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Network Modernization

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

[Q] GT-N7100 T-Mobile USA Prepaid

Is anyone using the international version of the Note 2 (Which I gather has the model number N7100) on T-mobile in the US? I am only interested in makign sure HSPA+ "4G" speeds will work for me.
In case originating country matters, I am looking to import from India.

The 3g speed will not work on T-mobile only edge. I am using At&t and I am having hspa+.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

kojaraty said:
The 3g speed will not work on T-mobile only edge. I am using At&t and I am having hspa+.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2
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Have you tried using it? The 7100 specs show support for 2100 band o 3G and wikipedia says T-Mobile runs on 1700/2100 for 3G. Do both bands need to be supported for it to work?

pvc104 said:
Have you tried using it? The 7100 specs show support for 2100 band o 3G and wikipedia says T-Mobile runs on 1700/2100 for 3G. Do both bands need to be supported for it to work?
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Yes, TMo US uses a split AWS band 1700/2100 for 3G and needs both to work.
However, in some cities TMo has refarmed some spectrum at 1900MHz for 3G use, and if you are lucky enough to be in one, you would get 3G.
Regards,
Dave
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

pvc104 said:
Have you tried using it? The 7100 specs show support for 2100 band o 3G and wikipedia says T-Mobile runs on 1700/2100 for 3G. Do both bands need to be supported for it to work?
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For t-mobile USA, their HSPA+ network (or 4G you called) use AWS band, which refers to 1700/2100. The international version N7100 is UMTS/HSPA 800/850/1900/2100. This N7100 is missing the t-mobile USA magic number 1700. So you will not get their HSPA+ speed.
However, with recent t-mobile project on refarming their PCS1900 frequency in the US, the N7100 will work on HSPA+ network, BUT not at current moment in all states. Only specific cities such as Las Vegas, NV will work.
T-mobile USA promised the PCS1900 band will fully operate by end of 2012, so i would say NO for now, but yes in year 2013.
It will depend on how long you would like to wait but t-mobile does have galaxy note 2 (model SGH-T889) which might start selling on October 24, 2012.
Side Note - October 24, 2012 is a big day for US people who want galaxy note 2 as this is the day Samsung Mobile Electronics USA makes for the US Launch events in New York City for Samsung Galaxy Note 2 for all 5 US major wireless carriers. :good::good::good::good::good:

foxmeister said:
Yes, TMo US uses a split AWS band 1700/2100 for 3G and needs both to work.
However, in some cities TMo has refarmed some spectrum at 1900MHz for 3G use, and if you are lucky enough to be in one, you would get 3G.
Regards,
Dave
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2
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njfpolyr6 said:
For t-mobile USA, their HSPA+ network (or 4G you called) use AWS band, which refers to 1700/2100. The international version N7100 is UMTS/HSPA 800/850/1900/2100. This N7100 is missing the t-mobile USA magic number 1700. So you will not get their HSPA+ speed.
However, with recent t-mobile project on refarming their PCS1900 frequency in the US, the N7100 will work on HSPA+ network, BUT not at current moment in all states. Only specific cities such as Las Vegas, NV will work.
T-mobile USA promised the PCS1900 band will fully operate by end of 2012, so i would say NO for now, but yes in year 2013.
It will depend on how long you would like to wait but t-mobile does have galaxy note 2 (model SGH-T889) which might start selling on October 24, 2012.
Side Note - October 24, 2012 is a big day for US people who want galaxy note 2 as this is the day Samsung Mobile Electronics USA makes for the US Launch events in New York City for Samsung Galaxy Note 2 for all 5 US major wireless carriers. :good::good::good::good::good:
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Thanks guys, I really appreciate the input. Gives me a better idea of what I am looking at. I spoke to T-Mobile and it looks like my area does not have 3G on 1900/2100 as yet. (Though a couple of towns close by seem to have gotten it recently).
I was looking at getting the phone quickly as I am stuck with a Nokia N9 with a cracked screen and need a new phone.
I really dislike the T-mobile branding on the phone. Are there any other issues like locked Bootloader or T-Mobile bloatware I should be worried about? And do they sell unlocked versions from day one?

