Hi all,
While back in the USA, I was lucky enough to get a new Nexus 7 (2103) 32GB LTE model which shipped with a T-Mobile micro SIM card good for prepaid data access plans. However, I live in the Netherlands and when I tried to use my Nexus with a micro SIM from my provider Vodafone, it was not able to properly list the mobile network operators.
I opened a technical support incident with Google Play services who lead me through several diagnostic steps which included verifying that the tablet is not SIM or carrier locked, it properly recognizes the available networks with other carriers SIM cards (worked with T-Mobile USA, Telecom DE, MTN NG, Rogers CA) it also can list the mobile networks with no SIM in the device. But when a Vodafone SIM is added, it simply doesn't recognize any network operators. It's not a matter of APN settings, as we have verified these are correct, but the problem occurs at a very early level in preventing the mobile networks from being listed.
I believe this to be somehow related to the SIM card/middleware used to communicate with the SIM to the hardware. I see this behavior with the LTE Factory Image JLS36C as well as the Cyanogen Mod 10.2 unofficial deb builds.
Are there any other LTE users that are having a similar problem? Without mobile network access, my LTE model is effectively a WiFi only model and I'd really like to get this fixed.
buckofive said:
While back in the USA, I was lucky enough to get a new Nexus 7 (2103) 32GB LTE model which shipped with a T-Mobile micro SIM card good for prepaid data access plans. However, I live in the Netherlands and when I tried to use my Nexus with a micro SIM from my provider Vodafone, it was not able to properly list the mobile network operators.
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Click to collapse
As has been posted quite a few times already, the US and Europe use different channels for LTE. So a US N7 will not work with all European providers and vice versa. Most probably Vodafone uses one of the LTE channels not supported on the US N7. So you have two choices:
1. Find a different provider that uses the channels supported by the US N7.
2. Replace your current US N7 with an European N7 model.
Guhrasoh said:
As has been posted quite a few times already, the US and Europe use different channels for LTE. So a US N7 will not work with all European providers and vice versa. Most probably Vodafone uses one of the LTE channels not supported on the US N7. So you have two choices:
1. Find a different provider that uses the channels supported by the US N7.
2. Replace your current US N7 with an European N7 model.
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Click to collapse
While the US and Europe do have some variance in LTE bands - we confirmed that the bands used by Vodafone NL are as listed below:
Nexus 7 (2013) Tech Specs (LTE)
Network
North America and Japan:
GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
HSPA+: 850/900/1900/2100/AWS (1700/2100) MHz (Bands: 1/2/4/5/8)
LTE: 700/850/1700/1800/1900/2100 MHZ (Bands: 1/2/3/4/5/13/17)
Rest of World:
GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
HSPA+: 850/900/1900/2100/AWS (1700/2100) MHz (Bands: 1/2/4/5/8)
LTE: 800/850/1700/1800/1900/2100/2600 MHz (Bands: 1/2/3/4/5/7/20)
Wireless
Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4G/5G) 802.11 a/b/g/n
We confirmed that Vodafone NL use 4G data enabled in a combination of the 800MHz and 1800MHz bands which are listed as supported.
The fact that my N7 can connect to other mobile networks in Europe with other carrier SIM cards also disproves the need to get a "European" model to connect to a network. There clearly is a problem with the Vodafone SIM and the NA Nexus, but simply blaming it on the channel or bands is not correct. Addittionally, even if the LTE connection is not possible 3G connection via HSPA+ or 2G GSM connection should be possible. The same Vodafone SIM worked with my N7 2013 3G model, which was also from NA, so it is clearly not an issue with the bands & channels.
Have you tried manually changing your prefered network type in testing menu *#*#4636#*#*
Since there is no dialler on N7 deb, I use https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.freespirit.hms&hl=en
From tablet info submenu, u can also use settings button (3 dots) to manually select radio band
Raverbunny said:
Have you tried manually changing your prefered network type in testing menu *#*#4636#*#*
Since there is no dialler on N7 deb, I use https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.freespirit.hms&hl=en
From tablet info submenu, u can also use settings button (3 dots) to manually select radio band
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the tips regarding the Hidden Menus application. I've installed it and set the GSM/UMTS band to EURO Band (GSM-900/DCS-1800/WCDMA-IMT-2000) but still not had any luck detecting mobile networks with the Vodafone SIM inserted. After removing the SIM and restarting, performing the same operation to search for available networks shows the four network operators in this region. I'm currently in Germany and in this area it shows
E-Plus
o2- de
Telekom.de
Vodafone.de
If I replace the Vodafone NL sim and try the same operation again, Settings | Mobile Networks | Network Operators - it searches for only a second or two (compared to the 15 or so it takes with no SIM installed) then does not show any networks.
