I thought I'd post this since I spent the last few days trying to get Rezound working with GSM and did not easily find this simple solution until now.
The stock ROM RUU 4.03.605.2 adds an option under Network Settings for "GSM / UMTS".
The phone is factory SIM unlocked and works with the Straight Talk SIM card without any problems. The only thing I had to do was to configure the APN settings according to the Straight Talk documentation. Voice, SMS, Data, etc. are all working fine on this phone.
The only Caveat is the "SIM card is from an unknown source" message that appears on the lock screen, but that does not otherwise affect the functionality of the phone.
I downloaded the RUU 4.03.605.2 from the Android Police website. The ROM is zipped and must be installed by copying it to the root of the SD as PH98IMG.ZIP. NOTE: The Zip file shows up as corrupt under windows. This is normal as the ROM/Zipfile is encrypted. The Rezound will be able to install the file. It takes about 15 minutes for the flash to complete. It does it in 2 or 3 cycles/reboots.
Note that since this is a stock rom, I set my phone to S-ON and LOCKED before I installed.
Rezound on Straight Talk (AT&T network), unlimited talk, text, ~2GB of data, $45/mon !
Plus it's a very nice phone!
So, is this a guide?
Because it really doesn't tell us anything we don't know.
ubiquityman, what are the data speeds you are seeing on straight talk? (screenshot?). I've been flirting with this idea for a while now, and if you can confirm at least HSPA+ speeds on the AT&T sim, I'm going for it.
Speeds
dustintheweb,
Where I live, I'm on the edge of the 4G (HPSA+). Speedtest shows 171kbps down and 265kbps up, so looks like HPSA only. I'm not in a large metropolitan area, but next time I'm closer to the center of town, I'll run the test against to see if I get a different result.
Verizon coverage is better where I live and they are supposed to have limited 4G coverage near my area, and I'll likely be moving my line over to Pageplus in a month or two, althought I understand 4G won't be supported. (I have to purchase CDMA Workshop first so that I can do the required edits to the phone settings for Pageplus).
greythewolf,
I was looking for this information but couldn't find here. I tried about half a dozen custom ROMs but couldn't get any of them to work 100%. I wasn't sure if this was my fault, Straight Talk's issue, or the ROM. Incoming messages would work but outgoing messages wouldn't. Anyways, I was delighted to find the stock rom worked, after spending hours and hours trying numerous ROMs. So, if I'm the last one to the party, sorry about that. I was just hoping to save someone else the time I wasted in previous efforts.
Thanks! I have tried searching through the forums and I've seen where Straight Talk SHOULD work and where people have tried and have had various issues. I am seriously considering this switch. Although I am loving GrayTheWolf's CM9 right now, I'd gladly switch back to stock if it means a fully functional phone on Straight Talk.
HSPA ?
This thread suggest HSPA+ works with Rezound.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1914122
Based on the status information on my phone, I've only been able to get Edge thus far, however, there's a high probability this issue is due to my locale.
What all settings exactly did you use? I installed that file from android police and set apn settings according to ST's info but still no data. I can send texts. Didn't try mms or voice.
EDIT: After rebooting the phone again and checking the APN settings most were still set except it changed the apn to vzwinternet. Changed back to att.mvno and seem to have edge working now. Voice, SMS, and EDGE data working. No 3G or MMS.
ubiquityman said:
I thought I'd post this since I spent the last few days trying to get Rezound working with GSM and did not easily find this simple solution until now.
The stock ROM RUU 4.03.605.2 adds an option under Network Settings for "GSM / UMTS".
The phone is factory SIM unlocked and works with the Straight Talk SIM card without any problems. The only thing I had to do was to configure the APN settings according to the Straight Talk documentation. Voice, SMS, Data, etc. are all working fine on this phone.
The only Caveat is the "SIM card is from an unknown source" message that appears on the lock screen, but that does not otherwise affect the functionality of the phone.
I downloaded the RUU 4.03.605.2 from the Android Police website. The ROM is zipped and must be installed by copying it to the root of the SD as PH98IMG.ZIP. NOTE: The Zip file shows up as corrupt under windows. This is normal as the ROM/Zipfile is encrypted. The Rezound will be able to install the file. It takes about 15 minutes for the flash to complete. It does it in 2 or 3 cycles/reboots.
Note that since this is a stock rom, I set my phone to S-ON and LOCKED before I installed.
Rezound on Straight Talk (AT&T network), unlimited talk, text, ~2GB of data, $45/mon !
Plus it's a very nice phone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you wanted a slightly themed stock with some 4.0 tweaks on gsm here's the best I've ran so far http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1508118 and to remove the unknown sim is an easy fix also here's the link to that http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1923416 enjoy the best of both worlds! btw I'm on Simple Mobile (T-Mobile) gsm and it's $50 unlimmited everything on edge also but it'll work until something better comes along and it will
Sent from A paperclipped Rezound using Tapatalk 2
APN settings?
I have the Rezound and much like you, would like to use it on AT&T Straight Talk simcard. You mention the apn setting just have to be adjusted. Well I used the APN settings on the their support page for the AT&T sim and I can't for the life of me, get this baby to get on the data. Is there something else I should look into?
ubiquityman said:
I thought I'd post this since I spent the last few days trying to get Rezound working with GSM and did not easily find this simple solution until now.
The stock ROM RUU 4.03.605.2 adds an option under Network Settings for "GSM / UMTS".
The phone is factory SIM unlocked and works with the Straight Talk SIM card without any problems. The only thing I had to do was to configure the APN settings according to the Straight Talk documentation. Voice, SMS, Data, etc. are all working fine on this phone.
The only Caveat is the "SIM card is from an unknown source" message that appears on the lock screen, but that does not otherwise affect the functionality of the phone.
I downloaded the RUU 4.03.605.2 from the Android Police website. The ROM is zipped and must be installed by copying it to the root of the SD as PH98IMG.ZIP. NOTE: The Zip file shows up as corrupt under windows. This is normal as the ROM/Zipfile is encrypted. The Rezound will be able to install the file. It takes about 15 minutes for the flash to complete. It does it in 2 or 3 cycles/reboots.
Note that since this is a stock rom, I set my phone to S-ON and LOCKED before I installed.
Rezound on Straight Talk (AT&T network), unlimited talk, text, ~2GB of data, $45/mon !
Plus it's a very nice phone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GrayTheWolf said:
So, is this a guide?
