Database Info

AT&T 3g VS 4g SIM

I dropped by a local AT&T store to check out the Inspire and the sales rep mentioned that if I upgraded from my HTC Tilt 2, I needed to get a new SIM with a 4g data plan. He said that my existing SIM would not have access to any data in the Inspire. I doubt the SIM cards themselves are really different. They are just probably entered into the AT&T database under different data plans.
So if I do that, can I put the new 4g SIM back into my older HTC Tilt 2 and still get data?
I have to support many different phones and I need to be able to move my SIM around.

Man do they TRAIN these reps at all?
The 4G sim is for LTE. I have a 3G sim and my data works just fine.
The 4G sim is supposed to be backward compatible.

3g here working fine
Inspire (rooted)
Leedroid v2.0.0
TELUS kernel

i've got an old 3g sim and i've been connected to h+ with dl speeds upwards of 3.5 mb/s.
as stated, the 4g sim is for lte, not hspa+...the inspire doesn't even accept lte 4g.

The sales rep even showed my a memo in a book that stated the 3g SIM would not allow access to ANY data in the Inspire.
So it wasn't the sales rep's fault, he was given bad information.

DonS said:
The sales rep even showed my a memo in a book that stated the 3g SIM would not allow access to ANY data in the Inspire.
So it wasn't the sales rep's fault, he was given bad information.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gotcha. My sales guys said he was headed to a training on the new 4G phones this weekend. I knew more than he did

My rep never even mentioned having to change my data plan if I upgraded to 4G. He did, however, mention that they did need to train the reps on the phones that are released...it took him a few minutes to remove the battery door (I was so hoping he wouldn't scratch up the phone before I got to use it - but, he didn't), and I even had to tell him where the SIM and SD cards went (he was looking for it in the battery area, but I noticed there was a door at the bottom that might come off - BINGO!).
AT&T really does need to provide more training for the CS reps. I'm glad I didn't have to change anything; even found a feature I wasn't using that saved me $10 when he removed it (from when I was with Cingular). I also asked about state employee discounts, and am now getting a 15% discount off my monthly bill. SWEEEEEEEEEEET!

I just took the 3G SIM out of my Nexus One... handed it to the AT&T sales rep...and kept my unlimited data plan.
I get H+ and I get very good speeds with no issue at all. Hmm..

The training is there, but it's up to the reps to take it seriously. They had trainings before release on each new phone and detailed instructions to reference. Unfortunately, many just click through the training and ignore the instructions. Btw, every rep was trained regarding the differences between hpsa+ plans vs previous data plans as well as differences between sim cards.

I have the inspire and was having some issues with dropped calls and dropped data. When i talked to the store reps they didnt know anything (go figure) when i called the corporate tech guys they told me to look at my sim card. If there is a 25 in the serial number then i have the right sim card for the phone, that it is the one that will connect to 4g when it comes. I looked at the sim card i was using when i was having the problems and it didnt have the 25 in the numbers, but since i got a new one that does i havent had any issues.

This was a great question. I had had the captivate and while rooted was getting the h in my signal area, and when I upgrades to the inspiewss VERY. Shocked I didn't need a new sim. I remember when the 3g ones came out and what a big deal that was.. all very interesting

Specs say there no LTE chipset in the inspire 4G like the thunderbolt
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA Premium App

I moved from a 3Gs to my Inspire and didn't get a new sim. Just popped the one I had into my Inspire and told me I was good to go. I didn't have to get rid of unlimited data or anything.

haven't had issues with the sim card im my inspire....i've been using it for 3.5 years now.

Your "4G" sim will work in the Tilt 2 as a back-up. I did your exact upgrade (Tilt2-Inspire), and have popped the "4G" sim into my Tilt 2 to do a couple things on the network and it's worked just fine. My old 3G sim card was de-activated when I activated my "4G" so I can't speak to the Inspire working with a 3G sim. Might get better data speed till AT&T's real 4G comes online if it works though.
Like some of the others I was a little worried about losing unlimited when the CSR (did my upgrade over the phone) started talking about a new data plan, but at least this time they aren't stealing unlimited away from their customers.

