[Q] Info about Carriers - Xperia Z1 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello all,
I'm currently having trouble sorting through the quagmire of information about the US releases. I need a new phone badly and have to say I'm seriously considering the Z1... that being said I don't like Tmobile and can't say I'd like to shell out $700 for a non 4G yet, unlocked phone from Sony. I'm on AT&T and was wondering if there had been any more recent info. It's all a little bit overwhelming and frustrating to look through, especially since a lot of what I find is speculation. Does anyone know or can point me to someone who might? I'd appreciate it, hunting for a good phone with lots of features and a good camera is hard. I considered the Nokia 1020 but it's W8 OS pretty much makes me want to avoid it.
Help, please?

Sony Canada is selling unlocked C6906 (AT&T LTE compatible), but stocks are scarce. If you really want to get it, I'd start with them first.

I am on US T-mobile and I have C6903. It is unlocked, and internet tethering is unlocked.
C6903 is running on all Bands as I see 2g-3g-HSPA-HSPA+ and even LTE.
I have 38 Mbps download, and 18 MBps download. Just so you know. No need to wait for C6906 or wutsoever. I was confused like you 5 days ago, but not anymore. Buy it
The only thing I hate from it is the Music play-back. It has such a very low Volume output for headset

while the c6903 is fine and dandy for use with T-Mobile, it doesn't support all AT&T LTE bands, so your LTE reception will be quite shoddy.

Yeah I knew I could get one if I wanted to switch carriers, but I don't like Tmobile so as I said /I was just wondering if anyone had hear of any other US carriers supposedly getting it through either Sony or the carrier itself. So far I haven't found anything but rumors really.

