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Does the new JB update bring unlocked 3G GSM?

I've read that the update will bring new global roaming capability, so has anyone tried to stick a GSM SIM into the phone yet? Does the new JB update bring unlocked 3G GSM?

No, it does not. I updated to 4.1.1 bone stock and got it to register on T-Mobile's network, but there is no way to change APN's, so data and text/mm do not work.
Now, before the update you could root and get a program to add in the APN of whichever network you wanted... folks (including myself) have had it on AT&T and T-Mobile's GSM networks, albeit without WCDMA ("3g"). Check out http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1895684 for progress on getting WCDMA working on the 1900 band. The phone works on the 2100 band out of the box, but no US carrier uses that for WCDMA.
Okay, that said, post-update, I am sure the same APN tricks that worked pre-update, will work now, but sadly one has to be rooted to do that. Attached are two screenshots from while I was farking about with it.

Why not root, then? No disadvantages that I can see
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

I like how they're legally supposed to have it unlocked but still, here we are a half a year later.

ac21365 said:
No, it does not. I updated to 4.1.1 bone stock and got it to register on T-Mobile's network, but there is no way to change APN's, so data and text/mm do not work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest, I'm amazed that VZW is allowing you to use another carrier's GSM SIM at all without some sort of unlock code (since this is the case with most phones sold in this country).
I assumed that their "Global Roaming" capability meant that you can take your SGS3 with the VZW SIM to countries (e.g. everywhere other than the USA) that only have GSM (WCDMA/HSDPA) and pay Verizon's extortion (roaming) fees. Maybe the lack of unlock is due to the fact that the phone's primary radios are LTE and CDMA?
If someone can confirm that rooting the phone will allow you to change the APNs it would be greatly appreciated. My family is vacationing in Costa Rica this winter. I've already acquired a couple of unlocked AT&T phones that we plan to use with local prepaid SIM cards, but it'd be nice to be able to have the option of using my I535 there as well.
Thanks!

gm2racer said:
If someone can confirm that rooting the phone will allow you to change the APNs it would be greatly appreciated. My family is vacationing in Costa Rica this winter. I've already acquired a couple of unlocked AT&T phones that we plan to use with local prepaid SIM cards, but it'd be nice to be able to have the option of using my I535 there as well.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1809314
Yep, had it on T-Mobile and AT&T (GSM only) here in the states, and worked great on O2 (with HSPA+ YAY) in Germany. Page 6 for my screenshots of Domestic carriers, page 9 for screenshot of me on O2.

Please post questions in Q&A
Thread moved
Thanks
FNM

Imatoasta said:
I like how they're legally supposed to have it unlocked but still, here we are a half a year later.
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Click to collapse
Its not as cut and dry as that. If you have to root the phone to move carriers technically you are in the wrong. If that is what you mean by unlocked.

Dagger_Prime said:
Its not as cut and dry as that. If you have to root the phone to move carriers technically you are in the wrong. If that is what you mean by unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually you are wrong. He is referring to the FCC ruling. And we should not need to root to be unlocked. I think that is the point he was trying to make.

Does the inability to change APN affect only the domestic US carriers or is it true for any country's Sim card you put in for gsm use. (Verizon global phones have in the past operated where domestic sims don't work but international ones do)

systemf said:
Does the inability to change APN affect only the domestic US carriers or is it true for any country's Sim card you put in for gsm use. (Verizon global phones have in the past operated where domestic sims don't work but international ones do)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recently updated to the leaked K3 while traveling on business in the Philippines. While voice and text work, there is no way to add any new APN settings in both GSM/UMTS and Global modes. When clicking on Menu in the APN settings, the only option is to restore to default.
Note that while voice and text do work, there is a notification i the notification menu stating "Non-Verizon SIM: Sorry, this SIM card is not supported. Please..."
I believe that the frequency the carrier runs on is GSM900. Hope that helps clarify things. I spent way too much time trying to get 3G to work over here to no success.

Has anyone just tried using Verizon's Global Data Plan ($25 for 100 MB)? Is the S3 somehow not compatible with that plan?
I'm looking at getting the VZW S3 but I've heard all kinds of things about getting the Verizon S3 to work globally pre/post JB update. I know the local sim rates are much cheaper, but for an occasional traveler this is supposed to be the easy solution.

