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TMO 3g Discussion, Get the TMO 3g Facts And Updates Here

t-mobile dash & 3g
i've heard that t-mobile is releasing the 3g network in NYC today & 20 other markets later this year. i was wondering if the t-mobile dash was 3g capable?

mjpuczko said:
i've heard that t-mobile is releasing the 3g network in NYC today & 20 other markets later this year. i was wondering if the t-mobile dash was 3g capable?
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Click to collapse
Nope. Unfortunately it isn't.

of course it's not! shoot.

Nope, no 3G for Dash. But even then, 3G is only going to be for voice when it is first started on TMobile.

Nope, no 3G for Dash. But even then, 3G is only going to be for voice when it is first started on TMobile.
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Click to collapse
3G only for voice? That makes no sense. 3G is used for data, and GSM is used for voice as far as I understand it in current implementations. At least that's the way, I understand my Touch Cruise is operating on AT&T's network. And if that wasn't the case, my Touch Cruise would have an atrocius talk time.

My question is: when T-Mo rolls out 3G, will the data plan increase from $19.99 to something else? I've read up on the 3G rollout--but not much. So I haven't run across anything talking about a possible spike in price. Though unfavorable, it would seem like a logical move for T-Mo. They currently offer the least expensive data plan vs. the "Big Three", but they also happen to be the only carrier NOT offering 3G support.

sonus said:
3G only for voice? That makes no sense. 3G is used for data, and GSM is used for voice as far as I understand it in current implementations. At least that's the way, I understand my Touch Cruise is operating on AT&T's network. And if that wasn't the case, my Touch Cruise would have an atrocius talk time.
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Click to collapse
my previous phone was a nokia E61 with no camera and it was 3g compatible.. as it used ofr fatser sreaming and data downloads.

I expect data rates to increase slightly with 3G on T-Mobile. They'll probably make it the same, or slightly less, than AT&T/Verizon.
The Shadow II is supposed to be one of the first WinMo 3G devices to hit T-Mobile.

TMO has already started it's 3g roll out in New York city, TMO will setup a total of 25 markets this year 2008 with rest of TMO'S markets coming in next year. Get all the facts here http://www.tmonews.com

subbed for updates

I Got The Word From TMO
The 3g device that I want from TMO will be released 9/1/08 per TMO, yeah! Anybody know when 16GB SDHC Card will be hitting the streets, I might have start out with 8GB SDHC Card. This is what blowing my mind, and the word is that TMO'S 3g will be faster than the current AT&T'S 3g. I thought all 3g speed was the same, I guess it's not. Can anybody explain what is {TX} on 3g devices...........!

My understanding is that Tmos 3g will be 7.2mps where others are 3.6mps... so double the speed. They will also be on 1700mhz band which is currently used for government security stuff(reason why they are slowly rolling it out is it needs to be vacated first). tHING THAT SUCKS ABOUT THAT IS THAT WE WILL BE STUCK WITH TMOBILE CHOICE OF PHONES. Although hopefully they will make their phones worthwhile at that point. I know everyone is going crazy about the blackberry they are gonna have

The Ultimate Speed, 624 MHz Processor On A Smartphone
nlarge said:
My understanding is that Tmos 3g will be 7.2mps where others are 3.6mps... so double the speed. They will also be on 1700mhz band which is currently used for government security stuff(reason why they are slowly rolling it out is it needs to be vacated first). tHING THAT SUCKS ABOUT THAT IS THAT WE WILL BE STUCK WITH TMOBILE CHOICE OF PHONES. Although hopefully they will make their phones worthwhile at that point. I know everyone is going crazy about the blackberry they are gonna have
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are talking about the BlacKBerry 9000 Bold 3g, wifi, new updated media player, 2.0 MP camera, 128MB flash memory, 1GB built in memory, 8/16GB SDHC Card slot, 624 MHz processor. I got a Dell Axim X51v with a 624 MHz Processor running Lenny's latest 6.1 beta 5 ROM, I call it my UFO device, because it has UFO speeds. Rim has now changed the game and set a new higher standard for smartphones, it even has a rtsp:// youtube player built in, oh my God, RIM has stolen my blu-ray player..........!

