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Thunderbolt PRL update via Workshop

Hi, folks!
Nowadays, living outside the USA and purchased Thunderbolt as my second phone. In my country there're CDMA providers using 1x and EvDo tecnologies.
For previous models like Droid 2 etc updating PRL from CDMA Workshop or QPST working brilliant. BTW, is there such option in ThunderBolt to update PRL via workshop.
One more question as about 4G sim card. Does ThunderBolt works without it in Verizon network (even not 4G speed)
THX

The sim is required to use the.phone
The phone auto updates the prl upon reboot
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App

In other hands, it can easily enters the ##DIAG mode, gonna try it today or maybe tomorrow.
Will see

Have purchased RUIM card, voice is working, data is not,
Phone indicates on the lock screen "This SIM Card doesn't recognized (emergency calls only" but all voice calls are perfect.
Gonna think a little bit much more

Phone always try to use unexistant 4G data connection, tried to put it in only EvDo mode, all stuff is configured correctly in RUIM, checked it via ##778, but ThunderBolt never tries to connect via EvDo

vip7070 said:
Phone always try to use unexistant 4G data connection, tried to put it in only EvDo mode, all stuff is configured correctly in RUIM, checked it via ##778, but ThunderBolt never tries to connect via EvDo
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me too.

me too.no 1x data connection too.

vip7070 said:
Hi, folks!
Nowadays, living outside the USA and purchased Thunderbolt as my second phone. In my country there're CDMA providers using 1x and EvDo tecnologies.
For previous models like Droid 2 etc updating PRL from CDMA Workshop or QPST working brilliant. BTW, is there such option in ThunderBolt to update PRL via workshop.
One more question as about 4G sim card. Does ThunderBolt works without it in Verizon network (even not 4G speed)
THX
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it will not work on VZW's network without the SIM card, for the same reason it will not work on any other CDMA network at all. The TB is not a true CDMA phone in that it does not have an MEID number, which is the number that is hard coded and unique to every CDMA handset. Every phone has to have a unique identifier in order for the cell phone network to be able to identify that network device (otherwise the network would not have a clue who is talking to it, and vice-versa your phone would not know when it is being spoken to). In the case of the TB, this unique identifier is stored in the SIM card, not on the phone itself.
VZW is running a hybrid system of sorts in that the VZW system is generating an internal MEID for the TB for when it is on the CDMA network based on the SIM card that is currently installed in it. Without the sim card your phone has no ID, and without the verizon back end no CDMA network can translate the unique identifier on your SIM card into a usable MEID.

Nusince said:
No, it will not work on VZW's network without the SIM card, for the same reason it will not work on any other CDMA network at all. The TB is not a true CDMA phone in that it does not have an MEID number, which is the number that is hard coded and unique to every CDMA handset. Every phone has to have a unique identifier in order for the cell phone network to be able to identify that network device (otherwise the network would not have a clue who is talking to it, and vice-versa your phone would not know when it is being spoken to). In the case of the TB, this unique identifier is stored in the SIM card, not on the phone itself.
VZW is running a hybrid system of sorts in that the VZW system is generating an internal MEID for the TB for when it is on the CDMA network based on the SIM card that is currently installed in it. Without the sim card your phone has no ID, and without the verizon back end no CDMA network can translate the unique identifier on your SIM card into a usable MEID.
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Man, thank you for your reply, but as I say, I have purchased a RUIM card (looks like the sim card) from my local operator, everythins is OK except data. I mean I can easily call or receive a call or texe message, but data isn't working properly.
Moreover, can confirm that I can update network settings via ##778# (will see in snapshots). What is the way to make my data connection workin?
All additinal info with the proof of working in third party CDMA networks in the attachements.

I have alot of experience with things like this as I used to bring my Verizon phones to China when I visited my father. What you are going to need to do is find your providers settings and program them in via QPST. Once you get that all setup then you should be ok. That's how I do it atleast. I have a Thunderbolt as well and I thought about poking around with it the other day and then I connected it in CDMA Workshop to see whats in there.

