I live in the US and I have a trip planned to London, Paris and Rome in May. I own a T-mobile G1 and was wondering what my best option was for using my G1 in those cities. I know there are a lot of European users here on XDA so I was hoping somebody could give me some advise from experience. I do realize that the 3G won't work over there no matter what I do.
Thanks for any and all help!
NickPDX said:
I live in the US and I have a trip planned to London, Paris and Rome in May. I own a T-mobile G1 and was wondering what my best option was for using my G1 in those cities. I know there are a lot of European users here on XDA so I was hoping somebody could give me some advise from experience. I do realize that the 3G won't work over there no matter what I do.
Thanks for any and all help!
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Click to collapse
3G should work fine. When you get there, buy a local prepaid simcard.
You need to unlock it first, call T-Mo and tell them what you just posted and they will give you the unlock code.
Your best bet for London (once you've got the phone unlocked) is a "pay as you go" sim from three. Just put £10 credit on it and you'll get a 150mb, 90day internet allowance. If you need to top it up again you get that allowance renewed every time.
Unless I am mistaking, the phone is rooted and is running a non stock rom, thus it is unlocked. I will look into the prepaid sim cards. Will I have to get a different one for each of the countries/cities?
@lbcoder: are you sure about the 3G? since this is a t-mobile phone I was under the impression that the bands it uses for 3G are only the N. American Bands and would only work over here.
Not unlocked for other networks, you need to get it unlocked to use other networks.
NickPDX said:
Unless I am mistaking, the phone is rooted and is running a non stock rom, thus it is unlocked.
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Click to collapse
Sim unlock isn't the same thing as root.. You need a code from t-mobile for that. They'll give you one if you tell them what you've told us.
NickPDX said:
I will look into the prepaid sim cards. Will I have to get a different one for each of the countries/cities?
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Click to collapse
That's going to be the cheapest way to do it.. You'll get brutally raped for roaming charges otherwise. In the UK the cards are usually free, you just have to buy the calling credit.
TMO will give you your SIM unlock code for free if your account has been paid up for 90 days or longer. They take up to 7 days. I had to get this from TMO via my American friend when I bought my G1 off him. There are places online where you can pay $25 or so and get an unlock code within hours. SIM unlock is not the same thing as root.
I'm also just about to go to Europe! Vodafone turned on global roaming for free (I just pay for calls) and they sells packs of roaming data, I got 25Mb for $50, which is way cheaper than their usual rate of $10 per 1Mb! For me this is easier than stuffing round with pre-paid SIM cards, changing number and whatever, I also don't know if a pre-paid SIM gives mobile data access? Give TMO a call and see what they offer.
I will turn off Sync and use DroidWall to make sure stuff doesn't update in the background and use all my allowance. It's really only to update Facebook to let people know I am still alive
Your G1 will most definitely work and use 3G in London. You can grab a T-Mo prepaid SIM from the multiple vending machines in the airport when you arrive in London, and swap it in and start using it immediately. I did exactly this at both Gatwick and Heathrow. Do like the other posters said and call T-Mobile in the US and get the unlock code before you fly. It's free that way. I did that too, and they are cool about it. It took about 24 hours after my request and it was emailed to me. The one thing that confused me at first was my G1 kept asking for a "SIM unlock code" or something like that after I had unlocked it using the T-Mobile code. Turns out it was a security setting that I could disable, to prevent someone from using the phone if they stole it. Two totally different "SIM unlocks". Now I know.
Related
I'm taking my T-Mobile Vario II from the UK to the US next month and I was wondering if I can simply buy a PAYG SIM card in the States and use this on my phone while I'm there?
I know that the phone is locked so can I buy a T-Mobile SIM and use that?
Cheers.
Out of interest is there any reason why you do not unlock your phone first?
Sure, Cingular and T-mobile both sell prepaid sim cards (though you may be better off trying to get one on ebay first).
A T-mobile UK phone will NOT accept a T-mobile US sim without unlocking it, they are considered different networks and a phone locks itself to the network code.
Keep in mind though that in the US we don't have prepaid data like in the UK. PAYG in the US lacks many other things like roaming and cheap calls abroad.
Wam7 said:
Out of interest is there any reason why you do not unlock your phone first?
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To be honest, I don't know how to! I have a T-Mobile Vario II with the standard ROM.
Are PAYG SIMS available in Canada?
Is Canada considered 'abroad' with regard to a US SIM? And vice versa?
I'm going to both Canada and the US this year and want to know the score.
Thanks
mindracing said:
Is Canada considered 'abroad' with regard to a US SIM? And vice versa?
