Database Users

[Q] Feedback required from Virgin Mobile Canada Galaxy S4 Users

Hey folks,
I am currently using an unlocked S4 from Wind Mobile on the Virgin Mobile network. It is technically the T-Mobile variant - SGH-M919V.
In comparison, the Virgin/Bell S4 is the SGH-I337.
My phone usually stays on LTE but it tends to revert to 3G in some areas, but never on 4G or H+. I had thought that the bands were compatible on the virgin mobile network, which brings me to my question.
Does your S4 ever revert to 4G or H+ when not on LTE? If that is the case, I am thinking of trading my Wind S4 for the Virgin/Bell S4.
Appreciate your feedback.
Thank you.

I'm pretty sure the M919 should fully support the 850 and 1900 MHz UMTS/HSPA bands, also you'd never see 3G or be able to do voice calls and texts without them.
I just got my SGH-I337M from Virgin yesterday and it definitely reverts to H+. So far it seems that it reverts from LTE to H+ after the phone has been sitting a while, and then if I start using the data it will kick up to LTE (probably doing that to save battery instead of keeping LTE on all the time?).
Who knows what could be going on with your unit. That is a Wind unit right? Maybe the software is different. One thing I know is that ROMs can show 3G/4G/H/H+ differently. Have you done a speed test while it is showing 3G? If it is true that you are falling all the way down to basic 3G/UMTS and not getting HSPA/HSPA+ then your speeds should be limited to less than 0.5 Mbps I think.

Thanks for the quick reply.
I managed to run a couple of speedtests when not on LTE. And they were around 2 Mbps down and 1.5 Mbps up. I don't think those are necessarily H+ speeds. But it's decent enough. Maybe then the reason I am seeing 3G is because of the way the ROM chooses to display non-LTE connections.
I double checked the supported bands, and it is true that the Wind S4 (T-Mobile variant) not only supports all the bands that the Bell/Virgin S4 does but the additional AWS band as well.
Is there a way for me to force the H+ connection on the phone, just to see that it works? Or should I possibly flash the modem/radio from the virgin/bell ROM?

Open up the Testing Menu, go into Device Info and see what it says for Network Type.
Make sure your wifi is off and hit "Run ping test" as few times and look at what it changes to.
HSPAP:15
HSPA:11
HSUPA:10
If you see these then it's fine, just icons are different.

Solved!
Okay,
I did a few things to verify that despite the phone showing 3G, it is in fact on 4G or H+ when not on LTE.
I went into ServiceMode by entering *#2263# in the Phone Dialer.
I forced non-LTE connections by changing the automatic preference to WCDMA 850 and WCDMA 1900 respectively.
These are the 2 bands that are 4G or H+ for Bell and Virgin Mobile Canada.
Then I ran speedtests to a close by server and got around 7 Mbps down and 3 Mbps, which are definitely 4G/H+ speeds.
Also, following @ChronoReverse advice, I found that the network type was in fact HSPAP: 15 and HSPA: 11 (screenshots attached).
So, in conclusion I can rest my obsessive personality and accept the fact that the phone is in fact capable & is running on 4G networks. It's a ROM thing I suppose.
Or in other words, the Galaxy S4 from Wind Mobile (or T-Mobile) is completely capable of running on Virgin Mobile Canada, Bell Canada, Rogers networks with full support of LTE and 4G/H+.
Embarrassed to say what a small little 3G icon does to a person these days!
Thanks for all the help!

What does "Global Ready" mean for the Verizon Note 3?

I am a little confused about some information I found on Verizon's Note 3 Page. It says that the Note 3 will be a CDMA phone but then lists the following bands:
CDMA Data – 1x and EVDO Rev0/RevA
LTE: B13 (700MHz)
Global Ready (GSM/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900; HSPA/UMTS: 850/900/1900/2100 MHz)
(original link: http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/...t&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=7194)
Does it mean that if sim-unlocked, it can be used internationally, and how, if it doesn't take a sim card? If it can be used internationally, I would much rather buy a Verizon (for the US) instead of AT&T. I use AT&T only because it's a GSM carrier.

