Related
Has any been able to get 3G to work in the USA yet?
thank you,
jdm
I would say that it is imminent that the US version of the S730 will be released soon. AT&T or T-Mobile may pick it up (T-Mobile's 3G network in NYC just went live, but there are no phones). If so, I would suspect that some of these crafty folks (like Alcaline) would be able to extract the radio ROM, and make it available for the S730 that we all have (the european version).
But, here's the most important part... It all depends on whether or not the European version of the S730 has the radio chipsets that will support 3G on the frequencies that are 3G in the US. There is no known answer "available" to this, so it can only be discovered by testing.
The current S730 uses the 2100 band for 3G speeds and ATT is deploying 3g on 1900 and 850 I believe and they sell a decent ammount of 3g phones. T-Mobile is working on setting one up on the 1700/2100 band but I dont care for T-Mobile.
I have watched my phone at times flip into 3G mode for a few minutes then revert back to Edge, its trying but cant work properly without the right frequencies.
Check out the chipset datasheet. Bottom of page three explains the specific radio chipset combos and their support for different freqs.
I suppose, to save on manufacturing costs, they could have used the single chipset that supports 3G on all freqs (RTR 6285), but I believe this is unlikely due to the difference in model number that was submitted to the FCC (European version: WING220, US version: WING200).
Who knows though.
3G in US
Hermes models had different model #'s HERM100, HERM200 and had the same radios, in some cases minor difference such as case style, i.e removal of video calling camera etc. With any luck we have the RFR6500 + RTR6275 Combo, or as you mentioned the RTR6285 and just not a radio rom that allows 1900+850 3G. I was looking on the FCC site and they have some interesting screen shots, one of which shows one(s730) with what appears to be the front camera covered up and another which shows a radio rom(R 0.27.03.05B), one that, to do the tests would likely need to support 1900+850. Check Page 250 / 11 in the PDF. However, also in the test is the lack of any mention of 2100 Mhz test, which would suggest that either the US 3G Radio won't support 2100Mhz or that it indeed has different hardware that won't support 2100Mhz. At any rate it would be interesting to know if anyone has tried to flash one of the pre-prod roms for the wing 200 onto the wing220 and see if they are able to connect up to 1900+850 3G.
http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/oet/forms/blobs/retrieve.cgi?attachment_id=890469&native_or_pdf=pdf
I suppose only time will tell.
Wow... nice investigative work. Very interesting. I'll start hunting around for the ROM.
[edit]
Searched google and, my favorite, napalm with no luck. I wonder if we can lure an FCC testing engineer into the XDA-dev realm. muahahaha
I was searching some of the other posts, and it appears that most of the pre-prod radio rom testing had been focused on GPS functionality. Has anyone been able to throw on any of the pre-prod radios with an ATT SIM and tested to see if it can connect to WCDMA -> US Band (1900+850) ??
I have no possibility to check the 3G in the USA from my location in Norway.
But just to get this clear, because I have changed my Radio more often then most people change their underweare.
Is everybody able to select WCDMA and then US Band in the settings?
I dont know if this is selectable on all devices or if this is made available after my radio flahings.
I believe all S730's have the following options available.
Network Type:
Auto
GSM
WCDMA
Band Type:
Auto
US Band
Euro Band
Japan Band
For it to actually be able to operate on all of these frequencies I believe it would need to use the the RTR6285 chipset as the other 2 combos would not support all of the different frequencies combinations.
US Band -> GSM 850+1900 / UMTS 850+1900 (ATT)
Euro Band -> GSM 900+1800 / UMTS 2100
Japan Band -> UMTS 2100+800 (not positive on this one)
If I change band to from Auto -> WCDMA I do not get an error but no 3G Icon and all calls fail. If I then go and change to US Band while having WCDMA selected it indicates that it cannot change to that GSM/UMTS Band. Also interesting, If I stay on WCDMA and select Euro Band, no error, but of course all calls fail. I then tried to change to Japan Band, no error and no phone calls. Finally I am still on WCDMA and I switch to US Band and I get the error that indicates I cannot change to that band. So, I would be interested to know Alcaline if you see the same behavior on some of the other radios you have been trying to see they allow the switch to WCDMA / US Band combo.
Thanks
Can anyone else confirm this behavior on any of the other Radios out there?
Alcaline said:
I have no possibility to check the 3G in the USA from my location in Norway.
But just to get this clear, because I have changed my Radio more often then most people change their underweare.
Is everybody able to select WCDMA and then US Band in the settings?
I dont know if this is selectable on all devices or if this is made available after my radio flahings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the ability to tell my phone I am in the states, but it does nothing (default settings though)
Was the US version (WING200) of this phone ever released? Or has anyone gotten the EU version to work on any US 3G networks? Wondering about T-Mobile...
