Root [International] Question about ROM and Basebands

[homegeek]

I have an unbranded and unlocked S3. My original ROM Firmware was
PDA:LE8 PHONE:LE8 CSC:LE4

My baseband isI9300XXLF2 from http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1646610

I loaded a new ROM
I9300XXALF2
Base Firmware: I9300XXALF2 (4.0.4)
Region Europe
Country: United Kingdom
Carrier: Unbranded
Build Date: 5 June 2012
Modem: XXLF2
CSC: OXALF2
Change List: 671647

My firmware has changed but shouldn't the Baseband change as well? I also was surprised that all of my apps and everything were still there. I thought this would be wiped out on a new ROM. Do I need to worry about the Baseband and what is it? I am also curious because I did all this to get the latest OTA. I still am unable to get it. When I sign up for the software updates should I say UK as my country even tho I am in the USA. Will it matter?

 

[jerofld]

1) OTAs are not supposed to wipe out anything.

2) Firmware can change without updating the baseband (radio).

So, to confirm your story:

You paid for an unbranded, unlocked Galaxy S3 through a UK vendor and had it imported into the US. So you have a quad-core Exynos device?

3) I would choose UK just so you wouldn't get firmware for the AT&T model, which would have firmware for LTE and the S4 Krait processor...which might brick your phone.

 

[homegeek]

1) OTAs are not supposed to wipe out anything.

2) Firmware can change without updating the baseband (radio).

So, to confirm your story:

You paid for an unbranded, unlocked Galaxy S3 through a UK vendor and had it imported into the US. So you have a quad-core Exynos device?

3) I would choose UK just so you wouldn't get firmware for the AT&T model, which would have firmware for LTE and the S4 Krait processor...which might brick your phone.

I purchased it locally, I don't know where it comes from but it is unlocked and unbranded.

It was not an OTA update that I installed but a whole new ROM.

Just so I am clear, The baseband is the modem? That is not part of a full ROM? Can this be changed. My signal seems to be stronger with the new ROM but old baseband.

 

[jerofld]

I purchased it locally, I don't know where it comes from but it is unlocked and unbranded.

It was not an OTA update that I installed but a whole new ROM.

Just so I am clear, The baseband is the modem? That is not part of a full ROM? Can this be changed. My signal seems to be stronger with the new ROM but old baseband.

So, seeing how the US version isn't out, yet, then it's the international version.

Modem is one way of calling it. Most people just call it the radio, meaning the cellular telephone radio. The baseband is the driver that runs the transmitter to talk to cell towers.

And no, changing the ROM will not change the radio. Although in OTAs, the baseband may be updated as well as the ROM, but they are not mutually inclusive. And the firmware of the device can have an effect on radio reception, too. I've also seen how ROMs can have an impact on signal reception. It's hard to explain, but just like a machine, a computer is a system of multiple parts. Improving one part can affect more than what it runs, it can improve the entire system.

 

[AntimonyER]

Hey, I moved this to the international All Things Root section. Thanks for understanding.