Hey guys,
I'm looking to travel to Italy for 2 weeks in the summer. I have an unlocked tmous note 2, and I want access to data during my vacation. What company should I look into to get a SIM card from while in Italy? Should I order one before going or when I get there? I really just want access to look something up real quick if I need to, or make a quick call.
Thanks!
wolfpack612 said:
Hey guys,
I'm looking to travel to Italy for 2 weeks in the summer. I have an unlocked tmous note 2, and I want access to data during my vacation. What company should I look into to get a SIM card from while in Italy? Should I order one before going or when I get there? I really just want access to look something up real quick if I need to, or make a quick call.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry no input directly on Italian mobile companies... but I can say to watch out for the frequencies of the phone, t-mobile uses some weird 3g/4g/hspa frequencies that tend to differ from what the rest of the world uses... which translates that you'll get edge/2g speeds... this is the one place that the unlocked GSM nexus phones has us on (or an international note 2) this page http://www.gsmarena.com/network-bands.php3?sCountry=ITALY shows umts 1800/2100 in italy
also to be able to use the sim card you'll need to have your phone sim unlocked (call tmobile and see if you qualify or pay a bit of $$$ to have it done online)
in my time in europe (U.K., Germany, France, Norway, and Spain) as long as you are in or around a city you can find WIFI fairly easily (might have to buy a drink or something to use it though)...
if you REALLY want 3g service you might justify buying a nexus phone (4 or galaxy) device or a nexus7 tablet
Thanks for the input, especially on Italy's umts bands. I should have no problems getting it sim unlocked, done it before through them. specs show the note 2, supporting umts 1700/2100.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
Make sure you get the apn settings from the carrier your going to use before you go there... Last time I went to Europe I had to set up my own APNs for data and mms because the companies had no idea what APNs were... Just do a little research with all the phone carriers of the area you'll be traveling
http://www.unlockit.co.nz/mobilesettings/
eurohomie said:
Make sure you get the apn settings from the carrier your going to use before you go there... Last time I went to Europe I had to set up my own APNs for data and mms because the companies had no idea what APNs were... Just do a little research with all the phone carriers of the area you'll be traveling
http://www.unlockit.co.nz/mobilesettings/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
good idea, thanks.
I had no problem using my tmoUS sensation with local card in Germany, Poland on their Tmo network, both voice and data were ok.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
The only place I know about is Ukraine. And I would get one there every time I went there. Data is expensive but text/talk is cheap.
Sent from galaxy note 2, tablet in my pocket! ^_^
Bronyr said:
I had no problem using my tmoUS sensation with local card in Germany, Poland on their Tmo network, both voice and data were ok.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
good to know since i have an unlocked sensation i'll be taking with me as well.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
Related
Hey all, been lurking for a while and found that many of you have unlocked Note 2's running on AT&T. I bought my unlock code and all is well on the voice front, I just can't seem to get data working (not edge, not 3G, not HSPA+, nothing). I've tried the various APN's floating around, I've tried selecting CDMA ALL for the frequency band, and I've selected AT&T and "registered on the network" using the automated feature of the phone itself. Still nothing.
When the AT&T version is released, will I be able to flash the ROM and make it work as if I bought it from them?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Thats weird. I unlocked mine and got tge cingular apn automatically .
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Do you have the right sim and have you got at&t to update their system so it can work? Tell them you have a Note 1.
That's what Indie. I have data (but not LTE)
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
apn's?
ekerbuddyeker said:
Do you have the right sim and have you got at&t to update their system so it can work? Tell them you have a Note 1.
That's what Indie. I have data (but not LTE)
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what are these apn's you speek of fellas?
i am planing on unlocking my note ii and getting it on straight talk att or straight talk hybrid.
so taking sujestions, ideas, would like to get lte working but at least data
ekerbuddyeker said:
Do you have the right sim and have you got at&t to update their system so it can work? Tell them you have a Note 1.
That's what Indie. I have data (but not LTE)
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the answer I needed. Thank you! I ended up going to the AT&T store today. They said that for some reason I didn't have a data plan anymore (weird because I traded my iPhone 5 for this phone! They subsidized it.) They couldn't get my IMEI to work in their system so the saleswoman used her own IMEI to get me going.
I had been to the AT&T Store once before to trade my nanosim for a microsim, but the phone wasn't unlocked at the time so I couldn't test it out. They scanned in my phone but I guess it didn't take. All is well now, I have 4G (but not LTE, but it doesn't matter because I'm moving to a non-LTE city in less than a month).
