Hey guys, just wanted to see what peoples experiences have been with the world phone capabilities. I will be travelling to New Zealand this December and want to get an idea of the best way to go about using my phone there.
I am currently running UKB, but would plan on using something stock like andybonestock for my travels...(unless we actually get the ics source before XMAS and we have a stock ics ROM that is 100% functional). I was thinking about buying a certain amount of data while there so I don't have to rely solely upon wifi hotspots.
What have you fellow users been doing when going abroad and what was your experience?
I just got back from a 2 wk trip in Italy and ran AndyBoneStock just like you're thinking.
I simply used the preinstalled SIM card from Vzw and had them activate it so it would work with their European partner, Vodafone--more expensive than unlocking it and installing a local SIM card but I wasn't really planning to use the phone too much and this way I'd keep my own telephone number. I also signed up for Vzw's 100MB of global data for $25, as much for insurance against the occasional or accidental overcharge as anything else.
I was able to make and receive calls pretty much everywhere BUT the data connectivity SUCKED. Maybe it was the fault of their European partner, Vodafone or maybe I screwed up some setting, but I could only pick up a data signal the first couple of days and from then on, no data on the go (even in major cities like Venice, Florence and Rome). I kept getting notification that I'd lost data roaming but clicking the notification would only jump me to the mobile data settings page where I already had data roaming enabled, so I was never able to sleuth it out. I ended up relying on WiFi for email and web connectivity. And when I landed back in the US, my phone locked on to 3G within a few seconds, so I'm thinking it wasn't my settings. \_O_/
And another note, texts from the US always came through blank, with a "message format not supported" message. WTF?
So, what's the take-home lesson? See if you can talk to somebody who's traveled to NZ and get tips on whose carrier to use--Vzw's or a local SIM once you've unlocked your phone.
Not a problem
I've used the phone in Germany, France, Switzerland, London, and Malaysia with no problem. I called Verizon and had the SIM unlocked so I was able to use local SIM cards. I'm running rooted stock so I can't comment on any custom ROMs.
I've used the phone in India, Amsterdam and London - stock rooted worked fine in each location. I had VZ unlock the phone right after I got it, but used the built-in Vodafone SIM and never tried a pay-as-you-go SIM since there really wasn't any need.
On my last trip, CM 7.2.0 worked fine with an APN change to use the "VZW Embedded GSM" settings I pulled from the stock ROM. The phone would switch from Orange to O2 to Vodafone NL depending on whatever it found in the area. Speeds were pretty decent as well. Texting worked, but I never tested MMS so I can't comment there.
This phone has been excellent for those reasons: working CM7 port, world radios and decent speed/features/battery life. It will be a tough search to find a suitable replacement.
xene97 said:
I've used the phone in Germany, France, Switzerland, London, and Malaysia with no problem. I called Verizon and had the SIM unlocked so I was able to use local SIM cards. I'm running rooted stock so I can't comment on any custom ROMs.
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joeinternet said:
I've used the phone in India, Amsterdam and London - stock rooted worked fine in each location. I had VZ unlock the phone right after I got it, but used the built-in Vodafone SIM and never tried a pay-as-you-go SIM since there really wasn't any need.
On my last trip, CM 7.2.0 worked fine with an APN change to use the "VZW Embedded GSM" settings I pulled from the stock ROM. The phone would switch from Orange to O2 to Vodafone NL depending on whatever it found in the area. Speeds were pretty decent as well. Texting worked, but I never tested MMS so I can't comment there.
This phone has been excellent for those reasons: working CM7 port, world radios and decent speed/features/battery life. It will be a tough search to find a suitable replacement.
