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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Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
I purchased my VZW off contract. Unsubsidized is probably about $500.
Different carriers have different rules for their prepaid services. With GSM carriers, TMo and ATT, it's easy to pop a prepaid sim into any phone. With CDMA (Sprint and VZW), I'm not sure. Best bet is to call and ask.
well i had sprint for ever...I switched to tmobile.. to get that tp2 free through wmdeals.com even though coverage sucks at my house im happy.. I have wifi for data when im home.. when i leave my home i have edge service everwhere.. til i start getting close to mesquite ( texas ) it goes to 3g.. but edge works great with opera mini.. and for updating certain things.. but so far tmobile rocks..
The Jack of Clubs said:
they wouldnt say something like that. the entire gsm network is theirs.
btw att, verizon, and sprint all have horrible customer service. youre going to always loose with any provider.
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Click to collapse
That's where you are wrong. They did cancel me and one of my brothers living in another town shortly after I got the call and letter. The explanation was they had contracts with other providers to cover you when your were roaming. And roaming was fine, as long as you did not do it too much. I roamed all the time, for about three years.
I called Verizon today, and the representative said that I can't use their prepaid service on a smart phone... although I'm not really sure about, as she sounded clueless, and I had to do lots of explanation until she got the basic idea..
anyway... I like really the verizon version of the Touch Pro 2..
If I go for month-to-month and get it for full retail (490$).. 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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Click to collapse
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????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
fortunz said:
Last I checked, Tmobile's network isn't owned by ATT.
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Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
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
hello,
can you guys pick up different signal carrier in your hd7?
i am using T-mobile HD7 and the signal is not stable in my place (i have few drop calls). the Verizon signal is much better and i can pick it up from this menu >start>setting>cellular>network selection>
I can force the phone using Verizon, but the problem is after the choosing, the cellphone did not show any signal bars. <most likely phone can not register in the network>. it is wired. any ideas?
tmobile phones cannot use cdma networks, different radios, different technologies.
can a AT&T or cellular network be used in this phone? t-mobile signal is so terrible in my place.
maopost said:
can a AT&T or cellular network be used in this phone? t-mobile signal is so terrible in my place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes you can use at&t if you sim unlock your phone. T-mobile might do it for you or you can pay one of the web based companies that do it.
You won't have 3g though.
Why did you get a t-mobile phone if you don't have t-mobile reception???
nope. AT&T work off different network signal than the others do so you won't have much luck. and i'm not sure if the HD7 from t-mobile supports the band (network signal) that AT&T uses. so you could try but i highly doubt it.
t-mobile signal is not good in my place.
to be honest with you, I hate AT&T and verizon.
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
(Did a quick forum search on this and didn't see anything that answered my question, so if this is around somewhere, I apologize.)
Okay, I'm currently with Verizon Wireless, and generally happy with my service, but what I am unhappy with is my bill (I pay $220+ a month for 4 lines, only 2 of which are Smart Phones). I'm thinking of switching to T-Mobile's prepaid service when my contract is up, and my and my wife both like the Galaxy S3, but I'm leery about T-Mobile's service in my area (I live in a rather Rural area). Ideally, I'd buy an unlocked version of the phone to use with prepaid plans (so if I'm dissatisfied with one prepaid service, I just switch out SIM cards and port my number), BUT unfortunately, the unlocked versions of the S3 that I've found don't work with the T-Mobile HSPA+ band (1700 MHz). However, what I have found is that when comparing the T999 with the I747 (T-Mobile and AT&T versions, respectively), I've found that (LTE aside) the frequencies they operate on are exactly the same, with the difference being only that T-Mobile's can use the 1700 MHz frequency.
SO, my question is: If I went ahead and sprung for a couple of T999's and found that T-Mobile didn't work for me, could I just unlock the phone for use with AT&T and pop in an AT&T SIM, and enjoy AT&T's HSPA+ goodness? Or is there something I'm missing? I know that the other way around won't work (only in very, VERY isolated spots will T-Mobile customers with unlocked iPhones and Droids that operate on 1900 MHz frequencies actually get more than EDGE speeds with their devices), but this seems like the best option (barring buying a GSM Galaxy Nexus from the Google PLAY store, which I'm not sure will be available when my contract is up - I hear that there's a new Galaxy Device being cooked up, and I'm not holding my breath for Google to sell it alongside an older Nexus device).
Opinions?
FYI, I'm not worried about LTE right now. As I said, I live in a rural area that's lucky to have 3G. LTE might not EVER make it to my area (AT&T just added 3G to my area in the last year), so HSPA+ (whether 21 Mbps or T-Mobile's 42 Mbps) is plenty fast for me (my Verizon Wireless Xperia PLAY currently pulls down 1.5 Mbps on a good day).
Link to T999: htt p://ww w.gsmarena. com/samsung_galaxy_s_iii_t999-4804.php
Link to I747: htt p://ww w.gsmarena. com/samsung_galaxy_s_iii_i747-4803.php
(Remove spaces. Would have hyperlinked, but as I don't yet have ten posts, that's illegal.)
