[Q] GSM vs CDMA developer edition - Moto X Q&A

The "specs" of the two phones are:
GSM
Bluetooth® Technology 1
4.0 LE + EDR
Wi-Fi
802.11a/g/b/n/ac (dual band capable), mobile hotspot
Networks
GSM/GPRS/EDGE - UMTS/HSPA + up to 42 Mbps - 4G LTE
2G/2.5G GSM/GPRS/EDGE bands
850/900/1800/1900 MHz
3G UMTS bands
850/900/ AWS/1900/2100 MHz with HSPA+ up to 42 Mbps (B5/B8/B4/B2/B1)
4G LTE bands
700/AWS/1900MHz (B17/B4/B2)
CDMA
Bluetooth® Technology 1
4.0 LE + EDR
Wi-Fi
802.11a/g/b/n/ac (dual band capable), mobile hotspot
Networks
GSM/GPRS/EDGE - UMTS/HSPA + up to 42 Mbps - CDMA/EVDO Rev. A - 4G LTE
2G/2.5G GSM/GPRS/EDGE bands
850/900/1800/1900 MHz
3G UMTS bands
850/900/1900/2100 MHz with HSPA+ up to 42 Mbps (B5/B8/B2/B1)
3G CDMA bands
EVDO Rev. A: 850/1900 MHz (BC0/BC1)
4G LTE bands
750 MHz (B13)
Based on these specs, the difference seems to be in the 4G LTE bands and the CDMA version lacks UMTS B4. Both support GSM.
If I believe the specs, inserting a GSM sim in a CDMA unlocked moto s (developer edition) should give me the same GSM coverage as the GSM phone for voice....and for 3G data, as long as it's not on B4. I should not get any 4G LTE. But I wonder if I should really believe the specs because it almost makes no sense for motorola to have created two different chips/loads for the phones. What would happen if I put the t-mobile or ATT oem load on a CDMA unlocked phone? would it even work? would I really not get LTE since GSM LTE doesn't use 700mhz?
Any thoughts. There doesn't seem to be anyone at motorola who can answer the question...other than looking at the specs....
The reason for the question is I need Verizon in the US (for coverage), but GSM when travelling. I am thinking of getting a net10 sim for travel. Will it work?
(note: I posted a similar question in Q&A a few days ago, but no real response other than pointing to the specs).

ghstudio said:
The "specs" of the two phones are:
GSM
Bluetooth® Technology 1
4.0 LE + EDR
Wi-Fi
802.11a/g/b/n/ac (dual band capable), mobile hotspot
Networks
GSM/GPRS/EDGE - UMTS/HSPA + up to 42 Mbps - 4G LTE
2G/2.5G GSM/GPRS/EDGE bands
850/900/1800/1900 MHz
3G UMTS bands
850/900/ AWS/1900/2100 MHz with HSPA+ up to 42 Mbps (B5/B8/B4/B2/B1)
4G LTE bands
700/AWS/1900MHz (B17/B4/B2)
CDMA
Bluetooth® Technology 1
4.0 LE + EDR
Wi-Fi
802.11a/g/b/n/ac (dual band capable), mobile hotspot
Networks
GSM/GPRS/EDGE - UMTS/HSPA + up to 42 Mbps - CDMA/EVDO Rev. A - 4G LTE
2G/2.5G GSM/GPRS/EDGE bands
850/900/1800/1900 MHz
3G UMTS bands
850/900/1900/2100 MHz with HSPA+ up to 42 Mbps (B5/B8/B2/B1)
3G CDMA bands
EVDO Rev. A: 850/1900 MHz (BC0/BC1)
4G LTE bands
750 MHz (B13)
Based on these specs, the difference seems to be in the 4G LTE bands and the CDMA version lacks UMTS B4. Both support GSM.
If I believe the specs, inserting a GSM sim in a CDMA unlocked moto s (developer edition) should give me the same GSM coverage as the GSM phone for voice....and for 3G data, as long as it's not on B4. I should not get any 4G LTE. But I wonder if I should really believe the specs because it almost makes no sense for motorola to have created two different chips/loads for the phones. What would happen if I put the t-mobile or ATT oem load on a CDMA unlocked phone? would it even work? would I really not get LTE since GSM LTE doesn't use 700mhz?
Any thoughts. There doesn't seem to be anyone at motorola who can answer the question...other than looking at the specs....
The reason for the question is I need Verizon in the US (for coverage), but GSM when travelling. I am thinking of getting a net10 sim for travel. Will it work?
(note: I posted a similar question in Q&A a few days ago, but no real response other than pointing to the specs).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as far as i know. the reason I know this, is because before I figured out a way to get my Moto x (standard non dev. edition) to keep my unlmited data, I checked into getting a Blu phone.. they're GSM.. So, you can't use on verizon.. I was looking into net10 and they're GSM. So I don't see why it wouldn't work, however I never went threw with it, so please don't hold it to me.

