BlackBerry Forums Support Community

dyzs · 12-03-2009, 02:28 AM

Check an ATT/Rogers/Bell/Telus 9700 to see if the TMO band options are there. Perhaps they don't show on the TMO handset since they are already selected?

mckinneycm · 12-03-2009, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dyzs

Check an ATT/Rogers/Bell/Telus 9700 to see if the TMO band options are there. Perhaps they don't show on the TMO handset since they are already selected?

I did this with mine (AT&T). It shows the same thing as the T-Mobile device. There is no 1,4,8 option.

cypherpunks · 12-03-2009, 01:22 PM

I was bored and tried changing the bands on my T-Mobile 9700 the other day. Selecting the menu option to change 3G band doesn't actually seem to do anything.

Raptor464 · 12-03-2009, 01:46 PM

I wonder if changing the branding would switch the bands. But to do that you would need to use proprietary RIM software, that is not available to the general public.

gabriel2007 · 12-06-2009, 03:50 PM

I was able to get into this menu with t-mobile's

bold 9700 but it just doesn't let me change the UMTS bands

, so don't waste your time.

if anyone is able to change it , please let me know ,

thank you

Tuvalua · 12-08-2009, 02:21 PM

Hello everyone,

I found this thread last night as I was searching for a solution to one of my biggest headaches! I purchased 10 Bold 9700 on TMo and need to use them with 3G on Rogers. I just called RIM and after a long rate the tech was able to confirm 100% that it is a software NOT hardware issue that determines which frequency the phone is tuned to for 3G. 3G frequency is set by the carrier in the software. He suggested that changing the firmware could very well do the trick.

Fine forum folks, how do we proceed with swapping the firmware?

NJBlackBerry · 12-08-2009, 02:28 PM

So after reading this thread from the beginning you ask how do we proceed with swapping the firmware.

To repeat - you cannot take a T-Mobile 9700 and magically upgrade it to run on Rogers.

Read the thread from the beginning.

The "tech" wanted to get you off the phone. He succeeded.

mckinneycm · 12-08-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJBlackBerry

So after reading this thread from the beginning you ask how do we proceed with swapping the firmware.

To repeat - you cannot take a T-Mobile 9700 and magically upgrade it to run on Rogers.

Read the thread from the beginning.

The "tech" wanted to get you off the phone. He succeeded.

Raptor464 · 12-08-2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuvalua

Hello everyone,

I found this thread last night as I was searching for a solution to one of my biggest headaches! I purchased 10 Bold 9700 on TMo and need to use them with 3G on Rogers. I just called RIM and after a long rate the tech was able to confirm 100% that it is a software NOT hardware issue that determines which frequency the phone is tuned to for 3G. 3G frequency is set by the carrier in the software. He suggested that changing the firmware could very well do the trick.

Fine forum folks, how do we proceed with swapping the firmware?

Correct....it is firmware controlled. Not software controlled. Therefore by updating your software from say "rogers os 5.0.0.xxx" to "tmobile os 5.0.0.xxx", its not going to change the frequency bands.

In order to change frequency band, you would need to change the firmware. The process, which only RIM can do, requires you to put the device into CAL mode, and then load the correct firmware files. You as an end user, or carriers for that matter, do not have that ability because they lack the required proprietary software that RIM uses.

HaTaX · 12-08-2009, 03:04 PM

Yup! As said above, it's a portion of the BB that cannot be modified by anyone but RIM. This is also where the carrier power on image is stored, the GPS lock that Verizon used/uses, and other carrier specific "hard coded" settings.

Wonder if the engineering models that RIM let loose would allow you to change bands?

Kind of a PITA that they locked out specific bands across different carriers, but I'm sure someone came up with a good reason. To me it's just another way to keep people from unlocking phones to use with their carrier of choice, since unlocking was deemed to be perfectly legal. If you pay $450 for a device, you should have full access to what you purchased, but that's just IMHO.

