1. I will be living in the US and Colombia in an orphanage. I am currently in the US and my latest phone is a Note 3 and Verizon (CDMA). Colombia doesn't have CDMA. My Verizon Note 3 will work there, but not well. The closest spectrum match from a US carrier AT&T and I like anything in the Note series. I would like the Note 4 because it has a replaceable battery, a back that comes off so I can add a dual SIM adapter, the price, and if it comes up missing, it won't cost much to replace. However, Claro and Movistar are the two most popular networks in the country, and it appears that I see that the Note 4 and Note 5 do not support Movistar's UMTS B4, so it appears that the Note 8 is the only option if I want to support both. I've never been a band expert, so I organized the information below for your comment. The red in the Note 5 and Note 8 show the differences between them and the Note 4.
Colombian Mobile Service Providers
Claro (48%), Movistar(24%), Tigo(18%), remaining 10% are MVNOs of these.
Colombian Bands
GSM (2G) 850, 1900 (PCS) - Claro, Movistar, Tigo
UMTS B2 (1900 PCS) - Claro, Tigo
UMTS B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1) - Movistar
LTE (4G): Band 2/1900 - Movistar
LTE (4G): B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1) - Movistar, Tigo
LTE (4G): B7 (2600) - Claro, Tigo
LTE (4G): Band 38/2600 - DirectTV data
LTE (4G): Future - Colombia will "real soon" (when pigs fly) be auctioning in the 700 range 2x 15MHz blocks (Block A/B12), 2x 10MHz blocks (Block B/B12) and two 2x 5MHz blocks (Blocks C/B12&orB13, and D/B14). A supplementary 2x 2.5MHz block of 1900MHz spectrum will also be auctioned, comprising frequencies in the 1865MHz-1867.5MHz/1945MHz-1947.5MHz bands (Block E/B25).
AT&T Bands (as near as I can find)
https://www.frequencycheck.com/carriers/at-t-united-states
GSM Supported Protocols: GPRS, EDGE
GSM (2G) 850, 1900 (PCS)
UMTS Supported Protocols: UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+
UMTS (3G) B2 (1900 PCS), B5 (850)
LTE Supported Protocols: LTE, LTE-A
LTE (4G) B2 (1900 PCS), B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1), B5 (850 CLR), B12 (700 ac), B14 (700 public safety), B17 (700 bc), B30 (2300 WCS), B40 (TDD 2300 implementing), B66 (1700 AWS)
Note 4 N910A (AT&T)
https://www.frequencycheck.com/models/GLDb7/samsung-sm-n910a-galaxy-note-4-lte-a-samsung-muscat
GSM Supported Protocols GPRS, EDGE
GSM (2G) 850, 900 (E-GSM), 1800 (DCS), 1900 (PCS)
UMTS (3G) B1 (2100), B2 (1900 PCS), B5 (850), B8 (900 GSM)
UMTS Supported Protocols UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+
LTE (4G) B2 (1900 PCS), B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1), B5 (850), B7 (2600), B12 (700 bc), B17 (700 bc)
Supported LTE Protocols LTE, LTE-A
Note 5 N920A (AT&T)
https://www.frequencycheck.com/models/A1aaA/samsung-galaxy-note-5-sm-n920a
GSM Supported Protocols GPRS, EDGE
GSM (2G) 850, 900 (E-GSM), 1800 (DCS), 1900 (PCS)
UMTS Supported Protocols UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+
UMTS (3G) B1 (2100), B2 (1900 PCS), B5 (850), B8 (900 GSM)
LTE Supported Protocols LTE, LTE-A
LTE (4G) B1 (2100), B2 (1900 PCS), B3 (1800 +), B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1), B5 (850), B7 (2600), B7 (2600), B12 (700 ac), B17 (700 bc), B20 (800 DD), B29 (700 de)
Note 8 N950U (AT&T)
https://www.frequencycheck.com/mode...axy-note-8-td-lte-us-sm-n950u1-samsung-baikal
https://www.techwalls.com/samsung-galaxy-note-8-sm-n950-model-number-differences/
GSM Supported Protocols GPRS, EDGE
GSM (2G) 850, 900 (E-GSM), 1800 (DCS), 1900 (PCS)
UMTS Supported Protocols UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+
UMTS (3G) B1 (2100), B2 (1900 PCS), B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1), B5 (850), B8 (900 GSM)
LTE Supported Protocols LTE, LTE-A
LTE (4G) B1 (2100), B2 (1900 PCS), B3 (1800 +), B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1), B5 (850), B7 (2600), B8 (900), B12 (700 ac), B13 (700 c), B17 (700 bc), B18 (800 Lower), B20 (800 DD), B25 (1900 +), B26 (850 +), B28 (700 APT), B29 (700 de), B30 (2300 WCS), B38 (TD 2600), B39 (TD 1900 +), B40 (TD 2300), B41 (TD 2500)
2. Another entirely different subject is how good the AT&T network is these days? (Southwest Michigan mostly with some rural.) On Verizon pre-paid I'm always connected and get 13.9 down and 9.23 up in the worst part of the day on 3 bars. How well does it do inside buildings as I'm often buried in basements and wire closets with my IT work. Any advice appreciated.
Thanks TONS!!!
IT_Architect said:
1. I will be living in the US and Colombia in an orphanage. I am currently in the US and my latest phone is a Note 3 and Verizon (CDMA). Colombia doesn't have CDMA. My Verizon Note 3 will work there, but not well. The closest spectrum match from a US carrier AT&T and I like anything in the Note series. I would like the Note 4 because it has a replaceable battery, a back that comes off so I can add a dual SIM adapter, the price, and if it comes up missing, it won't cost much to replace. However, Claro and Movistar are the two most popular networks in the country, and it appears that I see that the Note 4 and Note 5 do not support Movistar's UMTS B4, so it appears that the Note 8 is the only option if I want to support both. I've never been a band expert, so I organized the information below for your comment. The red in the Note 5 and Note 8 show the differences between them and the Note 4.
