Develop Bugs

Why no 3G with ATT

Having owned several HTC phones, it seems to me that if they want to be a leader, then why release the TP2 with no 3G speeds in the US market? I have read that there is some talk about a release on T mobile's carrier for a TP2 with 3G. If so, hey ATT get with it.

fredm said:
Having owned several HTC phones, it seems to me that if they want to be a leader, then why release the TP2 with no 3G speeds in the US market? I have read that there is some talk about a release on T mobile's carrier for a TP2 with 3G. If so, hey ATT get with it.
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You've got it there. There is no US 3g on the euro devices as per basic agreements with the carriers to let their branded versions come out. The local carrier versions are coming so just hang on.

first of all, the TP2 wasn't released in the US market. the model that you're talking about that has no US 3G is the European model. some people just preferred to buy it unlocked and save themselves a lot of waiting time.
secondly, yes, T-Mobile is getting it around August 12 here in the US. you would know that for sure if you read the very, very numerous posts around the Rhodium forum. all the major US carriers are getting the phone, including AT&T, Sprint and Verizon. there are speculated release dates about the other 3, but they will come eventually.
to me, this seems like a redundant thread. just my opinion. I vote for thread to be closed.

fail...
why wouldnt att not have 3g with the fuze when they have 3g on older phones?.....

fredm said:
Having owned several HTC phones, it seems to me that if they want to be a leader, then why release the TP2 with no 3G speeds in the US market? I have read that there is some talk about a release on T mobile's carrier for a TP2 with 3G. If so, hey ATT get with it.
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The better solution would be for ATT to embrace the same 3G standard that Europe and Asia have, and change to 850/1900.

850/1900 isn't Europe nor Asia, but North American bands actually
As for the "fail" comment or criticism:
The current phone available is the EUROPEAN model, it works in EUROPE. The same goes for many many other phone makers. They make dual band 3G phones (quad-band GSM) for Europe and then make the specialty ones for the US and possibly Canada.
Originally they tried to make 850/1900 the standard for North America, but so many companies are planning alternatives like 1700 and whatnot. It's like that one company in Australia using 850/2100 instead of 900/2100. If you HAVE to blame somebody it would be ATT for starting the usage of 1700 as a 3G band, or blame the lack of spectrum which caused ATT to opt for 1700.
To make a phone truly universar 3G-wise it would need to use 6 different bands, and personally I've only seen specs with up to 3 bands (though I heard about mysterious 3G 4 band phones).

If you HAVE to blame somebody it would be ATT for starting the usage of 1700 as a 3G band, or blame the lack of spectrum which caused ATT to opt for 1700.
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ATT uses 850/1900 and are moving to add 2100. T-Mobile use 1700.
I agree it will be good if ATT does actually get 2100 going.

Oops, my bad, I get the two confused. And yeah, it'd be good if they had the 2100 going, especially if it meant interoperability, even if limited, with European models (and they could reap the benefits of charging for 3G data roaming).

solsearch said:
850/1900 isn't Europe nor Asia, but North American bands actually
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I stand corrected. Too much coffee, too little brains.

[Q] Which (global) WP7 phones work on TMobile US with 3G?

Right now "officially" there are only the HTC HD7 and Dell Venue Pro available on TMobile USA.
Does anyone know which other phones would work (after unlocking) with 3G on TMO US?

er...none?

I think so far only these two WP7 devices supports AWS bands.
On other platforms is different, as in the case of latest High-End Nokia devices (but Symbian OS):
http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=pdacomparer&id1=2823&id2=2599&id3=2601&id4=2574&id5=2475&id6=2379
However it is a fact that the multi-band support, increases the cost. Is better to invest in features that do will be use
Best regards

Many WCDMA devices support the 1900 band, if you don't care the 1700 band.

but he asked about 3g...the phones don't offer 3g. Sure 2g works
3g nope

And consider 1700 AWS band with no longer be T-mo 3G after merger (AT&T needs the AWS band for LTE), you will be insane to spend $$$ on your own handset.
Even on AT&T side, there have been a lot of markets switched over to 850 band for 3G. So, even with a phone that support 1900 band 3G is no longer safe even on AT&T.

foxbat121 said:
And consider 1700 AWS band with no longer be T-mo 3G after merger (AT&T needs the AWS band for LTE), you will be insane to spend $$$ on your own handset.
Even on AT&T side, there have been a lot of markets switched over to 850 band for 3G. So, even with a phone that support 1900 band 3G is no longer safe even on AT&T.
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Depends where you live. I have Omnia 7 on AT&T so it only has 1900 band, and I don't even notice a difference in 3G from my last phone. I'm sure it's probably worse, but I get 3G almost everywhere.

