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Galaxy S i9000 in United States

I have a European version Galaxy S i9000 that I am using in the US on AT&T. I have flashed JM5 firmware and then HACKECLAIR. I have been noticing that I don't get very good 3G reception. Occasionally it will say '3G', but most of the time it switches between 'H' and 'E'. Is anyone else using a SGS on AT&T in the US seeing this? Is it possible to flash a better radio?
Thanks for any comments.

H is quicker than 3G, I think it stands for HSPDA

Listed slowest to fastest
E = EDGE
3G = 3G
H = HSPDA
so if you're mostly getting H you're not doing to badly.

isn't 3G "UMTS"?
and like enigmameusa said, it's HSDPA, not HSPDA

you can not flash better radio
SGS is hardware radio, not software
if you have a Euro/Asia version then you are running 900/1900/2100 for 3G and HSPDA
if you have the American / Canadian models then you have 850/1900/2100 for 3G and HSPDA

hobbes487 said:
I have a European version Galaxy S i9000 that I am using in the US on AT&T. I have flashed JM5 firmware and then HACKECLAIR. I have been noticing that I don't get very good 3G reception. Occasionally it will say '3G', but most of the time it switches between 'H' and 'E'. Is anyone else using a SGS on AT&T in the US seeing this? Is it possible to flash a better radio?
Thanks for any comments.
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Click to collapse
The AT&T 3G band is 850. European model does not have this band as mentioned.​

tkalli said:
The AT&T 3G band is 850. European model does not have this band as mentioned.​
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Click to collapse
AT&T also uses 1900 for 3G.
The OP is just in an area with more 850 and 1900 3G coverage. You would fare better selling the European one and picking up an unlocked Vibrant which is identical to your model from Canada or getting the Captivate from AT&T.

Beware the captivate has 3g upload speeds locked as in u will only get up to around 300 k upload speed
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

Great, so even 3G has different standards in different country?
Why is it so difficult to have a common standard around the globe? This is why we can't have nice things...

snapper.fishes said:
Great, so even 3G has different standards in different country?
Why is it so difficult to have a common standard around the globe? This is why we can't have nice things...
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Click to collapse
The standard is the same globally, it's the frequency in which it operates that veries. It's due to spectrum that may be used in Europe being used for other services here. It goes back to a time before there were mobile phones.
Even in the US, T-Mobile and AT&T operate at different frequencies for 3G.

decepticon said:
AT&T also uses 1900 for 3G.
The OP is just in an area with more 850 and 1900 3G coverage. You would fare better selling the European one and picking up an unlocked Vibrant which is identical to your model from Canada or getting the Captivate from AT&T.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Vibrant is not identical to the Canadian one, I really wish Bell hadn't insisted on calling theirs the "Galaxy S Vibrant" as this creates unnecessary confusion as it is very different from the T-Mobile vibrant. The Canadian Model is essentially the Euro one but with 850/1900/2100 3g instead of 900/1900/2100. The T-Mobile Vibrant uses 1700/2100, has a different button configuration and lacks a front facing cam.
You would really be best buying a captivate from AT&T since you are with them lol, unless you really really want the Canadian design and front facing cam, in which cause you'd have to buy a Bell one and unlock it.

[Q] MT3GS on Rogers

I just bought a My Touch 3G Slide on eBay. I got it unlocked in an hour using cellunlock.net for $10 and got it all setup. However, now I'm noticing that it never goes into 3G, just EDGE.
I searched to find if it could even work with Rogers' 3G network and I'm even more confused. So does it work with Rogers' 3G?
I've also seen posts that it works on HSPA. I've used the APNs for Rogers' HSPA and still I'm getting just EDGE. Do I have to update my radio, use CM6 or something?
Sorry, I'm new to the MT3GS. I have a MT3G/Magic and I thought the new one would be pretty much the same except with a keyboard.

I *think* that Roger's uses the AT&T bands for 3G, not T-Mobile. Sorry.

h.nocturna said:
I *think* that Roger's uses the AT&T bands for 3G, not T-Mobile. Sorry.
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thats correct, Att and Rodgers uses the 1900mhz band and the mt3gs only has the 1700 NA band and the 850/2100mhz EU bands

That sucks. So it won't work on HSPA either then? I though Rogers offers one of those USB modems that works on 2100MHz HSPDA. Will that work with the MT3GS?

kapernando said:
That sucks. So it won't work on HSPA either then? I though Rogers offers one of those USB modems that works on 2100MHz HSPDA. Will that work with the MT3GS?
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It has the 2100mhz band, but that is so you can have 3G when you go to europe. Rogers only broadcasts 1900mhz in CA.

