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Using I9300 on T-mobile network

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kalda01

Newbie
I have an international GT-I9300 (S3) I'd like to use on T-mobile with a pre-paid micro-sim.
This phone supports: HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
I need to be able to receive calls, send text messages and web access with 3G speed.
Also, is it required to manually edit the APN settings to get proper web access ?
 
It should be compatible. T-mobile uses 850/1700/1900 for its frequencies. This might vary based on region though. So as long as you're not in a 1700 exclusive region, you should be fine.
 
The sim card should automatically set the apn settings, or at least it did when I set up my nexus 4.

The 1700 is what they use for their primary hspa 3g and 4g, but they have been reassigning that service to the 1900 in order to operate their new lte network on the 1700/2100 aws spectrum as of 2011. However their voice, sms, and edge network is on the 1900 so you'll at least have those and possibly 3g/4g if they've already refarmed your area.
 
If you go to airportal.de they show areas that have the 1900 band from user data.
If you had the 1700 band you would have absolutely no problems with 3g but hopefully your area is refarmed.
 
To be clear, if you have a 1900-capable phone *and* are in an area T-Mobile has 'refarmed' for 1900, you are good to go.

If you are *not* in a 'refarmed' for 1900 area, you need a phone with 1700 *and* 2100 capabilities. One frequency is used for upload, one for download.

Therefore, the OP's international S3 would be limited to Edge (2G) speed in non-refarmed for 1900 areas.

Linux user #266351. Android since v1.0
 
When using the phone in area with EDGE only service, will I be able to access Gmail and use navigation app that requires server connection at all times ?
 
kalda01 said:
When using the phone in area with EDGE only service, will I be able to access Gmail and use navigation app that requires server connection at all times ?
Click to expand...

It depends, sometimes edge has good enough speeds, other times it's faster watching snails race. A lot seems to depends on time of day and location.
 
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