Related

[Q] prospective One buyer - LTE speeds in NYC

Hi I am a prospective HTC One buyer (my iPhone 4S is getting wonky + i'm tired of the slow 3G speeds). I'm thinking of buying the One because I want to be on the 4G LTE network since it's the same price for my monthly bill but I don't know how good or bad 4G LTE is in NYC? I've seen some threads here but they are from a year ago or more so I would like to hear some real life experiences with LTE in NYC for sprint? I'm confused because in the news it's officially launched but when I go to the sprint stores, they say NYC doesn't have LTE??
I'm also thinking of getting the HTC One because of the free 23 Gbs for Dropbox - I know it's carrier specific (Verizon & Sprint). My question is, do you have to stick with the stock rom in order to keep using the 23 Gbs or what? I'm guessing it won't matter but I don't know if they can authenticate it somehow if you switch from Sprint's official rom to something custom.
Lastly I'm very confused about the bootloader situation - I remember hearing about HTC wanted to lock their bootloader or something to that effect. I just want to know if the HTC One can still be rooted and get the free tethering feature (with LTE support or just 3G? When I had an EVO, the tethering only worked for 3G, not WiMax) as well flash custom roms? Thank you!
I'm getting bored of my iPhone (which is crashing on me a lot) and even though I still have a year left on my contract, I am thinking about just buying the phone outright from sprint for the full price because I want LTE and that big ass screen lol.
limache said:
Hi I am a prospective HTC One buyer (my iPhone 4S is getting wonky + i'm tired of the slow 3G speeds). I'm thinking of buying the One because I want to be on the 4G LTE network since it's the same price for my monthly bill but I don't know how good or bad 4G LTE is in NYC? I've seen some threads here but they are from a year ago or more so I would like to hear some real life experiences with LTE in NYC for sprint? I'm confused because in the news it's officially launched but when I go to the sprint stores, they say NYC doesn't have LTE??
I'm also thinking of getting the HTC One because of the free 23 Gbs for Dropbox - I know it's carrier specific (Verizon & Sprint). My question is, do you have to stick with the stock rom in order to keep using the 23 Gbs or what? I'm guessing it won't matter but I don't know if they can authenticate it somehow if you switch from Sprint's official rom to something custom.
Lastly I'm very confused about the bootloader situation - I remember hearing about HTC wanted to lock their bootloader or something to that effect. I just want to know if the HTC One can still be rooted and get the free tethering feature (with LTE support or just 3G? When I had an EVO, the tethering only worked for 3G, not WiMax) as well flash custom roms? Thank you!
I'm getting bored of my iPhone (which is crashing on me a lot) and even though I still have a year left on my contract, I am thinking about just buying the phone outright from sprint for the full price because I want LTE and that big ass screen lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think Sensorly is available for iPhones-- if you download it, you'll be able to get a pretty reasonable coverage map of your area that's not from corporate (which is important because it may also show you areas where Sprint hasn't officially announced LTE, but still has it operational). And yes, you can can keep the extra space no matter what ROM you're on-- once Dropbox confirms you're valid for the promotion, that stuff remains server-side (otherwise, anyone owning multiple devices would be in for a huge headache).
Almost all HTC phones have their bootloaders locked, but Sprint's variant is unlockable as per usual by following instructions at HTCDev. When you do so though, HTC will log your device as being unlocked (since you need the unlock key from HTC to do so) and it may become a sticking point if you need to ever use manufacturer warranty.
4G tethering works as far as I know.
Rirere said:
I think Sensorly is available for iPhones-- if you download it, you'll be able to get a pretty reasonable coverage map of your area that's not from corporate (which is important because it may also show you areas where Sprint hasn't officially announced LTE, but still has it operational). And yes, you can can keep the extra space no matter what ROM you're on-- once Dropbox confirms you're valid for the promotion, that stuff remains server-side (otherwise, anyone owning multiple devices would be in for a huge headache).
Almost all HTC phones have their bootloaders locked, but Sprint's variant is unlockable as per usual by following instructions at HTCDev. When you do so though, HTC will log your device as being unlocked (since you need the unlock key from HTC to do so) and it may become a sticking point if you need to ever use manufacturer warranty.
4G tethering works as far as I know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the sensorly. According to the website, it says there is 4G in NYC! However, on the iOS app nothing shows up. I don't see any coverage of any kind (i.e. not for 3G, 4G etc).
Okay gotcha so it's still possible to root the HTC One but you just need a key from HTC and be ready to give up the warranty. Okay that sounds good! Anyone have any experience with their HTC One in NYC? I'm just curious how New Yorkers' experience with the One and 4G has been. I'm from Brooklyn btw but I go to Manhattan all the time.
limache said:
Hi I am a prospective HTC One buyer (my iPhone 4S is getting wonky + i'm tired of the slow 3G speeds). I'm thinking of buying the One because I want to be on the 4G LTE network since it's the same price for my monthly bill but I don't know how good or bad 4G LTE is in NYC? I've seen some threads here but they are from a year ago or more so I would like to hear some real life experiences with LTE in NYC for sprint? I'm confused because in the news it's officially launched but when I go to the sprint stores, they say NYC doesn't have LTE??
I'm also thinking of getting the HTC One because of the free 23 Gbs for Dropbox - I know it's carrier specific (Verizon & Sprint). My question is, do you have to stick with the stock rom in order to keep using the 23 Gbs or what? I'm guessing it won't matter but I don't know if they can authenticate it somehow if you switch from Sprint's official rom to something custom.
Lastly I'm very confused about the bootloader situation - I remember hearing about HTC wanted to lock their bootloader or something to that effect. I just want to know if the HTC One can still be rooted and get the free tethering feature (with LTE support or just 3G? When I had an EVO, the tethering only worked for 3G, not WiMax) as well flash custom roms? Thank you!
I'm getting bored of my iPhone (which is crashing on me a lot) and even though I still have a year left on my contract, I am thinking about just buying the phone outright from sprint for the full price because I want LTE and that big ass screen lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My LTE speeds in NYC vary anywhere from 31mbs to 3 Mbs depending on location
limache said:
Thanks for the sensorly. According to the website, it says there is 4G in NYC! However, on the iOS app nothing shows up. I don't see any coverage of any kind (i.e. not for 3G, 4G etc).
Okay gotcha so it's still possible to root the HTC One but you just need a key from HTC and be ready to give up the warranty. Okay that sounds good! Anyone have any experience with their HTC One in NYC? I'm just curious how New Yorkers' experience with the One and 4G has been. I'm from Brooklyn btw but I go to Manhattan all the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Errr really? Try uninstalling/reinstalling it? And are you sure you're looking at coverage maps for Sprint? I can see something up top near NYC.
Matstarr said:
My LTE sppeds in NYC vary aware from 31mbs to 3 Mbs depending on location
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I second this I only get respectable 4G in Queens, and some parts of Brooklyn (around 20 down at like 11 pm) it's very spotty in manhattan.

