Database Users

Why don't quad-band phones also support international UMTS/3G frequency bands?

I'm trying to buy an Android phone that would support AT&T's 3G in North America, but for some reason they all only support T-Mobile's 3G frequencies. What's up?
So pretty much every smartphone nowadays is quad-band, GSM 850/900/1800/1900, and works pretty much anywhere in the world.
Why don't phones also support international 3G frequencies: 850/1900 as well as 900, 1700 and 2100 Mhz?

That should be a rule in all modern devices
100% all communication in all the world!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quad-band#3G
if you look at the population in the various places
and add the extra cost it seems to currently offer
feature you request it would most likely
not be worth it for htc and other manufacturers
but maybe in time as first we had dualband phones then triband and now quadband 2g
of cause with 4g starting to take off some places maybe it will be absolute before
universal 3g chips get cheap enough

How do the current business travelers manage?
orb3000 said:
That should be a rule in all modern devices
100% all communication in all the world!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The area lot of business people who travel all over the world. How do they manage data access? Do they carry more than one phone all the time?

but as I state the only large user groups of 850 3g is in america
like CDMA is also only supported there
it all comes down to if the inc in cost is enough to justify the inc in
revenue
business people from the rest of the world don't have those issues
people here have also been requesting htc phones which does both cmda and gsm

it' all about GREED!
do you know how many channels your radio or TV receives?
those HTC fools just discriminate against USA users! (my opinion)

Q
I would really like to know how much "more" its going to cost to make a quadband, and 5 band UMTS phone. . . . .

think only qualcomm can answer that question

Rudegar said:
think only qualcomm can answer that question
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it doesnt matter how much! i'm sure qualcomm 1G snapdragon cpu is more expensive than 528mzh cpu, that doesnt stop toshiba or Acer from using it!
it' all about GREED!
htc wants to make it with the cheapst parts, and sell it at the highest price possible! (my opinion)

well yes
even if greed is a negative word for the general capitalism which drive all these company's
it's not like htc are the only ones on that ship :S

Quad band UMTS are rare indeed. Blackberry and Apple have them. Nokia has a quint band unit coming out in about 3 weeks, N8-00 (I have one on pre-order).
The Galaxy S Captivate is a tri band unit that will work in most of the world. It is missing the 900 MHz band. I can't recommend it because GPS is broken while awaiting a software patch and AT&T refuses to unlock the sim for 10 months. There is no known way to unlock the phone at the present time.

netnerd said:
it doesnt matter how much! i'm sure qualcomm 1G snapdragon cpu is more expensive than 528mzh cpu, that doesnt stop toshiba or Acer from using it!
it' all about GREED!
htc wants to make it with the cheapst parts, and sell it at the highest price possible! (my opinion)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't be so hard on the manufacturers (please, note that HTC isn't the only phone manufacturer in the world...) AT&T only just started selling Android phones. Why would Android phone manufacturers make a phone that supports AT&T bands if AT&T won't support them in return? With the delays in so many phone shipments, I'm sure the companies don't need that much more business than they already have. Now that AT&T has decided to play ball, however, I'm sure there'll be a reciprocal increase in the number of Android phones with AT&T 3G bands

ua549 said:
Quad band UMTS are rare indeed. Blackberry and Apple have them. Nokia has a quint band unit coming out in about 3 weeks, N8-00 (I have one on pre-order).
The Galaxy S Captivate is a tri band unit that will work in most of the world. It is missing the 900 MHz band. I can't recommend it because GPS is broken while awaiting a software patch and AT&T refuses to unlock the sim for 10 months. There is no known way to unlock the phone at the present time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can buy an unlock code for like $25 .

