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[Q] Nexus S Sprint, GSM Difference?

Hello...
I've been searching for a while now and can't find the answer to a simple question:
Are there differences in the Nexus S sold by AT&T, Sprint and the Unlocked versions you can purchase online? Basically, I'm asking if the Unlocked Nexus S online, which has a GSM card, can be used on the Sprint network.
We have a Google Nexus S here at work for NFC testing. It currently has an AT&T SIM card in it. But, I see it has an IMEI number under the battery.
Can I take this IMEI number and register it on Sprint?!?!
Or, are there special CDMA models sold with no GSM sockets?
Thank you!

No you can't use att or tmobile phones on sprint networks. They are a different technology. Sprint and verizon are cdma networks which don't use SIM cards where as tmobile and at are GSM networks which use sim cards. They operate in different radio frequencies. And even than its unlikely sprint would allow a different networks phone to be used in there network.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium

You would think that is the case, yes. CDMA and GSM (which I mentioned in my post as well). I'm very fimiliar with the differences in them.
But, someone at work broke out his Verizon Blackberry (don't know the model number) and shows his IMEI number under the battery. As well as his SIM socket with a Canada SIM card in it. "I use this carrier in Canada as they are cheap roaming."
THat's what left me baffled - a phone that was both on the CDMA network, and the GSM network in other countries.
Also, your post sounds like you are just guessing - since they are known different technologies. Do you know for a fact that the phone does not have both a CDMA radio, as well as the GSM radios (yep, two with them). THere are Japanese and Europe phones that has the combinations in a single phone, running Android.

Yes he is sure.

World phone by blackberry? Lol
Sent From In between Your Moms Boobies

Some phones can do both. Nexus S cannot.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

Thunderbolt to New Cricket 4G LTE

There's is now 4G coverage in the Houston area.My thunderbolt is already fully flash 3G and stable. Want to enable 4G on this phone. Cricket says requires sim card to work. The only sim cards are with the new LG and Samsung S3 by cricket. I know this is possible by using a unlocked 4G cdma LTE phone with sim slot. Does anyone have a unlocked phone on 4G cricket successfully working!!!

willowtree001 said:
There's is now 4G coverage in the Houston area.My thunderbolt is already fully flash 3G and stable. Want to enable 4G on this phone. Cricket says requires sim card to work. The only sim cards are with the new LG and Samsung S3 by cricket. I know this is possible by using a unlocked 4G cdma LTE phone with sim slot. Does anyone have a unlocked phone on 4G cricket successfully working!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is in the wrong thread. Verizon 4g will only work with Verizon. Verizon owns the entire 700mhz band that 4g functions off. This makes it so no other network can use Verizon's 4g
Sent from my ThunderBolt using Tapatalk 2

disconnecktie said:
This is in the wrong thread. Verizon 4g will only work with Verizon. Verizon owns the entire 700mhz band that 4g functions off. This makes it so no other network can use Verizon's 4g
Sent from my ThunderBolt using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think this is true as verizon can still lease their spectrum to other carriers like Straight Talk to piggy back off their network. The biggest problem for him is going to get a non-approved 4g device on verizons network. Verizon does not want people taking flagship devices to other discount carriers. Networks like Cricket dont actually own any spectrum, they just lease it from the bigger carriers at a discount. But verizon only allows a select group of ESN's to connect to it, usually for crappier phones. Some people will go so far as to clone their ESN to get it to work, but that requires special tools developed for your phone and can be quite tricky.

RunNgun42 said:
I dont think this is true as verizon can still lease their spectrum to other carriers like Straight Talk to piggy back off their network. The biggest problem for him is going to get a non-approved 4g device on verizons network. Verizon does not want people taking flagship devices to other discount carriers. Networks like Cricket dont actually own any spectrum, they just lease it from the bigger carriers at a discount. But verizon only allows a select group of ESN's to connect to it, usually for crappier phones. Some people will go so far as to clone their ESN to get it to work, but that requires special tools developed for your phone and can be quite tricky.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well its pretty obvious that Verizon isn't leasing any part of their lte spectrum since there isn't one single optional carrier that a Verizon 4g phone will work with.
Sent from my ThunderBolt using Tapatalk 2

