[Q] Samsung i9000 variant for USA and Thailand? - Galaxy S I9000 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I'm looking to purchase a Galaxy S next month. I live in the USA, but I travel to Thailand every year. I'd like to get one phone that will work on both AT&T and AIS for both voice and data. (3G on both would be great!) While traveling in Thailand, I really want to be able to tether my netbook through the phone.
Anyone have recommendations as to which Galaxy S I should get?

over in Europe + Asia they only have 1 model
they all come with triband 3G WCDMA 900/1900/2100
and quad band Voice/EDGE 850/900/1900/2100
so you wont go wrong in getting any Galaxy S as "There Is Only One" (hmmm... sounds which movie was it from?)
unless you get the wrong Galaxy Lite, or Galaxy 5000 series, or Galaxy 8000 series or Galaxy 7000 series

My concern is the 3G WCDMA 850MHz vs 900 MHz for data. I know that AT&T uses 850 MHz, but AIS in Thailand is using 900 MHz. While it's true that 3G is just starting to roll out in Thailand (limited coverage and all), I would like to get a phone that I'll be able to use when they do get it all covered.
If I get an unlocked Captivate for use on the AT&T network, would putting in a sim from AIS automatically switch the 3G WCDMA over to the 900 MHz band (if available)?
Or is the radio hardware-fixed on this? (I've searched for an answer on this, but can't find a straight answer.)

there is no phone with both 850 and 900 3g...

I think your only chance for a 3G phone that works in both USA and Thailand is the Captivate. True Move in Thailand has 3G on 850mhz, which the Captivate uses.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Thailand#Contact
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

lgkahn said:
there is no phone with both 850 and 900 3g...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I thought, but I wasn't sure. I guess the GSM radio is separate from the 3G CDMA radio (since the GSM can do both 850 and 900).
Ben74 said:
I think your only chance for a 3G phone that works in both USA and Thailand is the Captivate. True Move in Thailand has 3G on 850mhz, which the Captivate uses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll be traveling to Trat and Koh Chang. True doesn't have coverage there as far as I can tell.
Anyway, thanks for the info!

i would buy the i9000m from canada or the i9000t or i9000b from south america b4 the captivate.. captivate.. has poor 3g upload, and no front camera.

software_samurai said:
That's what I thought, but I wasn't sure. I guess the GSM radio is separate from the 3G CDMA radio (since the GSM can do both 850 and 900).
I'll be traveling to Trat and Koh Chang. True doesn't have coverage there as far as I can tell.
Anyway, thanks for the info!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I can tell, there's no 3G coverage in Trat and Koh Chang from any operator in Thailand. You'll only get GPRS/EDGE coverage there.

Related

850/2100 3G Diamond on Rogers CA?

I haven't found any answers so I've decided to "ask the audience".
To my understanding the Rogers Canada network uses 850/1900 for it's 3G primarily 850. Is this true?
I haven't found a mention of a North American release date for the GSM Diamond. Anyone know the date? I don't expect it till around Christmas.
I'm looking at an Australian Diamond that uses the 850/2100 bands for 3G. Will the support of the 850 band be enough to function on the Rogers network or does the phone have to support both bands for 3G to function on the network?
only gsm 850 works on my diamond. i think its 1900 for 3g
I have an European Diamond which works on the rogers network but I get GSM/EDGE but to my horror no 3G
Looking around only on a few sites can I find any mention of what works and what doesn't the closest information I could find is from this link:
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies-archive.cfm/843038.html
NextG phones are 850/2100 capable, so you'll be right on most 3G networks...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WILL get UMTS 850 signal in Cingular 3G coverage areas in the states...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But someone also says
850MHz UMTS coverage on Rogers in Canada, but you still can't get next g
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and they go back and forth so I'm not sure what to believe and I don't think I want to buy another Diamond just to find it won't work either.
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/Jama/585 has some interesting comments as well but I'm not sure what to believe.
Can anyone confirm or deny and of this?
The question is will a Australian phone with the 850/2100 3G radio function on the Roger network?
nosgop said:
The question is will a Australian phone with the 850/2100 3G radio function on the Roger network?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the Australian version (850/2100 MHz) and it supports the Telstra 3G Network. Can't see why it wouldn't work on other 850/2100 MHz 3G network.
To my understanding the Canadian Rogers network is a 850/1900 network.
Does the phone need to support both bands or will one suffice?
Rogers Diamond
I had an EU/Asia Diam and I never manage to get 3G connection. Sold the phone and bought a Rogers branded diam and by default I see 3G connection all the time on the top network status. But now I'm thinking of going back to an EU/Asia version unless I can flash my Rogers branded diam with a better ROM.