Colombian Mobile Service Providers
Claro (48%), Movistar(24%), Tigo(18%), remaining 10% are MVNOs of these.
Colombian Bands
GSM (2G) 850, 1900 (PCS) - Claro, Movistar, Tigo
UMTS B2 (1900 PCS) - Claro, Tigo
UMTS B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1) - Movistar
LTE (4G): Band 2/1900 - Movistar
LTE (4G): B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1) - Movistar, Tigo
LTE (4G): B7 (2600) - Claro, Tigo
LTE (4G): Band 38/2600 - DirectTV data
LTE (4G): Future - Colombia will "real soon" (when pigs fly) be auctioning in the 700 range 2x 15MHz blocks (Block A/B12), 2x 10MHz blocks (Block B/B12) and two 2x 5MHz blocks (Blocks C/B12&orB13, and D/B14). A supplementary 2x 2.5MHz block of 1900MHz spectrum will also be auctioned, comprising frequencies in the 1865MHz-1867.5MHz/1945MHz-1947.5MHz bands (Block E/B25).
AT&T Bands (as near as I can find)
https://www.frequencycheck.com/carriers/at-t-united-states
GSM Supported Protocols: GPRS, EDGE
GSM (2G) 850, 1900 (PCS)
UMTS Supported Protocols: UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+
UMTS (3G) B2 (1900 PCS), B5 (850)
LTE Supported Protocols: LTE, LTE-A
LTE (4G) B2 (1900 PCS), B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1), B5 (850 CLR), B12 (700 ac), B14 (700 public safety), B17 (700 bc), B30 (2300 WCS), B40 (TDD 2300 implementing), B66 (1700 AWS)
Note 4 N910A (AT&T)
https://www.frequencycheck.com/models/GLDb7/samsung-sm-n910a-galaxy-note-4-lte-a-samsung-muscat
GSM Supported Protocols GPRS, EDGE
GSM (2G) 850, 900 (E-GSM), 1800 (DCS), 1900 (PCS)
UMTS (3G) B1 (2100), B2 (1900 PCS), B5 (850), B8 (900 GSM)
UMTS Supported Protocols UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+
LTE (4G) B2 (1900 PCS), B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1), B5 (850), B7 (2600), B12 (700 bc), B17 (700 bc)
Supported LTE Protocols LTE, LTE-A
Note 5 N920A (AT&T)
https://www.frequencycheck.com/models/A1aaA/samsung-galaxy-note-5-sm-n920a
GSM Supported Protocols GPRS, EDGE
GSM (2G) 850, 900 (E-GSM), 1800 (DCS), 1900 (PCS)
UMTS Supported Protocols UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+
UMTS (3G) B1 (2100), B2 (1900 PCS), B5 (850), B8 (900 GSM)
LTE Supported Protocols LTE, LTE-A
LTE (4G) B1 (2100), B2 (1900 PCS), B3 (1800 +), B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1), B5 (850), B7 (2600), B7 (2600), B12 (700 ac), B17 (700 bc), B20 (800 DD), B29 (700 de)
Note 8 N950U (AT&T)
https://www.frequencycheck.com/mode...axy-note-8-td-lte-us-sm-n950u1-samsung-baikal
https://www.techwalls.com/samsung-galaxy-note-8-sm-n950-model-number-differences/
GSM Supported Protocols GPRS, EDGE
GSM (2G) 850, 900 (E-GSM), 1800 (DCS), 1900 (PCS)
UMTS Supported Protocols UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+
UMTS (3G) B1 (2100), B2 (1900 PCS), B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1), B5 (850), B8 (900 GSM)
LTE Supported Protocols LTE, LTE-A
LTE (4G) B1 (2100), B2 (1900 PCS), B3 (1800 +), B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1), B5 (850), B7 (2600), B8 (900), B12 (700 ac), B13 (700 c), B17 (700 bc), B18 (800 Lower), B20 (800 DD), B25 (1900 +), B26 (850 +), B28 (700 APT), B29 (700 de), B30 (2300 WCS), B38 (TD 2600), B39 (TD 1900 +), B40 (TD 2300), B41 (TD 2500)
2. Another entirely different subject is how good the AT&T network is these days? (Southwest Michigan mostly with some rural.) On Verizon pre-paid I'm always connected and get 13.9 down and 9.23 up in the worst part of the day on 3 bars. How well does it do inside buildings as I'm often buried in basements and wire closets with my IT work. Any advice appreciated.
Thanks TONS!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get an unlocked international model(GSM), then you can use it anywhere, it just requires changing SIM and maybe flashing the firmware from whatever region/carrier you use the device in.
Sent from my LGL84VL using Tapatalk
Droidriven said:
Get an unlocked international model(GSM), then you can use it anywhere, it just requires changing SIM and maybe flashing the firmware from whatever region/carrier you use the device in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I run across story after story like this https://forums.att.com/t5/Samsung-D...ote4-LTE-on-the-AT-amp-T-network/td-p/4731477 while hawking online forums of the issues people run into attempting just that. In the case of the AT&T phones all use the 32-bit Snapdragon processor and chipset. The international versions that also have the required bands, use the 64-bit Exynos processor and chipset, which would be incompatible with AT&T's firmware. (Qualcomm chip's modem/radio is compatible with many frequencies but only 6 can be enabled at any one time.) Additionally, in approximately 50% of the instances where users buy even seemingly identical phones from Samsung, or from another US GSM carrier that is not an MVNO of the same network, they fail to get the firmware of the new carrier to flash to their phone, and end up swapping phones to one from the new carrier. It seems at very minimum they run into unresolvable VoLTE issues, and often even basic 4G connection issues. These problems seem to be a common only when a US carrier is in the mix. Thus, my thought is the only realistic option is to get a phone from a US GSM carrier like AT&T, that has the bands I need, and use SIMs in it from Colombia. The Note 8 is the earliest of the Note series from AT&T that has all of the bands necessary to cover all three wireless networks in Colombia.