pvc104 said:
Thanks guys, I really appreciate the input. Gives me a better idea of what I am looking at. I spoke to T-Mobile and it looks like my area does not have 3G on 1900/2100 as yet. (Though a couple of towns close by seem to have gotten it recently).
I was looking at getting the phone quickly as I am stuck with a Nokia N9 with a cracked screen and need a new phone.
I really dislike the T-mobile branding on the phone. Are there any other issues like locked Bootloader or T-Mobile bloatware I should be worried about? And do they sell unlocked versions from day one?
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well, in my opinion i would say i will get the t-mobile branded t-mobile galaxy note II. Reason why is the FCC report for SGH-T899 shows it is LTE ready. N7100 is LTE capable, but you wont be able to use T-mobile LTE network when they finsihed deploying. Again, T-mobile LTE magic number is 700 and 1700 for their LTE band frequency. I am not exactly sure if N7100 has 700 mhz band, but if not, then it will be stuck in HSPA+ while others can enjoy the LTE speed.
Yes, SGH-T899 does have t-mobile bloatware, and bootloader might be unlocked but since you are in this forum, so i am sure great developers in this forum can get easily fixed.
They dun sell unlocked version, but if you are the t-mobile primary account holder, you can call them for the unlock code. They will email you unlock code and instruction with 48 hours.
Side Note - N7100 UMTS/HSPA max speed is 21Mbps. T-mobile branded SGH-T899 is 42.2Mbps max speed for HSPA+.

pvc104 said:
Is anyone using the international version of the Note 2 (Which I gather has the model number N7100) on T-mobile in the US? I am only interested in makign sure HSPA+ "4G" speeds will work for me.
In case originating country matters, I am looking to import from India.
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Click to collapse
I am currently using my GT-I9300 on T-Mobile's 1900 band in Las Vegas and i'm getting "ok" speeds of about 4-6mbps down and 1mbps up in certain areas and at certain times. For example during night time i get that speed but throughout the day i get 2-4 down and 1 up. It's ok, not that great...not awful either but it works. I'm honestly tired of having a beast phone with a crap internet connection. Take the bad with the good if you can.

I'm a little confused. I thought (and was pretty sure) N7100 does not support 4G LTE.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app

pvc104 said:
Is anyone using the international version of the Note 2 (Which I gather has the model number N7100) on T-mobile in the US? I am only interested in makign sure HSPA+ "4G" speeds will work for me.
In case originating country matters, I am looking to import from India.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I am.
I live in the DC area and usually get h+. Only problem is that when I am moving around and going into an area that hasn't been refarmed, I pass to edge...
It got so annoying that I bought a nexus 4 and started using that, which always worked on h+ seamlessly.
Too bad I got tired of it after two weeks and went back to the note2! I'm hoping that tmobile will improve the areas it covers with h+...

EDGE only
njfpolyr6 said:
For t-mobile USA, their HSPA+ network (or 4G you called) use AWS band, which refers to 1700/2100. The international version N7100 is UMTS/HSPA 800/850/1900/2100. This N7100 is missing the t-mobile USA magic number 1700. So you will not get their HSPA+ speed.
However, with recent t-mobile project on refarming their PCS1900 frequency in the US, the N7100 will work on HSPA+ network, BUT not at current moment in all states. Only specific cities such as Las Vegas, NV will work.
T-mobile USA promised the PCS1900 band will fully operate by end of 2012, so i would say NO for now, but yes in year 2013.
It will depend on how long you would like to wait but t-mobile does have galaxy note 2 (model SGH-T889) which might start selling on October 24, 2012.
Side Note - October 24, 2012 is a big day for US people who want galaxy note 2 as this is the day Samsung Mobile Electronics USA makes for the US Launch events in New York City for Samsung Galaxy Note 2 for all 5 US major wireless carriers. :good::good::good::good::good:
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Click to collapse
I wish this was true..I have a Galaxy Note II GT-N7105T:
2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - N7105
4G Network LTE 800 / 900 / 1800 / 2600 - N7105
I live in an area in Las Vegas where 1900 is supposedly refarmed but I am only still getting EDGE.