T-Mobile 3G Los Angeles Oct. 23rd launch

So good news for all Diamond euro owners in LA (and other places of course)...the tmobile network supports the 2100mhz band for 3G so no need for a US version!!
http://support.t-mobile.com/knowbase/root/public/tm23715.htm#7
Sorry if this is old news, but i just realized it =)
this is great if true?
T-Mobile devices use the 1700Mhz/2100Mhz frequency band (for 3G) and I thought Europe 3G devices use 900Mhz/2100Mhz. Could U clarify further...
you said it correct...tmobile does use 1700mhz/2100mhz, and the euro diamond supports 2100mhz which should work since tmobile will be using it...i spoke to a tmobile tier 2 rep, he confirmed it as well...
That can't be right. T-Mobile AWS 3G uses the 1700 MHz band for uplink and 2100 MHz for downlink. I doubt T-Mobile US set up aside any channels in the 2100 MHz band as uplink channels.
It's kind of academic, as I can't get 3G on T-Mobile USA using a Euro Diamond in NYC, where we've had 3G deployed for a few months now. I've never heard of anyone else doing it either. Oddly, there's a "UMTS(1700)" selection in the band settings in the phone control panel, but if I try selecting that, it just jumps back to using T-Mobile's normal PCS band with EDGE for data.
If that tier 2 tech can get you onto AWS 3G with your Diamond, definitely let us all know about it, but don't get your hopes up too high.
Drachen said:
That can't be right. T-Mobile AWS 3G uses the 1700 MHz band for uplink and 2100 MHz for downlink. I doubt T-Mobile US set up aside any channels in the 2100 MHz band as uplink channels.
It's kind of academic, as I can't get 3G on T-Mobile USA using a Euro Diamond in NYC, where we've had 3G deployed for a few months now. I've never heard of anyone else doing it either. Oddly, there's a "UMTS(1700)" selection in the band settings in the phone control panel, but if I try selecting that, it just jumps back to using T-Mobile's normal PCS band with EDGE for data.
If that tier 2 tech can get you onto AWS 3G with your Diamond, definitely let us all know about it, but don't get your hopes up too high.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AWS?? well the tier 2 tech did say it...i dont know if he was just talking out of his ass or not...but we'll see in the coming weeks...ill try to get tmobile rep on the phone again to ask them how i can get it...or if i can, even though its supported..
Malik05 said:
AWS?? well the tier 2 tech did say it...i dont know if he was just talking out of his ass or not...but we'll see in the coming weeks...ill try to get tmobile rep on the phone again to ask them how i can get it...or if i can, even though its supported..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I understand it, if a phone says it supports 2100 it is referring to the UMTS Band 1 used in Europe which is 1920-1980MHz Uplink & 2110-2170Mhz Downlink (see UMTS Frequency Bands - Wikipedia). The 1700AWS Band (UMTS Band 4) uses 1710-1755MHz Uplink and 2110-2155MHz Downlink. So, while they do overlap some they are not identical (A Visual Guide to AWS - PhoneScoop)
So, I don't believe that a phone with 2100 EU support will work with T-Mobile 3G because it doesn't support the 'right' 2100 nor the 1700. Likewise, I don't believe that a phone with 1700 support will work for 2100 EU.
If you want to get technical the "US" Diamond won't work for 3g on T-Mobile either. The 3g band is only for 850/1900. (so i guess we're screwed either way) I'm in Salt Lake City and I don't believe Utah is slated to get 3g until 2009 at this point. I bought the diamond knowing full well that 3g was going to be a slim possibility on this phone. However, a user with a DIAM100 is claming that he's been getting 3g service on T-Mobile in NJ. He said that he'd post screenshots.. I don't know if he's done that or not. I guess all we can do is wait and see.
RavenGirl said:
If you want to get technical the "US" Diamond won't work for 3g on T-Mobile either. The 3g band is only for 850/1900. (so i guess we're screwed either way) I'm in Salt Lake City and I don't believe Utah is slated to get 3g until 2009 at this point. I bought the diamond knowing full well that 3g was going to be a slim possibility on this phone. However, a user with a DIAM100 is claming that he's been getting 3g service on T-Mobile in NJ. He said that he'd post screenshots.. I don't know if he's done that or not. I guess all we can do is wait and see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know who this user is? maybe i can PM him and get some details...i knew i wasn't going to get 3G with the diamond, but after talking to the rep. i kind of want to look into it more since there may be a possibility.
RavenGirl said:
If you want to get technical the "US" Diamond won't work for 3g on T-Mobile either. The 3g band is only for 850/1900. (so i guess we're screwed either way) I'm in Salt Lake City and I don't believe Utah is slated to get 3g until 2009 at this point. I bought the diamond knowing full well that 3g was going to be a slim possibility on this phone. However, a user with a DIAM100 is claming that he's been getting 3g service on T-Mobile in NJ. He said that he'd post screenshots.. I don't know if he's done that or not. I guess all we can do is wait and see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly I'm gonna go ahead and call BS on him for that, I've never heard of anyone getting T-Mobile 3G and I know quite a few people with the Diamond/Raphael on T-Mobile in 3G areas.
