Hi, I'm finally an official moto x user! Got it unlocked and using it on my carrier in France.
Anyway I just unlocked it, set the APN settings for my carrier (SFR in france) and noticed that the 4g icon appeared and seems to be active. I don't believe my data plan is compatible with 4g.
My questions are: is the phone actually using 4g, even though my plan doesn't enable it by default?
And if so, will it bring subsequent costs?
Thanks!
Sent from my XT1058 using xda app-developers app
I'd say your best bet is to contact your carrier and ask them the same questions. I'm sure they'll have a better idea of what's actually going on with your data connection and what data speeds your running.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
My Moto X also has the 4G always on. That doesn't necessarily mean that I'm pulling 4G down though. You need to ask yourself the following:
What type of data is your plan commissioned for?
This is relevant because the Moto X will display the 4G symbol when it senses that it can pull down HSPA+. Quick history lesson: HSPA+ isn't technically 4G. The 3GPP hadn't fully set the standard for what 4G would be when US carriers just decided to deem HSPA+ as 4G. Once the 3GPP settled on their standard, it was already too late; the marketing for "4G!" had begun, and they agreed to let the carriers continue to call this sub-4G standard 4G (hell, if you wanna get really technical, LTE doesn't even meet the 4G standard, but that's another discussion). How this pertains to you: find out what type of data your plan uses. What your carrier deems "4G" might be different than what the Moto X deems "4G". So what could be happening is that your data plan doesn't include LTE (which your carrier may call 4G) but includes HSPA+ (what your phone calls 4G).
Johmama said:
My Moto X also has the 4G always on. That doesn't necessarily mean that I'm pulling 4G down though. You need to ask yourself the following:
What type of data is your plan commissioned for?
This is relevant because the Moto X will display the 4G symbol when it senses that it can pull down HSPA+. Quick history lesson: HSPA+ isn't technically 4G. The 3GPP hadn't fully set the standard for what 4G would be when US carriers just decided to deem HSPA+ as 4G. Once the 3GPP settled on their standard, it was already too late; the marketing for "4G!" had begun, and they agreed to let the carriers continue to call this sub-4G standard 4G (hell, if you wanna get really technical, LTE doesn't even meet the 4G standard, but that's another discussion). How this pertains to you: find out what type of data your plan uses. What your carrier deems "4G" might be different than what the Moto X deems "4G". So what could be happening is that your data plan doesn't include LTE (which your carrier may call 4G) but includes HSPA+ (what your phone calls 4G).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just read that my plan at SFR uses what they call dual carrier which is in fact hspa+. So according to what you are saying this would trigger the 4g icon and since it is part of my plan it would come at no additional cost, which is great!
So just a final question just to be sure: if my phone detects LTE, will it use it instead of hspa+ (Even though my data plan does not include it)?
frenchie007 said:
I just read that my plan at SFR uses what they call dual carrier which is in fact hspa+. So according to what you are saying this would trigger the 4g icon and since it is part of my plan it would come at no additional cost, which is great!
So just a final question just to be sure: if my phone detects LTE, will it use it instead of hspa+ (Even though my data plan does not include it)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This would be up to your carrier and how they handle this. Your phone will take advantage of any data it can pull down. It's up to your carrier to decide what data you are able to pull. In most cases (in fact, I can't think of a case where this isn't true), you can only pull down what your plan is commissioned for. If your plan doesn't include LTE, it's probably a safe bet that your phone won't ever use it. This happens on the carrier's end. Your SIM card is how they keep track of your minutes, data, and texts used, data standard you're able to access, etc. and if they see your SIM as not on an LTE plan, they won't allow access to their LTE network.
If you want to be 100% sure, it might be wise to check your carrier's website to see exactly how they handle this. Like I said, I don't know of any carrier that allows access to their LTE network to people that don't have an LTE plan, then charge them for it, but I suppose it could be possible (albeit, somewhat shady).
