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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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/
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?
-----------
iphones are the creation of people with nowhere left to turn
donsh00tmesanta said:
Isn't the 1700mhz band better anyway?
-----------
iphones are the creation of people with nowhere left to turn
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Related
I'm actually a little embarrassed to even have to ask this question, I'm also pretty sure I know the answer but better safe than sorry. Can anyone confirm that the Tmobile version of the TP2 is able to access the ATT 3G network? I'm 99% sure it will but that weird Tmob band makes me nervous, any input would be appreciated.
No, it will not. However the ATT version shouldn't be too far behind the Tmo launch so don't worry too much
no offense but what is the basis for your statement, the Tmob version will have
850/900/1700/1800/1900/2100 bands which are basically the ATT bands plus 1700, why would the Wing II not work on the ATT network?
aaronsmckee said:
no offense but what is the basis for your statement, the Tmob version will have
850/900/1700/1800/1900/2100 bands which are basically the ATT bands plus 1700, why would the Wing II not work on the ATT network?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please show me where you found this data? Tmobile USA 3g network doesn't use the 1900 band for 3g; they use the 1700 band which is why Tmobile has to have devices specifically made for their network and why the Tmobile USA version won't work on ATT USA.
Again to clarify:
Tmobile USA = 1700/2100 for upload/download for its 3G
ATT = 850/1900 for upload/download for its 3G
Now Tmobile USA does use the 1900mhz frequency but that its GSM frequency it is not related to the 3g frequency. Confusing i know, but you asked.
One of the images advertising it does state all those bands, but does not differentiate which are for gsm and which for 3G (which can be misleading and confusing, ergo the clarification by jim_0068 ^). Though if they share the 2100 I have no idea whether you can get limited functionality or if you HAVE to have both of them. *shrugs*
jim_0068 said:
Please show me where you found this data? Tmobile USA 3g network doesn't use the 1900 band for 3g; they use the 1700 band which is why Tmobile has to have devices specifically made for their network and why the Tmobile USA version won't work on ATT USA.
Again to clarify:
Tmobile USA = 1700/2100 for upload/download for its 3G
ATT = 1900/2100 for upload/download for its 3G
Now Tmobile USA does use the 1900mhz frequency but that its GSM frequency it is not related to the 3g frequency. Confusing i know, but you asked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
actually this is not entirely true either,
AT&T is using 850 and 1900 Mhz for their 3G network,
it was revealed recently that they are pushing the 3G network to the higher frequency (850) and plan to have the 3G completely on 850 by 2010.
if AT&T is using 2100, we would've been able to use the european HTC devices which has the 2100 band.
jim_0068 said:
Please show me where you found this data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=537517
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=4144863&postcount=1
aaronsmckee said:
...
850/900/1700/1800/1900/2100 bands
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I'm aware:
GSM: 850/900/1800/1900
UMTS:1700/2100
And therein lies the problem... While it supports all the bands that would be required, only a small subset actually apply to a 3G connection/signal...
Minimally, that would be the specs for it to work on T-Mobile, and quad-band GSM is just standard on 99% of phones these days...
baymon said:
actually this is not entirely true either,
AT&T is using 850 and 1900 Mhz for their 3G network,
it was revealed recently that they are pushing the 3G network to the higher frequency (850) and plan to have the 3G completely on 850 by 2010.
if AT&T is using 2100, we would've been able to use the european HTC devices which has the 2100 band.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're correct and i edited my post it is 850/1900 for ATT US 3G
I gaurantee you that the T-Mobile Touch Pro2 will not work on ATT's 3G Network At All... the frequencies for ATT will only support the 2G Network and therefore only phone calls and text messaging will work.
let's not go that far, let's not forget gprs (same speed as dial-up) and more importantly EDGE (for some that's more than enough).
when I go into the phone settings -- band I have these options on the Tmobile TP2:
GSM (900+1800)+UMTS(900+2100)
GSM (1900+850)+UMTS(1900+850)
UMTS(2100+800)
hppyfnbll said:
when I go into the phone settings -- band I have these options on the Tmobile TP2:
GSM (900+1800)+UMTS(900+2100)
GSM (1900+850)+UMTS(1900+850)
UMTS(2100+800)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmm, now I think the T-Mobile Touch Pro2 works on ATT's 3G Network.
