Database Users

3G Networks hardware LOCKING to each carrier by HTC

Among those of you with a deap knowledge of the inner working of HTC phone for 3G networks.
Is HTC doing something to phones for each carrier to lock the phone to a specific carriers 3G network and no other.
I'm asking because I was talking with a freind of mine who was given a HD2 as a part of a promotion for use on AT&T 3G network (850/2100). He uses T-Mobile and tried to get it to work with his T-Mobile SIM with no success. He also told me he had a conversation with someone from HTC that told him that he would no beable to get his HD2 to work on T-Mobile because the hardware will not work with T-Mobiles 3G network (1700/2100).
If this is the case does anyone know if it changable, is it a Firmware issue that can be changed or is it like hard wired physically?
Then the question is if we are buying these phone, some through contracts others outright, do we want to told whos service we have to use!!
Lets have some good discussion...

there are billions of threads on this.
3g is radio/hardware dependent. he'll unfortunately be stuck on EDGE.

He will have no issues using the phone with T-mobile usa. He will not get 3G because of the bands. He will just have edge. But calls, mms, text, email, and internet will all function properly.

Clarify this please
I bought my HTC HD2 in USA (unlocked) and here in Peru, where I live, I cannot get it to work with 3G. If I lived in USA, is there a way to know with what carrier I would get 3G ?

alejo1575 said:
I bought my HTC HD2 in USA (unlocked) and here in Peru, where I live, I cannot get it to work with 3G. If I lived in USA, is there a way to know with what carrier I would get 3G ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you are on Claro in Peru?
For 3G you need a phone with 3G 1900 support. If it is the T-Mobile version, that would have 3G on 1700/2100 bands which would be no good. If you got an AT&T handset (850/1900) it would work for 3G for you.
You need to understand what 3G support your version of the phone has. For example mine (Telstra Australia) is 850/2100 - which would not be able to pick up 3G in your network - however it works excellent with Telstra (850) in Australia and currently working well with StarHub (2100) in Singapore.
Your phone is quad band - but that is GSM quadband not 3G - it is 3G dual band and that is what is important for your connection.
***
Edit:
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_UMTS_networks for list of 3G networks...

Yeah ...bad news
tallmantim said:
So you are on Claro in Peru?
For 3G you need a phone with 3G 1900 support. If it is the T-Mobile version, that would have 3G on 1700/2100 bands which would be no good. If you got an AT&T handset (850/1900) it would work for 3G for you.
You need to understand what 3G support your version of the phone has. For example mine (Telstra Australia) is 850/2100 - which would not be able to pick up 3G in your network - however it works excellent with Telstra (850) in Australia and currently working well with StarHub (2100) in Singapore.
Your phone is quad band - but that is GSM quadband not 3G - it is 3G dual band and that is what is important for your connection.
***
Edit:
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_UMTS_networks for list of 3G networks...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi tallmantim ....
Thanks for your response. Yeah, today I did my homework and found that my HD2 has UMTS (HSDPA) 900 - 2100 bands, a fact that is not good because Claro and Movistar in Peru operated the 850 - 1900 bands for 3G.
Question: is there a HD2 version with 850 - 1900 band ????

alejo1575 said:
Hi tallmantim ....
Thanks for your response. Yeah, today I did my homework and found that my HD2 has UMTS (HSDPA) 900 - 2100 bands, a fact that is not good because Claro and Movistar in Peru operated the 850 - 1900 bands for 3G.
Question: is there a HD2 version with 850 - 1900 band ????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, but the Telstra HD2 will pick up the 850MHz signals where they exist. There is no HD2 with the 1900MHz UMTS band at the moment

lude219 said:
there are billions of threads on this.
3g is radio/hardware dependent. he'll unfortunately be stuck on EDGE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you mind pointing me in the direction of those BILLIONS of threads.
I've done searchs on hardware dependents, radio/hardware dependents, 3G radio.
There are so many way that is topic could be listed.
I'm finding nothing but my thread now just as before.

theisdept said:
a freind of mine who was given a HD2 as a part of a promotion for use on AT&T 3G network
[...]
Then the question is if we are buying these phone, some through contracts others outright, do we want to told whos service we have to use!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Erm, so AT&T gives a phone, for promotion of their service, and at the same time they should allow you to use another network? You've got too much hope there...