Johmama said:
This would be up to your carrier and how they handle this. Your phone will take advantage of any data it can pull down. It's up to your carrier to decide what data you are able to pull. In most cases (in fact, I can't think of a case where this isn't true), you can only pull down what your plan is commissioned for. If your plan doesn't include LTE, it's probably a safe bet that your phone won't ever use it. This happens on the carrier's end. Your SIM card is how they keep track of your minutes, data, and texts used, data standard you're able to access, etc. and if they see your SIM as not on an LTE plan, they won't allow access to their LTE network.
If you want to be 100% sure, it might be wise to check your carrier's website to see exactly how they handle this. Like I said, I don't know of any carrier that allows access to their LTE network to people that don't have an LTE plan, then charge them for it, but I suppose it could be possible (albeit, somewhat shady).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay thanks a bunch for all the info. For now I'll leave 4g on, and if I see any additional costs come up I'll look more into it. Thanks!
Your phone will also show LTE in very small print along the side of the "4G" if it is connected using LTE. The phone will "prefer" LTE over HSPA if the carrier has provisioned it in your sim card and the phone has a compatible radio for LTE in your area.
The US carriers messed everything up insisting phones display 3G, 4G etc instead of displaying the real type of connection they are using.
Related
Does enyone know how to get onto the EVDO network from Sprint that would allow us to Direct connect with Nextel phones? I have heard that since sprint has come out with phones that utilize the EVDO network to access the Nextel network, people have ripped the software and successfully connected via other Networks.
The Kaiser is a GSM-based phone. There is no way to connect to CDMA/TDMA/EVDO networks with it.
sprint sells a phone called the mogul, or known on xda as the titan, you may wanna check in there...
Mr. NotATreoFan
hello
i thought that Evolution Data Optimized (EVDO) are same as High-Speed Data Protocol Access (HSDPA) but only with higher network speed? But my understanding was wrong. I tried to read difference but could not understand somethign at lay man term. can u please advice on difference.
NotATreoFan said:
The Kaiser is a GSM-based phone. There is no way to connect to CDMA/TDMA/EVDO networks with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EVDO is term used for non-GSM high speed data access. Sprint currently uses EVDO Rev A, for example. HSDPA/HSUPA only applies to GSM networks.
thanks for clarifications
NotATreoFan said:
EVDO is term used for non-GSM high speed data access. Sprint currently uses EVDO Rev A, for example. HSDPA/HSUPA only applies to GSM networks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually...
Not to be a smarty pants, but HSDPA is a form of WCDMA, a software enhancement of the original WCDMA that allows faster data transfer, and emphasizes sound and video transfers too. So, yes, the original post is correct in at least one part of the assumption, that Sprint's CDMA/EVDO network is similar technology. CDMA, and WCDMA are actually evolved from GSM, but, equipment wise, are wholly different deployments from each other. WCDMA was the first 3G technology to be deployed, in Europe and other parts of the world, primarily on the 2100 mhz band. AT&T's deployment of HSDPA (on the ever-so obscure 850mhz band) was the first in the world, but far from the first deployment of CDMA.
My understanding is that T-Mobile will be implementing their HSDPA service in something like 27 new markets here in the next few weeks, so some of us may have a second choice for high speed service.
Incidentally, Sprint, and Verizon's decision to go with plain-ol CDMA for their network deployments will, within the next 10 years or so, turn out to be one of the most financially expensive errors ever seen in the cellular industry, as it prevents them from upgrading and deploying the 4G tech that looks to be the next step for 90% of the planet...LTE. They can, and are, at least in Sprint's case, deploying a comparable tech to LTE called WiMax, however, it is not capable of the same speeds as LTE, at the top end, and will once again, push them into the land of obscurity. Sprint & Verizon are the only 2 major carriers in the world that chose CDMA for their standard when deploying their cellular networks. Losers.....
mandaryn said:
My understanding is that T-Mobile will be implementing their HSDPA service in something like 27 new markets here in the next few weeks, so some of us may have a second choice for high speed service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The T-Mobile 3G network is supposed to be live by December of this year, but it is running on the 1700MHz band which will eliminate almost all of the current 3G phones out in the US.