Is it possible to unlock all GSM bands to but used with Cricket 4G LTE service?
A possible NV Edit is probably all that is required
If I installed any other Sim Card Tmobile for example you get sim card unknown error and no signal
This is being done on other Verizon 4G LTE phones where people doing NV SEEM edits and unlocking all GSM bands. Using with prepaid carriers like Simple Mobile

willowtree001 said:
Is it possible to unlock all GSM bands to but used with Cricket 4G LTE service?
A possible NV Edit is probably all that is required
If I installed any other Sim Card Tmobile for example you get sim card unknown error and no signal
This is being done on other Verizon 4G LTE phones where people doing NV SEEM edits and unlocking all GSM bands. Using with prepaid carriers like Simple Mobile
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So far no one has managed to do this on the thunderbolt. Its not like other 4g phones and is the only one with svdo enabled.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

willowtree001 said:
Is it possible to unlock all GSM bands to but used with Cricket 4G LTE service?
A possible NV Edit is probably all that is required
If I installed any other Sim Card Tmobile for example you get sim card unknown error and no signal
This is being done on other Verizon 4G LTE phones where people doing NV SEEM edits and unlocking all GSM bands. Using with prepaid carriers like Simple Mobile
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can the bands the radio receives be changed by software? Isn't the radio physically limited to a range of frequencies?
Sent from my ThunderBolt using Tapatalk 2

I was pretty sure that the radio was locked in to stay at the 700mhz spectrum that Verizon owns. I wouldn't be the least but surprised if it were locked in using hardware as well.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

If memory serves, Cricket's LTE is courtesy of Verizon, I read it I think on Engadget a while back... Either way, it goes along with Verizon's Rural Coverage Plan to work with regional carriers to bring LTE to places where people would never expect it.
T-Mo works with AT&T phones because both are 1800Mhz or whatever for EDGE, so I would think if Sprint LTE is 700Mhz....
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

jimmyco2008 said:
If memory serves, Cricket's LTE is courtesy of Verizon, I read it I think on Engadget a while back... Either way, it goes along with Verizon's Rural Coverage Plan to work with regional carriers to bring LTE to places where people would never expect it.
T-Mo works with AT&T phones because both are 1800Mhz or whatever for EDGE, so I would think if Sprint LTE is 700Mhz....
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon owns the upper c block of the 700mhz spectrum. Read this.
http://www.phonescoop.com/articles/article.php?a=187&p=230
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

jimmyco2008 said:
If memory serves, Cricket's LTE is courtesy of Verizon, I read it I think on Engadget a while back... Either way, it goes along with Verizon's Rural Coverage Plan to work with regional carriers to bring LTE to places where people would never expect it.
T-Mo works with AT&T phones because both are 1800Mhz or whatever for EDGE, so I would think if Sprint LTE is 700Mhz....
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I doubt Sprint is using 700 they are probably using spectrum they got from the nextel acquisition (not looking stupid now lol). And of Sprint was using 700 and the had an lte roaming agreement, which they don't, with Verizon..... sprint lte phones would be working in allot more places, which they aren't.
Sent from my ThunderBolt using Tapatalk 2
---------- Post added at 09:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:31 PM ----------
http://m.networkworld.com/news/2012/012312-lte-spectrum-255122.html?page=2
If the info from the above article is correct you can see Sprint lte is not compatible with Verizon or ATT. In my searching I also found that apple made 3 different variants of the iPhone 5 with different lte frequency combinations.
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/09/iphone5-lte-model/
Sent from my ThunderBolt using Tapatalk 2

willowtree001 said:
Is it possible to unlock all GSM bands to but used with Cricket 4G LTE service?
A possible NV Edit is probably all that is required
If I installed any other Sim Card Tmobile for example you get sim card unknown error and no signal
This is being done on other Verizon 4G LTE phones where people doing NV SEEM edits and unlocking all GSM bands. Using with prepaid carriers like Simple Mobile
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
those other Verizon 4g Lte phones, like the moto Bionic, have radios and antenna that support those GSM frequencies, and the engineering software tools to perform those tasks have been leaked.
Afaik, but I haven't looked in a while, after making those seem edits it unlocks Gsm/Edge for Att, T-Mobile and global roaming. I think it also enables hspa for Att but not T-Mobile due to frequencies the bionic's radio supports or doesn't support. It does not enable Lte for any other carrier.
its my understanding that the radio chips and antennas in the TB only support Cdma/Evdo and VZW's upper 700mhz block LTE

It also doesnt help that ril for the thunderbolt is closed source because of the svdo capabilities in it.
Sent from my ThunderBolt using Tapatalk 2

Anyone try getting/buying a sim card from cricket?

