I called T-Mobile to make sure that if I picked up a Nexus 4 from the Google Play store that they'd transfer my SIM to a microSIM for me so I could use it on their network, as it's sold unlocked. They told me that while this was technically possible, I may not get "4G" service because I "Didn't buy the phone from T-Mobile."
I told him it comes unlocked ready for AT&T or T-Mobile's networks, and he continued to insist that I probably wouldn't get HSPA+ access, but maybe I would, he didn't know. But if I didn't, there was nothing they could do.
I got the feeling it was just the T-Mobile guy trying to convince me that I should buy a Nexus 4 in their store for $500 instead on Play for $350, but I wanted to ask here - Have ANY of your Play-purchased Nexus 4's had any issue on T-Mobile? Or AT&T for that matter? I expect not, but I wanted to check with the experts.
Using mine now with no problem. They r just trying to make commission off u. Hack the nexus to get LTE
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Your feeling is right. I got mine from the play store it does work on 4g so save your cash and buy it contract free
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
I'm using a Playstore N4 on T-Mobile with very good 4G speeds. If fact it gets better speeds than the T-Mobile H1 I tried for a week.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
That unscrupulous sales/customer rep was trying to "up-sell" you and was blowing smoke up your arse by trying to mis-inform you.
1) Google play store nexus 4 and T-mobiles are exactly the same in terms of hardware specs.
2) HSPA/+, Edge, 4G (in deployed markets) all work on nexus 4s.
3) Nothing special needed to activated a nexus 4 Tmo's network.
4) Most of the users on XDA know more about phones/services than most sales reps.
I question some of there tactics.
I signed up for T-Mobile service over the phone (got the Sim cards for free from a T-Mobile store) and there was zero mention of an activation fee. So I get my bill and there is $70 charge for 2 activations.
I called and told them I was never told there was an activation fee. The lady was like "oh well I see here there is credit, let me go ahead and apply that credit to waive the fees."
If I never questioned it, they would have pocketed $70. Def some shady stuff with them, but I can't complain, my bill is half that of Verizon and the service works fine for me.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Can't wait for 4G LTE TMo to be released in New York, NY and then I'll do the LTE hack unless Google releases LTE back in the next OTA due to the Nexus 4 32GB LTE rumor.
Related
Who else is leaving Verizon and the comfort of Unlimited Data - LTE no less - and going prepaid?
I'm 99% certain I'm doing this. I'm more worried about coverage in the pre paid plans then about leaving Verizon. Good riddance! But still scary!
Who else is going through this and what plan are you going to try?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Depends on which prepaid you are going for. I left my unlimited data since I could save a hell lot more money with prepaid. (around 40 dollars a month)
I abandoned my Verizon Galaxy Nexus (and ate the ETF) for a Play Store Galaxy Nexus and a Straight Talk (AT&T) prepaid plan in May. I haven't looked back since. Got all the updates and cut my bill in half. Good things with prepaid is you dont have to commit. I say try out AT&T and T-Mo based prepaid plans in your area and see if you'll be happy with the service. When the Nexus 4 is released, all I need to do is put my SIM card in it...done.
I'm leaving sprint with their unlimited data
.I work at a t mobile retailer and will probably use T-Mobile prepaid and get the phone..
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium
You should really make sure what type of coverage/data speeds you'll be getting on T-Mobile or AT&Ts networks before you make the jump. We all want the N4, but unfortunately, it's just not going to be viable for some people.
Cheers
I have a Straight Talk ATT Sim coming as well as T-Mobile Prepaid. I will try both and see. I only have the coverage maps to go by and a few friends. I live in Spokane Washington so if anyone knows about that area let me know!
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Go t mobile that way you get hspa 42
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
emuneee said:
I abandoned my Verizon Galaxy Nexus (and ate the ETF) for a Play Store Galaxy Nexus and a Straight Talk (AT&T) prepaid plan in May. I haven't looked back since. Got all the updates and cut my bill in half. Good things with prepaid is you dont have to commit. I say try out AT&T and T-Mo based prepaid plans in your area and see if you'll be happy with the service. When the Nexus 4 is released, all I need to do is put my SIM card in it...done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did this same thing about three months ago. Between me and my wife we are saving about $100 per month for smart phone service. I wont argue that Verizon is the king as far as coverage goes but they are just too proud of their services and they are punishing long term loyal customers which I won't stand for.
