Database Users

[Q] Using LTE Note 3 in Oman / Middle East

Hi guys.
Sorry if it sounds like a noobish question, but I had to ask it before I pre-order the S800 variant of the Note 3. My main reason for doing so being the developer support, looking at how the EXYNOS devices are a bit of a mess in this aspect. I mostly use WifFi.
I just wanted to ask that will I be able to use the S800 variant without any issues in a country (Oman) that's still not very big in terms of LTE. I mean, in terms of getting normal mobile services. Like mentioned above, not really bothered about LTE per se, just that I'd like to have the S800 version for the developer and community support.
Thanks!

lak47 said:
Hi guys.
Sorry if it sounds like a noobish question, but I had to ask it before I pre-order the S800 variant of the Note 3. My main reason for doing so being the developer support, looking at how the EXYNOS devices are a bit of a mess in this aspect. I mostly use WifFi.
I just wanted to ask that will I be able to use the S800 variant without any issues in a country (Oman) that's still not very big in terms of LTE. I mean, in terms of getting normal mobile services. Like mentioned above, not really bothered about LTE per se, just that I'd like to have the S800 version for the developer and community support.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, looking at the different frequency bands used in your country from wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mobile_network_operators_of_the_Middle_East_and_Africa#Oman
I found out that Oman uses the 2100MHZ band for UMTS, and looking at the used frequencies in LTE from this wikipedia article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LTE_networks#Middle_East
I found out that your country uses either the 1800Mhz or the 2300Mhz bands depending on the network.
Given what you need, I would go with the international 4G version N9005 if you wanted LTE support or the international 3G version N9000.
From negrielectronics.com, the N9005 supports the following bands:
2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G Network LTE 800 / 900 / 1800 / 2100 / 2600
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As you can clearly see, the 2100Mhz band needed for 3G is supported by the international version, however, only the 1800Mhz is supported for LTE, so you might have LTE or not depending on what network you are on.
As for the N9000:
2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, you can clearly see that the needed band for 3G, the 2100Mhz band, is supported, so you will have 3G in your country.
BOTH of these mentioned variants are SD800 variants, and they will both work for 3G in your country, you can check them out at:
negrielectronics.com
Hope this helps

sharl1987 said:
Hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you sharl1987! That's good information.
So basically I should not have an issue using this device.
Just for good measure, this is the device:
http://www.clove.co.uk/samsung-galaxy-note-3

lak47 said:
Thank you sharl1987! That's good information.
So basically I should not have an issue using this device.
Just for good measure, this is the device:
http://www.clove.co.uk/samsung-galaxy-note-3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I do not foresee any problems with the device you are planning to purchase, it supports the 2100 Mhz band needed for your country. However, just to be in the safe side, I would call your mobile carrier and verify that they indeed are using the 2100Mhz band for 3G, I can guarantee my findings, I cannot vouch for the information I found on wikipedia.

sharl1987 said:
Yes, I do not foresee any problems with the device you are planning to purchase, it supports the 2100 Mhz band needed for your country. However, just to be in the safe side, I would call your mobile carrier and verify that they indeed are using the 2100Mhz band for 3G, I can guarantee my findings, I cannot vouch for the information I found on wikipedia.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually it most probably won't work given that all EU versions will only work on European sim cards on the GN3 for some reason. I would recommend getting it from Omasco just to be sure.

Crimso said:
Actually it most probably won't work given that all EU versions will only work on European sim cards on the GN3 for some reason. I would recommend getting it from Omasco just to be sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well my reply was before the damn announced region locked move. I am so pissed of about it. BYE BYE SAMSUNG

Does the Canadian Nexus 7 LTE deb work in Germany

Hello,
I heard that there are different LTE frequencies and i'm not sure if a LTE Nexus 7 bought in Canada would work in Germany? Probably this is an hardware issue and can't be changed with a custom Rom or something? Or is there a way to get it working? Thanks for your help.

