[Q] What Non-AT&T branded phones work on AT&T's 3G network? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I had read in a thread by azwildcat98 "We know that AT&T uses the 850/1900/2100 MHz US 3G bands, while T-Mobile uses the 1700/2100 MHz US 3G bands, therefore making each carrier's hardware incompatible with the other's 3G network"
I am looking for possibly a list of non-AT&T distributed phones that work on AT&T's 3G network. My reason is that I currently have a T-mobile HTC HD2 connected to AT&T's EDGE network and i am paying $10/month for "non-smartphone internet" (because AT&T and T-Mobile dont exchange their IMEI # database apparently) AT&T thinks i have a crap flip phone... So i dont have to pay $30/month for "smartphone internet." How can i achieve AT&T's 3G speeds while not purchasing an AT&T branded phone so i can continue paying for "non-smartphone internet'?
My problem could be solved by just buying an AT&T branded phone, but im saving $20/month my way.
The only answers I really want to see in this thread are: What non-AT&T branded Android smartphones are out with 850/1900/2100 MHz US 3G bands?

xtremetimma said:
I had read in a thread by azwildcat98 "We know that AT&T uses the 850/1900/2100 MHz US 3G bands, while T-Mobile uses the 1700/2100 MHz US 3G bands, therefore making each carrier's hardware incompatible with the other's 3G network"
I am looking for possibly a list of non-AT&T distributed phones that work on AT&T's 3G network. My reason is that I currently have a T-mobile HTC HD2 connected to AT&T's EDGE network and i am paying $10/month for "non-smartphone internet" (because AT&T and T-Mobile dont exchange their IMEI # database apparently) AT&T thinks i have a crap flip phone... So i dont have to pay $30/month for "smartphone internet." How can i achieve AT&T's 3G speeds while not purchasing an AT&T branded phone so i can continue paying for "non-smartphone internet'?
My problem could be solved by just buying an AT&T branded phone, but im saving $20/month my way.
The only answers I really want to see in this thread are: What non-AT&T branded Android smartphones are out with 850/1900/2100 MHz US 3G bands?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are a few carriers that use the same bands. None in the US though. The Closest is Canada. Just a warning, the carriers and OEMs to prevent this sort of thing. While they can't tell what phone your using they are starting to be able to tell if its a smartphone or dumbphone.

Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A

I finally found a non AT&T branded phone that has the 850MHz required AT&T 3G frequency! but i dont want that phone, any others?
http://pocketnow.com/hardware-1/how-to-get-an-htc-hd2-with-3g-on-att
Edit: I think i came to the conclusion that any unlocked phone will achieve AT&T 3G speeds if is has 850MHz, and i can get my "dumbphone internet" if the phone is "unbranded" or branded as a carrier other than AT&T.
HTC Sensation z710a (Unbranded) will work with AT&T 4G speeds! gonna try to get one and hope my $10/ month deal holds up... I figure im saving 12months x $20 = $240/ year without "smartphone internet" so i dont care how much i pay for the phone.

