T-mobile unlocked question - T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II

If I get the t-mobile unlocked version, can I use with AT&T sim? Would I get LTE, HSPA or just EDGE?

benzso63 said:
If I get the t-mobile unlocked version, can I use with AT&T sim? Would I get LTE, HSPA or just EDGE?
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If you get sim unlocked you can use an AT&T sim. You will be able to get GSM, GRPS, EDGE, HSPA, HSPA+, but no LTE as the LTE radio is software disabled on T-Mobile Note 2's. I remember seeing one Guy claim he had it but I don't remember who or where. Once T-Mobile activates their LTE then you will get LTE on AT&T also.
You may need to add AT&T APNs to use data but they are easy to find/add.
Sent from my SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2

Related

Verizon Note 2 Vs. T-Mobile Note 2

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.
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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
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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 ...
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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
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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.
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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...
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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
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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?
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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.

Doesn't Verizon use LTE on the 700 band just like AT&T and future TMobile LTE?

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.
Yes, they do, but there are different sub-bands on each frequency. I'm not sure you'll be able to use our phones on VZW, which seems to be where you're heading.
Even if you could for data, until vice over LTE comes, you couldn't do voice (cdma) on Verizon.
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but can't you do voice with verizons note 2 if the phone is used with an AT&T or Tmobile microsim card?
verizon's note is capable of gsm as well and supports the frequencies of AT&T and Tmobile if unlocked, is that so?
aren't the phones from verizon sold unlocked?
winlinmac001 said:
but can't you do voice with verizons note 2 if the phone is used with an AT&T or Tmobile microsim card?
verizon's note is capable of gsm as well and supports the frequencies of AT&T and Tmobile if unlocked, is that so?
aren't the phones from verizon sold unlocked?
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Click to collapse
Yes but their boot loader is encrypted so you will have a hard time changing kernels. Also I do not know for sure their note 2 is SIM unlocked. Most phones are but some are not (think iPhone which they wont unlock for use in US only overseas)
Sent from my handheld Android 'PC', NOTE II
winlinmac001 said:
but can't you do voice with verizons note 2 if the phone is used with an AT&T or Tmobile microsim card?
verizon's note is capable of gsm as well and supports the frequencies of AT&T and Tmobile if unlocked, is that so?
aren't the phones from verizon sold unlocked?
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Click to collapse
My T-Mobile Note 2 is sim unlocked. I can pop my own AT&T sim in it and get voice and 3G data no problem.
I tried the sim from my Verizon S3 in the Note and while it displayed signal bars for voice only, and any attempt to make a call resulted in a message about not being registered on the network.
Verizon is word about letting non stop Verizon phones on their network, and even if the phone is compatible on the GSM, that doesn't mean they'll just let you bring any device to the party.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
T-Mobile Note 2 > AT&T Note 2 > Verizon Note 2
The above is an order in terms of which Note 2 is more flexible in switching between carriers,
Overall, T-Mobile has the best Note 2, right?
Agree or Disagree?
Winlinmac001: you have to sort out your priorities, get a phone, enjoy it and move on...
Pick your carrier first.
If its Verizon, then get their model, not much else to it really. Until they get VoLTE operational and ditch CDMA completely (many years to go) your phone has to be activated in their system. Expect no, or limited support for US GSM carriers.
If it's T-Mobile, one of their MVNOs (or even a non-LTE AT&T MVNO), or you want to be able to switch to those with a minimum of fuss: T889. The clincher here is the HSPA AWS support that you'll need to get any meaningful speeds in non-refarmed areas. From what I understand only T-Mobile has DC-HSPA (42 Mbps) whereas AT&T only has 21 Mbps.
If it's AT&T: are you in an LTE market? do you care for LTE? If yes: I317. You're certain to get LTE right now with this one, with no concerns about cross-flashing modems or waiting for some firmware update that could take a while to come on the T889.
T-Mobile
It's settled then; T-Mobile Galaxy Note II it is; especially since it is compatible with most networks compared to AT&T's variant; and that it is a true global phone. Thank you.

