Ok, so I've searched all over and haven't had much luck. I have no experience with cdma phones, as t mobile is all I've ever had.
I was given a new US Cellular HTC Hero s. I opened it up and saw the sim slot and though, sweet I can replace my sensation with it (I smashed the screen pretty bad). Well, that was a no go, as the phone is cdma. Looking online though, I see it can run in gsm (options global mode, cdma mode, gsm / umts mode. I unlocked the bootloader using the htc site (not sure it matters) and popped in my sim card again, and tried both global and gsm mode, though neither got signal or would dial out. (under networks, it had the tmo apn info.)
So, is the GSM mode offered on this phone only for non US bands? Would a custom rom (now or down the road) allow it to work on tmo? I read something about the HTC Merge and someone being able to switch out the modem in the rom that allowed it to work in the US, but that is well beyond me. I can follow instructions, work ADB and flash roms.. but thats about it.
Is it possible, or will it soon be, to have this phone work on GSM or am I just stuck trying to sell it as a us cellular phone (or perhaps another cdma carrier.. like I said, I don't know anything about cdma)
As a Canadian I'm not sure about who owns US cellular or if they are their own company but I'm guessing they work like Verizon world phones. They have sim card slots but will work only outside of the US. If those verizon phones are used within the States, they will only pick up Verizon's frequency, as opposed to T-Mobile or AT&T where you can unlock them and use them with any GSM carrier within the States. But yeah, you can unlock it and it will work with any GSM carrier outside the States but within the States I think it will only work under US Cellular CDMA network...please correct me if I'm wrong.
That's right, u.s. cdma "world phones" have gsm radios but are locked down from connecting to gsm networks in the u.s. This is not just the normal sim lock found on gsm phones but they are hard coded to ignore u.s. gsm networks.
Some have been unlocked to work on any network through various methods including flashing a modem from a non-us varient of the same phone and other hacks. I can't comment specifically on this phone however.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Well, that points me in the right direction, and confirms what I read about swapping modems (on the other phone mentioned).
So basically it's software telling it not use a certain frequency, and not that the phone itself is incapable of picking it up (had my doubts about that)
Pretty shady the way phone companies are allowed to operate (don't get me started on my unlimited internet in my contract [pre data caps in tmo]. "Hey! check it out, this phone uses data 5 times faster than your old one, oh, and you get half as much too) sorry, end of rant.
I'll keep searching, and post if I find something..
On a side note, can cdma phones be flashed to another cdma carrier like verizon or sprint, or is it the same deal, coded to only use a certain frequency range?
only thing I've heard of is flashing sprint and verizon phones to cricket, metro pcs and boost.
Related
I know this is an odd request, but is there anyway to use the internet while talking on the phone. Normally I wouldn't care but I'm tired of the iPhone goons hassling me about it since those new commercials.
If not would there be a way if I unlocked my phone for GSM so I could talk on one frequency and surf on another?
Please direct me to a link if this has already been answered, I searched and didn't find anything.
Whoo boy, the old GSM vs. CDMA debate. No to your first question; it's a technology limitation of CDMA, which is why AT&T loves flaunting that fact. GSM also has the leg up in the number of simultaneous connections for conference calling. If you're looking for ammunition, CDMA generally enjoys better penetration of structures, and I know that I have found my service on Sprint to be stronger and much more reliable than my old plan with AT&T. Some people would even say that CDMA offers better call quality than GSM, but that's a huge debate with opinions on both sides. Also, GSM's encryption method was cracked recently, making calls potentially more vulnerable to eavesdropping. Finally, even when I had my old Tilt on AT&T I don't think I did too much surfing while talking on the phone; I really don't think it's as amazing a feature as they make it out to be.
