I have just taken a job in the states and brought my phone with me. I was expecting to be able to get 3g when I insert an AT&T or T-Mobile sim card. Unfortauntely the best that the phone seems to be able to get is Edge.
After doing a bit of research it seems that in the US they are using differnt frequencies.
Does anyone know of a fix which would allow my phone to get 3g in the states?
kdrover said:
I have just taken a job in the states and brought my phone with me. I was expecting to be able to get 3g when I insert an AT&T or T-Mobile sim card. Unfortauntely the best that the phone seems to be able to get is Edge.
After doing a bit of research it seems that in the US they are using differnt frequencies.
Does anyone know of a fix which would allow my phone to get 3g in the states?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile are, I think, UMTS 900 / 2100 (perhaps like Vodafone in the UK and elsewhere, which is why we can all use T-Mobile-based rooted HTC ROMs in our phones).
AT&T is UMTS 850 and 1900.
At the moment no phone on earth can do both UMTS 850 *and* UMTS 900. These frequencies are used to provide longer range coverage in low-density service areas - in other words, most city-edge and countryside places.
UMTS 1900, 2100 and other higher numbered frequencies are used in higher-density areas to provide more calling / data capacity, but with the downside of more limited range.
It seems (googling) that AT&T do 850/1900 and T-Mobile do 1700 (as of May '08 sez Wikipedia), though the T-Mobile MyTouch3G does 1700 and 2100....so maybe T-Mobile now do 2100 as well (at least in some places). There doesn't appear to be much, if any overlap on 3G frequencies between carriers and users must be EDGE only on the telco that doesn't match their phone. Everyone does EDGE.
In New Zealand, where I am, one carrier does 850 and the other 900...but they both support 2100....and a 3rd carrier will soon be offering 2100 later this year.....so you do get *some* 3G on just one phone in built up areas where telcos need more capacity and use 2100....but you get nothing in the countryside and have to used EDGE/GPRS.
There are about 7 UMTS frequency bands all up (Wikipedia).....so any single device is going to be seriously challenged to support all those well.....and what telco would want their phones to do that anyway? Frequency incompatibilities prevent their customers from leaving.......which explains why there aren't any phones that do all 7.
linuxluver said:
T-Mobile are, I think, UMTS 900 / 2100 (perhaps like Vodafone in the UK and elsewhere, which is why we can all use T-Mobile-based rooted HTC ROMs in our phones).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If Vodafone (UK) & T-Mobile (US) are using the same UMTS frequencies, does this mean that I should be able to get 3g in the states? I am currently using a T-mobile (US) sim card but the phone is only getting an Edge connection. Maybe I need a ROM update??
maybe your in a area with no 3g coverage?
go to t mobiles website or better yet go here
http://coverage.t-mobile.com/default.aspx?pageType=idealer
and press the data coverage tab....are you in a purple place?
glendawg619 said:
maybe your in a area with no 3g coverage?
go to t mobiles website or better yet go here
http://coverage.t-mobile.com/default.aspx?pageType=idealer
and press the data coverage tab....are you in a purple place?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I checked on the t-mobile site and Tampa, FL appears to be all purple.
Have you checked your settings?
Settings -> Wireless controls -> Mobile networks -> Make sure 2G only is "Un-ticked"
If it doesn't work, maybe you would like to consider selling your one on ebay and buying a Magic {or other handset} from the US
Related
Anyone here have the galaxy s 9000 euro version working with tmobile 3 g in usa?
