HD2 (T9193) & AT&T Microcell anyone? - HD2 General

Hi all,
I have an HD2, T9193 (Telstra model), running Artemis v9.0 & radio 2.09. It works nicely with AT&T here in the US (including 3G), except for coverage in my house (I know - you're all shocked that AT&T has coverage issues ). Anyway, I decided to buy an AT&T Microcell to improve things here at home, but my HD2 doesn't seem to want to connect to it. Since the HD2 isn't an official AT&T phone I had to use my wife's phone (my old AT&T Fuze/HTC TouchPro) to set up the account. The Fuze seems to be able to connect fine (5 3G bars all over the house). I added my HD2 cell number to the Microcell whitelist and went through all the resets etc. that they recommend for troubleshooting, but nothing seems to work.
The only thing I can think of is that AT&T isn't licensed for 850MHz where I live (west of Boston), so the Microcell is only configured for 1900MHz on 3G, which isn't supported on the T9193. As I understand it AT&T uses the GPS location data they get over the network connection to configure the microcell.
Has anyone else had any experience with this setup?
Thanx.
John

same problem
Ive had my HD2 (T9193) for a few days and have no luck connecting to the 3g microcell, let me know if you haveany luck.
I am in california btw

Ditto
Im in PA and spent over an hour with tech support yesterday trying to get it to work. I'm returning the unit today and exchanging it for a new one per their advice. If the new one doesn't work I'll be giving up.

It wont work
Ok, I got a new one last night and again spent 2 hours with support and I couldn't get it it to work. I don't know why it wont. I'm giving up till someone can post some sort of voodoo to make this work.

Is ATT broadcasting on 3G 850 where you are?

I also just spent a long time on the phone with AT&T enterprise care. They couldn't get my HD2 to work with a micro cell. Their thought was that the micro cell was using 1900 because this market is an 850 market and the micro cell might be configured to avoid causing interference with other users. Of course, this was conjecture. I'm going to test the micro cell at the office tomorrow where I have access to other phones to test with.

If you're able to test with other phones, read up on the various test apps that are out there so you can clearly read what the microcell is broadcasting on. E.g. the fieldtest mode of the iphone, theres an old network details app for winmo, etc.

Att Razor, Att Samsung Eternity both work on Microcell but not my HTC Telstra HD2
IME not registered with ATT could be the culprit but ATT would slap $40 data plan to register it.
A listing exclusive for HD2 for now until work around.
Kokkos

I tested with an old Samsung BlackJack and it saw the microcell immediately when using my SIM, even though AT&T still had my HD2's IMEI registered. I moved the SIM back to the HD2 and cannot associate with the microcell.
Kokkos said:
A listing exclusive for HD2 for now until work around.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean by this? What is a "listing exclusive for HD2," how does one get it, and does it really allow the T9193 to work with the AT&T microcell?

AT&T responds...
The tier-2 AT&T guy who was helping me last night just called me back. He did some more checking after we spoke and learned that the AT&T Micro Cell is configured to work only with AT&T-sold devices, not unlocked devices used on their network.
He pointed me to page 7 of the User Manual where it says in the Performance Highlights box, "Supports AT&T 3G wireless phones and devices." Apparently, this is to rule out non-AT&T-sold 3G devices.
I suspect that changing the IMEI or ESN or whatever the "unique hardware identifier" is might work, but I'm not willing to screw with my HD2 to find out and discussions about that kind topic are frowned upon on XDA.
My Micro Cell is being returned as it doesn't work for non-AT&T devices.