AT&T Galaxy Tab

I am on AT&T for the main reason that I travel frequently to Europe and Asia (Japan, Hong Kong) and it's the carrier who happens to have devices with 3G bands compatible nearly worldwide (Even though I don't like so much the price AT&T is costing me...)
So... really considering now to switch to the Galaxy tab and say good bye to my good old TP2 (heavily overclocked so still with a bit of life in it !)
I have a few questions
1. there are rumors here and there saying the Tab for AT&T wont have the front facing camera (And then some other places where it's listed as a spec of the AT&T tab). Anybody can confirm / infirm this ? (Would be really pissed to pay such a price for the device if it has been castrated)
2. AT&T is the last US carrier not to have announced a launch date for the tab... (Maybe it's willing to be a bit nice to Apple and its recently commercialized iPad, or maybe it's just an old and slow company...). Pure speculation: is there a chance we'll be able to switch the tab bands from T-Mobile like some have successfully done with other Samsung phones from the galaxy family ?
3. Another pure speculation: has Samsung actually disabled the hardware for voice calls on the US versions ? I hope his will be solved by flashing another firmware. Otherwise I'll just end up buying an international version (Which will be much more expensive...)

You can get the unlocked north american version which should be out by next week. It will cost you an arm and a leg but WILL work with the 850/1900 at&t 3g bands. Here are a few sites that have it:
http://www.mobilecityonline.com/wireless/store/productdetail.asp?productid=26929
or
http://negrielectronics.com/samsung-p1000-galaxy-tab-3g-850-1900-2100-oem-unlocked.html
Hope this helps.

Raspster said:
You can get the unlocked north american version which should be out by next week. It will cost you an arm and a leg but WILL work with the 850/1900 at&t 3g bands. Here are a few sites that have it:
http://www.mobilecityonline.com/wireless/store/productdetail.asp?productid=26929
or
http://negrielectronics.com/samsung-p1000-galaxy-tab-3g-850-1900-2100-oem-unlocked.html
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Yes these bands are AT&T ones. Though waiting a few more weeks should allow to get it directly from AT&T at a lower price...
The good news is, if the websites are correct about the specs, the front facing camera is there (And I doubt Samsung will make a different Tab)
Seem to imply the voice call work to (negrielectronics) but it could be a mistake or a trick (works only through skype...) or just simple taht we are talking about an overseas model with the right 3G bands

Alcibiade said:
Thanks. Yes these bands are AT&T ones. Though waiting a few more weeks should allow to get it directly from AT&T at a lower price...
The good news is, if the websites are correct about the specs, the front facing camera is there (And I doubt Samsung will make a different Tab)
Seem to imply the voice call work to (negrielectronics) but it could be a mistake or a trick (works only through skype...) or just simple taht we are talking about an overseas model with the right 3G bands
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What concerns me are the comments that suggest US carriers will somehow restrict their service to GT so only data will work (no voice). So that raises the question for those of us who get the unlocked version - how do we get our Gt on to ATT or others? I guess I'm asking which ATT phone is it close enough to that I can acuire and swap the SIM card?

Alcibiade said:
Thanks. Yes these bands are AT&T ones. Though waiting a few more weeks should allow to get it directly from AT&T at a lower price...
The good news is, if the websites are correct about the specs, the front facing camera is there (And I doubt Samsung will make a different Tab)
Seem to imply the voice call work to (negrielectronics) but it could be a mistake or a trick (works only through skype...) or just simple taht we are talking about an overseas model with the right 3G bands
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, from what I hear is the 850/1900 band version will be an unlocked north amaerican version which can work with rogers (Canada) and at&t for the US by just adding your SIM card in. It is unknow weather the at&t network will identify the galaxy tab and change your plan accordingly if that is even how it will work with at&t. I beleive they WILL have a different plan for data for this device as T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon are following this. Also, the at&t version WILL be a different model in appreance and features as this unlocked one will not. Probablly because at&t WILL remove the front camera and who knows what else (thanks to the iphone). That is why the samsung site has not put the at&t version on their site yet. really do hope it will be treated as a PDA phone thru at&t's network (for the unlocked version)

Raspster said:
You can get the unlocked north american version which should be out by next week. It will cost you an arm and a leg but WILL work with the 850/1900 at&t 3g bands. Here are a few sites that have it:
http://www.mobilecityonline.com/wireless/store/productdetail.asp?productid=26929
or
http://negrielectronics.com/samsung-p1000-galaxy-tab-3g-850-1900-2100-oem-unlocked.html
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just heard today from Negri electronic that this version of the tab will not be available until JANUARY ...so don't bother pre-ordering it.

