When I put my Three SIM in my Moto G 2nd Gen 2014, I can't get a signal at all and it doesn't list Three under Networks. Is this phone incompatible with Three? If so, that's a major downside as Three is the most competitively priced (3p/min, 2p/text, 1p/MB) in the UK and I would have probably bought a different phone if I'd known this.
doveman said:
When I put my Three SIM in my Moto G 2nd Gen 2014, I can't get a signal at all and it doesn't list Three under Networks. Is this phone incompatible with Three? If so, that's a major downside as Three is the most competitively priced (3p/min, 2p/text, 1p/MB) in the UK and I would have probably bought a different phone if I'd known this.
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Click to collapse
The only Motorola phone listed on their site is the Moto G 4G. They go on to state "If you're using a phone that we don't have in our device support, we may still be able to help you set it up. Your phone will need to be unlocked so you can use it with a Three SIM. If you bought your phone or Mobile Broadband device from another network, you may need to get it unlocked before you can use it with a Three SIM.
To do this, you'll need to contact your old network and get an unlocking code. They might call it a DCK or Depersonalisation Control Key."
Here's the page I referenced.
http://support.three.co.uk/SRVS/CGI...cat=billing,varset_subcat=3772,Case=obj(3714)
Thanks but it's already unlocked. It seems Three use 2100Mhz and as far as I can tell, this phone doesn't support that frequency, although it's hard to find definitive information.
This US site refers to the Global GSM Model supporting 2100Mhz for UMTS/HSPA+ but not for GSM/GPRS/EDGE but I'm not entirely sure what that means in terms of using it for phone calls, not data (which I'm using an EE SIM in SIM2 for, although that only has 100MB/month free, so I was intending to use the Three SIM if I needed to exceed that) http://www.motorola.com/us/smartphones/moto-g-2nd-gen/moto-g-2nd-gen.html
I can tell you it definitely does work on Three Mobile as I use Three in mine, Three Mobile is a 3G (and 4G) only network if you are using two SIMs in your phone it can only connect one of them to 3G at a time which if you are using the EE SIM on 3G the Three SIM will only show emergency calls only.
Turn off the phone and power it back up with only the 3 SIM in SIM1 that way it should definitely get a connection, if it doesn't the SIM card may be deactivated or you don't have a 3 signal where you are
(you could also try with both SIMs in the phone go to Settings>SIM cards> then under Data Behaviour set Mobile Data to whichever the 3 SIM is in)
If you want to use the EE SIM for data and the 3 SIM for calls essentially you can't Three is a 3G only network so won't work in this phone unless you have the 3 SIM connected via 3G then the EE SIM connected to 2G which has a 2G network.
This is the UK page for the Moto G 2nd gen http://www.motorola.co.uk/consumers/mobile-phones/Moto-G/motorola-g-gb.html it supports GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) and UMTS/HSPA+ (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz) it supports all the bands all the networks use for 2G and 3G
It can be a tad confusing with bands and such it doesn't matter about the GSM for Three only the UMTS/HSPA+ matters.
jay2the1 said:
I can tell you it definitely does work on Three Mobile as I use Three in mine, Three Mobile is a 3G (and 4G) only network if you are using two SIMs in your phone it can only connect one of them to 3G at a time which if you are using the EE SIM on 3G the Three SIM will only show emergency calls only.
Turn off the phone and power it back up with only the 3 SIM in SIM1 that way it should definitely get a connection, if it doesn't the SIM card may be deactivated or you don't have a 3 signal where you are
(you could also try with both SIMs in the phone go to Settings>SIM cards> then under Data Behaviour set Mobile Data to whichever the 3 SIM is in)
If you want to use the EE SIM for data and the 3 SIM for calls essentially you can't Three is a 3G only network so won't work in this phone unless you have the 3 SIM connected via 3G then the EE SIM connected to 2G which has a 2G network.
This is the UK page for the Moto G 2nd gen http://www.motorola.co.uk/consumers/mobile-phones/Moto-G/motorola-g-gb.html it supports GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) and UMTS/HSPA+ (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz) it supports all the bands all the networks use for 2G and 3G
It can be a tad confusing with bands and such it doesn't matter about the GSM for Three only the UMTS/HSPA+ matters.