So the thunderbolt can work with the RUIM card, if i get the ruim card..Can i change the prl on the thunderbolt since i cant change it on the verizon sim card

baboulou said:
So the thunderbolt can work with the RUIM card, if i get the ruim card..Can i change the prl on the thunderbolt since i cant change it on the verizon sim card
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Click to collapse
Definitely, you can try

the tb can be fully flashed to ntelos 3g data and all just use cdma workshop and the origonal 4g sim here's mine with bad esn (verizon) fully flashed (ntelos) http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/5774475447

vdub804 said:
the tb can be fully flashed to ntelos 3g data and all just use cdma workshop and the origonal 4g sim here's mine with bad esn (verizon) fully flashed (ntelos)
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I Can Confirm This Method Is Real I Have It Flashed Over To Cricket With VZW Sim Card Installed! Thanks Alot VDUB804

asteven23 said:
I Can Confirm This Method Is Real I Have It Flashed Over To Cricket With VZW Sim Card Installed! Thanks Alot VDUB804
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VDUB804 & asteven23 , can you guys share any info on how this was done please. i want to get TB on Sprint. I have experience repairing meid on the evo, i've done a few successfully with 3g and everything working. do i need to set the phone to requestnvitemwrite 0x2a then write the esn over using qpst since it does not actually have a 0xa1 meid or does it? on the evo you have to find all the MEIDs and ESNs, zero out, then flash. also would updating all the info under the mip tab get 3g to work...any help would be greatly appreciated guys. thanks.

Able to use 3G only without physical SIM card? Network debug menu?

Is there a way to use the phone without a SIM card? I don't have LTE in my area, and I keep getting the "no SIM Error" so was thinking that the SIM was useless anyways.
On the stock ROM every time I get the SIM error, or if I remove the SIM card itself, I get no data on the phone at all. When I try to turn on Mobile Data it prompts me to insert the SIM.
On other CUSTOM or JB ROMs, I don't get the SIM error prompt but I simply get no data.
On older Sprint phones, I know you can go into the DEBUG menu to see that EVDO/3G was actually being authenticated, the handshake was negotiated, then connection type/speed/tower/hand-off status, etc. Is there such an option with Verizon phones? I'm wondering if Data is completely shut off without the SIM, or if the data connection is actually established on the network but simply blocked from being used?
PS - per recommendation I have tried using the PHONE INFO app to switch the option to NV only, but am still getting no data. Voice/Text work perfectly.

black7 said:
Is there a way to use the phone without a SIM card? I don't have LTE in my area, and I keep getting the "no SIM Error" so was thinking that the SIM was useless anyways.
On the stock ROM every time I get the SIM error, or if I remove the SIM card itself, I get no data on the phone at all. When I try to turn on Mobile Data it prompts me to insert the SIM.
On other CUSTOM or JB ROMs, I don't get the SIM error prompt but I simply get no data.
On older Sprint phones, I know you can go into the DEBUG menu to see that EVDO/3G was actually being authenticated, the handshake was negotiated, then connection type/speed/tower/hand-off status, etc. Is there such an option with Verizon phones? I'm wondering if Data is completely shut off without the SIM, or if the data connection is actually established on the network but simply blocked from being used?
PS - per recommendation I have tried using the PHONE INFO app to switch the option to NV only, but am still getting no data. Voice/Text work perfectly.
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ASFAIK, the SIM does 3g and 4g. WHY? because 3g on the gs3 is ehrdp and that also requires a handshake between 3g and lte. I believe it is like using 3g tech but with the pipeline size of lte... or thats as far as I've read into it.

xicewallx said:
ASFAIK, the SIM does 3g and 4g. WHY? because 3g on the gs3 is ehrdp and that also requires a handshake between 3g and lte. I believe it is like using 3g tech but with the pipeline size of lte... or thats as far as I've read into it.
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Thanks for the info, xicewallx. I was afraid of that, however I've read of people flashing both Sprint and Verizon variants of the SGS3 to Boost, Straight Talk (CDMA), Verizon Pre-Paid which all I assume do not use LTE/SIM. I presume this means that the SGS3 can certainly use 3G without the need of the SIM card. I'm looking for a way to default to this on the SGS3 for us poor folk who do not have the luxury of LTE yet and have to deal with the SIM error until Verizon/Samsung fixes it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I was able to get to a debug screen using the IOTHiddenMenu option (through Any Cut) but it simply stated that EVDO was in "sleep state." I wasn't able to figure out how to get it to start a connection yet.