I'm also interested in that. I'm about to buy a galaxy here in EU but I'm moving to california soon. There should be no issues however since the galaxy is a quad band phone
I looked into importing a HTC Desire from Tmo UK for use here on Tmo's US network -
Tmo europe uses 2100 band for 3g, Tmo US uses the AWS IV band (1700/2100) for 3G - i did a little more research and found that 2100 was the download side and 1700 for upload - and as Tmo here in the US told me my Tmo MyTouch 3G would work fine in europe, i figured i'd be good to go - maybe only have 3G speeds on the download side
got hold of a 2nd level tech at Tmo and he 'xplained it down't work that way - if the Tmo US network doesn't see both freqs (1700 & 2100) it will switch me to 2G data speeds
so answer is, it'll work for phone calls, but data speeds will be limited to 2G
larryccf said:
I looked into importing a HTC Desire from Tmo UK for use here on Tmo's US network -
Tmo europe uses 2100 band for 3g, Tmo US uses the AWS IV band (1700/2100) for 3G - i did a little more research and found that 2100 was the download side and 1700 for upload - and as Tmo here in the US told me my Tmo MyTouch 3G would work fine in europe, i figured i'd be good to go - maybe only have 3G speeds on the download side
got hold of a 2nd level tech at Tmo and he 'xplained it down't work that way - if the Tmo US network doesn't see both freqs (1700 & 2100) it will switch me to 2G data speeds
so answer is, it'll work for phone calls, but data speeds will be limited to 2G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm, I did a lot of digging myself and found the same thing. I'm from the UK but living in the US for a year or so. I was going to get a Galaxy S from ebay but realised they didn't have the 1700 freq so wouldn't get 3g with T-mobile over here ion the US.
My Iphone 3g from the UK only gets edge data transfer speeds here in the US as it too is missing the important 1700 freq...
My original post: forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=713900
thank you guys then it's good to know the vibrant is out next week
larryccf said:
I looked into importing a HTC Desire from Tmo UK for use here on Tmo's US network -
Tmo europe uses 2100 band for 3g, Tmo US uses the AWS IV band (1700/2100) for 3G - i did a little more research and found that 2100 was the download side and 1700 for upload - and as Tmo here in the US told me my Tmo MyTouch 3G would work fine in europe, i figured i'd be good to go - maybe only have 3G speeds on the download side
got hold of a 2nd level tech at Tmo and he 'xplained it down't work that way - if the Tmo US network doesn't see both freqs (1700 & 2100) it will switch me to 2G data speeds
so answer is, it'll work for phone calls, but data speeds will be limited to 2G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Finally figured this out too after posting questions in different places. Found this article which had a very detail explaination.
www . phonescoop . com/articles/article.php?a=99&p=1492
One thing I'm wondering is if it is possible to flash the android radio version from a Vibrant on to an international Galaxy S to enable Tmobile AWS?
that question is best answered by someone far more knowledgeable than i am in software and android OS
i want 3g
I just recently bought the unlocked galaxy s to use for when I study abroad in Germany in the coming months. However, I am experiencing the very issue raised in this thread and have been searching high and low to find a solution to change the radio frequency to include both 1700 and 2100. Hopefully, flashing the firmware from the vibrant to the unlocked galaxy s will work, but I'm not experienced enough to even know where to start.
Hi all,
Mostly a lurker here over the years, love the site and forums - great community! I'm running latest JG4 Optus on my SGS with the new "2200 score" lagfix - awesome!
Anyone else getting really slow data on Telstra? I have tried telstra.wap telstra.corp telstra.internet telstra.iph all of these AP's give extremely slow data, and the phone symbol at the top flicks between 'H' (assume HSDPA) and 3G at times. I'm talking 0.4mpbs.
My friend is on Optus and his *cough* iPhone is getting 4.45mbps, in comparison my speed is nowhere near this speed. I am in metro Melbourne.
Anyone else have slow Telstra experience or know a trick or setting to help out - would be much appreciated!
Thanks all.
i could be wrong, but i dont think the galaxy s supports telstra network very well, if at all. dunno, not real tecchy, but its what ive heard round the traps. something to do with the bands the phone supports (900/2100 or 2200ish) and telstra is 850 something or other. smarter people than me will be able to clarify.
Correct, Telstra uses 850mhz and 2100 (apparently). But, only some variants support 850, and Telstra are releasing their own for that frequency. So I'd imagine that 2100 simply has lower coverage (Optus on the otherhand uses the more standard 900mhz frequency).