I understand that currently the Diamond does not support 3g data in the USA. There are rumors that the Diamond will eventually release in the US on the GSM network sometime after the CDMA release. Seeing as HTC already proved that sometimes they can enable frequencies with just a radio rom update, do you think the current Diamond will someday be able to support 3g in the USA?
I sold my Tilt a few weeks ago and got myself an Iphone. I am starting to hate the Iphone and really would like to go back to a WM device. But the Tilt is not an option and the only phone that looks worth the jump is the Diamond. But I do not want to buy a phone that will never be able to support 3g. Edge is just too slow, and with AT&T you pay the same data rate for an Edge or a 3G phone.
I have done plenty of searches and can't seem to find any conclusive answers. Maybe there isn't one.
Thanks for any suggestions you may have. Please don't turn this into an iphone bashing thread. The iphone has many good qualities, it just does not suit my needs as I thought it would.
Jeff
no you must wait for the local diamond release. they are hardware specific.
Well that just sucks. I guess I will have no choice but to wait for the Diamond or the Xperia to invade our borders.
its does suck, i have a Diamond from Asia and i cant use the 850Mhz 3G Telstra network.... lucky for the 3Telstra joint venture network!
I thought that was one of the benefits of the new 1.93 ROM, it utilizes 850Mhz, no?
Mark
thats only GMS band and is also only sim card specific. i have the 1.93 rom and a telstra next g sim and i only get UMTS (900-2100) + GSM (900+1800) bands...
frozenwaffles said:
no you must wait for the local diamond release. they are hardware specific.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats just a bummer. Guess it's edge for me, unless something miraculously happens
Can anyone explain exactly what it will take for HSDPA in the US?
Hi -
Similar to the original poster, I have been watching with anticipation the development of the Diamond and the XDA cookers' work on unlocking its capabilites. I too am confused, with many conflicting posts about the ability to do HSPDA in the US. Can anyone explain exactly what it will take? Based on my understanding:
1.) Ability to transmit and recieve on the radio frequency used by the telco / phone company for UMTS service (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System). For AT&T, I thought this frequency was 850 mhz. Based on peoples' reports and some testing done, it seems like the Diamond can be unlocked through a ROM flash to broadcast and recieve on 850 mhz. So far, so good.
2.) Ability to use the UMTS service
My reading of Wikipedia seems to say that UMTS is a "technology" -
This is different from a "standard" like GSM,which is an integrated system of hardware (radio transmitters and towers), an "air interface" (a set of protocols to handle packet transfers, analogous to TCP/IP on the Internet, only using radio waves rather than wires), an "infrastructure" (base station sub-system and GPRS (packet) subsystem - towers and the computers and routers that connect them) and connection software (validating users, tracking usage, billing, transmission control codecs, etc.). UMTS is a collection of transmission control codecs and user identification codecs operating within a GSM network. So, UMTS is a phrase that describes improvements to the old, 2G GSM protocols. But it is still GSM.
AT&T in the US is using WCDMA as the "air interface" over which it is running its UMTS service. It is using the 850 mhz frequency. One key difference between GSM and UMTS is that UMTS uses a "Universal Subscriber Identification Modue" (USIM) rather than a plain old Subscriber Identificaton modue (SIM). If AT&T's UMTS service requires a USIM, then having only a SIM will prevent you from accessing the UMTS service - you will only be able to access the data service offered by the GSM, which is EDGE in the US, not WCDMA (i.e., only 2G). This is regardless of hardware. If this is the case, then it's a bummer.
HOWEVER....the UMTS service CAN use SIM cards as well, so AT&T may have theirs configured to use SIM cards as well. I currently have the HTC Trinity with what I think is a SIM card - I was forced to "upgrade" the SIM card when Cingular "integrated" with AT&T, so my card is branded Cingular, but has the snazzy 3G fireball on it. So maybe it's actually a USIM? My Trinity does have the "H" icon show up, and I can get 300kbps or so tethering to my laptop (but not above that - grrrr...) so maybe I'm getting UMTS service on that device? If so, then the SIM vs USIM should not be an issue if I got a Diamond.
3.) Ability to use the HSPDA protocol
As far as I can tell, HSPDA is pure protocol - just like TCP/IP. It achieves faster speeds by using fast packet scheduling and something called adaptive modualtion and coding. It is part of the UMTS standards, so it's actually part fo the overall UMTS system, but not everyone uses it. If your phone and your carrier can use this protocol, you can get HSPDA.
Based on the above, it seems reasonable that the Diamond is capable of transmitting at HSPDA speeds in the US on AT&T's network. Has anyone been able to actually do this? If not, could those much more informed than me explain the obstacle? Is it a setting on AT&T's side? A setting on the Diamond? Is the radio hardware for UMTS somehow different? Does the Diamond lack WCDMA capability due to lack of software?
