Droid 2 Global - .629 band Unlocked Terrible Signal on Straight Talk Att Sim, Advice? - Droid 2 Global General

I got a Droid 2 Global from Ebay with the latest rom installed on it. I got the sim unlock code from Verizon. Then I band unlocked it. Got a straight Talk Att Sim with service in it. It is rooted but stock otherwise. I get 3g in Philly just fine and thought everything was good. In Philly the signal was really low usually around 2-3 bars and it would bounce between HSPDA and 3g a lot but was fine speeds were decent 700-1200kbs and I could make calls fine. However....
The phone is actually for my sister to use out in central NJ. Looking at the ATT GoPhone map it should have great coverage but the phone can't make calls at all many times in central NJ. To make things worse the phone will loose all signal and ask her if she wants to change from GSM only to Global mode. A lot of times she will hit OK and then will have to remember to go in the settings and change it back to GSM (which she forgets to do a lot so even if she is getting an Att signal it won't work). She had a Tmobile flip phone and said that got much better reception.
Normal Att phones work fine in her area but signal isn't the strongest for most carriers there. So it is either the phone or Straight talk att service. I have read nothing but good things about Straight Talk att service around the web as far as signal goes can't find a bad signal mention. 3g Speed is usually slower than true Att but reception is usually noted to be the same. If it is Straight talk that is the issue I can just get her a prepaid Tmobile Sim and she should be fine on Edge with Opera Mini. She doesn't use the web a lot.
Or is the phone's GSM reception really bad and should I just get an Att phone. If so does the Droid 2 global get bad reception overseas too. That would really suck as the Droid 2 Global is an unbeatable bargain at 100$. I got the extended battery for it and it lasts 2 days of hard use... when it gets a signal.
Does anyone have any thoughts on the matter. I used the trick that supposedly boosts the GSM signal and the trick to change the plist file to get the missing bars back by changing a verizon key setting. But it didn't change anything, I think that was a "bug" verizon fixed with the latest version of Gingerbread on the phone. It would help a little if I could at least stop that screen from showing up asking if she would like to change from GSM to Global when she looses her signal. I looked on the web but folks said that couldn't be removed even if rooted. Any help or input would be appreciated. Most important thing for her is reliable voice not data. This is driving me nuts and I don't want to waste any more money on a lost cause.

Did you edit /system/build.prop and set ro.mot.phonemode.vzwglobalphone to 0? If yes it might just be AT&T's network.
I use my D2G in Japan and Russia and I have no issues with UMTS and HSPA.

Gasai Yuno said:
Did you edit /system/build.prop and set ro.mot.phonemode.vzwglobalphone to 0? If yes it might just be AT&T's network.
I use my D2G in Japan and Russia and I have no issues with UMTS and HSPA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that is the build prop setting I changed. It didn't make any difference whatsoever. I think Verizon may have "fixed" it in the newest rom.

Yianaki said:
Yes that is the build prop setting I changed. It didn't make any difference whatsoever. I think Verizon may have "fixed" it in the newest rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In case anyone takes a gander at this thread just like to say that the phone's GSM radios are slightly worse than others made actually for GSM. So if you live in an area with great reception you will never notice it. If you live in a place with iffy reception it may not connect at all.
I tested by running around with a new samsung dumbphone and could make calls in places where the unlocked Droid 2 Global couldn't swapping the Straight talk sim. Droid 2 would drop calls in central Jersey more than the dumbphone..

My D2G actually works better on GSM than my old Nokia 9300 and Motorola V547.
And I have yet to learn what a “dropped call” is.
Do note that I often find myself at least 30 km away from the nearest village here in the forest, and the cell towers are a few and far between. The D2G, though, keeps its 3G at at least 2 bars.

Gasai Yuno said:
My D2G actually works better on GSM than my old Nokia 9300 and Motorola V547.
And I have yet to learn what a “dropped call” is.
Do note that I often find myself at least 30 km away from the nearest village here in the forest, and the cell towers are a few and far between. The D2G, though, keeps its 3G at at least 2 bars.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, if the user is (US) band-unlocked, doesn't that mean that he is using the older radio firmware (.330 at best)? GSM performance got better with the later releases, although many had no issues with the earlier versions.

Yeah, you're right. In my experience 2.4.x's radio firmware was a bit lacking in terms of stability on GSM.