If you already own the phone, you may wish to consider moving to an optus based network (such as Exetel for Virgin). However, it is also entirely possible/probable that the galaxy S ships with a chip that supports 850mhz, and it simply needs to be enabled (I have seen threads which showed a way to apparently enable it).
Or, it may be just reception probs
Hi, thanks for the input...
According to http://www.samsung.com/au/consumer/...dex.idx?pagetype=prd_detail&tab=specification the phone does support 850 and 2100. Strange
asgard said:
Hi, thanks for the input...
According to http://www.samsung.com/au/consumer/...dex.idx?pagetype=prd_detail&tab=specification the phone does support 850 and 2100. Strange
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It possibly does, but which country did you purchase it in? Remember, some countries might have had it disabled (because they don't use 850, or have other services on those frequencies).
andrewluecke said:
It possibly does, but which country did you purchase it in? Remember, some countries might have had it disabled (because they don't use 850, or have other services on those frequencies).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Andrew Purchased in Australia from Allphones "unlocked". Tried the 850 band turn on and various other fiddles in that debug/phone settings area relating to 3G and HSDPA - unfortunately the max I've seen on Telstra is 0.40Mbps, my friend gets 4.45Mbps on iPhone/Optus
Coverage in my area is usually great, I'm in Melb metro area and normally full bars.
asgard said:
Hi Andrew Purchased in Australia from Allphones "unlocked". Tried the 850 band turn on and various other fiddles in that debug/phone settings area relating to 3G and HSDPA - unfortunately the max I've seen on Telstra is 0.40Mbps, my friend gets 4.45Mbps on iPhone/Optus
Coverage in my area is usually great, I'm in Melb metro area and normally full bars.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mate it might be worth a look over at whirlpool forums, they seem to have a fair bit of stuff about telstra and the galaxy s over there, so you should hopefully find some help
Hi, thanks for all the information, heres the low down:
Telstra has WCDMA 2100 and 850 bands, but the Galaxy S badged versions of this phone only support quad band in GSM, it is triband on WCDMA and unfortunately 850 isn't supported Telstra will be selling a different version of this phone shortly ("Captivate" badge!?!?!?) which WILL support their 3.5G 850 network at full speed.
Bummer!
Hi All
I have recently moved to Canada with my UK HTC HD2.
Since moving here I have changed my phone provider to Fido (Rogers Network). Internet seems extremely slow compared to my UK provider.
Someone told me that because I have a UK phone it is not using the correct bands for HSPA and that's why my internet access is so slow. Internet access is extremely fast on Wi-Fi so I know it's not a problem with the ROM etc.
Can anyone give me any ideas if this sounds correct - do I need to sell my UK HTC HD2 and purchase an American one to get over this problem?
Thanks
I think your friend is correct.
Rogers uses 850Mhz and 1900 Mhz, while in the
United Kingdom the bands used are 800Mhz and 1800Mhz (and some 2100Mhz),
Your UK HD2 is of European configuration, and should be able to cope with the Rogers frequencies. (See)
Your phone uses 900 - 2100 for 3G
Rogers provides it at 850 - 1900 , therefore your phone will slow down to GPRS speeds.
Have you tried flashing a new radio ROM?
If so, perhaps you should try another one.
At least in theory you could keep your phone and have mobile broadband.
What your friend is telling is true for dual band phones, however the HD2 is quad band..... Perhaps contact your provider (sometimes the dataplan has not been correctly activated, therefore access to mobile broadband is denied, and you will revert to the low GSM data band)
Otherwise contact HTC.
PS: Sorry for my ****-up
the t8585 (regular hd2) uses 900 and 2100 for 3g.
source
thats why canadian users with cash to splash go for the australian telstra model which uses 850/2100
You will only get GPRS and edge speeds, and no, the american wont get 3g either.
Yep....
I's official, I am cross-eyed, got the correct info, but wrong interpretation.
I stand corrected.
Thanks to both of you for the response .... I'm a little confused though!
So if I bought a T-Mobile USA model - that wouldn't give me 3G on the Rogers network I'm on? I have to buy an Australian Telstra model to get 3G?
Thanks!
