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Hey guys. I'm in the initial research stages of buying a PPC, however I am very limited on time before I have to choose one because my current nextel phone died. The company I work for is switching from nextel to sprint, so I will be signing up on what is currently the sprint pcs network. I have looked around a bit, and have a lot of interest in the pda2k version of the blue angel, however I came to realize that sprint uses CDMA instead of GSM/GPRS. My understanding is very juvenile of how these protocols work and their compatibility, however it's my understanding that the quad band GSM standard pda2k will not work with my sprint CDMA carrier. It appears the EVDO model is CDMA compatible. Will this easily be able to work with SPRINT?
I see they offer their version of the same thing basically, the ppc 6600 sprint version of the blue angel. What I'm also wondering, is there any real advantage to getting the i-mate version? I know there is the i-mate forum with updates etc, but aren't those firmware etc updates available to sprint 6600 owners as well?
I know that getting the unlocked pda2k GSM version has its advantages in the versatility - switching from carrier to carrier. Does the EVDO share any of the same benefits? I'm assuming the sprint 6600 is not transferable?
I know I should spent days/hours searching and reading up on these forums and typically do in other genres of products/research, however I am pressed for time and it's easy to see that the guys around this forum are the real deal and know their stuff. Excuse the blatant probe for knowledge if you would, and please offer any suggestions/answers to my issues if you're able! Thanks a million in advance,
Dave
22 views and nobody has any info? :?
The only advantage to the sprint 6600 vs the Imate is that the 6600 is EVDO which is faster data rates than you would get with the pda2k. However Sprint's data service is more expensive as well.
Some of the disadvantages:
1. No WIFI on the sprint phone
2. Phone will only work on Sprint
3. Video capture is limited (don't know for a fact, only from hearsay)
If your employer is forcing you to Sprint then you have no choice and are stuck with the 6600 phone, which is OK. If you have a choice buy an iMate pda2k and get T-mob or Cingular...
If you are going with Sprint, then you have no choice but to get the 6600. The Sprint 6600 is basically the same phone as the iMate EVDO, so there is no advantage to getting the iMate especially since Sprint will not allow you to activated any phone on their network that they don't sell you. CDMA is not like GSM. There is basically no such thing as an unlocked CDMA phone and you can't transfer a CDMA phone from one provider to another (like Sprint to Verizon or visa versa).
Thanks for the replies. I think I'm pretty much stuck with the 6600, or any better sprint compatible option. I think the only other one is the palm treo.
I am definitely locked into getting a sprint phone, and do not care about pricing plans etc as it's a company paid phone that's part of a group plan.
I think the 6600 is certainly more appealing than the treo feature wise, but I'm pretty worried about its ability to be used easily as a phone. How do you guys like them that use them on a regular basis to talk? I really don't like earpieces, and will likely use it like I use my nextel, on speakerphone holding it a few feet away from my face. Is it easy to find numbers and dial, call waiting etc?
Wow - looks like everyone is about to come out with their version of the TP2. The question for me now is - who to sign up with? What are the pros & cons of CDMA vs GSM versions? I've read about bad customer support with Sprint. Who's got the better (stable, coverage, speed) network? Any incentive to go unlocked?
Thank you!
I'll be getting one w/ tmobile usa because of the plan prices, great support, and GSM any where in the world!!
im going with Verizon,, im a sales man, and i need a reliable network.. if i dont get any signal i will lose clients. so im going with the best network in the US. you want the best you have to pay for it.
Lw00d said:
im going with Verizon,, im a sales man, and i need a reliable network.. if i dont get any signal i will lose clients. so im going with the best network in the US. you want the best you have to pay for it.
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Personally I never lose reception in the U.S but I guess it all depends, so that is a good reason to go with Verizon, but I am gonna get it for T-mobile cause of an existing contract, otehr wise I think I would want to get it for [email protected]
If you want a weakened and crippled phone with horrible customer service then Verizon is definitly the way to go.
If you want a Touch Pro2 that works worldwide, that can be unlocked to any network, then go with AT&T or T-Mobile. Personally, I would go with AT&T as they have a larger 3G coverage throughout the US.
atomixpaintball said:
If you want a weakened and crippled phone with horrible customer service then Verizon is definitly the way to go.
