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Help Need advice from the UK folks on here

Limeybstd

Member
Hi,
I currently have a US spec Galaxy Note 3 model N900T. The phone is carrier unlocked and I would like to be able to use a local UK sim card when I come back for holidays. The phone is not region locked either.
The specs for the radio are the following:

This was taken from the back of the box.
GSM: 850, 900, 1800, 1900 UTMS: Band 1 (2100), Band 2 (1900), Band 4 (1700), Band 5 (850)
LTE: Band 4 (1700), Band 17 (700), Band 1 (2100), Band 2 (1900), Band 5 (850), Band 7 (2600)

It is my understanding that Band 7 is currently not being used by either EE or Vodafone. Which network would work best with my given hardware?
Thanks.
 
It is my understanding that Band 7 is currently not being used by either EE or Vodafone.

Correct. Both plan, but have not yet implemented, use of that band.

Which network would work best with my given hardware?

You shouldn't have any problem using 3G (UMTS/HSPDA/HSPA+) on any of the major networks, but your only hope of 4G lies with Band 7 I'm afraid. As of now only Bands 3 (1800MHz) and 20 (800MHz) are used by UK networks.
 
Correct. Both plan, but have not yet implemented, use of that band.



You shouldn't have any problem using 3G (UMTS/HSPDA/HSPA+) on any of the major networks, but your only hope of 4G lies with Band 7 I'm afraid. As of now only Bands 3 (1800MHz) and 20 (800MHz) are used by UK networks.

Thanks Slug for the response, appreciate it. So in essence the 3G band on my N900T should work with either major UK carrier, if so, any particular one you would recommend. I will be staying mainly down south, London and in Milton Keynes. Is there any network that would utilize the my 3G bands / frequencies more than the next carrier?

Is UK 3G (HSPA +) 2100 Mhz? EDIT: Just saw this

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/uk-mobile-frequencies-which-carrier

Thanks.
 
For preference, I use Three for data. For voice, if you are in London or MK, it makes no odds. In most out of the way areas, you are still generally better off with Voda or O2.

All the networks have coverage maps on their websites which you probably need to take with a large pinch of salt.
 
For preference, I use Three for data. For voice, if you are in London or MK, it makes no odds. In most out of the way areas, you are still generally better off with Voda or O2.

All the networks have coverage maps on their websites which you probably need to take with a large pinch of salt.

Thanks Simon for feedback, appreciate it. What sort of prices are we talking about roughly for PAYG sims these days in Blighty? I am sure I will get better value for money than here LOL:p
 
Thanks Simon for feedback, appreciate it. What sort of prices are we talking about roughly for PAYG sims these days in Blighty? I am sure I will get better value for money than here LOL:p

I can't help too much. I do use PAYG for my Mifi on Three. I currently get charged GBP 14.50-odd for each 3-month, 3GB data SIM, and throw each one away when it's spent. Very good value @ Amazon.co.uk. The other networks will charge nothing for a SIM and top-ups at I think GBP 10 a time at all supermarket checkouts etc but I've only ever used those for voice/text. Not sure what that gets you in terms of time or data allowance. I briefly had a Voda data dongle but it was frankly, rubbish. [My main phone account is a Voda contract. That's always been fine.]

Here's my unlocked Mifi review. If I was travelling with a region locked Note 3 out of region, this is what I'd use to get round the lock.
 
look up giff gaff. They are doing some incredibly cheap PAYG deals, or certainly were recently on a 30 day contract. It was something like
 
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