Related

[Q] Question about vodafone uk

What's vodafone uk like for updates? I've no experience with them though I can't see them any worse than tmob. Colchester vodafone have 8 in store with only one purchase today... really tempted but not sure about their service and signal
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Barff1984 said:
What's vodafone uk like for updates? I've no experience with them though I can't see them any worse than tmob. Colchester vodafone have 8 in store with only one purchase today... really tempted but not sure about their service and signal
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Been a long time since I used Vodafone so I can't really comment on their service but if you are interested in signal why don't you do what I did and get yourself a PAYG SIM and test it out? I put £10 on the card and that got me free Internet for the month plus I still had my £10.
Because I don't have the patience Lol
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Barff1984 said:
Because I don't have the patience Lol
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol. Well after going from bad with T-Mobile to atrocious with O2 I'm taking the time to test things out this time.
In terms of signal, Vodafone give you 7 days from the date of receiving your phone to test the signal and you can return the phone and cancel your contract within that time if you're not happy. I have been told this in store, and also via a salesperson using online chat via their website.
I've just gone from T-Mobile to Vodafone, and already I can tell that's it's a better service. Better signal at home, and a "H" symbol in my status bar more of the time.
sjgore said:
In terms of signal, Vodafone give you 7 days from the date of receiving your phone to test the signal and you can return the phone and cancel your contract within that time if you're not happy. I have been told this in store, and also via a salesperson using online chat via their website.
I've just gone from T-Mobile to Vodafone, and already I can tell that's it's a better service. Better signal at home, and a "H" symbol in my status bar more of the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's a good sign then. Still don't want to have to rely on voda for updates though. But after checking my local's stock, looks like they're branded.
I guess i'm covering all angles because i imagine this phone is going to be locked for a few months before we can start to root it.
They were the fastest to update the desire to 2.2, and have just entered a partnership with google, htc, samsung, sprint verizon and other manufacturers to provide updates for 18 months after released, announced at google io, as far as I saw the only uk network to do so.
Got my sgs2 on vodafone and I get h+ almost everywhere I go.
Best network as far as I'm concerned.
Swyped from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Good thread. Guys, how's your reception inside the buildings? I mean ones with metal carcass and concrete, like supermarkets, warehouses etc? I don't care about 3g IN the buildings as i have access to wifi, but ANY signal is a must. Thanks.
P.S. Currently with 3uk, and i can't fault them, always treated me well, and had decent signal, but for a few months now loosing reception at work and in certain buildings.
tinky1 said:
P.S. Currently with 3uk, and i can't fault them, always treated me well, and had decent signal, but for a few months now loosing reception at work and in certain buildings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Three started turning off their 2G fallback to the Orange network late last year in areas where they believed that their 3G network was strong enough so that could be the cause of your problem.
In addition Orange and T-Mobile are now working to combine their networks and they are switching off transmitters where they believe they have adequate coverage from one network.
They should be doing this for 2G transmitters at the moment and it could be that the Orange 2G fallback transmitter that Three was using is simply no longer functioning in the area where you work.
I think that Orange and T-Mobile will combine their 3G networks sometime this year and then start switching off 3G transmitters too. Three and T-Mobile have a 3G network sharing agreement but at the moment it doesn't extend to Orange and Three so that could put Three in a worse position once it happens since an Orange 3G mast could replace a T-Mobile one.
There is a possibility that all three networks will combine their assets to produce a single 3G network infrastructure but I haven't seen anything about that yet. Without such an agreement, once the consolidation is over, T-Mobile should emerge with the best network of the three since in addition to it's own network it will have a 2G and 3G sharing agreement with Orange plus a 3G sharing agreement with Three.
DuoM said:
Three started turning off their 2G fallback to the Orange network late last year in areas where they believed that their 3G network was strong enough so that could be the cause of your problem.
In addition Orange and T-Mobile are now working to combine their networks and they are switching off transmitters where they believe they have adequate coverage from one network.
