Using Galaxy S2 (I9100T) In The Us...

[Hopmaster]

Hey guys, I've purchased the Galaxy S2(the True version, i9100t) for my 6 month stay here, hoping that I'd be able to use it in the US when I go back. I was wondering if the i9100t would work on any of the US carriers such as AT&T or T-Mobile.. I don't know much about GSM networks and frequency bands since I've been using CDMA phones from the beginning. Thanks!

[lomatopo]

Since it supports GSM 1900 you could use it on either/both T-Mobile and AT&T via pre-paid plans. You would get voice, SMS and even 2G (GSM: GPRS/EDGE) data, again with either.

(You can buy a T-Mo or AT&T SIM on ebay, activate it once in the U.S., and manage the account via the internet and a credit card.)

3G data is a stickier issue. Your phone would not work on T-Mo's mobile broadband network (uses 1700 and 2100, both). It would however work on AT&T's 3G networks (850 Mhz in some areas, 1900 Mhz in others), but I'm not 100% certain you can get a 3G data plan on pre-paid? You can get a volume-based data plan on pre-paid, I'm just not sure if it includes 3G?

If you sign up for a contract with AT&T you would be able to get 3G.

I use T-Mo, and subscribe to a 2G plan every day for $1.49 per day. I usually only return to the U.S. for ~ 5 day stays.

[justsumhelp]

As for AT&T if you have a friend or relative you can have them add you to their plan, if I remember right it was called add a line or something of that nature, for $10-25 US with somewhere around 4gb of 3g data and you would share the persons account's minutes and sms. All this is then free to cancel when you want. This was a year ago so im not sure if its the same now.

Since it supports GSM 1900 you could use it on either/both T-Mobile and AT&T via pre-paid plans. You would get voice, SMS and even 2G (GSM: GPRS/EDGE) data, again with either.

(You can buy a T-Mo or AT&T SIM on ebay, activate it once in the U.S., and manage the account via the internet and a credit card.)

3G data is a stickier issue. Your phone would not work on T-Mo's mobile broadband network (uses 1700 and 2100, both). It would however work on AT&T's 3G networks (850 Mhz in some areas, 1900 Mhz in others), but I'm not 100% certain you can get a 3G data plan on pre-paid? You can get a volume-based data plan on pre-paid, I'm just not sure if it includes 3G?

If you sign up for a contract with AT&T you would be able to get 3G.

I use T-Mo, and subscribe to a 2G plan every day for $1.49 per day. I usually only return to the U.S. for ~ 5 day stays.

[Hopmaster]

thanks for the info guys. i will probably go on contract with them if I have to..

i have two more questions, though. when you guys say 3G, does that mean that I won't be able to get H+ connectivity on AT&T? also, is there any way I can use this phone on the verizon network? I'm grandfathered into their unlimited data plan and would hate to lose that...most likely not, right?

[lomatopo]

AT&T has pretty much nationwide 3G HSPA 7.2. Mbps coverage.

http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer/#?type=data

on 850 and 1900 Mhz, different areas have different frequencies. So you should get comparable speeds in the U.S. which you experience here.

Not sure about AT&T's nascent 4G/LTE network. I think that may use 1700 & 2100?

Your phone will not work on Verizon.