Develop Bugs

Galaxy Tab Voice Activation - Carrier Guide

Some awesome folks have posted tutorials for replacing the ROM on the tab to enable voice calling. Carrier info on actually using this "new" feature is a little sketchy, though. Will it work on CDMA? Can you still get the discounted price? All sorts of non-technical questions related to carrier are posted but generally buried so deep in threads that the info is hard to find and often there's conflicting info on carriers in different threads. So I am starting this thread in an attempt to collect data on carrier-specific info related to voice calling on the Tab enabled by custom ROMs found here on XDA. Here are two threads to choose from for updating the ROM:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=929479
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=847273
So please don't talk about ROMs here - this is about carriers, calling plans, etc. At first this post will have lots of questions, but as they are answered in the thread I will update the original post with the info. Don't follow the data here until the thread has had some responses! So here goes...
Disclaimer: I haven't done this yet and haven't verified any of this info.
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Currently the "upgrade" does not work with CDMA because it requires tricking the carrier into not knowing you have a voice-enabled Tab by using a SIM card from another phone. No carrier will sell you a voice plan for the Tab. So the process goes like this:
1. Purchase a Tab, but do NOT activate it! The activation would be data-only and that's no good. The SIM card it comes with will be useless.
2. Activate an old phone or used phone you bought on ebay on a GSM carrier. Currently AT&T seems to produce the best results, but please post carrier details in the thread and I'll compile them here. Activate the phone with the voice and data plans of your choice.
3. Follow instructions from one of the links above to upgrade your ROM.
4. Install different modem software (also instructions in above links).
5. Take the SIM card out of the activated phone and put it in the Tab.
6. That's it! Now you can make calls on your Tab! (is that really it or is there more to it?)
PROS:
Voice on the Tab!
By activating an old/used phone you aren't stuck in a contract.
Cons:
You don't get the discount that comes with activation since activating the data plan without voice does you no good.
At some point the carrier could get wise and cut us off, but this hasn't happened yet.
QUESTIONS:
1. What have I missed (likely a lot)?
2. What is WRONG and needs to be corrected?
3. What carrier-specific details are different (like AT&T vs T-Mobile)?
4. Will CDMA always be out in the cold due to no SIM card or is that being worked on?
5. Which GSM carrier has the best plan for the voice Tab (that it thinks is a smartphone)?

CDMA phones do not use SIM cards, so it's not possible to do the same kind of swapping you can do with them. CDMA phones are provisioned by the ESN/MEID linked to an entry in the carrier's database. So unless you hack their corporate data or have a employee contact who will change something in the database, the entry is already linked to the device type. For example, if you have a feature phone and buy an Android phone on eBay, when you go to activate it, it knows it's an Android phone and will prompt you to call a service representative to change your plan, because that phone requires a data plan. It's also why you can't just take a VZW phone over to Sprint. I've actually heard of people getting clear ESN phones added to the other carrier, but it was always by having a friend who could do it from the inside. I'm not saying there aren't alternatives programs or ways to make voice calls on the CDMA Tabs, but it'll never be possible to do anything remotely like the SIM switching solution.

This is only for the GSM Tabs (at&t Tmobile) usa and yes u need a modem switch to hav 3G and voice but they will not work together u hav to switch from 3g to voice please becareful and read everything, the only person who will be responsable for ur tablet being bricked is you

So far I havent seen anyone that has voice and data with a normal phone sim card on T-Mobile Tab due to the fact that they have the IMEI block set up but if your going to do it you have to but one from AT&T will work with a T-Mobile sim and vice versa due to the system not really caring what the device is for the most part (at least on T-Mobile). Removing the IMEI block is illegal so your best bet is if you go with the opposite carrier from what your already using to avoid contract extentions or if you have a friend with other carrier get them to buy it at a discount while you do the same at your carrier. Then switch the two and use the modem switcher andyou should be able to do all you want.

countkakula said:
So far I havent seen anyone that has voice and data with a normal phone sim card on T-Mobile Tab due to the fact that they have the IMEI block set up but if your going to do it you have to but one from AT&T will work with a T-Mobile sim and vice versa due to the system not really caring what the device is for the most part (at least on T-Mobile). Removing the IMEI block is illegal so your best bet is if you go with the opposite carrier from what your already using to avoid contract extentions or if you have a friend with other carrier get them to buy it at a discount while you do the same at your carrier. Then switch the two and use the modem switcher andyou should be able to do all you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
idk , i have tmobile and i had to use my tab as a phone , waiting for a replacement vibrant, all i did was stick my vibrant sim, modem switcher. and poof i have tabphone

Are you saying you changed out the modem software without having to flash the ROM and it worked?

b0ricuaguerrero said:
idk , i have tmobile and i had to use my tab as a phone , waiting for a replacement vibrant, all i did was stick my vibrant sim, modem switcher. and poof i have tabphone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you have internet and phone without using wifi cause i get wifi easy but get redirected when i use 2G or modem switch to 3G

[Q] Can I Use My Rooted SGS2 In Europe?

