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Hey guys I was wondering if anyone knew what network modernization meant for us as phone buyers. I am really interested in picking up an S3, but want to continue to use my web2go/tzones plan. I was considering buying either an AT&T or international version and saw http://blog.t-mobile.com/2012/06/14/fast-progress-on-4g-network-modernization/ this article and was wondering the implications. Will the 1900 replace the 1700 in HSPA+? Does that mean phones that work on AT&T(1900/2100) will now work on Tmobile(1700/2100)?
Thanks for any info you guys can provide!
That is correct. Once the refarm is complete we will be able to use phones with the international att bands at full speeds on tmobile. 1700/2100 will be used for LTE
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
I would not get the AT&T or International version just yet. It is quite likely that you will experience slow speeds due to lack of proper frequency support at this time. Eventually T-Mobile's HSPA will be moved over to the 1900 band, however, this is a transition, not a on/off type of thing. There will still be HSPA on 1700 bands for well over a year from now, probably more like two. I think it will be a mix of 1900/1700 bands for HSPA in a couple of years, with LTE in the 1700 band exclusively. So, if you get the AT&T version now, you should hope that your city or region is one of the first for the transition, and don't plan to have good support while traveling. If you are on T-Mobile, you will have to choose great HSPA support now with no LTE ever (T-Mobile version), or no HSPA support now, and maybe some mixed LTE and HSPA support down the road (AT&T version; no LTE on International version).
I would personally get the T-Mobile version if I were you. LTE is not going away, and there will be plenty of LTE phones on T-Mobile in a couple of years. But HSPA has great speeds now, and will still have decent speeds in a couple of years.
The T-Mobile version already supports HSPA+ over 1900 MHz..so it's ready if you're planning on using it on Tmobile.
Just when I thought about dumping T-Mobile, looks like they might be heading in the right direction.
T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S3 SGH-T999 Tapatalk 2
Which Note 2 supports more networks and frequencies; and therefore, which would be more suitable for international travel. Is the Verizon Note 2 even pentaband?
T mobile version because it's gsm which is going to work overseas. Verizon is a CDMA and I haven't read that it has gsm support.
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Rhiannon224 said:
T mobile version because it's gsm which is going to work overseas. Verizon is a CDMA and I haven't read that it has gsm support.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
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Yup, the T-Mobile version will work in more places overseas -- Especially Europe. Just in case, you might want to ask this in the Verizon area also just to make sure. :good:
I'm confused because on Samsungs website, http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones/SCH-I605TSAVZW-specs
the Verizon Model has the GSM frequencies,
is it GSM if unlocked; i believe the Note 2 is already unlocked by verizon, will it work on GSM frequencies internationally?
correct me if I'm wrong, thanks
the verizon Galaxy Note II apparently has the GSM radios,
also has LTE; doesn't AT&T LTE work along same frequencies as verizon LTE
or is the verizon LTE exlusively to CDMA?
All Galaxy Note 2 devices seem to have all WCDMA, GSM, and LTE bands.
But what I understand is that Verizon version is considered as a "world" phone. I know that they tell me that I can use their Galaxy Note 2 on the European Networks.
I have played around with the bands on my T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2 and can get the WCDMA and LTE working. So I don't know if the Modem firmware in all Galaxy Note 2 are the same and just need to be activated by the carrier's sim card or not. Someone please educate us on the this. I know that their is talk of needing OTA update to activate the LTE within T-Mobile GN2. But if the Modem is all the same then can just updating or exchanging the sim card could do the same? Or does the nv file also needs to be updated to activate the band/s as well?
The question is not if Galaxy Note 2 (all verisons) have the bands. But how to (the actual process) activate the band, in question, and get the Galaxy Note 2 in working order with the carrier of choice? What is the method? How to do the process of this method?
Please correct me if I am getting this wrong.
^ good point, and also just to ask about the verizon note 2 again, i thought it carries carries an an additional radio for CDMA, does this mean that the verizon note 2 model has better capabilities worldwide' since it is virtually compatible with all networks in the world (simply tweaks to the frequencies to the radio can get the verizon variant working virtually anywhere) please correct me if I'm wrong here. thanks
N/m ...