Putting an AT&T or T-Mobile SIM in the CDMA phone, you probably wouldn't get LTE, as I don't think they share any bands with VZW for LTE. You might get HSPA+ though, depending on what bands are in use around you. You shouldn't have any issues travelling though, as most other countries use the GSM bands supported by the VZW model. So, basically, your only big issue would be getting "4G" service when in the US if you aren't using VZW.

imnuts said:
Putting an AT&T or T-Mobile SIM in the CDMA phone, you probably wouldn't get LTE, as I don't think they share any bands with VZW for LTE. You might get HSPA+ though, depending on what bands are in use around you. You shouldn't have any issues travelling though, as most other countries use the GSM bands supported by the VZW model. So, basically, your only big issue would be getting "4G" service when in the US if you aren't using VZW.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's pretty much exactly what I want....if I use data at all, it could be 2g speed...my main concern is "in an emergency" phone calls. It looks like just using the phone for GSM calls is only a matter of getting a worldwide sim, or buying a local one which would work in any unlocked GSM capable phone. Now, if I decide to move to a US based GSM carrier, that's a different story where data is important.
I doubt that the hardware in the phones differs at all....just the enablement of the radios/bands. I would bet there is a way to turn on all the GSM bands on a CDMA phone...although it may not be accessible to customers.
I'm going to try a GSM Sim in the phone in the US and see what I can do (or not do).
Thanks.

The hardware is most certainly different. The parts are not installed to do CDMA in a GSM developer edition, and the parts are not installed to add additional bands with a simple firmware hack.

I have verizon for personal, and one work line, and T-Mobile USA as another work line.
When I first got my Developer Edition Moto X for Verizon, and it had 4.2.2, I could put my T-Mobile US SIM in, it received APN settings and worked, at Edge speeds.
After the Kit Kat update, putting my T-Mobile US SIM in I got message that I had an unsupported sim installed which also stayed in the notification pull down, and I had to manually enter the APN settings for T-Mobile to get working voice/data. Again I got Edge speeds. However MMS didn't work but this could have been due to incorrect APN settings.
Just now, I tried and while I got a pop up unsupported SIM message, but it didn't stay in the notification area, and I did get EDGE data, with emails coming in and apps updating from the play store. When I went under Settings - Mobile Network - Access Point names, nothing is filled in. Trying to create and save one, it doesn't appear either. After a few minutes, I got 4G LTE in the notification area. Under Settings -> About Phone -> Status. It shows LTE (without band number). While it shows ICCID (sim card number), it says Unknown under My Phone Number and Min. Data works, Speed test gives me 28Mbps down and 7Mbps up, but also received intermittent "network communication issues" during the upload tests. Dropbox auto uploads fine as I took a picture with the X and my PC notified me of a new dropbox file. While SMS send/receive and voice calls work, MMS send doesn't.
As for the network communication issues... I saw the same thing when using my VZW iPhone 5S which does support more bands than the VZW X, at least comparing Apple and Moto's web sites. I see the iPhone 5S switch between HSPA and LTE when using the T-Mobile SIM.
In my area it appears T-Mobile has re-farmed their 1900Mhz to HSPA

