Will it work on AT&T LTE Network?

[DCad]

Exactly. If you already have an active AT&T LTE phone, you can simply drop the SIM into the Nexus 5 and it works fine. But it seems that AT&T is balking at adding/changing to LTE data on an existing account that isn't already configured for LTE. Until somebody either gets AT&T to do it via the phone or some corporate type employee OR snagging a display device's IMEI number and having that work, it's an open question today.

Ugh. That's the boat I'm in. Came from the Galaxy Nexus, now do not have LTE. I guess I can try taking it into a store, but, I feel I won't get far.

*EDIT: What if I change to a newer data plan? Or will they really not enable it just based on the "unknown" device?

 

[mhettrich]

Ugh. That's the boat I'm in. Came from the Galaxy Nexus, now do not have LTE. I guess I can try taking it into a store, but, I feel I won't get far.

Didn't the Galaxy Nexus have LTE support, or was that only the Verizon version?

 

[DCad]

Didn't the Galaxy Nexus have LTE support, or was that only the Verizon version?

Only Verizon. My unlocked Google Play Edition did not.

 

[mhettrich]

Only Verizon. My unlocked Google Play Edition did not.

Ah ok. I wasn't as familiar with the Google edition since I was on Verizon at the time. I just recently stopped working for Best Buy Mobile, and I've seen this issue many times with AT&T. What everyone is saying about temporarily putting an LTE IMEI on the account is correct. The issue, as many have pointed out, is in the designation in AT&T's system of the type of data plan used for a 3g or HSPA+ phone versus that of an LTE phone. It's not necessarily that AT&T doesn't want to switch the data plan for you, but rather that if you try to change a data plan for an IMEI that shows as 3g to a data plan that is for LTE there is an error message that doesn't allow you to continue. Perhaps AT&T would be able to use a dummy IMEI, but if AT&T gives you trouble, I would suggest stopping in a Best Buy Mobile location and seeing if they could help at all. I can't speak for everyone that works there obviously, but while I was there, I helped people with similar issues on more than one occasion. Ideally, bring an LTE capable phone with you when you go. Hope everyone is able to get their issues resolved quickly.

 

[greatgoogly]

That would be the problem right there. Nexus 5 is treated like a BYOD and not in at&t system so it can't tell if its LTE capable or not. Best to just get a dummy IMEI from someone with a phone they are not using and change your plan then pop it into the nexus to do another IMEI swap.

Actually AT&T apparently does know it's an AT&T Device, after I put my SIM in the Nexus 5 and booted up I got this email to my account. Of course when I called them, is when I got the runaround.
"Dear Valued Customer,
We hope you are enjoying your LTE device!
We value your business and want to ensure you're set up with the right data plan for your LTE device. If you have recently swapped a SIM card from your 3G or HSPA+ device into your LTE device, your data service may not work properly. Please call us at 1-800-331-0500 (or 611 from your wireless phone) and our team can help you establish service with an AT&T LTE Data Plan.
Our team is ready to help you activate data service with the right plan. We look forward to your call.
Thank you for being an AT&T customer.
Sincerely,
AT&T

 

[DCad]

Ah ok. I wasn't as familiar with the Google edition since I was on Verizon at the time. I just recently stopped working for Best Buy Mobile, and I've seen this issue many times with AT&T. What everyone is saying about temporarily putting an LTE IMEI on the account is correct. The issue, as many have pointed out, is in the designation in AT&T's system of the type of data plan used for a 3g or HSPA+ phone versus that of an LTE phone. It's not necessarily that AT&T doesn't want to switch the data plan for you, but rather that if you try to change a data plan for an IMEI that shows as 3g to a data plan that is for LTE there is an error message that doesn't allow you to continue. Perhaps AT&T would be able to use a dummy IMEI, but if AT&T gives you trouble, I would suggest stopping in a Best Buy Mobile location and seeing if they could help at all. I can't speak for everyone that works there obviously, but while I was there, I helped people with similar issues on more than one occasion. Ideally, bring an LTE capable phone with you when you go. Hope everyone is able to get their issues resolved quickly.

Got it. My data plan is old and not offered anymore, anyway. It's not unlimited, so, I wouldn't miss much by transitioning off of it. Perhaps my best bet is to just do that.

 

[maj71303]

Re: Will it work on AT&T LTE Network?

What if you used the IMEI from a phone that is from a phone someone is already using? Not that the sim will ever go in that phone but my brother could be pissed if he loses service on his Nokia 920

he won't lose service, it can be done just as you said use his imei to get lte service assigned then just use you nexus 5 but you have to make sure you already have an LTE ready sim in your current device.

- - - Updated - - -

I think you just said what I said lol. I guess I am surprised so many people are still on HSPA plans.

Sent from my Nexus 7

yep same thing said multiple times.

 

[Goodeye]

Actually AT&T apparently does know it's an AT&T Device, after I put my SIM in the Nexus 5 and booted up I got this email to my account. Of course when I called them, is when I got the runaround.
"Dear Valued Customer,
We hope you are enjoying your LTE device!
We value your business and want to ensure you're set up with the right data plan for your LTE device. If you have recently swapped a SIM card from your 3G or HSPA+ device into your LTE device, your data service may not work properly. Please call us at 1-800-331-0500 (or 611 from your wireless phone) and our team can help you establish service with an AT&T LTE Data Plan.
Our team is ready to help you activate data service with the right plan. We look forward to your call.
Thank you for being an AT&T customer.
Sincerely,
AT&T

Maybe Google/LG just updated them with the IMEIs.