...and I hate Sprint and Verizon too.
mandaryn said:
Incidentally, Sprint, and Verizon's decision to go with plain-ol CDMA for their network deployments will, within the next 10 years or so, turn out to be one of the most financially expensive errors ever seen in the cellular industry, as it prevents them from upgrading and deploying the 4G tech that looks to be the next step for 90% of the planet...LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
..May be why Sprint is now selling off all it's towers to TowerCo
LTE cards are basically next gen GSM sim cards, right?
Will a Verizon (cdma) phone that is LTE capable like the droid bionic work outside the USA?
Since LTE needs an LTE sim card, would an LTE device work outside the USA simply by removing the LTE card and inserting a local country sim card?
Thanks!
No the radio frequency is different.
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App
If your device has an antenna that supports GSm then yes it will work. You wont get LTE of course.
Ala my Tbolt works in Europe.
I didnt' think the Tbolt had any GSM capability, where in Europe does it work az?
I have seen conflicting information on whether or not the Bionic has a GSM radio in it. On GSM Arena, they have the specs up now, and emphasize that it doesn't have a GSM radio, but when the phone went through the FCC, there are articles talking about how it will be a 'world phone'.
Does anyone work for Verizon, or actually know the situation? It baffles me that there are no LTE devices that are also usable in Europe.
Verizon piggy backs on Vodaphone's network in Eruope.
Check out http://b2b.vzw.com/international/Global_Phone/Europe/Germany.html for proof.
It isn't cheap though
azwildfire said:
Verizon piggy backs on Vodaphone's network in Eruope.
Check out http://b2b.vzw.com/international/Global_Phone/Europe/Germany.html for proof.
It isn't cheap though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that page. I see that Verizon uses that network overseas, but it doesn't appear as though the Bionic has a GSM chip in it, does it?
There is almost zero CDMA in Europe.
Yeah, you won't get 3g speeds - but you will have basic voice and sms service.
My phone stayed at 1x the whole trip - but the vast aray of free hotspots in Munich kept me well connected.
Bionic is supposed to be a world phone with 3G service on European frequencies:
http://www.phonearena.com/phones/Motorola-DROID-BIONIC_id5306
Superguy said:
Bionic is supposed to be a world phone with 3G service on European frequencies:
http://www.phonearena.com/phones/Motorola-DROID-BIONIC_id5306
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for that link. It seems that for every link that I find that says that the Bionic has a GSM chip in it, there is another link that says that it doesn't. Phonearena is a good site, so this keeps me being hopeful, but then I find sites like this: http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_droid_bionic-3710.php
They don't have a GSM chip listed, and specifically say that, "it will not work on any GSM network worldwide."
I guess that we will not know until after it is released and Verizon is finally allowed to talk about it? I tried talking to Motorola about it, and I have e-mails out to Verizon, but I'm not getting any information back that is relevant.
Check the FCC page for the Bionic here.
It's referred to in the user manual.
Though I will say, I couldn't find the GSM stuff in the tests, so it may not have made the final cut. I guess we'll see for sure on Thursday.
The link you had was for the original Bionic (the Etna). It got canned and reworked. The code name for this version was the Targa. This also has a model number of XT875 vs. the original's XT865.
I am currently living and working overseas. I can confirm that 4G LTE does not work in China. Actually, neither does verizon's 3G, which i believe is evdo (?).
No dice on it being a world phone it looks like it.
Phone Arena posted the user manual from Verizon's site. The manual's been updated from what Moto submitted to the FCC. It looks like GSM/UMTS was dropped from the final version. Makes sense considering it wasn't mentioned in the FCC test reports.
Bummer.
I would like to make a note that this phone can work in specific countries. Yes GSM is used throughout the world as the primary network (freq. band) which this phone does not provide but, it can still work in countries that has the CDMA network capabilities.
If you look in the "Getting Started" guide which came with the phone, there are Three sections about the "Go Global", "International Calling", "International Romaning" service provided by Verizon.
What I find odd is why mention this service if this phone is not a world/global/international phone..
HERE is an Example of some Countries that this phone should work in.
