All,
I currently own a T-Mobile Tab I purchased outright (no contract) several months ago. I am very happy with it, but I never did activate data on it because:
1. I am an AT&T voice customer
2. I usually have WiFi available
My office has provided me with a Thunderbolt for business use, so I was thinking about just using my AT&T SIM with a Tab for personal use.
What I need to know is this:
1. Does the voice "hack" actually work on an AT&T Tab? Seriously?
2. Does the T-Mobile Tab actually support a voice "hack" at all?
If so, I would be willing to sell my T-Mobile Tab and buy the AT&T version so I could use data and voice on the Tab with a headset.
Thanks, please advise.
-Rob
1. Yes; I loaded the Euro ROM onto my AT&T Tab and it was a very fluid process, after which I could make/receive calls and send/receive SMS without issue using my personal SIM card.
2. Yes, and if it's unlocked you can use your AT&T SIM, and voice will work but your data connection will be limited to EDGE/2G as the AT&T and T-Mobile 3G frequencies are incompatible.
I reloaded the stock AT&T ROM onto my Tab because frankly, it felt a bit goofy using the Tab as my phone. Perhaps if it had recognized my Bluetooth headset it would have been a different story, but trying to use the Tab as a phone really seems (to me) to turn it from a small, compact device to an oversized monstrosity. The performance as a phone, however, was perfect.
Related
Please excuse my rookie status here but I have been searching for a direct answer to my question about dual usage of CDMA and GSM on the Imagio.
My reason for this post is that I am a data plan junkie. I had one for seven years with my company until the economy forced them to require me to join a corporate cell plan. I tried to deal without data but ended up with withdraw and WIFI search syndrome (Nokia e71). This eventually led me to purchase a new phone with data to use as my 'personal' phone. I want to combine the two phones somehowa and stop swithing from networks on the nights, weekends.
I used this forum to unlock my phone and insert my work (at&t) sim card in the Imagio. This works great except that I still have to switch between carriers manually. My vzw number is new so I just want to use vzw for data and keep the at&t work number for voice. I figure this should be possible since AT&T claims simultaneous voice and data and I just want data from VZW. If it is a hardware issue then I understand, otherwise there should be a software solution and with all the great people on here, someone must be thinking about this dilemna.
Sorry for the long explanation. I just need one technology for data (CDMA) while using another (GSM) for my calls, not two numbers on the same phone simultaneously.
As most of you may know, a T-Mobile Galaxy Tab will not allow you to insert a SIM card from a phone and use it for data, even if you already have an Android data plan on your account and on that number. Bought a new tab from a private owner, and was pissed off about that. However, I have a G2, and remembered something I had configured on my phone.
So, I found an easy way to resolve this. My G2 does 4G. Instead of putting the sim into the Galaxy Tab, I enabled the wifi hotspot feature and used that to connect the Tab to the Internet. At 4G speeds. On my unlimited data plan. For free. Saves me more than a grand/yr (assuming the $85/mo+taxes cost of the 10gb/mo plan which I don't have to pay).
Take =that= T-Mobile. Bet your greedy, beady-eyed beancounter (read "Business Prevention Officer") boys didn't think about =that= one... <chuckle>
I know this is an old thread, but I just did not want people to be discouraged from buying this awesome tablet because of misinformation.
There is an alternative solution.
Refer to this guide. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1446500
I have a T-Mo tab/T-Mo contracted service (for another year) running OC Hermes (which totally rocks!).
Problem is, I want to use my Tab as my phone (light phone use, but I need it to ring and answer it when I need it, hence I have to lose T-Mo/modem switch. I need 3G data - who doesn't? Use is in Domestic US with Europe for a month out of the year - seems simple enough.
I have a depricated VZ Winmo 6.5 device with my "real" number, and found a 3rd party SIM (Tru) that will let you port your number, and provide "reasonable" cost US Domestic and European Voice and Data roaming, so I can get voice/data service and keep my number.
Now I just need to figure out which Tab to buy:
Can the AT&T Tab be customized to work with voice and 3G data simultaneously without modem/switching, and if so, on which SIM/Network(s) in the US other than AT&T?