Technology said:
You are talking about the BlacKBerry 9000 Bold 3g, wifi, new updated media player, 2.0 MP camera, 128MB flash memory, 1GB built in memory, 8/16GB SDHC Card slot, 624 MHz processor. I got a Dell Axim X51v with a 624 MHz Processor running Lenny's latest 6.1 beta 5 ROM, I call it my UFO device, because it has UFO speeds. Rim has now changed the game and set a new higher standard for smartphones, it even has a rtsp:// youtube player built in, oh my God, RIM has stolen my blu-ray player..........!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes but I wasnt going to post an ad... LOL!! I just like the windows mobile operating system... call me crazy but I do. now if there was a way to run a blackberry with it then I'd be all over it... 624mhz will be lightning quick!!

the t-mobile phone road map was leaked a dew days ago...18 phones being released from June 1st to August 1st. Among them are the Shadow II AND Shadow III. I am assuming the III is the beloved Diamond as it hit the FCC last week. Booyah vga!

The Diamond Is A Beautiful Devices, BUT!
djnutz said:
the t-mobile phone road map was leaked a dew days ago...18 phones being released from June 1st to August 1st. Among them are the Shadow II AND Shadow III. I am assuming the III is the beloved Diamond as it hit the FCC last week. Booyah vga!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a touch screen device with 4GB of built in memory, it has no room (slot) for a expansion micro SD/SDHC Card slot. So the Diamond is a no go with me. The BlackBerry Bold 9000 was on that list also, now that's the device I'm waiting for, coming soon, my next smartphone toy..............!

You guys in the USA and Europe are lucky. Here in Canada, although highspeed internet is available on our cell phones, the data rates offered by the operators just kill it. Paying 40$ for a whooping 8 MB per month, anyone interested?
$15 2 MB $10/MB if over limit
$25 4 MB $10/MB if over limit
$40 8 MB $7/MB if over limit
$60 30 MB $7/MB if over limit
$80 500 MB $3/MB if over limit
$100 1 GB $1/MB if over limit

Technology said:
It's a touch screen device with 4GB of built in memory, it has no room (slot) for a expansion micro SD/SDHC Card slot. So the Diamond is a no go with me. The BlackBerry Bold 9000 was on that list also, now that's the device I'm waiting for, coming soon, my next smartphone toy..............!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what???? no card slot in the diamond??? why the hell would htc do this??? this better be the cheaper version. thanks for the info Tech, i was eyeballin that phone like a lot of others. this is the saddest news about the diamond.

Yeah, No Card Slot On The Diamond, But 4GB Built In Memory!
Se7eN43 said:
what???? no card slot in the diamond??? why the hell would htc do this??? thanks for the info Tech, i was eyeballin that phone like a lot of others. this is the saddest news about the diamond.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe the Diamond will be the Shadow III coming to T-Mobile in a few months, but the Diamond has some cool features...........!

Technology said:
I believe the Diamond will be the Shadow III coming to T-Mobile in a few months, but the Diamond has some cool features...........!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes everthing is great about the diamond and it is the shadowIII, but the lack of a memory expansion slot is just a huge downfalll for a multimedia phone. htc should have used an 8gig instead. maybe then this downfall wouldnt be so bad. but yea this must be some sort of sale technique.

NorthAmerican 3G Network on TP2 ??

any idea if i change my radio version on TP2 by installing AT&T or T-Mobile it could works the 3G on it?? i have TP2 EURO Version witch is runing on Edge Speed Network.

Its highly unlikely. The only reason i'm not gonna say a definitive no is because of the rumored world tp2. Now if its anything like the last like 3-4 HTC phones the antenna for the USA 3G bands is not installed in the device so u can do all the software u want but it won't change the fact that u won't get 3G

not gonna work, there's nothing u can do. This has been addressed many times, just search.

to bad as a good phone like tp2 does not support North American 3G
maybe i should sell it because this phone one of the best in market for now and the made it in very hight quality brand but no 3G it means no internet on it 2 bad.