Japan, Taiwan, China, South Korea, Philippines, Thailand, Bahamas, Canada, Mexico, India, etc....
for a full list you can find it on Verizon's Wireless Site.
I also called Verizon to verify if this phone will work in Japan specifically as it is a primary destination of mine. They told me that in their records, The Motorola Droid Bionic phone will work in Japan. There is though, supposedly, an issue in texting where you can receive but not send
Even if its on the list, call them to verify to be safe before making a trip with the phone.
I did also ask about Europe to verify since they use GSM and they said that it would not work there. I was testing to see if they would say something opposite to what was mentioned publicly... something possibly hidden lol
Note: The primary focus was, does this phone will work in a specific country that I might travel to while still using the Verizon's plan.
If you are looking to try and get this phone moved to another service provider in that country on the other hand, I cant guarantee that it would work or is even possible. This was not a question that I brought up to Verizon.
Also I did not ask about the 4G/3G Data plan overseas.
Bionic in Japan and China
I went to China in 2005, my CDMA phone worked fine, however it was an old phone. No smart phones in 2005. I went to Japan last year with my Droid x. Everything worked well, Navigation text, phone calls. However the entire time you are in 1x mode. No 3G service in Japan, for Verizon customers. However ATT customers often had no service. I only had no service in once place. Not in a big city.
Since Japan is moving towards LTE there is no support for 3G on the CDMA network.
I do not think an LTE World phone is ready yet, for the difference band Frequency LTE operates on in different regions of the world. I would be happy if my phone worked in Japan, and it will but you will not get fast speeds and Data is very expensive on the network. When I went it was unlimited data for $64. Now Verizon has international plans. That will give you up to 250 Mb for $100. THe good thing is at 1x, how much data can you use.
not sure why this thread is spanning more than two posts.
it's cdma. no gsm chip.
there are about a dozen countries that support cdma. google it.
well the thing is the 4g chip for LTE uses a GSM network, thus the sim card... but the GSM chip works for 700 mhz OMLY, which is a LTE network frequency ONLY, so if you roam out of country, to do texts and calls, it would have to use CDMA. Not only that, but atm verizon is the only LTE carrier to use 700mhz. (correct me if I am wrong about that) so unless verizon has LTE tours out of country (vodafone?) you only will get 4G here, and if you do get 4G out of country, not only would it cost you a arm and a leg, but if there is no CDMA in the area, you would have data only. no calls, texts, or such.
Hi all, since a couple of weeks I am the happy owner of an HTC One. Where I live (Belgium), there is currently only one carrier which provides 4G and it is limited to a few cities. However, I live in one of those cities and according to a map on their site I should have 4G reception.
Unfortunately, I tried on several locations in the city and was never able to connect to LTE. My reception is otherwise without problems and I do have 3G connectivity. Now the question is if my phone is the problem or the carrier and a spotty coverage. So I have some questions:
1) Is it possible that the modem is not functioning correctly?
2) Is there any way of telling if the phone is capable of LTE without having an actual network to test it?
3) Do you need a seperate APN for LTE aside from the one used to connect via 3G?
Info for readers that are also living in Belgium. I have Proximus with Generation Connect and live in Ghent. I tested 4G connectivity on "het zuid" and "St. Pietersplein" without any luck.
Not sure if this helps but you could also check with your service provider if the mobile plan you're on allows for LTE access.
Here in Singapore, although there is nationwide LTE coverage, not every customer can automatically access it even though the phone supports LTE. I had to sign a new mobile plan to enable LTE access.
Thx for the reply The situation is very similar in Belgium, not every mobile plan gives you acces to 4G. My plan does, so that cannot be the problem. I suspect it is just spotty coverage by the provider but there is no way of knowing for sure I fear. This afternoon I was standing next to a cell phone tower with network quality -59dBm (which is good I think) and still no LTE. I was getting 24Mbps down on 3G though.