For your second question, the CDMA Worldphone edition Touch Pro 2 used by Verizon and Sprint does have a GSM radio, but the question has been asked before if both networks can be used simultaneously and I believe the answer is always no. Anyone else feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
last I checked in order to use cdma/gsm phone networks at the same time can't you just pop in a sim card!!!!!
trogdor1138 said:
Whoo boy, the old GSM vs. CDMA debate. No to your first question; it's a technology limitation of CDMA, which is why AT&T loves flaunting that fact. GSM also has the leg up in the number of simultaneous connections for conference calling. If you're looking for ammunition, CDMA generally enjoys better penetration of structures, and I know that I have found my service on Sprint to be stronger and much more reliable than my old plan with AT&T. Some people would even say that CDMA offers better call quality than GSM, but that's a huge debate with opinions on both sides. Also, GSM's encryption method was cracked recently, making calls potentially more vulnerable to eavesdropping. Finally, even when I had my old Tilt on AT&T I don't think I did too much surfing while talking on the phone; I really don't think it's as amazing a feature as they make it out to be.
For your second question, the CDMA Worldphone edition Touch Pro 2 used by Verizon and Sprint does have a GSM radio, but the question has been asked before if both networks can be used simultaneously and I believe the answer is always no. Anyone else feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
one word IMPOSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!! GSM and CDMA are hardware radios an unlock is IMPOSSIBLE unless the phone is a world phone with both CDMA and GSM but your phone doesn't qualify so try getting a GSM/CDMA hybrid and then come back to me. However verizon will upgrade to LTE which is GSM based!!!!!!!! watch em LTE will allow voice and data at the same time. When LTE upgrade is complete say goodbye and good riddance to CDMA it will be shut down soon!!!!!
KW TP said:
I know this is an odd request, but is there anyway to use the internet while talking on the phone. Normally I wouldn't care but I'm tired of the iPhone goons hassling me about it since those new commercials.
If not would there be a way if I unlocked my phone for GSM so I could talk on one frequency and surf on another?
Please direct me to a link if this has already been answered, I searched and didn't find anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
qjsmartphone - I thought that the TP2 was a world phone and thus held both antennas for cdma and gsm?
trogdor1138 -thanks for the input.
now I'm with sprint, and they offer 4G. This may be an ignorant comment, but can't a world phone with both antenna's say call on cdma and use the 4G provided by sprint? Or am I missing something? I kind of new at this so forgive the question if it is stupid. If there is a wiki on it please give me the link and I will be glad to read up. Thanks
qjsmartphone said:
one word IMPOSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!! GSM and CDMA are hardware radios an unlock is IMPOSSIBLE unless the phone is a world phone with both CDMA and GSM but your phone doesn't qualify so try getting a GSM/CDMA hybrid and then come back to me. However verizon will upgrade to LTE which is GSM based!!!!!!!! watch em LTE will allow voice and data at the same time. When LTE upgrade is complete say goodbye and good riddance to CDMA it will be shut down soon!!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure what you are talking about, but CDMA variant of Touch Pro 2 does have both GSM and CDMA hardware in them.
Also, LTE and WiMAX is a two new 4G technologies that will eventually replace 3G data.
LTE is not based on GSM, they are two different communication technologies.
Back to OP's question, if you are using CDMA branded TP2 you cannot surf and talk at a same time. It is limitation on CDMA technology.
4G and 3G is not compatible, is your grandparent's old 2G phone do 3G? no.
How about your 3G phone accesing 2G? yes. Usually when newer technology is being deployed, they make sure that it is backward compatible, so that they can lower battery consumption and remain accessible to area where new technology is not yet available.
Just be near wifi and then show them you can surf while talking.
segadc said:
Just be near wifi and then show them you can surf while talking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like the way you think
Or pop in a ATT or T-mobile SIM card and switch to GSM mode. The phone IS capable of voice and data when using GSM.
isdnmatt said:
Or pop in a ATT or T-mobile SIM card and switch to GSM mode. The phone IS capable of voice and data when using GSM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll jump in here...
I thought Sprint/Verizon phones with both GSM/CDMA radios cannot use AT&T nor T-Mo SIM cards. I thought they only accepted the GSM SIM cards of countries outside the US.
Wait... HardSPL fixes that, doesn't it?... Oh well, I think I should stop stalking the CDMA forums when I have almost no idea on anything CDMA-related!
