Related
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
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
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:
Click to expand...
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.
Which Note 2 supports more networks and frequencies; and therefore, which would be more suitable for international travel. Is the Verizon Note 2 even pentaband?
T mobile version because it's gsm which is going to work overseas. Verizon is a CDMA and I haven't read that it has gsm support.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
Rhiannon224 said:
T mobile version because it's gsm which is going to work overseas. Verizon is a CDMA and I haven't read that it has gsm support.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, the T-Mobile version will work in more places overseas -- Especially Europe. Just in case, you might want to ask this in the Verizon area also just to make sure. :good:
I'm confused because on Samsungs website, http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones/SCH-I605TSAVZW-specs
the Verizon Model has the GSM frequencies,
is it GSM if unlocked; i believe the Note 2 is already unlocked by verizon, will it work on GSM frequencies internationally?
correct me if I'm wrong, thanks
the verizon Galaxy Note II apparently has the GSM radios,
also has LTE; doesn't AT&T LTE work along same frequencies as verizon LTE
or is the verizon LTE exlusively to CDMA?
All Galaxy Note 2 devices seem to have all WCDMA, GSM, and LTE bands.
But what I understand is that Verizon version is considered as a "world" phone. I know that they tell me that I can use their Galaxy Note 2 on the European Networks.
I have played around with the bands on my T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2 and can get the WCDMA and LTE working. So I don't know if the Modem firmware in all Galaxy Note 2 are the same and just need to be activated by the carrier's sim card or not. Someone please educate us on the this. I know that their is talk of needing OTA update to activate the LTE within T-Mobile GN2. But if the Modem is all the same then can just updating or exchanging the sim card could do the same? Or does the nv file also needs to be updated to activate the band/s as well?
The question is not if Galaxy Note 2 (all verisons) have the bands. But how to (the actual process) activate the band, in question, and get the Galaxy Note 2 in working order with the carrier of choice? What is the method? How to do the process of this method?
Please correct me if I am getting this wrong.
^ good point, and also just to ask about the verizon note 2 again, i thought it carries carries an an additional radio for CDMA, does this mean that the verizon note 2 model has better capabilities worldwide' since it is virtually compatible with all networks in the world (simply tweaks to the frequencies to the radio can get the verizon variant working virtually anywhere) please correct me if I'm wrong here. thanks
N/m ...
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
Problem I have seen in the past with Verizon world phones is that the game frequencies only work overseas. And lte is gsm band. Which is one of the few reasons Verizon phones have a sim slot to begin with
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
All recent Verizon LTE phones have GSM radios built in as well as their own CDMA/LTE radio. The LTE radio is only compatible with their network.
Some of these phones are even shipped out of the box unlocked and can be used immediately on GSM networks in the U.S.
If you do get the Verizon Note II and want to use it on T-Mobile, it will not have support for their HSPA+ 42mbps network, I believe it maxes out at 21mbps, as with all other Note II's around the world except for T-Mobiles.
But doesn't Verizon use LTE on the 700 band just like AT&T and future TMobile LTE?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LTE_networks
Please correct me if I'm wrong, thank you.
nerdydesi said:
All recent Verizon LTE phones have GSM radios built in as well as their own CDMA/LTE radio. The LTE radio is only compatible with their network.
Some of these phones are even shipped out of the box unlocked and can be used immediately on GSM networks in the U.S.
If you do get the Verizon Note II and want to use it on T-Mobile, it will not have support for their HSPA+ 42mbps network, I believe it maxes out at 21mbps, as with all other Note II's around the world except for T-Mobiles.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the Verizon Note2 is like the AT&T Note2 & Sprint Note2 (supporting 21Mbps HSPA+ but not 42Mbps like T-Mobile) but all only with their own respective LTE?..wouldn't it be more cost effective for Samsung just to make 1 phone with all the hardware to support all (isn't the iPhone5 like that now?) or is it cost prohibitive or do carriers not want to make it easier to unlock?
Are we still confident that the T-Mobile Note2 is the best if we want the flexibility to use on all carriers? How often is >21Mbps HSPA+ seen in real world use & why is the disabled LTE not listed at http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1877 ?
So, which is better then, Verizon or T-Mobile? Verizon's Note 2 also includes a CDMA radio whereas the T-Mobile version does not. If you are using the Note 2 in the US, wouldn't you have more flexible options in terms of which carrier to use?
nerdydesi said:
All recent Verizon LTE phones have GSM radios built in as well as their own CDMA/LTE radio. The LTE radio is only compatible with their network.
Some of these phones are even shipped out of the box unlocked and can be used immediately on GSM networks in the U.S.
If you do get the Verizon Note II and want to use it on T-Mobile, it will not have support for their HSPA+ 42mbps network, I believe it maxes out at 21mbps, as with all other Note II's around the world except for T-Mobiles.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So do we consider the Verizon Note2 even more carrier flexible than T-Mobile's Note2 (as I was about ready to buy the T-Mobile Note2 to try their $30/mo plan but now having some doubts..if I want this tomorrow I need to order soon) ?
