Hello All,
I was curious, I am currently stationed in Qatar and the call rates back to the States are ridiculous. I ordered an unlocked HTC Fuze off e-bay to use wifi skype. My question is that the only gsm provider in the country just announced sim based unlimited 3G data only services for about 110 USD a month. Could I use this service in my phone and make it data only for use with skype? 110 is WAY cheaper that what I'm paying now. I need a phone that I can use all over not just in hotspots. Plus the wifi we have here is a little slow (2000+ users on one commercial line).
Thanks
Keith
BTW they advised it was 3.75G.
most of usa's 3g service don't seem to be using the same bands as the rest of the world
so it could be that you can only use AT&T think they use the bands as the rest of the world
Related
Hello, I am going to visit USA in August for 1 month (many states), could you please advise me, which 3g network is cheapest for SMS (foreign SMS too) and 3g Internet (well, probably unlimited or best for Android heavy usage)
Thanks for attention
Read that AT&T has the best 3G coverage, but it's pretty expensive - 5 gb for $40, am I right?
P.S. Not sure if I chose correct place to post this thread
For no plan prepay you best bet is Tmobile. 3G coverage in almost all real cities. Edge in most small towns, and G everywhere else. I can get internet anywhere with it just slow internet if I'm in the middle of nowhere driving state to state. They have a data only plan for $38.99 a month unlimited(10GB). Or 500 anytime minutes free nights and weeksends, unlimited txt and unlimited data(10GB) for $59.99. If you go ATT you will have to run a credit check even to get 1 month of service and even then they don't have any data only plans so your bill will most likely be the 39.99 + $30 for 2GB data, + tax's which run around $10.
Thank you very much, in this case I'll take T-mobile unlimited data plan then
And maybe keeping second (old) phone with old sim card in roaming
Which plan do you think it is better to take for my sister if she doesn't use the internet at all and just SMS?
and are this unlimited SMS work if you send them abroad? I mean are they still free?
maxpower097 said:
For no plan prepay you best bet is Tmobile. 3G coverage in almost all real cities. Edge in most small towns, and G everywhere else.
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uh... just make sure that your phone supports Tmo's 3G bands (probably not)... 1700 AWS, not 2100 (i.e. UTMS 1700 not UTMS 2100)...
Yep, T-Mobile would be your best bet
Check out Simple Mobile.
They use T-mobile's network and offers $60 for everything INCLUDING unlimited international text message. If can get good T-mobile service in your area, you might as well sign up with them to save bunch. The only downside is you have to have a unlocked or T-mobile compatible GSM phone in advance as they don't provide subsidized phones.
hbkmog said:
Check out Simple Mobile.
They use T-mobile's network and offers $60 for everything INCLUDING unlimited international text message. If can get good T-mobile service in your area, you might as well sign up with them to save bunch. The only downside is you have to have a unlocked or T-mobile compatible GSM phone in advance as they don't provide subsidized phones.
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thanks, I am planning to but off contract Samsung Captivate (AT&T version of Galaxy S), but then unlock it for any GSM network
never heard about Simple Mobile, will google it, thanks
DarkVasyaK said:
thanks, I am planning to but off contract Samsung Captivate (AT&T version of Galaxy S), but then unlock it for any GSM network
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Again... don't expect such phones to work with Tmo's 3G... you'll be stuck with EDGE...
You'll need the Samsung Vibrant if you want Tmo's 3G to work in the US... or a Behold II or MyTouch... plus Tmo has funky rules for Android phones on prepay (or not)... you may need to do their FlexPay ...
there's a good chance that you'll have to go with AT&T prepaid... given what you're planning...
Your Euro phones probably won't work with Tmo 3G but you very well might pick it up some places. Many many many people have picked up 3G on tmo's US network with INTL unlocked phones. One of the bands matches, the other doesn't. So it depends on which tower your near.
maxpower097 said:
Your Euro phones probably won't work with Tmo 3G but you very well might pick it up some places. Many many many people have picked up 3G on tmo's US network with INTL unlocked phones. One of the bands matches, the other doesn't. So it depends on which tower your near.
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Click to collapse
I believe what you say is incorrect. Not only are the frequencies around 2100Mhz different between Tmo's 1700/2100 (UTMS1700) and UTMS2100 different, but UTMS1700 *depends* on the 1700Mhz for uplink, so you can't even create a connection.
Actually...certain Asian phones operate on the same frequency bands as T-Mobile...but good luck getting your hands on one.
~Jasecloud4
Confused
So, I am going to buy Samsung Captivate
It's UMTS 850/1900/2100
If I unlock it for any sim and put T-mobile sim inside, 3g won't work?
I should use AT&T then? I saw at the web site that there is a 5 gb data plan for $60
I don't really want to buy T-mobile Samsung Vibrant because it's easier for me to buy international version then, but I don't really like how it looks.
