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[Q] US Carries and compatible plans for Galaxy note

Hi Guys, this is my first post.
I am relocating to N.Y. from Europe for work and i am bringing my Galaxy Note with me of course.
I was not aware of the situation in U.S. with phone carriers and I am only beginning to grasp the things you have to suffer.
Could you please recommend me a plan. I have already contacted sprint and they refused to accept my cell phone. I am currently thinking of getting boost mobile unlimited but i can't find out if my phone is fully compatible with their service.
I have no credit history in U.S.. I would like at least 200' 100sms and a few GBs of data. Some minutes for calling landlines in Europe would also be great.
I would realy appreciate your help, feeling kind of lost in the open sea.
Thanks in advance (if the list is complete it could be a nice sticky), relocated from general section
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App
from: foxmeister: Your Note will only give you 3G on AT&T or AT&T MVNO

The only GSM carriers (which is what you need for compatiblity with the Note) are AT&T and Tmobile (Verizon and Sprint use CDMA technology which is not compatible with European phones.) Tmobile uses weird frequencies for their 3G and fauxG (HSPA+), so you would only get EDGE speeds with them on your Note. So that pretty much leaves AT&T. They're expensive compared to what you guys have; I'm sure you can find their pricing online.
There are MVNOs which appear to be carriers, but use one of the big four's networks. There are a few that use AT&T's network. One of the MVNOs, Straight Talk, has a plan that's $45 for unlimited talk, sms, and data, but there's a complicated workaround to utilize it on your Note, as they technically only offer it on a couple of their phones.
You have to buy one of their phones "compatible" with that plan (I think you can find them for $99 refurbed), take the sim card out, and put it in your Note. I haven't done this, but I've read that there's a lot more to do in order to utilize HSPA+ speeds. You'll have to search and read for more info, as this is all I know.

In addition to the great info maxh provided, I wanna say that I personally don't trust any of the "unlimited data" plans. They'll cut your data off at the most inopportune time. Classic bait & switch. You're better off with data plans that are hard limited to 2GB or maybe 5GB so you can monitor your own usage.
The Note is kinda new so not enough info is currently available online as to which AT&T MVNO's support it with 3G+ rates. I'm in the same boat as you, actually...
And there's another option. For me, since I carry a bag with me most of the time, I may eventually decide to get a MiFi with the 5GB of 4G "Walmart" plan. I'm waiting a month to see if I'll have to go that route. I ain't spending over $80/mo on voice+data combined even if I have to give up on the Note altogether. There's a limit to how spoiled I allow myself to be.

maxh said:
The only GSM carriers (which is what you need for compatiblity with the Note) are AT&T and Tmobile (Verizon and Sprint use CDMA technology which is not compatible with European phones.) Tmobile uses weird frequencies for their 3G and fauxG (HSPA+), so you would only get EDGE speeds with them on your Note. So that pretty much leaves AT&T. They're expensive compared to what you guys have; I'm sure you can find their pricing online.
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Doesn't T-mobile use the same set of 850Hz HSDPA/ HSPA tech that Telstra in Australia uses?
If so then I can tell you that stuff works fine with the note.... Best internet speeds I've ever seen on a phone.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk

senectus said:
Doesn't T-mobile use the same set of 850Hz HSDPA/ HSPA tech that Telstra in Australia uses?
If so then I can tell you that stuff works fine with the note.... Best internet speeds I've ever seen on a phone.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk
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T-mobile only 850MHz only on their GSM network (EDGE.) For 3G and 4G (not really 4G as in LTE, but faux G as in HSDPA+) they use the 1700/2100 combo. Both are needed as one is used for upload and the other for download. 2100MHz only on a phone without the 1700 will still leave you with only EDGE speeds on Tmobile.

[Q] About htc vivid and new Sim's

I just got an HTC Vivid in the mail today and i have an old Cingular Sim card that's capable of achieving the H+ technology in for example the htc inspire. Now since i live in Portland and there is no LTE yet only H+ why when i put my card in it will make and receive calls and texts but not let me connect to data. Note this is stock ics that the phone was shipped with.
My question is why cant my old Sim work if it can use H+ on my inspire but not on my vivid and also whats different about the newer Sim's then older ones?