KidJoe said:
I have verizon for personal, and one work line, and T-Mobile USA as another work line.
When I first got my Developer Edition Moto X for Verizon, and it had 4.2.2, I could put my T-Mobile US SIM in, it received APN settings and worked, at Edge speeds.
After the Kit Kat update, putting my T-Mobile US SIM in I got message that I had an unsupported sim installed which also stayed in the notification pull down, and I had to manually enter the APN settings for T-Mobile to get working voice/data. Again I got Edge speeds. However MMS didn't work but this could have been due to incorrect APN settings.
Just now, I tried and while I got a pop up unsupported SIM message, but it didn't stay in the notification area, and I did get EDGE data, with emails coming in and apps updating from the play store. When I went under Settings - Mobile Network - Access Point names, nothing is filled in. Trying to create and save one, it doesn't appear either. After a few minutes, I got 4G LTE in the notification area. Under Settings -> About Phone -> Status. It shows LTE (without band number). While it shows ICCID (sim card number), it says Unknown under My Phone Number and Min. Data works, Speed test gives me 28Mbps down and 7Mbps up, but also received intermittent "network communication issues" during the upload tests. Dropbox auto uploads fine as I took a picture with the X and my PC notified me of a new dropbox file. While SMS send/receive and voice calls work, MMS send doesn't.
As for the network communication issues... I saw the same thing when using my VZW iPhone 5S which does support more bands than the VZW X, at least comparing Apple and Moto's web sites. I see the iPhone 5S switch between HSPA and LTE when using the T-Mobile SIM.
In my area it appears T-Mobile has re-farmed their 1900Mhz to HSPA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you picked up t-mobile LTE with a verizon phone using the t-mobile sim??? If the bands are preset as in the specs, that can't happen
Why do you think that happpened?? Perhaps the CDMA version isn't limited to 750mhz/band 13.

ghstudio said:
So you picked up t-mobile LTE with a verizon phone using the t-mobile sim??? If the bands are preset as in the specs, that can't happen
Why do you think that happpened?? Perhaps the CDMA version isn't limited to 750mhz/band 13.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Band 4 LTE is also supported on the verizon phone...I don't know if that's why the t-mobile sim picked up lte or not but LTE is 13 and 4 on the verizon variant.

ghstudio said:
So you picked up t-mobile LTE with a verizon phone using the t-mobile sim??? If the bands are preset as in the specs, that can't happen
Why do you think that happpened?? Perhaps the CDMA version isn't limited to 750mhz/band 13.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. With the T-Mobile SIM inserted into my VZW X, the "signal indicator" in the Status bar area showed 4GLTE, and under settings -> About Phone -> Status.. Mobile Network Type reported LTE.
It was thought that VZW had enabled LTE Band 4 with the Kit Kat update on the X, like Verizon did with a recent update to the Galaxy S4. I've seen a few posts here, and on other forums asking for confirmation, how can someone tell what LTE band their X is using, and such... but no definate answer.
T-Mobile's LTE is band 4 in some areas.

ghstudio said:
The reason for the question is I need Verizon in the US (for coverage), but GSM when travelling. I am thinking of getting a net10 sim for travel. Will it work?.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, it will work for talk and text but maybe not for LTE.

KidJoe said:
I have verizon for personal, and one work line, and T-Mobile USA as another work line.
When I first got my Developer Edition Moto X for Verizon, and it had 4.2.2, I could put my T-Mobile US SIM in, it received APN settings and worked, at Edge speeds.
After the Kit Kat update, putting my T-Mobile US SIM in I got message that I had an unsupported sim installed which also stayed in the notification pull down, and I had to manually enter the APN settings for T-Mobile to get working voice/data. Again I got Edge speeds. However MMS didn't work but this could have been due to incorrect APN settings.
Just now, I tried and while I got a pop up unsupported SIM message, but it didn't stay in the notification area, and I did get EDGE data, with emails coming in and apps updating from the play store. When I went under Settings - Mobile Network - Access Point names, nothing is filled in. Trying to create and save one, it doesn't appear either. After a few minutes, I got 4G LTE in the notification area. Under Settings -> About Phone -> Status. It shows LTE (without band number). While it shows ICCID (sim card number), it says Unknown under My Phone Number and Min. Data works, Speed test gives me 28Mbps down and 7Mbps up, but also received intermittent "network communication issues" during the upload tests. Dropbox auto uploads fine as I took a picture with the X and my PC notified me of a new dropbox file. While SMS send/receive and voice calls work, MMS send doesn't.
As for the network communication issues... I saw the same thing when using my VZW iPhone 5S which does support more bands than the VZW X, at least comparing Apple and Moto's web sites. I see the iPhone 5S switch between HSPA and LTE when using the T-Mobile SIM.
In my area it appears T-Mobile has re-farmed their 1900Mhz to HSPA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey, KidJoe i got a moto x from us cellular but when i insert the sim card the cell says that the sim card is not accept and the cell doesnt get signal, i try to unlock it, but i couldn´t, if you have any solution for me please help me :crying::crying::crying::crying:

I'm running AT&T on a Verizon Developer Edition Moto X. I have good coverage (better than my old Nokia 520) and I get HSPA+ everywhere I go. I'm perfectly fine without LTE since I can still run anything and stream stuff with current speeds. A big plus is I can always switch to Verizon or other CDMAs if I want to.
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Related

Cant get 3G only symbol is E

I bought my HTC Diamond on UK. I updated the ROM to the RUU_Diamond_HTC_HK_WWE_1.93.831.1 this was supposed to make my phone QuadBand. It does work in USA (Boston) where I live. But I have never seen my phone doing 3G and speed test top was around the 1xx kbps.
Any Ideas?
PS. I am on the ATT network
Are you sure you have 3G coverage in Boston? Do you have a USIM-card (which I was told to be required for UMTS stuff)?
3G speed
I did look at the ATT coverage map and it said that I do have coverage.
How do I know what type of SIM I have? The SIM does have the 3G logo on it.
Are you sure your phone has the bands?
Check the Band setting, Settings->Phone->Band,
in the dropdown box for "Select your GSM/UMTS band", my US 3G ATT phone shows the following options:
Auto
UMTS(850+1900)+GSM(850+1900)
(oddly enough, the settings have to be on Auto for the phone to work..)
When I bought my diamond, I was curious about my sim too, so I took it into the ATT store and asked if it was the "latest 3G sim" and he said yes. Mine is half white (top) & half Blue (bottom), with a orange 3G fireball in the topright corner.
If yours matches all that, then take it to the ATT store and see if you get 3G in the store
Also..if you have doubts, I've had multiple Sales reps in the store tell me I can get a new Sim for free at any time, just need to ask.
3G
I do have that SIM half blue half white with the 3G fireball logo.
On my select network I have
Auto
GSM
WCDMA
on the GSM/UMTS band I have
Auto
UMTS(900+2100)+GSM(900+1800)
UMTS(850+1900)+GSM(850+1900)
UMTS(800+2100)
UMTS(850+2100)+GSM(900+1800)
UMTS(850)+GSM(900+1800)
UMTS(1700)
rpassmore
What ROM do you have?
RUU_Diamond_HTC_Europe_1.93.401.2
RUU_Diamond_HTC_Europe_1.93.401.2
Does this ROM supports USA 3G????
Sorry for my English
You have the European version and have only HSDPA 2100 / 900 (3G) and probably ATT works in HSDPA 850 / 1900, if this is the problem, sorry 3G is impossible for you, because is a hard problem, not a soft problem, search in this web there are many post about this. The European is quad band in GSM but not in HSDPA (3G)
CArlos
How about if I use another ROM
If I use another ROM ? would I be able to do 3G?
No I think it's impossible since it's different hardware I believe.
I think the one you have from UK, it only contained HSPA 2100 and US /Canada is using HSPA 850/1900, that's why you don't have the 3G signal.
Quad band only for voice and EDGE.
cmilian said:
rpassmore
What ROM do you have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using the stock rom/radio for the Unlocked US 3G.
1.93.422.4 WWE
1.00.25.08
But I missed the fact that you're using a European Diamond. sorry.
is there any conection betwen 3G and front camera....
i think i have an Eropean model from UK Vodafon which has the front camera... but i am not sure about 3G !
????

[Q] Will my Unlocked BellCanada GT-I9000M work with T-Mobile's service in Upstate NY?