The problem with the Note 4 is it has B4 for LTE, but not UMTS, which is the only UMTS band used by the 2nd largest wireless network in Colombia, Movistar, and reportedly the network business people prefer. I checked coverage maps hoping Movistar had LTE and VoLTE almost everywhere and wouldn't need UMTS. That turned out to be not true. They have a lot of 3G-only areas and 2G-only in a few. I checked coverage maps hoping to see that I could just use Claro. That didn't look too promising either. In fact, it looks like one would not want to cut themselves out of any of the the three. So it's either a used Note 8, or an inexpensive new AT&T phone that can cover all of the bands. If I bought a new AT&T phone with the required bands, it wouldn't be near the phone of a used Note 8, and cost more. So it is looking more and more like an AT&T Note 8, which is too bad, because from every other perspective, I'd far rather have the Note 4, even if it was the same price.
Thanks!
IT_Architect said:
I run across story after story like this https://forums.att.com/t5/Samsung-D...ote4-LTE-on-the-AT-amp-T-network/td-p/4731477 while hawking online forums of the issues people run into attempting just that. In the case of the AT&T phones all use the 32-bit Snapdragon processor and chipset. The international versions that also have the required bands, use the 64-bit Exynos processor and chipset, which would be incompatible with AT&T's firmware. (Qualcomm chip's modem/radio is compatible with many frequencies but only 6 can be enabled at any one time.) Additionally, in approximately 50% of the instances where users buy even seemingly identical phones from Samsung, or from another US GSM carrier that is not an MVNO of the same network, they fail to get the firmware of the new carrier to flash to their phone, and end up swapping phones to one from the new carrier. It seems at very minimum they run into unresolvable VoLTE issues, and often even basic 4G connection issues. These problems seem to be a common only when a US carrier is in the mix. Thus, my thought is the only realistic option is to get a phone from a US GSM carrier like AT&T, that has the bands I need, and use SIMs in it from Colombia. The Note 8 is the earliest of the Note series from AT&T that has all of the bands necessary to cover all three wireless networks in Colombia.
The problem with the Note 4 is it has B4 for LTE, but not UMTS, which is the only UMTS band used by the 2nd largest wireless network in Colombia, Movistar, and reportedly the network business people prefer. I checked coverage maps hoping Movistar had LTE and VoLTE almost everywhere and wouldn't need UMTS. That turned out to be not true. They have a lot of 3G-only areas and 2G-only in a few. I checked coverage maps hoping to see that I could just use Claro. That didn't look too promising either. In fact, it looks like one would not want to cut themselves out of any of the the three. So it's either a used Note 8, or an inexpensive new AT&T phone that can cover all of the bands. If I bought a new AT&T phone with the required bands, it wouldn't be near the phone of a used Note 8, and cost more. So it is looking more and more like an AT&T Note 8, which is too bad, because from every other perspective, I'd far rather have the Note 4, even if it was the same price.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might be able to get the AT&T device of your choice and then flash it with a different modem that has been extracted from a firmware from a different region, flashing just the modem can avoid any incompatibilities between the complete firmware packages, i.e. bootloader, kernel, system differences wouldn't be an issue because those aren't being modified.
Sent from my LGL84VL using Tapatalk
Droidriven said:
You might be able to get the AT&T device of your choice and then flash it with a different modem that has been extracted from a firmware from a different region, flashing just the modem can avoid any incompatibilities between the complete firmware packages, i.e. bootloader, kernel, system differences wouldn't be an issue because those aren't being modified. Sent from my LGL84VL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like the idea if I can find one that that uses the same processor and it can be done without tripping KNOX. My thought is I would be safer with Samsung Pay than a real credit card...when they get around to implementing it there. LOL!
Something I wish they would do is implement a method to reset KNOX and return it to an exact factory image.
IT_Architect said:
I like the idea if I can find one that that uses the same processor and it can be done without tripping KNOX. My thought is I would be safer with Samsung Pay than a real credit card...when they get around to implementing it there. LOL!
Something I wish they would do is implement a method to reset KNOX and return it to an exact factory image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing a stock modem from a firmware for a device that is the same model but from a different region, won't trip Knox, that I know of. Its a stock file so it should pass all security and signature checks by the bootloader/kernel.
Sent from my LGL84VL using Tapatalk
I believe in order to not trigger KNOX, I would have to flash the entire firmware because the modems and bootloaders require the ROM to be of the same firmware. If I do that, I will have a carrier problem. If I don't do that, I would have a KNOX problem.
IT_Architect said:
I believe in order to not trigger KNOX, I would have to flash the entire firmware because the modems and bootloaders require the ROM to be of the same firmware. If I do that, I will have a carrier problem. If I don't do that, I would have a KNOX problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, flashing a modem from a different region's firmware for THE SAME MODEL NUMBER device to use the device on a different carrier/region is a very common thing, bootloader and ROM differences aren't an issue, that I know of. If the model numbers on the devices are the same, you can mix and match the firmwares and their parts, certain things might not work as they should, though, but that's more carrier related than it is hardware/software related.
What you're saying would probably happen if you flashed a modem from A DIFFERENT MODEL NUMBER device.
But, I could be wrong, I'm almost sure that I'm not though. I've seen different modems used many times, even done it myself on a few devices.