Vicpdx18 said:
I just got an HTC Vivid in the mail today and i have an old Cingular Sim card that's capable of achieving the H+ technology in for example the htc inspire. Now since i live in Portland and there is no LTE yet only H+ why when i put my card in it will make and receive calls and texts but not let me connect to data. Note this is stock ics that the phone was shipped with.
My question is why cant my old Sim work if it can use H+ on my inspire but not on my vivid and also whats different about the newer Sim's then older ones?
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this has been asked before and it seems to have something to do with how new your sim card is...mine didnt have to be changed but provisioned for lte
and some have had to have theirs replaced.. here is the thread that it was it was talked about in
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1420310
hope you find what you was looking for

Vicpdx18 said:
I just got an HTC Vivid in the mail today and i have an old Cingular Sim card that's capable of achieving the H+ technology in for example the htc inspire. Now since i live in Portland and there is no LTE yet only H+ why when i put my card in it will make and receive calls and texts but not let me connect to data. Note this is stock ics that the phone was shipped with.
My question is why cant my old Sim work if it can use H+ on my inspire but not on my vivid and also whats different about the newer Sim's then older ones?
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The Vivid defaults to using the pta APN. The old SIM cannot connect to pta. You can manually make a legacy APN for wap.cingular or phone which will let you connect, but that's inadvisable.
I'd presume that the reason that a new SIM is required is because you're moving from a 3G technology to a 3-4G bridge technology. I don't know if you have the original Cingular GSM "64k SmartChip", but I had to upgrade that when I first got a 3G enabled phone.

Aus_Azn said:
The Vivid defaults to using the pta APN. The old SIM cannot connect to pta. You can manually make a legacy APN for wap.cingular or phone which will let you connect, but that's inadvisable.
I'd presume that the reason that a new SIM is required is because you're moving from a 3G technology to a 3-4G bridge technology. I don't know if you have the original Cingular GSM "64k SmartChip", but I had to upgrade that when I first got a 3G enabled phone.
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oh i see yea i actually had the Cingular raising the bar one with the orange man logo on it also had blue orange and white color and it shows a 3G in flames. is that the original one?

I had that one, they gave me a new SIM at Best Buy.
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using XDA

Yeah. It doesn't cost anything to get a new SIM. I had to get one for my daughter's phone.
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using xda premium

Vicpdx18 said:
oh i see yea i actually had the Cingular raising the bar one with the orange man logo on it also had blue orange and white color and it shows a 3G in flames. is that the original one?
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No, that's a 3G-enabled SIM card. It works on UMTS and HSPA, unlike the 64K SmartChip (the GSM SIM) that I had from when EDGE was the best thing since sliced bread. That's why you never needed to upgrade your SIM when faux-G hit on the Inspire.
When I upgraded to the SYNC (see sig), that was right before Cingular was bought by ATT. I had to get a new SIM at that point, and they gave me the one you describe. I had to get another one when I got the Shine, as the contacts on it had corroded (or something; the card refused to read); that time, I got one that said AT&T on it (it was a palette swap of the Cingular card). I was still forced to upgrade yet again when I got the Vivid.

im just going out on a limb here, but i would say it has to do with the apn settings since you have an old cingular sim in a new phone im guessing the apn has been updated for new technology advancements

jenkem110 said:
im just going out on a limb here, but i would say it has to do with the apn settings since you have an old cingular sim in a new phone im guessing the apn has been updated for new technology advancements
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APN settings are stored in the ROM, not the SIM. The SIM authenticates you with the APNs that it is provisioned for.
Sent from my HTC Velocity 4G using XDA Premium App

I work for At&t, they lie about their data speeds. So basically, the phone might display H+ when your signal is really strong on 3G networks; the OTA updates on the Inspire wanted to make you feel like you were part of the fastest network At&t had to offer at the time. So if you didn't have a 3G sim, you were robbing yourself on speed capabilities, maybe barely but none-the-less. But Cingular SIM cards can only connect to 3G speeds at max. In other words, you're at the max speed for 3G which prompted the phone to display an H+ icon. The Vivid is an LTE capable phone and needs a SIM card with LTE capabilities in order for data to work, even though the new SIMs will also work on 3G, but not the other way around on cingular sims. Oddly enough, you will see a 4G icon when you're maxed out on HSDPA even though you may not be on true LTE networks...as is the case where I live. Hope this wasn't too confusing

