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Greetings All,
After some disagreement with Bell, I've tried to find some truth regarding smart phone plans and the OMNIA II. The Bell representatives stated the Omnia II will only work with a smartphone plans (which conveniently start at $50 Ouch!)
Supposedly if I outright buy the phone (full price) I won't be forced into a contract. Assuming I'm contract free... can I subscribe to a cheaper monthly voice plan only?
The goal is to use the phone as a WM 6.5 PDA and surf only when in the vicinity of WIFI (home and office etc). For the few phone calls I make (which avg 4-5 a month - yes I hate talking on a cell phone), a simple voice plan with basic text messaging should suffice?
The issues surrounding this are:
A. Has this been done successfully before - is anyone doing it now???
B. When a WIFI hotspot isn't available, will the browser fail or will it secretly connect to the cellular network and ding me with data charges?
C. Having no prior experience with a GPS enabled cell phone - this "A-GPS" needs the data package to work? Or can I use it with a voice plan only?
D. I've heard stories of smartphones constantly talking to the cellular network, is this an issue? or is there a way to disable the data connections forcing it to use WIFI only?
E. Would any of this warrent unlocking the phone? Bell stated it comes locked with a Bell SIM card (its on their HSPA+ network).
Again, the goal is to use it as a suped' up PDA, surf only on WIFI and subscribe to a bare bones phone package for that occasional call I might make.
Suggestions? Comments? Advice?
KevinStraight said:
Greetings All,
After some disagreement with Bell, I've tried to find some truth regarding smart phone plans and the OMNIA II. The Bell representatives stated the Omnia II will only work with a smartphone plans (which conveniently start at $50 Ouch!)
Supposedly if I outright buy the phone (full price) I won't be forced into a contract. Assuming I'm contract free... can I subscribe to a cheaper monthly voice plan only?
The goal is to use the phone as a WM 6.5 PDA and surf only when in the vicinity of WIFI (home and office etc). For the few phone calls I make (which avg 4-5 a month - yes I hate talking on a cell phone), a simple voice plan with basic text messaging should suffice?
The issues surrounding this are:
A. Has this been done successfully before - is anyone doing it now???
B. When a WIFI hotspot isn't available, will the browser fail or will it secretly connect to the cellular network and ding me with data charges?
C. Having no prior experience with a GPS enabled cell phone - this "A-GPS" needs the data package to work? Or can I use it with a voice plan only?
D. I've heard stories of smartphones constantly talking to the cellular network, is this an issue? or is there a way to disable the data connections forcing it to use WIFI only?
E. Would any of this warrent unlocking the phone? Bell stated it comes locked with a Bell SIM card (its on their HSPA+ network).
Again, the goal is to use it as a suped' up PDA, surf only on WIFI and subscribe to a bare bones phone package for that occasional call I might make.
Suggestions? Comments? Advice?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Re: Disabling GPRS - try NoData from Modaco - its a freeware, just google for it and disable all your data plans.
O2 will work with just voice plan
A. Omnia 2 will work with just a voice plan, I used mine in the Cook Islands last week with just a voice plan SIM.
B.The problem is that Bell offers data with the phone setting so you would have to make sure you disable the data, not just with Opera or the GPS, or you will incur data charges and they will roll up quickly. Most likely they offer the bundle (I have it and fine it a very reasonable plan for my phone use) because people regularly use data by mistake.
C. GPS Worked just fine. I couldn't use google maps but no problem, there's only one real road
D. As long as you are not using push email or any application that accesses the internet automatically you should not incur charges.
E.You don't have to unlock the phone unless you want to go with a different provider than Bell.
Are you set on having an Omnia 2? Perhaps a better option would be to purchase an unlocked Omnia 2 and a pay as you go SIM from a provider that does not have data.
Good luck.
post deleted
That rep was full of ****. Buy the phone outright, and call Bell and ask them to disable the data for you so you never have to second guess or accidentally use data on your phone. Be careful, you must disable data on every sim card you decide to use.