Is There a CDMA On/Off Setting?

With GSM it's easy - you take out your SIM card, and you are off that SIM's network.
Presumably the Nexus 5 will work for voice and 3G without the SIM card. Is there some way to turn off CDMA (yes, I know that if there is no SIM I can just turn off all cellular data. But that's not my question.)

If you mean temporarily, you can always do the old standby of airplane mode. Enable airplane mode, then enable whatever wireless services you want (Wifi, Bluetooth). The airplane mode will keep the cellular modem completely off.

ronwi2 said:
With GSM it's easy - you take out your SIM card, and you are off that SIM's network.
Presumably the Nexus 5 will work for voice and 3G without the SIM card. Is there some way to turn off CDMA (yes, I know that if there is no SIM I can just turn off all cellular data. But that's not my question.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There should be options under networks to select cdma or gsm. Will find out tomorrow

lafester said:
There should be options under networks to select cdma or gsm. Will find out tomorrow
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now that the phone has been out in the wild for a while does anyone know the answer to this question?

The N5 does not allow voice or 3g without a sim for some reason. Perhaps someone will figure out a way to bypass this check at some point.
You can also pick and choose between gsm only, cdma only, lte only etc no problem.

lafester said:
The N5 does not allow voice or 3g without a sim for some reason. Perhaps someone will figure out a way to bypass this check at some point.
You can also pick and choose between gsm only, cdma only, lte only etc no problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if you take out the SIM, and you are on Sprint, you can't make phone calls or use 3G data?
I know the Sprint LTE Iphones will work if the SIM is removed, just without LTE.
Maybe that's just a way of keeping things clear to the user - your phone has the identity of whatever SIM you have in at any given time.

lafester said:
The N5 does not allow voice or 3g without a sim for some reason. Perhaps someone will figure out a way to bypass this check at some point.
You can also pick and choose between gsm only, cdma only, lte only etc no problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's kinda crappy. What if you want to use another CDMA only provider?

pclov3r said:
That's kinda crappy. What if you want to use another CDMA only provider?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think it is compatible with any other CDMA only provider - certainly not with Verizon. Who else is there? Metro is going GSM/LTE.
Or perhaps the SIM is necessary to pick the CDMA provider - most CDMA phones are carreir specific, and they just default to the carrier associated with the phone. In other words, if you turn on an unactivated Sprint or Verizon phone, it automatically goes to the correct carrier. If the Nexus 5 has access to more than one CDMA carrier, perhaps the SIM is the method of selecting the carrier.
I

ronwi2 said:
I don't think it is compatible with any other CDMA only provider - certainly not with Verizon. Who else is there? Metro is going GSM/LTE.
Or perhaps the SIM is necessary to pick the CDMA provider - most CDMA phones are carreir specific, and they just default to the carrier associated with the phone. In other words, if you turn on an unactivated Sprint or Verizon phone, it automatically goes to the correct carrier. If the Nexus 5 has access to more than one CDMA carrier, perhaps the SIM is the method of selecting the carrier.
I
Click to expand...
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PagePlus is one who runs on Verizon and allows any phone. No LTE tho with them.
Also, The carrier on most CDMA phone is determined by the PRL file. This tells the phone which towers to communicate with and it can be changed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preferred_Roaming_List

pclov3r said:
PagePlus is one who runs on Verizon and allows any phone. No LTE tho with them.
Also, The carrier on most CDMA phone is determined by the PRL file. This tells the phone which towers to communicate with and it can be changed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preferred_Roaming_List
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Presumably then the PRL is preloaded on the Nexus 5 - hence it knows to look for Sprint.
I believe Page Plus as a Verizon MVNO and will only activate Verizon phones, or their own (Page Plus) phones.

ronwi2 said:
I believe Page Plus as a Verizon MVNO and will only activate Verizon phones, or their own (Page Plus) phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They will activate any CDM phone for a except few exceptions such as if the phone is ESN banned on Verizon, PrePaid Verizon phones, Verizon iphones and Verizon blackberry devices. It's a well known unofficial policy.
To add backing of this you can see my signature
Due to hearing that problem I might look at a S4 or something. I generally like the build quality of Samsung much better than LG.

