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World Phone Opinions

Hey guys, just wanted to see what peoples experiences have been with the world phone capabilities. I will be travelling to New Zealand this December and want to get an idea of the best way to go about using my phone there.
I am currently running UKB, but would plan on using something stock like andybonestock for my travels...(unless we actually get the ics source before XMAS and we have a stock ics ROM that is 100% functional). I was thinking about buying a certain amount of data while there so I don't have to rely solely upon wifi hotspots.
What have you fellow users been doing when going abroad and what was your experience?

I just got back from a 2 wk trip in Italy and ran AndyBoneStock just like you're thinking.
I simply used the preinstalled SIM card from Vzw and had them activate it so it would work with their European partner, Vodafone--more expensive than unlocking it and installing a local SIM card but I wasn't really planning to use the phone too much and this way I'd keep my own telephone number. I also signed up for Vzw's 100MB of global data for $25, as much for insurance against the occasional or accidental overcharge as anything else.
I was able to make and receive calls pretty much everywhere BUT the data connectivity SUCKED. Maybe it was the fault of their European partner, Vodafone or maybe I screwed up some setting, but I could only pick up a data signal the first couple of days and from then on, no data on the go (even in major cities like Venice, Florence and Rome). I kept getting notification that I'd lost data roaming but clicking the notification would only jump me to the mobile data settings page where I already had data roaming enabled, so I was never able to sleuth it out. I ended up relying on WiFi for email and web connectivity. And when I landed back in the US, my phone locked on to 3G within a few seconds, so I'm thinking it wasn't my settings. \_O_/
And another note, texts from the US always came through blank, with a "message format not supported" message. WTF?
So, what's the take-home lesson? See if you can talk to somebody who's traveled to NZ and get tips on whose carrier to use--Vzw's or a local SIM once you've unlocked your phone.

Not a problem
I've used the phone in Germany, France, Switzerland, London, and Malaysia with no problem. I called Verizon and had the SIM unlocked so I was able to use local SIM cards. I'm running rooted stock so I can't comment on any custom ROMs.

I've used the phone in India, Amsterdam and London - stock rooted worked fine in each location. I had VZ unlock the phone right after I got it, but used the built-in Vodafone SIM and never tried a pay-as-you-go SIM since there really wasn't any need.
On my last trip, CM 7.2.0 worked fine with an APN change to use the "VZW Embedded GSM" settings I pulled from the stock ROM. The phone would switch from Orange to O2 to Vodafone NL depending on whatever it found in the area. Speeds were pretty decent as well. Texting worked, but I never tested MMS so I can't comment there.
This phone has been excellent for those reasons: working CM7 port, world radios and decent speed/features/battery life. It will be a tough search to find a suitable replacement.
xene97 said:
I've used the phone in Germany, France, Switzerland, London, and Malaysia with no problem. I called Verizon and had the SIM unlocked so I was able to use local SIM cards. I'm running rooted stock so I can't comment on any custom ROMs.
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joeinternet said:
I've used the phone in India, Amsterdam and London - stock rooted worked fine in each location. I had VZ unlock the phone right after I got it, but used the built-in Vodafone SIM and never tried a pay-as-you-go SIM since there really wasn't any need.
On my last trip, CM 7.2.0 worked fine with an APN change to use the "VZW Embedded GSM" settings I pulled from the stock ROM. The phone would switch from Orange to O2 to Vodafone NL depending on whatever it found in the area. Speeds were pretty decent as well. Texting worked, but I never tested MMS so I can't comment there.
This phone has been excellent for those reasons: working CM7 port, world radios and decent speed/features/battery life. It will be a tough search to find a suitable replacement.
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Click to collapse
Thanks. Are you guys referring to the stock froyo - downgraded root as the ROM? It would be nice to use something like CM7 over the froyo...more options and whatnot.

i used my dinc2 both in germany and in india during a trip. i had two pretty bad mistakes during this time.
one was that i forgot to have my sim unlocked so i had to wait for a week before i could ask my family in the U.S to call verizon and get the unlock code. i did get a few calls before i got a local sim that i mistakenly took and was charged the ridiculous roaming fee. i think it was like 8 dollars for just 3 minutes of talking.
after unlocking it, making and receiving calls were fine, but my data connection was a pain in the a$$. apparently vzw phones cant get apn settings automatically, so unless you have internet to look them up your screwed. i didnt know this at the time and i kept annoying the cellular guy because i thought he messed something up, but it was in fact my phone. i'd recommend getting an app like tweakker to get your apn settings automatically, provided you do have wifi connection.
other than all that, the phone is pretty great abroad. but i would like to know if anyone else got a full 3G connection abroad. for some reason i was only getting edge speeds.
ps. make sure you put your phone in gsm mode and not in global mode once you get a local sim.

