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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
Click to expand...
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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Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I purchased my VZW off contract. Unsubsidized is probably about $500.
Different carriers have different rules for their prepaid services. With GSM carriers, TMo and ATT, it's easy to pop a prepaid sim into any phone. With CDMA (Sprint and VZW), I'm not sure. Best bet is to call and ask.
well i had sprint for ever...I switched to tmobile.. to get that tp2 free through wmdeals.com even though coverage sucks at my house im happy.. I have wifi for data when im home.. when i leave my home i have edge service everwhere.. til i start getting close to mesquite ( texas ) it goes to 3g.. but edge works great with opera mini.. and for updating certain things.. but so far tmobile rocks..
The Jack of Clubs said:
they wouldnt say something like that. the entire gsm network is theirs.
btw att, verizon, and sprint all have horrible customer service. youre going to always loose with any provider.
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That's where you are wrong. They did cancel me and one of my brothers living in another town shortly after I got the call and letter. The explanation was they had contracts with other providers to cover you when your were roaming. And roaming was fine, as long as you did not do it too much. I roamed all the time, for about three years.
I called Verizon today, and the representative said that I can't use their prepaid service on a smart phone... although I'm not really sure about, as she sounded clueless, and I had to do lots of explanation until she got the basic idea..
anyway... I like really the verizon version of the Touch Pro 2..
If I go for month-to-month and get it for full retail (490$).. 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.
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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
Hey guys, new to Android and T-Mobile. I got a G2 last week, and I live and work in kind of a fringe area for T-Mo coverage. AT&T has good coverage out here, but the G2 doesn't roam over to ATT, I can't even register on their system when I select it in the mobile networks settings. My question is- how can I set the phone to roam onto their system when I lose T-Mo coverage? (I have heard that T-Mo can roam to ATT on EDGE). Thanks!
As far as I know, the only way to use AT&T on the G2 would be to SIM unlock the phone and use an AT&T SIM with an AT&T account. The TMO SIM won't just allow you to roam because they don't have a reciprocal billing agreement --- though I am no expert on this.
I believe, though I could be wrong, that the G2 does not have the ability for 3G (UMTS) data on AT&T. As you stated, if you could connect to the network, Edge should work.
One solution would be to switch to an AT&T SIM and use the Samsung Vibrant, which has the ability to connect to one of the two AT&T 3G bands. Of course, if you want to use AT&T regularly, getting an AT&T phone would be a better solution. So, for you, unless you want to switch to AT&T, wifi might be your only solution.
Ugh! That is exactly what I was hoping I wouldn't read lol. Well, I do really want to stick with tmo, just wish my phone would auto roam to att when I lose the tmo signal. Thanks for the reply!
Sent from my G2 using XDA app
I asked around at work a bit, and there are cases where you can roam on AT&T's network. These cases exist in areas where T-Mobile has not, cannot, or will not build out a network. In these cases, they contract with AT&T to provide their customers with network access. Some phones will show roaming, but I think the software, at this point, has made it a seamless experience, and you don't even know you are attached to AT&T's network. For billing, purposes, if you have a national plan, you are not roaming.
This doesn't help you, but I wanted to clarify my blanket statement above.
Check out the coverage map (Select NO for Are you a Rep, then go to the Data Coverage Map):
compass(DOT)t-mobile(DOT)com
Unfortunately in your area of CA, there is no roaming partner.
The only roaming in CA is in some parts of N. CA up Hwy 1 and 101, towards the Oregon border, and in the 395 corridor.
I'm thinking of upgrading from my HTC Rhodium on ATT to a Desire Z (also on ATT). Is there anything I should be looking for to make sure it will play nice with the 3G network?
Thanks
nnvpears
nnvpears said:
I'm thinking of upgrading from my HTC Rhodium on ATT to a Desire Z (also on ATT). Is there anything I should be looking for to make sure it will play nice with the 3G network?
Thanks
nnvpears
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll need to buy the Canadian version of the DZ (from Bell Mobility).
