Networks

[GoGeTa006]

So, can someone educate me on this things. . .Ive been google'ing it up and I cant find my answer. . .just more confusion.

So I live in the border, I had this unlimited plan by boost (I consider it pretty good BTW)
60 dlls a month with unlimited everything and unlimited texting to mexico (which is why i got the service in the first place)

Im fed up with the crappy phone selection they have, I had an Motorola i856. . .screen doesnt work, and apparently its one of those phones that only comes with 90 day warranty. . .and I personally dont like Motorola at all.

I was thinking of changing service provider. Ive seen lately a lot of dual-sim phones.
So I tought. . . "Ah! I ll use a prepaid US service and a prepaid MX service"

Thing is, AFAIK the US runs on 3G network and . . .well mexican Telcel just upgraded to 3G also.

So Im looking at a bunch of phones (I actually found this chinese iPhone. . .pretty sweet for the price) . . .a lot of models

some say:
"doesnt work on 3G network"
others dont. . .they say that they work on GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900"

So basically look up i9+++ over ebay and you'll come across plenty of phones that claim to work on AT&T network (which I've heard is one of the best 3G networks)

I read somewhere that Cricket uses a 3G network with a 1900 frequency but also I've seen 2100

does that mean I can use this cheap-iPhone in that network?

[Arveene]

If you live in the US, this should clear up some stuff.

TLDR: If you want to use a phone on AT&T Mobility's 3g network in the US, your phone has to support the 850/1900 GSM and UMTS bands.

Edit: iirc, Sprint (Boost Mobile's parent company) uses CDMA, I would assume Boost Mobile uses the same bands. This means you can't use an iPhone on their networks. There's plenty of rumors of when a CDMA iPhone will be released, but I don't think there's anything set in stone yet.

[GoGeTa006]

If you live in the US, this should clear up some stuff.

TLDR: If you want to use a phone on AT&T Mobility's 3g network in the US, your phone has to support the 850/1900 GSM and UMTS bands.

Edit: iirc, Sprint (Boost Mobile's parent company) uses CDMA, I would assume Boost Mobile uses the same bands. This means you can't use an iPhone on their networks. There's plenty of rumors of when a CDMA iPhone will be released, but I don't think there's anything set in stone yet.

nice TY. . .
so *from what I understood*

For 3G data, AT&T uses 850MHz & 1900MHz.  T-Mobile uses 1700MHz & 2100MHz.  Europe and many other countries use 2100MHz.  So a 2100MHz 3G phone will NOT work with AT&T 3G.  You'll only get EDGE speeds (a.k.a.: 2G or 2.5G) instead of 3G speeds.

If the phone isnt as "capable" of such 3G network. . .It will run to its fullest capabilites? say *for example* Im on AT&T and Im supposed to get (from what I've heard) around 7-9 mbps on a regular 3G phone (say original iPhone).

But If I have this iPhone-clone I'd only get . . iono 1-2 mbps? or something. . . or will it not do internet at all?

[PowerMac]

If the phone isnt as "capable" of such 3G network. . .It will run to its fullest capabilites? say *for example* Im on AT&T and Im supposed to get (from what I've heard) around 7-9 mbps on a regular 3G phone (say original iPhone).

But If I have this iPhone-clone I'd only get . . iono 1-2 mbps? or something. . . or will it not do internet at all?

Original iPhone was EDGE only, iPhone 3G can reach 3.2Mbps and the iPhone 3GS Can reach 7.2Mbps. Keep in mind these are the max it can support, you will not see these speeds. My iPhone 3G can go up to 3.2Mbps but everyday use I get 1.8-2.2Mbps even iPhone 3GS users get about those same speeds. The speed you get has more to do with how congested the tower you are connected to is than the phone itself. I have been in downtown Charlotte at a Checkers game and got only 300-400kbps so your milage will vary

[GoGeTa006]

Well. . .I already ordered it. . .me and my compulsive ebayaholic shopping. . .we'll see how it turns out

[Hizoka003]

honestly AT&T does not have the best 3g network... Verizon does, and TBH Verizon has the best coverage and they seem to have reasonable rate plans.

