Develop Bugs

Question about T-mobile service

Hello, I'm going to have a T-mobile G2 soon that I'm going to use on T-mobile's prepaid monthly 4g plan. But I do have one question before I do it, and this might be a dumb question but do I technically have to carrier unlock the G2 to use it on prepaid versus contract?

nope...
Not to my knowledge and I used prepaid tmobile for years until last month they stoped doing prepaid and now am running regular contract...but no unlock needed for prepay as its already a tmobile phone..

No, there's no need to unlock for prepaid unless you're going to use a phone sold thru a different carrier. Like the Evo on T-Mobile, for instance.
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If you mean the simple plan it has a apn option built in. Just watch the data cap. Its like being crippled when it comes to data speed.
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Have you looked at theyre no contract plans? They are much cheaper then the contract plans. If you have been a customer for a while they are even cheaper! I have a family plan but if i were on it myself i think its only around 50 a month. Unlimited data and whatever minutes...i dont talk much
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I couldn't get them to give me a no contract plan (2 weeks ago), but I got unlimited everything for 50 a month. Saving me some big money right now compared to my old no contract plan (cause it only gave me 500 mins a month), and I kept going over talking with someone.
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Karakoram2 said:
I couldn't get them to give me a no contract plan (2 weeks ago), but I got unlimited everything for 50 a month. Saving me some big money right now compared to my old no contract plan (cause it only gave me 500 mins a month), and I kept going over talking with someone.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App
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For me, the main difference between prepaid (no contract) and contract is the discount on devices. I like to upgrade once a year, and with out my contract I wouldn't not qualify for a significant discount on a new device. So while non contract plans are cheaper, you do give up that annual discount on a new device. Basically, in the States, we're being ripped off no matter which way you look at it.
I also agree with the previous user who posted about watching you data consumption on prepay. A friend of mine was throttled to a point where his phone was almost unusable after using only 300 MB! (on a 50 USD Unlimited prepaid plan).

shortlived said:
Have you looked at theyre no contract plans? They are much cheaper then the contract plans. If you have been a customer for a while they are even cheaper! I have a family plan but if i were on it myself i think its only around 50 a month. Unlimited data and whatever minutes...i dont talk much
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That's what I'm doing, the monthly pre paid plans.
What I was asking is if I could take a G2 that's carrier locked to T-mobile to T-mobile prepaid without having to unlock it, basically if there was a difference in the phone seeing it as a supported carrier being locked.

vbetts said:
That's what I'm doing, the monthly pre paid plans.
What I was asking is if I could take a G2 that's carrier locked to T-mobile to T-mobile prepaid without having to unlock it, basically if there was a difference in the phone seeing it as a supported carrier being locked.
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You know T-Mobile carried the G2, right? There is no reason to carrier-unlock a phone for it to work on it's intended carrier's network -- regardless of whether you're on a contract or prepay. Unless I'm completely misunderstanding you... which is entirely possible as I am sleep-typing...

vbetts said:
That's what I'm doing, the monthly pre paid plans.
What I was asking is if I could take a G2 that's carrier locked to T-mobile to T-mobile prepaid without having to unlock it, basically if there was a difference in the phone seeing it as a supported carrier being locked.
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Just to reiterate what others have said, you're good dude. I just did the same thing, bought a used G2 off ebay and got the $30 100min, unlimited text/4G prepaid plan. No problemos. Just make sure you get a prepaid sim card, like this:
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/T-Mobile-Prepaid-SIM-Activation-Kit
(Tmobile has two separate sites for contract and prepaid, so as long as you go through above site, you're all good.)
P.S. If you buy your sim-card at a Tmobile store, they'll probably try to activate you there, but don't do it if you want that $30 plan mentioned above, which is only available online.

voltaic said:
Just to reiterate what others have said, you're good dude. I just did the same thing, bought a used G2 off ebay and got the $30 100min, unlimited text/4G prepaid plan. No problemos. Just make sure you get a prepaid sim card, like this:
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/T-Mobile-Prepaid-SIM-Activation-Kit
(Tmobile has two separate sites for contract and prepaid, so as long as you go through above site, you're all good.)
P.S. If you buy your sim-card at a Tmobile store, they'll probably try to activate you there, but don't do it if you want that $30 plan mentioned above, which is only available online.
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I wasn't aware of this... I have a friend (who I gave a store bought prepaid SIM card to) who is paying 50 USD a month and they keep throttling him at like 300 MB. I'm wondering if this plan you're talking about would have the same issue... also, if he wanted to switch to this plan, he'd have to purchase a new SIM card from the link you posted above, right? But then would he have to change his number, or could he transfer it to the new SIM? I've always been under contract, so I only know the basics when it comes to prepay...

