternative of having no coverage in that area. AT&T got mad at texascbx because he was costing AT&T money by roaming on these local carriers, which AT&T had to pay.
Lastly, I know people who live near the borders and they always are careful to see which operator they are using. One of them lives near the Mexican border, and has to make sure he's on AT&T's network before he makes a call. If he doesn't check, he might be roaming on the TelMex network and will get billed outrageous fees for a simple call, even though he's in the US.
I was at the mall today, and I talked to a T-Mobile guy, and he said I can get the T-mobile version of touch pro 2 for full retail, and I can use it with their prepaid plan without any porblems.
Then I spoke with a Verizon representative, and he said that I can't do that on their network, however I can buy the device with out a contract and without any plan...
So my Final question (and I guess fortunz answered before,but I still feel like asking coz I don't want to through 500$ away)... If I get the Verizon Touch Pro 2, and get it unlocked here
http://rhodiumw.htc-unlocks.com/
or here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=578642
will I be able to use it with any carrier?? prepaid or plan??
I don't really mind about the data, as I'll be using WiFi mainly
Thanks a lot
I wonder what that means for us HD7 WP7 users. I also wonder if the bands will remain the same forever, or if there will be changes down the road. Could this be one possible reason for the delay of updates on WP7? My guess is yes, because two WP7 carriers in such talks would push everything else aside to complete them.
http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/20/atandt-agrees-to-buy-t-mobile-from-deutsche-telekom/
MartyLK said:
I wonder what that means for us HD7 WP7 users. I also wonder if the bands will remain the same forever, or if there will be changes down the road. Could this be one possible reason for the delay of updates on WP7? My guess is yes, because two WP7 carriers in such talks would push everything else aside to complete them.
http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/20/atandt-agrees-to-buy-t-mobile-from-deutsche-telekom/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The acquisition or merger will not be complete till sometime next year.
There is nothing to suggest that this news will hinder the update plans.
lqaddict said:
The acquisition or merger will not be complete till sometime next year.
There is nothing to suggest that this news will hinder the update plans.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only thing, though, as was the case with Sony and RIM, when two companies are involved with other dynamics, current affairs tend to take a back seat. That's how it was with Sony while they were in legal proceedings with RIM over some issue I can't remember. But when the proceedings were completed, RIM started putting out all manner of new devices and Sony started putting out some new portable stuff.
This blows. I currently have the HD7 on T-mobile. I hate At&T and would want to move to Sprint if this goes through.
thats until verizon buys sprint.. then we will have to choose virgin mobile or metro pcs
vHatch said:
This blows. I currently have the HD7 on T-mobile. I hate At&T and would want to move to Sprint if this goes through.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only thing bad about AT&T compared to T-Mobile is the pricing, and the fact that T-Mobile has free roaming to make up for their terrible Voice Coverage (Data Coverage is still pretty crappy).
AT&T Actually has been putting up new towers here, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon haven't been adding anything and none of them get any coverage here: T-Mobile Roams and that's free so if you only need voice coverage I guess it works. AT&T put up a new 3G tower a mile away.
It won't mean anything for AWS Band phone users.
The same thing happened when AT&T Brought Cingular, and Sprint brought Nextel. There are still iDen phones out there working, almost a decade or so later...
HoorayBeer said:
thats until verizon buys sprint.. then we will have to choose virgin mobile or metro pcs
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Click to collapse
Metro PCS practically doesn't exist around here, and Virgin/Boost are both terrible around here because Sprint has terrible coverage. Almost as bad as T-Mobile, with only 1/3rd the 3G speeds and worse phone choices.
Hopefully the influx of customers into AT&T and the larger infrastructure leads them to compete more rigorously with Verizon when it comes to pricing, since in about 2 years or so they can mitigate a lot of the coverage differences...
HoorayBeer said:
thats until verizon buys sprint.. then we will have to choose virgin mobile or metro pcs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MetroPCS is a subsidy of Sprint.
Not sure who owns Virgin though.
Sent from my Bionix powered Vibrant
1 GSM provider, damn.
AT&T phone selection sucks.
lqaddict said:
MetroPCS is a subsidy of Sprint.
Not sure who owns Virgin though.
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Where did you get that information? I knew Boost was a part of Sprint, but MetroPCS?
xmckinzie said:
Where did you get that information? I knew Boost was a part of Sprint, but MetroPCS?
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My bad, I was thinking of Boost Mobile. The PCS in the name suggested that it was Sprint (Sprint PCS with the red wings and a pin )
Any way MetroPCS footprint is sooooo small they might as well get under Sprint.
vetvito said:
1 GSM provider, damn.
AT&T phone selection sucks.