Hi All,
Does anyone know if I can use my rooted SGS2 over in Europe? Specifically I'm using a rooted T989 running TDJ's Darkside Evolution 3 v7 with the venom kernel and the Touch0Color theme. I'm going to the Netherlands, where I think I can just get a local Tmobile (NL) sim and be fine, and the Romania, where I believe the phone will work on the Orange network.
Since the phone is rooted, it should also be unlocked, so there shouldn't be a hitch in just switching the sim and being up and running, correct?
Any thoughts, and especially first hand experience, would be appreciated.
I just want to make sure I'm not missing something completely obvious that makes simply buying the cheap $15 throw away the better option.
Thanks,

That's correct. Just call tmo for the unlock code...tell them the truth-you're going overseas. When you get there get a local SIM and pop it in.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app

your phone should work in with any gsm carrier to make phone calls but your phone has to be unlocked. I dont know how the data will work since most gms carriers frequency bands are different from Tmobile's.

Ok, so I went to T-Mobile as instructed, and they said they would get back to me in 14 days (I know, right?). So they just sent me the below.
What should I do? I'm still wondering if the phone is just blanket unlocked as a result of the root and the new rom, but I'd prefer not to go buy a prepaid AT&T sim to find out. Can anyone out there advise?
Here's what T-Mobile sent me.
BEGIN
T-Mobile Phone #: 5********9
T-Mobile Sim Unlock Request
Sim Unlock Reference: 5*****6
IMEI: 3*************0
Thank you for taking the time to contact T-Mobile. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide the unlock code at this time. After review of the account we have determined that the device is not in use with the corresponding mobile number. T-Mobile policies and procedures state that the device must be in use on the mobile number requesting the unlock code. If this is a new device please allow 3-4 business days prior to submitting a new request to allow your usage to update in our system.
Thank you,
SIM Unlock Department
Thank You,
Sim Unlock Department
T-Mobile USA, Inc.
END
I checked the numbers twice, and they are correct. But, obviously, I'm using the number with the phone on t-mobile without a hitch ...
So I called T-mobile, and asked what's what. They said that they couldn't even see what my phone was on the system, and then suggested that I call Samsung. Samsung said that they couldn't verify ownership of the phone and said to call tmobile. So I'm wondering what's going on here. The tmobile rep did say that she doesn't think that I'd be able to use an AT&T sim even though I rooted my phone. How would they know though, isn't the normal android stuff unlocked?
Any thoughts?

"rooted" and "unlocked" are not same terms.
I have rooted my phone and requested Unlock code from t-mobile before my trip to russia. Their policies state that you have to be t-mobile's customer for at least 40 days.(though because of circumstances they gave it to me on 39th day)
In russia I bought local sim card, slip it in my S2, followed an instructions provided by t-mobile and had no problems to place/receive calls and use an Internet. Though speed was 3G.

First, Rooted it doesn't mean Unlocked! They are 2 different operations.
You can be Rooted but NOT Unlocked, you can be Unlocked but NOT Rooted
and you can be Rooted AND Unlocked.
That being said, I beleive you have to be on Stock ROM when you
request the unlock code. With a custom ROM they don't recognize
your phone.....
If you don't want to flash back to stock until you get the code, then I would
go to a local cell phone store (not a company, just a local that sells
phones for all major carriers) and ask them to unlock it for you.
It should take about 5 min. and should cost about $20.
You can also go in Romania and unlock it there for about $5.
I know nothing about Netherlands, but it should be the same.....
Good luck and have a nice vacation.

Unlock question for my At&T S3?

