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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Click to collapse
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)...
Related
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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Click to collapse
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 There!
I was just in the US for 9 days, and bought a 30 day prepaid plan thinking that because it said I could have 4G I would actually get 4G Speeds. I was only able to get Edge Speeds anywhere I went, and it was pretty horrible.
I logged 2 support chat incidents the first guy was clueless, the second person said they don't give 4g speeds to non T-Mobile provided devices which I thought was pretty crappy.
Is there a software workaround to allow 4G speeds on Android devices purchased from other providers? My phone is an international unlocked device (NZ) and I can get H+ Speeds in Countries like Australia with no issues.
Anyone who could shed some light would be appreciated.
If it was a T-mobile prepaid card that was probably your issue. T-mobile utilizes different frequencies (AWS 1700 band) than almost all other GSM carriers. So if you do not have a t-mobile branded, or a pentaband phone you are only able to get edge speeds. Next time get prepaid AT&T and you will be good to go.
Yah it was a Prepaid Simcard and then a $30 card from Walmart delivered Electronically. I forgot to state I was using a Galaxy S2. Hard to comprehend it not supporting the 4G considering it's a device T-Mobile sell (Though it has slightly different spec's in terms of screen size and button configuration so potentially it could I guess support additional bands.
networkn said:
Yah it was a Prepaid Simcard and then a $30 card from Walmart delivered Electronically. I forgot to state I was using a Galaxy S2. Hard to comprehend it not supporting the 4G considering it's a device T-Mobile sell (Though it has slightly different spec's in terms of screen size and button configuration so potentially it could I guess support additional bands.
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Click to collapse
The international SGSII (I9100) and the AT&T SGSII (I777) do not support T-mobile 3G or 4G. The Skyrocket and the T-mobile SGSII (Hercules) are pentaband phones that support both AT&T and T-mobile 4G. The reason for this is the Exynos processor which does not support the AWS bands. That is why the skyrocket and hercules come with the snapdragon processor.
Thanks for the reply, at least now I know. ATT doesn't seem to have anything similar to T-Mobile in so far as you get 5GB 4G, unlimited calling and texting for $30, are ATT generally more expensive?
Thanks.
Att is generally more expensive yes. But as someone already mentioned, Tmobile uses aws band which is different than almost all others for 4g. So you have to weigh your options
Sent from my Sensation using XDA App
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.
Click to expand...
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
Besides the US (and probably South Korea), does anyone know where the Gear S3 Frontier LTE is available?
Hard to locate
rodrigobarg said:
Besides the US (and probably South Korea), does anyone know where the Gear S3 Frontier LTE is available?
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Click to collapse
I got mine at T-Mobile. Had to open an account with them. I have all my other stuff at Verizon. But I think I can get a better price from the T. Looking into that. VZW is not carrying the S3 at this time, but it's my birthday and that is what I wanted.....
ishore99 said:
I got mine at T-Mobile. Had to open an account with them. I have all my other stuff at Verizon. But I think I can get a better price from the T. Looking into that. VZW is not carrying the S3 at this time, but it's my birthday and that is what I wanted.....
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I was just looking into getting one at t-mobile but the maximum data speed is 512kbs which isnt LTE so whats the point of the watch being lte capable if tmobile will restrict it to 3g speed.
saulc1981 said:
I was just looking into getting one at t-mobile but the maximum data speed is 512kbs which isnt LTE so whats the point of the watch being lte capable if tmobile will restrict it to 3g speed.
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That's plenty fast enough to do whatever task that'd be performed on a smartwatch. Heck, that's even fast enough for most smartphone duties.
T-Mobile charges $15/mo to those who don't have a smartphone line. If speed is that important to you, pay 3x more for 1 GB of high speed data to AT&T.
afblangley said:
That's plenty fast enough to do whatever task that'd be performed on a smartwatch. Heck, that's even fast enough for most smartphone duties.
T-Mobile charges $15/mo to those who don't have a smartphone line. If speed is that important to you, pay 3x more for 1 GB of high speed data to AT&T.
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Click to collapse
That is isnt fast enough for a smartphone especially when you are streaming full hd videos and what not. Thats why ive stuck with sprint they dont throttle my data or have to pay extra for full hd videos or have a hd day pass like tmobile does where you have to use an app to start hd streaming thats a joke. And the issue wasnt the price of the plan its the principal of the point that the full potential of the watch is not being used. You must have a flip phone if you think that speed is enough for a smartphone of today. Buffering most of the day.
rodrigobarg said:
Besides the US (and probably South Korea), does anyone know where the Gear S3 Frontier LTE is available?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey,you asking about the countries where the LTE is available? If you are wondering about where to buy in the US.