Sent from my LGL84VL using Tapatalk
Droidriven said:
No, flashing a modem from a different region's firmware for THE SAME MODEL NUMBER device to use the devive on a different carrier/region is a very common thing, bootloader and ROM differences aren't an issue, that I know of. If the model numbers on the devices are the same, you can mix and match the firmwares and their parts, certain things might not work as they should, though, but that's more carrier related than it is hardware/software related. What you're saying would probably happen if you flashed a modem from A DIFFERENT MODEL NUMBER device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got it! I just went looking for what you suggested. Using FrequencyCheck.com, I learned there isn't a modem combination that works in the Note 4 line, nor Note 5. Grrr!
Claro (think Verizon) and Tigo(think Altel) are no problem with their 3G UMTS on B2. The stickler turns out to be Movistar(think AT&T), Colombia's second largest, and most advanced carrier, because their 3G UMTS is on B4. Movistar has VoLTE everywhere they have LTE, but there is plenty of 3G-only between cities. It isn't a good idea to cut yourself out of any of the three. It would be a stretch to give up Tigo, whose claim to fame is to service pockets the other two don't, and you might end up living. However, Movistar could very easily turn out to be the only one capable of usable data in your area.
I hate so say it, but it looks like there will be an AT&T Note 8 with its not-easily-replaceable-battery in my near future.
IT_Architect said:
Got it! I just went looking for what you suggested. Using FrequencyCheck.com, I learned there isn't a modem combination that works in the Note 4 line, nor Note 5. Grrr!
Claro (think Verizon) and Tigo(think Altel) are no problem with their 3G UMTS on B2. The stickler turns out to be Movistar(think AT&T), Colombia's second largest, and most advanced carrier, because their 3G UMTS is on B4. Movistar has VoLTE everywhere they have LTE, but there is plenty of 3G-only between cities. It isn't a good idea to cut yourself out of any of the three. It would be a stretch to give up Tigo, whose claim to fame is to service pockets the other two don't. Movistar could very easily turn out to be the only one capable of usable data in your area.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not familiar with your region, the carriers in that region or which devices would have what support or not. I was just offering commonly used solutions for switching carrier/region.
Maybe someone else can provide more specific info for your particular scenario.
Sent from my LGL84VL using Tapatalk
You've done a FABULOUS job helping me. Because the stars didn't align isn't anything either of us could have predicted. Figuring out what won't work is part of figuring out what will. :laugh:
IT_Architect said:
Got it! I just went looking for what you suggested. Using FrequencyCheck.com, I learned there isn't a modem combination that works in the Note 4 line, nor Note 5. Grrr!
Claro (think Verizon) and Tigo(think Altel) are no problem with their 3G UMTS on B2. The stickler turns out to be Movistar(think AT&T), Colombia's second largest, and most advanced carrier, because their 3G UMTS is on B4. Movistar has VoLTE everywhere they have LTE, but there is plenty of 3G-only between cities. It isn't a good idea to cut yourself out of any of the three. It would be a stretch to give up Tigo, whose claim to fame is to service pockets the other two don't, and you might end up living. However, Movistar could very easily turn out to be the only one capable of usable data in your area.
I hate so say it, but it looks like there will be an AT&T Note 8 with its not-easily-replaceable-battery in my near future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd start digging a little deeper and look at other Samsung model numbers with the exact same hardware, i.e. same CPU and same radio. If you find other models with the same hardware, you might find one out of the bunch that has a modem that you can use. It will be tricky, but, if there are enough devices that match, the better the chances of one of them having a modem that is compatible with your hardware and region/carrier.
It would require some intense and in depth comparison of all the minutia of details at the software level, comparing bootloader and modems to find a firmware that has a modem that is compatible with your bootloader and hardware at the bootloader/kernel/coding level. In some cases, a modem can be made compatible by modifying the bootloader from your firmware thrn flashing the bootloader to allow the modem to flash or by modifying the modem to make it compatible with your stock bootloader(or the modified bootloader) before flashing.
It's tricky, but can be done. And it doesn't cause a Knox issue as long as the files are signed correctly. It's risky, modified bootloaders and modems can hardbrick devices, but if modified correctly, it usually works.
I don't have the knowledge to make those kinds of modifications but others here have done things at that level. Members here use modified stock ROMs, stock kernels, bootloader and modems more than you'd think. In a lot of cases, this is the only kind of modifications that Samsung devices with locked bootloaders have the option to use.
Then again, it would probably be much less hassle to buy a device that you can confirm is viable for what you need.
Sent from my LGL84VL using Tapatalk
Droidriven said:
Then again, it would probably be much less hassle to buy a device that you can confirm is viable for what you need.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I've summarized based on what I've learned.
U.S. lay of the land:
- AT&T is the GSM network in the U.S. most likely to be able to service you satisfactorily.
- AT&T as a rule does not work with carrier unlocked U.S. or international phones from a practical standpoint. Even IF you manage to get it to work somewhat with their network, you will have at least these service issues:
1) AT&T will not do carrier aggregation therefore maximum download is around 17mbps and upload is around 6mbps while with an AT&T branded phone download is 82mbps and upload is 44mbps.
2) AT&T will not provision LTE advanced features such as VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling, or advanced messaging.
3) AT&T will not recognize the IMEI in order to push secondary LTE bands which in turn also throttles bandwidth.
- AT&T works grudgingly, with T-Mobile phones. Government edict forced them support B12 as well as their B17 (a subset of B12) to be interoperable with T-Mobile. If you go with the T-Mobile phone to pickup the new B71 600 band, you lose out on the AT&T B17 range of B12, which is well managed by AT&T.
