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I just switch from verizon to sprint for this phone and am pretty saddened to have no service at home. is there a way like other builds to force roaming or make it switch to roaming 'easier' instead of in a complete dead zone?
I know i get great verizon coverage here and i know sprint roams on verizon towers(for free).
call sprint and let them know they will tell u about the airave u just connect it to ur highspeed internet and it acts almost like a mini tower
they will most likely waive the cost of the airave and the monthly charge
Thunderbolt and ALL future 4G VZW devices require a SIM card inserted into them for authentication. I just posted this on VZW forums because someone asked so here's a re-post for the HoFo members.
The SIM card is required for ALL 4G devices even when in CDMA only mode. See this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Removab...dentity_Module
VZ is adopting SIM-technology for all 4G and beyond future releases for ease of use because you can switch your account profile from phone to phone as long as it's a VZW 4G device and it will seamlessly work. No more calling support, you just swap the SIM card. No more *228 except for PRL updates but that in theory should be done automatically too in the future.
If you really want to know what's in the Thunderbolt here you go:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UICC
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CDMA_Su...dentify_Module
The Verizon 4G LTE SIM cards have 3 components in them (3 modules that are transparent to the end-user):
1. CSIM: Authentication to the CDMA 1X voice/data and CDMA EvDO rA data 3G network.
2. USIM/ISIM/USAT/ISIM: USIM is used for LTE/GSM/UMTS/HSPA data authentication. The last 3 are for roaming.
1. USIM is also used for native direct Verizon SIM card roaming when abroad (outside of the US) as long as the device hardware has the processing (baseband) and antennas to have the overseas bands.
2. ISIM is used for IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) authentication. Basically in the future Verizon wants to do VoLTE and move voice into IP (VoIP). This allows for ALL-IP simplified network management. Also device management and stuff that makes the device automatically work when it connects to ANY network in the world /w VZW roaming agreement (aka SMS/MMS).
3. USAT: Application toolkit for the SIM card. If you're not a developer forget about it.
4. ISIM (Intelligent SIM): One of the functions/applications is remote modular address book movement. (Only up to 256K). So if your address book contains up to 256K you can move it onto the SIM card and move your address book seamlessly transparently to the end user between any VZW device. There are other functions that only the engineer would understand.
"The application has been ported to the UICC (Universal Integrated Circuit Card), so that a card with CSIM, SIM, and USIM can operate with all cellular networks worldwide."
Get it? One phone, one network, 6 continents, every-where on planet-earth! Ah don't you just love technology? >.<
Also countering AT&T's stupid advertising the Thunderbolt will be able to do simultaneous voice and data like all AT&T 3G phones when in an upgraded area.
**Upgraded area=Area where Verizon has done network infrastructure upgrades to allow simultaneous voice and data on both CDMA and LTE. You will have simulaeous voice and data in ALL areas covered by LTE in which the data will be on LTE and the voice will be on CDMA 1X currently. In areas without LTE coverage that have been upgraded even the old native CDMA 1X/EvDO rA network will be able to do simulaeous voice and data (not all complete, in LTE areas yes, in non-LTE areas where they will get LTE yes by 2012). Basicall if you're in a metro area you will have simulaeous voice & data on ALL Verizon technologies, and then expand from there to the rural areas for the entire country by 2012.
Now with that said and done, VZ counters EVERY SINGLE CLAIM made by AT&T marketing in which VZ:
1. Support every function that AT&T does but does it EVEN BETTER
2. The superior VZW network in which VZW has invested billions of $$$ in.
These days it's not a technology limitation, it's the amount of $$$ you want to invest. Everything is possible, it just costs $. Heh.
thanks for the info...very informative
Stinks, I wanted to use this phone over seas too, I thought the SIM card thing was universal but ah well.
Not a surprise at all considering LTE is based on GSM, but nice job supplying details.
Would one be able to use a Thunderbolt SIM card in a laptop that was so equipped so that one only needed one data plan?