clubtech said:
I just heard today from Negri electronic that this version of the tab will not be available until JANUARY ...so don't bother pre-ordering it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's funny as they told me last Friday that the warehouse in CA is expecting them on November 10th. Also, I work near the mobile city online store in NYC and stopped in there and they said this week they would have them. hmmm
UPDATE: Just sent a message to my contact @ Nergi. He said they just received the notice that this version of the tab will not be in till early 2011. You were right clubtech... Was hoping you were wrong.. lol That sucks!

Mmh all I have been reading so far sucks

Figured I would fire up this thread and bump it up as Bell is releasing the Galaxy Tab on November 12th. That will be our solution for the 850/1900 3G version I guess..? I sent a message to Nergi to see if they will have this version. I'll keep you posted.

I have my G-Tab now (Euro version with phone and data working great on AT&T in USA) Be glad to answer questions. General comment: I LOVE it! The form factor and wt are just right for me and it has all the features I miss on my iPad. Only criticism is that I find Android a bit less stable than IOS but that might be what Gingerbread or Honeycomb will address.

brucewilsonpa said:
I have my G-Tab now (Euro version with phone and data working great on AT&T in USA) Be glad to answer questions. General comment: I LOVE it! The form factor and wt are just right for me and it has all the features I miss on my iPad. Only criticism is that I find Android a bit less stable than IOS but that might be what Gingerbread or Honeycomb will address.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you getting good 3g coverage? I see your in PA... Close to me. I know the 1900 band does blanket this area to some degree but the 850 band is alot stronger. I think I may wait for a full 3g band with both 850/1900 bands. Seems like the bell version will be the answer to that. Glad to hear you love the device.

I read that the bell version can't make any phone calls fyi .
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App

Raspster said:
Are you getting good 3g coverage? I see your in PA... Close to me. I know the 1900 band does blanket this area to some degree but the 850 band is alot stronger. I think I may wait for a full 3g band with both 850/1900 bands. Seems like the bell version will be the answer to that. Glad to hear you love the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes the 3g coverage is fine in the Reading area (better than my iphone, not sure why) I made decision to go for the Eur version when it became apparent the ATT version would be limited to data (no phone) and I couldn't get an answer on whether the "North American" version (with 850 UMTS) would arrive with phone capability OK. I saw a map of ATT 1900 coverage and saw that it takes care of at least 75% of the US, including virtuall all of the East, so I'm comfortable with my decision.

Raspster said:
Figured I would fire up this thread and bump it up as Bell is releasing the Galaxy Tab on November 12th. That will be our solution for the 850/1900 3G version I guess..? I sent a message to Nergi to see if they will have this version. I'll keep you posted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that's my hope. It's also probably a sign the AT&T one must be around the corner
I could not find out whether the Bell one would have call functions or not (That would be another great sign or opportunity)

clubtech said:
I read that the bell version can't make any phone calls fyi .
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it a confirmed information ?

Thanks for the info

Samsung Galaxy S II "confirmed" for Verizon in July

According to PhoneArea a Verizon spokeswomen has confirmed that they will be launching the Samsung Galaxy S II sometime next month.
http://www.phonearena.com/news/Samsung-Galaxy-S-II-confirmed-for-July-touch-down-at-Verizon_id19421
I'm sure AT&T will probably release it around the same time (if not sooner).

This is shocking...
"Although the phone will not be enabled for the LTE 4G network, it probably won't matter to potential buyers as the device has already proven itself to be speedy over 3G pipelines."
What's the purpose of launching a state-of-the-art phone that doesn't run on your state-of-the-art network? Hell, with EVDO, it'll be the slowest of the three U.S. SGS2 variants assuming it's Wi-Max on Sprint and 4G and/or LTE on AT&T. Why carry the phone at all?