akafarmer said:
I work for At&t, they lie about their data speeds. So basically, the phone might display H+ when your signal is really strong on 3G networks; the OTA updates on the Inspire wanted to make you feel like you were part of the fastest network At&t had to offer at the time. So if you didn't have a 3G sim, you were robbing yourself on speed capabilities, maybe barely but none-the-less. But Cingular SIM cards can only connect to 3G speeds at max. In other words, you're at the max speed for 3G which prompted the phone to display an H+ icon. The Vivid is an LTE capable phone and needs a SIM card with LTE capabilities in order for data to work, even though the new SIMs will also work on 3G, but not the other way around on cingular sims. Oddly enough, you will see a 4G icon when you're maxed out on HSDPA even though you may not be on true LTE networks...as is the case where I live. Hope this wasn't too confusing
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Your explanation wasn't confusing IMO. Their rationale is just plain stupid.
Gotta love America and its false advertising.
Sent from my HTC Velocity 4G using XDA Premium App

Reply
I see what you mean everyone yea i actually went in the other day to a store and got a new one for LTE even though there is no LTE in Oregon yet. But i do understand because i did use my Cingular Sim in my vivid and calling/texting did work fine just the data did not work so pretty much for faster internet you need a Sim card that can be provisioned for LTE is what im hearing. Also for the newer tech you need a new one

You can add another APN setting very easily until you can get a new LTE provishoned SIM....THE NEW APN will give you 2g, 3g, HSPA+, Text and Voice....then when you get the new LTE Sim...you can go back and set it to the APN that is named pta....
Let me know by replying if you need the settings for the wap.congular APN and I will post...
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using xda premium

Response
maddie01 said:
You can add another APN setting very easily until you can get a new LTE provishoned SIM....THE NEW APN will give you 2g, 3g, HSPA+, Text and Voice....then when you get the new LTE Sim...you can go back and set it to the APN that is named pta....
Let me know by replying if you need the settings for the wap.congular APN and I will post...
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using xda premium
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Well you should post it just for anyone who needs it. I actually got an LTE Sim not to long ago so im good on that front.

Thanks!!!
akafarmer said:
I work for At&t, they lie about their data speeds. So basically, the phone might display H+ when your signal is really strong on 3G networks; ..........................................................................................
Oddly enough, you will see a 4G icon when you're maxed out on HSDPA even though you may not be on true LTE networks...as is the case where I live. Hope this wasn't too confusing
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Thanks for telling us what many of us probably suspected. I have always thought that most of what we are told is just "marketing hype" until proven otherwise. Much like the burger commercials tha make the subject look soooo tantalizing and huge when in fact it might taste great but is not THAT large.
It is nice to have someone on the inside share "reality" with us!!!

can I use a HSPA sim in Vivid and get LTE?

I tried searching quite a bit but couldn't find the answer, so here it is...
I was going to buy a used Vivid, but when I put my own sim (AT&T GS2 i777) in the Vivid, it has no network connection. The seller said that that might be because AT&T needs to turn on LTE for me before that can be done. However, that doesn't quite make sense to me: I upgraded from iphone 3G to the GS2, and AT&T kept bothering me about not getting 4G even though I have a 4G phone for the first 2 weeks. I brought it back to the store and they straightened it out. My point is, the network worked before that, just not at HSPA speed probably, but it worked. Yet when I put my sim in the Vivid, I get no network connection at all. Is there no fall back?

fishline said:
I tried searching quite a bit but couldn't find the answer, so here it is...
I was going to buy a used Vivid, but when I put my own sim (AT&T GS2 i777) in the Vivid, it has no network connection. The seller said that that might be because AT&T needs to turn on LTE for me before that can be done. However, that doesn't quite make sense to me: I upgraded from iphone 3G to the GS2, and AT&T kept bothering me about not getting 4G even though I have a 4G phone for the first 2 weeks. I brought it back to the store and they straightened it out. My point is, the network worked before that, just not at HSPA speed probably, but it worked. Yet when I put my sim in the Vivid, I get no network connection at all. Is there no fall back?
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It's cause you are using LTE (pta) apns...you have two options
1) use legacy apns...can be found in the stickies "general knowledge" thread
2) call att and tell them you would like to enable LTE on your line...it won't change your plan and you won't get charged extra...everything stays the same except they enable LTE for you (I did this option...so I know from expierence)
The galaxy s2 didn't have real 4g it had hspa+, the vivid has real 4glte
I suggest doin the second option so you can enjoy the speeds of true 4g LTE (I get 23mb down and 8mbs up...)
If after having LTE it still doesn't work then your sim is probably incompatible...just go to the att store and ask for an LTE sim...they will give it to you for free
Sent from my HTC Holiday using Tapatalk 2

