Database Users

Can I purchase a pay-as-you-go SIM in the US?

I'm taking my T-Mobile Vario II from the UK to the US next month and I was wondering if I can simply buy a PAYG SIM card in the States and use this on my phone while I'm there?
I know that the phone is locked so can I buy a T-Mobile SIM and use that?
Cheers.

Out of interest is there any reason why you do not unlock your phone first?

Sure, Cingular and T-mobile both sell prepaid sim cards (though you may be better off trying to get one on ebay first).
A T-mobile UK phone will NOT accept a T-mobile US sim without unlocking it, they are considered different networks and a phone locks itself to the network code.
Keep in mind though that in the US we don't have prepaid data like in the UK. PAYG in the US lacks many other things like roaming and cheap calls abroad.

Wam7 said:
Out of interest is there any reason why you do not unlock your phone first?
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To be honest, I don't know how to! I have a T-Mobile Vario II with the standard ROM.

Are PAYG SIMS available in Canada?
Is Canada considered 'abroad' with regard to a US SIM? And vice versa?
I'm going to both Canada and the US this year and want to know the score.
Thanks

mindracing said:
Is Canada considered 'abroad' with regard to a US SIM? And vice versa?
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When I was in Canada in July, Tmobile2Go SIM would *NOT* register. Note that in late '06 Tmo said 2Go SIMs would get roaming - dunno if that applies to Canada or not though. I just looked online and I'm still not sure You can easily pick up a Nokia 6030 here with a Tmo2Go SIM for ~$40. If you unlock and sell the 6030 it's cheaper than buying a SIM alone from Tmobile.
If your Vario II is a Hermes (I don't know T-mobile model names), you should have little trouble unlocking it using the Wiki instructions here.
PM me if you need help acquiring a US SIM card.
HTH,
Richard

Only Rogers pay as you go sim card has US roaming, but that's really expensive!

[Q] Verizon Samsung S4 SIM Card Unlocked?

I've been hunting for an answer to this semi-simple question everywhere, and have found about 4 answers (all different ones - somehow :silly: ) So I'll try asking here.... I'm going to study abroad in Spain this semester, and I just bought a Samsung Galaxy S4 from Verizon (it was an upgrade contract, not full price). When I asked the sales rep he said that the SIM card would have to be unlocked. However, when I talked to Verizon "technical support" they said, no, they're already unlocked and ready for international use. What I've seen in other forums is that people say it seemingly takes SIM cards but won't pick the network up. Does anybody here have experience with the Verizon S4 being used internationally? Can it be done? Do I need to unlock it? Thanks for any insights!

BelowAverage355 said:
I've been hunting for an answer to this semi-simple question everywhere, and have found about 4 answers (all different ones - somehow :silly: ) So I'll try asking here.... I'm going to study abroad in Spain this semester, and I just bought a Samsung Galaxy S4 from Verizon (it was an upgrade contract, not full price). When I asked the sales rep he said that the SIM card would have to be unlocked. However, when I talked to Verizon "technical support" they said, no, they're already unlocked and ready for international use. What I've seen in other forums is that people say it seemingly takes SIM cards but won't pick the network up. Does anybody here have experience with the Verizon S4 being used internationally? Can it be done? Do I need to unlock it? Thanks for any insights!
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As a Verizon phone uses a CDMA signal, I don't think it is going to work anywhere in Europe where they use GSM signals. Sorry.

bsam55 said:
As a Verizon phone uses a CDMA signal, I don't think it is going to work anywhere in Europe where they use GSM signals. Sorry.
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The S4 is equipped with a GSM radio, I checked on that much at least.

Yes
I went ahead and just bit the bullet and bought a SIM card here, and good news: it works :good:
HOWEVER, I believe the problem that others who tried to use it globally were having is that it defaults to Global mode, which doesn't really seem to work (No clue what Global mode is, but I got a signal with no data connection). For anyone who wants to use it internationally, you will have to manually switch to GSM/UMTS by going to Settings>Connections>More networks>Mobile networks>Network mode>GSM/UMTS

[Q] about activated in china?help!!

over

回帖不看帖系列。
别把国内论坛坏习惯带到这里来。

mourui313 said:
I'm from BESTBUY to buy 306SH, but not in USA activated by SPRINT has sent to China signal, I want to use 3G or 4G LTE in the China Telecom's CDMA network, but to insert the SIM card can not identify, who are willing to help me to activate the machine? Must be in the activation of SPRINT can change the card or the first activation solution network lock, to use? SPRINT to me this kind of customers, whether to provide unlocking service?
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Hi, I can confirm that even you have it UICC unlocked, it won't work with China Mobile/Unicom/Telecom.
Service status will be SEARCHING always.