And just one more question, I am going to live in Singapore for 1 year soon, does anybody know if 3g will work with Captivate in Singapore?
DarkVasyaK said:
Confused
So, I am going to buy Samsung Captivate
It's UMTS 850/1900/2100
If I unlock it for any sim and put T-mobile sim inside, 3g won't work?
I should use AT&T then? I saw at the web site that there is a 5 gb data plan for $60
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Click to collapse
This is correct. Tmo runs on a special band so only Tmo branded phones, and some "asian or INTL" phones can use tmo 3G. ATT 3G is US standard and can be used by most phones, but ATT doesn't have any unlimited dataplans anymore. They don't have any prepay dataplans, the only data only plans they offer are for the ipad. So your gonna pay much more, but ATT will give you better 3G coverage, but slower in the cities compared to TMO. TMO actually is beating out sprint 4G in most area's, but its coverage is spotty and only in large cities. I would go tmo and buy a throw away phone when you get here. Or get a tmo phone for the trip, then actually spend real money on a phone when you get home. You can get a TP2 for around $150-$200 here, and HD2 for $250, then you can ebay it off when you get home or sell it real quick on CL before you leave. If you haven't tried it the TMO HD2 is a beast.
well, I wanted to use tons of android apps using 3g internet, but in this case I should just use EDGE... don't want to buy special phone for 3g or something like that...
it seems that I have a choice between 3g with AT&T for $60 (5 gb) and T-mobile EDGE for $40 (unlimited data) ?
DarkVasyaK said:
well, I wanted to use tons of android apps using 3g internet, but in this case I should just use EDGE... don't want to buy special phone for 3g or something like that...
it seems that I have a choice between 3g with AT&T for $60 (5 gb) and T-mobile EDGE for $40 (unlimited data) ?
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well you could get 100MB of data on AT&T for $20... but perhaps that isn't enough for you... seek out Wifi whenever possible? (that's what I do when traveling outside the US...)
or live with Tmo EDGE, which really isn't that bad and some would claim that you may be dealing with EDGE or EDGE-like bandwidth on AT&T as well, depending on where you go and congestion (hoards of iphone users)...
I am taking a trip to India soon for about 4 weeks and will be needing a prepaid SIM for data/voice use.
What carrier has the best prepaid 3G data, and also what frequency? I will be travelling mainly around Mumbai and rest of Maharashtra state but also New Delhi and surrounding area.
Is the mobile networks good enough to do Skype calling over 3G? I mainly plan to use Skype (to call overseas) and also to check email and possibly tether to my netbook so will need at least 500MB data over that period.
Please move if this is not the correct forum.
Airtel/Reliance
Airtel is very good, you can try Reliance too. Voda is also an option.
Just read from the Rezound subforum about it supporting global gsm/wcdma roaming.
I'm wondering if it is also possible for the Thunderbolt as the chipsets MSM 8655 and MDM 9600 both support GSM/UMTS mode.
Has anyone tried getting the Thunderbolt to work with GSM network?
Thanks.
I called Verizon about a week ago and they told me that yes the Thunderbolt would work worldwide but its VERY expensive
Sent from my Desensed Tbolt
NickxSfK said:
I called Verizon about a week ago and they told me that yes the Thunderbolt would work worldwide but its VERY expensive
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Did that person say in what way expensive? Roaming rate?
Or was that person talking about CDMA roaming which I know is possible in some countries.
I'm more interested in using other network SIM to work on the GSM network.
wmserver said:
I'm more interested in using other network SIM to work on the GSM network.
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im curious about this also. but i think the sim slot is only for 4g cards. my incredible 2 has a menu in the security settings that allows me to unlock my sim card for use with other carriers. the inc2 is advertised as a global phone though
They said my rates would be large. I think it was like 1.50 a minute for calls and 50 cents a text. So probably not GSM
Sent from my Desensed Tbolt
Sounds about right for most carriers. Depends on the country you travel to. When I travel international on business I kill my phone bill. Almost $1000 for two weeks in New Zealand, almost $700 for two weeks in Argentina. I forgot what I spent for a week in France, but I didn't use my phone as much there.
If you're traveling abroad, really suggest getting a go-phone or some kind of burner in-country. A lot of my colleagues get data SIMs in country at the airport for their data needs.
I also feel that thunderbolt supports GSM & Wcdma, for MSM8655 supports GSM & Wcdma
hzw1199 said:
I also feel that thunderbolt supports GSM & Wcdma, for MSM8655 supports GSM & Wcdma
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also feel that thunderbolt supports GSM & Wcdma, for MSM8655 supports GSM & Wcdma
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey guys, I was in London last May with my tbolt.
Now that I think about it- I didn't try to switch the radio to a GSM radio with cyanogenmod's network switch, but I can say that there are no CDMA radio towers in and around London.
