Database Users

AT&T roaming?

So I've been noticing that it seems like whenever I need to roam on at&t I'm greeted with the "emergency Calls only" notification in my status bar..needless to say, edge data doesn't work either..
Is this an issue with my tmo plan or is there a setting on the nexus I'm missing?
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

There is a setting to enable Data Roaming on the phone:
/Settings/Mobile networks/Data Roaming.
You'll get a warning about possibly incurring significant roaming charges.
Are you sure the area you're not getting roaming service at actually is covered by any roaming agreement between T-Mo and AT&T? Have you roamed in those areas on another device?

distortedloop said:
There is a setting to enable Data Roaming on the phone:
/Settings/Mobile networks/Data Roaming.
You'll get a warning about possibly incurring significant roaming charges.
Are you sure the area you're not getting roaming service at actually is covered by any roaming agreement between T-Mo and AT&T? Have you roamed in those areas on another device?
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Thanks for the info Distorted..I knew about the data roaming setting, but coming from CDMA cariers in the past, it hadn't struck me that there wasn't a roaming agreement in place where I was. I called T-Mobile and sure enough, that's what's going on.
Sooo. If anyone is here from T-Mobile, how's about we get a roaming agreement or double up on your repeaters in/around Grand Central Station in NYC, eh?

brianbrain said:
Thanks for the info Distorted..I knew about the data roaming setting, but coming from CDMA cariers in the past, it hadn't struck me that there wasn't a roaming agreement in place where I was. I called T-Mobile and sure enough, that's what's going on.
Sooo. If anyone is here from T-Mobile, how's about we get a roaming agreement or double up on your repeaters in/around Grand Central Station in NYC, eh?
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You're welcome, and thanks for the thanks flag!
T-Mobile probably would go bankrupt if they had to pay AT&T for all the roaming that users would end up using. I live in Los Angeles and there are plenty of areas where I get no signal on T-Mo, but AT&T comes in strong.
Where T-Mo works, it works great (better sound and faster data), but those areas are nowhere near as large as they should be.

[Q] Best mobile provider USA?

So I'm from Belgium, Europe but am going to study at Northwest Missouri State University from January till the end of April, but of course I need a mobile provider while I'm there, but since I know **** about the carriers in the USA, and well, websites of the carriers don't always mention everything, I'm just asking you guys, which mobile provider and/or plan should I take for those 5 months?
I don't care if it's prepaid or a contract or whatever, as long as it stops after 5 months.
I've got a HTC Sensation, so would like some data with that.
Thanks in advance for responding!

then ur only choices here in the USA is T-Mobile or At&t. If u like to pay more u can go to att and can get 3G data due to the tmobile us frequency is 1700 so you may only get EDGE speed. But with tmobile prepaid cost $50 a month for unlimited talk text and data (i believe 2GB).
your not going to be able to get contact cuz u need a SS# and credit.

t-mobile is great since its parent company its t-mobile deucthe telcom

Sprint, never had a problem

A: Verizon
Sent from my Dinc2

He needs a carrier that uses GSM. Verizon and Sprint are not the droid your looking for.

It doesn't matter if it uses gsm or wcdma i bought my sensation on ebay from usa, it was branded and stuff, so i think it would work with any provider in usa.

You won't actually be able to use Verizon or Sprint with the Sensation because CDMA technology requires completely different radios. To be able to use either standard, your phone would have to be a (what CDMA providers in America call) "world phone", like the iPhone 4S or the Motorola Photon.
Since you already have a phone, you could do either a T-Mobile value plan or a Simple Mobile unlimited plan. Both run on T-Mobile's network, so the coverage should be exactly the same. T-Mobile isn't the absolute best carrier, so I'd check coverage in the area that you'll be spending the most time in. However, T-Mobile's 4G and 3G speeds are pretty good, and better than AT&T (the only major GSM alternative) in most places. I have no idea how (or even if they offer them) AT&T's SIM card-only plans work.

Thanks, I search some more and found this page:
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/monthly-4g-plans
So the unlimited web & text with 100 minutes talk $30 plan would be perfect?