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Compared to T-Mobile's selection, AT&T's selection is much better...though I do agree their selection could be much better with more desired smartphones.
Metro PCS, and Cricket are all under Leap Wireless, I think. Yes they are small.
I hope AT&T grandfather us T-Mobile users in. AT&T plans are outrageous.
vetvito said:
1 GSM provider, damn.
AT&T phone selection sucks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What? AT&T actually has a better selection of phones than Verizon. The only thing that sucked was their selection of Android phones, but that was remedied quickly after they lost iPhone exclusivity.
They have the best selection of Blackberries.
They've generally carried more Windows Mobile and Symbian Phones than the competitors.
They have the iPhone, and they have both mid-range and high end Android phones.
They carried the Pre and Pixi Plus.
Now that they've lost iPhone exclusivity, their phone selection actually got better.
One has to be blind to actually say AT&T's phone selection sucks. They are the only carrier without a clear bias when it comes to smartphone OSes. Yes, they pushed their exclusive iPhone, but they carry/carried literally everything else from Android to WP7... Verizon and T-Mobile (and now even Sprint) all seem to care pretty much only about Android. Verizon cares about the iPhone because they wanted to leech customers from AT&T, but I guess that didn't work as planned since the lines were embarassingly thin when that launched...
Also, LTE is a GSM technology so eventually every major carrier will migrate to that. AT&T (GSM) buying T-Mobile (GSM) just makes it easier for them to transition to LTE, gives them greater capacity, and gives them the largest 4G LTE coverage area of all the major carriers.
Also, I believe Virgin is owned by Sprint as well.
I got away from Cingular/AT&T as fast as I could in the past. I despised their service, their pricing, and their overall level of customer support. I could not stand the position I was in with them, and honestly, I've never had a single problem with T-Mobile...
However, I am not as pessimistic about this announcement as the rest of the T-Mobile world is. I see this as a potential win-win for both parties, which will eventually become one. T-Mobile has the right idea for everything plan oriented in my eyes, but they've never had the superior budget and revenue that AT&T and Verizon have. This allows them to have the cash flow to implement ideas. I do think AT&T has seen T-Mobile's success, which is obviously why they went after them. I do believe they will incorporate the best of both worlds... these companies aren't juggernauts because they've made the wrong decisions their entire existence... I promise you that. It also gives them both a much stronger spectrum and coverage. There are places I have perfect service and an AT&T user didn't, and vice versa... This eliminates that... It'll obviously take a great deal of time, but it's going to improve the service.
I won't be 'jumping ship' like the Magenta lovers on TmoNews are announcing... I'm looking forward to the positives. I'm also looking forward to the decrease in Android superiority in my handset selection. I guess time will tell all.
FiyaFleye said:
I got away from Cingular/AT&T as fast as I could in the past. I despised their service, their pricing, and their overall level of customer support. I could not stand the position I was in with them, and honestly, I've never had a single problem with T-Mobile...
However, I am not as pessimistic about this announcement as the rest of the T-Mobile world is. I see this as a potential win-win for both parties, which will eventually become one. T-Mobile has the right idea for everything plan oriented in my eyes, but they've never had the superior budget and revenue that AT&T and Verizon have. This allows them to have the cash flow to implement ideas. I do think AT&T has seen T-Mobile's success, which is obviously why they went after them. I do believe they will incorporate the best of both worlds... these companies aren't juggernauts because they've made the wrong decisions their entire existence... I promise you that. It also gives them both a much stronger spectrum and coverage. There are places I have perfect service and an AT&T user didn't, and vice versa... This eliminates that... It'll obviously take a great deal of time, but it's going to improve the service.
I won't be 'jumping ship' like the Magenta lovers on TmoNews are announcing... I'm looking forward to the positives. I'm also looking forward to the decrease in Android superiority in my handset selection. I guess time will tell all.
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Click to collapse
Problem is if this is the kind of thing you get from at&t now, how much worse will it be when they have more customers and have to throttle everybody: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KupMmHfRWzQ&feature=player_embedded#at=12. Tmobile has been good with not messing with phone capability or trying to hoodwink customers, with only at&t as the sole GSM provider there is no choice for anyone who travels a lot and wants to avoid ridiculous roaming fees.
efjay said:
Problem is if this is the kind of thing you get from at&t now, how much worse will it be when they have more customers and have to throttle everybody: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KupMmHfRWzQ&feature=player_embedded#at=12. Tmobile has been good with not messing with phone capability or trying to hoodwink customers, with only at&t as the sole GSM provider there is no choice for anyone who travels a lot and wants to avoid ridiculous roaming fees.