NorthAmerican 3G Network on TP2 ?? ¡¡¡Wait!!!
Hi guys, you must wait for the AT&T´s Fortress aka TP2
GSM Quad-band phone capable of global roaming ( 850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
UMTS tri-band global 3G ( 850/1900/2100 MHz)
http://www.phonearena.com/htmls/HTC-Fortress-phone-pb_3712.html

cobra1971 said:
maybe i should sell it because this phone one of the best in market for now and the made it in very hight quality brand but no 3G it means no internet on it 2 bad.
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Click to collapse
you really should have read up on this forum before you bought the phone. like esincho said, this has been addressed many, many times.

bujucito said:
Hi guys, you must wait for the AT&T´s Fortress aka TP2
GSM Quad-band phone capable of global roaming ( 850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
UMTS tri-band global 3G ( 850/1900/2100 MHz)
http://www.phonearena.com/htmls/HTC-Fortress-phone-pb_3712.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's not really an accurate pic of AT&T's TP2. especially because of the QWERTZ keyboard. this was discussed too lol

cobra1971 said:
maybe i should sell it because this phone one of the best in market for now and the made it in very hight quality brand but no 3G it means no internet on it 2 bad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i would never go as far to say u cant use the net at all the push pages make it very usable and edge isnt that slow its much slower than 3g but ive been replying to xda posts on my tp2 with no problem. if u want to stream stuff then ur out of luck

Bxsteez said:
i would never go as far to say u cant use the net at all the push pages make it very usable and edge isnt that slow its much slower than 3g but ive been replying to xda posts on my tp2 with no problem. if u want to stream stuff then ur out of luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I live in a 3G arean and i had 3G devices before and i do not see a speed difference between EDGE and 3G

mac208x said:
I live in a 3G area and i had 3G devices before and i do not see a speed difference between EDGE and 3G
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Click to collapse
Yeah, there is not much of a difference if you use EDGE or 3G on the phone itself. I do everything on EDGE, and i'm quite happy. The peak i got here is 20kb/s and is fast enough for my everyday needs. I can even stream youtube normally, just like my PC.
The big difference here is when you tether. On everything else, EDGE is fine.

I live in a 3G area and just switched from my xperia to the touch pro 2 and there is a huge difference depending on what browser u use. And youtube loads very slow on edge at least for me it does. 3G was much faster!

Based upon my experience with the Touch HD T8282 in the US I wouldn't recommend anyone here buy the Rhodium 100 with European 3G. I'd suggest waiting for the Rhodium 300 with the UMTS850.
EDGE Sucks, forget any streaming....period.

^agree, usa 3G is a must have for speedy internet, streaming, etc.

mmdirk said:
Based upon my experience with the Touch HD T8282 in the US I wouldn't recommend anyone here buy the Rhodium 100 with European 3G. I'd suggest waiting for the Rhodium 300 with the UMTS850.
EDGE Sucks, forget any streaming....period.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Mmdirk,
Is there anyway to identify physically or on Windows a Rhodium 3oo from a Rhodium 100?
Regards
Omar

well if you put the skyfire browser it makes a major differnece in speed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTXgBcegnrs

osanchezm said:
Hi Mmdirk,
Is there anyway to identify physically or on Windows a Rhodium 3oo from a Rhodium 100?
Regards
Omar
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Omar,
If you bought yours from Mobile City Online then there is no doubt yours is the Euro version Rhodium100. The US version has not yet been released. Lift up the battery cover and the model# should be under the battery.

bersca said:
Omar,
If you bought yours from Mobile City Online then there is no doubt yours is the Euro version Rhodium100. The US version has not yet been released. Lift up the battery cover and the model# should be under the battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Bersca,
You are right, it is a Rhodium100
Regards
Omar

Im sending mines back!!! That was a deal breaker for me... they should have been upfront about it... Unless I can figure out how to put US 3G on here, I'm sending it back to Hong Kong...

Upfront??? Its all over these forums on HTC's website. I'm not sure how much more information you needed? A big red sign? I don't understand this confusion.

Lenstar said:
Im sending mines back!!! That was a deal breaker for me... they should have been upfront about it... Unless I can figure out how to put US 3G on here, I'm sending it back to Hong Kong...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
seriously, stop posting your sob story in any thread you find.
it's no one's fault but yours that you bought the European version that doesn't run 3G in the US. if you had done your research instead of relying only on whatever online store you purchased it from, you would have known that the Rhodium 100 doesn't have the necessary bands to support 3G here.
all that info is in this forum, all you had to do was look. so stop blaming the online merchant for not being "upfront" with you, because no one here will care. it's your fault for not researching the phone further than "ooohhhh the screen tilts and it's a 3.6 inch WVGA resolution and it has dual speakers and blah blah blah" learn from this mistake so you won't waste your money and posting space on the forum.