I understand that some people have tried selecting the band on their ROM-flashed phone to get 3G on AT&T with no success, but that doesn't mean it can't be done. I'm trying to understand the eaxt nature of the obstacle.
Thanks!!!
Mike
I can't speak for all the technical hardware specs possibilities. But here's the latest status as i understand it:
1. There are at least 2 GSM-based Diamond versions available now: DIAM100 and DIAM130. The DIAM100 is the original one that went on sale. The DIAM130 seems to be the new Telstra Diamond that does support 850 3G.
2. There are lots of radio ROMs out available now. Some unlock 850 GSM for the DIAM100, which was previously thought impossible due to lacking of an 850 radio antenna. But that was a lie obviously. No Radio ROMs are currently avail that have successfully unlocked 850 3G. And since the DIAM130 is the only one working on 850 3G (using a radio ROM that is available for the DIAM100 even), the prevailing thought is it is actually a HW limitation on the DIAM100. I.e. it cannot do 850 3G no matter the radio ROM. (Note that OS ROMs have no effect on the radios ability. However, they might unlock the availability of the frequency selection in the Phone Settings window on WM. Note also that simply the existence of a selection in that window does NOT mean it physically can do that frequency.
3. No radio ROM thus far has made any iteration of the Diamond capable of doing 1700 anything, which is what TMo US would need for its 3G network. So, if a TMo US one is to become available, it would be yet another HW version.
#2 and #3 are still just theory, but pretty solid ones at this point.
So, my question is re: the DIAM130. What other 3G bands is it capable of. Only 850? Is it still quad-band GSM capable? If its flashed with other Radio ROMs, does it still maintain the same capabilities? I'd consider getting one if possible and using it here on AT&T if it is (or can be) quad band GSM and 850 3G. Esp if it still had 2100 3G, or even if it could be flashed when necessary to support 2100 3G when I travel. The lengths I've considered going to for this.
In any case, I lose more and more interest in this product each day. I'm inching closer to a hopeful AT&T Omnia, which too has drama surrounding it. And since I just got my g/f an iPhone 3G, I hate to admit, I'm heavily considering one as well now. What I might lose in flexibility, I think I would gain in having a solid device, that works worldwide 3G, and would keep everything I want in sync.
Sad really. I've been a WM-trooper for a decade now. 80% my music is in WMA format. For the stupidity of these dramas, WM may very well lose a devotee. (And as you can see from my willingness to import the phone and flash it whenever necessary, I'm not just giving up, I'm trying my best. but when the companies make it this hard, you gotta question if its worth it.)
Thanks Jomo!!!
Sounds like we're in the same boat. I won't get an iPone because part of my reason for having the phone is being able to tether to my laptop in an emergency. If the Diamond can't do it, I'll stick with my Trinity, which can. Really, I just want the better form factor...
One thing that has me confused is the whole radio thing. I'm no electrical engineer, but it seems like there are two components to the "radio" of the cellphone.
1.) The hardware - specific physical characteristics like the length of the antenna will determine the frequency you can use. I remember the old days of citizens band radios (that's CBs to those good buddies who saw Convoy <grin>) where you had to change physical crystals to get the right frequencies. Yes, apparently I'm old (geez, when did THAT happen???). I can also see the clock cycle of the radio's DSP determining how quickly the radio can handle packets.
2.) The software - herein lies all the nitty gritty details about protocols and the like - you need to have radio software that uses all of the hardware - like "turning on" the 850 band.
I guess the real questions for you gurus out there are
a.) how much of the UMTS protocol is programmed into the chip versus based on software (more software-based would support there being a software solution)? The chip used in the Diamonds is the Qualcomm 7201 chipset (at least the GSM ones do) which specifically lists UMTS as a capability, so it seems like the software just isn't using it right.
b.) do you need hardware components for each frequency of UMTS?
It just seems that going from GSM to UMTS is a matter of using different software, although you would have to have hardware capable of UMTS speeds. Ifthis is the case, then a hardware solution is possible. If it requires sepcial software to add into the existing software, we may be out of luck until one is created with the right stuff.
Ugh. My head hurts. Learning cellular radio through internet research is not easy. I suppose it would be easier if I were smarter <grin>
Mike
This may be old news, and still doesn't answer the querstion whether the current batch of Diamonds can be software / ROM updated to do US 3G, but at least there is a device that can - the product name DIAM110 (as opposed to the DIAM100 and DIAM130) has been submitted to the FCC a while back and definitely does do 850 UMTS.
http://www.mobileburn.com/news.jsp?Id=5028
Good luck!
Mike
Excellent thread!
Very informative - thanks for doing the research and putting it all in one place! I too am somewhat confused as to the availability of 3G data access on AT&T - this thread has helped me understand some of the technologies involved and raised some interesting questions.