manicotti said:
I tested with an old Samsung BlackJack and it saw the microcell immediately when using my SIM, even though AT&T still had my HD2's IMEI registered. I moved the SIM back to the HD2 and cannot associate with the microcell.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again... if you could load up a field test app that would be great. For the BlackJack, punch in *#0011#, see if you can find the frequency. If not, try browsing to Windows/Test Mode/Test Mode.exe, look for the frequency. Lastly, try http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=2219019&postcount=2
manicotti said:
The tier-2 AT&T guy who was helping me last night just called me back. He did some more checking after we spoke and learned that the AT&T Micro Cell is configured to work only with AT&T-sold devices, not unlocked devices used on their network.
He pointed me to page 7 of the User Manual where it says in the Performance Highlights box, "Supports AT&T 3G wireless phones and devices." Apparently, this is to rule out non-AT&T-sold 3G devices.
I suspect that changing the IMEI or ESN or whatever the "unique hardware identifier" is might work, but I'm not willing to screw with my HD2 to find out and discussions about that kind topic are frowned upon on XDA.
My Micro Cell is being returned as it doesn't work for non-AT&T devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not convinced. AT&T would put that down to differentiate between their 3g vs. Verizon, et. al.; not to differentiate between devices they sell and devices that are compatible with their 3G. Further, the amount of 3rd-party-but-still-3G-compatible-devices out there are extremely low relative to everyone else, particularly those who buy 3rd party phones and are stuck on EDGE. It just wouldn't make sense to write down that line and have it mean that - it comes across as extremely nit-picky. The only worthwhile carrier that has 3G overlap is Telstra, and I can assure you the number of Telstra 3G phones stateside are rounding errors.
It's possible that it only supports valid ATT IMEIs and there's a footnote in some internal technical document, but it's also possible it's just broadcasting on 1900 3G for all of you . Can you escalate beyond tier-2?

I think the problem is the lack of 1900mhz band on Telstra phones. My Telstra Touch HD will not connect to my microcell, but my unlocked Nokia E71 and N97 mini have no problem. Sad since the microcell gives five bars throughout the entire house!

rastx said:
I think the problem is the lack of 1900mhz band on Telstra phones. My Telstra Touch HD will not connect to my microcell, but my unlocked Nokia E71 and N97 mini have no problem. Sad since the microcell gives five bars throughout the entire house!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, great post! N97 was never officially released on ATT but yet it works. The microcell is supposed to be able to use both frequencys (850 or 1900), but from this thread, it seems to prefer 1900? Maybe manicotti can get a Tier-3 rep to throw a "force 850" switch.

I also had both an E71-2 and N97 Mini using Microcell today and they worked fine, as long as I didn't move. I'm having problems with both Nokias keeping a signal and I tried the Microcell to see if it would fix it. It didn't. They both dropped calls when I went outside and had a path to the local tower. Iphone worked flawless with and without MCell.
Cheers

AT&T speaks
Our rep got back to me on Thursday. Unfortunately, it looks like no micro cell for my HD2 in the Philadelphia market.
She wrote "Regarding the micro cell, it's not going to work for the device you are using, but it's actually not due to it being a non-AT&T phone. I have been advised that activation of it is not based off IMEI. It is not picking up your device because the MicroCells in our market are purely 1900mhz, they will pick up any device activated with an AT&T number with 1900mhz. So, if you get, have or use a device with that, the MicroCell should be useful,otherwise it will not be."
I have asked if there is a "force 850" setting and why the micro cell uses 1900 here? (My guess is that the microcell always uses the "opposite" frequency of the market it's in. Of course, the first tech guy that I spoke to told me the exact opposite, but he's the one who came up with the IMEI thing and he said it as a certainty rather than as a guess.)

OK, let's get a few things straight.
I have the same issue, a T9193 and a microcell.
When you enter phone numbers online that will use the microcell, AT&T's computer sends the IMEI number associated with that phone number to the microcell.
Since my T9193 IMEI is not on AT&Ts network, the microcell cannot "see" the phone....it is looking for my old Tilt2.
When they entered the IMEI number for my T9193 into AT&Ts system, it told them it is a 2G phone. Now, I took a chance on this as I may not even get 3G from an AT&T tower anymore.
However, the good part is my microcell MIGHT recognize my phone.
I will test later this week (I am traveling) and revert with the results.

Well two things...
1. Thank God for you guys...I was pulling my flipping hair out on this. Same issue as the rest of you and no luck. More than one unlocked phone and a few ATT handsets all work great (including my family and friends). Just my Telstra HD2.
2. How much does this suck? If anybody figures out a way to make the Microcell operate on 850 (assuming the hardware that Cisco ships them is even capable) please reply on this thread.