I just bought an ATT version from Best Buy for full retail (349). And plan on using it as non lte.
saulc1981 said:
That is isnt fast enough for a smartphone especially when you are streaming full hd videos and what not. Thats why ive stuck with sprint they dont throttle my data or have to pay extra for full hd videos or have a hd day pass like tmobile does where you have to use an app to start hd streaming thats a joke. And the issue wasnt the price of the plan its the principal of the point that the full potential of the watch is not being used. You must have a flip phone if you think that speed is enough for a smartphone of today. Buffering most of the day.
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Click to collapse
But Sprint doesn't have the gear S3. And either way my T-Mobile plan is unlimited no throttling and it's $5 to add the data plan to the Gear S3 and will you be really watching HD video on a smartwatch? I wonder if the throttle is for all TMobile plans or just their new unlimited one plan
Guys, I know it's available in the US, but it's not unlocked and not the same bands, but I was wondering if the gear s3 was available in the LTE version in other countries, and maybe even unlocked like you can find the S2 now.
rodrigobarg said:
Guys, I know it's available in the US, but it's not unlocked and not the same bands, but I was wondering if the gear s3 was available in the LTE version in other countries, and maybe even unlocked like you can find the S2 now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's more complicated than that. The S3 uses an embedded SIM, so the carriers activate it electronically. Therefore it won't work with other wireless providers even on the same network, like MVNOs. So the AT&T version won't work on Cricket, for example. I'm not even sure they'll activate it on a GoPhone plan.
afblangley said:
It's more complicated than that. The S3 uses an embedded SIM, so the carriers activate it electronically. Therefore it won't work with other wireless providers even on the same network, like MVNOs. So the AT&T version won't work on Cricket, for example. I'm not even sure they'll activate it on a GoPhone plan.
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Click to collapse
But if the watch is not locked to a carrier, could we not just take the watch to our carrier and ask them to activate the eSIM on the network?
I'm in the same boat as the OP but I'm thinking of ordering the LTE version from eBay which comes from South Korea. Apparently it is not carrier locked but I have no idea if I will be able to connect to the network of my local carrier.
Byte_76 said:
But if the watch is not locked to a carrier, could we not just take the watch to our carrier and ask them to activate the eSIM on the network?
I'm in the same boat as the OP but I'm thinking of ordering the LTE version from eBay which comes from South Korea. Apparently it is not carrier locked but I have no idea if I will be able to connect to the network of my local carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly, right now I only know the south Korean version is unlocked, but it seems to only support one band (b5 - 850 lte), so it doesn't even work on 3G networks here in brazil. The us versions from att and tmobile do support our 3g networks (850 and 2100), but they are not unlocked... Tough decision
According to the info that the eBay seller has listed, the Korean version supports the following bands:
LTE, 3G WCDMA, 3G UMTS: B1(2100), 4G LTE: B1(2100), B3(1800), B5(850)
Byte_76 said:
But if the watch is not locked to a carrier, could we not just take the watch to our carrier and ask them to activate the eSIM on the network?
I'm in the same boat as the OP but I'm thinking of ordering the LTE version from eBay which comes from South Korea. Apparently it is not carrier locked but I have no idea if I will be able to connect to the network of my local carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm late to the party and see there have been no posts in here for awhile. I didn't want to be an early adopter so I waited, I went through the Note 7 fiasco. Anyway, in order to save $50.00 I ordered the T-Mobile LTE version directly from Samsung and it's been on back-order for days!!! It's been out for months, I don't get it!! Most displeased!!!!
rodrigobarg said:
Guys, I know it's available in the US, but it's not unlocked and not the same bands, but I was wondering if the gear s3 was available in the LTE version in other countries, and maybe even unlocked like you can find the S2 now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rodrigo, I live in Argentina and purchased the AT&T LTE version from Best Buy in the USA.
Traditionally AT&T phones work well with the local LTE bands, so I imagine that if and when local carriers can work with embedded sim devices that they will be able to program mine.
By the way, I successfully unlocked my device by contacting AT&T.
So if in your country any local carrier works with the same LTE bands as AT&T, you can just get one from AT&T in the USA and unlock it.
Saludos