If you want a Touch Pro2 that works worldwide, that can be unlocked to any network, then go with AT&T or T-Mobile. Personally, I would go with AT&T as they have a larger 3G coverage throughout the US.
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I tend to agree, I am an ex- verizon guy and had to deal with the slow phone deliveries, dumb down hardware issues(Thank God for XDA) as well as the CDMA not in use with the majority of the rest of the world.
If you need world wide connectivity and the best US 3G, Att is your best bet, but to be honest who deploys first tends to win. I guess the race is on.
Price, world-wide connectivity, un-crippled phone features, and customer support all point to Sprint as the best choice for someone about to choose a carrier for the first time and wanting the TP2.
The reports you've read about Sprint's CS are BS. I've been with them for 3 years and have had many opportunities to work with customer support and have walked away from the experience satisfied and better off every time. They clearly have been and continue to work hard to turn around a bad customer service department, and it's paying off.
Also, in all that time I've not had a single dropped call, save for one area between me and my office that is a "dead zone" that no carrier apparently covers (I car pool and we all use different carriers. We all drop at the same place).
I vote for Sprint. Better data network than ATT and T-Mo combined plus i read that Sprint's version is going to be dual mode (CDMA/GSM 900/1800?).
So you get good CDMA coverage in the States and when abroad, pop in a SIM and use a local GSM network. Works for me that way.
First of all, the Sprint and Verizon versions ARE global. They are CDMA and GSM. Get it straight people.
I have been with Verizon since before they were Verizon, and I have had absolutely ZERO issues with customer service, billing, phone replacement, coverage, dropped calls, etc. That is also having lived in 2 different regions of the country in that time.
I agree, they're sometimes slow to release phones, and hopefully the TP2 crippling isn't reminiscent of the TP1, but we'll have to wait and see. It all comes down to the best network in your area. In mine, Verizon is hands down the best, followed by AT&T second, a tin can with a string 3rd, and Sprint 4th.
Sprint. CDMA
zeo2k said:
Sprint. CDMA
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Yes, Sprint is CDMA, and the Touch Pro2 for Sprint and Verizon will be dual mode (CDMA/GSM).
im an existing tmo customer (very happy with their service) and am craving to get tp2, but willing to switch to at&t since my contract with tmo has expired and i might get a better price at at&t as a new customer
sprint .. eh .. not sure, maybe
would be great if someone could do an in depth side-by-side comparison of these companies, like prices, features, extras ..
for example, i found out that at at&t and sprint you get to listen to pandora for free, but not on tmo, also engadget figured that at&t has better 3G than others, stuff like that
in general, question stands - tmo, att or sprint?
well, the CDMA phones cannot use voice and Data at the same time. so that's a big deal.
coverage and network speed vary largely depending on area. and nobody knows what the phone will cost yet through any of the carriers.
good, something new, kinda rules out sprint
hihik said:
im an existing tmo customer (very happy with their service) and am craving to get tp2, but willing to switch to at&t since my contract with tmo has expired and i might get a better price at at&t as a new customer
sprint .. eh .. not sure, maybe
would be great if someone could do an in depth side-by-side comparison of these companies, like prices, features, extras ..
for example, i found out that at at&t and sprint you get to listen to pandora for free, but not on tmo, also engadget figured that at&t has better 3G than others, stuff like that
in general, question stands - tmo, att or sprint?
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tmo hands down.... check billshrink.com to compare all four carriers (its not endorsed by any carriers by the way)
Hope this isn't a thread hijack.. what's the scoop on ROM support for CDMA versions of HTC phones? (I see the posts about TP2 being CDMA+GSM)
I've been here flashing ROMs for 8125/8525/8925, but always had a GSM version... and have really NOT noticed ROMs for the CDMA flavors of those phones..
Sprint appears to offer me the best price for a family plan with 2 data phones + messaging (~$130 vs. $170/month if I've got my info correctly), so I'm thinking heavily about dropping ATT after ~8 years... but wanted to be sure I wouldn't lose access to all the fantastic ROMs from XDA.
