I have a SGT 7" GSM (T-Mobile) currently, but I was curious if it was possible to use a CDMA carrier, specifically Boost Mobile.
Boost Mobile used to (they still might on some phones I'd imagine) use SIM cards. My idea was to get on a plan with somebody who also uses Boost Mobile. I haven't tried it yet, but I would imagine putting a Boost Mobile SIM into my tablet currently wouldn't work at all.
I was thinking maybe I could flash a CDMA modem onto my tab or maybe even flash a CDMA-based kernel and ROM. Not too sure if that would work though (nor will I try it without some feedback on this )
One reason I think it might be impossible is the hardware, specifically the antenna. Maybe it's not designed to accept CDMA?
In any case though, I would like some feedback on this
Edit: ... thought I posted this in the questions area... sorry :/ if this thread could be moved there, that would be great though
From boost site
http://support.boostmobile.com/faq/data/faq.php?topic_id=102
What's a SIM card?
iDEN Series Phone only
Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card is what holds your personal information. New Boost Mobile® iDEN Series phones purchased at Authorized Dealers all come with a SIM card. Except for the ability to make emergency calls, your iDEN series phone will not work without the SIM card in it.
CDMA Series Phones do not require a SIM card.
Hmm... I could of sworn I saw somewhere that Boost did SIM cards for CDMA, but I guess I misread or something :/ So it looks like this won't work (unless it's somehow possible to still switch to CDMA and setup my tab for Boost Mobile somehow?)
never heard of a CDMA system that has a SIM card before.
And if the GSM tab could do CDMA that easily, then Samsung won't have to design one for CDMA and submit to FCC and such and such, right?
priyana said:
never heard of a CDMA system that has a SIM card before.
And if the GSM tab could do CDMA that easily, then Samsung won't have to design one for CDMA and submit to FCC and such and such, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is probably true, but maybe Samsung did it for more money or carrier-specific restrictions or something, idk :/
CDMA SIM CARD for Boost Mobile and Sprint
They do it's called a RUIM card for CDMA only or a UICC card that works on both CDMA or GSM. Suggest you have a World Phone or Compatible. Also note to check whether you have a Usim or a Csim phone as it matters to whether the card will work on your device.
Part Numbet for Sprint WorldCard RUIM is SIMGWW216R for iphone 4s
Note, you can have them made, but make sure you have a valid DEC # 18 Digits or Serial Number to assign it, otherwise you need a new UICC or mainly RUIM card for CDMA to use on your sim slot for CDMA use and your phone must be Quad Band or CDMA compatible. Some People will say, oh you have a GSM phone but do not understand FEQ's and CDMA / GSM crossover Compatibility, so check the FREQ and pair it up as well as your device full capabilities, like mine for example can work on any FREQ Worlwide with the right chip or programming.
Bumping this for more feedback
I thought I heard recently of people on CM9 using WCDMA or something on GSM tabs?
Just to reclarify on what I was hoping to accomplish, I want to see if it was possible for me to use Boost Mobile (CDMA) on my Galaxy Tab (GSM)
WCDMA is not CDMA
it is UMTS and uses GSM network.
from wikipedia:
"While not an evolutionary upgrade on the airside, it uses the same core network as the 2G GSM networks deployed worldwide, allowing dual-mode operation along with GSM/EDGE; a feat it shares with other members of the UMTS family."
As Prose mentioned, CDMA system do have a SIM-Card like, called RUIM, hence samsung produced several 'dual card' phones that work for both CDMA and GSM. I have one of these, Samsung Galaxy SII China Telecom Edition SCH-I919. It works for CDMA and GSM almost worldwide (I know for a fact it works in South East Asia).
As Priyana mentioned, WCDMA is not CDMA, WCDMA is the technically correct term for the 3G data connectivity usually found in GSM phones.
GSM and CDMA requires different hardware specs not only software/drivers. Therefore flashing GSM phone with CDMA modem driver might not work, unless again the hardware itself is actually compatible to work for both GSM and CDMA -- I am not quite sure if G-Tab 7.0 is compatible for both, I'm afraid you will require to tweak around the hardware (modem and perhaps radio as well).