DatDereX1 said:
Depends where you live. I have Omnia 7 on AT&T so it only has 1900 band, and I don't even notice a difference in 3G from my last phone. I'm sure it's probably worse, but I get 3G almost everywhere.
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In my area, all 3G towers were 1900. Then AT&T switched all of them to 850 last year. This year, they switched back to 1900 again. AT&T has indicated in the past that it intends to deploy more 850 band 3G to improve coverage.

I thought the 1900 towers would stay 1900, and new ones would be 850

Virtually all 3G-850 american handsets, also have 3G-1900 band. In other hand, the carriers such as Telstra (Australia) and Telcom New Zealand have also 3G-850, with 3G-2100 band (not 1900); but these last are a minority.
The AWS bands with WCDMA technology (3G), are only used by TMoUS (as we all know); and fatally these bands will be used by "new" Latin American carriers like Nextel Mexico and others like VTR and Nextel Chile.
No larger carrier exists than TMoUS, that use AWS bands, so that all developments in AWS bands, should be first implemented in TMoUS ...until now

DatDereX1 said:
I thought the 1900 towers would stay 1900, and new ones would be 850
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Aparently not. Install new towers cost $$$.

iusauser said:
Virtually all 3G-850 american handsets, also have 3G-1900 band. In other hand, the carriers such as Telstra (Australia) and Telcom New Zealand have also 3G-850, with 3G-2100 band (not 1900); but these last are a minority.
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That's true but most ppl who buy unlocked/unbranded handsets buy the European models which typically only come with 1900Mhz band 3G for NA. Those handsets rarely ever supports 850Mhz.

If I use unbranded ROMs on TMO I have gotten 4G on both my HD2 and 7.

thuddome said:
If I use unbranded ROMs on TMO I have gotten 4G on both my HD2 and 7.
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It's not the ROM but the actual hardware that has the limitation although sometimes ROMs can have band limits as well.

foxbat121 said:
It's not the ROM but the actual hardware that has the limitation although sometimes ROMs can have band limits as well.
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On both my HD2 and HD7 I will get an "H" signal. I was talking to T-Mobile support and they told me that was 4G and I was getting it because of the ROM. I asked why they would restrict the 4G if the hardware would do it and they said it was to control the number of devices on each network. I can only get it with an unbranded ROM. I'm not arguing, just telling you what they said. HD7 according to T-Mobile is NOT a 4G capable phone but mine gets an "H" signal all the time.

thuddome said:
On both my HD2 and HD7 I will get an "H" signal. I was talking to T-Mobile support and they told me that was 4G and I was getting it because of the ROM. I asked why they would restrict the 4G if the hardware would do it and they said it was to control the number of devices on each network. I can only get it with an unbranded ROM. I'm not arguing, just telling you what they said. HD7 according to T-Mobile is NOT a 4G capable phone but mine gets an "H" signal all the time.
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HSPA --> 'H' indicator on your handset (with custom ROM)
HSPA+ --> what T-Mobile advertises as "4G"
The H does not mean 4G. It means you have HSPA. In the carrier-specific ROMs they overwrite the H bitmap with one that shows 3G instead, to "help" their customers and avoid confusing them.

tai4de2 said:
HSPA --> 'H' indicator on your handset (with custom ROM)
HSPA+ --> what T-Mobile advertises as "4G"
The H does not mean 4G. It means you have HSPA. In the carrier-specific ROMs they overwrite the H bitmap with one that shows 3G instead, to "help" their customers and avoid confusing them.
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Good to know...thx

T-Mobile USA 1900 PCS Spectrum Refarm Statement

I thought people in the US looking to use the One X will love this, and I hope this will answer people's question regarding phone compatibility on T-Mo USA.
Today we have more than one million unlocked iPhones running on our network. T-Mobile currently offers microSIMs for customers who already have a GSM phone they want to use on the T-Mobile network, including an iPhone. In order to set up an unlocked iPhone on T-Mobile’s network, customers simply need to purchase a microSIM card and select a T-Mobile Value plan that suits their needs.
T-Mobile’s Value plans enable customers who bring their own smartphone, such as the iPhone, to save money. For example, T-Mobile’s Value family plan with unlimited talk, unlimited text and unlimited data with 2 GB of high-speed data is just $49.99 per line for two lines.
In addition, we will continue to deliver more value to customers as we expand and modernize our 4G network. Beginning this year, we will introduce HSPA+ service in our 1900 MHz PCS spectrum. When we do, our 4G network will be compatible with a broader range of devices, including the iPhone.
Source

this is actually good news for some people! I'm lucky enough to live in an area where the 1900MHz frequency is in used

Thank you for posting. This quote from the press release had many T Mo USA customers like me very excited of the possibilities. I import lots of cellys and only recently began to really focus on the appropriate 3g bands on my carrier as I simply cannot put up with 2g at alll.
I am very close to saying goodbye to my Sensation XE in favor of the One X....
Sadly, Boston Ma is still operating Edge/2g data from the 1900 band

What frequency does Tmobiles 2G/Edge service use? That's all that's available in my town

I think the 2G/Edge is 850/1900?
knightsray said:
What frequency does Tmobiles 2G/Edge service use? That's all that's available in my town
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gwuhua1984 said:
I think the 2G/Edge is 850/1900?
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Yup.