I just upgraded to my inspire a week or so ago, and I have the same sim that was in my Iphone 3g. I do notice that me data connection is not stable, the speed fluctuates anywhere from .4 mbps to 6.5 mbps. Would the 4g sim cure this?

intermission said:
I just upgraded to my inspire a week or so ago, and I have the same sim that was in my Iphone 3g. I do notice that me data connection is not stable, the speed fluctuates anywhere from .4 mbps to 6.5 mbps. Would the 4g sim cure this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, the 4g sim does not have any effect on anything at this point. Same speed results and everything.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA Premium App

I used my micro-sim from my iphone 4 in my inspire and it worked perfectly. However i did get that new "4G" sim when i went to the ATT store bc i was told i needed it.

i just ran speed test....my sim card does say 3g i believe
anyways running 10 times these are my numbers
***3.5 mb/s down and 1.19 mb/s upload***
im using leedroid 3.0.3 with leedroid kernel 3.1.1

4g sim is for LTE only. There is no need for it in the inspire. Some of our reps are iPhone dumb.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

New SIM Card required.

So, I just got done chatting with AT&T customer service, via online chat, and I was asking questions about the phone constantly switching between HSDPA, and UMTS. I asked if this was normal, and she said mentioned that it is as they are upgrading the networks. She asked me for my zip, and did a check and said that they are currently working on upgrading in the area (Manhattan). She also did say that this phone will be able to connect to the LTE network when that is rolled out later this year (though from the sounds of it on this forum, that is highly unlikely).
Then, I asked about the SIM card. I mentioned I came from the Samsung Captivate, and that my SIM card says 3G on it. I said is this affecting my phone and contributing to my phone spending more time on UMTS than HSDPA? And her response was...
"Yes, you will need a new SIM card. If you can give me your address, I will be able to find a location in your area that can give you one free of charge."
I'm going into the store tomorrow to pick one up. Hell, why not?! Free and new is always good. Doubt it is the SIM, though it could help in the long run.
Thoughts?

AT&T needs to train their CSR staff. This phone won't do LTE and the 4g card won't make any difference.
Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

It is true you will need a 4g sim card to get LTE. The Inspire is only hsdpa+ 3.5G lol

klquicksall said:
It is true you will need a 4g sim card to get LTE. The Inspire is only hsdpa+ 3.5G lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3.5g is Hspa
hspa+ is 3.75

Well, I had the "captivate->inspire no mobile data" thing happen a couple of days ago, went to the store, dude did some stuff on the computer, didn't work, and the only thing left to do was to change the SIM card (from 3g to the new one), which worked.
So the moral of the story is you're better off having them give you a new sim, even if the old one still looks like it's working, even partially, as was the case for me.
Sent from my HTC Inspire using Tapatalk Pro

I'm using an old 3G sim that I don't even know where I got. LOL its been working just fine.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

This is all good info. Thanks all for sharing. I'd be curious to hear others experiences after using a newer SIM card.

When I got the phone a day early, the guy had problems registering the new sim so I'm just using my old 3G card. Runs fine, maybe slower without the build.prop edit but it doesn't matter much where I live. Do what works for you.
Sent from my HTC Inspire

No signal what so ever....
3G??

I just recently switched from a captivate to inspire at an ATT store. The salesman put in a new sim card in the inspire instead of putting my captivate sim card in. When I asked why, whether this is true or not and I question too, he told me that in order to get 4g connection, I need a new sim. He deactivated my old sim and told me to shred it. When I got home, I placed my old sim back in and sure enough it was deactivated. I then placed my new "4g sim in my captivate and it worked. " I would like to know if a deactivated sim can be reactivated before I dispose if it.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

cavsoldier19d said:
I just recently switched from a captivate to inspire at an ATT store. The salesman put in a new sim card in the inspire instead of putting my captivate sim card in. When I asked why, whether this is true or not and I question too, he told me that in order to get 4g connection, I need a new sim. He deactivated my old sim and told me to shred it. When I got home, I placed my old sim back in and sure enough it was deactivated. I then placed my new "4g sim in my captivate and it worked. " I would like to know if a deactivated sim can be reactivated before I dispose if it.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He was wrong about "needing a 4G SIM", but you can't reactivate a deprovisioned SIM.

Gotcha. That sux. I also asked the salesman if the inspire would connect to the LTE network when it rolls out and he said yes. Imo, if ATT current lineup of 4g phones won't connect to LTE, that is a class action lawsuit waiting to happen. ATT can't afford anymore negative publicity of these proportions. We can speculate, but in the end, we won't actually know until LTE goes live.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

Will connect, probably. Isn't LTE backward compatible with 3g?
Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

gunnyman said:
Will connect, probably. Isn't LTE backward compatible with 3g?
Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
From what I've read the networks are backward compatible to provide a seamless transition between networks, but a special chipset is still needed to connect to LTE, which as far as I know the Inspire doesn't have

cavsoldier19d said:
Gotcha. That sux. I also asked the salesman if the inspire would connect to the LTE network when it rolls out and he said yes. Imo, if ATT current lineup of 4g phones won't connect to LTE, that is a class action lawsuit waiting to happen. ATT can't afford anymore negative publicity of these proportions. We can speculate, but in the end, we won't actually know until LTE goes live.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well we know for a fact the inspire does not have an LTE radio, so that issue is for sure a "no". i really dont see much to back up a lawsuit though...