I don't have the answer but I can recommend you to contact Samsung wireless. They certainly have much more credibility.
Good luck
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

All Verizon 4G LTE devices take SIM cards. They have to, since LTE is based on GSM. Also, historically, Verizon doesn't carrier-lock the LTE/HSPA/GSM part of their 4G LTE phones, so SIM cards from other carriers will work in a Verizon LTE phone out of the box.

incisivekeith said:
I am a little confused about some information I found on Verizon's Note 3 Page. It says that the Note 3 will be a CDMA phone but then lists the following bands:
CDMA Data – 1x and EVDO Rev0/RevA
LTE: B13 (700MHz)
Global Ready (GSM/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900; HSPA/UMTS: 850/900/1900/2100 MHz)
(original link: http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/...t&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=7194)
Does it mean that if sim-unlocked, it can be used internationally, and how, if it doesn't take a sim card? If it can be used internationally, I would much rather buy a Verizon (for the US) instead of AT&T. I use AT&T only because it's a GSM carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found the answer here, by the Answerer #2. The 4G/Data part of a global ready phone is GSM compatible, and only that part can be locked for data internationally; the calling part will still depend on CDMA in other countries. If that information is accurate, I will stick to an AT&T Note 3.

darkkterror said:
All Verizon 4G LTE devices take SIM cards. They have to, since LTE is based on GSM. Also, historically, Verizon doesn't carrier-lock the LTE/HSPA/GSM part of their 4G LTE phones, so SIM cards from other carriers will work in a Verizon LTE phone out of the box.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Truth be told. LTE has more in command with CDMA in terms of radio/air interfaces. It covered within 3GPP standards (GSM then EDGE, the UMTS, HSDPA, etc). Rather than 3GPP2 for CDMA1x and EVDO. That's why Alcatel Lucent had a leg up on LTE since its deployment is more akin (specterally) to CDMA. But they dropped the ball, and except for the US and Some Asian markets, the rest of the world has 3GPP based networks deployed.
the Simple version, is LTE is not directly compatible with any 2G/3G technology, but since its covered in 3GPP, the standards evolved quicker to ensure GSM/EDGE/HSDPA interworking.
And beyond that.. what most people dont know, that interworking doesnt really work that widespread yet. In the US most mobile handsets operate on dual frequencies (especially all VzW models, ATT models are catching up) so they effectively talk CDMA1x and LTE at the same time. iPhones do not support that capability, but GSM has work arounds to allow talk+data.
i'll go back to me hole now
(btw.. anyone with iOS7 and ATT.. what out you've got problems you dont know about when going back forth from 3G to 4G.. I know since at work we talked about how to fix it..

I believe a rumor was that it has the same LTE baseband chip as the iphone 5s so that you could potentially use the Verizon version on AT&T and T-mobile...any truth to that?

incisivekeith said:
I found the answer here, by the Answerer #2. The 4G/Data part of a global ready phone is GSM compatible, and only that part can be locked for data internationally; the calling part will still depend on CDMA in other countries. If that information is accurate, I will stick to an AT&T Note 3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not true, I put a T-Mobile SIM in my Verizon Note 2 and made calls, sent texts, and used data on GPRS, EDGE, and HSPA+.

geoff5093 said:
Not true, I put a T-Mobile SIM in my Verizon Note 2 and made calls, sent texts, and used data on GPRS, EDGE, and HSPA+.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have also done it with an ATT sim on my Verizon note 2.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 4

geoff5093 said:
Not true, I put a T-Mobile SIM in my Verizon Note 2 and made calls, sent texts, and used data on GPRS, EDGE, and HSPA+.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mchlwvr614 said:
I have also done it with an ATT sim on my Verizon note 2.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice! Was this native to the stock Rom or is a custom one needed that has this ability "unlocked"?

bigwavedave25 said:
Nice! Was this native to the stock Rom or is a custom one needed that has this ability "unlocked"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock rom, rooted to allow apn editing.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 4

Global-ready is basically verizon's way of saying that it has a GSM 3G radio as well as a CDMA radio. That allows the phone to operate in Europe where there is no CDMA service. You can purchase international service from Verizon, or purchase a SIM from a European carrier while overseas. All verizon 4G phones have a GSM 4G radio anyway, because LTE is GSM.
(This means that with an LTE carrier in Europe, any 4G Verizon phone can get data in Europe even if they can't place voice calls (VoIP still possible)).

If I am not wrong with what I am saying, Verizon LTE phones only support LTE BAND: 13, which means that IF you are willing to use 4G with different carrier, they have to support LTE band 13. I have tried to use my Verizon Galaxy Note 2 in South Korea, I was only able to use 3G network via WCDMA, I wasn't able to get LTE service at all. Correct me if I am wrong.