Wow. It's refreshing to see someone do research before asking a question.
Yes, that would probably be your best bet. You can use the T-999 on AT&T HSPA+ just fine. You can even use it on Medianet's $10 unlimited data I believe since it isn't an AT&T phone. I feel like you will likely end up doing this as T-Mobile prepaid has a smaller coverage footprint than postpaid (or so they claim).
So yes, if you don't care about LTE, this would work just fine for you.
At&t user here. Yeah hspa+ works fine on it. If losing lte isn't an issue for you then go for it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
I was on the same boat as the OP. I bought an unlocked T999 and I am currently using on ATT's network, but through Straight Talk. I still get HSPA speeds w/o the 5GB cap.
Another AT&T user here also using Medianet plan.. Works perfect on hspa+
sent from my AOKP powered s3
Bump. Is there any specific apn settings to get h+. As i have heard straightalk at&t with tmobile s3 only gets edge speeds? Please tell me i was told wrong lol. Thanks
1slow4G said:
Bump. Is there any specific apn settings to get h+. As i have heard straightalk at&t with tmobile s3 only gets edge speeds? Please tell me i was told wrong lol. Thanks
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In a similar situation!
I have the T999 with T-mobile and am moving to Kauai, am there now and the service is worthless. I looked at AT&T's prices for shi*ts and giggles and ugh, no. I just ordered a straight talk AT&T compatible sim from walmart, will need to cut it because everywhere is out of micro sims, and would like to know how successful the T999 is on the AT&T compatible network of straight talk. I seriously feel lost without data to my phone, it hurts.
I have been researching and researching the band frequencies and everything points to that it should work. I just got this phone after my rooted/unlocked SGS4g went into a toilet and then sold on ebay.
lol
BTW long time viewer of XDA, has been successful in unlocking/rooting/flashing the SGS4g and the T999, with a mac I might add which always makes things complicated.
Thanks again
adelynn2006 said:
In a similar situation!
I have the T999 with T-mobile and am moving to Kauai, am there now and the service is worthless. I looked at AT&T's prices for shi*ts and giggles and ugh, no. I just ordered a straight talk AT&T compatible sim from walmart, will need to cut it because everywhere is out of micro sims, and would like to know how successful the T999 is on the AT&T compatible network of straight talk. I seriously feel lost without data to my phone, it hurts.
I have been researching and researching the band frequencies and everything points to that it should work. I just got this phone after my rooted/unlocked SGS4g went into a toilet and then sold on ebay.
lol
BTW long time viewer of XDA, has been successful in unlocking/rooting/flashing the SGS4g and the T999, with a mac I might add which always makes things complicated.
Thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have my t999 unlocked and with straighttalk at&t sim. I am getting 4g symbol which is hspa+ on at&t terms. Speed is great, loads up browser pages faster than my wifes tmobile and hers is on 4g aswell. Couldn't be happier. But at home and at work I have wifi so i try to avoid using too much data to avoid the infamous data cap
Sent from my Galaxy S3 using neighbors wifi
According to the guy at the Verizon store, who I plan to upgrade to in November when my contract is up due to T-Mobiles terrible service, seems to think that since it is a SIM phone, and Verizon's new network phones (4G / XLTE) use a SIM card, that I can unlock my TMO phone and it will be able to then be assigned a new IMEI so that I can use it on a Verizon network...
Think this is true and if so, how do I do this? I don't know that I want to upgrade phones... I love my N2 and will only upgrade if there is a Note 4 out by then...
svavrek said:
According to the guy at the Verizon store, who I plan to upgrade to in November when my contract is up due to T-Mobiles terrible service, seems to think that since it is a SIM phone, and Verizon's new network phones (4G / XLTE) use a SIM card, that I can unlock my TMO phone and it will be able to then be assigned a new IMEI so that I can use it on a Verizon network...
Think this is true and if so, how do I do this? I don't know that I want to upgrade phones... I love my N2 and will only upgrade if there is a Note 4 out by then...
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Click to collapse
As far as i know, Verizon uses a hybrid cdma/lte network. Voice is still handled through the cdma2000 antennae and network, whereas data (in lte coveted areas) by lte anrennae and network. If this holds true, shoving a Verizon SIM into a tmous phone will only give you data in lte covered areas. Assuming the sgh-t889 has the right band requirements to function on Verizons network.
In a nutshel: it is a very very long shot. Either way, you're guaranteed not to be able to make phonecalls.
Unfortunately, i have no sources to present you. This is just gleamed knowledge aqwired from countless hours of googletubing.
It is extremely possible the cdma functionality is just switched off, and could be jtagged. But that's way over my head.
I wouldn't bet on it. Even with VoLTE I doubt it would work all that well on LTE. Then if you are in a non LTE area you are SOL.
Hastily spouted for your befuddlement