But, I'm still in favor of the WiFi suggestion!
mac people live in their own little world. don't let them bother you. sure, they can talk and surf the web at the same time...if they have 3g coverage. but there are areas where they have no coverage at all let alone 3g. then they can use the 'paper weight mode'. i also love how they tout their app store meanwhile we've had multiple wm app stores for years already. also i get to choose what apps i want to use without htc or sprint telling me what i'm allowed to.
segadc said:
Just be near wifi and then show them you can surf while talking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is what i would do
sumflipnol said:
I'll jump in here...
I thought Sprint/Verizon phones with both GSM/CDMA radios cannot use AT&T nor T-Mo SIM cards. I thought they only accepted the GSM SIM cards of countries outside the US.
Wait... HardSPL fixes that, doesn't it?... Oh well, I think I should stop stalking the CDMA forums when I have almost no idea on anything CDMA-related!
But, I'm still in favor of the WiFi suggestion!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think you can use any SIM card you want if you phone is SIM Unlocked
yes you can use any sim card if your phone is sim unlock buy the Sprint TP2 is not working with us 3G
unlock
I called up VZW and told them I was going to Europe and wanted to use prepaid SIM cards instead of paying Big Red the $$. They gave me the SIM unlock code and now I can use T-Mo or AT&T SIM cards with no problem. Only downside is that their GSM frequencies are slightly off from the rest of the world so no high-speed data when using VZW on GSM carrier in the states...
Nate
qjsmartphone said:
one word IMPOSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!! GSM and CDMA are hardware radios an unlock is IMPOSSIBLE unless the phone is a world phone with both CDMA and GSM but your phone doesn't qualify so try getting a GSM/CDMA hybrid and then come back to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The CDMA Touch Pro 2 *is* a dual mode world phone with both GSM and CDMA.
sumflipnol said:
I'll jump in here...
I thought Sprint/Verizon phones with both GSM/CDMA radios cannot use AT&T nor T-Mo SIM cards. I thought they only accepted the GSM SIM cards of countries outside the US.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Verizon TP2 has a simple SIM lock on it which is similar to standard GSM SIM locks. Remove the SIM lock and you can use any SIM card with a compatible network, including US networks.
The Sprint TP2 doesn't have a standard SIM lock, but instead has the US frequency bands disabled. Hence the need for a new radio.
Hello
It sucks being an european and to have a 4g/cdma phone because in my country (Romania) you dont have a cdma network
So as we all know the Thunderbolt has the same chipset as the Rezound so in theory it should be able to transform into a Global Phone.
My question is why didn't anyone do that and how i can make one myself if a dev dosent bother.
I feel it in my guts that this will work but i need some guidelines, or someone with actual knowledge to help me.
charris said:
Hello
It sucks being an european and to have a 4g/cdma phone because in my country (Romania) you dont have a cdma network
So as we all know the Thunderbolt has the same chipset as the Rezound so in theory it should be able to transform into a Global Phone.
My question is why didn't anyone do that and how i can make one myself if a dev dosent bother.
I feel it in my guts that this will work but i need some guidelines, or someone with actual knowledge to help me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thunderbolt doesn't have the hardware. Not possible.
and what hardware are you talking about?
Thunderbolt has a CDMA radio and an LTE radio. Global phones need a separate GSM radio to work in Europe. If it has an unlocked SIM, the Thunderbolt should work on any 700mhz band LTE network, but is incompatible with GSM on all levels.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
MDM 9600
Actually, the Thunderbolt has an MDM 9600 baseband chipset that supports Hspa and Hspa+ which is a technology that At&t and T-mobile uses for their data connections. So, I believe that if the LTE radio is backwards compatible with those frequencies of At&t or T-mobile that it might work. The thunderbolt has two antennas: one for strictly CDMA and the other for lte and backwards compatibility to gsm/hspa(+) from what I understand. From what I have read Verizon has just opted to not install the drivers to support the GSM/HSPA(+) side of things. That, and the MSM 8650 processor or other hardware in the Thunderbolt may not support it. Just because the modem supports GSM/HSPA(+) doesn't mean the phone will, but I do think that if someone really wanted to they could modify the thunderbolt to work on GSM. The may need more hardware, but I do not know.