If I were to replace my T-Mo Unit, should I buy the AT&T or the European Tab?
Will either get this done? Thanks all in advance for any help.
- Cathy
would also like to know the answer to this...
T-mobile tab with t-mobile sim:
Voice, sms, mms, and EDGE data **or** 3g data only.
Flash any rom besides stock to get the dialer capability. Use the Rotohammer modem switch to go between these options. If you are on the 3g mode the phone won't ring, your caller will get the same thing as if they called you when your phone was turned off. You have to delete a system folder to enable web browsing.
At&t tab with at&t sim:
Voice, sms, mms, 3g data, no switch necessary.
Flash any rom besides stock to get the dialer capability. No system files to tinker with.
#####At&t tab with at&t sim is the easiest, best option for a complete phone and data experience.
Thank you @Rangercaptain!
@Rangercapain, you are a gentleman and a scholar!
I thought AT&T did both now, but the info on the boards conflicts, some because it is dated before you fine folks figured this all out, and some because newer users haven't flashed a custom ROM, but I wanted to be sure before sinking another $350 into a dead-end with the telephony.
I was contemplating the SGSII but at $700 US and without Alter's incredible ROM for everything else, it wasn't going to work, and I really don't want two devices.
I realize T-Mo is on the funky 1700 band here so I knew non-T-Mo SIMs were likely only going to get me 2G, but I wasn't sure about AT&T.
If I go with the AT&T Tab, do you know if the 3rd party SIMs like SimpleMobile or Tru Mobile will also do both 3G and voice? AT&T rapes you like everyone else US domestic on Euro Roaming Data ($15/mb is insanity), and I was foolishly hopiing for a SIM that I could use here and in Europe without re-mortaging the house!
Can I determine this definitively by confirming the GSM bands specified by the SIM reseller?
Thank you thank you thank you
My at&t voice, unlimited text, and 2 gigs of data is $35 per month. Like you said, don't use the pay as you go, because that is crazy. Have you seen the Walmart phone/data pay as you go - Straight Talk I think. I will check it out and post back here.
SimpleMobile is exactly the same as T-mobile, so not good with at&t tab or euro tab. I haven't heard of TruMobile. Just google "trumobile frequencies". You want to see 1900/900 or 1900/850.
Straight Talk is a no-go. They sell phones, not sim cards.
rangercaptain said:
T-mobile tab with t-mobile sim:
At&t tab with at&t sim:
Voice, sms, mms, 3g data, no switch necessary.
Flash any rom besides stock to get the dialer capability. No system files to tinker with.
#####At&t tab with at&t sim is the easiest, best option for a complete phone and data experience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
does it have a minimum data plan requirement? have an ATT iphone4 with the $15 200MB data plan. can i just put my iphone simcard on the GalTab? will i get the dreaded text messages from BIG BROTHER? or will it suffice? or will i be asked to upgrade to a higher data plan?
TIA
jeraldyne
tanjeraldyne said:
does it have a minimum data plan requirement? have an ATT iphone4 with the $15 200MB data plan. can i just put my iphone simcard on the GalTab? will i get the dreaded text messages from BIG BROTHER? or will it suffice? or will i be asked to upgrade to a higher data plan?
TIA
jeraldyne
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can put that sim in your tab, and you won't get the dreaded message. They are after unlimited iphone plans. But you will BURN through 200mb in about 20 minutes. Study your at&t bill, then add 1gig for $15, or 2gigs for $25 (my plan).
Tru Mobile is at&t compatable, but the data works out to $350 per gigabyte.
Global SIMs
@Rangercaptain -
You are right about the data cost, but overseas, that is a "bargain" compared to roaming rates even on AT&T. They have a fixed data rate for "business" customers that is pretty competitive ($30/month 500mb in the US, $60 if you are in the UK or AUS, and they are adding 20 more countries in 2012). I may try them for a little while (till I return in late September) since I can always go to AT&T later (there is no contract) if I want to.
Did AT&T let you get a SIM for the tab that does both voice and data without any gripes? Maybe I can just go AT&T, port my number over, and get a MaxRoam for overseas.
