Develop Bugs

When LTE dominates, will importing phones still be possible?

Importing phones is obviously possible now because tons of carriers all over the world share AT&T's GSM and UMTS/HSPA bands.
When LTE starts to become the dominant source for cell-phone signals (especially when Voice-over-LTE appears), will AT&T still share bands with the rest of the world like it does now?
In other words, will AT&T still have the advantage over Vzw and T-Mobile that early adopters of phones will be able to import them and use them months before they show up in the US? Or will the proliferation of LTE cause AT&T to suffer from the same problem from which Verizon suffers: You will ONLY be able to use phones designed specifically for the AT&T network?
I ask because right now I have AT&T and Verizon, and I have unlimited data on both. I'm going to be canceling one of them within the next week or so. Right now I actually prefer AT&T's service, and I love the fact that I can import phones that are not available in the US. But if the "importing phones" advantage of AT&T disappears, perhaps Verizon becomes the more desirable carrier for me.

You haven't read much about LTE, I guess. By conforming to the LTE standards, a multi-band LTE phone will be able to be as much of a "world phone" as a multi-band GSM phone. While there are some differences in frequency spectrums around the planet, there are many in common.
The allocated frequencies are 700 and 1700 MHz in North America; 800, 1800, 2600 MHz in Europe; 1800 and 2600 MHz in Asia; and 1800 MHz in Australia.
So, a quad-band LTE phone with frequencies of 700/1700/1800/2600 would get you coverage almost anywhere.
The end result is this: If the manufacturers want to make an LTE "world phone" just like they have in the past with GSM, they certainly can (within the laws of physics, if the antenna technologies will allow it). The same economics apply for the manufacturers, and possibly better - since there are a smaller set of frequencies with greater chance of coverage - and a greater market potential for a single design.
I suspect that with modern fractal antenna technology, this won't be a huge issue.

In North America, are the 700 and 1700 different carriers, or is it better for a phone to support both like the current att 850/1900?

¿GotJazz? said:
You haven't read much about LTE, I guess. By conforming to the LTE standards, a multi-band LTE phone will be able to be as much of a "world phone" as a multi-band GSM phone. While there are some differences in frequency spectrums around the planet, there are many in common.
The allocated frequencies are 700 and 1700 MHz in North America; 800, 1800, 2600 MHz in Europe; 1800 and 2600 MHz in Asia; and 1800 MHz in Australia.
So, a quad-band LTE phone with frequencies of 700/1700/1800/2600 would get you coverage almost anywhere.
The end result is this: If the manufacturers want to make an LTE "world phone" just like they have in the past with GSM, they certainly can (within the laws of physics, if the antenna technologies will allow it). The same economics apply for the manufacturers, and possibly better - since there are a smaller set of frequencies with greater chance of coverage - and a greater market potential for a single design.
I suspect that with modern fractal antenna technology, this won't be a huge issue.
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Thanks. That was actually pretty helpful. But for instance, it is my understanding that AT&T runs in the low-700s, and Vzw runs in the high-700s. And Vzw has tentatively stated that its LTE phones will not be compatible with AT&T's. So I guess when you say they could make a multi-band LTE phone, it would need to cover "all of" 700 MHz for it to have both AT&T and Vzw compatibility.
In any event, does this favor AT&T or Vzw for future phones? My guess would be for at least the next several years, if not decade or more, all LTE phones will have 3G radios in them as well. And those 3G radios, just like today, are going to be GSM. So I guess you could start seeing phones world phones that are both quad-band GSM and quad-band LTE, and theoretically these would work on AT&T, but not Vzw.
Am I on the right path here? Do you agree that it seems likely at least until GSM/3G completely die (if ever), most/all LTE phones will continue to have 3G radios, and this would suggest that if anything, importing international phones will still be possible on AT&T but not Vzw?

chrikenn said:
Thanks. That was actually pretty helpful. But for instance, it is my understanding that AT&T runs in the low-700s, and Vzw runs in the high-700s. And Vzw has tentatively stated that its LTE phones will not be compatible with AT&T's. So I guess when you say they could make a multi-band LTE phone, it would need to cover "all of" 700 MHz for it to have both AT&T and Vzw compatibility.
In any event, does this favor AT&T or Vzw for future phones? My guess would be for at least the next several years, if not decade or more, all LTE phones will have 3G radios in them as well. And those 3G radios, just like today, are going to be GSM. So I guess you could start seeing phones world phones that are both quad-band GSM and quad-band LTE, and theoretically these would work on AT&T, but not Vzw.
Am I on the right path here? Do you agree that it seems likely at least until GSM/3G completely die (if ever), most/all LTE phones will continue to have 3G radios, and this would suggest that if anything, importing international phones will still be possible on AT&T but not Vzw?
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Click to collapse
Almost every LTE deployment other than VZW runs alongside an existing 3GPP (GSM) network and most all chipsets will natively support the combination. Therefore, I doubt you will see many devices without the UMTS radios. No one is turning their 3G networks off any time soon. Verizon will be one of very few sources for LTE devices WITHOUT any other GSM radios.
As for LTE frequencies, there are A LOT of them. What chipsets will support which radio combinations is still a subject of much debate. Don't expect full interop out of the box.