- The U.S. Unlocked Note 9 SM-N960UZBAXAA (128GB) is the best of all worlds. It has the SnapDragon, all of the AT&T bands and T-Mobile bands for the current and foreseeable future, AND all of the Colombian band for the current and foreseeable future, AND all of the CDMA bands for Verizon and Sprint. It is in most cases less expensive than the carrier versions. The problem, as mentioned, is getting it to work well with AT&T. I would guess the same situation exists with other carriers as well, and that it would require legislation, like they did with cable companies, to change that.
Summary:
- I need to pick an AT&T branded phone, and get it unlocked in order to work in the U.S.
- The phone needs to be able to also do the Colombian bands.
Colombian Bands
GSM (2G) 850, 1900 (PCS) - Claro, Movistar, Tigo
UMTS (3G) B2 (1900 PCS) - Claro, Tigo
UMTS (3G) B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1) - Movistar
LTE (4G): Band 2/1900 - Movistar
LTE (4G): B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1) - Movistar, Tigo
LTE (4G): B7 (2600) - Claro, Tigo
LTE (4G): Band 38/2600 - DirectTV data
LTE (4G): Future - Colombia will "real soon" (when pigs fly) be auctioning in the 700 range 2x 15MHz blocks (Block A/B12), 2x 10MHz blocks (Block B/B12) and two 2x 5MHz blocks (Blocks C/B12&orB13, and D/B14). A supplementary 2x 2.5MHz block of 1900MHz spectrum will also be auctioned, comprising frequencies in the 1865MHz-1867.5MHz/1945MHz-1947.5MHz bands (Block E/B25).
AT&T Bands
https://www.frequencycheck.com/carriers/at-t-united-states
GSM Supported Protocols: GPRS, EDGE
GSM (2G) 850, 1900 (PCS)
UMTS Supported Protocols: UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+
UMTS (3G) B2 (1900 PCS), B5 (850)
LTE Supported Protocols: LTE, LTE-A
LTE (4G) B2 (1900 PCS), B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1), B5 (850 CLR), B12 (700 abc), B14 (700 public safety), B17 (700 bc), B30 (2300 WCS), B40 (TDD 2300 implementing), B66 (1700 AWS)
Note 4 N910A (AT&T) - Note 4, by far my favorite, and Note 5 fail because they do not support Movistar's UMTS (3G) B4[/B]
https://www.frequencycheck.com/models/GLDb7/samsung-sm-n910a-galaxy-note-4-lte-a-samsung-muscat
GSM Supported Protocols GPRS, EDGE
GSM (2G) 850, 900 (E-GSM), 1800 (DCS), 1900 (PCS)
UMTS Supported Protocols UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+
UMTS (3G) B1 (2100), B2 (1900 PCS), B5 (850), B8 (900 GSM)
LTE (4G) B2 (1900 PCS), B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1), B5 (850), B7 (2600), B12 (700 abc), B17 (700 bc), B29 (700 de),
Supported LTE Protocols LTE, LTE-A
Note 8 N950U (AT&T) - Note 8 & 9 support all bands for all three Colombian carriers current, and the proposed bands
*Differences between Note 8 and Note 4 are highlighted in red.
Note 9 adds B66/AWS-3 which is used by U.S. T-Mobile's 4G, but not T-Mobile's new B71 (600) that they are rapidly deploying. That is only available on the T-Mobile model.
*Differences between Note 9 and Note 4 and 8 are highlighted in blue.
https://www.frequencycheck.com/mode...axy-note-8-td-lte-us-sm-n950u1-samsung-baikal
https://www.techwalls.com/samsung-galaxy-note-8-sm-n950-model-number-differences/
GSM Supported Protocols GPRS, EDGE
GSM (2G) 850, 900 (E-GSM), 1800 (DCS), 1900 (PCS)
UMTS Supported Protocols UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+
UMTS (3G) B1 (2100), B2 (1900 PCS), B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1), B5 (850), B8 (900 GSM)
TD-SCDMA (3G): B34(2010), B39(1880)
LTE Supported Protocols LTE, LTE-A
LTE (4G) B1 (2100), B2 (1900 PCS), B3 (1800 +), B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1), B5 (850), B7 (2600), B8 (900), B12 (700 ac), B13 (700 c), B17 (700 bc), B18 (800 Lower), B20 (800 DD), B25 (1900 +), B26 (850 +), B28 (700 APT), B29 (700 de), B30 (2300 WCS), B38 (TD 2600), B39 (TD 1900 +), B40 (TD 2300), B41 (TD 2500), B66/AWS-3
Summary
I can come up with other phones that will straddle the fence, and some are quite inexpensive. However, if I want a Note, I can't go less than the Note 8 to do it.
Thanks for all of your help!