The ONLY think AT&T has going for it is they have the iPhone and even now they are losing ground on that because of Verizon and the Droid... i just ordered 2 Droids and they should arrive tomarrow, they cost 50 bucks at newegg.. i got a family plan which is 700 minutes a month (we never use that much) unlimited to all other Verizon phones unlimited nights and weekends. On the Phone that does text i spent 5 bucks more a month for 250 texts a month so the calling plan is 74 bucks a month

the drawback is that with the "smart phones" you have to have one of their internet packages to use them and they are 30 bucks a month per phone


but still all in all i got 2 Droids for 100 bucks total then a monthly bill of about 150-160 a month and that also has unlimited internet on the phones

[GoGeTa006]

thing I've never liked about smartphones is their size =/
I loved my sony ericsson w510i . . .it was just beautiful in any possible way.
but hey. . . times have changed

andI didnt say at&t had the best network. . .as I mentioned it has the FASTEST. . . but yeah ive heard verizon has a wider coverage.
you can even hear it on the radio. . .they both advertise like that. (and I've heard its true so...)

[PowerMac]

My Personal Phone is the iPhone 3G on AT&T and my Work Phone is a blackberry Curve on Verizon. I cant speak for all areas but here in North Carolina Verizon is full of crap with their 3G ads. Your Phone may say its using EVDO but its just a symbol.

In most large cities (Charlotte, Gastonia, Hickory/Conover) Both are 3G and both work fairly well, Large events not counted. But I live near Lincolnton, iPhone is EDGE only here but the BB says EVDO. Speed test on EDGE shows abut 190kbps speed test on EVDO shows about 300kbps. Both have 4-5 bars. So I would be curious to see how much of that large coverage map Verizon brags about actually has the backhaul capacity to support 3G speeds. Don't get me wrong, EDGE still sucks, but all Verizon 3G areas are not created equal.

[Hizoka003]

My Personal Phone is the iPhone 3G on AT&T and my Work Phone is a blackberry Curve on Verizon. I cant speak for all areas but here in North Carolina Verizon is full of crap with their 3G ads. Your Phone may say its using EVDO but its just a symbol.

In most large cities (Charlotte, Gastonia, Hickory/Conover) Both are 3G and both work fairly well, Large events not counted. But I live near Lincolnton, iPhone is EDGE only here but the BB says EVDO. Speed test on EDGE shows abut 190kbps speed test on EVDO shows about 300kbps. Both have 4-5 bars. So I would be curious to see how much of that large coverage map Verizon brags about actually has the backhaul capacity to support 3G speeds. Don't get me wrong, EDGE still sucks, but all Verizon 3G areas are not created equal.

wats better slightly slower 3G from verizon, or lack of coverage out side major cities with AT&T meaning 0 speed...


that ans personally you could not pay me to have an iPhone, i hate companies that have to control every aspect of your property like apple does with iPhone...

[PowerMac]

The entire AT&T network is EDGE so you wont be in a place with "0 speed". EDGE Works for email and very light web surfing, but it wont do video. Still thats not "0 speed"

[Hizoka003]

The entire AT&T network is EDGE so you wont be in a place with "0 speed". EDGE Works for email and very light web surfing, but it wont do video. Still thats not "0 speed"

if you have no signal you have 0 speed.. AT&T has very little coverage compared to verizon... just look at their maps

[PowerMac]

What map are you looking at? AT&T has a very large coverage area for voice and EDGE Data its just 3G that has the lacking coverage. Those maps you see on Verizon's commercials are only for 3G.

[GoGeTa006]

Question,
CDMA and GSM, I know they're different and AFAIK cellphones need hardware to work on each network right?

Cause I heard a guy that said you can hack any GSM phone to work on a CDMA network. . .is that true?

if what i know its correct then its not possible by simply "hacking" . . .but is my knowledge wrong?

[PowerMac]

Question,
CDMA and GSM, I know they're different and AFAIK cellphones need hardware to work on each network right?

Cause I heard a guy that said you can hack any GSM phone to work on a CDMA network. . .is that true?

if what i know its correct then its not possible by simply "hacking" . . .but is my knowledge wrong?

You can not hack a GSM phone to work on a CDMA network. The hardware used in each device is not compatible.