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Click to collapse
When I was in Canada in July, Tmobile2Go SIM would *NOT* register. Note that in late '06 Tmo said 2Go SIMs would get roaming - dunno if that applies to Canada or not though. I just looked online and I'm still not sure You can easily pick up a Nokia 6030 here with a Tmo2Go SIM for ~$40. If you unlock and sell the 6030 it's cheaper than buying a SIM alone from Tmobile.
If your Vario II is a Hermes (I don't know T-mobile model names), you should have little trouble unlocking it using the Wiki instructions here.
PM me if you need help acquiring a US SIM card.
HTH,
Richard
Only Rogers pay as you go sim card has US roaming, but that's really expensive!
Hey guys,
So I'm being deployed to Germany for 2 years, and I would like to know if I can keep my US T-Mobile service and use it over there. The dude at T-Mobile said that my G1 will not work in germany. He said I would have to get a new, German G1 and get a new service plan with the provider over there.
My phone is currently rooted and I use Cyanogen's roms. I have no idea who the provider is over there.
Guessing I would be roaming?
G1 not a world phone?
Would tethering still work?
Any information or help is greatly appreciated. I leave next Tuesday and need to get things squared away before I go.
Thanks!
EDIT: Maybe this needs to be moved to Q&A, my bad. If so, mod please move it. Sorry
lol the provider over there is T-Mobile.... they're a german company
as for the phone I think (but not 100%) it will work.
Your plan is with T-Mobile US and thus you will be in roaming when in Germany, will cost you a heck of a lot of money, would be cheaper to cancel it maybe?
T-Mobile originated in Germany.
A quick google search shows that T-Mobile 3G operates on the 1700/2100 frequency in both the US and in Germany. So looks like your phone will have all its features in both countries.
you can call tmobile and tell them that you are being deployed, and you may be able to suspend but as mentioned above, you will be roaming and it will cost a ton, you can get a prepaid sim with service in germany and get your phone unlocked? may be an option, check the carrier in germany's website and see if they say what radio bands they use.
thanks for the replies. The d-bag at the t-mobile kiosk is obviously unaware the history of the company he works for.
He did mention though that it would cost a ton to stay on my US plan and use the phone over there. He said it can be done if the phone is unlocked. I'm not sure what that means, but, like I said, it is rooted.
Also, I don't want to suspend my plan, cause I'll still get to use it a lot. I'm not going into combat, just a medical station in Heidelberg, so I'll have off duty hours and would like to use sms.
Maybe did he mean I'd have to carrier unlock it, like I did to my old Dash? I dunno...god I'm a noob.
d0m1n0 said:
thanks for the replies. The d-bag at the t-mobile kiosk is obviously unaware the history of the company he works for.
He did mention though that it would cost a ton to stay on my US plan and use the phone over there. He said it can be done if the phone is unlocked. I'm not sure what that means, but, like I said, it is rooted.
Also, I don't want to suspend my plan, cause I'll still get to use it a lot. I'm not going into combat, just a medical station in Heidelberg, so I'll have off duty hours and would like to use sms.
Maybe did he mean I'd have to carrier unlock it, like I did to my old Dash? I dunno...god I'm a noob.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you go to Germany and use a prepaid SIM, your phone will prompt you for the unlock code. Your phone comes locked to T-Mobile US, and SIM cards from any other providers (including T-Mobile Germany) will prompt for the unlock code.
You can get the unlock code by calling T-Mobile, if you've been a customer for longer than 90 days. As for root, it's unrelated to lock/unlock.
cigar3tte said:
When you go to Germany and use a prepaid SIM, your phone will prompt you for the unlock code. Your phone comes locked to T-Mobile US, and SIM cards from any other providers (including T-Mobile Germany) will prompt for the unlock code.
You can get the unlock code by calling T-Mobile, if you've been a customer for longer than 90 days. As for root, it's unrelated to lock/unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I understand. maybe I'll just get rid of the G1 plan and go back to my Dash, that's completely unlocked. Or maybe I'll just say F it and buy a new device when I get over there. Like I said, the only reason I'll be using it is for sms to my buddies, and an occasional call back to the US. But I might get an internet service for phone calls, I dunno.
I appreciate all the quick replies. I'll get it figured out. Probably just change to a German plan and get a new phone when I get there. Get a pretty good cost of living pay that I can buy a new phone with
d0m1n0 said:
Ok, I understand. maybe I'll just get rid of the G1 plan and go back to my Dash, that's completely unlocked. Or maybe I'll just say F it and buy a new device when I get over there. Like I said, the only reason I'll be using it is for sms to my buddies, and an occasional call back to the US. But I might get an internet service for phone calls, I dunno.