I think the key to your response is the statement "no current AT&T phones will ever be able to connect to the LTE network". I believe this was carefully and specifically worded, which leaves the techs in the store correct but misrepresenting what will happen. The phones will connect to the LTE towers because they will be the same towers as the 3G towers, but they will only connect as 3G devices with HSPA+ which means they could be capable of 4G speeds on these upgraded towers. It is true that they will not connect to the LTE network itself which I don't believe is really saying much. I doubt ATT is running multiple separate receivers on each tower for all their different network types. I would have to believe they are buying equipment that is capable of supporting their legacy phones while bringing new features in.
It still comes down to the same thing, if you were expecting an LTE feature on this phone in the future, you bought the wrong device. There is a reason the Thunderbolt is more expensive than the Evo and Inspire, it has an LTE chipset in it. Beyond that fact there really isn't a major difference between this phone and the Thunderbolt.

Just walked out of the store with a new "4G" SIM card. Yeah, from the sounds of it, especially after reading the comments here, all this SIM card is, is a re-branded one of the 3G card.
The only people that have told me this phone will not be able to access the LTE network are here on the forum. Thus, I trust this forum and the people here far more than any person at AT&T. Nevertheless, they absolutely need to differentiate between LTE and HSPA+. This is a fact: Every single person I have spoken to at a AT&T store in Manhattan, including the regional manager (whom set me up with this phone, for free, after my complaint about my previous phone to the CEO of AT&T wireless) has mentioned and specifically stated this phone will be able to access the LTE network.
It does not bother me one bit that I will in fact not be able to access the LTE network with this phone. No. I'm perfectly happy with the speeds now, and that I can access HSPA fine here in the city (when I am connected to HSPA, that is). In any case, by the time LTE is accessible to the masses, we'll be able to upgrade our phones. It will be quite sometime before most folks will ever be downloading with the speeds of LTE.
The real issue at hand now is being able to get the full upload/download speeds of HSPA as it still seems to be capped! One step at a time I guess. HSPA is available, I can access it fully throughout the city, however my upload speeds are still capped. This is the first hurdle to clear before going on to the next - LTE.

[Fix?] 4G Connect problems

This is a long shot, and no real proof here, but I've experienced 4g connection problems since I've owned my phone for the past 3 days. I finally chalked it up to not having 4g in my area, as my phone was only able to connect twice in the three days I owned it.
Okay, so on the third day, I decided to sell my Droid X. I got the DC, by opening a new phone line. I wanted my old phone number back on the DC, so I called vzw to make the switch for me. They told me I would need a new SIM card because its burned with the current phone number. I guess they are write once.. and that's it.
So I went to the vzw store, got the new SIM for free, and switched numbers with no problems. HOWEVER, since I've got this new card I have not dropped 4g once at my house! Dude. I'm so happy, and to think, I thought it was because there was no 4g @ my house. (vzw reps said I lived in a fringe area... which I do)
So did this new SIM fix my problems? Or was it just a network problem vzw experienced. With the old card it did everything I could think of. Reboot, reinsert the card, remove battery. So, reinserting the new card wasn't what fixed it.
Well, thought I would share this in hopes it might help someone.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk

Never hurts to try a new SIM, but I think when customer service on the GSM carriers tells you that, it's just a way to get you to shut up.
You only had the phone a few days, and frankly, Verizon's 4G service is flakey at best. I'm in a very strong 4G area most of the time, and I'll go from 30Mb/s downloads to no coverage for hours at a time some days. It's very frustrating.
Like I said above, never hurts to try a new SIM, but I think given your short duration with the phone and that you're on the "fringe" of a 4G area, it's just as likely there were network problems in general.
Either way, good to see another satisfied customer.

That's cool. I would be quick to say that I believe you're right. It's been up and down today, so that gives me reason to believe it's just the network and not so much anything to do with my phone SIM card or not.

Paying extra for Sim card?

The other day I was at Frys to look at the SR. They had the black one for $139.99. I looked at the tag and it said that they charge an extra $7 for the sim card.
I've been with att for almost forever and I don't think I've ever been charged for the sim card. Is this something new or is this something that Frys is doing?
Lets say I bought the phone and didn't buy the sim card from them, can I still use my old "3g" card and get the LTE speed if I am in a LTE area?