They should be doing this for 2G transmitters at the moment and it could be that the Orange 2G fallback transmitter that Three was using is simply no longer functioning in the area where you work.
I think that Orange and T-Mobile will combine their 3G networks sometime this year and then start switching off 3G transmitters too. Three and T-Mobile have a 3G network sharing agreement but at the moment it doesn't extend to Orange and Three so that could put Three in a worse position once it happens since an Orange 3G mast could replace a T-Mobile one.
There is a possibility that all three networks will combine their assets to produce a single 3G network infrastructure but I haven't seen anything about that yet. Without such an agreement, once the consolidation is over, T-Mobile should emerge with the best network of the three since in addition to it's own network it will have a 2G and 3G sharing agreement with Orange plus a 3G sharing agreement with Three.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are affected by this either at home or at work you should call them up and see what they can do for you.
I have. So far got nowhere, they are asking for 99 pounds to terminate contract. Don't think its fair, as I loose reception when I need it most ie when not with the family. Waiting for reply from exec office. I know about Orange agreement they have. They indeed turned off roaming in my area late last year, but reception was still ok'ish, at least I didn't loose it completely. Then early this year I started experiencing problems.
Going to networks again. I does look like T-Mobile is going to have best coverage, but that's on paper, as you know in reality reception can be affected by many factors. My next provider is going to be either O2, voda or T-Mobile as all of them have 2g which has better penetration of the buildings. Hmmm, tough one....
DuoM said:
If you are affected by this either at home or at work you should call them up and see what they can do for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
tinky1 said:
I have. So far got nowhere, they are asking for 99 pounds to terminate contract. Don't think its fair, as I loose reception when I need it most ie when not with the family. Waiting for reply from exec office. I know about Orange agreement they have. They indeed turned off roaming in my area late last year, but reception was still ok'ish, at least I didn't loose it completely. Then early this year I started experiencing problems.
Going to networks again. I does look like T-Mobile is going to have best coverage, but that's on paper, as you know in reality reception can be affected by many factors. My next provider is going to be either O2, voda or T-Mobile as all of them have 2g which has better penetration of the buildings. Hmmm, tough one....
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That doesn't sound fair at all. I would have expected them to allow you to terminate your contract or offer you compensation if you decided to stay with them (or a signal booster). I hope you can sort something out with them.
I forgot that we are in Q2 already and from what I can see the 3G merger is well underway and this includes shutting down 3G transmitters where others cover the same area. It could be that you were using a T-Mobile transmitter at work before and now you are using a Three or T-Mobile transmitter that doesn't penetrate as well due to distance or whatever.
As for networks in general I only meant that it looks like T-Mobile will have the best network out of Three, Orange and T-Mobile. I don't know about Vodafone and O2 although I can say that my experience with O2 has been pretty dismal overall (apart from the deal I got).
O2 problems I (and others) have experienced include the phones not ringing for 1/2 -> 2/3 of the of the period that the caller hears them ringing for, calls being sent to voicemail or callers being told that they cannot be connected and then not being given the option of going to voicemail even though the phone is sitting there with full connectivity (e.g. I can then make calls and I have full data connectivity and can download at 2.5 Mbps). I think they have general network capacity problems. For me, with O2, data is poor voice is worse.
I started testing a Three SIM last night and it seems about as good as T-Mobile in my house for data downloads (poor) but with strangely fast for uploads; plus it stays on HSDPA all the time while the T-Mobile SIM flips between 3G and HSDPA meaning that the data flow keeps pausing on T-Mobile but not on Three. Signal strength appears to be the same though but it just works better on Three. So now I just have Orange to go. The problem with choosing any of those three is that things could change tomorrow as Orange and T-Mobile adjust their networks and if I choose the strongest of the three I could suddenly end up in a worse position.
EDIT: I forgot to add that so far Vodafone have been head and shoulders above the other networks in my testing.
For the original poster. Voda siginal used to be good in colchester, but i moved to tmobile and they are better still, especially now they use orange too.
Sent from my Milestone using XDA App