Buy a new Note 2 or unlock my current one?

I'm currently on att with a note 2 and i've switched to t-mobile and will be recieving a new phone in the mail soon. Should i return it and just flash a t-mobile rom onto my current phone? or should i just sell my att one on craigslist and keep the new t-mobile phone? Any possible loss of features or functionality by sticking with the phone i have?
Keep the tmo one.
It dosent have lte yet, so hang on to att one too I suggest but tmo has added aws band.
Sent from my SGH-T889
prepaidguy9081 said:
Keep the tmo one.
It dosent have lte yet, so hang on to att one too I suggest but tmo has added aws band.
Sent from my SGH-T889
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I don't understand your answer to the OP.
I'm in the exact same situation as the OP. I'm with AT&T but they just took my unlimited data plan away so I'm probably going to switch to T-Mobile.
Are there any bands that the T-Mobile Note 2 has that can't be unlocked on the AT&T model? According to Wikipedia both AT&T and T-Mobile version of the Note 2 have AWS. I heard that you can enable the high speed bands on AT&T's model to work with T-Mobile. Is taht not true?
rogerbacon50 said:
I don't understand your answer to the OP.
I'm in the exact same situation as the OP. I'm with AT&T but they just took my unlimited data plan away so I'm probably going to switch to T-Mobile.
Are there any bands that the T-Mobile Note 2 has that can't be unlocked on the AT&T model? According to Wikipedia both AT&T and T-Mobile version of the Note 2 have AWS. I heard that you can enable the high speed bands on AT&T's model to work with T-Mobile. Is taht not true?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tmo hasnt released the update to let tmo gnotes2 work on their lte network, because its not up and running most places... Possibly only update customers who are in Kansas City.
Not too clear if att gnotes2 with att specific firmware would work on tmo's network. Theoretically it should work, but their might be some radio issues that give u shoddy service. Unlocking phones is illegal now, so idk if u could sim unlock ur phone through att to work for tmo anyways. Might have to go through ebay or something to do so.
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Can I take my rooted Tmobile Note 3 to Verizon?

I moved to Charlottesville, VA recently and the Tmobile coverage is really awful. Is it possible to take my rooted Tmobile Note 3 and use it on the Verizon network? I know it works on AT&T as I put my buddy's SIM card in and was able to connect to the network, but Verizon has the best coverage out here.
If I have to flash a new ROM or change the radio that's fine, I just need to know how to do it and if it's even possible.
No, not possible.
rjohnstone said:
No, not possible.
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But the Verizon version can come to Tmobile, right?
o_0 a t-mobile device to Verizon. lol I thought questions like this died in 2005
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Lucas155 said:
I moved to Charlottesville, VA recently and the Tmobile coverage is really awful. Is it possible to take my rooted Tmobile Note 3 and use it on the Verizon network? I know it works on AT&T as I put my buddy's SIM card in and was able to connect to the network, but Verizon has the best coverage out here.
If I have to flash a new ROM or change the radio that's fine, I just need to know how to do it and if it's even possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is impssible to use a T-Mobile phone on a Verizon network. T-Mobile and AT&T run on the GSM type of network and Verizon and I believe Sprint run on CDMA which aren't capatible. It doesn't matter if you are rooted or not.
defcon888 said:
It is impssible to use a T-Mobile phone on a Verizon network. T-Mobile and AT&T run on the GSM type of network and Verizon and I believe Sprint run on CDMA which aren't capatible. It doesn't matter if you are rooted or not.
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Click to collapse
I've seen several instances of Verizon customers using their Note 3 on Tmobile. Just thought it might go the other way.
Verizon LTE devices come SIM unlocked for legal reasons (Verizon made a deal with the FCC not to SIM lock their devices in exchange for being able to use LTE Band 13 700 MHz).
Some of their older/"first-gen" LTE devices don't support GSM at all (e.g. Galaxy Nexus). But all nowadays do. The Galaxy S4 and newer support T-Mobile's LTE band. LTE is a GSM-based technology, and people travel as well. So pretty much all of their phones are GSM-enabled nowadays. Same for Sprint (except their phones will reject any US carrier SIMs specifically).
Anyways, the answer is no. AT&T and T-Mobile devices don't have CDMA enabled. And even if they did, Verizon and Sprint don't allow competitors' phones onto their networks.