U have to call at&t if u u do that because you will have no data. They have to know you bought an lte phone or your data will not work at all. Alsoi went to at&t the gave me an lte sim card for free. But i dont think your 3g sim will work at all. Needs to be a 4g sim

silver03wrx said:
U have to call at&t if u u do that because you will have no data. They have to know you bought an lte phone or your data will not work at all. Alsoi went to at&t the gave me an lte sim card for free. But i dont think your 3g sim will work at all. Needs to be a 4g sim
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sim card has no bearing on data type. Just let att know you upgraded to an lte phone.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium

-Kevlar- said:
Sim card has no bearing on data type. Just let att know you upgraded to an lte phone.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
Not fully true, you have to get a new sim, they are called "4g" sims. or just you can just say plan sim card. also if you go to an att corp store you can get one for free!
Never go to a authorized retailer tho!!1 they will eff you stuff up!! ha
But you do need to get a new one to get faster internet speeds!
also you don't have to tell AT&t just use the phone for a day then they will send you a text saying, we see you're using a smart phone. to better server you we'll add the internet 2gb plan."
but if you want to start using the internet right away just call

Correct me if important wrong, but i think it matters what sim you have. I was on my old sim card and couldn't get LTE speed. Went to rogers bought an LTE sim...now on LTE speed.
Sent from my SGH-I727R

So I can put my 3g sim card on it but won't get LTE and just go to the att store and pick up the 4g card for free?

Saelee said:
So I can put my 3g sim card on it but won't get LTE and just go to the att store and pick up the 4g card for free?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oi, people these days...
Call AT&T and have them provision your line correctly, they have to add the LTE data plan for the radio to get LTE access.
It really doesn't matter what SIM you use, as long as they provision it correctly, but it is good to get a new SIM when you get a new phone... so yeah.
Only time you need a new SIM is on Verizon, for their LTE. ^^

You do need a new sim. If you were to plug in an older SIM, you would be able to text and make calls but you would have no data. If you go to an ATT store, they will replace your SIM with the LTE one for no charge, regardless of where you bought the phone. If you buy the phone from ATT they will do it when you get the phone. I have sold 3 skyrockets and none of them had worked with the older sims including my own. I do not know about other carriers and can only speak about ATT phones. I do not know about whether frys has to pay att per activation or for the sim cards, so that may be why they have to charge 7 dollars. If you do not want to pay the 7 dollar frys fee, then get the phone, head to the ATT store, then replace the SIM for free.
Even if ATT provisions the line correctly, the phone will not pick up the non lte sim card. I worked with the ATT sales tech on the day the skyrocket came out. He provisioned the line, plugged in my old sim, and it wouldnt pick up LTE. Then he realized they need to use the brand new stack of SIM cards, set up the new sim, plugged it in and I had blazing fast LTE.

jason.hamilton said:
You do need a new sim. If you were to plug in an older SIM, you would be able to text and make calls but you would have no data. If you go to an ATT store, they will replace your SIM with the LTE one for no charge, regardless of where you bought the phone. If you buy the phone from ATT they will do it when you get the phone. I have sold 3 skyrockets and none of them had worked with the older sims including my own. I do not know about other carriers and can only speak about ATT phones. I do not know about whether frys has to pay att per activation or for the sim cards, so that may be why they have to charge 7 dollars. If you do not want to pay the 7 dollar frys fee, then get the phone, head to the ATT store, then replace the SIM for free.
Even if ATT provisions the line correctly, the phone will not pick up the non lte sim card. I worked with the ATT sales tech on the day the skyrocket came out. He provisioned the line, plugged in my old sim, and it wouldnt pick up LTE. Then he realized they need to use the brand new stack of SIM cards, set up the new sim, plugged it in and I had blazing fast LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very true...
-sent from my Samsung Galaxy S2 Skyrocket

Att does have 4g sims but they still say 3g. But yes u do need the correct sim to get lte
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium

There's no such thing as an "LTE SIM Card". Plain and simple.
Normal size SIM cards are SKU 70357. Micro SIM cards are SKU 70290.
That's it folks.
The data plan is what has to be changed. For example, I took the SIM out of my Inspire and put it in my Skyrocket demo and got no data until I manually changed the IMEI to the Skyrocket.
Same SIM card, but a new data plan.
Oh, SIM cards are actually $25 and $35 for micro SIMs. Agents and ARs can charge if they want. COR stores shouldn't charge you, however.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium

Since we're on the topic of SIM cards and the data plans they use, I've got a couple questions I'm hoping you guys can answer:
I have an iPhone 4s which has my grandfathered unlimited plan. When I throw my 4s SIM into my skyrocket, I get 3g speeds (have to play with APN settings). Now, I don't have LTE in my area yet but with all this news of LTE springing up, I'm thinking it's coming soon. Here's what I want to do. I want to be able to switch from 4s to skyrocket freely without having to contact ATT everytime.
My questions:
1) Should I move my skyrocket to my main line to get a new sim to get LTE then cut it so it fits my 4s too?
2) Will the SIM work correctly in my 4s after changing to the LTE data plan?
3) Can I call att and have them switch my plan to LTE using the current microsim?
4) Will the 4s SIM and all the functionality work after making the change?
I'm hoping someone went through this already so I can get good advice. I may just have to be the guinea pig if not.