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Click to collapse
AT&T has proven to take good qualities and utilize them... Like Rollover when they acquired (re-aquired?) Cingular. You have to understand, they are going to have T-Mobile towers now, already running HSPA+ which keeps getting better... I'm sure in this year they are going to be getting their HSPA up to T-Mobile standards so when they switch happens its perfect. Then you have an amazing infrastructure to establish your LTE network. I'm personally being optimistic here... You gain nothing in life being pessimistic, especially about a service you're bound to.
Unsatisfied with the customer service and network stability of AT&T... Not sure what would happen when T-mobile users are added in.
Also I'm worried if AT&T would have less motivation to build tower after T-Mobile is acquired.
amtrakcn said:
Unsatisfied with the customer service and network stability of AT&T... Not sure what would happen when T-mobile users are added in.
Also I'm worried if AT&T would have less motivation to build tower after T-Mobile is acquired.
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Click to collapse
AT&T & T-Mobile aren't the only competing mobile providers... AT&T still has a variety of other carriers to compete with. To think they're going to stand around and do nothing now is ridiculous, and honestly, Verizon is their bigger competition... this just gives AT&T more towers and more power to implement features... Also provides T-Mobile's know-how and very well created/handled HSPA+...
This is great news for me as a AT&T customer where I work which is in an Automotive Paint shop AT&T barely comes in but T-Mobile comes in great so hopefully the towers will share the same signals...
We do however have a contract with Verizon and they have equipment within our facility that boosts the CDMA signal which we have found does sometimes cancel out the GSM network but on rare occasions...
I just prefer AT&T as I use Uverse and love it and really like the rollover minute plan and how I can use the free wifi everywhere through AT&T...
My main concern is since AT&T bought T-Mobile how long will it take before AT&T will be able to start accessing the T-Mobile towers and vice versa?
So I had a Droid 3 on Verizon on a prepaid line ($95 for 450 talk, unlimited text, and unlimited data) but that was 3G.
With the gNexi coming out, I was wondering if I would even be able to use it's 4g capabilities on my prepaid line? I'm obviously going to buy it at full-retail price but will the 4G even work or will I be stuck on 3G all the time?
I can't do contracts...
Should I wait for T-Mobile to get it and use their 4G prepaid instead?
I'm unsure if VZW has a LTE prepay service. That's something you have to look into separately. My guess is they don't. Unless they explicitly say that your prepay covers LTE I would expect to only get 3G.
As far as switching to a different carrier no one can tell you which is better. Its all about where you will use the phone and its your call.
I just did an online chat with a VZW rep, here it is:
Please hold for a Verizon Wireless sales representative to assist you with your order. Thank you for your patience.
You are now chatting with 'Kiara'
Kiara: Hello. Thank you for visiting our chat service. May I help you with your order today?
You: I was wondering if 4G phones like the Droid Bionic are eligible for the Prepaid Smartphone plans???
Kiara: I do apologize for the inconvenience, although the Bionic is not able to be pre paid
You: Are their any 4G phones available for the Prepaid plans?
You: And/or can you tell me if there are any plans to offer any???
Kiara: I do apologize although at this time there are not
You: Ok, thank you for your help
So, looks like you can't, at this time, use a 4G phone on their prepaid plans.
I currently have a Nexus S on T-mobile's $30 month prepaid plan (100 mins, unl. text, unl. data*throttled after 5GB), and I love it but I don't use my phone much for calls... I plan on getting the Galaxy Nexus and using it on this plan once it's available.
Yeah it looks like I'll have to wait for the galaxy nexus to drop on TMobile
WoW this sucksss.... It probably won't even come out until late December...
Maybe I should just import? No idea how it works but I want my nexus asap
Sent from the parietal lobe of your cerebral cortex.
Dmw017 said:
Yeah it looks like I'll have to wait for the galaxy nexus to drop on TMobile
WoW this sucksss.... It probably won't even come out until late December...