MadMatt89 said:
Hello,
I heard that there are different LTE frequencies and i'm not sure if a LTE Nexus 7 bought in Canada would work in Germany? Probably this is an hardware issue and can't be changed with a custom Rom or something? Or is there a way to get it working? Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not buying the LTE-version at the MediaMarkt in Germany? Then you are sure LTE will work in Germany (and the rest of Europe!)!

henklbr said:
Why not buying the LTE-version at the MediaMarkt in Germany? Then you are sure LTE will work in Germany (and the rest of Europe!)!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe because I'm in Canada?

The supported LTE frequencies are different. They are listed here:
https://support.google.com/nexus/7/answer/3248332?hl=en
You will have very, very little LTE coverage with a North American N7 in Europe. Things look good for GSM/HSPA+.

tni.andro said:
The supported LTE frequencies are different. They are listed here:
https://support.google.com/nexus/7/answer/3248332?hl=en
You will have very, very little LTE coverage with a North American N7 in Europe. Things look good for GSM/HSPA+.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So could I use the n7 but it will most likely just get HSPA+?
But it is hardware locked isnt it? So I can't change the bands with software?

MadMatt89 said:
So could I use the n7 but it will most likely just get HSPA+?
But it is hardware locked isnt it? So I can't change the bands with software?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theoretically - but since Qualcomm is keeping the tech notes for the WRT1605L chip very hard to obtain - and since there is no software to do this - and since it's entirely possible the chip is 'select once' (I've read through the API for the chipset and can find lots of 'look up the settings' but no 'change the settings' commands), I would say 'not gonna happen soon'.
In fact, it's slightly worse than you might think. Canada uses bands 4 and 7 which ARE included in the European model, but only band 4 is included in the US model - so we're already taking a compatibility hit. Even worse, the US model only uses six of the seven bands the chip can support at one time - you'd think they'd have thrown in 7 just for compatibility reasons.
In any case, the 'unlocked' they refer to is 'carrier unlocked' which means you can use it with any carrier... not unlocked as in 'you can change the bands'.

I think the unit sold in Canada is the "Rest Of World" unit, since there is more overlap between the Canadian LTE frequencies than the North America / Japan unit.

TDBearCT said:
I think the unit sold in Canada is the "Rest Of World" unit, since there is more overlap between the Canadian LTE frequencies than the North America / Japan unit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I contacted the Google customer service and they said thats true, Canada belongs to the "Rest Of World"

TDBearCT said:
I think the unit sold in Canada is the "Rest Of World" unit, since there is more overlap between the Canadian LTE frequencies than the North America / Japan unit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadly - this is incorrect statement . I bought mine and it does not connect to LTE. I called rogers Canada and they said you need LTE 2600MHz to be able to connect at the LTE rate. So i called Google Play and after 45 minutes in the call , they said bottom line is if you in Canada ( which is North America, d'oh! ) you are not getting 2600MHz on your Nexus 7. And Basta !
... does this make any sense ???

dinar said:
Sadly - this is incorrect statement . I bought mine and it does not connect to LTE. I called rogers Canada and they said you need LTE 2600MHz to be able to connect at the LTE rate. So i called Google Play and after 45 minutes in the call , they said bottom line is if you in Canada ( which is North America, d'oh! ) you are not getting 2600MHz on your Nexus 7. And Basta !
... does this make any sense ???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This information is incorrect or at least outdated. Rogers supports the 2100 MHz and 2600 MHz LTE bands. Hardware-wise, the 2100 MHz band is supported on the Nexus 7 (US/Canada); the 2600 MHz band is only supported on the International Nexus 7. The 2100 MHz band is the default band for Rogers LTE -- everywhere that Rogers has deployed LTE, they have deployed 2100 MHz. I personally use my Nexus 7 (US/Canada) on the Rogers network, with LTE, and it works fine.
However, if you want to use the Rogers "LTE Max" service, then yes, you need both 2100 MHz and 2600 MHz. LTE Max uses both frequency bands to increase throughput. On LTE Max, 150Mb/s downstream rates are theoretically achievable. The regular Rogers LTE, on the 2100 MHz band (without 2600 MHz) can only reach 75Mb/s downstream. The Rogers 2600 MHz band is only active in a very few areas (mainly very big cities). Outside of these few areas, you can't get LTE Max, and the only way to get any LTE at all is via 2100 MHz.
Personally, I have no problem with "only" 75Mb/s downstream.