HD2 T9193 and AT&T micorcell NOT wokring even with proper IMEI number
Good day,
Unfortunately I am in the same boat with my HD2 T9193 not working with the microcell from AT&T.
I called AT&T support and had them update their records to reflect my HD2's IMEI (they had my HTC Athena IMEI on record). Rebooted my phone BUT no joy. My family all have iPhone’s (3GS and 4) and they pick up the M.cell connection immediately.
So I guess the microcell transmits at 1900 not 850 and I am SOL.
Anyone have a solution for us HD2 users, please don't hesitate to share the news.
;(
Thanks,

anyone ever get their HD2 to work?

Related

SIM question relating to phone strength

My boss bought a Treo 650 and I showed him how to put the SIM in. I noticed his signal strength had 5 bars. He wanted to see if it was unlocked so I put in my Tmobile SIM. When I turned it on, he had 2 bars. I kept it on and moved it around a bit and it moved between 1 and 2 bars. Confused, I put his Cingular SIM back in and up popped 5 bars...sometimes 4, but mostly 5.
Now, does it make any sense that my Tmobile SIM would cause his phone to have less strength than his Cingular SIM?? Or was this just some type of flook?? His Treo is Cingular branded...if that matters, but his SIM is left over from AT&T days.
His phone is a branded, unlocked Cingular. Mine is an unlocked i-Mate K-Jam.
Anyone with any thoughts?
Tom
Well if your in America. Sad to say the T-Mobile is smallest in coverage in area, and members. So the area you in might not have as much as Cingular. In america, Cingular, Verizon, and Sprint has the best coverage.
BTW, want to now how to get a promotion, introduce him to Windows Pocket PC's.
First, giving him a WM5 product is not going to get me a promo. He'll have such a tough time using it he'll get mad at me for recommending it. Believe me....I've thought about that as I have a K-Jam and love the heck out of it. Some people need the simple things.
Regarding Tmobile, I switched from Verizon to Tmo about 6 years ago when I started traveling to Europe several times a year. Initially the service sucked, but over the past 2 or 3 years I've had 0 problems with it. I travel around the country and internationally and I have to say that I'm pretty happy with it. I'm sure it's a "your mileage may vary" situation. Matter of fact, I don't know anyone who complains about their service regardless of who it is.
That being said, even if Tmo sucked majorly, that wouldn't explain why my SIM would cause him to get weaker reception than his AT&T SIM. Keep in mind, I'm using the same Treo with 2 different SIMs and get 2 different readings.
Thanks,
Tom
I have heard from some post over at Howard Forums that the Cingular 64k SIM's get better reception than the AT&T 32k SIM's.
I migrated over from an AT&T SIM to a Cingular one and noticed that my reception improved a signifigant amount. So there may be something to do with how the SIM's are designed.
Well, I'm going to run down to the Tmobile store today and see if I can't pickup another SIM. I'm pretty interested in seeing what happens.
Tom
deathMiata said:
I have heard from some post over at Howard Forums that the Cingular 64k SIM's get better reception than the AT&T 32k SIM's.
I migrated over from an AT&T SIM to a Cingular one and noticed that my reception improved a signifigant amount. So there may be something to do with how the SIM's are designed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
of course it did
Your phone went from sticking to AT&T towers to Cingular towers.
OP: I doubt a new SIM from TMobile will help you. Chances are TMobile coverage in your area, as most, isn't good.
SIMs and Signal Strength
The reason a sim can dictate the signal strength is the sim has a certain amount of programming on it that tells the phone and its receiver about the services on the network. Have you ever seen a text message with "OTA OK" ? That's an Over The Air update to the sim updating things such as service pointers and things to make it easier for the phone to use the services on the network and find towers easier and quicker. You can have a sim go bad and not be able to take an update causing alot of problems or very little but noticeable problems like not receiving SMS or sending MMS. It's a modular network built on a lot of small pieces and all of them have to work together to make the services work correctly.
Sorry for the diatribe.....
I'll go back to my corner now.....

Straight Answer on US Carrier Support

All;
I'm trying to find a straight answer on US carrier support for the HD. So far; I've read that there is:
1)No support for the HD in the US
2)Support for GSM only in the US
3)Possible support for 3G depending on your area
4)Working 3G support in some areas
So; what's the deal here? Do we have a "CONFIRMED" working HD in the US? The questions I'd like to have answered in one thread if possible:
1)What carriers are people currently using SUCCESSFULLY with the HD?
1a)What area is that working in?
2)How is the internet speed on it?
2a)If 3G is working, what kind of speed differences are you seeing?
2b)If 3G is working, what area are you in that it works for you?
3)If it is working for you in any form; were custom ROMS needed; or any sort of hack short of plugging in your SIM card?
3a)If needed; links would be great!
4)Any reported and confirmed 'show-stopping' bugs / problems using the HD in the US.
5)Any items or information we need to be aware of when trying to purchase this phone for US use? (Don't buy from EU...don't buy from AUS, avoid certain model versions...etc?)
Answers so far ((so you don't have to go searching for them!))
1) T-Mobile & ATT
1a) Wisconsin -ATT | Chicago - ATT
2) Edge = ok
2a) No - Wisconsin, Chicago
2b)
3) No hacks needed - plug in SIM card, possibly might have to select network from list
3a)
4) Problems sending MMS on AT&T. 99% send then fail.
5)
I'm using T-Mobile in the US.
Didn't have to do ANYTHING special at all to get it running. Stuck in my tmobile sim, it asked which carrier I wanted to use (T-Mobile US or Tuyo or something like that). I selected tmobile and wala.
Don't know about 3G as I do not have a data plan right now (it's $25 / month and I have Wi-Fi 88% of the time).
Have flashed and hard-resetted many times since with no problems.
ONLY PROBLEM: MMS will not work. I have searched all over and made sure that I have all the correct settings. However it will not work no matter what I try. Sending usually makes it to 99% then fails. Sucks.
ismisunderstood said:
All;
I'm trying to find a straight answer on US carrier support for the HD. So far; I've read that there is:
1)No support for the HD in the US
2)Support for GSM only in the US
3)Possible support for 3G depending on your area
4)Working 3G support in some areas
So; what's the deal here? Do we have a "CONFIRMED" working HD in the US? The questions I'd like to have answered in one thread if possible:
1)What carriers are people currently using SUCCESSFULLY with the HD?
1a)What area is that working in?
2)How is the internet speed on it?
2a)If 3G is working, what kind of speed differences are you seeing?
2b)If 3G is working, what area are you in that it works for you?
3)If it is working for you in any form; were custom ROMS needed; or any sort of hack short of plugging in your SIM card?
3a)If needed; links would be great!
4)Any reported and confirmed 'show-stopping' bugs / problems using the HD in the US.
5)Any items or information we need to be aware of when trying to purchase this phone for US use? (Don't buy from EU...don't buy from AUS, avoid certain model versions...etc?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The HD will work in the US on either T-Mobile or ATT.
I am using ATT in Wisconsin and can confirm the phone will not pick of 3G.
EDGE internet speeds are pretty good. I wouldn't go streaming youtube, however. Wifi is around in more places than you think...
I'm using the ROM that came on the phone. I popped in my ATT sim card and all the settings were detected and it worked in a matter of 30 seconds.
I am in Chicago area on AT&T and it works fine. No 3G data but edge is fine. I am streaming video using a slingbox and it works ok.
Hardice33 said:
The HD will work in the US on either T-Mobile or ATT.
I am using ATT in Wisconsin and can confirm the phone will not pick of 3G.
EDGE internet speeds are pretty good. I wouldn't go streaming youtube, however. Wifi is around in more places than you think...
I'm using the ROM that came on the phone. I popped in my ATT sim card and all the settings were detected and it worked in a matter of 30 seconds.
It's not the phone that won't pick up 3G but the lack of a network or cell masts transmitting a 3G/HSDPA signal. So people,lets not blame the phone if you subscribe to inadequate networks. 3G has been around for over 10 years. I can't believe americans still need a tutorial.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Canaan said:
It's not the phone that won't pick up 3G but the lack of a network or cell masts transmitting a 3G/HSDPA signal. So people,lets not blame the phone if you subscribe to inadequate networks. 3G has been around for over 10 years. I can't believe americans still need a tutorial.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's both the phone and network's fault, the phone for not having UMTS 850, 1700, or 1900. And the networks for choosing those frequencies over umts 900 and 2100.
Canaan said:
Hardice33 said:
The HD will work in the US on either T-Mobile or ATT.
I am using ATT in Wisconsin and can confirm the phone will not pick of 3G.
EDGE internet speeds are pretty good. I wouldn't go streaming youtube, however. Wifi is around in more places than you think...
I'm using the ROM that came on the phone. I popped in my ATT sim card and all the settings were detected and it worked in a matter of 30 seconds.