Related
I'm looking to purchase a Galaxy S6 but I need it to have international compatibility. I will be in China for much of the next two years (Shenzhen and Hong Kong area to be specific) and have done some research into model compatibility. I have found a few models that I like. Here are the models I have found (all the normal S6, not the edge if it matters):
SM-G9200 (Dual Sim, I believe this is the Hong Kong model, but on Amazon it is labeled as International)
Bands:
2G GSM
GSM850, GSM900, DCS1800, PCS1900
2G CDMA
CDMA 800
3G UMTS
B1 (2100), B2 (1900), B5 (850), B8 (900)
3G CDMA
BC0 (800)
3G TD-SCDMA
B34 (2010), B39 (1880)
4G FDD LTE
B1 (2100), B3 (1800), B4 (AWS), B7 (2600), B8 (900), B28 (700)
4G TDD LTE
B38 (2600), B39 (1900), B40 (2300), B41 (2500)
in which B39 is only in domestic support
SM-G920I (Australian and/or Singapore model (not quite sure), lacks all TD-LTE bands except band 40, but much cheaper than the SM-G9200, similar compatibility otherwise)
Bands:
2G GSM
GSM850, GSM900, DCS1800, PCS1900
3G UMTS
B1(2100), B2(1900), B4(AWS), B5(850), B8(900)
4G FDD LTE
B1 (2100MHz), B2 (1900MHz), B3 (1800MHz), B4 (AWS), B5 (850MHz), B7 (2600MHz), B8 (900MHz), B12 (700MHz), B17 (700MHz), B18 (800MHz), B19 (800MHz), B26 (800MHz), B28 (700MHz)
4G TDD LTE
B40 (2300MHz)
SM-G920F (US International model, lacks all TD-LTE bands, but also much cheaper than the SM-G9200, the reason I mention this one is because I've heard LTE isn't that good in China, but I'm not sure, more on that below)
Bands:
2G GSM
GSM850, GSM900, DCS1800, PCS1900
3G UMTS
B1(2100), B2(1900), B5(850), B8(900)
4G FDD LTE
B1(2100), B2(1900), B3(1800), B4(AWS), B5(850), B7(2600), B8(900), B12(700), B17(700), B18(800), B19(800), B20(800), B26(800)
Which phone will work well in China? I know that the SM-G9200 will work great (from what I understand), but will the SM-G920I work well there too? DO I need band 38, 39, and 41? How does the TD-LTE stuff work with China and which bands are used by who? If anyone could provide some clarity on how it works and which providers over in China use what that would be great. Also if I can get some clarity on the 3G and 2G networks that would also be nice.
Overall, I just want the phone to work as it would in America when I get there. If anyone has any experience with the cell tech in China (specifically Hong Kong/ Shenzhen area), please let me know how it works. I have heard it is not that great in some places and good in others but that LTE is expensive. If anyone uses or has used the service over there I would love some help. What carrier do you go to? How is the coverage and what is the best provider? Thanks in advance!
Greetings,
I purchased Honor 6 H60-L04 in India during December 2015 in India.It is working fine did not find any issues.Last Week moved to US started using the same mobile in US with lycamobile.As per my plan i should get 4G data connection but i am getting only 2G connection.But in India i was getting 4G connection.Spoke to the lycamobile support team they are not able to help me.If anyone can assist it will be great help.
Honor 6 supports:
Name
B1 (2100) LTE
B3 (1800 +) LTE
B7 (2600) LTE
B20 (800 DD) LTE
B38 (TD 2600) LTE
Lycamobile LTE bands:
Name
B2 (1900 PCS)
B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1)
B12 (700 ac)
The LTE frequency bands used in the US by the top 10 carriers are as follows:
LTE band 2 (1900 MHz) - T-Mobile, Metro PCS
LTE band 4 (1700/2100 MHz) - T-Mobile (primary), Metro PCS, Verizon (urban areas)
LTE band 5 (850 MHz) - US Cellular
LTE band 12 (700 MHz) - T-Mobile, Metro PCS, US Cellular
LTE band 13 (750 MHz) - Verizon (primary)
LTE band 17 (700 MHz) - AT&T
LTE band 25 (1900 MHz) - Sprint (primary)
LTE band 26 (800 MHz) - Sprint
LTE band 41 (2500 MHz) - Sprint
So unfortunately you will not get 4g LTE in the US on a Honor 6 H60-L04, whichever carrier you choose.
itsnotmeatall said:
Honor 6 supports:
Name
B1 (2100) LTE
B3 (1800 +) LTE
B7 (2600) LTE
B20 (800 DD) LTE
B38 (TD 2600) LTE
Lycamobile LTE bands:
Name
B2 (1900 PCS)
B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1)
B12 (700 ac)
The LTE frequency bands used in the US by the top 10 carriers are as follows:
LTE band 2 (1900 MHz) - T-Mobile, Metro PCS
LTE band 4 (1700/2100 MHz) - T-Mobile (primary), Metro PCS, Verizon (urban areas)
LTE band 5 (850 MHz) - US Cellular
LTE band 12 (700 MHz) - T-Mobile, Metro PCS, US Cellular
LTE band 13 (750 MHz) - Verizon (primary)
LTE band 17 (700 MHz) - AT&T
LTE band 25 (1900 MHz) - Sprint (primary)
LTE band 26 (800 MHz) - Sprint
LTE band 41 (2500 MHz) - Sprint
So unfortunately you will not get 4g LTE in the US on a Honor 6 H60-L04, whichever carrier you choose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the prompt response I appreciate your help.I am not position to buy a mobile as I just relocated and cannot change the network also as the plan suits me is
there any other option to get 4g in the honor mobile .
selvakumaran said:
Thanks for the prompt response I appreciate your help.I am not position to buy a mobile as I just relocated and cannot change the network also as the plan suits me is
there any other option to get 4g in the honor mobile .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately no, since the frequency bands are a hardware component and there is no way to make a phone work on a different band than it was originally built for.
If it was software related there could be workarounds, but not in your case. Best you can do is maybe swap your phone with someone going back to India!
I can't seem to find the list of CA bands. I saw it before but can't seem to find it again.
FRD-L04 supports the following bands
GSM
850
900 (E-GSM)
1800 (DCS)
1900 (PCS)
UMTS
B1 (2100)
B2 (1900 PCS)
B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1)
B5 (850)
LTE
B2 (1900 PCS)
B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1)
B5 (850)
B7 (2600)
B12 (700 ac)
B17 (700 bc)
and since its an LTE-A device, Carrier aggregation is possible.
vsriram92 said:
FRD-L04 supports the following bands
GSM
850
900 (E-GSM)
1800 (DCS)
1900 (PCS)
UMTS
B1 (2100)
B2 (1900 PCS)
B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1)
B5 (850)
LTE
B2 (1900 PCS)
B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1)
B5 (850)
B7 (2600)
B12 (700 ac)
B17 (700 bc)
and since its an LTE-A device, Carrier aggregation is possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where did you get this information from? There's a site called FrequencyCheck claiming this, but it contradicts the information from Huawei/Honor - and Honor's live chat confirms it is incorrect. I'm not going to have my Honor 8 for a few weeks, but I sincerely hope this information is incorrect.