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Thanks. Are you guys referring to the stock froyo - downgraded root as the ROM? It would be nice to use something like CM7 over the froyo...more options and whatnot.
i used my dinc2 both in germany and in india during a trip. i had two pretty bad mistakes during this time.
one was that i forgot to have my sim unlocked so i had to wait for a week before i could ask my family in the U.S to call verizon and get the unlock code. i did get a few calls before i got a local sim that i mistakenly took and was charged the ridiculous roaming fee. i think it was like 8 dollars for just 3 minutes of talking.
after unlocking it, making and receiving calls were fine, but my data connection was a pain in the a$$. apparently vzw phones cant get apn settings automatically, so unless you have internet to look them up your screwed. i didnt know this at the time and i kept annoying the cellular guy because i thought he messed something up, but it was in fact my phone. i'd recommend getting an app like tweakker to get your apn settings automatically, provided you do have wifi connection.
other than all that, the phone is pretty great abroad. but i would like to know if anyone else got a full 3G connection abroad. for some reason i was only getting edge speeds.
ps. make sure you put your phone in gsm mode and not in global mode once you get a local sim.
I'd like to know how this goes for people, too. I will be traveling to Mexico and buying a Telus SIM or two for the trip.
Plan to use my DInc 2 and a used Aria for me and my wife.
My DInc 2 is unlocked and rooted but my first attempt at using a T-Mobile SIM was unsuccessful (on Skyraider). Will flash rooted 2.3.4 OTA and install tweakker apk and see how things go. Thanks to all for their input on this thread.
Would love to hear if CM7 is working well with GSM networks.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
I've used mine in Europe with a sim from ekit. Reasonable price and good connectivity.
For New Zealand, they charge 49 cents per megabyte.
UK & Ireland
I unlocked my Dinc2 before heading to the UK and Ireland (really simple phone call to Verizon). I was running aeroevan's cm9 from 8/22 while I was overseas. While in the UK, I went to ASDA - the Walmart of Britain and bought a prepaid SIM (it's actually a Vodafone SIM) for 20 pounds that had 500MB of data, unlimited texts and 1000 minutes (I think). Popped the SIM in and filled out the APN settings under System Settings > Wireless & Networks: More > Mobile networks > Access point names. Changed the Network mode to GSM/WCDMA preferred and was good to go. While in Ireland, I got an O2 SIM for about the same price with a little more data. Changed the APN settings to O2 and was good to go there, too.
Hope that helps.
RangerSteve said:
I unlocked my Dinc2 before heading to the UK and Ireland (really simple phone call to Verizon). I was running aeroevan's cm9 from 8/22 while I was overseas. While in the UK, I went to ASDA - the Walmart of Britain and bought a prepaid SIM (it's actually a Vodafone SIM) for 20 pounds that had 500MB of data, unlimited texts and 1000 minutes (I think). Popped the SIM in and filled out the APN settings under System Settings > Wireless & Networks: More > Mobile networks > Access point names. Changed the Network mode to GSM/WCDMA preferred and was good to go. While in Ireland, I got an O2 SIM for about the same price with a little more data. Changed the APN settings to O2 and was good to go there, too.
Hope that helps.
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Thanks dude...I imagine NZ will be a similar scenario to the UK.
Sent from my ViperDinc
RangerSteve said:
I unlocked my Dinc2 before heading to the UK and Ireland (really simple phone call to Verizon). I was running aeroevan's cm9 from 8/22 while I was overseas. While in the UK, I went to ASDA - the Walmart of Britain and bought a prepaid SIM (it's actually a Vodafone SIM) for 20 pounds that had 500MB of data, unlimited texts and 1000 minutes (I think). Popped the SIM in and filled out the APN settings under System Settings > Wireless & Networks: More > Mobile networks > Access point names. Changed the Network mode to GSM/WCDMA preferred and was good to go. While in Ireland, I got an O2 SIM for about the same price with a little more data. Changed the APN settings to O2 and was good to go there, too.
Hope that helps.
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Were you able to get 3G speeds doing this? I have read reports of some users stuck on edge when using GSM data.
Related
I'm heading to China in a week and want to use my Note II (AT&T) on the China Mobile network. Does anyone have experience doing that?
I have been to my local AT&T store and they unlocked the phone for a non-AT&T SIM but I'm unsure about the Modem I should use (if a change is needed) and any other considerations.
I have rooted the phone and have CleanROM ACE 4.9 installed. No UV or OC or other tweaks.
I can buy a new pre-loaded SIM in China, as I have done in the past, but never with an Android smartphone.
