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tmo 3g with an ATT sim in San Francisco

I'm told that it should be impossible to get 3g connectivity on a G1 with an ATT sim, something about the antenna, but lately thats exactly what i've been getting.
Specifically, near powell st (in the bart station almost all the time), near montgomery st bart station, and down around west portal, i'm getting 3g speeds.
Anyone in SF with a g1 and an ATT sim want to try and replicate what i'm seeing?

Weird. The only explanation is you're getting some 2100Mhz (Band I) UMTS coverage (the iPhone 3G can also connect on 2100Mhz, explaining why AT&T would have it). I had no idea AT&T had any 2100Mhz UMTS bandwidth allocation though.

acantha said:
I'm told that it should be impossible to get 3g connectivity on a G1 with an ATT sim, something about the antenna, but lately thats exactly what i've been getting.
Specifically, near powell st (in the bart station almost all the time), near montgomery st bart station, and down around west portal, i'm getting 3g speeds.
Anyone in SF with a g1 and an ATT sim want to try and replicate what i'm seeing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have roaming enabled?

I would hazard a guess that you're probably roaming onto T-Mobiles 3G network, but that rather assumes it covers the area in question. It's either that, or AT&T are trialing something there.
Regards,
Dave

foxmeister said:
I would hazard a guess that you're probably roaming onto T-Mobiles 3G network,
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Click to collapse
That is what I thought too, initially. However, what benefit would AT&T have in signing 3G roaming agreements with T-Mobile, considering AT&T sells no 1700Mhz equipment?

No idea, but it is possible.
I suggest one possible approach would be to use CellFinder to identify which cellular towers are providing this 3G signal on AT&T, and then see if you can find out what services are provided from this tower and by which carriers.
I've just noticed though that CellFinder doesn't work anymore on Haykuros 5.0.1G!
Regards,
Dave

HTC HD2 3G Not Detected!!!!!

Hello if someone could help me with my 3G connection inquiry, I would greatly appreciate it.
I bought this phone unlocked from Hong Kong and brought it back to Canada. But the 3G connection through Rogers won't work. I am able to connect to edge (When i pop in my sisters sim card which has a data plan, as my sim card currently does not have a data plan).
I talked to Rogers and they said that everything is compatable (After mentioning the phone frequencies and speed capabilities) and that the only reason 3G isnt working is that I have not configured my phone properly for 3G and at this moment it is configured for 2G (Edge).
I then contacted HTC and they said the reason was because "for the Rogers network, their 3G signal is operated on the 850/1900 MHZ band and the Touch HD2 operates on the 900/2100 MHZ band." Could this be the reason? Will i never taste the pleasures of a 3G connection?
PLEASE HELP!!

since you have bought it in hongkong most probably you have the asian version. It comes with 900/2100 MHZ bands and as you mentioned ROger needs 850/1900 frequency.
You could also get Telstra version from Australia and unlock it as it has 850/1900 frquency so that you could get 3g. But not possible on the one you already have.

Yea its the frequencies. When I take my phones abroad, I always check what frequencies the country has. If the frequencies don't match, the phone won't work in terms of placing calls, 3G etc.

is there a way to unlock ?

meow914 said:
is there a way to unlock ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no software that can get around this "problem"
It is purely a hardware limitation.

perhaps with flashing radio but i'm not shure

[email protected] said:
perhaps with flashing radio but i'm not shure
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Click to collapse
Nope, it still will not support the correct bands that he needs
This is a completely hardware related problem

simple solution....
simple solution...sell it or trade it fot the right one

[Q] T9193 Internal 'Anti reception' chip?

I went into Telecom today to get a SIM card, and the rep said that my phone (After putting the IMEI into her computer) won't work outside major service areas (Cities; I live in a rural area.) because it has some chip inside it to make it not work properly. Does anyone know anything about this? Also, I was convinced that the radio was incapable of Vodafone 3g. But guess what? it miraculously started working on VF HSPA and 3G. But soon after leaving town it dropped to GSM, as usual. Knowing that it is capable of Vodafone 3g, it should be able to get as good service as my GT540 did, right? Well it soon dropped on the way home. I scanned for networks and at one point it connected with full bars, but only for a second. It dropped before connecting data, and I went back into the parent menu. The 'Use only 2g networks' box was checked, which I had unchecked earlier. So I unchecked it and tried again. The box checked itself yet again. Everytime I'm in signal, use only 2g networks checks itself, reducing me to poor, constantly dropping GSM. I seriously need help with this one, guys. How can I disable this goddamned demon chip, and why is it in there? What is it and what does it do? All info appreciated. Thanks.