Because it really doesn't tell us anything we don't know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you really have to grief the guy for sharing something he thought was useful? This is what keeps the community from growing and why our device has a bad rep. If you already knew the info he was sharing, move along unless you want to add something productive to the conversation.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
I can confirm the rezound works on straight talk with hspa. Its what my wife uses. I had to edit the radio band but since I did that it works great. Before I edited the band I could only get edge reception and the spot I lived the reception was horrible. After editing the band it pulled much better reception. PM if anybody needs help doing this
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda app-developers app
raymond36136 said:
I can confirm the rezound works on straight talk with hspa. Its what my wife uses. I had to edit the radio band but since I did that it works great. Before I edited the band I could only get edge reception and the spot I lived the reception was horrible. After editing the band it pulled much better reception. PM if anybody needs help doing this
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks will try it but i am on simple mobile. has anyone had better luck with that? is straight talk or net10 on att better with the rezound. i hate the edge speeds....
How were u able to get gsm mode to work? Mine wont get any signal...
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2
irtehun said:
How were u able to get gsm mode to work? Mine wont get any signal...
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i installed the leaked global rom from android police site. you can change network mode to gsm/umts or leave it as global. Once the initial setup by straight talk takes place usually 20 minutes just reboot and select apn that you created.
rezoundness said:
i installed the leaked global rom from android police site. you can change network mode to gsm/umts or leave it as global. Once the initial setup by straight talk takes place usually 20 minutes just reboot and select apn that you created.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. Sounds easy enough.
Once I put my att sim card in, it just has a x over the signal bars. Im not getting signal, im on this global ruu, please help!
I'm using Rezound on PTel now. But as u said, "SIM card is from an unknown source" still bothers me a lot.
Have you found a solution now?
Thanks in advance.
ubiquityman said:
I thought I'd post this since I spent the last few days trying to get Rezound working with GSM and did not easily find this simple solution until now.
The stock ROM RUU 4.03.605.2 adds an option under Network Settings for "GSM / UMTS".
The phone is factory SIM unlocked and works with the Straight Talk SIM card without any problems. The only thing I had to do was to configure the APN settings according to the Straight Talk documentation. Voice, SMS, Data, etc. are all working fine on this phone.
The only Caveat is the "SIM card is from an unknown source" message that appears on the lock screen, but that does not otherwise affect the functionality of the phone.
I downloaded the RUU 4.03.605.2 from the Android Police website. The ROM is zipped and must be installed by copying it to the root of the SD as PH98IMG.ZIP. NOTE: The Zip file shows up as corrupt under windows. This is normal as the ROM/Zipfile is encrypted. The Rezound will be able to install the file. It takes about 15 minutes for the flash to complete. It does it in 2 or 3 cycles/reboots.
Note that since this is a stock rom, I set my phone to S-ON and LOCKED before I installed.
Rezound on Straight Talk (AT&T network), unlimited talk, text, ~2GB of data, $45/mon !
Plus it's a very nice phone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Related
So I put the latest .10 ICS leak on my phone yesterday because I can't wait for the OTA since i'm leaving soon. I downloaded the 4G on off app and am thinking I should be able to pop in any SIM card and it should work on GSM. Is the phone unlocked? Also I might need to use my normal Verizon SIM to use in Italy and Spain. The verizon reps said if I left it in it would work just fine. Is this true? I currently don't have any GSM cards to test with and I've been looking everywhere for the answer but no success. Help would be amazing.
Thanks in advance
For full GSM support I believe you need to install one of the custom roms with it added...
mjones73 said:
For full GSM support I believe you need to install one of the custom roms with it added...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But I thought that was one part of the ICS update. So is the phone kinda locked like I can only use verizons rates? I want to try a SIM but I don't have one
With GB or the ICS leak you probably can get basic calling and texts with a GSM cell company sim card.
With the conrom ROM you should also get mms and data to work. Supposedly everything works.
Also, I suspect gsm antenna is not in the extended battery cover, so you should use the standard back cover that came with the phone.
I personally have not tried gsm in my rezound, so the above advise might be incorrect. this is just something I am interested in.
howard
p.s. T-Mobile sells a $1 sim card with 10 minutes of talk time, an internet deal. So you can buy this $1 simm to test with.
p.p.s. You will also need to go into the settings and add the apn settings for the cell company whose sim you are using. data and mms won't work without this.
HowardZ said:
With GB or the ICS leak you probably can get basic calling and texts with a GSM cell company sim card.
With the conrom ROM you should also get mms and data to work. Supposedly everything works.
Also, I suspect gsm antenna is not in the extended battery cover, so you should use the standard back cover that came with the phone.
I personally have not tried gsm in my rezound, so the above advise might be incorrect. this is just something I am interested in.
howard
p.s. T-Mobile sells a $1 sim card with 10 minutes of talk time, an internet deal. So you can buy this $1 simm to test with.
p.p.s. You will also need to go into the settings and add the apn settings for the cell company whose sim you are using. data and mms won't work without this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much. I just need calling and data and mms to work. I'm just going to google how to change the APN setting as you said. Thanks a lot for the help man. I have the ICS leak which is supposed to support global roaming straight from VZW.
Well, there is a thanks button you can click on.
I do not know much about Verizon's New global roaming, bit I suspect it will be expensive per minute. Using a local cell company's sim card probably will cost less for long visits overseas.
I wrote an app called HZUTILS which can also do the radio changes like the LTE on off app. My app is free, also does a few other functions, and if you click on an advertisement I earn a few cents.
The CONROM is available in the development forum. During installation one is asked GSM or LTE. no easy switching back and forth. I suggest you make a nandroid backup first with Ramon ra recovery or the touch recovery. Restoring the backup is a method for returning to LTE. Or one can reinstall the conrom and select LTE.
If you look through the development forum you will find other gsm ROMs. The CONROM does both LTE and GSM, was made from the latest .10 ICS leak, and sounds like it is very reliable.
p.s. let me know how this works for you.
Thank you but I don't wanna root my phone really.. I forgot something last time and almost bricked it. Well not really but it was scary. My only question is really can I just switch it from your app as it is now because I can or must I have a custom Rom for some type of reason?
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
ajv00 said:
Thank you but I don't wanna root my phone really.. I forgot something last time and almost bricked it. Well not really but it was scary. My only question is really can I just switch it from your app as it is now because I can or must I have a custom Rom for some type of reason?
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recall, a few months ago, reading a very long multiple page posting about people having various levels of success with stock GB and changing the radio setting using LTE on off app. People were successful with phone calls and texting, but had difficulties with mms and data.
People did strange things to get data working, and it only worked for some people. I think it involved driving the phone in a car to get somewhere with no cell signal, then back home? Not sure, as I don't recall it very well.
Then people started typing in the APN for their gsm provider. This evening, just for fun I tried typing in the APN for T-Mobile into .10 ICS leak rezound, and it would not get saved. No error message. Verizon appears to have locked out the capability to add a non Verizon APN. So, yes, I think a gsm ROM is needed.
