[Q] LTE Network Lock - General Questions and Answers

Now I have a question, and I trust everyone on XDA more than I do random phone store employees (sorry to those members of XDA that are employees of phone companies). I recently sold my Samsung Galaxy S2 Skyrocket LTE to my father in law. It was originally for the Rogers Wireless network here in Canada. The father in law unlocked the phone and is currently using it on the MTS network over HSPA+ 4G.
At the end of August MTS launched LTE and currently they state that network is locked to only two devices, the Sony Xperia Ion and a LTE Rocket Stick. MTS even carries the iPhone5 yet they said it won't be on their LTE network till sometime next month when they unlock LTE to all devices using their LTE Sim Cards.
I want to know if and how this is even possible? If the father in law already has a LTE ready phone plan, shouldn't him getting a LTE Sim Card allow him to access the LTE network? I'm confused how a company can lock something like LTE to certain devices.

Related

Verizon Galaxy S3 SIM Unlock Swap for International Travel Possible?

Not too long ago, I had heard that the Verizon Galaxy S3 would support global roaming in a future update. With the Verizon Galaxy S3 release imminent, I was wondering if this was still the case.
I recently ordered a Galaxy S3 for my Dad, considering his contract with Verizon was up and the data plans were changing. Now, my dad often travels back and forth between the US and South Korea; so often in that he carries two different Android phones for each country (DROID Incredible on Verizon and Nexus S on KT).
Would it be possible for him to dump both the Incredible and Nexus S phones and use only Verizon Galaxy S3 on both of the carriers (if unlocked), by just swapping out the SIM card when traveling between Korea and the US? He will be keeping KT as his cell provider in Korea and from what I've heard, KT does allow foreign phones to be registered on their network, as long as they're unlocked. Both Verizon and KT support CDMA & LTE, but I'm not sure if their frequency bands overlap and if the Verizon S3 would be able to hook onto both without having to flash the radio.
I see that there's already a Voodoo S3 SIM Unlock app on Google Play (probably not compatible with Verizon S3 yet, but maybe eventually possible?).
Either way, it'd be awesome to be able to use the S3 as his main phone on both carriers with a simple SIM card swap! Does anyone have any insight on this, whether it would be possible or not?
CKTurbo128 said:
Not too long ago, I had heard that the Verizon Galaxy S3 would support global roaming in a future update. With the Verizon Galaxy S3 release imminent, I was wondering if this was still the case.
I recently ordered a Galaxy S3 for my Dad, considering his contract with Verizon was up and the data plans were changing. Now, my dad often travels back and forth between the US and South Korea; so often in that he carries two different Android phones for each country (DROID Incredible on Verizon and Nexus S on KT).
Would it be possible for him to dump both the Incredible and Nexus S phones and use only Verizon Galaxy S3 on both of the carriers (if unlocked), by just swapping out the SIM card when traveling between Korea and the US? He will be keeping KT as his cell provider in Korea and from what I've heard, KT does allow foreign phones to be registered on their network, as long as they're unlocked. Both Verizon and KT support CDMA & LTE, but I'm not sure if their frequency bands overlap and if the Verizon S3 would be able to hook onto both without having to flash the radio.
I see that there's already a Voodoo S3 SIM Unlock app on Google Play (probably not compatible with Verizon S3 yet, but maybe eventually possible?).
Either way, it'd be awesome to be able to use the S3 as his main phone on both carriers with a simple SIM card swap! Does anyone have any insight on this, whether it would be possible or not?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I understand it, the Verizon S3 needs a software update to unlock the GSM bands within the radio, which currently is not available...Also the LTE Bands are Not Compatible, according to my research Verizon uses 700/750 KT uses 1800. The Verizon S3 has 700/750 LTE Support...Also note while the Verizon S3 likely will have GSM support via a software update it will be Edge bands not WCDMA/HSPA+...as for the CDMA side out of luck there too according to KT they use the 1800 band and the Verizon S3 only has 850/1900 band for CDMA...in short getting the Verizon S3 will in no way help your father ditch his second phone...If your father is an international traveler he would be better suited to using a GSM carrier then buying a phone like the Galaxy Nexus which is pentaband WCDMA, this will work in any country that has WCDMA, I can vouch personally that my GNex (GSM Unlocked) works in S. Korea with HSPA+ Data Speeds as I was just there this past February.
So though the GS3 would most likely not be able to use 4G (through HSPA+, I may also be misunderstanding...) would it be able to have 3G overseas? I ask since I will be traveling to China later this year and being able to use 3G over there would be more convenient than getting another phone...

Rogers Razr HD XT925 on Verizon?