*EDIT* ... Oh I think I get it now... I don't need to have the 850 and 1900 bands to use 3G on the Rogers network so long as I have one or the other - correct me if I am wrong please?
yea thats it, and the US hd2 has 1700/2100 which is why that one doesnt get 3g on rogers.
I get ya! Thanks for that.... so is Canada the only country that uses 1900? I'm asking because I now know that I can buy an Australian phone to suit the 850 but is there another country's phone apart from Canada that will use the 1900 band?
also I noticed something in my phone settings....there's an option to change my base band so I have selected 850/1900 GSM but it doesn't seem to have made a great deal of difference even after a reset
that's gsm, (calls, gprs and edge) nothing to do with the umts bands.
put umts bands into google, theres a Wikipedia page tells you what countries and networks use what bands.
I am planning to buy MT4G, unlock it and use it on another carrier with compatible frequencies of course. Will I be still able to get updates using for example a wifi connection? or should I download updates manually? Is there something that I will lose when I use the phone on another carrier ?
I don't know if you mean overseas or in any place other than the U.S. but the only "compatible" carrier for this phone besides T-Mobile is AT&T. The reason why compatible is in quotes is because yes the phone would function and make calls on that network, but you will lose 3G and HSPA+ service as AT&T's equivalents operate on a different and incompatible spectrum.
I would also assume that you would not receive OTA updates either.
unremarked said:
I don't know if you mean overseas or in any place other than the U.S. but the only "compatible" carrier for this phone besides T-Mobile is AT&T. The reason why compatible is in quotes is because yes the phone would function and make calls on that network, but you will lose 3G and HSPA+ service as AT&T's equivalents operate on a different and incompatible spectrum.
I would also assume that you would not receive OTA updates either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Overseas, on a network that is compatible with regard to GSM/ UMTS frequencies. So the only way to get updates is to download them from forums like this one?
raeef said:
Overseas, on a network that is compatible with regard to GSM/ UMTS frequencies. So the only way to get updates is to download them from forums like this one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know for absolute certain, but I'm 95% sure you wouldn't recieve OTA since it goes out over the network your phone is connected to.
You can usually snag the update from here, but unfortunately, a lot of people didn't run aLogcat to log the download and get the link. Including myself, though I'm trying now with my second device.
unremarked said:
I don't know for absolute certain, but I'm 95% sure you wouldn't recieve OTA since it goes out over the network your phone is connected to.
You can usually snag the update from here, but unfortunately, a lot of people didn't run aLogcat to log the download and get the link. Including myself, though I'm trying now with my second device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another question, does anyone know if this device works on UMTS band I 2100 ( 2100/1900)? I really can't make up my mind because it's not clear on T mobile website. It says UMTS 1700/2100/AWS and this looks like it's referring only to UMTS IV
raeef said:
Another question, does anyone know if this device works on UMTS band I 2100 ( 2100/1900)? I really can't make up my mind because it's not clear on T mobile website. It says UMTS 1700/2100/AWS and this looks like it's referring only to UMTS IV
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone is compatible with almost every gsm band the specs are:
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
HSDPA/HSUPA 900 / 1700 / 2100
In the US most carriers are using GSM 850/1900 and 3G 1700/2100 you will only get OTA from T-mobile in the US if you are using their cellphone service or you can hope and wait for the update to show up here on XDA in the forum.
http://www.worldtimezone.com/gsm.html
In Israel where I am, and England, France and Germany etc. the bands are
2G 900/1800 and 3G 2100
so you should have no problem using 3G or even 3g+ "4G" on this phone if your cell provider offers it. But it may require an advanced sim card or signing up for a special data service.
Dont get confused by the various terms (UMTS EDGE HSPA etc.) a phone that is guad-gsm and tri-3G will run the data services just fine but T-mobile will tell you we dont guarantee the data capabilities outside of our network... because they dont want lawsuits
mo976 said:
The phone is compatible with almost every gsm band the specs are:
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
HSDPA/HSUPA 900 / 1700 / 2100
In the US most carriers are using GSM 850/1900 and 3G 1700/2100 you will only get OTA from T-mobile in the US if you are using their cellphone service or you can hope and wait for the update to show up here on XDA in the forum.