[wolf39us]

honestly AT&T does not have the best 3g network... Verizon does, and TBH Verizon has the best coverage and they seem to have reasonable rate plans.

The ONLY think AT&T has going for it is they have the iPhone and even now they are losing ground on that because of Verizon and the Droid... i just ordered 2 Droids and they should arrive tomarrow, they cost 50 bucks at newegg.. i got a family plan which is 700 minutes a month (we never use that much) unlimited to all other Verizon phones unlimited nights and weekends. On the Phone that does text i spent 5 bucks more a month for 250 texts a month so the calling plan is 74 bucks a month

the drawback is that with the "smart phones" you have to have one of their internet packages to use them and they are 30 bucks a month per phone


but still all in all i got 2 Droids for 100 bucks total then a monthly bill of about 150-160 a month and that also has unlimited internet on the phones

Verizon's 3G network has more coverage, but certainly NOT more speed

AT&T wins hands down on speed


NOW as far as the OP's question

it is pretty rare to find a dual mode phone that runs on both CDMA and GSM

Theoretically any GSM phone can run on any GSM network, and any CDMA phone can run on any CDMA network...given the correct unlocks and settings

GSM Companies would include:

T-Mobile
AT&T
Voda-Phone
Rogers (Canada)

CDMA Companies would include:

Cricket
Verizon
Nextel/Sprint
Boost Mobile
Go-Phone


CDMA works on an OTA authentication system and does not require the SIM card like a GSM tower would...if you want dual service then you are probably better off with a GSM service

If you can't find a dual sim GSM phone, then simply unlock (or purchase an unlocked phone) and swap sims out when you feel the need to use the other carrier

PS.  T-Mobile has decent 3G coverage and is by far the cheapest...however T-Mobile's 3G runs on the 1700/2100 band, where as the AT&T runs on the 1900/2100 UMTS band... you won't find a phone that has dual compatibility and will end up with edge on one of those networks

If this service from Mexico runs on the 1900/2100 band then go with AT&T... if it runs on the 1700/2100 band...go with T-Mobile (Though I believe T-mobiles frequencies are unique)

[NaRu]

honestly AT&T does not have the best 3g network... Verizon does, and TBH Verizon has the best coverage and they seem to have reasonable rate plans.

The ONLY think AT&T has going for it is they have the iPhone and even now they are losing ground on that because of Verizon and the Droid... i just ordered 2 Droids and they should arrive tomarrow, they cost 50 bucks at newegg.. i got a family plan which is 700 minutes a month (we never use that much) unlimited to all other Verizon phones unlimited nights and weekends. On the Phone that does text i spent 5 bucks more a month for 250 texts a month so the calling plan is 74 bucks a month

the drawback is that with the "smart phones" you have to have one of their internet packages to use them and they are 30 bucks a month per phone


but still all in all i got 2 Droids for 100 bucks total then a monthly bill of about 150-160 a month and that also has unlimited internet on the phones

Verizon's 3G network has more coverage, but certainly NOT more speed

AT&T wins hands down on speed


NOW as far as the OP's question

it is pretty rare to find a dual mode phone that runs on both CDMA and GSM

Theoretically any GSM phone can run on any GSM network, and any CDMA phone can run on any CDMA network...given the correct unlocks and settings

GSM Companies would include:

T-Mobile
AT&T
Voda-Phone
Rogers (Canada)

CDMA Companies would include:

Cricket
Verizon
Nextel/Sprint
Boost Mobile
Go-Phone


CDMA works on an OTA authentication system and does not require the SIM card like a GSM tower would...if you want dual service then you are probably better off with a GSM service

If you can't find a dual sim GSM phone, then simply unlock (or purchase an unlocked phone) and swap sims out when you feel the need to use the other carrier

PS.  T-Mobile has decent 3G coverage and is by far the cheapest...however T-Mobile's 3G runs on the 1700/2100 band, where as the AT&T runs on the 1900/2100 UMTS band... you won't find a phone that has dual compatibility and will end up with edge on one of those networks

If this service from Mexico runs on the 1900/2100 band then go with AT&T... if it runs on the 1700/2100 band...go with T-Mobile (Though I believe T-mobiles frequencies are unique)

Correction chris...AT&T isnt the fastest. Sprint has the fastest connection (4G)