Why hasnt anyone tried the z1 with at&t!!!

I am literally loosing sleep over the z1 ready to buy it but just weary of the fact that it wont support lte in my area.. what can I do?
teamHTC said:
I am literally loosing sleep over the z1 ready to buy it but just weary of the fact that it wont support lte in my area.. what can I do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are in in the USA?
If you're not under contract, I'd just get a Straightalk t-mobile sim. What Straightalk does is " rent" other carriers networks, includung both AT&T and T-mobile. Straightalk doesn't support LTE. With T-mobile' awesome HSPA+42 speeds and great coverage, you won't miss LTE, plus it's only $45 bucks a month. HSPA+42 is really close to LTE but with better coverage. One of the joys of having an unlocked phone is freedom to choose a cheap carrier.
The reason T-mobile doesn't suck as much as it used to is because of the failed merger of AT&T and T-mobile. It gave them extra money to upgrade their network and more bands.
It seems there is a model that supports AT&T LTE, the C6906, but don't count me on it. Refer to this thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2438443&page=2
If you end up getting a z1 model c6903 which doesn't have LTE on AT&T, and must have AT&T, I'd again recommend a straightalk AT&T sim so you are not paying for LTE which the c6903 can't use. On AT&T HSPA+21 is the fastest you'll get.
If you're close to the end of your contract, I'd just get a C6903 and switch when you finish out the contract.
you will get hspa+ but no lte
That is on AT&T.. On T-Mobile, you can get LTE!
teamHTC said:
I am literally loosing sleep over the z1 ready to buy it but just weary of the fact that it wont support lte in my area.. what can I do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe if you searched before making new thread you would have seen that there are at least 3 threads on this topic, which have all answered you question.
I think the question is, has anyone actually seen a C6906 variant?
komugi said:
I think the question is, has anyone actually seen a C6906 variant?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, im just wondering if this even exists. if not then ill go ahead and purchase my z1, because I just prefer the design and quality over any at&t phone and although lte is a big deal, hey im an android guy ill get over it in 2 months when a new phone comes out and I sell it. LOL and as for the galaxy active.......HIDEOUS HIDEOUS HIDEOUS! ill take a z1 with no internet at all over a gs active ....why samsung.... WHY! you make beautiful tvs but why the ugly phones!!!!!

Z3C D5833, unlocking LTE bands ?

Hello to you all,
I am very concerned because I bought a Z3 Compact D5833 (i'm in Brazil for work) and will be back soon to France. The LTE bands are different in the two locations, that's why Europe has the D5803 version. I was hoping that someone else also ran into this problem and found a solution? Returning the phone is impossible for me now because I've been using it for quite long here
My provider in France is Free which has 2600Mhz in common with my model.... does someone know whether or not it can work? I read online about people who couldn't get their phone to have 4G, even some people didn't have any internet. But that makes no sense because all 3G bands are supported so I'm feeling lost... I am not enjoying the wait until my return and I'd like to know what I should expect there. A massive thanks for all help :good:
7 (2600) should work.
Take a look at this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/cro...ad-progress-please-leave-im-updating-t2871269
and this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3-compact/general/guide-unlock-z3c-international-bands-t3091344
But, I haven't seen anyone with Z3 or Z3C successfully unlocking the bands here at XDA.
They went through the procedure and it showed the bands as unlocked, but nobody could actually use them.
fijasko said:
7 (2600) should work.
Take a look at this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/cro...ad-progress-please-leave-im-updating-t2871269
and this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3-compact/general/guide-unlock-z3c-international-bands-t3091344
But, I haven't seen anyone with Z3 or Z3C successfully unlocking the bands here at XDA.
They went through the procedure and it showed the bands as unlocked, but nobody could actually use them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I will keep all of this of the side, and let everyone know how the phone performs when back in France... Let's see...
Hey, soooo it's a no, it doesn't take 4G. 3G and H+ work like a charm and I'm keeping that phone because I love it so if anyone finds a way to actually get other frequencies to work, i'm interested. Thanks!
I now have LTE in France with a D5833. I don't know if it's me or the network that changed. My provider is Free. It's been a month I had only 3G and H+, it's been a week I had problems, and today, boom, LTE after restarting my phone... I am trying to figure out what changed. I'm sure other people have problems in France with the D5833 so I'll work out what was the cause!