It should also work worldwide too.
oooh, European bands, "standard" North American bands (they're not really standardized, neither in the US nor Canada and Mexico is barely getting 3G into place), and no idea what the last one is for, sounds like cdma...
solsearch said:
oooh, European bands, "standard" North American bands (they're not really standardized, neither in the US nor Canada and Mexico is barely getting 3G into place), and no idea what the last one is for, sounds like cdma...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmmm why is there 800 MHz?
Obviously this is some bull**** because it supports all of the 3G frequencies of worldwide carriers and american carriers.
I wouldn't trust this guy, he has 4 posts and he's obviously posting rumors.
Sorry for the horrible pictures, using a g1 to take them. I love watching people jump to conclusions.
hppyfnbll said:
Sorry for the horrible pictures, using a g1 to take them. I love watching people jump to conclusions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think those numbers are for software only, in fact you probably don't have the hardware to support the frequencies of the wrong carrier.
seems that 800mhz is for Japan
and it doesn't allow for all of the North American bands (it's missing the 1700 one).
Could be just a software thing without hardware support, though that might be a tad odd, any way to check if it is?
solsearch said:
seems that 800mhz is for Japan
and it doesn't allow for all of the North American bands (it's missing the 1700 one).
Could be just a software thing without hardware support, though that might be a tad odd, any way to check if it is?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Xperia X1a shows UMTS (900) even when I check the settings... IN FACT only the X1i supports
It's very likely that the numbers you are seeing are actually all of the frequencies that are "summed up" and therefore the TP2 for T-mobile does not have the actual hardware.
poetryrocksalot said:
hmmm why is there 800 MHz?
Obviously this is some bull**** because it supports all of the 3G frequencies of worldwide carriers and american carriers.
I wouldn't trust this guy, he has 4 posts and he's obviously posting rumors.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those options have been around with the custom ROMs, I have that too on my Fuze, if your hardware doesn't support it then it'll just be an eye candy.
Bottom line is this, if you want to utilize AT&T's 3G, then you'll need to wait for AT&T's Fortress because you need the 850 and 1900 band (UMTS band II). If you want to use T-mobile's 3G you still need a TP2 that has the 1700 and 2100 band (UMTS band IV), and no you cannot use european TP2 to access US T-mobile's 3G band because european's (and asia's) 3G utilizes UMTS band I, they are on a slightly different frequencies even though they are categorized both on 2100Mhz.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UMTS_frequency_bands
Hi.
I have a UK Desire (Vodafone) and am soon going to the States (California) for a while. I know I won't be able to use 3G, but I'm assuming that I will still have no problems with calls and data, albeit the data will be a little slow. Is that correct?
Thanks, in advance.
correct. (the message is too short so I typed this extra sentence so I cuold pst a reply )
Actually, not completely correct. If you use the T-Mobile US network, you can use 3G.
Rusty! said:
Actually, not completely correct. If you use the T-Mobile US network, you can use 3G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How is that? I have an A8181 and not sure what settings I need to use 3g.
Rusty! said:
Actually, not completely correct. If you use the T-Mobile US network, you can use 3G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually it's completely correct. The Desire doesn't support the necessary bands for US T-Mobile.
Regards,
Dave
I will be tomorrow in the US ( Boston area ) let's see what will happen.
No matter how be aware that the data comm's are more expensive then phone calls.
foxmeister said:
Actually it's completely correct. The Desire doesn't support the necessary bands for US T-Mobile.
Regards,
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile US runs 2100 for 3G doesn't it?
Rusty! said:
T-Mobile US runs 2100 for 3G doesn't it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It uses a pair of frequencies - 1700mhz and 2100mhz, otherwise known as AWS Band IV.
Crucially though, a phone requires both frequencies to operate on T-Mobile US's 3G service because it uses 2100 MHz to transmit and 1700 MHz to receive.
Since the Desire doesn't support the 1700mhz band, it can't work on T-Mobile US's 3G network and is restricted to EDGE.
Regards,
Dave
To be honest, the first thing I would be doing is turning roaming data off, unless you are made of money that is!
