Has anyone successfully used a tri-band phone (specifically 900/1800/1900) on the Cingular AT&T network for long periods, and found all of the points below to be true?
1. Good phone (voice) coverage (Subjective yes, but I'm looking to know if not having 850Mhz causes considerable problems with voice quality and/or dropped calls).
2. No roaming charges due to your phone using the T-Mobile tower instead of an AT&T tower if for instance the T-Mo 1900 signal was stronger where you might be standing, than the signal coming from the nearest AT&T tower.
3. Ability to move about in a 200 mile radius and still not incur roaming charges. (In either case if you'd like to share your general location I would appreciate knowing.)
This is not about 850/1800/1900 tri-band phones. What I'm trying to learn is whether or not phones like the O2 Flame would work for me in the US on the AT&T network. And work well enough to provide good coverage without attaching to the T-Mobile towers on a regular basis.
I am not interested in data, just voice.
Thanks!
Tref said:
Has anyone successfully used a tri-band phone (specifically 900/1800/1900) on the Cingular AT&T network for long periods, and found all of the points below to be true?
1. Good phone (voice) coverage (Subjective yes, but I'm looking to know if not having 850Mhz causes considerable problems with voice quality and/or dropped calls).
2. No roaming charges due to your phone using the T-Mobile tower instead of an AT&T tower if for instance the T-Mo 1900 signal was stronger where you might be standing, than the signal coming from the nearest AT&T tower.
3. Ability to move about in a 200 mile radius and still not incur roaming charges. (In either case if you'd like to share your general location I would appreciate knowing.)
This is not about 850/1800/1900 tri-band phones. What I'm trying to learn is whether or not phones like the O2 Flame would work for me in the US on the AT&T network. And work well enough to provide good coverage without attaching to the T-Mobile towers on a regular basis.
I am not interested in data, just voice.
Thanks!
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depends on where you are...
at some places with good coverage..you dont miss the 850 band
at others they have predominantly 850 towers..
i am not sure about roaming...though you can manually set the operator to at&t only
i'm in florida and both t-mobile and cingular service is crappy here
So how do you manually set it to at&t only? I've looked but have not found that option. If I could do that I might take a chance on buying an unlocked device.
Thanks
Related
As the title indicates I am curious if there exists any phones outside of those offered by Tmobile that are capable of using its 3G network (1700 & 2100 MHz). None of their 3G phones catch my eye and am curious if anyone can point me in the direction of some other possibilities.
Thanks for your time...
Jay
Att and tmobile use different bands for 3g.... so i know none of att's will work. (alltel i really doubt, but would have to look it up) Cell providers do it on purpose to lock there services to there own phones for good.... So you'll probably have to switch providers or settle for 2g speeds
I have not seen any devices outside of Tmob usa that have their strange 3g 1700/2100 combined bands...unfortunately!
I understand that 2G and 3G has more to do with data speed. However does the voice quality differ between the two??? I can't find much consensus on the subject. Thank you.
unless your operator have strange equipment it would be 100% the same
A wireless communications guy who is a fanatic with cell phones on youtube (aka absalon3) once said that his Nokia E90 kept dropping calls because it did not support the U.S. 3G frequencies at his carrier.
So yes, if you don't have 3G access or subscription, than your phone is more likely to have a weaker signal--hence the dropped calls.
poetryrocksalot said:
A wireless communications guy who is a fanatic with cell phones on youtube (aka absalon3) once said that his Nokia E90 kept dropping calls because it did not support the U.S. 3G frequencies at his carrier.
So yes, if you don't have 3G access or subscription, than your phone is more likely to have a weaker signal--hence the dropped calls.
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i dont think so. gsm 3g devices can have simultaneous voice and data connections 3g and voice are totally separate.
josefcrist said:
i dont think so. gsm 3g devices can have simultaneous voice and data connections 3g and voice are totally separate.
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Check out Absalon3's video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNrRNUZfqkQ
He says that the lack of 3G hardware meant that he got dropped calls.
On another video he claims to have a degree on some sort of communications thing. I haven't looked for the video because I don't know which one it is on the top of my head. Anyways it sounded as if his 'degree' made him an expert on cell phones.
I also have a Nokia E90 and the reception isn't as good as my North American version of Xperia X1. However, I do understand that reception is also determined by the other hardware factors.
Well thank you guys, this is why I had trouble finding out definitive info on this. It seems that there are no hard fact, just anecdotal evidences.