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Ah thanks, that clears that up. Shame I won't be able to use it with the EE SIM in SIM2 for data though. I'll have to choose between the free 100MB/month with EE or using the Three SIM for cheap calls and texts (and data if I need to exceed 100MB/month). Problem is, if I just use the Three SIM it was pretty pointless me getting a Dual SIM phone!
I'm at home most of the time, so I only leave the EE SIM on 2G (to save battery) to maintain connectivity to things like Telegram and IM apps in case someone wants to contact me and then I turn the WiFi on if I'm going to be doing anything substantial. It's useful occasionally when I'm out to be able to check e-mail, use Maps, etc but it'd be rare for me to exceed 100MB/month so it was ideal really. With Three, that 100MB/month would only cost me £1 but every little counts.
If I set Mobile Data to SIM1 (Three) and enable both SIMs, it alternates between the 3G symbol and H next to SIM1 with three bars, whilst SIM2 (EE) has full bars. If I deactivate SIM2, it also greys out the Mobile Data button, although it stays in the On position, so I'm not sure if it's deactivated or not. I still see the H symbol, occasionally changing to 3G and three bars for SIM1.
After doing this, if I switch Mobile data back to SIM2 (EE) (which again disables the Three SIM) and then go into Mobile network settings for SIM2, I can no longer switch the network type to 2G, as it only shows 3G.
If I switch the SIMs over, so SIM1 is EE and SIM2 is Three, with Mobile Data set to SIM1, then both are active with SIM1 on full bars with no symbol, not even H and SIM2 on 2-3 bars with the 3G symbol. SIM1 is set to 3G and still the 2G option is missing, even though it must clearly be on 2G as SIM2 is using 3G and SIM2 has Data disabled, so I don't really understand why it shows the 3G symbol.
Looking more closely at the Mobile network settings shows that SIM2 is actually still the EE SIM and SIM1 the Three SIM, which is weird as they're definitely the other way round. If I enable Data on SIM2 (EE) that cuts off SIM1 (Three) again, so there's no advantage in swapping the SIMs over in this way. In theory I should be able to put the EE SIM on 2G, which would at least keep my IM, etc apps connected at home and then be able to use the 3G for the Three SIM for voice calls and switch the Data to 3G on the Three SIM if I need more speed when out but it doesn't seem to be possible, as the 2G option disappears for EE with both SIMs in but is there when using the Sainsbury's SIM in place of the Three one. So it seems that if SIM1 only works on 3G, as Three does, it forces SIM2 to use 3G as well and as the phone can't provide 3G for both SIMS, it prioritises the data SIM2 and disables SIM1
I can't say I've done as much testing as you but mine shows the same as yours if I set the EE sim to data I cannot force it down to 2G only any more where I could if it is the only SIM in SIM1.
But I know how you feel, over Christmas I was temporarily on EE because of a free data offer and it was very annoying having to have my 3 SIM turned off so I could use the free data and then every so often having to turn the 3 SIM on to check for missed texts, luckily most people use WhatsApp which wasn't affected because that's data based, but still it was inconvenient.
Yeah, I had that EE Christmas offer, something crazy like 200GB/2 months. I barely made a dent in that
Even with my Sainsbury's SIM in SIM1, if I disable that then the EE one in SIM2 (with Data enabled) gets fixed on 3G, with no option to change it but as soon as I enable SIM1, the option comes back.
I guess what I could do is give everyone my EE number to call/text me on, then only disable that and enable the Three SIM when I need to make an outgoing call or text, instead of paying EE's crazy 30p/min, 12p/text. The disadvantage is that if anyone tries to call me whilst the EE sim is disabled then it will go to voicemail and I'll have to pay 30p to listen to it! Not to mention being fiddly and a pain.
So I might see if I can use the EE SIM for data alongside an Asda Mobile one at 8p/min, 4p/text, 5p/MB as I don't make that many calls or texts (I tend to use Chatsecure instead) and I don't anticipate using much data over 100MB/month anyway.
EDIT: Seems that Asda actually uses the EE network, lol. So I guess that should work fine in SIM1 as a 2G call/text SIM, whilst the EE one works in SIM2 as the 2G/3G data SIM.
Sounds like a plan, I personally would steer clear of giving people two numbers cause that would probably end up being a pain for you and them, I agree ASDA mobile is probably your best bet for a call/SMS SIM that uses 2G.