In Israel where I am, and England, France and Germany etc. the bands are
2G 900/1800 and 3G 2100
so you should have no problem using 3G or even 3g+ "4G" on this phone if your cell provider offers it. But it may require an advanced sim card or signing up for a special data service.
Dont get confused by the various terms (UMTS EDGE HSPA etc.) a phone that is guad-gsm and tri-3G will run the data services just fine but T-mobile will tell you we dont guarantee the data capabilities outside of our network... because they dont want lawsuits
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I am a telecom engineer so I know about the terms. You didn't get my question about the bands. Look here for example support.t-mobile.com/doc/tm24233.xml?&A2L.SERVICE=FeatureSummary
The listed Bands: 1 (2100) and 4 (AWS 1700/2100)
and that clearly shows that G2 supports 2 UMTS bands , 1 and 4
1 is 2100 paired with 1900 ( EU)
4 that is used by T mobile in the US.
So I am confused because on this page mytouch.t-mobile.com/mytouch-4g-features#/specs-and-manualsthey listed the bands like this
Bands 1700/2100/AWS that's why it's not clear for me if MT4G supports UMTS I or not.
This is the official reply from HTC when asked:
Dear ....,
I understand that you would like to know if your T-mobile Mytouch 4G device can use the 2100 MHZ band over in Europe for 3G. I do apologize your device is not compatible with the 2100 MHZ back over in Europe for 3G service. I do apologize for all the inconvenience that this may cause you.
To send a reply to this message or let me know I have successfully answered your question log in to our ContactUs site using your email address and your ticket number .....
Sincerely,
Victor
HTC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
raeef said:
Actually I am a telecom engineer so I know about the terms. You didn't get my question about the bands. Look here for example support.t-mobile.com/doc/tm24233.xml?&A2L.SERVICE=FeatureSummary
The listed Bands: 1 (2100) and 4 (AWS 1700/2100)
and that clearly shows that G2 supports 2 UMTS bands , 1 and 4
1 is 2100 paired with 1900 ( EU)
4 that is used by T mobile in the US.
So I am confused because on this page mytouch.t-mobile.com/mytouch-4g-features#/specs-and-manualsthey listed the bands like this
Bands 1700/2100/AWS that's why it's not clear for me if MT4G supports UMTS I or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AWS is the data delivery method used only by Tmo in the US. So the 4G service may not work outside the US but according to the phone specs it states that it supports UMTS and GPRS/EDGE so it should support 3G UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+ and gprs/edge for 2G everywhere. Ill test my HD (from England) when I get to new york in a day or so and see if I can get proper 3G speeds.
Todays smartphones are designed to be used worldwide with full service as much as possible.
AWS is just another name of UMTS band IV. This is the only UMTS band the MT4G supports, so you'll be able to use it for 3G on carriers that use this band. You can see the list of bands and operators that use them here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UMTS_frequency_bands
In short, outside of the US, Canada, and Chile you're out of luck for 3G. You'd be able to use 2G fine though.
athakur999 said:
AWS is just another name of UMTS band IV. This is the only UMTS band the MT4G supports, so you'll be able to use it for 3G on carriers that use this band. You can see the list of bands and operators that use them here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UMTS_frequency_bands
In short, outside of the US, Canada, and Chile you're out of luck for 3G. You'd be able to use 2G fine though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is really confusing, look at this page http://support.t-mobile.com/doc/tm24243.xml?&A2L.SERVICE=FeatureSummary
mo976 said:
AWS is the data delivery method used only by Tmo in the US. So the 4G service may not work outside the US but according to the phone specs it states that it supports UMTS and GPRS/EDGE so it should support 3G UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+ and gprs/edge for 2G everywhere. Ill test my HD (from England) when I get to new york in a day or so and see if I can get proper 3G speeds.