alejo1575 said:
Hi tallmantim ....
Thanks for your response. Yeah, today I did my homework and found that my HD2 has UMTS (HSDPA) 900 - 2100 bands, a fact that is not good because Claro and Movistar in Peru operated the 850 - 1900 bands for 3G.
Question: is there a HD2 version with 850 - 1900 band ????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea my friend my phone is , and i am here with t mobile suffering from same problem like u , i bought that phone which is compatible with Asia , not here in usa
is there way to exchange??
mine is
Network HSPA/WCDMA:
900/2100 MHz
Up to 2 Mbps upload and 7.2 Mbps download speeds
Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE:
850/900/1800/1900 MHz
(Band frequency, HSPA availability, and data speed are
operator dependen)

egypro said:
is there way to exchange??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
exchange your phone for cash
exchange that cash for a phone that supports the correct bands.

How To change 3G Frequency to work with my Carrier

Hello, I have a HTC HD 2, and I need to change the Radio Frequency to work with 3G for my carrier. I am using Telcel in Mexico and the frequency for 3G is different than what came with the phone so all I can get is Edge with this phone. Telcel's frequency is compatible with AT&T as I have used my AT&T phones without any problem with Telcel 3G so there must be a difference somewhere. This is what iPhone shows is its frequency so I imagine that the same would work with this phone:
UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)
GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
Any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated!!

Did you try any rom or Radio...
Maybe need to look something on setting...

loscabosav said:
Hello, I have a HTC HD 2, and I need to change the Radio Frequency to work with 3G for my carrier. I am using Telcel in Mexico and the frequency for 3G is different than what came with the phone so all I can get is Edge with this phone. Telcel's frequency is compatible with AT&T as I have used my AT&T phones without any problem with Telcel 3G so there must be a difference somewhere. This is what iPhone shows is its frequency so I imagine that the same would work with this phone:
UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)
GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
Any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is your HD2 the European or the US version?

Version HD2
I beleive it is a US version but I bought it used off a guy on ebay... Any way I can find out?

Settings
We have gone into the settings and the settings are on Auto and we tried through the settings and advanced settings and the frequencies do not match what we need for Telcel so I am assuming some kind of modification can be done? Maybe it is in a hidden menu?

Not possible
loscabosav said:
We have gone into the settings and the settings are on Auto and we tried through the settings and advanced settings and the frequencies do not match what we need for Telcel so I am assuming some kind of modification can be done? Maybe it is in a hidden menu?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry pal, but Mexico, as most american countries, uses the 850/1900 3G UMTS bands...
The most common sold version of the HD2, the so called 'european', supports 900/2100 bands, so you won't ever make it work with your country 3G. IT IS NOT something that can be configured, or even flashing other Radios or ROMs, it won't change it.. it is hard-coded on the on board 3G chip.
Right now, if you really want HD2 with 3G in your country, your only choice is get the 'Telstra' version (T9193) from Australia (e.g. EBAY)... it supports the 850Mhz 3G band, so it should work on your country.
As i live in Argentina, i did the same, bought such version, and it works with my country 3G operators....
Really, don't even waste more time investigating this matter. you won't be able to do it.

Htc hd2
The only way than you can get 3G on Telcel networks its if you have the htc hd2 t9193 from AU..

loscabosav said:
We have gone into the settings and the settings are on Auto and we tried through the settings and advanced settings and the frequencies do not match what we need for Telcel so I am assuming some kind of modification can be done? Maybe it is in a hidden menu?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your HD2 must have been made for EU / Asia market: Model T8585 (UMTS 900/2100 Mhz)
The HD2 that's compatible with AT&T will be the only one from Australia carried by Telsta: Model T9193 (850/2100 Mhz)
How do you you know if this is Australia or EU/Asia verion - look at the back of the phone below the battery cover. If EU / Asia version, nothing would be showing but if it's Australia version you would see this "Next G network / T".
It's the design of hardware which can't be changed

loscabosav said:
I beleive it is a US version but I bought it used off a guy on ebay... Any way I can find out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Remove the battery and see the model! it it is T8585 then forget about 3G! You will never make it work!

