Visiting USA, willing test 850 connectivity. How?

[Guest Eszed]

I've been noodling about on here and it looks like no one has a firm answer as to whether the Gen2 upgrade gives us the GSM850 frequency. I'm travelling to the USA next week and I'd love to test it out and report back. I have upgraded my Gen1 OLED SF to Gen2 (via wbaw's method). So I grab an AT&T SIM card, and if I have 3G show up, then 850 is working? Is that it?

[Guest KACE_231]

This is the information I found on wikipedia:

The following is a list of known frequencies which AT&T employs in the United States:

850/1900 MHz - GSM/GPRS/EDGE (2G)

850/1900 MHz - UMTS/HSPA (3G)

According to the GSMArena Spec page the ZTE Blade Supports:

1900/1800/900 - GSM/GPRS/EDGE (2G)

900/2100 - UMTS/HSDPA (3G)

So from what I can assume, if 3G works on the AT&T network, then 850Mhz band has been unlocked

Edited May 19, 2011 by KACE_231

[Guest hedgepigdaniel]

do a speed test aswell, but yes that sounds right

[Guest Eszed]

Thanks, KACE_231, I saw that list too.

Good idea, hedgepigdaniel, will do.

It surprises me that no one has submitted a proper report on this yet. I'm going to enjoy going in to the AT&T shop in San Francisco with my San Francisco. :-)

[Guest andycanada]

I've been noodling about on here and it looks like no one has a firm answer as to whether the Gen2 upgrade gives us the GSM850 frequency. I'm travelling to the USA next week and I'd love to test it out and report back. I have upgraded my Gen1 OLED SF to Gen2 (via wbaw's method). So I grab an AT&T SIM card, and if I have 3G show up, then 850 is working? Is that it?

I don't think 850 works.

I tried connecting to bell in Canada which uses HSPA+ at 850mhz and it I couldn't get a signal...

I upgraded mine to gen2 and I'm using swedish spring rls 5

[Guest mrradmir]

I guess item NV_BAND_PREF_I in NV-ram has to be changed to ffff (in hex) to unlock all bands.

[Guest Eszed]

@mrradmir

I read through that other thread. Thanks. Where'd you get that fix from?

The only advice on how to apply it was further down that same thread:

boot into ftm mode (after restoring stock recovery), and use QPST

Which sounds like ... a potentially risky pain in the ass. Is there a step-by-step out there somewhere?

Edited May 20, 2011 by Eszed

[Guest hedgepigdaniel]

@mrradmir

I read through that other thread. Thanks. Where'd you get that fix from?

The only advice on how to apply it was further down that same thread:

Which sounds like ... a potentially risky pain in the ass. Is there a step-by-step out there somewhere?

I don't think you will find a step by step, but QPST comes with an instruction manual. hecatae posted a thread somewhere with QPST, QxDM (which can change some NV settings which QPST can't) and some other tools with links. Its fairly safe - just keep track of what you change. even if you clear all the NV settings and the phone stops working, it still boots into FTM mode so you can change it back/reflash.

[Guest shmizan]

@mrradmir

I read through that other thread. Thanks. Where'd you get that fix from?

The only advice on how to apply it was further down that same thread:

Which sounds like ... a potentially risky pain in the ass. Is there a step-by-step out there somewhere?

Gen 2 doesn't have 850 Mhz enabled yet. different amss.bin (which contains the radio partition) from different roms were tried, non have proven to work.

I upgraded to Gen 2 and 850 ISN'T enabled - and that's 100%. I'm from Israel and my operator is Pelephone.

Pelephone doesn't have a 2G network and only uses 3G. it uses 850 MHz band, together with 2100 MHz.

outdoors I have good reception (2100 MHz), but inside my turned-to-gym emergency shelter (concrete) I don't have reception at all, while I USED to have with my previous Nokia 850 MHz supported phone.

the NV_BAND_PREF_I thing can be the only solution to get the 850 Mhz working.

please do try it!

Edited May 20, 2011 by shmizan

[Guest Hellek2]

wbaw posted in his thread, that apparently his method does not give 850mhz or HSUPA. That risky windows-method seems to do. Either way, I am also happy about any info on that topic.

[Guest shmizan]

wbaw posted in his thread, that apparently his method does not give 850mhz or HSUPA. That risky windows-method seems to do. Either way, I am also happy about any info on that topic.

how do you know?

[Guest Hellek2]

That's why I wrote "seems to". I have no confirmation, but there were several indications about 850mhz and HSUPA working in the thread on the windows method. What is missing is trying around. Or write a guide on how to do it with QPST.

Furthermore, there are other aspects: I.e. what's the impact on battery when there is an extra frequency? I suppose it scans it once in a while, even if it is not used in a certain country?

[Guest hedgepigdaniel]

That's why I wrote "seems to". I have no confirmation, but there were several indications about 850mhz and HSUPA working in the thread on the windows method. What is missing is trying around. Or write a guide on how to do it with QPST.

Furthermore, there are other aspects: I.e. what's the impact on battery when there is an extra frequency? I suppose it scans it once in a while, even if it is not used in a certain country?

Well the first windows thread was written by hecatae, one of the few people who is absolutely sure he can get HSUPA, and has posted screenshots that confirm it. The one I wrote I have changed to say it *may* enable HSUPA and 850Mhz, however I have not heard of anyone who failed with the TPT method and succeeded with the windows method, So I don't think that is the issue.

[Guest ken218]

I dis the windows upgrade from gen1 to gen2 but 850 mhz 3g did not work for me. I am currently in toronto with rogers, they should be on 850 mhz 3g.