I travel weekly to the US, and have a T-Mob payg sim, that works no problem for me, but 3g is another story as stated earlier, the charges for data in the us are high, but you still have wifi, so just find a starbucks, mcdonalds, etc to connect, and most hotels have free wifi, download apps that search for free wifi around you.
foxmeister said:
It uses a pair of frequencies - 1700mhz and 2100mhz, otherwise known as AWS Band IV.
Crucially though, a phone requires both frequencies to operate on T-Mobile US's 3G service because it uses 2100 MHz to transmit and 1700 MHz to receive.
Since the Desire doesn't support the 1700mhz band, it can't work on T-Mobile US's 3G network and is restricted to EDGE.
Regards,
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh right, understood
spud_work said:
To be honest, the first thing I would be doing is turning roaming data off, unless you are made of money that is!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's a setting on the Desire to prevent Data from working when it's Roaming but in general agreed.
GPRS/Edge are so painfully slow I wouldn't bother, even if it was cheap.
foxmeister said:
It uses a pair of frequencies - 1700mhz and 2100mhz, otherwise known as AWS Band IV. Crucially though, a phone requires both frequencies to operate on T-Mobile US's 3G service because it uses 2100 MHz to transmit and 1700 MHz to receive.
Since the Desire doesn't support the 1700mhz band, it can't work on T-Mobile US's 3G network and is restricted to EDGE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does this apply to HSDPA too?
HSDPA is 3G really, so yes.
Thank you.
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know...thx
Importing phones is obviously possible now because tons of carriers all over the world share AT&T's GSM and UMTS/HSPA bands.
When LTE starts to become the dominant source for cell-phone signals (especially when Voice-over-LTE appears), will AT&T still share bands with the rest of the world like it does now?
In other words, will AT&T still have the advantage over Vzw and T-Mobile that early adopters of phones will be able to import them and use them months before they show up in the US? Or will the proliferation of LTE cause AT&T to suffer from the same problem from which Verizon suffers: You will ONLY be able to use phones designed specifically for the AT&T network?
I ask because right now I have AT&T and Verizon, and I have unlimited data on both. I'm going to be canceling one of them within the next week or so. Right now I actually prefer AT&T's service, and I love the fact that I can import phones that are not available in the US. But if the "importing phones" advantage of AT&T disappears, perhaps Verizon becomes the more desirable carrier for me.
You haven't read much about LTE, I guess. By conforming to the LTE standards, a multi-band LTE phone will be able to be as much of a "world phone" as a multi-band GSM phone. While there are some differences in frequency spectrums around the planet, there are many in common.
The allocated frequencies are 700 and 1700 MHz in North America; 800, 1800, 2600 MHz in Europe; 1800 and 2600 MHz in Asia; and 1800 MHz in Australia.
So, a quad-band LTE phone with frequencies of 700/1700/1800/2600 would get you coverage almost anywhere.
The end result is this: If the manufacturers want to make an LTE "world phone" just like they have in the past with GSM, they certainly can (within the laws of physics, if the antenna technologies will allow it). The same economics apply for the manufacturers, and possibly better - since there are a smaller set of frequencies with greater chance of coverage - and a greater market potential for a single design.
I suspect that with modern fractal antenna technology, this won't be a huge issue.
In North America, are the 700 and 1700 different carriers, or is it better for a phone to support both like the current att 850/1900?
¿GotJazz? said:
You haven't read much about LTE, I guess. By conforming to the LTE standards, a multi-band LTE phone will be able to be as much of a "world phone" as a multi-band GSM phone. While there are some differences in frequency spectrums around the planet, there are many in common.
The allocated frequencies are 700 and 1700 MHz in North America; 800, 1800, 2600 MHz in Europe; 1800 and 2600 MHz in Asia; and 1800 MHz in Australia.
So, a quad-band LTE phone with frequencies of 700/1700/1800/2600 would get you coverage almost anywhere.
The end result is this: If the manufacturers want to make an LTE "world phone" just like they have in the past with GSM, they certainly can (within the laws of physics, if the antenna technologies will allow it). The same economics apply for the manufacturers, and possibly better - since there are a smaller set of frequencies with greater chance of coverage - and a greater market potential for a single design.