PS the Dan and Phil SIM it was haha I cannot remember a single bad joke or random fact they sent whilst on that :laugh:
doveman said:
When I put my Three SIM in my Moto G 2nd Gen 2014, I can't get a signal at all and it doesn't list Three under Networks. Is this phone incompatible with Three? If so, that's a major downside as Three is the most competitively priced (3p/min, 2p/text, 1p/MB) in the UK and I would have probably bought a different phone if I'd known this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I joined Three as a network yesterday and have had nothing but trouble getting any sort of signal inside my house. I occasionally get some, and if I want to receive data I have to go outside. I have never had an issue when I was on O2 as a network. The crux of the matter is that I cannot receive data of any sorts inside any building. Is this the same problem you faced? If so, was there a solution?
BigDomTheFirst said:
I joined Three as a network yesterday and have had nothing but trouble getting any sort of signal inside my house. I occasionally get some, and if I want to receive data I have to go outside. I have never had an issue when I was on O2 as a network. The crux of the matter is that I cannot receive data of any sorts inside any building. Is this the same problem you faced? If so, was there a solution?
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Click to collapse
No it's not the same problem, your problem is just a matter of signal, where the masts are, I'm on Three and get a signal in my house aOK but Three does have more of a problem with indoor signal because they only have a 3G network and only on 2100MHz meaning it doesn't go through walls very well, other networks have old 2G networks on 850MHz that travel through walls great and some have 3G on 900MHz. There is no solution really I'm afraid, you can use Threes WiFi app so you can make calls and texts via WiFi and you may be able to get a femtocell but that still uses your internet.
Coincidently Threes LTE network uses 800MHZ and 1800MHz so travels through walls far better than their 3G network does.
Related
I had an MDA Compact 3 (2.5G phone I believe).
I have upgraded to the MDA Compact 4.
However, T-Mobile did not sent ne a new SIM.
Surely my original SIM is 2G and the new phone is 3G.
Should I not have been sent a 3G SIM too?
Or are all T-Mobile SIMS 2G and 3G enabled?
tmohammad said:
I had an MDA Compact 3 (2.5G phone I believe).
I have upgraded to the MDA Compact 4.
However, T-Mobile did not sent ne a new SIM.
Surely my original SIM is 2G and the new phone is 3G.
Should I not have been sent a 3G SIM too?
Or are all T-Mobile SIMS 2G and 3G enabled?
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Click to collapse
T-Mobile shuld be Edge
My T-Mobile UK Sim Card was supplied when I got my MDA Vario 2 years ago. The phone was 2G only but my SIM card is 3G. I have read elsewhere that T-Mobile only supply 3G SIM Cards - regardless of what phone you get from them. HSDPA works great.
If only Orange did the same. They only supply 3G SIMs with 3G phones. I'm stuck with a 2G SIM that I never use.
It depends on your country. Here all operators are UMTS, so also T-Mobile. They can block UMTS on your sim-card (but can remotely enable it for you), but there's no difference here between a 2G and 3G card in a physical way.
Edge doesn't even exist here anymore, that's soo 1999
it all depends on how old the sim card is, i had a very old O2 simcard and that was not able to run 3G (the card was too old) BUT all newer simcards can run both 2G and 3G (depending on the service coverage)
akito said:
It depends on your country. Here all operators are UMTS, so also T-Mobile. They can block UMTS on your sim-card (but can remotely enable it for you), but there's no difference here between a 2G and 3G card in a physical way.
Edge doesn't even exist here anymore, that's soo 1999
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Click to collapse
My understanding is that here are 2 different types of SIM Cards - A SIM (2G) and USIM (3G). 3G will not work on a SIM card - you must have a USIM card. The SIM cards are very different - not in looks, but in the chip.
T-Mobile UK issue USIM cards for all phones, and these will work on 3G.
Orange UK issue SIM cards for 2G phones and these need to be replaced to work on 3G (but try asking for one from Orange and it confuses them to death).
If you do not have a USIM you will not get 3G. The network cannot remotely enable it if you have a plain old 2G SIM card.
I got some free Orange and O2 PAYG SIM cards a couple of months ago and none of them were USIM and would not work on 3G. I think that it why there are so many free PAYG SIM offers at the moment - the networks are trying to offload old stock so they can start issuing everyone with USIMs.
Thanks to all...
I got my SIM card from t-mobile in jan 2007, so I guess its 3G??
Fot the data connection I get a G sometimes and sometimes H on screen but the manual says 3G should be displayed.
On my sons nokia on the three network, i can see 3.5G on the display. That is whats confusing me... i dont see 3G!
