Using the Verizon GS3 with an international sim card.

[dajmeister]

Hi guys,

My girlfriend is visiting me here in England with her Verizon Galaxy S3. We just updated it to 4.1.1 via the official OTA, and were trying to use it with a Vodafone sim card that she was using previously with an English HTC Wildfire S.

The GS3 connects to the Vodafone network and will receive SMS sent to the UK number but doesn't connect to Vodafone's data network. (if we put the sim back in the wildfire S it connects to data just fine).

I was thinking I might have to enter APN settings, but on the GS3 when the Vodafone sim card is in the APN settings list is blank and there is no option to add new ones.

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[MichaelSanFrancisco]

Is her phone rooted? Also you said text is working fine, are voice calls working fine too?

I assume the data isn't working because the GS3 does not have the right MHz frequencies as vodaphone.

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[nyry]

Like Michael said above make sure that voda phone uses the same frequencies that youre phone is capable of (850/1900)

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[DrPreeth]

I thought the Verizon S3 also had a quad band GSM radio.. I.e 850/900/1900/2100

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[titans30dude]

Like Michael said above make sure that voda phone uses the same frequencies that youre phone is capable of (850/1900)

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Its got all the gsm and umts frequencies needed...quad band for both....check to make sure you have roaming data enabled because your roaming on usa carriers here...just a thought

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[dajmeister]

I did try it with data roaming turned on, but no dice. The phone says not roaming when it is connected with the Vodafone sim. We are going to goto a Vodafone store and try and get a new micro sim rather than the old one that i cut down.

 

[James Changstein]

I travel overseas often and it would make my day if the SIII will work on a different network. I am tired of carrying two phones...

With this new 4.1.1 update, is the phone in theory supposed to work with a new SIM card? Will it have to be WCDMA network? Does it have to be unlocked by Verizon first?

Please keep us posted with your findings with Vodafone.

Cheers

 

[dajmeister]

I talked to verizon global roaming support, and the agent said that it is unlocked out of the box and should work with another sim. But I'm pretty sure that entering the APN's is the problem, as I can't find a way to enter apns without rooting the phone.

 

[James Changstein]

Thanks, mate.....

If it's unlocked, it should pick up the apn setting from the SIM card automatically. I have just returned from Asia where I simply popped a SIM in my unlocked Nexus 7. All the configuration was automatic, I didn't have to change the apn at all. All I did was agreeing to the user agreement via the 3g connection that came on soon after the SIM was inserted.

Maybe you can share your experience with a new SIM from Vodafone? I'd appreciate it... I am off to Asia again in 4 weeks.

Cheers,

 

[chachazlo]

Same exact issue here in Israel on Pelephone 850/1900. Talk+text is good but no data and no option for APN.
No root here.

Any ideas?

 

[YBCold]

Well, im going to the Cayman islands for a few days and am going to try swaping sim cards there. Ill report back findings on Thursday.

Keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[MichaelSanFrancisco]

Those here that report this working, are you getting micro SIM cards straight from these other international carriers or are you cutting them down from larger SIM cards?

Edit: oops just read above that the SIM card was cut down from a larger one. I just ordered a SIM card cutter from amazon, we will see how well that works

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[chachazlo]

I got my micro sim from the carrier...

 

[Harry Lin]

Same exact issue here in Israel on Pelephone 850/1900. Talk+text is good but no data and no option for APN.
No root here.

Any ideas?

Same issue here with Singtel prepaid. Tried the prepaid with s3 international and no issue.

 

[DrPreeth]

So I'm guessing we still need to root and use the APN program?

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[chachazlo]

Hi guys,

My girlfriend is visiting me here in England with her Verizon Galaxy S3. We just updated it to 4.1.1 via the official OTA, and were trying to use it with a Vodafone sim card that she was using previously with an English HTC Wildfire S.

The GS3 connects to the Vodafone network and will receive SMS sent to the UK number but doesn't connect to Vodafone's data network. (if we put the sim back in the wildfire S it connects to data just fine).

I was thinking I might have to enter APN settings, but on the GS3 when the Vodafone sim card is in the APN settings list is blank and there is no option to add new ones.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Do you also get the "Non-Verizon Sim: This sim card is not supported" constant message in the notification bar?

 

[v1ncestah]

Do you also get the "Non-Verizon Sim: This sim card is not supported" constant message in the notification bar?

I've been in Vietnam for the past month and a week and before the 4.1.1 update my GS3 would not accept the SIM card I put in with this message in the notif. bar. Now with the update I tried it again and the my phone works with the SIM but still it says "Non-Verizon Sim: This sim card is not supported" but now im able to make calls.

 

[DrPreeth]

I've been in Vietnam for the past month and a week and before the 4.1.1 update my GS3 would not accept the SIM card I put in with this message in the notif. bar. Now with the update I tried it again and the my phone works with the SIM but still it says "Non-Verizon Sim: This sim card is not supported" but now im able to make calls.

Are you getting data access?


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[v1ncestah]

Are you getting data access?


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im afraid of getting charged extra, so i'm only using it with wifi on but i can make calls and text fine.

 

[jonavillicana]

Some one on this forum said it doesn't support hspda only edge maybe that has to do with no apn settings I hope his wrong I'm going to Mexico and verizon donesnt have a GSM roaming partner. I'm lucky if I get a 1x never had evdo in Mexico .
. Verizon Galaxy S3 SIM Unlock Swap for International Travel Possible? - xda-developers