A Verizon sales rep I spoke with said no, it will not be possible, but you never know whether to believe what a sales rep says.
Robertus said:
Would one be able to use a Thunderbolt SIM card in a laptop that was so equipped so that one only needed one data plan?
A Verizon sales rep I spoke with said no, it will not be possible, but you never know whether to believe what a sales rep says.
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Almost certainly not, at least until they start making laptops with LTE radios. Or preferrably, a combined EVDO/LTE radio compatible with Verizon's SIM for CDMA scheme. No telling how long that will take, though.
Robertus, yes if you get a 4G USB stick like the UML290.
FCC is here:
https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas...=N&application_id=579333&fcc_id=\'NM8PG05100\
Looks like part of the delay is the updated RF testing for the SVDO and SVLTE support! w00t!
willzzz88 said:
Looks like part of the delay is the updated RF testing for the SVDO and SVLTE support! w00t!
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This is a HUGE plus for vzw network, as from this point on with all the 4G devices they are becoming on of the worlds most modern providers in the world.
Thank you as always for your great info willzzz!
The old native EVDO Rev. A is not capable of doing voice and data, and SVDO is a software feature, not hardware. Verizon is upgrading to CDMA 1X Advanced, in order for SVDO to work. Voice over LTE was tested with this phone, but it weren't as successful as the LG 4G device. The tentative date for this device was changed 3 times, with the iphone being the main reason for the delay. Verizon doesn't know what their LTE data surcharge should be, or if they should go free for a limited time. I'll find out later at work as to what's with their reasoning for the delay now.
After reading that I'm still not sure... so will the thunderbolt be global or not?
I'm about to get Thunderbolt, and through my company we get very nice discounts on vzw plans. Once I get unlimited data on thunderbolt you are positive that by swapping SIM's with UML290 they won't automatically change my plan to data card plans?
That's what I'm worried the most. Also, the other day when I tried to buy UML290 outright, they didn't really wanna sell me unless i sign a contract or month-to-month, which means credit check etc... Is this required? I just want to pay for UML290 full price $250, and leave the store, they obviously don't make it easy.
milan03 said:
Also, the other day when I tried to buy UML290 outright, they didn't really wanna sell me unless i sign a contract or month-to-month, which means credit check etc... Is this required? I just want to pay for UML290 full price $250, and leave the store, they obviously don't make it easy.
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They wouldn't let me do that at a corporate store for my Droid X the other month either. I just went to a reseller and bought it outright. You can probably buy the device from a Verizon authorized dealer without signing up for anything.
Hey folks! I'm currently an Sprint customer, but I'm considering a switch to ATT. I'll lay out a few facts so you can understand where I'm coming from. I'm not worried about cancellation fees because I can make our phones roam to VZW until sprint drops us.
-When I got cell service, none of the national carriers could compete with Sprint's prices (family plan, unlimited messaging/data, dont care about minutes). Now ATT's family plans have gotten competitive.
-Between people leaving VZW for economic reasons and people leaving T-Mo because of the ATT purchase, Sprint's network is very overburdened (at least in my area). Given the way Sprint has been flaking out on the 4G front, i'm not exactly filled with confidence that they'll expand their network capability in a timely fashion.
I'll ask folks in my squadron about local reception, but I want opinions from similarly minded people (you guys) about things like customer service and general happiness with the network. Also, what's ATT's 4G plan? As of now, all I've heard of is HSPA+, and I really dont know how it stacks up against WiMax, LTE, regular HSPA (thats 3g for GSM, right?) The store rep said that ATT will be using LTE, but I'm not sure if thats true given that Inspire and Atrix both are advertised as being 4G and use HSPA+.
Thanks in advance for any helpful feedback. For the flamers....well, u know where to stick it.
jdelforge5684 said:
Hey folks! I'm currently an Sprint customer, but I'm considering a switch to ATT. I'll lay out a few facts so you can understand where I'm coming from. I'm not worried about cancellation fees because I can make our phones roam to VZW until sprint drops us.
