Database Users

Best version of the Tab?

I plan on getting one through Craigslist and will most likely be using it on Wi-Fi only.
Is there any difference between them besides the carrier markings? Which one can make voice calls after rooting?
(I'm on TMO)

If you want to make calls, you're gonna want an ATT tab. The gsm variants (att and tmob) both have 16gb of internal storage with a card slot free. The cdma variants (sprint, verizon) have 2gb of internal storage and a 16gb card. That's about the only difference between the carriers.

Bluetooth keyboard and mouse will work with the T-Mobile version.

info about devices I've gathered from these forums so far:
Verizon and Sprint have no Bluetooth HID support (this means you can't pair a mouse or keybaord - not sure about bluetooth headsets though), and VZN/Sprint only have 2GB of internal storage. tmo/att tabs have 16GB internal storage.
Tmobile has the fastest 3g data, but Verizon has the most data coverage on the continental us map, and is generally the slowest 3G data. Tmobile has the cheapest prepaid option at $10 for 7 days/150mb. ATT prepaid will cost minimum of $20 for 1 month/250mb. verizon i believe starts at $20/month, and with sprint there is no prepaid option.
Tmobile can be hacked to use voice minutes and data, but only edge works with that voice hack enabled, no 3G. You can turn off the voice hack and get 3G data speeds without resetting. ATT voice and 3G will work without the hack(still needs to be flashed though).
Sprint tablets usually sells for the cheapest. AT&T tablets generally sells for most expensive.
AT&T 3G also works in Europe, as well as tmobile 3g.
Tmobile has the most search results in the galaxy tab forum, tmobile is mentioned twice as much as any of the other carriers.
GSM models have more xda development support than CDMA.
As stated previously, there is no switch hacking necessary for the modem on the AT&T model if you want to use voice minutes. Just flash rom, modem and go. If you have the euro version you don't even need to flash to use this capability. Tmobile, on the other hand, requires a switch hack in order to use minutes from your plan.
Tmobile is a great choice if you don't plan on using it as a phone, and are in an area with 3G coverage. Tmobile is an ok choice if you do plan to use voice minutes. Note that in order to use voice with 3G on AT&T, you need to have a contract plan which starts at $55/month. Some people don't use the phone minutes but instead use skype or some other VOIP service over 3G. For VOIP in the continental US, Tmobile is probably the better choice due to faster speeds if you're not moving around too much. IF you plan on traveling all over the place then ATT is probably the better choice.
with ATT and tmobile you can surf 3G AND talk at the same time when using cellular voice minutes. you cannot talk and surf at the same time with EDGE.

daveymark said:
AT&T 3G also works in Europe. Tmobile tab will not have 3G in Europe, only edge.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Small correction here - TMo US Tab *does* have 3G in Europe.
Regards,
Dave

foxmeister said:
Small correction here - TMo US Tab *does* have 3G in Europe.
Regards,
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for pointing that out. after researching it more it looks like there is confusion with tmobile because in the U.S. tmobile uses 1700 frequency AND 2100 frequency, and in europe/asia it's just the 2100 frequency that is used.

daveymark said:
info about devices I've gathered from these forums so far:
Tmobile has the fastest 3g data.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a Droid X (Verizon) and a Galaxy Tablet (T-Mobile). Here's what I've observed. Verizon's 3G service coverage is pretty much everywhere. I can't find anywhere that I don't have 3G with the Droid X. T-Mobile's 3G coverage is more limited. For example, I work in Greensboro, NC and live in Burlington, NC. I have 3G coverage in Greensboro but lose it and go on EDGE when I get to Burlington. However, in the places where I have 3G with T-Mobile, it's 3 - 6 times faster than Verizon's. It really smokes.....where it's available. If they could get their coverage as widespread as Verizon's, they would definitely be the carrier of choice.
One additional observation....about a mile from my home in Burlington, there's a T-Mobile store. They've got all kinds of flyers in their windows about how fast their 3G and 4G speeds are. Interesting thing is that where this store is located and for about 12 miles going towards Greensboro, you don't have anything but EDGE. So, if you go into the store and want to see an example of their "blazing speeds" they can't provide it....unless they're doing it with WiFi and fooling the customer.