You can always import regardless
the only risk you face is all the different LTE radio bands that you might or might not get with certain phones
chrikenn said:
Importing phones is obviously possible now because tons of carriers all over the world share AT&T's GSM and UMTS/HSPA bands.
When LTE starts to become the dominant source for cell-phone signals (especially when Voice-over-LTE appears), will AT&T still share bands with the rest of the world like it does now?
In other words, will AT&T still have the advantage over Vzw and T-Mobile that early adopters of phones will be able to import them and use them months before they show up in the US? Or will the proliferation of LTE cause AT&T to suffer from the same problem from which Verizon suffers: You will ONLY be able to use phones designed specifically for the AT&T network?
I ask because right now I have AT&T and Verizon, and I have unlimited data on both. I'm going to be canceling one of them within the next week or so. Right now I actually prefer AT&T's service, and I love the fact that I can import phones that are not available in the US. But if the "importing phones" advantage of AT&T disappears, perhaps Verizon becomes the more desirable carrier for me.
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Click to collapse

Does the Galaxy Nexus LTE version also support the Penta-Band GSM bands for international travel?
Verizon version = GSM + LTE?
Sorry I'm a noob at Verizon's ways.

player911 said:
Does the Galaxy Nexus LTE version also support the Penta-Band GSM bands for international travel?
Verizon version = GSM + LTE?
Sorry I'm a noob at Verizon's ways.
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Click to collapse
Don't think so. Verizon version = CDMA + LTE. So it will only work in the US, on Verizon.

chrikenn said:
Don't think so. Verizon version = CDMA + LTE. So it will only work in the US, on Verizon.
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I always thought that Verizon always had bands for international travel also? I mean not really a big deal. Verizon is the clear winner for coverage nationally and since my work is paying for it, its even sweeter.
Right now I just have a blackberry

player911 said:
I always thought that Verizon always had bands for international travel also? I mean not really a big deal. Verizon is the clear winner for coverage nationally and since my work is paying for it, its even sweeter.
Right now I just have a blackberry
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's possible that the Verizon version has GSM/UMTS radios, it's also possible that it has those but are disabled somehow. We really don't know all that much about the LTE version of this phone, we don't even know the exact dimensions of it and what battery it comes with. So we'll just have to wait until it passes through the FCC or is released.

Chirality said:
It's possible that the Verizon version has GSM/UMTS radios, it's also possible that it has those but are disabled somehow. We really don't know all that much about the LTE version of this phone, we don't even know the exact dimensions of it and what battery it comes with. So we'll just have to wait until it passes through the FCC or is released.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 for storming Google HQ
G2x - 2.3.7 CM7
Transformer - 3.2 Revolver OC/UV

Chirality said:
It's possible that the Verizon version has GSM/UMTS radios, it's also possible that it has those but are disabled somehow. We really don't know all that much about the LTE version of this phone, we don't even know the exact dimensions of it and what battery it comes with. So we'll just have to wait until it passes through the FCC or is released.
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Click to collapse
I do recall seeing a negatory on the world phone status in Verizon's inventory system. And I suppose there is still the option for dormant or disabled radios but I ain't holding my breath.

Carrier unlocked AT&T M9 on T-Mobile

Guys, I need help understanding whether or not the phones branded and sold by AT&T and T-Mobile are really the same hardware or not.
I'm in the U.S. I have a carrier-unlocked M9 originally sold by AT&T that is running the Developer's Edition ROM which I flashed via the DE RUU. I decided to get a plan on T-mobile temporarily so I could compare them to AT&T as far as performance and coverage is concerned. The phone recognized the new SIM and prompted me to select my carrier, which I did (T-mo) and I had good voice service, LTE coverage, etc. All sounds good so far, right?
Well, I was at work the other day and my friend has the S6 on T-mobile which he got from T-mobile. So we each did an LTE speedtest while we were both standing in the same spot and his speeds were consistently faster than mine. There was enough of a difference that it was obvious, meaning, like, if I was getting 20MBps down, he was getting 30. Or if I was getting 30MBps down he was getting 40. Something like that.
So, what is your opinion? Is the S6 just built with a faster set of hardware? Or, could my M9 not be 100% compatible with all of T-Mo's LTE bands? I am not that familiar with the subtle differences between these two carriers but clearly the M9 was able to recognize each carrier at least well enough to prompt me to select the right Carrier when the SIM is changed. I am currently under the impression that HTC makes phones for North America and not necessarily any carrier-specific variants (unless like, in order to support carriers using CDMA vs GSM.) Does anyone have more specific details?
If it matters, we're in the Denver, CO market.
If anyone knows of an app that can report on the current LTE status and give you the specific band you're leveraging, please LMK as that'd also be very useful.
cheers.