I would post the link about the chipset I have, but sadly as a noob it will not let me.
P.S. Verizon allows you to log-in to your account and view the unlock code for the thunderbolts SIM yourself. You do not have to call them. I have not used another Carriers SIM in my Thunderbolt, but HAVE read about people who have in other threads. Verizon from what I understand and have read on other forums does not allow you to use USA SIM cards other than VERIZON'S own SIM. From what I have read, it only unlocks the phone to use foreign country SIMs only. From what I had read, once you use VERIZON'S SIM unlock procedures a NEW menu pops up in your network settings giving you the option to select to use GSM only. The same thread was speaking about the iphone 4s and the Thunderbolt and said that Verizon allows for both to be unlocked and used as World Phones. I will not know for sure until I see proof, but I do know that Verizon allows you to unlock the Thunderbolt's SIM to use on Foreign Networks.
The MDM9600 baseband definitely supports quad-band GSM. However, the RF transceiver in the Thunderbolt may or may not, and the power amplifiers definitely do not. You need all three in order for a mode & band to actually work on a device.
Not possible from a hardware point of view.
Hi all,
With Verizon releasing officially, the update making its SGS3 Global ready atleast for voice as of now, a lot of discussion is happening right now about the Global capabilities.
FYI. I'm a good reader and explorer on hofo,androidforums and xda. So any guidance is highly appreciated
So here is my question.
I have a Verizon S GS3. It is brand new.
1. Can I use it with Straight Talk T-Mobile SIM ( T-Mobile has good coverage near my house ) after doing the rooting, unlocking, etc. etc all the technical stuff
2. If I unlock the phone, will it be truly global capable, I mean, can I use my S GS3 on any GSM Network in the World, even in the USA, with 3G Speeds? Did anyone use it in any Country with 4G LTE Speeds?
3. I know this is really a very very strange question. But after unlocking the S GS3, will it be working on the AT&T LTE Netowrk in the USA? My thinking is, if it working in the LTE Network in the USA, then it will work in other countries as well, where LTE Network is going to be available in the future. Sorry, I know this is a bit weird.
If You can please refer and threads or links, it is fine with me. I'm also looking and not depending only on the answers that I get from this thread. But looking for replies/guidance/links though.
Thank You.
hope this is the answers you are looking for
qzmpal said:
Hi all,
With Verizon releasing officially, the update making its SGS3 Global ready atleast for voice as of now, a lot of discussion is happening right now about the Global capabilities.
FYI. I'm a good reader and explorer on hofo,androidforums and xda. So any guidance is highly appreciated
So here is my question.
I have a Verizon S GS3. It is brand new.
1. Can I use it with Straight Talk T-Mobile SIM ( T-Mobile has good coverage near my house ) after doing the rooting, unlocking, etc. etc all the technical stuff
2. If I unlock the phone, will it be truly global capable, I mean, can I use my S GS3 on any GSM Network in the World, even in the USA, with 3G Speeds? Did anyone use it in any Country with 4G LTE Speeds?
3. I know this is really a very very strange question. But after unlocking the S GS3, will it be working on the AT&T LTE Netowrk in the USA? My thinking is, if it working in the LTE Network in the USA, then it will work in other countries as well, where LTE Network is going to be available in the future. Sorry, I know this is a bit weird.
If You can please refer and threads or links, it is fine with me. I'm also looking and not depending only on the answers that I get from this thread. But looking for replies/guidance/links though.
Thank You.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
for Q1:yes you well be able to use any network... install any mod now most of them are already rooted and unlocked
for Q2:yes you can... all you need to ddo is to download a program called hiapn.. wipe the existing apn settings.. then auto detect and you are good to go 3g and hspa
Q3: yes it works thanks to the magic of hiapn software... but not many countrys use LTE .. usa canada japan and maybe few others
Verizon SGS3 on any GSM Carrier
Hi experts,
I have a small doubt here.
If the Verizon SGS3 can be used with any GSM Carrier around the world, then that means, the Verizon SGS3 can be used with AT&T or T-Mobile as well along with Verizon Network.
But the T-Mobile or AT&T Versions cannot be used on the Verizon's Network. Is that true?
