Hi there,
I'm totally confused as to what I need to do to get my Touch Pro 2 (currently activated on Boost CDMA) to work abroad, specifically Canada.
It is flashed with Energy ROM, Reference version.
Do I need to do a Radio flash? Do I need to tweak some settings? Both? Neither?
I'm going to be in Canada for 3 weeks and plan to use either Rogers or Fido's GSM Pay as You Go (already have the SIM cards), or Telus's CDMA Pay as You Go.
I've read the FAQs and generally understand that this is possible -- just not clear the route.
Thanks,
Simmy
The biggest problem with Canada is our carriers don't want people coming in and using their networks without paying for it, and that usually means your first born here.
The hardware problem is, the TP2 will not work on the frequencies in Canada that Telus has used for the HSPA / 4G network. And using the current CDMA network is not possible either because Telus and Bell will not allow you to put branded phones from other companies on the old network and CDMA systems don't use SIM cards. So if your planning on bringing the TP2 up here I think you may be out of luck.
I took the TP2 to Ireland and was able to use the frequencies there on the O2 network, but to do that I had to unlock the phone and as i have the "world edition" with the SIM card slot once unlocked it worked over there no issue, and returned working over here with no SIM card in it. But again this is a frequency issue and telus tells us it won't work.
Now if when you get here, and you plug a sim card in and it does work, please share, because it means we can manually add frequencies and hook to both the old and new network. And some of us with the original unlimited data contracts (no 10 gig cap) would be really happy to know this.
As for Rogers, i can't tell you. I don't know if they have ever had the TP2 and have no clue what frequency they are using for their phones, though i'm sure it's similar.
Flashing the radio does nothing to add radios or affect your ability to connect to the network while abroad. Its usually just done to improve reception and/or battery life.
You will need your phone SIM unlocked. Then, as the post above suggests, either putting in the SIM works, or it doesn't.
Thanks to both of you for your reply.
So the TP2 won't work on any Canadian CDMA networks, but since it also has GSM, if I stick a Rogers or Fido SIM card in it, it *may* work. In fact, I believe it *should* work. I'll let you guys know how it goes.
And thanks for answering my question re: radio ROMs, Redpoint -- that's what I thought, but was still confused about.
So, with respect to unlocking, is the Olipro page that charges 11 pounds / 14 euros / $20 my best/cheapest option? (unfortunately, i can't link to it here because I'm a new member)
Thank muchly,
Simmy
The device should have no trouble connecting to a normal GSM network in Canada. The Canadian GSM networks use the GSM-1900 and GSM-850 bands. The CDMA Rhodiums use a quad band frequency that spans all of 850/900/1800/1900 MHz channels. You should have no problems in Canada. Enjoy your trip.
You do not need to flash a new radio to have it work in Canada.
I am going out of the country to Mexico. I have never used an international sim card with my phone. Can I use one in Mexico. My phone is Unlocked and rooted. It is Verizon CDMA.
I highly doubt it for the simple fact its cdma. Most countries use GSM. I may be mistaken but I'd check with Verizon just to be 100% sure
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
That is what I thought just wanted to confirm. My phone is not international but I thought it would be with a different international sim card
susieq29 said:
That is what I thought just wanted to confirm. My phone is not international but I thought it would be with a different international sim card
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The reason you're phone is not "international" is because the radio chip only communicates via certain frequencies. It is a function of the hardware that is physically soldered to the logic board. Changing a sim doesn't make any phone international. Whether or not the phone has a chip that supports the frequencies that the SIM is trying to use is what determines if you'll get service.
Also, Verizon only uses SIM cards for LTE service, not the phone. If you ever get your hands on an iPhone 4 or 4S that is on Verizon, take the SIM card out. The phone will still work fine. It doesn't even use the SIM card (because 4s and 4S's don't have LTE).
You posted this in the wrong section dude
Went ahead and reported it, asking it to be moved.
No worries though. It happens!
I was looking around different forums and I keep hearing that the unlocked S8 had an "LTE+" designation in the top right hand corner next to the signal strength meter. My SIM card is about 5 years old. Do I need a new SIM card and/or different APN settings to allow for LTE+ on my Galaxy S9 (which I assume is LTE Advanced (channel bonding))?
Now I know that some things such as WiFi calling and VoLTE won't work on my unlocked version though hopefully it supports all the bands that AT&T uses.
Thanks everyone.
It's been a while since I worked for AT&T but I can say this: why not? They give you the sim for free at any corporate store, so it's not like it's going to cost anything more than gas and time.