KevinStraight said:
Greetings All,
After some disagreement with Bell, I've tried to find some truth regarding smart phone plans and the OMNIA II. The Bell representatives stated the Omnia II will only work with a smartphone plans (which conveniently start at $50 Ouch!)
Supposedly if I outright buy the phone (full price) I won't be forced into a contract. Assuming I'm contract free... can I subscribe to a cheaper monthly voice plan only?
The goal is to use the phone as a WM 6.5 PDA and surf only when in the vicinity of WIFI (home and office etc). For the few phone calls I make (which avg 4-5 a month - yes I hate talking on a cell phone), a simple voice plan with basic text messaging should suffice?
The issues surrounding this are:
A. Has this been done successfully before - is anyone doing it now???
B. When a WIFI hotspot isn't available, will the browser fail or will it secretly connect to the cellular network and ding me with data charges?
C. Having no prior experience with a GPS enabled cell phone - this "A-GPS" needs the data package to work? Or can I use it with a voice plan only?
D. I've heard stories of smartphones constantly talking to the cellular network, is this an issue? or is there a way to disable the data connections forcing it to use WIFI only?
E. Would any of this warrent unlocking the phone? Bell stated it comes locked with a Bell SIM card (its on their HSPA+ network).
Again, the goal is to use it as a suped' up PDA, surf only on WIFI and subscribe to a bare bones phone package for that occasional call I might make.
Suggestions? Comments? Advice?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just signed a three year contract with Bell, a few weeks ago i was surfing on their site and like you said , impossible to get a Omnia 2 without a data plan, last week i went back on, and I dont know if its a bug, but you can order one with a regular voice plan, i took the 30$ plan ( cheapest) got the phone by mail , free.
If i click on my connections on top you can disable all data, and only use wifi. If it does want to use data it warns you before activating it.
Hope this helps
Hi everyone-
I have a nexus 7 hspa and am posting because I am getting ready to travel with it and want have fun but be safe.
1. I use the voip feature with a paid version of grooveip and am trialling it as my primary phone. I purchased the hspa version because I didnt want to rely on being near accessible wifi to make a call. Currently when I am within wifi range, it works great, although there is not the spontaneity associated with walking around talking on a phone.. I recently activated a $30 tmobile data plan and am somewhat confused. Will grooveip automatically check for both data and wifi and move to whatever is available? When I activated the $30 dollar service I got a telephone number that I have added to google voice, yet all calls seem to keep going through my old google voice number. What am I missing?
2.I have security concerns about walking around with a gps signal open and plan to travel with both data and wifi off unless I need them. Can the n7 be tracked even when I turn off the wifi, location and data plan services? With a cellphone, if I had these concerns I would simply pull out the battery, that is not possible with this device.
3. I will be using a lot of public wifi. Is there a vpn app that will automatically engage when grooveip is enabled or will it always be a two-step process of opening the vpn then opening grooveip to flow through it?
3. How does this scenario change if I am in europe? I plan to get a european micro-sim when traveling.
Thanks for any info you can offer.
First off the N7 will not work on T-Mobile's $30/mo plan. T-Mobile is blocking the N7 IMEI's. Secondly yes when you go out of range of wifi grooveip will switch to the HSPA connection.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
I was curious if anyone has tested VoLTE on VZW? I have searched and most of the info I see is either speculation or involves the Band 12 Tmob hack.
I did read where it was suggested you have to "purchase/add" the VoLTE feature for free on the Verizon website. I'm a little leery of trying that as I don't want to screw up my Unlimited Data Plan.
Are you talking about Advanced Calling 1.0 aka simultaneously being able to use voice and data? Then yes you can just go on Verizon's website to add it. It does not affect unlimited data.
GatorsUF said:
I was curious if anyone has tested VoLTE on VZW? I have searched and most of the info I see is either speculation or involves the Band 12 Tmob hack.