I don't know about you guys, but I am pretty sure my iphone 4s's micro sim isn't an lte sim card, and it works perfectly fine as long as it's positioned correctly.
For data, all you have to do is configure the media net apn
Edit: missed the guy's post above me, whoops!

I just got a Skyrocket today and I swapped my Infuse simple into it and it has been working perfectly. I am not in an LTE enabled area but the next time in am down in Manhattan I will test the speed.
Infused with Android DNA

If I use 3g sim card on this phone, will mobile data not work at all?

Not even at slower speed? AT&T said that mobile data doesn't work because it's a 3g sim and this is a LTE phone.

I use a 3G sim in my d821 and 3G works fine
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

tangosierra_ said:
I use a 3G sim in my d821 and 3G works fine
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you just popped the SIM in the phone and it works, or did you need to make some modifications to settings?

sbi1 said:
Not even at slower speed? AT&T said that mobile data doesn't work because it's a 3g sim and this is a LTE phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know specifically about AT&T network, but that sounds like a load of BS!
I've used a standard SIM, a few years old, so before 4g existed, which is data enabled in my N5 and have happily used 2g/3g/H/H+.
Only last week did I upgrade to a 4g contract with new SIM
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

ben_pyett said:
I don't know specifically about AT&T network, but that sounds like a load of BS!
I've used a standard SIM, a few years old, so before 4g existed, which is data enabled in my N5 and have happily used 2g/3g/H/H+.
Only last week did I upgrade to a 4g contract with new SIM
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course it's load of BS! We called again, asked to speak with a supervisor, but there are 4 people ahead of me, they immediately gave me a $30 credit for the data plan and sending me new SIM.
Still, that's BS, it should work without any problem.

sbi1 said:
So you just popped the SIM in the phone and it works, or did you need to make some modifications to settings?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep i did. I'm using the phone in singapore on a 3G plan and there's no modification to any settings needed (at least for my case). It should be the same throughout, the most would be having to set up apn and stuff.

Can someone explain, how this simcard bs goes in the usa? I realy try to understand, but the more I read about these data, 3g, 4g/lte posts it makes the less sense to me.
I have a 4 yours old sim card in my nexus, I made that to micro sim size by a microsim shape and scisors, and all 2g/3g/hspa,hspa+/4g/lte works witouth calling the provider for a new sim, or change some apn settings. Even if i go to austria I can get 2g/3g...lte with data without any problem with my simcard from hungary.
So how it goes in the usa?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app

bitdomo said:
Can someone explain, how this simcard bs goes in the usa? I realy try to understand, but the more I read about these data, 3g, 4g/lte posts it makes the less sense to me.
I have a 4 yours old sim card in my nexus, I made that to micro sim size by a microsim shape and scisors, and all 2g/3g/hspa,hspa+/4g/lte works witouth calling the provider for a new sim, or change some apn settings. Even if i go to austria I can get 2g/3g...lte with data without any problem with my simcard from hungary.
So how it goes in the usa?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
people, especially ill-informed consumers, get lied to by customer reps (or the customer reps are ill-informed themselves)
remember, two of the four major carriers (Verizon, Sprint) are CDMA, and they (used to) have total control over their phone selection... you can't bring your own phone to their service

paperWastage said:
people, especially ill-informed consumers, get lied to by customer reps (or the customer reps are ill-informed themselves)
remember, two of the four major carriers (Verizon, Sprint) are CDMA, and they (used to) have total control over their phone selection... you can't bring your own phone to their service
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you on the ill-informed consumers. This is my daughter's phone and unfortunately I am out of state this week on business and could not make the call to AT&T. My wife (who made the call to AT&T) and daughter do not have the same knowledge that I do and I know for a fact that they were given false (to say it nice; BULL****! to be politically incorrect) information and they have to leave with it until I find the time to call AT&T and "remind" them gently that I am out of contract on four lines, or until the new 'free' SIM that AT&T mailed will arrive.