Ditamae said:
I wasn't aware of this... I have a friend (who I gave a store bought prepaid SIM card to) who is paying 50 USD a month and they keep throttling him at like 300 MB. I'm wondering if this plan you're talking about would have the same issue... also, if he wanted to switch to this plan, he'd have to purchase a new SIM card from the link you posted above, right? But then would he have to change his number, or could he transfer it to the new SIM? I've always been under contract, so I only know the basics when it comes to prepay...
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The prepaid plan I'm talking about is $30 a month for 100 minutes talk (.10 cents a minute if you go over, which is reasonable), unlimited texts, unlimited 4g web (speed is throttled when you pass 5gb in a month, but there are ways* around that, but still, that's MUCH better than 300mb) and it's only available online. So it does sound much better than what your friend has, specially if you get the GrooveIP app and use that to make calls through Google Voice over wifi/4g for free without using your minutes.
It's my understanding that they only let new accounts get this plan, so your friend would most likely need to get a new sim card AND either get a new number or port in a non-Tmobile number. (I ported in a landline number) You *might* be able to pull a fast one, and port the existing Tmobile number to Google Voice, then port it back to Tmobile under the new account, but I have no idea how doable that is.
As for porting in a number, since there was no option for it when activating the sim-card online, I completed the registration up to the point where they tell you your new number, but before I put any money in the account, I called Tmobile support line, and had them initiate the port. Once that was in motion, I funded the account.
* - Check out this thread for the unthrottle solution:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1318460&page=2

voltaic said:
The prepaid plan I'm talking about is $30 a month for 100 minutes talk (.10 cents a minute if you go over, which is reasonable), unlimited texts, unlimited 4g web (speed is throttled when you pass 5gb in a month, but there are ways* around that, but still, that's MUCH better than 300mb) and it's only available online. So it does sound much better than what your friend has, specially if you get the GrooveIP app and use that to make calls through Google Voice over wifi/4g for free without using your minutes.
It's my understanding that they only let new accounts get this plan, so your friend would most likely need to get a new sim card AND either get a new number or port in a non-Tmobile number. (I ported in a landline number) You *might* be able to pull a fast one, and port the existing Tmobile number to Google Voice, then port it back to Tmobile under the new account, but I have no idea how doable that is.
As for porting in a number, since there was no option for it when activating the sim-card online, I completed the registration up to the point where they tell you your new number, but before I put any money in the account, I called Tmobile support line, and had them initiate the port. Once that was in motion, I funded the account.
* - Check out this thread for the unthrottle solution:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1318460&page=2
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Thanks so much for all the info. I'll defintely pass this along to my friend.
As for the "unthrottle" method, I did read that thread a while back and explained the procedure to my friend, but he never got back to me about it... he was actually out of town at the time. And unfortunately that method doesn't work for everyone (or so I've read). He does use wifi at home, so this shouldn't be a problem too often. But, the plan you've described sounds 100% better than what he's working with... he's not a big talker either, so 100 minutes would likely suit him, especially with all the different ways to make voice calls these days. He could also probably port his landline number and get rid of it once and for all.
Thanks so much.

I just wanted to add that you can get no contract plans that are not prepaid. You do not get deals on phones but they do have an interest free loan option depending on vyour credit. I payed cash for my phone but the contract plan was a solid 50 dollars more a month and they would have approved me for an interest free phoneloan that would have cost 40 a month for what 10 months or so.... So either way it was cheaper monthly even if i got a new phone every year. However maybe my circumstances and unique? Either way i avoid term contracts at all costs! There is nothing like being able to call a company up and saying "hey fix X or i will cancel" you would be amazed at the deals you can get.
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[Q] GSM...how does it work?