I appreciate any feedback, guidance, or even horror stories that will help me get the phone ready for the trip.
MB
I've heard that you have to use china unicom to get 3g connection on an ATT phone. Is that true?
All, I thought I'd give an update:
I'm in China and can use my Note II here. I bought a micro-SIM and data connection service, but blew through the first pre-payment in about 18 hours, LOL, so now I just use the calls and messaging and that seems to work fine.
AT&T unlocked the phone for me (Even thought I had done it on my own using the "secret" menu) but I had to use some other tweaks to get it all working.
I'm on China Mobile which doesn't have the 3G, wish I had gotten the China Telecom, which does have 3G. There doesn't appear to be any 4G or LTE type service at all.
If I can remember what I did to get the whole thing working I'll edit the post.
Mike "reporting from Shanghai"
mbamberg said:
All, I thought I'd give an update:
I'm in China and can use my Note II here. I bought a micro-SIM and data connection service, but blew through the first pre-payment in about 18 hours, LOL, so now I just use the calls and messaging and that seems to work fine.
AT&T unlocked the phone for me (Even thought I had done it on my own using the "secret" menu) but I had to use some other tweaks to get it all working.
I'm on China Mobile which doesn't have the 3G, wish I had gotten the China Telecom, which does have 3G. There doesn't appear to be any 4G or LTE type service at all.
If I can remember what I did to get the whole thing working I'll edit the post.
Mike "reporting from Shanghai"
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I'm in China now using my i317, you can't use China Telecom's 3G on the i317, you have to use China unicom. That's the same 3G as AT&T. you can have HSPA+(called 4G by at&t) by using this
I was in Shenzhen for work 3 times last year with an unlocked 4S since they could not supply a nano SIM for my 5. I used a China Mobile SIM card supplied by the vendor I was visiting. I was only able to get EDGE the whole time. I visited Luohu and Guangdong as well and still only EDGE. I am heading back on September 18th and am taking my Note II. I assume my experience will be the same. Maybe I will give give CU a shot this time. Happy and safe travels!
Back from China!
I used China mobile, but next time I would use China Unicom. They have faster data and cheaper too, I think.
jedimyndtryx said:
I was in Shenzhen for work 3 times last year with an unlocked 4S since they could not supply a nano SIM for my 5.
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Can't you just trim the sim card to correct size? I used a punch, and use the outside piece when I need a regular size sim.
Anyway, when I travel, I keep a couple of modems on my sd card and flash them until I get the correct frequencies. Before I leave, I save a screenshot of the APN settings for the companies I anticpate using.
Hi, I'm planning on going on a long trip to nz and would like to use my phone over there. I know it has to be unlocked and stuff, but once that is all said and done, would I still have to change the radio to have good signal? The last time I went on my vacation with my sensation, the signal wasn't all that great until I flashed a radio that worked well for nz users, was wondering if that'll apply to the s4 as well. Thanks.
bump
I am an American living in Australia. (very similar mobile infrastructure w/ NZ. Kiwis to Aussies are just like Canadians to Americans)
I actually ordered the Tmo m919 sent here because all the avail bands for tmo (I still have tmo in the US). I bought it in full. Just got it a few days ago and after unlock it works great! IMO I think the tmo variant is one of the best out there. The octocores are a joke as they do not save anything on battery life not to mention performance gains. I've used tmo S3 and the tmo S4 has just about all the avail international bands out there. The only thing is there are not many dev in tmo based roms but plenty can be ported over from the i9505 variant.
On stock firmware:
1) no need to change APNS. After unlock I popped the local SIM here works great. The beauty is I pop my Tmobile SIM in, turn on wifi calling. Turn off roaming and make calls home w/ 100% clarity over wifi dialing direct US numbers w/o incurring any international fees.
Wifi calling really shines here. Will only work with active Tmobile SIM (tmo phone number).
2) All data, mms works great
3) AU and NZ do not have LTE. Just be thankful they just rolled out 4G for most networks here. There are plenty of patchy areas of 3G. Sometimes really bad in the city.