It's not the phone that won't pick up 3G but the lack of a network or cell masts transmitting a 3G/HSDPA signal. So people,lets not blame the phone if you subscribe to inadequate networks. 3G has been around for over 10 years. I can't believe americans still need a tutorial.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, a little full of yourself there? It's not like I climbed towers and decided to put 850 bands in America.
I believe if I made a $750 purchase, I would know whether or not the phone was capable of picking up US 3G bands or not.
But I guess your right, I should move to Europe to take advantage of the "adequate" networks.
There is no need to be a jerk about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using mine on ATT, use mostly wifi which has been good, EDGE is good the few times I've used it (based on what I've heard from people using 3G on other phones, it's not that much better than wifi, but I'm sure that's location dependent). I'm using it in NC and surrounding states, have only sent/received MMS a couple of times but haven't had any problems yet. Didn't have to do anything except insert the SIM and choose ATT. I haven't seen the 3G icon pop up so that means no 3G compatibility where I'm at.
TMobile USA is great
I am an airline pilot and use my HD nationwide and it works splendidly in every city I have been to. EDGE is much, much better than GPRS that I had on my Imate Jasjar (Universal) but I would agree that the only drawback is to streaming YouTube. YouTube on EDGE is functional but it uses the lower quality mode.
I am successfully using MMS on TMo here in the USA so any trouble with it might just be a setting that needs to be tweaked. Having had some trouble with that on my JasJar in the past I just set it up manually and did just that when I got the HD. I didn't even try the default MMS settings, just deleted them and put my own in that I knew worked.
As for 3G, didn't work on my JasJar and not on my HD but for me it turns out to not be a deal breaker at all. Having had four different WM devices over 6 years, the HD is blowing me away. I really love it's speed, screen and size. HTC did a really nice (not great) job with the TouchFlo UI and hope that a few updates will make it great. Now that I installed the new Resco Explorer (GSFinder before) I don't need to use the stylus at all! I like that the most.
For those of you in the USA, give TMobile a try. I don't think you would be unhappy with their service and pricing.
Regards,
Gordo
I'm using iWireless (Owned by Tmobile) in Iowa. No problems getting it to work like all the others here. I don't have a data plan, so haven't tested that out yet. And it's just commonly known that the HD doesn't support US 3G.
It supports 3G, but we cant use it because the antenna is set to receive 2100 and 900.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=450670&page=5
jim256 said:
I'm using T-Mobile in the US.
Didn't have to do ANYTHING special at all to get it running. Stuck in my tmobile sim, it asked which carrier I wanted to use (T-Mobile US or Tuyo or something like that). I selected tmobile and wala.
Don't know about 3G as I do not have a data plan right now (it's $25 / month and I have Wi-Fi 88% of the time).
Have flashed and hard-resetted many times since with no problems.
ONLY PROBLEM: MMS will not work. I have searched all over and made sure that I have all the correct settings. However it will not work no matter what I try. Sending usually makes it to 99% then fails. Sucks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may need the data plan for MMS to work properly. I have T-mobile in the US and here is what I did. I signed up for their $9 amonth TZones (now web2go) package. Don't tell them you have a "smartphone" or else you will have to really fight to get it.
It is not great. You have a choice between 100 MB a month or 50 MB and tons of messaging. Since I mostly use WiFi the 50MB was enough.
If they tell you that the $9 plan won't work on their phone, don't fall for it. It will work on any phone.
Everdog said:
You may need the data plan for MMS to work properly. I have T-mobile in the US and here is what I did. I signed up for their $9 amonth TZones (now web2go) package. Don't tell them you have a "smartphone" or else you will have to really fight to get it.
It is not great. You have a choice between 100 MB a month or 50 MB and tons of messaging. Since I mostly use WiFi the 50MB was enough.
If they tell you that the $9 plan won't work on their phone, don't fall for it. It will work on any phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WOW. That is WAY great information to know. So the $9 / month T-Zones is REAL full data / internet browsing? Not some stupid V-Cast like thing?
I have been dying trying to figure out what to do...when I signed up I thought unlimited data was $6 / month (it was some web2go thing for $5.99), then I find out that they discontinued it right after I got my phone and it's now $25...ridiculous. So I have been wondering, should I:
A. Switch to ATT.
B. Have an HD w/ no internet plan.
C. Go back to my vogue on sprint evdo rev a fastest mobile internet in us.
Are you pretty positive about that then? I could sign up for that right now and get 50mb browsing full internet for $9 / month as long as I tell them that it isn't a smartphone?
THANK YOU SO MUCH. AWESOME information for my situation...
Jim.
Uhm... perhaps I am missing something obvious but.
If i go to phone, then select "Options", then select "Band".
I can choose between network type "GSM" or "WCDMA".
Also for GSM/UMTS band I can choose between:
1) UMTS(2100)+GSM(900+1800)
2) UMTS(850+1900)+GSM(850+1900)
3) UMTS(800+2100)
Does that option have no effect? or what?

A new HD2 owner with a carrier problem

Greetings to all from a new HD2 owner. After retiring my Fuze some time ago and going with a Tilt2, I've now retired THAT puppy and decided to go with this lovely new T-Mobile HD2. Now I've got a problem.
I recently had to move to a new home. My old home had awesome coverage for every carrier in the Southeastern US. My new one...not so much. AT&T coverage sucks so badly my Tilt2 is almost unusable. T-Mobile coverage is only marginally better. I've waited the requisite 40 days to unlock my HD2 with T-Mobile so now I can use either carrier in my HD2.
Since the office pays for my phone & accessories, I sprung for AT&T's 3G Microcell. It's a decent device and works great with my Tilt2. I know T-Mobile's 3G uses a different band than AT&T's 3G, but I hoped the Microcell would still help the HD2. As many of you might guess, I was wrong; it apparently works ONLY with the AT&T 3G bands. T-Mobile HD2 is out of luck and T-Mobile doesn't offer a microcell. I had hoped the HD2 might have superior reception by virtue of better hardware but that also doesn't appear to be the case.
So now what? My Tilt2 is great to use in the house with the Microcell but calls don't transfer in or out worth a darn. I have to be well out of my neighborhood before I get a decent AT&T signal. T-Mobile works good about 25% of the time, marginal around 50% of the time, and worthless the remaining 25% of the time. The HD2 is an incredibly awesome phone and I really don't want to go back to my Tilt2. And I don't want to get a land line if I can help it because it'll get very little usage.
What about VoIP clients using my home WiFi? Anybody got any good suggestions? It can't be anything expensive or I'd just pay to get a land line instead.
Last item: my office has me on a sweet unlimited/unlimited/unlimited plan with AT&T that doesn't cost me a dime. I'd really like to stick with AT&T as my carrier if I can, but the poor coverage at my home and lack of Microcell with the HD2 is a serious problem. T-Mobile coverage throughout Atlanta is OK but I've noted it's nowhere near as good as AT&T. I could deal with WiFi VoIP if there was a cost effective option.
PLEASE HELP!
If youve ever used Skype before it works as a great VOIP option on the Hd2.
Ive never had a problem with the Skype app on my Hd2. People hear me clearly, you can even use it on 3g in a pinch, and you can sign up for a Skype unlimited plan for $3/mo. The only thing is that Skype stopped having the application download on their website due to their Verizon android deal but you can easily google "Skype Windows Mobile Cab" and you will find it like I did.
I'd look for a telestra australian hd2 to purchase. It works on at+t 3g, and would fix both your problems.

[Q] Usage of G2 overseas

I know this issue is partly addressed in a thread on not being able to connect to a network after unlock but I just want to share my own experience and disappointment with the G2 after going to Guatemala.
I have rooted my G2 using Visionary and am running Enomther's ROM pre-the Dec 24 update. Not using any other kernels or anything, but the phone is unlocked for use overseas with other SIMs.
Before I went to Guate I realized that I would be unable to get 3G given the bands used in Guatemala are different from what the G2 is capable of (I think Band I and IV). Fine.
However, I went down there and wanted to do some data roaming before I had a chance to get a local SIM card and I kept getting the message "SIM card not registered to this network". I tried all three carriers in Guatemala to no avail.
When I went to get a SIM card from a local carrier it took a lot of effort on their part to get my phone connected to the internet but eventually I was able to score Edge service with one of the carriers down there. Being Guatemala I don't know if this process was difficult due to the way data plans work down there (prepaid) or if there was something specific with the G2 that prevented it from connecting to the network.
But my overall question is why I was not able to roam with the G2 overseas. Clearly the phone worked fine once I put a local SIM card in but the fact that I was totally unable to roam with the G2 using my US T-Mobile SIM card was very disappointing and has me thinking of reactivating my iPhone, which has never had any issue using it overseas, including Guatemala.
Is this a G2 issue or T-Mobile?
You have to enable international roaming with T-Mobile, I discovered that during a trip to Ukraine. Once I did that my subsequent trips I was able to roam but not very well. The easiest and cheapest thing to do was to use a foreign sim for my purposes.
You have to call tmobile and they will give you the unlock code most of the time. Tell then you are going for business or something like that.
Most likely your data and calling bands will work on edge. But your 3g and wannabe 4g will not work.
Circledog said:
You have to enable international roaming with T-Mobile, I discovered that during a trip to Ukraine. Once I did that my subsequent trips I was able to roam but not very well. The easiest and cheapest thing to do was to use a foreign sim for my purposes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Woah, weird. I lived in ukraine for 3 years. And yes buying a ukrainian sim card will cost you about 5-10 dollars a month for a crap load of text messages. UMC is best for ukraine imo.
Completely off topic but how did you like living in Ukraine? I would love to live there for awhile. We adopted a little girl from there and then later another from Moscow, I loved Moscow but Russia was so much more expensive than Ukraine was.
Back on topic sort of. I didn't have a smart phone in Ukraine so I didnt use data, but in Moscow I was able to get 3G coverage with my G2. I had Tmobile international roaming enabled on my phone, but my sim would not register on any networks there, I had to pick up a Russian Beeline sim and then was good to go!
From what I understood about mhz bands and services. There are four total most used bands in the entire world 850 900 1800 and 1900. Us in america use two (one under a thousand and one over) and europe uses the opposite ones. So only up until tri and quad band phones started getting much cheaper (probably about 5 years ago) did phone start working in different countrys. Its only smarter honestly, then a company would only need to make on phone for the world. Then they would be losing out on multiple purchases ofc haha.
Google mobile mhz bands. I don't know everything, but I read quite a bit about this maybe 3 years ago when I bought a tri band nokia.
Ukraine, I was there for 2 years for my church. Became fluent in russian. Then went back to date a girl I met while I was there. After that she came twice for 6 month increments on a visitor visa and we got married at the end of the second. Been happily married for almost 2.5 years now.
Bring on the mail order bride jokes, I've heard them all. We r both young, planning on buying a house this year since the economy has really brought those prices down haha. Sorry for the spam! But hopefully your questions are answered.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
Thanks for the responses. I will give T-Mobile a call ahead of my next trip overseas. Just odd that a company with such wide global coverage has no international data roaming plans and makes it a pain the keester to get roaming.
They actually do have international data roaming ($15/MB). The key is that you have to have already added international roaming to your account (it's free to add). Then if you have a data plan in the US, they will allow you to have data while roaming. I think US carriers require you to actively enable international roaming instead of enabling it by default due to the potentially high number of complaints about billing charges (e.g., people using their phones internationally without being aware there will be a higher rate). This way, they can state you were properly warned since you have to contact them first.

at&t buying tmobile benefits for some

Do you think hd2 owners who have at&t will get to use tmobiles wavelength and finally get more than edge network from this happening??
For reference if new to this subject at&t and tmobile both have an EDGE network on the same wavelength so on an unlocked tmobile hd2 one can use the slow 2g internet connection of at&t, but the 3g networks run off of different bands so an at&t # can't connect to any 3g whatsoever, with at&t's purchase of tmobile wouldn't at&t have to utilize tmobiles 3g wavelength in order to still provide 3g and 3.5g to everyone with tmobile phones that aren't compatible with at&t's current network? If so then I'm personally benefitting from this and finally getting a decent mobile data speed on my tmobile phone with my at&t network
Please don't bash at&t here, I know they suck, I've used their service for quite some time now, I'm just looking for opinions and facts on this matter
and I know euro hd2's already pick up at&t 3g, I'm talking about tmous hardware
From what I have read it seems that in a year or so if this deal is accepted by the FCC at&t will reuse and refit tmobiles network towers/equipment to use there 4g LTE network and give it a boost while removing T-Mobile service altogether causing us T-Mobile 3g/4g users to get new phones that work on AT&T's data network so in your case I highly doubt it there really isn't a benefit for AT&T or T-mobile other then T-Mobile users will be able to have different range of phones (mostly iPhone) I really hope the FCC denies this deal not only does it kills another service provider option limiting us to 3 major companies and forces people escaping the high price of service from sprint, Verizon, and At&t (I've been on them all and left because of price and QOS) but also makes AT&T top dog just because they bought out another company
Yea I read about this yesterday. Highly pissed off. I can't stand at&t. Crappy phone signal, high prices, and crappy customer service. I hope this deal does not go through. Just like when sprint was supposed to buy tmobile. Hopefully it's just a rumor.
XsceneXhippieX said:
Do you think hd2 owners who have at&t will get to use tmobiles wavelength and finally get more than edge network from this happening??
For reference if new to this subject at&t and tmobile both have an EDGE network on the same wavelength so on an unlocked tmobile hd2 one can use the slow 2g internet connection of at&t, but the 3g networks run off of different bands so an at&t # can't connect to any 3g whatsoever, with at&t's purchase of tmobile wouldn't at&t have to utilize tmobiles 3g wavelength in order to still provide 3g and 3.5g to everyone with tmobile phones that aren't compatible with at&t's current network? If so then I'm personally benefitting from this and finally getting a decent mobile data speed on my tmobile phone with my at&t network
Please don't bash at&t here, I know they suck, I've used their service for quite some time now, I'm just looking for opinions and facts on this matter
and I know euro hd2's already pick up at&t 3g, I'm talking about tmous hardware
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I have read that its the exact opposite......AT&T has planned to upgrade all of Tmobiles service towers to the 4G LTE, leaving all T-Mobile Branded 3g phones unable to access
robstillholdin said:
Actually I have read that its the exact opposite......AT&T has planned to upgrade all of Tmobiles service towers to the 4G LTE, leaving all T-Mobile Branded 3g phones unable to access
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, about 5 minutes after i posted this i saw the article stating that at&t is decommissioning tmobile's 3/3.5g towers to use them for their LTE, too bad at&t is already selling "4g" phones (ie the atrix and the inspire 4g) with no capability of utilizing TRUE 4g via LTE later on... anyone else think at&t will re-release said phones as LTE devices for $50 more than the hspa versions? i cant wait to switch to verizon personally, but im waiting for a htc pyramid compatible with verizons 4g network to switch
I received a letter from tmobile if I wanted to attend a meeting/conference for San Jose, Ca becuase my current phone service will be upgraded.... not removed....
Is this confirmed yet? If so, I am going to be HIGHLY pissed off. I HATE AT&T with a passion and refuse to use their service.
Is it possible to unlock my HD2 and my fiancee's Galaxy S Vibrant to use on Sprint or Verizon?
Specialk47150 said:
Is this confirmed yet? If so, I am going to be HIGHLY pissed off. I HATE AT&T with a passion and refuse to use their service.
Is it possible to unlock my HD2 and my fiancee's Galaxy S Vibrant to use on Sprint or Verizon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, only for gsm networks, which is now going through an approval process to become a single gsm network, not confirmed until the fcc gives the word though so keep your fingers crossed!
Sent from cyanogen mod 7
Specialk47150 said:
Is this confirmed yet? If so, I am going to be HIGHLY pissed off. I HATE AT&T with a passion and refuse to use their service.
Is it possible to unlock my HD2 and my fiancee's Galaxy S Vibrant to use on Sprint or Verizon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No Tmobile and AT&T use sim cards and use totally different frequencies
If the deal passes I highly doubt that the T-mobile name will continue for long. Especially since both carriers operate on the voicestream network. This will combine T-mobile's few towers with ATT's many towers. But as someone mentioned earlier niether of these two have real 4G. It ticks me off when I see comercials calling it 4G. Only verizon is rolling out true 4G in LTE.
And in case you haven't heard. T-mobile was going down hill. They were losing money. There were talks of Sprint buying them at first. So it may be a good thing with ATT buying them up.

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