I'm traveling to upstate NY next week, and I have my GT-I9000M (Bell Canada Vibrant) unlocked. Will T-Mobile's $1.49 mobile web day pass work with my phone?
I asked this question about 2 weeks ago, and the answer I got was:
Your phone should operate on T-Mobile's Voice Network,
If you want Data, you need AT&T,
Apparently our Bell(Mine SaskTel) I9000M's do not have the right radio to connect to the frequencies T-Mobile uses for their 3g network.
I picked up an At&t sim off ebay for $1 from a guy in Quebec, No problems activating it, no need for an american address. I was told to complete the activation the phone would have to be in At&t coverage however(for sim to receive activation info from servers) On pay as you go (go-phone) Att'2 deal isn't bad. You can get unlimited talk and text for $2 a day. But T-mobile's Data is a better deal, as Att is $0.01/Kb or $20/100Mb
Hope that helps
My understanding of everything is the following:
The GSM/EDGE radio in our I9000Ms is quad band 850/900/1800/1900MHz
The WCDMA (3G/HSPA/UMTS) radio is tri-band (850/1900/2100MHz)
Bell/TELUS/SaskTel et al in Canada use 3G/HSPA on 850/1900. No GSM/EDGE service.
Wind/Mobilicity/Public Mobile in Canada use 3G/HSPA on 1700/2100.
AT&T in US use 3G/HSPA/GSM/EDGE on 850/1900.
T-Mobile in US use 3G/HSPA on 1700/2100, GSM/EDGE on 1900.
Based on that: I think that our I9000Ms with a data-enabled SIM from TMo should connect, but only using EDGE. A data-enabled SIM from AT&T would connect using 3G/HSPA
Sounds right to me. If that is the case then I will most certaintly be picking up a T-mo sim, as they have a way better plan system for pay as you go!
Also interesting:
*#BAND# (*#2263#) typed into the dialer lets you select what frequency bands you want your phone to run in. The options appear to allow a WCDMA 900 band (FDD Band VIII), however, this one is switched off by default, while all others (GSM850/GSM900/DCS1800/PCS1900/WCDMA2100/WCDMA1900/WCDMA850) are switched on.
To see what band you're currently connected on, you can enter this into the dialer:
*#197328640#, then click on DEBUG SCREEN, then BASIC INFORMATION, and line 3 will list what band you're on.
I haven't seen my phone on anything but WCDMA 850 Band 5, or WCDMA 1900 Band 2, when connected to Bell Mobility Canada, in the south-central Ontario/GTA area.
racer26 said:
Based on that: I think that our I9000Ms with a data-enabled SIM from TMo should connect, but only using EDGE. A data-enabled SIM from AT&T would connect using 3G/HSPA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not correct
T-mobile like Wind
they use AWS network for 3G data
AWS = 1700+2100 together
if you only have 1700 or only have 2100 it will not work at all
Isnt that what I just said?
T-Mobile operates a GSM/EDGE network in the 1900MHz band, as well as an AWS 3G/HSPA network in the 1700/2100MHz bands.
Wind (AFAIK), operates a AWS-only network in the 1700/2100MHz bands.
Bell/Telus operates a 3G/HSPA WCDMA network in the 850/1900MHz bands
AT&T operates a 3G/HSPA WCDMA network in the 850/1900MHz bands, as well as a GSM/EDGE network in the 850/1900MHz bands.
My Bell I9000m, which has GSM850/GSM900/DCS1800/PCS1900/WCDMA850/WCDMA1900/WCDMA2100 should connect on 3G to Bell, Telus, and AT&T. Should connect on GSM/EDGE to T-Mobile, and not at all to Wind. If I'm correct in my understanding.
I know it connects to Bell and Telus, as well as Fido in Canada. I've tried it.
racer26 said:
Wind (AFAIK), operates a AWS-only network in the 1700/2100MHz bands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that's the Wind Home default
but you also have the Wind Away which runs on GSM/EDGE on 850 or 1900, but in reality it's roaming off Rogers network.
UPDATE: I have returned from Upstate NY where I purchased a T-Mobile PayAsYouGo SIM, and used the $1.49 Web DayPass on my GT-I9000M. It DOES work, however, T-Mo's EDGE network is (as-expected) slow. It also has a hard time operating well in a heavy rainstorm.
As I expected, I was only able to get an EDGE connection. No 3G.
Also convenient for I9000M owners to note: A SIM card will happily fit for storage behind the battery without impeding closure of the backplate. With my Bell SIM back in the phone now, the T-Mo SIM is stored behind the battery so I don't lose it.
EDIT: Also, when I re-entered Canada, and put my Bell SIM back in, it would only connect with "Emergency Calls Only" status, until I manually went into the Mobile Networks settings, and selected the first of the three "BELL" networks that show up. Interestingly, on Canadian soil with the T-Mo SIM, this menu sees "Bell" "Telus" and "CAN Rogers Wireless Inc" as networks to connect to, and when you try to select either of the second 2 "Bell" networks with the Bell SIM, it says the SIM wasnt recognized. Is the Bell SIM doing some weird re-naming of the Telus and Rogers nets?
Excellent! Thanks for confirming my suspicions. Although I already have an At&t sim, i will be picking up a T-mo sim as their data pass is a way better deal imo

[Q] Can Someone Summarize Data Speed/Phone Issues?