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Problem I have seen in the past with Verizon world phones is that the game frequencies only work overseas. And lte is gsm band. Which is one of the few reasons Verizon phones have a sim slot to begin with
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
All recent Verizon LTE phones have GSM radios built in as well as their own CDMA/LTE radio. The LTE radio is only compatible with their network.
Some of these phones are even shipped out of the box unlocked and can be used immediately on GSM networks in the U.S.
If you do get the Verizon Note II and want to use it on T-Mobile, it will not have support for their HSPA+ 42mbps network, I believe it maxes out at 21mbps, as with all other Note II's around the world except for T-Mobiles.
But doesn't Verizon use LTE on the 700 band just like AT&T and future TMobile LTE?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LTE_networks
Please correct me if I'm wrong, thank you.
nerdydesi said:
All recent Verizon LTE phones have GSM radios built in as well as their own CDMA/LTE radio. The LTE radio is only compatible with their network.
Some of these phones are even shipped out of the box unlocked and can be used immediately on GSM networks in the U.S.
If you do get the Verizon Note II and want to use it on T-Mobile, it will not have support for their HSPA+ 42mbps network, I believe it maxes out at 21mbps, as with all other Note II's around the world except for T-Mobiles.
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So the Verizon Note2 is like the AT&T Note2 & Sprint Note2 (supporting 21Mbps HSPA+ but not 42Mbps like T-Mobile) but all only with their own respective LTE?..wouldn't it be more cost effective for Samsung just to make 1 phone with all the hardware to support all (isn't the iPhone5 like that now?) or is it cost prohibitive or do carriers not want to make it easier to unlock?
Are we still confident that the T-Mobile Note2 is the best if we want the flexibility to use on all carriers? How often is >21Mbps HSPA+ seen in real world use & why is the disabled LTE not listed at http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1877 ?
So, which is better then, Verizon or T-Mobile? Verizon's Note 2 also includes a CDMA radio whereas the T-Mobile version does not. If you are using the Note 2 in the US, wouldn't you have more flexible options in terms of which carrier to use?
nerdydesi said:
All recent Verizon LTE phones have GSM radios built in as well as their own CDMA/LTE radio. The LTE radio is only compatible with their network.
Some of these phones are even shipped out of the box unlocked and can be used immediately on GSM networks in the U.S.
If you do get the Verizon Note II and want to use it on T-Mobile, it will not have support for their HSPA+ 42mbps network, I believe it maxes out at 21mbps, as with all other Note II's around the world except for T-Mobiles.
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So do we consider the Verizon Note2 even more carrier flexible than T-Mobile's Note2 (as I was about ready to buy the T-Mobile Note2 to try their $30/mo plan but now having some doubts..if I want this tomorrow I need to order soon) ?
-Thnx
Well LTE On the Verizon Note 2 is only compatible with Verizon's Network. Even if unlocked; the phone's firmware only recognizes LTE if only the Verizon 750 band is detected. Verizon has its own exclusive LTE bands compared to AT&T and Future T-Mobile LTE (sharing the same LTE bands)
SMARTPHONEPC said:
So do we consider the Verizon Note2 even more carrier flexible than T-Mobile's Note2 (as I was about ready to buy the T-Mobile Note2 to try their $30/mo plan but now having some doubts..if I want this tomorrow I need to order soon) ?
-Thnx
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I cannot speak to the CDMA radio issue, but I am positive that Verizon LTE will not work with any GSM LTE phone. The frequencies are similar, but Verizon is using a different LTE protocol. I asked that question a long time ago, thinking that LTE would finally allow roaming between Verizon and AT&T, but they are too clever to allow such a democratic system to function. They will remain fundamentally incompatible, not because they need to be, but because they want it that way to keep you locked to your carrier by your choice of device. Nice, eh?
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
The Verizon NoteII will (in theory) connect to any gsm carrier. How to do so, I don't know.