-When I got cell service, none of the national carriers could compete with Sprint's prices (family plan, unlimited messaging/data, dont care about minutes). Now ATT's family plans have gotten competitive.
-Between people leaving VZW for economic reasons and people leaving T-Mo because of the ATT purchase, Sprint's network is very overburdened (at least in my area). Given the way Sprint has been flaking out on the 4G front, i'm not exactly filled with confidence that they'll expand their network capability in a timely fashion.
I'll ask folks in my squadron about local reception, but I want opinions from similarly minded people (you guys) about things like customer service and general happiness with the network. Also, what's ATT's 4G plan? As of now, all I've heard of is HSPA+, and I really dont know how it stacks up against WiMax, LTE, regular HSPA (thats 3g for GSM, right?) The store rep said that ATT will be using LTE, but I'm not sure if thats true given that Inspire and Atrix both are advertised as being 4G and use HSPA+.
Thanks in advance for any helpful feedback. For the flamers....well, u know where to stick it.
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My advice is go for VZW if you want legit 4g. I haven't seen any 4g speeds on my Inspire and I live in Boston. The 4g data plan is basically 3g, and it costs teh same too.
I still can't bring myself to pay VZW's prices. I know their network is the best, but its not enough of an improvement for me to pay that much more. I'm not so much concerned with current 4g capability, i'm in between 2 4g markets right now, so I think it's going to be a while before I get it. I'm more curious about the future of 4g with ATT based on the fact that the rep, who seemed otherwise knowledgeable, said that ATT would be using LTE in Q4 of this year yet they've already released two phones sporting HSPA+ as their 4g devices. Does anyone know if they're going to switch their technology to LTE?
So what exactly would you like to know? Ask any questions you'd like and I'll answer them.
ATT has great coverage imo. I even have service where my girlfriend (verizon) does not (in many cases).
The inspire is the best phone on att. This is coming from a lifetime iphone man, and I also tested the Atrix for a month and CAME BACK to the inspire.
Data speeds are more than adequate for me, even if it is not the 'true' 4g of verizon. I am more realistic when it comes to data. I am thankful for the ability to be connected to the internet at all times, and if I have to wait a second for a page to load - I'm not complaining. What does matter to me is the performance and speeds of the gps/maps function, which, on the inspire are great. The google maps/nav is implemented directly into the phone and definitely has the upper hand on the iphone, which I feel is att's other competitive smartphone.
Basically, I feel your decision simply comes down to dollars and sense (get it??? haha...), as well as what kind of service you are receiving in your area. Att & sprint are comparable, and both carriers have great android devices (sprint is launching evo3d too, which looks pretty cool).
Basically, how's your service going to be? I would talk to people with ATT in your area and get their opinion. Also, how much money would you save/spend if you made the switch? I'd make a decision on those two factors.
at&t is currently releasing "4G" phones that have HSPA+ at 14.4/5.76Mbps download and upload respectively but they DO plan to run with LTE. Starting in May, they will be decommissioning their 2G network starting in the west coast and moving east, in order to free up bandwidth that they can use to launch LTE. Also, while Verizon purchased the "C" block of spectrum, at&t purchased a company that had vast amounts of what I believe was "D" spectrum on the 700 band as well and ended up paying a LOT less than what Verizon did to get their nationwide 700Mhz LTE licenses.
What I would do is go to the store, get a phone, drive EVERYWHERE that you think you may use it and watch your phone signal, run a few speed tests, check out voice quality, etc., before you make your decision.
While I am FINALLY figuring out the cause of my at&t issues at my new residence (Netgear 2.4GHz WNR2000v2 router is actually interfering with my cell signal massively), I have had issues around town and I am in Denver (the suburbs now) and should have EXCELLENT signal at all the locations I have had issues at.
T-Mobile is phenomenal if you look at their maps and make sure they have service of the utmost quality in your area - I read your post and believe you said T-Mo wasn't an option but I've had a few too many and just can't be bothered to go back and read the post again - T-Mobile has been deploying ridiculous HSPA+ speeds for some time now (on a recent speed test, my buddy got 26Mbps down and 2Mbps up on T-Mo's HSPA+ network) and I don't see them slowing down.