BTW, there must be plenty of rezound owners using GSM who can more confidently give you more concrete advise. They can tell you what they tried, what worked, what didn't, and what is the best approach. I think the answer is a GSM ROM, or paying high roaming charges to Verizon.
Alright ill just try and get a sim off someone on at&t and see what happens. But thanks a lot man I hope I get an answer from someone doing it. You were a lot of help ill let you know how it goes!!
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
I tried putting in a SIM and changing the radios and I got nothing /: I need to get this working
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
Global in VZ ICS
ajv00 said:
I tried putting in a SIM and changing the radios and I got nothing /: I need to get this working
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just received the official Verizon ICS in the last hour. I am poking around looking for the global feature, since it is THE promised reason I bought the phone. Offhand, I do not see the global feature anywhere . Network mode still only shows' LTE/CDMA' or 'CDMA only' as the choices, so it seems that 'global' is still not official from Verizon in the ICS as just shipped.
The LTE ON/OFF app seems to have a few more options than when I last looked, but I've no idea what's may have changed.
I put in a tmobile SIM card and changed the settings in the app to GSM and wcdma and it worked calling and texting! It didn't have data but if you go to mobile network settings and access point names I feel like you could add the apn and be golden using data and mms over gsm. I'm Hoping this is the truth but I don't have anything to test it with
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
I'm on the leak from three months ago, in Afghanistan. Popped in a sim card from a shop on base and it works with no problems. Calls only though no data. I'm using the extended battery. Had to use the lte on off app to put it in gsm.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA App
GSM switch gone in ICS OTA?
Looks like option to switch to GSM is gone. Dialing *#*#4636#*#* does nothing...
that option to show network modes when dailing *#*#4636#*#* is removed in latest RUUs and official OTA, but however you may flash any of ROMs available to get GSM
ajv00 said:
I put in a tmobile SIM card and changed the settings in the app to GSM and wcdma and it worked calling and texting! It didn't have data but if you go to mobile network settings and access point names I feel like you could add the apn and be golden using data and mms over gsm. I'm Hoping this is the truth but I don't have anything to test it with
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So SMS worked with the ICS OTA, both send and receive? Last time I tried 2 months ago under Gingerbread, GSM calls were fine, but could only receive SMS text, could not sent texts, and never got data to work.
I've spent over 1/2 of the last 3 months overseas, so this is a big deal to me. Even if just the calls and SMS send/receive work, I will be pleased. VZ told me the global feature is not in this latest Verizon ICS OTA, but maybe the inner workings are there and they just haven't put in the frontend and any VZ profitmaking carrier lockouts?
I am off to South Africa next Friday. Sounds like I will have to get an MTN sim in ZA and try again when I get there. Maybe this ICS OTA will have some value to me afterall. I'll try to remember to post back here, whether it works or not. If it all works, however, I'm pretty sure the posting will only be redundant info, since my screams of giddiness would be heard around the world... afterall, I've been using an old unlocked GSM RAZR flip phone when I travel.
---------- Post added at 09:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:11 PM ----------
postmortem. said:
Looks like option to switch to GSM is gone. Dialing *#*#4636#*#* does nothing...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The LTE ON OFF app still seems to allow access. However, until I get overseas I'm not sure how to tell if it is truly switching/working
I only tried receiving a text/: sorry I can't confirm sending. But if you flash a gsm Rom which I might everything works
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
I don't really know a lot about SIM related stuff, so I apologize...
Can the Rezound be SIM unlocked for US networks? The only thread I've found on another site says no but I think the repliers were referring to bootloader unlocking, not SIM. I am S-Off if that matters..just don't want to spend money on those sites that use IMEI to unlock, then get nowhere.
awenthol said:
I don't really know a lot about SIM related stuff, so I apologize...
Can the Rezound be SIM unlocked for US networks? The only thread I've found on another site says no but I think the repliers were referring to bootloader unlocking, not SIM. I am S-Off if that matters..just don't want to spend money on those sites that use IMEI to unlock, then get nowhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to SIM unlock it. Just put a different SIM in it and it'll work.
In the US? Because I've tried and never gotten anywhere...
awenthol said:
In the US? Because I've tried and never gotten anywhere...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you're on the newest firmware and radio then itll work as it adds the global capablities to it.just pop a regular sized sim in it and itll work,
tested with a t-mobile sim and it works.
paul_viado said:
if you're on the newest firmware and radio then itll work as it adds the global capablities to it.just pop a regular sized sim in it and itll work,
tested with a t-mobile sim and it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I read elsewhere that the sim had to be activated on a prepaid phone first. Not sure of that is correct but something to look into.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
merlin66676 said:
I read elsewhere that the sim had to be activated on a prepaid phone first. Not sure of that is correct but something to look into.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can't comment on that but the sim from t-mobile i used was already active on a family members account so i dont know if it matters..but i know for a fact it does work on the t-mo network. voice and data.
paul_viado said:
can't comment on that but the sim from t-mobile i used was already active on a family members account so i dont know if it matters..but i know for a fact it does work on the t-mo network. voice and data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to be sure about the specifics.
HTC rezound on the leaked 4.03.605.2 ruu
You put in a T-Mobile sim card in the rezound
And you had voice calling, texting, mms, and data working?
You didn't need to modify anything in the phone, change settings, add a T-Mobile apn, root, or Rom the phone?
It will be nice if you will write a short "how to" for moving a rezound onto USA T-Mobile.
Also were there any frequency mode restrictions?
Data speed was good?
Thanks,
Howard
Thanks guys...will keep messing with it.
Verizon would not give me an unlock code because according to them the phone isn't capable yet.
Rezound is globally capable and works on other US carriers
awenthol said:
I don't really know a lot about SIM related stuff, so I apologize...
Can the Rezound be SIM unlocked for US networks? The only thread I've found on another site says no but I think the repliers were referring to bootloader unlocking, not SIM. I am S-Off if that matters..just don't want to spend money on those sites that use IMEI to unlock, then get nowhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The FCC ruling that Verizon is responding to by making the Rezound, Razr, Droid 4, etc. globally capable also opens the phones up for use by other carriers. This was "Big Red's" initial impetus for not unlocking the phones native features. So yes, you can use this phone on Tmobile's network.
sephir0n said:
The FCC ruling that Verizon is responding to by making the Rezound, Razr, Droid 4, etc. globally capable also opens the phones up for use by other carriers. This was "Big Red's" initial impetus for not unlocking the phones native features. So yes, you can use this phone on Tmobile's network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried to enter T-Mobile's APN?
It won't save and show in the list.