Guitar4Him said:
I have a Droid X (Verizon) and a Galaxy Tablet (T-Mobile). Here's what I've observed. Verizon's 3G service coverage is pretty much everywhere. I can't find anywhere that I don't have 3G with the Droid X. T-Mobile's 3G coverage is more limited. For example, I work in Greensboro, NC and live in Burlington, NC. I have 3G coverage in Greensboro but lose it and go on EDGE when I get to Burlington. However, in the places where I have 3G with T-Mobile, it's 3 - 6 times faster than Verizon's. It really smokes.....where it's available. If they could get their coverage as widespread as Verizon's, they would definitely be the carrier of choice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well said, lack of 3G coverage is one of the reasons I did not go with a Tmobile Tab. I was going to originally pick up a verizon model since it seems to work in more places. Unfortunately the lack of Bluetooth HID support and no coverage in europe forced me to avoid VZW. ATT has more 3G coverage than tmobile and has the option of voice with 3G, so I went that route.
here are two up to date maps of current 3G coverage, ATT vs Tmobile:
TMobile:
http://www.cellularmaps.com/image/tm_3g_10c.jpg
ATT:
http://www.cellularmaps.com/image/att_3g_11a.jpg
as you can see ATT is the clear winner here, for now.
for reference, here's verizon's 3G coverage:
http://www.cellularmaps.com/image/vzw_3g_c.jpg

Celebration in the Florida Panhandle

Well guys, I don't know how many of you (if any of you) live in the Florida Panhandle, but if you do, you would know that for years our area has been very much behind the rest of the nation in terms of upgrading to newer and faster wireless cellular networking standards. Well, we Panhandlers can now rejoice!! Our years of painful waiting have not been in vain.
On the GSM side...
T-Mobile
After years of dealing with the painfully slow Edge network, T-Mobile users in Pensacola got both 3g AND 4g coverage in limited areas this past week. I was not in town when it got switched on apparently (was in Louisiana where they already have 4g), but was pleasently surprised to see the HSPA+ indicator come on when I got back. It hasn't been turned on everywhere in town yet though, or at least not according to my phone. North, Northeast, and Central P-Cola are the areas I've tested thus far, all of which are served by one tower in the North Central section. Downtown area and Southeast side (East Hill/Heights) still running on Edge. No official announcement from T-Mobile about it though (which is weird, hope they're not just doing a large-scale beta test). Apparently 4g has been switched on a 100 miles east in Panama City as well, per the T-Mobile website. Also per the T-Mobile coverage locator, 2 new cell towers have just been added to the local Pensacola network (one in the northeastern suburb of Pace, and one on the southwestern beach town of Perdido Key), though I haven't been able to test if these are in fact 4g/3g towers yet.
AT&T
AT&T is still in the baby stages of rolling out their 4g system, with little information about when and if they are going to upgrade their infrastructure here in the Panhandle. But they have had 3g here in Pensacola for a while now, and it is decently quick. Much better than Edge, at any rate. I REALLY hope the T-Mobile buyout doesn't go through...I can't stand AT&T. But if it does, then AT&T will absorb all of T-Mobile's infrastructure, and therefore inherit whatever 4g systems T-Mobile has in place here in the Panhandle. This may, in fact be the reason why there is no news/rumors/anything about AT&T releasing their own 4g in the Panhandle - because they aren't planning to. Hmm...
On the CDMA side of things...
Sprint
Many unconfirmed reports have gone around that Sprint is testing their 4g network in and around small parts of Pensacola as well. I confirmed this (at least for myself) by testing out a friend's Evo 4g near the Cordova Mall area where there had been 4g spottings. Not very fast or strong, but we did pick up 4g. However, no one knows for sure when they will finish testing it and fully switch it on. But it's encouraging to see they're definitely working on rolling it out.
Verizon
Verizon just officially launched their 4g LTE in Pensacola and 50 miles to the west in Mobile, AL. Unlike T-Mobile, Verizon has made this event quite a public affair, with even the local news reporting on it: LINK. As Verizon is proudly displays their true data coverage map that breaks down the types of data networks by the different "g's" (unlike some other type of company i know *cough*AT&T*cough*), it is easy to see that their 4g coverage envelops all of Pensacola proper, with most of the surrounding suburbs/small towns getting 4g as well. There are a few 3g gaps here and there, but the overwhelming majority of all the urbanized areas now gets 4g service. It is by far the most expansive 4g network in the Pensacola area, and also covers most of Lower Alabama as well (Mobile, Daphne, Gulf Shores, Foley, Dauphin Island, Theodore, etc.). Panama City and most of the other Panhandle areas are not currently covered by Verizon 4g (save Tallahassle). However, according to THIS article, all other Panhandle areas will be covered by sometime in 2013. Not bad Verizon, not bad at all.
So, all in all, we now have 3 different cellular providers that offer (at least limited) 4g in Pensacola and other parts of the FL panhandle. All 4 providers now have at least 3g coverage in most urbanized areas. And at least two providers have documented plans to keep expanding their current 4g system deeper into the Panhandle.
I feel this video is appropriate for our current situation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9y4iXAso4I