It works perfectly, I put in the APNs from the Galaxy S3 on display that the AT&T Store. Decent speeds, awesome phone. Thanks everyone!
intopieces said:
This is the answer I needed. Thank you! I ended up going to the AT&T store today. They said that for some reason I didn't have a data plan anymore (weird because I traded my iPhone 5 for this phone! They subsidized it.) They couldn't get my IMEI to work in their system so the saleswoman used her own IMEI to get me going.
I had been to the AT&T Store once before to trade my nanosim for a microsim, but the phone wasn't unlocked at the time so I couldn't test it out. They scanned in my phone but I guess it didn't take. All is well now, I have 4G (but not LTE, but it doesn't matter because I'm moving to a non-LTE city in less than a month).
It works perfectly, I put in the APNs from the Galaxy S3 on display that the AT&T Store. Decent speeds, awesome phone. Thanks everyone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wonder what speed you can get on att 4G network with TMO phone if you have tested, one of my buddy has a international version he gets 3 - 6 when did a speed test
Geet said:
I wonder what speed you can get on att 4G network with TMO phone if you have tested, one of my buddy has a international version he gets 3 - 6 when did a speed test
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I get. And honestly, 3-6Mb/s is perfectly fine for me. I'd like to get LTE for the time I'm here but it doesn't bother me that I don't. At some point one has to question that value of 100Mb internet on a 3GB data plan.
LTE is locked as of right now on the tmobile GN2
intopieces said:
Hey all, been lurking for a while and found that many of you have unlocked Note 2's running on AT&T. I bought my unlock code and all is well on the voice front, I just can't seem to get data working (not edge, not 3G, not HSPA+, nothing). I've tried the various APN's floating around, I've tried selecting CDMA ALL for the frequency band, and I've selected AT&T and "registered on the network" using the automated feature of the phone itself. Still nothing.
When the AT&T version is released, will I be able to flash the ROM and make it work as if I bought it from them?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know it isn't AT&T but it took a while to get Solavei APN working on my phone. I played with the settings forever with a customer service rep before I finally got it to work. MMS & internet work great now! Can't wait for LTE to launch!
i got my tmo verion unlocked. I purchased a 50/mo at&t go prepaid, and I can see 4G in the status bar.
Hope this helps
Just started a new thread about this...http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1971879...then I found this one.
I have an s3 but I may be getting this phone but I'm on T-Mobile network..I know with the gti9100 I had 4g wasn't possible.. but is it the same deal with this phone or did they make the phone compatible with every network? Thanks in advance.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
pezlomd said:
I have an s3 but I may be getting this phone but I'm on T-Mobile network..I know with the gti9100 I had 4g wasn't possible.. but is it the same deal with this phone or did they make the phone compatible with every network? Thanks in advance.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I made the mistake of buying this phone assuming the same thing... Right now the international Note 2 will only get EDGE in the vast majority of places, because T-Mobile runs most of its 3G on the 1700 frequency which the N7100 doesn't support. T-Mobile is in the process of changing to 1900 (mostly for iPhone users), but who knows how long that'll take. I'm mostly fine with EDGE since I'm on WIFI a lot, but I definitely wish I had known before buying.
Riio said:
I made the mistake of buying this phone assuming the same thing... Right now the international Note 2 will only get EDGE in the vast majority of places, because T-Mobile runs most of its 3G on the 1700 frequency which the N7100 doesn't support. T-Mobile is in the process of changing to 1900 (mostly for iPhone users), but who knows how long that'll take. I'm mostly fine with EDGE since I'm on WIFI a lot, but I definitely wish I had known before buying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I had the exact same question and you answered it perfectly. I was going to buy the GT-N7100 to use on T-Mobile, but if it only gets edge, I won't. Maybe it would work on another carrier, though, like AT&T straight-talk?
Just FYI, I do get HSPA+ while driving to work here in Northern VA although some sites suggest T-Mobile is work to upgrade their 850 to 1900. I do get pretty good speed (5Mbps down/2Mbps up). Check this site if you want to confirm your area but for sure it will work currently only on EDGE: http://www.airportal.de/
I just ordered a Straight Talk SIM card because I know lots of people have constant 3G/4G connection on it since it runs on AT&T. The only draw back with AT&T/Straight Talk is the prohibit unlimited international SMS which I use A LOT.
"E"??
Hi, I just got my N7100 yesterday and upon booting it up with a T-Mobile sim all I get is the "E" for edge network. Like you guys mentioned I guess this is normal for right now correct? Also do any of you get the "R" icon next to your signal strength bar? I opens up the "Roaming" page buddy and thinks I'm roaming. How do you get rid of this "R" icon or can you? Please help newbie here.