just got gx2 having some issues

I just got the phone today me and fiance both got same phone we were told our area had 3g coverage i contacted tmobile support and the tech stated it is not availabe he actually suggested we seek another carrier anyone have any suggestions to getting better quality signal and data...
Since you bought it from Tmob you should ask and get the unlock codes for free and also should be opt out of the early contract termination fee as well because it was not your fault about the coverage area. Don't let them push you around. Stick to your guns that the tmob rep said you would have 3G and yet you do not.
Check with ATT and see if they have better coverage in your area. The G2X can work on ATT networks as well but you would have to do some research on the settings and etc.
Thats my two cents if your gonna leave Tmob and keep the phones.
As for getting better reception or data signal theres pretty much nothing you can do to make it better if the towers aren't there.
fabricatedhero said:
Since you bought it.......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree with all that, maybe you can get the phone as a Standard rate plan, which they don't offer with smart phones. You can then use it wifi all over the place. And when the merger hits, you might get better reception if they can share antenna....though some say the G2x will not work on any 3G ATT signals.
thanks for the responses
Yea ive been searching around seeing if there was a fix or noticable difference in rooted pre gb releases for better sig/data strength and such i even caled tmo when i got home and spoke with tech rep and he suggested that i just return devices and go to a diff network I felt that was a horrible way to represent the company. Didnt even try or make a feeble attempt to troubleshoot just blew it off to ah well you dont get 3g in your area so to bad basically.
fabricatedhero said:
Since you bought it from Tmob you should ask and get the unlock codes for free and also should be opt out of the early contract termination fee as well because it was not your fault about the coverage area. Don't let them push you around. Stick to your guns that the tmob rep said you would have 3G and yet you do not.
Check with ATT and see if they have better coverage in your area. The G2X can work on ATT networks as well but you would have to do some research on the settings and etc.
Thats my two cents if your gonna leave Tmob and keep the phones.
As for getting better reception or data signal theres pretty much nothing you can do to make it better if the towers aren't there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the G2X only works on the 1700mhz 3G band. ATT does not use this band so he would be stuck on 2g, which is exactly the problem he's having with tmobs now.
well i should have gone further in to detail
The issue is in the store i was told that i would be in a 3g area once i got home i was only staring at the letter G on the highway i had 2G but at home now even outside I am at G and tech on the phone said i was in 2g area then proceeded to tell me i should look in to another company problem is ive tried verizon which is incredible service horrible support and sprint which had great customer service but horrid service I can travel to mount vernon and data roam.
knickfan5745 said:
Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the G2X only works on the 1700mhz 3G band. ATT does not use this band so he would be stuck on 2g, which is exactly the problem he's having with tmobs now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm you might be right and i have to retract my statement cuz now ever since the phone was released it showed that it was quad band and had both bands for tmob and ATT for 2g/3g/4g bands and now LG says its not.
Even Tmobs site showed it had that capability. I'm reading into it now. Thanks for the refresh course.
No one suggested WiFi Calling? I use it at work and its awesome. Really cuts down on battery usage too. Plus WiFi Calling is now FREE on Tmobile so why WOULDN'T you want to use it at home or at work?
Beats paying AT&T for a $100 WiFi Extender and having it come out of your bank of minutes.
Plus WiFi Calling works over standard WiFi, so even at McDonalds it will work.
