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Old Oct 23, 2013, 2:25 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: diburning
This is a user-maintained wiki — FlyerTalkers with at least 90 posts and 90 days of membership may modify and update this information.
Please edit available network carriers or LTE networks if you find the information below is out of date.

Effective August 1st, 2018 :OPTIONAL high speed data roaming for international (non Canada/Mexico) has changed to be $5 USD per day for up to 512MB of high speed data per day. This also includes unlimited inbound and outbound calls avoiding the 25c a min call charge. You can add this via 611 or this link: https://my.t-mobile.com/odf/DataPass:ALL - It is labeled as "24 Hour Global Pass". If that link doesn't works go to "Manage Data & Add Ons" in plan settings at http://my.t-mobile.com . A pass covers ANY countries in the given validity period - NOT just one country. So if you travel within multiple countries in the 24 hour period you get a max of 512MB of high speed data and unlimited calling across ALL countries prior to pass expiration. This is OPTIONAL and is not required, free 128Kb/sec or 256Kb/sec speeds are provided for users who don't pay for this extra data pack.

Effective July 15th, 2018: Calling rates for inbound and outbound calls were raised to 25c a min from the prior 20c a min when roaming internationally. You can buy a per Intl High Speed day pass for 512MB of high speed data that also includes calling at no cost during the validity of the pass.


Effective Feb 17, 2017: T-Mobile has bumped up speeds to 256Kb/sec for T-Mobile One users - this was FREE for a promotional period and required you to edit the lines with this plan to add the free or higher tier paid "T-Mobile One Plus" line item. The free line item is "T-Mobile One Plus promo" which will allow that line to be 256kb/sec and will also give 10GB of LTE North America hotspot tethering - The change can be done at my.t-mobile.com under plan for T-Mobile One customers or through 611. With the promotional period ended you can add the base $5 T-Mobile One Plus item to get 256Kb/sec

SUMMARY: T-Mobile USA on Simple Choice or newer plans (such as Select Choice) or T-Mobile One that list "Free International Roaming included" allow for free data and SMS in 210+ countries. Data and SMS is FREE; voice calls; inbound or outbound to any of the 210+ countries while roaming are 25 cents a min. Free data is NOT offered on T-Mobile essentials users outside of Canada/Mexico while SMS and 25c a min calls are still offered.

Canada and Mexico include FREE high speed roaming (HSPA or LTE full speed) as long as you are on the Simple Choice North America plan or a T-Mobile One plan. A monthly cap of 5GB for International High speed data in Canada and Mexico is now present - data will slow to lower speeds with no overage charges. Users on T-Mobile One Plus International are exempt from this 5GB cap.

You must be on a Postpaid plan, Prepay is NOT eligible nor is MetroPCS

NOTE: Devices with fully FREE data (e.g. 200MB free for tablets) and not on an additional plan are NOT eligible - switch those devices to a supported plan PRIOR to travel or you will be charged per MB fees.

WARNING: Highly suggest going to: https://my.t-mobile.com/profile.html (or login to my.t-mobile.com select profile), go to blocking and ensure "Block charge international roaming" is set to ON - keep "Ensure Block International Roaming" is set to OFF otherwise roaming will not work even in free data countries. This will ensure in countries where you are close to another country border that may NOT be part of free data roaming you will never be charged for data by ending up roaming on the adjacent country network if your phone is set to Automatic on networks.

WARNING FOR HIGH SPEED ADD ON $5 DATA PASS: Ensure you know your end date/time and heed the SMS warnings sent. You will be liable for 25c a min per call inbound or outbound if the pass expires and you do not activate another pass. Ensure you purchase another daily pass before making phone calls. As of Early August 2018, there was no method to purchase multiple days in a row.


T-Mobile FAQ:
http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-9455

Checklist for Roaming - follow this prior to leaving!:
http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-2182

Performance:
Speeds are throttled to 128Kb/sec on all supported plans, except for T-Mobile One Plus Add on (includes the Promo Feb 2017 T-Mobile One update with free One Plus Promo) which is 256Kb/sec. Connecting to the best network type possible will ensure you hitting these speeds limits (e.g. LTE). Performance is subject to the roaming carrier networks condition (is it congested or not) and how good the back-haul from the roaming carrier back to T-Mobile is. Reminder that T-Mobile Essentials users will have NO access to free data.