3.5G is backwards compatible with 3G
I just read in the wikipedia that 3.5g is backwards compatible with 3G tecnology, so i cant find the point in which Diamonds just CANT use regular 850 3G. Perhaps is just a little tweaking over the HW. But I believe it will be done sooner or later
DIAM100 with RTR6285?
Thanks for the informative post. I've been looking for the answer to this question long before I got my diamond. Here's what I've found so far. Hope it helps.
According to this page and this page, Diamond uses Qualcomm RTR6285 as its RF Transceiver. And based on the press release from Qualcomm,
The RTR6285 transceiver supports the following bands:
* North American triple-band UMTS (bands 2, 4, 5)
* Japanese triple-band UMTS (bands 1, 6, 9)
* European, Chinese and rest-of-world triple-band UMTS (bands 1, 3, 8)
* Global quadruple-band GSM and EDGE (800/900/1800/1900 MHz)
Note that "North American triple-band UMTS (bands 2, 4, 5)" means it supports 1900MHz, 1700MHz, and 850MHz
Here's the wiki page that lists the UMTS frequency bands
Many users on this forum mentioned that Diamond lacks 850MHz 3G support due to the hardware limitation, but that contradicts the RTR6285 press release. Can somebody please confirm that DIAM100 uses RTR6285?
Thanks,
Bruce
WOW!!! bruce0126 you just make my day!!!
Keep the dream alive people!
So if its the same Hardware then what is keeping the phone from working on UMTS 850 band?
The ROM is activated for the North American frequencies so its not a ROM issue.
Thats ODDDDDDD
could it be lack of antenna for those specific bands?
we need a techwiz!!
Ive seen the specs also and the radio hardware is supposed to recieve at 850mhz, perhaps the transmited has been " Programmed" in factory to forbid the use of this particular band. Of course im only guessing.
Any one has a good new about american 3G in our DIAM100 ??
Mods Can You Make This Thread Sticky?
I wnder wy the Mods havent dne this thread as sticky ;O
Sticky it please!
I bought an HTC ONE factory unlocked international version in Amazon, there it said it supported the 900mhz frequency on 3G, cause where im located thats the 3G frequency, it doesnt, it stays in EDGE. Is there any way to fix this, flashing the rom/radio or something to make it pick up that frequency, or im stuck with this?
For now you're stuck with that.
Sent from my HTC One
fenizer said:
I bought an HTC ONE factory unlocked international version in Amazon, there it said it supported the 900mhz frequency on 3G, cause where im located thats the 3G frequency, it doesnt, it stays in EDGE. Is there any way to fix this, flashing the rom/radio or something to make it pick up that frequency, or im stuck with this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you rooted? I suggest installing the Cyanogen-m7 Nightly on your phone. To set up the connection when it's installed, do Settings>Wireless & Networks More...>Mobile Networks and then choose your settings.
fenizer said:
I bought an HTC ONE factory unlocked international version in Amazon, there it said it supported the 900mhz frequency on 3G, cause where im located thats the 3G frequency, it doesnt, it stays in EDGE. Is there any way to fix this, flashing the rom/radio or something to make it pick up that frequency, or im stuck with this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're pretty much stuck there permanently unless you consider returning the device. The difference in the frequency is hardware so you won't be able to fix it unless you rip open the HTC One and replace the modem chipset there.
Riyal said:
You're pretty much stuck there permanently unless you consider returning the device. The difference in the frequency is hardware so you won't be able to fix it unless you rip open the HTC One and replace the modem chipset there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, But what if the hardware is the same?
I have the 801n model with the CID O2_102. I live in South América and as I've seen, the hardware can use the 850MHz 3G band but it seems that it's locked. I think ATT phones are 801n too.
Changing the radio will unlock the bands?
Thanks in advance.
EDITED:
I contacted HTC Support Center and they confirmed that this equipment should work in the 850 Mhz 3G Band.
"The HTC One 801n indeed supports the 3G frequency 850 MHz. What I can recommend is to verify with your carrier if the network settings are correct on your device to ensure the proper functioning of the 3G connection."
Network settings are ok, I still think this is a software block.
Is there any development about the question ?
... buy a Lumia that supports LTE? My 1520.3 has support for a number of LTE bands, for example. I'm going to go way out on a limb and guess you don't know much about how radio, much less cellular telephony, actually works... Enabling bands is at least a radio firmware change and sometimes a hardware change. It's not something you can do in device software.
On Android devices there is possibility to unlock some bands
also Lumia 640 has all bands (LTE version) and i think there have to be some hack to unlock band if radio has it
On some regions is LTE disabled, but if you flash ROM from other region, you can use it. I tried Indian ROM on my L1520 and no LTE, with French ROM is LTE enabled.