Of course this is under the assumption that there IS some coverage around your home. If there was NO service then I would probably just look elsewhere. If you can at least make calls in your neighborhood and calls, text, and surf the web at home (using WiFi Calling and WiFi) then that isn't so bad. Text messages work on any network grade. The only issue you'd have with a slower network is data. But if there is decent service "around" your house, then WiFi calling works wonders to make sure you are online around your home.
It would actually be kinda cool to reply on a WiFi router for service because at 10pm I could just pull the plug and cells go off. No kids texting at 2am.
fabricatedhero said:
Hmmm you might be right and i have to retract my statement cuz now ever since the phone was released it showed that it was quad band and had both bands for tmob and ATT for 2g/3g/4g bands and now LG says its not.
Even Tmobs site showed it had that capability. I'm reading into it now. Thanks for the refresh course.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No one really knows but Tmobile is releasing lots of "Quad-band" phones in the event the AT&T merger goes through. They've even stated they ONCE the merger goes through, they will unlock the other frequencies.
So while there is no absolute answer whether our phones are truely quad-band until we crack it open and actually test, it would be odd that it passed FCC, had it listed on the website, and touted as one of the biggest features... only to NOT have no such hardware.
Makes more sense that Tmobile just "locked it up" for now.
mikeew83 said:
Yea ive been searching around seeing if there was a fix or noticable difference in rooted pre gb releases for better sig/data strength and such i even caled tmo when i got home and spoke with tech rep and he suggested that i just return devices and go to a diff network I felt that was a horrible way to represent the company. Didnt even try or make a feeble attempt to troubleshoot just blew it off to ah well you dont get 3g in your area so to bad basically.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There really isn't much the csr over the phone can do. If you don't have service the person on the phone can't magically teleport a tower into your hood.
They offered you the chance to return the phone and get your money back. How else would you like them to proceed when they can't provide you with service?
Thanks all for the responses
Yea thats what ive been doing just got it set up to wifi in the house honestly out and about not that big an issue as i already have everything i need on the phone at that point unless its a game using data based connectivity which i can deal the phone in itself is just to nice for me to let go of and as for the last post honestly youve waited your breathe and I dont appreciate the rudeness really there is no magic tmo fairy to pop out of my ass and stick a new tower in my back yard gosh there goes that idea. but yea def love the phone testing out root lol i couldnt wait day 1 rooted and working on a good rom/kernel combo in the near future you can look forward to me buildling from aosp soon as this has been something i have been nearing for quite a while now just couldnt find a decent enough phone to dev on so be on the look out for the Triumph Rom coming soon to your neck of the woods.
I was rude? I thought I was just being logical and asked what you would have done if you were the csr.
I'm glad you are at least trying the phone out via wifi, 99% of the people here would have ditched it.
well if i mistook you i apologize
But i def would not recommend someone leave my business for another without prior checking thoroughly to see what other options there may be this guy spent 5 minutes on the phone with me he was in tech support and did no do any literally anything to troubleshoot why i was listed in a 2g area but only getting 1g was my big issue but honestly ill take this over sprint any day i cannot leave the house 5 minutes in any direction without data roaming so just pushed over dark and sin with faux kernel going to set it up and test drive I will be working up some gb roms once official release is out which from the reads i have found is only sometime soon. heres to hoping.