mrbillishere said:
Guys, I need help understanding whether or not the phones branded and sold by AT&T and T-Mobile are really the same hardware or not.
I'm in the U.S. I have a carrier-unlocked M9 originally sold by AT&T that is running the Developer's Edition ROM which I flashed via the DE RUU. I decided to get a plan on T-mobile temporarily so I could compare them to AT&T as far as performance and coverage is concerned. The phone recognized the new SIM and prompted me to select my carrier, which I did (T-mo) and I had good voice service, LTE coverage, etc. All sounds good so far, right?
Well, I was at work the other day and my friend has the S6 on T-mobile which he got from T-mobile. So we each did an LTE speedtest while we were both standing in the same spot and his speeds were consistently faster than mine. There was enough of a difference that it was obvious, meaning, like, if I was getting 20MBps down, he was getting 30. Or if I was getting 30MBps down he was getting 40. Something like that.
So, what is your opinion? Is the S6 just built with a faster set of hardware? Or, could my M9 not be 100% compatible with all of T-Mo's LTE bands? I am not that familiar with the subtle differences between these two carriers but clearly the M9 was able to recognize each carrier at least well enough to prompt me to select the right Carrier when the SIM is changed. I am currently under the impression that HTC makes phones for North America and not necessarily any carrier-specific variants (unless like, in order to support carriers using CDMA vs GSM.) Does anyone have more specific details?
If it matters, we're in the Denver, CO market.
If anyone knows of an app that can report on the current LTE status and give you the specific band you're leveraging, please LMK as that'd also be very useful.
cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
in a nutshell T-mobile branded phones use an AWS band that is not present on the AT&T and Developer edition phones
This AWS band is a 3G+ or 4G band that is faster than some LTE signals in certain markets.
The big factor in doing Speedtest.net is are you both connecting to the same server for the test
go to settings and change server to say Atlanta (comcast) and see if you both get different speeds

USA model vs. Int'l model

Hello everyone,
I am on T-Mobile in the USA. I have an LG G4 currently which I am looking to replace, probably with a 7x. I know the Int'l version has 4GB of RAM, while the USA model only has 3GB, but the USA model would have all the correct bands for T-Mobile USA. Does anyone have any usage experience yet with the USA model and could tell me if the RAM difference is noticable or if the extra GB RAM is worth not having true 4g LTE bands here in California? My previous LG G4 was an Int'l version and could get HSPA, but not the LTE 4g. I can get LTE 4g on this LG now but the phone itself is so slow I'm not sure I am able to appreciate the speed that is available to me. Thanks for any advice.

ointaylor said:
Hello everyone,
I am on T-Mobile in the USA. I have an LG G4 currently which I am looking to replace, probably with a 7x. I know the Int'l version has 4GB of RAM, while the USA model only has 3GB, but the USA model would have all the correct bands for T-Mobile USA. Does anyone have any usage experience yet with the USA model and could tell me if the RAM difference is noticable or if the extra GB RAM is worth not having true 4g LTE bands here in California? My previous LG G4 was an Int'l version and could get HSPA, but not the LTE 4g. I can get LTE 4g on this LG now but the phone itself is so slow I'm not sure I am able to appreciate the speed that is available to me. Thanks for any advice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's pretty cheap so, if you're going to use it for only scrolling through social media or web browsing then this phone is fine. FHD+ Screen with minimal lag for 199, it's pretty hard to beat.
Sent from my BND-L24 using Tapatalk

I just got the phone yesterday and I live in California as well and have T-mobile.It works really welly.I don't think the ram would be much of a difference,great mid-range budget phone in my honest opinion

Does the 7x support VOLTE and wifi calling work on Tmobile. Thanks

Some reported that volte work on T-Mobile

ointaylor said:
Hello everyone,
I am on T-Mobile in the USA. I have an LG G4 currently which I am looking to replace, probably with a 7x. I know the Int'l version has 4GB of RAM, while the USA model only has 3GB, but the USA model would have all the correct bands for T-Mobile USA. Does anyone have any usage experience yet with the USA model and could tell me if the RAM difference is noticable or if the extra GB RAM is worth not having true 4g LTE bands here in California? My previous LG G4 was an Int'l version and could get HSPA, but not the LTE 4g. I can get LTE 4g on this LG now but the phone itself is so slow I'm not sure I am able to appreciate the speed that is available to me. Thanks for any advice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The international version doesn't have cellular radios that support T Mobile or AT&T 4G FDD bands. If you buy an the international version, you'll be limited to slower 3G speeds when using cellular data and possibly less network connectivity. There's no formal support for Volte.
Before buying an unlocked phone to use on a US GSM network, you need to research the 4G FDD radio bands used by the carrier and make sure the phone you want supports those FDD radio bands. (Verizon users, even when Verizon abandons CDMA in 2019, you won't be able to go out and buy any phone with the correct FDD bands and that supports VoLTE to use on their network. Verizon has made it clear that it will only provision phones that it has tested and certified.) Here's a link with US and Canadian carrier bands. https://www.signalbooster.com/pages/...-in-usa-canada

