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[Q] i9020A on AWS = no 3G? And is "carrier locked" possible?

Will the i9020A version of the Nexus S (which is I think the model sold by Koodo Mobile in Canada) get 3G connection on the AWS spectrum used by Mobilicity? (I believe this should be the same as TMobile)?
Also, is there such a thing as a carrier locked Nexus S? I want to buy the Koodo Mobile Nexus S for $425 off contract (cheapest I can find), but I want to use it on the Mobilicity network. Will I need to carrier unlock the device somehow? I can't seem to find any "unlock Nexus S" sources, so I assume this is unnecessary?
The more I look into this issue, the more confused I get. A lot of places say the Nexus S is quad-band GSM + AWS, so doesn't that mean I should be able to get 3G from anywhere? The FAQ on this forum states that the original Nexus S can only get 3G speeds on TMobile's AWS band--conversely, does that then mean that the new "AT&T" Nexus S phones can't get 3G speeds on AWS? i.e. Do I need to buy a phone from an AWS carrier to get 3G?

Blindsight51 said:
Will the i9020A version of the Nexus S (which is I think the model sold by Koodo Mobile in Canada) get 3G connection on the AWS spectrum used by Mobilicity? (I believe this should be the same as TMobile)?
Also, is there such a thing as a carrier locked Nexus S? I want to buy the Koodo Mobile Nexus S for $425 off contract (cheapest I can find), but I want to use it on the Mobilicity network. Will I need to carrier unlock the device somehow? I can't seem to find any "unlock Nexus S" sources, so I assume this is unnecessary?
The more I look into this issue, the more confused I get. A lot of places say the Nexus S is quad-band GSM + AWS, so doesn't that mean I should be able to get 3G from anywhere? The FAQ on this forum states that the original Nexus S can only get 3G speeds on TMobile's AWS band--conversely, does that then mean that the new "AT&T" Nexus S phones can't get 3G speeds on AWS? i.e. Do I need to buy a phone from an AWS carrier to get 3G?
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I am in canada, just bought NS finally, that too from Koodo, and it is an Unlocked Rogers/AT&T/Bell/Telus/Fido compatible version. Not to mention it will work with any other bands in the world except the situation Wind/Mobilicity have.
Their phone system is not backwards compatible, they came out in the market just about 2 years ago, they started off with 3G/3.5G straight where Rogers initially started with Standard, moved on to Edge/2G/2.5G and upgraded themselves to 3G and eventually 3.5G, same goes for Telus/Bell/Fido.
If you purchase any of Wind/Mobilicity phone, they will be compatible with any other careers in the world, but you will not get 3G if tried on UMTS. Their phones will only work on the AWS 3G frequency. Which in case means if you bought wind/mobilicity compatible phone, you will get 2G/Edge on Rogers.
Other way around - Koodo phone with Wind/Mobilicity SIM - will give you Wind/Mobilicity Away network only, means it is useless for you. The only phone in canadian market works with Rogers and Wind 3G frequency is Nokia N8 which is a Pentaband phone. Nexus S on the other hand is a Quadband phone, and is made specifically for the career, thats why we have 3/4 different versions, AWS, UMTS, 4G to work with Sprint in US and i guess there is one other model for India and China as well.
All the Nexus S variants come unlocked, outright or on contract, as its a Google's own baby and they don't lock it except the bootloader.
I bought mine with Koodo from Future Shop as it is listed as not an outright sale on Koodo's website, but FS and BBY do sell them outright. It is unlocked out of the box, just pop your SIM in and you are good to go assuming you are going to go with Rogers/Bell/Telus/Koodo/Fido.
My two cents, go with Wind, they offer you wind tab, pay 350 + tax and use the phone to pay the rest of the money with wind tab and you are set if you really want Wind compatible phone.
I had the same problem and dilemma like you as I had a Desire Z with Bell and wanted to use it on Wind, ended up trading it with G2 from T-Mobile and used Wind mobile 3G network and Rogers 2G/Edge network up until now(I am with Rogers and have got a better deal with them for data, so no need to carry two phones on me anymore )
Hope this helps.
CreativeDevil

Blindsight51 said:
Will the i9020A version of the Nexus S (which is I think the model sold by Koodo Mobile in Canada) get 3G connection on the AWS spectrum used by Mobilicity? (I believe this should be the same as TMobile)?
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Click to collapse
it will not work
you need i9020T not A
AWS only comes on the i9020T

creativedevil said:
I am in canada, just bought NS finally, that too from Koodo, and it is ...
...
Hope this helps.
CreativeDevil
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Thanks so much. That explains it very clearly. I guess I'll need to shell out a bit extra and get a phone from Wind or Mobilicity.
+Thanks

Go for it bud... u wont regret...
Creativedevil
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

[Q] Accidently bought Nexus S i9020A but got T-Mobile

I just bought the i9020A model Nexus S, and after research I found out that its meant to be used for ATT. I have T-Mobile and I am not getting 3G Network because the bands are different. Now people are telling me that if I unlock/root it, I might be able to get T-Mobile bands. Is this true?