I have been researching this like crazy, and at .80 Euro/MB they are about the cheapest I could find for "global" roaming, but they are one of those pay-go cos that eat your balance if you don't use it.
We are in 11 countries (a cruise) and there is no feasible way to buy a SIM in every port, or all I will have seen at the end of this odyssey will have been a ton of Vodaphone stores .
Thank you so much again!
I bought the tab at a retail store and told them I didn't want any contract. A few days later I added a 2 gig per month data and voice plan to a family plan. I told them it was for an android phone I had at home. They gave me the sim and I went out, and put it in the tab, and whammo! So sweet, 3g and voice.
When you are overseas there are so many pay as you go options, but yes, it could involve a lot of phone shops. No way to buy vodafone or orange sim and pay the roaming? And I'm guessing the cruise ship and hotels will have wifi for free. There are methods to make voice calls when you are on awifi connection, called skype.
I used to use my Galaxy tab 7 3G (sold) with my other AT&T Sim cards. I used to be able to make calls from it, but now I'm planning to use a Galaxy Note instead.
However, I could also try to use an 8.9 (planning to buy a 4G one from ebay) and with root, delete the efs folder (if I really need to) and get to use the sim card from an iPad 3G for instance (or from an AT&T phone). Both would be grandfathered unlimited plans. Would that work? I suppose so, although I'd have to cut the SIM Card I believe (the 8.9 uses micro sim cards, right?).
Anybody have tried something like this?
Thanks!
RipplingHurst said:
I used to use my Galaxy tab 7 3G (sold) with my other AT&T Sim cards. I used to be able to make calls from it, but now I'm planning to use a Galaxy Note instead.
However, I could also try to use an 8.9 (planning to buy a 4G one from ebay) and with root, delete the efs folder (if I really need to) and get to use the sim card from an iPad 3G for instance (or from an AT&T phone). Both would be grandfathered unlimited plans. Would that work? I suppose so, although I'd have to cut the SIM Card I believe (the 8.9 uses micro sim cards, right?).
Anybody have tried something like this?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EFS (and carrier locking) is different on the Qualcomm MSM8660 devices than what you may be used to on Hummingbird/Exynos devices. So have a care trying to nuke the EFS folder. I'm assuming your goal is to spoof AT&T's IMEI database to keep your grandfathered plan, and I suspect you'll have disappointing results.
And just in case you didn't know, unlike the original GSM Tab, there is NO voice capability on the 8.9 (LTE or otherwise) unless you're doing some sort of SIP/VOIP.
Finally, the 8.9 LTE uses standard SIM cards.
Croak said:
EFS (and carrier locking) is different on the Qualcomm MSM8660 devices than what you may be used to on Hummingbird/Exynos devices. So have a care trying to nuke the EFS folder. I'm assuming your goal is to spoof AT&T's IMEI database to keep your grandfathered plan, and I suspect you'll have disappointing results.
And just in case you didn't know, unlike the original GSM Tab, there is NO voice capability on the 8.9 (LTE or otherwise) unless you're doing some sort of SIP/VOIP.
Finally, the 8.9 LTE uses standard SIM cards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. So it seems less likely that it's worth getting an ebay unit (since I plan to pay monthly for service anyway). I talked to a manager at an AT&T store and he couldn't set my grandfathered iPad 3G plan into the Galaxy tab 4G no matter what. He tried and couldn't do it. He could transfer my unlimited grandfathered PHONE service into a Skyrocket, but not a tablet.
I didn't want to use it for voice anyway. I just didn't want to pay for a grandfathered unlimited service for tablets (iPad) AND another plan just for the G. Tab 8.9...
I wonder if I'll brick it if I just nuke the efs folder, I'd just try it and if it didn't work I would just put the folder back on. But with no ROM available, this may be indeed too dangerous to try.
RipplingHurst said:
Thanks. So it seems less likely that it's worth getting an ebay unit (since I plan to pay monthly for service anyway). I talked to a manager at an AT&T store and he couldn't set my grandfathered iPad 3G plan into the Galaxy tab 4G no matter what. He tried and couldn't do it. He could transfer my unlimited grandfathered PHONE service into a Skyrocket, but not a tablet.