Hmm I would like to know if there are alternative tests too
My area doesn't have lte until beginning next year, but I would absolutely love to see a confirmation that my phone is capable of it
sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4 (VIP)
4g and lte are two different things and 24mbs download is 4g or hspa+
I know that 4g and lte are not always the same. 24 down was on hspa+ as you suggested However in Belgium, hspa+ is known as 3g or 3g+ and lte is known as 4g. So in my case, 4g always means lte but I understand your confusion, sorry about that.
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
You may also need to change your simcard. Here in Malaysia, lots of people buy the phone from retailers, and their older simcard does not support LTE.
skinsfanbdh said:
4g and lte are two different things and 24mbs download is 4g or hspa+
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not strictly true. When the ITU created the ITU-Advanced spec (4G), current implementations of "4G" would probably not pass as it was between 100-1000Mbps. WiMax might. Very few countries went the WiMax route and some have given up sine and switched, most went for LTE as itbwas cheaper to convert existing technology. After the fact, the ITU decided that the 4G term could encompass LTE. So, for over 2 years now, LTE is 4G.
Just received my new HTC One (M8) yesterday. After setting it up and thinking everything was good to go. I made a phone call and tried to look up something on the internet. The page didn't pull up and when I looked at the status bar I noticed that the LTE symbol was gone. I looked in setting and my mobile data was on but showing disconnected. Has anyone else not be able to use voice and data together?
palo117 said:
Just received my new HTC One (M8) yesterday. After setting it up and thinking everything was good to go. I made a phone call and tried to look up something on the internet. The page didn't pull up and when I looked at the status bar I noticed that the LTE symbol was gone. I looked in setting and my mobile data was on but showing disconnected. Has anyone else not be able to use voice and data together?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's been like since the Evo 4G LTE days.
From s4gru dot com (can't post link for being too much of a noob on this site still)
"In previous Sprint LTE phones, when a device was in Sprint LTE coverage it would park in both the LTE and CDMA Sprint networks at the same time. When a voice call came in, it would just go straight through to the device. And signal to the LTE network would be maintained the whole time while the call was active.
In contrast, a Sprint Triband LTE device can only stay on one technology at a time. CDMA or LTE, not both. So when a Sprint LTE Triband device is in Sprint LTE coverage it parks only in LTE. And doing so means it cannot transmit calls without Circuit Switched Fallback (CSFB) on the network side. CSFB and eCSFB (Enhanced Circuit Switched Fallback) are network controls that will allow a single mode/single path network to operate in two modes, both CDMA and LTE.
Here is how it works in the simplest way I can describe. When your Triband LTE device has an LTE signal, it cannot receive or make calls on its own. It is just using LTE data happily. However, what if someone calls you? How does it get through the CDMA network to your device? Via CSFB.
When the Sprint network tries to forward a call to your device but cannot see it via CDMA, it then checks for an LTE connection to your device. If it sees one, it tells your device to disconnect from LTE for a moment and reconnect to CDMA. Your device then jumps over to take the call on Sprint CDMA and the LTE session is interrupted. This happens very fast and seamlessly. Except for the loss of data availability. If you receive a text, the Sprint network is able to route it to your device via LTE."
This is why I tried to upgrade from the EVO 4G to the EVO 4G LTE recently, I was trying to get a phone that handled LTE and had SVLTE, but it didn't work out reception-wise in my area, so bit the bullet and got the M8, knowing that if I use it for tethering will have to figure out if there is a way to force it to stay in LTE and have phone calls go straight to voice mail.
rhe12 said:
From s4gru dot com (can't post link for being too much of a noob on this site still)
"In previous Sprint LTE phones, when a device was in Sprint LTE coverage it would park in both the LTE and CDMA Sprint networks at the same time. When a voice call came in, it would just go straight through to the device. And signal to the LTE network would be maintained the whole time while the call was active.
In contrast, a Sprint Triband LTE device can only stay on one technology at a time. CDMA or LTE, not both. So when a Sprint LTE Triband device is in Sprint LTE coverage it parks only in LTE. And doing so means it cannot transmit calls without Circuit Switched Fallback (CSFB) on the network side. CSFB and eCSFB (Enhanced Circuit Switched Fallback) are network controls that will allow a single mode/single path network to operate in two modes, both CDMA and LTE.