Using an unlocked Inspire in Europe

I will be travelling to Europe in the next few weeks, and have some questions about using my inspire.
I have already unlocked my phone by calling AT&T and getting the code, then inserting another SIM, and entering the code. So I am good to go in that regard.
When I get to Europe, I just buy a SIM card and put it in the phone, which will allow me to make calls. What about overseas calls?
What about data? Do the SIM cards allow you to access data? Will I get 4G, or be restricted to Edge?
Honestly, I am more interested in Data than voice, as I am more likely to send/receive e-mails that call.
Would I be better off signing up temporarility with one of the AT&T international plans?
Thanks!
f308gt4 said:
I will be travelling to Europe in the next few weeks, and have some questions about using my inspire.
I have already unlocked my phone by calling AT&T and getting the code, then inserting another SIM, and entering the code. So I am good to go in that regard.
When I get to Europe, I just buy a SIM card and put it in the phone, which will allow me to make calls. What about overseas calls?
What about data? Do the SIM cards allow you to access data? Will I get 4G, or be restricted to Edge?
Honestly, I am more interested in Data than voice, as I am more likely to send/receive e-mails that call.
Would I be better off signing up temporarility with one of the AT&T international plans?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Research the area you are going and find which the carriers are and see who's related to who. If you find a carrier thats somewhat related to att you may get 3g or 4g, but T-Mobile you'll get edge. Also call or get in contact with carrier and see what they have, dunno how it works overseas cuz i never really been overseas with my phone. Hope it helps and if anyone see anything I mentioned that's wrong you're welcome to A) correct me and B) call me mean evil names =D
Sent from my MIUI HTC Desire HD
bluizzo said:
Research the area you are going and find which the carriers are and see who's related to who. If you find a carrier thats somewhat related to att you may get 3g or 4g, but T-Mobile you'll get edge. Also call or get in contact with carrier and see what they have, dunno how it works overseas cuz i never really been overseas with my phone. Hope it helps and if anyone see anything I mentioned that's wrong you're welcome to A) correct me and B) call me mean evil names =D
Sent from my MIUI HTC Desire HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bluizzo you ninja turtle you. Lol just a slight correction. Europe uses different bands than us. So no 3g, just good old edge. Though I think I saw someone post that their country used our bands somewhere. But generally they use the 900/2100 for 3g.
I would get a prepaid sim from a euoropean carrier. They have way better deals that put our prices to shame.
marsdta said:
Bluizzo you ninja turtle you. Lol just a slight correction. Europe uses different bands than us. So no 3g, just good old edge. Though I think I saw someone post that their country used our bands somewhere. But generally they use the 900/2100 for 3g.
I would get a prepaid sim from a euoropean carrier. They have way better deals that put our prices to shame.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol hey I was close shweet jebus
Sent from my MIUI HTC Desire HD
marsdta said:
Bluizzo you ninja turtle you. Lol just a slight correction. Europe uses different bands than us. So no 3g, just good old edge. Though I think I saw someone post that their country used our bands somewhere. But generally they use the 900/2100 for 3g.
I would get a prepaid sim from a euoropean carrier. They have way better deals that put our prices to shame.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah there are some countries that use the same bands
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA App
The main countries that uses the same ATT band are Canada and Australia for 3G. The rest use the same bands Tmobile uses.
Thanks for the info. Looks like I will be picking up a SIM when I get there.
Hopefully my reply is not too late.....
I have been travelling to London for work for the last several months and have used O2 as the carrier on my Inspire. I was able to get a pay as you go SIM with a data plan. You will need to manually enter the APN information get the data and MMS working properly. I found the APN info by doing a web search.
And yes the service was Edge and not 3G.
cyclingmike said:
Hopefully my reply is not too late.....
I have been travelling to London for work for the last several months and have used O2 as the carrier on my Inspire. I was able to get a pay as you go SIM with a data plan. You will need to manually enter the APN information get the data and MMS working properly. I found the APN info by doing a web search.
And yes the service was Edge and not 3G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THANKS!!! I am in Ireland, and picked up a vodafone SIM card. Could get voice, but not data. Did a web search for APN, and found the APN on the vodafone site. Now I've got working internet. It is EDGE (I've got a G with up/down arrows), but is fine for what I need.
f308gt4 said:
THANKS!!! I am in Ireland, and picked up a vodafone SIM card. Could get voice, but not data. Did a web search for APN, and found the APN on the vodafone site. Now I've got working internet. It is EDGE (I've got a G with up/down arrows), but is fine for what I need.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EDGE should be an "E". "G" is GPRS which is like 1G or worse, but hey, if it works for you, then great, but you should be able to get EDGE with the proper APN.
Gene Poole said:
EDGE should be an "E". "G" is GPRS which is like 1G or worse, but hey, if it works for you, then great, but you should be able to get EDGE with the proper APN.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't seem to get EDGE, just the G. Which is OK, since all I am doing is checking e-mails.
However, my battery life has improved dramatically. I don't even need the powerskin case here. Battery lasts all day, no problem.
It's incredible how much battery is used by a fast network.
f308gt4 said:
Can't seem to get EDGE, just the G. Which is OK, since all I am doing is checking e-mails.
However, my battery life has improved dramatically. I don't even need the powerskin case here. Battery lasts all day, no problem.
It's incredible how much battery is used by a fast network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed. Especially if it needs to boost the radio for reception. I was camping a few months back on the fringe of coverage area. The first day, I left mobile networks on and it kept going in and out of coverage and my battery was dead within about 14 hours. The next day, with a fresh charge from my car, I turned off mobile networks and I still had 80% battery by the end of the day.