H is HSDPA - high speed 3G (3.5G). T-Mobile are/have upgraded their network to HSDPA in the UK, so you won't see 3G symbol on your phone.
I am a n00b in the subject of unlocking phones to use on other networks etc.
Is there a possibility when the SPL is unlocked that we could use this on any GSM network since it is a 'world' capable phone with the GSM radio and a SIM card?
I have used a lot of WINMO phone son VZW and I flash and unlock quite often. Just had no idea how this process worked. sorry if this is a duplicate of any kind
thank you
You can call Verizon and ask them for the unlock code to your phone. The number is 1-800-711-8300, option 2 I believe. Either way you'll end up talking to a human who can do that for you. Then you'll enter the code (code A) in All Settings > Personal > Security. According to others, this unlock on the SIM will remain, even after flashing with a custom ROM.
no software to unlock the sim card, i don't want to call vz
I can buy unlock code for Imagio.
Why dont you want to call verizon? They are perfectly happy to unlock the sim for you as long as you dont have any problems with your account like delinquent payments. I called and had both of my phones unlocked in minutes and tested my ATT sim card, worked great on the aTT network
GSM 3G on america?
devlspawn said:
Tested my ATT sim card, worked great on the aTT network
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Click to collapse
Did you see if you had E or 3G or H?
I've looked at the specs but haven't found the GSM 3G bands that it has.
Just this:
Digital Dual (CDMA,PCS) /1X, EVDO /Rev.A <---- perfectly clear
GSM Quad Band (GSM/GPRS/EDGE) <---- perfectly clear
WCDMA / HSDPA / HSUPA <---- not clear if it has 850mhz here
I guess it doesn't have 3G in 850mhz but I still have hopes.
Regards!
I only get "E" - my SIM is 3G capable, but the corporate plan is text-only. In other words, I can't say for certain if it will get 3G speeds. HSDPA is available here in the US, so it should be possible for an Imagio to have 3G in the States.
I called yesterday, told them I would be going overseas, they gave me the unlock code. Simple as pie. I can use my neighbor's AT&T sim card without any issues minus stuff that is Verizon specific.
The SIM unlock was easy and successful. Just call Verizon at the above number and its a done deal in 30 seconds. Will try my wife's SIM in it later.....woohoo....
because i dont have vz wireless phone number, but i need to use the t-moible or at&t, i call them, but they need me vz wireless phone number... i dont have, they not unlock for me
as i was told u are able to get it unlocked verizon will do it if ur account is 3months old and in good standing... also as far as using it on gsm not sure as of yet but will say tmobile basic signal i E in an area where out of ur basic ntwork jumpin off of another tower it will put u on H or even G but there is no 3G
wingtytn said:
as i was told u are able to get it unlocked verizon will do it if ur account is 3months old and in good standing... also as far as using it on gsm not sure as of yet but will say tmobile basic signal i E in an area where out of ur basic ntwork jumpin off of another tower it will put u on H or even G but there is no 3G
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Click to collapse
H is HSDPA, which is 3.5G (faster than 3G... 7.2mbps compared to 1.5 mbps or something like that)
Edge is like 0.3 mbps and GPRS like 0.1
not really sure, but you get the idea.
Here in Mexico we have HSDPA but never get above 2mbps, at nights we do peak at 3mbps but avarage is still at much 2mbps.
Did I do something wrong?
I told them I was going over seas, I gave them my sim number and they said I was all set to go over there. Does this mean my phone is unlocked, I didn't have to put in any numbers. I will hate myself if I said the wrong thing. And if I did it right then how do I switch between sim cards and cdma?
For you phone to be unlocked they would have to give you a number to enter.
To switch between sim and cdma, go to settings -> phone -> network and change it from global mode to GSM
Razorfold said:
For you phone to be unlocked they would have to give you a number to enter.
To switch between sim and cdma, go to settings -> phone -> network and change it from global mode to GSM
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Click to collapse
Not true, works fine with t mobile and at&t, didn't enter any numbers did it all from their, weird, but whatever.
I think a few things from the last three posts need clarification:
1. When you call VZW Global Support, they should have given a security code to unlock the SIM. It is a string of numbers. It is not a phone number.
2. Once the SIM is unlocked, if a SIM is present in the phone, there is no guarantee that switching back from GSM/UMTS to Global will switch the phone back to CDMA. There have been times where I've done that, and the phone has stayed on AT&T (my employer uses AT&T). I think a better method is to use either CDMA or GSM/UMTS, and to avoid the Global setting completely.