Filtering:
Your connection is terminated back to the US, so anything that works on T-Mobile US will continue to work. Example: China filters social media and Google services, using these services through your T-Mobile line won't experience this networking filtering. Local services in the country you are in MAY identify you as being in the US - any services that do IP geolocation will see that you are in the US.

Optional High Speed On Demand Data Passes with unlimited calling
If you want performance that is beyond the 128Kb/sec (or 256Kb/sec on T-Mobile One Plus Add ons) then a PAID optional high speed data pass removes the throttling performance limit. Effective Aug 2018 this pass is a $5 PER day for 512MB of high speed data (per day) and unlimited calling to allowed countries, waiving the 25c per min charge for inbound or outbound calls. To add, go to: https://my.t-mobile.com/odf/DataPass:ALL and add the "24 Hour Global Pass". If that link doesn't work add at http://my-t-mobile.com under Plan, "Manage Data & Add Ons" More information: http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-7261 NOTE: As of Early August 2018 you can only purchase one day at a time, so be cautious on expiration (Notified via SMS) to add another day pass to avoid getting charged 25c per phone call. A pass covers ANY countries in the given validity period - NOT just one country. So if you travel within multiple countries in the 24 hour period you get a max of 512MB of high speed data and unlimited calling across ALL countries prior to pass expiration.

Country search:
https://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/roaming

Country List at time of July 2018 update:
https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-37944

NOTE: there is no T-Mobile provided list of specific network roaming partners; you can call 611 and ask for a roaming specialist/tech and they can tell you per country roaming partners - we are attempting to capture working or problematic networks in this Wiki below also

Need Support while traveling? Read the hints below FIRST; then if support is needed call direct intl support for T-Mobile USA: +1-505-998-3793 [FREE CALL WHILE ROAMING] or if you cannot get Voice access use Skype or another service to dial.


Hints

#1 HINT: You MUST have Data roaming turned on - You will only see foreign networks on the network list - you will NOT see T-Mobile. Manually pick the networks from the list further below if you don't automatically connect.

- You do NOT have to pay for a high speed data package. 128Kb/sec (or 256Kb/sec on T-Mobile One Plus Add on) FREE throttled data is inclusive on all eligible postpaid plans

- High speed un-throttled data is also FREE for Canada and Mexico if you are on a Simple Choice North America plan or a T-Mobile One plan for up to 5GB of data per month (T-Mobile One Plus Intl users are not subject to the 5GB cap) . If you are not on these specific plans but on a legacy Simple Choice plan you will get standard 128Kb/sec FREE.

- For paid high speed packages, You can schedule WHEN optional high speed paid packages start (immediate or a time/date you set).

- On some accounts, High speed on demand data passes will will not be listed on my.t-mobile.com - under plans, "Manage Data & Add Ons". You can also contact customer care at 611 to add a data pass.

- If you purchase a package on phone or hotspot and are about to expire you can purchase ANOTHER one if you want and even though it will say "starts when your existing package date ends" it will IMMEDIATE activate it when you run out of data. Example You pay for 200Mb for one week and will eat into 200Mb, you can buy a package ANYTIME and it will future date it as being effective ONLY when the existing package date ends. HOWEVER once the existing package data amount is used up it will IMMEDIATE activate the paid pending package.

- On Demand Mifi WILL not roam at ALL if no package has ever been provisioned. Use the free data on your smartphone (or use another device with WiFi) and log into http://my.t-mobile.com Once logged in go to https://my-tmobile.com/Plan/Plans.as...vid=changeplan View plan for hotspot and and change plan, under Data Tab when viewing change plan add a package; once you confirm and submit (ENSURE before you submit you are adding to correct line!) you will get a confirmation. It was about 5 mins and then hotspot was able to connect to network.

- On demand Mifi WILL STOP working at end of time period NOT at end of data usage. So if you pick 500MB package which is 2 weeks expiration, it will actually STOP full speed at 500MB and revert to a 64Kb/sec speed till expiration; this ONLY applies to packages purchased on on demand hotspots. If you purchase a package for a smartphone you will revert to standard 128kb/sec

- Hotspots with On Demand will lose network access at end of paid period even if it reverted to lower hotspot only speed of 64kb/sec. So top up before you lose network.