Related
I have a friend who currently has a Sprint BB (Tour) with a SIM card. He's looking to get the Captivate because it has a SIM card slot. I already know of the two different Network Types (GSM vs CDMA), and their different network frequencies. I was just curious if that SIM would work in that phone?
I would highly doubt it. But give it a shot
Sent from my captivate so excuse the spelling mistakes
Thanks, but I also read that the frequencies supported in the BB include the ones supported by AT&T network , 850MHz and 1900 MHz. We will just have to see tho..
No. Sprint & Verizon used CDMA networks. AT&T and T-mobile use GSM. Completely different radios. Square peg/round hole.
Thanks. I understand the CDMA/GSM differences, just thought that the SIM would support GSM networks and with the Captivate being a GSM phone, it would just work. But w/o an AT&T account, that just really wouldn't work out.
ddpacino said:
Thanks. I understand the CDMA/GSM differences, just thought that the SIM would support GSM networks and with the Captivate being a GSM phone, it would just work. But w/o an AT&T account, that just really wouldn't work out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint sim in the BB is for overseas use making it a global phone. The sim that is in there should be Vodafone or something like that. It is so it can be used in the UK or accross the pond.
You can have the BB unlocked and put an ATT sim in it and use the edge network but no 3g. But the sim that is in the BB now will not work on ATT network.
xisruno said:
Sprint sim in the BB is for overseas use making it a global phone. The sim that is in there should be Vodafone or something like that. It is so it can be used in the UK or accross the pond.
You can have the BB unlocked and put an ATT sim in it and use the edge network but no 3g. But the sim that is in the BB now will not work on ATT network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Negative. It's not for use overseas like Verizon's BlackBerry devices.
The reason for the SIM Card in the Sprint BlackBerry devices is for connection to the old Nextel IDEN network for their push-to-talk system.
What that means is, though, that it will -not- work in a Samsung Captivate because though the IDEN SIM is the same size/shape as a GSM SIM, but they are not even remotely the same. Still square peg/round hole like a previous poster said.
Hi. I am concidering to buy a Galaxy Tab 10.1 from the united states. But i was wondering if it would support the norwegian GSM network ?
Somehow i got the impression that Europe and USA have different types of technologies to connect phones to their carriers..
Becase we have _INSANE_ taxes here in norway, i'm guessing it will be much much cheaper having a friend sending it overseas from the us.
But i need to know if its compatible with norwegian gsm-based network.
Edit: will all tabs be cdma only?
Also: bump
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
Theres no way they will all be cdma, and what are the networks you use?
Some will be gsm, some not (i think verizon is cdma, tmobile is gsm; gsm needs sim card). Just make sure that the model you buy requires a sim card. Then it will work. Alternatively you could get one from Canada.
It's possible, but consider two things (as above)
1. get a GSM tab (onw with a simcard slot)
2. have it unlocked (sim lock removed)
Gadgetguy2005 said:
Some will be gsm, some not (i think verizon is cdma, tmobile is gsm; gsm needs sim card). Just make sure that the model you buy requires a sim card. Then it will work. Alternatively you could get one from Canada.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately i dont know anyone that lives in canada. I need a friend that can ship it directly to me, with a note attached to it saying "happy birthday" or something to get away with the taxes from customs.
There are two types of GSM Tablets in the US. One is from AT&T, the other T-Mobile.
Both tablets support 850/900/1800/1900mhz bands so if your carrier is on these bands you should have no problem getting it to work. Whether its 3g capable or not, that's a different story as at least in the US only AT&T has the tri band UMTS necessary to get 3g and voice capability.
You can go here to read about sim unlock.
I have an Ekit SIM card that we have used successfully for international calling when we're traveling (we're based in the US). I have used it in my old HTC Touch Pro 2 (one of Verizon's 'world phones') - put in the card, then the pin, and it connects to available GSM signals. Testing it out at my home in NC, it quickly connects to TMobile.
