So T-Mobile seems to be ramping up their LTE coverage and my area seems to be one of the LTE markets.
I was wondering, would now be a good time to buy an AT&T Android LTE phone (like the Note 2 or GS3)?
I'm not entirely clear if the LTE on those AT&T phones will work with the current/future T-Mobile LTE network.
Right now I'm currently using an iPhone 4 on T-Mobile. I get spotty 3G coverage since I'm in one of the 1900MHz refarmed areas. Would using an AWS LTE compatible AT&T phone let me get T-Mobile LTE service?
Is T-Mobile eventually going to get rid of their 3G service on the 1700MHz frequency so they can use it for LTE and then put their 3G service on the 1900MHz frequency?
I can't afford a brand new phone, but when it comes to used phones it always seems that AT&T ones are cheaper to buy than T-Mobile equivalent.
Outrager said:
So T-Mobile seems to be ramping up their LTE coverage and my area seems to be one of the LTE markets.
I was wondering, would now be a good time to buy an AT&T Android LTE phone (like the Note 2 or GS3)?
I'm not entirely clear if the LTE on those AT&T phones will work with the current/future T-Mobile LTE network.
Right now I'm currently using an iPhone 4 on T-Mobile. I get spotty 3G coverage since I'm in one of the 1900MHz refarmed areas. Would using an AWS LTE compatible AT&T phone let me get T-Mobile LTE service?
Is T-Mobile eventually going to get rid of their 3G service on the 1700MHz frequency so they can use it for LTE and then put their 3G service on the 1900MHz frequency?
I can't afford a brand new phone, but when it comes to used phones it always seems that AT&T ones are cheaper to buy than T-Mobile equivalent.
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Click to collapse
It has been my understanding that AT&T and T-Mobile smartphones are network cross-compatible because they use the same bands for HSPDA and LTE. So as long as you have the following, you should be good to go.
First and most important: ***Phone Unlocked***
The correct sim for the carrier.
The correct APN settings for the carrier. (If this isn't auto-populated after the new sim is in the phone, you can search here on XDA for them.)
Lastly, apply any patches/fixes/tweaks for the particular device where needed. (if needed)
As for this network cross-compatibility changing in the future, odds are that it probably will not happen any time soon as this would be very costly for the carrier to change so soon after launching the LTE service. Post-LTE, maybe, but that is at least another 10 years away if I had to guess. :fingers-crossed:
Related
I like the Captivate better than the Vibrant. Will it allow me to use 3G on the T-Mobile network?
I believe you would only get edge on at&t.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Technically it's the same type of network...
no, only EDGE. They have different 3G bands.
T-Mobile = 1700 MHz
ATT = 850 and 1900 MHz
we can use captivate in china with unicom
I have a Captivate on Tmobile.
Can confirm it's only Edge
I always snicker when I see these threads. T-Mo GSM =/= AT&T GSM. Yes there are common frequencies that all GSM phones use, but each carrier always has their own 3G frequency. None are shared.
While yes there are different GSM bands and yes T-mobile uses different GSM bands than AT&T, mostly all phones are quadband GSM nowadays and thus support but AT&T and T-mobile's GSM network. Even US triband GSM phones still has both AT&T and T-mobile's bands.
3G is where is it different. Not all phones support both T-mobiles and AT&T's 3g bands. Very few actually do. The Samsung Vibrant (another Galaxy S phone) supports T-mobile's 3G bands and can be changed in the service mode to support AT&T's 3G as well.
The Captivate is not the same. The Captivate can only support AT&T's 3G network and not T-mobile's 3G network. It will work on T-mobile's EDGE network.
amtrakcn said:
Technically it's the same type of network...
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Click to collapse
No they have a different bands for 3g, just because they use Sim cards doesnt mean it can run 3g on both networks
opcow said:
I believe you would only get edge on at&t.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your wrong, the captivate is AT&T so you can 3G with AT&T and only Edge with tmobile
I'm also using the captivate on T-Mobile but can confirm that it's only on edge.
same situation with the nexus one. cant interchange or you can only get Edge
niceties of 3G
Wrong thread. I apologise!
vette95 said:
I just bought a Motorola Cliq (MB200). In Dominican Republic there are only 2 companies with 3G service. Claro Codetel (850Mhz) and Orange Dominicana (900Mhz)
Claro Codetel sells the Motorola Cliq for 3G usage on their network, branded to them of course.
The Cliq I bought is T-Mobile branded.
Is there ANY known way to debrand and have access to the 850 band for 3G?
I ask this question because I saw how it can be done on the Motorola Defy with a service flash found here, so I believe it should also be possible with my Moto Cliq.
I would really appreciate any input on this subject.
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Shouldn't you really be looking in those forums and not one for a Galaxy S phone?
Sorry, only did it because there were talks about other makes. I didn't realise it was a "Galaxy S Only" thread.
How do I delete my post?
I can get HSPDA over here in Malaysia.