Kebero said:
I think a few things from the last three posts need clarification:
1. When you call VZW Global Support, they should have given a security code to unlock the SIM. It is a string of numbers. It is not a phone number.
2. Once the SIM is unlocked, if a SIM is present in the phone, there is no guarantee that switching back from GSM/UMTS to Global will switch the phone back to CDMA. There have been times where I've done that, and the phone has stayed on AT&T (my employer uses AT&T). I think a better method is to use either CDMA or GSM/UMTS, and to avoid the Global setting completely.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On item number 1 I would agree with you ignore my experience because even my friend who unlocks all kinds of phones for metro says it is a weird case. I have never received any unlcock cod yet it says "sim security unlocked" probably will be screwed up if I ever want to flash or reset it but whatever.
On number 2 I can't agree with you because I bought an at&t go card just for sh**ts and giggles and I have no problems, infact I can switch between the two while the phone is on, done many tests. But if anyone else experiences this issue I would like to know.
I have never heard an unlock like that. But could be... like an 'on air update'... Most times is a code or the frown upon methods (connect it to a PC or a box).
If any one wants to know, no it does not have GSM 3G for 850mhz band, not 3G with ATT and others in the world that uses that band. Tested it myself.
medellinrob said:
I have never heard an unlock like that. But could be... like an 'on air update'... Most times is a code or the frown upon methods (connect it to a PC or a box).
If any one wants to know, no it does not have GSM 3G for 850mhz band, not 3G with ATT and others in the world that uses that band. Tested it myself.
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Click to collapse
Even if you run at&t 3g it is much slower than verizon's. Either that or safari renders slower than s**t on brother's Icrap 3g. T mobile's is faster if you can find their 3g coverage, good luck.
PS I am still looking for internet connection settings for tmobile as I sold an unlocked imagio to my buddy and he can't get the data connection working.
does anyone ever solve de 3G problem with the 850 MHZ band... I live in Venezuela use movistar i ve the imagio sim unlocked can´t get 3G due to band restriction
Quick question for you dual SIM users.
Does the Moto G2 support 3G on both Sims?
I intend using two three SIM cards, but they only support 3G. So if SIM two is only working on 2G it would be no good to me.
Thanks
The data connection is for one sim only, you get to choose if you use data on sim one or two, data is automatically change sim, for example from 3g sim1/2g sim2 to 2g sim1/3g sim2
Thanks, I'm with you. So with my two three Sims there would be only one SIM on at any one time.
I have I signal SIM moto g1 now, and if I switch to 2g only the three SIM no longer works.
eemgee said:
Thanks, I'm with you. So with my two three Sims there would be only one SIM on at any one time.
I have I signal SIM moto g1 now, and if I switch to 2g only the three SIM no longer works.
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Click to collapse
Both Sim work at the same time while I'm using 3g in any Sim.
Data is available only for one Sim at a time, but the change is really fast and automatic when you select which Sim to use for data
I use mine with same carrier, it uses the 850mhz band.
Remember this phone is dualsim standby, it means if you're using voice in one Sim the other is unreachable.
fburgos said:
Both Sim work at the same time while I'm using 3g in any Sim.
Data is available only for one Sim at a time, but the change is really fast and automatic when you select which Sim to use for data
I use mine with same carrier, it uses the 850mhz band.
Remember this phone is dualsim standby, it means if you're using voice in one Sim the other is unreachable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes just on most networks if you are on 2G the sim still works. On three they don't.
A three SIM won't work on 2G no calls text or anything.
So even with both sims in standby only one would receive calls, am I right?
Only way to receive calls on either SIM (from standby) on a moto g is if at least one SIM works on 2G?
eemgee said:
Yes just on most networks if you are on 2G the sim still works. On three they don't.
A three SIM won't work on 2G no calls text or anything.
So even with both sims in standby only one would receive calls, am I right?
Only way to receive calls on either SIM (from standby) on a moto g is if at least one SIM works on 2G?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've own two dual sim phones s4mini (lost it) an this moto g 2014, both are stated as dual sim standby, I haven't notice any difference in the way they handle simcards/data/voice.
On both phones I've use same carrier/numbers, one is personal (same number for 10+ years) the other from work (same number for 5+ years).
