AT&T compatibility

[Ludditejones]

Hello,

I recently purchased an HTC U11. I have not even unboxed it yet because I have been reading a lot of things on-line about it not being fully compatible with AT&T network. Specifically I have read that I will be unable to use VoLTE, Video Calling or Wifi Calling. And if I contact AT&T to activate the phone, I will also lose LTE coverage and will be relegated to HSPA+. One person said that MMS is very low quality (very pixelated) .

All the issues I was reading about, including on this site, were from June and July. Couldn't find any current discussion to find out if the issues have been resolved. I was able to get a Tech Support Chat with an AT&T rep who assured me it should work now. Here is the chat:

AT&T : Hello! Thanks for choosing AT&T Chat.
Seana : Thank you for reaching out to AT&T Advanced Technical Support. My name is Seana, and I will be your resolution specialist.​ (✿◠‿◠)
Seana : Hello, How can I help you?
Me: I purchased an HTC U11 but have not activated it yet because I am reading a lot of things online that say it is not fully supported on ATT
Seana : Did you buy it through AT&T?
Me: No, ATT does not sell HTC
Seana : It will work with AT&T most features are included.
Me: will I be able to use VoLTE?
Seana : Yes
Me: Some people have said that once they activated the phone with ATT they lose LTE coverage and will be relegated to HSPA+
Me: is this true?
Seana : It is the same
Me: LTE is the same as HSPA+?
Seana : Yes
Me: All the reports of the comparability issues are from several months agao. Do you know if there were issues that have now been resolved?
Seana : Yes they have.
Me: My current phone has a micro sim. I believe the U11 takes a nano sim. Do I just take it to an ATT store and they will give me a new sim?
Seana : Yep You can get a free replacement at any AT&T store
Me: OK. I just want to confirm. I am a little nervous about all the reports of the phone not functioning fully on ATT. Are you telling me that you are aware that there were some issues in the summer but they have been resolved?
Seana : Correct
Me: Great. last two questions.
Me: If I have a plan that suppoerts the use of mobile hotspot will it work on this phone?
Seana : Let me double check that one
Seana : So we strive for all devices to work on our network, however there is no guarantee since it is not an AT&T certified device.
Seana : Since hotspot is a fairly common feature it is more likely it will work
Seana : We just can't guarantee it
Me: ok
Me: can you email me a copy of this chat?
Seana : For your record, you can also email the transcript of our conversation by clicking on the “✉” icon on your chat window.
Me: Thanks. You have been helpful.
Seana : Of Course!
Seana : Is there anything else I can help you with today?
Me : nope
Seana : Okay, Perfect!
Seana : I hope you have a great evening!
Seana : Happy Holidays!
Seana : Thank you, for your continued loyalty and for your input on helping us remain your first choice for your wireless and entertainment needs. We appreciate your business. -Seana(✿◠‿◠)
Seana : Please use the x at the top of the chat window, so that notes will be saved correctly.
Me : Thanks. Same to you
Seana : Thank you!

This gives me a little more confidence. But am still a bit leery. Can anyone here confirm any of this? Have the issues been fixed? Any other issues I should know about? Fact is, I am currently using an HTC one X so it should be an upgrade either way but I would rather have all the functions available. Especially since HTC failed to send me free items as per their Black Friday sale (Fetch and JBL earbuds).

Thanks

 

[hrrsncrawford]

I currently have the U11 on At&t and here's how it's been going for me : Correct there is no video calling or wifi calling or VoLTE , and as far as LTE, I stay in Atlanta and constantly have a strong LTE signal and have been since day one . I have not never once gotten a low quality MMs picture, but you should definitely be fine with it !

 

[Ludditejones]

Would other AT&T users recommend this phone even with the limitations? Or should I just return it and get a Samsung from AT&T? I don't know how much I would use VoLTE anyway. It is more the principle of the matter. And it is a little annoying that AT&T still tries to tell people that LTE and HSPA+ are the same thing.

I read a couple of people who said they talked with tier 2 tech support at AT&T who told them they would "add their phone and IMEI to the ATT system" and that it would allow all the features to work. I never found any posts from those people saying if it resolved the issues or not. Can anyone comment on that?

 

[Ludditejones]

Sorry hrrsncrawford, I meant to thank you for your reply. I take it from your comments that you are not disappointed with the phone, even with the AT&T limitations? Have you tris the hotspot function? Any other issues?

 

[Rukbat]

Samsung phones for AT&T are locked up tight, so if you plan on using a different ROM, TWRP recovery, rooting it or anything like that, stay away from Samsung. If you just plan to use it as it is, most Samsung phones are pretty good. (I used a Note 3 on AT&T for 4 years, before switching to T-Mobile for the unlimited data.

 

[hrrsncrawford]

Yea it's a great phone, wish it had WiFi calling, but that's no type of deal breaker for me ! Hotspot works fine as well !