[Q] Moving S4 from Verizon to iwireless/t-mobile

Hi,
I am thinking about moving my Galaxy S4 and moto RAZR from Verizon wireless to iwireless (a t-mobile affiliate). I understand that I need to unlock my phone but I am unable to find out if I move it to iwireless if I will still have 4G data. The iwireless sales rep said that I will still have voice and 2.5G service but couldn't tell me if I would still have 4G.
I was looking at this table I found on a site explaining how to unlock the phone but I don't know enough about the subject to make an informed decision.
Samsung Galaxy S4
Can someone confirm whether or not my Verizon S4 or RAZR can be unlocked to work with the iwireless/t-mobile 4G network?
sgibbers17 said:
Hi,
I am thinking about moving my Galaxy S4 and moto RAZR from Verizon wireless to iwireless (a t-mobile affiliate). I understand that I need to unlock my phone but I am unable to find out if I move it to iwireless if I will still have 4G data. The iwireless sales rep said that I will still have voice and 2.5G service but couldn't tell me if I would still have 4G.
I was looking at this table I found on a site explaining how to unlock the phone but I don't know enough about the subject to make an informed decision.
Samsung Galaxy S4
Can someone confirm whether or not my Verizon S4 or RAZR can be unlocked to work with the iwireless/t-mobile 4G network?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems as though your grasp of the subject is strong enough to know that it might work as you'd like - and it might not. You need to call back and ask to speak to a CSR that actually knows what bands their service works on so they can give you accurate information. That's kind of their job...
Also -
Verizon LTE operates on Band 13 while T-Mob operates on Band 17, both of which carry completely different spectrums; this means no LTE on either of your unlocked phones.There's a slim possibility that you will get intermittent 3G but the most likely scenario is that you will get talk, text and 2G / 2.5G only.
Band 17? My Verizon branded S4 is getting T-Mobile LTE. I'm fairly sure its on band 4.
T-mobile is band 4 which is 1700/2100 mhz. The Verizon s4 is not capable of 1700mhz. But if you are getting 4G it may be because your area is using 2100 mhz. I am specifically moving to iwireless and I was told they use the 1700 mhz band.
Bsliv, how did you unlock you phone?
sgibbers17 said:
Bsliv, how did you unlock you phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many Verizon phones are sim unlocked, so it's most likely unlocked as well
serio22 said:
Many Verizon phones are sim unlocked, so it's most likely unlocked as well
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Click to collapse
Yes, I think all Verizon LTE capable phones are unlocked.
The I545 (Verizon S4) can receive LTE on band 4. T-Mobile serves LTE on band 4. The coincidence works well.
bsliv said:
Yes, I think all Verizon LTE capable phones are unlocked.
The I545 (Verizon S4) supports LTE on band 4. T-Mobile serves LTE on band 4. The coincidence works well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My RAZR MAXX HD definitely wasn't SIM unlocked... For the life of me I couldn't get it to work when I moved to ATT from Verizon... Not even GSM would work.
I just need to get some clarification from you guys. Are your VZW phones bought in the US and being in the US on t-mobile's or iwireless's 4g network. Because after I made the first post I went to the phone unlocking place in my local mall and talked to there techs, they said that the VZW S4 will not get 4g. I have also been doing extensive searches online and keep finding half saying it will work and half saying it won't. I have a feeling that the ones that work are working outside of the US as I found posts saying as such.
I read some where that the razr you had to flash the radio FW to get GSM to work properly.
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I got my vzw S4 off craigslist but 99% sure it was purchased in the USA. I'm on T-Mobile's $50/mo plan.