Go to the Verizon store and get a free SIM card? Why go through all of this trouble.
Sent from my Nexus 7

TheBiles said:
Go to the Verizon store and get a free SIM card? Why go through all of this trouble.
Sent from my Nexus 7
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Thanks for the suggestion. Issue is that the phone is having the NO SIM error randomly. Have already tried a different SIM from Verizon (friend's account) but still have that same issue.

black7 said:
Thanks for the suggestion. Issue is that the phone is having the NO SIM error randomly. Have already tried a different SIM from Verizon (friend's account) but still have that same issue.
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So get a new phone? That one is obviously faulty. Go get a free replacement. You have to live with it for 2 years. I wouldn't want a faulty device for a week let alone 2 years.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Are you in a poor signal area? Only time I've received the "No Sim" error was at my parents where the signal is crap. As for using it without the sim card, doubt that's possible since the sim is used for authentication if I'm not mistaken.

hello,
if i understand correctly, the sim card in the S3 is basically the same as all the previous world phones, meaning its just RUIM card. The MEID and IMEI are on the phone, the card it comes with is just basically a storage device in simple terms. can someone who has access to another verizon active S3 sim try putting the card into their phone and checking the IMEI that the phone reports? does swapping the cards change the IMEI in other words. I do not think it will, but interested to know for sure.
i just started playing with one of these, but i feel realy confident you can get non 4G services to work without a sim in it.
cheers,
disco

disco_y2k said:
hello,
if i understand correctly, the sim card in the S3 is basically the same as all the previous world phones, meaning its just RUIM card. The MEID and IMEI are on the phone, the card it comes with is just basically a storage device in simple terms. can someone who has access to another verizon active S3 sim try putting the card into their phone and checking the IMEI that the phone reports? does swapping the cards change the IMEI in other words. I do not think it will, but interested to know for sure.
i just started playing with one of these, but i feel realy confident you can get non 4G services to work without a sim in it.
cheers,
disco
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Click to collapse
You have it just about backwords. The sim is the real identifier on vzw 4g devices. You can take a working authorized sim and use it to activate another 4g Verizon phone and it will activate under the phone number associated with the sim.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

thats interesting, S3 still has an MEID also doesnt it?
thanks for the info!
cheers,
disco

disco_y2k said:
thats interesting, S3 still has an MEID also doesnt it?
thanks for the info!
cheers,
disco
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is still an ESN /MEID that the network uses to identify the phone for the CDMA side of the network. The process is all handled by the LTE SIM on LTE phones, though.
OP: You have a broken phone. The no-SIM error is not something that goes away. Take it to a store and get a new SIM and/or order a replacement.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

im gonna have to dig in some more i am still not convinced the card is not a ruim card. like the other sprint and verizon world fones the imea is in the fone im pretty sure, until you instroduce another networks actual gsm card. i still the card it comes with is a simple ruim that holds the login info and other data, etc, well you know what ruim is.
does anyone have a service manual or white papers on this one yet? i would love to read through them.
thanks again bro
cheers,
disco

I'm still looking for an answer to this if anyone has any suggestions. Any way to get 3G without a SIM card?

Did you ever get a new phone from Verizon? It seems like an issue with your phone, not the network.

I have been trying something similar along the way as I have been able to get rock solid data by switching to EvDo only using the Phone Info app.
I gave determined I am connecting to a US Cellular tower when I have solid data.
But while in EvDo only I cannot send or receive calls or texts.
I am looking for a way to enable calls and text while in EvDo only mode.
Not trying to highjack just thought this is somewhat related.