ronwi2 said:
So if you take out the SIM, and you are on Sprint, you can't make phone calls or use 3G data?
I know the Sprint LTE Iphones will work if the SIM is removed, just without LTE.
Maybe that's just a way of keeping things clear to the user - your phone has the identity of whatever SIM you have in at any given time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just checked again... you CAN make calls however data is unavailable.

lafester said:
Just checked again... you CAN make calls however data is unavailable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting, but doesn't really make sense that 3G data is unavailable. If you put a GSM LTE SIM in and select CDMA only, will it make calls on Sprint? (Don't mean to tell you what to do, but I think it would be an interesting thing to find out if you were so inclined.)

pclov3r said:
They will activate any CDM phone for a except few exceptions such as if the phone is ESN banned on Verizon, PrePaid Verizon phones, Verizon iphones and Verizon blackberry devices. It's a well known unofficial policy.
To add backing of this you can see my signature
Due to hearing that problem I might look at a S4 or something. I generally like the build quality of Samsung much better than LG.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, that might be an interesting back door into Verizon. I wonder if there is some way that the Nexus 5 can be flashed or otherwise work on Page Plus. I get there would be no LTE, however.

ronwi2 said:
Well, that might be an interesting back door into Verizon. I wonder if there is some way that the Nexus 5 can be flashed or otherwise work on Page Plus. I get there would be no LTE, however.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope so but i'm thinking it's going to require some software modification.

pclov3r said:
I hope so but i'm hearing it's going to require some software modification it appears.
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Click to collapse
I guess I really don't understand how CDMA works. With GSM, if the phone is unlocked, it works on any network. CDMA always seems to involve flashing. Although I believe there is so me sort of lock on CDMA phones as well (after all, MSL = Master Subsidy Lock.) I wonder if the CDMA side of the phone is locked to Sprint (we know from other posts there is an MSL code for these phones.)

ronwi2 said:
I guess I really don't understand how CDMA works. With GSM, if the phone is unlocked, it works on any network. CDMA always seems to involve flashing. Although I believe there is so me sort of lock on CDMA phones as well (after all, MSL = Master Subsidy Lock.) I wonder if the CDMA side of the phone is locked to Sprint (we know from other posts there is an MSL code for these phones.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, And you can obtain and change that.

pclov3r said:
Sure, And you can obtain and change that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a way to check the MSL settings without a Sprint SIM?
The #.#.3282#.#. dialer menu doesn't work with a T-Mobile sim...

satadru said:
Is there a way to check the MSL settings without a Sprint SIM?
The #.#.3282#.#. dialer menu doesn't work with a T-Mobile sim...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my experience, none of the *#*#xxxxx#*#* codes work without the SIM inserted. You might even need to be activated on Sprint at the time.

Just to clarify, CDMA in this thread includes WCDMA(3g) too?
So the phone will either go GSM or LTE only, which 3g or HSDPA/HSPA are not available by options?

N-920T & AT&T Data Issues

Is anyone using the T-Mobile Note 5 on AT&T? I am having data problems where I do not get data, but can send and receive texts, and also make calls. I switch to the Cingular APN and it works, but then goes out.
I have tried the Nxtgen phone apn and also phone apn, and no luck.

I know im not answering your question, but are you able to use the VOLTE feature on your tmobile phone on the at&t network? or even HD calling?

Actually At&t messed up my provisioning. You asked about those features, I would recommend you download Darthstalkers Rom Version 4, choose n9200A, it will install the at&t carrier files.
Just make sure to add the ATT Phone APN, do not use the nextgen phone apn.

Why do you suggest not using NextGen APN. I use it on all my phones and it's perfect your funny

I have been thinking of paying off my unrooted phone and switching to cricket. When I put my IME number to check compatibility it said it wasn't. So, I'm a bit confused. Is this phone compatible with ATT LTE or not. I thought that ATT and Cricket were the same?

sizz-lorr! said:
I have been thinking of paying off my unrooted phone and switching to cricket. When I put my IME number to check compatibility it said it wasn't. So, I'm a bit confused. Is this phone compatible with ATT LTE or not. I thought that ATT and Cricket were the same?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is your phone unlocked? if not you need to get your phone sim unlocked to get it to work on AT&T network. Im on AT&T and have no issues with data etc.

treoreloaded said:
is your phone unlocked? if not you need to get your phone sim unlocked to get it to work on AT&T network. Im on AT&T and have no issues with data etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No its not unloocked. But I will unlock it soon. Good to now that I can use it on ATT or cricket if I want. Really tired of Tmo.
Thanks.