All signs point to the issue being with the SIM chip OS or incompatability of the SIM chip profiles with the Nexus 7 (2013) LTE model. I didn't have any issues with this and my Nexus 7 (2012) 3G version.
In another strange hardware related issue, I have noticed that the Nexus 7 (2013) uses a different NFC stack and does not recognize all of the NFC tags that the 2012 model recognizes. A co-worker with the 2013 Wifi only version ordered some NFC tiles but they don't work with either his or my 2013 model, but work with the 2012 model. Very curious if this is somehow related to the issue that I see with the SIM card problem I am having.
Any other ideas?
Did you find a solution?
buckofive said:
Thanks for the tips regarding the Hidden Menus application. I've installed it and set the GSM/UMTS band to EURO Band (GSM-900/DCS-1800/WCDMA-IMT-2000) but still not had any luck detecting mobile networks with the Vodafone SIM inserted. After removing the SIM and restarting, performing the same operation to search for available networks shows the four network operators in this region. I'm currently in Germany and in this area it shows
E-Plus
o2- de
Telekom.de
Vodafone.de
If I replace the Vodafone NL sim and try the same operation again, Settings | Mobile Networks | Network Operators - it searches for only a second or two (compared to the 15 or so it takes with no SIM installed) then does not show any networks.
All signs point to the issue being with the SIM chip OS or incompatability of the SIM chip profiles with the Nexus 7 (2013) LTE model. I didn't have any issues with this and my Nexus 7 (2012) 3G version.
In another strange hardware related issue, I have noticed that the Nexus 7 (2013) uses a different NFC stack and does not recognize all of the NFC tags that the 2012 model recognizes. A co-worker with the 2013 Wifi only version ordered some NFC tiles but they don't work with either his or my 2013 model, but work with the 2012 model. Very curious if this is somehow related to the issue that I see with the SIM card problem I am having.
Any other ideas?
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Hello All,
Apologies for the opportunistic first post but I only "discovered" this forum today.
I am facing the same issue as buckofive and was wondering whether anyone has ever found a solution?
Thank you.
ricmartins said:
Hello All,
Apologies for the opportunistic first post but I only "discovered" this forum today.
I am facing the same issue as buckofive and was wondering whether anyone has ever found a solution?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, I have not been successful in getting this resolved. I've visited Vodafone several times, but none of their in store personnel have been able to give me any other answer than "it doesn't work" and we also see this with North American Nexus 5 handsets. I've done some addditional testing with other MNO SIM cards with American, Dutch, and German T-mobile SIMs and they work flawlessly and with 4G LTE speed, so it isn't a question of network or band.
The issue is definitely related to the SIM card OS and version. However, Vodafone have been unable to tell me what the SIM vendor is and what the chip operating system is.
Vodafone promised a solution
I have AGAIN asked Vodafone for help and they promised me a solution. I have my doubts ad will post an update next week once i hear back from them.
buckofive said:
Unfortunately, I have not been successful in getting this resolved. I've visited Vodafone several times, but none of their in store personnel have been able to give me any other answer than "it doesn't work" and we also see this with North American Nexus 5 handsets. I've done some addditional testing with other MNO SIM cards with American, Dutch, and German T-mobile SIMs and they work flawlessly and with 4G LTE speed, so it isn't a question of network or band.
The issue is definitely related to the SIM card OS and version. However, Vodafone have been unable to tell me what the SIM vendor is and what the chip operating system is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ricmartins said:
I have AGAIN asked Vodafone for help and they promised me a solution. I have my doubts ad will post an update next week once i hear back from them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you hear anything back from Vodafone? They have simply told me they don't support the device and explain that it is due to a North American device, which is simply not true. I've tested with T-Mobile data card from The Netherlands and also from Telekom in Germany and the Nexus 7 2013 gets 40+ Mbps download speeds on those networks. So the issue is clearly related to the Vodafone SIM cards, but no one has been able to give me any insight as to what card OS they are using, so it is very hard to troublehsoot the problem any further.