Thanks,
John
glad i live in an area where we have the 1900mhz band. its faster than my ATT speed. with my gf tmobile sim i was getting 7mbps and with my att its like 3mbp
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Note2.. yep
i dont get it.. if your going to spend $600+ why not just get the T-Mo version?
YoungAceAtlanta said:
i dont get it.. if your going to spend $600+ why not just get the T-Mo version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
people are impatient. .
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Note2.. yep
Carrier branded versions of phones are often sim-locked and significantly slower to receive software updates. They're also more expensive in the long-run once you factor in the cost of a contract, even with the discounts. And carrier bloatware is usually a negative, too.
Is the T-Mobile Note II free of any of these disadvantages?
2 thumbs up!
strumcat said:
Carrier branded versions of phones are often sim-locked and significantly slower to receive software updates. They're also more expensive in the long-run once you factor in the cost of a contract, even with the discounts. And carrier bloatware is usually a negative, too.
Is the T-Mobile Note II free of any of these disadvantages?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:good::good: Couldn't have explained my reason better! Thanks!
strumcat said:
Carrier branded versions of phones are often sim-locked and significantly slower to receive software updates. They're also more expensive in the long-run once you factor in the cost of a contract, even with the discounts. And carrier bloatware is usually a negative, too.
Is the T-Mobile Note II free of any of these disadvantages?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1.) SIM Unlocking is dirt cheap (even free sometimes).
2.) ROM upgrade availability is just as quick if not quicker if you use custom ROMS (and if you're on this site you likely know how to flash them).
3.) Carrier branded devices can be bought off contract.
4.) Carrier bloatware can be frozen and/or removed quite easily.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
I am travelling to the USA in a couple of months, and I had some questions about using my phone while travelling. My Note2 is the SGH-I317M Rogers (ATT). I have unlocked it.
From reading it looks like if I use the $3/day Tmobile option I will be stuck at edge speeds. What are my options for full speeds. I have read about something called Straight Talk?
It looks like I can order a sim online and get a month of service for $45 without a contract? Is this correct, is it my best option? Will I get LTE with this or just 3G?
If so do I just order the ATT sim card from them (http://www.straighttalksim.com/) and pick up a card at Walmart? Do the cards expire? Can I get a family member to buy it for me and mail it to me so I have it before I leave?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
fireshot said:
I am travelling to the USA in a couple of months, and I had some questions about using my phone while travelling. My Note2 is the SGH-I317M Rogers (ATT). I have unlocked it.
From reading it looks like if I use the $3/day Tmobile option I will be stuck at edge speeds. What are my options for full speeds. I have read about something called Straight Talk?
It looks like I can order a sim online and get a month of service for $45 without a contract? Is this correct, is it my best option? Will I get LTE with this or just 3G?
If so do I just order the ATT sim card from them (http://www.straighttalksim.com/) and pick up a card at Walmart? Do the cards expire? Can I get a family member to buy it for me and mail it to me so I have it before I leave?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile will be EDGE only, It would prob be the best for you but only EDGE, and Yes Straight talk will only be 3G/HSPA+ which can be pretty good depends where you will be going Some places I get about 10-12megs on 3G on AT&T. and Yes its $45 with no Contract. And you can pick up the card at walmart But Wal-Mart does not sell the SIM`s I think. And the cards don`t expire well after 30 days after you use it anyway.
Any Prepaid Option here is only 3G/HSPA+ at the moment I bealive.
Or enable AWS as explained in some other threads here.
That way you'll have decent speeds on T-Mobile.
Sent from my SGH-T889V using xda app-developers app
fireshot said:
I am travelling to the USA in a couple of months, and I had some questions about using my phone while travelling. My Note2 is the SGH-I317M Rogers (ATT). I have unlocked it.
From reading it looks like if I use the $3/day Tmobile option I will be stuck at edge speeds. What are my options for full speeds. I have read about something called Straight Talk?
It looks like I can order a sim online and get a month of service for $45 without a contract? Is this correct, is it my best option? Will I get LTE with this or just 3G?
If so do I just order the ATT sim card from them (http://www.straighttalksim.com/) and pick up a card at Walmart? Do the cards expire? Can I get a family member to buy it for me and mail it to me so I have it before I leave?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you checked out roam mobility? The give you unl talk + text within US and back to Canada. You can buy the sim in Canada and refill as you need.
http://www.roammobility.com/plans
plemen said:
Have you checked out roam mobility? The give you unl talk + text within US and back to Canada. You can buy the sim in Canada and refill as you need.
http://www.roammobility.com/plans
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Click to collapse
That runs on T-Mobile.... So Only EDGE unless they wanted to mod there phone.