Verizon and Sprint are just disappointments and I think nothing more needs to be said about that.
EDIT: Sorry, at&t bought a large chunk of B-block 700MHz spectrum, not D-block.
EtherealRemnant said:
at&t is currently releasing "4G" phones that have HSPA+ at 14.4/5.76Mbps download and upload respectively but they DO plan to run with LTE. Starting in May, they will be decommissioning their 2G network starting in the west coast and moving east, in order to free up bandwidth that they can use to launch LTE. Also, while Verizon purchased the "C" block of spectrum, at&t purchased a company that had vast amounts of what I believe was "D" spectrum on the 700 band as well and ended up paying a LOT less than what Verizon did to get their nationwide 700Mhz LTE licenses.
What I would do is go to the store, get a phone, drive EVERYWHERE that you think you may use it and watch your phone signal, run a few speed tests, check out voice quality, etc., before you make your decision.
While I am FINALLY figuring out the cause of my at&t issues at my new residence (Netgear 2.4GHz WNR2000v2 router is actually interfering with my cell signal massively), I have had issues around town and I am in Denver (the suburbs now) and should have EXCELLENT signal at all the locations I have had issues at.
T-Mobile is phenomenal if you look at their maps and make sure they have service of the utmost quality in your area - I read your post and believe you said T-Mo wasn't an option but I've had a few too many and just can't be bothered to go back and read the post again - T-Mobile has been deploying ridiculous HSPA+ speeds for some time now (on a recent speed test, my buddy got 26Mbps down and 2Mbps up on T-Mo's HSPA+ network) and I don't see them slowing down.
Verizon and Sprint are just disappointments and I think nothing more needs to be said about that.
EDIT: Sorry, at&t bought a large chunk of B-block 700MHz spectrum, not D-block.
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Okay. This makes me want to know if my 2g I get here will be converted to 4g by the coming time.
Hmmmmmmph..that would be nice compared to my 150kbs download..lol
Sent from my HTC Inspire 4g using XDA.
MIUI Gingerbread 1.4.1v4
catlleprods cyan0#3.7
Ok so I know I'm a noob when it comes to some things on here, but I think this is a legitimate question so bare with me.
Basically, I have to move back home to Trenton, FL because of personal family issues. The problem is that I get absolutely NO service from T-Mobile over there. (It's horrible) I have a rooted and unlocked G2x for T-Mobile/ATT. My question is; can I simply purchase an ATT sim card and use their network back home without having to shut off my T-Mobile account and switch to ATT? From what I've researched, I'm pretty sure it's possible to "Borrow" service from ATT's towers over there with an unlocked T-Mobile phone and a data plan, but I'm not 100% sure. It's not a huge deal, but I'd like to know the answer before I actually move. Thanks!
Can someone please give me an accurate answer?
In short, no. If you want to use Att's cell towers but have a tmo subscription that would be considered roaming. If you had an att SIM you'd have to have service from them, it wouldn't be service from tmo. You could get some sort of roaming plan (I think) from tmo that would allow you access to the att towers.
I appreciate the help, but I'm pretty sure I have roaming from T-mobile. At least, I think I do, cause I think I've roamed before cause I've seen the symbols E and G on my service bar before. Hopefully this is good news! So I guess I'll just have to ask T-Mobile and see what's up.
The t-Mobile rep told me that wherever there is no tmo service you will piggy back on att's network for free. I've done it with both att and cellular one.
Call them and ask to be sure. But you shouldn't need to get a new att sim.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
Wouldn't bother calling about this...
1) To roam onto AT&T's network, they would have to have a roaming agreement in place. They only pay for roaming agreements in areas where A) They realllly realllly need to have coverage, and B) They don't already have coverage. If T-Mobile already has coverage in an area, they won't pay for an AT&T Roaming agreement. Even if it is bad coverage.