So will the one x work with T-Mobile hspa+
Sent from a guy living in a van down by the river

This is good news - IF we can get confirmation where they have actually rolled out the update.
Also, I wonder whether this phone can get a radio upgrade to enabled AWS on 1700? I know some Samsung devices (like the Note) can get flashed to add the band, would this be possible on the One X?

ScottC said:
This is good news - IF we can get confirmation where they have actually rolled out the update.
Also, I wonder whether this phone can get a radio upgrade to enabled AWS on 1700? I know some Samsung devices (like the Note) can get flashed to add the band, would this be possible on the One X?
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The AT&T version will have the AWS and 2100 band on it so my hope is we will be able to swap the radio/modem with the One XL and get the bigger internal SD and built-in radio........crossing fingers!!!!

I don't believe that will be possible. There have been instances where a phone has landed on multiple carriers with certain bands disabled, however in this case, HTC has released separate architecture for the US/AT&T variant and so it's not like the 1700 AWS band is included in the LTE version and simply software disabled.
I did see that AT&T's version has the same exact radios as T Mobile's Amaze 4g (same AWS bands) so it will be interesting to see the phone itself can simply be unlocked and used with T Mo without flashing.
One last thing, T Mo has confirmed the refarming/reframing of their 1900 bands from 2g into 3g, it will only be a matter of time before we see the full deployment of 3g via 1900 band. Both phones may end up in the same price range (unless purchasing an AT&T model used) and so I'd rather have the unbranded 32 gig version.

The only thing is how long will you wait and be stuck on 2G until the refarm hits your area. Right now it's a slow roll out since most time is being spent on the LTE 2013 launch.
I do a lot of data things while i'm out and about, so EDGE speeds would kill me. I'm thinking now of just waiting to see what the SGS3 has to offer or the LG Optimous 4HD. I don't want to speed almost $700 for a phone i can't use data on.
If an unlock would open the AWS band for use on T-Mobile on the AT&T version then we could be able to flash the international version that has the S4 chip with the AT&T radio.
We'll see, since right now all we can do is hopeful speculation.

Same boat I was on when I imported my Desire HD. I was stuck on Edge until I got to my home or office. For most apps I utilize, it was not such a big deal, however YouTube and a few others was pure torture on just 2g.
I was so close to ordering a One X too... I'll keep my XE a little while longer though. I'm really not at all impressed with the One S. The One X is def my choice.

ge3kswag said:
The only thing is how long will you wait and be stuck on 2G until the refarm hits your area. Right now it's a slow roll out since most time is being spent on the LTE 2013 launch.
I do a lot of data things while i'm out and about, so EDGE speeds would kill me. I'm thinking now of just waiting to see what the SGS3 has to offer or the LG Optimous 4HD. I don't want to speed almost $700 for a phone i can't use data on.
If an unlock would open the AWS band for use on T-Mobile on the AT&T version then we could be able to flash the international version that has the S4 chip with the AT&T radio.
We'll see, since right now all we can do is hopeful speculation.
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If previous trends continue, the international SGSIII won't have T-Mobile bands either :/

joshnichols189 said:
If previous trends continue, the international SGSIII won't have T-Mobile bands either :/
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LOL!!!! I was thinking that too but i actually think that due to the LTE rollout the end of the year and beginning of next year will be awesome for T-Mobile. I know the G4X and the SGS3 has to be on T-Mobile, it's their best phone. I actually think that the next big windows phone will be something HTC and be on T-Mobile also. Also, I heard a lil hint from the Samsung rep of a T-Mobile Note. Guess we'll have to wait for CITA to see.
And a few years back you would have laffed at me but dude, the Huawei Ascend D is coming to T-Mobile and from rumors the processor kills all.........so lets be slightly optimistic hahahahahah