N9005 - LTE Problem

Hello geniuses!
Before anyone asks, I have already tried the search function and was unable to get any pertinent results!!
I have a n9005 unbranded factory unlocked phone that I purchased through a retailer in Singapore. I absolutely love this phone it is such a beast!
However, I am having a problem with the handset. I am with telus up here in Canada and I am unable to connect to their LTE network. I called customer service to ensure that LTE is enabled on my plan and it is. I am getting HSPA+ speeds and I am able to make voice calls just fine, but I bought this phone thinking I would have LTE enabled on it.
Now from my understanding, the snapdragon 800 chipset has LTE bands that support numerous networks. However, since this is a phone from Singapore it may only have Singapore LTE bands enabled. Is there a way to change it so that it recognizes Canadian bands, more specifically Telus' LTE network?
I read that by flashing a new modem or csc I would be able to get LTE speeds, is this the case? If so, can some one guide me in the right direction on how to do this as I am a complete noob!
Thanks everyone!:fingers-crossed:

Did I not just answer a similar thread about someone with the *exact* same issue with a handset from Hong Kong?
Singapore uses the 1800 and 2600 LTE bands, Telus only the 1700 band. You're using a phone that doesn't even see your LTE band...

Makaveli_Trained said:
Hello geniuses!
Before anyone asks, I have already tried the search function and was unable to get any pertinent results!!
I have a n9005 unbranded factory unlocked phone that I purchased through a retailer in Singapore. I absolutely love this phone it is such a beast!
However, I am having a problem with the handset. I am with telus up here in Canada and I am unable to connect to their LTE network. I called customer service to ensure that LTE is enabled on my plan and it is. I am getting HSPA+ speeds and I am able to make voice calls just fine, but I bought this phone thinking I would have LTE enabled on it.
Now from my understanding, the snapdragon 800 chipset has LTE bands that support numerous networks. However, since this is a phone from Singapore it may only have Singapore LTE bands enabled. Is there a way to change it so that it recognizes Canadian bands, more specifically Telus' LTE network?
I read that by flashing a new modem or csc I would be able to get LTE speeds, is this the case? If so, can some one guide me in the right direction on how to do this as I am a complete noob!
Thanks everyone!:fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes - wrong phone for Canada. You need an N900W8

ShadowLea said:
Did I not just answer a similar thread about someone with the *exact* same issue with a handset from Hong Kong?
Singapore uses the 1800 and 2600 LTE bands, Telus only the 1700 band. You're using a phone that doesn't even see your LTE band...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I understand that...
That's why I asked if it's possible to flash a different modem on the phone that will enable the 1700 band?

@Class said:
Yes - wrong phone for Canada. You need an N900W8
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I flash a different firmware or modem to enable the LTE band?

Anyone?
Sent from my SM-N9005 using xda app-developers app

Makaveli_Trained said:
Anyone?
Sent from my SM-N9005 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=46139193
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using xda premium

Thanks
Sent from my SM-N9005 using xda app-developers app

Does anyonr knows how to flash firmware or modem then I will be able to activate lte on my note 3
Thank you

if u havea 4g enabled device such as note 3 model number n9005 then u can use 4g untill its frequency is not supported.... the supported frequencies are not software based.. the are hardware based andcannot be changed.... note 3 n9005 supports LTE 800 / 850 / 900 / 1800 / 2100 / 2600 and note3 n900w8 supports LTE 700 / 1900 / 2100 ... if ur carrier transmits on frequency other than these then us device is useless.... many people buy these devices only because it has 4g but they arenot even aware of supported frequencies so u all must research properly before buying.... PLY PRESS THANKS IF MY POST HELPED U...:fingers-crossed::fingers-crossed:

[Q] Difference btwn Carrier phone(t-mobile, AT&T etc.) & International n9005 LTE

[Q] Difference btwn Carrier phone(t-mobile, AT&T etc.) & International n9005 LTE
Hi,
I would like to know if theres a difference between a carrier phone(t-mobile, AT&T etc.) & International n9005 LTE? I try looking up the information and through the forums but I'm still kind of confuse and dont have a set answer. I know the carrier phone is n900 but other than that is there any differences? I live in the US. now but I use to have international phones in case I travel, rooting wise and etc. But after the regional lock issue, I'm not sure which version to buy now.
Thank you!!:good:

mrpug said:
Hi,
I would like to know if theres a difference between a carrier phone(t-mobile, AT&T etc.) & International n9005 LTE? I try looking up the information and through the forums but I'm still kind of confuse and dont have a set answer. I know the carrier phone is n900 but other than that is there any differences? I live in the US. now but I use to have international phones in case I travel, rooting wise and etc. But after the regional lock issue, I'm not sure which version to buy now.
Thank you!!:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is my understanding and I am sure I will be corrected that the N900T, A V etc are not region locked. Just carrier locked. Fellow forum member did a nice write up about the differences of the US Carrier versions. His name is Mircury.

As far as I know the carrier models are carrier and region locked but if you root the device you can use ChainFire's region away app and you will be able to swap out sim cards based on your location. T-Mobile just unveiled free world roaming data usage though and with T-Mobile you can use WiFi calling so if you are outside the country you can use the data and make calls on WiFi at no additional cost.

The Carrier-specific versions have a few LTE bands unlocked that the International one doesn't.

Limeybastard said:
It is my understanding and I am sure I will be corrected that the N900T, A V etc are not region locked. Just carrier locked. Fellow forum member did a nice write up about the differences of the US Carrier versions. His name is Mircury.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ah thanks, found it, was really helpful:good:
so technically speaking international n9005LTE will not be compatible with t-mobile's 3g or 4g LTE? as the bandwidth as I see the people mention in that forum is not compatible?
I went to a store to check the phone out and a seller of the international n9005 told me the data will be running on H? would you happen to know what it means?
Thanks !

AdmiralCF420 said:
As far as I know the carrier models are carrier and region locked but if you root the device you can use ChainFire's region away app and you will be able to swap out sim cards based on your location. T-Mobile just unveiled free world roaming data usage though and with T-Mobile you can use WiFi calling so if you are outside the country you can use the data and make calls on WiFi at no additional cost.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah I see, so would you assume that getting the T-mobile one will be better compare to the international n9005LTE?

mrpug said:
ah thanks, found it, was really helpful:good:
so technically speaking international n9005LTE will not be compatible with t-mobile's 3g or 4g LTE? as the bandwidth as I see the people mention in that forum is not compatible?
I went to a store to check the phone out and a seller of the international n9005 told me the data will be running on H? would you happen to know what it means?
Thanks !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HSPA perhaps? I am not rooted or have I used Chairfires method. I have two options to prove this case, either buy a UK sim card here and put it in my phone and see what occurs or wait til I get there.
The N900T seems to okay, yes if you want to use it here on ATT or T mobile at least. With perhaps a little roaming overseas.
There is also another thread named something like Region locked, its over 100 pages, good luck!
Here you go..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2457964