I did read where it was suggested you have to "purchase/add" the VoLTE feature for free on the Verizon website. I'm a little leery of trying that as I don't want to screw up my Unlimited Data Plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It works just fine and it wont mess up your unlimited data. Call in and make sure they activate HD voice/advanced calling on your line. You can do it online but i have seen instances where it doesnt take after doing it from my verizon.... You wont regret it. It allows you to use internet services while on a call and calls between other usurs of HD voice and yourself on Verizon sound crystal clear.
I use my pure with t-mobile and will travel to Japan next month for 1 week. I read that wifi calling is not available on this phone at all. I plan to rent a portable hotspot anyhow, so does the sms or mms still work?
I was also checking out how to turn off data roaming on my phone and noticed it was already off but hasn't affected anything so far. Is that normal? I was hoping to at least have text working or would have to revert to email to keep in contact with my family if we separate.
I'm not entirely sure what you are asking here... SMS and MMS will need a connection to T-Mobile, the later will require data connection.
WiFi isn't really "international" or US or Japan, it is just WiFi... although there are some regulatory aspects to it (and channel restrictions in the US), your WiFi should work just fine in Japan. Before getting or renting a hotspot, check out where you are going and look into Softbank's Free WiFi Passport and Travel Japan WiFi, they require registration but can get you free WiFi at almost 500,000 locations in Japan for 2 weeks, there are also paid WiFi networks you can subscribe to. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2279.html
You might want to look into a Google Voice account, set it up before you go, or get a local SIM.
You could also change your T-Mobile plan to T-Mobile ONE and Simple Choice North America for the term you are there, it would likely cost more but offers free data, text and 20 cent/min voice calls.
chitin said:
I use my pure with t-mobile and will travel to Japan next month for 1 week. I read that wifi calling is not available on this phone at all. I plan to rent a portable hotspot anyhow, so does the sms or mms still work?
I was also checking out how to turn off data roaming on my phone and noticed it was already off but hasn't affected anything so far. Is that normal? I was hoping to at least have text working or would have to revert to email to keep in contact with my family if we separate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By chance did you end up testing your data speeds in Japan? I am going there in a month and am trying to avoid a pocket wifi unless absolutely needed.
jjchdc said:
By chance did you end up testing your data speeds in Japan? I am going there in a month and am trying to avoid a pocket wifi unless absolutely needed.
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Click to collapse
I leave on Friday and may end up getting a pocket wifi for 1 week @ $50. T-mobile said my data and all text is still unlimited over there but it caps at 3G speed and I prefer to to have something with us instead of looking for wifi hotspots. Voice calls are $.20/minute, so wifi will have to be enough.
acejavelin said:
I'm not entirely sure what you are asking here... SMS and MMS will need a connection to T-Mobile, the later will require data connection.
WiFi isn't really "international" or US or Japan, it is just WiFi... although there are some regulatory aspects to it (and channel restrictions in the US), your WiFi should work just fine in Japan. Before getting or renting a hotspot, check out where you are going and look into Softbank's Free WiFi Passport and Travel Japan WiFi, they require registration but can get you free WiFi at almost 500,000 locations in Japan for 2 weeks, there are also paid WiFi networks you can subscribe to. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2279.html
You might want to look into a Google Voice account, set it up before you go, or get a local SIM.
You could also change your T-Mobile plan to T-Mobile ONE and Simple Choice North America for the term you are there, it would likely cost more but offers free data, text and 20 cent/min voice calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does google voice use data only? I have a Voice acct and if I rent a personal hotspot, that would work out nicely. I'm a little worried about not being able to make any voice calls in Japan since there's a T-mobile charge. But if our hotspot covers text and google voice, I think we're all set.
chitin said:
I leave on Friday and may end up getting a pocket wifi for 1 week @ $50. T-mobile said my data and all text is still unlimited over there but it caps at 3G speed and I prefer to to have something with us instead of looking for wifi hotspots. Voice calls are $.20/minute, so wifi will have to be enough.