Based on what I have read, given that the Rogers XT925 operates on the following bands:
Rogers version is GSM/UMTS - 850/900/1800/1900 and LTE : BAND 4 (700) and BAND 17 AWS (1700)
It is therefore impossible for it to work in the USA on Verizons network on either CDMA (which the phone does not support) or LTE (which it supports but the wrong band, Verizon supports 700 Band 13)
Can anyone confirm this? If it is possible to operate this phone on Verizon please let me know. I have a Verizon account and an AT&T account and the phone works on the AT&T account, but not the Verizon. My problem is that AT&T has recently blocked the IMEI on TWO of my Rogers phones that I travel with, with no explanation other than that they are being recognized as 2G phones and cannot get service on AT&T (which is BS, because I can roam with my Rogers SIM from my Galaxy S3 onto AT&T just fine), so AT&T is clearly blocking IMEI's of phones that come from other providers and are unlocked. I cannot see how this is good business for AT&T, or even legal, and I imagine one day there will be a class action suit to stop this practice.
My two cents...
BluePlanetMan said:
Based on what I have read, given that the Rogers XT925 operates on the following bands:
Rogers version is GSM/UMTS - 850/900/1800/1900 and LTE : BAND 4 (700) and BAND 17 AWS (1700)
It is therefore impossible for it to work in the USA on Verizons network on either CDMA (which the phone does not support) or LTE (which it supports but the wrong band, Verizon supports 700 Band 13)
Can anyone confirm this? If it is possible to operate this phone on Verizon please let me know. I have a Verizon account and an AT&T account and the phone works on the AT&T account, but not the Verizon. My problem is that AT&T has recently blocked the IMEI on TWO of my Rogers phones that I travel with, with no explanation other than that they are being recognized as 2G phones and cannot get service on AT&T (which is BS, because I can roam with my Rogers SIM from my Galaxy S3 onto AT&T just fine), so AT&T is clearly blocking IMEI's of phones that come from other providers and are unlocked. I cannot see how this is good business for AT&T, or even legal, and I imagine one day there will be a class action suit to stop this practice.
My two cents...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No the rogers hd never work on Verizon ... the rogers don't have CDMA ... and LTE is on the wrong band ... There are no solution...
Yes some friend have same problem as you ... have a rogers simcard ... use a little on the ATT network ... switch to ATT simcard ... and phone don't work ... really a strange issue ...

[Q] SCH-R950: ¿Embedded SIM Cards for LTE?

Hi There
I like to know if a SCH-R950 (Samsung Galaxy Note 2 from U.S. Cellular) would work with my Telco, outside USA.
We use CDMA in 800Mhz and EVDO also in the same frequency and in the coming months we'll have LTE (1900mhz).
In our country we used to buy mint conditions smartphone from US companies on eBay, normally from Sprint, which of course is cheaper that in our Telcos; sadly have embedded SIM Cards for LTE, so in essence I would like to know if this is the case for U.S. Cellular.
As for the GSM part I know if its locked but I don't care about it as for the time being I will be in this company network.
Thank you

Can Verizon Samsung Tab I705 can be unlocked to use Tmobile SIM?