About time
I hope they run in by the base. I was at the Carmike the other day and BAM!!! 3G

[Q] Verizon service/plans when it comes to phablets

I have a phone that I bought from Verizon and I have kept the unlimited data. I know all about my phone but next to nothing about my service.
My question is specifically about phablets (for example, this) which is basically a big ass phone, or a tablet with cell service, however you want to word it. I'd use it exclusively with bluetooth instead of holding the thing up to my head, don't worry.
I travel internationally and see them A LOT in other countries (they cannot help me though since I need one to use in the US). I am under the impression that VZ will not activate anything I did not buy from them. I don't know how solid this is but every VZ employee I have asked has confirmed this so far. I know in the past that it used to be as simple as switching out the SIM card but doubt this is still the case.
I'm sure there are some hardware specs (frequencies?) that I need to look at that would determine the LTE/4G/3G whatever compatibility, but I don't know the terminology. Also I'm not exactly sure what I'm looking at when it comes to CDMA vs GSM, only that blokes in England use GSM. Can you help me out?
Also, I am hesitant to leave VZ because of the unlimited data and the service coverage. I live in mildly populated CT, USA and would welcome a prepaid plan if data/service is comparable but don't even know where to begin looking.
Thank you in advance - I really don't have anyone else to ask about this stuff.

I'll try to make it simple for you. There are really two types of cell networks (not counting LTE, since all carriers are using that now here in the US): GSM and CDMA.
CDMA is what Verizon, Sprint, US Cellular, MetroPCS, Cricket, and maybe other smaller carriers use. It is based on a serial number called a ESN on older phones or MEID on newer phones (since the late 2000s). That serial number is burned into the programming of the phone on the ROM and cannot be changed very easily and is illegal to do so supposedly. There are two types of CDMA technology in use today, 1xRTT and EVDO (older analog was phased out a few years ago). 1xRTT or 1x as it's abbreviated, is a "2G" technology that allows for packet switched voice and SMS traffic, as well as very very slow data speeds (think 56k dialup). EVDO is strictly for data (the voice part was never added because they didn't want to pony up the cost of it) and is used in Rev 0 and Rev A EVDO. Most Verizon/Sprint 3G is Rev. A EVDO. It hits a max of 3.1Mbps down and if you get a call or text message, it drops to 1x and the 3g is suspended, unless you have a radio that can do both at once (HTC Thunderbolt). You activate by serial number and a bad ESN means they didn't pay their bill or it was an insurance claim on a lost phone and they are blacklisted.
GSM is a technology essentially where it uses a little plastic and electronic card called a SIM card. T-Mobile and AT&T are the two major carriers with this technology. There are several revisions of this technology in use today, GRPS, Edge, and various UTMS and HSPA versions. GRPS is analogous to 1xRTT in terms of speed, and Edge is in between and gives up to 250kb/s down, technically a 3g technology, although not feeling like it. UTMS, HSPA, and WCDMA all refer to a similar type of technology which is what is used by the 3G level of service of AT&T and T-Mobile (fake 4G on T-Mobile). It goes from just faster than Edge to DC-HSPA 42Mbps down speeds and allows for simultaneous voice/data (Edge and GRPS are either data or voice, not both). Your phone number is tied to the SIM card and this technology offers an advantage of if your main phone craps out, you can store your contacts on the SIM and just put it in another phone and still have service.
Roaming and tower authentication are completely different in GSM vs. CDMA. CDMA uses what's called a PRL (Preferred Roaming List) to determine which towers to authenticate to essentially, and sets priority. Some people will "hack" the PRL by changing it so for example if they have Sprint and their tower has the crappy 3g speeds, they roam on Verizon since they have unlimited roaming and get Verizon's better 3g speeds. GSM roaming is set per tower or location on the SIM card, and is a pretty static value dependent on the carrier. Roaming is only if they allow it depending on your plan and location (like T-Mobile prepaid will not roam on AT&T, but postpaid "Uncarrier" plans will).
So what you have is probably a tablet based on the data that gets EVDO service and probably 1xRTT and maybe LTE. If you have it on a phone plan and not a tablet plan, it's probably a Note 2 or something which is just really a phone from what it sounds like if you use Bluetooth. CDMA carriers will only use their devices and lock down ESNs to what they sell, so you can't buy a device from Sprint and put it on Verizon. The exception to that is sometimes prepaid carriers will let you "flash" the phone to their service but don't guarantee the results and don't support it. Examples include Cricket, MetroPCS, Page Plus, and I think Virgin Mobile or Boost *might*, but don't quote me.
LTE is a newer technology which isn't technically 4G yet since we haven't seen speeds here in the US on current LTE revisions of over 100Mbps, but they do have the ability with the right equipment. It uses SIM cards so you will see newer Verizon/Sprint devices actually use SIM cards for service (which is superior as noted above), and have an ESN so it can fall back to 1x or EV. The plan is to eventually roll out LTE to all towers and if you have a LTE device, you use LTE for voice and data (VoLTE), but all carriers don't have LTE on all towers so they fall back to HSPA/Edge or 1x for voice for now. They probably have dual radios like the HTC Thunderbolt and use both at the same time but LTE is still a maturing technology and has a lot of potential.
I hope this helps.
Edit: I forgot to add, for the smaller prepaid plans, you have to look at who they are based off of. Most of them just use a parent network from one of the 4 big carriers (Cricket being the exception, they have their own towers and roam on Sprint if you leave native coverage). I know Page Plus uses prepaid Verizon towers, but for the most part you won't get unlimited uncapped data on Verizon unless you keep your old $30 grandfathered plan. If you switch to a limited data plan, say bye bye. Honestly if you don't want to pay Verizon prices (I don't blame you), and you have the availability for it for coverage, T-Mobile or Sprint have good options. T-Mobile's network where they have 3g/4g is way way good. They just deployed equipment on their towers that's above everyone else with new NSN antennas and the LTE revision is LTE-A I think (check what Milan posted on Howard Forums for sure), but it's high dollar equipment that isn't cheap. Also they are upgrading the backhaul on their towers and most people are pulling between 10-20Mbps on DC-HSPA and 15-30Mbps on LTE. Milan got about 25 Mbps in NYC on T-Mobile LTE so they are a really good way to go and you can get an unlimited plan for $70 a month prepaid. Also, you can get a 5GB/100 min/unlimited SMS plan for $30 from Wal-Mart/tmobile.com.