Oh well, I don't even have 4G coverage here. By the time I do, I'll probably already be getting a new phone.
Also while I don't put much stock what an email from a Verizon spokesperson says, at least Verizon acknowledges the phone and it will at least come out eventually. I hope it really does come out in July though.

At least it will work on ATT's fake 4G HSPA+.
To work on Verizon's LTE would require a big redesign.

Meets34 said:
At least it will work on ATT's fake 4G HSPA+.
To work on Verizon's LTE would require a big redesign.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought it was supposed to be AT&T's first LTE phone? I read that online somewhere but can't find it now. AT&T was also supposed to be the first to launch so maybe the hold up is getting the LTE radio working. AT&T's LTE network is supposed to light up in a couple of weeks and they still have nothing that can run on it. Yet they're introducing a slew of high-end devices that work on a network that's outdated. Strange.
P.S. - Now that I think about it, it may be the combination of CDMA and LTE that prompted VZW and Samsung to skip LTE. That will still be strange though if Sprint's variant ends up being CDMA/Wi-Max.

BarryH_GEG said:
I thought it was supposed to be AT&T's first LTE phone? I read that online somewhere but can't find it now. AT&T was also supposed to be the first to launch so maybe the hold up is getting the LTE radio working. AT&T's LTE network is supposed to light up in a couple of weeks and they still have nothing that can run on it. Yet they're introducing a slew of high-end devices that work on a network that's outdated. Strange.
P.S. - Now that I think about it, it may be the combination of CDMA and LTE that prompted VZW and Samsung to skip LTE. That will still be strange though if Sprint's variant ends up being CDMA/Wi-Max.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Adding the LTE radio and chipset would probably require redesigning the phone. The current LTE phones are really big and thick.

Meets34 said:
Adding the LTE radio and chipset would probably require redesigning the phone. The current LTE phones are really big and thick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bad for AT&T but good for all of us who imported a non-branded SGS2. I assumed that AT&T's LTE version was going to make our phones (at least in the U.S.) outdated. If it ends of being the same phone with AT&T "enhancements" it makes our decision (and the price) worthwhile.

Excuse my ignorance, but what are the chances of the carriers making the phone better? I don't know how, just asking.
I don't know if i should just wait to see the differences with the ATT version or just buy the unlocked one now

MrLeon said:
Excuse my ignorance, but what are the chances of the carriers making the phone better? I don't know how, just asking.
I don't know if i should just wait to see the differences with the ATT version or just buy the unlocked one now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well there's always the chance you can get a nice cold refreshing glass of lemonade in Hell...

MrLeon said:
Excuse my ignorance, but what are the chances of the carriers making the phone better? I don't know how, just asking.
I don't know if i should just wait to see the differences with the ATT version or just buy the unlocked one now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very close to zero. They will just add bloatware.
The only good thing is the subsidized price.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/08/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-said-to-be-verizon-bound-in-july/
damn engadget says they were talking about the New galaxy tab :\

boondoc said:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/08/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-said-to-be-verizon-bound-in-july/
damn engadget says they were talking about the New galaxy tab :\
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just saw that as well. LAME!!

Yep, can never trust those spokesperson emails. God damn.

Thank goodness it's for the tab I'm not eligible until 9/4/2011
Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk

You guys need to realize JUST how hard it is to design and properly tune for LTE bands. I work in antenna design, and I can tell you it takes quite a bit to tune the noise down on the LTE frequencies. Add that to the fact that antenna real estate is already extremely tight in an ultra thin device like the SGSII (especially when taking GSM, WIFI, bluetooth, and GPS into account), the only way to get LTE in would be to have one/several of the other bands to suffer AND/OR make the device much, much thicker.
Until active antenna solutions are more readily available, this will continue to be a problem with passive antenna design, especially with small form factor devices like mobile phones.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

It may be here soon....The Note

Engadget has a great teaser up today for those of us in the US awaiting the AT&T release

I don't understand... how is this any more significant than it going through the FCC the first time (back in September)? The only difference seems to be that it now has a slightly ammended model#.