Here is how it works in the simplest way I can describe. When your Triband LTE device has an LTE signal, it cannot receive or make calls on its own. It is just using LTE data happily. However, what if someone calls you? How does it get through the CDMA network to your device? Via CSFB.
When the Sprint network tries to forward a call to your device but cannot see it via CDMA, it then checks for an LTE connection to your device. If it sees one, it tells your device to disconnect from LTE for a moment and reconnect to CDMA. Your device then jumps over to take the call on Sprint CDMA and the LTE session is interrupted. This happens very fast and seamlessly. Except for the loss of data availability. If you receive a text, the Sprint network is able to route it to your device via LTE."
This is why I tried to upgrade from the EVO 4G to the EVO 4G LTE recently, I was trying to get a phone that handled LTE and had SVLTE, but it didn't work out reception-wise in my area, so bit the bullet and got the M8, knowing that if I use it for tethering will have to figure out if there is a way to force it to stay in LTE and have phone calls go straight to voice mail.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info. I just came from the HTC Evo 4G LTE. Never had any problems with Simultaneous Voice and Data so I was very surprised when I couldn't talk and use data on this phone. Of course Sprint tech support was useless. They believe it should work just fine.
Thanks again!
Im on m7 currently talking on the phone and checking email... are you saying I wont b able to do this on the m8?
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using XDA Premium HD app
thesabri said:
Im on m7 currently talking on the phone and checking email... are you saying I wont b able to do this on the m8?
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apparently so, more or less. See http://www.fiercewireless.com/story...upport-simultaneous-voice-and-data/2013-11-19
thesabri said:
Im on m7 currently talking on the phone and checking email... are you saying I wont b able to do this on the m8?
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that's exactly what it means. After discussing this on various forums it seems that no new phones on Sprint will be able to do voice and data simultaneously. The tri-band doesn't all these phones to operate on both the LTE band and the CDMA band at the same time. I'm trying to decide now if I'm going to return my M8 and switch to T-Mobile. Then purchase it from them.
this may be a deal breaker for me as well. i have been paying for wimax wifi untill lte deployed in my area... that the phone i want wont allow the vlte is very disapointing.
I thought I heard a while ago that is a thing of the past. GS3 (and apparently the Evo 4G lte) was the last to be able to do that. They removed that feature from the S4, and any device from that point on iirc. Not 100% on all that, but I know I read something like that before.
Never investigated as to why, but the only thing I can think of would be for safety reasons. Its bad enough that people text and drive, and I can just imagine how many would be driving, on the phone, and texting, or trying to browse the web.
Certainly a feature I will miss though, coming from an S3. Neither my wife nor mom want to upgrade because they don't want to lose that capability.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
It works on the m7 so that's not true djroc007
Sent from my HTC One
indiscriminant said:
It works on the m7 so that's not true djroc007
Sent from my HTC One
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He probably meant while on 3g.
Sent from my lair.
indiscriminant said:
It works on the m7 so that's not true djroc007
Sent from my HTC One
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think the m7 is a tri-band phone so it should work.... it works on my evo lte no matter what network im connected to but on my m8 it wont work at all.. I will try in on the g2 because that's also a tri-band phone and see what happends
Fair enough. I wasn't 100% sure, I just remember seeing somewhere that they were doing away with that capability at some point. It's stupid though either way. There's been plenty of times while talking about something on the phone where I've said "hold on, I'll Google it", or had the other person send me a picture of something. Will miss that feature.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
For clarity, please confirm is my understanding is true: this issue will be fixed in time, but we just don't know when - and Sprint is being shady about it.
I am an AT&T customer on the old Skyrocket. Long overdue for an upgrade, and I've been leaning toward switching to Sprint and getting the m8 ('real' unlimited data is a major factor). Now I'm weighing this issue, deciding whether it's significant enough to not make the switch after all.
buffjam9011 said:
For clarity, please confirm is my understanding is true: this issue will be fixed in time, but we just don't know when - and Sprint is being shady about it.