I have SIM unlocked my wife's Motorola Droid 3, another Verizon 'world phone' - I install the SIM, boot it up, type in the PIN which is accepted, but when it tries to connect, I get the following:
Network Error
No GSM/UMTS networks were found. Would you like to switch to the Global mode?
Is there something different about the signal bands between these 2 phones, such that my Touch Pro 2 has no problem connecting to TMobile GSM here in the US, while the Droid 3 won't? Now that I write this, I do kind of remember reading somewhere that the Droid 3 is not compatible with US GSM bands, so that might explain it.
The bigger question is will it still work outside the US? Specifically, we're going to Tanzania, by way of Amsterdam, and would like to have the option of calling home, or receiving calls from home, with my wife's Droid 3 (I retired my Touch Pro 2, and am now using the Samsung Galaxy Nexus).
We want to travel as light as possible, so would prefer not to bring an extra phone if the Droid 3 will in fact work with this SIM card when overseas.
Thanks!
Being that you have a U.S. branded DROID 3, you need to do some modifications to get it to work on GSM carriers.
Everything you need is here
Sent from my XT862 using Tapatalk 2
KayxGee1 said:
Being that you have a U.S. branded DROID 3, you need to do some modifications to get it to work on GSM carriers.
Everything you need is here
Sent from my XT862 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply - interesting link!
In my case, I don't need it work on GSM carriers in the U.S. - I just want to be confident it will work when I'm overseas.
I did a little more checking, and confirmed that (without the steps in your link) the Droid 3 would not work with US GSM carriers, so I'm reasonably confident I'll be okay when I get overseas.
Thanks again.
DLCPhoto said:
Thanks for the reply - interesting link!
In my case, I don't need it work on GSM carriers in the U.S. - I just want to be confident it will work when I'm overseas.
I did a little more checking, and confirmed that (without the steps in your link) the Droid 3 would not work with US GSM carriers, so I'm reasonably confident I'll be okay when I get overseas.
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You just need the unlock code, either by contacting Verizon with an account in good standing (or a friend with one) or purchasing one by a well known code dealer (I've heard several people recommend unlock4moto). Although you did mention you already unlocked it. Just putting that there for drifters reading the thread.
After unlock, the D3 should work flawless with foreign GSM carriers, you just need to make sure to input the APNs for data if they are not provided already on the SIM. Otherwise, the phone will not connect to US GSM networks (such as T-Mobile, which is 2g only, D3 lacks the 1700MHz band for Tmo 3g), it would require a flash of the XT883 radio + build.prop... Which is actually quite quick, painless, and simple once you do it a couple times. I keep a copy of both build.props in my /system folder.
For informational purposes; the D3 supports these bands to compare to carriers;
UMTS on 850Mhz, 1900Mhz, and 2100Mhz. (Supports HSPA+ 14.4Mbps)
GSM/EDGE on 850Mhz, 900Mhz, 1800Mhz, and 1900MHz.
CDMA on 800Mhz and 1900Mhz
Stock radio gets you; Verizon in the US, unlocked for any foreign GSM network
XT883 radio gets you; No CDMA (Might work with RUIM card, SIM equiv for foreign CDMA networks/4g LTE networks) GSM anywhere, including the US.
Skreelink said:
You just need the unlock code, either by contacting Verizon with an account in good standing (or a friend with one) or purchasing one by a well known code dealer (I've heard several people recommend unlock4moto). Although you did mention you already unlocked it. Just putting that there for drifters reading the thread.
After unlock, the D3 should work flawless with foreign GSM carriers, you just need to make sure to input the APNs for data if they are not provided already on the SIM. Otherwise, the phone will not connect to US GSM networks (such as T-Mobile, which is 2g only, D3 lacks the 1700MHz band for Tmo 3g), it would require a flash of the XT883 radio + build.prop... Which is actually quite quick, painless, and simple once you do it a couple times. I keep a copy of both build.props in my /system folder.