Even though I feel they are the better carrier, AT&T likely wouldn't be a viable option as their prepaid plans do not support smartphone as well as the others.
Postpaid could be an option, but they would likely want a cash deposit since you lack a social and credit history.

yes but NOTICE AFTER 2G tmo slows your data but ur school must have wifi networks built in so that wouldn't really be a problem and u can enable wifi calling at the store (free calls) or use google voice to call

xtrem88 said:
yes but NOTICE AFTER 2G tmo slows your data but ur school must have wifi networks built in so that wouldn't really be a problem and u can enable wifi calling at the store (free calls) or use google voice to call
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WiFi calling still uses plan minutes.

I'll probably call with skype, so that isn't a problem, I've also noticed on the tmo site that tmo has a fast mobile connection at northwest missouri state university, is this 3g?

Its 4g 21 or 42 mbps
Sent from my SGH-T839 using XDA App

USA sim

I am from Israel and I am coming to the States on the next Monday. I need a sim with unlimited data, and about 100 minutes of talk and some messages.. I also need wifi tethring option to tether my tablet and laptop. I cant decide which carrier to choose. T mobile daily plan sounds nice but there are others like h2o, net10... Any suggestions?
Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk 2

I would get the T-Mobile $30 unlimited data and texting with 100 minutes. The $3 a day plan is also a good option if you're going to use under 200MB a day.
All the plans AT&T MVNO's(H2o, Red Pocket, etc) have low data allowances and cost more than T-Mobile.
AT&T has 250 minutes and unlimited texting for $25 a month. You can add data for $25 a GB.

bar_rodoy said:
I am from Israel and I am coming to the States on the next Monday. I need a sim with unlimited data, and about 100 minutes of talk and some messages.. I also need wifi tethring option to tether my tablet and laptop. I cant decide which carrier to choose. T mobile daily plan sounds nice but there are others like h2o, net10... Any suggestions?
Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk 2
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You should make sure your phone supports the AWS band (also known as band IV) for 3G before going on T-Mobile or band II or V for AT&T 3G.
T-Mobile checks UA string to detect tethering, so you will need to spoof it in your browser settings to get around it. Not sure about AT&T or any MVNO, however.
Would strongly suggest T-Mobile if your phone supports it and you plan to stay in a metro area. Otherwise, go with an AT&T MVNO.

While I have not had any experience with T-Mobile, all of my past experience with AT&T has been horrid. I would not recommend them for prepaid or postpaid usage

Rikairchy said:
While I have not had any experience with T-Mobile, all of my past experience with AT&T has been horrid. I would not recommend them for prepaid or postpaid usage
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As much as I would agree (I hate calling people who I know are on AT&T because the calls drop frequently), T-Mobile's 3G coverage is much smaller than AT&T's 3G coverage - leaving AT&T as the only GSM option in some areas. That said, if you spend most of your time in or around major cities, T-Mobile is superior both on performance and price.

I have LG P500, it has quad band and tri band.. should it work with T Mobile? I will be in major cities like NYC, Philly, DC...

bar_rodoy said:
I have LG P500, it has quad band and tri band.. should it work with T Mobile? I will be in major cities like NYC, Philly, DC...
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You won't be able to get 3G from any US carrier with that phone. It supports 900 / 2100 for 3G and none of the networks over here support those 3G frequencies.
You'll be on 2G no matter which carrier you choose.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

Mr.Mischief said:
You won't be able to get 3G from any US carrier with that phone. It supports 900 / 2100 for 3G and none of the networks over here support those 3G frequencies.
You'll be on 2G no matter which carrier you choose.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
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From what I know, T mobile uses 2100 MHZ...
By the way, how about Motorola Milestone 2?

bar_rodoy said:
From what I know, T mobile uses 2100 MHZ...
By the way, how about Motorola Milestone 2?
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Nope. T-Mobile uses 1700/2100 together. You can't just use 2100 on T-Mobile.
The international Milestone has the same bands as your P500. The US Milestone supports AT&T 3G.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

Mr.Mischief said:
I would get the T-Mobile $30 unlimited data and texting with 100 minutes. The $3 a day plan is also a good option if you're going to use under 200MB a day.
All the plans AT&T MVNO's(H2o, Red Pocket, etc) have low data allowances and cost more than T-Mobile.
AT&T has 250 minutes and unlimited texting for $25 a month. You can add data for $25 a GB.
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The problem with the T-Mobile $30 unlimited data (up to 5Gb) plan is you won't be able to use any data on Edge and they don't really have 4G anywhere unless your phone does WCDMA on 1700Mhz then it will work at T-Mobile stores but that's all. You will need a newer Samsung Galaxy S2 or S3 phone to take advantage of 3G service on T-Mobile.