Sent from my very "non-stock" TP.
^^^ Well, the Verizon Note 2 will not be able to work with another carrier's LTE than itself.
my experience
Hey folks,
I've got the Verizon Note 2 and I love it. If you're willing to unlock the bootloader and then install a hack onto your device, you'll easily be able to swap the SIM card out and use it just about anywhere. Yes, the phone is carrier unlocked (not the same as bootloader unlocked). The issue is that in the settings, they won't let you add the specific APNs for the carriers you need. I"m not sure how else to get around that without installing some of the hacks. I managed to do it and it works beautifully on Canada's Bell Mobility, HSPA+ is screamingly fast and the LTE on VErizon in the States is just insanely fast. My recommendation: get the Verizon version because they've built out their LTE much more than their rivals at this point.
On anantech the reviewer stated that the tmobile version would be the most compatible. If you get vzw note2 and switch you wont get lte on tmob or att. Quite frankly vzw is too expensive and the coverage from tmobile is getting better by the month. Not to mention their business pricing is better than any of the other carriers.
This is my scenario. I own a galaxy SIII bought from ROGERS. I'm fed up with them and I want to switch to mobilcity. a customer rep from mobilcity told me that their simcard will not work on my phone . is that true? My phone is unlocked and I have a custom ROM. He mentioned because of the difference in the hardware. I'm not knowledgeable enough in this filed but I thought it was bull****. If my phone is unlocked how can it not work with their simcard?
That's interesting because they sell sims specifically for your gsm s3 here:
http://freeyourcellphone.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=121
neuropass said:
This is my scenario. I own a galaxy SIII bought from ROGERS. I'm fed up with them and I want to switch to mobilcity. a customer rep from mobilcity told me that their simcard will not work on my phone . is that true? My phone is unlocked and I have a custom ROM. He mentioned because of the difference in the hardware. I'm not knowledgeable enough in this filed but I thought it was bull****. If my phone is unlocked how can it not work with their simcard?
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It might be because mobilicity uses a different baseband. I'm not too sure about it though.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
neuropass said:
This is my scenario. I own a galaxy SIII bought from ROGERS. I'm fed up with them and I want to switch to mobilcity. a customer rep from mobilcity told me that their simcard will not work on my phone . is that true? My phone is unlocked and I have a custom ROM. He mentioned because of the difference in the hardware. I'm not knowledgeable enough in this filed but I thought it was bull****. If my phone is unlocked how can it not work with their simcard?
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The customer rep is correct. Mobilicity uses AWS spectrum for their network (1700 MHz), and the Rogers version of the S3 does not support this frequency. You need the T-Mobile version (SGH-T999).
ddt68 said:
The customer rep is correct. Mobilicity uses AWS spectrum for their network (1700 MHz), and the Rogers version of the S3 does not support this frequency. You need the T-Mobile version (SGH-T999).
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The 1700MHz LTE freq is supported by the i747m
xBeerdroiDx said:
The 1700MHz LTE freq is supported by the i747m
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Yeah, but Mobilicity uses HSPA/HSPA+ on AWS, not LTE.
ddt68 said:
Yeah, but Mobilicity uses HSPA/HSPA+ on AWS, not LTE.
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I see. Are they the only network that operates that way? I've seen some of their Web ads and it appears deceiving, like any US/Canadian variant will work on their network
All SGH i747/747M have the exact same hardware. The only difference is the carrier
xBeerdroiDx said:
I see. Are they the only network that operates that way? I've seen some of their Web ads and it appears deceiving, like any US/Canadian variant will work on their network
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Mobilicity, Wind Mobile and Videotron are the three new competitors on the market, and they all use HSPA on AWS. They don't typically advertise that you need a specific phone, but the FAQs on their web site do, and their reps are quick to point it out.
All three are rumored to be looking at LTE, but that's only likely to occur after the upcoming 700MHz spectrum auction.
ddt68 said:
The customer rep is correct. Mobilicity uses AWS spectrum for their network (1700 MHz), and the Rogers version of the S3 does not support this frequency. You need the T-Mobile version (SGH-T999).