I appreciate all the quick replies. I'll get it figured out. Probably just change to a German plan and get a new phone when I get there. Get a pretty good cost of living pay that I can buy a new phone with
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Click to collapse
Dude, keep your phone, it costs nothing but time to get it unlocked with T-Mobile, just tell them you need to use the phone overseas. I think it took 2 or 3 days to get the code after I made the request.
I agree. Tmobile unlocked my G1 when I traveled no problem. So call them and ask for an unlock code. Then just sign up with T-Mobile Germany when you get there. All will be well and you get to keep the g1
d0m1n0 said:
Hey guys,
So I'm being deployed to Germany for 2 years, and I would like to know if I can keep my US T-Mobile service and use it over there. The dude at T-Mobile said that my G1 will not work in germany. He said I would have to get a new, German G1 and get a new service plan with the provider over there.
My phone is currently rooted and I use Cyanogen's roms. I have no idea who the provider is over there.
Guessing I would be roaming?
G1 not a world phone?
Would tethering still work?
Any information or help is greatly appreciated. I leave next Tuesday and need to get things squared away before I go.
Thanks!
EDIT: Maybe this needs to be moved to Q&A, my bad. If so, mod please move it. Sorry
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you move outside T-Mobile USA's calling area (out of the country counts) and you can show them you did (call 800-937-8997) they will let you pass on the early termination fee.
Just ask a customer care rep know what you need to provided them to show you moved out of their coverage area to get your ETF fee waved.
Also if you have had TMO for more then 90 days you can reqeust a SIM unlock code. I would do this before you cancel service...
I've done a bunch of searching on this and can't find a thing; I know there are certain restrictions on the sims (locked) but that's as far as it goes.
I may be going to Greece (from US) for 2-3 months and am about to buy a Streak here in the US.
Can I use the phone there without having to go through AT&T's "overseas plan"? Can I, for example, use a Vodaphone sim or any other for that matter while I'm away?
Thanks for the help.
EDIT: Almost forgot to ask, what type of speed do I expect compared to ATT's 3G?
Short answer: no, you can't. When the phone is sim-locked, you can't use any other sim cards than att-sims.
Slightly longer answer: you may call att once you get the phone and tell them you will be staying with att, but you're going to greece for 2-3 months. they may send you an unlock code (see the other recently updated unlocking thread). i think you also have to buy the full priced version from dell, not the one with an att subscription. i just sent them a fax with a proof of purchase, because they needed to know the price i paid for the device... good luck!
olemartinorg said:
Short answer: no, you can't. When the phone is sim-locked, you can't use any other sim cards than att-sims.
Slightly longer answer: you may call att once you get the phone and tell them you will be staying with att, but you're going to greece for 2-3 months. they may send you an unlock code (see the other recently updated unlocking thread). i think you also have to buy the full priced version from dell, not the one with an att subscription. i just sent them a fax with a proof of purchase, because they needed to know the price i paid for the device... good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems like you have personal experience with this sort of thing.
So basically, buy a phone at full price and then maybe att will give me an unlock code?
tr8rjohnk said:
Seems like you have personal experience with this sort of thing.
So basically, buy a phone at full price and then maybe att will give me an unlock code?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not true.
I've had att provide me with the unlock code for many devices that I paid the subsidized price for.
What you have to do is call them and request it, have your devices imei # available. once they tell you that they can't access the unlock code or whatever the issue ask them what your options are and if they don't suggest to open a case then request to open one. They'll take your email from you and you should get the code within 2 weeks.
Remember to be polite and when they offer you the international roaming package, just kindly deny it and say your more comfortable with using a local sim card. Also good to say that your going overseas for business so they take you nour seriously.
As for the data speeds, find what frequency the network in greece uses then compare that to the streaks
Good luck.
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA App
Why don't you just buy a rebel ii sim card?
fone_fanatic said:
Not true.
I've had att provide me with the unlock code for many devices that I paid the subsidized price for.
What you have to do is call them and request it, have your devices imei # available. once they tell you that they can't access the unlock code or whatever the issue ask them what your options are and if they don't suggest to open a case then request to open one. They'll take your email from you and you should get the code within 2 weeks.
Remember to be polite and when they offer you the international roaming package, just kindly deny it and say your more comfortable with using a local sim card. Also good to say that your going overseas for business so they take you nour seriously.
As for the data speeds, find what frequency the network in greece uses then compare that to the streaks
Good luck.
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA App
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Click to collapse
Well, i bought the full priced device - i can't use att when i don't live in the us..
checkbox111 said:
Why don't you just buy a rebel ii sim card?
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Click to collapse
1. calling att is cheaper?
2. changing sim cards often when using rebel sim ii is a hassle
3. rebel sim is not a true unlock, and it complicates everything..
but, tr8rjohnk, if att won't give you the unlock code, go ahead and buy a rebel sim ii..
olemartinorg said:
1. calling att is cheaper?
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Click to collapse
Well if you're within a geographical location that allows you to use att i would imagine you would use your att sim
olemartinorg said:
2. changing sim cards often when using rebel sim ii is a hassle
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Click to collapse
Yeah! shutting the phone down, removing the back, taking out the battery, taking out the sim, sliding in the new sim, replacing the battery, putting the cover back on taking all of 5 valuable minutes at the start and the end of your three month tenure could really bring a man down
olemartinorg said:
3. rebel sim is not a true unlock, and it complicates everything..
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Click to collapse
Can you, or can you not, use any sim anywhere within the developed world whilst using a rebel ii sim? Yes! so why is it different from any other unlocking technique
Good info, everyone, thanks for the input. I'll be looking into the rebel sim ii and also speaking with att.
checkbox111 said:
Well if you're within a geographical location that allows you to use att i would imagine you would use your att sim
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Click to collapse
well, me and att are on opposite sides of the atlantic - and calling att for 10 minutes is still much cheaper than ordering (and shipping) the rebel sim..
checkbox111 said:
Yeah! shutting the phone down, removing the back, taking out the battery, taking out the sim, sliding in the new sim, replacing the battery, putting the cover back on taking all of 5 valuable minutes at the start and the end of your three month tenure could really bring a man down
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and cutting your sim? i haven't tried the rebel sim yet, (because i just unlocked my att streak with the unlock code i received) but i've heard it's more than just 'sliding in another sim'.
checkbox111 said:
Can you, or can you not, use any sim anywhere within the developed world whilst using a rebel ii sim? Yes! so why is it different from any other unlocking technique
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, it's different in that you phone is still locked to a provider.. have you read any other threads about rebel sim? until rebel sim released the new firmware for their sims, 3g did't work properly.. as i said, it complicates things... i just punched in my 8 digit code i got from att (called them on friday), and the streak works like a charm with my (uncut) norwegian sim card..
guys, calling Att is for the US sold ATT devices. I'm pretty sure, but not 100%, that they can tell from the imei if it was sold via dell.com in the US or not. If not i don't think they'll issue you the unlock code, unless the unlock code generator that LBK Tech for At&t has doesn't distinguish the imeis
I am planning a trip to Europe soon. My Att Atrix is rooted and unlocked running cm9, but not unlocked for different SIM cards.
What do I need to do to have my phone work in Italy, and Denmark. I was just going to pick up a SIM card at the airport.
Do I need to flash a international radio? What provider should I buy a SIM from? Anyone recommend a specific unlocking code provider?
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
1. You should buy an unlock code (I bought from ebay, 99 cents).
2. Buy sim card from GSM provider.
3. you're set.
Call ATT and ask them for unlock code. they should be able to provide it to you for free if you are a customer.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
AT&T used to provide unlock codes free if you had an account more than 90 days old. Then they changed to "the phone has to be released more than a year ago". Now they've changed again, not sure but I think back to 90 days.
Call them and ask, when you say you are going overseas they should ive you the code if their timeout has been met.
The Atrix IS a GSM 4-band international ready phone, no need to monkey with that. Unless your mods changed something, it will use the right band wherever you are.
As to which provider...ask about rates and coverage for each area you'll be in.
The unlock code from AT&T cannot actually be applied until you try to turn on the phone with an "alien" SIM card in it, so once you get the code you might want to borrow a TMobile or other SIM so you can confirm the code actually will work for you. (Or buy a cheapie here.)
Rred said:
AT&T used to provide unlock codes free if you had an account more than 90 days old. Then they changed to "the phone has to be released more than a year ago". Now they've changed again, not sure but I think back to 90 days.
Call them and ask, when you say you are going overseas they should ive you the code if their timeout has been met.
The Atrix IS a GSM 4-band international ready phone, no need to monkey with that. Unless your mods changed something, it will use the right band wherever you are.
As to which provider...ask about rates and coverage for each area you'll be in.
The unlock code from AT&T cannot actually be applied until you try to turn on the phone with an "alien" SIM card in it, so once you get the code you might want to borrow a TMobile or other SIM so you can confirm the code actually will work for you. (Or buy a cheapie here.)
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Click to collapse
Good information. I'll be honeymooning in Mexico this summer and thinking of leaving my Note at home and bringing my trusty Atrix with me.