-Thnx
Well LTE On the Verizon Note 2 is only compatible with Verizon's Network. Even if unlocked; the phone's firmware only recognizes LTE if only the Verizon 750 band is detected. Verizon has its own exclusive LTE bands compared to AT&T and Future T-Mobile LTE (sharing the same LTE bands)
SMARTPHONEPC said:
So do we consider the Verizon Note2 even more carrier flexible than T-Mobile's Note2 (as I was about ready to buy the T-Mobile Note2 to try their $30/mo plan but now having some doubts..if I want this tomorrow I need to order soon) ?
-Thnx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I cannot speak to the CDMA radio issue, but I am positive that Verizon LTE will not work with any GSM LTE phone. The frequencies are similar, but Verizon is using a different LTE protocol. I asked that question a long time ago, thinking that LTE would finally allow roaming between Verizon and AT&T, but they are too clever to allow such a democratic system to function. They will remain fundamentally incompatible, not because they need to be, but because they want it that way to keep you locked to your carrier by your choice of device. Nice, eh?
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
The Verizon NoteII will (in theory) connect to any gsm carrier. How to do so, I don't know.
Sent from my very "non-stock" TP.
^^^ Well, the Verizon Note 2 will not be able to work with another carrier's LTE than itself.
my experience
Hey folks,
I've got the Verizon Note 2 and I love it. If you're willing to unlock the bootloader and then install a hack onto your device, you'll easily be able to swap the SIM card out and use it just about anywhere. Yes, the phone is carrier unlocked (not the same as bootloader unlocked). The issue is that in the settings, they won't let you add the specific APNs for the carriers you need. I"m not sure how else to get around that without installing some of the hacks. I managed to do it and it works beautifully on Canada's Bell Mobility, HSPA+ is screamingly fast and the LTE on VErizon in the States is just insanely fast. My recommendation: get the Verizon version because they've built out their LTE much more than their rivals at this point.
On anantech the reviewer stated that the tmobile version would be the most compatible. If you get vzw note2 and switch you wont get lte on tmob or att. Quite frankly vzw is too expensive and the coverage from tmobile is getting better by the month. Not to mention their business pricing is better than any of the other carriers.
Hey guys! I brought my international GT-N7105 Note II LTE model from Asia and bought that unlimited cheap 30 dollar plan. I checked the towers and my area does have those refarmed 1900MHz towers from their twitter. Anyhow, first i just thought it was my house and I have drove from pasadena-los angeles - Irvine - Orange County and have yet to see ANY 3G/H/H+ signals! Always stuck on the E (2G). First I thought it was the SIM problem so I put that SIM to an iPHONE4 and guess what?! There is the T-Mobile 3G right on that upper left hand corner and speeds are decent. Anywhere from 1.5mbps-6mbps. I'm sure it can go higher but looking at that dinky screen is already enough for my eyes! Is there some specific settings I should be doing? Somehow it's NOT locking to the 3G towers from my N7105. I am planning to get Straight Talk's 45 dollar deal at Walmart and choose the ATT since it's got better coverage from what I hear. Thanks for the help in advance and Happy Holidays everybody!!!
I don't think the 7105 has 1900 band, I have 7100 and I get 3G coverage.
5800xm_user said:
I don't think the 7105 has 1900 band, I have 7100 and I get 3G coverage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply but according to this: http://www.smartone.com/jsp/phone/english/detail_v12.jsp?id=2553
It should have 1900MHz just like the N7100 except there's LTE which won't work. There's absolutely no excuse for it NOT to have 3G! This stinks and is frustrating!
I see that it has 1900 band but under GSM, when looking at 3G bands it has HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - N7105 vs N7100 having HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
Dont know if it makes any difference but thats why I steered away from the LTE version.
Try this go into service mode: *#197328640# Debug screen Phone Control Network Control & Band Selection. Check if you can enable or see if you have the 1900 band under WCDMA. Might have to go under Combi Bands and select the desired bands.
Just flowing up if it worked out for u or not?
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app
Bumping this since the op didn't respond. I am having the same trouble and I attempted the fix you provided and found that my N7105 lacks the "combi bands"
I mistakenly purchased this phone for pre-paid here in America (should have gotten the n7100) and it seems that Straight Talk doesn't have AT&T cards anymore and I'm stuck on T-Mobile's EDGE service
I have the verizon model and use it with tmobile
So the last two weeks have been the most frustratying and nerve racking weeks ever as I have tried to get tmobile service to work well with the verizon model i have. And although I am definately still irritated, i have to say that I do get 3G and HSDPA on mine, just not anywhere near my house. This has driven me crazy and until today I assumed it was my phone and the lack of certain bands howev er after purchasing a Tmobile 4G hotspot and activating it on a new 300mb plan just to see how well it works, I have found that it was never my phone that sucked at my hopuse, its Tmobiles service that sucks!. BUT... to get the best consistant coverage with the Tmobile sim in my Verizon model I did have to experiment with the APNs quite a bit, and I also upgraded the modem to the newest one released . For anyone tryinbg to do thius with the verizon model, make sure your APN for T-Mobile US or T-Mobile Data (I personally have started using it as T-Mobile Data) has "None" typed in for the username and for APN if your using LTE device type in "fast.tmobile.com" instead of the epc.tmobile...... or whatever it is. Does anyone know if flashing a modem or radio or even just the rom from the tmobile section would help at all? Or would it just **** up the phone..
