GSM Ever?

[BatmanGCPD]

Will the Thunderbolt EVER be able to work on the GSM network? Im trying to learn why. Is it a software issue that can be reprogrammed to work on the GSM, or is there hardware that is missing from the phone? My thinking is that if I can make 911 calls when Im in a GSM network area, then I should be able to take advantage of the full GSM network. The only way I can see the phone working "everywhere" is using Skype on a wifi network. When I install a new SIM card, Im not even prompted to put in the unlock code is there something else Im supposed to do?
also, I see a lot of reference to "radio", what is that? Finally, how do I get updates when Im not on the network? I thought I could do it on the wifi, but I cant figure it out.

Long time reader, first time threader.

 

[realitydigg]

Re: GSM Ever???

No - GSM is a different frequency / protocol. You can't make 911 calls in a GSM only area.

When people talk about radio they are usually talking about the software that programs the radio section of the phone. There are two parts, one the frequencies and protocols that the phone is programmed for, and the other is how it hands of and changes between 1x 3g 4g etc. this is where the best speculations says the phone has had some issues causing reboots.

If you are looking for a world phone this isnt it. If you are looking to port to a GSM network like AT&T this isnt it. If you are looking to use it on the occasional trip overseas, then you will be stuck to WiFi only unless you are somewhere that supports CDMA or the same flavor of LTE used by verizon.

 

[the one and only M]

Will the Thunderbolt EVER be able to work on the GSM network? Im trying to learn why. Is it a software issue that can be reprogrammed to work on the GSM, or is there hardware that is missing from the phone? My thinking is that if I can make 911 calls when Im in a GSM network area, then I should be able to take advantage of the full GSM network. The only way I can see the phone working "everywhere" is using Skype on a wifi network. When I install a new SIM card, Im not even prompted to put in the unlock code is there something else Im supposed to do?
also, I see a lot of reference to "radio", what is that? Finally, how do I get updates when Im not on the network? I thought I could do it on the wifi, but I cant figure it out.

Long time reader, first time threader.

It doesnt have the hardware to run on a gsm network.

 

[BatmanGCPD]

Re: GSM Ever???

Thanks for the info. What about getting my updates over the wifi? Im in Iraq right now and I want to gt the software updates before I go home. Has anyone ever tried another SIM card, one from a CDMA, to see if it works?

 

[realitydigg]

Re: GSM Ever???

Thanks for the info. What about getting my updates over the wifi? Im in Iraq right now and I want to gt the software updates before I go home. Has anyone ever tried another SIM card, one from a CDMA, to see if it works?

Assuming you are on MR1 (The first release) and don't have "phone" access I would stay there until you get back because most of the fixes are radio tower fixes (Or did we push CDMA into Iraq?). You can always install the updates manually, or root and upgrade to other installations. Search around and you will find instructions.

As far as SIM cards go, as a rule SIM cards are GSM not CDMA This phone has a SIM card because of the LTE parts. No other SIM card will work in it right now. It isnt like GSM yet where every phone has a SIM and you can swap them.

 

[BatmanGCPD]

Re: GSM Ever???

Well then what is Verizon giving out an unlock code for...whats the code for if no other SIM will work?

 

[realitydigg]

Re: GSM Ever???

A SIM is a SIM - it can be unlocked, but that won;t make it work on GSM http://forum.androidcentral.com/verizon-htc-thunderbolt-forums/88539-thunderbolt-gsm.html Unlocking it would make it work on any other LTE / CDMA network that would support the phone. There are also sites out there that will offer to unlock it and claim that it will run globally. They are wrong. If you had two thunderbolts you could swap SIMS and they would change over...

I had a bberry storm which i unlocked and used globally, but that phone had GSM and CDMA, specifically called a world phone like the droid global phone verizon sells now

 

[FrankXS]

Thanks for the info. What about getting my updates over the wifi? Im in Iraq right now and I want to gt the software updates before I go home.

You'll need a VZW cellular data connection to accomplish the OTA MR2 update.

-Frank

Sent from my HTC ThunderBolt 4G/LTE using Tapatalk

 

[dpham00]

You'll need a VZW cellular data connection to accomplish the OTA MR2 update.

-Frank

Sent from my HTC ThunderBolt 4G/LTE using Tapatalk

Dang, that sucks, wonder why Verizon won't allow it, I have an AT&T phone and was able to get an OTA update via wifi.

 

[YourMobileGuru]

Re: GSM Ever???

A SIM is a SIM - it can be unlocked, but that won;t make it work on GSM http://forum.androidcentral.com/verizon-htc-thunderbolt-forums/88539-thunderbolt-gsm.html Unlocking it would make it work on any other LTE / CDMA network that would support the phone. There are also sites out there that will offer to unlock it and claim that it will run globally. They are wrong. If you had two thunderbolts you could swap SIMS and they would change over...
w

You're can also do this with the charge and revolution and future vzw lte devics

Other lte networks would havevto operate on the 700mhz frequency range vzw does for them to use the Thunderbolt even if you somehow got it unlocked.