- Legacy data match for tablets or hotspots (no longer offered but still allowed for current users) support 128Kb/sec on tablets and hotspots. If your data match plan details show match with North America added in the description then you get high speed in Canada and Mexico that uses your data match limit (up to 5GB) - after than you revert to 128Kb/sec. T-Mobile One Tablet will provide 128Kb/sec by default, if a T-Mobile One Plus add on is on that Tablet line (Including the free Feb 2017 One Plus Promo) speeds will be 256Kb/sec

- You can check current usage on any paid packages my viewing on the T-Mobile Application for Android or iOS or going to My T-Mobile website and filtering data usage on the line for International Data Roaming.

- When using a T-Mobile supported international data roaming plan on an iOS device internationally (in a nation on the 'free' list), you need to turn on Data Roaming on the iPhone/iPad Settings.

Troubleshooting

- If finding no networks when in new country, go to Airplane Mode - then back off Airplane mode and try again. If this fails to work FULLY power off phone and power back on. You may need to do a manual scan of networks on your device and pick one of the KNOWN networks below in the country list.

- If still not connecting to a network do ONE more phone reboot and attempt again.

- If you do connect to a network but are failing to get data, dial in your phone dialer #RON# (or try #ROF# FIRST then try #RON#). #RON# will turn intl roaming data on, #ROF# will turn it off. Sometimes cycling will cause a network to work.

- If connected to a network for Voice/SMS but still not getting data, set phone to Airplane mode ; wait till device is actually in airplane mode (15 sec or so); then take device off Airplane mode.

- If failing to get GSM/Voice/SMS services but you have data and phone shows "Emergency Calls Only" but data is working suggestion is to switch phone to 2G and connect to a network where you get data and voice/SMS. Once connected to that network switch phone back to 3G/Auto or LTE (or similar setting) and this may correct the issue. (Your mileage may vary)

- Try to change your APN to fast.t-mobile.com per the following guide, as an alternate you can try a temporary switch to epc.t-mobile.com - more details for APN change further below

- If none of these work, dial TMO Intl support +1-505-998-3793 (from another phone or Skype) and ask for "International Roaming Support" (make sure that is who they connect you to by asking the agent if they can help on a roaming support issue) - have them check your account is properly setup and eligible for International Roaming.

To set the Access Point Name (APN) and turn on data settings, follow these steps:

Note: These settings are automatically set to the correct values with the Carrier Update when a T-Mobile SIM is inserted.
  1. From the main menu, tap Settings
  2. Tap Cellular.
  3. Check that Cellular Data is turned on.
  4. Tap Cellular Data Network.
    Important: If this setting does not appear on the device, the device is not unlocked. Refer customer to previous carrier.
  5. Enter the following information under the Cellular Data section:
    APN: fast.t-mobile.com
    Username: <Leave Blank>
    Password: <Leave Blank>
  6. Enter the following information under the LTE Setup (Optional) section:
    APN: <Leave Blank>
    Username: <Leave Blank>
    Password: <Leave Blank>
  7. Enter the following information under the MMS section:
    APN: fast.t-mobile.com
    Username: <Leave Blank>
    Password: <Leave Blank>
    MMSC: http://mms.msg.eng.t-mobile.com/mms/wapenc
    MMS Proxy: <Leave Blank>
    MMS Max Message Size: 1048576
    MMS UA Prof URL: http://www.apple.com/mms/uaprof.rdf
  8. Enter the following information under the Personal Hotspot section:
    APN: pcweb.tmobile.com
    Username: <Leave Blank>
    Password: <Leave Blank>
  9. Press the Home button to save the APN and exit to the main screen.
  10. Turn the device off and back on.

Countries with reported working networks supporting data
You can call support # below to ask for other networks. PLEASE share which networks works so we can always keep the Wiki up to date. Leave any comments with performance/quality to the "Problem Carriers section"

NOTE: If you have issues connecting turn off "Enable LTE" or LTE and do 3G/HSPA(4G) only. If you are still having issues to get data but can get voice dial Intl support +1-505-998-3793 (FREE CALL while roaming). If you cannot get any service, use another phone or Skype to dial this number.