Not sure how helpful this is in clarifying anything, but there's a new post about this today at the T-Mobile forums.
http://support.t-mobile.com/thread/21487?start=30&tstart=0

atvxda said:
I don't believe that will be possible. There have been instances where a phone has landed on multiple carriers with certain bands disabled, however in this case, HTC has released separate architecture for the US/AT&T variant and so it's not like the 1700 AWS band is included in the LTE version and simply software disabled.
I did see that AT&T's version has the same exact radios as T Mobile's Amaze 4g (same AWS bands) so it will be interesting to see the phone itself can simply be unlocked and used with T Mo without flashing.
One last thing, T Mo has confirmed the refarming/reframing of their 1900 bands from 2g into 3g, it will only be a matter of time before we see the full deployment of 3g via 1900 band. Both phones may end up in the same price range (unless purchasing an AT&T model used) and so I'd rather have the unbranded 32 gig version.
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It's just reiterating what they've said before. The question still remains as to what the timing and geography will be. I'd imagine it'll be great for people in major markets where T-Mobile will focus the majority of their energy. But people who travel a lot, especially to secondary and tertiary markets, may have a long wait until T-Mobile's 1900Mhz coverage is everywhere. It's better than nothing but still a long ways from being competitive.
"Select areas of Washington State, California, Nevada and Arizona are currently the only places with refarmed spectrum. Users in those affected areas are reporting reliable, HSPA+, 4G level speeds on their iPhones within the currently, largely undocumented, coverage area.
According to my source, it is anticipated that by as early as October of this year that T-Mobile will have their spectrum refarming efforts completed. At that point, T-Mobile's network will support all quad-band GSM/UMTS banded handsets, including Apple's iPhone."
http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/personal-tech/smart-phones/240000527

Yeah, Its going to be a while. I think there are a few places in Cali somewhere that they have done this already. By the time they finish this a good majority of us will probably be on a different phone so it doesnt really do anything for us.
I was with t-mobile until I Purchased the One X international and moved to straight talk. I will probably move back to T-mobile once they finish this and plan on buying unlocked phones from now on.
Being on AT&Ts network in Downtown Chicago Sucks ass. Although when Im downtown Im usually on wifi at work so its not a huge deal. Still annoying though.

so if I were to get a One X now which one should I buy for it to work with 4g when t-mobile refarms the 1900 band? ATT or International?

AT&T's One X and the international One X will both give you 2g/Edge data for the time being.
Considering T Mobile USA is reframing 3G & HSPA+ traffic to 1900 MHz (currently utilized by T Mobile USA exclusive for 2g), both are solid options as at some point later this year, both will be receiving 3g data. However, AT&T's One X will have to be unlocked in order for you to use it with T Mobile whereas the international One X is already unlocked.
Remember, both devices are not identical. The international One X has a QUAD core Tegra 3 processor vs AT&T's DUAL core Snapdragon and the international One X has 32 Gigs of internal vs AT&T's 16

T-Mobile 1900MHz HSPA+

According to www.airportal.de there is 1900MHz tower right next to me, but my GN does not want to connect to it, even when the overall signal is low. Is there a radio update that will allow me to use 1900MHz band?
I checked what tower my phone is connected to by entering *#*#4636#*#* and CID does not match to the one on the site.
My radio is UGLH1
Thank you.
EDIT: my sim card is one month old.

rome425 said:
According to www.airportal.de there is 1900MHz tower right next to me, but my GN does not want to connect to it, even when the overall signal is low. Is there a radio update that will allow me to use 1900MHz band?
I checked what tower my phone is connected to by entering *#*#4636#*#* and CID does not match to the one on the site.
My radio is UGLH1
Thank you.
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thats part of tmobiles new iphone 5 rollout plan(for people using the att iphone 5). you need a special micro sim card for it to work. http://9to5mac.com/2012/05/07/t-mob...rk-in-large-number-of-markets-by-end-of-2012/

I was not aware that T-Mobile has different sim cards for iPhines (other than size)
My friend's iPhone 4S on T-Mobile has 7-8 Mbts speed standing right next to me, but I can only get 2-2.5 Mbts.

simms22 said:
thats part of tmobiles new iphone 5 rollout plan(for people using the att iphone 5). you need a special micro sim card for it to work. http://9to5mac.com/2012/05/07/t-mob...rk-in-large-number-of-markets-by-end-of-2012/
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You don't need a microsim for it to work afaik. It will work on any "AT&T" phone. And it should work on the GN since it is pentaband.

simms22 said:
thats part of tmobiles new iphone 5 rollout plan(for people using the att iphone 5). you need a special micro sim card for it to work. http://9to5mac.com/2012/05/07/t-mob...rk-in-large-number-of-markets-by-end-of-2012/
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Click to collapse
SIM card size does not dictate frequency.

