Roaming to the US with a Telecom Galaxy S4

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Roaming to the US with a Telecom Galaxy S4

polglase

266 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 7

Trusted

#137889 12-Dec-2013 12:07

I have a Telecom supplied S4 and am travelling to the US. Which US network will offer the best data speeds? LTE would be great, but if none are compatible, who offers HSPA+ on frequencies supported by my Telecom device?

I've tried researching it myself, but it is very hard to know whether or not the Telecom android build limits the options that the device supports. Also difficult to find information on the hardware and the networks.

First step is for Telecom to confirm which frequencies the device supports for LTE and HSPA+, I see them regularly on the forum...

PeterReader

6028 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 461

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#950911 12-Dec-2013 12:07

Hello... Our robot found some keywords in your post, so here is an automated reply with some important things to note regarding broadband speeds.

If you are posting regarding DSL speeds please check that

- you have reset your modem and router

- your PC (or other PCs in your LAN) is not downloading large files when you are testing

- you are not being throttled by your ISP due to going over the monthly cap

- your tests are always done on an ethernet connection to the router - do not use wireless for testing

- you read this topic and follow the instructions there.

Make sure you provide information for other users to help you. If you have not already done it, please EDIT your post and add this now:

- Your ISP and plan

- Type of connection (ADSL, ADSL2, VDSL)

- Your modem DSL stats (do not worry about posting Speedtest, we need sync rate, attenuation and noise margin)

- Your general location (or street)

- If you are rural or urban

- If you know your connection is to an exchange, cabinet or conklin

- If your connection is to a ULL or wholesale service

- If you have done an isolation test as per the link above

Most of the problems with speed are likely to be related to internal wiring issues. Read this discussion to find out more about this. Your ISP is not intentionally slowing you down today (unless you are on a managed plan). Also if this is the school holidays it's likely you will notice slower than usual speed due to more users online.

A master splitter is required for VDSL2 and in most cases will improve speeds on DSL connections. Regular disconnections can be a monitored alarm or a set top box trying to connect. If there's an alarm connected to your line even if you don't have an alarm contract it may still try to connect so it's worth checking.

I recommend you read these two blog posts:

- Is your premises phone wiring impacting your broadband performance? (very technical)

- Are you receiving a substandard ULL ADSL2+ connection from your ISP?

I am the Geekzone Robot and I am here to help. I am from the Internet. I do not interact. Do not expect other replies from me.

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

gajan

304 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 208

Trusted

Spark NZ

Lifetime subscriber

#950942 12-Dec-2013 12:56

Googling for GT-I9505 gives most of the information you need - LTE 800 / 850 / 900 / 1800 / 2100 / 2600.

Are you planning on roaming, or using a local SIM.

My comments and remarks are not necessarily of my employer.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9996

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#950950 12-Dec-2013 13:23

Your first step is really to decide whether you're roaming or using a local SIM.

If you're roaming there is no LTE.

If you're using a local SIM your options will be limited by the network you choose. Your device doesn't support 700Mhz, so that'll rule out all the 700Mhz LTE networks.

polglase

266 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 7

Trusted

#950961 12-Dec-2013 13:46

I will use a local SIM. I've done plenty of googling and I think there are LTE frequencies in the US that the device supports, but i9505 LTE support appears to be linked to the software build.

That's the information I'm struggling to find. Which LTE frequencies does the Telecom S4 with latest software support?

Appreciate the help.