I'm have got a traveling assignment coming up to Europe this Summer and I need to know what is the best possible solution out there before I leave.
Thank You.
Verizon's GS3 uses CDMA technology for the phone calling and data, as far as I know the SIM in the verizon version is only used for LTE.
From what I have read in forum posts, (this one in particular http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2013647) if you pop in a SIM card, calling and texting should work. If you want data to work then you need to change some APNs around. Stock touchwiz does not allow this so you would need an app to do that. AOSP ROMs should have a way for you to edit APNs.
On the topic of getting 4G on any other network besides Verizon, that is fairly unlikely as they all use different technologies/ bands. Verizon has LTE, T-Mobile has HSPA+, not entirely sure what AT&T has but I think its also LTE.
This phone will take any SIM card cut to micro-size.
3G+ speeds depends on the frequency the carrier uses. The VZW GS3 uses the following radio frequencies after the JB update: GPRS/EDGE/GSM (850/900/1800/1900); HSPA/UMTS (2100) [I had to search high and low to find this for my trip to China]
Each LTE carrier uses different radio frequencies, and global countries also use LTE frequencies different than the US ones. 4G is a very varied standard at the moment.
If you want fast internet on a non VZW carrier, it better have HSPA+, otherwise you are on 3G at best.
Right now, the only truely global phone is the iPhone5 on VZW, which supports 5 different LTE frequencies. Sad but true.
The US based SG3's dont even have the FM radio that the international versions have
Edge
Mix3d said:
This phone will take any SIM card cut to micro-size.
3G+ speeds depends on the frequency the carrier uses. The VZW GS3 uses the following radio frequencies after the JB update: GPRS/EDGE/GSM (850/900/1800/1900); HSPA/UMTS (2100) [I had to search high and low to find this for my trip to China]
Each LTE carrier uses different radio frequencies, and global countries also use LTE frequencies different than the US ones. 4G is a very varied standard at the moment.
If you want fast internet on a non VZW carrier, it better have HSPA+, otherwise you are on 3G at best.
Right now, the only truely global phone is the iPhone5 on VZW, which supports 5 different LTE frequencies. Sad but true.
The US based SG3's dont even have the FM radio that the international versions have
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, my girlfriend has a verizon s3 and with straight talk she is only on edge it never changes. It makes the phone nearly useless. Ive tried to talk her into letting me flash and unlock it but she isnt real interested in it. I dont even know forsure if unlocking the bootloader downgrading to 4.1.1 and using the att sim unlock method would work but I would assume that flashing it would allow you to at least get 3-4g. not?
After several long calls with Verizon and help from Motorola insiders, I have been given to understand that:
1. Droid Maxx if not activated on Verizon, before leaving US, cannot be used on other carriers (say in Europe or Asia).
The reason is the SIM unlock cannot be done by the customer support since they won't see the device in their network if it is not activated first.
2. The activation cannot happen outside US, since Verizon does not have a network.
So bottom line is get the device activated before you import it from US.
Now, my Droid Maxx is locked to Verizon. I know the boot loader can be unlocked. Will this help me in flashing something that can get rid of the SIM lock that Verizon has in place.
My device is an employee edition so perhaps there was some extra protection added there by Verizon.
Please help.
I do not have a Maxx, but I'm replying because you PM'd me asking to take a look at this thread..
It has been my experience that Verizon's 4GLte phones are sim unlocked (on the GSM side) out of the box. I thought that was a condition of VZW's 700Mhz spectrum auction win? One potential issue is does the phone support the needed bands out of the box (think Bionic where a hack was needed to enable bands needed for T-mobile).
That being said, if your Maxx is truly SIM LOCKED, then unlocking the bootloader wont help you SIM unlock, nor will flashing a 3rd party Rom after unlocking the bootloader.
where are you located, and who is your carrier? Do they use CDMA for voice, or GSM? What happens when you put a non-VZW sim in the phone?
KidJoe said:
I do not have a Maxx, but I'm replying because you PM'd me asking to take a look at this thread..