Currently I'm on Verizon and to be honest, I hate it. I'm in an area where Verizon doesn't have 4G and AT&T HSPA+ speeds are much higher at my house on my girlfriend's phone.
I'm thinking about going GSM when my Verizon contract is up in August.
Here's my question/s:
How does GSM work and how do you pay for your phone service?
How much data do you pay for?

Just pop my t mobile sim card in and go. I'm on contract with them and pay 30 bucks for 5 gb
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Exodian said:
Just pop my t mobile sim card in and go. I'm on contract with them and pay 30 bucks for 5 gb
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But you don't have to be on contract with a carrier to use a GSM phone correct?

nklenchik said:
But you don't have to be on contract with a carrier to use a GSM phone correct?
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Correct, if you provide your own phone, they will provide a sim card and you pick your plan
Don't bait the trolls.

Depends if you subsidize and sign a contract. Best deal right now is get $30 T-Mobile plan, gnex $400 goggle play and get best phone ever. The catch with T-Mobile plan is 100 voice minutes and 10c minute overages which isn't bad if you don't talk a lot or use Google voice or something. T-Mobile also offers very competitive regular plans. If T-Mobile isn't great in your area Atnt has some decent alternatives especially if you can get a corporate discount. Or try the other carriers. There's a good thread on it somewhere in gnex forums.
teach a man to fish, you feed him for life. teach a man to fastboot, and you create competency. and less threads on xda.

nklenchik said:
Currently I'm on Verizon and to be honest, I hate it. I'm in an area where Verizon doesn't have 4G and AT&T HSPA+ speeds are much higher at my house on my girlfriend's phone.
I'm thinking about going GSM when my Verizon contract is up in August.
Here's my question/s:
How does GSM work and how do you pay for your phone service?
How much data do you pay for?
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Click to collapse
You have some serious reading to do. I think you're confusing "GSM" and "Prepaid"... GSM is a network technology used around the world on hundreds of carriers. Prepaid is a type of service.
nklenchik said:
But you don't have to be on contract with a carrier to use a GSM phone correct?
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No, its your choice. You don't have to have a contract with Verizon or Sprint either... You just have to buy a phone full price and no one will force you.
If you're going to pay full price for a device, I would recommend going with an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) which runs off of AT&T or T-Mobile's network, but saves you about 50% of the cost of running on AT&T or T-Mobile proper. These are "Prepaid" with no contract. You save money because they're not subsidizing prices of phones, and they often have little or no customer service.
As @rbiter mentioned above, there is a great service plan (which I use) from T-Mobile that is only $30 monthly but of course has severely limited minutes. The other front runner on AT&T's network is "Straight Talk" which offers UL Talk/Text and "Unlimited" (actually like 2gb) data for $45. Above that, T-Mobile offers similar prepaid plans with 2gb throttles for $60 or 5gb throttles for $70. Other options include Simple Mobile which has similar plans/pricing.
I recommend reading the Prepaid thread in General. LOTS of people are doing this with the Galaxy Nexus. Read through and ask in there we'd be happy to help with the specifics.

Tmobile $60 4G prepaid plan

So I was browsing Expansys and I saw that I could have the $60 4G plan simcard without having to purchase a phone!! Did anybody try such a simcard and what are your thoughts?
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*cough*
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

You've been able to buy the SIM card activation kit here for $0.99 (w/ free shipping). And activate it here for free. With any of these plans. For a very very very long time.
We've discussed these plans for hundreds of pages here....
The $60 plan is a great value for people who are looking to buy phones unlocked and not have a contract that costs more every month. On the $60 plan, you get 2GB of full speed HSPA+ data, then are throttled to about 60kbps down / 150kbps up (although you can switch to EDGE and get faster speeds). The $70 plan is the same but has a 5GB throttle threshold. If you have good T-Mobile coverage in your area, you should definitely give the Monthly 4G plans a look.