SM-N920R US Cellular (International) work on Verizon

I am trying to buy the international SM-N920R version of a Note 5 so I can root it.
Will it work on Verizon? I found out that it will work on all of Verizon's bands from this site willmyphonework.net but just want to double tap to ensure I am not wasting my money because just because it should work on Verizon's network I need to know if it is Verizon approved. I don't have the Meid or the ESN to check this so does anyone know for sure? I should be able to pop my Sim from my Turbo and it should work on the international version right?

RoachHero said:
I am trying to buy the international SM-N920R version of a Note 5 so I can root it.
Will it work on Verizon? I found out that it will work on all of Verizon's bands from this site willmyphonework.net but just want to double tap to ensure I am not wasting my money because just because it should work on Verizon's network I need to know if it is Verizon approved. I don't have the Meid or the ESN to check this so does anyone know for sure? I should be able to pop my Sim from my Turbo and it should work on the international version right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I highly doubt it, but I'd love to know the answer too. I'd switch phones in a heartbeat.
Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Why do you doubt it would work? Just curious. The phone operates on all the same bands Verizon does. I could just ask Verizon permission to operate on their network, I'd rathered not. I don't see why it wouldn't work after I throw my SIM in it, but if it doesn't I can ask permission. The only carrier that Verizon says outright no to is Sprint.

I kinda doubt it'll work, but I'm very interested as well, if it works, I'd switch right away.

RoachHero said:
I am trying to buy the international SM-N920R version of a Note 5 so I can root it.
Will it work on Verizon? I found out that it will work on all of Verizon's bands from this site willmyphonework.net but just want to double tap to ensure I am not wasting my money because just because it should work on Verizon's network I need to know if it is Verizon approved. I don't have the Meid or the ESN to check this so does anyone know for sure? I should be able to pop my Sim from my Turbo and it should work on the international version right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't have band 13 which I think is Verizon's main LTE band

I wonder if the OP has tried it and gotten it to work.
Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

RoachHero said:
I am trying to buy the international SM-N920R version of a Note 5 so I can root it.
Will it work on Verizon? I found out that it will work on all of Verizon's bands from this site willmyphonework.net but just want to double tap to ensure I am not wasting my money because just because it should work on Verizon's network I need to know if it is Verizon approved. I don't have the Meid or the ESN to check this so does anyone know for sure? I should be able to pop my Sim from my Turbo and it should work on the international version right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If its an unlocked international version and it for sure is CDMA compatible it will work on Verizon's network, and I doubt there will be any hassle connecting it other than the usual service fees. However, I highly doubt that taking your SIM card from your Turbo will actually work, as SIM cards on Verizon's CDMA network are not like the SIM cards of GSM networks where you can take and switch from phone to phone and they work. I have tried this with my phones , a Note 5 and a Note 2 and also a Google Nexus and had anywhere from limited service to no service, I think because Verizon has their SIM cards tied to the actual IMEI of the phone, at least that's my thought. But hey If it works be sure to let us know as I know I would do the same to get root.

it does work. you need to have a verizon sim card that is already active. you have to activate the sim in a verizon phone before starting. you can use any us cellular device that is unlocked on verizon. the s6 edge, edge plus , note 5 all ship unlocked. theyre gsm capable also. the only issue with gsm is that you cant edit the apn. which is what brought me here. looking for a custom rom that would allow me to do so. you get 3g only using a uscc device on verizon and no mms.
---------- Post added at 11:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:40 AM ----------
LvnInOC said:
If its an unlocked international version and it for sure is CDMA compatible it will work on Verizon's network, and I doubt there will be any hassle connecting it other than the usual service fees. However, I highly doubt that taking your SIM card from your Turbo will actually work, as SIM cards on Verizon's CDMA network are not like the SIM cards of GSM networks where you can take and switch from phone to phone and they work. I have tried this with my phones , a Note 5 and a Note 2 and also a Google Nexus and had anywhere from limited service to no service, I think because Verizon has their SIM cards tied to the actual IMEI of the phone, at least that's my thought. But hey If it works be sure to let us know as I know I would do the same to get root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
verizon sim cards are just like gsm cards. all you have to do is put the card in your new device to switch the service. obvisouly the device would have to have a cdma radio to connect to anything other than lte service but you dont need to provide verizon with meid of your phone when switching.