What does this mean...?

when I go through the specs for the AT&T and Tmobile variants for the note 2, I come across a difference in the following
AT&T,
GSM Quad-band: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
Tmobile
Frequencies and Data Type GSM Quad-band: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz UMTS: Band I ,band II, Band IV (Dual-band1700/2100 MHz), Band V
What does the dual band mean? Is it for Tmobiles 4G network?
I thought all the Note 2's in the US had the same LTE radio
please shed some light,
thanks

1700 MHz/2100 MHz UMTS (WCDMA) AWS is currently T-Mobile's 4G network.
T-Mobile will have LTE up and running sometime within next year (2013).
Yes T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2 devices do have LTE. But it is now not activated. T-Mobile will activate the LTE within T-Mobile's Galaxy Note 2 when they get their LTE service up and running within your area.
How to activate the LTE and running on another carrier is a good question. This I get bits and pieces. But not a full step-by-step process yet.

The T-Mobile Note II is pentaband; it will work on AT&T and T-Mobile 3G/4G (not LTE though as of now). I think that's what you're getting at.

Product F(RED) said:
The T-Mobile Note II is pentaband; it will work on AT&T and T-Mobile 3G/4G (not LTE though as of now). I think that's what you're getting at.
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I believe that we can get the LTE up and running with other carriers. I know that I got LTE working on my GN2 (SGH-T889). We just need to learn how to get the LTE running with other carriers. That is really the question. When we figure that out then this might be able to be applied to other GN2 devices.

Tmobile hasnt turned on lte yet. From what i understand once they do our note 2's should be able to utilize it.

winlinmac001 said:
What does the dual band mean? Is it for Tmobiles 4G network?
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Tmobile uses 42.2 mbps dual channel hsdpa.
Afaik, At&t uses 21.1 mbps hsdpa.
Lte(long term evolution) is a different technology not yet active for Tmobile customers.
Real World, my friend with a Galaxy nexus on Tmobile network gets about 8mbps while I get 14mbps. Galaxy nexus has the 21.1mbps capable modem.

konceptz said:
Tmobile uses 42.2 mbps dual channel hsdpa.
Afaik, At&t uses 21.1 mbps hsdpa.
Lte(long term evolution) is a different technology not yet active for Tmobile customers.
Real World, my friend with a Galaxy nexus on Tmobile network gets about 8mbps while I get 14mbps. Galaxy nexus has the 21.1mbps capable modem.
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You're talking about something called DC-HSPA (Dual Channel/Carrier), which is basically what you said: Using 2 frequencies of HSPA(+) to achieve basically double the throughput.

Is it a hardware limitation (as in slightly modified Qualcomm LTE Chipset) in the AT&T Note 2 that 42mbps is not supported compared to T-Mobiles version? Or it is software / firmware-controlled?

winlinmac001 said:
Is it a hardware limitation (as in slightly modified Qualcomm LTE Chipset) in the AT&T Note 2 that 42mbps is not supported compared to T-Mobiles version? Or it is software / firmware-controlled?
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It could be software (on the modem level, which is low-level stuff and separate from the ROM); T-Mobile's Galaxy S II was basically AT&T's Skyrocket with LTE disabled. You could actually flash a T-Mobile S2's modem onto a Skyrocket to get it to work on T-Mobile frequencies (but you can't get LTE enabled on the T-Mobile S II as far as I know).

would you say the note 2 from verizon is any better since it also includes a CDMA radio? Also, though LTE only works in the upper 700 frequency, any change a modem update or firmware change will allow the verizon version to work on T-mobile or AT&T network?

winlinmac001 said:
would you say the note 2 from verizon is any better since it also includes a CDMA radio? Also, though LTE only works in the upper 700 frequency, any change a modem update or firmware change will allow the verizon version to work on T-mobile or AT&T network?
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No; CDMA is useless unless you're going to be using it on the carrier it came from. I'd say the T-Mobile version is the best (in terms of working with the most networks), then the AT&T version (because it has LTE), then the International version (because it's the AT&T version without LTE), and after that the Verizon one because Sprint are jerks because they use "embedded SIMs".

[Q] Will the I9305 work on Tmobile's LTE network?

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.

Anybody got T-mobile?

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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.