Two big thumbs down for Vodafone service & support!
Any news on this problem yet? I have exactly the same problem, I can use a KPN sim but my Vodafone sim simply won't work in my US Nexus 7. This sucks, I upgraded to a multisim Red Super subscription to be able to use my new tablet anywhere without having to tether.
I made sure to check which bands the US Nexus supports and figured in a worst case scenario I would simply use 3G instead of 4G. But it won't connect to 3G either
Sorontar said:
Any news on this problem yet? I have exactly the same problem, I can use a KPN sim but my Vodafone sim simply won't work in my US Nexus 7. This sucks, I upgraded to a multisim Red Super subscription to be able to use my new tablet anywhere without having to tether.
I made sure to check which bands the US Nexus supports and figured in a worst case scenario I would simply use 3G instead of 4G. But it won't connect to 3G either
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the issue as well. openend a ticket with Vodafone and directed them to this thread. unfortunately they were thus far also not able to solve it yet. hopefully something will happen, as otherwise I will need to drop Vodafone....
I also tested it with a KPN sim which worked perfectly. two Vodafone sims and a duo sim all had the same issue. Real strange thing is that with the KPN sim I was able to see the Vodafone network. But on the Vodafone sim I wasn't able to see any network. They assured my it was not a 4G only sim card, thus it was also strange the nexus did not pick a 2G or 3G network. In the settings though I could not change the 4G perferred setting to either 2G or 3G. it immediately reverted back to the 4G setting....
All in all, no realy help yet, only confirmation of what is being seen above.
pwvandeursen said:
I have the issue as well. openend a ticket with Vodafone and directed them to this thread. unfortunately they were thus far also not able to solve it yet. hopefully something will happen, as otherwise I will need to drop Vodafone....
I also tested it with a KPN sim which worked perfectly. two Vodafone sims and a duo sim all had the same issue. Real strange thing is that with the KPN sim I was able to see the Vodafone network. But on the Vodafone sim I wasn't able to see any network. They assured my it was not a 4G only sim card, thus it was also strange the nexus did not pick a 2G or 3G network. In the settings though I could not change the 4G perferred setting to either 2G or 3G. it immediately reverted back to the 4G setting....
All in all, no realy help yet, only confirmation of what is being seen above.
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Click to collapse
I wouldn't hold your breath waiting on the response from Vodafone. I've had a ticket open for months with them, and it supposedly has been escalated. I've inquired in person with the so called "specialists" and they simply say it doesn't work with their SIMs. Yet nobody can tell me anything about the SIM, like manufacturer card OS, etc. It is really frustrating to hear this as I work with smart card and SIM middleware developers and if we had a bit to work with we might be able to fix the problem on our own.
I was at the end of my rope and extreme frustrated with them and wanted to cancel my contract, but they said that despite me paying for months of service that I haven't been able to use, that I would have to pay the remaining duration of my contract before I could switch to T-Mobile, which I think is total crap.
dual sim same problem with vodafone NL
I have the same issue. I use a dual sim from Vodafone in my Nexus 5 and Nexus 7. The Nexus 5 does not show these problems, but the 7 does. When I buy prepay mobile data abroad (Europe, Asia, US, Australia), the Nexus 7 2013 C works great with e.g. Orange, t-Mobile, Vodafone etc. But as my cellular subscription is a corporate one, at home I have to stick to wifi, for almost 2 years now! (I bought the 7 in Australia about 2 years ago). And yes exchanging sims between the devices does not make a difference. The combination vodafone NL sim + nexus 7 does not provide mobile data.
Hello,
I have ordered LT28i but came to me lt28h but on little sticker is written
LT28h
Mobile Phone GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1900, UMTS/HSPA+Bands 1/2/5/8,LTE Bands 4/17
here is the picture of that sticker
do you think that it can run on lte or certainly not?