stevec5000 said:
The problem with the T-Mobile $30 unlimited data (up to 5Gb) plan is you won't be able to use any data on Edge and they don't really have 4G anywhere unless your phone does WCDMA on 1700Mhz then it will work at T-Mobile stores but that's all. You will need a newer Samsung Galaxy S2 or S3 phone to take advantage of 3G service on T-Mobile.
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When the OP made the thread and mentioned T-Mobile, I figured he had a T-Mobile compatible phone. If you reqd the post above, you'd see I pointed out that T-Mobile 3G/4G wouldn't work on his phone.
But, don't have to be at a T-Mobile store to get 4G. That's absurd. Also, there's no need for a new T-Mobile phone to get fast data, any T-Mobile 3G phone will work.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Mr.Mischief said:
When the OP made the thread and mentioned T-Mobile, I figured he had a T-Mobile compatible phone. If you reqd the post above, you'd see I pointed out that T-Mobile 3G/4G wouldn't work on his phone.
But, don't have to be at a T-Mobile store to get 4G. That's absurd. Also, there's no need for a new T-Mobile phone to get fast data, any T-Mobile 3G phone will work.
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I disagree, it may sound absurd until you realize they don't really have any 4G network anyplace but they need service inside the stores so they can display the phones working. In the Phoenix, Mesa and Scottsdale areas the only place you can get 4G on T-Mobil is in or near the T-Mobil stores where they have a 5 bar signal. They claim they aren't using an amp or anything but if you leave the store and go down the street a few blocks there's no signal and it's not available anywhere else.
As for saying "any T-Mobile 3G phone will work" you know they haven't sold 3G phones since 2010, right? None of the new Samsung 4G phones can get 3G either, at least none of the ones I looked at in the store could get it since they don't have an option for HSPA or HSPA+, just GSM and WCDMA with nothing in between.

stevec5000 said:
I disagree, it may sound absurd until you realize they don't really have any 4G network anyplace but they need service inside the stores so they can display the phones working. In the Phoenix, Mesa and Scottsdale areas the only place you can get 4G on T-Mobil is in or near the T-Mobil stores where they have a 5 bar signal. They claim they aren't using an amp or anything but if you leave the store and go down the street a few blocks there's no signal and it's not available anywhere else.
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Tinfoil hat much? Nuff said.
I get T-Mobile 4G all over Alabama, miles away from the T-Mobile store. I also travel yearly to TN, LA, MI, and GA, and I get T-Mobile 4G in those states as well.
stevec5000 said:
As for saying "any T-Mobile 3G phone will work" you know they haven't sold 3G phones since 2010, right? None of the new Samsung 4G phones can get 3G either, at least none of the ones I looked at in the store could get it since they don't have an option for HSPA or HSPA+, just GSM and WCDMA with nothing in between.
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All T-Mobile smartphones phones are capable of 3G. You confusing T-Mobile 4G with LTE. T-Mobile doesn't have LTE, and their 4G network is nothing more than fast 3G. The icon in the corner of your screen might only show 4G, but there are many instances where it's actually getting 3G I get 3G with my Galaxy Nexus on T-Mobile.
You really need to do some serious research.

Lets try and keep this on topic of the thread bout sim card and not go off about how good the actual networks are etc.

The fact of the matter is, you'll only get 3G/4G (HSPA+) on AT&T and AT&T MNVO's. If OP needs fast data, I'd recommend a Straight Talk AT&T-Compatible SIM from http://straighttalk.com. It's $50 for a month of unlimited everything (just don't go too crazy with data). When you fill in the APN, ignore any proxy fields except for "MMS Proxy".

Product F(RED) said:
The fact of the matter is, you'll only get 3G/4G (HSPA+) on AT&T and AT&T MNVO's. If OP needs fast data, I'd recommend a Straight Talk AT&T-Compatible SIM from http://straighttalk.com. It's $50 for a month of unlimited everything (just don't go too crazy with data). When you fill in the APN, ignore any proxy fields except for "MMS Proxy".
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His phone runs on 900MHz and 2100MHz, doesn't AT&T 3G run on 850MHz and 1900MHz?