[Q&A]3G and other Band support?

This is an amazing phone.
I am waiting to see on which service it will be released. I'm hoping t-mobile, but many doubt it...
The bands that it runs on, what service are they compatible with in the US?
I'm sure people (me?) will purchase this phone from different places and would want to use it in America.
What 3g would it be compatible with, if any?

I was in a t-mobile store on friday and The customer rep said they will be selling a htc snapdragon android.

They already are...the Nexus One.
I personally doubt that TMo would sell the Desire in addition to the Nexus One considering that they are essentially the same device.

is this gonna be the new AT&T HTC Android phone???
oh boy! oh boy!

Telstra Desire to At&t 3G
This may be a bit of a jump
But it looks like Telstra (AU) will be one of the early release partners for the Desire... I believe they run a 850 Mhz 3g band...
At&t is largely 850 Mhz as well..
Assuming that it works as well as the HD2 did (Telstra HD2s seem to work pretty well on At&t), we may have a US 3G Desire sooner than we thought...
The strange part is that HTC has directly said that a US 3g version is not in the plans any time soon, but if they already have one with the correct band...(yes I know it's not 100% right, but it still seems strange)
Thoughts?

You may not have to import. The Desire is coming to ATT: http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2010/02/23/att-picking-up-htc-desire-sprint-grabbing-htc-hero2/

Fingers crossed...
Though I sort of hope the Desire shows up on Tmobile first to give me a good excuse to get myself to jump off At&t...

greygabe said:
Fingers crossed...
Though I sort of hope the Desire shows up on Tmobile first to give me a good excuse to get myself to jump off At&t...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ME TOO! Gosh im so tired of ATT, their prices and customer service. Just terrible. I think if this came out for T-Mobile i would give them a try, just a little nervous for their coverage. I live in California-Bay area so i hope its great there, but trips to Tahoe and such, not sure about yet Anyone in California on T-Mobile hoping for this phone? Hows your experience with T-Mobile too?

If it comes to T-mobile I might pick it up for the hell of it...... looks like a great phone
Im enjoying my nexus with the Desire rom. Its nearly flawless except for camera flash
I remember reading that this phone will be coming to all major carriers
I think T-mobile is a major carrier?

If Telstra get this I'm camping out for it
It must be 3.5G capable to work on Telstra's NextG network otherwise they wont add it to their product line... Any thoughts on this?

T-Mobile already has the Nexus one. AT&T has said they are pushing for an Android Nexus one competitor. Doesn't it make sense that the Desire is it? I dont' see T-Mobile getting the Desire at all.
Verizon is getting the Nexus one, Sprint is getting the Hero 2. These are confirmed. The Desires only home right now is AT&T.

Exchange Support
I've been reading up on the phone vs. the Nexus One and the press releases are stating that HTC beefed up the Exchange support in this build.
Can anyone running the leaked build comment on that support? Does it support subfolders? Calendar? Tasks?
I'd rather not have to buy a 3rd party app to get this -basic- Exchange functionality!

I too, would like to know how this. I have read that the Sense UI adds Calendar syncing to the Mail and Contact syncing that the N1 has.
Does it also add the ability to access the Global Address List?

only difference in the new exchange support is that it allows for peak and off-peak scheduling. everything else is the same.

I believe it also has task sync too...
Search for exchange on this page:
http://www.buzzcritic.com/gadgets/htc-desire-official-nexus-one-with-htc-sense

If we can go by the software in the very similar new HTC Legend, then it does Mail, Calendar and Contacts, but not Tasks.
You can read up on this for yourself in the new online manuals for the Legend. Just go to the HTC website and look for the Legend Manuals under support.
The same situation occurs for the iPhone/iTouch. In that case, there is an excellent 3rd party application called IMExchange which syncs tasks to the mobile device using WebDav, the OWA API. In practice this works well.
Hopefully someone will do the same for Android.

Ah, the thing that's most important to me is subfolders, and it looks like it's not supported by default. Oh well.