Africa
Egypt: Vodafone, Elitsalat, Mobinil
Mauritius: EMTEL
South Africa: MTN, Vodacom, Telkom

Americas
Argentina: Movistar, Claro
Aruba: Digicel (May display as 363 02)
Bahamas: BTC
Barbados: Digicel
Bermuda: Digicel
Brazil: Tim, Vivo
Canada: Bell, Rogers (Some Provinces only), Telus, Freedom Mobile (former WIND), Videotron [HIGH SPEED INCLUDED ON SIMPLE CHOICE NORTH AMERICA]
Cayman Islands: Digicel
Chile: Movistar
Colombia: Telefonica Mobiles Colombia, Movistar
Costa Rica: Movistar, Claro
Dominican Republic: Claro, Orange, Viva
Ecuador: Claro, Movistar
El Salvador: Digicel, Movistar
Guatemala: Movistar
Honduras: Tigo
Jamaica: Digicel, Lime
México: Movistar, Telcel [HIGH SPEED INCLUDED ON SIMPLE CHOICE NORTH AMERICA]
Martinique: Digicel
Nicaragua: Mobinil, Movistar
Panama: Claro, Digicel
Perú: Movistar
St Kitts and Nevis: Digicel
St Lucia: Digicel
Sint Maarten (NL): Chippie (UTS)
Saint Martin (FR): Digicel
Turks and Caicos: Digicel
US Virgin Islands: Innovative (counts toward domestic roaming allowance)
Venezuela: Movistar

Asia Pacific
Australia: Telstra, Vodafone AU, OPTUS
Cambodia: CamGSM, Cellcard, Smart
China: China Mobile, China Unicom
Guam: Guam Telecom (Guam is considered outside the U.S. by T-Mobile)
Hong Kong: Smartone, Three
India: Airtel (Most Metro areas/regions), Vodafone
Indonesia (Bali): Indosat, Telkomsel
Japan: DOCOMO, Softbank
Macau: CTM, Three, Smartone
Malaysia: MAXIS
New Zealand: Vodafone, Spark NZ (no 2G), 2Degrees
Pakistan: Pak Telecom Mobile Limited (Ufone), Pakistan Mobile Company Limited (PMCL) (aka Mobilink), Telenor Pakistan, Warid Telecom
Philippines: Globe, SMART
Singapore: Starhub
South Korea: SKT, KT, Olleh
Sri Lanka: Mobitel
Taiwan: Taiwan Mobile
Thailand: AIS, DTAC
Vietnam: Viettel

Europe
Austria: Three, A1, T-Mobile Austria
Belgium: Orange (Mobistar), Proximus
Bulgaria: Telenor BG LTE is primary, saw A1 on 2g and Mtel on LTE very briefly
Czech Republic: Radiomobile/T-Mobile CZ, Vodafone CZ, O2
Denmark: 3 DK, Telenor DK
Faroe Islands: Foroya Tele
Finland: Elisa
France: Bouygues, Free, Orange, SFR
Germany: T-Mobile DE/Telekom.de, EPLUS
Greece: Cosmote
Hungary: T-Mobile
Iceland: Nova (LTE, better in cities), Siminn (3G only, better for rural)
Ireland: Vodafone, Three, Meteor
Italy: TIM, Wind, Vodafone IT
Luxembourg: Tango
Netherlands: KPN, T-Mobile, Vodafone
Norway: Telenor
Poland: T-Mobile
Portugal: MEO, NOS
Romania: Orange, Telekom, Vodafone
Russia: MTS Global
Spain: Movistar, Vodafone ES, Orange
Sweden: 3 SE
Switzerland: Orange, Swisscom
Turkey: Vodafone
UK: EE, Three, Vodafone
Ukraine: KYIVSTAR, MTS

Middle East/Near East
Bahrain: Viva / Batelco
Israel: Partner
Kuwait: Zain
Qatar: Ooredoo
UAE: Etisalat, du

LTE verified carriers:
MUST have a device supporting global LTE bands
- Argentina: Movistar
- Australia: Telstra (requires Band 3 / Band 28 device), OPTUS (5G)
- Bahamas: BTC
- Bahrain: Batelco
- Belgium: Proximus
- Canada: Bell, Rogers, Telus
- Chile: Movistar
- China: China Mobile (TD-LTE in some regions needs appropriate device or in some regions as LTE Band 3), China Unicom
- Colombia: Movistar
- Costa Rica: Movistar
- France: Orange, SFR
- Germany: T-Mobile DE/Telekom.de
- Guatemala: Movistar
- Hong Kong: Smartone
- Ireland: Vodafone
- Italy: TIM
- Japan: Docomo, Softbank
- Luxembourg: Tango
- Malaysia: MAXIS
- Mexico: Movistar
- Netherlands: T-Mobile NL, Vodafone
- Norway: Telenor
- Sinagapore: Starhub
- Sint Maarten (NL): Chippie (UTS)
- Spain: Orange
- Taiwan: Taiwan Mobile
- Thailand: AIS, DTAC
- UAE: du
- UK: EE, Vodafone (see footnote - NOT everywhere)

