Verizon Note 8 international LTE compatibility

[barkomatic]

I was disappointed to find out that the Verizon version at least has no LTE compatibility in certain countries I may travel too--not even Canada. I checked Greece, Italy, Canada, Mexico and Iceland. It does have 3G compatibility -- which is a downgrade when using Google Maps and using your phone to guide you.

The Verizon support rep sent me to vzw.com/tripplanner (you have to have an account to check apparently).

I didn't check before I bought the phone, so my bad but I just assumed that Samsung's flagship would work with LTE in at least some countries. Most other android phones also weren't compatible--though oddly enough the S7 and S6 had full LTE service in those places. Does anyone know why Samsung does this?

Has anyone traveled internationally with the Verizon version and *did* get LTE service?

 

[Jrome.brooks]

Sounds like you might need switch carriers the note is a 1000 bucks it's should work in the moon Jupiter mars everywhere

 

[barkomatic]

After doing more research and reaching out to Samsung, I think its a special carrier version that simply doesn't have the hardware. I believe I'd need to switch to the unlocked version--an expensive prospect and I'm not sure it's worth it.

 

[barkomatic]

I thought I'd update this thread again. I double checked with Verizon, and they informed me that the Verizon trip planner site was incorrect--the Note 8 will work on LTE in a foreign country when that service is available. I reached out to Samsung again and they were previously under the impression that any lack of LTE service was imposed by the carrier--not because the phone *couldn't* receive an LTE signal due to it lacking the necessary bands.

I have no idea if this is correct until I try of course, but the Verizon version *may* not be as limited as I was originally told though I wish there was more transparency in regard to international service. I can't be the only person who travels with their Note out of the country.

 

[vmmatty]

I can't speak for the Note 8 but I've used my Note 5 in multiple foreign countries (Spain, India, England, Singapore, France) and there are definitely times when the phone reports that it's on an LTE network. There are many times it'll report H+ or similar slower network but it'll also definitely get LTE where available.

I suspect that the Note 8 works the same

 

[eshropshire]

Same with my Verizon Note 4. I used it in many countries. I do not remember not having LTE. Years ago when I had an S4, I only traveled to Europe, but I remember having 4G.

 

[barkomatic]

Thanks, it's a good sign that both of you actually had LTE service abroad. Were both of you roaming using a Verizon sim with an international data plan or did you use a local sim?

 

[eshropshire]

Thanks, it's a good sign that both of you actually had LTE service abroad. Were both of you roaming using a Verizon sim with an international data plan or did you use a local sim?

With the Note 4 I was roaming with Verizon. With my S4 I used a local SIM.

 

[Torch4x4]

It works, when I cross the border to Mexico the roaming works, but also I'm removing the SIM card from Verizon (LTE/CDMA) and install the SIM card from TELCEL in Mexico (LTE/GSM/UMTS) and it works perfect.

I don't know the default configuration but you can always change those settings:

"Mobile Networks" > "Network Mode"

-GLOBAL
-LTE/CDMA
-LTE/GSM/UMTS

Also check and select the "Data Roaming Access"

-Deny
-Allow only for this trip
-Allow for all trips

Also the Note 8 from Verizon with a SIM card from Telcel-Mexico works in the USA using the T-Mobile and AT&T networks.

Looks like the Note 8 from Verizon is unlocked and international compatible.

 

[barkomatic]

Thank you very much for the info Torch4x4, it's good to know the Verizon version can receive an LTE signal when the SIM card is swapped out! That's actually one huge piece of the mystery solved.

If I understand you correctly then, you get LTE service whether you leave the Verizon SIM in the phone but also if you swap it out?

 

[Torch4x4]

I just came from France and Italy and used a SIM from Orange from France and worked perfectly also in Italy, I'm not using the Verizon SIM overseas because is very expensive