mrpug said:
ah thanks, found it, was really helpful:good:
so technically speaking international n9005LTE will not be compatible with t-mobile's 3g or 4g LTE? as the bandwidth as I see the people mention in that forum is not compatible?
I went to a store to check the phone out and a seller of the international n9005 told me the data will be running on H? would you happen to know what it means?
Thanks !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The order of speed is this: (Network/Signal Designation)
GSM/G (2G)
GPRS/G+ (2.5G)
EDGE/E (2.75G)
UMTS/3G (3G)
HSPA/H (3.5G)
HSPA+/H+ (3.75G)
LTE (3.9G)
LTE Advanced (4G)
So H is HSPA = 3.5G.
International N9005 can get the 3G signal on pretty much any frequency, including US. It's the LTE bands that are incompatible.
T-Mobile US runs LTE on the 1700Mhz band, and 3G on the 1900Mhz band.
AT&T and Verizon use the 700, 1700 and 2100Mhz band for LTE, and 850 and 1900Mhz for 3G.
Sprint uses the 800, 1900 and 2500Mhz for LTE, and 800 and 1900Mhz for 3G.
N9005 International gets:
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G/LTE 800 / 850 / 900 / 1800 / 2100 / 2600.

Limeybastard said:
HSPA perhaps? I am not rooted or have I used Chairfires method. I have two options to prove this case, either buy a UK sim card here and put it in my phone and see what occurs or wait til I get there.
The N900T seems to okay, yes if you want to use it here on ATT or T mobile at least. With perhaps a little roaming overseas.
There is also another thread named something like Region locked, its over 100 pages, good luck!
Here you go..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2457964
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea I read through that whole forum but was just confused about the differences

ShadowLea said:
The order of speed is this: (Network/Signal Designation)
GSM/G (2G)
GPRS/G+ (2.5G)
EDGE/E (2.75G)
UMTS/3G (3G)
HSPA/H (3.5G)
HSPA+/H+ (3.75G)
LTE (3.9G)
LTE Advanced (4G)
So H is HSPA = 3.5G.
International N9005 can get the 3G signal on pretty much any frequency, including US. It's the LTE bands that are incompatible.
T-Mobile US runs LTE on the 1700Mhz band, and 3G on the 1900Mhz band.
AT&T and Verizon use the 700, 1700 and 2100Mhz band for LTE, and 850 and 1900Mhz for 3G.
Sprint uses the 800, 1900 and 2500Mhz for LTE, and 800 and 1900Mhz for 3G.
N9005 International gets:
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G/LTE 800 / 850 / 900 / 1800 / 2100 / 2600.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let us not forgot what other Bands the T MobileN900T has for LTE not just based on what they run here..

ShadowLea said:
The order of speed is this: (Network/Signal Designation)
GSM/G (2G)
GPRS/G+ (2.5G)
EDGE/E (2.75G)
UMTS/3G (3G)
HSPA/H (3.5G)
HSPA+/H+ (3.75G)
LTE (3.9G)
LTE Advanced (4G)
So H is HSPA = 3.5G.
International N9005 can get the 3G signal on pretty much any frequency, including US. It's the LTE bands that are incompatible.
T-Mobile US runs LTE on the 1700Mhz band, and 3G on the 1900Mhz band.
AT&T and Verizon use the 700, 1700 and 2100Mhz band for LTE, and 850 and 1900Mhz for 3G.
Sprint uses the 800, 1900 and 2500Mhz for LTE, and 800 and 1900Mhz for 3G.
N9005 International gets:
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G/LTE 800 / 850 / 900 / 1800 / 2100 / 2600.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok now im understanding it better, I was trying to find information through the forums but I guess I got confuse reading information here and there cause some people were saying it runs on 2g and some says 3g.
Thank alot!:laugh:

mrpug said:
ok now im understanding it better, I was trying to find information through the forums but I guess I got confuse reading information here and there cause some people were saying it runs on 2g and some says 3g.
Thank alot!:laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think in all honesty the best speed I will get with my Note 3 N900T in the UK will be 3G. Not until they start using band 7 2600 which is still not used but reserved for future.