Lw00d said:
im going with Verizon,, im a sales man, and i need a reliable network.. if i dont get any signal i will lose clients. so im going with the best network in the US. you want the best you have to pay for it.
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i second this!! no substitute for getting service everywhere
ckeegan said:
Yes, Sprint is CDMA, and the Touch Pro2 for Sprint and Verizon will be dual mode (CDMA/GSM).
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but isnt GSM mode disabled? I thought that it was disabled and there was no way to enable it... but then again im not completely sure.. but will it even have a sim card slot?
ckeegan said:
Yes, Sprint is CDMA, and the Touch Pro2 for Sprint and Verizon will be dual mode (CDMA/GSM).
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sorry duplicate post
Any news on release dates for the different carriers?
Hi
I'm new to the US, and I'm not familiar with the wireless companies system here..
I have some question:
1. Which service provider is better? I'll be living in Berkeley, CA?? I keep hearing that At&T has bad reception.. which one should I go for??
2. The 30$ data plan: all companies say that this plan is unlimited, but I keep reading (at least for Verizon) it's 5 GB/month.. is this true?? and are there any companies that offer real unlimited data plan...
Because I was thinking of using my phone as a modem for my PC, I don't want to pay more 30-40$ for DSL if I already have a true unlimited data plan
3. Roll over minutes: does this apply only to AT&t, or all carriers?
Thanks in advance guys
duke911 said:
Hi
I'm new to the US, and I'm not familiar with the wireless companies system here..
I have some question:
1. Which service provider is better? I'll be living in Berkeley, CA?? I keep hearing that At&T has bad reception.. which one should I go for??
2. The 30$ data plan: all companies say that this plan is unlimited, but I keep reading (at least for Verizon) it's 5 GB/month.. is this true?? and are there any companies that offer real unlimited data plan...
Because I was thinking of using my phone as a modem for my PC, I don't want to pay more 30-40$ for DSL if I already have a true unlimited data plan
3. Roll over minutes: does this apply only to AT&t, or all carriers?
Thanks in advance guys
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I just left AT&T due to extremely poor customer service. AT&T is the only carrier that offers rollover minutes, but their 3G coverage is spotty, and when switching from 3G to Edge or vise versa, you will experience a lot of dropped calls. If you want to use your phone as a modem with AT&T you have to get a tethering plan which will run you $60/month. Verizon has a much larger 3G coverage area, and you don't have to worry about the network being burdened by iPhone users. Sprint has rolled out 4G coverage in some areas with plans to expand. Sprint has cheaper calling plans, but their subsidized phone prices are higher. All in all, do your research, and check online for reviews of coverage, network speed, and customer service.
1. reception obviously varies by location. VZW probably has the best claim to the best nationwide coverage--their business model has very much focused on network building, and up until very recently, their phone selection sucked because they didn't invest as much in securing great smartphones. Alternatively, ATT has focused investment heavily on having great phones, and haven't focused investment as much on building any of their networks.
That said, ATT has great phone reception in a lots of metropolitan areas. There might even be some areas where they have better coverage. And while their 3G data coverage isn't nearly as broad, where it exists, it has been tested as being the fastest (especially when you're not using an iPhone).
2. No, all wireless carriers have a cap of some kind. Further most will charge an extra $30ish a month on top of the $30ish a month for smartphone data for tethering (using your phone as a modem), and they'll still have a data cap.
3. I don't know VZW's plans.
ive been with ATT for YEARS and their costumer service can kiss my ass because i never use it. why? because they offer best reception where im at. why would i want to find out how good t-mobiles costumer service is? i just want a reliable network. all carriers have crappy prices and conditions here. just find the one that works for you and dont listen to what anyone else says. why would you care if verizon has 3g in montana and att doesnt if you live in LA?? its irrelevant. find the least crappy one for you and stick with it.
Do some research on the difference between CDMA and GSM networks. One may work better than another in certain situations.
T-Mobile has cheap rate plans and free tethering.
Sprint has a WiMax network rolling out, although all of the carriers are working on LTE or some other standard of 4G- Not really a concern at this point, since few phones support it.
Verizon has the best customer satisfaction ratings, but their phones are often locked down with software.