I am an AT&T customer on the old Skyrocket. Long overdue for an upgrade, and I've been leaning toward switching to Sprint and getting the m8 ('real' unlimited data is a major factor). Now I'm weighing this issue, deciding whether it's significant enough to not make the switch after all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, this is not really an “issue” since it’s not a feature that’s performing improperly. SVDO and SVLTE (being able to hold a call while on 3G or LTE, respectively) is simply not possible due to the new antenna design.
On the EVO 4G LTE, SVDO and SVLTE were both possible, but that phone wasn’t the greatest RF performer. On the One M7, SVLTE was still possible, but SVDO was removed to help offset RF fade so that the signal could be improved. I suspect that the antenna design was changed again on the M8 to further increase performance, but at the cost of only being able to do voice OR data at any given time. Also, there appears to be a network limitation with tri-band LTE devices. See the post from rhe12:
rhe12 said:
From s4gru dot com (can't post link for being too much of a noob on this site still)
"In previous Sprint LTE phones, when a device was in Sprint LTE coverage it would park in both the LTE and CDMA Sprint networks at the same time. When a voice call came in, it would just go straight through to the device. And signal to the LTE network would be maintained the whole time while the call was active.
In contrast, a Sprint Triband LTE device can only stay on one technology at a time. CDMA or LTE, not both. So when a Sprint LTE Triband device is in Sprint LTE coverage it parks only in LTE. And doing so means it cannot transmit calls without Circuit Switched Fallback (CSFB) on the network side. CSFB and eCSFB (Enhanced Circuit Switched Fallback) are network controls that will allow a single mode/single path network to operate in two modes, both CDMA and LTE.
Here is how it works in the simplest way I can describe. When your Triband LTE device has an LTE signal, it cannot receive or make calls on its own. It is just using LTE data happily. However, what if someone calls you? How does it get through the CDMA network to your device? Via CSFB.
When the Sprint network tries to forward a call to your device but cannot see it via CDMA, it then checks for an LTE connection to your device. If it sees one, it tells your device to disconnect from LTE for a moment and reconnect to CDMA. Your device then jumps over to take the call on Sprint CDMA and the LTE session is interrupted. This happens very fast and seamlessly. Except for the loss of data availability. If you receive a text, the Sprint network is able to route it to your device via LTE."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
Apparently in a theoretical future, when Sprint rolls out voice over LTE, this issue would, well, not be an issue anymore.
"Schlageter said the tri-mode LTE smartphones will be able to handle simultaneous voice and LTE data when Sprint deploys Voice over LTE. She noted Sprint has not yet set a timetable for when that will happen."
Source: http://www.fiercewireless.com/story...upport-simultaneous-voice-and-data/2013-11-19
Thanks for the replies. Seems like a usability oversight (or just bad decision) to me. Are other carriers able to support SVLTE or SVDO on Triband LTE devices or is this a device constraint?
Thinking about it, I only occasionally use data and voice at the same time so this might be more of a minor irritation to me. I have a question for those you who have experience with this - Is there any noticeable lag when CSFB occurs for either user (caller/receiver)?
Also, the language in the spokeswoman's replies in that article is frustrating.
buffjam9011 said:
Thanks for the replies. Seems like a usability oversight (or just bad decision) to me. Are other carriers able to support SVLTE or SVDO on Triband LTE devices or is this a device constraint?