US X Performance & VoLTE on T-Mobile (or AT&T)???

PLEASE only respond if you live in the US and use T-Mobile (preferred) or AT&T AND have purchased the US version of the XP.................
Not sure if the US Xperia X Performance has been made available yet, but if so, can anyone tell me if it can get VoLTE on either T-Mobile or AT&T? Just wonder if radio/signal-wise it's any different than the int'l XP I have now.
Thanks!
what is the model of the intl version? we can lookup the whitepaper on them and compare the radios
acme64 said:
what is the model of the intl version? we can lookup the whitepaper on them and compare the radios
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same model #s: F8132 for dual SIM (mine), F8131 for single-SIM.
they're the exact same radio according to Sony. so hardware wise if intl can do it so can us version. but do the carriers allow it is a whole other issue.
acme64 said:
they're the exact same radio according to Sony. so hardware wise if intl can do it so can us version. but do the carriers allow it is a whole other issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks for checking acme! Well the XP has all the same bands as T-Mobile, so they should! Though I found out that XPs used in other countries like Hong Kong DO get VoLTE (I've seen screenshots too), but in the US, both AT&T and T-Mobile SIM cards don't enable that. Weird! I'd still like someone WITH a US XP to confirm that they do or don't have VoLTE though on AT&T and/or T-Mobile.
Yeah like today I was in downtown Chicago with family, and like my parents have the Sony Xperia Z1s (locked phone from T-Mobile). We were down by Navy Pier (by Lake Michigan), and my dad's Z1s (released Jan 2014) was getting better reception than my brand new int'l XP (unlocked not through T-Mobile but from Sony b/c Sony are idiots who don't release phones through carriers anymore and I hate them for it lol).
Now, I thought this was maybe b/c their phones were from T-Mobile so they'd been "configured" to their network, but then my sister's b/f was saying that some of the older model phones have better radio reception than the newer ones b/c the newer ones have more crap CRAMMED into them, which can impede radio reception, despite the XP having a polycarbonate (aka plastic lol) frame which is supposed give you better reception than metal would.
You think that's it? Or do you think it has something to do with the XP not being "configured" by T-Mobile??
Thanks.
RockStar2005 said:
Ok thanks for checking acme! Well the XP has all the same bands as T-Mobile, so they should! Though I found out that XPs used in other countries like Hong Kong DO get VoLTE (I've seen screenshots too), but in the US, both AT&T and T-Mobile SIM cards don't enable that. Weird! I'd still like someone WITH a US XP to confirm that they do or don't have VoLTE though on AT&T and/or T-Mobile.
Yeah like today I was in downtown Chicago with family, and like my parents have the Sony Xperia Z1s (locked phone from T-Mobile). We were down by Navy Pier (by Lake Michigan), and my dad's Z1s (released Jan 2014) was getting better reception than my brand new int'l XP (unlocked not through T-Mobile but from Sony b/c Sony are idiots who don't release phones through carriers anymore and I hate them for it lol).
Now, I thought this was maybe b/c their phones were from T-Mobile so they'd been "configured" to their network, but then my sister's b/f was saying that some of the older model phones have better radio reception than the newer ones b/c the newer ones have more crap CRAMMED into them, which can impede radio reception, despite the XP having a polycarbonate (aka plastic lol) frame which is supposed give you better reception than metal would.
You think that's it? Or do you think it has something to do with the XP not being "configured" by T-Mobile??
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'd bet money it has something to do with a configuration. If Sony already designed a phone where all the radios work why would they break it in later iterations, doesn't make sense. it's also illegal to say the phone can do this and that when it actually can't.
acme64 said:
i'd bet money it has something to do with a configuration. If Sony already designed a phone where all the radios work why would they break it in later iterations, doesn't make sense. it's also illegal to say the phone can do this and that when it actually can't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok then how do I reconfigure it? lol If it was that the radio was just better/stronger on the Z1s that's one thing, but if it was that my XP somehow wasn't configured "well enough" to T-Mobile's network, despite having all the same bands, then how do I fix that? lol
It could be that the phones are designed a certain way but then the carriers (when they get them to sell) do some extra configuring or tweaking too?
I remember being again in another part of downtown 2 years ago and 2 friends of mine who both had Sprint and the same phone (Galaxy S3) had differing reception. One had all 5 bars lit up, while the other who was only sitting 5 feet away, had like no reception. WTF? lol That's what happened yest except 2 different phones though both are Sony, oh and mine of course is unlocked int'l version.
RockStar2005 said:
Ok then how do I reconfigure it? lol If it was that the radio was just better/stronger on the Z1s that's one thing, but if it was that my XP somehow wasn't configured "well enough" to T-Mobile's network, despite having all the same bands, then how do I fix that? lol