2) If you put an AT&T Sim in the an unlocked phone, then it will have nothing to do with T-Mobile while the AT&T Sim is in there... that is, as said above, you would need to have a service plan with AT&T and as such a new phone number, bill, etc...
3) You can't add a special roaming plan. They don't exist. You get all the roaming that's available already. Now, if you go OVERSEAS that's different - you have to call to add INTERNATIONAL roaming, but that's done so you don't get charged for international roaming without having been warned first. But for within the US, no, you can't get additional roaming on your T-Mobile plan...
The sad thing is, Roaming used to be a lot more common. Wireless services have gotten so competitive, however, that many of those old roaming agreements are dead and gone. Nobody's willing to share their networks any more.
If you bought an AT&T SIM and use that in the G2x, then you would simply be an AT&T customer, except I don't think G2x supports AT&T's 3g band, so you'll just have EDGE.
If T-Mobile doesn't have coverage where you're going, you can call them and terminate your service with T-Mobile, provided that you have proof that you moved there, and T-Mobile has zero coverage in the town you moved to. Otherwise, either keep your TMO account alive, or you have to pay a contract termination fee.
Damn guys I'm glad you told me all of this, especially the part about proving where I'm moving. That's awesome, now I don't have to pay two cell phone bills. Hells yes.
Has anyone heard of it? I know they are a sister company to att and they use their towers. But I have a sprint Nexus 5 if I switch and put their sim in my phone will it work?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
AIO is AT&T's prepaid subsidiary and yes it will work. All Nexus 5's are the same no matter where you purchased them from. There is no carrier branding or carrier locking on the N5. From what I hear, AT&T severly throttles date for AIO customers, so if data speed is important, you might want to consider T-Mobile prepaid or StraightTalk.
I use it now. As you probably know, they have a $40, $55, and a $70 plan, with data amounts of 250MB, 2GB, and 7GB, respectively. You get throttled to 2G after you hit your soft cap. Unlimited texts and minutes are included in all plans.
I've had it for 4 months now and can't complain. Their service in my area is good, and the speeds are up to snuff what what I need at least. The most data-intensive thing I do is stream "High quality" music from Pandora One, and it does that without a hitch. Can't comment on streaming video because I never do. One thing to keep in mind though, they cap your data speeds even before hitting you soft-cap. From their website:
If you run out of high speed data access in a given month, your access speeds will be reduced for the remainder of your month of service. But once your next month of service begins, you will once again have access to download speeds up to 4 Mbps on our 4G HSPA+ service or up to 8 Mbps with our LTE service.
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So no matter what, the fastest download speeds you can get is up to 4Mbps on HSPA+ and 8Mbps on LTE. Again, if that affects you then that's something to consider. It is good enough for me though.
I've used their $70 plan now for 2 months on the N5. It works fine except for at work. It's known at my work that att frequency is blocked by the buildings structure (metal walls, ceiling and metallic tinted windows) so I literally have 2 bars outside and zero signal inside. I will be switching to T-Mobile because of this. If it weren't for that I'd definitely stay.
Cool thanks for all the help. I might be getting a job at an Aio store and they have an employee plan $55 for 5gb so I was thinking if I get the job I might switch cuz sprint sucks haha
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
vwgti18 said:
Cool thanks for all the help. I might be getting a job at an Aio store and they have an employee plan $55 for 5gb so I was thinking if I get the job I might switch cuz sprint sucks haha
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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Heh I didn't know they even had brick and mortar Aio stores...
I switched from Verizon (had unlimited data) to AIO and have been enjoying it for 3 months now with no issues. Speeds are fast and I love it. I'm on the $55 a month plan.
I should tell you though that ATT is about to roll AIO into the Cricket brand. ATT owns Cricket now and it will be nationwide LTE just like AIO (if it's not already).
I have the $55 plan and service has been great, LTE at home, work and the commute. Streaming music and tethering works fine. Customer service has also been great as they helped me with the APN settings, which should be posted on their website, but are not. Some negatives are the slow ping on speed tests, a few second delay for the connection on phone calls and the Cricket factor.