You would need a SIM for the phone to work at all, right, since it is needed for 3G and 1X on Verizon?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

jimmyco2008 said:
You would need a SIM for the phone to work at all, right, since it is needed for 3G and 1X on Verizon?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The sim would be needed for 4g to work. Cricket will provide you with a sim but you will still only get 3g because they can't get Verizon's 4g signal.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

But my phone doesn't work at all without a SIM, is it different for cricket?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

I think to use the phone with cricket you will have to have the sim but still won't be able to use 4g.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

Quick Question
"There's is now 4G coverage in the Houston area.My thunderbolt is already fully flash 3G and stable. Want to enable 4G on this phone. Cricket says requires sim card to work. The only sim cards are with the new LG and Samsung S3 by cricket. I know this is possible by using a unlocked 4G cdma LTE phone with sim slot. Does anyone have a unlocked phone on 4G cricket successfully working!!!"
If you don't mind, I was hoping you might be able to tell me how you flashed your thunderbolt to Cricket. I have tried many times unsuccessfully, and to be honest I'm absolutely stuck. I'd appreciate any and all help I can find. Thank you so much Have a wonderful day!
,
Dave

[Q] How to Switch to Verzion with T-Mobile's myTouch 4G Slide

Hi guys I have a question hopefully someone can help me with. I have the myTouch 4G Slide from T-Mobile but I want to use it on Verizons network. I know how to root and unlock the boot-loader but are there any other steps I need to take before this is functional? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Version uses sim cards right? If so just search the threads here on how to sim unlock your phone, I believe I read one or two here before. You can also have it unlocked by tmo if your on contract with them or you can buy sim unlock codes
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

Verizon uses CDMA. The MT4GS is a GSM phone, so there is no way to use it on Verizon's service. It doesn't have a radio that is compatible with Verizon's towers.

HappyKhicken said:
Verizon uses CDMA. The MT4GS is a GSM phone, so there is no way to use it on Verizon's service. It doesn't have a radio that is compatible with Verizon's towers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly! There is absolutely no way to get this phone, or any GSM phone that I know of, to work on Verizon's system. Even T-Mobile's new LTE service is different than the LTE from Verizon (not that this phone can work on either of those, either).

Haha, couldn't remember myself, hence the foggy reply! CDMA is such a pain, makes me wonder why anyone uses a carrier with it, I mean unless you never travel or want your phone to only ever work with one carrier....
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

demkantor said:
Haha, couldn't remember myself, hence the foggy reply! CDMA is such a pain, makes me wonder why anyone uses a carrier with it, I mean unless you never travel or want your phone to only ever work with one carrier....
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are a few Verizon and Sprint (both CDMA carriers) that have GSM backup. They market them as their "World Phones". The iPhone5 is one of them. If the phones have the GSM portion unlocked (Verizon automatically unlocks theirs, Sprint will unlock on request after a certain amount of time), you can use a foreign SIM and the GSM radio of those phones. But, you have to be careful, the phones default to the CDMA and if you have roaming turned on, in some countries that could be a VERY expensive oversight with roaming charges.

Activating on Verizon

I must be missing something when it comes to adding phones to other networks, and this is a total n00b question but it's also not a FAQ question that I can see. The Moto-G has the radio support for Verizon, has an IMEI number like every other phone, but I can't activate it on their network as they say the device ID isn't valid.
Has anyone done this successfully yet? Did I miss something?

thebrink said:
I must be missing something when it comes to adding phones to other networks, and this is a total n00b question but it's also not a FAQ question that I can see. The Moto-G has the radio support for Verizon, has an IMEI number like every other phone, but I can't activate it on their network as they say the device ID isn't valid.
Has anyone done this successfully yet? Did I miss something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pretty sure Moto-G is only for GSM based networks. Verizon is CDMA...
sooo...

