Database Users

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?

[Q] Is it possible to use data on the phone while on a voice call?

Long time AT&T customer probably switching to Sprint, been eyeing the Epic..
If I get a voice call, is it possible (if I'm using a BT headset or speakerphone) to fire up a web browser on it and use that while I'm in-call? To look things up, or whatever?
If it can't do that, are there any other Sprint phones that can (EVO, for example?)
Thanks!

if i remember right, you can use data and voice only when you are connected onto 4G and WIFI, but not 3G. i have not tested this out yet to confirm but i remember reading that somewhere if i read it right. i also came from att (iphone) and being able to use data (3G) and voice at the same time was a major plus. ill have to try it out though later on my epic.

Yes u can use data while on a call only if you are on WiFi or 4g. Tested and verified.
Sent from deep in a volcano using XDA App

Well, drat. Thanks fellas. Not that I do that very often, but it does come in handy. I checked and EVO "suffers" from the same problem.
Again, thanks, that's handy to know.

Its a cdma limitation, not a device one. Both sprint and verizon have this issue.

Aridon said:
Its a cdma limitation, not a device one. Both sprint and verizon have this issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some might say it is a "limitation", however is it the reason why cdma networks do not suffer from dropped calls like gsm networks do.
For more information, you can check out this rather lengthy post about why cdma is better than gsm.

yeah, i experience the same thing. it's becoming pretty much a deal breaker for me, as often i am on the phone for an hour or more and am trying to look things up at the same time. no joy. plus the abysmal battery life has me glad that i am still in the 30 day window ?; i like the phone a lot otherwise. wish i could get it for ATT. i have never had problems with their service, and would love to be able to talk and surf at the same time.

On 3g only voice.
On 4g voice n data simultaneous
Sent from my Epic

remedy22 said:
Some might say it is a "limitation", however is it the reason why cdma networks do not suffer from dropped calls like gsm networks do.
For more information, you can check out this rather lengthy post about why cdma is better than gsm.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 you can thank the iPhone and this great "feature" for the ****ty network over at ATT

I am LOVING the wifi calling!

That OTA update came just in the nick of time. I pushed it myself after I read about how to do it and still hadn't received the update. I left for Manila on Friday the 12th and have been loving the wifi calling here!! It has been a life saver in terms of paying for international calling. There is zero lag and the call sounds just as good as if I were on the network in the states. I can't really imagine a use for it while in the country since it still takes minutes, but I guess if you are in an area without TMobile but yet still has a wifi connection with a fast enough speed to carry the call, then it could be useful. I just don't know where that place is... All I can tell you is that it has been working amazingly well in the Philippians and I have been able to make and receive calls without interruption all week. My colleagues who have needed to pack an extra phone with international calling abilities have been absolutely green with envy as I'm still able to do business easily in the office without needing to be on a landline or paying extra to use my cell phone in the hotel. What a great innovation!!! Even texting has worked just as if I were still in the states. Everybody I call and text have had a hard time remembering that I'm out of the country since it is still not totally normal to be receiving calls and texts from the same US number even though I'm abroad.
Anyway, I thought I'd share. I tried it while I was in the states, but didn't know if the clarity or quality of the call was influenced by being near the TMobile network anyway. I can tell you for sure that it is a great thing with no downside. You do need more than just a wifi signal though. If the signal isn't strong enough then the phone won't register to the TMobile network and it won't work. Oddly enough, when it says the signal isn't strong enough to make calls, they still come in just fine. Maybe just a couple bugs to work out, but this has definitely made me glad I went with TMobile and not Sprint when I was shopping for a new Android.

Are you sure you're not still paying for international calling? I thought T-Mo was going to charge you.
As for "getting an international phone", the G2 probably could have been unlocked (barring S-OFF issues) to work with the GSM there just fine.
I just took my G1 to Australia after getting the unlock code from T-Mo, and it worked great there, 3G with an Australian SIM.

dancingwombat said:
Are you sure you're not still paying for international calling? I thought T-Mo was going to charge you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I remember someone on this forum confirming that if you use Wi-Fi calling, your phone is treated as though it's roaming in the states, which makes it extremely useful for those who commute internationally, like the OP.