It appears Verizon locked it to only use Verizon's APN?
when booted into the bootloader there is a simlock item on the menu.
if one has s-off and an appropriate config.dat file on the removable microSD card it is supposed to SIMM unlock, so one doesn't get that sim locked picture on the phone after inserting another vendor's SIMM card.
this information is from reading, not from doing it.
I'm running T-Mobile US (EDGE) just fine. 100%
Did nothing but put the simcard in the phone and flashed a GSM ROM (Downtown).
I did flash the latest radio and firmware with S-OFF but everything was working before hand.
I activated the Prepaid Simcard on T-Mobiles website and used the Rezounds IMEI without problems just added the right APN for MMS and DATA.
Tachi91 said:
I'm running T-Mobile US (EDGE) just fine. 100%
Did nothing but put the simcard in the phone and flashed a GSM ROM (Downtown).
I did flash the latest radio and firmware with S-OFF but everything was working before hand.
I activated the Prepaid Simcard on T-Mobiles website and used the Rezounds IMEI without problems just added the right APN for MMS and DATA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like you have no idea if it works with stock 4.93.605.2
You know it works with "downtown" rom
HowardZ said:
Sounds like you have no idea if it works with stock 4.93.605.2
You know it works with "downtown" rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock 605.2 ... Yes besides the annoying "invalid simcard" on the lockscreen it worked fine. Only reason I switched was because I'm not a fan of Sense 3.6
Tachi91 said:
Stock 605.2 ... Yes besides the annoying "invalid simcard" on the lockscreen it worked fine. Only reason I switched was because I'm not a fan of Sense 3.6
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Tachi,
I plan to order a T-Mobile SIM card to play with on monday. it will have 10 minutes of talk time, but no data. I still have quite some time left on my Verizon contract before I switch to T-Mobile. This might also be a good option for my daughter.
First, I will see how this works on my stock rooted 4.03.605.2 system with htcdev unlock and s-off. If I get the SIM locked warning, I will try installing a hboot loadable SIM unlock config.dat file I got from a website - it has my IMEI inside it.
I don't know why, but I can not enter the T-Mobile apn in my system, even if I switch the phone into gsm mode.
Then I will try the downtown ROM, if it is ok to load it ontop of 4.03.605.2
thanks,
Howard
I heard that the Note 2 is a world phone. My question is this. Can I purchase a phone from verizon unlock it, ship it to my wife in Afghanistan (she has GSM service) and install her sim without issues? The reason I ask is I am not sure if she is good at changing settings because she is kinda used to an iphone.
When she gets back I would also like it to work on Verizons network because that is the service that we have here.
Thank you for any information you can give me.
For voice and text, it should work out of the box as the Verizon variant is unlocked. If you want data though, you need to do a little work as Verizon wants you to use their global roaming so they left out the APN data. Below is a link to that process. Alternatively, some of the custom ROMs (like Beans) add that in for you. Hope this helps.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2044449
Not working in India on Vodafone N other Gsm networks
tapatalking
You could just program the APN settings, etc before you ship it to her.
If it was me, I would get the phone... unlock it and install one of the stock based roms (beans, cleanrom, etc)
Configure it to her network, her email, etc.
Flash a nandroid of it using clockwork mod or twrp onto the sd card you are sending to her, and a spare smaller one just for that. Take a couple of pictures of how to restore a nandroid and print them out.
That way if for whatever reason something goes wrong with the phone that isn't hardware related, she can flash it back to a working condition.
(I say a spare card also just incase the sd crashes on her at some point)
It is super easy, so if she isn't that confident around screens normally this should work fine.
What carrier does she have?
We can look all the info needed up with the name of the network, etc.
If she doesn't have anything already, then afghan wireless sold by telestial is a decent affordable provider.
I'm a noob here, but other places i'm not. I have read VERY many posts and the gist of owning a thunderbolt is that it only work(ed) on CDMA VZ so it is not compatible with GSM although it has a SIM card because its is/was locked to VZ only frequencies.
Just to make sure, I called VZ to attempt to get an unlock code saying I was going on a trip overseas and needed my phone to work. I was told that if I upgraded via the OTA to ICS, my device would then be compatible with GSM and I could simply use any SIM card in my phone and get it to work.
What I am trying to do is move over to straightalk away from VZ.
Instead of unrooting, I flashed the radios and ROM available on this site and ICS is up and running.
So has anyone tried straight talk yet on ICS?
That doesn't sound right to me but I would be interested in finding out whether or not it works. From what I understood about the antenna in this phone is that it is locked in on the 700mhz band at a hardware level. Also there are no settings to change to GSM in the network settings.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
Hmmm. Don't know why tech support would lie though -- especially when I waited online for about 30 minutes throughout the conversation. I've been a customer since 1997. He even said, after I switched to ICS, simply insert new SIM and I'm ready to go.
disconnecktie said:
That doesn't sound right to me but I would be interested in finding out whether or not it works. From what I understood about the antenna in this phone is that it is locked in on the 700mhz band at a hardware level. Also there are no settings to change to GSM in the network settings.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They may not be lying but rather don't know what they are talking about lol. They are wrong all the time. Just because we have a sim doesn't mean that putting a gsm sim in makes it possible to use on other networks. Give it a try maybe they finally did make it possible. Like I said I thought at a hardware level this phone was permitted from using gsm bands.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
RE: Thunderbolt to straight talk
Granted, they may be wrong. But, all the many hours of reading I have done, says that CDMA only phones don't have SIM cards and my TB does. And per another posts GSM in the USA operates on more frequencies than abroad. Why would HTC create a phone with a SIM card if there was no reason because it was only CDMA?
Regardless, I purchased a ST SIM and an unlimited plan to try out. I'll post back after I see if I wasted my $$$ or not.
The LTE frequency Verizon uses is actually a GSM which is one reason. Verizon owns the upper c block of the 700mhz spectrum. Also, because Verizon is originally a CDMA carrier they had to use another antenna in all LTE phones in order for them to function. The LTE antenna uses data only. It is not equipped to make phone calls unless a phone call is already in progress in which case the phone is routed through the LTE antenna and is then made over the data connection much like VoIP.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
disconnecktie is right, the Thunderbolt can not connect to GSM services. The sim card is not a GSM sim card, its is a 4g LTE sim card. Just because its called a sim and looks similar, does not mean they are the same. The guy you spoke with on the phone probably knew nothing about the Thunderbolt and just assumed that because it has a sim card it would connect to GSM networks.
understandably.