I am trying to decide whether I have to go with a higher price Telus HTC Hero (3G on ATT), or I can stick with a cheaper price HTC Hero (2G on ATT). I don't give a crap about data, however, voice is very important, after all it is a phone.
"gsm 3g devices can have simultaneous voice and data connections 3g and voice are totally separate."
not just gsm 3g devices
gsm since gprs (1g) have supported simultaneous voice and data
that is if the operators equipment support it too
had simultaneous data and voice on all my 1g gsm smartphones
Many 3G operators have their 2G service provided by another operator in low coverage areas, so when moving between 3G and 2G and vice versa there can sometimes be line drops.
The actual voice quality between a 2G phone call and a 3G phone call is no different.
Research your desired operator's coverage in your area for both 2G and 3G, then decide.
From what I've seen, and also from the maps on their websites.
If you have a phone with 2G and 3G you have the most coverage.
Now if you have a 2G device you will only have coverage in the 2G area, so if there are places that only have 3G in their area, you will get a dropped call.
This is practically useless for the large decent carriers like AT&T and Verizon who have a lot of coverage. But maybe it's a problem for some other carriers.
Also from the maps it looks like most 2G area have 3G.
Just my .02, I have nothing really to back this up. Best thing you can do is make sure you have good coverage.
ATT's Webpage for Coverage
There are other places where you can find a carriers coverage.
I know how At&t are gonna have HSPA+ 4g, I'm confused about the new devices they're gonna have that support HSPA+. Are they going to be able to connect to HSPA+ on T-Mobile's network.
So for example, I buy an unlocked HSPA+ tablet from AT&T, straight from their store. Is it going to be able to use T-Mobile's HSPA+ network if I put a T-Mobile SIM card inside?
Also, one last question, if I use T-Mobile's SIM card, do I have to do some special stuff to get it to work on their cell network? Like how you have to unlock an iPhone for it to work on T-Mobile?
Thanks
xAliceNine said:
I know how At&t are gonna have HSPA+ 4g, I'm confused about the new devices they're gonna have that support HSPA+. Are they going to be able to connect to HSPA+ on T-Mobile's network.
So for example, I buy an unlocked HSPA+ tablet from AT&T, straight from their store. Is it going to be able to use T-Mobile's HSPA+ network if I put a T-Mobile SIM card inside?
Also, one last question, if I use T-Mobile's SIM card, do I have to do some special stuff to get it to work on their cell network? Like how you have to unlock an iPhone for it to work on T-Mobile?
Thanks
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Hello,
Unfortunately you will not be able to use HSPA+. HSPA+ is just an extension/revision of the current 3G. Effectively it is also called 3.5G/3.75G in some reports. They use the same 3G band of each respective company. The At&t tablet would work on 850/1900 band and T-mobile will work on their AWS (1700) band. So if you bought an At&t tablet, you may need to get it unlocked, not sure if they lock the sim on tablets. At best you would get Edge service with a T-mobile sim.
thanks man, argg
do you think it's worth it to change to at&t because I just heard of the Motorola Atrix and it sound PRETTY BAD ASS!
I don't know since people I know are always angry at AT&T for their service either..
xAliceNine said:
thanks man, argg
do you think it's worth it to change to at&t because I just heard of the Motorola Atrix and it sound PRETTY BAD ASS!
I don't know since people I know are always angry at AT&T for their service either..
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NP. I have had every major carrier offered in the US. I have had at&t, t-mobile, and sprint within the last year. I had verizon a while ago and dropped them because they could never get my bill right. Honestly, the service is about the same. The question is how is the service in your area. I mainly stay in my area about 90-98% of the time. I live in a major city so all carries have great service. But I have stayed with At&t for the last few years. Every time I go to another carrier I kept my at&t service, go figure. So I would just look at coverage to where you travel the most and go with a carrier that will give you the best coverage for the best price. Do i prefer a carrier over another, yeah. I like GSM carriers better because I do like to surf and talk at the same time. Sprint can do this if your in a 4G coverage area and have a 4G phone. Verizon is a no go with this feature until they release their LTE phones. But At&t has a better coverage footprint than T-mobile that is why I stick with them. Hope it helps.
Wondering a bit about this too.
I have service through Bendbroadband using a HSPA+ SIM with USB modem Dongle by bandluxe. The service is stellar on the speed, but I can't use the dongle with everything (iPad), so looking for alternate routes before i decide to move to a different provider.
I noticed that the CTO of the company said in a comment regarding their service that any unlocked UE that supports HSPA/HSPA+ in the AWS band could be used, but also had an unclear reponse on cell phones with HSPA+.