 

[maj71303]

Re: Will it work on AT&T LTE Network?

Actually AT&T apparently does know it's an AT&T Device, after I put my SIM in the Nexus 5 and booted up I got this email to my account. Of course when I called them, is when I got the runaround.
"Dear Valued Customer,
We hope you are enjoying your LTE device!
We value your business and want to ensure you're set up with the right data plan for your LTE device. If you have recently swapped a SIM card from your 3G or HSPA+ device into your LTE device, your data service may not work properly. Please call us at 1-800-331-0500 (or 611 from your wireless phone) and our team can help you establish service with an AT&T LTE Data Plan.
Our team is ready to help you activate data service with the right plan. We look forward to your call.
Thank you for being an AT&T customer.
Sincerely,
AT&T

Can you change your plan online to add 4G service or just get someone to use their phone as a imei swap to just get the 4G LTE activated then swap the imei back to the Nexus 5

- - - Updated - - -

Maybe Google/LG just updated them with the IMEIs.

that could be it as well

 

[DCad]

Actually AT&T apparently does know it's an AT&T Device, after I put my SIM in the Nexus 5 and booted up I got this email to my account. Of course when I called them, is when I got the runaround.
"Dear Valued Customer,
We hope you are enjoying your LTE device!
We value your business and want to ensure you're set up with the right data plan for your LTE device. If you have recently swapped a SIM card from your 3G or HSPA+ device into your LTE device, your data service may not work properly. Please call us at 1-800-331-0500 (or 611 from your wireless phone) and our team can help you establish service with an AT&T LTE Data Plan.
Our team is ready to help you activate data service with the right plan. We look forward to your call.
Thank you for being an AT&T customer.
Sincerely,
AT&T

I didn't get that message, though I did get a new SIM just over a year ago due to an ATT issue. Guess my SIM doesn't have LTE access. Also seems to be showcased by the fact that online, I only show my current data plan as an option - No others.

Guess I'll head to a store tomorrow.

 

[DCad]

I didn't get that message, though I did get a new SIM just over a year ago due to an ATT issue. Guess my SIM doesn't have LTE access. Also seems to be showcased by the fact that online, I only show my current data plan as an option - No others.

Guess I'll head to a store tomorrow.

Heh. Never mind - Just saw the email. Guess I need to change plans!

 

[planoman]

Looks like ATT is on it. Hopefully when you give them your phone they can switch you plan.

Sent from my Moto X!

 

[pseudoware]

Sorry, haven't read the entire thread. I'm guessing the same APN settings from my N4 will work, right? About to set up my N5. Thanks.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

[maj71303]

Sorry, haven't read the entire thread. I'm guessing the same APN settings from my N4 will work, right? About to set up my N5. Thanks.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

On my N5 on At&t it set the apn's by itself, I didn't add anything and it has LTE service. So that should comfort some folks on thinking that you have to configure the apn's yourself.

 

[Cyberguycpt]

I took my phone to AT&T today to get a micro SIM card because I have been using A basic phone since my galaxy s4 died last week. I simply popped the sim card in and the phone immediately got LTE service.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[methods]

got this ATT free text msg this morning....

Did you know an eligible data plan is required for your LTE device? Please call 611 to select a plan and establish your LTE data connection today

All did was put the sim from my N4 into my N5 last night

 

[pseudoware]

got this ATT free text msg this morning....


All did was put the sim from my N4 into my N5 last night

It looks like your account is not provisioned for LTE data speeds, only HSPA. Just call them. There shouldn't be any change in your actual plan, assuming you already have a smartphone data plan.

If you been using a feature phone plan, then that's different, and there would be a change.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[Goodeye]

People who were on a non LTE device with ATT can you post how your call or visit with ATT went in getting the right plan and/or LTE SIM card?

 

[soma4society]

This may not apply to the N5 situation and may have been suggested earlier in the thread, but when I got my GE S4 I came from a phone that didn't have lte...and subsequently was not getting it on the S4 either. Someone here at android central recommended I download Notification Toggle from the play store, and then add the 4G toggle to the tray. When you press it and scroll down there's a drop down menu where youre able to engage LTE. I'm picking up my N5 within the hour, so I'll give this method a try if it's not receiving an LTE signal.

Posted with my Google Edition S4, which I love...maybe a little too much.

 

[nicknacknock]

Just upgraded to N5 from my N4.. the sim card came from my iPhone 4 that I used in the N4, and now, is in the N5. I popped in sim card last night, I'm getting the 'H' icon above and about ~3Mbps down but that could be due to crappy service in my part of chicago.

I called AT&T about 5 minutes ago. I asked them to remove my '3GB iPhone Data' plan (or something similar) and asked to get the LTE 3GB Data plan for smart phones, the lady said 'maybe I need your IMEI number' so I gave her my IMEI from the box on my N5 as I was calling them on my N5 at the time. She enters it, says, OK, you're all set, plan is updated. She told me to reboot the phone which I did, I did see the 'LTE' briefly appear but went back to 'H'.

So I'm guessing either all is good and I'm just sitting in a spot that won't get LTE or I still need to configure an APN (using the default 'Phone' APN). Later today on break I'll hoof it and see if I can pick up LTE.