I believe it does support folders. Brightpoint has an article reflecting this.
I am a new user here so cant post urls yet, but if you google "android 2.1 exchange folders", the first reply is from brightpoint and show screen grabs including folder support.

HSPA support
According to HTC, the Desire won't support 3G in USA.
HSPA/WCDMA: 900/2100 MHz
GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
Could someone explain me why as it has exactly the same chips and the same hardware as the Nexus One ?
Why no 1700 MHz ?
Did you know that the Desire would be available in silver ? I just saw that today.
http://news.google.fr/news/search?aq=f&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=htc+desire+silver

Probably a cost cutting measure because this phone is aimed at the Asian and European market.

Using Tmobile HTC TP2 on AT&T network

I had question on 3G network bands. I know Tmobile HTC TP2 has 1700 and 2100 UMTS for 3G coverage which is not compatible with AT&T 3G network.
Is there any way to make it compatible with AT&T 3G network? By upgrading ROM? By making some hardware changes -> How and Who would do it?
Thanks for your time. Thanks.

not possible at this time

i think if you could force hardware to work at frequencies it wasnt built to would have people buying alot less branded and locked phones.

No, the device itself is technically able to receive these frequencies, but the real problem lies with the antenna. Olipro once said he forced the frequencies on one of his devices by somehow modifying the SPL or radio (something like that, anyway), but he didn't receive any more frequencies than he did before, because the problem is with the antenna. The antenna cannot receive these frequencies, so your device is stuck with T-Mobile's 3G frequencies.

Guys, its the same reason as with the Tilt/HTC Kaiser operating on T-Mobile (although I think it was a diffrent piece of hardware. I remember a website briefly had a hardware mod that was capable, but ultimately the parts were as much as the phone....screw that

Does this apply to the EDGE network also? I recently upgraded from my AT&T FUZE to The T-Mobile Touch Pro 2 for the larger screen. I was disappointed that I lost access to AT&T HSDPA/HSUPA network but after reading this post I understood.
But the phone says I’m connected to EDGE but my average speed is 36K, equivalent to GPRS. On my previous FUZE with 3G disable & HTC 620, even a few dumb phones, the EDGE speed was always 200K+.
I don’t think is related to my location, I normally get great connection at home and at work and both locations same speed. I don’t think it is the ROM, I’ve tried a few with the same result, I’m currently using the latest Energy ROM Phoenix.

Edge & GPRS
No, Edge and GPRS are both quad band so if your device will connect to one, it will connect to the other when the signal is available. Only 3G is typically dual band. The Tilt2 picks up 3G on 850/1900/2100MHz so it has one crossover frequency with TMO, but I don't know anyone that has tried picking up 3G on TMO with a Tilt2

No, there are no limits on EDGE frequencies, as all the Rhodium variants are quad band GSM and EDGE capable, and they all support the same GSM/EDGE frequencies. It's only the HSPA frequencies that are different across different Rhodium variants, because the frequencies are so fragmented with different carriers and in different countries.

Thanks for the info.

It's amazing we put a man on the moon(over 30 years ago!) and have made so many technological feats but this we can not do...
If the phone was built one way, it's gonna stay that way.
I don't think there has been a single person in the existence of the earth that has taken apart one of these devices and replaces the radio.
Please prove me wrong.

juiceppc said:
It's amazing we put a man on the moon(over 30 years ago!) and have made so many technological feats but this we can not do...
If the phone was built one way, it's gonna stay that way.
I don't think there has been a single person in the existence of the earth that has taken apart one of these devices and replaces the radio.
Please prove me wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is not that it can't be done, it is just not worth your time to do it. You would be better off selling your TP2 version and getting one the works with your bands.