I suspect that with modern fractal antenna technology, this won't be a huge issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. That was actually pretty helpful. But for instance, it is my understanding that AT&T runs in the low-700s, and Vzw runs in the high-700s. And Vzw has tentatively stated that its LTE phones will not be compatible with AT&T's. So I guess when you say they could make a multi-band LTE phone, it would need to cover "all of" 700 MHz for it to have both AT&T and Vzw compatibility.
In any event, does this favor AT&T or Vzw for future phones? My guess would be for at least the next several years, if not decade or more, all LTE phones will have 3G radios in them as well. And those 3G radios, just like today, are going to be GSM. So I guess you could start seeing phones world phones that are both quad-band GSM and quad-band LTE, and theoretically these would work on AT&T, but not Vzw.
Am I on the right path here? Do you agree that it seems likely at least until GSM/3G completely die (if ever), most/all LTE phones will continue to have 3G radios, and this would suggest that if anything, importing international phones will still be possible on AT&T but not Vzw?
chrikenn said:
Thanks. That was actually pretty helpful. But for instance, it is my understanding that AT&T runs in the low-700s, and Vzw runs in the high-700s. And Vzw has tentatively stated that its LTE phones will not be compatible with AT&T's. So I guess when you say they could make a multi-band LTE phone, it would need to cover "all of" 700 MHz for it to have both AT&T and Vzw compatibility.
In any event, does this favor AT&T or Vzw for future phones? My guess would be for at least the next several years, if not decade or more, all LTE phones will have 3G radios in them as well. And those 3G radios, just like today, are going to be GSM. So I guess you could start seeing phones world phones that are both quad-band GSM and quad-band LTE, and theoretically these would work on AT&T, but not Vzw.
Am I on the right path here? Do you agree that it seems likely at least until GSM/3G completely die (if ever), most/all LTE phones will continue to have 3G radios, and this would suggest that if anything, importing international phones will still be possible on AT&T but not Vzw?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Almost every LTE deployment other than VZW runs alongside an existing 3GPP (GSM) network and most all chipsets will natively support the combination. Therefore, I doubt you will see many devices without the UMTS radios. No one is turning their 3G networks off any time soon. Verizon will be one of very few sources for LTE devices WITHOUT any other GSM radios.
As for LTE frequencies, there are A LOT of them. What chipsets will support which radio combinations is still a subject of much debate. Don't expect full interop out of the box.
You can always import regardless
the only risk you face is all the different LTE radio bands that you might or might not get with certain phones
chrikenn said:
Importing phones is obviously possible now because tons of carriers all over the world share AT&T's GSM and UMTS/HSPA bands.
When LTE starts to become the dominant source for cell-phone signals (especially when Voice-over-LTE appears), will AT&T still share bands with the rest of the world like it does now?
In other words, will AT&T still have the advantage over Vzw and T-Mobile that early adopters of phones will be able to import them and use them months before they show up in the US? Or will the proliferation of LTE cause AT&T to suffer from the same problem from which Verizon suffers: You will ONLY be able to use phones designed specifically for the AT&T network?
I ask because right now I have AT&T and Verizon, and I have unlimited data on both. I'm going to be canceling one of them within the next week or so. Right now I actually prefer AT&T's service, and I love the fact that I can import phones that are not available in the US. But if the "importing phones" advantage of AT&T disappears, perhaps Verizon becomes the more desirable carrier for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the Galaxy Nexus LTE version also support the Penta-Band GSM bands for international travel?
Verizon version = GSM + LTE?
Sorry I'm a noob at Verizon's ways.
player911 said:
Does the Galaxy Nexus LTE version also support the Penta-Band GSM bands for international travel?
Verizon version = GSM + LTE?
Sorry I'm a noob at Verizon's ways.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't think so. Verizon version = CDMA + LTE. So it will only work in the US, on Verizon.
chrikenn said:
Don't think so. Verizon version = CDMA + LTE. So it will only work in the US, on Verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I always thought that Verizon always had bands for international travel also? I mean not really a big deal. Verizon is the clear winner for coverage nationally and since my work is paying for it, its even sweeter.
Right now I just have a blackberry
player911 said:
I always thought that Verizon always had bands for international travel also? I mean not really a big deal. Verizon is the clear winner for coverage nationally and since my work is paying for it, its even sweeter.