Actually, both T-Mobile and AT&T phones work here. (2100Mhz 3G band)
vette95 said:
Sorry, only did it because there were talks about other makes. I didn't realise it was a "Galaxy S Only" thread.
How do I delete my post?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only phone mentioned here was the Captivate. Which is what this fora is for.
Sent from my Captivate
Is EDGE service bad? the reason I ask is that I'm planning a trip from Nova Scotia to British Columbia, and going to be drive through the states. Cheaper Gas/Food/Lodging. you get the picture. I have a Captivate from Rogers which is unlocked and was thinking about getting a T-Mobile SIM card to use the Day Pass unlimited internet. However I don't understand what edge means and if this is a good thing or not. LOL
Thanks
Well at&t just bought t-mobile so maybe there will be a combining of signals?
studacris said:
Well at&t just bought t-mobile so maybe there will be a combining of signals?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They haven't bought, they are attempting to buy.
DOJ and FCC still have to approve it.
@OP
No, the Captivate was designed to only be supported for AT&T 3G. It does have the 2100 band, which T-Mobile 3G uses, but T-Mobile uses both 1700/2100 for upload/download, so if you don't have both, it locks you into 3G.
Anyone tried to flash a Phone with 1700 enabled?
I've got the Touch Pro (T7272-unlocked not t-Mobile branded) and am a T-Mobile customer.
Does anyone know if this device works on the T-Mobile 4G network?
If so, what setting, if any, need to be changed?
The package says the phone supports HSPA network, but T-Mobile's is HSPA+.
The phone will work, but I believe only on EDGE. The radio bands are wrong to get 3G or I guess 4G. There's nothing you can do about it.
Thanks for your reply.
I've used it for years with EDGE, which is brutally sloooooow.
I was wondering what spec determines if a phone will work on T-Mobile 4G network?
that is correct. att's 3/4g opperates arround 1800hmz while tmobiles 3/4g opperates around 1700mhz to no matter what you do (outside of switching carriers) there is no way you can opperate outside of edge
-rastlin
Rastin,
Thanks for your reply.
Is there any possibility that a software solution could change the Band Frequency?
Unfortunately it`s imposible.
I know how At&t are gonna have HSPA+ 4g, I'm confused about the new devices they're gonna have that support HSPA+. Are they going to be able to connect to HSPA+ on T-Mobile's network.
So for example, I buy an unlocked HSPA+ tablet from AT&T, straight from their store. Is it going to be able to use T-Mobile's HSPA+ network if I put a T-Mobile SIM card inside?
Also, one last question, if I use T-Mobile's SIM card, do I have to do some special stuff to get it to work on their cell network? Like how you have to unlock an iPhone for it to work on T-Mobile?
Thanks
xAliceNine said:
I know how At&t are gonna have HSPA+ 4g, I'm confused about the new devices they're gonna have that support HSPA+. Are they going to be able to connect to HSPA+ on T-Mobile's network.
So for example, I buy an unlocked HSPA+ tablet from AT&T, straight from their store. Is it going to be able to use T-Mobile's HSPA+ network if I put a T-Mobile SIM card inside?
Also, one last question, if I use T-Mobile's SIM card, do I have to do some special stuff to get it to work on their cell network? Like how you have to unlock an iPhone for it to work on T-Mobile?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
Unfortunately you will not be able to use HSPA+. HSPA+ is just an extension/revision of the current 3G. Effectively it is also called 3.5G/3.75G in some reports. They use the same 3G band of each respective company. The At&t tablet would work on 850/1900 band and T-mobile will work on their AWS (1700) band. So if you bought an At&t tablet, you may need to get it unlocked, not sure if they lock the sim on tablets. At best you would get Edge service with a T-mobile sim.
thanks man, argg
do you think it's worth it to change to at&t because I just heard of the Motorola Atrix and it sound PRETTY BAD ASS!
I don't know since people I know are always angry at AT&T for their service either..
xAliceNine said:
thanks man, argg
do you think it's worth it to change to at&t because I just heard of the Motorola Atrix and it sound PRETTY BAD ASS!
I don't know since people I know are always angry at AT&T for their service either..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NP. I have had every major carrier offered in the US. I have had at&t, t-mobile, and sprint within the last year. I had verizon a while ago and dropped them because they could never get my bill right. Honestly, the service is about the same. The question is how is the service in your area. I mainly stay in my area about 90-98% of the time. I live in a major city so all carries have great service. But I have stayed with At&t for the last few years. Every time I go to another carrier I kept my at&t service, go figure. So I would just look at coverage to where you travel the most and go with a carrier that will give you the best coverage for the best price. Do i prefer a carrier over another, yeah. I like GSM carriers better because I do like to surf and talk at the same time. Sprint can do this if your in a 4G coverage area and have a 4G phone. Verizon is a no go with this feature until they release their LTE phones. But At&t has a better coverage footprint than T-mobile that is why I stick with them. Hope it helps.