[Q] Which Variant? N900T, A or N9005

Now on to the region lock madness, kind of. If a NegriElectronics T-Mobile variant is purchased it's supposed to be SIM unlocked already. Lets assume I or someone gets it and it is not. The easy fix for this is to use cellunlocker.net as others have to unlock the device. Does the N3 still have to use a North American SIM first before using another country's SIM? I ask because I've been contemplating on buying the device from Negri but I'm working in Afghanistan and using a local SIM for cellular and data services at my hip on my unlocked N2. When I'm home I stick my ATT SIM in with no problems but I only get HSPA + since I have the Exynos processor GT-N7100, which I have been more than satisfied with, only until I used my wife's S3 from ATT on LTE, then I was blown away. I've also contemplated getting the GT-N9005 International variant but then I would only get HSPA+ just as I do with my N2 now when I'm home. I don't like that US carriers change the interface which leans me towards the N9005 because it won't have any of the carrier bloat ware but the almost downside is that I would get only HSPA+ speeds, which aren't that bad compared to the connectivity I'm used to getting here Afghanistan on the local carrier known as AWCC which is getting EDGE.
Does the N3 still have to use a North American SIM first before using another country's SIM?
Is anyone using the GT-N9005 International on ATT? If so, how are your speeds, any issues?
-Typically it shouldn't be any issues as I've used my N2 with ATT for the last year from time to time by plugging in the APN correctly. Last time I was home I had to get a new SIM card and the APN settings were automatically set through the SIM card so even easier, just plug n play.
Thanks in advance for any assistance. I just want to make sure I get the right device. I'm so anxious to get my hands on this thing!!!!

Cricket, Att Will this work?

Hi all, will this phone work on ATT and or Cricket? Is it a GSM phone? Will it get 4G if so? Thanks!!!

i have the mix on Cricket since December, it's on H+ most of the time and some times 4g depends on your location I guess, so it works on cricket and I'm not complaining on internet speed

vvette said:
Hi all, will this phone work on ATT and or Cricket? Is it a GSM phone? Will it get 4G if so? Thanks!!!
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I use it on Straight Talk (the AT&T sim). I live in Springfield Missouri and normally get LTE everywhere I go. The only real issue I have is when I do happen to lose LTE (receive/make a phone call, lose LTE in one particular room at my work, etc) it will stay on H+/3G until I go into settings and toggle between 3G then back to LTE again. Sucks, but not that big a deal since Straight Talk basically caps speed around 7-10 megs and H+/3G pretty much handles that speed anyway. But I haven't really had that many issues.

Mine is on Cricket and running fine in the Des Moines, IA area. I have a few hiccups here and there, but nothing drastic.

I have it with Att and works great always on Lte (tucson,Az). I get the hd voice and video calling as well. Only complain is I cant wait for mix 2 lol.

Straight talk ATT sim LTE all the time I live south of Chicago

jaime4272 said:
i have the mix on Cricket since December, it's on H+ most of the time and some times 4g depends on your location I guess, so it works on cricket and I'm not complaining on internet speed
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How did you make that work ? i have a doogee mix FOB from chinaland and a cricket sim in it but it keeps saying no data at all any help please ?

spydergt said:
How did you make that work ? i have a doogee mix FOB from chinaland and a cricket sim in it but it keeps saying no data at all any help please ?
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Did you cheap apn settings?

yea
yea i even took it into a cricket store and had a csr check it , the apn settings are all correct, the sim card works , i put it into a tablet i had from a while ago with a data card , it works , the tablet has 4g data , but if i put that sim card into the doogee mix , nothing , im gonna attempt to return the phone since i cant use it