Thanks for all the information
As I understand to accomplish the thing that I intend to do would need total hardware replacement.
However I wonder if there are any techniques and/or ways to enhance download/upload speed with EDGE? The current EDGE speed on AT&T is very slow. I believe T-Mobile EDGE speed (I used Blackberry Pearl 8100 on T-Mobile earlier) was comparable to 3G speed on AT&T (I have Blackberry Bold 9700 from Office on AT&T). Why EDGE on AT&T is very slow?
Am I doing something wrong with communication settings? I'm using "wap.cingular" as my APN (Access Point Name).
Thanks again for all your valuable inputs.

juiceppc said:
It's amazing we put a man on the moon(over 30 years ago!) and have made so many technological feats but this we can not do...
If the phone was built one way, it's gonna stay that way.
I don't think there has been a single person in the existence of the earth that has taken apart one of these devices and replaces the radio.
Please prove me wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you put yourself on the moon? its not that easy. you can remove the radio and corresponding internals. but you have to remove it from a working device thats already capable of those frequencies. and then why not just use that phone? its so pointless.

blueguy19 said:
As I understand to accomplish the thing that I intend to do would need total hardware replacement.
However I wonder if there are any techniques and/or ways to enhance download/upload speed with EDGE? The current EDGE speed on AT&T is very slow. I believe T-Mobile EDGE speed (I used Blackberry Pearl 8100 on T-Mobile earlier) was comparable to 3G speed on AT&T (I have Blackberry Bold 9700 from Office on AT&T). Why EDGE on AT&T is very slow?
Am I doing something wrong with communication settings? I'm using "wap.cingular" as my APN (Access Point Name).
Thanks again for all your valuable inputs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try a different radio, I'm using 4.49.25.88 and my speed increased from 37K to 102K, still sucks but better. I also read on the here that switching GPRS authentication form PAP to CHAP may help also. The switch didn't work for me. I know I can get up to 200K so I will keep trying tweaks.

4.49.25.88 ? Where do I put this in Connection Settings?

blueguy19 said:
4.49.25.88 ? Where do I put this in Connection Settings?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not a connection setting, it's a whole new package of code for the radios in your phone (phone, EDGE, 3G, bluetooth, wifi), and is flashed to your phone just like a full new ROM (but you can keep whatever ROM you're currently using, even if it's stock).
Pending a test I'm trying to run here, this may also help with the EDGE vs voice issue you've posted the other thread about...I think a different radio might help you with that as well.

blueguy19 said:
4.49.25.88 ? Where do I put this in Connection Settings?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can find radios in the ROM section.
I apologize, I feel like we're hijacking this thread. But here's a pic of my current speed using mobile speed test. Must better than it was before.

New Radio didnt help
I flashed Hard SPL and then 4.49.25.88 radio on Tmobile HTC Touch Pro 2 (with WM 6.5 official ROM).
I didn't increase the internet (download/upload) speed. With earlier Radio, the speed topped at 76 k bits per second, lowest at 19 k bits per second and averaging between 30 to 45 k bits per second. (I did about 10 to 15 tests using dslreports.com/mspeed)
With 4.49.25.88 radio, it never went above 40 k bits per second. Averaging between 19 to 25 k bits per second. Actually reduced speed compared to earlier radio.
I'm not sure what should I try next???? please help!!!

blueguy19 said:
I flashed Hard SPL and then 4.49.25.88 radio on Tmobile HTC Touch Pro 2 (with WM 6.5 official ROM).
I didn't increase the internet (download/upload) speed. With earlier Radio, the speed topped at 76 k bits per second, lowest at 19 k bits per second and averaging between 30 to 45 k bits per second. (I did about 10 to 15 tests using dslreports.com/mspeed)
With 4.49.25.88 radio, it never went above 40 k bits per second. Averaging between 19 to 25 k bits per second. Actually reduced speed compared to earlier radio.
I'm not sure what should I try next???? please help!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try .91, trust me you will find one that is perfect for your carrier and area.

I flashed Energy ROM with .88 radio, it did improve download speed. But still don't receive calls while using data.

[Q] Hardware, roms, and 3G frequencies...