It has been my experience that Verizon's 4GLte phones are sim unlocked (on the GSM side) out of the box. I thought that was a condition of VZW's 700Mhz spectrum auction win? One potential issue is does the phone support the needed bands out of the box (think Bionic where a hack was needed to enable bands needed for T-mobile).
That being said, if your Maxx is truly SIM LOCKED, then unlocking the bootloader wont help you SIM unlock, nor will flashing a 3rd party Rom after unlocking the bootloader.
where are you located, and who is your carrier? Do they use CDMA for voice, or GSM? What happens when you put a non-VZW sim in the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Mark.
The phone Droid Maxx does support these bands since there are others who are using the same phone on GSM networks in the country.
The networks in India are:
2G capabilities GSM 900, GSM 1800
3G capabilities UMTS 2100
4G capabilities LTE 2300 (this one won't work with the phone, plus my carrier does not have it either)
The CDMA is CDMA 2000 - but I have not been able to try with a CDMA SIM, but that one has a higher probability of working.
When I put a non-VZ SIM, and set to Global mode, it does not detect any signal and the search network does pretty much nothing. The automatic mode tries to connect but then throws an error saying "can't connect to this network at this time"
I am using a brand new nano SIM card (which now is back in my Moto Defy with an adapter.)
Earlier I had a normal SIM converted to a nano SIM and that one did not work, but after I put in APN manually, I was able to access data.
I tried another user's cut-nano SIM and that one worked for data out of the box (another GSM provider).
Ditto for me, but I am using DroidMini... I also have DroidMAXX which is working great (even unlocked its BL and rooted it)...
I am also from India... Using it in GSM networks... I may get one Nano CDMA SIM to test later and will report here for sure...
Thanks...
kanagadeepan said:
Ditto for me, but I am using DroidMini... I also have DroidMAXX which is working great (even unlocked its BL and rooted it)...
I am also from India... Using it in GSM networks... I may get one Nano CDMA SIM to test later and will report here for sure...
Thanks...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, we have interacted on Rimweb recently.
The radio on the Droid series is the same. The difference between the mini and the maxx in your case is that the mini has never been activated on VZ network and hence it is SIM locked. Whereas, the Maxx would have been purchased as a used item (perhaps just activated and then sold off?). So that takes care of the SIM unlock part.
Yesterday I spend around 60 minutes with global support, VZ.
I escalated the issue to the supervisor.
He checked and said that the IMEI is clean and not in any sort of negative list. So there is nothing else that they can do.
He also said, the phones are unlocked by default for global use.
Obviously they don't want to dig deeper into why three phones are not working on GSM in India.
I am now running out of avenues. Does anyone have some debugging tool which can log what is happening when the phone tries to log on to the network?
s_u_n said:
Thanks Mark.
The phone Droid Maxx does support these bands since there are others who are using the same phone on GSM networks in the country.
The networks in India are:
2G capabilities GSM 900, GSM 1800
3G capabilities UMTS 2100
4G capabilities LTE 2300 (this one won't work with the phone, plus my carrier does not have it either)
The CDMA is CDMA 2000 - but I have not been able to try with a CDMA SIM, but that one has a higher probability of working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The current Droid Maxx that Verizon sells supports the following..
LTE Band 13/4 700/1700
EDGE/GSM: 850/900/1800/1900,
HSPA/UMTS: 850/900/1900/2100 (download speeds to 42.2 Mbps, upload speeds to 5.76 Mbps
From what you listed, the Maxx should get GSM/Edge/HSPA/UMTS coverage there. And of course, no LTE.
The CDMA side of the Verizon phones is still "locked" so I also would not expect CDMA to work. In other words, if your carrier NEEDS CDMA, stop trying.
s_u_n said:
When I put a non-VZ SIM, and set to Global mode, it does not detect any signal and the search network does pretty much nothing. The automatic mode tries to connect but then throws an error saying "can't connect to this network at this time"
I am using a brand new nano SIM card (which now is back in my Moto Defy with an adapter.)
Earlier I had a normal SIM converted to a nano SIM and that one did not work, but after I put in APN manually, I was able to access data.