I want to know if this is possible at all, does anyone know of any ways to put a verizon phone on sprints network? I think it has been done before, I will buy this phone if I can get 3g to work on sprint
Nope, VZW and Sprint operate at 2 different frequencies AND if you could somehow do it I don't think Sprint allows Third Party/Unlocked Phones.
actually they are teh same frequencies. how else would our roaming on verizon's network work?
shakuyi said:
actually they are teh same frequencies. how else would our roaming on verizon's network work?
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Yea I actually think you are right because verizon and sprint share a tower here in Virginia. But sprint would never allow it.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
I've been told different things by different reps at different Sprint locations. One guy in-store told me that it's "very possible" but that the customer has to do all the unlocking, etc. Another rep at one of their call centers reiterated the same. "If you unlock it, we can do it. Otherwise, there's nothing we can do."
So the question remains, how can we unlock it? I'd LOVE to stay with Sprint. Does anyone have expertise in this area? I've seen a few threads on this and they all seem to go unanswered...wondering if it's not a popular topic or if it's something we shouldn't be discussing?
Thanks!
Run around clockwise half naked below freezing while chanting "goosfrabah"...
Seriously no need to be posting such a thread. It's been posted and debated and talked about. Google and such should be your friend.
Either make googley eyes (and maybe much "more") at someone deep inside Sprint to add a VZW ESN to their database, NOT GOING TO HAPPEN, or murk in the underworlds of ESN cloning and modification, NOT HAPPENING HERE on XDA...
Posting from another thread.
No, the ESNs are in a computer database. If the rep enters an incorrect ESN or, in this case from their point of view invalid, the system will not move forward.
Even if that wasn't the case, I don't believe Verizon and Sprint operate on the same CDMA frequencies. Not to mention LTE. EVEN if that wasn't the case, the Galaxy Nexus pulls its subscriber information(like the phone number, data plan, etc) from its SIM card(just like GSM phones).
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
http://phandroid.com/2011/12/20/spr...e-given-the-green-light-for-activation-rumor/
Possible, YES. Depends only on if sprint want to activate it or not. Phones generally support the entire spectrum and not just the subset that carrier uses.
For example on GSM, phones either support ALL of the 900 spectrum or none of it. The fact that the spectrum is split in two and used by different operators doesn't make a difference - thats just handled by the simlock/Activation of ESN.
It wouldn't make much sense for a hardware manufacturer to cripple a radio baseband to part of the spectrum if it can handle all of it, otherwise they would need to make new mainboards for each operator.
LTE is a different situation. As the spectrum is not split, and each operator use an entirely different spectrum. It would be more costly to add other spectrums on a Verizon device with no real benefit, if they have no plans to offer it on any other operator. Also it may be more cost or design effective to make two different boards if for example they can't fit an antenna that can handle both frequencies.
unremarked said:
Posting from another thread.
No, the ESNs are in a computer database. If the rep enters an incorrect ESN or, in this case from their point of view invalid, the system will not move forward.
Even if that wasn't the case, I don't believe Verizon and Sprint operate on the same CDMA frequencies. Not to mention LTE. EVEN if that wasn't the case, the Galaxy Nexus pulls its subscriber information(like the phone number, data plan, etc) from its SIM card(just like GSM phones).
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
VZW and Sprint operate on the same CDMA frequencies, 1x CDMA 2000 and 3G. How else do Sprint and VZW roam off each other for voice and data? When it comes to 4G, that's where they differ, LTE vs WiMax (for now). Even when Sprint goes LTE, they'll be running on a different LTE frequency than VZW and AT&T, so LTE roaming shouldn't be on anyone's radar for the foreseeable future.
And NO, the VZW GNex does not pull "its subscriber information (like the phone number, data plan, etc) from its SIM card(just like GSM phones)." Subscriber info is pulled from the ESN/MEID unique to any CDMA phone (VZW and Sprint included) to authenticate on the network. The SIM in VZW LTE phones is for LTE purposes ONLY, 4G data only and nothing else.
Why dont you get the galaxy s II? Wish I could get it for Verizon
LordLugard said:
VZW and Sprint operate on the same CDMA frequencies, 1x CDMA 2000 and 3G. How else do Sprint and VZW roam off each other for voice and data? When it comes to 4G, that's where they differ, LTE vs WiMax (for now). Even when Sprint goes LTE, they'll be running on a different LTE frequency than VZW and AT&T, so LTE roaming shouldn't be on anyone's radar for the foreseeable future.