AT&T has a history of dropping calls, but has the fastest recorded data speeds.
No matter whom you may chose, you will end up disappointed over some facet or another. You will need to get DSL or some other form of land-based internet, unless you can keep yourself constrained to the 5GB data caps that ALL of the carriers have.
I guess I'm gonna go with verizon then..
I asked a Veizon representative today about the Touch Pro 2, and he said it's only CDMA ... although on their websitethey say it's GSM Quad Band!!! Is there anything that I'm missing?
Will I be able to use out side the US if travel home?
cheers
duke911 said:
I guess I'm gonna go with verizon then..
I asked a Veizon representative today about the Touch Pro 2, and he said it's only CDMA ... although on their websitethey say it's GSM Quad Band!!! Is there anything that I'm missing?
Will I be able to use out side the US if travel home?
cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, it's kind of misleading. The Verizon Touch Pro2 is actually a CDMA/GSM hybrid device, which works on Verizon's CDMA network or any GSM network. In theory, you should be able to use it on any GSM network in any country as long as you have a valid SIM card.
you cant trust advertising. it makes it appear that all options are shiney. verizon claims all of its wireless technologies as 3g no matter what they are, whether they have speeds slower than atts 2g or worse. the verizon touch pro will not actually work in the us or canada on gsm. you also need to pay for vodofone service separately to get international coverage. you can flash a radio that will let you use atts network but youll loose the cdma network verizon uses. sprints 4g network is not as promising as i hoped. its slower than atts 3g network and to use it you have to buy a $10 1-day pass that will let you use 4g in about 10 or so cities. its also not on any phones. in terms of data or unlimited plans, i would probably have to recommend t-mobile. even though i think they have the ugliest version of the touch pro 2. verizon does limit there unlimited plans to 4gb a month i think. and yes att is the only one with roll over. i never use my minutes so i up to about 10000 minutes rolled over. i will never be charged overage as long as i live.
I was with ATT when they were known as Cingular for three years. One day I got a call and they said I was using it off their network too much and I had to stop it or they would cancel me. Since I was not even living in their area, it was not going to happen.
So I signed up with Verizon, which did not even sell phones within a hundred miles of where I would be using it. That was in March of 2007. I went to Alaska for 16 months where it roamed constantly. Not a peep from Verizon about not being on their network. When going to a remote village for more than a month where no cell phone would work, I would just call them and they would suspend my phone for the time I was there. No bill at all and no charge for turning it off. So I have to say the customer support from Verizon is the best there is and ATT is the absolute worst.
texascbx said:
I was with ATT when they were known as Cingular for three years. One day I got a call and they said I was using it off their network too much and I had to stop it or they would cancel me. Since I was not even living in their area, it was not going to happen.
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they wouldnt say something like that. the entire gsm network is theirs.
btw att, verizon, and sprint all have horrible customer service. youre going to always loose with any provider.
The Jack of Clubs said:
they wouldnt say something like that. the entire gsm network is theirs.
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Last I checked, Tmobile's network isn't owned by ATT.
thanks a lot for your help guys, I really appreciae that.
I have one final question: Is there a way I can buy verizon touch pro 2 without a contract, and use it with verizon prepaid service (if that is possible in te first place)?
I'm new here and I don't have many people to speak with, and since I'm a student, I could use any some extra money
Cheers
duke911 said:
thanks a lot for your help guys, I really appreciae that. I have one final question: Is there a way I can buy verizon touch pro 2 without a contract, and use it with verizon prepaid service (if that is possible in te first place)? I'm new here and I don't have many people to speak with, and since I'm a student, I could use any some extra money
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I purchased my VZW off contract. Unsubsidized is probably about $500.
Different carriers have different rules for their prepaid services. With GSM carriers, TMo and ATT, it's easy to pop a prepaid sim into any phone. With CDMA (Sprint and VZW), I'm not sure. Best bet is to call and ask.
well i had sprint for ever...I switched to tmobile.. to get that tp2 free through wmdeals.com even though coverage sucks at my house im happy.. I have wifi for data when im home.. when i leave my home i have edge service everwhere.. til i start getting close to mesquite ( texas ) it goes to 3g.. but edge works great with opera mini.. and for updating certain things.. but so far tmobile rocks..