Problem carriers and LTE support notes
(Do not list carriers where you cannot get basic voice service)
- Argentina: Movistar (reports of poor performance), Claro (seemed much better, but difficult to gain initial connect/registration)
- Bermuda: Reports of getting UMTS (non HSPA 3G) only
- Canada: Wind performance seems better than other Canadian carriers (Your mileage may vary)
- China: China Mobile is 2G only unless you have a device supporting TD-SCDMA (3G) or TD-LTE Band 39/40/41. China Unicom roaming returned in April 2017
- Faroe Islands: Vodafone (Voice/SMS only, NO data service)
- Germany: Vodafone Germany (Voice/SMS only, NO data service in some regions)
- Hong Kong: Smartone, had to switch to 2G get access to network THEN switched phone back to 3G/Automatic if had problems getting access to network. Three: Reports of no longer working and only Smartone working
- Mauritius: Reports of issues connecting to Emtel sometimes - YMMV
- New Zealand: 2Degrees (limited coverage w/ reports of not working at all)
- Singapore: M1, SMS MAY require manually entering M1's SMSC +6596845999 if SMS doesn't work
- South Korea: SKT may require LTE to be disabled or conneciton may not be authenticated. Olleh/KT require multiple attempts to connect to network.
- UK: EE LTE roaming returned 1/21/17 - Reports of Vodafone LTE roaming in select parts of the UK only (not happening everywhere seems to be coverage challenged areas of EE only)
- Vietnam: Viettel
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T Mobile Global data coverage

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Old Jul 7, 2014, 4:33 pm
  #466  
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,728
Originally Posted by gpf590
Has anyone tried the Moto G 4G LTE with the global data. I'm not concerned with getting high speed data overseas (I live in the USA), I just want to make sure that I'll get the data at all. Thanks in advance.
I have the original Moto G, USA version and except for one glitch in Cambodia for 24 hrs, never a problem in various Asian countries, including Taiwan, HK, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Sometimes fast connection, other times slower but always able to get emails, send/receive texts and use Line, Whatsapp, WeChat.
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Old Jul 7, 2014, 5:39 pm
  #467  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 125
Originally Posted by dtsm
I have the original Moto G, USA version and except for one glitch in Cambodia for 24 hrs, never a problem in various Asian countries, including Taiwan, HK, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Sometimes fast connection, other times slower but always able to get emails, send/receive texts and use Line, Whatsapp, WeChat.
Thanks!

Here are the specs on the 4G LTE version:
Networks - Moto G with 4G LTE
US GSM Model:
4G LTE Bands 2, 4, 5, 17 (1900, 1700, 850, 700 MHz)
GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
UMTS (850, 900, 1700, 1900, 2100 MHz)


One thing I noticed it that the USA GSM and the Global GSM versions listed their UMTS frequencies as "UMTS/HSPA+" rather than just the UMTS heading on the 4G LTE version. I'm not sure what this signifies?


http://www.motorola.com/us/moto-g-pd...oto-g-pdp.html
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Old Jul 7, 2014, 7:57 pm
  #468  
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,728
Originally Posted by gpf590
Original versions not LTE, fastest is HSPA+ on TMO network
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Old Jul 10, 2014, 10:14 am
  #469  
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: San Antonio, TX
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Posts: 292
Good and Bad

I have had the global data since it rolled out and have always been impressed with both the speed and coverage for no extra charge--until this week. I was in Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok. All three would only connect to Edge networks and the speed was almost none - i could not use google maps, internet, etc with seriously long lags. I thought maybe i had gone over my data limit or something - but the internet was so slow I couldn't get logged into t-mobile. When I got back to the hotel, I logged in using the hotel wireless and only 256mb of data used in the current cycle. Strange and the first time this has happened to me.
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Old Jul 10, 2014, 12:06 pm
  #470  
 
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Originally Posted by ll22949
I have had the global data since it rolled out and have always been impressed with both the speed and coverage for no extra charge--until this week. I was in Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok. All three would only connect to Edge networks and ... could not use google maps, internet, etc with seriously long lags ...
What device/smartphone were you using during this time and did you re-check APN settings? From the GSM Arena Frequency Chart: - HONG KONG
2G capabilities - GSM 900, GSM 1800
3G capabilities - UMTS 850, UMTS 900, UMTS 2100
4G capabilities - LTE 1800, LTE 2300, LTE 2600