Maybe I should just import? No idea how it works but I want my nexus asap
Sent from the parietal lobe of your cerebral cortex.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look on the bright side... t-mo plans are cheaper than Verizon. So you'll save money if you switch. But then again tmo reception around your area would play a big role too.
ruthlesset said:
Look on the bright side... t-mo plans are cheaper than Verizon. So you'll save money if you switch. But then again tmo reception around your area would play a big role too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I looked into it and Tmobile is way better than Verizon. I live in NYC so reception shouldnt be a problem at all. Now I'm just trying to figure out if I should import the 16GB model or wait for the 32GB US model :/ bleh ... I wonder when Tmobile will be getting it
Dmw017 said:
Yeah it looks like I'll have to wait for the galaxy nexus to drop on TMobile
WoW this sucksss.... It probably won't even come out until late December...
Maybe I should just import? No idea how it works but I want my nexus asap
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have T-mo service in the area then its sooo much better. Just wait, don't import. You'll probably have to buy it unlocked (probably best buy, just like Nexus S) but you'll be better off for it. You don't want to sign a 2year for a Nexus on VZW and get blocked tethering and crap on it.
---------- Post added at 07:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:12 PM ----------
Dmw017 said:
Yeah I looked into it and Tmobile is way better than Verizon. I live in NYC so reception shouldnt be a problem at all. Now I'm just trying to figure out if I should import the 16GB model or wait for the 32GB US model :/ bleh ... I wonder when Tmobile will be getting it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its all up in the air. As I said above ^, they might not "get it" officially at all. Might have to buy unlocked from Google/Best Buy.
But the winner is that the T-mo plans can be as low as 1/2 the price of VZW.
martonikaj said:
its all up in the air. As I said above ^, they might not "get it" officially at all. Might have to buy unlocked from Google/Best Buy.
But the winner is that the T-mo plans can be as low as 1/2 the price of VZW.
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Click to collapse
Actually they have a $30 Prepaid plan with 100talk/unlimited text/ and unlimited data (5gb of 4G) -- available only on new line activation.
Btw can you clarify the "unlocked from google/best buy" part? Would I still have to use a sim card if Tmobile wont officially sell it
Dmw017 said:
Actually they have a $30 Prepaid plan with 100talk/unlimited text/ and unlimited data (5gb of 4G) -- available only on new line activation.
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Click to collapse
yea their prepay options are pretty epic. 100min is a bit low for most though. I was just referring to their postpay options that are pretty cheap too. I've looked into moving from my EM+ no-contract plan to a prepay lately actually.
Btw can you clarify the "unlocked from google/best buy" part? Would I still have to use a sim card if Tmobile wont officially sell it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if you want my opinion I think they'll end up just selling it exactly like they did with the Nexus S. They sold it online, and they offered it via Best Buy unlocked. You'd buy the phone, then buy your service and get a SIM card from AT&T or T-mobile (or Simple Mobile, or whatever) separately and plug it in. The GN is pentaband HSPA+ and will work with pretty much any SIM in the world.
Dmw017 said:
Yeah I looked into it and Tmobile is way better than Verizon. I live in NYC so reception shouldnt be a problem at all. Now I'm just trying to figure out if I should import the 16GB model or wait for the 32GB US model :/ bleh ... I wonder when Tmobile will be getting it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Speaking from personal experience, the problem with T-Mobile in NYC is that as soon as you are a few feet below ground level, you lose signal. When you can get 5 bars, it's great, T-Mobile probably has the least congested network of anyone, and you enjoy superb 3/4G speeds. But you will be frustrated by how spotty the coverage is. Go 20 miles North to Westchester or 20 miles east to LI and you'll often find yourself exiting buildings to get a signal.
Chirality said:
Speaking from personal experience, the problem with T-Mobile in NYC is that as soon as you are a few feet below ground level, you lose signal. When you can get 5 bars, it's great, T-Mobile probably has the least congested network of anyone, and you enjoy superb 3/4G speeds. But you will be frustrated by how spotty the coverage is. Go 20 miles North to Westchester or 20 miles east to LI and you'll often find yourself exiting buildings to get a signal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol that's alright I don't leave the city anyways. What I am wondering is what happens when you deplete your limited use of the 4g data (I'll get 5gb). Someone told me that you get bumped down to EDGE(2G) speeds, but I thought you only go down to 3G.
Sent from the parietal lobe of your cerebral cortex.
Dmw017 said:
Lol that's alright I don't leave the city anyways. What I am wondering is what happens when you deplete your limited use of the 4g data (I'll get 5gb). Someone told me that you get bumped down to EDGE(2G) speeds, but I thought you only go down to 3G.
Sent from the parietal lobe of your cerebral cortex.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I (and many others) explained in the other thread about T-mobile:
- You get 5GB of data, that's 4g/3g/2g.
- Once you use all 5GB in a month, you get throttled.