Related

Questions about AT&T 3G network settings

Hey guys, I just got my new HTC hero. I'm with AT&T now and having the unlimited 3G data plan. I setup the configurations of APN settings as following:
Access point: wap.cingular
Username: [email protected]
Password: CINGULAR1
But I only see an "E" at the connection status which I believe indicates EDGE. Can anyone tell me how to get 3G work on this device?
Thanks a lot!!!
I didn't realise the hero was out in the us yet but if it is i don't know why and if it isn't out its because i don't think it surpports american 3g networks i think you can only get 2g.
Yes I got this phone out of the US.
So you mean there's no way at all to get 3G to work on this phone with AT&T or any other carriers?
In its current state the phone does not support the AT&T bands for 3g.
There are rumors of an AT&T version coming October 11th, that would support 3g.
European/Asian version of this phone does not work with US 3G. AT&T's 3G network requires the bands 850 & 1900, while T-mobile's 3G requires the bands 1700 & 2100. European/Asian version supports only the bands 900 & 2100.
Does this mean T-mobile 3G may work on this phone?
T-Mob's 3g should connect to this phone, if you could find a signal, haha.
http://www.androidauthority.com/index.php/2009/07/03/htc-hero-approved-by-the-fcc-with-att-3g/
Neither T-Mobile US nor AT&T will work with this phone for 3G. The only version of this phone that exists at the moment supports ONLY European 3G. There are rumors of the device coming to AT&T, but nothing confirmed. IF that happens, the new phones would work, but that wouldn't change the fact that the device you have will still only function on Edge.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it's true.
It's actually Sprint pal. Also, there was a picture for Tmobile also (this appears to be a rumor).
T-Mob uses the 2100 spectrum so i dont see why it wouldnt work.
And a CDMA and a GSM (With AT&T 3g bands) has gone through the FCC recently.
RBFG said:
T-Mob uses the 2100 spectrum so i dont see why it wouldnt work.
And a CDMA and a GSM (With AT&T 3g bands) has gone through the FCC recently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it won't work with t-mobile USA's 3G network.
Yes, T-mobile in Europe use the 2100 band for 3G so the Hero works. But T-mobile USA use 1700 and 2100 bands for 3G, and you need a phone that support BOTH bands to connect to its 3G network.
Unfortunately, unless T-mobile USA decides to carry this phone (and they have already said that they wouldn't), there won't be a version of Hero that support its 3G network. This is because T-mobile USA is the only carrier in the world that uses the 1700 band for 3G. You may ask why T-mobile uses different bands for 3G in different countries. This is more of a regulatory decision than a business decision. If you are interested, go read about those FCC spectrum auctions.
All in all, European/Asian version of the Hero won't work with any 3G network in the US. The product id of the European/Asian Hero is HERO100, it supports only the bands 900 and 2100 for 3G. There will be a North American version with product id HERO130 that supports the bands 850 and 1900. It will be released either on AT&T or on the Canadian carrier Rogers, because only these two carriers use these bands for 3G. Currently it is not know whether it will be on AT&T or Rogers, but that latter is more likely IMO. Finally, there will be a CDMA version, with product id HERO200, for Sprint. This is more or less confirmed to be coming in October.
T-mobile US 3G uses 1700 for down and 2100 mhz for uplink. So 2100 alone isn't enough as you need both directions to connect.
tsekh501 said:
No, it won't work with t-mobile USA's 3G network.
Yes, T-mobile in Europe use the 2100 band for 3G so the Hero works. But T-mobile USA use 1700 and 2100 bands for 3G, and you need a phone that support BOTH bands to connect to its 3G network.
Unfortunately, unless T-mobile USA decides to carry this phone (and they have already said that they wouldn't), there won't be a version of Hero that support its 3G network. This is because T-mobile USA is the only carrier in the world that uses the 1700 band for 3G. You may ask why T-mobile uses different bands for 3G in different countries. This is more of a regulatory decision than a business decision. If you are interested, go read about those FCC spectrum auctions.
All in all, European/Asian version of the Hero won't work with any 3G network in the US. The product id of the European/Asian Hero is HERO100, it supports only the bands 900 and 2100 for 3G. There will be a North American version with product id HERO130 that supports the bands 850 and 1900. It will be released either on AT&T or on the Canadian carrier Rogers, because only these two carriers use these bands for 3G. Currently it is not know whether it will be on AT&T or Rogers, but that latter is more likely IMO. Finally, there will be a CDMA version, with product id HERO200, for Sprint. This is more or less confirmed to be coming in October.
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Click to collapse
Thanks! That was very informative, although it totally crushed my dreams of owning a Hero while remaining on the T-Mobile network.