Despite not getting 3g (since I lack the appropriate physical antenna apparently) I get way better cover with T-Mobile (through Straight Talk) I have to say compared to Verizon. Maybe my Note 2 is much better than my old Thunderbolt or maybe T-Mobile is just a bit better. Nevertheless every building at my university is made of reinforced concrete so you'd be hard pressed to get any reception in the classrooms. I find in places I had no service I have service, and places I had some service I have great service now.
Back on topic though:
I can get the 1900mhz through GSM but that isn't the same and my phone lacks whatever that Combi Bands thing is. So I don't know if it is a lost cause or not. I just figured I'd bring this back up since the OP never responded and I am in the same boat as they are (were?). Maybe a solution can be found or just "it ain't gonna work."
Just following up I have returned my N7105 in favor of a N7100 and get great H+ and 3G through T-Mobile/Straight Talk.
moff3tt said:
Bumping this since the op didn't respond. I am having the same trouble and I attempted the fix you provided and found that my N7105 lacks the "combi bands"
I mistakenly purchased this phone for pre-paid here in America (should have gotten the n7100) and it seems that Straight Talk doesn't have AT&T cards anymore and I'm stuck on T-Mobile's EDGE service
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fwiw, net10 is basically the same as straight talk. When you buy the $15 simcard pack from bestbuy for net10, it comes with 3 different sim cards in it. One of them is a micro sim that fits in the note2 and runs on at&t's network.
gianptune said:
Fwiw, net10 is basically the same as straight talk. When you buy the $15 simcard pack from bestbuy for net10, it comes with 3 different sim cards in it. One of them is a micro sim that fits in the note2 and runs on at&t's network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What max speed will be get in using Net10 on ATT sim? anyone checked?
karthikshanth said:
What max speed will be get in using Net10 on ATT sim? anyone checked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i got 7mbps on net10 with n7105.
hi brothers i have SG note2 GT-I7105T LTE and it work only on 2G Band when i switch to 3G(WCDMA) mode or LTE it show "Emergency Call" but when switch to 2G(GSM) it work fine so what can i do ? and please developers explain me this problem and how to solve i try Z3X Box but it not support this variant
please help me and thanx in advance
I just took my Incredible 2 for a swim in the pool and it is currently drying in a bag of rice. Hopefully it survives, but if not - that would give me an excuse to ditch it early. My Verizon contract doesn't end until November, but at that point I'm looking at leaving and heading to T-Mobile. If I end up having to get a new phone, I'd like to just get an S4 instead of a pathetic temporary one - that way when I switch to T-Mobile, I've already got my phone. I've done some searching and it looks like the Verizon S III can run on T-Mobile, but I found nothing for the S4...
Would it be possible for the T-Mobile variant of the Galaxy S4 to work on Verizon's network? Network speed isn't an issue for me.
No, this is a gsm phone, it will not work on cdma networks
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Verizon S4 has secondary radio that works with GSM. That's why it works on T-Mobile and AT&T. T-Mobile does not have secondary radio let alone ones that supports CDMA. This is why T-Mobile will never work on Verizon network.
TheAtheistOtaku said:
No, this is a gsm phone, it will not work on cdma networks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would have liked more info.
cproaudio said:
Verizon S4 has secondary radio that works with GSM. That's why it works on T-Mobile and AT&T. T-Mobile does not have secondary radio let alone ones that supports CDMA. This is why T-Mobile will never work on Verizon network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that extra info and a reason why. I think I'm going to let the phone sit for a few days while I contemplate whether or not to drop Verizon with an ETF and head to T-MO or not... It's tempting.
I just took my Verizon Note 2 over to T-Mobile a week ago. I'm in the Denver Metro and had nothing but problems with the Verizon phone on the network. I popped in a T-M SIM card and while voice was fine, at home I jumped back and forth between edge and H+ and at work, I was stuck with nothing but edge. I called and was told that not all the T-M towers are setup to take non-TM branded phones at this point. Long story short, I went and got a T-M S4 and it's working fine, although the T-M coverage leaves a bit to be desired for a large metro area. Hopefully LTE, when the switch gets thrown here, will help some.
The Verizon Note 2 doesn't support AWS band. Thats why it's jumping between E and H+ all the time. The H+ is actually 1900mhz that it's locking on to. You need a phone that has the 1700mhz AWS band to connect to H+ reliably.