On custom firmware:
1) works even better!
2) wifi tethering hack is really good when u don't have decent internet access.
3) a lot of cheap prepaid packages here. cellular communications is about the only inexpensive thing here in AU/NZ compared with other commodities/services in the US.
*** You should call Tmo and get the unlock code well in advance. It has taken from 5-14 days to get an unlock code. My phone is newer so the free unlock method does not work (manufacture date 8/10/13). A good thing I do unlocking on the side so I plug it into my programmer box and unlock in about 3 secs.
Hope this helps
Hey Guys,
I'm going to Florida tomorrow, leaving from Montreal. Here are the 2 questions.
1- My phone is (if I remember correctly) unlocked, but do I need to change my radio in order for my phone to be working with an other provider.
2- To confirm if it's unlocked, is there an other way then to check with some's else simcard from an other provider (atm every single person in my close entourage is with the same provider as I),
Bonus question!
I also wanted to know if you guys (those who live in the USA) know a good daily plan. I'll be there for 7 days.
I saw that T-Mobile offers a 2$/day for unlimited call/sms/data with the 2G mobile connection (which is slow, but fine for mobile use).
Cheers!
1. No need to change the radio. Consider applying the AWS mod if you're going to a non-refarmed, non-LTE area.
2. Quick search and memory tells me that *#7465625# should pop a lock status dialog from stock ROM.
T-Mobile also has a 3$/day plan that's the same unlimited everything with 200MB/day at full speed.
1. US and Canada have compatible cell phone networks. I've gone back and forth before.
2. don't know
The Tmo daily rate is pretty good for what it is...you could also try working down this list:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_mobile_virtual_network_operators
I'm with EE in the UK but bought my M9 through Caroline Warehouse & as a result it is running software directly from HTC but sim locked to EE. I was excited to see WiFi calling enabled for the M9 but found out it is limited to devices bought directly from EE as the function is baked directly into their firmware & not an additional app like some other networks...
My hope is that someone on here has an EE branded M9 that they can share the ROM or nandroid backup from, or that there is an RUU floating around out there that I can flash to my phone!
I currently have a stock, unrooted device but signal is so poor at mine & my family's houses that Wi-Fi calling is my only solution short of changing network!
Any help or pointers would be greatly appreciated
T-Mobile US gave me a signal booster when I got an unlocked ATT M7 that had a poor signal at my house (T-Mobile apparently has a special band ATT phone hardware doesn't pick up). Went from *maybe*(if I was lucky) 1 bar of LTE on a clear day to 5-6 bars all the time. If you can't get the wifi calling working, you might ask your carrier if they do that. I had to put down a $25USD deposit for mine, but it was definitely worth it, and they credited it to my account when I returned the booster after upgrading to my T-Mobile M9, which gets a good signal everywhere.
no idea man, sorry, try using hangouts/whatsapp for wifi calling i use it all time to avoid minutes usage and the quality is great!
Yeah they offered me a "signal box" that would use my home internet connection but at a cost of £130 + delivery!! Literally any version of the EE software from an M9 would do as I can upgrade it OTA. Heck I'd even look into how they added the feature to sense & help port it over to custom ROMs / unbranded M9s running stock based ROMs but without any kind of starting point I'm stuck before I've got out the gate :laugh:
My other option is to buy an EE branded M9 outright, put TWRP on it, backup the software & return it the following day for a refund.
I've been using whatsapp to talk to my friends but work & my personal business customers find it hit & miss getting hold of me when I'm at home, hence Wi-Fi calling being the perfect solution
Hey so I am having an issue where the Supplementary Services on my N975F/DS are not working with AT&T but seems to work fine with a T-Mobile SIM. Whenever I try to open Supplementary Services with my AT&T SIM inserted it gives me an error "Failed to read data. Something went wrong. Check your SIM card or network connection, then try again."
I have already tried the following:
Replaced my AT&T SIM card twice
Reset Network settings
Spoke with multiple AT&T representatives who allegedly changed some stuff on the "backend" to fix it but in reality it did nothing.