Bump. Anyone know anything at all?
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App

EU or TMUS?
EU does not have any such restriction.
However for a 3G or better service, it needs the reception - so if your service provider has a mainly built up area hspda/3G service and a mainly 2G rural service it not hard to figure it out.
google the coverage by post code/Zip for you provider and see

T9193 is the Telstra hd2, for Australia. I live in New Zealand, and I already know vodafone has no coverage whatsoever over my.house.
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App

Bump. Wtf is up with this?
Sent from my HD2 using XDA App

It is like this, the T-Mobile HD2 can only get 3G with the T-Mobile network because of the internal hardware can only use the bands/frequencies that the T-Mobile network or a network that uses the same bands/frequencies T-Mobile uses for 3G. The same is true for your TelstraT9193 HD2 it can only use the 3G from Telstra's network or a network that uses the same bands/frequencies that Telstra uses. You can get Edge/GSM bit no 3G with other carriers. If you lived in the US you could use AT&T to get 3G using your Telstra T9193 HD2 as they use the same bands/frequencies as the Telstra network, but I know of no other major carrier that uses the same as Telstra. Sorry man but it is a hardware thing.

It's been working on 3g multiple times. And it is a hardware issue; it has the right bands, so the only explaination could be this '2g service chip' that the clerk mentioned.
Sent from my HD2 using XDA App

Korntoff said:
It's been working on 3g multiple times. And it is a hardware issue; it has the right bands, so the only explaination could be this '2g service chip' that the clerk mentioned.
Sent from my HD2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no miracle chip, or pixie dust inside. It's simple. Voda NZ uses 3g 2100 in urban 900 elsewhere BUT, their rural (900) coverage is poor and it falls back to voda's old GSM 2G constantly. Telecom XT uses an all 3G wcdma (2100) urban (850) rural network, with excellent rural 850 coverage.
If you use a telstra hd2 you will only get vodafone 3g in urban areas and 2G GSM elsewhere, however; with Telecom xt you have good 3g coverage everywhere. With tmous (2100/1700), your choice is 2degrees or voda for 3g urban 2100 and 2g GSM rural. Xt will give you 3g coverage in urban areas but no coverage at all out of town as the 1700 band is not used in new Zealand. International hd2 is in the same boat with xt. But, it can use 900 vodafone band so you can get extended 3g infill coverage with vodafone, with fall back to legacy 2g voda network.
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA Premium App

It's quite simple, your telecom only offers 900/2100mhz 3G while the T9193 supports 850/2100mhz 3G. So guess what happen when you're in a 900mhz area? DING DING!! No 3G service for you because your T9193 doesn't support that band.

Oh, they use didderet bands for rural and urban coverage? That explains it lol. Thanks for the help, I was kinda confused.
Sent from my HD2 using XDA App

Data on TMobile G2 w/ ATT gophone

I was wondering why I can only get EDGE on my TMobile G2 phone... is it because of the GSM incompatibility that some TMobile phones have with the ATT network or am I doing something wrong?

Does your phone support 1900 MHz UTMS? That would be a problem. If it does then use *#0011# and make sure the bands are unlocked.
Sent from my xt862 using xda app-developers app

MrObvious said:
Does your phone support 1900 MHz UTMS? That would be a problem. If it does then use *#0011# and make sure the bands are unlocked.
Sent from my xt862 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got "connection problem or invalid MMI code" when I ran that.
Edit: Did a bit more research and it turns out that it does *not* support 1900 MHz UTMS for 3G, so basically, this phone + ATT network = no 3G service, as the hardware is incompatible.

