10 Replies Latest reply: May 26, 2015 5:11 AM by smplyunprdctble RSS

    Band specs

    steveyal

      Hi,

       

      Once again searching for larger size phones. These are the specs for the Asus Fonepad FE375CL. I went to a T Mobile store and ran these numbers by a sales associate who said, "no problem, as long as it's GSM it will work perfect on T-mobile." I then asked what about the frequency bands, to which I was greeted by a blank stare, giving way to a smile and a charismatic "it's all good 'bro!" Needless to say, I am a bit apprehensive.


      Will these bands work on T-Mobile and if so, to what extent 4G, LTE, 3G etc.

       

      Thanks for any help....


      2G :
      GSM : 850/900/1800/1900,
      3G :
      WCDMA : 850/900(8)/1700/2100(1)
      4G:
      LTE: 700(28)/800/900(8)/1700/1800(3)/1900/2100(1)/2500(7)*1

       

      *1: May vary by SKU and country.Some storage capacity has been set aside for the operating system and pre-installed apps. Actual usable storage space may differ from advertised storage.

        • 1. Re: Band specs
          e2k

          TMO uses bands 2 and 4 on LTE/4G & 3G and band 2 on 2G. This phone appears to get bands everything except band 2 on 3G. This is a big omission, in my opinion. The phone will still work, but I would try to find a model that is more compatible, especially if you are spending a lot of money on a phone that you plan to use for a long time.

           

          Here's the T-Mobile bands:

           

          LTE Frequencies:

          1700 MHz & 2100 MHz AWS band 4

          1900 MHz PCS band 2 (in refarmed areas)

          Lower 700 MHz band 12 (in development) / in service in selected areas

           

          3G/4G Frequencies (WCDMA):

          1700 MHz & 2100 MHz AWS band 4

          1900 MHz PCS band 2 (in refarmed areas)

           

          2G Frequencies (GSM/GPRS/EDGE):

          1900 MHz PCS band 2

          • 2. Re: Band specs
            steveyal

            Thanks so much for your response, e2K.

             

            So I have some additional questions: since my ultimate goal is the largest phone I can find, are there any recommendations in that regard? I am currently using an ATT unlocked Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 which is to my understanding, the largest screen (no longer) available in the USA. I'm happy with the size but am looking to replace the phone because even though I completely paid off the phone, the fine folks at ATT will not allow me to remove software OR root the device and there is software on the phone that actually prevents me from using the hotspot or tethering feature as the T Mo network is not recognized by the phone's hotspot authentication system.

             

            I briefly considered the 6 inch LG on T Mo; but man, what a stupid design. Who wants a U shaped phone? Are people actually buying these things?

             

            So, I had no choice but to look at Asian and European phones, where apparently people are more open-minded and embrace options. Now with regard to the missing band, e@k mentioned, how critical is this? In other words, in places I am currently getting 4G LTE with the mega on T Mo, can I expect similar service with the Asus or will this missing band effect overall performance and speed in all situations?

             

            I may be behaving somewhat impulsively; but after what I've had to endure leaving ATT, hearing their splash screen tune every time I power up my device, makes me sick to my stomach and i simply have to get rid of this phone.

             

            Any input is highly appreciated.

            • 3. Re: Band specs
              e2k

              If coverage in your area is good, the missing 3G band may be inconsequential. My AT&T variant of the S3 only gets one of the 2 major bands on both LTE & 4G/3G, and it works fine.

               

              I suggest you call customer care and ask about the cell sites in your area. Don't hesitate to ask for your call to be escalated to tier 2 or tier 3 technical support, as the first line reps often have no idea what you are talking about.

               

              I don't know about phablets, so I can't offer you a recommendation. Perhaps some other the other members can help in this regard.

              • 4. Re: Band specs
                steveyal

                Thanks again, e2k

                • 5. Re: Band specs
                  drnewcomb2

                  It appears that the Fonepad you quoted is intended for the "Asia-Pacific" market and as such, has only minimal compatibility with frequencies used in the US. let alone by T-Mobile. I'm shocked to hear that you were given such poor advice by someone in a T-Mobile store. Where do they find these people?

                  • 6. Re: Band specs
                    miket

                    and unless you get a TM branded phone, you almost certainly won't get the 700mz band 12 frequency. That omission may or may not have any effect in the future depending on where you intend to use it.

                     

                    question: does anyone besides TM use that band 12 in the US or the rest of the world?

                    • 7. Re: Band specs
                      rbob

                      Not of interest to the thread's originator, but my new Moto E 2nd gen LTE phone includes Band 12. It's not T-Mobile branded and came from Moto unlocked and with Android 5.0.2 in the box, with OTA update to 5.1 about a week ago.

                      • 8. Re: Band specs
                        smplyunprdctble

                        miket wrote:

                         

                        and unless you get a TM branded phone, you almost certainly won't get the 700mz band 12 frequency. That omission may or may not have any effect in the future depending on where you intend to use it.

                         

                        question: does anyone besides TM use that band 12 in the US or the rest of the world?

                        According to E-UTRA - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Kiribati... wherever that is.  Also, according to it, US Cellular and some regional carriers have Band 12.

                        • 9. Re: Band specs
                          rbob

                          Republic of Kiribati. One of the many wet rocks in the Pacific.

                          • 10. Re: Band specs
                            smplyunprdctble

                            I don't think it's in this song...