HecAtic said:
If I am not wrong with what I am saying, Verizon LTE phones only support LTE BAND: 13, which means that IF you are willing to use 4G with different carrier, they have to support LTE band 13. I have tried to use my Verizon Galaxy Note 2 in South Korea, I was only able to use 3G network via WCDMA, I wasn't able to get LTE service at all. Correct me if I am wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the different N3 variants due in fact support different LTE bands, so you are correct. Minor point not worth nitpicking from earlier post, GSM is not LTE. they both evolved from the same 3GPP standards body, but portions spread spectrum nature of LTE is more similar to CDMA than GSM.

I went to Korea last October, and they wouldn't allow prepaid 4g LTE. They would only allow 3G for prepaid service.
I had a note 2 rooted and custom rom when I went. I'm a US citizen and you have to wait about 2-3 days before you are allowed to sign up for any plan on what they told me.

Factory Unlocked Note 3? Is it truly?

Im finding out that having an unlocked android phone is better than having a branded one that you are stuck with which is why I plan on getting a Factory unlocked Note 3, but, I have some issues that I cannot seem to figure out. To me, factory unlocked on a device means unlocked for use with any carrier AND no carrier branding on or in the device, which is exactly the kind of Note 3 im looking for, but having a hard time finding it. Dose anyone know what model note 3 is truly factory unlocked, no carrier branding??
1. SM-N9000 3G = International/Made for Travelers: This is the international model. This one has a dual quad core processor running at 1.9 GHz Cortex/1.3 GHz A7. The reason for the processor being change is because this phone is meant to work everywhere their is a GSM signal and kicks threw the different processors to maximize signal strength. The N9000 CAN NOT to 4G speeds of any kind. This is due to most country not having 4G signal and that a lot of county's run on different cell frequencies. By removing the 4G radios this phone can pick up way more cell frequencies then the other models. This phone is not made for people looking for Data speed this is made for travelers whom want a reliable way to have cell service no matter where they are. Don't despair about the data or processing speed this phone still has Wi-Fi connection available and can breeze though 3D games; you shouldn't even notice a speed difference when doing tasks.
2. SM-N9005 4G LTE = European Model/International: This model contains the regular 2.3 GHz Snapdragon Processor. This phone unless unlocked is Region locked to only European SIM cards, after unlocked their is no region lock. Although this phone is an LTE phone it can only get LTE frequencies while in Europe. When you take this phone out of Europe it will get international signals but will not get LTE, when this phone is in the USA is will get H+ (Reference above) signal maximum.
3. SM-N9002 3G = China Model/Select Counties: This model is not LTE or 4G compatible. This was the First generation of the Note 3 released and is considered the Beta. With all the same hardware as the LTE version this phone will still preform flawless tasks.
4. SM-N900W8 4G LTE = China Model/Select Counties: This model will only get LTE in select counties and I advise you check with your service provider to see what signal you will be getting. This model is completely subjective as to what frequencies of LTE you will be about to get. Example: Imagine you are in Europe and you are in a city and get LTE. Then you move to another city and you lose LTE this is because the first city runs on an LTE frequency the the phone can get but the second city although may offer LTE to most cell phone; does not offer LTE on a frequency this phone can't run on.
5. SM-N900A 4G LTE = USA AT&T/Worldwide: This phone is International but you need to consult AT&T to see if you city or county can get LTE service or not. This phone once unlocked will work on Straight Talk, Solavei, T-Mobile, and any other GSM based network. Note: When using T-Moble, Solavei, or other services that piggy-back on the T-Mobile towers you can get LTE service but depending on your area you may not get 3G. If you live in a 3G area consult your carrier to see is the frequencies for 3G match up with this phone. (This review for the AT&T model can change at anytime due to AT&T's bootloader)
6. SM-N900T 4G LTE = USA T-Mobile: This phone when unlocked can get all USA frequencies. Example: You will have no problems using a AT&T SIM card with this phone and even get 4G LTE threw any service whom provides is. The N900T model is the most versatile model out of them all and if you plan on getting one I recommend going to a T-Mobile store and purchasing this model outright. Unlocking this phone is easily done threw calling T-Mobile and even using YouTube for an unlocking video.

micxploed said:
...
6. SM-N900T 4G LTE = USA T-Mobile: This phone when unlocked can get all USA frequencies ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to clarify - N900T can NOT get LTE from Sprint or Verizon.
micxploed said:
...
SM-N900W8 4G LTE = China Model/Select Counties
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
W8 is mostly used by some major Canadian companies and Telcel in Mexico.