I see it as progress, that htye have renumbered it. Hopefully in the first quarter, second quarter would be ok, too.....I can wait

GTFO with that kind of news. It is depressing to read that from a T-Mobile perspective!

The 1700/2100 banding version is due out in Korea anytime no worries

Damn, looks like we'll have to wait even longer for the LTE version.

Boo... I was sick of waiting so I got the GSII. If it comes out in like 2 1/2 weeks then I will eat the 35$ restocking fee... but I dont see that happening. Oh well, guess Ill just stick with a slightly less awesome phone

Great news. And I frankly don't care if it's not LTE capable. I just hope they don't make a hardware change that affects performance.

I just wish they would put it out already and make it compatible with t-mobile. I am so sick of Samsung and their BS. Why is every US release involving them such a mess?

I was hoping this was gonna be news about ICS Oh well, I am having fun playing with my galaxy note now

A few things to note here.
1. There's no showing of this most recent version (GT-N7000B) having the 700MHz capability, which means AT&T 2G/3G only, no 4G LTE.
2. As we've seen with the GT-N7003, if/when they DO offer an LTE version it will be with a the Snapdragon 1.5GHz (8255T) chip...Which has the INFERIOR (as compared to the Mali 400MP in the Exynos version) Adreno 205 GPU!!!
I don't get the thinking with using an older generation Adreno 205 with a monstrous 5.3" 1280x800 rez phone?? That's like throwing a Ford Escort engine under the hood of a Hummer body (alright, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but still... For a screen/rez on the Note, it seems you'd want the best possible GPU driving it).
The 1700/2100 banding version is due out in Korea anytime no worries
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh? Am I missing something? I've been reading it's out in S. Korea in the LTE/Snapdragon flavor....Where are you hearing 1700/2100?

This is great news only if AT&T puts the Note in their system. Big question is is it a tablet or a phone AT&T must be having real problems figuring this out! What will happen if they put this in their system, will a European version then show up and be able to get an APN automatically downloaded to the phone?

I really hope they figure out how to keep the Exynos and not drop in the Snapdragon to enable LTE compatibility. The original GS2 is just so much snappier than the Snapdragon Skyrocket.

bigmout said:
Great news. And I frankly don't care if it's not LTE capable. I just hope they don't make a hardware change that affects performance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
exactly what I was thinking

Namuna said:
Huh? Am I missing something? I've been reading it's out in S. Korea in the LTE/Snapdragon flavor....Where are you hearing 1700/2100?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think Korea uses CDMA 1700/2100 bands.

n25philly said:
I just wish they would put it out already and make it compatible with t-mobile. I am so sick of Samsung and their BS. Why is every US release involving them such a mess?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why is that necessarily Samsung's fault?
Namuna said:
1. There's no showing of this most recent version (GT-N7000B) having the 700MHz capability, which means AT&T 2G/3G only, no 4G LTE.
2. As we've seen with the GT-N7003, if/when they DO offer an LTE version it will be with a the Snapdragon 1.5GHz (8255T) chip...Which has the INFERIOR (as compared to the Mali 400MP in the Exynos version) Adreno 205 GPU!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My fear of an eventual AT&T release being LTE (and therefore getting slower hardware) is why I went ahead and ordered an international version (before today, not realizing that AT&T would release a non LTE version). I'd love to have LTE, but not at the expense of the slower hardware.

Its AT&T, enjoy your anal plundering... and still ranked WORST of the carriers in customer satisfaction...
TMobile, or Verizon and ill Pre order the thing (oh, and sans the ****ty snapdragon)

dscline said:
Why is that necessarily Samsung's fault?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know, maybe because they make the phone? Then again going out of your way to not have customers seems to make sense in the cell phone business for some reason.

I have been perfectly happy with AT&T for many, many years (I predate the Cingular years, back to original AT&T). I don't care about 4G or LTE, I just want the Note in my hands sooner rather than later. I certainly hope they class it as a phone, if they don't, then I'll bitterly move onto the SGS II or whatever snazzy new phone is out at that time.

n25philly said:
I don't know, maybe because they make the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems to me that Tmobile would have to be interested in carrying it for Samsung to be intersted in making it. Samsung can't count on a significant number of Tmobile customers buying an already niche phone unsubsidized.