[Q] [Question]HTC HD2

I'm goin to buy T-Mobile Unlocked HTC HD2 I just wondered if it will work in Israel even though its T-Mobile branded and unlocked
Our network band same as Europe

if that help i got SE W760i and it say on the screen signal "H"

You would have to know exactly what bands your carrier uses (there's several in use in Europe too), but even then the US T-Mobile HD2 probably won't get 3G service where you are, I believe that this is the only country that uses those specific bands for 3G. You could use the phone in your country, but it would only get EDGE speeds.
You would be better off getting the Euro version of the HD2.

after some research i found out that my operator uses this bands 850/2100
and in T-Mobile specs it says
Band (frequency): 850 MHz;900 MHz;1800 MHz;1900 MHz;UMTS: Band I (2100);UMTS: Band IV (AWS);UMTS: Band IV (1700/2100)
and another question if i wont 3g reception i get the "H" would it matter alot or only abit that i wouldnt be able to go through internet and stuff

Bump
Hello again i talked to my operator they said that the phone will work on HSPDA on 2100 or GSM 850
so which of the bands got the 3g on it
Thx

[Q] Using the phone on another carrier

I am planning to buy MT4G, unlock it and use it on another carrier with compatible frequencies of course. Will I be still able to get updates using for example a wifi connection? or should I download updates manually? Is there something that I will lose when I use the phone on another carrier ?

I don't know if you mean overseas or in any place other than the U.S. but the only "compatible" carrier for this phone besides T-Mobile is AT&T. The reason why compatible is in quotes is because yes the phone would function and make calls on that network, but you will lose 3G and HSPA+ service as AT&T's equivalents operate on a different and incompatible spectrum.
I would also assume that you would not receive OTA updates either.

unremarked said:
I don't know if you mean overseas or in any place other than the U.S. but the only "compatible" carrier for this phone besides T-Mobile is AT&T. The reason why compatible is in quotes is because yes the phone would function and make calls on that network, but you will lose 3G and HSPA+ service as AT&T's equivalents operate on a different and incompatible spectrum.
I would also assume that you would not receive OTA updates either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Overseas, on a network that is compatible with regard to GSM/ UMTS frequencies. So the only way to get updates is to download them from forums like this one?

raeef said:
Overseas, on a network that is compatible with regard to GSM/ UMTS frequencies. So the only way to get updates is to download them from forums like this one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know for absolute certain, but I'm 95% sure you wouldn't recieve OTA since it goes out over the network your phone is connected to.
You can usually snag the update from here, but unfortunately, a lot of people didn't run aLogcat to log the download and get the link. Including myself, though I'm trying now with my second device.

unremarked said:
I don't know for absolute certain, but I'm 95% sure you wouldn't recieve OTA since it goes out over the network your phone is connected to.
You can usually snag the update from here, but unfortunately, a lot of people didn't run aLogcat to log the download and get the link. Including myself, though I'm trying now with my second device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another question, does anyone know if this device works on UMTS band I 2100 ( 2100/1900)? I really can't make up my mind because it's not clear on T mobile website. It says UMTS 1700/2100/AWS and this looks like it's referring only to UMTS IV

raeef said:
Another question, does anyone know if this device works on UMTS band I 2100 ( 2100/1900)? I really can't make up my mind because it's not clear on T mobile website. It says UMTS 1700/2100/AWS and this looks like it's referring only to UMTS IV
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone is compatible with almost every gsm band the specs are:
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
HSDPA/HSUPA 900 / 1700 / 2100
In the US most carriers are using GSM 850/1900 and 3G 1700/2100 you will only get OTA from T-mobile in the US if you are using their cellphone service or you can hope and wait for the update to show up here on XDA in the forum.
http://www.worldtimezone.com/gsm.html
In Israel where I am, and England, France and Germany etc. the bands are
2G 900/1800 and 3G 2100
so you should have no problem using 3G or even 3g+ "4G" on this phone if your cell provider offers it. But it may require an advanced sim card or signing up for a special data service.
Dont get confused by the various terms (UMTS EDGE HSPA etc.) a phone that is guad-gsm and tri-3G will run the data services just fine but T-mobile will tell you we dont guarantee the data capabilities outside of our network... because they dont want lawsuits

mo976 said:
The phone is compatible with almost every gsm band the specs are:
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
HSDPA/HSUPA 900 / 1700 / 2100
In the US most carriers are using GSM 850/1900 and 3G 1700/2100 you will only get OTA from T-mobile in the US if you are using their cellphone service or you can hope and wait for the update to show up here on XDA in the forum.
In Israel where I am, and England, France and Germany etc. the bands are
2G 900/1800 and 3G 2100
so you should have no problem using 3G or even 3g+ "4G" on this phone if your cell provider offers it. But it may require an advanced sim card or signing up for a special data service.
Dont get confused by the various terms (UMTS EDGE HSPA etc.) a phone that is guad-gsm and tri-3G will run the data services just fine but T-mobile will tell you we dont guarantee the data capabilities outside of our network... because they dont want lawsuits
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I am a telecom engineer so I know about the terms. You didn't get my question about the bands. Look here for example support.t-mobile.com/doc/tm24233.xml?&A2L.SERVICE=FeatureSummary
The listed Bands: 1 (2100) and 4 (AWS 1700/2100)
and that clearly shows that G2 supports 2 UMTS bands , 1 and 4
1 is 2100 paired with 1900 ( EU)
4 that is used by T mobile in the US.
So I am confused because on this page mytouch.t-mobile.com/mytouch-4g-features#/specs-and-manualsthey listed the bands like this
Bands 1700/2100/AWS that's why it's not clear for me if MT4G supports UMTS I or not.

This is the official reply from HTC when asked:
Dear ....,
I understand that you would like to know if your T-mobile Mytouch 4G device can use the 2100 MHZ band over in Europe for 3G. I do apologize your device is not compatible with the 2100 MHZ back over in Europe for 3G service. I do apologize for all the inconvenience that this may cause you.
To send a reply to this message or let me know I have successfully answered your question log in to our ContactUs site using your email address and your ticket number .....
Sincerely,
Victor
HTC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

raeef said:
Actually I am a telecom engineer so I know about the terms. You didn't get my question about the bands. Look here for example support.t-mobile.com/doc/tm24233.xml?&A2L.SERVICE=FeatureSummary
The listed Bands: 1 (2100) and 4 (AWS 1700/2100)
and that clearly shows that G2 supports 2 UMTS bands , 1 and 4
1 is 2100 paired with 1900 ( EU)
4 that is used by T mobile in the US.
So I am confused because on this page mytouch.t-mobile.com/mytouch-4g-features#/specs-and-manualsthey listed the bands like this
Bands 1700/2100/AWS that's why it's not clear for me if MT4G supports UMTS I or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AWS is the data delivery method used only by Tmo in the US. So the 4G service may not work outside the US but according to the phone specs it states that it supports UMTS and GPRS/EDGE so it should support 3G UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+ and gprs/edge for 2G everywhere. Ill test my HD (from England) when I get to new york in a day or so and see if I can get proper 3G speeds.
Todays smartphones are designed to be used worldwide with full service as much as possible.

AWS is just another name of UMTS band IV. This is the only UMTS band the MT4G supports, so you'll be able to use it for 3G on carriers that use this band. You can see the list of bands and operators that use them here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UMTS_frequency_bands
In short, outside of the US, Canada, and Chile you're out of luck for 3G. You'd be able to use 2G fine though.

athakur999 said:
AWS is just another name of UMTS band IV. This is the only UMTS band the MT4G supports, so you'll be able to use it for 3G on carriers that use this band. You can see the list of bands and operators that use them here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UMTS_frequency_bands
In short, outside of the US, Canada, and Chile you're out of luck for 3G. You'd be able to use 2G fine though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is really confusing, look at this page http://support.t-mobile.com/doc/tm24243.xml?&A2L.SERVICE=FeatureSummary

mo976 said:
AWS is the data delivery method used only by Tmo in the US. So the 4G service may not work outside the US but according to the phone specs it states that it supports UMTS and GPRS/EDGE so it should support 3G UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+ and gprs/edge for 2G everywhere. Ill test my HD (from England) when I get to new york in a day or so and see if I can get proper 3G speeds.
Todays smartphones are designed to be used worldwide with full service as much as possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Frequency bands differ for different technologies on the same phone. For example there are 2 versions of Nexus one one for ATT and one for T mobile although they work on GSM level because the support both GSM bands on T mobile and ATT but not the UMTS bands on both networks. UMTS and GSM frequencies are not necessarily the same for each network and most probably they won't be the same. In my country we licensed 3G services ( UMTS) on 2100 band or UMTS 1 . GSM on 900 and 1800 only.

Can someone provide me with the FCC id from the back of the phone ?
I tired to search for it on the web but I don't think what I found was the correct one.

Update
I went to T-mobile store today, the guy was helpful and he printed out the official full technical specifications for the device that he pulled out and here what I got:
3G/UMTS Bands
Band I / UMTS2100 Yes
Band II / 1900 No
Band IV 1700/2100/AWS Yes
Band V/850 No
Band VII/ 900 No
The page was titled " Enablers" and listed specs for GSM and UMTS bands with their features. So I think this ends it for me, it does support both bands I and IV.

mo976 said:
AWS is the data delivery method used only by Tmo in the US. So the 4G service may not work outside the US but according to the phone specs it states that it supports UMTS and GPRS/EDGE so it should support 3G UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+ and gprs/edge for 2G everywhere. Ill test my HD (from England) when I get to new york in a day or so and see if I can get proper 3G speeds.
Todays smartphones are designed to be used worldwide with full service as much as possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did it work with you in 3G speed in England ?

Good luck but I've taken my nexus one all over the planet... you'll get 3g in the countries listed above plus Japan (softbank only) but I haven't gotten 3g anywhere else....
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

raeef said:
I am planning to buy MT4G, unlock it and use it on another carrier with compatible frequencies of course. Will I be still able to get updates using for example a wifi connection? or should I download updates manually? Is there something that I will lose when I use the phone on another carrier ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@OP: have you gotten the MT4G to work with UMTS Band I frequencies?

I got the update by only using my friend's t-mobile sim card, I think I got it via wifi since he doesn't have data plan.
unremarked said:
I don't know if you mean overseas or in any place other than the U.S. but the only "compatible" carrier for this phone besides T-Mobile is AT&T. The reason why compatible is in quotes is because yes the phone would function and make calls on that network, but you will lose 3G and HSPA+ service as AT&T's equivalents operate on a different and incompatible spectrum.
I would also assume that you would not receive OTA updates either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App

is it possible to get 3G.........

hey fellas.
let me explain a bit.
i have a optus galaxy S, but i am with telstra.
as far as i know optus 3G is 900mhz ( or whatever it is, 900 something )
and telstra is 850, therefore telstra 3G wont work.
i put my mates optus card in my phone last night and it worked fine, 3G all the way.
is it somehow possible for me to get 3G on telstra? a diffrent baseband thing or something?
thanks fellas! really really hope someone can help me out here.
optus is 900/2100 and telstra is 850/2100

aussiesausage said:
optus is 900/2100 and telstra is 850/2100
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your obviously near a 2100Mhz enabled tower, but, if you roam out of the 2100Mhz range (mainly capital cities and large regional cities) you'll only get a 2G signal on your phone with the Telstra SIM.
Your Optus phone is hardware set at 900/2100, you can not access the 850Mhz 3G band.

I don't think Optus had their own version of Galaxy S. It should be the international version.
GSMarena shows the specs as:
2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100
Seems like there is no 3G for 850?

Telstra has their own I9000:
http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/phones/phone_details.cfm?phone=galaxy s i9000t
Try this and see if it works:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=893082
Edit: I highly doubt if it'll work, since I can't see any documentation of a stock SGS being able to do 850MHz and HSPA+ (which NextG runs on) at all. It seems, as in most cases, Telstra gets different phones that runs only on their network.

If you enter the correct Telstra apn details you should be able to get 3g 2100MHz coverage but you will not get NextG 850MHz coverage. It is harware/radio related and flashing a 850MHz firmare like that used by the I9000T or the I9000M will not change anything.
If you need Telstra's or any other Aus provider settings you can find them here: http://ausdroid.net/apns/
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

After further reading it seems sxi200 is correct, the radio on the normal I9000 doesn't have the required hardware to connect to the 850MHz band. Earlier I was thinking the phone would all have the same radio that covers all bands but has the 850MHz band locked out.
This might interest you, but when the time comes you probably would already have a new handset then.
http://www.telstrabusiness.com/busi...productsservices/3gnetworkannouncement.310001