martonikaj said:
You've been able to buy the SIM card activation kit here for $0.99 (w/ free shipping). And activate it here for free. With any of these plans. For a very very very long time.
We've discussed these plans for hundreds of pages here....
The $60 plan is a great value for people who are looking to buy phones unlocked and not have a contract that costs more every month. On the $60 plan, you get 2GB of full speed HSPA+ data, then are throttled to about 60kbps down / 150kbps up (although you can switch to EDGE and get faster speeds). The $70 plan is the same but has a 5GB throttle threshold. If you have good T-Mobile coverage in your area, you should definitely give the Monthly 4G plans a look.
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I am starting to think you love repeating yourself.
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Alex8288 said:
I am starting to think you love repeating yourself.
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Don't love it, but unless people start learning how to search and find things out for themselves, I don't mind helping (that much) people out.

martonikaj said:
You've been able to buy the SIM card activation kit here for $0.99 (w/ free shipping). And activate it here for free. With any of these plans. For a very very very long time.
We've discussed these plans for hundreds of pages here....
The $60 plan is a great value for people who are looking to buy phones unlocked and not have a contract that costs more every month. On the $60 plan, you get 2GB of full speed HSPA+ data, then are throttled to about 60kbps down / 150kbps up (although you can switch to EDGE and get faster speeds). The $70 plan is the same but has a 5GB throttle threshold. If you have good T-Mobile coverage in your area, you should definitely give the Monthly 4G plans a look.
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But it says I need the IMEI of the phone from tmobile and activation code found with the phone. How am I suppose to get both? Is there a way to activate the sim without having to enter those 2 infos?
And let's say I buy it from Expansys, does Expansys give me the activation code and phone or what? how does it exactly work? Cause I have my prepaid AT&T number and I want to port it to T-mobile monthly 4g plan.
Thanks man I really appreciate you taking time to answer.

crazyalaa said:
But it says I need the IMEI of the phone from tmobile and activation code found with the phone. How am I suppose to get both? Is there a way to activate the sim without having to enter those 2 infos?
And let's say I buy it from Expansys, does Expansys give me the activation code and phone or what? how does it exactly work? Cause I have my prepaid AT&T number and I want to port it to T-mobile monthly 4g plan.
Thanks man I really appreciate you taking time to answer.
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The IMEI is from YOUR phone that you want to use, and the activation code comes with the SIM card.
Obviously, since you can buy it from the T-mobile website (linked by martin's post earlier), it'll come with everything you need to activate. Why bother buying from a third party (Expansys) when you can get it direct for 99 cents?

Ah ok, I just bought T-mobile sim card. Thank you guys.

Why waiting Note II USA Version?

Hi, sorry i just want to know why a lot people like Note 2 US version? And they're waiting AT&T or T-Mobile version. So they want to sacrifice high money monthly bill to get LTE? Or something else? I'm apologize i dont mean to offend you guys, i just recommend using STRAIGHT TALK, it works because StraightTalk using AT&T network. Right now i'm using Note 1 with Straight Talk. Only $45 per month (clear without any taxes, by OnLine payment). If you buy 6 month/1 year package will be cheaper(total each month). Remember Straight Talk is NOT LTE/4G, but for me as long we can play smoothly HQ high quality YouTube then that's will be enough. So you guys can save money, instead HIGH monthly bill from AT&T. So we may get Note 2 International version using Straight Talk. Sorry my English is not perfectly. Peace out, dude.

There are a few reasons:
1) straight talk coverage isn't nearly as large as the coverage of AT&T
2) You don't want the AT&T network. There are plenty of areas where service X is better than AT&T.
I happen to live in an AT&T dead zone. And the international network basically only works on AT&T (unless you give up 3g for t-mobile)
3) Some people do do a lot of streaming and want LTE
4) AT&T doesn't give you a discount on plans if you are off contract,
So if you are going to be on AT&T anyway, you might as well have them help pay for the phone.
5) If you want repair/warranty work, it's much less hassle to buy it in a local store.
6) Local stores may let you try out a phone for 30 days, if you aren't sure.
7) Many people don't even know about straight talk
T-mobile has pay as you go plans which are cheaper than on-contract plans. Unfortunately the international note doesn't work on those plans.
If I didn't live in a dead zone, I would do simply mobile for sure. But I do, so I'm going to buy the t-mobile phone (in full),
and get the cheap monthly 4g plan. It's my cheapest option by far.
- Frank

I'm waiting for the T-Mobile version because from what I've read it is in the international version. I guess we'll have more details once the phones are actually out there.