TheBiles said:
Did you ever get a new phone from Verizon? It seems like an issue with your phone, not the network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
New phone and new SIM from Verizon seems to have made the problem less apparent, but it still happens, especially when driving through areas where reception is a bit spotty. It's really become an issue as I rely on getting emails for business, especially while traveling, and I don't get notifications of new emails if I have no data service which I don't become aware of until I actually look at the phone. Missed a couple of important emails/meeting invites because of this already...
Brenardo said:
I have been trying something similar along the way as I have been able to get rock solid data by switching to EvDo only using the Phone Info app.
I gave determined I am connecting to a US Cellular tower when I have solid data.
But while in EvDo only I cannot send or receive calls or texts.
I am looking for a way to enable calls and text while in EvDo only mode.
Not trying to highjack just thought this is somewhat related.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be fantastic if you come across something that will allow voice/text/EvDO(3G)! Have you made any headway on this? Would be glad to help in any way I can also to get this working.

black7 said:
I'm still looking for an answer to this if anyone has any suggestions. Any way to get 3G without a SIM card?
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Click to collapse
I flashed a VZW GS3 to Sprint. 3G data is working fine w/o a SIM card. If I put a non activated VZW card, data doesn't work obviously.
The trick in getting this to work is to use QPST to configure Profile 0 and Profile 1. When flashing to Sprint or Boost, you must also load a Sprint PRL into the device using QPST.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2

AlpineMan said:
I flashed a VZW GS3 to Sprint. 3G data is working fine w/o a SIM card. If I put a non activated VZW card, data doesn't work obviously.
The trick in getting this to work is to use QPST to configure Profile 0 and Profile 1. When flashing to Sprint or Boost, you must also load a Sprint PRL into the device using QPST.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
Choose nv only, cdma evdo in phone info and program nv items and flash prl.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

jclendineng said:
Choose nv only, cdma evdo in phone info and program nv items and flash prl.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
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A little off subject but I how did you get it on sprint I'm trying to get mine on verizon prepaid and have it set to nv only. I must be missing somethin because my esn/meid all look right I get data but yet no calls

[Q] Switching from Sprint to AT&T?

Hey Folks,
I have a Nexus 5, which I bought from the Play store and have been using on Sprint for the past year. I'm switching carriers to AT&T and would like to know if my device will work on their network. I went to an AT&T store and tried swapping out my SIM for one of theres but the "AT&T" logo didn't show up on my phone and I wasn't able to use voice/text/data. Then, when I tried swapping my sprint SIM back in I had a ton of trouble, in the end, the sprint store had to factory reset my phone to get it to work again. I guess my question is, are there any specific settings that need to be changed or a specific manner in which i switch the SIM cards to get it to work on AT&T? A Sprint rep told me it work on AT&T but that can't be right, the phone is unlocked after all. Any and all input is welcomed!

A lot of people here use ATT me included. You'll have to change your APN to ATT. You also will have to give them your phones IMEI. After that you'll be all set.

theesotericone said:
A lot of people here use ATT me included. You'll have to change your APN to ATT. You also will have to give them your phones IMEI. After that you'll be all set.
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I used to switch sims between ting(sprint MVNO) and ATT since I work in areas sometimes that does not have att service, and I never had a problem going between the two. Did you try to reset the radio on the phone?

theesotericone said:
A lot of people here use ATT me included. You'll have to change your APN to ATT. You also will have to give them your phones IMEI. After that you'll be all set.
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Click to collapse
chapelfreak said:
I used to switch sims between ting(sprint MVNO) and ATT since I work in areas sometimes that does not have att service, and I never had a problem going between the two. Did you try to reset the radio on the phone?
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Hey guys,
I looked for APN settings on my phone and googled it but I couldn't find those options. I tried updating the profile before, updating the PRL, restarting it multiple times and turning the radio on and off. Also tried switching the network type between Global and LTE options multiple times, which only worked < 1% of the time. Finally, I went to the sprint store where they did a factory reset and now it only works on 3G (no LTE). This is a family plan where we're switching to ATT permanently. My sister is sending me some sort of "customized" SIM card for my phone (they took all of my phones info) that should work on ATT. When I go into ATT again to test out my phone, are there any specific settings I need to change or a certain manner in which I switch the SIM cards to test my phone if it works? I wanna test it with a random ATT sim first and not my "customized" SIM card because our ATT line isn't activated as yet, only sprint is.