[Q] Buying an Atrix 4G, difference?

Hi all,
Im thinking of buying this phone but from what i have read there isnt much difference between the Atrix and the Atrix 4g.
How will I be able to tell which is which? specs are almost the same.
Should add that I am buying used. Also, I am in the UK.
Look forward to your replies!

They are the same phone!
I'm also in the UK, really like my atrix, but coming from a modded android to a locked phone is a bit difficult...

streuli999 said:
They are the same phone!
I'm also in the UK, really like my atrix, but coming from a modded android to a locked phone is a bit difficult...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
your sure? i read somewhere that the first atrix has 5mp cam which has been upped to 8mp in the new version.
Maybe im mistaken.
Yes ive heard about Moto not playing nice with rooting!

It is the Atrix 4g and the Atrix 2. And the Atrix 4g has a 5 MP camera and the Atrix 2 has a 8 MP camera. The most noticeable thing I saw in the looks of the 2 phones was the Atrix 4g has the speaker on the back at the bottom and the Atrix 2 has the speaker on the front at the top.

blingmaster said:
It is the Atrix 4g and the Atrix 2. And the Atrix 4g has a 5 MP camera and the Atrix 2 has a 8 MP camera. The most noticeable thing I saw in the looks of the 2 phones was the Atrix 4g has the speaker on the back at the bottom and the Atrix 2 has the speaker on the front at the top.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah that's right... looking at the specs on motorola website, seems that's the only difference!

cool, now i know what to look out for!!!

atrix(4g) is not a locked phone, is it? If you follow the guide, you can unlock the bootloader and flash different ROMs on it.
Another difference between atrix(4g) and atrix 2 is the fingerprint scanner. atrix 2 doesn't have it.

Since you are in the UK you will probably want the "Motorola Atrix" since it has the 900MHz UMTS band needed for some UK carriers like Vodafone and O2.
The "Motorola Atrix 4G" is the title used for the Atrix line that is used in North America for carriers like AT&T and Bell.
Look at these two links and you will see that the main difference is the bands used for their 3G networks. AT&T and Bell use 850/1900 and Vodafone and O2 use 900/2100.
http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_atrix-3709.php
http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_atrix_4g-3708.php
I could be wrong but this is what I can gather from your question. Also, you might be able to use the "4G" branded one because it still uses the 2100MHz band (if unlocked) but you might experience reduced coverage (slower speeds).
The difference in cameras is between the Atrix(4G) and Atrix 2.
http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_atrix_2-4199.php
Which also does not use the 900MHz band.
EDIT: I would also like to point out that they do all use the same "Quad-band GSM" but that is for the 2G(EDGE) network, and not 3G(UMTS/HSPA)
jman316 said:
Hi all,
Im thinking of buying this phone but from what i have read there isnt much difference between the Atrix and the Atrix 4g.
How will I be able to tell which is which? specs are almost the same.
Should add that I am buying used. Also, I am in the UK.
Look forward to your replies!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Some suggested the only difference between atrix and atrix 4g is the firmware. But I don't know how true it is.
I have a Bell (canadian) atrix 4G, and I am currently in UK on O2. Is there any way to tell if I can use UMTS900 or not?
If there is a way to tell, and I manage to connect to UMTS900, then I will say there is no difference between atrix and atrix4G.