And NO, the VZW GNex does not pull "its subscriber information (like the phone number, data plan, etc) from its SIM card(just like GSM phones)." Subscriber info is pulled from the ESN/MEID unique to any CDMA phone (VZW and Sprint included) to authenticate on the network. The SIM in VZW LTE phones is for LTE purposes ONLY, 4G data only and nothing else.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the clarification on the frequencies thing. I wasnt 100% sure what Sprint operated on.
As for the SIM, I am 100% sure. Trade SIM cards with a friend, even to another microSIM device like a Samsung Stratosphere Restart your phone and then call eachother. The numbers will be swapped. Heck, even easier. Yank your SIM out and make a test call or check under the About Phone options.
EDIT: I know that Sprint uses CDMA(1x) and EVDO(3G). But what bands do they operate on? Just like AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM(aka edge) and HSPA(3G) but on different bands so not all their phones are entirely cross compatible.
EDIT2: Found my own answer. VZW operates on 850mhz, and 1900mhz. Sprint is 800mhz and 1900mhz. So you may in theory use a 3G Verizon phone on Sprints network with limited capability. I'd imagine it would be just like if you put an ATT iPhone on T-Mobile and be able to make calls but only get 2G.
Regardless of the frequencies you still have the ESN lockout as well as the SIM card issue.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Sprint not going to activate the phone no matter what you do.
CDMA carriers have the last say so of what goes on their network and what does not. They chose what you use not you. They base the their phones off of the ESN/MEIDs if those do not match up to a "clean" one in their system then no go. Its their way of forcing contracts, "if you have to get a sprint phone may as well get the contract with it." they thing. GSM on the other hand you can do it because the identification of the carrier is on the SIM card rather then the phone. However, some carriers will "flash" a phone over like Criket or metro pcs (however they can brick the phone and then you can't even do anything with it.)
MetroPCS lets you bring in any CDMA phone and activate it on their network. I'm sure sprint could do the same if they wanted to.
tommyz2kool said:
MetroPCS lets you bring in any CDMA phone and activate it on their network. I'm sure sprint could do the same if they wanted to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Emphasis on "IF THEY WANTED TO." If past behavior is indicative of the future then reason says they don't.
Lets assume Sprint suddenly changes its mind after years of hemorrhaging customers and move beyond that, as I've previously said the Galaxy Nexus(and all 4G LTE phones) behave more like GSM phones than CDMA and pull their subscriber information from the SIM card. Don't believe me? Try to use your VZW Galaxy Nexus without your SIM. Mine didn't work. Further my theortical point about the supported bands still stand. Who wants a Galaxy Nexus on 1X data?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
I thought that Sprint was going to offer the Gnex at some point. Was I just dreaming that? Does anyone know if Sprint is going to get the GN?
I could have sworn I heard that Sprint was getting it somewhere....
unremarked said:
Emphasis on "IF THEY WANTED TO." If past behavior is indicative of the future then reason says they don't.
Lets assume Sprint suddenly changes its mind after years of hemorrhaging customers and move beyond that, as I've previously said the Galaxy Nexus(and all 4G LTE phones) behave more like GSM phones than CDMA and pull their subscriber information from the SIM card. Don't believe me? Try to use your VZW Galaxy Nexus without your SIM. Mine didn't work. Further my theortical point about the supported bands still stand. Who wants a Galaxy Nexus on 1X data?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
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Click to collapse
The reason your LTE VZW phone will not work without the SIM has nothing to do with pulling subscriber info but more to do with just authenticating with the LTE network, period.
Once again, your subscriber info is more hard coded to your ESN/MEID.
The LTE network could go down (like it has done now several times) and your phone will work fine with CDMA voice and 2G/3G. If the CDMA network goes down then you're screwed because all authentication starts there.
Sent from my SPH-D710
bradm23 said:
Why dont you get the galaxy s II? Wish I could get it for Verizon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That.
+1 char
LordLugard said:
The reason your LTE VZW phone will not work without the SIM has nothing to do with pulling subscriber info but more to do with just authenticating with the LTE network, period.
Once again, your subscriber info is more hard coded to your ESN/MEID.
The LTE network could go down (like it has done now several times) and your phone will work fine with CDMA voice and 2G/3G. If the CDMA network goes down then you're screwed because all authentication starts there.
Sent from my SPH-D710
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I'd love to hear your explaination for the following behaviors. The only thing I changed was I took out my SIM card. You'll notice now even the time is wrong since the phones sync their time with the carrier.
EDIT: removed pictures because I'm paranoid/OCD about personal info.
You can post as many pics as you want. Your "subscriber info" is tied to your esn/meid in the system. Without those, whether you have an LTE sim or not on a CDMA network like VZW, your phone will not function. The LTE sim doesn't handle voice or any calling functions, just data.
When your phone connects to a cell tower (or the network), certain parameters are sent for a sort of handshake, which are your esn/meid.
I think you need to better familiarize yourself with the fact that VZW is a CDMA network first and foremost (and with all that entails, esn/meid/msid etc) with an LTE based data-only network (for now) built alongside it.
Sent from my SPH-D710
Sprint has sent me a termination letter for excessive roaming and cutting me off July 3. This is probably for the best because my new job has 0 sprint coverage (deep inside a building) and i've been roaming on verizon for the last 2 months while at work. Anyway, I do love my epic 4g touch and while there are other phones that are now "superior" I'd prefer to keep it if possible.
So my quesiton is:
What other providers can I use with an E4GT, and how much work does it take to switch? (Flashing, odin, etc). And also, what would I lose in terms of 4g/3g/MMS, etc I'd prefer prepaid services like boost or cricket but of course, I don't know if they have coverage where I work but having all options on the table would be helpful!
Thanks in advance XDA!
I think it can be flashed to metro pcs, boost mobile, and virgin mobile. There's a couple threads around here giving you exact instructions in how to do so so check those out. I believe you'll lose 4g except with metro and everyhing else should be good.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
Virgin Mobile is launching their 4G WiMax service at the end of the month. Something to look into.
Page Plus (VZW) is really your only option as the rest of the MVNO's listed here are Sprint. So same/no service.
Best off selling it and getting a new phone honestly.
bean said:
Page Plus (VZW) is really your only option as the rest of the MVNO's listed here are Sprint. So same/no service.
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Click to collapse
I thought it varied by region for the reselling companies?
You can flash it to anything cdma. You would need a donor phone though. you would most likely only lose wimax.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2
LxMxFxD said:
Sprint has sent me a termination letter for excessive roaming and cutting me off July 3. This is probably for the best because my new job has 0 sprint coverage (deep inside a building) and i've been roaming on verizon for the last 2 months while at work. Anyway, I do love my epic 4g touch and while there are other phones that are now "superior" I'd prefer to keep it if possible.
So my quesiton is:
What other providers can I use with an E4GT, and how much work does it take to switch? (Flashing, odin, etc). And also, what would I lose in terms of 4g/3g/MMS, etc I'd prefer prepaid services like boost or cricket but of course, I don't know if they have coverage where I work but having all options on the table would be helpful!
Thanks in advance XDA!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cqzqs
Sent from my LT15i using XDA
LxMxFxD said:
Sprint has sent me a termination letter for excessive roaming and cutting me off July 3. This is probably for the best because my new job has 0 sprint coverage (deep inside a building) and i've been roaming on verizon for the last 2 months while at work. Anyway, I do love my epic 4g touch and while there are other phones that are now "superior" I'd prefer to keep it if possible.
So my quesiton is:
What other providers can I use with an E4GT, and how much work does it take to switch? (Flashing, odin, etc). And also, what would I lose in terms of 4g/3g/MMS, etc I'd prefer prepaid services like boost or cricket but of course, I don't know if they have coverage where I work but having all options on the table would be helpful!
Thanks in advance XDA!
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Ok time to give it to you raw..... (No Homo!) This is what you need to do my friend, go to google type in prepaid services and your zip code. See what pops up for your area then make some phone calls to them and ask them about their service in your area. Secondly you can then go to all of their respective sites and check out the deals. You may find like mentioned that selling the phone and purchasing lets say a T-mobile branded Galaxy 2 and using Simple Mobile may work better for you.
I understand trying to ask your fellow members but honestly what we are going to tell you I am sure you already know. Lastly, check with others in your area and see if one of the other big 3 work extremely well in your area that you desire the coverage and then check out their prepaid services
T-Mobile - Simple
AT&T - H2O
Verizon - Page Plus
Sell your phone for $250 purchase another Galaxy 2 for around $300 or work a trade out with someone.... Time to do some homework my friend... Get close with Google...
Happy searching!
if u get good boostmobile covarage in ur area then flash it to boostmobile
So it seems the only cdma carriers that use/resell verizon are pageplus and of course, verizion. Can an epic 4g touch be flashed to either of those?
I currently have my epic 4g touch flashed to straight talk 45 unlimited on Verizon coverage way better than sprint faster data far as 3g goes around 1.5mb a sec and signal is awesome
mrej201 said:
if u get good boostmobile covarage in ur area then flash it to boostmobile
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the op has horrible sprint coverage ......remember boost is sprint little brother
juggamonkey said:
I currently have my epic 4g touch flashed to straight talk 45 unlimited on Verizon coverage way better than sprint faster data far as 3g goes around 1.5mb a sec and signal is awesome
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Awesome! How hard was it to flash it to straight talk? Any links would be helpful! I've never done a flash to another carrier so i'm not sure how hard it is exactly. So so far to get verizon coverage I can use:
Verizon resellers that work on an epic 4g touch (flashed):
Page Plus
Verizon Prepaid
Straight Talk
Sprint resellers
Boost Mobile
Cricket
US cellular?
MetroPCS
Virgin Mobile
If any of that is wrong let me know.
I flashed mine to Page Plus. Followed this guide, talk text and data work, but I am still working on removing the hidden Sprint APN settings to get MMS working.
It might seem a little intimidating, but it was pretty easy.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1575749
If you dont have a donor phone thats ok, but dont expect to get full 3G speeds without it. If you use the vzw password, you get 1x data. At least I am not getting raped on the monthly fee, so I can save up for the S3 and will probably move to straight talk.
mrej201 said:
if u get good boostmobile covarage in ur area then flash it to boostmobile
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question is, if he had to roam at work because Sprint obviously did not have tower close enough, then wouldn't Boost be a waste of time because you can't roam with boost, or virgin mobile for that matter, meaning he would just not have service where he works.
akkord64 said:
I flashed mine to Page Plus. Followed this guide, talk text and data work, but I am still working on removing the hidden Sprint APN settings to get MMS working.
It might seem a little intimidating, but it was pretty easy.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1575749
If you dont have a donor phone thats ok, but dont expect to get full 3G speeds without it. If you use the vzw password, you get 1x data. At least I am not getting raped on the monthly fee, so I can save up for the S3 and will probably move to straight talk.
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Thanks for that link, its awesome. I will likely go the page plus route though after googling the new phones im on the fence now, lol. The Galaxy note may be coming to t-mo as is the SIII. I don't want to spend $700 on a new phone, but if I can get $275 for my E4GT i'd be willing to pay maybe $500 and just eat the difference. I have until about June 20 to make my decision. At this point it'll either be new phone or page plus / straight talk flashed E4GT. I am pretty sure sprint doesn't set my ESN to bad on my epic just because they are booting me. If they do I'll be pretty irate.
if 4g is available in your area you can purchase a modem for it (clear wire, time Warner,net zero,etc) and use its MAC addy on your et4g as to still have 4g, I'll edit my post when I'm on my laptop to link to the thread with instructions to do that....
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
Letter of death workaround...
Have the same issue, you may want to try and port to Google Voice, terminate your Sprint account this will automatically happen once a port takes hold of the account number. Let the account terminate; start a new line of service from one of the big three or back to yellow shortly after.If you love the E4GT, go back to yellow the next cycle with a new bis/indiv. account and port your number back. Not happy or locked into the contract just prl flash back to the reason you most likely got terminated and then go over to big red when the SIII is released. Done and done... you'll keep the same phone if on yellow with little loss, and no ETF...
Can you explain what you are saying more for me? im getting kicked off due to a roaming issue on the 18th (tomorrow) and this is my business number so i need to keep it, however the 2nd line is fine on yellow which doesnt make any sence since its a business share plan so they told me that i can keep the 2nd line but will need to go to another carrier with the primary, dont care for limits on data so verizon seems like my only option but are you saying to take the number back to yellow after switching to another? cause they told me i could try after the new carriers 2 year contract but cant gaurentee ,,,but i thinkk that might have been a wink wink in the conversation from the yellow lady. i wouldnt mind switching to ver. prepay with my E4gt just to keep things smooth for now so if anything can you point me to a thread to do this (preferably wo a donor but i do have an old verizon prepay, its the one that flips both regular and landscape style, so would this one work as a donor, it has been activated before tho....thanks
In the next couple of months, I'll be moving to a part of the U.S. with no good T-Mobile coverage. It's a bit out in the boonies... I've been out there, and I can talk and text, but the data coverage is almost non-existent. So my question is what can I do with this GSM GS3? AT&T coverage is also non-existent. My options seem to be Verizon, Sprint, and something called Plateau (which Wiki says Verizon has purchased).
Am I basically screwed? Am I going to have to get myself a CDMA variant? Will this GSM work on Verizon's network but at reduced speeds? Blah... Thanks for any insights.
You could call support and see if they have any information about any possible network expansion in that area. If they have no plans, or no information, I would suggest looking into switching carriers and selling your S3. Thats what I would do anyway.
Just depends on how necessary mobile data is to you.
Sent from my SGH-T999L using xda premium
BAMAToNE said:
In the next couple of months, I'll be moving to a part of the U.S. with no good T-Mobile coverage. It's a bit out in the boonies... I've been out there, and I can talk and text, but the data coverage is almost non-existent. So my question is what can I do with this GSM GS3? AT&T coverage is also non-existent. My options seem to be Verizon, Sprint, and something called Plateau (which Wiki says Verizon has purchased).
Am I basically screwed? Am I going to have to get myself a CDMA variant? Will this GSM work on Verizon's network but at reduced speeds? Blah... Thanks for any insights.
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See if you can swap phones with someone... Before you leave. Put up a post on Craigslist if you have one in your area offering to swap devices... People that are under contract and want to switch to T-Mobile would jump all over it and you'd get a free phone essentially on a carrier that works (I would recommend Verizon if you're in the boonies, Sprint's PCS coverage is going to be spotty no doubt and their data speeds are horrible everywhere) and you could end up with a shorter contract than being a new customer. All it takes is a transfer of liability.
Unfortunately, the GSM version has no support for CDMA so you have to get a new phone either way.
Try signal booster from Tmo it's free, call tech support not regular nono rep.
Sent from my SGH-T999
EtherealRemnant said:
See if you can swap phones with someone... Before you leave. Put up a post on Craigslist if you have one in your area offering to swap devices... People that are under contract and want to switch to T-Mobile would jump all over it and you'd get a free phone essentially on a carrier that works (I would recommend Verizon if you're in the boonies, Sprint's PCS coverage is going to be spotty no doubt and their data speeds are horrible everywhere) and you could end up with a shorter contract than being a new customer. All it takes is a transfer of liability.
Unfortunately, the GSM version has no support for CDMA so you have to get a new phone either way.
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DocHoliday77 said:
You could call support and see if they have any information about any possible network expansion in that area. If they have no plans, or no information, I would suggest looking into switching carriers and selling your S3. Thats what I would do anyway.
Just depends on how necessary mobile data is to you.
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Good ideas, thanks.
dito33 said:
Try signal booster from Tmo it's free, call tech support not regular nono rep.
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That might work well at home, but not while out and about.
BAMAToNE said:
Good ideas, thanks.
That might work well at home, but not while out and about.
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Verizon is most likely the best choice, as has been stated. Welcome to paying 50% more for the same plan. That's the only reason I don't use them. They are better where I live. Reception and data is 4G here. But not paying $40 more a month for it.
Depending on your usage you could look into Verizon MVNOs like PagePlus. Their plans work well for a lot of people.
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