Milimbar said:
disconnecktie is right, the Thunderbolt can not connect to GSM services. The sim card is not a GSM sim card, its is a 4g LTE sim card. Just because its called a sim and looks similar, does not mean they are the same. The guy you spoke with on the phone probably knew nothing about the Thunderbolt and just assumed that because it has a sim card it would connect to GSM networks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"The LTE antenna uses data only. It is not equipped to make phone calls unless a phone call is already in progress in which case the phone is routed through the LTE antenna and is then made over the data connection much like VoIP."
So theoretically, if there is an LTE only antenna....how does a call get routed regularly when LTE networks (such as 1G and 3G) occur when LTE network isn't available to pass the information over the data connection? More than one antenna?
I'm not expecting this card to work in and of itself. I'm going to swap out another GSM to see if after ICS upgrade, it is actually opened as promised. Now if it doesn't have the requisite antenna, that's understandable, but in that case, why theoretically couldn't I just get a GSM antenna and swap it out for the CDMA one? Can't be any worse than replacing a wireless card in a laptop?
Based upon the "answer" given to me by VZ tech support, I have to wonder if there really is a different antenna or simply the "sim" card installed locks it into the frequency -- and the OS lock(ed) into the sim card previously. A SIm card is essentially what allows you to communicate with a carrier afterall.
Definitely interested if this works, thanks for attempting this
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda premium
All the LTE sim does is authenticate your phone on the network. That is the reason *228 is no longer needed.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
The thunderbolt does not support GSM. It has 3 radios, two 3g cdma which enables svdo or simultaneously voice and data over 3g. FYI some new 4g phones won't do this. The LTE is data only and no phone calls are placed over LTE on any phone for vzw. VZW is not setup for voip yet and that won't start until at least 2014. The thunderbolt is not global ready even with ics. There is no apn info to edit. This all has been discussed many times over the last two years.
Sent from my A100 using Tapatalk 2
Just to clarify I wasn't saying the thunderbolt uses VoIP but that svdo is similar is all.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
disconnecktie said:
Just to clarify I wasn't saying the thunderbolt uses VoIP but that svdo is similar is all.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm no cell tech and I get what you were trying to say. I apologize the last part of my post was a little rude. I don’t think voip and svdo are even close, I admit I could be wrong. Voip uses a data connection to place calls while svdo uses the cellular connection for calls and data. If you place the phone into airplane mode, connect to wifi you would not be able to place a call. If you had voip you'd be able to place a call. I know many carriers offer some sort of 3g to network extender that creates a similar type of connection.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
Svdo also makes it so that calls can be placed over 4g when it is present which is like VoIP. Either way I know it isn't exactly the same but was merely using VoIP for a comparison.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
disconnecktie said:
Svdo also makes it so that calls can be placed over 4g when it is present which is like VoIP. Either way I know it isn't exactly the same but was merely using VoIP for a comparison.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my original post above I incorrectly used VoIP when I should have used VoLTE, I knew what i wanted to say, but used the wrong terms which can lead to confusion and this is all to the best of my understanding
The Thunderbolt as with all 3G cell phones make phones calls over 1x voice network while data is handled by 3G network. The thunderbolt does not make any phone calls over 3G or LTE, it has multiple radios which allow SVDO, a 1x for voice calls, a 3G radio, and a LTE radio. Calls are placed over 1x and data is handled by 3G or LTE whichever is available.
The link below has a good discussion and more clarification on the Thunderbolt when it was first released.
http://androidforums.com/htc-thunde...ort-voice-over-lte-when-verizon-launches.html
revisited
dms76 said:
The thunderbolt does not support GSM. It has 3 radios, two 3g cdma which enables svdo or simultaneously voice and data over 3g. FYI some new 4g phones won't do this. The LTE is data only and no phone calls are placed over LTE on any phone for vzw. VZW is not setup for voip yet and that won't start until at least 2014. The thunderbolt is not global ready even with ics. There is no apn info to edit. This all has been discussed many times over the last two years.
Sent from my A100 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I realize that it has been "talked" about. But based upon conversations with VZ support perhaps it was time to rehash it based upon what I was told.
As far as the APN to edit -- after ICS update (non over the air -- the one provided here). See screenshot. There is even a folder created on the SD called APN Backup restore.
My phone is rooted using revolutionary and running the ICS deodexed, etc. found on xda-developers.
Based upon what I was told by VZ tech support, I purchased a ST test SIM with unlimited service. I installed it today and get SIM card is from an unknown source. I googled that and it appears to be locked. I thought I was unlocked and rooted using revolutionary. But now I question that. So am I truly unlocked like I thought I was? I then tried getting the unlock code using fastboot as per instructions on HTC's development site using oem get_identifier_token waiting for device, and I get stuck at "waiting for device" with no information ever coming up. The only way I appear to be able to communicate w device using ADB is by letting the phone boot then connecting it via usb using debugging mode, and always awake, then it appears as a device, but that's where I get that waiting for device message.
Meanwhile, with the ST card in it's downloading email. I just cannot send.
wrkrbee said:
I realize that it has been "talked" about. But based upon conversations with VZ support perhaps it was time to rehash it based upon what I was told.
As far as the APN to edit -- after ICS update (non over the air -- the one provided here). See screenshot. There is even a folder created on the SD called APN Backup restore.
My phone is rooted using revolutionary and running the ICS deodexed, etc. found on xda-developers.
Based upon what I was told by VZ tech support, I purchased a ST test SIM with unlimited service. I installed it today and get SIM card is from an unknown source. I googled that and it appears to be locked. I thought I was unlocked and rooted using revolutionary. But now I question that. So am I truly unlocked like I thought I was? I then tried getting the unlock code using fastboot as per instructions on HTC's development site using oem get_identifier_token waiting for device, and I get stuck at "waiting for device" with no information ever coming up. The only way I appear to be able to communicate w device using ADB is by letting the phone boot then connecting it via usb using debugging mode, and always awake, then it appears as a device, but that's where I get that waiting for device message.
Meanwhile, with the ST card in it's downloading email. I just cannot send.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your phone is S-off, and rooted, unlocked is totally different. Unlocked means that verizon has allowed that phone to be used on other networks and carriers. You should really do some research, you will find that the thunderbolt will somewhat work on straight talk for a little while, then they will kick you off the network. Just google it instead of questioning everything people say here as they are just trying to help you and you seem to want to do nothing but argue anything that is said.