st3laras said:
I just bought the i9020A model Nexus S, and after research I found out that its meant to be used for ATT. I have T-Mobile and I am not getting 3G Network because the bands are different. Now people are telling me that if I unlock/root it, I might be able to get T-Mobile bands. Is this true?
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Click to collapse
Nope - it does not have the hardware to support the AWS HSPA frequencies. It has quad band GSM (So you'll get Edge service fine), but not HSPA.

krohnjw said:
Nope - it does not have the hardware to support the AWS HSPA frequencies. It has quad band GSM (So you'll get Edge service fine), but not HSPA.
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=[ ok so I shouldn't waste the time rooting/unlocking my phone then. I am getting Edge just fine but no 3G at all. I'm just going to but the T-Mobile version then and send this back.. Thanks for the reply

[Q] Can my nexus s bought in Europe work in 3G mod of AT&T

Hi, everyone, I am new here in US, and have got an sim card from AT&T. But when I put it into my Nexus s bought in Europe, it cannot work in 3G mod. My phone is i9023, and the radio, or so called baseband is I9023XXKD1
It is already unlocked, and I am wondering if it is possible for me to let it working in the 3G mod of AT&T by flashing a new baseband. Does anyone know? Thank u

Le sigh...
Unless your Euro Nexus has 3G on the 850/1900mhz bands (AT&T 3G bands), you won't get 3G on AT&T.

LordLugard said:
Le sigh...
Unless your Euro Nexus has 3G on the 850/1900mhz bands (AT&T 3G bands), you won't get 3G on AT&T.
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Click to collapse
If this phone is anything like the orignal nexus one networkwise, it should work with T-mobile 3G.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

correct to both of the above replies

Bestbuy Selling Nexus S i9020T for at&t?

Okay so I couldn't help but notice BestBuy no longer sells The Nexus S for T-mobile anymore, but what I did notice is they do sell it for At&t with the i9020T Model Number Attached leading me to suspect that this phone does have the hardware capability to run 850/900/1800/1900 as well as 900/2100/1700 network bands, it is software determined which also makes total sense with the possible inquisition of t-mobile by at&t which I might add may still happen. Whats your thoughts people?
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+Google+Nexus+S+Mobile+Phone+-+Black+%28AT%26T%29/2356115.p?id=1218323076669&skuId=2356115&st=Nexus%20S&cp=1&lp=1&contract_desc=

Not correct. Different radios on the chip.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

It's definitely not software determined. If they sell the T version to an AT&T customer, they will definitely be giving the customer a new phone when they find out 3G doesn't work.

bozzykid said:
It's definitely not software determined. If they sell the T version to an AT&T customer, they will definitely be giving the customer a new phone when they find out 3G doesn't work.
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And can you please show me your sources of information, or are you just passing on something you read?....you do know the i9020A is no longer available, and t-mobile contracts for nexus s no longer exist, only at&t and sprint have it now at&t version now branded i9020T,
GT-i9020T is actually a quad band model however they only previously enabled T-Mobile 3G the hardware itself can handle the frequencies, it would however need the baseband flashed via ota update from the manufacturer for the baseband radio to be enabled for at&t 3g , I think a little surprise will be awaiting once the ice cream sandwich ota update arives baseband update included....

DaveNavy said:
And can you please show me your sources of information, or are you just passing on something you read?....you do know the i9020A is no longer available, and t-mobile contracts for nexus s no longer exist, only at&t and sprint have it now at&t version now branded i9020T,
GT-i9020T is actually a quad band model however they only previously enabled T-Mobile 3G the hardware itself can handle the frequencies, it would however need the baseband flashed via ota update from the manufacturer for the baseband radio to be enabled for at&t 3g , I think a little surprise will be awaiting once the ice cream sandwich ota update arives baseband update included....
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Click to collapse
Yes, it is quad band 850/900/1800/1900 on GSM. It supports HSPA frequencies 900/1700/2100. That is not 3G compatible with AT&T.

I just got a Nexus S from Best Buy for ATT and mine is a A not a T.
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium

I just got mine Monday from best buy and it is an A model not a T.
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

Differences of Nexus S versions

I'm going to buy a Nexus S. I see there are couple versions and I don't know which one should I choose.
Those questions are about GSM version : GT-I9020A and GT-I9020T
What are the differences between 2 version ?
Which one can I use on T-Mobile ? (Does it support 3G / 4G ?)
Is it possible to get (official) Jelly Bean on Nexus S ?

i9020 have an amoled screen, and i9023 have a slcd screen. Nexus S 4G supports 4g not the other ones
Sent from a sandwich using my Nexus S

There's no word on JB from what I've seen yet for the NS. Just wait and see. You want the 9020t version for TMo. The 9020a is the AT&T variant.

Can you change the Modem
If you get a AT&T model can you install the T-Mobile modem on it and still get 4G service?

Honestly don't know. I know my friend has an old iPhone from AT&T, but he can only use 2G because the 3G bands or whatever are different. I'd assume it would be the same for the Nexus S. But like I said, I don't have a solid answer for it.

beddamade1 said:
If you get a AT&T model can you install the T-Mobile modem on it and still get 4G service?
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No.