The official information (from https://store.hihonor.com/us/honor-8/specification ) is:
LTE FDD: B1/B2/B3/B4/B5/B7/B8/B12/B17/B20, WCDMA: B1/B2/B4/B5/B8, GSM: 850/900/1800/1900MHz
Interband CA: B2-B17,B5-B4,B5-B2,B2-B12,B2-B4 Intraband Continuous CA: B2
Given I plan to use this phone in the UK, I'm obviously seriously hoping that this is the correct set of info...
AllieKitty said:
Where did you get this information from? There's a site called FrequencyCheck claiming this, but it contradicts the information from Huawei/Honor - and Honor's live chat confirms it is incorrect. I'm not going to have my Honor 8 for a few weeks, but I sincerely hope this information is incorrect.
The official information (from https://store.hihonor.com/us/honor-8/specification ) is:
LTE FDD: B1/B2/B3/B4/B5/B7/B8/B12/B17/B20, WCDMA: B1/B2/B4/B5/B8, GSM: 850/900/1800/1900MHz
Interband CA: B2-B17,B5-B4,B5-B2,B2-B12,B2-B4 Intraband Continuous CA: B2
Given I plan to use this phone in the UK, I'm obviously seriously hoping that this is the correct set of info...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh. Got that info from that FrequencyCheck website only.
According to the Official website it has B8 and B20 in addition to the bands I mentioned in my post.
If confusion over sources is the problem, why not take a look at the FCC's tests? https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/repo...id=RVnBofSaGkQDhYOqmiLX/A==&fcc_id=QISFRD-L04
The RFExposure document says that only the downlink of Release 10 CA is supported, with a max of two carriers. It does not have R10 uplink CA, ESC-FDMA or Uplink MIMO, or any other R10 features. Uplink comms are R8 specs. (Sect 1.3.3)
(7.1.17 has some more info on CA.)
In that same document, there's a power reduction specsheet showing the distribution of each band over various antennas. From there, it looks like these are the supported bands:
GSM:
- 850
- 1900
UMTS:
- II
- IV
- V
LTE:
- 2
- 4
- 5
- 7
- 12
- 17
(Sect 1.3.2)
Section 1.3 has a really clear listing, since it's the EUT (Equipment Under Test) Description. It lines up with the above information.
So @AllieKitty, the FCC doesn't mention anything about LTE/UMTS B1, B3, B8 or B20, not does it say GSM900 and GSM1800 are supported. It's possible they just didn't test those bands, since they aren't really used here, but I think they'd still be listed in the Device Configuration.
---------- Post added at 12:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:59 AM ----------
AllieKitty said:
Where did you get this information from? There's a site called FrequencyCheck claiming this, but it contradicts the information from Huawei/Honor - and Honor's live chat confirms it is incorrect. I'm not going to have my Honor 8 for a few weeks, but I sincerely hope this information is incorrect.
The official information (from https://store.hihonor.com/us/honor-8/specification ) is:
LTE FDD: B1/B2/B3/B4/B5/B7/B8/B12/B17/B20, WCDMA: B1/B2/B4/B5/B8, GSM: 850/900/1800/1900MHz
Interband CA: B2-B17,B5-B4,B5-B2,B2-B12,B2-B4 Intraband Continuous CA: B2
Given I plan to use this phone in the UK, I'm obviously seriously hoping that this is the correct set of info...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a reason to not get the FRD-L09 (VAT or something)? It supports LTE 3, 7, 20.
Zacharee1 said:
If confusion over sources is the problem, why not take a look at the FCC's tests? https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/repo...id=RVnBofSaGkQDhYOqmiLX/A==&fcc_id=QISFRD-L04
The RFExposure document says that only the downlink of Release 10 CA is supported, with a max of two carriers. It does not have R10 uplink CA, ESC-FDMA or Uplink MIMO, or any other R10 features. Uplink comms are R8 specs. (Sect 1.3.3)
(7.1.17 has some more info on CA.)
In that same document, there's a power reduction specsheet showing the distribution of each band over various antennas. From there, it looks like these are the supported bands:
GSM:
- 850
- 1900
UMTS:
- II
- IV
- V
LTE:
- 2
- 4
- 5
- 7
- 12
- 17
(Sect 1.3.2)
Section 1.3 has a really clear listing, since it's the EUT (Equipment Under Test) Description. It lines up with the above information.
So @AllieKitty, the FCC doesn't mention anything about LTE/UMTS B1, B3, B8 or B20, not does it say GSM900 and GSM1800 are supported. It's possible they just didn't test those bands, since they aren't really used here, but I think they'd still be listed in the Device Configuration.
---------- Post added at 12:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:59 AM ----------
Is there a reason to not get the FRD-L09 (VAT or something)? It supports LTE 3, 7, 20.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The FRD-L09 doesn't support bands 2, 4, and 12 though. Also, it costs a LOT more - got my L04 (in my friend's possession in the US right now) for $259.99 on Amazon.
As for the FCC... that means nothing... the L14 has the same FCC tests. ONLY bands used in the US get tested by the FCC. Which makes the band 7 tests odd, as band 7 isn't used in the US yet - but it is used in Canada. My understanding is that band 7 is a possibility for future use in the US, which is probably why this needed testing.