Milimbar said:
Your phone is S-off, and rooted, unlocked is totally different. Unlocked means that verizon has allowed that phone to be used on other networks and carriers. You should really do some research, you will find that the thunderbolt will somewhat work on straight talk for a little while, then they will kick you off the network. Just google it instead of questioning everything people say here as they are just trying to help you and you seem to want to do nothing but argue anything that is said.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First off, I'm not trying to "argue" with anyone. If these forums are not to ask questions, then what are they for? With that said, as I previously stated, I have spent HOURS which have amounted to DAYS reading not only the forums here and elsewhere and the information conflicts -- and I may have updated information who the heck knows. You never know when there is false information out there floating around and when it becomes outdated -- and the only way to update that information is by sharing upon these types of forums, I would think. You take your car to an automechanic and he tells you the entire transmission needs to be changed, do you just say ok or do you ask questions until you can fully understand the scope, do you do research, and if that research conflicts, do you ask for a second opinion or simply tell him, ok, go ahead and change it?
Milimbar said:
Your phone is S-off, and rooted, unlocked is totally different. Unlocked means that verizon has allowed that phone to be used on other networks and carriers.
And as far as unlocked by Verizon, I followed a post until I reached an HTC forum indicating it can be unlocked for all carriers....by replacing the carrier OEM identifier token with an unlock code in binary format from HTC. See what I have pritned and attached.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think your issue is you read too much into this. Yes, your phone cane be unlocked, it can run on other carriers and networks.
Your phone can however only use CDMA carriers and networks. Just because it can be unlocked does not mean it can be used on networks that do not support the hardware your phone was made with. nothing can be done with software to change that.
Your second problem is, you are misunderstanding terms, and HTC them self are not helping this. The PDF files you linked say unlocking, they refer to unlocking the bootloader, meaning you gain S-off (you can flash files) The unlocking you are questioning here is to get your phone working on another network.
Those 2 things are entirely different.
A phone is designed to work on specific frequencies when it is designed. Some phones are CDMA phones, some are GSM phones, and some are global (they use both). This is a hardware thing. Nothing changes this once the phone has been made. Our Thunderbolts are CDMA phones, unfortunately we can not just up and go to AT&T or anywhere we want with this phone.
I am sorry for being argumentative with my last post, you are right this is a place to discuss issues like this.
If you search for StraightTalk you'll find that it may be both CDMA and GSM supported depending on where you live. If you search for Thunderbolt other carrier you'll find that some people have had limited success with missing functions getting it to work on other carriers.
If Your switching to another carrier, buy a phone for that carrier or a global phone. It's a lot of work getting a phone to work on another carrier and you can get a smartphone better than your thunderbolt for a low price on a MNVO. If your dead serous on taking your thunderbolt to another carrier it loks like Page plus is going to be your best bet. USE EXTREME CAUTION when flashing your phone as you could brick it and it would do you no good at all.
Hello all, so I recently consulted your fine website about purchasing the Optimus G to use on T Mobile here in Pittsburgh. It seemed to me that people were able to get HSPA+21 and LTE on the phone in the right circumstances, and that was good enough for me. So I bought the phone, unlocked it through cellunlocker.com and everything seemed to be going smoothly. I punched in the standard fast.tmobile.com APN address and I got 4G HSPA+ right away. I then proceeded to drive into downtown Pittsburgh, which now has T Mobile LTE, to see if it would connect. It didn't connect and stayed on HSPA. At that point I drove out of the city and went back down to EDGE and my phone no longer connected to HSPA anymore, only EDGE, until I went into my Mobile Network settings and selected the carrier directly. So I went into T Mobile to ask why my phone won't automatically connect to the most OPTIMUM speed and he couldn't figure it out. As a last ditch effort, we switched SIM cards and my phone automically jumped to LTE and his was stuck on HSPA. So hey, we figured it must be the SIM card keeping me from LTE. He gave me a new card, and it was on LTE until I left the store's broadcast radius. From then on, same story. The phone seems to pretty frequently get stuck on EDGE speeds and I contantly have to go and manually set the network to get HSPA+. What's more, I can't seem to get LTE under any circumstances. Can somebody out there please tell me what's going on? Do I have a defective phone with confused radios? Is T Mobile having a hard time syncing with my AT and T device? Do I need to do something with my APN or Mobile Network settings? Does this have anything to do with the way I unlocked the phone? Is it because the LGOG shares radios for LTE and HSPA or something that it won't default to LTE when it's around? I love absolutely everything about this phone and would like to keep it, but if it keeps behaving like this and won't even give me LTE or consistent HSPA+ then I might as well just get a crappy LG Optimus L9 that at least was designed for the network. Any insight you guys can offer would be much appreciated. Thanks so much!
Here are my current APN settings in case that has anything to do with it:
APN: fast.t-mobile.com
Proxy: Not Set
Port: Not set
Username: Not Set
PAssword: Not set
MMS Proxy: Not set
MMS Port: Not Set
MCC: 310
MNC: 260
Authntification: Not set
APN Type: Not Set
Network Operator: Automatically select
Try flashing the 33-84 radio: http://www.mediafire.com/download/wec8eeext05x8ge/LTEhybrid33-84.zip
That's what I use to flash my LGOG. That's from the Nexus 4 radio thread, and from T-Mobile N4 devices. I was able to add a different APN for AT&T easily, maybe can do the same for your T-Mobile.
- Combines the latest .84 radio from T-Mobile N4 and .33 LTE support.
- The N4 Radio thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2087227
I see. Well seeing as I'm kind of a noob at this your post intimidates me a bit. How dangerous is it to put these N4 radios onto an LGOG? Will I risk bricking this thing or losing signal forever if I screw it up? Also, I'm assuming that the device must be rooted to do this? Also, if you think it's safe to try is there a thread or something that you can link detailed instructions for? I've never done anything like this in my life...I felt like a rebel just unlocking my phone! Thanks!
acshaffe said:
I see. Well seeing as I'm kind of a noob at this your post intimidates me a bit. How dangerous is it to put these N4 radios onto an LGOG? Will I risk bricking this thing or losing signal forever if I screw it up? Also, I'm assuming that the device must be rooted to do this? Also, if you think it's safe to try is there a thread or something that you can link detailed instructions for? I've never done anything like this in my life...I felt like a rebel just unlocking my phone! Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not dangerous if you use TWRP. Just make a backup of your current stuff, and if it doesn't work can just restore. It won't hard brick your phone. And I've had it flash on more than one rom so far.
Root needed?
zymphad said:
Not dangerous if you use TWRP. Just make a backup of your current stuff, and if it doesn't work can just restore. It won't hard brick your phone. And I've had it flash on more than one rom so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see. Will the phone need to be rooted for that app to be used for the radio ROM? That's probably a silly question to ask on this website especially...but there it is.
I just got this phone and I'm loving it..came from the gs3. I was looking for a thread like this...hoping for a way to unlock the aws band..will root and flash tarp and try this tonight.