解锁成功了吗求方法

You'd better do some research before your purchase
mourui313 said:
I'm from BESTBUY to buy 306SH, but not in USA activated by SPRINT has sent to China signal, I want to use 3G or 4G LTE in the China Telecom's CDMA network, but to insert the SIM card can not identify, who are willing to help me to activate the machine? Must be in the activation of SPRINT can change the card or the first activation solution network lock, to use? SPRINT to me this kind of customers, whether to provide unlocking service?
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Sprint could unlock the phone for oversea use only for their customer and the phone need to be activated with Sprint at least 30 days. I am afraid we couldn't help you.

Sprint Unlock
wuyiL said:
Sprint could unlock the phone for oversea use only for their customer and the phone need to be activated with Sprint at least 30 days. I am afraid we couldn't help you.
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I tried to contact sprint customer service, They told even their phone is unlocked, they still can not use other carrier's sim card. BUT as we can see sprint iphone 6 and 6+ are oversea unlocked in China, and supporting China Mobile TD-LTE bands( Band 38 ,41).
Let's see this phone, when I got into the hidden menu, I figured out that 306sh is support TD-LTE band 41, That's means if it is oversea unlocked (like iPhone 6 example). It is possible that 306sh also is oversea unlocked, the best carrier for support 306sh is China Mobile (TD-LTE), China Telecom (CDMA 1X, CDMA ev-do REV A, TDD-LTE, FDD -LTE), Softbank (Japan FDD-LTE, TDD-LTE, HSPA+).
I ll try take it to have a oversea test. Let's wait.

According to your saying, technically we could unlock it to use in China and Japan.

Oversea Unlock
wuyiL said:
According to your saying, technically we could unlock it to use in China and Japan.
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In theory, I have to say it could be oversea unlocked. However, if we want to use the phone oversea. We have to concern about two issues.
First, the phone had better be unactivated. I am not sure we can use a CDMA phone burned some carriers information on abroad. So an unactivated aquos is more likely can be used oversea.
Second, If we use china mobile's network, I don't think the phone can make a call. that because, china mobile is a gsm carriers, they do not support CDMA phone. Only thing we can use from china mobile is their TD-LTE network. So if we insert CMCC sim card, the phone will become a web only phone that is unable to make a call. Or if China Mobile has VoLTE technology. On the other hand, China Telecom's network will be a best choice for 306sh. Cauz China Telecom's 2g 3g 4g network is exactly same with Sprint network. Let's see, softbank. the situation is a little bit similar with China Mobile. Softbank also is a GSM carrier, but Softbank they do not have 2G network, about 10 year ago, Japan closed all their 2G network, that's means, Softbank do not have GSM GPRS and EDGE. for replacement, they have WCDMA, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, FDD-LTE and TDD-LTE, so aquos also is very suitable to Softbank in Japan.
Let's waiting for the test.

看完我只想说楼主傻逼
尼玛是不是末宝店主 还是什么脑残用google翻译

淘宝店主倒也有心可原
不过这英语真是有点坑了啊

Englsih
Alien Kingson said:
不过这英语真是有点坑了啊
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This is a an English forum, I do not understand why you guys type Chinese at here.
I am joining in the discussion is to try to help people who have this kinda phones in China. On the other hand, I dont think it is a good place for us to critical whose English is better than others. If you guys have some good ideas why dont you post them in English not Chinese on the forum to let people from all over world to know thus we can root the phone earlier. Anyway I can get high speed 4G LTE internet service in states, I dont care how it works in China. The reason why I join the discussion is try to help you guys. Our goal is to root the phone, let do it, we can made it.

Dave E said:
This is a an English forum, I do not understand why you guys type Chinese at here.
I am joining in the discussion is to try to help people who have this kinda phones in China. On the other hand, I dont think it is a good place for us to critical whose English is better than others. If you guys have some good ideas why dont you post them in English not Chinese on the forum to let people from all over world to know thus we can root the phone earlier. Anyway I can get high speed 4G LTE internet service in states, I dont care how it works in China. The reason why I join the discussion is try to help you guys. Our goal is to root the phone, let do it, we can made it.
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i have tried to write a unlock SIM card. but it dont work on China-Unicom(a GSM/WCDMA/LTE network Operator) ,i can make phonecalls to others, but cant receive phonecalls. i want to make 305sh use GSM ONLY,i tried *#*#4636#*#* it cant set GSM ONLY. can any other way to set GSM　ＯＮＬＹ？　ｔｈａｎｋｓ