I've had my S3 about 5 months, I bought it retail from ebay from a seller that didn't unlock it, it is still tied to AT&T. I use Straight Talk as my service as at&t or T-moblie will work with out unlocking them. I want to unlock my phone now and have a question.
Beings that the micro sim in my phone is straight talk and is working, how do I unlock my phone? from what I've read about unlocking, you need to have a NON-WORKING sim to be able to unlock it. Or is there a way to unlock it with out a sim in it?
thanks for your time.

You actually need a Sim that is not att, to unlock. You will need the unlock code from att or you can buy them on the internet. I was able to get my unlock code for my S2 from att. You have to have the phone on their service for at least 6 months, you call them say you are going out of the county for a few weeks, and bam!, they give you the unlock code.
Once you have the code, you need to put in an activated sim from another provider other than att, when you turn the phone on you'll be asked to enter unlock code. Enter the code, hit enter, bam unlocked.
This won't work with a sim that is not active.
So if you have a straight talk sim in, and have for six months, and its working, and its a i747, then I think you have a unlocked phone.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

just to clarify, you do NOT have to have AT&T for any given amount of time before you receive an unlock code.
i was an AT&T customer for all of 10 days and got my unlock code for my Galaxy S3. it is VERY dependent on the agent you speak to for asking for an unlock code.
anyways, since you are using Straight Talk, you should have an unlocked phone. best way to test is try to put a different SIM card in it and see what happens.

I was told my device was "ineligible" to be unlocked. AT&T sucks.
If you don't want to waste time talking to a rep that may or may not help you, use this method, it's easy and free: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2014982 (it's for the Note II but it works on the AT&T S3). You don't need a non-working sim for this method to work, but you won't know if it worked until you put in a non-working sim.
Also, you'll likely only get Edge network on T-Mobile unless you happen to be one of the lucky few in an areas where you can get 3G or H+.
But as posted in other threads, if you're going to call AT&T, call their International Support line: 1-800-335-4685 (found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1962453&page=16 )

skrambled said:
I was told my device was "ineligible" to be unlocked. AT&T sucks.
If you don't want to waste time talking to a rep that may or may not help you, use this method, it's easy and free: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2014982 (it's for the Note II but it works on the AT&T S3). You don't need a non-working sim for this method to work, but you won't know if it worked until you put in a non-working sim.
Also, you'll likely only get Edge network on T-Mobile unless you happen to be one of the lucky few in an areas where you can get 3G or H+.
But as posted in other threads, if you're going to call AT&T, call their International Support line: 1-800-335-4685 (found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1962453&page=16 )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for all the great info, I'll give these a try.

Verizon SIM in CARRIER UNLOCKED T-Mobile s8+ not working

Hi
I have a carrier unlocked T-Mobile s8+ and need to use a Verizon SIM in it and am getting errors trying to use a verizon SIM. The Verizon SIM is from another phone and is already registered. I put the IMEI number of the phone into Verizons web portal to test compatibility and it failed. Does that mean there is no way to get this combination to work? Does the IMEI need to be in the VZW database for this to work? Will flashing XAA guarantee this to work? Thanks for any help and advice.

sideswipe said:
Hi
I have a carrier unlocked T-Mobile s8+ and need to use a Verizon SIM in it and am getting errors trying to use a verizon SIM. The Verizon SIM is from another phone and is already registered. I put the IMEI number of the phone into Verizons web portal to test compatibility and it failed. Does that mean there is no way to get this combination to work? Does the IMEI need to be in the VZW database for this to work? Will flashing XAA guarantee this to work? Thanks for any help and advice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do u have a tmobile phone, it is different than the carrier unlocked phone, those are 2 different models,
the carrier unlocked.. the sim is unlocked..
the tmobile is not carrier unlocked, and by flashing the firmware of the unlocked version, will NOT unlock the sim.. u will need to device unlock app with the tmobile phone 1st... and usually tmobile will NOT unlock unless u have paid it off and using on their system for 40 days..
others like me had it unlocked with days of service, cause we are tmobile customers for years already... I on the other hand bought the phone on ebay from someone who bought it from Samsung and the imei was not added to tmobile system and I had to call tmobile to add the imei which took about 3 days, then to call back to request the sim unlock which took another 3 days, the device unlock app unlocked the phone instantly...
that was my process for me to get the sim unlock... but if urs it not unlocked and is paid off, another way to get it unlocked it to give it to someone u know, let them use it and call tmobile to start the above process...
Hope that sums up what must be done...