For informational purposes; the D3 supports these bands to compare to carriers;
UMTS on 850Mhz, 1900Mhz, and 2100Mhz. (Supports HSPA+ 14.4Mbps)
GSM/EDGE on 850Mhz, 900Mhz, 1800Mhz, and 1900MHz.
CDMA on 800Mhz and 1900Mhz
Stock radio gets you; Verizon in the US, unlocked for any foreign GSM network
XT883 radio gets you; No CDMA (Might work with RUIM card, SIM equiv for foreign CDMA networks/4g LTE networks) GSM anywhere, including the US.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I've already unlocked the SIM - got that through Verizon with no difficulty. Appreciate the other details!
Based on what I've read, and the posts here, I'll be happy to leave my Touch Pro 2 home, and the D3 should do what I need to on my trip. I actually don't need/want data on my phone out there - just wanted another option to call home when WiFi isn't available (I'll be using Skype when it is).
Thanks for the replies - told me what I needed to know!
DLCPhoto said:
Yes, I've already unlocked the SIM - got that through Verizon with no difficulty. Appreciate the other details!
Based on what I've read, and the posts here, I'll be happy to leave my Touch Pro 2 home, and the D3 should do what I need to on my trip. I actually don't need/want data on my phone out there - just wanted another option to call home when WiFi isn't available (I'll be using Skype when it is).
Thanks for the replies - told me what I needed to know!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope you enjoy your romp around the globe!
Hey everyone. So i have a question that i can't find on here so im going to ask it. I have a Verizon HTC one unlocked. The sim car works fine and i can do everything on the phone with the T-mobile sim card. The issue is its always Edge data. Is there a specfic APN i have to use? something im not seeing? Does anyone else have this issue? It is a stock factory HTC One, nothing custom.
super-6-1 said:
Hey everyone. So i have a question that i can't find on here so im going to ask it. I have a Verizon HTC one unlocked. The sim car works fine and i can do everything on the phone with the T-mobile sim card. The issue is its always Edge data. Is there a specfic APN i have to use? something im not seeing? Does anyone else have this issue? It is a stock factory HTC One, nothing custom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think the Verizon model will have the correct radio frequencies to use T-Mo's LTE or HSPA+ network, hence you're stuck on Edge. If you're staying with T-Mo, I'd suggest selling your current One and buying a T-Mo specific HTC One.
LBN1 said:
I don't think the Verizon model will have the correct radio frequencies to use T-Mo's LTE or HSPA+ network, hence you're stuck on Edge. If you're staying with T-Mo, I'd suggest selling your current One and buying a T-Mo specific HTC One.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is pulled from Verizons website
Network: LTE, CDMA/1xEVDO Rev. A (800/1900 MHz)
Global Network: EDGE/GSM (850/900/1800/1900), HSPA/UMTS(1900/2100) aGPS capable for E911 emergency location, aGPS (assisted), sGPS (simultaneous), Standalone GPS, eCompass, GLONASS
T-mobile uses the 1900 Mhz base band and the HSPA as well. So i don't see the issue in that one.
super-6-1 said:
This is pulled from Verizons website
Network: LTE, CDMA/1xEVDO Rev. A (800/1900 MHz)
Global Network: EDGE/GSM (850/900/1800/1900), HSPA/UMTS(1900/2100) aGPS capable for E911 emergency location, aGPS (assisted), sGPS (simultaneous), Standalone GPS, eCompass, GLONASS
T-mobile uses the 1900 Mhz base band and the HSPA as well. So i don't see the issue in that one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I can tell, nobody uses the dual 1900/2100 to achieve 4G like TMO. The UMTS referred to on that phone is for worldwide use, not US. So while it may have the frequencies, it is not set up to use them like TMO. Your software and firmware are set up to work with Verizon and overseas, not with a competitor like TMO. TMO refers to theirs as HSPA+. However, it might work on the new "reframed" 1900 bands (which is called HSPA), but those are not very highly deployed. Unfortunately, I don't see LTE on that list of frequencies. The TMO LTE is really great. EDIT: I mean TMO LTE, which is also 1700/2100.