M!x said:
I got "connection problem or invalid MMI code" when I ran that.
Edit: Did a bit more research and it turns out that it does *not* support 1900 MHz UTMS for 3G, so basically, this phone + ATT network = no 3G service, as the hardware is incompatible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Someone doing their own research? Get the hell out.
Actually, I don't think the G2 even does 3G on anything but AWS. The HTC Desire Z (identical but without carrier branding) has a version that supports AT&T 3G, however.

luftrofl said:
Someone doing their own research? Get the hell out.
Actually, I don't think the G2 even does 3G on anything but AWS. The HTC Desire Z (identical but without carrier branding) has a version that supports AT&T 3G, however.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are correct.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

MrObvious said:
Does your phone support 1900 MHz UTMS? That would be a problem. If it does then use *#0011# and make sure the bands are unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you explain what you mean by "use *#0011# and make sure the bands are unlocked"? My Samsung phone can't get 4g service here on T-Mobile and it doesn't do 3G so I'd really like to enable HSPA+ if that's possible. I don't see anything on that screen that I can unlock though.

stevec5000 said:
Can you explain what you mean by "use *#0011# and make sure the bands are unlocked"? My Samsung phone can't get 4g service here on T-Mobile and it doesn't do 3G so I'd really like to enable HSPA+ if that's possible. I don't see anything on that screen that I can unlock though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check which UMTS (3G) bands your phone supports - I suspect yours does not support T-Mobile's 3G band (IV). The information is usually available on wikipedia or gsmarena.
You do not "enable" 3G through software changes. Your phone supports it or it doesn't.

luftrofl said:
Check which UMTS (3G) bands your phone supports - I suspect yours does not support T-Mobile's 3G band (IV). The information is usually available on wikipedia or gsmarena.
You do not "enable" 3G through software changes. Your phone supports it or it doesn't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does support band IV, 1700Mhz, but it doesn't do HSPA+ so it can't get 3G. That screen still doesn't tell me anything though.
GSMArena says it has 3G Networking on HSDPA 850 / 1700 / 2100 / 1900 but that's not true. There is no 2100Mhz band, not on mine anyway. Actually GSMArena isn't very complete or very accurate, it don't even list the model T959V!

stevec5000 said:
It does support band IV, 1700Mhz, but it doesn't do HSPA+ so it can't get 3G. That screen still doesn't tell me anything though.
GSMArena says it has 3G Networking on HSDPA 850 / 1700 / 2100 / 1900 but that's not true. There is no 2100Mhz band, not on mine anyway. Actually GSMArena isn't very complete or very accurate, it don't even list the model T959V!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not how HSPA+ works - it's essentially just faster 3G. Also, I found your phone on GSMArena, not sure how you searched but the information is all there and it supports band IV (1700/2100) and I (2100).
Are you sure you've enabled 3G (or deselected "Use only 2G networks")?
What is the history of the phone (bought new, used, etc.)? It should "just work" on T-Mobile as it's T-Mobile branded but, no offense, your details are a little vague.

luftrofl said:
That's not how HSPA+ works - it's essentially just faster 3G. Also, I found your phone on GSMArena, not sure how you searched but the information is all there and it supports band IV (1700/2100) and I (2100).
Are you sure you've enabled 3G (or deselected "Use only 2G networks")?
What is the history of the phone (bought new, used, etc.)? It should "just work" on T-Mobile as it's T-Mobile branded but, no offense, your details are a little vague.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry if I was vague but it doesn't "just work" on T-Mobile! At first I though all Exhibit II models would be the same however they could have different versions like the Galaxy 2 that has an older version for 3G and a newer version that also now gets 4G, who knows.
The phone was purchased new a few months ago and is still stock. I know HSPA+ is faster 3G since I can get it on 1700Mhz on another device using the T-Mobile SIM from the Exhibit 2. Can't get HSPA+ or 3G on the Exhibit 2 though.
Yes the phone is on GSMArena but the info is not accurate, it claims the phone gets 3G and has a 2100Mhz band but that's not true. It only supports band IV on 1700.
There is no option to enable 3G or "Use only 2G networks". It has options for WCDMA (for 4G on 1700) or GSM (for Edge on 1900) but there is no setting in between for 3G or HSPA+. I tried setting it to WCDMA only but it defaults back to Auto using Edge unless I go to a T-Mobile store where they have a strong 4G signal that gives 5 bars. If I leave the store and go down the street there's no signal though.
I have verified that WCDMA for 4G is on 1700 and GSM for Edge is on 1900 using a spectrum analyzer but it never uses 2100 and has never used 3G anywhere in the Phoenix, Mesa or Scottsdale area, just Edge. There may be other modes and frequencies but I haven't been able to verify them.
If there is a way to turn on 3G I'd like to know what it is? Someone suggested dialing *#32489# clicking #3 then UTMS but that didn't do anything.