Oh wow, he has some funky frequencies. He'll need a different phone for 3G/4G on any network then. Basic functions and EDGE should work though.

HTC Trophy on T-Mobile (I have searched)

Believe me, I have searched and can't find a definite answer.
Assuming I get an unlock code from Verizon, and run the Connection Setup, will the Trophy work on T-Mobile at 3G speeds? Yes or no.
If yes, will it work on Verizon again after that, or is it "banned" from their network?\
Hoping for an answer from someone who has actually done this before.
Thanks!

brew182 said:
Believe me, I have searched and can't find a definite answer.
Assuming I get an unlock code from Verizon, and run the Connection Setup, will the Trophy work on T-Mobile at 3G speeds? Yes or no.
If yes, will it work on Verizon again after that, or is it "banned" from their network?\
Hoping for an answer from someone who has actually done this before.
Thanks!
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Yes, it should work, you may get 3G speeds, but not HSPA+ speeds.. I do believe. There have been others who have done it, they would know. Even if you get an unlock code, you can still use the phone on Verizon so long as the ESN remains clean. If you really want a Trophy on T-Mobile though.. I'd wager you are better off getting the GSM Euro model for full network speed.

TheXev said:
Yes, it should work, you may get 3G speeds, but not HSPA+ speeds.. I do believe. There have been others who have done it, they would know. Even if you get an unlock code, you can still use the phone on Verizon so long as the ESN remains clean. If you really want a Trophy on T-Mobile though.. I'd wager you are better off getting the GSM Euro model for full network speed.
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Thanks for the input. Maybe some back story would explain it a little better. Debating on whether or not to switch to T-Mobile monthly 4g from Verizon, saving some money a month. I currently have the Verizon Trophy and wanted to try it out for a month to see how the service compares before I make the switch. Any other help is appreciated from someone who has done this before!

For me, the choice is clear: Verizon. T-Mobile's converge is vastly inferior, and for where I live, it isn't worth it (since T-Mobile is non-existent in this market outside of major cities).
Take a very close look at where you live, and where you travel on the coverage maps.
If you have Verizon and are on Unlimited data via 3G... for the love of God do not switch. lol Stay Grandfathered in and buy a 4G LTE phone outright (not via a plan) and your Unlimited data should carry up to 4G LTE.
Also remember, T-Mobile doesn't have IRL 4G service (LTE) and probably never will. It sounds like a great deal now, but switching might bite you in the ass, especially if your sitting on a Verizon Unlimited data plan. T-Mobile (and AT&T for that matter) run something I like to refer to as "the FAKE-G." Its HSPA+ or what the rest of the non-United States world calls 3.5G service. While AT&T is installing true 4G LTE towers, T-Mobile is simply trying to sell itself off instead of upgrading its network to compete.
Remember, the only real 4G is LTE.
If your on a metered Verizon data plan, it might be worth considering the switch (and shouldn't really change anything if you do). If you got Unlimited data via Verizon, don't even consider it. Wait for a 4G Windows Phone on Verizon and grab that when it hits at full price (even if it cost a pretty penny) and enjoy unlimited true 4G LTE data.
Read this for more information on keeping a Verizon Unlimited data plan with 4G. The only thing is, it doesn't account for the recently announced "truly Unlimited" T-Mobile plans, where they won't throttle your connection after 2GBs for some extra money a month that was just announced.
I'm not trying to sound like some kinda Verizon fanboy, but I want you to know some facts before thinking about switching.

[Q] What are some good prepaid service providers in the US?

I have to get off of Straight Talk and their awful speeds. Calling and texting is fine but the data is throttled horribly down to less than 1 mbps. Any suggestions? I can't go with T-Mobile because I know their speeds are awful where I live (Princeton central NJ area).

What about prepaid AT&T?

You're going to find the best deals on an MVNO, which is just a company like StraightTalk that uses one (or more) of the Big Four's networks to provide their service. You can find a great list of them on Wikipedia (sort them by "Wireless technology" and look at the GSM ones):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_US_MVNO
I'm currently with H2O Wireless on their Minute Plan (I don't use a lot of minutes/texts and I'm mostly on WiFi), but I switched my parents over to their $30 unlimited plan (unlimited talk + text, no data or MMS). They offer other plans with data as well (they use AT&T). If you're looking for pay-per-minute/text/MB, the newly-rebranded Ptel (PlatinumTel) has the best rates, but they use T-Mobile.
Once you've picked the company you would like to use, purchase a SIM on eBay and cut it to a micro SIM (very easy to do; use the template here), then activate it on their website.
Good luck, and I hope this helps! :laugh:

Out of curiosity, is there a MVNO that uses multiple gsm networks at the same time to provide coverage (say at&t and tmobile)? I have the tmobile $30 prepaid plan but in some areas at&t provides coverage where tmobile doesn't. So it would be great if a MVNO provided coverage at the same time on both networks.