Even if 1900mhz is available, I'm sure that T-Mobile would prefer you stay on the surely more stable 1700/2100mhz combo at this point in time... likely a SIM issue though.
---------- Post added at 11:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:21 AM ----------
patruns said:
SIM card size does not dictate frequency.
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But his old SIM probably doesn't support 1900mhz HSPA. Yes, he doesn't need a Micro SIM just to get the frequency, but he likely does need one of T-Mobile's new SIM cards that's properly provisioned for the 1900mhz connection. I think people are just getting confused over the fact that T-Mobile is pushing the Micro (soon to be Nano also) SIMs w/ 1900mhz for unlocked iPhone customers. It doesn't mean they're only used for iPhones, it just means that it's the primary reason they're switching frequencies and offering these to those customers specifically.

martonikaj said:
Even if 1900mhz is available, I'm sure that T-Mobile would prefer you stay on the surely more stable 1700/2100mhz combo at this point in time...
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That's what it looks like. I wish there was a way to force 1900MHz.

rome425 said:
According to www.airportal.de there is 1900MHz tower right next to me, but my GN does not want to connect to it, even when the overall signal is low. Is there a radio update that will allow me to use 1900MHz band?
I checked what tower my phone is connected to by entering *#*#4636#*#* and CID does not match to the one on the site.
My radio is UGLH1
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyone else read that radio as "Ugly one"?
Swype'ed on my CM10 Galaxy Nexus

Isn't the 1700mhz band better anyway?
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iphones are the creation of people with nowhere left to turn

donsh00tmesanta said:
Isn't the 1700mhz band better anyway?
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iphones are the creation of people with nowhere left to turn
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"Better" how? And T-Mobile uses 1700/2100mhz combo, not just 1700mhz.
Most people would prefer 850mhz and 1900mhz because its interoperable with AT&T's frequencies, allowing a wider range of devices to be used on T-Mobile.

Lower the frequency better Penetration right.
-----------
iphones are the creation of people with nowhere left to turn

donsh00tmesanta said:
Lower the frequency better Penetration right.
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But like I said, T-Mobile doesn't use just 1700mhz, it uses the combined 1700/2100mhz AWS frequencies.

To the OP: Do you have a phone without AWS that you can use to test and see if you are actually picking up that tower? Or a non-Nexus Samsung phone that can be restricted using the band select menu.
martonikaj said:
But his old SIM probably doesn't support 1900mhz HSPA. Yes, he doesn't need a Micro SIM just to get the frequency, but he likely does need one of T-Mobile's new SIM cards that's properly provisioned for the 1900mhz connection. I think people are just getting confused over the fact that T-Mobile is pushing the Micro (soon to be Nano also) SIMs w/ 1900mhz for unlocked iPhone customers. It doesn't mean they're only used for iPhones, it just means that it's the primary reason they're switching frequencies and offering these to those customers specifically.
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I don't think a SIM card needs to be re-provisioned just because the carrier has a new frequency. All the folks who started seeing 3G on their unlocked iPhones were using SIMs they'd had for years.
martonikaj said:
"Better" how? And T-Mobile uses 1700/2100mhz combo, not just 1700mhz.
Most people would prefer 850mhz and 1900mhz because its interoperable with AT&T's frequencies, allowing a wider range of devices to be used on T-Mobile.
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It's not a combo. In Europe they don't refer to the IMT band as 1900/2100 combo, they just call it 2100. And they don't refer to the DCS band as 1700/1800, just as 1800. It's one band, and for the purpose of North America, "1700" as a band unambiguously means AWS. In Japan though there is a different 1700 band.

cmstlist said:
To the OP: Do you have a phone without AWS that you can use to test and see if you are actually picking up that tower? Or a non-Nexus Samsung phone that can be restricted using the band select menu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like he said, he has a friend with an iPhone right there that gets HSPA service w/ T-Mobile. My assumption would be that he needs a new SIM, but again I'm not sure if that's the case, I'm not intimately knowledgeable of how T-Mobile is doing their provisioning.
It's not a combo. In Europe they don't refer to the IMT band as 1900/2100 combo, they just call it 2100. And they don't refer to the DCS band as 1700/1800, just as 1800. It's one band, and for the purpose of North America, "1700" as a band unambiguously means AWS. In Japan though there is a different 1700 band.
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Just because its sometimes referred to as 1700 doesn't mean that it doesn't use both 1700 and 2100 as a combination.
"The AWS band uses microwave frequencies in two segments: from 1710 to 1755 MHz for uplink, and from 2110 to 2155 MHz for downlink." (Wikipedia)
This is why it's referred to as "1700/2100mhz", although often just "AWS"

martonikaj said:
Like he said, he has a friend with an iPhone right there that gets HSPA service w/ T-Mobile. My assumption would be that he needs a new SIM, but again I'm not sure if that's the case, I'm not intimately knowledgeable of how T-Mobile is doing their provisioning.
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I don't understand why a new sim is required. People using old sims in iPhone's have been reporting 3G being available as T-mobile has turned on new markets with the new band.