Many smartphones used in the Americas do not have UMTS 2100 band enabled and so you ended up in 2G/Edge or GPRS band/speed - which in the old days using Moto Q's or early WinMobile devices, were adequate for email, maps & light browsing (as least in HKG.) Traveling abroad, I carry a spare/backup phone with these frequencies to take advantage of better speed, paid or otherwise. Do you recall what network/carrier you're on ?? (smart/iphone5 or tablet ??) >> PCCW, 3's, or, Peoples/China Mobile, etc.

An inexpensive Moto G for Global GSM usage would be a good choice for access.
Networks - Moto G
US GSM Model:
GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
UMTS/HSPA+ up to 21 Mbps (850, 1700 (AWS), 1900 MHz)
Global GSM Model:
GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
UMTS/HSPA+ up to 21 Mbps (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz)
Requires a microSIM card (not included)
CDMA Model:
CDMA/EVDO Rev A (850, 1900 MHz)

Networks - Moto G with 4G LTE
US GSM Model:
4G LTE Bands 2, 4, 5, 17 (1900, 1700, 850, 700 MHz)
GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
UMTS (850, 900, 1700, 1900, 2100 MHz)

Last edited by Letitride3c; Jul 10, 2014 at 6:49 pm
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Old Jul 10, 2014, 6:19 pm
  #471  
 
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Originally Posted by ll22949
I have had the global data since it rolled out and have always been impressed with both the speed and coverage for no extra charge--until this week. I was in Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok. All three would only connect to Edge networks and the speed was almost none - i could not use google maps, internet, etc with seriously long lags. I thought maybe i had gone over my data limit or something - but the internet was so slow I couldn't get logged into t-mobile. When I got back to the hotel, I logged in using the hotel wireless and only 256mb of data used in the current cycle. Strange and the first time this has happened to me.
Letitride3c has valid info... if this WAS working before then do the following:

1) Reboot device
2) in Network settings, force to 2G only, then back to 3G and do a network scan manually

If it doesn't work try this:

If it was an Android device, suggest go to dialer enter: *#*#4636#*#*

Click Phone Information, under Set preferred network type set to "WCDMA Only"

Then rescan for networks and manually choose a network

Changing the Network type settings in the normal device settings menu will change this setting.
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Old Jul 10, 2014, 8:49 pm
  #472  
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Even if you get 3G reception, your speeds are throttled to like 100kbps.
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Old Jul 10, 2014, 10:01 pm
  #473  
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
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Thanks

Originally Posted by Letitride3c
What device/smartphone were you using during this time and did you re-check APN settings? From the GSM Arena Frequency Chart: - HONG KONG
2G capabilities - GSM 900, GSM 1800
3G capabilities - UMTS 850, UMTS 900, UMTS 2100
4G capabilities - LTE 1800, LTE 2300, LTE 2600

Many smartphones used in the Americas do not have UMTS 2100 band enabled and so you ended up in 2G/Edge or GPRS band/speed - which in the old days using Moto Q's or early WinMobile devices, were adequate for email, maps & light browsing (as least in HKG.) Traveling abroad, I carry a spare/backup phone with these frequencies to take advantage of better speed, paid or otherwise. Do you recall what network/carrier you're on ?? (smart/iphone5 or tablet ??) >> PCCW, 3's, or, Peoples/China Mobile, etc.

An inexpensive Moto G for Global GSM usage would be a good choice for access.
Networks - Moto G
US GSM Model:
GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
UMTS/HSPA+ up to 21 Mbps (850, 1700 (AWS), 1900 MHz)
Global GSM Model:
GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
UMTS/HSPA+ up to 21 Mbps (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz)
Requires a microSIM card (not included)
CDMA Model:
CDMA/EVDO Rev A (850, 1900 MHz)

Networks - Moto G with 4G LTE
US GSM Model:
4G LTE Bands 2, 4, 5, 17 (1900, 1700, 850, 700 MHz)
GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
UMTS (850, 900, 1700, 1900, 2100 MHz)
---------
Thanks! I was using an iPhone 5S. I know in Hong Kong it was China Mobile.