I have a Huawei Comet (unlocked), it lists the same AWS Bands compatible, but says HSDPA (which I thought HSDPA + HSUPA = HSPA+ but at higher speeds, correct me if I am wrong), and has hotspot tether that works with tmobile web service no problem.
I plugged the SIM in, and it updates the bar with BendBroadband but I get no data. (might need to provide the IMEI or something)..
Curious if you think it should work, before i go knocking on their doors.
Some other specs:
the mytouch 4g (HSPA+) lists the bands as:850 MHz;900 MHz;1800 MHz;1900 MHz;UMTS: Band IV (1700/2100)
The comet is listed as: 850 MHz;900 MHz;1800 MHz;1900 MHz;UMTS: Band I (2100);UMTS: Band IV (1700/2100)
I am fairly sure the comet is HSPA+ but not advertised that way.
According to comments on the site, Bendbroadband technicians do not actually support moving of the SIMs. Bummer.. trying to keep my business local.. Bumping and moving to Tmobile once the month is up.
Hi, I have an HTC Sensation. I live in Cleveland, OH, and went with a friend about 70 miles east towards Warren OH, mainly on Rt 422. He has Revol, which I assume is like Cricket, he had reception all the way. My service completely dropped about 15 miles east of Cleveland (South Russell - rural after that), with an X instead of any bars, till I got back about only 15 miles away again. I did get 1 bar off and on at Mosquito Lake where our cookout was, but only when right near the water, otherwise an X. I just looked up on T-Mo's website, and I should have had at least "good" to "moderate" service that whole trip. I just noticed under (Android) "Network Mode", my phone was set to "WCDMA Only". I thought this only affected data. Does this also affect voice range? I tried Googling, but couldn't really find an answer, except some sites saying WCDMA is better for rural areas, not what I really wanted to hear, given no rural reception on my phone. My other two choices are GSM Only, and GSM/WCDMA Auto, which I checked now. I don't know when I'll be out that way again, but that kind of worries me, as I just signed a new 2 year contract with T-Mo (for buying the Sensation), and I may be going out that way more, and have no service. Thanks.
WCDMA most certainly relates to voice as well as data. The only places I'd leave it on WCDMA only are metro areas and places where T-Mobile has indicated strong 4G/HSPA coverage, else always leave it on GSM/WCDMA auto or you'll be sorely lacking on reception.
T-Mobile uses WCDMA bands 1700/2100Mhz AWS for their 4G/HSPA, voice and data are combined regardless if you're on HSPA or GSM.
GSM bands are also much stronger and more effective at penetrating buildings and foliage. T-Mobile uses 850Mhz and 1900Mhz for GSM, also know as EDGE in data terms. This also means that if you happen upon an area where T-Mobile has a roaming agreement with At&t, you'll be able to get reception in those areas as well (e.g. T-Mobile has no coverage but At&t does, note this only applies in certain areas where AT&T has an agreement with T-Mobile)
EDGE/GSM is a 2G signal, so data speeds will be significantly slower in those areas. When you leave your device on GSM/WCDMA auto, it will select the optimal signal based in your location and reception quality and you'll see it change from 'H' or '4G' to 'E' often on your device.
This is normal, T-Mobile isn't going to invest HSPA in non-metropolitan areas.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA App
Thank you, TheMan42, I know now to keep it at the auto setting, as I only thought it affected data.
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A
I thought I would bring this up.
I have the T-Mobile US One S carrier unlocked and I have used it both on ATT and Tmobile.
With all the network flopping going on I noticed something between the two. When i use the phone on ATT, I rarely see 3G. It's always H. And the speeds reflect that.
When I use the phone on T-Mobile, it's always on 3G. I only see the H when the phone needs to do something data intensive. For instance, I start a speed test.. It will start 3G and flop to H for the test. I can sit with the screen on playing around with the phone and it will not switch H at all. I am in a good 4G coverage area.
I know many users are looking for a update to fix the flopping. However, to me it seems more like a power management thing and perhaps on Tmobile's network side.
Just a thought.
I was wondering if you've been able to use AT&T's network with your T-Mobile sim? I haven't, but I thought the Roaming agreement was all set. Am I wrong?
Droidificator said:
I was wondering if you've been able to use AT&T's network with your T-Mobile sim? I haven't, but I thought the Roaming agreement was all set. Am I wrong?
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According to the coverage maps, postpaid and prepaid are identical. However, I have seen this as well. I can have full ATT coverage and zero T-Mobile coverage.