Raptor464 · 12-08-2009, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HaTaX

Yup! As said above, it's a portion of the BB that cannot be modified by anyone but RIM. This is also where the carrier power on image is stored, the GPS lock that Verizon used/uses, and other carrier specific "hard coded" settings.

Wonder if the engineering models that RIM let loose would allow you to change bands?

Kind of a PITA that they locked out specific bands across different carriers, but I'm sure someone came up with a good reason. To me it's just another way to keep people from unlocking phones to use with their carrier of choice, since unlocking was deemed to be perfectly legal. If you pay $450 for a device, you should have full access to what you purchased, but that's just IMHO.

Why do you suppose Tmobile went with AWS 3G that uses two different bands to transmit data? And isn't compatible with At&t 3G bands. Its all about the money.

HaTaX · 12-08-2009, 03:34 PM

I understand the need for competition, but tactics like this only end up harming the consumer... Here's a novel idea, try beating your competition with INNOVATION instead of making things painful for their users.

And yeah, the whole AWS thing didn't make any sense to me either from a technical standpoint. I am not for more regulation in the wireless industry, but wouldn't it be nice if the FCC said "Here are the frequencies that are allowed for use by mobile carriers, play nice kids!"

Raptor464 · 12-08-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HaTaX

I understand the need for competition, but tactics like this only end up harming the consumer... Here's a novel idea, try beating your competition with INNOVATION instead of making things painful for their users.

And yeah, the whole AWS thing didn't make any sense to me either from a technical standpoint. I am not for more regulation in the wireless industry, but wouldn't it be nice if the FCC said "Here are the frequencies that are allowed for use by mobile carriers, play nice kids!"

Ya it makes no sense for Tmobile to use 1700/2100 bands for data transfer as those are high frequencies. It is a known fact that data transfer over lower frequencies is significantly better.

Tuvalua · 12-08-2009, 04:54 PM

So there is no way to change the firmware? I have found some leeked versions of RIM software to change the load-up screen. Have any of you heard of someone successfully pulling off this 3G UMTS band change through firmware, not necessarily on the Bold 9700?

Raptor464 · 12-08-2009, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuvalua

So there is no way to change the firmware? I have found some leeked versions of RIM software to change the load-up screen. Have any of you heard of someone successfully pulling off this 3G UMTS band change through firmware, not necessarily on the Bold 9700?

Ya...but guess what...that software doesn't work for any RIM devices made after the Bold 9000. They wised up and made their newer devices incompatible with that older loader software.

Tuvalua · 12-08-2009, 05:10 PM

Who should I press for answers now, RIM or my carrier -> RIM then! I have 10 units, they and I need to use them properly...

mckinneycm · 12-08-2009, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuvalua

Who should I press for answers now, RIM or my carrier -> RIM then! I have 10 units, they and I need to use them properly...

Good luck! I seriously doubt that RIM is going to change the firmware for you.

MidnightDraven · 12-08-2009, 05:31 PM

Should have bought the correct units then....

NJBlackBerry · 12-08-2009, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuvalua

Who should I press for answers now, RIM or my carrier -> RIM then! I have 10 units, they and I need to use them properly...

Return them to the seller.
Buy ones with the proper bands enabled.

HaTaX · 12-09-2009, 12:06 PM

I'm wondering if a new version of MML will make it out for the new devices.... And if it does, if a simple change of the carrier ID would make the other bands available or selected. Not sure, never played with that on previous models, and really have no desire to do it now because my BB is working just fine!

Something fun to play with, but really if you're buying a phone for a specific carrier you are MUCH better off just buying the correct device even if it costs slightly more. Once you hack up a product you're pretty much on your own with little to no official support.

Not everyone is an expert on these topics and this area of the BB is best left alone by anyone but an advanced user. This is an area where you really can brick your phone with no recourse after it happens....

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Getting Tmobile 3G on unlocked Rogers BB 9700