- Throttled speeds are in the range of what EDGE is, even though your phone still says "3G" up in the status bar.
- Once your billing period ends, you get a new 5GB batch of data.
There's no discerning between 4G and 3G by T-mobile. HSPA+ is just a fast version of T-mobile's 3G network. Its not separate.
Just curious has any one looked into metroPCS they say they allow any cdma phone on their network and they have lte. There speeds may not be the greatest and not the best coverage but the price is spot on and unlimited!
robertlawson225 said:
Just curious has any one looked into metroPCS they say they allow any cdma phone on their network and they have lte. There speeds may not be the greatest and not the best coverage but the price is spot on and unlimited!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't think it'll work. You'd have to unlock it somehow, and even then I think theres going to be inconsistencies with the LTE frequencies they use, etc.
martonikaj said:
Don't think it'll work. You'd have to unlock it somehow, and even then I think theres going to be inconsistencies with the LTE frequencies they use, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought that all nexus devices where unlocked developer phones. also i just talked to metroPCS and they did say hardware wise any cdma ohone will work and so will the LTE but, there might be a problem with software incompatibilities. but if that is true i would think our fellow xda members would figure out how to fix any software problems
robertlawson225 said:
I thought that all nexus devices where unlocked developer phones. also i just talked to metroPCS and they did say hardware wise any cdma ohone will work and so will the LTE but, there might be a problem with software incompatibilities. but if that is true i would think our fellow xda members would figure out how to fix any software problems
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It won't be unlocked from the factory because 1) its CDMA/LTE with VZW specific bands, and 2) its being made to order for Verizon to subsidize it (which means they will SURELY dictate that its locked).
The Nexus devices have historically been sold full price without a carrier subsidy (and therefore are unlocked) because google wants them to be used anywhere in the world with any SIM card. This is different because there are carriers involved from the start (and the device is CDMA).
Also, I'm pretty sure the LTE won't be interoperable between the two carriers. Verizon will have their own proprietary network stack for use with their LTE service, and it uses slightly different frequencies from other carriers for LTE, specifically so that their devices won't be interoperable with other networks. They want you to buy a VZW phone and stay on VZW (dirty play, but that's how they roll).
Hope that clarifies things a little bit. Now no one knows for sure how much of the issues can be fixed with new firmware flashes, so I guess we'll see when it comes out. For example I know a lot of people use Sprint and Verizon phones with different custom firmware to run on networks like Virgin, Boost, and Cricket in order to cut down the monthly bill.
martonikaj said:
It won't be unlocked from the factory because 1) its CDMA/LTE with VZW specific bands, and 2) its being made to order for Verizon to subsidize it (which means they will SURELY dictate that its locked).
The Nexus devices have historically been sold full price without a carrier subsidy (and therefore are unlocked) because google wants them to be used anywhere in the world with any SIM card. This is different because there are carriers involved from the start (and the device is CDMA).
Also, I'm pretty sure the LTE won't be interoperable between the two carriers. Verizon will have their own proprietary network stack for use with their LTE service, and it uses slightly different frequencies from other carriers for LTE, specifically so that their devices won't be interoperable with other networks. They want you to buy a VZW phone and stay on VZW (dirty play, but that's how they roll).
Hope that clarifies things a little bit. Now no one knows for sure how much of the issues can be fixed with new firmware flashes, so I guess we'll see when it comes out. For example I know a lot of people use Sprint and Verizon phones with different custom firmware to run on networks like Virgin, Boost, and Cricket in order to cut down the monthly bill.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well lets just hope some one out there can figure out how to make a phone like this run on a reasonabale priced carrier well other than t-mobile
Hey Folks,
Its been a while since VoLTE was discussed, and with Verizon announceing their LTE rollout will be complete 6 months early, I think this will be a good thing for us Nexus lovers who are on Verizon LTE. I wrote the following on theVerge and I thought I would post it here for us Galaxy Nexus owners to ponder...
First lets talk about LTE
Verizon won the C Block spectrum in March of 2008, bringing the rise of LTE and crazy data speeds on are mobile devices. Everyone was like Google might get into the mobile business as they were bidding on the Spectrum, when in all reality they were setting the reserve price to ensure Open-Access to that block of Spectrum. Verizon won, we have LTE, and the rest is history.
So What Happened to Open Access?