I'd like to know how this goes for people, too. I will be traveling to Mexico and buying a Telus SIM or two for the trip.
Plan to use my DInc 2 and a used Aria for me and my wife.
My DInc 2 is unlocked and rooted but my first attempt at using a T-Mobile SIM was unsuccessful (on Skyraider). Will flash rooted 2.3.4 OTA and install tweakker apk and see how things go. Thanks to all for their input on this thread.
Would love to hear if CM7 is working well with GSM networks.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

I've used mine in Europe with a sim from ekit. Reasonable price and good connectivity.
For New Zealand, they charge 49 cents per megabyte.

UK & Ireland
I unlocked my Dinc2 before heading to the UK and Ireland (really simple phone call to Verizon). I was running aeroevan's cm9 from 8/22 while I was overseas. While in the UK, I went to ASDA - the Walmart of Britain and bought a prepaid SIM (it's actually a Vodafone SIM) for 20 pounds that had 500MB of data, unlimited texts and 1000 minutes (I think). Popped the SIM in and filled out the APN settings under System Settings > Wireless & Networks: More > Mobile networks > Access point names. Changed the Network mode to GSM/WCDMA preferred and was good to go. While in Ireland, I got an O2 SIM for about the same price with a little more data. Changed the APN settings to O2 and was good to go there, too.
Hope that helps.

RangerSteve said:
I unlocked my Dinc2 before heading to the UK and Ireland (really simple phone call to Verizon). I was running aeroevan's cm9 from 8/22 while I was overseas. While in the UK, I went to ASDA - the Walmart of Britain and bought a prepaid SIM (it's actually a Vodafone SIM) for 20 pounds that had 500MB of data, unlimited texts and 1000 minutes (I think). Popped the SIM in and filled out the APN settings under System Settings > Wireless & Networks: More > Mobile networks > Access point names. Changed the Network mode to GSM/WCDMA preferred and was good to go. While in Ireland, I got an O2 SIM for about the same price with a little more data. Changed the APN settings to O2 and was good to go there, too.
Hope that helps.
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Thanks dude...I imagine NZ will be a similar scenario to the UK.
Sent from my ViperDinc

RangerSteve said:
I unlocked my Dinc2 before heading to the UK and Ireland (really simple phone call to Verizon). I was running aeroevan's cm9 from 8/22 while I was overseas. While in the UK, I went to ASDA - the Walmart of Britain and bought a prepaid SIM (it's actually a Vodafone SIM) for 20 pounds that had 500MB of data, unlimited texts and 1000 minutes (I think). Popped the SIM in and filled out the APN settings under System Settings > Wireless & Networks: More > Mobile networks > Access point names. Changed the Network mode to GSM/WCDMA preferred and was good to go. While in Ireland, I got an O2 SIM for about the same price with a little more data. Changed the APN settings to O2 and was good to go there, too.
Hope that helps.
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Click to collapse
Were you able to get 3G speeds doing this? I have read reports of some users stuck on edge when using GSM data.

T-mobile s4 in nz

Hi, I'm planning on going on a long trip to nz and would like to use my phone over there. I know it has to be unlocked and stuff, but once that is all said and done, would I still have to change the radio to have good signal? The last time I went on my vacation with my sensation, the signal wasn't all that great until I flashed a radio that worked well for nz users, was wondering if that'll apply to the s4 as well. Thanks.

