Unlocked T-Mobile version the most inter-operable with other networks?

[startac7868]

I'm looking for a Note 3 version which has the flexibility to be used on any carrier in the US. That may exclude Verizon but must include T-Mobile and AT&T. In other words, can be used on T-Mobile or AT&T at minimum if not others as well.

What do you make of the "International" frequencies here? Samsung Galaxy Note 3 | T-Mobile

Doesn't that mean the T-Mobile version could operate in HSPA on T-Mobile and AT&T networks when not in LTE coverage?

Are at least some T-Mobile and AT&T LTE bands compatible with each other?

 

[dpham00]

The Verizon version would probably be the most interoperable, being that it works on Verizon, tmobile and att out of the box, if it is like other recent Verizon phones . The Verizon variant should have band 4 lte which is tmobile primary lte and also was used by att in a limited number of markets. Note that band 4 maybe locked at release but should be available after an update once verizon deploys band 4 lte. And should obviously be a quad band gsm as well


The Verizon Note 3 would probably come factory sim unlocked, tmobile and att versions would probably come locked to the carrier, though could be unlocked
Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note II via Tapatalk 4

 

[startac7868]

Based on that I did some research on Verizon LTE bands and indeed, they will use 700 and 1700 MHz, the latter also known as band 4. Yes, that makes it compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile.

But another research on Verizon Note 3 indicates that their HSPA support is quad band, lacking that critical 1700 AWS.

So Verizon Note 3 good for LTE interoperability, not so good for HSPA. In other words, cities great, but out of luck on highways and rural areas.

Update: Further research indicates T-Mobile "reframed" their 1900 spectrum to work for HSPA, So you don't need HSPA 1700 anymore. Perfect.

 

[dpham00]

Well, on Verizon, on get 4glte even in the boonies a lot of the time, not a building in site. Of course this depends on where you are and which carrier you are using

T-Mobile refarmed many areas to 1900.

Keep in mind though that att band 4 lte deployment is limited to some cities. You would not get att 700mhz lte, which is their primary lte network


http://m.androidauthority.com/nexus-4-lte-att-available-only-band-4-1700mhz-138136/

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note II via Tapatalk 4

 

[startac7868]

Umm...are you saying that Verizon 700 Mhz is not the same at AT&T 700 Mhz?

Between AT&T and Verizon, the 700 Mhz frequency is subdivided into bands 13, 17 and 29 according to List of LTE networks - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia . They are not interoperable? In other words, just because you have a phone that is said to support 700 Mhz LTE, it doesn't mean it will work on all carriers with 700 MHz LTE?

Update: Yeah, apparently their 700 Mhz frequencies aren't compatible due to some 'lower' 'upper' thing. So it appears the 1700 Mhz (Band 4) is the only common one across all the major carriers. As you noted this, this may not be deployed in the entire AT&T (or Verizon) coverage area. It would be, however, for T Mobile as it is their primary LTE frequency.

 

[startac7868]

In the links to the FCC filings, download the PDF document called "Test Report" for LTE and others . Either on the first page or in the section called EUT Description, the list of supported GSM, CDMA, HSPA(WCDMA) and LTE bands and frequencies are listed.

AT&T SM-N900A
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/repo...ame=N&application_id=736794&fcc_id=A3LSMN900A

The AT&T version supports the following (GSM omitted).
WCDMA Band 2 1900 MHz (tx and rx)
WCDMA Band 5 850 MHz (tx and rx)
LTE Band 2 1900 MHz (tx and rx)
LTE Band 4 1700/2100 MHz (tx/rx)
LTE Band 5 850 MHz (tx and rx)
LTE Band 17 700 MHz (tx and rx) This is of course different that Verizon's 700 MHz band.

Sprint SM-N900P
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/repo...ame=N&application_id=134996&fcc_id=A3LSMN900P

The Sprint version supports the following (GSM/CDMA omitted).
WCDMA Band 2 1900 MHz (tx and rx)
WCDMA Band 5 850 MHz (tx and rx)
LTE Band 25 1900 MHz (tx and rx)

T-Mobile SM-N900T
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/repo...ame=N&application_id=566535&fcc_id=A3LSMN900T

The T-Mobile version supports the following (GSM omitted).
WCDMA Band 2 1900 MHz (tx and rx)
WCDMA Band 4 1700/2100 MHz (tx/rx)
WCDMA Band 5 850 MHz (tx and rx)
LTE Band 2 1900 MHz (tx and rx)
LTE Band 4 1700/2100 MHz (tx/rx)
LTE Band 5 850 MHz (tx and rx)
LTE Band 17 700 MHz (tx and rx) Note this is also the band for AT&T but not Verizon which is band 13 700 MHz.

Verizon SM-N900V
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/repo...ame=N&application_id=956586&fcc_id=A3LSMN900V

The Verizon version supports the following (GSM/CDMA omitted).
WCDMA Band 2 1900 MHz (tx and rx)
WCDMA Band 5 850 MHz (tx and rx)
LTE Band 4 1700/2100 MHz (tx/rx)
LTE Band 13 700 MHz (tx and rx) This is of course different that AT&T's 700 MHz band.