Open Access is still a provision. Which is probably the reason Verizon never really came after folks who rooted their phones and used wireless tethering apps. They were actually fined for trying to block these apps in the Play Store, so the Open Access provisions are alive and kicking. This makes some people wonder why is this a problem then? Because Verizon still uses CDMA for voice services. They basically have an hybrid LTE CDMA model. So in turn they are still allowed to lock down their phones due to the need of CDMA. Updates for the Galaxy Nexus is more of an issue because VZW requires all this rigorous testing for their CDMA network, not necessarily the LTE network.
So VoLTE?
VoLTE is basically Voice carried over your data connection. For Verizon it means it will not have to provide both a LTE and CDMA chip in their phones. Phones will only need a LTE chip and in theory, you will no longer need a voice plan because everything including voice calls are transferred over data. It also means the Open-Access rules are now in full effect, so Verizon cannot lock down phones on the basis of it still needing a CDMA chip. LTE is currently being trialed by Verizon in select cities with plans for Nationwide roll out in 2013.
What it Means for Google and Nexus
Google's Nexus line will easily be able to do a unlocked LTE version for Verizon due to the Open-Access provisions which went into effect purely based on Google's huge opening bid in 2008. With no CDMA, Verizon will no longer have control because of those provisions enforced by the FCC. I'm sure Google wanted to work with Verizon, but they also new that soon Verizon will have no choice. Once VoLTE goes nation wide, expect an unlocked LTE Nexus using this technology, probably priced about $100 more than the GSM version.
All this matters because VoLTE is the future of mobile phones. I think we will soon start seeing purely data plans being available for users to use with both Voice and Data. Google though has done something smart. They have set the price for a high quality unlocked device, and they have set that price low. I imagine a the next Nexus will support VoLTE on Verizon, it will be unlocked, and will cost $400 compared to an unlocked GSM version for $350, as LTE licensing cost a lot more. This will also allow Google to build the device as they want to with Updates coming directly from Google and Carriers being removed completely from the process
So I see these things happening within the Mobile world in the nest 2 years
VoLTE going live nationwide within a year
Unlimited Data Plans making their way back
Unlocked Better priced Contract Free Mobile devices. No more $650 Off contract phones
More competition, with more and more customers becoming month to month non contract users
I do wish that Google had a LTE Nexus available, but Google is working on something and I think next year we will see the beginning of a change to the mobile industry for the better.
Aren't the other carriers' LTE networks hybrid networks as well? I ask this because we don't know when a network like Sprint will go 100% LTE. So even when Verizon goes all LTE, wouldn't an LTE Nexus still technically be exclusive to Verizon?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Good read, thanks for posting. Although I do not see unlimited data coming back, especially if carriers do switch completely over to data phone calls.
I'm not sure if Google will want to have multiple hardware versions again. I really hope this theory ends up a reality, but I don't know. I would definitely like to stay on Verizon if this was the case. The naysayer in me says we won't see a real Nexus on VZW for a long time if ever. But reading this is making me rethink dropping Verizon to get the Nexus 4 and any future Nexi. I would definitely be ok with skipping the Nexus 4 if VZW ended up with a real Nexus that was only LTE (no CDMA), but it seems like a GSM carrier is the only way to go for a Nexus for the foreseeable future.
Won't happen. Even with VoLTE people won't put up with not having signal if 4g isn't available. So Google most likely would never consider this an option. 4g coverage area just isn't good enough yet.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Slacker101 said:
Won't happen. Even with VoLTE people won't put up with not having signal if 4g isn't available. So Google most likely would never consider this an option. 4g coverage area just isn't good enough yet.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its pretty dang close.
MrBigFeathers said:
I'm not sure if Google will want to have multiple hardware versions again. I really hope this theory ends up a reality, but I don't know. I would definitely like to stay on Verizon if this was the case. The naysayer in me says we won't see a real Nexus on VZW for a long time if ever. But reading this is making me rethink dropping Verizon to get the Nexus 4 and any future Nexi. I would definitely be ok with skipping the Nexus 4 if VZW ended up with a real Nexus that was only LTE (no CDMA), but it seems like a GSM carrier is the only way to go for a Nexus for the foreseeable future.
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Google is notorious for changing their mind. Lets take a look at past decisions.
Nexus One was offered to Verizon but did not pass Verizon QA. Google went GSM only and subsidized through Tmo.
GSM Nexus S was offered via multiple subsidies, as well as a CDMA/WIMAX version.
Galaxy Nexus was offered to Verizon and Verizon accepted. GSM model, and two CDMA/LTE models. No GSM subsidies. (in the US)
Nexus 4 is GSM only, but still carries a a Tmo subsidy.
Nexus 5??? Obviously we can't tell from history.