bump

I am an American living in Australia. (very similar mobile infrastructure w/ NZ. Kiwis to Aussies are just like Canadians to Americans)
I actually ordered the Tmo m919 sent here because all the avail bands for tmo (I still have tmo in the US). I bought it in full. Just got it a few days ago and after unlock it works great! IMO I think the tmo variant is one of the best out there. The octocores are a joke as they do not save anything on battery life not to mention performance gains. I've used tmo S3 and the tmo S4 has just about all the avail international bands out there. The only thing is there are not many dev in tmo based roms but plenty can be ported over from the i9505 variant.
On stock firmware:
1) no need to change APNS. After unlock I popped the local SIM here works great. The beauty is I pop my Tmobile SIM in, turn on wifi calling. Turn off roaming and make calls home w/ 100% clarity over wifi dialing direct US numbers w/o incurring any international fees.
Wifi calling really shines here. Will only work with active Tmobile SIM (tmo phone number).
2) All data, mms works great
3) AU and NZ do not have LTE. Just be thankful they just rolled out 4G for most networks here. There are plenty of patchy areas of 3G. Sometimes really bad in the city.
On custom firmware:
1) works even better!
2) wifi tethering hack is really good when u don't have decent internet access.
3) a lot of cheap prepaid packages here. cellular communications is about the only inexpensive thing here in AU/NZ compared with other commodities/services in the US.
*** You should call Tmo and get the unlock code well in advance. It has taken from 5-14 days to get an unlock code. My phone is newer so the free unlock method does not work (manufacture date 8/10/13). A good thing I do unlocking on the side so I plug it into my programmer box and unlock in about 3 secs.
Hope this helps

Anyone try the P-601 on AT&T

I'm hoping to do this as I currently have a One-XL and the HSPA+ is fast enough but am sick of the hotspot, anyone try it?

waterfoul said:
I'm hoping to do this as I currently have a One-XL and the HSPA+ is fast enough but am sick of the hotspot, anyone try it?
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Yep. And I used a N-8000 (N10.1-12) for over a year before that. It's great not only from a constant connectivity perspective (not having the device bog down syncing every time it connects to Wi-Fi) but also from having a full keyboard for MMS and a gigantic battery for long conference calls so your phone's battery isn't hosed. Using Pen Window minimized with the phone app for a call when you're using S Note to take notes from the call is pretty spiffy. I don't know if it still exists for new service but AT&T's IMEI database doesn't know what the SM-P601/N-8000 are. I added them to my account for $9.99 as a non-Smartphone and got unlimited data for non-Smartphones for $10 more.

BarryH_GEG said:
Yep. And I used a N-8000 (N10.1-12) for over a year before that. It's great not only from a constant connectivity perspective (not having the device bog down syncing every time it connects to Wi-Fi) but also from having a full keyboard for MMS and a gigantic battery for long conference calls so your phone's battery isn't hosed. Using Pen Window minimized with the phone app for a call when you're using S Note to take notes from the call is pretty spiffy. I don't know if it still exists for new service but AT&T's IMEI database doesn't know what the SM-P601/N-8000 are. I added them to my account for $9.99 as a non-Smartphone and got unlimited data for non-Smartphones for $10 more.
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4 Questions
1. Would you be willing to run a speed test for me?
2. Where did you get yours?
3. Is it the unlocked model or a country specific model
4. Did you have any issues connecting it to the towers?

waterfoul said:
4 Questions
1. Would you be willing to run a speed test for me?
2. Where did you get yours?
3. Is it the unlocked model or a country specific model
4. Did you have any issues connecting it to the towers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The SM-P601/5 are really just giant phones. They most likely have the same radios as the S-800/Exynos N3's and would perform the same way. Pop a SIM in that's on a smartphone data plan and you've got voice, MMS, and data just like you would on a phone. HSPA+ download speeds on AT&T are between 5-8MB which I'm fine with.
Mine's from Negri and its got a Trinidad CSC which most of their HSPA+ devices do. All international devices are unlocked and it didn't have region lock applied like some of Samsung's newer smartphones do.
P.S. - The LTE versions that will eventually be sold by the U.S. carriers will have the voice and MMS features disabled; they always do.

[Q] Use Note 3 as modem in Germany?

Hi,
I'll be taking my TMo Note 3 to Germany, and will use a local Sim there (Fonic).
It comes with 5Gb of data, and I'd like to use my phone as a modem for my laptop.
Do I need an app for that, or will the Tmobile tethering option work?
I'm on lycamobile here, and when connected via wifi, I can use Tmo usb tethering to share with my laptop.
Not sure if it will work with a 3G data connection.