Todays smartphones are designed to be used worldwide with full service as much as possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Frequency bands differ for different technologies on the same phone. For example there are 2 versions of Nexus one one for ATT and one for T mobile although they work on GSM level because the support both GSM bands on T mobile and ATT but not the UMTS bands on both networks. UMTS and GSM frequencies are not necessarily the same for each network and most probably they won't be the same. In my country we licensed 3G services ( UMTS) on 2100 band or UMTS 1 . GSM on 900 and 1800 only.
Can someone provide me with the FCC id from the back of the phone ?
I tired to search for it on the web but I don't think what I found was the correct one.
Update
I went to T-mobile store today, the guy was helpful and he printed out the official full technical specifications for the device that he pulled out and here what I got:
3G/UMTS Bands
Band I / UMTS2100 Yes
Band II / 1900 No
Band IV 1700/2100/AWS Yes
Band V/850 No
Band VII/ 900 No
The page was titled " Enablers" and listed specs for GSM and UMTS bands with their features. So I think this ends it for me, it does support both bands I and IV.
mo976 said:
AWS is the data delivery method used only by Tmo in the US. So the 4G service may not work outside the US but according to the phone specs it states that it supports UMTS and GPRS/EDGE so it should support 3G UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+ and gprs/edge for 2G everywhere. Ill test my HD (from England) when I get to new york in a day or so and see if I can get proper 3G speeds.
Todays smartphones are designed to be used worldwide with full service as much as possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did it work with you in 3G speed in England ?
Good luck but I've taken my nexus one all over the planet... you'll get 3g in the countries listed above plus Japan (softbank only) but I haven't gotten 3g anywhere else....
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
raeef said:
I am planning to buy MT4G, unlock it and use it on another carrier with compatible frequencies of course. Will I be still able to get updates using for example a wifi connection? or should I download updates manually? Is there something that I will lose when I use the phone on another carrier ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@OP: have you gotten the MT4G to work with UMTS Band I frequencies?
I got the update by only using my friend's t-mobile sim card, I think I got it via wifi since he doesn't have data plan.
unremarked said:
I don't know if you mean overseas or in any place other than the U.S. but the only "compatible" carrier for this phone besides T-Mobile is AT&T. The reason why compatible is in quotes is because yes the phone would function and make calls on that network, but you will lose 3G and HSPA+ service as AT&T's equivalents operate on a different and incompatible spectrum.
I would also assume that you would not receive OTA updates either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
Wonder if anyone has tried to use Vibrant in Europe with local SIMs?!
Have unlocked Vibrant and would like to know if 3G data would work...
Just couldn't find any information about it...thnx
yes you can do it but you have to do the settings on your vibrant...i mean you have to adapt your vibrant to the new provider...usually you can go to the new provider web page and do it...i'm using the vibrant in france and everything works good
Yes, just go to the new gsm provider and since your phone is unlocked they would configure it to work on the new 3G network. I used my phone in Ghana last year.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
The only thing I'm worried about is 3G frequency, does Vibrant has all frequencies needed to operate and get the data without need to use EDGE?!
ST4LKER said:
The only thing I'm worried about is 3G frequency, does Vibrant has all frequencies needed to operate and get the data without need to use EDGE?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Europe is like here............you get 3g when in places that are populated and out in the sparsely populated countryside you only get edge...........
Most providers around the world use 2100 MHz for 3G which is supported by most 3G phones.
so you wouldn't have any problem connecting @ 3G.
The problem usually happens when you buy a phones from overseas and want to use it in the Americas (especially T-Mobile-USA).
check the table on this page to see which frequencies are used in each country (the information is not really accurate but it gives you a general idea)
The simple answer is yes, you can get 3G in Europe on your Vibrant using a SIM local to each country. I did this very successfully in Paris last Sept.
Here's a chart showing the frequencies used in every country:
http://www.worldtimezone.com/gsm.html
Vibrant specs show HSDPA 900 / 1700 / 2100 Mhz (note 850 not listed). Austria apparently uses 850/2100. You would need to check on specific carrier compatibility there, but that's an exception in Europe.