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Well I made a fool of myself... I had forgotten mobilecity was included in the t-mobile forum. It looks like t-mobile phones will but not one like rogers and at&t.
EDIT: Does Canada has a prepaid/no contract carrier that is compatible with the big three in canada ?
hednik said:
Well I made a fool of myself... I had forgotten mobilecity was included in the t-mobile forum. It looks like t-mobile phones will but not one like rogers and at&t.
EDIT: Does Canada has a prepaid/no contract carrier that is compatible with the big three in canada ?
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Yes, there are a few MVNOs, such as Petro-Canada Mobility, PC Mobility, Speakout Wireless; these all use either the Rogers or Bell 3G networks, but not LTE. Each of the big three also owns a few more companies: Fido and Chatr (Rogers), Koodo (Telus) and Virgin (Bell).
I have done an extensive search both on Google and XDA Developers, and could not find an answer to my question.
I know that Samsung has released an LTE compatible version of the S3, the I9305 (LTE 800 / 1800 / 2600). So my question is, when the LTE network becomes available and more prevalent for T-mobile, will I be able to get LTE speeds with an unlocked I9305 S3? Thanks.
remiks3 said:
I have done an extensive search both on Google and XDA Developers, and could not find an answer to my question.
I know that Samsung has released an LTE compatible version of the S3, the I9305 (LTE 800 / 1800 / 2600). So my question is, when the LTE network becomes available and more prevalent for T-mobile, will I be able to get LTE speeds with an unlocked I9305 S3? Thanks.
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As I recall, T-Mobile doesn't offer LTE. Or maybe they have started recently and I just haven't realized it. But nonetheless, you can use the i9305, on T-Mobile seeing as it is an unlocked gsm phone. So it'll go as fast as T-Mobile will let it.
EDIT: Just kidding, T-Mobile DOES have 4G LTE, supposedly the fastest out there too.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Yeah tmobile 4g lte beat att's and verizon in a test from cnet! But you have to make sure that your phone supports tmobiles lte bands. I dont know yet what bands tmobile use for their lte
gypsy214 said:
Yeah tmobile 4g lte beat att's and verizon in a test from cnet! But you have to make sure that your phone supports tmobiles lte bands. I dont know yet what bands tmobile use for their lte
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Lol you do know that T-Mobile just released lte and have far less data traffic on their lte network than at&t and Verizon which right?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
KingKostas said:
Lol you do know that T-Mobile just released lte and have far less data traffic on their lte network than at&t and Verizon which right?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
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That's not all there is to it... They launched LTE-Advanced right off the bat. It is highly optimized over LTE revision 0.
OP, you would not even get HSPA+ on that phone if there isn't support for the 1700 band but you definitely will not get LTE based on the bands you posted.
EtherealRemnant said:
That's not all there is to it... They launched LTE-Advanced right off the bat. It is highly optimized over LTE revision 0.
OP, you would not even get HSPA+ on that phone if there isn't support for the 1700 band but you definitely will not get LTE based on the bands you posted.
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Thanks for all the responses, this is good to know. I was always leery about unlocked phones claiming to be LTE compatible... this is why I would prefer buying a t-mobile specific LTE phone so I am 100% certain I will get LTE speeds.
remiks3 said:
Thanks for all the responses, this is good to know. I was always leery about unlocked phones claiming to be LTE compatible... this is why I would prefer buying a t-mobile specific LTE phone so I am 100% certain I will get LTE speeds.
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T-Mobile is unique because they use the AWS 1700 band for LTE and 3G/HSPA. Verizon and at&t use 700MHz for their LTE which is the problem. We should start seeing a bunch of phones launch with AWS LTE this year. I would just wait and see what comes down the pipeline.
I have the N930W8 (the canadian note 7) and it shows 4G. Most of my other phones only showed 3G. I only pay $22 for 10GB of data so I dont want to leave them! I want root though and cant stand this sluggish battery draining snapdragon cpu..