I would say we are receiving about 90% of other service we had with Verizon for about half the cost. It was a no brainer for me. Even with the etf, I'm already saving money!
Eddog4DROID said:
Who else is leaving Verizon and the comfort of Unlimited Data - LTE no less - and going prepaid?
I'm 99% certain I'm doing this. I'm more worried about coverage in the pre paid plans then about leaving Verizon. Good riddance! But still scary!
Who else is going through this and what plan are you going to try?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not going pre paid but going to t-mobile unlimited.
Straight Talk looks good but I keep hearing about strict data policies. I use like 1 gig a month usually. Its the 100 MB a day that seems limiting. Occasionally, I need that.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Eddog4DROID said:
Straight Talk looks good but I keep hearing about strict data policies. I use like 1 gig a month usually. Its the 100 MB a day that seems limiting. Occasionally, I need that.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its more like 2gb a month. I don't put much stock in the 100mb a day thing because I've busted that bunches of times with no reprocussions. YMMV.
If data is a concern, get a T-Mobile sim if their coverage is good in your area. I read all the time about people using 5-7gb a month without being throttled.
I actually have a T Mobile sim coming as well. That 30 dollar plan looks awesome. I just don't know if I can do 100 minutes and how their coverage is.
I keep reading that pre paid plans do not have roaming either, does anyone know what that actually means? For example, what if I leave my state and I go to another city that has good coverage with the same prepaid carrier is that considered roaming?
Sent from my GT-P7510 using xda premium
Eddog4DROID said:
Who else is leaving Verizon and the comfort of Unlimited Data - LTE no less - and going prepaid?
I'm 99% certain I'm doing this. I'm more worried about coverage in the pre paid plans then about leaving Verizon. Good riddance! But still scary!
Who else is going through this and what plan are you going to try?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am doing this. I have a plan for me and the wife. My contract is up in January so ill be buying a Nexus 4 in late december to test it out/port my number before my contract ends effective 2/2. If all is good my wife will be making the transition as well. Right now we pay $150 for our plan through Verizon for 700/unlmtd/unlmtd. We only use like 100 minutes a month so im paying for the data/messaging... all of which I cant use data inside my home, so its Wifi only, and messaging at home hardly works anyways... wifey stays home with the baby and only uses like 100mb a month on the data package.......
All said and done I cannot believe I didnt make this switch earlier. Ill be saving over $900 this year alone incl the cost of the devices. Cant beat that..
That said - Anyone interested in a Galaxy Nexus in Mint condition (I mean mint.. its a Refurb that just got sent to me last week and rebuilt 2 weeks ago, not a knick or scratch) or a RAZR Black 16gb
Anyone in SE Michigan using T-Mobile $30 plan? Checking the coverage map looks very sketchy once you get off the e-ways.
AT&T used currently, so Straight Talk is an option, but use hardly any minutes so the T-Mobile plan looks enticing, but do travel a bit to the UP and Minnesota which looks like it would be hit or miss on coverage compared to AT&T/Straight Talk.
T-Mobile's HSPA+ is faster than Verizon LTE. I wish T-Mobile had the coverage Verizon did though.
UnlockedNand said:
T-Mobile's HSPA+ is faster than Verizon LTE. I wish T-Mobile had the coverage Verizon did though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
H+ is such a sketchy network compared to LTE though. Very inconsistent and can be literally polar opposites in terms of data speeds in one spot to ten feet away. From my parking spot at work to the door I go from 8down to 1down with no obstructions. Same can be said in my house. With an LTE phone I don't see those kinds of fluctuations.
Eddog4DROID said:
I actually have a T Mobile sim coming as well. That 30 dollar plan looks awesome. I just don't know if I can do 100 minutes and how their coverage is.
I keep reading that pre paid plans do not have roaming either, does anyone know what that actually means? For example, what if I leave my state and I go to another city that has good coverage with the same prepaid carrier is that considered roaming?