Does wifi calling/texting count as data charge (becouse if it does, I'll be able to text for free anywhere there is wifi)
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

WiFi Calling feature uses plan minutes and plan txt messages... there are no extra charges unless you go over your limit

I was unaware it used plan minutes. Sounds pointless now unless I have bad signal in the house

greengoldmello said:
I was unaware it used plan minutes. Sounds pointless now unless I have bad signal in the house
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As soon as you turn it on, it says it uses plan minutes.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

Yeah, unless you just don't get a good signal in your house, there isn't much point to the wifi calling since it still uses your plan minutes. From here it works just like I'm in my office at home. I can call and text local numbers without having to dial any other weird country codes or anything. And people at home don't even need to know I'm out of the country since they just call my number and my phone rings just like normal.
Typically I have just used skype to call for free computer to computer since using it to call a phone number costs money. But now I can use the wifi and that is so much better! However, my hotel doesn't allow the phone to register with Tmobile, so some servers are going to put the kabosh on using this type of thing. I'm just wondering if it would work from the plane when I'm flying domestically and have the wifi available to me... FCC regulations prohibit using a phone during flight even if you are connected to wifi, so it doesn't really matter I guess.

Delta105RUS said:
Does wifi calling/texting count as data charge (becouse if it does, I'll be able to text for free anywhere there is wifi)
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The texting still counts as texting and not as a data charge. So it basically just uses whatever you already have on your plan. If you are out of text messages or minutes, then you will get charged for going over just like usual. I've got an unlimited plan for all that, so it isn't something I really keep track of.

dancingwombat said:
Are you sure you're not still paying for international calling? I thought T-Mo was going to charge you.
As for "getting an international phone", the G2 probably could have been unlocked (barring S-OFF issues) to work with the GSM there just fine.
I just took my G1 to Australia after getting the unlock code from T-Mo, and it worked great there, 3G with an Australian SIM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure it could have been, but that is why I'm glad the wifi calling update came when it did. It saved me the trouble of needing to do it. Anytime I've been away from the office where I haven't had a wifi signal to attach to has been times when I don't really want to talk on the phone anyway. Especially here... I really don't want people seeing me with a G2 in my hand when it is a pretty lusted after phone here. Everything is uber cheap here, but I was at a less than legitimate item mall yesterday and they had a G2 in the same case as an iPad. I can get a 32GB ipad for less than a G2 here.

[Q] Any info concerning CDMA unlock for international use? Advice,hacks,magic,etc

I know I know, "CDMA is not for international use" etc, etc. I am aware.
Still, although it isnt probable - it is not necessarily imposible! And thats what I am banking on
Long story short, I need to travel soon and I dropped my xoom the morning I was going to return it (no need to remind how stupid that was, i havent forgotten yet...) Anyway everything is fine with the tablet except the aluminum body got two minor marks on the edge. Now best buy wont accept it back.
I love everything about the tablet except that I wont be able to get mobile data overseas. The country I am going to has CDMA networks but how can i get verizon to release me from their clutches? I didnt register a data plan with Vz but as i understand I am still at their disposal in terms of wireless service. Anyone have any experience getting any CDMA device unlocked (particularly with Vz)? Can you point me in any direction?
I am willing to do it "legally" through them (if they will even allow it), or through a hack, or any other method. Just let me know whats possible.
I wasnt sure about my travel plans and my Grandmother had been asking to get me gift - end result is I have a perfectly good Xoom I cant return and cant use overseas.
(Just for the record I HATE THE IDEA OF BUYING A DEVICE LOCKED TO A PARTICULAR COMPANY. I never bought a CDMA device for this reason, first time I did and it bit me in the @$$ immediately)

It isn't that it's locked to a company, it's to a technology. Europe uses a different standard. It's like trying to plug a US power socket into a European power socket, it ain't gonna happen! There aren't any "converters" for this. You would be better off getting a mobile hotspot once you're there and connecting via WiFi.
If it was with at&t or tmobile it would be a different story, though I'm not sure the data would work on 3g, it would be 1g (I think).
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Sirchuk said:
It isn't that it's locked to a company, it's to a technology. Europe uses a different standard. It's like trying to plug a US power socket into a European power socket, it ain't gonna happen! There aren't any "converters" for this. You would be better off getting a mobile hotspot once you're there and connecting via WiFi.
If it was with at&t or tmobile it would be a different story, though I'm not sure the data would work on 3g, it would be 1g (I think).
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats true, i didnt think about a mobile hotspot. Although I had remembered that I can tether to my cell phone (then I entirely forgot again in the frustration of not being able to return the Xoom )
Anyway I am aware that GSM and CDMA are different standards, but the country I am going to has at least two CDMA carriers that I am aware of. Admittedly I dont know much about CDMA networks but I know my friend had a phone from Sprint that he was able to use overseas after they permitted it.
I still got my fingers crossed...

Phones typically have an unlock code that enables you to use them on other networks. It works for att and tmobile since you don't have to activate the device (just swap sim cards) but getting Verizon to activate a sprint device is nearly impossible.
That said, I don't even know if the Xoom is completely locked to Verizon in the same way. The issue will be provisioning the device for another network with cdma. Either way it's probably not worth the effort.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

The radio is a plug and play Module, if you get your hands on the right one and flash the right ROM, could work, but first thing first .. wait for the release

Daxten said:
The radio is a plug and play Module, if you get your hands on the right one and flash the right ROM, could work, but first thing first .. wait for the release
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for being such a layman and a noob but what exactly are you referring to the release of?
I feel kind of bad having to do all this ranting and not knowing entirely what I am talking about, so I hope you'll excuse me.

Technology, you can use xoom and connect cdma EvDO network outsea.
You need change ESN、IMSI、AKEY、SID、NID to register xoom on the other CDMA network and make phone call. You also need change AN、AAA to using EvDO service then you can get 3G network link。
The most difficult thing you need to do is getting the AKEY and AAA，which is controled by service provider that you want to connect.
To write ESN、IMSI、AKEY、SID、NID、AN、AAA， you also need some CDMA crack tools，such as CDMA Workshop、QXDM、QMAT etc.
when you google for "AKEY AAA"， you will get more technical detail.

Sirchuk said:
Phones typically have an unlock code that enables you to use them on other networks. It works for att and tmobile since you don't have to activate the device (just swap sim cards) but getting Verizon to activate a sprint device is nearly impossible.
That said, I don't even know if the Xoom is completely locked to Verizon in the same way. The issue will be provisioning the device for another network with cdma. Either way it's probably not worth the effort.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That’s all correct.
I had the same experience with a CDMA device in Germany. That is another reason that I am waiting for the GMS version of the xoom.

N7 LTE and T-Mobile

So I got my new N7 LTE just before vacation. And like most which carrier to take. I saw a ad for T-Mobile international data plans. So here is a break down. Simple choice mobile Internet plan from. T-Mobile.
You get US data service based on how much data you want per month and price. The benefit you get is, T-Mobile provides free 2G service to a hundred countries. So I have been using it for the past week in st martin. And it has been working pretty well. While we know its not going to break any speed records, the internet still works. Skype also does work, I used it many times over the week, while the picture is not the greatest, it works. Guy Adams SMS mod also works, I have been SMS and MMS all week. The MMS and SMS is free on T-Mobile service as part of the plan. GPS is accurate and maps works as well. I didn't have voice directions but the dot moved and got me from place to place. You can buy 500mb 3g speed (last for 7 days) as well, which I did from here to try. It was faster and skype video improved as well.
I did have to activate roaming to work on the digicel network here. I am nervous about that, but I was told by a rep before buying that it will work. I hope im not going to see price shock in a month. Right now, my T-Mobile bill shows nothing out of the ordinary.
So if you are on a budget and travel, the T-Mobile service works well so far. Besides, if not we can buy a local gsm Sim.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app