using att branded s9 on t mobile- band question

I am using an att branded s9 on t mobile. I have successfully flashed to t mobile firmware, so wi fi calling works. When I compare the bands supported there are many differences between the two phones.
(https://www.techwalls.com/samsung-galaxy-s9-sm-g960-g965-model-number-differences/)
Is there any practical difference in the performance of these phones on t mobile network?

joelcop said:
I am using an att branded s9 on t mobile. I have successfully flashed to t mobile firmware, so wi fi calling works. When I compare the bands supported there are many differences between the two phones.
(https://www.techwalls.com/samsung-galaxy-s9-sm-g960-g965-model-number-differences/)
Is there any practical difference in the performance of these phones on t mobile network?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, and it also will depend on where you live. Some T-Mobile bands are not supported on the ATT version of the phone, so it's possible your signal/data could be weaker or slower depending on what the strongest bands are in the area. The ATT version also does not support the 600mhz band which is T-Mobile's new "big thing" they are rolling out. But if your phone is working and you are happy with it everywhere you go, I wouldn't worry too much. Maybe you can find someone with a Tmo S9 and just do some speed test/signal strength comparisons based on where you are.

Nightwind Hawk said:
Yes, and it also will depend on where you live. Some T-Mobile bands are not supported on the ATT version of the phone, so it's possible your signal/data could be weaker or slower depending on what the strongest bands are in the area. The ATT version also does not support the 600mhz band which is T-Mobile's new "big thing" they are rolling out. But if your phone is working and you are happy with it everywhere you go, I wouldn't worry too much. Maybe you can find someone with a Tmo S9 and just do some speed test/signal strength comparisons based on where you are.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks I'll try that

Exynos S9- can I use on Verizon in the U.S.?

Hey, I *almost* pressed 'buy it now' to pick up an exynos S9+ to use here in the US on Verizon. Then something caught my eye about another listing saying "GSM Only". SO.... I surfed around a bit and found out the obvious: Int'l versions are GSM only, and Verizon's current voice network is CDMA. HOWEVER....I think I've also learned that VZ is phasing out CDMA in favor of using LTE for voice. In fact, they are hoping to have CDMA totally gone by 2019. In another thread on the S8., someone speculates they would have no qualms using a Int'l S8 on verizon since '98%' of their voice network is now LTE.
To complicate matters, this is a work-paid phone plan, so I can't install any custom ROMs- has to be stock.
So- is this doable or should I give up hope? (The reason I'm hot on getting the Exynos model is to use the dual-band GPS when the feature is unlocked, presumably in a future firmware release).
Thanks!

I don't know the time frame but they are certainly moving to GSM. I suspect that a large part is now GSM since they initially started in Canada and Mexico some time ago.

[email protected] said:
HOWEVER....I think I've also learned that VZ is phasing out CDMA in favor of using LTE for voice. In fact, they are hoping to have CDMA totally gone by 2019. In another thread on the S8., someone speculates they would have no qualms using a Int'l S8 on verizon since '98%' of their voice network is now LTE.
To complicate matters, this is a work-paid phone plan, so I can't install any custom ROMs- has to be stock.
So- is this doable or should I give up hope? (The reason I'm hot on getting the Exynos model is to use the dual-band GPS when the feature is unlocked, presumably in a future firmware release).
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The exynos s9 may work on verizon LTE data, but not on calls. Currently Verizon has CDMA which doesn't work on the exynos s9. If Verizon switches to only LTE then the exynos s9 will most likely have to support Verizon's VoLTE, and VoLTE on the exynos s9 doesn't officially work on stock software with any US Carrier without hacks that would make the phone non-stock. So far the only working modded CSC is on T-Mobile and there is development on an ATT CSC. The snapdragon s9 has significantly better battery life and better performance than the exynos s9. The Dual-band GPS is something that Samsung might not enable. If you aren't going to use custom roms or unlock the bootloader because the snapdragon s9 doesn't have an unlockable bootloader, but the exynos s9 does then the snapdragon will probably work better in the US.

Thanks guys. Looks like I'll be stuck for now in my quest for <10cm GPS