Damn. Oh well, my wife won't know the difference between EDGE and 3G anyway. Thanks.

sorry i don't belong in this forum but how do you guys explain the g1 having 3g then its a tmobile phone does it have a att frequency for no reason?

Rogers actually sold G1s so they probably got their own version that will work on their network.
Sent from my HTC Magic using XDA App

kapernando said:
Rogers actually sold G1s so they probably got their own version that will work on their network.
Sent from my HTC Magic using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unlocked g1's from the US work on rogers network.

Beats me. The myTouch 3G Slide I got from the US works too just not on 3G but on Edge.
Sent from my HTC Magic using XDA App

OK, I finally get that the frequency band is a hardware thing and that Rogers and T-Mobile use different bands.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UMTS_frequency_bands
So is it possible to change the actual cell phone radio chip and write a ROM that will work with it? I realize it's crazy, but with all the Android development going on, you'd think someone would have tired to get some device that only worked with T-Mobile to work on At&t.

I'm from Spain (GSM) but I want a Fascinate (CDMA)

Please, I want a camera with LED flash! Is there any model like the Fascinate with GSM support?
Thanks a lot and, please, forgive my ignorance.

Sorry, I think you are screwed

There's a whole family of Galaxy S phones(the line that the Fascinate belongs to). Very few of them AREN'T GSM. I believe your best bet would probably be to get an I9000 Galaxy S(The international model). If the table of international GSM band listings I found is to be believed, this should be supported.

Mean Bro Greene said:
There's a whole family of Galaxy S phones(the line that the Fascinate belongs to). Very few of them AREN'T GSM. I believe your best bet would probably be to get an I9000 Galaxy S(The international model). If the table of international GSM band listings I found is to be believed, this should be supported.
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He wants flash for the camera. Only Sprint's Epic 4g and Verizon's Fascinate have camera flash. The International Galaxy S, AT&T's Captivate, and T-Mobile/Bell's Vibrant do NOT have camera flash.

INeedYourHelp said:
He wants flash for the camera. Only Sprint's Epic 4g and Verizon's Fascinate have camera flash. The International Galaxy S, AT&T's Captivate, and T-Mobile/Bell's Vibrant do NOT have camera flash.
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Yes, I think you're totally right. Finally, I think I'm getting a Samung Vibrant, that I think it's compatible with our GSM networks, here in Spain. I personally use GSM 900 and 1800.
Thanks for the answers!

SuperJMN said:
Yes, I think you're totally right. Finally, I think I'm getting a Samung Vibrant, that I think it's compatible with our GSM networks, here in Spain. I personally use GSM 900 and 1800.
Thanks for the answers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're just staying in Europe, you should just get a Galaxy S i9000. It's basically the same phone as the Vibrant with some minor differences.
Here are the differences:
Galaxy S i9000
+i9000 has a physical home button
+Has front facing Camera
-When traveling to the Americas, it's mostly Edge speeds since its 3g antenna doesn't support 850.
Galaxy S Vibrant (USA/T-Mobile)
-No physical home button
-No Front Facing Camera
+3g will work in the USA (AWS 1700/2100 T-Mobile), Canada (AWS 1700/2100 Wind Mobile), and Europe (any since the phone itself supports 1900/2100 for 3g)
-3g will not work in most countries in the Americas since the antenna doesn't support 850 for 3g.
There's also the Canadian Vibrant that's a Galaxy S i9000 but with an antenna that supports 850/1900/2100 for 3g, so it should give you the best 3g compatibility out of all the Galaxy S phones if that's what you are looking for.

