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.
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
I looked everywhere and cannot even come up a guess to my issue. I have an unlocked T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2, but switched carriers to AT&T and now having weird issues with the phone. I changed the APN settings, but I still get network drops during phone calls and syncing issues with phone numbers.
The phone will randomly drop a call and not be able to call back for about 5 minutes. I am not a noob and I can usually troubleshoot my own issues. Oh yeah, the phone was working fine on T-Mobile and only started the issues when I put a fresh AT&T sim card in it. It doesn't happen all the time either. I could go a week no problem, then three or four days with issues.
Any suggestions on what I should do?
Thanks a ton
lunchmeat78 said:
I looked everywhere and cannot even come up a guess to my issue. I have an unlocked T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2, but switched carriers to AT&T and now having weird issues with the phone. I changed the APN settings, but I still get network drops during phone calls and syncing issues with phone numbers.
The phone will randomly drop a call and not be able to call back for about 5 minutes. I am not a noob and I can usually troubleshoot my own issues. Oh yeah, the phone was working fine on T-Mobile and only started the issues when I put a fresh AT&T sim card in it. It doesn't happen all the time either. I could go a week no problem, then three or four days with issues.
Any suggestions on what I should do?
Thanks a ton
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I have two TMobile Note 2s that work just fine on ATT. No dropped calls and data works fine. LTE reception seems a little lacking but other than that it's fine.
Try a new SIM.
How long have you been on AT&T? Post paid or a MVNO?
kozmo21 said:
Try a new SIM.
How long have you been on AT&T? Post paid or a MVNO?
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It's actually my sister who has the phone now. I was using it on T-mobile with no issues. I gave it to her, then it started having these problems. Goes to and she gets a brand new at&t sim, still doesn't fix the issues.
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 recently brought my LG G3 with me to Europe (while on Honeymoon) because I found out from T-Mobile that I could use text and data there at no extra cost. My phone works fine in the United States. But it doesn't find a carrier connection in London; Southampton; Vigo, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; Cadiz, Spain; Gibraltar; and Barcelona.
I tried my phone in each location and it never connected to anything that wasn't WiFi. That really really sucked. I get that I have it rooted and I am using a different Lollipop ROM than stock. But I didn't think that would prevent it from connecting to towers there.
So what happened? What would be on a fully stock T-Mobile LG G3 that I wouldn't get on my rooted and ROMed version? I'm sure it something simple, but I would really like to know so that I can fix the problem before I go back.
did you turn on roaming?
mine worked great in Paris.
also, if you have really older version of rom
http://forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-lg-g3/help/international-roaming-g3-t2834451
you may need to do this
Worked for me in Paris and Lisbon. I've had some issues when wifi calling is enabled, though. I think there are some very real modem issues but I eventually got it to work.