Can the LTE band unlocker utility unlock band 12 again?

I've seen this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/cro...ad-progress-please-leave-im-updating-t2871269
And since we're all pretty sure due to FCC filings that the Moto hardware supports band 12, could anyone tell me itd be possible to open this great budget phone up to t mobiles expanding 700mhz coverage?
Even if you unlock the band, without VoLTE support you wouldn't be able to make calls or send/receive sms messages. This is why Motorola disabled it.
Is that really so important though? Data coverage is all I really need. If there's 2g or 3g fallback texts will still come in, and I think I've gotten texts on lte only mode on my galaxy s4 even on roms that don't support VoLTE or WiFi calling, so texts might still work. Calling can easily be done over Google hangouts as a data call anyway. The coverage is most important to power users, not making it compatible with calls
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Free mobile app
I'll be driving to Seattle from Chicago next week and I could use all of the additional coverage I can get. I really don't care if I can't get traditional voice / text, hangouts etc are perfectly fine stop gaps. I'm going to buy a Moto G from Best Buy and try this but with no band 12 near me I can't know if it actually is working. If anyone who has coverage in their area wants to give it a shot, I think everyone would love to know if its possible.
ben7337 said:
Is that really so important though? Data coverage is all I really need. If there's 2g or 3g fallback texts will still come in, and I think I've gotten texts on lte only mode on my galaxy s4 even on roms that don't support VoLTE or WiFi calling, so texts might still work. Calling can easily be done over Google hangouts as a data call anyway. The coverage is most important to power users, not making it compatible with calls
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the radio supports band 12, then you can definitely unlock it. Give it a try.
ryude said:
If the radio supports band 12, then you can definitely unlock it. Give it a try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I returned my phone, and that guide seems to be very device specific. Since no one has done it for the Moto G 3rd gen yet, I could easily brick my phone with the only fix as "flash the stock FTF file" which seems to be some special file for sony devices? I'd rather not get in over my head and ruin a brand new device.
Unlock instruction
I found this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=55475431&postcount=1
But it's for 1st gen
Just so you know.. most of the twin cities area you'd be driving through has band 12 with t-mobile (multiple sources on Google as well as personal experience working at MSP). Band 12 probably wont be deployed anytime soon in rural areas because T-mobile is only using it in urban areas to penetrate buildings with lower frequencies with less line-of-sight areas. What you'd be wanting to look for is T-Mobile refarming their old 2G (EDGE) towers to LTE. Regardless, even with 2G coverage you can still get calls/text/Google Maps to work.
I travel all of North America for work and I'm in a different state every week. I carry a T-Mobile phone as my primary and a Cricket phone (through AT&T) as a backup. I know most people don't have that luxury of carrying two carriers with them, so I keep up to date on this stuff as best I can. People have been getting really mis-informed with this whole T-Mobile Band 12 thing lately.
Another trivial fact.. Minneapolis metro area is one of the best covered metro locations in North America for T-Mobile. Because they bought out VoiceStream, that was one of their top markets. I remember having them when I lived up there years ago!
Anyway, have a safe trip! I'm jealous you're heading to Seattle. Used to live out there as well and I woul do anything to move back! I just got married out there last December.
Hi everybody
Someone check the link shared by lockheed_man in a Moto G (3rd generation)?
Thanks in advance
Anyone with an unlocked band 12?
ben7337 said:
Is that really so important though? Data coverage is all I really need. If there's 2g or 3g fallback texts will still come in, and I think I've gotten texts on lte only mode on my galaxy s4 even on roms that don't support VoLTE or WiFi calling, so texts might still work. Calling can easily be done over Google hangouts as a data call anyway. The coverage is most important to power users, not making it compatible with calls
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regular sms needs a voice signal. If you got a text with only data it was an mms.

Tmobile merger ruined sprint. They're telling me to get a Tmobile Sim?