I just changed my sim card about one month ago.

martonikaj said:
This is why it's referred to as "1700/2100mhz", although often just "AWS"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is, even mentioning 2100 causes unnecessary confusion because for years before the band entered use, 2100 was already well established as referring to the 1900 up / 2100 down IMT band. It leads people - and you've seen them on the forums - to think that they can buy a device with IMT and use it on an AWS carrier.
So "1700" alone is actually less ambiguous.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

cmstlist said:
The problem is, even mentioning 2100 causes unnecessary confusion because for years before the band entered use, 2100 was already well established as referring to the 1900 up / 2100 down IMT band. It leads people - and you've seen them on the forums - to think that they can buy a device with IMT and use it on an AWS carrier.
So "1700" alone is actually less ambiguous.
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Click to collapse
Just as ambiguous. Pretty sure calling it "1700/2100mhz AWS" is pretty clear. Not sure how dropping the 2100 part helps the ambiguity problem.
Calling it 1700mhz gives off the wrong impression, implying that it'd be better building-penetration wise, even though half of the traffic goes over 2100mhz which performs worse at penetrating buildings.

martonikaj said:
Just as ambiguous. Pretty sure calling it "1700/2100mhz AWS" is pretty clear. Not sure how dropping the 2100 part helps the ambiguity problem.
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Because you want to tell customers, when they are trying to figure out if a phone is compatible, to look for 1700. Not for 2100. If you even mention 2100 they will get led down the wrong path. 2100 already had a meaning in the mobile world way back when IMT was first used for 3G service overseas in the year 2002. And the established meaning of 2100 as a cellular band is something that is not operated anywhere in North America.

Or, you can just tell customers to look for both 1700 and 2100 (AWS), which is both unambiguous, and correct. Whereas calling it simply 1700 is misleading. Customers who are shopping in the US are not likely to have heard of the 2100 band used overseas anyway, so your point is moot.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using xda app-developers app

[Q] Why AT&T has support for more LTE bands?

I was looking at the tech specs for the new HTC One and T-Mobile has less support for LTE bands.
Is it just a matter of HTC referring only to the bands that matter to each carrier or is it actually a question of different radios.
I ask because apparently the Google Play edition follows T-Mobile's hardware (possibly to provide support for both US GSM carriers), and makes it a no deal for international customers that need support to other bands.

felipedacruz said:
I was looking at the tech specs for the new HTC One and T-Mobile has less support for LTE bands.
Is it just a matter of HTC referring only to the bands that matter to each carrier or is it actually a question of different radios.
I ask because apparently the Google Play edition follows T-Mobile's hardware (possibly to provide support for both US GSM carriers), and makes it a no deal for international customers that need support to other bands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the review on Engadget they say there are 6 different versions of the phone. It seems the everyone who got it early for review received the international version without US LTE support. These are the radios for the AT&T and T-Mobile versions.
http://www.engadget.com/2014/03/25/htc-one-2014-review/
GSM/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900) (All)
HSPA+
AT&T: (850/1900/2100) with HSPA+ up to 21 Mbps
T-Mobile: (850/AWS/1900/2100) with HSPA+ up to 42 Mbps
LTE
AT&T: (700/850/AWS/1800/1900/2600)
T-Mobile: (700/AWS)
I've been looking into it myself because I'd like to get the T-Mobile version and flash the GPE rom and it does look like the GPE is the same hardware as T-Mobile's copy.
I really hate how these companies make a bunch of different hardware configurations. They're obviously capable of putting all the radios in one device, LG did it for AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint with the Nexus 5. N5 on T-Mobile is my current phone, I'm still trying to decide if the M8 is a worthy upgrade.

Yes the lack of compatibility between the two carriers is extremely annoying. I have the Dev Edition of M7 right now and it irks me to no end that I am stuck with AT&T with it. I'd totally buy the M8 if it supports all the frequencies of the AT&T version PLUS AWS for HSPA+.
I travel overseas a lot and I am very disappointed that I get more usage out of my old Samsung Galaxy S2 than the M7.

So how does this translate for M8 bought from somewhere else but used on T-Mobile network. I have ordered the M8 from Amazon (Prime shipping FTW), but it does not mention LTE bands.
http://www.amazon.com/HTC-One-M8-Unlocked-Warranty/dp/tech-data/B00J3554KE/ref=de_a_smtd
If I assume all non carrier branded M8 are the same, would the Play store description be accurate?
https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=htc_m8
Play store description mentions "700 MHz, AWS", which is a match with the engadget article "T-Mobile: (700/AWS)".
Would flashing a different radio software allow getting past incompatibilities, or the hardware itself is set to specific bands.
EDIT:
Just noticed this note at the bottom of Play Store page:
Compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile in the US. Check with your carrier for details about coverage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But also noticed this on the Amazon page:
4G LTE (1900 MHz) with availability in limited markets; 3G (800/1900 CDMA/EV-DO Rev. A frequencies)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From quick research, T-Mobile will get LTE in 1900MHZ by "end of 2014". I think I need to ask around a bit on Amazon/T-mobile and research some more...