$65/mo for 1 GB is too little. I'll need at least 2 GB.

Jungsoo said:
$65/mo for 1 GB is too little. I'll need at least 2 GB.
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I'd recommend the tmobile $30 prepaid 4g plan. It gives you 100 voice minutes, unlimited text, and 5gb of 4g speed data (then you get throttled). The 100 min of voice is a bit disappointing in my opinion but I make it work by routing most of my calls over data.

Looks like you didn't even read my post.
Jungsoo said:
I have to get off of Straight Talk and their awful speeds. Calling and texting is fine but the data is throttled horribly down to less than 1 mbps. Any suggestions? I can't go with T-Mobile because I know their speeds are awful where I live (Princeton central NJ area).
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Solavei! $49 unlimited talk,text, data! And you get the 42 MBPS T-Mobile network!

Ptel $40 unlimited

lazer155 said:
Out of curiosity, is there a MVNO that uses multiple gsm networks at the same time to provide coverage (say at&t and tmobile)? I have the tmobile $30 prepaid plan but in some areas at&t provides coverage where tmobile doesn't. So it would be great if a MVNO provided coverage at the same time on both networks.
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Solavei offers free roaming when off t-mobile, I think it's at&t. It's included in the 49 unlimited plan. it's what clinched it for me.
https://support.solavei.com/docs/DOC-1256
edit: they do warn against excessive roaming.

H2O Wireless/Black Wireless and Red Pocket are you only other (AT&T MVNO) options. All the rest use T-Mobile which will give you the same speed issues in general.

http://www.solavei.com/benjaminbribies
Heres the link for more info on Solavei! If you have any questions you can as me too!

I personally use Simple Mobile with my Nexus. Its Unlimited Everything (text, talk, data) for $40(+tax)/mo.
If you want 4g the price bumps up by $10 I think, but it's worth it right? Also the first 250MB on the default ($40/mo) plan runs at 4g speeds, then they throttle you back down to 3g speeds.
I been a customer for a few months now, I love the data speeds when I'm not around any wifi connection.
P.S. Simple Mobile is based off of T-Mobile.

eservant said:
Solavei offers free roaming when off t-mobile, I think it's at&t. It's included in the 49 unlimited plan. it's what clinched it for me.
https://support.solavei.com/docs/DOC-1256
edit: they do warn against excessive roaming.
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Does this mean I wouldn't be able to use the ATT service too much?
Does H2O throttle data?

Jungsoo said:
Does this mean I wouldn't be able to use the ATT service too much?
Also is H2O Wireless using the ATT network?
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Yes! When there's no T-Mobile coverage you will roam on at&t network! Other MVNO don't provide roaming or call forwarding!

Jungsoo said:
Does this mean I wouldn't be able to use the ATT service too much?
Does H2O throttle data?
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If you live outside the coverage area they will dissuade you from joining at that time, If my primary residence is in the coverage area,
I wouldn't worry to much. But you can always talk that over with someone, before you signup. I made sure I understood their terms of service.
I signed up because everything was clearly defined, and for the roaming, which not to many prepaids allow.

So if I'm understanding correctly, H2O uses services from both tmo and att, but they don't like me using the att covered areas.

famoustito said:
http://www.solavei.com/benjaminbribies
Heres the link for more info on Solavei! If you have any questions you can as me too!
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Jeez he said T-Mobile sucks in his area what part of that don't you understand.

Jungsoo said:
So if I'm understanding correctly, H2O uses services from both tmo and att, but they don't like me using the att covered areas.
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No h20 Is att only. The only companies that do both is patent co of st and net10 from what I remember. Seriously did you click the link of wiki someone posted on first page. Just look who carries att since you said tmo stinks in your area. Then goo too their website and Get best plan for you.
Sent from galaxy tab.

H2O is looking good. Can anyone post a speedtest for me?