Verizon's LTE phones are sim unlocked due to an agreement with the FCC when vzw purchased some bandwidth.
I think there was an update around 03/2014 that enabled band 4 on the I545. Then had to make some apn changes and tell the modem to use gsm/lte on band 4.
The one quirk I have is it will say "no service" after a reboot and until I make or receive a voice call. Then I get the "T-Mobile" instead of "no service" and things work as they should.
bsliv said:
I got my vzw S4 off craigslist but 99% sure it was purchased in the USA. I'm on T-Mobile's $50/mo plan.
Verizon's LTE phones are sim unlocked due to an agreement with the FCC when vzw purchased some bandwidth.
I think there was an update around 03/2014 that enabled band 4 on the I545. Then had to make some apn changes and tell the modem to use gsm/lte on band 4.
The one quirk I have is it will say "no service" after a reboot and until I make or receive a voice call. Then I get the "T-Mobile" instead of "no service" and things work as they should.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll have to go to iwireless and have one of the tech put a SIM card in my s4 and razr to give it a try.
The only options I have for the network mode on my s4 is
Global, LTE/CDMA, and GSM/UMTS. Can you post you settings?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I was just at iwireless today and tested my phone with their network and was unable to get it to work. iwireless is a t-mobile affiliate but they do not use 4G LTE in my area. Their system runs on a 3.8G 1700MHz which the VZW S4 does not have. I am told that they will be starting to switch all the 2G radios in the area to 4G LTE later this year, which should work with my VZW S4. So I am just going to have to wait till the end of the year and go back and test it again.
Frankenscript said:
My RAZR MAXX HD definitely wasn't SIM unlocked... For the life of me I couldn't get it to work when I moved to ATT from Verizon... Not even GSM would work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That phone was before VZW bought the band 4 spectrum and cut the deal with the FCC. All VZW LTE phones are SIM unlocked. Any AWS capable VZW phone is SIM unlocked and can use LTE on band 4. The S4 got it with an update last year.
I am probably going to do the $30 plan soon and plan to use my VZW S4. I am not going to port my number right away in case the service in my area sucks (doubtful, live in DFW in dense surburbia).
I went out off town this weekend and went to a t-mobile store and was able to get 4g service after adding the correct APN. But it is too bad that iwireless that is in my area does not use that band yet, they are staring to upgrade to that band later this year. Until then my s4 will only get edge service.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I was able to get H+ on my s4 from Verizon to tmobile by changing the network mode to global and the App to fast.T-mobile.com
Sent from my SM-G900T using XDA Free mobile app
With the announcement of the T Mobile $100 2 line unlimited everything, I'm also interested in bringing my Verizon S4 MDK boot loader phone to T Mobile, but want to do my research first-- is it as simple as signing up for T Mobile and getting one of their SIMs and then-- would I be able to flash any of the ROMs in the S4 T Mobile Dev forum or is the T Mobile S4 a completely different device? Any caveats? Would I have to LokiDoki after the flash? Would I need to flash a T Mobile specific radio too (currently on i545vrufnk1)? Or is that all just overcomplicating things? Would i be able to just adjust the APNs on my current ROM after inserting a T Mobile SIM?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Quick reply to my post and for anyone else interested-- there's a post here that talks about using a 4.4.2 T-Mobile ROM by Fenny on the a Verizon S4: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=57453019 I've tried it and LTE works great, MMS works properly, phone calls work as well. I'm on the Verizon i545vruamdk bootloader and Verizon i545vrufnk1 radio. The ROM is a T-Mobile m919uvufnb4 by Fenny.
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