wpsantennas said:
As I understand it, if a phone says it supports 2100 it is referring to the UMTS Band 1 used in Europe which is 1920-1980MHz Uplink & 2110-2170Mhz Downlink (see UMTS Frequency Bands - Wikipedia). The 1700AWS Band (UMTS Band 4) uses 1710-1755MHz Uplink and 2110-2155MHz Downlink. So, while they do overlap some they are not identical (A Visual Guide to AWS - PhoneScoop)
So, I don't believe that a phone with 2100 EU support will work with T-Mobile 3G because it doesn't support the 'right' 2100 nor the 1700. Likewise, I don't believe that a phone with 1700 support will work for 2100 EU.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the USA sold "quad band" euro diamond distributed by htc USA. This is essentially re-flashed euro diamond hardware sold to support american networks, not the 850/1900 newest USA 3G diamond compatable with AT&T. I have looked into this issue and also talked to T-mobile and there seems to be alot of confusion regarding T-mobile's AWS USA 3G network (or maybe they have simply confused me). Here is what I have found out: Assuming they are correct, they are telling me 3G voice for T-mobile usa runs in both the 1700 AND 1900 mhz band, and therefore my euro diamond shoud be supported at 1900mhz for voice 3g support. This 1900mhz is part of the "quad band" voice radio hardware on the euro diamond. Data (AWS 3G for USA) "HSDPA" , which T-mobile has not yet released, runs in the 2100mhz bandwidth, and Data AWS "HSUPA 3g" runs in the 1700mhz bandwidth. Therefore my hardware would not support HSUPA @ 1700mhz, but would support the HSDPA @ 2100mhz. As to the idea that euro bandwidths are different than USA bandwidths, well apparently they are. For example "2100mhz" networks in europe might be actually using 2110mhz-2170mhz, whereas in the USA T-mobile's network may use 2100-2140mhz actual bands. However because these are close and still in the 2100mhz band, there should still be compatability with 2100mhz hardware radios regardless of networks varying the bandwidth slightly.
Of course this may be too optimistic, but it would be very cool if true and I am hoping for the best .
sureloch said:
I have the USA sold "quad band" euro diamond distributed by htc USA. This is essentially re-flashed euro diamond hardware sold to support american networks, not the 850/1900 newest USA 3G diamond compatable with AT&T. I have looked into this issue and also talked to T-mobile and there seems to be alot of confusion regarding T-mobile's AWS USA 3G network (or maybe they have simply confused me). Here is what I have found out: Assuming they are correct, they are telling me 3G voice for T-mobile usa runs in both the 1700 AND 1900 mhz band, and therefore my euro diamond shoud be supported at 1900mhz for voice 3g support. This 1900mhz is part of the "quad band" voice radio hardware on the euro diamond. Data (AWS 3G for USA) "HSDPA" , which T-mobile has not yet released, runs in the 2100mhz bandwidth, and Data AWS "HSUPA 3g" runs in the 1700mhz bandwidth. Therefore my hardware would not support HSUPA @ 1700mhz, but would support the HSDPA @ 2100mhz. As to the idea that euro bandwidths are different than USA bandwidths, well apparently they are. For example "2100mhz" networks in europe might be actually using 2110mhz-2170mhz, whereas in the USA T-mobile's network may use 2100-2140mhz actual bands. However because these are close and still in the 2100mhz band, there should still be compatability with 2100mhz hardware radios regardless of networks varying the bandwidth slightly.
Of course this may be too optimistic, but it would be very cool if true and I am hoping for the best .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, they've provided you some bad information. Each frequency band/range has a pair of uplink and downlink frequencies - you can't use one without the other - you have to use both. Generally, the uplink and downlink frequencies are relatively close to each other however, the 1700 AWS band has uplink and downlink spread quite a distance apart. Uplink is in the 1700MHz range, downlink is in the 2100MHz range and both have to be used. In the US, 1700 & 2100 is essentially one band.
1900MHz (the PCS band) isn't 3G for T-Mobile (although they technically could put it there at some point.) Right now, 1900MHz for T-Mobile is EDGE voice and data. Most other carriers do have 3G on the 1900MHz band, T-Mobile just doesn't have enough spectrum available in that band.
In short: A phone that supports UMTS 2100 will not work for T-Mobile US 3G. A phone that supports AWS/UMTS 1700 will work for T-Mobile US 3G but not for European 2100 3G. (And 1900MHz PCS will give you traditional EDGE on T-Mobile US.)
Malik05 said:
Do you know who this user is? maybe i can PM him and get some details...i knew i wasn't going to get 3G with the diamond, but after talking to the rep. i kind of want to look into it more since there may be a possibility.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=427755
post 3, ll
and
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=2610960#post2610960