AnDruid said:
So how does this translate for M8 bought from somewhere else but used on T-Mobile network. I have ordered the M8 from Amazon (Prime shipping FTW), but it does not mention LTE bands.
http://www.amazon.com/HTC-One-M8-Unlocked-Warranty/dp/tech-data/B00J3554KE/ref=de_a_smtd
If I assume all non carrier branded M8 are the same, would the Play store description be accurate?
https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=htc_m8
Play store description mentions "700 MHz, AWS", which is a match with the engadget article "T-Mobile: (700/AWS)".
Would flashing a different radio software allow getting past incompatibilities, or the hardware itself is set to specific bands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Someone with more knowledge of radios can probably give a better answer than me but, as I said earlier, at first glance it looks like the Play Store (GPE) version has the same radios as the T-Mobile version. There's also a YouTube video of someone using a T-Mobile sim in their Verizon copy and it worked although, according to the data in the Engadget review, I don't think data speeds are as fast as they would be with the T-Mobile specific phone, at least on HSPA+.
http://www.engadget.com/2014/03/25/htc-one-2014-review/
GSM/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900) (All)
HSPA+
Verizon: (850/900/1900/2100) with HSPA+ up to 14.4 Mbps
T-Mobile: (850/AWS/1900/2100) with HSPA+ up to 42 Mbps
LTE
Verizon: (700/AWS/1800/2600)
T-Mobile: (700/AWS)
These are the radios in the GPE version
GSM/GPRS/EDGE quad-band 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
HSPA/UMTS quad-band 850/AWS/1900/2100 MHz
3G (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)
HSDPA 21, HSUPA 5.76
4G LTE (700 MHz, AWS)

ausch30 said:
Someone with more knowledge of radios can probably give a better answer than me but, as I said earlier, at first glance it looks like the Play Store (GPE) version has the same radios as the T-Mobile version. There's also a YouTube video of someone using a T-Mobile sim in their Verizon copy and it worked although, according to the data in the Engadget review, I don't think data speeds are as fast as they would be with the T-Mobile specific phone, at least on HSPA+.
http://www.engadget.com/2014/03/25/htc-one-2014-review/
GSM/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900) (All)
HSPA+
Verizon: (850/900/1900/2100) with HSPA+ up to 14.4 Mbps
T-Mobile: (850/AWS/1900/2100) with HSPA+ up to 42 Mbps
LTE
Verizon: (700/AWS/1800/2600)
T-Mobile: (700/AWS)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see some not so heartening details on Amazon/Play store. Updated my previous post. Will need a bit of research regarding the radio flashing as well as the LTE bands, but looks like T-Mobile and Amazon M8 may have trouble playing together.

AnDruid said:
I see some not so heartening details on Amazon/Play store. Updated my previous post. Will need a bit of research regarding the radio flashing as well as the LTE bands, but looks like T-Mobile and Amazon M8 may have trouble playing together.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just looked at the one Amazon is selling and it seems to me to be a Sprint version, although I don't know that the radios listed are actually correct since the Engadget article said all versions will support GSM/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900) and there's no mention of those on the Amazon product page. There's no mention of GSM or HSPA/HSPA+ at all so based on their data it wouldn't work with AT&T or T-Mobile.
http://www.amazon.com/HTC-One-M8-Un...52509-3704704?ie=UTF8&n=2335752011&s=wireless
3G (800/1900 CDMA/EV-DO Rev. A frequencies)
LTE (1900 MHz)

ausch30 said:
I just looked at the one Amazon is selling and it seems to me to be a Sprint version, although I don't know that the radios listed are actually correct since the Engadget article said all versions will support GSM/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900) and there's no mention of those on the Amazon product page. There's no mention of GSM or HSPA/HSPA+ at all so based on their data it wouldn't work with AT&T or T-Mobile.
http://www.amazon.com/HTC-One-M8-Un...52509-3704704?ie=UTF8&n=2335752011&s=wireless
3G (800/1900 CDMA/EV-DO Rev. A frequencies)
LTE (1900 MHz)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure, but maybe the data over there is not accurate? Even the Amazon M8 page for ATT version shows the same information.
http://www.amazon.com/HTC-One-M8-Gunmetal-Grey/dp/B00IZ1VNZ2
This thread over on the M8 forum does not have much concrete info either:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2694630
The radio situation is indeed a veritable mess. I wonder if there are any real tech/cost challenges which limit the radio compatibility or is it just the carriers being evil. I assume a standard hardware chip across all devices will be easier and cheaper to put in, so it must be the evil carriers forcing HTC then.
I am somewhat banking on the fact that unlocked phones (the one on Amazon) are most likely to be GSM compatible. Must get in touch with Amazon customer care I suppose rather than ranting here.

The Anandtech review actually shows that the GPe version combines the best of AT&T and T-Mobile!
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7893/the-htc-one-m8-review
It should work for both carriers.
It is instead missing WCDMA 900 so not optimal if you want to use it in Asia/Europe.