It could be that the phones are designed a certain way but then the carriers (when they get them to sell) do some extra configuring or tweaking too?
I remember being again in another part of downtown 2 years ago and 2 friends of mine who both had Sprint and the same phone (Galaxy S3) had differing reception. One had all 5 bars lit up, while the other who was only sitting 5 feet away, had like no reception. WTF? lol That's what happened yest except 2 different phones though both are Sony, oh and mine of course is unlocked int'l version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you probably can't do anything. it'd be on the carrier end.
acme64 said:
you probably can't do anything. it'd be on the carrier end.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
F'ers!! lol
Thanks anyway acme.
RockStar2005 said:
F'ers!! lol
Thanks anyway acme.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just clarify, volte is locked only to tmobile phones unless the company goes get the phone certified (zte axon 7 went this route and HTC 10)
SovPanda said:
Just clarify, volte is locked only to tmobile phones unless the company goes get the phone certified (zte axon 7 went this route and HTC 10)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sov,
Yeah I know. All I REALLY care about is that I can get Band 12 for data from T-Mobile on my int'l Sony Xperia X Performance phone. I think I can, b/c that has NOTHING to do with VoLTE, which only is used DURING phone calls. I don't care about having Band 12 during phone calls, but I DO care about having it when not on a call.
RockStar2005 said:
Sov,
Yeah I know. All I REALLY care about is that I can get Band 12 for data from T-Mobile on my int'l Sony Xperia X Performance phone. I think I can, b/c that has NOTHING to do with VoLTE, which only is used DURING phone calls. I don't care about having Band 12 during phone calls, but I DO care about having it when not on a call.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Band 12 works but you gotta find it like a unicorn
SovPanda said:
Band 12 works but you gotta find it like a unicorn
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha..........so you have the int'l Sony Xperia X Perf on T-Mobile AND live in the U.S.??? Or know someone that does?
Well I live in Chicago which right now doesn't have Band 12 from T-Mobile. HOWEVER, a few mos ago T-Mobile bought a ton of Band 12 from an AT&T subsidiary, and so now it's only a matter of time before my entire area gets it (pending FCC approval). They say it could be as early as later this year or latest is prob next June. I'll know when it's available b/c T-Mobile will announce but I can also check their spectrum map too. When the area covered by the green circle around Chicago becomes "magenta" and has a bunch of circled 12s put into it, then that'll mean it's live. Can't wait!!
RockStar2005 said:
Haha..........so you have the int'l Sony Xperia X Perf on T-Mobile AND live in the U.S.??? Or know someone that does?
Well I live in Chicago which right now doesn't have Band 12 from T-Mobile. HOWEVER, a few mos ago T-Mobile bought a ton of Band 12 from an AT&T subsidiary, and so now it's only a matter of time before my entire area gets it (pending FCC approval). They say it could be as early as later this year or latest is prob next June. I'll know when it's available b/c T-Mobile will announce but I can also check their spectrum map too. When the area covered by the green circle around Chicago becomes "magenta" and has a bunch of circled 12s put into it, then that'll mean it's live. Can't wait!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Xperia z5 international in Chicago as well :0 but the areas that does have band 12 does support the Xperia phones
SovPanda said:
Xperia z5 international in Chicago as well :0 but the areas that does have band 12 does support the Xperia phones
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh wow! That's great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do you have T-Mobile too though????!
I just wanna be able to get reception (data) in certain areas in downtown like at the Ogilvie Metra Station basement, Untitled club on Kinzie, etc. I'm hoping that Band 12/700 MHz will make that happen. But also for when I'm indoors in certain places in the suburbs.
Thanks for sharing this great info!! I figured it would but wasn't sure. I think the ppl who said no were thinking of VoLTE, or aka having 4G LTE data and/or voice DURING calls.
SovPanda said:
Xperia z5 international in Chicago as well :0 but the areas that does have band 12 does support the Xperia phones
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So do you have T-Mobile too?
RockStar2005 said:
So do you have T-Mobile too?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes sir, going to complain though to Sony, if a brand like zte can get certified to use t-mobile's volte than they should be able to >:/
SovPanda said:
Yes sir, going to complain though to Sony, if a brand like zte can get certified to use t-mobile's volte than they should be able to >:/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome! Good to know!!
Haha...........I already tried doing that. I even had someone at T-Mobile's "Network team" contact their "contact" over at Sony Mobile about that issue. Last I heard, they never heard back from the Sony guy. lol But go ahead.........can't hurt!
I couldn't agree more. It's ****ing BS. It's the least they could do after not giving the US Z5 and X Perf a working fingerprint sensor. lol