stevec5000 said:
Sorry if I was vague but it doesn't "just work" on T-Mobile! At first I though all Exhibit II models would be the same however they could have different versions like the Galaxy 2 that has an older version for 3G and a newer version that also now gets 4G, who knows.
The phone was purchased new a few months ago and is still stock. I know HSPA+ is faster 3G since I can get it on 1700Mhz on another device using the T-Mobile SIM from the Exhibit 2. Can't get HSPA+ or 3G on the Exhibit 2 though.
Yes the phone is on GSMArena but the info is not accurate, it claims the phone gets 3G and has a 2100Mhz band but that's not true. It only supports band IV on 1700.
There is no option to enable 3G or "Use only 2G networks". It has options for WCDMA (for 4G on 1700) or GSM (for Edge on 1900) but there is no setting in between for 3G or HSPA+. I tried setting it to WCDMA only but it defaults back to Auto using Edge unless I go to a T-Mobile store where they have a strong 4G signal that gives 5 bars. If I leave the store and go down the street there's no signal though.
I have verified that WCDMA for 4G is on 1700 and GSM for Edge is on 1900 using a spectrum analyzer but it never uses 2100 and has never used 3G anywhere in the Phoenix, Mesa or Scottsdale area, just Edge. There may be other modes and frequencies but I haven't been able to verify them.
If there is a way to turn on 3G I'd like to know what it is? Someone suggested dialing *#32489# clicking #3 then UTMS but that didn't do anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know where to begin but let me get this straight...
-You bought a new Exhibit II from T-Mobile.
-It doesn't get 3G outside of the store.
-Your other T-Mobile compatible device gets 3G outside of the store.
-You've owned this same Exhibit II which hasn't been connecting to 3G for months.
On these points alone, am I understanding you correctly?

luftrofl said:
I don't know where to begin but let me get this straight...
-You bought a new Exhibit II from T-Mobile.
-It doesn't get 3G outside of the store.
-Your other T-Mobile compatible device gets 3G outside of the store.
-You've owned this same Exhibit II which hasn't been connecting to 3G for months.
On these points alone, am I understanding you correctly?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Close but not quite correct, it doesn't get 4G outside of the store.
It can't get 3G at all anywhere!
Since there is no 4G network is there a way to turn on or enable 3G or is it hopeless?

stevec5000 said:
Close but not quite correct, it doesn't get 4G outside of the store.
It can't get 3G at all anywhere!
Since there is no 4G network is there a way to turn on or enable 3G or is it hopeless?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In a previous post you said that you "know" what I'm talking about but clearly that is not the case.
What T-Mobile calls 4G is actually 3G with improvements to the backhaul as well as the radios on the phones - where T-Mobile has 4G, it also has 3G.
The point of my last post was to make it obvious that you have a defective phone. I shouldn't have assumed you would figure it as you haven't figured it out in the months you've owned a phone that obviously has reception issues.

luftrofl said:
In a previous post you said that you "know" what I'm talking about but clearly that is not the case.
What T-Mobile calls 4G is actually 3G with improvements to the backhaul as well as the radios on the phones - where T-Mobile has 4G, it also has 3G.
The point of my last post was to make it obvious that you have a defective phone. I shouldn't have assumed you would figure it as you haven't figured it out in the months you've owned a phone that obviously has reception issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again not true! What they call 4G is using WCDMA but 3G is using HSPA+. 3G using HSPA+ has improvements that will allow it to go up to 20Mb but my Android phone doesn't have an option for 3G, just 4G using WCDMA. The people at the T-Mobile stores would beg to differ with you about the phone being bad since I've been to 5 T-Mobile stores and they say the phone works OK since it can get 4G on 1700Mhz in the store.

stevec5000 said:
Again not true! What they call 4G is using WCDMA but 3G is using HSPA+. 3G using HSPA+ has improvements that will allow it to go up to 20Mb but my Android phone doesn't have an option for 3G, just 4G using WCDMA. The people at the T-Mobile stores would beg to differ with you about the phone being bad since I've been to 5 T-Mobile stores and they say the phone works OK since it can get 4G on 1700Mhz in the store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your posts are too long to be trolling, but it still feels like you are because everything you post is wrong.
In case you're not trolling:
-Your phone has hardware defects that are affecting how well it connects to 3G.
-The fact that you get reception in stores is likely because stores have signal boosters.
-Retail employees are idiots. They are trained to use the products just enough to sell them (read: not much) and aren't paid enough to attract anyone with half a brain to the position. Walk a block away from the store and show them that your phone doesn't connect to 3G (or "4G" if you still want to call it that).