Hi - I'm looking for some good answers - I think I know the basics...
After much shopping, I bought 2 of these...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170623785892&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
(HTC Touch Pro 2 s - the wife likes for our phones to match so I can teach, set up, etc...)
I think they are called T7373 SEA's South East Asia Versions, and I flashed to 2.07.707/4.49.25.91 radio just fine to get current at WM6.5. (I like factory ROM's - the books work, etc - despite my appreciation for the effort to cook.)
Now - I'm currently ATT, and when they go to Data Plan me, I'm going to T-Mobile prepaid.
So - I get to looking at 3g frequencies - of course!
The book for the device says 900/2100 HSPA/WCDMA.
The sellers' ad says
3G Network HSDPA 900 / 2100
HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 or HSDPA 1700 / 2100
(It's not really clear what the 'or' means)
Now, I'm not *****ing at the seller, I want to really understand, and they knew I was US and they asked ATT or Tmobile.
Would they like have reached into one of three bins, to sell me one of three truly different hardware phones - OR - picked a phone up and flashed it (Radio or full ROM) to my provider, or did they just configure the existing system so it picked Tmobile and its freqs for instance? (When the phone boots, it asks T-Mobile or 2 other Asian-sounding systems) How else could the phones do as advertised? (9/21, 8.5/19, or 17/21)
If the frequencies are not a settings, but a ROM/Radio issue, can I load the 'other US guys' flash and have it work?
If not, does anyone know what really is changed in the hardwares (I imagine the antennas' length might vary by X%, but then here that's % of mms.)
Thanks - great answers and experience really appreciated!!

The device in the picture of the ad is a European unbranded model (RHOD100). It's 3G frequencies are on the 2100MHz band. If they sent you the one pictures, you will not get 3G with any US provider. AT&T uses 850MHz and 1900MHz for their 3G service, while T-Mobile uses 1700/2100MHz. 3G radios are hardware dependent, not software dependent. This means that you must purchase the device that contains the radio for the 3G service you wish to use. They will work on 2G networks anywhere in the world. 3G is really the only difference between carriers.
The AT&T device is the RHOD300 model, also known as the Tilt 2. The T-Mobile version is the RHOD210.
The short answer is that if they send you the exact device in the picture from the ad, you will only be able to get 3G in some parts of Asia and Europe.

The description on the eBay listing is just cut and paste from somewhere (like HTC's website), so that is why it says "or" for the 3G bands. One is for the Euro model, the other is for the Asia model. Either way, neither have the correct bands to give you 3G on AT&T or T-Mobile. And as cajun mentioned, bands are hardware dependent, and there is no way to change it.
If you want 3G on AT&T, you need to buy the AT&T branded Tilt2. But since they will be able to read the IMEI number of the phone (since its ATT branded), they will probably add a smartphone data plan very quickly. So its probably not even worth getting a Tilt2, if you don't want a smartphone data plan. If you want 3G on T-Mobile, you need to buy a T-Mobile branded TP2.
Bottom line, if the phones you bought are unbranded, then they don't have the correct hardware to get 3G on either AT&T or T-Mob.

THX
Hey guys(?) thanks, I think I understand.
So - basically the ad HAS to be a lie, at least for 3G.
So I'm still wondering... What does HTC actually change in the phones - a crystal (I doubt this in modern times), a chip, a pack, an antenna length? There is a small area in the phone that looks 'potted' we used to call it.
They are way too pretty, and way too functional 'as is' to mess with (so I'm not gonna go module or whatever shopping), and we are pretty much 'emergency only' web people (for maps, pizza places, etc) and 2G will be fast enough. The value of a keyboard for texting, the Windows interoperability, and no damn contract is good enough.
We are deciding which ROM level we want before we try ATT to see if they know the numbers... T-Mobile prepaid is the backup plan.
THX

tshephard said:
Hey guys(?) thanks, I think I understand.
So - basically the ad HAS to be a lie, at least for 3G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A lie in that it looks like a lazy cut and paste, with either no proof-reading to catch the error, or a seller that does not fully understand what he is selling. They are a high volume seller, and also just used stock photos (not photos of the actual item), so its just a rushed auction posting. I don't think it was an intentional lie meant to mislead you. But if you want to dispute the sale, I think you have very good grounds, since the information in the auction is incorrect, and its actually impossible to tell what exact model (Euro or Asian) they are selling from the description.
AT&T most likely won't be able to correlate the IMEI with the right phone brand/model. But I've seen cases where they think its a smartphone, but the wrong one, and try to add a smartphone plan. I read a post where a guy was using a Nexus One, and their system was reading it as a Blackberry. I think he just told them it was an unlocked dumbphone, and they removed the smartphone plan.