The Jack of Clubs said:
they wouldnt say something like that. the entire gsm network is theirs.
btw att, verizon, and sprint all have horrible customer service. youre going to always loose with any provider.
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That's where you are wrong. They did cancel me and one of my brothers living in another town shortly after I got the call and letter. The explanation was they had contracts with other providers to cover you when your were roaming. And roaming was fine, as long as you did not do it too much. I roamed all the time, for about three years.
I called Verizon today, and the representative said that I can't use their prepaid service on a smart phone... although I'm not really sure about, as she sounded clueless, and I had to do lots of explanation until she got the basic idea..
anyway... I like really the verizon version of the Touch Pro 2..
If I go for month-to-month and get it for full retail (490$).. can I cancel with Verizon after that, and unlock my phone, then use it with some other network like T-mobile or At&T????
I never used CDMA before, and after reading some info, I think GSM is better for me, at least for now...
duke911 said:
I called Verizon today, and the representative said that I can't use their prepaid service on a smart phone... although I'm not really sure about, as she sounded clueless, and I had to do lots of explanation until she got the basic idea..
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You never know with reps. I seem to recall that VZW's prepaid might have some unlimited data intended for dumbphones, which of course they wouldn't want you to use with a smartphone.
There are MVNOs, like Page Plus, that use VZW's network, but have prepaid plans where they probably wouldn't be concerned about smartphone usage (pay per kb instead of unlimited).
If I go for month-to-month and get it for full retail (490$).. can I cancel with Verizon after that, and unlock my phone, then use it with some other network like T-mobile or At&T????
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You can get it unlocked here and use it on ATT or TMo (minus 3g, 2g data still works), and as to whether you can cancel after the fact without penalty, it depends on exactly what you signed up for at VZW.
texascbx said:
That's where you are wrong. They did cancel me and one of my brothers living in another town shortly after I got the call and letter. The explanation was they had contracts with other providers to cover you when your were roaming. And roaming was fine, as long as you did not do it too much. I roamed all the time, for about three years.
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fortunz said:
Last I checked, Tmobile's network isn't owned by ATT.
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well then double check because att hardware can not utilize tmobile 1700 band. if you in the country you are never going to use another carriers network. and roaming only applies to out of country. even if you stand anywhere on the canadian or mexican borders, you wont be charged roaming. the system isnt that fd up.
The Jack of Clubs said:
well then double check because att hardware can not utilize tmobile 1700 band. if you in the country you are never going to use another carriers network. and roaming only applies to out of country. even if you stand anywhere on the canadian or mexican borders, you wont be charged roaming. the system isnt that fd up.
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Well, that's not entirely true. AT&T devices can use T-Mobile's network, just not HSPA (3G), and vice versa. Before I got my 8925, my main phone was an old T-Mobile Blackberry 7200 which I unlocked to use on AT&T. It could make phone calls and browse at EDGE speeds just fine. The 3G bands are f*cked up internationally since they often differ by country and carrier, but the EDGE and basic GSM bands are pretty much compatible with any GSM phone (since most GSM phones are Tri-band or Quad-band capable).
In addition, it's perfectly possible to use another network in the same country. If a company like AT&T doesn't have infrastructure in a remote area and wants to add service there, they'll often strike a deal with a local carrier who does. It's usually a seamless transition for the user, and it doesn't generally cost the user a cent. Rather, AT&T is the one paying the local cellular operator for allowing the AT&T customers use the local carrier's network as opposed to the alternative of having no coverage in that area. AT&T got mad at texascbx because he was costing AT&T money by roaming on these local carriers, which AT&T had to pay.
Lastly, I know people who live near the borders and they always are careful to see which operator they are using. One of them lives near the Mexican border, and has to make sure he's on AT&T's network before he makes a call. If he doesn't check, he might be roaming on the TelMex network and will get billed outrageous fees for a simple call, even though he's in the US.
I was at the mall today, and I talked to a T-Mobile guy, and he said I can get the T-mobile version of touch pro 2 for full retail, and I can use it with their prepaid plan without any porblems.