After digging through pages of posts about data speed issues and 2G vs. 3G vs. 4G/LTE, can someone with good expertise and knowledge summarize exactly what the phone supports and how it does it? I am seeing conflicting comments, so it is a little confusing. Also, please clarify a comment I recall seeing from at AT&T person that that the Vivid has one radio that switches between LTE and HSPA+ rather than having as separate 3G radio as earlier LTE phones did.
Or point to a good tutorial.
Thanks
I'll see if I can help!
So in order from slowest to fastest, the GSM data technologies are:
2G:
-GSM
-EDGE
3G:
-UMTS
-HSPA
-HSPA+
4G:
-LTE
Most Android phones display these as G, E, 3G, H, & H+ (don't know what stock Android displays for LTE). The Vivid, however, displays G & E, then displays 4G for 3G, H & H+, then 4GLTE for LTE. So no matter what 3G network your on, it'll show 4G (because AT&T thinks H+ counts as 4G), then when you're on an actual 4G network, it'll show 4GLTE.
As for the single radio, yes, that's true. LTE is a GSM based technology, so a single radio can handle all of the above connections. This is different from Verizon, which uses CDMA for its 2G & 3G networks, then switched to LTE for its 4G network, necessitating two different radios: one for CDMA, one for LTE. AT&T, however, has been GSM from 2G on, so one radio can handle everything. This will most likely continue to be the way it works: Verizon (and eventually Sprint) phones will require two radios for two technologies, AT&T/T-Mo phones will only require one.
This leads to one consequence, however, concerning simultaneous data & voice. No LTE network currently implements voice communications, they're purely data. Even when they do implement it, it'll be VoIP based, so it'll just be more data (This will be called VoLTE for Voice over LTE). Therefore, since this isn't implemented yet, phones must revert to the 3G network to make voice calls. On Verizon, since they're two different radios, you can continue to use LTE data while using CDMA for voice. On AT&T, they're the same radio, so dropping down to 3G drops the LTE connection. You can still use simultaneous voice & data (as you can on just about any GSM based network), but you just don't get LTE speeds.
Make sense? Let me know if that helps!
Thanks, BJG222
That's what I wanted to know. I appreciate the info.
brucegil said:
That's what I wanted to know. I appreciate the info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem! Glad I could help!
bjg222 said:
I'll see if I can help!
So in order from slowest to fastest, the GSM data technologies are:
2G:
-GSM
-EDGE
3G:
-UMTS
-HSPA
-HSPA+
4G:
-LTE
Most Android phones display these as G, E, 3G, H, & H+ (don't know what stock Android displays for LTE). The Vivid, however, displays G & E, then displays 4G for 3G, H & H+, then 4GLTE for LTE. So no matter what 3G network your on, it'll show 4G (because AT&T thinks H+ counts as 4G), then when you're on an actual 4G network, it'll show 4GLTE.
As for the single radio, yes, that's true. LTE is a GSM based technology, so a single radio can handle all of the above connections. This is different from Verizon, which uses CDMA for its 2G & 3G networks, then switched to LTE for its 4G network, necessitating two different radios: one for CDMA, one for LTE. AT&T, however, has been GSM from 2G on, so one radio can handle everything. This will most likely continue to be the way it works: Verizon (and eventually Sprint) phones will require two radios for two technologies, AT&T/T-Mo phones will only require one.
This leads to one consequence, however, concerning simultaneous data & voice. No LTE network currently implements voice communications, they're purely data. Even when they do implement it, it'll be VoIP based, so it'll just be more data (This will be called VoLTE for Voice over LTE). Therefore, since this isn't implemented yet, phones must revert to the 3G network to make voice calls. On Verizon, since they're two different radios, you can continue to use LTE data while using CDMA for voice. On AT&T, they're the same radio, so dropping down to 3G drops the LTE connection. You can still use simultaneous voice & data (as you can on just about any GSM based network), but you just don't get LTE speeds.
Make sense? Let me know if that helps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow thanks, a very helpful summary of so much **** otherwise kinda complicated to figure out.. quick question, under the Network menu, my phone always says HSDPA, not any of the other options you listed above. This means..?
Here is an interesting read...Explains alot, considering I bought my White Vivid in Houston and got amazing speeds on LTE, and can barely stay locked on an LTE signal at home here in the SW burbs of Chicago.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2393286,00.asp#fbid=ruQf5IEExI0
Actually, HSPA+ is also categorized as 4G.
dizzyraider said:
Actually, HSPA+ is also categorized as 4G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, AT&T & T-Mobile claim this, but it's not really true. UMTS = 3G; HSPA was an upgrade to that, call it 3.5G; HSPA+ is an upgrade to HSPA that incorporates higher bandwidth behind the scenes, more of a 3.9G. LTE's actually a new protocol. Technically, by the initial ITU standards, that's not even 4G (LTE-Advanced, the next upgrade to that, is the only one that does), but they've since expanded the definition to include LTE, too.
so we don't get a different symbol for 3G...so how do we know when we are using 3G verses HSPA and HSPA+ ? (other than speed)...
sucks...

