Telecom Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 i8160L without WCDMA 900?

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hwurst

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#136838 10-Dec-2013 15:44

Hi everyone

I have got a Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 (GT-i8160L) which was on special for the Telecom network and has a Telecom NZ branding (when booted).

I am testing it with a 2degrees SIM and it connects to the network but only through 2G or 3G-WCDMA2100.

I am rural, so I would like WCDMA 900 to work as well.

Any spec on the internet for the i8160 or i8160L includes 3G/WCDMA 900 capability of the phone.

In the service menu, (http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-s/258859-how-enable-850mhz-3g-network-frequency-your-samsung-i9000-galaxy-s-2.html),
WCDMA900 is not listed :-(

Any idea if this can be reactivated through flashing a custom firmware?

Thanks
Hansi

mrgsm021

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#948791 10-Dec-2013 15:57

Since this is a Telecom branded phone, I'd say it only supports the WCDMA 850 and 2100 not the 900 flavour.

hwurst

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#948797 10-Dec-2013 16:03

Thanks for the quick answer.

Most locks on Android phones seem quite easily removable. So, how would the WCDMA BAND lock be implemented?

Anyone got an idea?

Stu

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#948806 10-Dec-2013 16:15

It's not a lock. Pretty sure the phone lacks the WCDMA 900 hardware. Nothing you can do about it.

hwurst

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#948814 10-Dec-2013 16:21

Yes, you might be right.

But wouldn't Samsung give it a special product code like the i9100G, i9210T, ...? The box does not even say Telecom - only GT-i8160L - and the spec for that includes 3G-900 :-(

wellygary

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#948841 10-Dec-2013 16:54

hwurst: Yes, you might be right.

But wouldn't Samsung give it a special product code like the i9100G, i9210T, ...? The box does not even say Telecom - only GT-i8160L - and the spec for that includes 3G-900 :-(

They didn't need to , according to Dr Google the "L" indicates the phone is built for Latin America where 850 is one of the main bands,

Aredwood

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#955541 20-Dec-2013 15:49

Seems like Telecom have discovered another method of locking phones to
Their network.

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Talkiet

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#955552 20-Dec-2013 16:05

Aredwood: Seems like Telecom have discovered another method of locking phones to
Their network.

This isn't a fair comment AT ALL. With many phones especially once you get below the very top end, individual models simply don't have all the bands used by all providers in NZ so naturally each provider will source a model that works best on their network.

Move along, nothing to see here.

Cheers - N

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qraider

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#955565 20-Dec-2013 17:01

A quick google would have provided you with an answer.

See: http://www.samsung.com/nz/consumer/mobile-phone/mobile-phone/smartphone/GT-I8160OKLTNZ-spec

Network/Bearer and Wireless Connectivity

GSM 3G, HSPA support
EDGE / GPRS (850 / 900 / 1,800 / 1,900MHZ) support
HSPA (850 / 2,100)
802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz available

2G Network

GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900

3G Network

HSDPA 900 / 2100

It's not the only handset like that either.

Current Phone:
- Android: Samsung SM-G900F Galaxy S5 (XT)
- Win Phone 8: Samsung ATIV S (XT)

Current Tablet:

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johnr

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#955566 20-Dec-2013 17:03

Aredwood: Seems like Telecom have discovered another method of locking phones to

Their network.

What the???

michaelmurfy

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#955634 20-Dec-2013 19:37

Remember the phones sold by Telecom are sold with the impression you're going to be using it on their network. They're designed for their network, the software is built for their network etc. If you're trying to get one of their phones working on another provider you can run into some problems.

This is not limited to Telecom, remember 4G doesn't connect to Telecom from a Vodafone Galaxy S4. If you're rural your best provider is Telecom on that phone.

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old3eyes

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#955755 21-Dec-2013 11:22

Aredwood: Seems like Telecom have discovered another method of locking phones to
Their network.

Then you could also say the same about Vodafone and 2Degrees for selling fones that don't support the 850 band..

Regards,

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#955757 21-Dec-2013 11:25

old3eyes:
Aredwood: Seems like Telecom have discovered another method of locking phones to
Their network.

Then you could also say the same about Vodafone and 2Degrees for selling fones that don't support the 850 band..

I would say most of them do but not the 3G 850 band

Aredwood

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#958157 28-Dec-2013 00:35

Sorry if my post Touched a nerve. Part of the reason I said that is I'm currently on holiday in Samoa. I'm using a telecom branded Sony Xperia. Because it works on 850mhz it can't connect to either of the local phone companies via 3g. This means my internet is not much faster than dial up while my mate's get about 3.5meg. Although I already knew that different phones support different bands I didn't know that often less bands were supported on 3g compared to 2g. I only found that out after trying to figure out why 3g wasn't working on this phone.

Thankfully this phone is a borrowed one not one I own. I will be buying a smartphone when I get back to nz, my current phone is an old 2g only Samsung. Glad I found this out first. Before I buy a new phone.

Its also a bummer for anyone on Telecom who wants to roam to Samoa or any other country that doesn't have a carrier that uses 850mhz

old3eyes

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#958178 28-Dec-2013 08:31

Aredwood: Sorry if my post Touched a nerve. Part of the reason I said that is I'm currently on holiday in Samoa. I'm using a telecom branded Sony Xperia. Because it works on 850mhz it can't connect to either of the local phone companies via 3g. This means my internet is not much faster than dial up while my mate's get about 3.5meg. Although I already knew that different phones support different bands I didn't know that often less bands were supported on 3g compared to 2g. I only found that out after trying to figure out why 3g wasn't working on this phone.

Thankfully this phone is a borrowed one not one I own. I will be buying a smartphone when I get back to nz, my current phone is an old 2g only Samsung. Glad I found this out first. Before I buy a new phone.

Its also a bummer for anyone on Telecom who wants to roam to Samoa or any other country that doesn't have a carrier that uses 850mhz

You'll be lucky to find a pacific island that has 850Meg 3g or 3G full stop. Most use Edge for data..

Regards,

Old3eyes

johnr

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#958183 28-Dec-2013 09:06

Vodafone Fiji does 3G Dual carrier and 4G / LTE