Sent from my GT-P7510 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No that's not considered roaming. I used my gnex on straight talk at&t & postpaid t-mobile. Here is an example of roaming: when I go upstate, there is literally no tmo coverage. In those areas (about 3 hrs north of westchester county in ny), my postpaid tmo account will roam onto at&t. At that moment, I am a tmo customer roaming onto at&t. If I were on tmo prepaid, I would not get any service at all. I would not roam onto at&t. However, on my straight talk at&t sim, I had service up there. Data speeds are slower that tmo, but there at&t has a bigger footprint.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
emuneee said:
I abandoned my Verizon Galaxy Nexus (and ate the ETF) for a Play Store Galaxy Nexus and a Straight Talk (AT&T) prepaid plan in May. I haven't looked back since. Got all the updates and cut my bill in half. Good things with prepaid is you dont have to commit. I say try out AT&T and T-Mo based prepaid plans in your area and see if you'll be happy with the service. When the Nexus 4 is released, all I need to do is put my SIM card in it...done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will need a new Sim, or have to cut your old one....
Sent from my HTC Sensation using Tapatalk 2
Eddog4DROID said:
Who else is leaving Verizon and the comfort of Unlimited Data - LTE no less - and going prepaid?
I'm 99% certain I'm doing this. I'm more worried about coverage in the pre paid plans then about leaving Verizon. Good riddance! But still scary!
Who else is going through this and what plan are you going to try?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did just this about two weeks ago. I went with tmobile $50 unlimited and cut my bill in half. I'm really sorry I didn't do it sooner to be honest. I paid my ETF, but that's ok because I'll make it up in like 3 months of having a lower bill. It was worth it to me, because verizon's anti-consumer nonsense was really starting to bother me, and their customer service has never been great in my experience.
Coverage with tmobile has actually been pretty good in Indianapolis. However, I'm currently on an Iphone 4 and can only get edge speeds as the network farm isnt done in my area. I really like the iphone a lot, considerably better than my incredible 2, though I will probably grab a nexus 4 when it comes out, if only for variety. It's nice being able to pop a sim card out of one phone and into another without the hassle of dealing with locked up, overpriced phones.
Do it, but you might want to think about keeping a spare phone around in case you have to have your nexus 4 repaired. an older android im sure would be fine, assuming it's a model with decent build quality that can stand the test of time.
cbutt said:
No that's not considered roaming. I used my gnex on straight talk at&t & postpaid t-mobile. Here is an example of roaming: when I go upstate, there is literally no tmo coverage. In those areas (about 3 hrs north of westchester county in ny), my postpaid tmo account will roam onto at&t. At that moment, I am a tmo customer roaming onto at&t. If I were on tmo prepaid, I would not get any service at all. I would not roam onto at&t. However, on my straight talk at&t sim, I had service up there. Data speeds are slower that tmo, but there at&t has a bigger footprint.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tmo prepaid has voice/text roaming, just not data roaming.
Sent from my A100 using xda app-developers app
Hello. I've just spoken to about 5 different AT&T representatives, and they're split on whether the Nexus 4 would work on their prepaid plans.
The reason is this: The half that said it wasn't compatible, said so because AT&T changed the structure of it's prepaid plans to exclude HSPA+ and 4G phones. Plain and simple, 4G and HSPA+ phones will have voice and texting, but no data on their prepaid plans.
Does anyone know this to be true? I think I understand that the Nexus 4 isn't 4G, but is HSPA+.
Any help would be appreciated.
They don't know what they're talking about. Go to Straight Talk, it's a prepaid carrier that runs directly on AT&T's network. It's also cheaper (?). And yes the Nexus 4 runs on hspa+, at&t has that has well.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
---------- Post added at 02:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:01 PM ----------
The Nexus 4 will work on their prepaid network. It's obviously an unlocked phone.
Outsourced customer service are uninformed.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
scream4cheese said:
They don't know what they're talking about. Go to Straight Talk, it's a prepaid carrier that runs directly on AT&T's network. It's also cheaper (?). And yes the Nexus 4 runs on hspa+, at&t has that has well.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I meant, is that you can't use the Nexus 4 'with' AT&T prepaid plans. I'm in the process of acquiring a Straight Talk SIM, but thought about using AT&T while making my decision.
The reps said that AT&T blocked the use of HSPA+ and 4G phone from being used on their prepaid networks, in an effort to strong arm people into using their post-paid plans. They said that iPhone 3Gs would still work, but that you couldn't buy and use an iPhone 4G on a prepaid plan, because it wouldn't even have data.
Btw, all of the reps but one worked at my local AT&T stores. The only one that told me it would work was the one online via chat.