Please Correct me if I'm wrong...
presently I'm using Sprint Touch Pro 2, and I have read on the internet that it is possible to work with AT&T or T-Mobile (which uses different technology other than Sprint's CDMA) after proper unlocking. Is it possible?
Regards.

chris8989 said:
presently I'm using Sprint Touch Pro 2, and I have read on the internet that it is possible to work with AT&T or T-Mobile (which uses different technology other than Sprint's CDMA) after proper unlocking. Is it possible?
Regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but you will not be able to use any other network's 3G service. The best you will get is EDGE on another network.

To follow up...
ATT stuck me on $25 Smartphone within 24 hours. (We went to $15 later, and they dropped us to a $10 cheaper talk plan.) For this particular set of phones, apparently the first 8 or so digits of the IMEI is phone type (which they clearly knew from Tilt 2's) and the rest is item serial number. Couldn't argue there...
Speeds, freqs... I don't get a clear definition of G's anywhere, but I show a H before I long on, and another H with bars as I use data. I have used cellular data at up to 1.1mbs per speed sites - I don't know if that's over E, or G, or H but it seems pretty fast to me. All that's on ATT, when I went to the T-Mobile store and tried their card, the best I got was 200kbs on about 5 tries.
Love the phones, added HTC task manager pulldown, and 1.6 VC from here - THX

tshephard said:
To follow up...
ATT stuck me on $25 Smartphone within 24 hours. (We went to $15 later, and they dropped us to a $10 cheaper talk plan.) For this particular set of phones, apparently the first 8 or so digits of the IMEI is phone type (which they clearly knew from Tilt 2's) and the rest is item serial number. Couldn't argue there...
Speeds, freqs... I don't get a clear definition of G's anywhere, but I show a H before I long on, and another H with bars as I use data. I have used cellular data at up to 1.1mbs per speed sites - I don't know if that's over E, or G, or H but it seems pretty fast to me. All that's on ATT, when I went to the T-Mobile store and tried their card, the best I got was 200kbs on about 5 tries.
Love the phones, added HTC task manager pulldown, and 1.6 VC from here - THX
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
G stands for GPRS, and it is a 2G service. It stands for General Packet Radio Service. It is the slowest data service you can get with speeds normally under 50Kbps. It is occasionally known as 2.5G service.
E stands for EDGE. It stands for Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution. It was a revision to the 2G service implementation and features speeds from about 100Kbps to 250Kbps depending on location, service provider, and signal. It is occasionally referred to as a pre-3G technology. It fits in the ITU's definition of 3G, but few people refer to it as such. It is normally marketed as 2.9G.
UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) was a revision to the voice service, and did not address much data-wise. This was the first widespread usage of the term and use of 3G. It is normally the service that your device is using when it shows the 3G icon. 3G speeds are normally 350Kbps - 500Kbps.
H stands for HSPA. It stands for High Speed Packet Access. It is one step higher than what is commonly known as 3G.It is also known as 3.5G. It features speeds closer to 1.5Mbps. HSPA is normally grouped in with 3G service when it is being discussed.
As for your test with T-Mobile, that wasn't really a fair comparison since you can't get 3G speeds on a Tilt2 on T-Mobile's network. You can only ever get EDGE service. Therefore, you were comparing AT&T's 3G service to T-Mobile's EDGE service. This is like trying to race a Mustang with a Moped. If you get the Rhod210 model, you will get the faster connection with T-Mobile. There isn't much to compare between AT&T and T-Mobile. AT&T 3G speeds are slower than T-Mobile. The services are also much cheaper on T-Mobile.

THX for reply, I generally understood all the abbreviations, but like you said - the marketing hype really seems to very from the technology.
If I saw, regularly, over 1 mbs and the H bars to the right of the H block, do ya' think I was H/HSPA over 8.5/9/19/21 freqs?

tshephard said:
THX for reply, I generally understood all the abbreviations, but like you said - the marketing hype really seems to very from the technology.
If I saw, regularly, over 1 mbs and the H bars to the right of the H block, do ya' think I was H/HSPA over 8.5/9/19/21 freqs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On AT&T it would be HSPA on the 850MHz and/or 1900MHz frequencies. T-Mobile uses 1700MHz for HSDPA and 2100MHz for HSUPA. The frequencies for 2G services are all the same for everyone. This is why you will get up to EDGE service with any GSM carrier, but never 3G service unless you buy a device that explicitly supports that carrier's 3G service.