Does google voice use data only? I have a Voice acct and if I rent a personal hotspot, that would work out nicely. I'm a little worried about not being able to make any voice calls in Japan since there's a T-mobile charge. But if our hotspot covers text and google voice, I think we're all set.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It can... Install the Google Voice app or use the Hangouts Dialer plugin.and it can run completely on data.
thats what i am planning to do when i go to the carribean for a few months. i dont have tmobile but when i get there im going to do google voice on one of my phones and a simcard from there for another. check your prices though because what i found is amazing over there. so which ever works cheapest i may go with, but i have been integrated with google voice for years with sprint
30 Day 10 GB $30.00 a month/US
Hello,
The nougat update was installed on my Sprint S7 edge the other night. Now I can't use the Internet while I'm on a call! I did calling and surfing with no problem before this update. I called sprint and they basically said that you can be on WiFi and call / surf no problem, which is true. But I am often away from WiFi and need to use internet while on call. I tried the different modes such as CDMA, LTE/CDMA, GSM/UMTS, AND Automatic but same problem.
Has anyone experienced this? Is there a setting or something to fix this?
Looks like I may have to go back to AT&T! ?
Thanks in advance
That is a limitation of Sprint, not Nougat. I switched from AT&T to Sprint last April and ran into the same issue immediately. While I plan to switch back to AT&T or Verizon, I've been using the hangouts dialer/google voice to make calls over LTE. This fixes the issue for me for the time being.
-Matt
coolecho said:
Hello,
The nougat update was installed on my Sprint S7 edge the other night. Now I can't use the Internet while I'm on a call! I did calling and surfing with no problem before this update. I called sprint and they basically said that you can be on WiFi and call / surf no problem, which is true. But I am often away from WiFi and need to use internet while on call. I tried the different modes such as CDMA, LTE/CDMA, GSM/UMTS, AND Automatic but same problem.
Has anyone experienced this? Is there a setting or something to fix this?
Looks like I may have to go back to AT&T!
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never been able to access data over cellular while on a call on my S7 Edge. Nougat or Marshmallow. Worked fine on older phones, but Sprint's Spark network doesn't allow it.
I came from T-Mobile who I truly despise so I decided to give sprint a shot. I've been on sprint for years now on and off and I have NEVER been able to use the internet while on a call. As others stated above, their POS network doesn't allow it. It was the limitations of a CDMA network, but couple years ago, Verizon upgraded their CDMA network and now they can browse and talk at the same time. Sprint is the ONLY network that doesn't allow it that's in the top 4. ATT, TMO, VZW. While sprint was racing to be the first carrier to allow 4G (which they were) other networks were prepping for LTE and setting up their infrastructure to surf blazing speeds and still talk and sprint is stuck in the stone age's. Rant over lol
kennypow3rs said:
I came from T-Mobile who I truly despise so I decided to give sprint a shot. I've been on sprint for years now on and off and I have NEVER been able to use the internet while on a call. As others stated above, their POS network doesn't allow it. It was the limitations of a CDMA network, but couple years ago, Verizon upgraded their CDMA network and now they can browse and talk at the same time. Sprint is the ONLY network that doesn't allow it that's in the top 4. ATT, TMO, VZW. While sprint was racing to be the first carrier to allow 4G (which they were) other networks were prepping for LTE and setting up their infrastructure to surf blazing speeds and still talk and sprint is stuck in the stone age's. Rant over lol
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Click to collapse
Sprint actually did allow simultaneous voice and data for a while. It worked fine on my G3 (and still does, actually). But it doesn't work on any of the new phones that support their faster "Spark" network, or whatever they're calling it now.
meyerweb said:
Sprint actually did allow simultaneous voice and data for a while. It worked fine on my G3 (and still does, actually). But it doesn't work on any of the new phones that support their faster "Spark" network, or whatever they're calling it now.
