Sim Free (Unbranded) 9700 ...how to get it to work on Tmo 3g ?
 

Hi
Im on Tmobile , I received a sim free (unbranded) 9700 as a gift.

Its great, except it wont work in 3G..
I am in NY and there is 3G coverage in my location(s).

Can anyone advise what to change so I can use the 3G?

( I know that it was possible to add UMA to a sim free phone, so why not 3g) ?
thanks!!

Several threads open on this. No one has been able to hack this.

Long story short: Two different sets of frequencies, absolutely positively zero can be done about it. Sell it and try again with the proper device.

I am not talking about an unlocked phone.

My phone is Sim Free..meaning it was never locked.

The phone came straight from RIM......

Two different sets of frequencies.
Two different devices.

There are MANY threads about trying to make this work. Locked, unlocked or direct from RIM. Not happening.

has anyone tried changing the bands in the escreen yet? i see the option, but i dont have a tmo sim card to test it out. and im curious, if you were to order a "9700" from RIM how would you go about specifying what you need? how would you know what you need? if you plan on using it on a particular network, just buy the branded version. so whats the point of a NON branded version? i wouldn't be surprised if each phone is capable of both 3G frequencies

From my understanding, the BB 9700 is equipped to operate on the following wireless networks:
UMTS: 2100/1900/850/800 MHz (Bands 1,2,5/6), 2100/1700/900 MHz (Bands 1,4,8)
GSM: 1900/1800/900/850 MHz
Quad-band support: GSM 850; GSM

TMO-US operates the UMTS 2100/1700 but their device will roam on the UMTS 2100/1900. A Manual network selection may be necessary.

The 9700 Users guide includes the following information:

Switch wireless networks manually
To perform this task, your wireless service plan must include this service and your BlackBerry® device must be connected to a GSM® or
UMTS® network.

Your device is designed to switch to an appropriate wireless network automatically when you travel.
1. On the Home screen, click the Manage Connections icon.
2. Click Mobile Network Options.
3. Change the Network Selection Mode field to Manual.
4. Click Scan for Available Networks.
5. Click a wireless network.
6. Click Select Network.
7. Press the Menu key.
8. Click Save.
To connect to your wireless service provider's wireless network again, change the Network Selection Mode field to Automatic.

I am eager to try this out when my 9700 from TMO arrives in 2 days, and hoping that it works in Japan when I travel there next week.

I don't think it will work
 

It's my understanding that BB made the ATT 9700 to work one one set of 3G frequencies and the other to work on Tmobiles frequencies.

The unbranded is most likely ATT's frequencies. The blackberry website specifies that they are manufactured with two seperate frequencies.

FOR ME: ATT lets me roam on EDGE when Tmobile towers are not available but I only get full 3G when on Tmobile towers (I assume the frequencies again).

T-mobile is the best at allowing people to use their own phones. Call their tech support. They really are cool about it. They will even help you with using an Iphone on their network.

Call them.

You can call whoever you want. They won't be able to fix this.

I'm curious what part of "it won't work" has people so confused?

Sell the unlocked and UNBRADED on Ebay and buy one from T-mobile for $199 or buy one on Ebay....

Perhaps the answer is incomplete.

It really, truly won't work.

Let's compare...

Tmobile 9700 Screen Shot
http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/...0OSv500351.jpg

Rogers/At&t 9700 Screen Shot:
http://images.intomobile.com/wp-cont...1-bold9700.jpg

So you see where it says 3G Bands? That's it...

Over the past year or so, I always had phone envy when when we landed at Narita, all of the ATT users would pull out their Bolds (9000) and switch them on and be getting thier emails and vm's before we even taxied to the terminal, while I would turn on my TMO blackberry......and nothing! Well, with my 9700, I have envy no more. Works fine in Japan on NTT DoMoCo.

Oh, and to stay on topic: Your unbranded 9700 is probably set up for the ATT/Rogers bands of 3G. It will never work on the TMO bands. Kind of like trying to get an AM radio to pull in FM stations. No go. Sell it on Ebay and go get one directly from Tmo. You'll probably make money on the switcheroo.

but im still curious if the people who are saying "it wont work" have actually TRIED it. when i go into my escreen, i AM able to select which bands to use. i just dont have a tmo sim card to test it. it makes more sense to make one device, then program it to do what you want. it doesn't make sense to me how a device could have different internals but carry the same model number

T-Mobile uses 1700mhz for 3G.

NO one else uses that, accept for maybe some carrier in Australian if I remember.

If your phone does not have the 1700mhz band, then you can NOT pick up the 1700mhz band that t-mobile uses.

There is no way around this, your phone must have the band. No you can not change it or add it, its not that simple.

The rest of the world uses 2100mhz. Every 3G phone has the 2100mhz, thats why your US berry will work with 3G everywhere else.

When I go into the escreen I can see the bands as well. BUT, do you see an option for 1,4,8??? NO. That's T-Mobile's 3G band.

i live in venezuela and my 9700 doesnt work on 3g because is T-mobile... T-mobile uses 1,4,8 bands.. i need to get my phone to work in the1,2,5,6 bands so i can use the 3g network... is this possible?
Edit/Delete Message

kikekart, NO its not possible.

but if i do it thru the blackberry E-SCREEN, remember tha there is and option where yopu can change tha umts bands....