Petulinek said:
On some regions is LTE disabled, but if you flash ROM from other region, you can use it. I tried Indian ROM on my L1520 and no LTE, with French ROM is LTE enabled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that problem is software level but i am asking different one
on nexus 5 USA version one band (band 3) is locked and if you hack it with field test you get it and use in Europe
i need such hack for lumia
in addition lumia 640 has all LTE bands
and i might think on lumia 635 there have to be any band (band 3 or band 20 ) to get LTE in my Country
And what about different versions of 640/640xl? Some of them have LTE enabled, others don't - is it possible to enable it manually? Someone in forums posted that he could enable LTE on Lumia 525
Lanex777 said:
And what about different versions of 640/640xl? Some of them have LTE enabled, others don't - is it possible to enable it manually? Someone in forums posted that he could enable LTE on Lumia 525
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am interested to find that thing out ! and I don't know how to enable LTE..
I have tried to compare registry from lumia 640XL DS LTE vs 640XL DS 3g, found some keys on LTE version missing in 3g version but could not test because in my country there is no LTE(
Any news regarding the issue?
lte Reg keys for 640xl ds
Lanex777 said:
I have tried to compare registry from lumia 640XL DS LTE vs 640XL DS 3g, found some keys on LTE version missing in 3g version but could not test because in my country there is no LTE(
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey can you plz tell me which reg keys i need to change ? Thanks
TLDR:
Bought a new phone in NZ but I live in US, it lacks all 3g and LTE bands for T-Mobile
Tried flashing stock firmware to overwrite with US variant radio; didn't work, still Asia Pacific (APAC) radio
Is is possible to "change the variant" from XT1805 to XT1806 to get US radio? Or otherwise install US radio version?
If not, does anyone have experience unlocking additional bands with QPST/QXDM on this model?
Finally, can anyone confirm if any custom ROMs contain a radio/modem worth trying?
The details:
While traveling my Nexus 5x bootlooped, so I bought a Moto G5S Plus (XT1805, dual-SIM, 3/32 edition, software repo is retapac) in New Zealand, naively thinking that it would work in the US since it's also sold in the US. Got back from my trip and the phone cannot connect to anything better than 2g (EDGE) (but oddly on layover in San Francisco LTE worked). I'm a T-Mobile customer and found that this phone lacks the key T-Mobile bands UMTS1700/2100 (band 4) for 3g and LTE1900 (Band 2) LTE1700/2100 (Band 4) LTE700 (Band 12) LTE1700/2100 (Band 66) for LTE. Now I'm pretty sure the hardware support is there, I just need to switch the radio to the US variant (XT1806). Of course I can't return the phone now, and Motorola reps were worthless (level one rep insisted no US phones work overseas at all!)
What I've tried:
I unlocked the bootloader and reflashed the latest (SANDERS_NPS26.116-61_cid50_subsidy-DEFAULT_regulatory-DEFAULT_CFC.xml.zip) stock firmware from the firmware center. Upon rebooting, even though the firmware notes indicated a US version, it must somehow see that the phone is XT1805 and flashing the modem and baseband still resulted in APAC radio bands and no LTE signal. I tried also flashing the SANDERS_NPSS26.116-45-5_cid50_subsidy-DEFAULT_regulatory-DEFAULT_CFC version, which worked except the gpt.bin file didn't install since it's an older version of what was already on the phone (validation failed due to not allowing a downgrade). After reboot and setup, I'm still on retapac with no LTE service. None of the firmware versions indicate a specific region, and this long thread leads me to believe the firmware is for all variants, so somehow it recognizes the variant on install.
Other Options
I know it's possible to also root with TWRP and Magisk and then install a custom kernel/ROM and use some special tools (QPST and QXDM) to modify the NVram to unlock additional radio frequency bands via this thread. I'm willing to try this, but I know it's risky and not fully documented for Moto phones (guide is for Sony). In the end, I don't really care about keeping the APAC bands - I'd be happy to just switch the radio bands to the US version.
I've read over 100 web pages and forum threads in the last few days researching this and looking for solutions. I'd much rather find a way to install the US version of the radio/modem and baseband, but if that's impossible, I'd be happy for anyone to share experience with unlocking bands on this phone. Finally, if these are not good options, can anybody confirm a custom ROM for this phone that includes a radio/modem so it doesn't use the existing stock radio/modem?
Thanks and sorry for the long post, just wanted to provide as much information as possible. Thanks!
Ryan
rpavery said:
TLDR:
Bought a new phone in NZ but I live in US, it lacks all 3g and LTE bands for T-Mobile
Tried flashing stock firmware to overwrite with US variant radio; didn't work, still Asia Pacific (APAC) radio
Is is possible to "change the variant" from XT1805 to XT1806 to get US radio? Or otherwise install US radio version?
If not, does anyone have experience unlocking additional bands with QPST/QXDM on this model?
Finally, can anyone confirm if any custom ROMs contain a radio/modem worth trying?