[Q]

Hi, Just purchased the hd2 T Mobile from USA. Which carriers can I use in Canada to activate this Phone? Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
any of them(well, except any cdma only ones) but you will need an unlock code from online or from t mobile, and you won't get 3g
Thanks for the help samsamuel. I took it to one carrier and they told me it wouldn't work. The phone is unlocked.Why wouldn't I get the 3G.I want the plan that gives me internet mobile browsing. PS it was fido I took it to.
because fido uses 1900 for 3g, from what i've read, and the tmous uses 1700/2100 for 3g., and i think rogers uses 850/1900 and maybe 1900/2100 (just skimming google for this infofact is, though, that without the 1700 aws band,, no high speed data.
you will be able to get gprs and edge for browsing, but no 3g/hsdpa.
as to them saying it won't work, they're probably either making it up or meaning 3g
most canadian users fork out the extra for the telstra model if they want 3g.
Thanks. I guess this phone is useless to me, as I wanted to be able to access the internet without using the wifi.
Redder1 said:
as I wanted to be able to access the internet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can, but only with gprs / edge speeds.
I had been considering buying an HD2 and trying to unlock it for use with an AT&T sim card for my current account. I knew that their networks were compatible, but I didn't realize that hsdpa was on different frequencies. I googled around a bit and it looks like AT&T uses 1900 mhz and Tmo uses 1700/2100. I can't verify if this info is correct ,but this could sure put a dent in my plans. Does anyone know for sure if an HD2 can be used on AT&T's 3g network?
there are several threads about how you can't. go read in the tmous specific section. plenty of confirmation that it doesn't.
3G Frequencies
Hi there!
I was wondering if there is a way to change those settings?? I have a T-Mo HD2, and maybe there is a way to make the phone work with the 3G technology in other frequencies besides the 1700 and 2100 MHz (I live in latin america, so it would have to use the 850Mhz frequency) Anyone please help me with this issue.
As one who unlocked a TMoUS HD2 to AT&T I can assure you that you will not get 3G anywhere in the US or Canada that I can find. On a bright note, it's a phone... With everyone else using 3G networks I find the Edge network to be utterly "unclogged" and find the speeds to be just fine for everything including streaming video.
PS: The phone was free but without a SIM card and I was an AT&T user - not to mention T-Mobile's network leaves a lot to be desired..
There is 3g service in Canada if you happen to be in an area where Wind Mobile is available. search Wind mobile coverage area.
We (family)have several cell phones I use the HD 2 on Edge and it doesn't bother me that its a little slower, actually when I did a quick check with my daughter on her 3g I hardly could tell the difference. I' m sure some will point out where I'm wrong. But I'm satisfied with edge because I enjoy the HD2.
Wind Mobile uses 1700/2100.

[Q] Titan on T-mobile US?