PLEASE need sombodys HELP''invalid sim card after setting [iothiddenmenu] to LTE only

I am using Samsung j3 (2016) j320p which come with android 5.1.1,
my phone is carrier unlocked but i went in IOTHIDDENMENU >>testmodeMenu>>HW test>>LTE test and i rebooted the phone hoping to get 4G network signal but when the phone booted i had this error INVALID SIM CARD,,I tried to factory restore the phone but nothing happened ,please help guys
thank you very much

Try if it works in Safe Mode.
If it works, then wipe cache partition in recovery mode.

ze7zez said:
Try if it works in Safe Mode.
If it works, then wipe cache partition in recovery mode.
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Click to collapse
i did that but the problem still exist i have even try to install the official rom but nothing have changed,
it just says invalid sim card an give no dialog box or option to enter unlockcode,,
and mobile network option under settings is not seen

In the past 18 years with my old mobile provider (which got melted into o2 Germany in the past months) I had to change SIM cards when I bought phones with UMTS and (later) LTE.
So, does your SIM card support LTE? If not, ask your provider for a SIM exchange.
Your contract might also not allow LTE; some providers offer LTE as option with additional costs. Check this as well.
//HSishi

HSishi said:
In the past 18 years with my old mobile provider (which got melted into o2 Germany in the past months) I had to change SIM cards when I bought phones with UMTS and (later) LTE.
So, does your SIM card support LTE? If not, ask your provider for a SIM exchange.
Your contract might also not allow LTE; some providers offer LTE as option with additional costs. Check this as well.
//HSishi
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Click to collapse
yes my card supports LTE but i think sprint have locked the phone i cant use other carriers LTE

phinhokim said:
yes my card supports LTE but i think sprint have locked the phone i cant use other carriers LTE
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Click to collapse
After I checked Sprint's network coverage (--> http://coverage.sprint.com/IMPACT.jsp?INTNAV=MyS:Coverage:IWT ) I would say Sprint doesn't have contracts with other carriers which allow Sprint customers the useage of other network's LTE. Most areas are colored as "Off-network roaming".
Check your contract closely if there are any footnotes indicating "No LTE useage in non-Sprint networks" (they don't write it that short, though).

Problems with customized device and Sprint

I flashed the crDroid ROM onto my stock g7 Power, no problems. Flashed gApps and Magisk, everything ok. I did all of this while the device was unactivated and with the SIM card not in it. Everything works fine. But when I activated the device on the Sprint network and inserted the SIM card, I get no data. I know people have said you can manually edit the APNs in the Mobile Network settings, but the problem for me is, there is no APN option in that menu. However, when I remove the SIM card, I DO see the APN settings option there, but of course the whole menu is grayed out because the SIM card is removed. Has anyone else been able to customize and root one of these phones for use on the US Sprint network? Should I use a different ROM? Any suggestions would be helpful.

Tsuroshi said:
I flashed the crDroid ROM onto my stock g7 Power, no problems. Flashed gApps and Magisk, everything ok. I did all of this while the device was unactivated and with the SIM card not in it. Everything works fine. But when I activated the device on the Sprint network and inserted the SIM card, I get no data. I know people have said you can manually edit the APNs in the Mobile Network settings, but the problem for me is, there is no APN option in that menu. However, when I remove the SIM card, I DO see the APN settings option there, but of course the whole menu is grayed out because the SIM card is removed. Has anyone else been able to customize and root one of these phones for use on the US Sprint network? Should I use a different ROM? Any suggestions would be helpful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey there... This is just a possibility...
A while back, I put my sister's CDMA sim into a custom Rom-ed phone. Couldn't add an APN for the life of me. And then, duh , it turns out it was because the phone radio was set on LTE/UMTS (auto)... Is your radio set for LTE/CDMA?