Right, an unlocked Bell/AT&T Atrix will work on almost all of the UK networks but it will be restricted to the 2100MHz band for 3G(HSPA) or quad-band GSM for 2G(EDGE).
You don't need to try "to tell" if your Bell Atrix is using the 900MHz band for 3G(UMTS/HSPA) because it cannot. It's in the specs, it just doesn't have the capability.
http://www.bell.ca/Mobility/Products/Motorola_Atrix_4G/Specifications.tab
Just to clarify, I'm not saying you can't use an unlocked AT&T/Bell Atrix in the UK, all I'm saying is it will not be able to use the 900MHz band for 3G. It will, however, be able to use it on EDGE/2G. I'm fairly certain it's a hardware thing.
ken218 said:
Some suggested the only difference between atrix and atrix 4g is the firmware. But I don't know how true it is.
I have a Bell (canadian) atrix 4G, and I am currently in UK on O2. Is there any way to tell if I can use UMTS900 or not?
If there is a way to tell, and I manage to connect to UMTS900, then I will say there is no difference between atrix and atrix4G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

People seems to be either pretty certain it is only a firmware difference, or pretty certain it is a hardware difference. But no one can confirm which one is correct...
I do agree, based on the spec from motorola, US/CA atrix doesn't support UMTS900.

ken218 said:
People seems to be either pretty certain it is only a firmware difference, or pretty certain it is a hardware difference. But no one can confirm which one is correct...
I do agree, based on the spec from motorola, US/CA atrix doesn't support UMTS900.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same result I've had. I've posted a question thread on the modems here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1442350
Its annoying me because if its just a software limitation, what is there to stop us from giving it 900mhz umts support? The "workaround" just needs discovering by a developer (I've been mooching around, but i'm not dev!)
O2 UK has UMTS on 900MHz now, and one local to me so I want to use it without replacing it for a UK atrix lol.
What we need is an international/uk user to be brave and strip their phone down and find out for us!
My gut feeling is its something in the kernel/drivers/boot loader provided for the AT&T Atrix. On samsungs there is a secret menu for turning bands on and off.. but none of those codes will work on the Atrix of course (even the generic test ones built into android don't work!)

If you know anywhere close to London where o2 has UMTS900 coverage, but no UMTS2100 coverage, then I will try it out.
If I can get 3G at that location, then my Bell Atrix with UK baseband works with UMTS900. If not, then it is more than likely to be hardware.

ken218 said:
If you know anywhere close to London where o2 has UMTS900 coverage, but no UMTS2100 coverage, then I will try it out.
If I can get 3G at that location, then my Bell Atrix with UK baseband works with UMTS900. If not, then it is more than likely to be hardware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can come down to Solent Business Park/Whiteley you'll have it there on 900mhz. They were digging up the road a few weeks ago right by the mast (which is pretty much line of sight with my office), and I took my Nokia N900 (on GiffGaff as its a spare!) which supports UMTS 900 and it had full 3G signal (atrix had full 2g), which it could never get before. The nearest 2100mhz mast is like 2 miles away. The atrix will pick the 2100 mast up rarely down there, and when it does, it has 1 bar if that.
I tried a few different base bands while at work, none seem to provide positive results on my AT&T Atrix.

When it comes to the differences of the Atrix and the Atrix 4G, it is the 900MHz UMTS band. The Intl version has it but the AT&T/Bell version does not.
While the OP (@jman316) was looking for the differences between these two versions, you seem to be trying to figure out how to access that band on the AT&T version, which is not possible.
GSM and UMTS are not compatible. UMTS is an evolution of GSM but they are not the same. So, going back to your dilemma, you have stated in your other thread that you currently have an AT&T version. Based on that, you cannot use the 900MHz band on 3G/UMTS/HSPA. Only 2G/GSM/EDGE.
http://etutorials.org/Mobile+device...eral+Packet+Radio+Service+and+UMTS+PS+Domain/
http://www.differencebetween.net/technology/difference-between-gsm-and-umts/
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_difference_between_umts_and_gsm
To reiterate, quad-band GSM is not the same thing as UMTS/HSPA The AT&T Atrix can only use the 900MHz band on EDGE/2G, not 3G/UMTS/HSPA.
I apologize if I seem derisive on the matter, I just feel that the facts are right there.
tehrules said:
Same result I've had. I've posted a question thread on the modems here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1442350
Its annoying me because if its just a software limitation, what is there to stop us from giving it 900mhz umts support? The "workaround" just needs discovering by a developer (I've been mooching around, but i'm not dev!)
O2 UK has UMTS on 900MHz now, and one local to me so I want to use it without replacing it for a UK atrix lol.
What we need is an international/uk user to be brave and strip their phone down and find out for us!
My gut feeling is its something in the kernel/drivers/boot loader provided for the AT&T Atrix. On samsungs there is a secret menu for turning bands on and off.. but none of those codes will work on the Atrix of course (even the generic test ones built into android don't work!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