PS thanks for the FCC link, I found the correct list under the description of equipment in the RF test report:
FRD-L04 is subscriber equipment in the GSM/WCDMA/LTE system. The GSM frequency band includes GSM850 and
GSM900 and DCS1800 and PCS1900. The UMTS frequency band is B1 and B2 and B4 and B5 and B8. The LTE
frequency band is B1 and B2 and B3 and B4 and B5 and B7 and B8 and B12 and B17 and B20. But only GSM850 and
GSM1900MHz，UMTS frequency B2 and B4 and B5，LTE frequency B2 and B4 and B5 and B7 and B12 and B17
bands test data included in this report. The Mobile Phone implements such functions as RF signal receiving
/transmitting, LTE/HSPA/UMTS and GSM/GPRS/EDGE protocol processing, voice, video MMS service, GPS, AGPS,
NFC and WIFI etc. Externally it provides one micro SD card interface (it can also used as SIM card interface),
earphone port (to provide voice service) and one SIM card interface. FRD-L04 is single SIM smart phone. It also
provides Bluetooth module to synchronize data between a PC and the phone, or to use the built-in modem of the phone
to access the Internet with a PC, or to exchange data with other Bluetooth devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AllieKitty said:
The FRD-L09 doesn't support bands 2, 4, and 12 though. Also, it costs a LOT more - got my L04 (in my friend's possession in the US right now) for $259.99 on Amazon.
As for the FCC... that means nothing... the L14 has the same FCC tests. ONLY bands used in the US get tested by the FCC. Which makes the band 7 tests odd, as band 7 isn't used in the US yet - but it is used in Canada. My understanding is that band 7 is a possibility for future use in the US, which is probably why this needed testing.
PS thanks for the FCC link, I found the correct list under the description of equipment in the RF test report:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad I'm wrong
Zacharee1 said:
Glad I'm wrong
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too! The band 7 testing is odd. Those frequencies are used in the US for TD-LTE (as band 41). Band 7 is a theoretical possibility from my understanding but unlikely. Sprint would be in the best position to try to get their spectrum paired to use as band 7, but why? TD-LTE offers benefits FDD-LTE doesn't in efficiency. Canada uses B7 tho, so that may explain it.
Anyway, to reiterate for OP's sake in case it got lost in the crowd:
Interband CA: B2-B17,B5-B4,B5-B2,B2-B12,B2-B4 Intraband Continuous CA: B2
I have confirmed EU-version (FRD-L09) CA Combos: https://cacombos.com/device?model=FRD-L09 - only Contiguous CA seems support.
Hello All,
I have recently been shopping for 3rd party phones to use with T-Mobile, and have been successful with two Xiaomi phones, a Redmi 5 Plus and a Mi Max 2. I also have a T-mobile supplied Samsung Galaxy S7.
The 4G LTE download speeds on the Redmi 5 Plus are consistently much faster than on the Galaxy S7, which I did not expect, and based on what T-Mobile says about the bands they use, what Xiaomi says about the bands available on their devices, and what I found for the Galaxy S7. I have never seen information that is as confusing as this, and becomes more so as I dig in to it more.
The T-Mobile support page for their bands in use is: https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-4988
The bands for the Xiaomi devices, which I've tried to "map" against the above:
Mi Max 2
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900,
UMTS2100 (B1), UMTS1900 (B2), UMTS850 (B5), UMTS900 (B8),
CDMA800 (BC0),
TD-SCDMA2000, TD-SCDMA1900,
LTE2100 (B1), LTE1800 (B3), LTE850 (B5), LTE2600 (B7), LTE900 (B8),
TD-LTE2600 (B38), TD-LTE1900 (B39), TD-LTE2300 (B40), TD-LTE2500 (B41)
Redmi 5 Plus
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
LTE band 1(2100), 3(1800), 5(850), 40(2300), 41(2500)
Galaxy S7
2G GSM: GSM850, GSM900, dcs1800, pcs1900
3G UMTS: B1 (2100), B2 (1900), B4 (AWS), B5 (850) 3 G TDSCDMA: B34 (2010), B39 (1880)
4G FDD LTE: B1, B3 (1800, 2100), B2 (1900)), B4 (AWS), B5 (850 B18), B7 (2600),
B8 (900), B12 (700), (800), B19 (800), B20, B30 (2300) (800), B29 (700)
4G LTE TDD: B38 (2600), B39 (1900), B40 (2300), B41 (2500)
According to Xiaomi's specs, I am not supposed to have LTE Band 4 on the devices regardless of whether it's FDD or TDD, yet when using the Redmi 5 Plus with the Network Cell Info Lite app, it shows me as being on LTE band 4. The Galaxy consistently shows up on band 12. All checks are being done in the same physical location, my home, so as not to make this any more messy than it already is.
Then add to that the T-Mobile page regarding bands notes band 66, which is described as, "Extension of band 4 on 1700/2100 MHz," which could account for the Redmi being considered on band 4, but Xiaomi does not designate band 4 as falling into these ranges, and use band 1 instead.
I am just curious if there is any site that really pulls this all together in a comprehensible way. Most that I've reviewed are not up to date or contain obvious errors just based on the fact that my Redmi 5 Plus does, indeed, get 4G LTE and a number of sites say it should not, but you can't argue with field testing that shows that it does.
Any insights would be much appreciated.
So, I m using a Pixel from the US on a French carrier called Bouygues. Bouygues uses:
LTE
Name Interface
B1 (2100) LTE
B3 (1800 +) LTE
B7 (2600) LTE
B20 (800 DD) LTE
B28 (700 APT) LTE
I have all these bands available yet cannot get CA lte advanced, yet a fellow countryman has the pixel xl , same carrier , and gets CA. What can I do?