AOSP
Nexus One
Nexus S
Nexus S 4G
GSM Galaxy Nexus
Then the proprietaries issue came up. All the fail blogs said that CDMA and LTE proprietaries would never be available for AOSP.
Fast forward to today. We not only have CDMA and LTE proprietaries, but Google provided them for the Sprint Galaxy Nexus, which never had plans to be on AOSP. Then they went a step further and provided a factory image for them!
There is also an experimental Xperia S AOSP project. So, now its possible that the Nexus might not be the only AOSP supported device in the future.
If you see a pattern, let me know. All I see is Google feeling out the market still. I mean, they tried out WIMAX. If that doesn't say Google is open to trying different things, what does?
Slacker101 said:
Won't happen. Even with VoLTE people won't put up with not having signal if 4g isn't available. So Google most likely would never consider this an option. 4g coverage area just isn't good enough yet.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
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What you need to understand is Verizon is trying to decommission their entire 3G network by 2020. It is not meant to be a fall over network from LTE, once Verizon completes it LTE roll out next year they will start the 7 year process of moving everyone off of 3G data, which ultimately is just their smartphones. This is why you do not see Verizon selling 3G smartphones anymore. CDMA is old tech similar to ATTs TDMA. If you remember ATT moved from TDMA to GSM back in 2001 and it took about 7 years to really completely move over.
I think it will happen because VoLTE is basically VOIP technology which everyone is moving to, Google already has Google Voice which is basically VOIP service for your phone. Please believe that Google did not spend all that money at opening bid of the Spectrum Auction for them not to even leverage the Open Access provision, which is ultimately what they paid for.
HeCareth said:
What you need to understand is Verizon is trying to decommission their entire 3G network by 2020. It is not meant to be a fall over network from LTE, once Verizon completes it LTE roll out next year they will start the 7 year process of moving everyone off of 3G data, which ultimately is just their smartphones. This is why you do not see Verizon selling 3G smartphones anymore. CDMA is old tech similar to ATTs TDMA. If you remember ATT moved from TDMA to GSM back in 2001 and it took about 7 years to really completely move over.
I think it will happen because VoLTE is basically VOIP technology which everyone is moving to, Google already has Google Voice which is basically VOIP service for your phone. Please believe that Google did not spend all that money at opening bid of the Spectrum Auction for them not to even leverage the Open Access provision, which is ultimately what they paid for.
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I do foresee this:
Verizon will have to be sued before they truly follow the open access provision. I don't see any other way around it. Verizon is too self-righteous.
adrynalyne said:
Google is notorious for changing their mind. Lets take a look at past decisions.
Nexus One was offered to Verizon but did not pass Verizon QA. Google went GSM only and subsidized through Tmo.
GSM Nexus S was offered via multiple subsidies, as well as a CDMA/WIMAX version.
Galaxy Nexus was offered to Verizon and Verizon accepted. GSM model, and two CDMA models. No GSM subsidies. (in the US)
Nexus 4 is GSM only, but still carries a a Tmo subsidy.
Nexus 5??? Obviously we can't tell from history.
If you see a pattern, let me know. All I see is Google feeling out the market still. I mean, they tried out WIMAX. If that doesn't say Google is open to trying different things, what does?
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I agree Google is not like Apple who usually waits on new technology, most of the time they are early adopters of new tech. LTE was first made available on an Android device, which hit the Galaxy Nexus that same year. Mobile VOIP is the future, as all carriers are looking to migrate their voice services to their 4G. MetroPCS was even looking to roll out VoLTE nationwide, which is only in limbo because of the T-Mobile merger. T-Mobile is already on record saying they plan to move Voice services to their 4G HSPA+ network so that is the real issue. Long story short that is the direction technology is moving, which is why carriers are scrambling to get there next generation networks online.
adrynalyne said:
I do foresee this:
Verizon will have to be sued before they truly follow the open access provision. I don't see any other way around it. Verizon is too self-righteous.
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Maybe but the FCC is already hitting them with fines, so I doubt the might have the balls to continue to be difficult.
http://www.theverge.com/2012/7/31/3207193/verizon-fcc-tethering-700mhz-open-access-fine
Slacker101 said:
Won't happen. Even with VoLTE people won't put up with not having signal if 4g isn't available. So Google most likely would never consider this an option. 4g coverage area just isn't good enough yet.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
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Still subject to change obviously, but Verizon just announced this week that their LTE network will cover a little over 90% of the US by the end of next year so most people are going to have access to VoLTE by then at the latest. They pissed me off pretty bad with the GNex update, but I have to give them credit for the pace that they are rolling out LTE.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
This is good stuff! :good:
WiredPirate said:
Good read, thanks for posting. Although I do not see unlimited data coming back, especially if carriers do switch completely over to data phone calls.