How do i know which version of nexus one i have?

Hey there,
I recently had a htc desire, i loved it. However, i will be living in panama for a while, and it wouldnt be so sweet to only have edge as they run 3g on the 850 band.
reading on this page there seems to be 2 versions of the nexus one. one with quad band and one with tri band..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nexus_One
Is there a way to know what is in my phone if i am holding one i am potentially buying?
It seems the developer version on sale now is tri band sadly.. so i cannot buy a new one..
They're both quad band GSM for voice and data up to Edge. The difference is for 3G data. AT&T and T-Mobile use different 3G frequencies.
Sent from my Nexus One
nxt said:
They're both quad band GSM for voice and data up to Edge. The difference is for 3G data. AT&T and T-Mobile use different 3G frequencies.
Sent from my Nexus One
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heh, yes i know that.. but to answer my question, is there a way to know which one's in my hand? I dont want edge on the 850 net, i want 3g, su assuming its AT&T version i need..
Pop in your sim card and see if it connects to 3g
PhantomRampage said:
Pop in your sim card and see if it connects to 3g
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hehe, i would, if i could. i am currently in sweden, and here the T-mobile would 3g connect..
Is there for sure NO WAY to check this in the firmware somehow?
If its tmobile or att version of nexus one..
found a post on google.com
"How to Tell Which nexus One you have (AT&T, T-Mobile Etc)"
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/android/thread?tid=395c29e6b9cab6bc&hl=en
daniel.eriksson said:
found a post on google.com
"How to Tell Which nexus One you have (AT&T, T-Mobile Etc)"
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/android/thread?tid=395c29e6b9cab6bc&hl=en
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Easier to just copy and paste the info then have the OP go to another site.
Pull the battery and look for the PB # which is located just below the IMEI, S/N, and P/N #’s. You should see one of two PB numbers:
PB99110: 850 MHz, 1900 MHz, and 2100 MHz such as AT&T in the US and Rogers Wireless in Canada
PB99100: 900 MHz, AWS, 1700 and 2100 MHz such as T-Mobile US and Vodafone in Europe

[Q] Change Galaxy S modem to US Frequencies?