I am on Android 10 running Dr.Ketan rom Q07. Only have 1 SIM card inserted, the other slot has my MicroSD card.
So any ideas on what I could try to get this fixed?
Thanks!
This isn't the answer you want but change carriers. I have the same device and AT&T didn't play nicely with it. Slow data and no wifi calling. I switched to TMobile (and mint for a cheap second line) and it works perfectly.
sansnil said:
This isn't the answer you want but change carriers. I have the same device and AT&T didn't play nicely with it. Slow data and no wifi calling. I switched to TMobile (and mint for a cheap second line) and it works perfectly.
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I've thought about it for a while now, just didn't want to pull the trigger since I have everything with AT&T (been with them since they were CIngular/Pac-Bell). How's the coverage and signal strength compared to AT&T? Any downsides/issues after switching?
eL_MeXiCaNo said:
I've thought about it for a while now, just didn't want to pull the trigger since I have everything with AT&T (been with them since they were CIngular/Pac-Bell). How's the coverage and signal strength compared to AT&T? Any downsides/issues after switching?
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That's a good question. I was an AT&T customer for 10+ years before bailing and I had some concerns about T-Mobile's coverage and network but I was pleasantly surprised their coverage was right there with AT&T and the Verizon phone I use for work. Coverage probably varies for everyone based on where they live but I've been using T-Mobile for almost a year and no regrets. It's a nice perk getting Netflix for $2 a month and they support RCS for text and Wifi calling. Btw, I don't work for T-Mobile or even own stock, just sharing my experience with them.
sansnil said:
This isn't the answer you want but change carriers. I have the same device and AT&T didn't play nicely with it. Slow data and no wifi calling. I switched to TMobile (and mint for a cheap second line) and it works perfectly.
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Click to collapse
sansnil said:
That's a good question. I was an AT&T customer for 10+ years before bailing and I had some concerns about T-Mobile's coverage and network but I was pleasantly surprised their coverage was right there with AT&T and the Verizon phone I use for work. Coverage probably varies for everyone based on where they live but I've been using T-Mobile for almost a year and no regrets. It's a nice perk getting Netflix for $2 a month and they support RCS for text and Wifi calling. Btw, I don't work for T-Mobile or even own stock, just sharing my experience with them.
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Click to collapse
You don't own stock? Well too bad, I'm sure my extra $50 a month would of made you a billionaire :laugh: xD
But yeah after extensive troubleshooting with multiple AT&T reps, replacing my SIM card multiple times and even trying my sisters AT&T SIM with the same error it is official that AT&T does not like non-AT&T phones. I got a prepaid T-Mobile SIM and popped it in to try it our for a month and boom Supplementary services works like a charm with it. So looks like I have to live with it until I decide to pull the trigger and switch to T-Mobile.
For everyone else who stumbles into this thread via google, you will get nowhere really with AT&T reps, nothing they do will fix this as it is an issue with AT&T itself and not the phone. So if you want to use call forwarding you will need to reach out to AT&T directly and have them set it up as not even MMI codes work... or just switch to T-Mobile. Hopefully AT&T does some backend changes to fix this and get it working but not holding my breath.
eL_MeXiCaNo said:
You don't own stock? Well too bad, I'm sure my extra $50 a month would of made you a billionaire :laugh: xD
But yeah after extensive troubleshooting with multiple AT&T reps, replacing my SIM card multiple times and even trying my sisters AT&T SIM with the same error it is official that AT&T does not like non-AT&T phones. I got a prepaid T-Mobile SIM and popped it in to try it our for a month and boom Supplementary services works like a charm with it. So looks like I have to live with it until I decide to pull the trigger and switch to T-Mobile.
For everyone else who stumbles into this thread via google, you will get nowhere really with AT&T reps, nothing they do will fix this as it is an issue with AT&T itself and not the phone. So if you want to use call forwarding you will need to reach out to AT&T directly and have them set it up as not even MMI codes work... or just switch to T-Mobile. Hopefully AT&T does some backend changes to fix this and get it working but not holding my breath.
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can you get ATT VoLTE working with N975F? If yes, how?