Limeybastard said:
Let us not forgot what other Bands the T MobileN900T has for LTE not just based on what they run here..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just compared the N9005, which he asked about, with the US cellular providers. Having multiple bands is lovely, but if your provider isn't using them, they're also a bit pointless
mrpug said:
ok now im understanding it better, I was trying to find information through the forums but I guess I got confuse reading information here and there cause some people were saying it runs on 2g and some says 3g.
Thank alot!:laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It can get a bit confusing, yes.

ShadowLea said:
I just compared the N9005, which he asked about, with the US cellular providers. Having multiple bands is lovely, but if your provider isn't using them, they're also a bit pointless
It can get a bit confusing, yes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought he was like me and wanting to travel.? LOL

Limeybastard said:
I thought he was like me and wanting to travel.? LOL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your both correct lols :laugh: I mostly live in the US but for when I do travel which is often, its nice to know what the phone can and cannot do.

mrpug said:
Your both correct lols :laugh: I mostly live in the US but for when I do travel which is often, its nice to know what the phone can and cannot do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't worry I've done my research and concluded, if you live in the USA and travel then go for the N900T. I did :good:

Limeybastard said:
Don't worry I've done my research and concluded, if you live in the USA and travel then go for the N900T. I did :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lols How often do you travel? Majority of the time i'm in the US

mrpug said:
lols How often do you travel? Majority of the time i'm in the US
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not much, but when I do travel ( excuse the pun ) I go to the United Kingdom and occasionally whilst there travel to Gay Paris.:laugh:

Limeybastard said:
Not much, but when I do travel ( excuse the pun ) I go to the United Kingdom and occasionally whilst there travel to Gay Paris.:laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haha:laugh:, at least your traveling to Paris, I know people who would love to go there but haven't got the chance yet.

ShadowLea said:
The order of speed is this: (Network/Signal Designation)
GSM/G (2G)
GPRS/G+ (2.5G)
EDGE/E (2.75G)
UMTS/3G (3G)
HSPA/H (3.5G)
HSPA+/H+ (3.75G)
LTE (3.9G)
LTE Advanced (4G)
So H is HSPA = 3.5G.
International N9005 can get the 3G signal on pretty much any frequency, including US. It's the LTE bands that are incompatible.
T-Mobile US runs LTE on the 1700Mhz band, and 3G on the 1900Mhz band.
AT&T and Verizon use the 700, 1700 and 2100Mhz band for LTE, and 850 and 1900Mhz for 3G.
Sprint uses the 800, 1900 and 2500Mhz for LTE, and 800 and 1900Mhz for 3G.
N9005 International gets:
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G/LTE 800 / 850 / 900 / 1800 / 2100 / 2600.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So pretty much you won't be able to get a factory unlocked LTE Note 3 working on T-Mobile LTE? Please tell me I'm mistaken.

[Q] Using my Galaxy S5 G900F in Canada?

Hi all, I'm wondering if I may trouble you with a quick question.
I recently bought a Galaxy S5 (Galaxy S5 G900F) in the hopes to have it future proof as I move to Canada next year and would like to have a solid phone for about two - three years. I'm based in Ireland at the moment and wondering can the phone be used in Canada without issue?
I was looking at a phone company (Koodo) who offer great rates and once I inputted my IMEI it stated my phone wouldn't work on their network.
Surely the S5 would work on any network throughout the globe? Last year my Note 3 worked perfectly in America and it was an international edition also.
Is this a hardware issue (radios) or software (were a simple flash of a different rom could fix)?
Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Regards