Is there any way I can sim unlock this phone without At&t? I got this phone as a birthday gift from my dad (who got it second hand from a friend) but when I try to unlock it for use with Sprint (I flashed the international ROM) I get something about not being able to unlock because the finances haven't been paid. Is there any way I can get past this? Or any way I can connect to Sprint either way? Or am I stuck with a bricked phone?
Have you tried a 3rd party unlocking service through Google or ebay? I think XDA maintained a list at one point...no idea if they still do.
You can try on a service like [URMod Edit
But, note that even if you unlock it, you will not be able to use it with a Sprint card because att devices are GSM whereas Sprint is a CDMA one.
GSM phones can be unlocked and switch carriers, whereas CDMA carriers use network-based white lists to verify their subscribers. That means you can only switch CDMA phones with your carrier’s permission.
RossTeagan said:
You can try on a service like https://www.unlockunit.com/
But, note that even if you unlock it, you will not be able to use it with a Sprint card because att devices are GSM whereas Sprint is a CDMA one.
GSM phones can be unlocked and switch carriers, whereas CDMA carriers use network-based white lists to verify their subscribers. That means you can only switch CDMA phones with your carrier’s permission.
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Click to collapse
But are there any free services? I can pay but I mean it would be more convenient to have it done free
savagevegeta said:
But are there any free services? I can pay but I mean it would be more convenient to have it done free
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Click to collapse
It's always more convenient to have it for free. I would take that anytime! But I am not sure you can find any free services. And if you find any, they might be limited in their ability to unlock it.
The only free way I can imagine a free method is to try to 'hack' your device. But you must be tech savvy and know what your doing.
RossTeagan said:
It's always more convenient to have it for free. I would take that anytime! But I am not sure you can find any free services. And if you find any, they might be limited in their ability to unlock it.
The only free way I can imagine a free method is to try to 'hack' your device. But you must be tech savvy and know what your doing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I'm not willing to mess with this otherwise perfectly good S7! Do you know any cheaper yet functional services? I wouldn't want to throw the last bit of cash at scammers
savagevegeta said:
Yeah, I'm not willing to mess with this otherwise perfectly good S7! Do you know any cheaper yet functional services? I wouldn't want to throw the last bit of cash at scammers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hacking and playing with its software or OS is an option. Not the best one tho :laugh:
You can try on a service like the one I mentioned above. give it a try
RossTeagan said:
hacking and playing with its software or OS is an option. Not the best one tho :laugh:
You can try on a service like the one I mentioned above. give it a try
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hehe, but that service is 30 dollars. 30. For a phone my dad spent around 400 dollars for, I doubt he'd lend me the money for the service if it's 30... I'll search for one that's around 20 or 10, maybe a physical unlock service so I'm sure. Now, tell me more about playing with the OS. Do you think I can unlock it like that?
I don't know of any free ways to sim unlock.
savagevegeta said:
Now, tell me more about playing with the OS. Do you think I can unlock it like that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't get into technical details. But if you start playing with the OS without knowing what you're doing, you risk making your device unusable.
So, regardless of what unlocking service or repair service you use, make sure they are pros.
There's no free services other that having att unlock it themselves. And Att will only do it if your out of contract and fully paid up on you bill.
I recently just unlocked my att s7 a couple days ago using "Android Sim Unlock" for only 18.90. That was the cheapest i found and got my unlock code the next day(even though they said it can take up to 5 business days)
Worked perfectly. Im not using my att s7 with a tmobile sim card.
Phillyrider807 said:
There's no free services other that having att unlock it themselves. And Att will only do it if your out of contract and fully paid up on you bill.
I recently just unlocked my att s7 a couple days ago using "Android Sim Unlock" for only 18.90. That was the cheapest i found and got my unlock code the next day(even though they said it can take up to 5 business days)
Worked perfectly. Im not using my att s7 with a tmobile sim card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that a website? If you had success then looks like I can give it a try at least
RossTeagan said:
I can't get into technical details. But if you start playing with the OS without knowing what you're doing, you risk making your device unusable.
So, regardless of what unlocking service or repair service you use, make sure they are pros.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A remote unlock with a code is always your best bet.
andykit said:
A remote unlock with a code is always your best bet.
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Click to collapse
Thanks bro. Even the best technical guys can screw up a phone's OS, and if you're not "familiar" of the complexity of the device. Leave it to the experts/websites who know what they are doing.
FWIW AT&T lets you use sim locked phones through MVNO carriers as long as they're on ATT's network. For instance a locked Galaxy S7 from ATT will work with Cricket Wireless, H20 etc, since they use ATT towers.