bradsinram said:
it does work. you need to have a verizon sim card that is already active. you have to activate the sim in a verizon phone before starting. you can use any us cellular device that is unlocked on verizon. the s6 edge, edge plus , note 5 all ship unlocked. theyre gsm capable also. the only issue with gsm is that you cant edit the apn. which is what brought me here. looking for a custom rom that would allow me to do so. you get 3g only using a uscc device on verizon and no mms.
---------- Post added at 11:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:40 AM ----------
verizon sim cards are just like gsm cards. all you have to do is put the card in your new device to switch the service. obvisouly the device would have to have a cdma radio to connect to anything other than lte service but you dont need to provide verizon with meid of your phone when switching.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know if my experience applies here, but I did once switch a user's iPad Air 2 to verizon by just switching the SIM card to a Verizon card. This was done in conjuction with Verizon's corporate customer service who even sent me the SIM card I needed free of charge (probably because it was part of our corporate contract - assume they would probaly not do that for an individual).

I am currently on a Us Cellular r4 variant, and Using a Note 7 ported rom I messed with to work on it.
I often see the carrier on my notification tab say "Verizon"
I know that our phones are locked open, which means in the advanced system menu, ALL channels are locked open, and at least on my phone, I am able to recieve and process signal from most carriers. Our service is LTE/CDMA
I havent tried using a verizon sim to see if it works, but the r4 variant is supposedly "International"... The rom I ported was done by a Vietnamese guy...IDK. All i know is that it works after twrp restoring modem and efs

Sprint galaxy s5 SMG900P

Hello once again. I received 2 sprint s5's from my mom when she upgraded to S6's. I called straightalk asked if I could activate, no, called sprint prepaid, no!! I currently habe straightalk, and am willing to change to sprint amd get a contract, However I have sketchy service at my house, and really wanna test it out first. My question is whoop can activate these phones here in the SE US. Boost? Virgin mobile? I'm fairly granular with flashing and stuff and can read and follow directions. I do see a SIM unlock for non USA mostly, but would try it if all else fails. Right new the phone are factory reset on 5.0 lollipop. I can do what ever needed to get them SIM unlocked so I can activate for another service or just provide me with another provider that will activate. Amy help appreciated.

lego126 said:
Hello once again. I received 2 sprint s5's from my mom when she upgraded to S6's. I called straightalk asked if I could activate, no, called sprint prepaid, no!! I currently habe straightalk, and am willing to change to sprint amd get a contract, However I have sketchy service at my house, and really wanna test it out first. My question is whoop can activate these phones here in the SE US. Boost? Virgin mobile? I'm fairly granular with flashing and stuff and can read and follow directions. I do see a SIM unlock for non USA mostly, but would try it if all else fails. Right new the phone are factory reset on 5.0 lollipop. I can do what ever needed to get them SIM unlocked so I can activate for another service or just provide me with another provider that will activate. Amy help appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Youll have to pay for domestic gsm sim unlock,then adjust your apn to new carrier for data. Idoneapps unlocks these phones.

Sooooo
Ok thanks. So if its sim unlocked, and apn adjusted, I just pop sim in and I should be good. Even ifstraightalk tells me I can't use this phone?

lego126 said:
Ok thanks. So if its sim unlocked, and apn adjusted, I just pop sim in and I should be good. Even ifstraightalk tells me I can't use this phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct.
P.s. you also may have to enable some bands,depending on what carrier also.there are tutorials on that.

You can activate Sprint phones on Ting very inexpensively. Ting uses the Sprint network with CDMA phones.
Ting will check with Sprint to be sure the phones are out of contract and no balance owed.

S5 sm900g wifi popup
Thanks for the replies guys. Ting users CDMA? Mine is GSM, i found the threads about unlocking it. Hopefully i can get it. And one more question, i am constantly getting a pip up saying turning WiFi on will disable Hotspot. Ive done a hard reset, and back on official 5.0 lollipop. Not rooted yet but reading up on it before starting. This S5 lollipop is a bit diff from S3 KK. Thanks for any help or tips.

Sprint has a 14 day trial period. I was running around with 2 phones testing out sprint when I first got it.
Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk