I wanted to make a small posting here to help out those with questions. While perusing through many threads here, I keep seeing the same question pop up "Do I need the new sim card to do wifi calling?" or a few concerns along those lines. While most try to help, many of the responses are based on "I heard some Tmo rep say yes/no/maybe so at some point in time"
So I wanted to clarify a few things. To help make sure that misinformation is not floating out around the interwebs, and to also address a couple concerns I saw complaints popping up about.
_________________________________________
You ABSOLUTELY have to have the sim card that came with the phone to do wifi calling. NO EXCEPTIONS.
To Identify the proper sim card, it will say TM9177 on it, and the big card it punches out of will have a magenta bar across the top, which is unique to this card.
Old and new cards are pretty much the same, except for the ability to support to newer version of wifi calling and other related features, as well as the ability to support more than the previous storage capacity of 250 contacts. It supports 508 now.
Many store reps will take your new sim card, either by your willing cooperation or not. They do this because the stores want to have a stock of sim cards because it cuts store costs, among other reasons. That sim card is YOUR sim card. Its a $20.00 accessory most of the time, and its like a store rep taking the headphones out and saying "Just use the ones you already have." It is theft, and if they take your sim card you need to address it with their manager or customer relations. Many managers and store reps see it as an acceptable practice, but it is not. When you buy something, it is yours, and all contents of the packaging are yours. On top of that, they are setting you up for issues with wifi calling because you will not have a proper sim card. I make a big case about this because I am seeing numerous complaints about people who want to be prepared to use wifi calling actually stating how the store agent took their sim card, sometimes against their will.
All of this information is general knowledge, and open content. If you call in and speak with an informed agent they can go into more depth with this. I recommend calling in vs going in the store. No offense to the store agents, but many store agents are not tech trained (as their main focus is sales, not troubleshooting and in depth knowledge) and phone agents go through far more training than in store agents (i.e. a training course in store gets run through like someone trying to beat a yellow light, because taking the course takes you off the floor to make sales, whereas phone reps take their time and are tested more on the info) I appreciate the fine work that truly informed and good in store reps perform, and there definitely are very poor reps in any department, however by phone you are more likely to get proper information since reps not only are trained harder on info but also have more knowledgeable access to resources. Just a recommendation.
Ty for the info most i already knew but some i didnt like how to tell them apart, ty for that!!
Update
Also make sure your carrier account is updated with your "accurate/known" e911 address.
Also, make sure under Settings > Location, the "Use Wireless Address" is NOT checked.
The Wifi-calling app tries to match the 911 address with the address it finds using wireless network - if that doesnt match or if its not a known address, the wifi calling gives an error - REG99: Unable to connect
The new Wifi Calling OTA update might fix all these dependencies.
I dont have the WI-FI calling !! can't find it no where even in the markett !!
any ideas ?
T-SS2
saudi2usa said:
I dont have the WI-FI calling !! can't find it no where even in the markett !!
any ideas ?
T-SS2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not out yet, there will be an update within the next week or so that will include Wifi Calling. Just be patient, it's almost here.
Hercules Hercules!!
I purchased my phone a few weeks ago from a local store here in Brooklyn, NY and since I am on the Value Plan and don't get phone upgrades and I have to buy at full price.
Since that was the case, the store employee said that they cannot sell me the phone unless I get some sort of pre-paid package deal that is required by the store for them to sell me the phone.
In any case, I agreed and the transaction was made.
Now, in reference to the SIM card that should have come with the phone, I looked for it in the box after reading this post last night and it was not there.
So now I am assuming that they used that SIM card to pre-program that $50 value one month pre-paid plan on the SIM which I ended up giving my mom since I had put in the SIM from my other tmobile phone into the SGS2.
Now since the store used that new SIM from the box of the SGS2 and didn't even tell me, can I go back to the store and request a SIM without paying the $20 fee for it?
thank you
phoenixbennu said:
I wanted to make a small posting here to help out those with questions. While perusing through many threads here, I keep seeing the same question pop up "Do I need the new sim card to do wifi calling?" or a few concerns along those lines. While most try to help, many of the responses are based on "I heard some Tmo rep say yes/no/maybe so at some point in time"
So I wanted to clarify a few things. To help make sure that misinformation is not floating out around the interwebs, and to also address a couple concerns I saw complaints popping up about.
_________________________________________
You ABSOLUTELY have to have the sim card that came with the phone to do wifi calling. NO EXCEPTIONS.
To Identify the proper sim card, it will say TM9177 on it, and the big card it punches out of will have a magenta bar across the top, which is unique to this card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you VERY much for this. I bought a Note 2 about a week ago, and kept getting REG99 errors. Went back to the store, has them swap the SIM card out for one as you described, and Wi-Fi calling started working immediately.
You rock.
Related
I have an 8525 using an "old blue sim". I have been having problems connecting with the 3g network. "There is a problem connecting to the GPRS service in the roaming network you are in." I am able to make voice calls on the utms network, but I am unable to make a data connection.
I thought my phone had a problem, but I think it is ok. I have no problems connecting to the Edge signal just 3g. I have flashed my phone reflashed the roms and radio..
Is any one else having this problem?
I did call at&t and ask for help, but they would not even talk to me because they say they are not supporting "old blue" and I need to migrate to a new plan/sim.
This started about a month ago. I am not sure if flashing a rom maybe corrupted the radio?
Does this mean anything. Taken from the Hyper Core thread.
@PaY87
Yup, UMTS is one of the Third Generation (3G) mobile systems. I use Hypercore Kitchen, but I've removed the .rgu files from this rom so it won't be easy to rebuild it.
Anyone with an "old blue" sim still working on the 3g network?
Radio 1.54.07.00
IPL 1.04/ spl-2.10 olipro
Black Satin light/ Before that HClite 3.62
Thanks
Scott
Scott, when I got my 8525 I was told I had to upgrade my sim to a 3G sim. I did and have had no problems since.
Jim
I was told they will not change my sim unless I change plans and migrate over to the new at&t. I have a great plan. I pay about 90.00 a month for two phones 1550 anytime minutes nights/weekends start at 7 and a unlimited mmode data plan on one phone. They had a great promotion at the time and I don't want to lose it.
Scott
Maddog468 said:
I was told they will not change my sim unless I change plans and migrate over to the new at&t. I have a great plan. I pay about 90.00 a month for two phones 1550 anytime minutes nights/weekends start at 7 and a unlimited mmode data plan on one phone. They had a great promotion at the time and I don't want to lose it.
Scott
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunatly for you the only way to change your SIM is to do what you said they said above. I have a friend that works at AT&T and he was tellign me about that not to long ago.
Just another Corporate manuever to capitalize gains within large companies, thats America for you
There are some great deals going on withen AT&T now and I'm sure If you talk to the right people (Store Managers, Customer Service Supervisors) they would set you up with a nice plan. don't upgrade the normal way, make sure you talk to someone and BE AGRESSIVE!!!
This might answer your problem,
The Boy Genius Report
Yesterday, December 26, 2007, 5:17:26 PM
Analog bids Adieu
Yesterday, December 26, 2007, 5:17:26 PM | Joshua Karp
2008 is going to be a sad year for anyone that still remembers the early days of mobile technology. Not only is the TDMA band, currently the massive monkey on AT&T’s back, set to go black, but it looks like the old school analog cellular network will also be put to rest. Analog has remained in use primarily due to its presence in rural areas that have yet to reap the benefits of the "shiny new" digital network. With the seemingly exponential increase in signal penetration by America’s wireless carriers, however, it seems that the analog bands have run their course. Fewer than 1% of phones currently in use are functioning on the analog network, but if you suspect that your handset might be one of them now would be a good time to check. As many as 500,000 GM On-Star-equipped vehicles will also be affected.
Link;
http://www.chicagotribune.com/servi.../friday/chi-cellular_webdec21,0,1030571.story
and
http://www.chicagotribune.com/servi...iday/chi-cellularbox_webdec21,0,6053828.story
just a suggestion but I went to a walmart that sold ATT phones and bought a new sim for $26. some change, and called att and got them to register it for me on my phone # without any problems. Now I have a 3G sim.
jonrobertd said:
just a suggestion but I went to a walmart that sold ATT phones and bought a new sim for $26. some change, and called att and got them to register it for me on my phone # without any problems. Now I have a 3G sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I never thought of that maybe I will give it a try today. You just went into a store and asked for a replacement sim paid 26 bucks and your 3g has been working with on "old blue" account?
Thanks
Scott
I too have a similar issue.
I am using a 3G sim card and have an 8525 but don't have the data connect plan. Instead since I bought the phone outright I went into the store and added the Media Net unlimited Plan. Worked flawlessly on the 3G network this past year then all of sudden last week I noticed it will only connect at EDGE. Maybe there catching on to this not sure but it seems interesting all of a sudden.
O.k. sorry for the detour back to your subject. I actually had the older sim card like you earlier this year and bought one of of eBay to upgrade. They were about half the price on there as Cingy store. Then just take in to any AT&T store and they can swap your sims, at least it could be done in the past.
Good luck.
I went to two at&t stores today. I asked if I could have a replacement sim. No problem untill they looked at my account. It had "old blue" written all over it. Both stores said that they were unable to give me a new sim. One guy even showed me the computer screen. The only link that worked on the whole page was the UPGRADE button. They could not even change it even if he wanted to. He also said he has not seen an "old blue" account in about 2 years.
According to the salesman if you lose your sim they will not replace it. You will have to sign up for a new plan and contract.
It was a good idea thought it was going to work.
Any other ideas?
Thanks
Scott
Maddog468 said:
I went to two at&t stores today. I asked if I could have a replacement sim. No problem untill they looked at my account. It had "old blue" written all over it. Both stores said that they were unable to give me a new sim. One guy even showed me the computer screen. The only link that worked on the whole page was the UPGRADE button. They could not even change it even if he wanted to. He also said he has not seen an "old blue" account in about 2 years.
According to the salesman if you lose your sim they will not replace it. You will have to sign up for a new plan and contract.
It was a good idea thought it was going to work.
Any other ideas?
Thanks
Scott
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you have to come to terms that you need to upgrade....sorry thats just how it is...blame Bush....9/11 was an inside job
I think your right there is not much I can do. I cannot complain I still have a great plan (price wise) even with the "edge" service.
Scott
I went to my local At&t shop told then my reception sucks, droped calls ect. The replaced mine and my wifes sim with a new 3g no questions
wk4alvn said:
I went to my local At&t shop told then my reception sucks, droped calls ect. The replaced mine and my wifes sim with a new 3g no questions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How long ago was this? Did you have an "old blue sim". I have had this sim for almost 5+ years maybe even longer. Did you go to a store or did you call and talk to someone from tech support?
Thanks
Scott
I have an extra 3G sim card, they sent it with a new phone, but no information is attached with it since we just used the old sim card in the new phone. Would an att store program it for one of you guys?
eagercrow said:
I have an extra 3G sim card, they sent it with a new phone, but no information is attached with it since we just used the old sim card in the new phone. Would an att store program it for one of you guys?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They had a pile of 3g sims there. The sales guy even showed me on the computer he tried clicking on replacement sim and nothing would happen. He clicked over the whole screen the only link that worked was upgrade. Saw it with my own eyes. The sales guy thought that all of these sims or accounts have been closed for years.
Thanks for the offer.
Scott
Maddog468 said:
They had a pile of 3g sims there. The sales guy even showed me on the computer he tried clicking on replacement sim and nothing would happen. He clicked over the whole screen the only link that worked was upgrade. Saw it with my own eyes. The sales guy thought that all of these sims or accounts have been closed for years.
Thanks for the offer.
Scott
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Word yo, not much you can do with a Blue account. I work at an AT&T authorized retailer, and the only real option is upgrading.
One thing though, before you bite the bullet: I'm pretty sure you don't need a 3G sim to access 3G. Look over on Howard Forums (you might be better off asking this question there), but there are people even with old 32k and 64k sim's working just fine. But that doesn't mean AT&T isn't blocking it. See if you can use someone elses SIM card in the phone to connect to 3g (if it's a newer "Orange" card, make sure you have the correct internet settings).
irockash said:
Word yo, not much you can do with a Blue account. I work at an AT&T authorized retailer, and the only real option is upgrading.
One thing though, before you bite the bullet: I'm pretty sure you don't need a 3G sim to access 3G. Look over on Howard Forums (you might be better off asking this question there), but there are people even with old 32k and 64k sim's working just fine. But that doesn't mean AT&T isn't blocking it. See if you can use someone elses SIM card in the phone to connect to 3g (if it's a newer "Orange" card, make sure you have the correct internet settings).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The 3g service was working fine untill about week or so ago. I travel quite a bit to New York and it happened up there first. When I would get home to Ft.Lauderdale everything was fine up till about week ago. So the "old blue" would get 3g service but I am thinking this is not the case anymore.
The howard forums have a lot of information. I need to get some time and really go through and read their site. Thanks for the info I never been on that forum.
Anyone out there have a old blue sim that is still working on the 3g network?
Scott
According to my friend, it works fine. Do not upgrade unless you have to, and don't give up your grandfathered plan. IIRC, The type of sim does not control connection speed or method, but only access to the network overall.... That being said, if you do loose your old pre-cingular Blue sim, they will not give you a new one without a new plan, so don't loose it.
Further, ATT doesn't (currently) screen for tethering or use of PDA phones with data plans made for phones, so no worries there.
Just to give you a quick up date. I flew in from Boston today. My phone had no problems using 3g in up in Boston.
I guess now ATT has the abilty to turn off the 3G in certain areas for us old customers. I know for sure 3G does not work with my old blue in New York area and Ft.Lauderdale area, but worked fine up in Boston today.
So I am not even sure even if I was given a new "3G" sim that it would allow me access to the 3G network.
The fight continues for me trying to get a new sim without changing my plan.
Scott
So I'll be deploying to Afghanistan soon and I'm wondering if I put my T-Mobile account on hold for the duration, I can just use the WiFi that is on base and use apps like Skype to call home. Any military members have any experience with that? So, I guess what I'm asking is, What is the best way to fully utilize my Note 2 for internet access/calling home using WiFi on base? Do I need to purchase a SIM card or something? I'm not rooted but I have experience with rooting other devices and I'm willing to do so, but right now I have no reason to. Thanks!
Yeah Skype is your best bet depending on what fob you are going to be at. If you are at a big fob or base you will most likely have WiFi if not you might be screwed and have to use the mwr to make your phone calls. Another way is to buy a haji phone when you get there, the only thing is you will spend a crap ton of money on buying minutes. How this helps and good luck on your deployment!
Yes you can do as you suggested. I would recommend you install a few other apps too.
Tango - much like Skype
Google Voice - Good for texting when overseas with your USA phone number (get a Google number or port your number over to Google)
A low cost Voip calling app - for calling land and mobile numbers - I recommend WiCall as they only cost a penny a minute as of today to call any US phone number.
Install a few messaging app for good communication fun. Whatsapp, Line Naver,
iirc phone carriers are required to unlock your phone if you are moving to an area they don't offer service. Call T-Mobile and explain you're deploying with the military. They should probably unlock the device based on that alone. You can tell them you're putting your account on "hold" as well. When you get their buy a hajji(I know Afghans aren't Arabs, they're still hostiles) chip and put it in the phone. If hajji doesn't sell microSIMs you can just cut down a regular SIM card and slide it in. Use a real microSIM to mark where to cut or file the SIM card to.
Iraq had cell service where I was in 06-07 and again in 08. No internet though. Depending on what cities you're near, you might get 3G, Kabul for instance MAY have it. I dunno. Someone where you are going may have opted for satellite internet and be looking to unload their equipment when you arrive also. You can round up some people to split the cost if you want.
edit - The SIM card is gonna be more expensive obviously, you'll want to use that if you can't get wifi for any reason, a last resort if you will.
raindoggie said:
So I'll be deploying to Afghanistan soon and I'm wondering if I put my T-Mobile account on hold for the duration, I can just use the WiFi that is on base and use apps like Skype to call home. Any military members have any experience with that? So, I guess what I'm asking is, What is the best way to fully utilize my Note 2 for internet access/calling home using WiFi on base? Do I need to purchase a SIM card or something? I'm not rooted but I have experience with rooting other devices and I'm willing to do so, but right now I have no reason to. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Be safe. ....... can't believe people are still being deployed for frivolous justification
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I just used the SIM unlock method found in the AT&T SIM unlock and my phone just reacted exactly as the thread mentioned. What is the best way to test the unlocking of my phone to see if it actually worked? I'm stuck out in the the middle of nowhere until the 27th worn no way to get around, and no access to an alternative service provider's SIM card. If there is a way I'd be able to check it and it did work I'd be able to report the success on here for everyone else whom are trying to carrier unlock their phone(s). Or maybe someone else or there who does have access to the things I currently don't can attempt the same process and report their findings for us all........?! Here is the link to the thread I followed.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2285431&highlight=sim+unlock
If you don't have a non at&t sim, why did you unlock? Is the point of the whole exercise.
rangercaptain said:
If you don't have a non at&t sim, why did you unlock? Is the point of the whole exercise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I decided to unlock because when I signed the contract work AT&T I was informed that my foray b would come no sooner than 1 month later.....and 1 week later I got it. 2 weeks after that.....my second one decided to arrive. Not only was the billing screwy, I seemed to receive faster data service with one bar than I did with 4 bars. With 4 bars service would frequently cut in and out or speeds would just plain decrease drastically. Worse service I've ever used and to me worth taking a hit on my credit to tell AT&T they'll no longer be receiving any future payments for their services (or the lack there of). Never went over my data limit or gave any other reason for them to back door me with 2 bills due in less than a months time of using them. I will give them this though, it was rather nice speaking with a customer representative in whom I could fully understand rather than dealing with an outsourced, under trained, foreign company where the individual on the other end of the line just sounds similar to a skipping record worth some crazy accent. Call me wrong for taking charge of my finances and not allowing Corporate America to forcefully make me accept the fact that I'd continue being screwed, but I just felt a wrong doing was transpiring before me. In other words, I plan to switch to another carrier when I am able to adjust my geographical location in a couple of days!
Sorry I asked. . .
rangercaptain said:
Sorry I asked. . .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol! You're alright with asking. I apologize for venting so much, it's just that it had been one hell of a financial headache and or service issue back to back to back with the qualities of service.
Sorry for your troubles. Perhaps Straight Talk?
This is very long and I was going to reply to the thread "Unlocked V30 & Verizon... all bands?" but I figured some people would get upset so I gave this it's own thread. If you're trying to bring an LS998 to a non-Sprint carrier this story may be of interest to you.
As expected, despite the previous Verizon agent telling me they have no problem offering me service and sending me a SIM card, I called Verizon (800 225 5499) today and they said won't do it, based on the IMEI of the LS998.
Last time I called ATT prepaid support (800 901 9878) they told me I needed to call regular sales support (888 333 6651) to get a SIM card for prepaid service, which I thought was weird. This time I called the regular number and was told they aren't allowed to send out SIM cards anymore. They said that maybe the prepaid support could do it but regular sales cannot.
So I called ATT prepaid support today and now they've suddenly changed their story too. After waiting 18 minutes to speak to someone, I was told once again that the regular sales department support is the only one who can give me help. I explained that they told me this less than a week ago and just now before I called the prepaid support and now he's telling me prepaid support can't send out SIMs. Why does it even matter by the way? Why can't they all just do it? What a ridiculous and inefficient setup. He told me he's giving me the "online support phone number" instead, since they "told me the wrong information".
As instructed by prepaid support, I called the "online support" number (866 267 4510) and the horrible voice detection failed miserably then hung up on me (I'm actually calling from the internet using a high quality mic so it's even better than what would usually come through a phone line..it even failed several times to understand the word "yes" when given the options of "yes" and "no"). I called it again and wasn't able to speak to anyone because it kept asking for all this nonsense and wouldn't actually let me speak to a real person in any way.. so yeah, that outsourced moron who could barely speak English gave me a useless number, as I expected.
So instead of calling Sales for the 2nd time today and 3rd time this week, I decided to call regular ATT wireless support (800 331 0500). I waited on hold for 17.5 minutes until I was finally able to speak to a person, who I explained to that I just want a nano SIM card. I found out she's from the prepaid support.. so despite calling the regular support number I was sent to the prepaid support, which was probably the reason I was on hold for so long once again. Anyways she told me she could send me a card and when I gave her my number and 4 digit ATT code/password she said I have to go pick it up at a store LOL.
She said I have to go to a "big" store and I asked her to explain herself because that's a subjective term and she asked for my ZIP code. I don't understand this because in 2013 when I first became their customer they were fine sending SIM cards for two phones in the mail and about 2 months ago they were fine sending one out in the mail for someone else (though this was never gone through with) and less than a week ago they told me it was fine too. All of the sudden, it's a big deal and they just can't send SIM cards in the mail? what??
I had already planned to call my local Verizon store and ATT store to see if they could handle this simple task but once she told me that I decided to just accept the SIM she wants to give me. She never asked me for the phone's IMEI but due to the course of the conversation I eventually explained the situation with the phone.
She told me to call Sprint and make sure it's unlocked, which I already planned to do actually. After suggesting I try putting my old SIM in my new phone I explained the old one is a micro and new one is a nano so I told her I might cut it if I can't get them to give me one. She actually said she had done that once; pretty funny.
I called Sprint (888 211 4727) to ask about the phone and make sure it's unlocked. They asked for my number in the automated thing but I pressed "#" as instructed since I don't have one. After speaking to someone finally, they asked for my full name and I only gave my first name and explained that I'm not a customer. I was then asked for my phone number and once again explained I'm not a customer. They asked why I was calling and I explained and after a brief moment on hold was told it's already unlocked. They didn't bother trying to keep me on their network AT ALL, which I was very surprised about. It was the fastest of any call, totaling under 5 minutes where all the others so far have taken me over an hour (mostly due to waiting on hold).
So I called Verizon again (800 922 0204) [wow they have too many support numbers at these places] to ask WHY they won't give me a sim since Sprint says it's unlocked. The sassy black lady had a terrible attitude when she realized I wasn't going to accept "the system says it won't work" because "it isn't compatible with Verizon network" as an answer...after having already explained that it's unlocked by Sprint and it supports the Verizon network. All I did was say "well there has to be a reason it isn't compatible, do you have any information?" and she got an attitude with me. Eventually she told me she'd get me over to tech support so they can look into it if I'd like and I accepted (anything to get away from her + they're probably more knowledgeable about this than the ordinary, lowest tier customer support representative). I was instead sent to an automated system asking for a phone number and got past it eventually and was put on hold once again while I await a new CSR from tech support.
Line quality was horrible and was asked for my first and last name and I explained I'm not a customer and gave my first name. I asked if it's tech support and was told it's new line support.... so that rude lady didn't even transfer me properly. What a surprise. I was given the number to their tech support (866 271 7585, option 2) and then transferred to it by the lady with the poor line quality.
At this point I've been talking with the carriers and waiting on hold for at least 2 hours and on this call with Verizon for 28 minutes... most of it on hold. I heard random voices come through the hold music a few times and just now it happened again and the call was disconnected. Thanks for hanging up on me again, Verizon.
So now I'm calling the Verizon tech support number I was given (866 271 7585) by the last person I spoke with, since I was hung up on. Option 2, which I was told to press is for SPANISH, not anything related to my call... so I pressed 1 (also it makes no sense for an American company to do that. We speak English here). The automated system asked for a phone number and I didn't have one so I just waited and they said the usual about call being monitored/recorded and I'm once again on hold...
This lady was VERY friendly (she sounded a little older) but this was NOT tech support. I explained the entire ordeal to her after she asked what problem I'm experiencing. After I got to the part about why I was trying to reach tech support (their agent told me to) she told me she would actually get me there. So I'm on hold again...
...She came back and asked which phone it is then told me she'd get me straight over to tech support and put me back on hold. She came back once again and asked me for clarification or something and I explained the situation with the LS998 and that it DOES work on the network and Sprint says it IS unlocked so there's no reason for it not to work. It's a matter of it being cheaper than the unlocked one and me choosing to put software on that allows it to take advantage of the available hardware in the phone. She said she was thinking of transferring me to tele-sales but she will bring me to tech support (what? she already said at least two times she would transfer me to tech support... if I ask for tech support - give me tech support. I didn't ask for her opinion on where to transfer me). She's very nice but not very good at transferring customers to where they try to go, it seems.
So I actually got tech support this time. I explained the situation. He seemed from the start like he did have more of an idea what he's talking about. He seemed like he was capable of following along with what I was saying. His initial suggestion was to have a friend or family member on Verizon let me try their SIM in the phone to make sure it works. I explained that's not an option and we had a bit more of a discussion about the topic.
I asked about a real tech support number because the one I was given didn't get me to tech support and he told me it's a queue system and that's why I got customer service instead of real tech support. He said they can only send me a SIM if I have a live account but at the store they can sell one for $10-15 (like Walmart or Sam's Club). A corporate/official store would give it for free. This must be what the ATT lady was referring to earlier...
He said the store would setup the SIM with a dummy phone number to make sure it works then I can port my ATT number over later.
I asked him to check the IMEI to make sure there are no other issues with it (since he may have some kind of superior access or information compared to a tier 1 CSR) and he was checking on it and kept coming back to let me know he's still there and it's taking a moment. Very professional... very satisfied with his attitude.
He said it didn't come up in the system but it should work since the V30 (non-plus) does and reiterated his statement about going to the store and making sure the employee doesn't test it while WiFi is enabled.
It was so refreshing to speak to someone with a powerful enough mind and who was well-spoken and polite.. didn't waste any time and helped me out. It's always better talking to tier 2 and above support with these phone and internet companies...
To sum up these companies:
I don't like T-Mobile and Sprint is merging with them (Sprint wasn't too great for me in the past either). However, when calling to ask about unlock status of the device it was the call with the best line quality and quickest resolution.
ATT's regular numbers have decent line quality usually, but the prepaid line quality is always bad.
Verizon's support often has bad line quality.
The outsourced people who barely speak English at ATT are either useless wastes of my time or incredibly friendly and somewhat helpful.
Verizon has a mixed bag when it comes to politeness of agents.
All of the above companies seem to be convoluted when it comes to giving out SIM cards as well as the system they've setup for contacting them via phone. There's no reason for this to be so complicated.
As expected, Verizon and ATT assured me there'd be no issue with this and there are issues with it.
So far, this entire thing has taken me at least 3 hours of speaking on the phone with mostly ATT and Verizon and I haven't even gone to a store to pick up a SIM yet... more as the story develops...
So now I need to go to my local "big store" (ATT) to get an ATT sim OR just cut my old sim and take the risk of something going wrong. I really want to switch to Verizon but I just paid for ATT a few days ago so I have a month left of that.
For now, I'm waiting on the phone to arrive so I can convert it to a US998. Also considering staying on ATT and just knowing that I can use Verizon later if something goes wrong.
If it doesn't work out I either have to argue with the carriers until they give me what I want, or use an unlocking service (though I'm not sure those are legit/worth it)... or return the phone, which I really don't want to do.
sneak310 said:
A corporate/official store would give it for free. This must be what the ATT lady was referring to earlier...
He said the store would setup the SIM with a dummy phone number to make sure it works then I can port my ATT number over later.
If it doesn't work out I either have to argue with the carriers until they give me what I want, or use an unlocking service (though I'm not sure those are legit/worth it)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing to unlock. When you convert LS998 to US998 firmware the phone is carrier unlocked, even if Sprint never unlocked it.
You just need a SIM card.
The only problem you would have is if the IMEI is blacklisted for some reason.
____
I warned you about Verizon -- that you would need something like an original US998, original VS996, or an already-activated Verizon SIM card. . They are very finnicky about phones with Sprint IMEI.
By the way, all AT&T SIM cards are the same. The only difference is internal accounting, whether it's Prepaid or Postpaid. Even with a Prepaid logo on it, it's STILL just a regular AT&T SIM card. You can switch from one to the other without actually changing SIM cards.
Had a friend who bought new Samsung Galaxy phone and they made him sign up with AT&T Postpaid to buy the phone. They wouldn't let him pay in full upfront. Once he signed the contract, he pulled out his credit card, made the full payment to pay off the phone -- then IMMEDIATELY switched to AT&T Prepaid (which is what he really wanted). They never touched his SIM card when they switched him over from Postpaid to Prepaid. And this was back when Prepaid division was confusingly called "GoPhone". STILL the same SIM card.
I have AT&T Prepaid, as do several friends, family members.
ChazzMatt said:
Nothing to unlock. When you convert to US998 firmware the phone is carrier unlocked, even if Sprint never unlocked it.
You just need a SIM card.
The only problem you would have is if the IMEI is blacklisted for some reason.
____
I warned you about Verizon.
By the way, all AT&T SIM cards are the same. The difference is internal accounting, whether it's Prepaid or Postpaid. You can switch from one to the other without changing SIM cards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I only asked him to check the IMEI for that reason you stated.. the blacklisting. They won't just send me a SIM... I have to go physically to a store for some reason instead of having them just mail me one like how I got my SIM from ATT in 2013.
Both Verizon and ATT are giving me identical trouble. They both require me to go to a store to get a SIM card and won't just send me a SIM card and give me service.
Due to the "if it ain't broke" thing, I'll probably just stick with ATT for now so I don't have to end up trying Verizon and liking it less than I used to/less than ATT then ultimately switching back to ATT... plus it should be easier to just get a new SIM instead of having to setup a whole new line of service with a new company... and finally I'm already pretty familiar with how ATT does things.
Phone should arrive on Thursday but Type C cable on Friday so I can probably go to an ATT store over the weekend.
PS - $238 is an amazing price ;D
sneak310 said:
Yeah I only asked him to check the IMEI for that reason you stated.. the blacklisting. They won't just send me a SIM... I have to go physically to a store for some reason instead of having them just mail me one like how I got my SIM from ATT in 2013.
Both Verizon and ATT are giving me identical trouble. They both require me to go to a store to get a SIM card and won't just send me a SIM card and give me service.
Due to the "if it ain't broke" thing, I'll probably just stick with ATT for now so I don't have to end up trying Verizon and liking it less than I used to/less than ATT then ultimately switching back to ATT... plus it should be easier to just get a new SIM instead of having to setup a whole new line of service with a new company... and finally I'm already pretty familiar with how ATT does things.
Phone should arrive on Thursday but Type C cable on Friday so I can probably go to an ATT store over the weekend.
PS - $238 is an amazing price ;D
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wal-Mart also has AT&T Prepaid SIMs.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/AT-T-PREPAID-SIM-Starter-Kit/44938608
https://www.walmart.com/ip/AT-T-PREPAID-SIM-Kit/129539926
Sent via open market LG US998 V30/V30+
ChazzMatt said:
Wal-Mart also has AT&T Prepaid SIMs.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-v30/development/us998-lg-v30-us998-us99820a040330-kdz-t3786337
Sent via open market LG US998 V30/V30+
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah and according to these carriers they charge you for it. I'd also rather deal directly with the carrier than some random person at Walmart AND get it for free.
sneak310 said:
Yeah and according to these carriers they charge you for it. I'd also rather deal directly with the carrier than some random person at Walmart AND get it for free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, I understand. I also edited to put in the correct link.
You need to go to "corporate" owned AT&T store to get free SIM card. "Franchise" stores, which look almost identical, will charge you.
ChazzMatt said:
Sure, I understand. I also edited to put in the correct link.
You need to go to "corporate" owned AT &T store to get free SIM card. "Franchise" stores, which look almost identical, will charge you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hah, yea.. I was wondering why you sent me that original link. And yeah, they told me specifically which store is corporate.
So I'm curious to see if you switch to Verizon and your results. I'm currently on Verizon and I'm trying to get a V30+ so if you go with them I'd like to know how it worked out.
Hyperbomb64 said:
So I'm curious to see if you switch to Verizon and your results. I'm currently on Verizon and I'm trying to get a V30+ so if you go with them I'd like to know how it worked out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will have no issues since you have an already-activated Verizon SIM card. Just take your SIM card out, put it in new phone.
ChazzMatt said:
You will have no issues since you have an already-activated Verizon SIM card. Just take your SIM card out, put it in new phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info. Now I just have to actually get the phone and I should be good to go.
ChazzMatt said:
You will have no issues since you have an already-activated Verizon SIM card. Just take your SIM card out, put it in new phone.
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Click to collapse
im also on verizon and just got this model online brand new it says its unlocked. do i need to avoid updating it when i get it?
Bamaboi89 said:
im also on verizon and just got this model online brand new it says its unlocked. do i need to avoid updating it when i get it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, don't update when you first get it, as you will possibly making your life harder, by having to downgrade to what you need for bootloader unlock and rooting. You can update after that.
Hyperbomb64 said:
So I'm curious to see if you switch to Verizon and your results. I'm currently on Verizon and I'm trying to get a V30+ so if you go with them I'd like to know how it worked out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ended up just sticking with ATT for now. Mostly one of those "if it ain't broke" things. I also realized (once I got to the ATT store) that I actually already HAD a nano SIM in my Nexus 5 with a converter. It was 2013 when I put that SIM in and I haven't messed with it so I completely forgot.
So, the main issue is that I need to get it away from Tracfone T-Mobile because their service is terrible in my area. I can't seem to get either a Tracfone AT&T or Tracfone Verizon SIM to work yet the phone is compatible (according to the websites respectively) with Cricket wireless (AT&T) and US Cellular (cdma). I don't understand... That is why I brought this question to all of you. I live and work in a rural area and it may sound crazy but all I want to do is make stinking phone calls. Oh and I checked the IMEI and it is not locked by any carrier.
You guys suck...
I know most of you on here probably don't care about my problem cause I'm not looking to root or flash or whatever cause I'm not into that. I JUST WANT A PHONE THAT HAS SERVICE. From what I've read it was probably one of you on these forums that "sim unlocked" this phone in the first place back before you really knew the right way and then when you moved on you sold it as "new in box" to a sucker like me. And now for some reason it will only work with a Tracfone Tmobile sim in it which according to them isn't going to work at all come 01/2021 because they are upgrading the network. Well I also know from wasting endless hours trying to figure out how to [email protected]$ck this phone that it is capable of everything I need it to do, like simply switch it to a different "brand" of sim so I can get better service or operate on VoLTE because apparently that's what most carriers are going to switch to and convince most of the general public to buy a new phone based on the misguided notion that their phone has somehow become obsolete when in fact it isn't.
So if you all would stop passing over my post because my technology knowledge level is down there with an 75-year-old and help me I would appreciate it.
I will pay to send this to someone to "fix" or whatever but I refuse to replace a perfectly good phone because some yutz who didn't know what they were doing when they sim unlocked this phone messed it up and somehow turned a US Cellular version (VMX) into a who knows what that only works on Tmobile, and maybe Cricket (we'll see, the sim is in the mail).
No nead to start two threds about the same thing.
NO your phone will mot stop working... Just chill
Turnhoo said:
I know most of you on here probably don't care about my problem cause I'm not looking to root or flash or whatever cause I'm not into that. I JUST WANT A PHONE THAT HAS SERVICE. From what I've read it was probably one of you on these forums that "sim unlocked" this phone in the first place back before you really knew the right way and then when you moved on you sold it as "new in box" to a sucker like me. And now for some reason it will only work with a Tracfone Tmobile sim in it which according to them isn't going to work at all come 01/2021 because they are upgrading the network. Well I also know from wasting endless hours trying to figure out how to [email protected]$ck this phone that it is capable of everything I need it to do, like simply switch it to a different "brand" of sim so I can get better service or operate on VoLTE because apparently that's what most carriers are going to switch to and convince most of the general public to buy a new phone based on the misguided notion that their phone has somehow become obsolete when in fact it isn't.
So if you all would stop passing over my post because my technology knowledge level is down there with an 75-year-old and help me I would appreciate it.
I will pay to send this to someone to "fix" or whatever but I refuse to replace a perfectly good phone because some yutz who didn't know what they were doing when they sim unlocked this phone messed it up and somehow turned a US Cellular version (VMX) into a who knows what that only works on Tmobile, and maybe Cricket (we'll see, the sim is in the mail).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
maydayind said:
No nead to start two threds about the same thing.
NO your phone will mot stop working... Just chill
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is correct. Read my post I wrote in the other thread about the VOLTE issue.
If the phone supports VOLTE, you need a SIM that is compatible with it!
----------
I have some information that might make all of you guys happy.
I was told by Safelink Wireless that VOTLE is a function of BOTH the phone *AND* the sim card.
Basically, if the phone itself is VOLTE compatible but the sim card is not, then the phone will be reported on their system as not compatible, and will ask you to upgrade your phone.
However if a VOLTE compatible SIM is inserted, if the phone does in fact support VOLTE, it will then work. That's because it's provisioned on the carrier via the sim card itself.
If you purchased a sim via the "Buy your own sim" package, e.g. online or from Best Buy, etc, awhile ago, then that sim is not compatible. You simply need to call Tracphone/Safelink and ask to buy a VOLTE compatible SIM (which costs 99 cents). Then when you get it, call their tech department to have them transfer the phone service and phone number to the new SIM.
You can dial the phone's service menu and go to the VOLTE/GPRI menu and if the options are there, then the phone supports it.
Turnhoo said:
I know most of you on here probably don't care about my problem cause I'm not looking to root or flash or whatever cause I'm not into that. I JUST WANT A PHONE THAT HAS SERVICE. From what I've read it was probably one of you on these forums that "sim unlocked" this phone in the first place back before you really knew the right way and then when you moved on you sold it as "new in box" to a sucker like me. And now for some reason it will only work with a Tracfone Tmobile sim in it which according to them isn't going to work at all come 01/2021 because they are upgrading the network. Well I also know from wasting endless hours trying to figure out how to [email protected]$ck this phone that it is capable of everything I need it to do, like simply switch it to a different "brand" of sim so I can get better service or operate on VoLTE because apparently that's what most carriers are going to switch to and convince most of the general public to buy a new phone based on the misguided notion that their phone has somehow become obsolete when in fact it isn't.
So if you all would stop passing over my post because my technology knowledge level is down there with an 75-year-old and help me I would appreciate it.
I will pay to send this to someone to "fix" or whatever but I refuse to replace a perfectly good phone because some yutz who didn't know what they were doing when they sim unlocked this phone messed it up and somehow turned a US Cellular version (VMX) into a who knows what that only works on Tmobile, and maybe Cricket (we'll see, the sim is in the mail).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey buddy, xda forum does not allow unlocking sims related stuff. You are complaining in the wrong forum.... There are other forums that do that.