The details:
While traveling my Nexus 5x bootlooped, so I bought a Moto G5S Plus (XT1805, dual-SIM, 3/32 edition, software repo is retapac) in New Zealand, naively thinking that it would work in the US since it's also sold in the US. Got back from my trip and the phone cannot connect to anything better than 2g (EDGE) (but oddly on layover in San Francisco LTE worked). I'm a T-Mobile customer and found that this phone lacks the key T-Mobile bands UMTS1700/2100 (band 4) for 3g and LTE1900 (Band 2) LTE1700/2100 (Band 4) LTE700 (Band 12) LTE1700/2100 (Band 66) for LTE. Now I'm pretty sure the hardware support is there, I just need to switch the radio to the US variant (XT1806). Of course I can't return the phone now, and Motorola reps were worthless (level one rep insisted no US phones work overseas at all!)
What I've tried:
I unlocked the bootloader and reflashed the latest (SANDERS_NPS26.116-61_cid50_subsidy-DEFAULT_regulatory-DEFAULT_CFC.xml.zip) stock firmware from the firmware center. Upon rebooting, even though the firmware notes indicated a US version, it must somehow see that the phone is XT1805 and flashing the modem and baseband still resulted in APAC radio bands and no LTE signal. I tried also flashing the SANDERS_NPSS26.116-45-5_cid50_subsidy-DEFAULT_regulatory-DEFAULT_CFC version, which worked except the gpt.bin file didn't install since it's an older version of what was already on the phone (validation failed due to not allowing a downgrade). After reboot and setup, I'm still on retapac with no LTE service. None of the firmware versions indicate a specific region, and this long thread leads me to believe the firmware is for all variants, so somehow it recognizes the variant on install.
Other Options
I know it's possible to also root with TWRP and Magisk and then install a custom kernel/ROM and use some special tools (QPST and QXDM) to modify the NVram to unlock additional radio frequency bands via this thread. I'm willing to try this, but I know it's risky and not fully documented for Moto phones (guide is for Sony). In the end, I don't really care about keeping the APAC bands - I'd be happy to just switch the radio bands to the US version.
I've read over 100 web pages and forum threads in the last few days researching this and looking for solutions. I'd much rather find a way to install the US version of the radio/modem and baseband, but if that's impossible, I'd be happy for anyone to share experience with unlocking bands on this phone. Finally, if these are not good options, can anybody confirm a custom ROM for this phone that includes a radio/modem so it doesn't use the existing stock radio/modem?
Thanks and sorry for the long post, just wanted to provide as much information as possible. Thanks!
Ryan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did ya try this
Dial *#*#4636#*#* to get to field service menu
Hit menu - upper right - then select band, I think, you'll see it - first option
Select usa - I think that was it - you'll see what I mean
But, I can't remember of hand what bands are supported by this device. Google will remember though, ask him!
Here's a link to specs for all versions of the g5s plus... https://m.gsmarena.com/motorola_moto_g5s_plus-8699.php#xt1805
*You could always switch to the greatest US carrier ever: Sprint!
I think Sprint uses bands 25, 26, & 41 for lte(per this link: https://www.phonearena.com/news/Che...on-T-Mobile-and-Sprint-use-in-the-USA_id77933) & the xt1805 supports bands 26 & 41.
Yes, I am joking - but I thought I'd throw that out there as a possible last resort
Great question about the qpst tool to switch bands. I was wondering that myself as well. Last time I checked based on our chipset(msm8953) I didn't find too much...but I didn't look too hard TBH. I would search other device forums that share our chipset for that info...maybe you'll get lucky.
Phazmos said:
Did ya try this
Dial *#*#4636#*#* to get to field service menu
Hit menu - upper right - then select band, I think, you'll see it - first option
Select usa - I think that was it - you'll see what I mean
But, I can't remember of hand what bands are supported by this device. Google will remember though, ask him!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, this was one of the things I tried. That code takes me to the 'testing' menu., where the first option is 'Phone information'. Entering that menu shows my IMEI, phone number, signal strength and a bunch of other options. My preferred network type is LTE/UMTS auto (PRL). In the menu in the upper right (the three dots), the first option is Select Radio Band. However, choosing this only shows one option, 'United States'. Selecting this does not change anything.
Thanks for recommending this though - I forgot to mention it as one of the things I tried.
Ryan
startswithPendswithOOH said:
Here's a link to specs for all versions of the g5s plus... [link scrubbed due to me not having 10 points ]
*You could always switch to the greatest US carrier ever: Sprint!
I think Sprint uses bands 25, 26, & 41 for lte(per this link: [link scrubbed due to me not having 10 points ]) & the xt1805 supports bands 26 & 41.
Yes, I am joking - but I thought I'd throw that out there as a possible last resort
Great question about the qpst tool to switch bands. I was wondering that myself as well. Last time I checked based on our chipset(msm8953) I didn't find too much...but I didn't look too hard TBH. I would search other device forums that share our chipset for that info...maybe you'll get lucky.