I ordered a LG GM710ULM from a well-reviewed seller on eBay. It was listed as new condition.
I received it yesterday and on the box, the model says LM710ULMBLTPL. I think the "PL" is for the Platinum. When I booted it up, the model number is the LM-710ULM, the serial number is populated, and the software version is the 11g and security patch is November 2018. When I tried to "Check for updates" , it said there were no updates available. There's no SIM card in it, so I'm not sure if that affects the ability to check updates. I don't see any signs of any carrier apps. All
When I looked up the IMEI on one of the free checkers, it comes back with the model as LMG710ULM, but the network is listed as "ABC Brightpoint" and Location is "N". As I've poked around, it looks like this is some sort of regional variant, but still from the U.S. But I can't find any cell provider named "Brightpoint".
When I checked the IMEI on T-Mobile's website, it gave me an error. But when I used the chat support feature, the rep was able to look it up and confirm it's not blacklisted and should be able to be activated on T-mobile. When I ran the IMEI through Verizon's online checker, it told me it wasn't compatible with Verizon's network. Which is a bit unsettling since the unlocked version should be able to be activated on any network.
Can anyone offer some insight on what the Brightpoint version is and how it may be different from the plain vanilla 710ULM ? Willl it be covered by the LG manufacturer warranty and get updates? Is there any way to be sure it's not refurb or flashed?
Thanks!
The fact that you have a populated serial number is a good sign. Brightpoint has released legitimate firmware for the ULM model, but I still no nothing about them as a company (might be worth a search of the forms... I think I remember someone talking about them as an LG partner). As seen here, I think the 11g update was the last update they released, but it should be possible to switch over to GFI or LG's vanilla USA firmware (this will likely require the use of LGUP), both of which are the same as far as I can tell, however there are different contact and dialer apps that get used depending on which network you are on, as well a Google Fi app that is either enabled or disabled by default.
Regardless of what the VZW website said, you should have access to all 4 major carriers in the US. I don't know if you have a specific provider in mind or a solution that uses multiple carriers such as Google Fi or Straight Talk, but you should be good to go (although I would recommend flashing to the latest "USA" kdz, which sadly is still not Pie!)
This is exactly what happened to me. What did you find out? What did you end up doing? I was expecting the ULM.AUSAPL model but got the ULM.BPTPL. Apparently Brightpoint is a CDMA company. Does this mean not all GSM bands will be accessible on this BPT firmware? Ya, seems their latest update is still from 12/2018 (11g) instead of USA firmware from 3/2019 (10j). Trying not to have to flash/root. Odd that Verizon said not compatible when it too is CDMA? Really having trouble finding the TRUE factory unlocked ULM.AUSA version. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Any info? Really would like to know what you found out. Did you keep the phone? Encounter any problems? ANY info would be greatly appreciated. DeeBG: maybe you can answer this: (BrightPoint is CDMA "provider" for all those tiny regional carriers) Since this "factory unlocked" ULM version is BPT does this mean that some or all of the GSM frequency bands are "disabled" for this model? And the USA version (GSM according to LG) has the CDMA bands "disabled"? And the GFI has all bands "enabled"? (for Fi auto switching) Is this how it works or what? Very confusing. Please help clarify this. Thanks.
I got one of the ULM versions off the bay too recently....it would not work on VZN...they denied activating it. I believe it does not have some bands needed. No pie for it either....so sent it back and got the VM version for vzn.
TRW1 said:
Any info? Really would like to know what you found out. Did you keep the phone? Encounter any problems? ANY info would be greatly appreciated. DeeBG: maybe you can answer this: (BrightPoint is CDMA "provider" for all those tiny regional carriers) Since this "factory unlocked" ULM version is BPT does this mean that some or all of the GSM frequency bands are "disabled" for this model? And the USA version (GSM according to LG) has the CDMA bands "disabled"? And the GFI has all bands "enabled"? (for Fi auto switching) Is this how it works or what? Very confusing. Please help clarify this. Thanks.
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Sadly the confusion + lack of information is rampant for this phone, and this is down to one major reason. The chipset used in all LG G7 phones is the same (Qualcomm Snapdragon 845), however due to carrier subsidies and other sketchy reasons, the active bands are dictated by whoever sold the phone.
There are two providers in the US that I'm aware of that make use of all four major networks (those being Google Fi and Straight Talk). There are multiple free and ad-supported apps in the Google Play store that claim to be able to tell you which bands are supported by your phone (I only know of their existence and so cannot recommend one that's more accurate than another).