N7 as phone....Possible? Please Read (LTE Only)

Please read this before all the flaming post are posted. I have read enough discussion on this board to know there is no chance of it. How Google locked everything down. How ever, we could maybe find a turning post with this message.
This was posted on Tmobile blog:
http://multimediacapsule.thomsonone.com/t-mobileusa/t-mobile-brings-voice-over-lte-to-seattle
Tmobile is turning on VoLTE in Seattle. I will try to explain this as best as I can since I work in the Industry and atm Tmobile. You can read further techs in the blog post. But simply, Tmobile is putting its Voice network on its LTE network.
As you know, our LTE devices, operate on all (US) GSM/CDMA/LTE Bands but voice calling we were always locked out of (because of Google). You can see if you are using a regular smartphone, if you place a call, your phone will swtich from LTE to 4G service. The current standard. But with Tmobile and ATT rolling VoLTE out, our phones will stay on LTE provided you are in the service area.
Inside these cabinets there used to be two devices that handled each technology, GSM and LTE. But i just started seeing Tmobile roll out a new devices that carries both of these technology in the same unit, providing this capability. I can tell you NYC and the Boroughs roll out is wwwwaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy behind. We have completed 1500+ LTE upgrades around the city and i just started seeing the new device about 3 weeks ago. So i can tell you that Tmobile has alot of sites to go back and retrofit in order to make this work in NYC. ATT will be done in NYC before tmobile, because they are getting ready to upgrade their LTE network but they will install the newer device at the same time. ATT should be ready by years end. Tmobile, will probably turn it on by end of year as well but the service will be very scattered.
Now i wonder if some devs with deeper knowledge of these devices and programming could turn these devices into a phone. As of right now, only a developer in Seattle could work on this (For Tmobile). And where ATT has turned on this service. Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. So maybe there could be hope on the LTE devices. God speed developers.

lte

good morning I'm new in this good forum my question is you can enable the 4g network or lte for this line sprint my s5 only works with the band 3g
Thank you for your attention

Can Only say this.... (seeing how we all would need a bit more actual Info)
Is there LTE from "Sprint" in your area?
Do you travel outside your "area" a lot?
You stated "sprint my s5 only works with the band" However, IS this phone a true "Sprint" or are you on a different Carrier? (e.g. whom do you pay for your service?) ( There are several fewer, smaller/newer, Carriers, that actual Run on Sprint 3g, and not LTE...)
What is the actual set up that you are working with? ( Info on the following is needed. ---- Rom, Kernel, Magisk, Magisk Modules, SSU, Exposed, etc.)
The Easy way,- just "Edit" your Q, with all the info.
I am sure that once you update your Q. you will have a correct answer. Again, there are smaller Carriers that do use the same phone and Sprint's 3G network. Those are not actual able to use 4g or LTE! Might really get into major headaches trying to get out of a Brick!
Just stating Facts.
Thanks