Sprint and T-mobile signals are non-existent at work, so my options were limited.
what's the speed of the throttle
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
I just got off phone and online chat with AIO customer service... It is the worst, they couldn't get mms to work on my Note 2 and made me power cycle thinking it would work. I am done and want to warn everyone I can.
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I considered the $55 AIO plan when I got my nexus 5, but ultimately went with the $60 AT&T GoPhone plan instead. Same amount of data, essentially the same price, same AT&T network, and no throttling of speeds.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
I too have AIO, after finding out they don't allow VPN on cellular data I'm probably going to switch to AT&T Go Phone after I get my free month unless one of the other "unlimited" prepaid carriers that uses AT&T towers supports VPN usage. I don't often go over the 2GB amount, but I did about 1/3 of the time on VZW with unlimited, part of that was tethering due to slow hotel internet and stupidly fast LTE and unlimited data. So guess I'll put in chat sessions with tech support to find out if VPN is supported over cellular data before I commit.
Also, going to chime in and mention that it took me about 10 minutes of back and forth with tech support on the phone to get them to understand what my problem was. Also, setting up SMS was slightly annoying as they didn't tell me the exact correct thing to put into the phone. However, I simply had to click "Refresh" then "Update" for the SMSC(?) number to self populate and then work fine. Prior to that I had MMS working fine both ways (after inputting the APN settings from around the web and now their site).
I'd consider T-mo but I go to many rural areas where they simply don't have coverage for work and would like to be able to stay in touch.
METDeath said:
I too have AIO, after finding out they don't allow VPN on cellular data I'm probably going to switch to AT&T Go Phone after I get my free month unless one of the other "unlimited" prepaid carriers that uses AT&T towers supports VPN usage. I don't often go over the 2GB amount, but I did about 1/3 of the time on VZW with unlimited, part of that was tethering due to slow hotel internet and stupidly fast LTE and unlimited data. So guess I'll put in chat sessions with tech support to find out if VPN is supported over cellular data before I commit.
Also, going to chime in and mention that it took me about 10 minutes of back and forth with tech support on the phone to get them to understand what my problem was. Also, setting up SMS was slightly annoying as they didn't tell me the exact correct thing to put into the phone. However, I simply had to click "Refresh" then "Update" for the SMSC(?) number to self populate and then work fine. Prior to that I had MMS working fine both ways (after inputting the APN settings from around the web and now their site).
I'd consider T-mo but I go to many rural areas where they simply don't have coverage for work and would like to be able to stay in touch.
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Have you found any that will allow VPN? I'm on Straight talk ATT currently and it does not allow VPN either.
I cannot speak to what AIO's actual policy is on VPN traffic but I can say that I've been on their network for almost 2 months now and have had no issues using VPNs. Perhaps they just have not caught it yet but so far so good. YMMV.
Edit: So I've been looking through their terms and can't find anything specifically mentioning VPNs or tunnels but they do have some pretty standard clauses about only using your data connection for approved activities. This certainly gives them the right to block types of traffic they don't approve of but it doesn't mean they are actively policing it either. Would love to find a more solid answer on this.
Data Services Permitted Uses
Aio provides wireless data and messaging Services, including, but not limited to, features that may be used with Data Services and wireless content and applications ( Data Services ). Our Data Services are intended to be used for the following permitted activities: (a) web browsing; (b) email; (c) intranet access; (d) uploading and downloading applications and content to and from the Internet; and (e) using applications and content without excessively contributing to network congestion. You agree that Aio may engage in any reasonable network management practice and that you will use Aios Data Services only for these permitted activities.
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Well, the one rep I spoke to on the phone said they didn't allow it. I will try talking to a chat tech when I'm home again and can test it. I know I have the VPN working because I can connect over Wi-Fi (not at home) and it works perfectly. I've tried to connect over cellular at home, and on the road, never worked. I've got all the APN settings correct and SMS working, so I don't believe it to be a configuration issue.