Right now I just have a blackberry
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's possible that the Verizon version has GSM/UMTS radios, it's also possible that it has those but are disabled somehow. We really don't know all that much about the LTE version of this phone, we don't even know the exact dimensions of it and what battery it comes with. So we'll just have to wait until it passes through the FCC or is released.
Chirality said:
It's possible that the Verizon version has GSM/UMTS radios, it's also possible that it has those but are disabled somehow. We really don't know all that much about the LTE version of this phone, we don't even know the exact dimensions of it and what battery it comes with. So we'll just have to wait until it passes through the FCC or is released.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 for storming Google HQ
G2x - 2.3.7 CM7
Transformer - 3.2 Revolver OC/UV
Chirality said:
It's possible that the Verizon version has GSM/UMTS radios, it's also possible that it has those but are disabled somehow. We really don't know all that much about the LTE version of this phone, we don't even know the exact dimensions of it and what battery it comes with. So we'll just have to wait until it passes through the FCC or is released.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do recall seeing a negatory on the world phone status in Verizon's inventory system. And I suppose there is still the option for dormant or disabled radios but I ain't holding my breath.
What's up guys. Really thinking of pulling the trigger on the N5100 from eBay or negrielectronics.
But, my question is how well will my data/voice coverage be on T-mobile? I know the phablet uses the 1900Mhz spectrum.
I also know T-Mobile has some 1900Mhz spectrum but I've been wondering about My hometown of ATL, GA.
Anybody here in the ATL metro area? How's your coverage? I'd hate to drop $500+ for a device I can't really use.
I cant remember where I read it but I think that data will only be edge. I hope somebody corrects me if Im wrong but I might wanna wait and see what the new LTE model has in store.
apollostees said:
What's up guys. Really thinking of pulling the trigger on the N5100 from eBay or negrielectronics.
But, my question is how well will my data/voice coverage be on T-mobile? I know the phablet uses the 1900Mhz spectrum.
I also know T-Mobile has some 1900Mhz spectrum but I've been wondering about My hometown of ATL, GA.
Anybody here in the ATL metro area? How's your coverage? I'd hate to drop $500+ for a device I can't really use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will likely be restricted to 2G(edge) only. The N5100 supports the 1900mhz frequency, but not the 1700mhz. Support for both are required for 3G/HSPA+ service on T-Mobile.
unremarked said:
You will likely be restricted to 2G(edge) only. The N5100 supports the 1900mhz frequency, but not the 1700mhz. Support for both are required for 3G/HSPA+ service on T-Mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the verification! Haha I remember that guy in yur sig from the HTC One forums. Craziness!
unremarked said:
You will likely be restricted to 2G(edge) only. The N5100 supports the 1900mhz frequency, but not the 1700mhz. Support for both are required for 3G/HSPA+ service on T-Mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not exactly true! TMo US has historically used the split 1700/2100 AWS band for 3G, meaning a device needs to support both bands for 3G access. However, since TMo got hold of some spectrum at 1900MHz from AT&T, they've been re farming to provision 3G over that band.
What this means is if you have a device that supports 1900MHz *and* you are in an area where TMo has re farmed the spectrum, you should get 3G.
Regards,
Dave
Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk HD
foxmeister said:
Not exactly true! TMo US has historically used the split 1700/2100 AWS band for 3G, meaning a device needs to support both bands for 3G access. However, since TMo got hold of some spectrum at 1900MHz from AT&T, they've been re farming to provision 3G over that band.
What this means is if you have a device that supports 1900MHz *and* you are in an area where TMo has re farmed the spectrum, you should get 3G.
Regards,
Dave
Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sort of. It's not so much that TMobile got a hold of the spectrum from AT&T as much as they've always had it, but it was only used for GSM(aka EDGE aka 2G) service. Yes, they quite a bit from that failed merger which had sped their plans along quite nicely. You're right that the y're refarming/repurposing that frequency for use on their faster data networks but... correct me if I'm wrong, my understanding is that the refarming is being done to support LTE? As the 5110 lacks an LTE antennae, it won't be able to make use of it.
OP, to find out if you're in an area where this refarming is being done check out this website.