I tried another user's cut-nano SIM and that one worked for data out of the box (another GSM provider).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been through this with some trying the Moto X in India, and I've been through it while trying my T-Mobile and ATT sim's in my Verizon Moto X.
From what you are describing, it sounds like your APN settings for your carrier on the phone are not set right.
Example... When I put my T-Mobile SIM into my Verizon Samsung Galaxy S4, I get "unknown sim" and bars, but no network connectivity. Nothing works. By going into the mobile network settings on the phone and adding an APN with the T-Mobile settings, features like calling, SMS, data, etc. start working. I have had occasions where I thought I had the APN right, as calls and data worked, but MMS only partially worked (would send but not receive). When I do have the settings right, everything works. Similar thing happens on my Moto X with T-Mobile SIM.
---------- Post added at 07:12 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:06 AM ----------
s_u_n said:
Yesterday I spend around 60 minutes with global support, VZ.
I escalated the issue to the supervisor.
He checked and said that the IMEI is clean and not in any sort of negative list. So there is nothing else that they can do.
He also said, the phones are unlocked by default for global use.
Obviously they don't want to dig deeper into why three phones are not working on GSM in India.
I am now running out of avenues. Does anyone have some debugging tool which can log what is happening when the phone tries to log on to the network?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless you have an active account with Verizon, and are trying to use their service when traveling, Verizon wont help you. In other words, unless you are trying to get your Verizon phone, working on Verizon's Global Roaming service, on your currently active Verizon account, they wont help you.
Even if you are a Verizon customer who is just traveling and popped out your VZW SIM in favor of using a local prepay sim to save data/voice costs, once you pop that VZW SIM out, they wont assist.
But you have received confirmation of what I said.. the GSM side is unlocked.
The SIM you are trying to use is from a GSM India carrier? As long as they only use GSM (no CDMA required), your only hope will be working with them. Telling them your phone is SIM Unlocked and going from there. Or finding a local message board for the carrier, and hope people are discussing use of "3rd party" phones, and you might get some help there.
I really think it will come down to the APN settings for the GSM carrier not being correct on the Maxx.
I can't offer any more than that. Sorry.
KidJoe said:
The current Droid Maxx that Verizon sells supports the following..
LTE Band 13/4 700/1700
EDGE/GSM: 850/900/1800/1900,
HSPA/UMTS: 850/900/1900/2100 (download speeds to 42.2 Mbps, upload speeds to 5.76 Mbps
From what you listed, the Maxx should get GSM/Edge/HSPA/UMTS coverage there. And of course, no LTE.
The CDMA side of the Verizon phones is still "locked" so I also would not expect CDMA to work. In other words, if your carrier NEEDS CDMA, stop trying.
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I have now put in a CDMA SIM card, but run into another problem with that. I will activate that SIM on another phone and then pop it in the Maxx again and check. But CDMA should work fine as reported by other users.
But the problem is the GSM part, because that is what we need to get working.
Unless you have an active account with Verizon, and are trying to use their service when traveling, Verizon wont help you. In other words, unless you are trying to get your Verizon phone, working on Verizon's Global Roaming service, on your currently active Verizon account, they wont help you.
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That is bad on the part of Verizon. I have purchased a Verizon device off-contract and that device is a global one. So I am entitled to some support from them even if I am without a service plan.
The SIM you are trying to use is from a GSM India carrier? As long as they only use GSM (no CDMA required), your only hope will be working with them. Telling them your phone is SIM Unlocked and going from there. Or finding a local message board for the carrier, and hope people are discussing use of "3rd party" phones, and you might get some help there.
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Yes. Local carrier. And for now, there are three such XDA members who have been facing the same issue. In one case, a member was able to make calls and receive calls and also use data. Then after a few minutes, the SIM invalid message popped up.
I really think it will come down to the APN settings for the GSM carrier not being correct on the Maxx.
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APN settings are pretty easy. I did that with my earlier SIM and I got data working. There was no voice, so I gave that SIM back to the carrier and got a brand new nano SIM. Now, nothing works. The old and new SIM are for the same number and same service provider.