LOL, I alone pay $35 a month on AT&T under a family plan. Which only includes the stupid 2GB Data allowance and unlimited text. With very little shared minutes (I don't talk to much unless the recipient is on AT&T and or on a mobile phone. And weekends is free on voice.).
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Im poor until tax time
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L.T.E. (It's worth the wait, even throttled.)

bongbongcong said:
Hi, sorry i just want to know why a lot people like Note 2 US version? And they're waiting AT&T or T-Mobile version. So they want to sacrifice high money monthly bill to get LTE? Or something else? I'm apologize i dont mean to offend you guys, i just recommend using STRAIGHT TALK, it works because StraightTalk using AT&T network. Right now i'm using Note 1 with Straight Talk. Only $45 per month (clear without any taxes, by OnLine payment). If you buy 6 month/1 year package will be cheaper(total each month). Remember Straight Talk is NOT LTE/4G, but for me as long we can play smoothly HQ high quality YouTube then that's will be enough. So you guys can save money, instead HIGH monthly bill from AT&T. So we may get Note 2 International version using Straight Talk. Sorry my English is not perfectly. Peace out, dude.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
gsm is crap. we need cdma. otherwise there's nothing! just a phone and never any signals.

bongbongcong said:
Hi, sorry i just want to know why a lot people like Note 2 US version? And they're waiting AT&T or T-Mobile version. So they want to sacrifice high money monthly bill to get LTE? Or something else? I'm apologize i dont mean to offend you guys, i just recommend using STRAIGHT TALK, it works because StraightTalk using AT&T network. Right now i'm using Note 1 with Straight Talk. Only $45 per month (clear without any taxes, by OnLine payment). If you buy 6 month/1 year package will be cheaper(total each month). Remember Straight Talk is NOT LTE/4G, but for me as long we can play smoothly HQ high quality YouTube then that's will be enough. So you guys can save money, instead HIGH monthly bill from AT&T. So we may get Note 2 International version using Straight Talk. Sorry my English is not perfectly. Peace out, dude.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am thinking of going to straight Talk myself. So I was going to buy a gsm phone and buy there sim card. I guess I am confused on which version of the note 2 I should get it know at&tt just opened new 4G in my area but I am sick of contracts and high prices. I am willing to pay 4-5 hundred usd and still save money over a two year period.
So does the note2 international version get released before the USA version?
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Have too
I have too for now.
I am on Verizons network
and dont pull in a whole lot of change monthly,so its a wait for me for bigred to announce,I figure monday or tuesday they will,they had to wait till apple got the opening sales out of the way,..

I'm on Sprint SERO-P plan. $50+tax a month for 500mins, unlimited text, data(3g &4g), night&weekend, data roaming. Sure I will get suck with another 2years contract but I'm not sure if there is a better plan?

Switch to GSM Carrier, but keep Verizon?

So looks like the next (and possibly all) batch of Nexus phones will be GSM. Currently I am grandfathered in on Verizon's Unlimited 4G data and am currently not under contract.
Been trying to think of a way to jump ship to a GSM carrier to get the next Nexus, but still keep my Verizon plan should I want to come back (their coverage in my area is considerably better than any of the GSM carriers), but without keeping it active (put it on hold?). Looks like the best I can do is put the account on hold for a maximum of 90 days.
I've considered the pay as you go plans, but again would lose my Verizon unlimited 4G after 90 days
Thoughts?

Switch to the cheapest possible voice plan, buy a Wifi Hotspot off of ebay and throw your LTE sim in it. Still paying for 2 plans, but at least you'll have unlimited data no matter which GSM carrier you go with.
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Fumetsu said:
Switch to the cheapest possible voice plan, buy a Wifi Hotspot off of ebay and throw your LTE sim in it. Still paying for 2 plans, but at least you'll have unlimited data no matter which GSM carrier you go with.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
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+1
However there's no point since yiunwant the Nexus as your device... Even with unlimited data, it may not be worth holding on to. Perhaps sell it, I think there's a site or something where you can do so, or craigslist it, I'm sure you'll make a couple hundred and then just go to a Verizon store with them.... worth looking into IMO.
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