I am always amazed at what I learn from this site. I will look into picking up a 2nd phone. I could have sworn that I had better luck in Singapore with my 5S the last visit. Since I was only in Singapore and Hong Kong 2 days each respectively, it wasn't worth it to buy a SIM. Had I been there longer would have definitely purchased one. Thanks again for the response.

Last edited by ll22949; Jul 10, 2014 at 10:03 pm Reason: Adding something I missed.
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Old Jul 11, 2014, 1:06 am
  #474  
 
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FWIW my postpaid TMO iPad Air seems to have free roaming in China; the network shows up as EDGE. It did not have roaming in Mexico last month.
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Old Jul 11, 2014, 7:25 am
  #475  
 
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Originally Posted by ll22949
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Thanks! I was using an iPhone 5S. (in Hong Kong) it was China Mobile ...
Arrrrh, good old China Mobile is what I've been using (prepaid local Sim) for 5 years in HKG and CN - and 1st. time there with Motorola Q, had to visit their service counter & took tech support 10 to 15 minutes to mod the settings & get it to authenticate the HTC, only had Edge speed but it was good enough for Google Map, email & basic browsing, slow but usable all over town & in outlying countryside.

But, even if you're to pickup 3G/HSPA+ speed with the proper radio bands/hardware on the i5S, you would still likely get throttled to 2G - as that's the roaming partner agreements between the carriers. There's nothing we can do to "tweak" it and CMHK (sometimes shown as "Peoples" as the APN) isn't known for being fast, depending on the Sim card's preloaded/default settings - and in the old days, those supposingly're pushed & self-install by the carrier once it registered.

Travel frequently abroad, a good dual Sim smartphone like a new Samsung Galaxy Duo (4" screen) & factory unlocked on eBay/Amazon was going for around $120 USD shipped free would make a nice backup even without the latest 4G band, and the Moto G with the global GSM for under $200 wouldn't be a bad investment - pop in a local prepaid Sim & turn that into a WiFi hotspot, when T-Mo's free global data isn't fast enough.

(My current setup is a Nexus 7 with 4G-LTE and a Motorola Atrix 4G w. hi-cap battery (really HSPA+) and both run as a hotspot (thanks to customized XDA roms) when necessary as hotel chain's free WiFi are often useless.)
Letitride3c is offline  
Old Jul 17, 2014, 3:38 am
  #476  
 
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Exploring Asia with T-Mobile's free global roaming - Engadget
Marschel is offline  
Old Jul 23, 2014, 7:35 am
  #477  
 
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This might have been discussed much earlier and I apologize for duplicate query. I've had great experience overseas with data/text/voice on my Moto G.

And with older iPad2, got the free 200mb domestic plan when first launched. I sold the 2 and only upgraded to the newer iPad Air model, with cell/wifi -- actually got a discount via my son and picking up the Air in HK later this week.

I called TMO and they confirmed can swap for new proper size sim. I also know the monthly allowance has been bumped to 1gb. When talking with CS, they said the 1gb also works overseas? Can folks confirm whether this is actually the case? Thanks!
dtsm is offline  
Old Jul 24, 2014, 10:16 am
  #478  
 
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The 20 cents a minute calling should cover the VoIP feature on T-Mobile phones, right? I've checked the bills from when I was in Hong Kong and Guangzhou, and was not charged for any of the calls I made, since they were all over the Wifi/VoIP at the hotels I was in. Anyone else see this? Because if that is how it's going to be, I am going to be a happy T-Mobile customer for a long time.
JTMurdock is offline  
Old Jul 24, 2014, 12:24 pm
  #479  
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Originally Posted by JTMurdock
The 20 cents a minute calling should cover the VoIP feature on T-Mobile phones, right? I've checked the bills from when I was in Hong Kong and Guangzhou, and was not charged for any of the calls I made, since they were all over the Wifi/VoIP at the hotels I was in. Anyone else see this? Because if that is how it's going to be, I am going to be a happy T-Mobile customer for a long time.
VOIP calls come out of your plan's mnthly allocation of minutes. For plans that offer the 20c international roaming that allocation is 'unlimited'. Happy?!
Xyzzy is offline  
Old Jul 28, 2014, 3:28 am
  #480  
 
Join Date: May 2013
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Just got back from a trip to Davao in the southern Philippines. No issues; 3G coverage in most urban areas, spotty 3G or EDGE most other places. Data throttled I think; locals sometimes had worse speed then me. Text was fine, $.20/min calls came in handy. T-mobile has a customer for the long haul with this.
ltspongebob is offline  


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