I didn't want to use it for voice anyway. I just didn't want to pay for a grandfathered unlimited service for tablets (iPad) AND another plan just for the G. Tab 8.9...
I wonder if I'll brick it if I just nuke the efs folder, I'd just try it and if it didn't work I would just put the folder back on. But with no ROM available, this may be indeed too dangerous to try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The stock ROM is available on Sammobile.com. If you root the device, you can make a backup of the EFS directory. It should be safe to experiment.
If the worst happens and you lose the EFS data, it'll still work just fine as a WiFi only device, and it'll still be faster (quite a bit) than the under-powered Tegra 2 WiFi only version you were looking at.
rooting and making a copy of your efs is extremely safe if you read
Thanks guys. I ended up buying the ATt combo 8.9 tab plus skyrocket. Coulnd be any happier. I thought there weren't any LTE service heren the suburbs of ne CA, but im getting 26.9 Mbpsdown and 11.81 Mbps up. The 100-68ms png kills the experience a bit,bu I'venever seensuch speeds via mobile network.
Probably depends on what sim I know I tried to use my regular phone sim with unlimited data and in the galaxy tab 7 and it worked.
Has anyone been able to get this to work? Would love to use a Galaxy Tab 8.9 occasionally with my LTE phone data plan. I don't need voice like on the original GST.
Update.
So my usage went to 75% of my allocation in 10days. Not happy. I did a lot of streaming videos (Vevo), but nothing I hadn't done before with my iPad 3G (unlimited) or iPhone 4 (unlimited). However, I have been using Google Music A LOT these days (I have a 250GB music library, 35k songs, if I take the classics, the wife's Pearl Jam "every live performance" fan club files, I can easily squeze 20K songs with Google Music.
However, my usage went through the roof.
So today I just deleted the ESF folder in the hopes of using another SIM card with it. I popped off the iPad's 3G I still have (unlimited data plan). Got 4 backups of such folder (office, server, dropbox, mainPC) plus two in the tablet. Just to be safe.
So it turns out that it didn't work as planned. With the Galaxy Tab 7, after reboot, I would get a new EFS folder with a generic IMEI. That's how I could make call, text, with my cell phone SD card (AT&T wouldn't let me pop my SIM card into it and make it work as a phone).
Now I don't plan to use it as a phone, I just wanted to replace my iPad with the 8.9. AT&T wouldn't let me use my grandfathered plan (I even offered to pay full price, but), so here I am.
What happened is that the EFS folder is rebuilt just like the previous one. The same IMEI remains. However, I got a different "phone" number and the AT&T app shows 46MB of 9999757606912GB remaining. That is, A LOT.
However, speeds dropped considerably, even with the "4G" icon lighted up (not 4GLTE though), to about the same speeds as the iPad 5000 Kbps up, 1k down.
I'm expecting any minute a text or call from AT&T and in that case I'll cancel the iPad 3G plan and pop the LTE SIM card back and use it only for email for the rest of the month (plus tether with my skyrocket, but I have just received a txt saying now I'm top 5% (also "unlimited").
Will see what happens. Any ideas what I should try next?
I travel out the country quite frequently and needed to separate my work calls from my personal phone, so I thought getting a t-mobile plan would be the best choice (prior to that I only have a grandfathered unlimited data plan with Verizon.)
I was given a brand new Droid Turbo 2 and decided I'd just switch my Verizon line to the Turbo 2, and move my note 5 to T-mobile. Everything is working fairly well (few hiccups with getting the phone to accept the SIM card and found out I had to change the APN settings), but I noticed that if I ever make a call that I need to use the dial pad for (voicemail, phone tree when dealing with a company, etc) I will press the number I need but it won't register it. At the same time I also notice that my 4g will go to 1x whenever I make a call.
I tried searching the forums as well as online for a solution, but it seems that my situation is so specific that I cannot find an answer.
Anyone have any idea what I can do to fix this?
Thanks!