Wondering a bit about this too.
I have service through Bendbroadband using a HSPA+ SIM with USB modem Dongle by bandluxe. The service is stellar on the speed, but I can't use the dongle with everything (iPad), so looking for alternate routes before i decide to move to a different provider.
I noticed that the CTO of the company said in a comment regarding their service that any unlocked UE that supports HSPA/HSPA+ in the AWS band could be used, but also had an unclear reponse on cell phones with HSPA+.
I have a Huawei Comet (unlocked), it lists the same AWS Bands compatible, but says HSDPA (which I thought HSDPA + HSUPA = HSPA+ but at higher speeds, correct me if I am wrong), and has hotspot tether that works with tmobile web service no problem.
I plugged the SIM in, and it updates the bar with BendBroadband but I get no data. (might need to provide the IMEI or something)..
Curious if you think it should work, before i go knocking on their doors.
Some other specs:
the mytouch 4g (HSPA+) lists the bands as:850 MHz;900 MHz;1800 MHz;1900 MHz;UMTS: Band IV (1700/2100)
The comet is listed as: 850 MHz;900 MHz;1800 MHz;1900 MHz;UMTS: Band I (2100);UMTS: Band IV (1700/2100)
I am fairly sure the comet is HSPA+ but not advertised that way.
According to comments on the site, Bendbroadband technicians do not actually support moving of the SIMs. Bummer.. trying to keep my business local.. Bumping and moving to Tmobile once the month is up.
I thought I did my homework. But when I called t-mobile to find out if the quad band Infuse would work on their network, I didn't ask what kind of data speeds I would get. My bad.
So now I have this almost perfect device that gets 2g speeds. Not even 3g. And they're charging me $9.99 a month (for tethering) for this privilege because it's not a t-mobile phone.
So if any of you know a workaround, please let me know.
Otherwise, I'll have a one week old Infuse to sell.
Bob
BobK58 said:
I thought I did my homework. But when I called t-mobile to find out if the quad band Infuse would work on their network, I didn't ask what kind of data speeds I would get. My bad.
So now I have this almost perfect device that gets 2g speeds. Not even 3g. And they're charging me $9.99 a month (for tethering) for this privilege because it's not a t-mobile phone.
So if any of you know a workaround, please let me know.
Otherwise, I'll have a one week old Infuse to sell.
Bob
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sell it. The Infuse does not support the UMTS1700 band that T-Mobile uses. Neither does any other AT&T phone that I know of.
For the most part, with a few rare exceptions, unless the phone was sold by T-Mobile USA, it won't get 3G speeds.
You can sometimes go the other way - 2-3 T-Mobile phones support the AT&T 3G bands, but it's rare.
I don't think any AT&T phones support the AWS (UTMS1700) band for T-Mobile, but I know that a few T-Mobile phones (Galaxy S phones) have the 1900 band, so they work on AT&T's 3G network.
Your better off selling the Infuse and getting something like it for T-Mobile, or just wait for the SGS2, and get that, because your Infuse will be stuck on 2G.
Longcat14 said:
I don't think any AT&T phones support the AWS (UTMS1700) band for T-Mobile, but I know that a few T-Mobile phones (Galaxy S phones) have the 1900 band, so they work on AT&T's 3G network.
Your better off selling the Infuse and getting something like it for T-Mobile, or just wait for the SGS2, and get that, because your Infuse will be stuck on 2G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But what about when ATT takes over tmobile? Will it change then?
emeralds5668 said:
But what about when ATT takes over tmobile? Will it change then?
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Click to collapse
Not for existing devices, it's a hardware limitation
The tech guy I spoke with at t-mobile said it probably will -- but that's quite a while to wait. By then a GSM version of Kyocera's Echo might be out. Now I know what questions to ask.
B
I have both the T-Mobile and the international unlocked version. I have the latter because, in my excitement, I didn't take care to find out if it will work on T-Mobile's 3G speeds. To my dismay, it doesn't, and I have an extra phone.
I'm wondering if it will work on any other carrier's 3G/4G data speeds. Searching forums and support threads haven't gotten me any answers. Any help at all would be appreciated.
I bought mine in Britain and am using it quite happily here in Japan. T-Mobile USA has a relatively rare frequency band internationally; I think as long as you have 2100MHz and 900MHz bands, which this phone has, there should be an operator in almost every country that the phone will work on. In fact, it should work on most operators in most countries.
The phone has 850/900/2100 MHz bands for 3G; T-Mobile runs "4G" (actually 3G) on 1700/2100 aka AWS - this requires BOTH bands to be present in the phone, which is why the One S doesn't work. T-Mo USA also has 1900MHz, again not present in the One S. Can you get EDGE 2G data, which should be possible on 850MHz?
In the USA, it should work on AT&T, as they use 850MHz for 3G. Maybe you can find someone who will lend you a SIM to check it.
In Europe & Asia, it should generally work no problem.