New info and question I've been to some mobile shops for example ee and another in the ee they are offering lte demo data download simcards to try they lte speed (btw I'm in UK) and speed was slow and I did not have any 4g sign and when I have checked settings of xperia z1 there is possibility to choose gsm or hsdpa or lte and In my settings there isn't an lte option. I've heard from one side that for lte you need special sim card and from 2 more trustworthy sides that no for lte u just need lte enabled phone (no simcard) please owners of 4g version tell if you did need to change your 3g for 4g sim card or no and please tell me if you have in network mode lte option here is my screen
New info and question I've been to some mobile shops for example ee and another in the ee they are offering lte demo data download simcards to try they lte speed (btw I'm in UK) and speed was slow and I did not have any 4g sign and when I have checked settings of xperia z1 there is possibility to choose gsm or hsdpa or lte and In my settings there isn't an lte option. I've heard from one side that for lte you need special sim card and from 2 more trustworthy sides that no for lte u just need lte enabled phone (no simcard) please owners of 4g version tell if you did need to change your 3g for 4g sim card or no and please tell me if you have in network mode lte option here is my screen
Only way to know - test an LTE.simcard...mungkin (maybe) it is a scam,advertised as lte sold as hspa
Sent from my LT28h using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
So a mate has a P2 and can't seem to get it to connect to 4G. The SIM card and network is Vodafone UK.
What I know/have tried:
- SIM in both sim slots will connect to 3.5G (HSDPA) on Vodafone network
- A different SIM (Three UK) did connect to 4G in the SIM slot 1 (did not try SIM slot 2)
- Settings says 4G preferred network is selected
- By typing *#*#4636#*#* into dialer and going to phone info displays LTE is selected as one of the preferred networks
- The same SIM (Vodafone UK one) connects to 4G in his old phone and has done in all his old phones
- APN settings are correct, verified by Vodafone support plus myself looking online
So he talked to Vodafone support again today who said try speed tests in 3 different locations and report back. He has done 1 which is 14mbps down and 3mbps up which is slow for 4G (I get 64mbps down and 24mbps up, different network but shows his is slow and likely not 4G). Similarly we we know the device can connect to 4G from using the Three UK SIM.
My gut instinct is it's a network issue, all device settings seem okay, nothing is screaming out of place. The issue though is that the SIM has connected to 4G in his other devices so confuses me.
So, I'd love your thoughts and inputs on this. Any suggestions welcome that may help! Thanks!
matt4321 said:
So a mate has a P2 and can't seem to get it to connect to 4G. The SIM card and network is Vodafone UK.
What I know/have tried:
- SIM in both sim slots will connect to 3.5G (HSDPA) on Vodafone network
- A different SIM (Three UK) did connect to 4G in the SIM slot 1 (did not try SIM slot 2)
- Settings says 4G preferred network is selected
- By typing *#*#4636#*#* into dialer and going to phone info displays LTE is selected as one of the preferred networks
- The same SIM (Vodafone UK one) connects to 4G in his old phone and has done in all his old phones
- APN settings are correct, verified by Vodafone support plus myself looking online
So he talked to Vodafone support again today who said try speed tests in 3 different locations and report back. He has done 1 which is 14mbps down and 3mbps up which is slow for 4G (I get 64mbps down and 24mbps up, different network but shows his is slow and likely not 4G). Similarly we we know the device can connect to 4G from using the Three UK SIM.
My gut instinct is it's a network issue, all device settings seem okay, nothing is screaming out of place. The issue though is that the SIM has connected to 4G in his other devices so confuses me.
So, I'd love your thoughts and inputs on this. Any suggestions welcome that may help! Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont know the device or network specifically But I know that the device has to support the same lte bands that the carrier broadcasts in LTE in that area Just because the carrier broadcasts say 900mhtz in LTE, if the device dont support 900 in lte then it wont get it. I have had cases wher 3g is the same freq as 4g it still wont pick it up If you get what I am saying. May be a issue or not.
to further add he might take one of the old devices and use a signal catching app to see what lte bands are broadcasted in his area then compare to device
Thanks @TheMadScientist, all suggestions welcome still. I'm gunna continue to keep an eye on this, research answers and send him a link to this so he can test anything on the device.
matt4321 said:
Thanks @TheMadScientist, all suggestions welcome still. I'm gunna continue to keep an eye on this, research answers and send him a link to this so he can test anything on the device.
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Click to collapse
We get this issue a lot using sprint phones unlocked international gsm. A lot of carriers seem to not use the same lte bands.