motolio said:
Hey there... This is just a possibility...
A while back, I put my sister's CDMA sim into a custom Rom-ed phone. Couldn't add an APN for the life of me. And then, duh , it turns out it was because the phone radio was set on LTE/UMTS (auto)... Is your radio set for LTE/CDMA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Turns out it was on "LTE/CDMA/UMTS auto (PRL)". I changed it to "LTE/CDMA auto (PRL)" which is what the Sprint network uses, I'm pretty sure. That did seem to change some things, but I still don't see any APN settings and I still don't have data, unfortunately.* I think this ROM is just not set up to work on the Sprint network? Maybe I'll try flashing a different one.

Tsuroshi said:
Turns out it was on "LTE/CDMA/UMTS auto (PRL)". I changed it to "LTE/CDMA auto (PRL)" which is what the Sprint network uses, I'm pretty sure. That did seem to change some things, but I still don't see any APN settings and I still don't have data, unfortunately.* I think this ROM is just not set up to work on the Sprint network? Maybe I'll try flashing a different one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's a how to video on getting a working apn in a device. Works perfectly on my end.

Tsuroshi said:
I flashed the crDroid ROM onto my stock g7 Power, no problems. Flashed gApps and Magisk, everything ok. I did all of this while the device was unactivated and with the SIM card not in it. Everything works fine. But when I activated the device on the Sprint network and inserted the SIM card, I get no data. I know people have said you can manually edit the APNs in the Mobile Network settings, but the problem for me is, there is no APN option in that menu. However, when I remove the SIM card, I DO see the APN settings option there, but of course the whole menu is grayed out because the SIM card is removed. Has anyone else been able to customize and root one of these phones for use on the US Sprint network? Should I use a different ROM? Any suggestions would be helpful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you ever get it going? When I install Pixel Experience + I have no apns at all. Not in system/product/etc or product/etc which is where they are supposed to be located. So I just paste apn.conf.xml in the system/product/etc and set 0644 then go to networks and internet/mobile networks/access point names and hit reset to default and data's on , reboot afterwards and it's all fine. What's your model # on your device? Also are you sure your sim card isn't damaged? When they crack sometimes it's impossible to see with the naked eye. And technically you're not on Sprint anymore you're on T-Mobile because they finally finished the deal and Tmo now owns Sprint. (Which is a really good thing imo) ;p if and when you do get your issue resolved be sure and save your apn.conf.xml and upload it to Google drive or something so you'll have it if you need it again. I noticed that the first APN xml files I linked you to I had apn.config.xml for the name and that's not correct supposed to be apn.conf.xml My bad on that. Sometimes I drink a lot of coffee. [emoji41]
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app

Is sprint already not cdma?

motolio said:
Is sprint already not cdma?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No nothing has changed at this time. Sprint's still CDMA
Sent from my moto g(7) power using XDA-Developers Legacy app

flash713 said:
No nothing has changed at this time. Sprint's still CDMA
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Click to collapse
All cdma phones go both ways since around 2015 cdma phones don't use sim card for calling or texting if u use the data then u use sim card aka gsm.Sprint is not going to change for at least 3 years on there current phone plans as for going to gsm only do not know as most companies are fashing out cdma cause it old tec .That is what I have found out from T-Mobile web sight

roadkill42 said:
All cdma phones go both ways since around 2015 cdma phones don't use sim card for calling or texting if u use the data then u use sim card aka gsm.Sprint is not going to change for at least 3 years on there current phone plans as for going to gsm only do not know as most companies are fashing out cdma cause it old tec .That is what I have found out from T-Mobile web sight
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Please tell me more about CDMA also using GSM because they are two different technologies.. CDMA was used by USA military back in ww2 to send messages safely and GSM is what most the world uses. CDMA has always been more of a USA tech while GSM has always been pretty much what everyone else uses. They both send information in different ways. They do not work the same or together far as I know.
If you want to be more compatible with development use a GSM carrier like Metro, T-Mobile because GSM is what still rules the world far as phone tech goes. And we here in the USA only make up a small piece of the world far as development goes.