Sent from my LG-E970 using Tapatalk 4
---------- Post added at 10:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:12 AM ----------
Twrp** darn auto correct..lol
Sent from my LG-E970 using Tapatalk 4
I don't get lte at all with the FAST apn, I get very fast h+ with epc.tmobile.com. It all depends on your area though, if your tmo towers are refarmed for the correct band that our att phones support.
Sent from my LG Optimus G using Tapatalk 4
Jakeroxs said:
I don't get lte at all with the FAST apn, I get very fast h+ with epc.tmobile.com. It all depends on your area though, if your tmo towers are refarmed for the correct band that our att phones support.
Sent from my LG Optimus G using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So this modem works on our LG optimus g?
Sent from my LG-E970 using Tapatalk 4
would like to know if there's any update, thank you!
I have almost exact same problem. T-mobile lte not working for me, always getting the hspa+. I went to store and asked for a replacement sim card, then bang, lte shows up with the new sim card. Right after I walked out of the store and left in about 1 minute it's gone, forever. I'm not able to pick up any lte signal anymore. When I put this sim card in my ogp, it fires up lte right away.
I have read in another post people reporting they get lte with unactivated sim card but it went right away when they activated it. Really hope someone to explain for us how this situation is happening.
Thank you for all your great work.
---------- Post added at 02:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:15 PM ----------
I couldn't edit my last post so I'm putting a new reply to add some info.
Both my og and ogp have the same apn settings. I tested them using the same sim card.
I just put another unactivated sim card in the og and surprisingly it picks up lte immediately. I don't want to activate this sim card right now so I can't tell if it would go away if I activate it. I hope this info would help a little bit.
qwertyegg said:
would like to know if there's any update, thank you!
I have almost exact same problem. T-mobile lte not working for me, always getting the hspa+. I went to store and asked for a replacement sim card, then bang, lte shows up with the new sim card. Right after I walked out of the store and left in about 1 minute it's gone, forever. I'm not able to pick up any lte signal anymore. When I put this sim card in my ogp, it fires up lte right away.
I have read in another post people reporting they get lte with unactivated sim card but it went right away when they activated it. Really hope someone to explain for us how this situation is happening.
Thank you for all your great work.
---------- Post added at 02:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:15 PM ----------
I couldn't edit my last post so I'm putting a new reply to add some info.
Both my og and ogp have the same apn settings. I tested them using the same sim card.
I just put another unactivated sim card in the og and surprisingly it picks up lte immediately. I don't want to activate this sim card right now so I can't tell if it would go away if I activate it. I hope this info would help a little bit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Help! I have the exact same problem. I have a brand new att lg optimus g and unlocked it. Popped in the sim and bam LTE! Ran a bunch of speedtests, drove to my friends house and it switched to 4g and hasn't come back. The guy at tmobile wasn't sure. ...any help ? I'm going to root this and try flashing a new rom...maybe radio?
Seems to be an issue with this device, perhaps it's doing something to the SIM cards (who the hell knows) because mine did/does the exact same thing, and here's my particular example:
When I first got this LGOG last Sunday (8 days ago) I put my T-Mobile microSIM in it (one of the TM9190 series SIM cards) and got LTE off the bat without any issues. I kept the stock ROM on here for the first day or so and never had any issues and then I got into doing the typical root/unlock bootloader/install recovery/backup stock ROM/flash custom ROM/etc routine and even after that I was still able to get LTE working almost immediately.
A few days ago I noticed that the LTE wasn't being picked up, and it hasn't since. I've flashed several radios for testing (.33, .48, .33-.84 hybrid, etc) and the ones that are LTE ready still didn't get LTE so I just flashed the whole thing back to complete JB stock (JZO54K, the last available LG build) and even that didn't help - I've yet to see LTE show up in any respect at all with that SIM card.
Now the interesting part:
I have another microSIM that had prepaid service a few months back, bought it at the same time as the one I use for my primary service - they were on sale from T-Mobile online for $.99 each so I got two and kept the other one around just to have it.
In spite of all the flashing I've done in the past few days, with like 5 ROMs tested, a kernel or two, and maybe 7 flashes back to pure stock using LGNPST and the LGE970AT-01-V20j-310-410-MAR-08-2013 ROM (the stock one), after all that flashing torture I put this LGOG through, as soon as I put that other SIM card in it - which is not active at this time - and powered up the phone I got an LTE signal right off the bat without a problem. Had already made the APN changes to fast.t-mobile.com so they just kicked right in and wham, 4G LTE right there on the status bar.
And yes, the SIM cards are the same "series" (?!?!) with TM9190 imprinted on both of them - they also have the same code on the front side (620048) and their serial numbers are just a few digits off in sequence - like I said, I bought both of them with the same order so, it stands to reason they'd be from the same batch.
Loaded a few web pages on the T-Mobile prepaid billing site (it's what comes up when you insert a prepaid already activated but not presently in use SIM, very limited but it does work), checked the system stats, everything showed me I was connected to T-Mobile with their LTE service, this phone, and that other SIM card including the status bar icon being the traditional 4G LTE one (big 4, little G, little LTE under it).
Then I rebooted the phone and that was that, the LTE capability just up and vanished like a fart in the wind, and I've done most everything that I could do - including reading a few hundred posts in two dozen threads - to get it functional again and it just doesn't work anymore.
I suppose it's not a big deal to me since T-Mobile's HSPA+ is fine with me, I regularly pull in 10-15Mbps on a speed test in various locations (was out earlier today testing stuff in the eastern parts of Vegas), but I am somewhat pissed that I am unable to get that LTE functionality working again.
Tried:
- a complete stock flash, several times, of the AT&T JB ROM, no dice
- all the currently available LTE-capable radios, no dice
- an AT&T SIM but it's not provisioned so it doesn't work at all (T-Mobile doesn't do that, hrmmm... their SIM cards work months later even after the number has been assigned to another customer, go figure)
- all the hidden menu options (3854#*970#, WCDMA automatic, tried forcing LTE only, several other things), no dice
- tried manually setting LTE only with *#*#4636#*#* using custom ROMs, no dice
- adding the LTE enabling lines to build.prop, no dice
Nothing works, so I'm only left to conclude that either a) T-Mobile is doing something funky (highly unlikely), b) something is borked with the phone (potentially true), or maybe c) the phone is doing something to the SIM cards after a reboot or any change in the network mode from LTE to anything else (leaning towards this possibility more).
I can't explain it, I can't figure it out, and I can't get LTE working anymore but as I said, the HSPA+ is enough for me as here at home the LTE signal is somewhat weak (1-2 bars at best whereas HSPA+ pulls in 5 bars and a -61dB signal almost constantly).
I wish I could figure it out because I'd like to do more testing with LTE enabled but apparently once LTE gets disabled for whatever reason after having it actually working, not once but twice now it just dies and never becomes possible again.