Elythor said:
The Anandtech review actually shows that the GPe version combines the best of AT&T and T-Mobile!
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7893/the-htc-one-m8-review
It should work for both carriers.
It is instead missing WCDMA 900 so not optimal if you want to use it in Asia/Europe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did see somewhere that the DE has AT&T radios and the GPE has T-Mobile but that really doesn't make a lot of sense. I trust Anand so I think they're probably the most accurate.

So to understand if I bought a tmobile version it work on at&t and verizons networks as well? I thought Verizon just had cdma phones not Gsm like tmobile and at&t
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app

xda23 said:
So to understand if I bought a tmobile version it work on at&t and verizons networks as well? I thought Verizon just had cdma phones not Gsm like tmobile and at&t
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, T-mobile version will work for AT&T but not for Verizon.

What a ridiculous mess! Carriers shouldn't dictate what bands the phone comes in and they should all just be released in ONE model for GSM and all carriers get it.
I understand needing special models for Sprint and Verizon but for GSM its getting ridiculous.

Even the tmobile version doesn't show the 1700 frequency. Isn't that a requirement to be fully compatible with tmobile??
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

The Amazon AT&T page updated to show following specs for network:
http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IZ1VNZ2
3G - WCDMA: Domestic 850/1900MHz with HSPA+ up to 21 Mbps; Roaming 2100 MHz -- 4G – LTE: 700/850/AWS/1900MHz; Roaming 1800/2600 MHz
Developer edition specs were also updated to show same specs.
http://smile.amazon.com/HTC-One-M8-Developer-Edition/dp/B00J3AYHOI/
The unlocked version (non developer shows Verizon like specs). Hope they are more accurate now.

EtherealRemnant said:
What a ridiculous mess! Carriers shouldn't dictate what bands the phone comes in and they should all just be released in ONE model for GSM and all carriers get it.
I understand needing special models for Sprint and Verizon but for GSM its getting ridiculous.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly can't understand what the morons at HTC are doing.
Anandtech has clarified the radio stuff in the first page of their review.
http://anandtech.com/show/7893/the-htc-one-m8-review
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

busab said:
Even the tmobile version doesn't show the 1700 frequency. Isn't that a requirement to be fully compatible with tmobile??
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AWS = T-Mobile frequencies
AT&T, Unlock, and Dev versions will work on T-Mobile.
LTE = YES
HSPA+ = Depends if you area has LTE or HSPA converted from AWS to 1900
2G = YES
T-mobile version loses spectrum for LTE due to spectrum deals and HSPA+ spectrum support.
Qualcomm charges to license spectrum for their radio chips. Also it requires more hardware to support more frequencies. There has to be give and take, and would you pay $900 for the HTC One if it supported more frequencies?

Tidbits said:
AWS = T-Mobile frequencies
AT&T, Unlock, and Dev versions will work on T-Mobile.
LTE = YES
HSPA+ = Depends if you area has LTE or HSPA converted from AWS to 1900
2G = YES
T-mobile version loses spectrum for LTE due to spectrum deals and HSPA+ spectrum support.
Qualcomm charges to license spectrum for their radio chips. Also it requires more hardware to support more frequencies. There has to be give and take, and would you pay $900 for the HTC One if it supported more frequencies?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? Apple has all the bands in one model. $350 Nexus 5 has all the necessary bands. So it is bull that it costs more, they just screw up every time. By the way I use the unlocked model and enjoying the M8 but no excuse for not having a single gsm model.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

kirdroid said:
Really? Apple has all the bands in one model. $350 Nexus 5 has all the necessary bands. So it is bull that it costs more, they just screw up every time. By the way I use the unlocked model and enjoying the M8 but no excuse for not having a single gsm model.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I firmly believe Google subsidizes a bit of the cost for their phones. They are using the console model to generate revenue.
Apple devices have a premium cost compared to majority of the items out there and doesn't include how much they make from iTunes.
The T-Mobile version is cheaper than the other GSM models.
Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

Tidbits said:
Sorry I firmly believe Google subsidizes a bit of the cost for their phones. They are using the console model to generate revenue.
Apple devices have a premium cost compared to majority of the items out there and doesn't include how much they make from iTunes.
The T-Mobile version is cheaper than the other GSM models.
Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok I will give you one more example...Sony unlocked devices in Sony store cost same as HTC One and they have all the necessary radios to work perfectly on r T-Mobile and AT&T. It's not that hard you know if you want to do a single gsm model.
And no Google is not subsidizing $500 or something, may be little bit they take a hit on profits from selling hardware but in no way they are fools to subsidize huge dollars. Like T-Mobile was selling Nexus 5 for $500 or something? Which might be the actual price.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk