My history with phones has been CDMA for over 15 years. Only now have I made the jump to T-Mobile and GSM. So I'm not familiar with how roaming is supposed to work.
The way I understand it works on CDMA is that the PRL file contains the list of preferred towers. When you are near a home network tower, your phone uses that tower. When home network is not available, but a compatible network is, your phone will roam to that network. Then with edits to the PRL or apps like Roam Control, you can force your phone to roam on another network (to the dismay of your provider).
With GSM I find that there is no app like Roam control. Is this true? But built into the settings, I see that you can scan for available networks. So I've done this and ATT is in the list. If I try to switch to ATT, it tries to register on ATT, but then gives some warnings and then tells me that it can't connect. Why is this? Is it just my phone or are do they all behave this way?
I've been in areas with the N3 where T-Mobile has no network (not even E or G) and the phone stays without a network connection. It does not pick up ATT when I see people with ATT service able to access data just fine.
Am I doing something wrong? How does this roaming on ATT work?
(if it matters, I'm on the stock rom rooted de la Vega)
hdad2 said:
My history with phones has been CDMA for over 15 years. Only now have I made the jump to T-Mobile and GSM. So I'm not familiar with how roaming is supposed to work.
The way I understand it works on CDMA is that the PRL file contains the list of preferred towers. When you are near a home network tower, your phone uses that tower. When home network is not available, but a compatible network is, your phone will roam to that network. Then with edits to the PRL or apps like Roam Control, you can force your phone to roam on another network (to the dismay of your provider).
With GSM I find that there is no app like Roam control. Is this true? But built into the settings, I see that you can scan for available networks. So I've done this and ATT is in the list. If I try to switch to ATT, it tries to register on ATT, but then gives some warnings and then tells me that it can't connect. Why is this? Is it just my phone or are do they all behave this way?
I've been in areas with the N3 where T-Mobile has no network (not even E or G) and the phone stays without a network connection. It does not pick up ATT when I see people with ATT service able to access data just fine.
Am I doing something wrong? How does this roaming on ATT work?
(if it matters, I'm on the stock rom rooted de la Vega)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't pick up ATT because the sim card you're using is a Tmobile one. You need an ATT sim card to use ATT service. GSM is not like CDMA in that way. If you have no Tmobile connection, you have no connection, there's no way around it.
Another reason that ATT doesn't work is that the phone is locked to tmobile's network. You cant use straighttalk, or at&t with it unless you get the unlock code.
aooga said:
It doesn't pick up ATT because the sim card you're using is a Tmobile one. You need an ATT sim card to use ATT service. GSM is not like CDMA in that way. If you have no Tmobile connection, you have no connection, there's no way around it.
Another reason that ATT doesn't work is that the phone is locked to tmobile's network. You cant use straighttalk, or at&t with it unless you get the unlock code.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait, wait, wait....
I was told that a difference between a pre and post paid plan was the ability to roam. This is domestic roaming, not international. So my assumption is that means when I look at a coverage map and see areas that are labeled as "service partner", this is where T-Mobile has agreements to poach off of ATT's network. So this wouldn't be available to prepaid customers, but should be to post paid. Isn't that true?
On CDMA, when I roam from Sprint to Verizon, there is an indicator that tells me I'm on a roaming connection. I still have service, it may be throttled, but service nonetheless. What happens when I go to a T-Mobile "Service Partner" area. Does it tell me that I'm roaming, or does it still say it is a T-Mobile connection? And shouldn't it connect automatically? And would it only roam on those "Service Partner" towers or would it pick up ATT in a T-Mobile area where T-Mo's connection sucks (say in a building where ATT works and T-Mo doesn't)?
hdad2 said:
Wait, wait, wait....
I was told that a difference between a pre and post paid plan was the ability to roam. This is domestic roaming, not international. So my assumption is that means when I look at a coverage map and see areas that are labeled as "service partner", this is where T-Mobile has agreements to poach off of ATT's network. So this wouldn't be available to prepaid customers, but should be to post paid. Isn't that true?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will use the "Service Partner" network which (you're right) is usually AT&T but can be other smaller carriers as well.
And would it only roam on those "Service Partner" towers or would it pick up ATT in a T-Mobile area where T-Mo's connection sucks (say in a building where ATT works and T-Mo doesn't)?"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the part that you're confused on. Tmobile will never do that. It will only switch to a partner network where tmobile has agreements to do so. So if you're in a building in San Francisco and there is no tmobile coverage, but there is ATT coverage, you're stuck with no service. But If you're in Montana, there is no Tmobile service but tmobile has an agreement with ATT to use their service, it would use it then.
aooga said:
This is the part that you're confused on. Tmobile will never do that. It will only switch to a partner network where tmobile has agreements to do so. So if you're in a building in San Francisco and there is no tmobile coverage, but there is ATT coverage, you're stuck with no service. But If you're in Montana, there is no Tmobile service but tmobile has an agreement with ATT to use their service, it would use it then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was afraid that was the answer. So instead of being controlled tower by tower on the device itself (with a PRL like CDMA), it is controlled tower by tower on the towers themselves?
hdad2 said:
I was afraid that was the answer. So instead of being controlled tower by tower on the device itself (with a PRL like CDMA), it is controlled tower by tower on the towers themselves?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah but to be honest though in most areas its going to allow roaming because of the fact that there is a big metro area or widely known or h re any coverage area. Everywhere I've gone that I was roaming on AT&T network AT&T was big in that area. Like for example upstate New York its pretty much either Verizon or AT&T and I was roaming on AT&T near Dansville, Arkport, Etc... Buffalo and Rochester area great when it came to LTE.
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XxLostSoulxX said:
Yeah but to be honest though in most areas its going to allow roaming because of the fact that there is a big metro area or widely known or h re any coverage area. Everywhere I've gone that I was roaming on AT&T network AT&T was big in that area. Like for example upstate New York its pretty much either Verizon or AT&T and I was roaming on AT&T near Dansville, Arkport, Etc... Buffalo and Rochester area great when it came to LTE.
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But did those areas have any T-Mobile service at all? I was hoping that roaming meant att would pick up the T-Mobile holes around me (big holes in buildings). From what I'm learning, that will never happen. Unless there is some sort of trickery that can accomplish this I don't know about....
hdad2 said:
But did those areas have any T-Mobile service at all? I was hoping that roaming meant att would pick up the T-Mobile holes around me (big holes in buildings). From what I'm learning, that will never happen. Unless there is some sort of trickery that can accomplish this I don't know about....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In some areas I was getting edge, in other parts it would have no service at all and it would roam on AT&T.
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda app-developers app
hdad2 said:
But did those areas have any T-Mobile service at all? I was hoping that roaming meant att would pick up the T-Mobile holes around me (big holes in buildings). From what I'm learning, that will never happen. Unless there is some sort of trickery that can accomplish this I don't know about....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, sadly there is no trickery or anything that can be used to roam on AT&T when Tmobile hasn't partnered with them.
hdad2 said:
But did those areas have any T-Mobile service at all? I was hoping that roaming meant att would pick up the T-Mobile holes around me (big holes in buildings). From what I'm learning, that will never happen. Unless there is some sort of trickery that can accomplish this I don't know about....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol. To put it simply. If at&t allowed tmob users to roam on their network like you wanted, everybody would jump on T-Mobile and save some money. Those roaming agreements cost money. Usually these smaller carriers, T-Mobile included, figure the cost to profit to population density ratio and decide where they should buy roaming from bigger carriers. And I am sure this situation is very few and far between, but I wouldn't be surprised if Verizon and at&t have a handful of roaming agreements with sprint or T-Mobile in a few areas for whatever reason. And these would likely be in the Midwest, possibly northwest america since the pop. density can be so low in many areas it is more economical to for them to do that than build out. Remember the major 4 carriers we have now bought up a lot of smaller carriers on there way to being the major players they are now.
sent from my sm-900t.
@rbiter said:
Lol. To put it simply. If at&t allowed tmob users to roam on their network like you wanted, everybody would jump on T-Mobile and save some money. Those roaming agreements cost money. Usually these smaller carriers, T-Mobile included, figure the cost to profit to population density ratio and decide where they should buy roaming from bigger carriers. And I am sure this situation is very few and far between, but I wouldn't be surprised if Verizon and at&t have a handful of roaming agreements with sprint or T-Mobile in a few areas for whatever reason. And these would likely be in the Midwest, possibly northwest america since the pop. density can be so low in many areas it is more economical to for them to do that than build out. Remember the major 4 carriers we have now bought up a lot of smaller carriers on there way to being the major players they are now.
sent from my sm-900t.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps, but this is in effect how CDMA roaming works. It is not so specific as GSM apparently. Even in a sprint saturated area, if I was in a building where only Verizon was available, it would roam to Verizon. And knowing how it works means that prl edits make it possible to put the phone on the network you want (although it's a sure way to get slapped with charges or booted from the carrier of you abuse it).
aooga said:
No, sadly there is no trickery or anything that can be used to roam on AT&T when Tmobile hasn't partnered with them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, to the OP - I'm in the same boat; big wake up call! I'm coming from Sprint, who I'd been with since 2002... free roaming was their saving grace as I had service pretty much everywhere. In Colorado, this is huge in the mountains (Estes Park specifically for me). Switched to Tmo in January and couldn't be happier -- even used free international roaming for a week in Nicaragua and was blown away with how good of a feature this is! Decent data coverage nearly everywhere in a 3rd world country! Now here I am 60 miles from home and I have no service anywhere in Estes Park!
I tried the suggestion here, by a Tmo rep stating the Note 3 won't roam due to a 'bug' ( http://www.pocketables.com/2014/02/enable-data-roaming-t-mobile-samsung-galaxy-note-3.html ), but no luck. I do a search, try to connect, but it fails every time. See attached pics.
good explanations everyone, good info for starters
Related
Hey guys, new to Android and T-Mobile. I got a G2 last week, and I live and work in kind of a fringe area for T-Mo coverage. AT&T has good coverage out here, but the G2 doesn't roam over to ATT, I can't even register on their system when I select it in the mobile networks settings. My question is- how can I set the phone to roam onto their system when I lose T-Mo coverage? (I have heard that T-Mo can roam to ATT on EDGE). Thanks!
As far as I know, the only way to use AT&T on the G2 would be to SIM unlock the phone and use an AT&T SIM with an AT&T account. The TMO SIM won't just allow you to roam because they don't have a reciprocal billing agreement --- though I am no expert on this.
I believe, though I could be wrong, that the G2 does not have the ability for 3G (UMTS) data on AT&T. As you stated, if you could connect to the network, Edge should work.
One solution would be to switch to an AT&T SIM and use the Samsung Vibrant, which has the ability to connect to one of the two AT&T 3G bands. Of course, if you want to use AT&T regularly, getting an AT&T phone would be a better solution. So, for you, unless you want to switch to AT&T, wifi might be your only solution.
Ugh! That is exactly what I was hoping I wouldn't read lol. Well, I do really want to stick with tmo, just wish my phone would auto roam to att when I lose the tmo signal. Thanks for the reply!
Sent from my G2 using XDA app
I asked around at work a bit, and there are cases where you can roam on AT&T's network. These cases exist in areas where T-Mobile has not, cannot, or will not build out a network. In these cases, they contract with AT&T to provide their customers with network access. Some phones will show roaming, but I think the software, at this point, has made it a seamless experience, and you don't even know you are attached to AT&T's network. For billing, purposes, if you have a national plan, you are not roaming.
This doesn't help you, but I wanted to clarify my blanket statement above.
Check out the coverage map (Select NO for Are you a Rep, then go to the Data Coverage Map):
compass(DOT)t-mobile(DOT)com
Unfortunately in your area of CA, there is no roaming partner.
The only roaming in CA is in some parts of N. CA up Hwy 1 and 101, towards the Oregon border, and in the 395 corridor.
I'm thinking of upgrading from my HTC Rhodium on ATT to a Desire Z (also on ATT). Is there anything I should be looking for to make sure it will play nice with the 3G network?
Thanks
nnvpears
nnvpears said:
I'm thinking of upgrading from my HTC Rhodium on ATT to a Desire Z (also on ATT). Is there anything I should be looking for to make sure it will play nice with the 3G network?
Thanks
nnvpears
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll need to buy the Canadian version of the DZ (from Bell Mobility).
In conclusion, is it valid to say that the T-Mobiles Note 2 LTE Radio is more capable than AT&T's version?
When T-Mobile Enables Support for LTE on Note 2, can it be used with AT&T LTE for full 4G LTE speeds?
Does the Unlocked T-Mobile Note 2 work with AT&T's Proper LTE?
winlinmac001 said:
In conclusion, is it valid to say that the T-Mobiles Note 2 LTE Radio is more capable than AT&T's version?
When T-Mobile Enables Support for LTE on Note 2, can it be used with AT&T LTE for full 4G LTE speeds?
Does the Unlocked T-Mobile Note 2 work with AT&T's Proper LTE?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
STOCK PHONES
T889 gets HSPA+ on T-Mobile & HSPA+ on AT&T (no LTE anywhere)
I317 gets LTE on AT&T and EDGE on T-Mobile (not sure if it actually gets HSPA+ on the new T-Mobile 1900 Band... ) anyone else can elaborate?
Any Hybrid modem out yet? Anyway to get AT&T LTE on T889?
Okay, I'll admit that a small consideration when I bought a T-Mobile Note II rather than an AT&T one was that the radio appeared more versatile in case I wanted to switch carriers at some point, but the primary reason was I'd wanted to check out T-Mo's HSPA+42 service, which is available where I live and work, while AT&T's LTE service isn't yet.
I see what TEKHD is trying to do in another thread, and I have that in mind as the ideal phone (dual-sim Note II with AT&T & T-Mo sims), but for most people, I think the best advice is just decide what service you want and get that phone.
If AT&T LTE is what you want, get the i317 and don't worry about trying to get a T889 to use AT&T LTE until someone else actually proves it can be done easily and reliably.
TEKHD said:
STOCK PHONES
T889 gets HSPA+ on T-Mobile & HSPA+ on AT&T (no LTE anywhere)
I317 gets LTE on AT&T and EDGE on T-Mobile (not sure if it actually gets HSPA+ on the new T-Mobile 1900 Band... ) anyone else can elaborate?
Any Hybrid modem out yet? Anyway to get AT&T LTE on T889?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using an AT&T Note II, unlocked and on a T-Mobile prepaid 4g plan. I get HSPA+ where I live (Mesa Arizona). It will be interesting to see if I pick up T-Mobiles LTE when it rolls out in a couple months. :fingers-crossed:
probably not
Tmo isnt rolling out LTE.. They dont even have a FCC license for it yet.. not do they have an equipment vendor.
**The closest thing in the states we will see.. is integrated LTE use from the recently acquired Metro PCS sites.. there are not even rumors of Tmo integrating LTE into their switching system yet.. they dont have CO equipment to handle it either.. so.....
CL3P20 said:
Tmo isnt rolling out LTE.. They dont even have a FCC license for it yet.. not do they have an equipment vendor.
**The closest thing in the states we will see.. is integrated LTE use from the recently acquired Metro PCS sites.. there are not even rumors of Tmo integrating LTE into their switching system yet.. they dont have CO equipment to handle it either.. so.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're kidding right ? They have been testing it for a while now and are using equipment and frequencies acquired from verizon.
KillaHurtz said:
You're kidding right ? They have been testing it for a while now and are using equipment and frequencies acquired from verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No Im not kidding. I would have to say you are badly misinformed. VZW does not make or supply equipment. VZW uses the same Ericsson RBS cabinets [6601 LTE] as ATT and Metro PCS [metro was recently acquired by Tmo.. but Tmo cannot integrate LTE into their current CO technology without retrofitting].
*I am a heavily involved consultant for major carriers and contractors on the West coast.. Tmo here is going nuts adding new UMTS/HSDPA carriers and expanding sites.. there is no talks of LTE installs for 2013.. no project development yet for Tmo LTE in 2013.. Not a peep. Dont get your hopes up.. it still may develop later in the year though. Q1 is always miserably slow.
According to a Tmobile service rep lte is going to be rolled out with the iphone launch on TMobile.
CL3P20 said:
No Im not kidding. I would have to say you are badly misinformed. VZW does not make or supply equipment. VZW uses the same Ericsson RBS cabinets [6601 LTE] as ATT and Metro PCS [metro was recently acquired by Tmo.. but Tmo cannot integrate LTE into their current CO technology without retrofitting].
*I am a heavily involved consultant for major carriers and contractors on the West coast.. Tmo here is going nuts adding new UMTS/HSDPA carriers and expanding sites.. there is no talks of LTE installs for 2013.. no project development yet for Tmo LTE in 2013.. Not a peep. Dont get your hopes up.. it still may develop later in the year though. Q1 is always miserably slow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Than you better get further into the loop, cause T-Mobile is already testing LTE, and is launching it this year.
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using xda app-developers app
masondoctorjt said:
Than you better get further into the loop, cause T-Mobile is already testing LTE, and is launching it this year.
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Assuming they can get an equipment contract from Ericsson.. who is already back-ordering ATT's and VZW's 6601 supply? I'm not saying they arent looking towards it.. but West coast Tmo would be very interested to hear if other markets are already field testing 700mhz [which to my knowledge they have not anywhere in the US at this time]. Lab testing maybe.. but field deployed LTE doesnt just get "tested" .. you have to launch an entire market - and that would be where...?
CL3P20 said:
Tmo isnt rolling out LTE.. They dont even have a FCC license for it yet.. not do they have an equipment vendor.
**The closest thing in the states we will see.. is integrated LTE use from the recently acquired Metro PCS sites.. there are not even rumors of Tmo integrating LTE into their switching system yet.. they dont have CO equipment to handle it either.. so.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So no lte ?? Have you read the tmobile news lately ???
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
xcaliburpcs said:
So no lte ?? Have you read the tmobile news lately ???
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
The city where I work already has had the LTE antennas installed last month, I saw it with my own eyes and I happen to work literally within 100 feet of the antenna site. The frequencies haven't been fired up for LTE, however the HSPA+ speed has increased dramatically with the new antennas, can't wait for T-mo to update my Note 2 with the LTE bands and the antennas to be activated to provide LTE. Now, if T-mo would give me anything more than EDGE speeds where I live I'd be even happier...
CL3P20 said:
Assuming they can get an equipment contract from Ericsson.. who is already back-ordering ATT's and VZW's 6601 supply? I'm not saying they arent looking towards it.. but West coast Tmo would be very interested to hear if other markets are already field testing 700mhz [which to my knowledge they have not anywhere in the US at this time]. Lab testing maybe.. but field deployed LTE doesnt just get "tested" .. you have to launch an entire market - and that would be where...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ummmm... guy? Where have you been? T-Mobile has spent the last year refarming their network, moving their HSPA+ service to the 1900 MHz band so that they can roll out LTE on the AWS 1700 MHz band. The first market to go live will be Las Vegas which should happen within the next few weeks according to the CTO. This is all public knowledge and has been for some time. I don't think you're as in the loop as you think you are.
Die Feuerfront said:
Ummmm... guy? Where have you been? T-Mobile has spent the last year refarming their network, moving their HSPA+ service to the 1900 MHz band so that they can roll out LTE on the AWS 1700 MHz band. The first market to go live will be Las Vegas which should happen within the next few weeks according to the CTO. This is all public knowledge and has been for some time. I don't think you're as in the loop as you think you are.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*derp.. we are crossing wires here. Im not discounting the work ongoing now.. just saying it doesnt add up to Tmo LTE in 2013
LTE for the rest of the nation will be months if not a year down the road still... I thought someone was eluding to full LTE launch. Test markets always launch first.. they represent only a tiny niche of the market. Because a carrier has functional signal in 2% of the national zone doesnt qualify them as an LTE vendor. They dont have the ingredients at this time to pull off nation-wide LTE in 2013.. period.
CL3P20 said:
*derp.. we are crossing wires here. Im not discounting the work ongoing now.. just saying it doesnt add up to Tmo LTE in 2013
LTE for the rest of the nation will be months if not a year down the road still... I thought someone was eluding to full LTE launch. Test markets always launch first.. they represent only a tiny niche of the market. Because a carrier has functional signal in 2% of the national zone doesnt qualify them as an LTE vendor. They dont have the ingredients at this time to pull off nation-wide LTE in 2013.. period.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to T-Mobile, from their talks at CES, they are going to be doing an enormous amount of LTE this year.
"They talked LTE a little bit, noting that they planned to have 100 Million folks covered by the middle of this year, 200 Million by the end of the year, and the rollout would start in Vegas in just a few weeks." androidcentral.com/t-mobile-talks-lte-mlb-voice-hd-and-more
Sorry, my account is new, so I can't post links.
No LTE on the eastern seabord, yet?
CL3P20 said:
*derp.. we are crossing wires here. Im not discounting the work ongoing now.. just saying it doesnt add up to Tmo LTE in 2013
LTE for the rest of the nation will be months if not a year down the road still... I thought someone was eluding to full LTE launch. Test markets always launch first.. they represent only a tiny niche of the market. Because a carrier has functional signal in 2% of the national zone doesnt qualify them as an LTE vendor. They dont have the ingredients at this time to pull off nation-wide LTE in 2013.. period.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see where you're coming from, and you seem like a knowledgable guy, but all T-Mo modernized sites that are using Ericsson's AIR (Antenna Integrated Radio) are LTE ready, so basically while they're modernizing and refarming their 1900Mhz sectrum for HSPA+, they're effectively deploying LTE Release 10 Equipment.
RBS 6601 cabinets are already in place here in NYC (which is already officially modernized) and we're basically 1900Mhz across the board. Fiber backhaul has never been an issue with T-Mobile.
Vegas and Kansas are about to be launched this month according to T-Mobile's CTO Neville Ray. Engineers have been testing LTE in modernized markets for months now, and it's just a matter of time when they make LTE commercially available.
Here are some photos you may appreciate
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Haha cl3p20 is either totally in the dark or just making stuff up. I feel the flame wars.
No need to flame, we're helping each other.
Hsdpa+ currently works on att network as well
Sent from my SGH-T889
I am looking to purchase the Note 2 and I have the option of Sprint or AT&T, is there any real benefit of one carrier vs the other for this particular phone?
noitall77 said:
I am looking to purchase the Note 2 and I have the option of Sprint or AT&T, is there any real benefit of one carrier vs the other for this particular phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im pretty sure the phones are the exact same but with at&t your service may be better depending on your location. Sprint is behind on 4g and 4g lte coverage. Sprint has unlimited data and I don't think at&t offers that. So if I were you I would ask friends that live in your area to get their opinions or even google search and see if you can find any forums that tell about at&t coverage in your area. Hope I helped some!
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
noitall77 said:
I am looking to purchase the Note 2 and I have the option of Sprint or AT&T, is there any real benefit of one carrier vs the other for this particular phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are the same I woukd go with sprint they are way cheaper and with a phone of this caliber you need unlimited. They are launching LTE pretty fast I got a great lte connection in Tampa Florida pretty much everywhere i go it suoer fast and consistent.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
Sprint also supposedly claims they want lte running anywhere 3g is eventually.... getting it everywhere I go anymore
~swyped from my galaxy note 2 on the now network
scottypeterson said:
Im pretty sure the phones are the exact same but with at&t your service may be better depending on your location. Sprint is behind on 4g and 4g lte coverage. Sprint has unlimited data and I don't think at&t offers that. So if I were you I would ask friends that live in your area to get their opinions or even google search and see if you can find any forums that tell about at&t coverage in your area. Hope I helped some!
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty much this.
DarkManX4lf said:
Pretty much this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an unlimited data plan with AT&T that I have had for years so it looks like I will stick with AT&T due to coverage
noitall77 said:
I have an unlimited data plan with AT&T that I have had for years so it looks like I will stick with AT&T due to coverage
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Coverage is exactly what you should look at.
We have an att note 2 and a sprint note 2....equally fantastic. Coverage in my area is pretty much the same here, the wife just wants to stick with att since she has had them so long.
If one didnt have unlimited on att ...I would def look towards sprint
Is att still throttling after 5gb of use? Thats a huge factor on why I gave up my line
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
Since AT&T throttles all unlimited data plans (except those that were grandfathered in) past 5gb/mo. But Sprint doesn't yet have the extensive LTE coverage that AT&T does. If you live in an area where Sprint has rolled out its 4G LTE network, or predominantly use Wifi, I'd suggest Sprint. On the other hand, if Sprint only has 3G in your home zone and you can't rely on wifi consistently when you need the higher speeds, AT&T may be the way to go. I've been with Sprint for nearly 15 years and don't mind waiting for their LTE network. (tho I certainly hope for sooner rather than later) For me, the bandwidth throttling on downloads over the 5GB/mo is a deal breaker. I typically use 25+GB/mo on my phone and Sprint never throttles by bandwidth.
* I'm Rick James, *****! *
I can confirm no throttling by Sprint. Since getting the GN2, I''m using over 50GB of data per month. It's up from the 25GB or more when I had the Evo 4G and used 3G almost exclusive; I had access to WiMax if I went to certain towns. I live in area LTE, but it's not everywhere, so I bounce between both all the time.
The other big difference, Sprint is CDMA and has the simcard built in. ATT is GMA, which is used world wide. ATT may not have the simcard build in, and thus world travel friendly. Something to consider if you plan on traveling.
Beyond that, I would just look at your data usages, carrier coverage, and reliability.
Lastly, you do realize we're going to be bias to Sprint.
lovekeiiy said:
I can confirm no throttling by Sprint. Since getting the GN2, I''m using over 50GB of data per month. It's up from the 25GB or more when I had the Evo 4G and used 3G almost exclusive; I had access to WiMax if I went to certain towns. I live in area LTE, but it's not everywhere, so I bounce between both all the time.
The other big difference, Sprint is CDMA and has the simcard built in. ATT is GMA, which is used world wide. ATT may not have the simcard build in, and thus world travel friendly. Something to consider if you plan on traveling.
Beyond that, I would just look at your data usages, carrier coverage, and reliability.
Lastly, you do realize we're going to be bias to Sprint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A slight correction here, the Sprint GN2 can be used "worldwide," but only in certain areas I believe. And you'll be paying out the ass for the service, as you cannot put a cheapy sim in there, you have to pay for Sprint's world service. Sucks
So yes if travel is something that you need to do with your GN2, ATT may be the better carrier. But you'll probably save a good $30 a month with Sprint, which is more than enough to cover a cheap burner phone purchase for when you're traveling. Keep the note on ya for wifi connectivity, use the burner for phone calls, save money
the above is correct that the phone as some kind of GSM radio in it. And that you pay a mighty fee to use it too. I wasn't thinking about that when I wrote my post. I know a lot people prefer to just sim card swap and be able to use the local, and cheap, service. Also, GSM is used workd wide. Whereas, CDMA is not. Some carriers in the USA used. There are a couple others carriers outside the USA, but they're far and few.
If you can hold out for Sprint LTE to get some decent nationwide coverage, go with Sprint. Unlimited data is CRUCIAL. 3G is manageable for now.
I would check with speedtest on an att and Sprint phone. Also check Sprint 4g lte coverage in your area. If they have it or are on list to get it then choose Sprint. Sprint keeps improving every week. But if it looks like Sprint won't be good for a while in your area and att is already good and you don't mind higher prices and tiered data then choose att.
Sent from my Amazing Galaxy Note 2!
If you have unlimited At&T right now then by all means don't switch to sprint. My friend has a grandfathered at&t plan and im really jealous. Everywhere in texas that I actually have lte his speed test beats mine 15 mbs or more. His has 4g lte EVERYWHERE. I can't speak on behalf of the entire United States but as for Texas, you should go with at&t if you have unlimited.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
As I'm unsure where you are located, I'm sure this won't help you, but here is a Sprint lte speed test. At my house, just south of Baltimore.
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~swyped from my galaxy note 2 on the now network
What's the coverage like in your area? How much data do you use? How much are you willing to pay?
If you do have "unlimited" grandfathered data, it is still throttled after a couple gigs, meaning you'd likely be better off with Sprint if they have the coverage.
Regarding price, Sprint is usually cheaper for family plans, but not necessarily for individuals.
Do AT&T phones roam here in the United States? I'm new to AT&T and normally I always have signal but recently my company has me working in a new area where I virtually get NO signal. I'm always getting the circle with the line threw it, it seems like.
I just came over from Sprint because we have no LTE in my area and the 3G was a JOKE! AT&T has LTE almost everywhere I go and like I said, I normally always have full bars but in this one city I do not.
On Sprint, I could roam over to Verizon if I had no signal and it worked great.
I'm wondering if you can roam or force roaming on an AT&T phone the way you can on Sprints?
I do know that Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile all work fine in the same area I'm having issues with AT&T.
Thank you.
Yes they automatically roam to other compatible carriers who have roaming agreements with AT&T. However, your phone won't indicate you are roaming. There is no cost to nationwide roaming, so ATT feels it's better to just make it 100% seemless.
If you use more that 100mb of data while roaming you will get a threatening email, text and letter. They will then change your account so that in the future you will see a roaming indicator when you are roaming.
You won't roam to Verizon or Sprint because their networks are not compatible.
richb500 said:
Yes they automatically roam to other compatible carriers who have roaming agreements with AT&T. However, your phone won't indicate you are roaming. There is no cost to nationwide roaming, so ATT feels it's better to just make it 100% seemless.
If you use more that 100mb of data while roaming you will get a threatening email, text and letter. They will then change your account so that in the future you will see a roaming indicator when you are roaming.
You won't roam to Verizon or Sprint because their networks are not compatible.
Click to expand...