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Click to collapse
Haha thanks, but my wife and I share a plan If I end up trying the QPST/QXDM route, I'll post with the results.
rpavery said:
Yes, this was one of the things I tried. That code takes me to the 'testing' menu., where the first option is 'Phone information'. Entering that menu shows my IMEI, phone number, signal strength and a bunch of other options. My preferred network type is LTE/UMTS auto (PRL). In the menu in the upper right (the three dots), the first option is Select Radio Band. However, choosing this only shows one option, 'United States'. Selecting this does not change anything.
Thanks for recommending this though - I forgot to mention it as one of the things I tried.
Ryan
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Click to collapse
Oops, what I didn't notice is you have the 1805. Mine, bought in the us, is 1806, and I have 5 options (if I remember correctly). Oh well.
rpavery said:
Yes, this was one of the things I tried. That code takes me to the 'testing' menu., where the first option is 'Phone information'. Entering that menu shows my IMEI, phone number, signal strength and a bunch of other options. My preferred network type is LTE/UMTS auto (PRL). In the menu in the upper right (the three dots), the first option is Select Radio Band. However, choosing this only shows one option, 'United States'. Selecting this does not change anything.
Thanks for recommending this though - I forgot to mention it as one of the things I tried.
Ryan
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Click to collapse
That's strange as I've a lot of options there on Indian variant.
follow-up on modifying LTE bands
Just following up on this. After trying several ROMs (Pixel Experience, CosmicOS) I was unable to enter diagnostic mode to modify the bands, so I re-flashed stock. With stock I was able to get into diagnostic mode and tried modifying bands.
Using Windows 10, I had difficulty getting the Service Programming tool of QPST to work, and the NV viewer is deprecated in newer versions of QPST. I couldn't get a licensed version of QXDM, so I tried EFS Professional and CDMA workshop. The NVRAM value for item 1877 made no sense as the decimal was much larger than any other places I've seen and seemed to only represent three bands in binary. I decided to only try modifying NV item 6828 and 6829, since those control LTE anyway. The stock value matched the advertised bands for the phone - bands 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, and 41 (decimal is 1786875085013, byte-swapped hex is D5 00 0E 0A A0 01). I added bands 2, 4, 12, and 66 (T-Mobile bands in the US) which resulted in a byte-swapped hex value of DF 08 0E 0A A0 01 00 00 02 (decimal 36893489934294190303).
The good news: despite not using a custom kernel, the values stuck on reboot.
The bad news: even with the new values sticking, I did not get LTE service. So either the xt1805 is actually missing the hardware for those bands, or something else needs to also be modified which is currently undocumented.
At this point I'm going to give up. If anybody has a use for an asia-pacific version Moto G5s plus with an unlocked bootloader, please contact me as mine is now a glorified paperweight!
rpavery said:
TLDR:
Bought a new phone in NZ but I live in US, it lacks all 3g and LTE bands for T-Mobile
Tried flashing stock firmware to overwrite with US variant radio; didn't work, still Asia Pacific (APAC) radio
Is is possible to "change the variant" from XT1805 to XT1806 to get US radio? Or otherwise install US radio version?
If not, does anyone have experience unlocking additional bands with QPST/QXDM on this model?
Finally, can anyone confirm if any custom ROMs contain a radio/modem worth trying?
The details:
While traveling my Nexus 5x bootlooped, so I bought a Moto G5S Plus (XT1805, dual-SIM, 3/32 edition, software repo is retapac) in New Zealand, naively thinking that it would work in the US since it's also sold in the US. Got back from my trip and the phone cannot connect to anything better than 2g (EDGE) (but oddly on layover in San Francisco LTE worked). I'm a T-Mobile customer and found that this phone lacks the key T-Mobile bands UMTS1700/2100 (band 4) for 3g and LTE1900 (Band 2) LTE1700/2100 (Band 4) LTE700 (Band 12) LTE1700/2100 (Band 66) for LTE. Now I'm pretty sure the hardware support is there, I just need to switch the radio to the US variant (XT1806). Of course I can't return the phone now, and Motorola reps were worthless (level one rep insisted no US phones work overseas at all!)
What I've tried:
I unlocked the bootloader and reflashed the latest (SANDERS_NPS26.116-61_cid50_subsidy-DEFAULT_regulatory-DEFAULT_CFC.xml.zip) stock firmware from the firmware center. Upon rebooting, even though the firmware notes indicated a US version, it must somehow see that the phone is XT1805 and flashing the modem and baseband still resulted in APAC radio bands and no LTE signal. I tried also flashing the SANDERS_NPSS26.116-45-5_cid50_subsidy-DEFAULT_regulatory-DEFAULT_CFC version, which worked except the gpt.bin file didn't install since it's an older version of what was already on the phone (validation failed due to not allowing a downgrade). After reboot and setup, I'm still on retapac with no LTE service. None of the firmware versions indicate a specific region, and this long thread leads me to believe the firmware is for all variants, so somehow it recognizes the variant on install.