Thanks for responding! Boy..............."lack of information for this phone" is the understatement of the year! You aren't kidding! I've been trying to find out more for days but seem to get either very basic answers or different answers from different sources. So frustrating! Even LG is very vague in their answers. Just want to know if I will encounter any problems trying to use this on GSM networks when this is technically on CDMA firmware? And just cross-flashing this to the USA firmware will NOT "enable" all the GSM bands, right? RR125: A bunch of reflashed G7's have been being sold online, making my search for true answers even more frustrating. Did it come factory sealed? Meaning clear round stickers on both the sides? If not, then you may have received one of the models being reflashed to make it look like it is a ULM model. Which is bait and switch and illegal.
I'm in the same boat. I signed up for Google Fi and purchased my G710ULM from Amazon a couple months ago. I experienced issues immediately. WiFi calling didn't work; every time it was enabled I could see ER081 up top. After 1.5 months of terrible service, I downloaded Signal Spy and came to the realization that I was only ever connecting to T-Mobile. If I attempted to manually switch to the Sprint network, I'd get a message like "configuring mobile data". After about a couple minutes, my SIM card would lock and it told me to reboot my phone. If I attempted to switch to U.S. Cellular's network, I would get phone and data, but my phone number changed to a Nebraska number (note, I live in Missouri).
At about that time, I started researching the different firmware versions (with great difficulty) and found that I had a Brightpoint-specific firmware (11g). I've since used LGUP to flash to firmware 10j (Google Fi's latest G710ULM firmware). This has improved but not fixed my situation. I can now make WiFi calls, I can connect to T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular and keep my phone number on U.S. Cellular. However, when I attempt to connect to Sprint, I still get that "configuring mobile data" message and the SIM card locks. I ordered a new SIM card from Google Fi a couple days back and intend to test this phone with the updated card, but I've got a feeling that something else is at play here preventing me from connecting to Sprint.
Similar to other people, I did an IMEI lookup and while it comes up on the free IMEI checker sites, most of the main networks' checkers (ATT, TMobile, Verizon, Sprint) tell me that the phone is either incompatible with their network or they can't find it in their DB.
Potential SIM card issues aside, does anyone have any other ideas why I may not be able to connect to Sprint?
-Nick
It could always be a hardware issue but it sounds like the phone is not getting provisioned to work on Sprint. Can you verify SprintDM.apk is installed? You will likely need to install a third party app such as system app safe remover from Play store.
https://www.businesswire.com/news/h...ribute-LG-Wireless-Devices-Accessories-United
Brightpoint sells both cdma & gsm LG phones and are distributors nowadays who sell to other carriers.
The bands on the phone are locked and not capable of being used unless you unlock them via qpst or cdma workshop.
But these firmwares provided have them directly locked in the kernel.
loonycgb2 said:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/h...ribute-LG-Wireless-Devices-Accessories-United
Brightpoint sells both cdma & gsm LG phones and are distributors nowadays who sell to other carriers.
The bands on the phone are locked and not capable of being used unless you unlock them via qpst or cdma workshop.
But these firmwares provided have them directly locked in the kernel.
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So if a Brightpoint ULM model was flashed with GFI ULM kdz why should it be GSM only unless they are different hardware version like TM? ULM hardware devices should support CDMA LTE bands.
mr3p said:
So if a Brightpoint ULM model was flashed with GFI ULM kdz why should it be GSM only unless they are different hardware version TM? ULM hardware devices should support CDMA LTE bands.
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Snapdragon 845 no matter what phone will come with the same qualcomm modem as no manufacturer/carrier will take the extra cost to modify design.
But since the bands are locked via nvram, its upto the manufacturer and/or the distributer that loads the software to choose what will be locked or unlocked.
Bands can be locked via android kernel, but operators do nvram to protect phones from being used out of what they need or want.
If I get a Sprint-locked Note 10+ now and unlock it later, will the phone at that point be functionally identical to one that is purchased unlocked? Also, does anyone know what will happen after the Sprint-T-Mobile merger regarding LTE access? Will Sprint phones still only access the sprint LTE infrastructure or will newer phones (like the Note 10+) then be able to access the LTE infrastructure that both companies now have? Is there any advantage to purchasing an unlocked phone now, when it comes to how the phone will perform post-merger?
Thank you!
ALL North American Note 10 Pluses (N975U/N975U1/N975W) are 100% identical hardware-wise and are all equally capable of connecting to the same radio frequencies/bands.
As far as what will happen after the merger, I don't know. Probably no change at first while they integrate networks. But your Note's ability to connect to different frequencies is limited only by the SIM card in it and the software provisioning for that SIM card.