This may be stupid, but I can't find the answer in this forum.
I am drooling over the Titan, but am with T-mobile US and can't switch anytime soon.
If I buy a Titan 3rd party, can I use it for voice and data on T-mobile? Will I get full speed data?
Thanks.
You will get voice and data, but only 2G speeds. That goes for both the international version and att version.
Any info on some kind of quad band version that will work on both AT&T and T-Mobile?
pistol44 said:
Any info on some kind of quad band version that will work on both AT&T and T-Mobile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Titan is quad band according the htc.com
HSPA+/WCDMA 850/1900/2100MHz and Quad-band GSM/GPRS/Edge 850/900/1800/1900MHz
Shouldn't this work then? ATT's specs also say 850/1900/2100 MHz for HSPA/UMTS. T-mobile's HSPA/UMTS is on 1700/2100 MHz (according to Wikipedia). For the 2100 band, it should work, right? I am unsure as I am a simpleton and just comparing numbers and assuming that is all that has to match.
I would guess this would require an unlock.
T-Mobile uses both 1700 and 2100 bands for their 3G/HSPA+.
This is why it will not work.
I know because it pains me to not be able to get this device on T-Mobile.
wade_link said:
Shouldn't this work then? ATT's specs also say 850/1900/2100 MHz for HSPA/UMTS. T-mobile's HSPA/UMTS is on 1700/2100 MHz (according to Wikipedia). For the 2100 band, it should work, right? I am unsure as I am a simpleton and just comparing numbers and assuming that is all that has to match.
I would guess this would require an unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried, don't even think about it.
Go with AT&T GoPhone if you have Titan (Simfree), i am enjoying Unlimited All, (Call + Text + Web 4G ) with only $50 a month . Titan can get HSDPA+ (i think) on AT&T.
Im using the titan, unlocked on t-mobile and it does run on edge. honestly its not tooo terrible but edge sucks. and i cant get picture messages. idk i just might keep my hd7, sell this phone and wait for something better on t-mobile that i can actually use hahah but i love the giant screeen
Does this mean the Titan would get 3G or better on T-Mo US now?
http://www.phonearena.com/news/T-Mobiles-consolation-package-3-billion-7-year-3G-roaming-deal-128-AWS-markets_id24956
AT&T and T-Mobile UMTS Roaming Agreement
AT&T and T-Mobile agreed to roam on each other's UMTS bands for the next 7 years following the formal withdraw of AT&T's merger offer. As to when that becomes effective I do not know; I've yet to get an answer from either AT&T or T-Mobile on the subject and that's assuming they'll tell you; it takes an act of God to get through to AT&T's equivalent of T-Mobile's Tier 1,2 and 3 tech support. We have both AT&T and T-Mobile; and in the here and now, neither are compatible on each other's high speed bands; I have the Titan with AT&T and the Rhodium with T-Mobile; my Rhodium unlocked for use on AT&T and despite 3G in Columbus, GA and Auburn-Opelika, AL; I can only use Edge on AT&T. On my Titan it's either "E" or "4G", no 3G. What I have noticed is the Titan favors 4G and seeks those towers which is great if you're in the city, but rural; forget it. It's all Edge out here. It will hit the T-Mobile tower which is 4 bars in our Opelika location but immediately go to either no service or a 1 bar sometimes on 4G and others on Edge. We all know that "4G" isn't 4G and of course "Unlimited" isn't unlimited and politicians and marketing gurus think we're all stupid.

Confirmed: TMOUS Radar does 3G on AT&T

(Forking original thread)
I confirmed that the TMOUS Radar *is* capable of 3G on AT&T.
I unlocked it this morning and put in a prepaid AT&T SIM (GoPhone). HTC Connection Setup ran and a few minutes later I was on AT&T with 3G support. The phone recognizes the HSPA+ signal and lights up the indicators with the '4G' label.
The phone's box says it supports UMTS 1900 -- this fact is not listed in any other spec I've seen on-line for the device. That band is only one of the 2 AT&T use for UMTS, so if you are unlucky and have only 850 then 3G/4G probably won't work. Guess AT&T uses 1900 where I am.
Do you know of any way to tell which band at&t uses in various areas?
Sorry, I don't know of any way to know that. I am not an AT&T expert -- knowing whether the phone could be used w/ AT&T 3G was an academic exercise for me just to satisfy curiosity.
What did you use for unlock?
Wonder if it'll work, roaming on AT&T 3G, with a T-Mo US prepaid SIM...
- Sent from my HTC Radar 4G using the OMG XDA WTF WP7 BBQ App. =D
I got the unlock codes from T-Mobile.

[Q] tmobile in att area, which sgs3 to get?

I've been wanting an upgrade from my G2x for a while and what I want, which is what everyone else wants, is the Samsung Galaxy S3. I don't know which model to get, being that there are so many models of the S3 depending on the service provider. Here's the situation: I'm on a t-mobile value plan, living in West Virginia (I'm a student) with the only service here is roaming on AT&T, thus I only get edge. Can I use a different model, like an unlocked AT&T, and then be able to use more than 2G? Then be able to get full 4G when I do go to t-mobile service area? (From the chart by forum moderator, it shows AT&T shares 1900 mHz, 2100mHz, HSPA+, so it should technically work with tmobile, correct line of thought?)
*I already know that unlocked international version won't be able to get on anything more than 2G in US, it having different radios.
Also, read somewhere that I could buy the AT&T model and be able to use international LTE networks. Is that true? Could someone here enlighten me about the issues with the radios/frequencies (for US) for S3?
Much appreciated. Tried to find this question answered somewhere, and couldn't so posting now.

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