gbyrne2011 said:
Surely the S5 would work on any network throughout the globe?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, let me ask you this question. If the S5 should work around the world.. why does Samsung have a dozen S5 variants?
Figured it out yet? Ironically the hardware is capable of supporting all GSM and LTE bands world wide. But Samsung endeavors to sell their phones for higher prices in more affluent countries. And carriers don't want to make it easy for you to jump ship and sign your phone up to another network. So they have artificial restrictions in the firmware and other measures e.g. region locking, SIM locks, to limit what you can do. They have to allow enough compatibility that you could usually roam when traveling. But not complete compatibility or you might buy a cheaper S5 from another country. Or change carriers willy nilly.
Yup, great system.
And so it is for your phone. It will work most of the time in Canada. But it isn't 100% compatible and you may find that it can't operate on the necessary bands in fringe areas or for niche carriers.
Most of the bands are the same between the S5 900F (yours) and the S5 900W8 (Canada)
The differences, I believe are:
2G: same for both
3G: Most bands are the same. But you have B8(900) in place of Canadian band B4(1700 aka AWS)
4G: Most bands are the same. But you have B5(850), B20(800) instead of Canadian bands B4(1700 aka AWS), B17(700)
In the case of Fido, their site says:
Fido said:
Things to Know
Your device must be compatible with the Fido network, which uses GSM, UMTS, HSPA and HSPA+ at 850 MHz and 1900 MHz and LTE at 2100 MHz and 2600 MHz. If you are unsure of how to check the frequencies your device supports, try the manufacturer's official website and search for the specifications for your particular phone/smartphone model;
If your device is currently locked, it needs to be unlocked by the carrier you bought it from;
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It appears to me that your phone supports all of the Fido bands. And most, but not all of the bands on other Canadian carriers. I don't believe that your phone will work at all on niche carriers Wind or Mobilicity.
.

fffft said:
Okay, let me ask you this question. If the S5 should work around the world.. why does Samsung have a dozen S5 variants?
Figured it out yet? Ironically the hardware is capable of supporting all GSM and LTE bands world wide. But Samsung endeavors to sell their phones for higher prices in more affluent countries. And carriers don't want to make it easy for you to jump ship and sign your phone up to another network. So they have artificial restrictions in the firmware and other measures e.g. region locking, SIM locks, to limit what you can do. They have to allow enough compatibility that you could usually roam when traveling. But not complete compatibility or you might buy a cheaper S5 from another country. Or change carriers willy nilly.
Yup, great system.
And so it is for your phone. It will work most of the time in Canada. But it isn't 100% compatible and you may find that it can't operate on the necessary bands in fringe areas or for niche carriers.
Most of the bands are the same between the S5 900F (yours) and the S5 900W8 (Canada)
The differences, I believe are:
2G: same for both
3G: Most bands are the same. But you have B8(900) in place of Canadian band B4(1700 aka AWS)
4G: Most bands are the same. But you have B5(850), B20(800) instead of Canadian bands B4(1700 aka AWS), B17(700)
In the case of Fido, their site says:
It appears to me that your phone supports all of the Fido bands. And most, but not all of the bands on other Canadian carriers. I don't believe that your phone will work at all on niche carriers Wind or Mobilicity.
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Thank you very much for your reply. I figured it would be something to do with the radio.. Will check the bands for the network Koodoo, if it falls in ok and I can find a firmware to flash which hopefully should do the trick. Hell I might even just sell before I go, make it easier.
Cheers

gbyrne2011 said:
Will check the bands for the network Koodoo
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Koodo is a secondary brand of Telus.
They use 3G 850 CLR/1900 PCS
And 4G /LTE 1700/2100 (and possibly 700 in the future)
You are missing their 1700 LTE band, sometimes referred to as AWS. So you will have to find out how extensively they use that band and whether it is a sole frequency in any areas.
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fffft said:
Koodo is a secondary brand of Telus.
They use 3G 850 CLR/1900 PCS
And 4G /LTE 1700/2100 (and possibly 700 in the future)
You are missing their 1700 LTE band, sometimes referred to as AWS. So you will have to find out how extensively they use that band and whether it is a sole frequency in any areas.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks very much for all your help fffft, it's much appreciated.