Then naturly verizon devices come gsm unlocked but verizons radios are crap and do not pick anything up half the time. My veriz g5 can get lte next town over cause they use a supported band and no towers near me use it. So i get 3g. And a lot of h h+ i ise lte discovery as the app on mine.
Just hope this isnt his issue as its a harware compatibility .
TheMadScientist said:
We get this issue a lot using sprint phones unlocked international gsm. A lot of carriers seem to not use the same lte bands.
Then naturly verizon devices come gsm unlocked but verizons radios are crap and do not pick anything up half the time. My veriz g5 can get lte next town over cause they use a supported band and no towers near me use it. So i get 3g. And a lot of h h+ i ise lte discovery as the app on mine.
Just hope this isnt his issue as its a harware compatibility .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I checked the network and the device (on GSM arena) and it seems 4G bands are supported. But I'll try that lte discovery app with him soon you mentioned and see what results that yields
@matt4321
http://www.techadvisor.co.uk/how-to...r-phone-is-supported-by-your-network-3597426/
You should check the manuals if there is support for 2600 frequency on phone.
Maybe the phone supports 800/1800(cos 3 is on 1800) and you don't have 800 band in area.
You will have to contact Lenovo and ask them to change baseband or whatever...
or Perhaps get a new phone with support for 2600
Had the same problem using a LG G3. I tried this App to trigger LTE only. Then the Phone connect to the LTE network.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tapbase.LTEswitcher&hl=de
I can't find a solid answer on this. I'm looking for a dual SIM phone that doesn't limit the 2nd SIM to 2G, like most older dual SIM phones. I found one source online that says it does support 3G on SIM2 after a software upgrade.
In particular I'm curious if it's supported on LineageOS ROM. My question in the relevant thread for that has gone unanswered. For now I'd be happy to know that it works even with stock.
You can run either the first or the second SIM on 3G, but you can't run both at once on 3G. As soon as you set one SIM to 3G, the other drops back to 2G. This defeats the purpose of Dual Sim in countries like Australia that have stopped using 2G. There's only one 3G radio in the phone.
This information is for the A7 2017, but presumably it's the same for the A5 2017.
A520F-DS, the dual 3G/2G works. At least dual standby. Stock TW. Also works with 4G on 1 SIM.
screenshot
Some apps might not update the signal strength(Android 1 telephony API, single SIM, 2G doesn't really support the newer(cellids only, no signal strength unless it's matched with the neighbouring cell info), 3G dual, and most of 4G is OK). To fix this, insert 2 sims, set 1 as default for everything, remove that SIM, the signal strength will update for the other SIM.
Band Selection(3G/2G only unless the other SIM is set to that) and Band Disable(4G/3G) works and only applies on the selected SIM. Requires root or specific CSCs.
Cell Locking applies only on SIM 1 and could affect SIM 2.
I've owned three different dual SIM phones (current one is the A3) and none of them could do more than 2G for the "other" SIM. Totally agree with @ryebuck that it defeats the purpose of dual SIM devices in some countries, the more so when more countries will drop 2G in the future. Either manufacturers start making REAL dual phones, or the dual concept will die of its own death.
Last year my wife and I took our Samsungs to Israel and they worked great with their system and wifi. Now my wife is there with the P2 xl and her wifi is fine but her system calls are spotty.
Has anyone used any systems while in other countries that could have some advice.
Google support said to clean or replace the sim.
I purchased the Pixel 2XL through ebay and currently use it in Latin America with a SIM card from my local carrier. No issues whatsoever. Might need a new SIM card most likely, I doubt they charge you for getting a new one.
New sim or try this one first. Go to mobile networks and switch to 2G/3G. Bad LTE/4G coverage together with VoLTE enabled can give reception issues.
Michiel0912 said:
New sim or try this one first. Go to mobile networks and switch to 2G/3G. Bad LTE/4G coverage together with VoLTE enabled can give reception issues.
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Click to collapse
Thanks, I'll tell her to try a new sim.
FYI, the default setting for our Pixel's is Global. The 2 other settings are: LTE/ CDMA . or . LTE/GSM/UMTS
I get this option.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CTmBKrQ57-fVEqks7WwuNktjO0XnKa0-/view?usp=drivesdk
I like that more
Alternatively you can use:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ather.networkmode
Under preferred network type she can change to WCDMA Preferred (3G/2G) or GSM Only (2G) or WCDMA Only (3G).