If you are on a custom rom the tethering provision should allow it to work perfectly (if included). If your stock it'll check the carrier provisioning and eww to fonic...thats O2 (which is EDGE in 90% of the country, 3G is just in major areas....and midsized towns basically) unless you are going to south germany or going to like munich.
Tmobiles 3G coverage is much much more extensive there, 4G too! a lot of it.

nxneko said:
If you are on a custom rom the tethering provision should allow it to work perfectly (if included). If your stock it'll check the carrier provisioning and eww to fonic...thats O2 (which is EDGE in 90% of the country, 3G is just in major areas....and midsized towns basically) unless you are going to south germany or going to like munich.
Tmobiles 3G coverage is much much more extensive there, 4G too! a lot of it.
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So, if I'm rooted stock, are there apps that will work?
So far, I've had no problems over there, using Fonic or O2 in the Duesseldorg/Koeln area, but I'd be happy to try something else.
I'll check into tmobile over there.

siskiou said:
So, if I'm rooted stock, are there apps that will work?
So far, I've had no problems over there, using Fonic or O2 in the Duesseldorg/Koeln area, but I'd be happy to try something else.
I'll check into tmobile over there.
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If it does not work you can just try FoxFi. Anyways, if it works in that area it works. When I go I get dragged around so I need "Anywhere" type of reliability, I go in Aug but also to london so I think this time im just using the stock 128kbps free international. its faster then ISDN .shrug.
But O2 - Roaming from Verizon - was severely spotting for me when I was in pfalzgrafenweiler area....that edge....so much edge....so much loading. from the maps O2 is strong in cities and large towns but if your staying in a small village its a toss up

nxneko said:
If it does not work you can just try FoxFi. Anyways, if it works in that area it works. When I go I get dragged around so I need "Anywhere" type of reliability, I go in Aug but also to london so I think this time im just using the stock 128kbps free international. its faster then ISDN .shrug.
But O2 - Roaming from Verizon - was severely spotting for me when I was in pfalzgrafenweiler area....that edge....so much edge....so much loading. from the maps O2 is strong in cities and large towns but if your staying in a small village its a toss up
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Maybe I'm just used to slow speeds!
My parents live in a smaller town, but o2 seems okay there. I don't do anything like streaming videos, while over there, and for email, websurfing and skype, it seems to work okay.
I'll install a couple of tethering apps, and hope, something works. *g*
Giffgaff worked well for me in London the past 2 years, but I'm always on the lookout for cheap!
If I had Tmobile here, I might go for the simple plan, but they told me that they might cut me off, if I only use it here for a few days, before going to Germany for 2 months.

SM-G960F/DS on Verizon in the US

Hi all,
I have in my hands an unopened G960F/DS. I was considering this phone to replace an old model, it's long due. I thought I did my homework and was able to determine this phone worked on Verizon in the US, but a serious note on the box and further research suggests I may have been wrong. Although it would be nice to have new hardware, I am replacing the old one almost entirely out of a desire to flash a custom ROM on it. I was under the impression the lack of CDMA support wasn't a big issue given that Verizon (and everyone else) is phasing out CDMA and the phone still had LTE. Thus my choice of the F/DS. I am informed that opening the box and returning the phone will incur a charge, while keeping the box sealed and returning it will not. I am trying to decide to continue forward and test on Verizon's network here in the US or just return the thing, the choice lies in compatibility with this network. So now I get to play a guessing game.
I find myself in 4G LTE areas most of the time. I want to use data and make voice calls.
This 2-post thread suggests not much can be done:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s9/help/sm-g960f-verizon-network-t3856443
This guy demonstrating slower speeds, which I'm not too concerned about, but also HSPA+ in an area he usually gets LTE. In the video description he says after applying a software update it works 'fine':
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkNXCK2iVO8
This site lists some band compatibility but doesn't say anything about not being able to use it with Verizon:
https://apn.gishan.net/en/apn/verizon/samsung-galaxy-s9
This site also lists band compatibility but warns about Verizon's strict device policy:
https://www.frequencycheck.com/carr...e-samsung-star/verizon-wireless-united-states
Is there any hope to use an unlocked S9 on Verizon in the US? I see this going one of several ways: 1) Everyone works out and I can make calls and use data and there are no issues and rainbows and unicorns 2) Data in certain places, no voice because something something "VoLTE" 3) Absolutely no data/voice whatsoever 4) I switch carriers I return this piece of junk and buy a phone that works. (might coincide with 2/3)
If I end up with (4), how can I avoid this issue in the future? I spent some considerable time deciding on this model, which has the features I want and an unlockable bootloader. Will the S10 have this issue? What about the Note 9? I apologize for the noobposting, and if I missed a thread that answered this question. Thanks for any help you can provide, I sincerely appreciate it.
Edit: This thread asks a similar question but isn't specific and neither are the answers:
https://us.community.samsung.com/t5/Galaxy-S9/Unlocked-galaxy-S9-on-Verizon/td-p/277493