[Q] Please help me figure out which model to get

I’m coming from a Nexus 5 and trying to figure out which model of Note 4 to get. I've read a lot on this and am still finding it all very confusing with so many Note 4 models and rumors of region/continent-locking.
I'm in Canada and need something penta-band 3G support and support for LTE on at least Bell in Canada. I regularly use a T-Mobile SIM in the US and other SIMs in Asia-Pacific and Europe when I travel. I have read that the Note 4 models are region-locked by continent.
Fortunately it does look like CanadaGSM is selling a bunch of different unlocked models including the W8 and the T. From their site it seems that the W8 model would give me the most frequency support but isn't this the model that Bell, Rogers, and other Canadian carriers are selling? If that's the case, why do the sites of those carriers list fewer bands (e.g. no 1700 support except from Wind).
Is it true that the Note 4 is continent-locked? For example if I get a W8 can I use it with SIMs in Asia-Pacific and Europe when I travel as I do with my Nexus 5?
If I'm going to spend $800 on an unlocked Note 4 it had be truly unlocked.
Thanks in advance for any helpful answers.

I think the N910W8 is the model for you. http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=specs&id=6798&c=samsung_sm-n910w8_galaxy_note_4_lte-a_samsung_muscat
The carriers not listing 1700 support probably don't use 1700 to begin with. The W8 definitely supports 1700.
Not entirely sure about the continent locking issue. I've heard about it but I think it only applies to carrier models.

910u.

So in theory if I get a W8 and unlock it I should be fine. That would actually be helpful as I could get it on contract from Bell a lot cheaper.

2xbass said:
Is it true that the Note 4 is continent-locked? For example if I get a W8 can I use it with SIMs in Asia-Pacific and Europe when I travel as I do with my Nexus 5?
If I'm going to spend $800 on an unlocked Note 4 it had be truly unlocked.
Thanks in advance for any helpful answers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, your Note 4 is region locked.
BUT the lock works this way: you buy your phone in the US and it's locked to any other SIM other than a US one. Once you insert a US sim into it and make a 5-minute call, it will be unlocked for all SIM cards and you can use it anywhere in the world.
What a lot of people don't know -and it's not their fault, so much misinformation on the internet- is that the lock is not supposed to prohibit users from using their phones while travelling or anything crazy like that. It's Samsung's attempt against grey imports. So that, for example, a device meant to be sold in Europe would not be sold in the US and vice versa. Once you get your phone and activate it with a SIM from your region, you can freely use it anywhere you go.

Thanks for the clarification.
iridaki said:
Yes, your Note 4 is region locked.
BUT the lock works this way: you buy your phone in the US and it's locked to any other SIM other than a US one. Once you insert a US sim into it and make a 5-minute call, it will be unlocked for all SIM cards and you can use it anywhere in the world.
What a lot of people don't know -and it's not their fault, so much misinformation on the internet- is that the lock is not supposed to prohibit users from using their phones while travelling or anything crazy like that. It's Samsung's attempt against grey imports. So that, for example, a device meant to be sold in Europe would not be sold in the US and vice versa. Once you get your phone and activate it with a SIM from your region, you can freely use it anywhere you go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Just want to confirm that this does all work as expected. I got a Note from Bell yesterday and it's an SM-910W8. As expected it would not take a SIM from another carrier. I made a call on it and then unlocked it with a code from cellunlocker.net and after that it was able to take a SIM from Vodafone in Australia as well as one from T-Mobile.
Loving this phone so far!

Want to import European variant of Samsung phone to USA. Question about region unlock

I want to import the European variant of a Samsung phone to the USA (the price without VAT and no duties make it tempting). However Samsung is known to have region locking where one has to place a five minute call with a region's SIM card to fully unlock it for global use.
If I have a European SIM card (the UK for example) and I'm roaming in the USA with it can I make a 5 minute phone call while roaming overseas with the European SIM card to fully unlock it?

Yes I think that's how it works

BigBen60 said:
Yes I think that's how it works
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So even if I'm roaming internationally a European SIM card would allow it to be unlocked? I've been reading online that you also have to connect to a European mobile network/carrier.

darabo said:
So even if I'm roaming internationally a European SIM card would allow it to be unlocked? I've been reading online that you also have to connect to a European mobile network/carrier.
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I can't say it for sure : I've never done this
Check on these online reading you are talking about or on XDA, someone must already have tried this
At worst you can buy a european S7 edge already used, at least you'll be sure that it is fully unlocked ^^