I've never missed a call on either Sim.
Even if I'm downloading something I can receive calls and text messages on that sim the download stops but my phone core functionality is still a phone for both simcards with any combination of data in 2g/3g or 2g/2g.
I'm never going to carry two separated phones, for me is enough the dualisim standby functionality.
For you is a pain that your carrier don't support 2g network any dual sim standby won't work, you need a dual sim phone with two separate modems
fburgos said:
For you is a pain that your carrier don't support 2g network any dual sim standby won't work, you need a dual sim phone with two separate modems
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for confirming that, only other thing I can do is use one SIM and activate call divert on the other number.
That's the main drawback with three only supporting 3G/4G
I have a dual sim Note5 locked with smart (but suprisingly, it is not really factory locked. I was told that I should place smart on sim1, but i tried just placing globe on sim2 and it still works even without a smart sim). I know that you can only use one (1) LTE sim, so globe is set to automatic, meaning it will be in GSM mode, since Smart is in LTE. Anyway, both sims are set to AUTO (LTE/WCDMA/GSM) mode.
Note that Smart sim1 is in LTE Band 1 2100 and globe sim2 is in LTE Band 3 1800. Both sims are LTE capable, and with existing LTE data plans.
Any way, here is the issue:
I noticed that i could not get a data connection using my smart sim everytime my globe sim is present.
Thus, if I have two sims inserted (smart LTE sim in sim1 and globe LTE sim in sim2, both set to AUTO LTE/WCDMA/GSM), LTE data access on smart (sim1) would work for maybe a minute or two, and afterwards, it would no longer connect to LTE. Even if the phone displays a 4G connection, it does not really connect (after a minute, no LTE connection). Because of no data connection, I would try using my Globe LTE sim (smart on sim1 becomes GSM), and surfing in LTE appears to be continuous, unlike with smart (using LTE in sim1).
When i switch back to surfing using smart LTE (Globe becomes GSM), i can again surf using smart LTE for a minute or less than 2, but eventually it will disconnect. Even if the phone says 4G, i cant connect to the internet.
Today, i removed the globe sim, and it seems that i can already surf with smart LTE, without disconnection of LTE data. I noticed that i can now use LTE continuously (using sim1) after physically removing the Globe LTE sim card.
My question is, is there some form of signal interference between two (2) sim cards, that prevents me from using two (2) LTE sims (both are set to AUTO LTE/WCDMA/GSM, and LTE is in sim1, GSM in sim2) at the same time?
Does the presence of two (2) LTE sims (although one is in GSM mode) affect the LTE data connection?
This is really a strange issue and hope anyone has already encountered this.
So I'm using this phone with Freedompop's global SIM card as a handy data connection device. I've been using this sim with other phones without a problem, however I have a strange behavior on the Blu R1. Apparently, since the card is always considered "roaming" here in the US, the R1 just shows me a "R" next to my signal bars. However, I am unable to see if I have a network connection, or at what level (3G, H+, etc). I set the network preferences to always connect when roaming, but I hate being in the dark with my connection.
I can pull up a browser and see if it works or not, or open up the Network app or something to see the nitty-gritty status, but its very frustrating to not know how or even IF I'm connected when I'm expecting a message or response. For example, if I'm on H+ I'll accept a video call, but if I'm on 3G I know it'll just end in frustration. Is there any fix/tweak or anything to get around this? Perhaps disable the roaming notification?
I'm not having quite the same problem with FreedomPop. I see the perpetual R for roaming, but I do get bars for network signal strength. (You do have the FreedomPop Sim in slot #1, right? It won't work in Slot #2.)
FreedomPop will ALWAYS show as roaming here in the US. It is part of their instructions actually. But you will not be charged extra for it. I have had the free 200mb, 500 text, 200 minute plan on my sons R1 HD for a few months now and no bills.
If you have Xposed installed, you could use the Roaming Control module to trick your phone into thinking that AT&T and T-mobile aren't roaming networks; it's what I did until I switched to the FreedomPop LTE GSM sims.
Otherwise, I used to use Network Cell Info Lite, where I enabled the notification and set the update rate to 4 seconds--HSPA+ will show up as "3.5G" in the notification icon. It has proper support for dual-sim phones. You could also try Nify, which does show what kind of network connection you're on, but I have no idea if it works with dual-sim phones properly (e.g. will it only show SIM1 all the time, even if you use SIM2 as your primary sim?)