Bellmont said:
If you're just staying in Europe, you should just get a Galaxy S i9000. It's basically the same phone as the Vibrant with some minor differences.
Here are the differences:
Galaxy S i9000
+i9000 has a physical home button
+Has front facing Camera
-When traveling to the Americas, it's mostly Edge speeds since its 3g antenna doesn't support 850.
Galaxy S Vibrant (USA/T-Mobile)
-No physical home button
-No Front Facing Camera
+3g will work in the USA (AWS 1700/2100 T-Mobile), Canada (AWS 1700/2100 Wind Mobile), and Europe (any since the phone itself supports 1900/2100 for 3g)
-3g will not work in most countries in the Americas since the antenna doesn't support 850 for 3g.
There's also the Canadian Vibrant that's a Galaxy S i9000 but with an antenna that supports 850/1900/2100 for 3g, so it should give you the best 3g compatibility out of all the Galaxy S phones if that's what you are looking for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the i9000 does not have the flash for the cam, which is what he is looking for. SuperJMN, the Vibrant doesnt have the flash either, so you would just be wasting your money.

I'm getting a Vibrant and I think I will have to live without the LED flash and the FFC. It's been said that it has a great night mode, anyways!
I hope to have it delivered by this week.
Thanks for you opinions!
Best wishes, José Manuel.

SuperJMN said:
I'm getting a Vibrant and I think I will have to live without the LED flash and the FFC. It's been said that it has a great night mode, anyways!
I hope to have it delivered by this week.
Thanks for you opinions!
Best wishes, José Manuel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think the Vibrant's (T-Mobile and Bell's) are compatible with Spain's 3g. Someone want to check it.

INeedYourHelp said:
I don't think the Vibrant's (T-Mobile and Bell's) are compatible with Spain's 3g. Someone want to check it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, my network operator works with 3G - 2100 MHz, and I have seen the Vibrant supports it. Somebody can confirm it?

Any NYC T-Mobile USA owners getting 3G using 1900MHz/850MHz HSPA+ 84?

Any NYC T-Mobile USA owners getting 3G on their Samsung galaxy note using 1900MHz/850MHz HSPA+ 84?

The Note would need to have the 1.7 Ghz Module accessible, while the hardware is capable, the drivers/software has not been developed to allow support. You need both 2.1 GHz and 1.7GHz to make T-Mobile 3g work. 1700MHz band (actually its 1710MHz -1755MHz) is the upload freq, and the 2100MHz band (2110MHz - 2155MHz) the download. You need both or T-Mobile will kick the phone into Edge only(850Mhz).

What is this I don't even...
The Note is not an AWS-capable device, and the hardware does not support it. Band IV (AWS) will never work. Ever.

Croak said:
The Note is not an AWS-capable device, and the hardware does not support it. Band IV (AWS) will never work. Ever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1400816
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1395971

Spartan2x said:
The Note would need to have the 1.7 Ghz Module accessible, while the hardware is capable, the drivers/software has not been developed to allow support. You need both 2.1 GHz and 1.7GHz to make T-Mobile 3g work. 1700MHz band (actually its 1710MHz -1755MHz) is the upload freq, and the 2100MHz band (2110MHz - 2155MHz) the download. You need both or T-Mobile will kick the phone into Edge only(850Mhz).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i don't think you guys understood what he was saying
T-Mobile is supposedly testing out non-aws band for their data service and he's simply asking if anyone has tried it in nyc
http://www.theverge.com/2011/12/17/2642763/t-mobile-3g-1900-iphone-hspa-84

read what the OP wrote, think about it, read it again because you just skimmed it the first time, think about it a lot harder, read it one more time for good measure and realize your response wasn't applicable, move on to the next thread..
Do that before responding guys.....
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

ph00ny said:
i don't think you guys understood what he was saying
T-Mobile is supposedly testing out non-aws band for their data service and he's simply asking if anyone has tried it in nyc
http://www.theverge.com/2011/12/17/2642763/t-mobile-3g-1900-iphone-hspa-84
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 for reading what the OP wrote before responding
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

If someone was getting T-Mobile 3G on the 1900 band, don't you think someone would have posted it by now?

Nope. I'm still only getting EDGE in/near NYC. And slow EDGE at that.
I've been switching back and forth between my T-Mobile SIM and an AT&T mvno SIM. I'm getting decent speeds with the latter but dreaming T-Mobile will come through with the 1900mhz 3G.

Any updates on this? Some markets like Pittsburgh have this already right?

I keep hearing end of the year. My understanding is that T-Mobile is working to get current 2G users off the 1900Mhz band before refarming can occur. They had a pilot program in a couple of markets and there was some rumbling of a national rollout of that program possibly in September. I follow this very closely and there is still nothing concrete. I just asked about this in a T-Mobile store and they said they are expecting further information, but nothing yet, They are moving as quickly as they can as they need the iPhone and can't get it until the refarm is done.