I just bought Verizon Samsung SCH-I705. I just wonder that can it could be unlocked to use Tmobile SIM. I know that this one has LTE SIM but just wonder?
I'd like to know the same
ill like to know that too
porto35 said:
I just bought Verizon Samsung SCH-I705. I just wonder that can it could be unlocked to use Tmobile SIM. I know that this one has LTE SIM but just wonder?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This has been asked before and the answer is still the same
Verizon - CDMA Carrier
TMO - GSM carrier
Two different radio's. You can use an unlocked TMO tab and use it on AT&T (Another GSM carrier).. The Verizon tab shouldn't have a SIM card in it. Unless it is a World tab or LTE. In the LTE case, only the 4G is sim controlled, the 3G is controlled by the CDMA radio.
Verizon:
Frequencies and Data Type Digital: (CDMA/PCS)/1x, EVDO Rev A, LTE (Band 13 only)
Tmobile
Frequencies and Data Type GSM: 850/900/1800/1900
So your answer is no.....
delete
Oditius said:
This has been asked before and the answer is still the same
Verizon - CDMA Carrier
TMO - GSM carrier
Two different radio's. You can use an unlocked TMO tab and use it on AT&T (Another GSM carrier).. The Verizon tab shouldn't have a SIM card in it. Unless it is a World tab or LTE. In the LTE case, only the 4G is sim controlled, the 3G is controlled by the CDMA radio.
Verizon:
Frequencies and Data Type Digital: (CDMA/PCS)/1x, EVDO Rev A, LTE (Band 13 only)
Tmobile
Frequencies and Data Type GSM: 850/900/1800/1900
So your answer is no.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe you answer is just partially correct. My Verizon Tab has a SIM slot. I currently own a Verizon Iphone 4S, Iphone 5 and Samsung S3. Used to own BB Tour, Storm, Bold, HTC Incredible 2, HTC rezound. After unlock, all of them (they have both CDMA and GSM) can be used with any SIM card. That why Verizon called them Global Phones. I also believe that the Samsung S3 is LTE phone with SIM card slot and I have no problem to use it with my TMO SIM card
porto35 said:
I believe you answer is just partially correct. My Verizon Tab has a SIM slot. I currently own a Verizon Iphone 4S, Iphone 5 and Samsung S3. Used to own BB Tour, Storm, Bold, HTC Incredible 2, HTC rezound. After unlock, all of them (they have both CDMA and GSM) can be used with any SIM card. That why Verizon called them Global Phones. I also believe that the Samsung S3 is LTE phone with SIM card slot and I have no problem to use it with my TMO SIM card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My US Cellular S3 had a SIM card too, but USCC is a CDMA phone. The SIM card was for 4G LTE only as USCC is a CDMA carrier. Some of the BB was "World Phones" meaning that they had 2 radio's in them, 1 CDMA when you was in the USA, the other was GSM when you traveled outside the USA but could not be used inside the US unless it was (the GSM part) unlocked. I know there are some other Android "World Phones" I had the Motorola Electrify, I think it's counter part on Sprint had a different name. There was a few more on USCC that was World Phones, They had dual radio's. But the S3 and Note 2 didn't. But I would guess that it could be possible that Verizon's variation could be different. I never looked that close. But if there is a way to unlock it and use it on a GSM network, then do a search, the phone is old enough to have already been unlocked, and a search would turn it up if it was. If your search comes up negative, then you will have your answer.
Oditius said:
My US Cellular S3 had a SIM card too, but USCC is a CDMA phone. The SIM card was for 4G LTE only as USCC is a CDMA carrier. Some of the BB was "World Phones" meaning that they had 2 radio's in them, 1 CDMA when you was in the USA, the other was GSM when you traveled outside the USA but could not be used inside the US unless it was (the GSM part) unlocked. I know there are some other Android "World Phones" I had the Motorola Electrify, I think it's counter part on Sprint had a different name. There was a few more on USCC that was World Phones, They had dual radio's. But the S3 and Note 2 didn't. But I would guess that it could be possible that Verizon's variation could be different. I never looked that close. But if there is a way to unlock it and use it on a GSM network, then do a search, the phone is old enough to have already been unlocked, and a search would turn it up if it was. If your search comes up negative, then you will have your answer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx for your reply. My Verizon Samsung S3 was unlocked by Verizon (by agreement from verizon with FCC) as they did with Iphone 5 (can be considered as factory unlock). Both of them can be used with GSM carrier here but not the Iphone 4S (for abroad use only even it is unlocked by Verizon).
I searched and have not seen any solution for unlock the Samsung Tab I705 in US but there are unlock code for sale for I705 in Europe and in Asia. I checked the I705 specifications but only see LTE 700Mhz, Class 13 (as you stated) in your previous post. Same thing with Verizon Samsung S3 I535 but I can use S3 with TMO sim. That is the reason I want to find out anyway we can unlock I705 (Tab 2) to use with SIM card for GSM carrier. Anybody can help?
DAMN!
I was looking for the same thing!
>.>
yes it can be done
I know that the verizon galaxy tab 2 can be unlocked. A friend of mine had verizon do it by claiming they where traveling outside the country, and it works on T-Mobile just fine. because it does have both radios. PLUS i want it for the LTE anyways and it does work for the t-mobile LTE. problem for me is that i no longer have an account with verizon so they will not give me the unlock code for the tablet so i need another way to unlock it.... can i do this by rooting it and putting a customer ROM or does that no effect that portion of the tablet.
clevenger23 said:
I know that the verizon galaxy tab 2 can be unlocked. A friend of mine had verizon do it by claiming they where traveling outside the country, and it works on T-Mobile just fine. because it does have both radios. PLUS i want it for the LTE anyways and it does work for the t-mobile LTE. problem for me is that i no longer have an account with verizon so they will not give me the unlock code for the tablet so i need another way to unlock it.... can i do this by rooting it and putting a customer ROM or does that no effect that portion of the tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No effect.
Sent from my GT-P5110 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I have Samsung Tab E Verizon SM-T567V it's Global and 4G supported with a dedicated sim slot. How to sim unlock it???

[Q] wcdma phone on straight talk cdma network. please help!!

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 ?
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA Free mobile app
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

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