I suppose you could try unlocking it and flashing the TMO radio, but there is an entire thread on trying to unlock TMO frequencies (in that case on the developer version), and no one has figured it out yet.
I concur that your best bet would be to sell the phone and get a TMO model.
stevedebi said:
From what I can tell, nobody uses the dual 1900/2100 to achieve 4G like TMO. The UMTS referred to on that phone is for worldwide use, not US. So while it may have the frequencies, it is not set up to use them like TMO. Your software and firmware are set up to work with Verizon and overseas, not with a competitor like TMO. TMO refers to theirs as HSPA+. However, it might work on the new "reframed" 1900 bands (which is called HSPA), but those are not very highly deployed. Unfortunately, I don't see LTE on that list of frequencies. The TMO LTE is really great. EDIT: I mean TMO LTE, which is also 1700/2100.
I suppose you could try unlocking it and flashing the TMO radio, but there is an entire thread on trying to unlock TMO frequencies (in that case on the developer version), and no one has figured it out yet.
I concur that your best bet would be to sell the phone and get a TMO model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah thats what im thinking. I need to contact and t-mobile rep and see if the re-farmed LTE here. Ill call and ask.
Alright so i called the rep and he said the area i am has been re-farmed to the 1900 range and i should be getting at least HSPA/3G but im not. Very odd issue
super-6-1 said:
Hey everyone. So i have a question that i can't find on here so im going to ask it. I have a Verizon HTC one unlocked. The sim car works fine and i can do everything on the phone with the T-mobile sim card. The issue is its always Edge data. Is there a specfic APN i have to use? something im not seeing? Does anyone else have this issue? It is a stock factory HTC One, nothing custom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verison use the CDMA, maybe that's why you can only use 2.5G network, just like some phones in China, they only have GSM in common
xunqren said:
Verison use the CDMA, maybe that's why you can only use 2.5G network, just like some phones in China, they only have GSM in common
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes but this phone has 4g lte already in it which accepts the sim card. Also, i have seen other verizon htc ones with t-mobile and never had a issue. I fell i may have to use a custom rom.
super-6-1 said:
yes but this phone has 4g lte already in it which accepts the sim card. Also, i have seen other verizon htc ones with t-mobile and never had a issue. I fell i may have to use a custom rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What he is referring to is that what Verizon uses as "3G" is CDMA technology. So although they (T-Mobile and Verizon) may be on the same frequency they're using totally different technologies. Just because it has a sim card slot for a Verizon sim doesn't mean the device will be compatible with another carrier's sim. A custom ROM would not resolve this issue. Your best bet would be to sell this device and purchase one from T-Mobile. :fingers-crossed:
jayrivi said:
What he is referring to is that what Verizon uses as "3G" is CDMA technology. So although they (T-Mobile and Verizon) may be on the same frequency they're using totally different technologies. Just because it has a sim card slot for a Verizon sim doesn't mean the device will be compatible with another carrier's sim. A custom ROM would not resolve this issue. Your best bet would be to sell this device and purchase one from T-Mobile. :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know what the best way to go is but i am very curious as to what is really keeping it from going out of edge. baseband? Is the TMO and Verizon radios the same? these are things i need to know! >.<
super-6-1 said:
I know what the best way to go is but i am very curious as to what is really keeping it from going out of edge. baseband? Is the TMO and Verizon radios the same? these are things i need to know! >.<
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My understanding is that the devices run on different systems for 3G and different LTE bands. You wont get more than GSM compatibility (GPRS, EDGE). Hopefully it is something that a software hack can fix but if you read around all the HTC One forums you will see no one has found it. Right now it is not possible.