Then I spoke with a Verizon representative, and he said that I can't do that on their network, however I can buy the device with out a contract and without any plan...
So my Final question (and I guess fortunz answered before,but I still feel like asking coz I don't want to through 500$ away)... If I get the Verizon Touch Pro 2, and get it unlocked here
http://rhodiumw.htc-unlocks.com/
or here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=578642
will I be able to use it with any carrier?? prepaid or plan??
I don't really mind about the data, as I'll be using WiFi mainly
Thanks a lot
Recently moved to a T-Mobile dead zone forcing me to switch providers. As I would like to keep my Defy, I have decided to unlock it and move to AT&T.
Sometime today or tomorrow I will be making the transistion and would like to ask those who have gone before me for some advice...
Preferred ROM for making the switch? (For Example: I'm not sure I completely understand the Bands involved...for a UK ROM, I had to install a patch to get T-Mobile to work, but I don't know how/if it would affect AT&T)
AT&T Software? I can pretty much rip out T-Mobile the software, just not sure about how to get any AT&T specific software I might want/need.
De-branding? Retaining the T-Mobile branded market will just irritate me.
Anything else I should know or prepare for?
Thanks -
Presume you are in the US.
Where I live it's a dead zone as well (for both T-Mo & AT&T) but I use the wifi calling built into the Defy (my wife uses the similar UMA on her Blackberry). The calls are so perfect we could get rid of land lines. AT&T does NOT have wifi calling.
As far as I know there is no ROM that will allow you to run the Defy on AT&T 3G, but I could be wrong. T-Mo is 1700, AT&T 1900 -- both have 2100 for Europe etc. Again, if that's changed someone here will tell you.
I believe roaming -- including data roaming -- domestically is free. That's what I was told by a T-Mo rep, and you may want to double check. But if it is, and you cannot get your phone to work on AT&T's 3G, you may want to stay with T-Mo. Or get a different phone and move to AT&T.
AT&T uses 850 and 1900 and are moving to only 850 which this (US) phone has so it should work in most areas, but I would consider the wifi calling first too as AT&T is much more expensive than Tmo, has data caps and overages unlike Tmo.
Do what you have to do, just be aware of the pitfalls of AT&T.
Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, Alltel was the major roaming provider in the area for T-Mobile, but since Alltel was bought out/merged with Verizon, there is really no roaming in this area any longer.
Wifi is what I am using now, but is extremely limiting, as I am restricted to about 15-20 yards of my living room. There is little to no public WIFI in the area (country living...) and no outside data access though pretty much defeats the purpose of having a smart phone (no Google Maps, remote email, local movie show times, business look-ups, comparison shopping, etc.).
While going with an AT&T phone is an option, I really like the water resistance of the Defy. Since I do a lot of outdoor activities (e.g. hiking) and drive a doorless/topless CJ7 most of year, water resistance is a godsend.
AT&T, while not ideal, is currently my best option.
Does anyone know for sure that an unlocked Defy will work on the 3G 850 freak for AT&T? I recall that some protocols also need to be on a phone for it to register on a specific network.
Looks like this guy got it working on androidforums. Sorry, no links for me yet.
androidforums.com/t/217819-t-mo-motorola-defy-working-t-3g-850-band-only.html
...as in "I'm so confused" ala Vinnie Barbarino!
I bought my GT-N7100 and thought that since it supported the same bands as my old phone (Huawei U9000), that I would have the same capabilities from my carrier (Cincinnati Bell). After 4 days, 3 visits to my CinBell store, calls to their tech support and to Samsung; I'm resigned to 2G for the remainder of my contract.
I'm really not looking to try and do any major (to me) surgery to software/firmware...I'm just trying to get my head wrapped around this crazy patchwork quilt of cellular bands and figure out what options I have to get 3G at least, once my contract is up in June.
From reading threads here and elsewhere...it seems like AT&T is one...that would not require modifying the phone. Am I correct? Are there better options? I can live without 4G. I'm certainly not a heavy mobile data user...I just like the ability to browse a bit when no wifi is handy!
Thanks!
Yes, it will work with AT&T 3G post paid contract, AT&T pre-paid GoPhone service, Or Straight Talk 3G which uses ATdT network as well.