Can someone please confirm for me whether 4G works on the N930F/FD models? From what I can see, the F/FD models support 3G only.
If you have someone with a Wind sim, please confirm whether 4G shows!
I'm on Koodo and using the N930FD and it is 4G enabled. I'll get a screen shot for you in a moment.
Edit:
Just searched up Wind Mobiles bands it uses 1700/2100 MHz the N930FD will work on Wind with 4G.
NIKKOTUASON said:
I'm on Koodo and using the N930FD and it is 4G enabled. I'll get a screen shot for you in a moment.
Edit:
Just searched up Wind Mobiles bands it uses 1700/2100 MHz the N930FD will work on Wind with 4G.
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Koodo is a lot more different from Wind though. According to the web guys, Wind 4G uses AWS B4 1700/2100, and though the F/FD models have HSDPA(3G) 1700/2100 and LTE CAT 9 1700/2100 but I dont see anything about AWS B4.
Of course the F/FD versions will work with all other major carriers, its just that Wind Mobile is a tad different.
The reason why I'm so confused is because I talked to a Wind rep and he said if it doesnt show AWS, then 4G wont work. Yet here I am with the W8 version with 4G.
Hmmm... I see your point. I understand how you feel I was in the same situation as you before getting the FD. I really want to find a person with Wind Mobile and a nano SIM just to see if 4g work lol.
NIKKOTUASON said:
Hmmm... I see your point. I understand how you feel I was in the same situation as you before getting the FD. I really want to find a person with Wind Mobile and a nano SIM just to see if 4g work lol.
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If you could that would be freakin amazing. You can probably go to the Wind store and have them pop in one of their sims ^.^
For sure I'm going to be around the GTA today looking for cases if I see a Wind Mobile I'll definitely ask if I can test a SIM.
Wind is not 4G (LTE) its HSPA (3/3.5G) only... I've heard they will be launching sometime soon though. The FD will probably NOT work on wind.
I'm on Wind and ordered a FD variant from Ebay. I'll let you know if when it arrives and anyone else doesn't tell you first.
@Class said:
Wind is not 4G (LTE) its HSPA (3/3.5G) only... I've heard they will be launching sometime soon though. The FD will probably NOT work on wind.
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Of course it will work with Wind. At least I know 3G will.
imatts said:
Of course it will work with Wind. At least I know 3G will.
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Huh my mistake then... But yeah there's no LTE on wind yet.
@Class said:
Huh my mistake then... But yeah there's no LTE on wind yet.
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Yea I know they dont have LTE, but like others have said, they do have 3.5 which they like to pretend is 4G (and it shows up as 4G on my phone at least). I just want to knoe whether the F/FD actually shows 4G.
imatts said:
Yea I know they dont have LTE, but like others have said, they do have 3.5 which they like to pretend is 4G (and it shows up as 4G on my phone at least). I just want to knoe whether the F/FD actually shows 4G.
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The FD and F support all Canadian bands just the same as the Canadian S7 does (they use the same chipset! although a slightly different revision)
It supports B4 AWS LTE and B4 AWS HSPA.
In Canada, our CSC is set up to show 4G for HSPA because Canadian carriers are liars and request it that way.
When you use an International phone, it will probably say HSPA or 3G because that's what it really is, it's only an icon difference!
The bands are supported, the speeds are supported, the difference is only visual and you can change the icon to say 4G if you absolutely desire it.
jcadduono said:
The FD and F support all Canadian bands just the same as the Canadian S7 does (they use the same chipset! although a slightly different revision)
It supports B4 AWS LTE and B4 AWS HSPA.
In Canada, our CSC is set up to show 4G for HSPA because Canadian carriers are liars and request it that way.
When you use an International phone, it will probably say HSPA or 3G because that's what it really is, it's only an icon difference!
The bands are supported, the speeds are supported, the difference is only visual and you can change the icon to say 4G if you absolutely desire it.
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I was curious about such a deceitful thing. Thanks for your input jc!
NOW i'm super excited to order the F!!
Speaking of which, has yours arrived yet?