I have been using a G965f/ds on Verizon Wireless.
VoLTE, vowifi, text, and data work after rooting.
Having done a speed test with a U device and on the g965f/ds, the speed I can receive seems equal.
I haven't had issues with making LTE calls in my area.

CynicalHeight00 said:
I have been using a G965f/ds on Verizon Wireless.
VoLTE, vowifi, text, and data work after rooting.
Having done a speed test with a U device and on the g965f/ds, the speed I can receive seems equal.
I haven't had issues with making LTE calls in my area.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the feedback. Are you based in the US? How did you activate the phone? I found instructions on LTE activation here:
www . verizonwireless . com/businessportals/support/how_to_use/activate_4g_lte.html
And an IMEI checker, which fails when I enter what I find on the box my phone is in:
www . verizonwireless . com/od/prepaid/bring-your-own-device/#/checkDevice
Edit: It also looks like they have a second page that checks IMEI (this also fails for me). Can you tell me what either of these pages say when you enter your IMEI?
www . verizonwireless . com/onedp/byod#/

I reside in the US.
The imei of my g965d/fs failed when inputted in to their system;however, the SIM is all that's needed for Verizon wireless to work on it. Initially, though, you might need to insert the SIM card into another imei Verizon wireless compatible device only to allow the system to have that imei in the system for your number. Since, you already have vzw, I'm assuming you already are activated on it with a device, so moving sims is the next step.

Thanks for your input. Anyone else have experience with this device on Verizon's network?

I could have written this exact post.
jmtroth said:
Thanks for your input. Anyone else have experience with this device on Verizon's network?
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I am trying to do the same thing with the same model Note 9, SM-N960F/DS. I was told by Verizon Level 2 tech rep that simply installing an activated SIM would make the phone work, obviously 4gLTE only since there are no CDMA bands. He checked the 4 bands Verizon uses for their 4gLTE and the F/DS model has all 4 of them.
I am in the same boat as you though. IF I try it and it doesn't work I have to return and lose $125 or switch to GSM network (AT&T or TMO) I am also trying to decide whether to take the gamble. This Level 2 Tech guy didn't mention anything about having to root the phone.
I would also like to know about the advisability of attempting this. I thought I read somewhere that this phone won't have any warranty in US anyway but I am not 100% sure about that. Sellers seem to want to gloss over that issue.

I'm very very interested in this

to put this to bed, you cant use any F galaxy phone on verizon and get full usage. vzw is a CDMA based carrier whereby voice is transmitted primarily via CDMA and data over GSM (which includes voLTE, obviously). The F model do not have CDMA radios in them. You CAN get data to work and therefore voLTE as long as you can flash the vzw CSC to get the phone to install the voLTE app. Long story short, dont try it. Its a fruitless endeavor. I mean, do what you want, i guess, but dont expect for the F to work well, or at all on vzw. There is nothing anybody on xda or anywhere can do to alleviate that.

I had straight talk using Verizon towers on note 8, my note 8 broke, I missed flashing custom ROMs, I bought a note 9 n960f, read online it would work too. I inserted sim. Did not get data or calls. Flashed custom ROMs found a lineage is rom that worked with data for like 2 min then quit. I kept Singapore rom csc stock radios I guess from Singapore, guy on here said he flashed Singapore stock Odin flash and ended up making his work but didn't work with my straight talk Verizon sim. My buddy came over and he uses visible network on Verizon towers we popped in his sim and it worked flawlessly on stock Singapore csc/flashed custom rom from xda. I switched, it's cheaper, it works and first month was 5$ no fee to transfer my number over. Visible is great, join a group and it's 25$ a month.