stevec5000 said:
Again not true! What they call 4G is using WCDMA but 3G is using HSPA+. 3G using HSPA+ has improvements that will allow it to go up to 20Mb but my Android phone doesn't have an option for 3G, just 4G using WCDMA. The people at the T-Mobile stores would beg to differ with you about the phone being bad since I've been to 5 T-Mobile stores and they say the phone works OK since it can get 4G on 1700Mhz in the store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
luftrofl said:
Your posts are too long to be trolling, but it still feels like you are because everything you post is wrong.
In case you're not trolling:
-Your phone has hardware defects that are affecting how well it connects to 3G.
-The fact that you get reception in stores is likely because stores have signal boosters.
-Retail employees are idiots. They are trained to use the products just enough to sell them (read: not much) and aren't paid enough to attract anyone with half a brain to the position. Walk a block away from the store and show them that your phone doesn't connect to 3G (or "4G" if you still want to call it that).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both of you are feeling like you're trolling.
It may be a tower issue or your phone. The only way to check is to use another phone.

3G/4G on unlocked HD2

I got my phone unlocked from t-mobile and now can use AT&T SIM in it. For some reason I am not getting 3G/4G connectivity, just EDGE (2G). I had no issues on t-mobile 3G/4G network. I have been playing with APNs and nothing works to make phone switch to 3G. I remember there is a setting to select either GSM or WCDMA or both, but can't find it. Maybe there is something else that needs to be configured? Would the SIM card not support 3G network? I have Tytung ICS 4.0.4 r3.4 installed on the phone.
Just tried t-mobile SIM and getting good 3G/4G (HSPDA+) network. With AT&T SIM just EDGE.

microcell said:
I got my phone unlocked from t-mobile and now can use AT&T SIM in it. For some reason I am not getting 3G/4G connectivity, just EDGE (2G). I had no issues on t-mobile 3G/4G network. I have been playing with APNs and nothing works to make phone switch to 3G. I remember there is a setting to select either GSM or WCDMA or both, but can't find it. Maybe there is something else that needs to be configured? Would the SIM card not support 3G network? I have Tytung ICS 4.0.4 r3.4 installed on the phone.
Just tried t-mobile SIM and getting good 3G/4G (HSPDA+) network. With AT&T SIM just EDGE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The tmousa hd2 does not have the right antenna to get the AT&T 3G speeds. One would need the Australian hd2 in order to get 3G on AT&T.

gbuscrizist said:
The tmousa hd2 does not have the right antenna to get the AT&T 3G speeds. One would need the Australian hd2 in order to get 3G on AT&T.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This seems pretty f'ed up. I've been seeing signal issues on my phone, but haven't realized it's bad antenna design.
I don't get it from the technological point of view as why t-mobile picks up 3G signal, and ATT doesn't. Both use the same UMTS technology, including frequencies.
Now, can the antenna be replaced with Australian type one?
--------------------------------------------
I take it back, that T-Mobile and AT&T use the same UMTS technology for frequencies. T-mobile uses 2100Mhz, while AT&T uses 1900Mhz. This is totally f'ed up. This is not the antenna problem. It's the phone's hardware design.
Does Australian HD2 use 1900Mhz for 3G technology?

no, not the same frequencies at all. (Its not bad antenna design, its the hsdpa bands), , t mobile uses 1700/2100 and at&t uses 850/1900.
Now, can the antenna be replaced with Australian type one?
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Click to collapse
no, its not the actual antenna, its the radio circuitry. (unless you count buying an australian hd2, take out the mainboard and put it in your t,mous,in which case its no longer a tmous, its a telstra hd2 in a tmous case.)

It is very sad news for me to not be able to use HD2 anymore. HD2 is an amazing phone. It doesn't seem worth to pay $800 for Telstra HD2. It is just ridiculous that carriers use their own frequencies (non standard) so people have to buy their phones.
I just bought Samsung Galaxy S3, AT&T version to might as well use the LTE.