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s_u_n said:
APN settings are pretty easy. I did that with my earlier SIM and I got data working. There was no voice, so I gave that SIM back to the carrier and got a brand new nano SIM. Now, nothing works. The old and new SIM are for the same number and same service provider.
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Right, you got just DATA working with the APN settings, but the correct APN settings are also needed for SMS, MMS, Phone calls, etc.
I've had an issue where I had voice but no data, and it was related to APN. I've had an issue where I had voice, SMS, data but no MMS, again, it was related to APN settings for the carrier you are using.
So good luck!
the problem we sorted out to get gsm working in india first the phone must be activated on usa to get it work on india so can anyone help us > @s_u_n
So, after using the phone for a week on GSM with all application updates installed, I can safely state that
1. Verizon activation is not needed for non-VZ networks to work (at least outside US).
2. A full FXZ was installed and it probably solved the modem configuration mess that the phone might have been. Perhaps it unlocked something?
3. Four corner activation bypass method was used (as described in earlier Motorola phones).
Either 2 or 3 solved the problem
There was nothing to do with APN. Data works even without any APN settings out here, just like on my Motorola Defy.
Hello! I have been at this for a week now.
This is my situation, I bought a fully unlocked dual sim wcdma phone (Mpie 909T) running 4.4.2 KitKat.
I want to use this phone on my straight talk plan, but I only get service from Verizon wireless where I live.
I did some searching and found that I could use a R-UIM card to pick up signal from Verizon BUT I can not find where to buy one at (unless I buy bulk for a couple hundo). So I'm at a loss. I didn't realize that I didn't get service from at&t or T-Mobile till I got the phone and went to the straight talk site and it told me to buy a sim card activation kit, (checked on AT&T site to make sure I would have service and it showed that I would)... so I went and bought the kit only to find out that they actually don't have service out here. ? so if there is no way to find a r-uim card, would there be a way to change the radio frequencies in the phone? But I would also need a MEID # to activate on straight talk CDMA (Verizon towers). Or can I get one of those sim read/writer kits on eBay and program it to work?
I have not rooted the phone yet.
PLEASE HELP!!! I love this phone!!
I've been using the phone via WiFi from my old dx2 that's currently active.
Sadly, you cannot access a CDMA2000 network like Verizon's from a device that does not have a CDMA2000 transceiver. CDMA2000 is technologically incompatible with GSM and UMTS (sometimes called WCDMA). There are some dual mode devices, but Verizon explicitly forbids non-Verizon devices on their network. Even if you could somehow get a RUIM for Verizon, and their blessing to use it, your phone would not work unless it specifically has a CDMA transceiver in it. (remember, CDMA and WCDMA are not the same)
You need a device that supports not only the right technologies, but also the right frequencies. Most Dual-SIM phones are based exclusively on GSM and UMTS/WCDMA, and often operate on frequencies that are not comparable with US GSM operators. AT&T operates on GSM850, GSM1900, UMTS850, UMTS1900, and several bands of LTE. T-mobile operates on GSM1900, UMTS1700, UMTS1900, and several bands of LTE as well. However, most networks outside the Americas use GSM900, GSM1800, UMTS2100, and LTE800, 1800, and 2600.
You can use a site called GSMArena to check which bands your device has. If you want to use a CDMA carrier (Verizon, Sprint, and many rural operators in the US), you generally have to buy a phone with their branding or one of their partners.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news
I have similar question. Since I am currently using ST with a Verizon phone ( CDMA) could I buy a new phone to replace current one ? And does it need to be another CDMA phone? And what is LOCKED/UNLOCKED have to do with it ?
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This is a very large problem. I am in the same boat. Up here, we have Verizon,and ATT. that's it. My first phone here was ATT. worked great in town. As soon as I got to my house dead.,... I bought a Nexus 6 popped the Verizon SIM in it called straight talk they registered me on Verizon's network and boom Full LTE, and VoLTE. My issue now though is I want to try other devices and it seems that the N6 is literally the only non branded phone I can use. There are some awesome new Chinese devices I would love to try and on paper have the correct signals but still claim no Verizon. I am frustrated and stumped after weeks of research and conflicting reports. Does anyone know what is going on? Thanks in advance