I will have to google AWS I suppose. I am traveling south from toronto area and staying in Florida. For the drive I would love to use google navigation, then regular usage ince in Florida.
Sent from my SGH-I317M using xda app-developers app
plemen said:
Have you checked out roam mobility? The give you unl talk + text within US and back to Canada. You can buy the sim in Canada and refill as you need.
http://www.roammobility.com/plans
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
fireshot said:
I will have to google AWS I suppose. I am traveling south from toronto area and staying in Florida. For the drive I would love to use google navigation, then regular usage ince in Florida.
Sent from my SGH-I317M using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if your heading to Flordia Most of the ride down I know in SC, and GA its ONLY G on T-Mobile anyways NO Edge at all I had a few EDGE spots on my AT&T line but T-Mobile had G a lot of the time
There is a thread in the android development section talking about how to enable AWS on our phones.
It sounds a bit complicated but it seems it is working for people.
In any case if you do some googling you will see that T-Mobile has added a number of US cities to 3g/4g using the 1900 band which is one of the bands our Rogers/ATT phones uses. These include Tampa/Clearwater. Miami Fort Lauderdale etc. SO there is a good possibility of getting 3g without modifications.
If not, you can get the same plan at 2$/day at Edge speeds. At least it is cheaper if u aren't going to get the faster speeds.
Dear all,
I just bought a Sony Xperia ZL 6506 white on ebay. It is new. I think it was a good deal since it was 455 shipping included. the guy states in the ad that the phone is brand new. I have T-mobile, and I am concerned of only one thing: the seller wrote "At&t" under the voice "carrier" and states: "PHONE WORKS WITH AT&T. NOT SURE IF IT IS UNLOCKED TO OTHER GSM NETWORKS." I googled and I think there is no such an Sony Xperia ZL 6506 locked to Att, or am I missing something? Should it work with my Tmobile sim card?Thanks
It is listed here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-Xperia...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
You'll be fine - the C6506 is unlocked for any GSM carrier. It is the reason I just purchased one yesterday as well: because it has the 1700mhz T-mobile AWS band (unlike the HTC One Developer Edition that I'm now selling).
It will not be locked to AT&T. Now, the T-mobile version of the Xperia Z is another story and it will be locked to T-mobile, but you'll be fine.
Enjoy your phone! Setting mine up now and I just love it so far.
-Collin-
Awesome I hope so. I bought it because it is pentaband. It has the H+ network also on the 900 Mhz frequenzy!! So I am gonna use it in Italy (im italian working in USA) as well if my studies were corrects. Do you agree? And you are gonna travel to Europe sometimes rite?
venexiano said:
Awesome I hope so. I bought it because it is pentaband. It has the H+ network also on the 900 Mhz frequenzy!! So I am gonna use it in Italy (im italian working in USA) as well if my studies were corrects. Do you agree? And you are gonna travel to Europe sometimes rite?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually just came home from Italy on my honeymoon! I didn't have the phone at that time, but I did have the Nexus 4 and it worked beautifully. Too bad I dropped it on the cement after a few too many beers at the beer garden in Prague
Cheers,
-Collin-
Congrats for ur wedding! I bet u were in my hometown (Venezia, Venexiano means inhabitant of Venice in venetian dialect).
Anyway yeah I wanted to buy the Nexus 4, way cheaper...but I wanted to have the option to use a SD card...
May I ask you way you ditched the Nexus 4 for the Xperia ZL? Was Praga's cement too hard and it could not make it?
Cheers
venexiano said:
Congrats for ur wedding! I bet u were in my hometown (Venezia, Venexiano means inhabitant of Venice in venetian dialect).
Anyway yeah I wanted to buy the Nexus 4, way cheaper...but I wanted to have the option to use a SD card...
May I ask you way you ditched the Nexus 4 for the Xperia ZL? Was Praga's cement too hard and it could not make it?
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I was using the Nexus 4 on AT&T in the US at that time, and AT&T's 3G network is fairly slow here. It was time to get a phone with LTE, so I got the HTC One. Now, I switched to T-Mobile and they just turned on the LTE service in my area (San Jose, CA) and I needed the pentaband phone. I didn't want to buy a phone from T-Mobile because I prefer to buy unlocked versions and I really liked the Sony. It's so compact for a 5" screen.
Yes, we went to Venezia. It was so beautiful! One of our fondest memories was traveling out to Burano and Murano islands. True paradise.