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Click to collapse
what you said is 100% true but to add to the dialogue, the reason it doesn't work anymore is because manufacturers have reduced cell antennas down to 1
older devices used 2-3 antennas, so it was possible to use 1 antenna for internet on a LTE frequency while the other antenna was in use for voice calls.
VoIP is essentially a data stream so with 1 antenna that's the only workaround.
The last galaxy phone that did simultaneous voice and data (while not on wifi) was th GS3 . it had a radio in it call SVDO (simultaneous voice and data option)
no other galaxy phone since then can do both UNLESS your on wifi.
kennypow3rs said:
I came from T-Mobile who I truly despise so I decided to give sprint a shot. I've been on sprint for years now on and off and I have NEVER been able to use the internet while on a call. As others stated above, their POS network doesn't allow it. It was the limitations of a CDMA network, but couple years ago, Verizon upgraded their CDMA network and now they can browse and talk at the same time. Sprint is the ONLY network that doesn't allow it that's in the top 4. ATT, TMO, VZW. While sprint was racing to be the first carrier to allow 4G (which they were) other networks were prepping for LTE and setting up their infrastructure to surf blazing speeds and still talk and sprint is stuck in the stone age's. Rant over lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regarding Sprint racing to be the first carrier with 4G (Wimax) while the others were prepping for LTE, Sprint wanted to also do LTE like the others but at that time LTE was nowhere near ready & they had to do something with the spectrum they were sitting on at that time or else they would've lost it.
Robalboa said:
The last galaxy phone that did simultaneous voice and data (while not on wifi) was th GS3 . it had a radio in it call SVDO (simultaneous voice and data option)
no other galaxy phone since then can do both UNLESS your on wifi.
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Click to collapse
Last phone I remembered being able to do this was the Note 3. Man I miss being able to use simultaneous data & voice.
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
Well that sucks. We should have that option it's freaking 2017 lol. It's hard to take them serious. I also keep hearing of a soft bank and TMO partnership they really do want to pair sprint with TMobile to compete against Verizon and ATT. If sprint did merge with TMO they could route calls through another frequency/band and have data sit on the LTE band.
Robalboa said:
The last galaxy phone that did simultaneous voice and data (while not on wifi) was th GS3 . it had a radio in it call SVDO (simultaneous voice and data option)
no other galaxy phone since then can do both UNLESS your on wifi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, a work-around that I've tried is using the Google Hangouts dialer. You can surf the web and be on the phone. Kinda sucks they eliminated the simultaneous talk and data.
I can attest that until the latest Nougat update (last week) I was able to be on a phone call while connecting to the internet and webex. I do this a lot due to being stuck in traffic and having to attend conference calls while driving.
My phone is a Galaxy S7 Edge. I also had this ability with my Note 3. Something fishy is going on here.
I'm really upset that this is happening all of a sudden, strangely right after the freaking software update. I want the feature back! Now every forum says that Sprint doesn't support it on these phone. BS! I am proof it did have the ability. They just took it away with stealthy maliciousness. Sprint needs to give us back the ability to use data and voice simultaneously!
I'm using s7 edge too. if anybody still can't use data while on call. try to turn off your power saving mode. don't turn off your power saving mode while you on call. off ur power saving mode before you call or answer someone. i update this reply while on call too.
I think nowaday most updates are all a big BS. just another ploy to take away all the neat features and give the phone companies more controls, limiting user ability, etc.... i.e. to save the phone companies bandwidth and data use..
My old samsung S4 can do everything after i completely rooted it. from hotspot to simult data and voice, also sim unlock... all done by me just reading xda
I want to upgrade to something newer with removable battery and microsd card in the form of a LG G5. and it's been a real PIA. first phone i got it has the latest firmwarez preventing any enabling of tethering or DIY sim unlock... Had to return it.... 2nd phone has earlier firmware so i can enable tethering. but has no way to use data and voice at same time.