mdiaz33685 said:
do u have a tmobile phone, it is different than the carrier unlocked phone, those are 2 different models,
the carrier unlocked.. the sim is unlocked..
the tmobile is not carrier unlocked, and by flashing the firmware of the unlocked version, will NOT unlock the sim.. u will need to device unlock app with the tmobile phone 1st... and usually tmobile will NOT unlock unless u have paid it off and using on their system for 40 days..
others like me had it unlocked with days of service, cause we are tmobile customers for years already... I on the other hand bought the phone on ebay from someone who bought it from Samsung and the imei was not added to tmobile system and I had to call tmobile to add the imei which took about 3 days, then to call back to request the sim unlock which took another 3 days, the device unlock app unlocked the phone instantly...
that was my process for me to get the sim unlock... but if urs it not unlocked and is paid off, another way to get it unlocked it to give it to someone u know, let them use it and call tmobile to start the above process...
Hope that sums up what must be done...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi thanks for the explanation, I am pretty familiar with the differences between carrier (SIM) unlock and unlocked firmware as I have flashed Android in the past. I had the phone carrier (SIM) unlocked by T-Mobile through their app and I was still not able to use the Verizon SIM in my phone (not registered error). It turns out (and I found this out by reading through the many messages in this forum) that T-Mobile firmware apparently disables some frequencies that other carriers may use. Once I flashed the XAA unlocked *firmware*, I popped in my Verizon SIM and it worked like a charm. I hope this info is useful to someone at some time and I thank all of you for your contributions to getting this working. KUDOS!

sideswipe said:
Hi thanks for the explanation, I am pretty familiar with the differences between carrier (SIM) unlock and unlocked firmware as I have flashed Android in the past. I had the phone carrier (SIM) unlocked by T-Mobile through their app and I was still not able to use the Verizon SIM in my phone (not registered error). It turns out (and I found this out by reading through the many messages in this forum) that T-Mobile firmware apparently disables some frequencies that other carriers may use. Once I flashed the XAA unlocked *firmware*, I popped in my Verizon SIM and it worked like a charm. I hope this info is useful to someone at some time and I thank all of you for your contributions to getting this working. KUDOS!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know, but sound weird, thought T-Mobile phones work for all gsm Sims just needing to change apn,
But now cdma merging with gsm, that's so much better as far as phones go, use any phone now from any provider.
Look how the s8 plus is all the same software and the same hardware, just different carrier stuff..

mdiaz33685 said:
Good to know, but sound weird, thought T-Mobile phones work for all gsm Sims just needing to change apn,
But now cdma merging with gsm, that's so much better as far as phones go, use any phone now from any provider.
Look how the s8 plus is all the same software and the same hardware, just different carrier stuff..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought it was weird too. Busted my head for a couple of days trying to figure it out. Is Verizon still CDMA? *scratches head*

Yes, their 3g and 2g networks are CDMA.

If you insert Verizon sim into T-mobile phone, you'll get LTE data, but you won't be able to make calls. Only data will work. T-mobile firmware support band 2, 4 and 13, so you should have data, but not phone service. If you don't have data icon, you'll need add Verizon apn.

FYI
Flashing the phone with G955U1 firmware fixed this issue. I am now able to use this successfully on Verizon.

Question AT&T bootloader & Carrier lock

Well since I have found zero threads about AT&T bootloader unlock. Does anyone have any solution? Whenever I put in any other sim, it just says that unable to use any other sim apart from AT&T. So I just factory resetted my phone and blocked the device setup app from accessing the internet via the Netguard app. That's allowed me to use any SIM card apart from AT&T however it's not a permanent solution but I'd like to know my options. Any chance of me working around a carrier unlock or possibly bootloader unlock? I bought this phone outside the US, and to my stupidity I never factored in that this was also a possibility that it's carrier locked, that too with a bad standing. I tried unlocking online but it just says that there's payments overdue and that I should log into my AT&T account. Tried calling their customer service, however they're useless and unhelpful. Learned the hard way, depressed that I've kinda wasted my money. Can there possibly be a way to carrier unlock my device and bootloader unlock?

Can you return the phone? The seller should have disclosed that information and the phone will technically only be used on AT&T until it's paid off, and currently on AT&T (for 60 or 90 days before they will sim unlock)

I tried going back to the shop, they just said that there's no way that they offer returns and that I should just contact AT&T for this issue. I'm running out of options and patience. I'm basically stuck with this phone. There's really no check and balance here when it comes to these matters