I am using the nexus 4 on the prepayed $65 plan on at&t without any problems at all the lady at the at&t store told me the data wouldn't work but i said i dont care about it and they gave me the sim and it work's perfectly data and all
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
I found out I'm eligible at both for no deposit/down payment on a contract on both Note 2's?
Already with T-Mobile Prepaid and I really like AT&T's Note 2 cause it goes up to 2100 frequency and has the optional charging pins... Stuck at a dilemma, I love T-Mobile's coverage, but the fact that I don't think their Note 2 is LTE Capable(I may be wrong?) and it doesn't have the optional charging pins holds me back from it, but I also noticed that T-Mobile's Note 2 is roughly 8MPBS Faster, at least the connect is at their location verses AT&T's location and their Note 2. Plus T-Mobile has the no data caps plan... >_<
So topsy turvy!!! At a toss up here. Damn if I could afford to buy an out of contract AT&T Note 2 SIM Unlocked I would and stick with T-Mobile. LMAO! But that's doubling the price.
AT&T SpeedTest.net 21MPBS
T-Mobile SpeedTest.net 29MPBS
Trying to find a users opinion between both carriers. Pro's and Con's?
T-Mobile because it's cheaper plus it's true unlimited data.
Tmobile all the way. If coverage isn't an issue go for it. Plus when LTE drops on TMobile, the Note 2 will support LTE with a software update from what I read.
Sent from my DROID3 using xda app-developers app
AT&T sucks.
If you have T-Mobile coverage, go with T-Mobile
(source: I've had both AT&T and T-Mobile as carriers)
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
t-mobile...
Sent from my HTC Sensation using xda app-developers app
So after discovering that our shiny devices indeed did have true LTE capabilities, many of us were eager to try it out. Some of you Canadians or T-mobile customers were lucky enough to be the first to access the LTE networks when they went online.
My question is directed more towards the Tmo customers, rather than international users as I am no familiar with any other county's rules or regulations.
Aren't you worried that if or when T-mobile finds out you are accessing their LTE network using this mysterious "illegal" device of yours you will get your device blacklisted? I sure would love it if they sent out some sort of warning Free T-mobile txt message or a courtesy phone call letting you know that you're a criminal, prior to the blacklist.
Has anyone encountered anything of this sort? Perhaps anyone have any information to share of this topic?
Also, anyone using only LTE throughout the day, how are the battery and signal?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
It is not illegal and im sure tmobile won't be able to do anything to stop it.
So the fact that N4s passed through the FCC without their LTE capability doesn't make the phone a bit taboo?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Jeeeenx said:
So the fact that N4s passed through the FCC without their LTE capability doesn't make the phone a bit taboo?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nobody's sure whats the deal with n4s lte module. But its there and if you want u can use it. But you going to have to figure it out on your own or ask xda community.
I'm hoping to jump on the LTE wagon as soon as t-mobile lights up our city. I mean, to think NYC, most populated city in America, didn't get first dibs at an upgrade... This is an outrage!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Jeeeenx said:
I'm hoping to jump on the LTE wagon as soon as t-mobile lights up our city. I mean, to think NYC, most populated city in America, didn't get first dibs at an upgrade... This is an outrage!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's cuz of they have exhausted the market there with 3g. They opened lte in markets where they have smaller base of customers but the ability to attract bigger one. I feel your pain as i am in Chicago.
You don't need a phone that's certified by T-Mobile themselves to run it on their network. T-Mobile is a cellular network provider, and has no say on what phones you can and can not use for LTE if you're paying for their service. They tell you the bands you can access with any device capable of connecting to them for a reason. This includes the Nexus 4. The Nexus 4 is 4G LTE capable, and supports T-Mobile's LTE tech. You can tell a rep. yourself that you got it working. They can't do anything about it. Its your phone and if anything, it would be illegal on their part to blacklist your device because you pay for the service, and you're not getting it in full with the device they have sold to you.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
b4d455b345t said:
You don't need a phone that's certified by T-Mobile themselves to run it on their network. T-Mobile is a cellular network provider, and has no say on what phones you can and can not use for LTE if you're paying for their service. They tell you the bands you can access with any device capable of connecting to them for a reason. This includes the Nexus 4. The Nexus 4 is 4G LTE capable, and supports T-Mobile's LTE tech. You can tell a rep. yourself that you got it working. They can't do anything about it. Its your phone and if anything, it would be illegal on their part to blacklist your device because you pay for the service, and you're not getting it in full with the device they have sold to you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If this in fact is the case, then is great news. Somehow I don't think it will settle just like that. Corporations want to sell & sell. Who's going to buy SGS4s or HTCs if we all have LTE in our phones and we are allowed to use it.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
T-mobile doesn't want you buying a new phone. They would love to have customers who bring their own phones and pay for their service. In fact that is the whole basis of their new contract free "un" carrier marketing campaign. If the Nexus 4 is capable of running on lte, although they won't provide tech support for it, there is no reason for them to proactively block it.