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verizon wont ever allow unlocked devices and custom firmware... verizon has said they want to protect their network...
see this: http://androidcommunity.com/verizon-tells-the-fcc-that-locked-bootloaders-are-awesome-20120301/
Verizon justifies its official stance on locked bootloaders by claiming that it’s protecting “customer experience and support”: unlocked bootloaders, they argue, could cause problems for end-users, customer support staff and Verizon’s network in general. Repeating claims made at earlier points, Verizon stated that “unapproved software” could impact the wireless experience for other customers. Despite spectrum purchases from the US government in 2011, Verizon has no legal obligation to make the software on the devices it sells accessible to its customers – it only has to make access to the network available.
rezoundness said:
verizon wont ever allow unlocked devices and custom firmware... verizon has said they want to protect their network...
see this: http://androidcommunity.com/verizon-tells-the-fcc-that-locked-bootloaders-are-awesome-20120301/
Verizon justifies its official stance on locked bootloaders by claiming that it’s protecting “customer experience and support”: unlocked bootloaders, they argue, could cause problems for end-users, customer support staff and Verizon’s network in general. Repeating claims made at earlier points, Verizon stated that “unapproved software” could impact the wireless experience for other customers. Despite spectrum purchases from the US government in 2011, Verizon has no legal obligation to make the software on the devices it sells accessible to its customers – it only has to make access to the network available.
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Invalid argument.
Point in case:
Motorola dev phones that use Verizon.
Samsung dev phones that use Verizon.
Galaxy Nexus.
All examples have unlockable bootloaders. Don't believe what all these blogs preach.
adrynalyne said:
Invalid argument.
Point in case:
Motorola dev phones that use Verizon.
Samsung dev phones that use Verizon.
Galaxy Nexus.
All examples have unlockable bootloaders. Don't believe what all these blogs preach.
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Exactly, Verizon is not requiring OEM's to do anything, they are just encouraging them to lock down boot loaders, but in the end OEMS can do what ever they want. The other side of the issue is that developer edition phones will probably not be subsidized by Verizon as that is their choice.
But...Google sales their unlocked stuff at cost anyway out side of Verizon's grubby paws, so it doesn't really matter and Google will probably careless about what Verizon thinks and wants because they know Verizon's end game.
Pierceye said:
Still subject to change obviously, but Verizon just announced this week that their LTE network will cover a little over 90% of the US by the end of next year so most people are going to have access to VoLTE by then at the latest. They pissed me off pretty bad with the GNex update, but I have to give them credit for the pace that they are rolling out LTE.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
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Actually Verizon announced that their LTE rollout will be complete by middle of next year covering their entire 3G area. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57547595-94/verizon-plans-to-complete-its-lte-rollout-by-mid-2013/
My question is this: when VoLTE rolls out across Verizon's network, will the Galaxy Nexus be able to use this? Because, if this will be possible, one could theoretically just run their phone off LTE by enabling an option in a custom rom. AOKP, the rom I'm currently using, has a setting for LTE only. Doing this, as far as I understand, would save a lot of battery by not having to be connected to the CDMA network for voice calls, and I would assume you could go as far as removing the CDMA radio from the phone. Having unlimited data I could see only good from this, although others with tiered plans might not be so welcome to this idea. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
cmajpwc said:
My question is this: when VoLTE rolls out across Verizon's network, will the Galaxy Nexus be able to use this? Because, if this will be possible, one could theoretically just run their phone off LTE by enabling an option in a custom rom. AOKP, the rom I'm currently using, has a setting for LTE only. Doing this, as far as I understand, would save a lot of battery by not having to be connected to the CDMA network for voice calls, and I would assume you could go as far as removing the CDMA radio from the phone. Having unlimited data I could see only good from this, although others with tiered plans might not be so welcome to this idea. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
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It should support VoLTE. It has the required IMS Framework. Unless using a custom rom and the dev was an idiot and removed it.
Missing one detail. Verizon has long term corporate goals of decommissioning the EvDo portion of the network, however the 1xAdvanced fallback will be here to stay for voice traffic on basic/feature phones and I wouldn't expect any smartphones to come without a CDMA radio for the purposes of common sense. It's been awhile since I've read about it in full degree, but CDMA will continue to live on.