No, you'll need to go with a carrier like T-Mobile who support the same frequencies as the international version (I assume, I haven't checked them recently).
T-Mobile has a 2100 MHz band but it's paired with 1700 MHz for AWS so I'm not sure if that would actually work.
The 1900 MHz band would get reception from AT&T, although only in areas where they're using 1900, probably in the city.
That's just for 3G though. If you don't need 3G then T-Mobile and AT&T are both GSM carriers.
you will have 2g coverage with at&t and tmobile, and some 3g with at&t, when you have wcdma 1900 coverage... that's about it
I suck at knowing these radios. But, if you are visiting friends, what you can try to do is borrow their sims from different carriers for 5 minutes and see what works in the area(s) you visit. Just an out of the box thought.
AT&T is using 850/1900MHz 3G/UMTS bands (if i'm not mistaken),
i9000 international version supports 3G/UMTS 900/1900/2100 MHz, 850MHz not included.
so I think you are not able to use the 3G network, but the GSM should be working find although it's much slower.
Yup
That's why us USA folks have to wait for either a USA or Australian Variant of the device.
Thanks a lot for all your replies! I was hoping Samsung would be lazy and build the same radio in all of it's devices. Guess I was wrong. Still, thanks a lot, I'll see how well it works with 2G.
Is there still no way to change the UMTS band on European Galaxies so they work in the US?
Nope. You would have to hardware mod the phone.
They already do on 1900 att and thats that
quaker5567 said:
Is there still no way to change the UMTS band on European Galaxies so they work in the US?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my i9000M
I know this is an old thread, but I was looking for information about what modems are for what phones and came across it and thought that as an AT&T customer, I should clarify some information.
Most of AT&T 3G network uses 1900 MHz. AT&T is also "overlaying" 850 MHz over their existing 1900 MHz to increase capacity. There may be some 850 MHz only locations, but I am not aware of any. For the most part, if your phone supports UMTS1900, you should be able to get 3G anywhere that AT&T's map shows 3G availability.
nkrick said:
I know this is an old thread, but I was looking for information about what modems are for what phones and came across it and thought that as an AT&T customer, I should clarify some information.
Most of AT&T 3G network uses 1900 MHz. AT&T is also "overlaying" 850 MHz over their existing 1900 MHz to increase capacity. There may be some 850 MHz only locations, but I am not aware of any. For the most part, if your phone supports UMTS1900, you should be able to get 3G anywhere that AT&T's map shows 3G availability.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you bought a i9000m from canada. you can use UGKC1 or UGJL2 modem to enable 850
im currently on at&t using i9000m with ZSJPG modem with 850mhz enabled
Just 1900Mhz isn't all that great, kinda slow and spotty. Don't get me wrong, it's usable, but 850 is significantly faster/better at least where I live.
I have an I9000M but occasionally use a modem without 850, and it's not as good.
While there are roundabout ways to get 850 on other modems, I usually use one of the Bell ones like JL2 or KC1.
I am using jl2. kc1 did not work reliably with my microcell and would instead keep trying to pull in weak signal thus sucking battery. As for 850mhz only.. most of the I93 corridor on new England is 850mhz only.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk
Frostshock said:
T-Mobile has a 2100 MHz band but it's paired with 1700 MHz for AWS so I'm not sure if that would actually work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not paired. It's a single band that uses 1700 MHz for upload and 2100 MHz for download. Just like the international 2100 Mhz band uses 2100 MHz for download and 1900 MHz for upload.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UMTS_frequency_bands
So just to clarify, my stock i9000m, running 2.3.3 and UGKG3 will get 3G in southern California on both the 850 and 1900 bands? UGKG3 can use both bands?
Sent from my GT-I9000M using xda premium

[Q] help me choose please!

Should I buy a captivate or a i9000 galaxy s?
It is for the use in the netherlands but I heard the captivate had some more specs..
Thanks in advance!
Galaxy S and captivate are pretty similar.
i9000 has front camera (if you use it), physical back button, better support (more users) and you are more likely to have warranty support in the Netherlands.
i897 IMHO looks better and is heavier (feels more expensive). Also it comes in 16gb (i9000 comes in 8gb/16gb) and has lots of AT&T crapware on it....easy enough to remove...but you have to do it
Take the one you like the looks of better.
I really like the looks of the captivate but I am worried that it's going to have 3g network problems here..
If I would import the phone, would it work perfect with the signal here to?
snaai8 said:
I really like the looks of the captivate but I am worried that it's going to have 3g network problems here..
If I would import the phone, would it work perfect with the signal here to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The issue will be the 900 band will be missing in the Captivate which is where a lot of carriers have 3G in Europe. In the US, it will work fine. i9000x 3G won't work in 850Mhz markets.
Captivate runs on the following data bands:
3G (850/1900/2100 MHz) <-AT&T works fine.
Galaxy i9000x runs on:
2G - GSM 850/900/1800/1900
3G - HSDPA 900/1900/2100 <- Missing 850 for AT&T
Vibrant
3G - HSDPA 1700/2100
If you seriously want a world phone for data, there is only one in the market at the moment that I'm aware of. It's the Sony Xperia X10a. It's a dual mode phone and uses GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 and UMTS/HSPA 800/850/1900/2100.
I'm a complete dummy in this subject so here comes the stupid questions..
What would happen if I tried using it in my country?
I'm using a omnia 2 now with:
2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100
So if I tried using the captivate, would my 3g be gone?
EDIT:
I was looking through the specs at the AT&T site and it said:
GSM/GPRS 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
3G UMTS/HSDPA (850/900/1900/2100 MHz)
So according to these specs it says that it also has a 900mhz frequention.
EDIT2: Vodafone in my area (my carrier) uses 2100 as 3g band and gsm 900/1800.
I foung this info using gsmworld
can someone please explain it to me?
Ik need to choose before friday!

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