live4nyy said:
When it comes to the differences of the Atrix and the Atrix 4G, it is the 900MHz UMTS band. The Intl version has it but the AT&T/Bell version does not.
While the OP (@jman316) was looking for the differences between these two versions, you seem to be trying to figure out how to access that band on the AT&T version, which is not possible.
GSM and UMTS are not compatible. UMTS is an evolution of GSM but they are not the same. So, going back to your dilemma, you have stated in your other thread that you currently have an AT&T version. Based on that, you cannot use the 900MHz band on 3G/UMTS/HSPA. Only 2G/GSM/EDGE.
http://etutorials.org/Mobile+device...eral+Packet+Radio+Service+and+UMTS+PS+Domain/
http://www.differencebetween.net/technology/difference-between-gsm-and-umts/
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_difference_between_umts_and_gsm
To reiterate, quad-band GSM is not the same thing as UMTS/HSPA The AT&T Atrix can only use the 900MHz band on EDGE/2G, not 3G/UMTS/HSPA.
I apologize if I seem derisive on the matter, I just feel that the facts are right there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm very aware of the differences in the technology. I don't know where your comparison of GSM/UMTS and the links relevant here. Its a quad band gsm and quad band UTMS/WCDMA/3G phone with one band disabled be it through a hardware modification to the chip or by software.
What we are trying to drill down to is this:
1. Is it the same cellular modem chip used in both AT&T/Bell and the international versions?
If yes then,
2. Why is it not possible to enable the disabled band?
Has anyone really done any research into either of these? No. If had a spare pool of money I'd buy a UK phone, and strip it down, and prove once and for all what difference there is, and we could then say, oh so the chips are different models so that explains that or go, oh its the same chip/part number, lets hack the software a bit.

Also Atrix 2 uses normal tft lcd instead of pentile as in original atrix.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App

el_venga said:
Also Atrix 2 uses normal tft lcd instead of pentile as in original atrix.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We are not on about the Atrix 2, we are on about Atrix 4G (US) vs Atrix (UK/EU/World)
What I have quoted above about 3G on 900mhz should be possible, here is a little pointer (evidence perhaps?) as to why it should work...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1334674
http://www.option.com/en/products/p...ons/lgamodulegtm601-609/specifications/#start
http://www.m2msearch.com/node/128
http://www.att.com/media/en_US/docs/edo/ATT_Approved_Modules.xls
http://www.scribd.com/doc/54154049/...odem-Device-Specification-Advance-Information

I have done a lot of research into the matter and from what I have gathered the chips/modules responsible for the compatible frequencies can be tailored to specs according to the customer's (AT&T) requests. Which, from my understanding, would be a hardware issue. So, even if they have the same chip, it wouldn't matter, since AT&T can have it custom made to just use the frequencies they approve. Which actually sounds a lot like something AT&T would do, given their track record.
I also found this thread where others are pretty certain it is not possible:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1233097
tehrules said:
I'm very aware of the differences in the technology. I don't know where your comparison of GSM/UMTS and the links relevant here. Its a quad band gsm and quad band UTMS/WCDMA/3G phone with one band disabled be it through a hardware modification to the chip or by software.
What we are trying to drill down to is this:
1. Is it the same cellular modem chip used in both AT&T/Bell and the international versions?
If yes then,
2. Why is it not possible to enable the disabled band?
Has anyone really done any research into either of these? No. If had a spare pool of money I'd buy a UK phone, and strip it down, and prove once and for all what difference there is, and we could then say, oh so the chips are different models so that explains that or go, oh its the same chip/part number, lets hack the software a bit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Ok this is all confusing now !
Will i be able to get 3g speeds in the Uk with the Atrix or is it limited to 2G!?