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I wondered about the roaming data stuff. If you were to move to an area where you are not under AT&T coverage, and continue to accumulate, will they be willing to let you out of contract without the ETF? After all, you would not be responsible for AT&T lack of coverage in the area. I have looked at a couple of locations while in the market for a home that does not have AT&T coverage and I am only 8 months into contract. I don't want to tally up another cost if I don't have too. I am not intentionally moving there to get out of contract, but rather the prices and locations of the homes are right.
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so im thinking about changing from verizon to tmobile because i really want unlimited data back (nfl sunday ticket). was just wanting some opinions from anyone else that made this switch in the central ohio area or has been with tmobile in the central ohio area.. how's the coverage? you hear good and bad, sounds like it's on the up in the recent years and future but theres nothing like the actual customers opinions.
Powell730 said:
so im thinking about changing from verizon to tmobile because i really want unlimited data back (nfl sunday ticket). was just wanting some opinions from anyone else that made this switch in the central ohio area or has been with tmobile in the central ohio area.. how's the coverage? you hear good and bad, sounds like it's on the up in the recent years and future but theres nothing like the actual customers opinions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I certainly don't have coverage in places that I had with Verizon. I think its the bandwidth difference. I do get data speeds about twice as fast maybe more on T-Mobile. 30MB down 12UP
zone23 said:
I certainly don't have coverage in places that I had with Verizon. I think its the bandwidth difference. I do get data speeds about twice as fast maybe more on T-Mobile. 30MB down 12UP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
see at my house on verizon i get 70-80 mbps sometimes... thats on my m8. i also keep seeing theyre going to improve "in-building" service... do you notice it going out inside houses, building, stores etc...?
i did the test drive w/ them.. i was just curious while i wait for that phone to be shipped.
Columbus here...
Pros: LTE coverage great around the 270 outerbelt and suburbs
Cons: Spotty data the further rural
Cons x2: Hit and miss data when traveling outside city limits (i.e. I-70, I-71)
Calls/texts still great when driving, and I've noticed more "E" coverage lately than complete drop-offs. Verizon wins @ the moment if you're looking for reliable data while traveling, but as far as city coverage is concerned, T-Mo is pretty awesome.
Personal history: 12 years w/ Sprint, 18mo w/ VZW. Currently 8mo into T-Mo contract, w/ unlimited data option. Haven't looked back once.
Springfield ohio here
Att was my old service going to tmobile was a it rough not going to lie but I get constant 4G no let unless I go north or south of my location but it's slowly working it's way to me
LGG3 and beyond
Powell730 said:
see at my house on verizon i get 70-80 mbps sometimes... thats on my m8. i also keep seeing theyre going to improve "in-building" service... do you notice it going out inside houses, building, stores etc...?
i did the test drive w/ them.. i was just curious while i wait for that phone to be shipped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes when I go inside some buildings I loose my signal.
Thanks for the replies! I don't travel much at all, especially now that I have a newborn son so as long as I can get coverage at my home and work I might pull the trigger. One thing that might hold me back is I am on edge with Verizon and I just found out you can't apply the etf payoff from tmo to help payoff your phone on the edge plan. So I'd have to payoff my phone in full ($550 still) and then switch.. Which kinda sucks.
Looking forward to the test drive to see what I'm able to get. Something that has been confusing me is when the coverage map says "service provider" what does that mean? Voice only? On something other than T-Mobile? Also.. That coverage map, is that data coverage or voice?
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using XDA Free mobile app
Powell730 said:
Thanks for the replies! I don't travel much at all, especially now that I have a newborn son so as long as I can get coverage at my home and work I might pull the trigger. One thing that might hold me back is I am on edge with Verizon and I just found out you can't apply the etf payoff from tmo to help payoff your phone on the edge plan. So I'd have to payoff my phone in full ($550 still) and then switch.. Which kinda sucks.
Looking forward to the test drive to see what I'm able to get. Something that has been confusing me is when the coverage map says "service provider" what does that mean? Voice only? On something other than T-Mobile? Also.. That coverage map, is that data coverage or voice?
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sensorly and OpenSignal maps can give you a good idea of real user-generated signal maps in the areas you frequent, but they do work best in urban/sub-urban locations where more users map their travels.
Tmo in Columbus is great for me on the north side. If I go too far past Powell though I drop to 2g. I average 20-25+ on lte and even if I use hspa I still get 10. I find the signal bars with tmo seem to fluctuate a lot when I had my nexus and it would show I had 1 to 0 bars sometimes but I never had a problem making calls or using data. In my basement at home I used to get 0 bars of lte but still could pull 10mbps down. I would recommend the switch in Columbus if you don't travel a lot out in to the country.
abrcrmdl23 said:
Tmo in Columbus is great for me on the north side. If I go too far past Powell though I drop to 2g. I average 20-25+ on lte and even if I use hspa I still get 10. I find the signal bars with tmo seem to fluctuate a lot when I had my nexus and it would show I had 1 to 0 bars sometimes but I never had a problem making calls or using data. In my basement at home I used to get 0 bars of lte but still could pull 10mbps down. I would recommend the switch in Columbus if you don't travel a lot out in to the country.