First of all there are more models: Sprint and Verizon come to mind just for US market. Second of all, as far as I know all US models are carrier locked, some are easier to unlock than others but still. Third of all, my t-mobile phone had 18 entries under region lock, so I think it had been region locked at least in some places, easy to fix with region unlock, never the less not really factory unlocked. Only few markets get phones without region lock (China is one of them), but the biggest issue IMO is frequencies. It doesn't matter if your phone is locked or not, if you don't match all frequencies for all the places you'll be using it, it will fail sometimes and since no model has all frequencies, you have to go case by case, there is no best phone for all. For example above mentioned t-mo will not work on Verizon or Sprint at all, where Verizon and Sprint phones will work, at least on some T-mo towers.

Best version for AT&T?
Would then the "best" (allow custom ROMS) version for AT&T be SM-N900A ?
I've decided to jump fully over to Android and would like to get a Note 3.
Really trying not to ask a question that has already been asked, however, I'm having a hard time figuring out which version to purchase.
Thanks!

[Q] N9005 and how to make LTE working

Dear All,
I have bought a Note 3 in USA with serial number as follows: N9005GSMH and FCC:A3LSMN9005.
I have a problem because I don't know how to make LTE working. I'm using this smartphone in Poland, in settings I can't see option which allows to switch to LTE band. I have good LTE network coverage in my city but I haven't possibility to switch radio to LTE.
This is new phone so it is not rooted, two weeks ago new official update was made from JB to KK.
Can anybody advice how make LTE option visible in network settings?
I have found somewhere on this forum that after making some changes in configuration file in system directory LTE option appear in settings. But maybe it can be done without rooting?
Best Regards
Wojciech

wwwojciech said:
Dear All,
I have bought a Note 3 in USA with serial number as follows: N9005GSMH and FCC:A3LSMN9005.
I have a problem because I don't know how to make LTE working. I'm using this smartphone in Poland, in settings I can't see option which allows to switch to LTE band. I have good LTE network coverage in my city but I haven't possibility to switch radio to LTE.
This is new phone so it is not rooted, two weeks ago new official update was made from JB to KK.
Can anybody advice how make LTE option visible in network settings?
I have found somewhere on this forum that after making some changes in configuration file in system directory LTE option appear in settings. But maybe it can be done without rooting?
Best Regards
Wojciech
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As you bought from America you need to be aware that some of the 4G/LTE bands are different and won't work overseas... If this is the case you might not be able to get the right bands thus all you will get is 3G speeds....

ultramag69 said:
As you bought from America you need to be aware that some of the 4G/LTE bands are different and won't work overseas... If this is the case you might not be able to get the right bands thus all you will get is 3G speeds....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your answer. I have found that N9005 is LTE enabled and it supports some of LTE bands in my country.
N9005 supports LTE 2100/1800/850/1600/800Mhz(Band1,3,5,7,20).

wwwojciech said:
Thank you for your answer. I have found that N9005 is LTE enabled and it supports some of LTE bands in my country.
N9005 supports LTE 2100/1800/850/1600/800Mhz(Band1,3,5,7,20).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what you need to know - The LTE standard covers a range of many different bands, each of which is designated by both a frequency and a band number. In North America, 700, 800, 1900, 1700/2100 (AWS) and 2600 MHz (Rogers Communications, Bell Canada) are used (bands 4, 7, 12, 13, 17, 25); 800, 900, 1800, 2600 MHz in Europe(bands 3, 7, 20); 1800 and 2600.
There is a difference...

Lte Bands for Bell mobility
ultramag69 said:
This is what you need to know - The LTE standard covers a range of many different bands, each of which is designated by both a frequency and a band number. In North America, 700, 800, 1900, 1700/2100 (AWS) and 2600 MHz (Rogers Communications, Bell Canada) are used (bands 4, 7, 12, 13, 17, 25); 800, 900, 1800, 2600 MHz in Europe(bands 3, 7, 20); 1800 and 2600.
There is a difference...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It looks like you might have some information I need, I see you know which bands Bell mobility uses in Canada, here is my question.
I have an unbranded Note 3: sm-n9005 (bought in Russia), and I would like to know if there is a way to change the bands being used by the phone so that I can program the correct bands and use the LTE network with Bell Mobility.
I am currently with Bell Mobility and the following info is from my note 3
Version
AP : N9005XXUENB3
CP : N9005XXUENB1
CSC : N9005SERENB2
Baseband Version : N9005XXUENB1
Build Number : KOT49H.N9005XXUENB3