Unlock Galaxy S4

Hey guys. Have a chance to take GS4 but is there any info how to unlock it to use on TMobile?
DOes it have AWS bands for supporting TMobile HSPA?

escknx said:
Hey guys. Have a chance to take GS4 but is there any info how to unlock it to use on TMobile?
DOes it have AWS bands for supporting TMobile HSPA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why just not get T-Mobile's version?

MattMJB0188 said:
Why just not get T-Mobile's version?
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Click to collapse
Great idea but there are no TMo offers yet. They plan to put it in their stores around 8-15 May. So if there is no chance to unlock ATT one I'll wait for TMo.

I'd wait. With the AT&T version you'll only get 850mhz/1900mhz HSPA, whereas the LTE would work fine. You'd definitely want AWS HSPA+ if your on T-Mobile. Their 1900mhz refarming is very spotty and not matured.

MattMJB0188 said:
I'd wait. With the AT&T version you'll only get 850mhz/1900mhz HSPA, whereas the LTE would work fine. You'd definitely want AWS HSPA+ if your on T-Mobile. Their 1900mhz refarming is very spotty and not matured.
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Yes anyway I need HSPA+. I use ATT Note2 that supports it. But it is unknows if ATT GS4 supports it as well.

You should definitely wait. Or if you're buying outright full price, just get the international I9505.

Well thanks i9505 is too expensive
1-2 more weeks not a big deal then

If you live in Queens there are some T-Mobile stores launching the fone on the 1st... Actually only 3 stores in Queens launching on the 1st.

It does not support the AWS 1700 band, so wait for the TMobile version. The hardware is not there.

The ATT S3 and Note 2 did not support AWS HSPA out of the box, but a quick tweak using the Qualcomm software fixed this.
Perhaps the same fix applies to the new chipset in the S4?

WorldIRC said:
The ATT S3 and Note 2 did not support AWS HSPA out of the box, but a quick tweak using the Qualcomm software fixed this.
Perhaps the same fix applies to the new chipset in the S4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On Note 2 AWS HSPA can be enabled through service menu so I've made. Do not know about GS3..

Tmobile or ATT version S4
Will T-mobile S4, which I am sure will come as locked, work on ATT network (3G/4G/LTE) once unlocked? It appears that ATT version lacks Tmobile's 1700 band for 3G/4G. But does Tmobile version S4 comes with 1700/1900/2100 plus LTE band that works at both carriers provided that it is unlocked? If not is there an S4 unlocked version that can be purchased so that it works at both carrier's 3G/4G/LTE?

superiorbeefjerkey said:
Will T-mobile S4, which I am sure will come as locked, work on ATT network (3G/4G/LTE) once unlocked? It appears that ATT version lacks Tmobile's 1700 band for 3G/4G. But does Tmobile version S4 comes with 1700/1900/2100 plus LTE band that works at both carriers provided that it is unlocked? If not is there an S4 unlocked version that can be purchased so that it works at both carrier's 3G/4G/LTE?
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4g lte shoukd work straight out of the box since tmobile uses the same lte band as at&t. and im pretty positive hspa should work too cause you dont need 3 bands all time. I have tmobile note 2 on att and i have all 2g hspa and lte.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

plznote said:
It does not support the AWS 1700 band, so wait for the TMobile version. The hardware is not there.
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Could you please provide a source for this? I've been looking but can't find any confirmation. I was thinking both phones would have the same hardware (cheaper to manufacture) but the modem firmware would simply disable some bands on the AT&T model.

plznote said:
It does not support the AWS 1700 band, so wait for the TMobile version. The hardware is not there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Turns out the hardware is identical on both the AT&T and the T-Mobile models. More info on this post. Cross-referencing posts to avoid duplicating info, and in case someone is interested.

what about unlocking the phone(t-mobile version)? anything available besides buying the code?

noob question
WorldIRC said:
The ATT S3 and Note 2 did not support AWS HSPA out of the box, but a quick tweak using the Qualcomm software fixed this.
Perhaps the same fix applies to the new chipset in the S4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi there, what QUALCOMM software would this be? sorry for the noob question