We all know 5G is garbage, 4G is fine and 80mb down was fine, but we bought two $1400 paperweights. I even disabled 5G and I have 2 bars and drop calls EVERYWHERE.
Sprint told me that there was an issue getting sprint people on Tmobile and that I needed to go to Tmobile and have them wipe my phone and put a Tmobile Sim.
I'm not comfortable with this but I'm pissed that I'm stuck with this ****ty service. Every time I pass a cell tower my call drops and I have no "mobile network" for miles. Sprint swears getting a Tmobile Sim will fix it but Tmobile has always been a crappy carrier and NO ONE around here has ever had it.
Is doing this a bad idea? I'm told we can't go back to sprint if they do this switch..
Thank you
AprilAr said:
We all know 5G is garbage, 4G is fine and 80mb down was fine, but we bought two $1400 paperweights. I even disabled 5G and I have 2 bars and drop calls EVERYWHERE.
Sprint told me that there was an issue getting sprint people on Tmobile and that I needed to go to Tmobile and have them wipe my phone and put a Tmobile Sim.
I'm not comfortable with this but I'm pissed that I'm stuck with this ****ty service. Every time I pass a cell tower my call drops and I have no "mobile network" for miles. Sprint swears getting a Tmobile Sim will fix it but Tmobile has always been a crappy carrier and NO ONE around here has ever had it.
Is doing this a bad idea? I'm told we can't go back to sprint if they do this switch..
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't know where you are, but around here (southwest Missouri), Sprint has always been very spotty. I've had T-Mo for the last five years and have used it all over Oklahoma and Missouri. Ive used in in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas. Chicago, Illinois. Northern Arkansas. Parts of Kentucky. Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee. Birmingham, Alabama. Orlando, Melbourne, Tamba Bay, and Clearwater, Florida. And all the roads connecting those places. And I've had great luck with T-Mobile. There's dead spots for sure, but for awhile my work phone was ATT, my personal was T-Mobile, and my hotspot was Verizon. They usually all had the same service and dead spots in the same areas.
AprilAr said:
We all know 5G is garbage, 4G is fine and 80mb down was fine, but we bought two $1400 paperweights. I even disabled 5G and I have 2 bars and drop calls EVERYWHERE.
Sprint told me that there was an issue getting sprint people on Tmobile and that I needed to go to Tmobile and have them wipe my phone and put a Tmobile Sim.
I'm not comfortable with this but I'm pissed that I'm stuck with this ****ty service. Every time I pass a cell tower my call drops and I have no "mobile network" for miles. Sprint swears getting a Tmobile Sim will fix it but Tmobile has always been a crappy carrier and NO ONE around here has ever had it.
Is doing this a bad idea? I'm told we can't go back to sprint if they do this switch..
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint *is* t-mobile now. If you're on sprint you're on t-mobile and the company is going to try to make them one-in-the-same moving forward. You're basically saying that you don't want a sprint/t-mobile SIM and want to stick with your sprint/t-mobile SIM. They own all the same towers now so service is the same. They likely mean just get a newer SIM with the newer 4G and 5G support, a SIM that can use *all* the tower types.... It doesn't matter if it's "t mobile" or "sprint". They are the same thing now. If you walk into a sprint store. It's a T-Mobile store. You are already on t-mobile's service, it's just with an outdated SIM that can only use older sprint towers. The new SIM also would support the newer iterations of "4G" and have better coverage. 4G or 5G doesn't matter so much as you're going to want a new sim regardless for maximum service coverage in either.
AprilAr said:
We all know 5G is garbage,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, we don't.
Tmobile has always been a crappy carrier
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had T-Mobile for several years and I'm pleased with their coverage, customer service, and price.
I have sprint service and after the galaxy note 20 ultra software update, my signal had been spotty on 5g. I went to settings, then general management, then reset, then reset network setting. After I did that, my signal and internet speed has been great. Warning, you will lose all your saved wifi and Bluetooth pairings, but you can set all of them back up. It's worth it.
Time to move on to another carrier , you have plenty of choices in america ??
I read verizon was refarming their network for better coverage. But hey all carriers claim this bs anyway.
Gary02468 said:
No, we don't.
I've had T-Mobile for several years and I'm pleased with their coverage, customer service, and price.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm glad your 5G signal gives you more than 2mg download, in West Virginia it does not. Nor does it work in Virginia, Maryland or Washington DC but 4G is flawless.
Thanks for the responses everyone. Tmobile doesn't work well in West Virginia and Sprint has always been the go to.
I feel as if I was misled. I recorded the conversation where they said "Sprint towers remain online, we will only be inheriting Tmobile towers." but all Sprint towers went offline here hence no service and only being on roam 24/7.
That night, we dropped $2800 on branded phones. I'm about to just unlock it, root it, get rid of the bloatware and hope for the best.
As of right now, I received a $300 account credit as we do not have service here and they can see on the map where it's black. I hope they get it together and are able to fix the network by the time the credit runs out. Worst case scenario a manager in corporate did agree to cancel our contracts and return the phones even though we got them on launch day. I'll have to wait and see how things pan out.
Totes sucks lol almost faster than my home internet. I have an unlocked running a sprint sim, I only seem to get tmo bands anymore very rarely do I pick up sprint bands even with a sprint airrave device nearby
AprilAr said:
I'm glad your 5G signal gives you more than 2mg download[. ]In West Virginia it does not. Nor does it work in Virginia, Maryland or Washington DC but 4G is flawless.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do see now when I look at the T-Mobile coverage map that there are huge black regions that I'm pretty sure weren't previously depicted. I haven't had difficulty yet myself, but I'm sorry you're without coverage.
I feel as if I was misled. I recorded the conversation where they said "Sprint towers remain online, we will only be inheriting Tmobile towers." but all Sprint towers went offline here hence no service and only being on roam 24/7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Keeping a record of tech conversations is indeed good (online chat rather that voice works best). But even better is to never trust assurances by tech reps, because they're often not knowledgeable and may pass along rumors or made-up answers. If they tell you something important, ask politely how they know and where you can find confirmation. (That's actually a good practice when dealing with almost anyone about almost anything important.)
TMO = T hird world M obile O perations.
Even more insult to injury for us USA users as we cannot get a proper dual SIM device that will work with two carriers. I have TMO and Verizon. I've been able to use two lines from these carriers since 2018 on my iPhone XS Max. Even though Samsung claims the S20 Ultra and Note 20 Ultra have esim capability they simply don't work in this fashion.

Categories

Resources