Cheers,
-Collin-
Cool my mom was born and raise in Murano. I go often there with my boat.
Anyways...did u really notice a big difference between Tmobile H+ and Tmobile LTE?
thanks
A.
T-Mobile has LTE deployed in Chicago. I'm getting roughly the same speeds as HSPA+ most of the time. The only difference is the latency and some peak speeds. I've seen almost 30Mbps on LTE in some areas. Honestly, I turn my LTE off most of the time because I've been using up my bandwidth way too quickly.
Sent from my C6506 using xda app-developers app
needmoregigs said:
T-Mobile has LTE deployed in Chicago. I'm getting roughly the same speeds as HSPA+ most of the time. The only difference is the latency and some peak speeds. I've seen almost 30Mbps on LTE in some areas. Honestly, I turn my LTE off most of the time because I've been using up my bandwidth way too quickly.
Sent from my C6506 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get about 10-12mbps on HSPA+ and usually 25-30mbps on LTE here in San Jose. 10-12 is just fine for me, but I just got one of the new unlimited plans so I see no real drawback. Uploads are WAY faster though, and that helps with my "auto-upload" feature I use when I snap photos I guess. You know, and pictures of my food being posted on Facebook and whatnot
-Collin-
venexiano said:
Dear all,
I just bought a Sony Xperia ZL 6506 white on ebay. It is new. I think it was a good deal since it was 455 shipping included. the guy states in the ad that the phone is brand new. I have T-mobile, and I am concerned of only one thing: the seller wrote "At&t" under the voice "carrier" and states: "PHONE WORKS WITH AT&T. NOT SURE IF IT IS UNLOCKED TO OTHER GSM NETWORKS." I googled and I think there is no such an Sony Xperia ZL 6506 locked to Att, or am I missing something? Should it work with my Tmobile sim card?Thanks
snip...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just SWITCHED to AT&T and get only HSPA/HSPA+. No LTE service at all. Is there something new subscribers need to do? I've only seen existing AT&T subscribers having success with the ZL.
Suggestions? Thanks
Solution to Xperia ZL and no LTE Service
pete4abw said:
I just SWITCHED to AT&T and get only HSPA/HSPA+. No LTE service at all. Is there something new subscribers need to do? I've only seen existing AT&T subscribers having success with the ZL.
Suggestions? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I solved the issue.
First the problem: If you are a new customer bringing an unlocked phone (not AT&T branded), when you register your IMEI, the network will not recognize it as AT&T property and will deny you LTE service.
Solution: Finally, after a week, today I went to the local store, and they put the IMEI of a store phone in and voila, LTE right away. Obviously, this should not be the case, and those who get service right away must be existing AT&T customers with an AT&T phone in their account. This must change otherwise people won't want to switch! HTH
i bought my note 3 in sc and came back to iowa to work til thanksgiving. Problem is i have no data signal no 4g 3g or any g. tech support says that tmobile has a contract with iowa wireless to allow text and talk but no data. i was wondering if there was a way to unlock the phone so that it can use other cell towers in the area to allow me to get data. will rooting help this or am i just stuck until i leave iowa. Please help really sucks to have so much phone and not be able to use it to its potential. Sorry if i am in the wrong section please move to the correct one. Thanks. Also my friend has 2g on his tmobile phone tech support says that he may not have it all the time though.
Rooting won't make a tower show up. The best you can possibly do would be to try to get activated on a different provide (AT&T for example). But you would have to do some work, and buy an AT&T account to use.
Otherwise, you are stuck with what you got. Coverage maps give you a rough idea of what is available.
http://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/pcc.aspx/
krelvinaz said:
Rooting won't make a tower show up. The best you can possibly do would be to try to get activated on a different provide (AT&T for example). But you would have to do some work, and buy an AT&T account to use.
Otherwise, you are stuck with what you got. Coverage maps give you a rough idea of what is available.
http://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/pcc.aspx/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what i would probably do is try to pickup a wifi hotspot from a different carrier with good coverage and use wifi calling on the phone, not ideal by far though $
If it's SIM unlocked you could try getting a straight talk SIM as those use AT&T's network. It's prepaid so you don't need to sign a contract and can end it after a month.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
CalcProgrammer1 said:
If it's SIM unlocked you could try getting a straight talk SIM as those use AT&T's network. It's prepaid so you don't need to sign a contract and can end it after a month.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I was thinking. Buy a prepaid SIM, stick it in your phone and see if it works.
Go to that unlock site, and yes, the unlock code for mine came in about 20 minutes. Then head over to the att thread. There is a page for Tmobile on att with setting for the MMS etc.