Stranger things I suppose...
If anyone does ever figure this fiasco out, post whatever solution you came up with or discovered so the rest of us can give it a shot as well 'cause I'd love to be able to enable LTE if I so chose. This is pretty frustrating in the long run - if it never ever worked at all that would be one thing, but having it work then suddenly just disappear never to work the same again, that's just pooched.
Slightly off-topic, but how's the battery life compared to AT&T? Or, in general, is it okay?
br0adband said:
Seems to be an issue with this device, perhaps it's doing something to the SIM cards (who the hell knows) because mine did/does the exact same thing, and here's my particular example:
When I first got this LGOG last Sunday (8 days ago) I put my T-Mobile microSIM in it (one of the TM9190 series SIM cards) and got LTE off the bat without any issues. I kept the stock ROM on here for the first day or so and never had any issues and then I got into doing the typical root/unlock bootloader/install recovery/backup stock ROM/flash custom ROM/etc routine and even after that I was still able to get LTE working almost immediately.
A few days ago I noticed that the LTE wasn't being picked up, and it hasn't since. I've flashed several radios for testing (.33, .48, .33-.84 hybrid, etc) and the ones that are LTE ready still didn't get LTE so I just flashed the whole thing back to complete JB stock (JZO54K, the last available LG build) and even that didn't help - I've yet to see LTE show up in any respect at all with that SIM card.
Now the interesting part:
I have another microSIM that had prepaid service a few months back, bought it at the same time as the one I use for my primary service - they were on sale from T-Mobile online for $.99 each so I got two and kept the other one around just to have it.
In spite of all the flashing I've done in the past few days, with like 5 ROMs tested, a kernel or two, and maybe 7 flashes back to pure stock using LGNPST and the LGE970AT-01-V20j-310-410-MAR-08-2013 ROM (the stock one), after all that flashing torture I put this LGOG through, as soon as I put that other SIM card in it - which is not active at this time - and powered up the phone I got an LTE signal right off the bat without a problem. Had already made the APN changes to fast.t-mobile.com so they just kicked right in and wham, 4G LTE right there on the status bar.
And yes, the SIM cards are the same "series" (?!?!) with TM9190 imprinted on both of them - they also have the same code on the front side (620048) and their serial numbers are just a few digits off in sequence - like I said, I bought both of them with the same order so, it stands to reason they'd be from the same batch.
Loaded a few web pages on the T-Mobile prepaid billing site (it's what comes up when you insert a prepaid already activated but not presently in use SIM, very limited but it does work), checked the system stats, everything showed me I was connected to T-Mobile with their LTE service, this phone, and that other SIM card including the status bar icon being the traditional 4G LTE one (big 4, little G, little LTE under it).
Then I rebooted the phone and that was that, the LTE capability just up and vanished like a fart in the wind, and I've done most everything that I could do - including reading a few hundred posts in two dozen threads - to get it functional again and it just doesn't work anymore.
I suppose it's not a big deal to me since T-Mobile's HSPA+ is fine with me, I regularly pull in 10-15Mbps on a speed test in various locations (was out earlier today testing stuff in the eastern parts of Vegas), but I am somewhat pissed that I am unable to get that LTE functionality working again.
Tried:
- a complete stock flash, several times, of the AT&T JB ROM, no dice
- all the currently available LTE-capable radios, no dice
- an AT&T SIM but it's not provisioned so it doesn't work at all (T-Mobile doesn't do that, hrmmm... their SIM cards work months later even after the number has been assigned to another customer, go figure)
- all the hidden menu options (3854#*970#, WCDMA automatic, tried forcing LTE only, several other things), no dice
- tried manually setting LTE only with *#*#4636#*#* using custom ROMs, no dice
- adding the LTE enabling lines to build.prop, no dice
Nothing works, so I'm only left to conclude that either a) T-Mobile is doing something funky (highly unlikely), b) something is borked with the phone (potentially true), or maybe c) the phone is doing something to the SIM cards after a reboot or any change in the network mode from LTE to anything else (leaning towards this possibility more).
I can't explain it, I can't figure it out, and I can't get LTE working anymore but as I said, the HSPA+ is enough for me as here at home the LTE signal is somewhat weak (1-2 bars at best whereas HSPA+ pulls in 5 bars and a -61dB signal almost constantly).
I wish I could figure it out because I'd like to do more testing with LTE enabled but apparently once LTE gets disabled for whatever reason after having it actually working, not once but twice now it just dies and never becomes possible again.
Stranger things I suppose...
If anyone does ever figure this fiasco out, post whatever solution you came up with or discovered so the rest of us can give it a shot as well 'cause I'd love to be able to enable LTE if I so chose. This is pretty frustrating in the long run - if it never ever worked at all that would be one thing, but having it work then suddenly just disappear never to work the same again, that's just pooched.
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Thanks for posting your experiences. I've had the exact same problem, though I've never been able to get LTE working at all with my phone. I'm planning on taking a trip to a T-Mobile location within the next few days and see what they can do. Maybe they'll let me try putting my SIM in some of their display phones to see if I can get an LTE connection. Then at least I could probably rule out the SIM as the problem.
643121 said:
Thanks for posting your experiences. I've had the exact same problem, though I've never been able to get LTE working at all with my phone. I'm planning on taking a trip to a T-Mobile location within the next few days and see what they can do. Maybe they'll let me try putting my SIM in some of their display phones to see if I can get an LTE connection. Then at least I could probably rule out the SIM as the problem.
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Make sure that your phone has the fast.t-mobile.com APN info in place (just create a new APN with that info if needed, maybe call it T-Mobile LTE and see what happens. My guess is if they put a new unused SIM into your phone it'll most likely kick into 4G LTE right from the start (as long as the APN is in place) and then at some point it'll switch to HSPA+ and it'll never go back like it has for those of us that have noticed it.
Who knows... it's probably just one of those things.
br0adband said:
Make sure that your phone has the fast.t-mobile.com APN info in place (just create a new APN with that info if needed, maybe call it T-Mobile LTE and see what happens. My guess is if they put a new unused SIM into your phone it'll most likely kick into 4G LTE right from the start (as long as the APN is in place) and then at some point it'll switch to HSPA+ and it'll never go back like it has for those of us that have noticed it.
Who knows... it's probably just one of those things.
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Could be...I've always had my settings on T-Mobile LTE, and I even called T-Mobile and confirmed every field in the settings with them. When I explained that I still couldn't get LTE, they had no other solution for me. The lady on the line didn't even know that LTE was faster than HSPA+, so I wasn't exactly expecting any sort of resolution. I think the reps in-store will be more suited to this type of issue.