jayplusone said:
What he is referring to is that what Verizon uses as "3G" is CDMA technology. So although they (T-Mobile and Verizon) may be on the same frequency they're using totally different technologies. Just because it has a sim card slot for a Verizon sim doesn't mean the device will be compatible with another carrier's sim. A custom ROM would not resolve this issue. Your best bet would be to sell this device and purchase one from T-Mobile. :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My question is that HTC makes phones for all T mobile verison sprint the same, so I believe its just software problem that we cant use Tmobile 4g lte on Verizon unlocked phone. SO does anyone have any comment for that?
aaloknaik said:
My question is that HTC makes phones for all T mobile verison sprint the same, so I believe its just software problem that we cant use Tmobile 4g lte on Verizon unlocked phone. SO does anyone have any comment for that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is hardware not software that is the issue. The T-Mobile variant has different bands than the other variants including Verizon. T-Mobile is a GSM variant while Verizon is a CDMA variant. Here is a comparison of the specs for the variants.
CDMA and GSM technology requires the antenna to be done differently. If they are not programmed to use those signals. Nothing you can dox will change it short of putting a new antenna in.
majmoz said:
It is hardware not software that is the issue. The T-Mobile variant has different bands than the other variants including Verizon. T-Mobile is a GSM variant while Verizon is a CDMA variant. Here is a comparison of the specs for the variants.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SO how do i know if my phone is Verizon CDMA unlocked or GSM unlocked
aaloknaik said:
SO how do i know if my phone is Verizon CDMA unlocked or GSM unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because you can only unlock GSM. Cdma uses the serial/esn number of the device.
Has there been any update on this? I called tmobile and they said it was simply because I couldn't put in the APN. So, there's no chance that rooting the phone and putting a tmobile rom on it would fix the problem and let me get more than edge speeds.
I myself have been wondering the answer to this. The device might seem the same but under the cover they are different. The actual daughter board which the camera, vibrating thing, volume rocker, power button are connected to are fairly different from each other. The CDMA variant is not compatible with the GSM variant. Not even by adding a CDMA daughter board to the GSM motherboard and vice versa, the are made quiet differently and will not be able to use GSM bands on a CDMA m7
Sent from my HTC My touch 4G
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1. Enable USB Debugging before flashing custom recovery.
2. Make a backup via recovery before granting apk's root permission, editing system files, or flashing a new Rom
☺*better safe than sorry*☺
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Not sure if this is the correct forum but I can't seem to find anything about using VZ G4 on T-mobile? I don't mind if it need to be rooted, just want a stable setting that I can do. TIA.
Unless something has changed lately, you can't. Verizon uses CDMA for its voice network and T-Mobile uses GSM.
With that being said, the only way I've seen any Verizon phone being used on a GSM network is if the phone supports a SIM card (and I'm not sure the SIM card for the LTE counts) and the phone is unlocked to use international SIM cards (which, by default, will allow it to use T-Mobile). There's a catch to that, however. You may not be able to use the optimum frequencies T-Mobile uses if the Verizon phone doesn't support them, which may cause a less than desirable experience with your phone.
An unlocked AT&T G4 would be a better bet. Some international versions of the phone may also be better than the Verizon version. You'll have to do some research on the last one.
In the past I know Verizon would let their cdma/gsm phones work with international sim cards but not att or t-mobile. The verizon g4 supports lte bands 2 and 4 and that's the two main bands that t-mobile uses. It's not clear from the tech specs if the phone supports wcdma but if it does not you might drop to edge while on a call.
like tkirton said you would be much better off with a phone that's intended mainly for GSM. t-mobile branded phones, newer nexus phones(6 and later), and the iphone also have the advantage of volte and wifi calling.
My Verizon G2 worked on T-Mobile and Cricket which as both GSM. I got LTE also, but you'll loose LTE on calls, and probably won't have HD voice. So, G4 might be the same.
MicroMod777 said:
My Verizon G2 worked on T-Mobile and Cricket which as both GSM. I got LTE also, but you'll loose LTE on calls, and probably won't have HD voice. So, G4 might be the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i can backup/confirm this, i was using the G2 (VS980 Verizon) with T-mobile and i was getting nice LTE Speed in my area but loose some T-Mo features of course....