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I wouldn’t say it’s an “oversight,” either. I would say it’s more of a limitation of the compromise between RF performance and features. Sprint’s M8 variant will have access to more LTE bands in more areas than any of the other carriers. I could be wrong, but I suspect that the trade-off for SVLTE has something to do with the fact that the Sprint M8 will be switching between LTE bands more often than other carriers’ variants. Let’s take a look:
For the One M8, these are the LTE frequencies that each carrier-specific phone has the radio/antenna for:
AT&T: 700/850/AWS/1800/1900/2600 MHz
Sprint: FDD 800/1900 MHz , TDD 2600 MHz
Verizon: 700/AWS/1800/2600 MHz
TMUS: 700/AWS MHz
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Source: M8 spec page
As it currently stands, these are the LTE frequencies the above carriers have deployed or will soon deploy:
AT&T: 700/AWS/1900/2300 MHz
Sprint: 800/1900/2500 (2600) MHz
Verizon: 700/AWS MHz
TMUS: 700/AWS/1900 MHz
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Sources:
List of LTE networks - Wikipedia
AT&T Mobility - Wikipedia
Sprint - Wikipedia
Verizon - Wikipedia
T-Mobile USA - Wikipedia
This means that only the AT&T and Sprint versions can use 3 LTE bands on their respective networks. However, since only Sprint will have all 3 bands available nationwide, I suspect that there might be something network-related which would allow the AT&T model to still allow SVLTE, but again, I could be wrong. I think I’ll take this to S4GRU.com to fact-check.
So without thinking I bought a Nokia Lumia 920 for AT&T off of Ebay.
Now after doing some research I see I may not be able to get 3G/4G.
So I have two things to ask, would flashing another rom on my device help? (I really don't think it will but i'm going to ask to be safe)
Or is there anyway to get 3G/4G working without having to buy a new phone -_-
T-Mobile obtained a bunch of bandwidth that AT&T was going to use, after the failed acquisition attempt. They've used that to roll out network coverage for AT&T's phones, as part of their plan to encourage people to switch. It's not as *extensive* of coverage as T-Mobile's native bands, but it's not terrible. You probably can't get LTE, but you can get 3G and HSPA+ (what TMoUS often calls 4G, especially before they had their own LTE).
I know I get 4G and LTE on T-Mobile using an AT&T 920, but I think LTE only works in certain refarmed areas that use the right frequency. HSPA+ (4G) and 3G appear every once in while and work as well.
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GoodDayToDie said:
T-Mobile obtained a bunch of bandwidth that AT&T was going to use, after the failed acquisition attempt. They've used that to roll out network coverage for AT&T's phones, as part of their plan to encourage people to switch. It's not as *extensive* of coverage as T-Mobile's native bands, but it's not terrible. You probably can't get LTE, but you can get 3G and HSPA+ (what TMoUS often calls 4G, especially before they had their own LTE).
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I can deal with that, I know back in the day when i unlocked my wife's Iphone 4 it could only get edge. but I was not sure if that problem was just because well it was an Iphone.
HyperChrisX said:
I know I get 4G and LTE on T-Mobile using an AT&T 920, but I think LTE only works in certain refarmed areas that use the right frequency. HSPA+ (4G) and 3G appear every once in while and work as well.
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sweet thanks for the info.
Yeah, old iPhones used AT&T's frequencies for 3G and T-Mobile uses different frequencies, so you couldn't use 3G. That's not much of a problem anymore, though; even phones that don't support T-Mobile's main bands can use their re-farmed AT&T bandwidth.
aundeadrockstar said:
So without thinking I bought a Nokia Lumia 920 for AT&T off of Ebay.
Now after doing some research I see I may not be able to get 3G/4G.
So I have two things to ask, would flashing another rom on my device help? (I really don't think it will but i'm going to ask to be safe)
Or is there anyway to get 3G/4G working without having to buy a new phone -_-
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Click to collapse
T-Mobile refers to it as refarming; that is assuming you have coverage and that's a big if for many of us who are rural and you live in a town big enough to have it then if you're using an AT&T device subsidy unlocked or locked then you will be able to access HSPA+ and I'm not kidding when I say it's fast, faster than both AT&T and Verizon Wireless in Auburn-Opelika, AL and Columbus, GA where I hail from. HSPA+ is not a LTE or 4G technology so it will run on both AT&T and T-Mobile's 1900 band...if AT&T it's HSPA+ everywhere and where T-Mobile has refarmed 1900; it's 3G or 3.5G there too. Otherwise, it's 2G and I can safely tell you it sucks once you've enjoyed HSPA+ and worse T-Mobile has next to no coverage in many places outside most big cities and that's the wrap with T-Mobile.