Worth buying N910T?

Hey T mobile users, I currently have a Sprint note4 unlocked on Cricket network. As you may know I only get hspa speeds this way, Not a super big deal to me. As I've had the phone this way for a year now. Only reason I even ended up this route is because i got the phone (at the time) real cheap from a relative.
But now that I've seen the prices drop quite a bit cause of its age, my question to you is first will the t mobile phone get lte speeds with Cricket(at&t)? It looks like to me it has them bands.
Second, Do you think it's worth the hassle? I figured I could comp the price by selling mine afterwards.
Your advice and opinion is appreciated. Thank you!
It WILL work, but it isn't worth the hassle. With T-Mobile you would only benefit from VoLTE and WiFi calling. You can root your existing phone and flash a ROM with the T-Mobile system files and keep your.
AT&T and T-Mobile note4 is the same hardware-wise except the bootloader, modem and corresponding kernel required to make WiFi calling work for the N910T. The N910A is punished with the locked bootloader, so I can see your concern.
If I understand you correctly: You wish to keep your current carrier, but to switch phones just to get LTE speeds?
I have a 910T running on Cricket's network. I think I paid $150 for it used which was a huge upgrade from the HTC Desire 510 I was using. It had a burnt in screen but I learned to deal with it for $150. Also has some other quirks that usually only show when a phone's been water damaged. I learned to deal and get around them though. Because of this, I don't recommend buying a phone used. And since you're content with your Sprint model, I might just stay with that.
The reason I went T-Mobile was because of the unlocked bootloader. And there's no doubt in my mind that I'll have this phone for another 2 years. It's a great phone and after Samsung took a bunch of features away with the Note 5 and then created an exploding Note 7, I'm quite happy with this device for a while to come. Now the rumor is that Samsung might be taking away the 3.5 headphone port. If that's true, **** them. I just used my headphones for over 6 hours on a Greyhound bus and Bluetooth requires charging which I don't wanna deal with.
I can't tell you what to do but if it were me, I'd stick with the Sprint model. But I do love custom ROMs so...
****If you buy a note 4****
Only buy a refurbished or recertified one with a full warranty...
There's reported issues with these phones real or imagined... don't take the risk!!!
Good Luck!

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