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I work in Powell so it's good to hear it works there. I do often have to travel north into Delaware or sometimes further north into the rural areas but not having 4g there wouldn't really bother me because it's never a long time I'm there.
When you say hspa, is that 2g?
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using XDA Free mobile app
Hspa+ is their 4g but not the lte. It works way different than Verizon.
T-mo has the following.
1g gsm
2g edge = 1xrtt for Verizon
3g Hspa = cdma for Verizon
3.5g Hspa+42 (faux 4g) = comparable to Verizon lte in slower market.
4g lte = Verizon lte
Wideband lte (which Columbus has) is a 15x15 lte setup which is faster than standard lte.
abrcrmdl23 said:
Hspa+ is their 4g but not the lte. It works way different than Verizon.
T-mo has the following.
1g gsm
2g edge = 1xrtt for Verizon
3g Hspa = cdma for Verizon
3.5g Hspa+42 (faux 4g) = comparable to Verizon lte in slower market.
4g lte = Verizon lte
Wideband lte (which Columbus has) is a 15x15 lte setup which is faster than standard lte.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was true last year. Tmo now has LTE and some areas already have 20x20 service..sadly not mine..yet.
Sent from my amazing LGG3!
I recently made the switch from T-Mobile to Verizon due to poor signal areas in Western PA where I travel to from Eastern Ohio. In the city T-Mobile is amazing for me, 40mbs down and 15up. Same area on Verizon 8 and 2...., however I get 4G LTE most areas and sometimes 3G, but works well. T-Mobile I couldn't even place a call...
It's unfortunate as I'd rather rock T-Mobile. Their plans are head and shoulders better. Paying 81 bucks unlimited text and voice and 1 frigging gig of data, granted I can't use it much at work, then home on wifi.
Oh well, such is life...
Well my test drive will be here tomorrow! I'm just hoping it comes before 1pm when I have to leave for work, otherwise no one will be here to sign for it ?
I'm definitely very excited to give it a try, would love to be able to not worry about my data again.. If I make the switch I'm debating on selling the m8 that I have to pay off and get the nexus 5.. I've read some stuff that people were having issues with network speeds on the nexus 5.. Anyone know if there's a specific version or something to avoid on the nexus 5? Sorry for the noob questions, it's completely different from Verizon which is what I've been with my whole life. I'm used to only being able to get your phone from Verizon instead of using unlocked phones etc..
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using XDA Free mobile app
Never had to be home for a signature for T-Mobile.
After 14 years with Sprint I switched to T-Mobile a little over a year ago. Sprint use to be good and T-Mobile sucked but now it's flipped. I drove from Columbus to Savannah GA 3 months ago and service was decent. Not sure if you have just one line but I just noticed T-Mobile dropped the family 10GB plan to $100 from $160. I have unlimited data and don't really need it but nice to have in case home internet goes down. I also have the original Jump which is nice. Only issue I had with T-Mobile is they took away my discount but I got a better one. lol Sean at the 5th Ave store is really good.
Areas where I have tested In Columbus, Ohio and should only get better with Wideband LTE. Go Buckeyes!
Upper Arlington - I live by Riverside Hospital and get great service. It's near Ohio State (the Shot and Shoe) University Square
Bethel / Sawmill Rd - Good
Hilliard / Fishinger - Great
Polaris area - Great
Dublin - I think good in most areas
Muirfield - Around Glick Rd / Jerome not so great. The low speeds on my screen shot.
Marysville - Spotty. No service at the golf clubs but that's a good thing. lol
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One considetation is TMO coverage is pretty thin on the highways so if data is a consideration while traveling...TMO certainly not up to par with Verizon...
blasted by TMO G3
Thanks for the tests!
It's not really... I'm not expecting it to be the same as Verizon, but as long as I can make calls and text.. And get 4g where I work/wife works and live then I'll prolly make the jump. I also just found out Verizon phones don't work on T-Mobile which I wasn't aware of, so I'll have to end up doing something for a phone cuz I don't want to pay monthly on T-Mobile.
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rsohne said:
Never had to be home for a signature for T-Mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they didn't make me sign either, but it said in the email from tmobile that i must sign for it.
from my testing so far, I'm pretty impressed... i don't get great service in my basement which is perfect from Verizon... same with in my house in general.. i get about 25 down and 1 up but Verizon phone next to it gets 55 down and 25 up(all inside)... but outside my home I've gotten 69 down which i can sometimes achieve on Verizon. it's spotty all over the city of Powell but in the southern part of the city its pretty strong and where i work its definitely strong enough (15-25 down).. as I said though, I'm not expecting it to be comparable to Verizon.. just as long as it's good enough to work for me. I haven't had any problems with calls or texts (other than iMessage but that's due to the stupid iPhone they sent me).
now I just have to decide if i want to up my bill to get slightly worse data coverage but unlimited data... i'm on a family plan w/ 5 smartphones on Verizon and we just split the bill 5 ways which ends up being ~59/phone. So this will increase my bill for sure (only bringing two of the 5 with me to t-mobile). decisions decisions.
Thanks for all the help/opinions!
I just switched and it's been good in the city with the exception of Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. I also switched becam because T-Mobile has a better international plan.