They don't make much off the devices they sell they make the money off the monthly contract.
Just like Comcast doesn't care what TV you have they just need you to pay that monthly bill.
T-Mobile or the FCC is not going to do a damn thing to the end users. If anyone that's going to get the pointed finger, that'll be Google.
LG and Google tried to hide the fact that the phone is LTE capable, but the OPEN SOURCE community, as gifted as they are, discovered that the device IS capable.
I also called T-Mobile pretending to be interested in buying a Note 2. I was trying to play off that I have T-Mobile's true un-throttled unlimited data currently and asked if I purchased the Note 2 if will be able to access the LTE network with no ramifications/fines/extra hidden fees and the representative said, yes, you will be able to use LTE with nothing effecting your current account.
http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_says_why...able_of_running_on_lte_networks-news-5122.php
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^total horse****! I've been using LTE on my N4 since day one of the roll-out and my monthly bill hasn't changed a cent.
Thank you all for the input. You've clarified things for me quite a bit
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Does anyone here use the att mnvo Net10? I'm looking to switch out from tmobile and straight talk is out of the question now how is the service? How is the customer service? How was the porting time?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Data is completely useless for me, so is their customer service. The only way to speak to anyone is to send them an email and wait for them to call you in a day.I hold a signal just fine and have tried all the apns I can find but its impossible for me to even get close to my 1.5GB limit when I can't even load a web page or refresh my weather. Gophone was much better for me and that's what I'll be going back to. I've heard gophone has less coverage than post paid att contracts, but I can't notice any less coverage where I am. I should note that these are only mine and my wife's experience, it might work awesome for you.
Ugh why couldn't straight talk just be available instead! Would make life so much easier!!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
I was in the same boat. Att's gophone isn't bad if you are ok with using VoIP if you use more than 250 mins. If you find something else that works really good for you, I'd love to know, just so I have some usable options.
Well my experience was the opposite I think att sucks in Miami, dropped calls and data is slower and now you have a data cap no thanks. Only problem I see with T-Mobile and this is even on my postpaid is data is fast but sometimes you try to connect to something and it just never goes and times out. CS told me its because whenever someone requests internet you get pushed to the back of the list and best thing is to turn data on and off again. It sucks I know but att is worse in my experience and way better than sprint.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
I appreciate the input... Here in new Haven ct att is awesome though, which really influences my decision... I love the T-Mobile speeds but the coverage is garbage at best...
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
St and n10 are owned by the same company I hated both of them so I went to tmobile
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
I'm seriously jealous of you tmboile guys, I was with them for 5 years and loved em, there's no coverage here though
I am doing this because i have seen many negative reviews for NET10 and would like to share my experience...Just ported over from the T-Mobile $30 plan to the net10 $50 unlimited plan for both my lines last night at around 6pm. Bought the sims at best buy for $15 (3 pack - 2 at&t, 1 micro and one regular, and one regular T-Mobile one) and the unlimited for two lines card ( I believe it was $90 there)... ported over my lines and took all of a half hour to port... Had to call customer service a few times with questions (once was my fault as I accidentally used the T-Mobile Sim instead of the at&t Sim) and they were super helpful. The service is fantastic, not one dropped call or dead zone and I'm getting 2-3 Mbps, which is a fine trade off from T-Mobile. I could get 12 mbps with T-Mobile but never had any service indoors.
I give net10 two thumbs up so far... Will update with any new info or bad news.
Edit: I would also like to say that I traveled the northern corridor of CT today with a branch out to Bristol and almost full bars HSPA the entire time... My battery is in heaven.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app