seeinthelight said:
It looks like you might have some information I need, I see you know which bands Bell mobility uses in Canada, here is my question.
I have an unbranded Note 3: sm-n9005 (bought in Russia), and I would like to know if there is a way to change the bands being used by the phone so that I can program the correct bands and use the LTE network with Bell Mobility.
I am currently with Bell Mobility and the following info is from my note 3
Version
AP : N9005XXUENB3
CP : N9005XXUENB1
CSC : N9005SERENB2
Baseband Version : N9005XXUENB1
Build Number : KOT49H.N9005XXUENB3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems a lot of people are asking this, It should be as simple as flashing your regions modem but this doesn't seem to be the case...
As I have never needed to do this I unfortunately don't have an answer...
This is an expensive little toy and I don't want to be responsible for screwing up yours.
If I was going to try then I'd try to flash the GSM and LTE modems. Flashing only one might cause a conflict, however this may also render your phone unusable...

If you're not seeing the LTE option in Network Mode, that's because your provider code isn't active in the little file that tells your phone it has LTE enabled on their network. Evidently, as you bought the phone in an entirely different region.
You'd have to flash the local firmware over it, but whether that's a safe thing to do on a US device, someone else will be more qualified to inform you.

note3 4g n9005
i need the original base bande version for note3 4g n9005 from ksa and how to remove samsung kies update from my phone

hossamkswra said:
i need the original base bande version for note3 4g n9005 from ksa and how to remove samsung kies update from my phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install Phone INFO ★Samsung★ app > Menu > 'Firmware Browser', enter KSA in the CSC textbox and tap Go button to search.

Also trying to do this
Did you ever have any luck with this, OP?
I need to know how to enable Bell LTE bands on an Asian SM-N9005.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...005-lte-frequency-bands-bell-canada-t2918195/

International Stravel Support

Does anyone have experience taking the Verizon Galaxy S7 Edge overseas? Or know what international frequency bands it supports?
I'll be traveling soon to Europe (France, Switzerland, Germany). Curious if I'll be able to get LTE with local carriers there.
Thanks!

Look at product>specifications here
http://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/product/SM-G935VZKAVZW
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

echelon333 said:
Does anyone have experience taking the Verizon Galaxy S7 Edge overseas? Or know what international frequency bands it supports?
I'll be traveling soon to Europe (France, Switzerland, Germany). Curious if I'll be able to get LTE with local carriers there.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im currently in London from Arizona and service sucks... if I am not on a WiFi the phone wont ring... and even tho it says 4G LTE my data is non existent... it switches back and forth all the time from EE to E UK to Searching... and it drains the battery like crazy... hope you have better luck in German, France and die Schweitz...

SysCrasher13 said:
Im currently in London from Arizona and service sucks... if I am not on a WiFi the phone wont ring... and even tho it says 4G LTE my data is non existent... it switches back and forth all the time from EE to E UK to Searching... and it drains the battery like crazy... hope you have better luck in German, France and die Schweitz...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dumb suggestions but:
Make sure your in global mode in settings > mobile networks > network mode.
Make sure your APN is correct for your SIM (I assume your using a local Sim).
Make sure to turn off advanced calling so the phone isn't stuck to stay on LTE during calls.
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

Global LTE band chart for the S7 Edge
_Dennis_ said:
Look at product>specifications here
http://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/product/SM-G935VZKAVZW
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I did some digging and found and charted the specs for the Verizon, AT&T, and France S7 Edge models. You can see the details in the attached Excel spreadsheet. Hope this is helpful for you guys planning a trip or traveling. Got the French specs from the Samsung France website.
The Verizon model is missing a few LTE bands that the French model has: 1, 12, 17, 25, 26, 28
I found this detailed LTE chart for France. Looks France mainly uses 3, 7, 20, and 28 -- so the Verizon model covers three of the four.
There's also this global LTE band chart, and this LTE chart for Europe.
Quick LTE band primer based on what I've learned:
LTE bands all have a number and a corresponding frequency. This list seems standardized worldwide. So for example band 1 is 2100, band 2 is 1900. In my Excel those are represented as B1(2100) and B2(1900). On the different web pages I link to, sometimes they refer to the bands just by number, and sometimes just by frequency, and sometimes both. But be careful, there are multiple bands with the same frequency number, but they are not the same -- for example both band 2 and band 25 are 1900.
I hope this helps others with your travels!
Anyone who has used the S7 in other countries (either Verizon SIM or a local carrier SIM) please do share your experience!
P.S. For those of you like me who have a spouse with an iPhone (ugh), Apple has a helpful chart of their LTE compatibility.