Other Options
I know it's possible to also root with TWRP and Magisk and then install a custom kernel/ROM and use some special tools (QPST and QXDM) to modify the NVram to unlock additional radio frequency bands via this thread. I'm willing to try this, but I know it's risky and not fully documented for Moto phones (guide is for Sony). In the end, I don't really care about keeping the APAC bands - I'd be happy to just switch the radio bands to the US version.
I've read over 100 web pages and forum threads in the last few days researching this and looking for solutions. I'd much rather find a way to install the US version of the radio/modem and baseband, but if that's impossible, I'd be happy for anyone to share experience with unlocking bands on this phone. Finally, if these are not good options, can anybody confirm a custom ROM for this phone that includes a radio/modem so it doesn't use the existing stock radio/modem?
Thanks and sorry for the long post, just wanted to provide as much information as possible. Thanks!
Ryan
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Click to collapse
even if u r able to flash modem of us u will loose ur imei. backUp ur efs partition first
Hi! I have the similar task with my xt1804, which lacks one of European lte band b7 (available in xt1805). Is there any possibility to unlock it for my phone? Please, share your experience.
same problem
Phazmos said:
Did ya try this
Dial *#*#4636#*#* to get to field service menu
Hit menu - upper right - then select band, I think, you'll see it - first option
Select usa - I think that was it - you'll see what I mean
But, I can't remember of hand what bands are supported by this device. Google will remember though, ask him!
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Click to collapse
I have the same problem with tx1805.. after flash baseband from a tx1806 i think that is a hardware limitation
---------- Post added at 11:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:13 PM ----------
rpavery said:
TLDR:
Bought a new phone in NZ but I live in US, it lacks all 3g and LTE bands for T-Mobile
Tried flashing stock firmware to overwrite with US variant radio; didn't work, still Asia Pacific (APAC) radio
Is is possible to "change the variant" from XT1805 to XT1806 to get US radio? Or otherwise install US radio version?
If not, does anyone have experience unlocking additional bands with QPST/QXDM on this model?
Finally, can anyone confirm if any custom ROMs contain a radio/modem worth trying?
The details:
While traveling my Nexus 5x bootlooped, so I bought a Moto G5S Plus (XT1805, dual-SIM, 3/32 edition, software repo is retapac) in New Zealand, naively thinking that it would work in the US since it's also sold in the US. Got back from my trip and the phone cannot connect to anything better than 2g (EDGE) (but oddly on layover in San Francisco LTE worked). I'm a T-Mobile customer and found that this phone lacks the key T-Mobile bands UMTS1700/2100 (band 4) for 3g and LTE1900 (Band 2) LTE1700/2100 (Band 4) LTE700 (Band 12) LTE1700/2100 (Band 66) for LTE. Now I'm pretty sure the hardware support is there, I just need to switch the radio to the US variant (XT1806). Of course I can't return the phone now, and Motorola reps were worthless (level one rep insisted no US phones work overseas at all!)
What I've tried:
I unlocked the bootloader and reflashed the latest (SANDERS_NPS26.116-61_cid50_subsidy-DEFAULT_regulatory-DEFAULT_CFC.xml.zip) stock firmware from the firmware center. Upon rebooting, even though the firmware notes indicated a US version, it must somehow see that the phone is XT1805 and flashing the modem and baseband still resulted in APAC radio bands and no LTE signal. I tried also flashing the SANDERS_NPSS26.116-45-5_cid50_subsidy-DEFAULT_regulatory-DEFAULT_CFC version, which worked except the gpt.bin file didn't install since it's an older version of what was already on the phone (validation failed due to not allowing a downgrade). After reboot and setup, I'm still on retapac with no LTE service. None of the firmware versions indicate a specific region, and this long thread leads me to believe the firmware is for all variants, so somehow it recognizes the variant on install.
Other Options
I know it's possible to also root with TWRP and Magisk and then install a custom kernel/ROM and use some special tools (QPST and QXDM) to modify the NVram to unlock additional radio frequency bands via this thread. I'm willing to try this, but I know it's risky and not fully documented for Moto phones (guide is for Sony). In the end, I don't really care about keeping the APAC bands - I'd be happy to just switch the radio bands to the US version.
I've read over 100 web pages and forum threads in the last few days researching this and looking for solutions. I'd much rather find a way to install the US version of the radio/modem and baseband, but if that's impossible, I'd be happy for anyone to share experience with unlocking bands on this phone. Finally, if these are not good options, can anybody confirm a custom ROM for this phone that includes a radio/modem so it doesn't use the existing stock radio/modem?
Thanks and sorry for the long post, just wanted to provide as much information as possible. Thanks!
Ryan
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Click to collapse
I have the same problem