I believe a Verizon/CDMA version is to be released soon but I don't think its out yet.
http://m.cnet.com/news/moto-g-landing-on-verizon/57612232
Sent from my XT1032 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Yup, Verizon is CDMA not GSM. So is Sprint.
sent from my Moto G using Tapatalk

PloniAlmoni said:
Yup, Verizon is CDMA not GSM. So is Sprint.
sent from my Moto G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But Verizon and sprint both have cards you can put in tablets and for instance you CAN activate a play store nexus 5 on sprint
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

That's for LTE devices only. If Verizon didn't release the phone themselves they are very unlikely to support adding it for you. Basically you are outta luck.
Sent from my XT1034 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

The Verizon SIM cards are for LTE service only. Verizon and Sprint LTE phones are different than phones that run on other carriers: they have a CDMA radio and an LTE radio. The SIM card in such phones is *only* used by the LTE radio, while the SIM card is used by all radios (GSM/UMTS and LTE) in GSM phones.
The Moto G that is for sale in the U.S. directly from Motorola is a GSM/UMTS phone. No LTE, no CDMA. It *will not* work on Verizon, and it *will not* work on Sprint. Period. This isn't even a matter of Verizon policy, or of them being stubborn and refusing to activate your phone. Your Moto G is physically and technologically incompatible with their network.
As previous posters mentioned, Motorola has stated that they will eventually release a CDMA version of the G. And in all likelihood, once it is out, you will have to buy the phone from Verizon, *not* motorola.com, if you want to use it on their network.
-- Nathan

International vs. US model

I am on AT&T in the US. I'd like to get the 6GB version. I haven't seen that it is being offered in the US. Anyone know if it will?
Assuming it will, ifs there any specific reason to purchase the US model over the international version? I would like to have a phone that will work on both Verizon and AT&T, as I may change carriers.
Any advice?

The Mate 9 will not work on Verizon nor Sprint. Its a GSM phone which means AT&T and Tmobile

If you're changing, then consider T-Mobile!

Not sure you guys realize Verizon uses SIM cards now too on some phones. Pixel XL is a sim card phone that was sold exclusively for a min through verizon, my friends have Nexus 6P on Verizon network. Sprint also uses a nano SIM on all their iPhones. Now the bands they support maybe different from a US version to a International.
Sent from my SM-G935F using XDA-Developers mobile app

I'm waiting for the official US release in the scant hope of VZW radio support. (Not likely though)
Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

daraj said:
The Mate 9 will not work on Verizon nor Sprint. Its a GSM phone which means AT&T and Tmobile
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, interesting. That is a caveat that throws the consideration less toward this phone.
Thanks for the replies.

tosh1 said:
Not sure you guys realize Verizon uses SIM cards now too on some phones. Pixel XL is a sim card phone that was sold exclusively for a min through verizon, my friends have Nexus 6P on Verizon network. Sprint also uses a nano SIM on all their iPhones. Now the bands they support maybe different from a US version to a International.
Sent from my SM-G935F using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, if you get a variant of the Mate 9 that supports Verizon's LTE bands it will likely work for LTE. However it will not support 3G, 1X, or voice (which are CDMA). The Pixel and Nexus 6P include CDMA support, which the Mate 9 does not.

skunkiechris said:
The Pixel and Nexus 6P include CDMA support, which the Mate 9 does not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Kirin 960 natively supports CDMA. But whether or not it gets certified for use in the US in the Mate 9 is yet to be seen.

This is killing me. I'm on Sprint, I want this phone. I keep hearing multiple different things. I want to order an international one to have ordered one by the end of the year. I see multiple models (MHA-AL00 and MHA-L29) hoping something will work with CDMA (Sprint)

They likely won't bother supporting all the right frequencies unless VZ or Sprint brands the phone, which seems even less likely... VZ has been using sims since LTE rolled out but that isn't really the problem.
If you're on a AT&T or T-Mobile then who cares about the US model... The only benefit is that eventually there will be cheaper used phones in the US after 6+ months.

I have a MHA-AL00 (6gb, 128gb) from China and wish I had an AL29 as the Chinese support on unlocking the boot loader is terrible (e.g., I cannot get a code). AL29 is supported by one of the apps and also I believe local Huawei offices. Installing google play thankfully is not a problem but I'd be careful nonetheless on the AL00.

Verizon and Sprint
tosh1 said:
Not sure you guys realize Verizon uses SIM cards now too on some phones. Pixel XL is a sim card phone that was sold exclusively for a min through verizon, my friends have Nexus 6P on Verizon network. Sprint also uses a nano SIM on all their iPhones. Now the bands they support maybe different from a US version to a International.
Sent from my SM-G935F using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon and Sprint only use SIM cards for international use, they had to use/include GSM in order for their phones to roam outside the US.