Please answer asap

I'm leaving for NO, LA tomorrow. I need my phone to be reliable. My issue is the phone drops signal often (T-Mobile US Prepaid) but it says it still has full bars and 3G/H+. SMS, MMS, internet and sometimes even calling all fail until I reboot my phone. I am on OmniRom Kitkat. This also happen on stock ICS and JB. Would switching APN settings from T-Mobile US (epc.tmobile.com) help at all? At least for calls and texts? I have 5 options. Simple(APN simple) StraightTalk T-Mobile(APN wap.tracfone) T-Mobile US(APN epc.tmobile.com)
T-Mobile US LTE(APN fast.t-mobile.com) and T-Mobile US LTE IPv6(APN fast.t-mobile.com). Would any of these make a difference? Or can I force roam on ATT and would that help? I bought a new sim but that didn't fix the problem. HELP Please!
smithy31698 said:
I'm leaving for NO, LA tomorrow. I need my phone to be reliable. My issue is the phone drops signal often (T-Mobile US Prepaid) but it says it still has full bars and 3G/H+. SMS, MMS, internet and sometimes even calling all fail until I reboot my phone. I am on OmniRom Kitkat. This also happen on stock ICS and JB. Would switching APN settings from T-Mobile US (epc.tmobile.com) help at all? At least for calls and texts? I have 5 options. Simple(APN simple) StraightTalk T-Mobile(APN wap.tracfone) T-Mobile US(APN epc.tmobile.com)
T-Mobile US LTE(APN fast.t-mobile.com) and T-Mobile US LTE IPv6(APN fast.t-mobile.com). Would any of these make a difference? Or can I force roam on ATT and would that help? I bought a new sim but that didn't fix the problem. HELP Please!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try Paranoid Android or implementing EPRJ RIL into Omni.
plex educve
This phone is missing the AWS/1700 band support for T-Mobile. If you are on prepaid, then you should try getting AT&T compatible MVNO.
csk1jw said:
This phone is missing the AWS/1700 band support for T-Mobile. If you are on prepaid, then you should try getting AT&T compatible MVNO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The 1700 should only effect data. And even that isn't entirely true because my area is refarmed to 1900
No. T-Mobile 3G supports both voice and data.
T-Mobile 3G (HSPA)
•With 3G, theoretical maximum download of 14 Mbps.
•Our 3G network operates on the 1700 MHz and 2100 MHz frequencies. You'll need a phone that supports 1700 MHz and 2100 MHz to connect to our 3G network.
•On our 3G network, you can use voice and data services simultaneously.
UMTS/WCDMA is technically capable of both voice and data.

Force lte only

Hi,
I own sm-t715y, samsung website mention the availability of tdd lte band 40, i want to use a provider which is data only, it doesn't have any voice capability (called bolt). And a cdma provider which uses tdd lte band 40 as well (called smartfren).
Most of the tutorial on other devices which has tdd lte band 40 support has these steps:
1. Force lte only
2. Turn radio off and on
3. Set apn
I can't set force lte only on this tablet yet, tried *#0011# and *#2263# but it cant, the 2nd one cannot pop at all, please advice
When you say other device, this isn't Samsung is it.
I also have a S2 with band LTE 40, why don't you just buy a data only sim card, that is what I have 10GB data 1 year time limit.
Yes, the other device is oneplus one, alcatel one touch flash.
I tried experimenting with smartfren but no success at all, have not tried with the data only bolt, the cs said it cant but i doubt its true.
That is why, I had many Samsung, and non of them has lte only.
different phone/tablet has different features.

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