Also, if you're going to London, be prepared to hunt down wifi. You will almost always pay for it- although there are a few (from what I understand) blanketed areas that O2 has now set up in Kensington for the Olympics. Otherwise, you'll be paying companies like Boingo for hourly access. They have deals with most pubs.
Hope this helps.
I was in Europe during the holidays and had no luck. Where I was there were no CDMA towers so I got no signal. I tried switching the SIM with a Vodafone one and switching the radio to GSM and global with no luck. I had Cm7 on then.
Go get boost mobile and buy 10$ extra per month for international. Cheapest way possible. Get a crap boost mobile phone for calls and texting. Virgin mobile may have this too. I don't understand how its not more cost effective to just buy an extra per month on your current plan
Sent from my Glacier using xda premium
Actually the cheapest way is to pay an unlocked used Droid2, about 50 bucks some places, and use it with a prepaid sim overseas. You can have an extra phone while in the states and use the wifi teather in the EU, in addition to an android working phone, to keep the tbolt w wifi.
On top of that if you connect your normal number to a GV nr and than connect that to a SIP the phone calls cost less than 1ยข/min.
t bolt unlock
you know how can activate Tbolt to other gsm can activate that option.
Im from colombia and here dont exist cdma only gsm and my thunderbolt dont run here i don have roaming or signal to call and using a sim maked here i only can see: this sim card is from a unknown source.... Blah blah blah...
Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt using Tapatalk
1) i'm confused as to which one to get. i'm on the tmobile $30 prepaid plan with unlimited data. If i get global GSm version, would i still be able to use my 3g data? If i get the U.S gsm version instead, if i travel outside the U.S, does this mean that prepaid 3g plans on other countries won't work on this phone? i'm confused and need help on which on to get since i want the phone to work with tmobile 3g data while in the U.S but also work when with other data plans in other countries i travel.
2) i got another question, lets say i don't care about using Data and accessing the internet. In which case, does it really matter if i get the global GSM or US gsm if i live in the U.S? i would still the the same signal strength just for talking and texting right?
jinjin12 said:
1) i'm confused as to which one to get. i'm on the tmobile $30 prepaid plan with unlimited data. If i get global GSm version, would i still be able to use my 3g data? If i get the U.S gsm version instead, if i travel outside the U.S, does this mean that prepaid 3g plans on other countries won't work on this phone? i'm confused and need help on which on to get since i want the phone to work with tmobile 3g data while in the U.S but also work when with other data plans in other countries i travel.
2) i got another question, lets say i don't care about using Data and accessing the internet. In which case, does it really matter if i get the global GSM or US gsm if i live in the U.S? i would still the the same signal strength just for talking and texting right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There was another thread that talked about this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=48104955&postcount=22
The conclusion was if you are on T-Mobile to go with the US version. You can see the map where the 1700 band is used in the US too.
Hello Folks,
I know the Moto G only supports HSPA (3G+), If i have the USA GSM edition, would i be better off with the Straight Talk, TMobile Sim or the ATT sim given the frequencies to take advantage of the speeds ?
I live in the Los Angele's area
Thanks,
Pete
Bump..
pasta1234 said:
Hello Folks,
I know the Moto G only supports HSPA (3G+), If i have the USA GSM edition, would i be better off with the Straight Talk, TMobile Sim or the ATT sim given the frequencies to take advantage of the speeds ?
I live in the Los Angele's area
Thanks,
Pete
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't matter if you have the usa model. Tmobile is fast but coverage is spotty in rural locations.
I'd use opensignal's maps to make your mind up.
If you go with att, you can go through aio and get it for $150, but they had it for $99 so I wouldn't buy it through them.
Well opensignals maps and other don't differentiate between service (in 3g and 4g) and hspa+.
Since the moto g is technically only capable of hspa+ is there a way to tell if my area is better suited for tmo or att services?
Straight talk is cheaper than aio also, any reason I'd use them over St for the same services?
Thanks,
Pete
sprockkets said:
Doesn't matter if you have the usa model. Tmobile is fast but coverage is spotty in rural locations.
I'd use opensignal's maps to make your mind up.
If you go with att, you can go through aio and get it for $150, but they had it for $99 so I wouldn't buy it through them.
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Click to collapse
I have an XT1034 (US GSM 16 GB) and am on Straight Talk.
I currently have an AT&T SIM card in the phone and get solid coverage wherever I go in Pennsylvania. My data is decent but does slow down throughout the day. I assume I'm being throttled, but I'm not complaining since I typically use several gigs a day.
I originally had a T-Mobile SIM in and while my data would drop to 1X in some areas during my commute I got better speeds and was not throttled (but at the time I was not using as much data).
So to summarize it depends on your usage and location. If you pick up one of the BYOD kits at Wal Mart for $65 you can try both networks and see which works best.
Thanks Folks...Ordered the ATT sim, lets see how it goes
Pete