Unlocked phones on MTS HSPA+: Success, Failures and Q&A

**HeK** · 06-07-2012, 03:24 PM

Has anyone had any luck setting a second APN on an Android handset?

I can set one APN (as per MTS settings, on their page) and get wireless data on my 4.0.4 Galaxy Nexus, but not two.

While my data works, there have been times where I have a displayed signal, can place voice calls but no data. In these situations, my wife can get data on her MTS-locked iPhone 4. There has to be a setting that is missing.

In a related rant, has anyone been able to reach any speeds above 5mbit? MTS advertises up to 21mbit, Samsung claims the same for their HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus.....

**Derfel** · 06-07-2012, 07:58 PM

I have had the same issue with the 2nd APN settings saving. They never do.

**jlmwtfvs** · 06-07-2012, 08:39 PM

My Nexus S has never taken the second APN setting either.

**win7463** · 06-09-2012, 01:09 PM

One X from HTC will not take the second APN either.

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**WPGHTC** · 06-10-2012, 08:27 AM

Pretty sure android phones don't use 2.
Some phones require 2, one for mms and one for internet. At least that is what the internet told me. It is never wrong.

Sent from my GT-N7000 using HowardForums

**HeK** · 06-10-2012, 11:19 AM

Ok, I have this figured out, kinda.

Android phones will use as many APNs as they need. However:

You can only see APNs for the current MCC/MNC and you cannot enter multiple APNs with the same APN address with the same MNC.
In the case of MTS, they want an APN for sp.mts on 302/660 (Canada/MTS) and a second for sp.mts on 302/370 (Canada/Fido).
The phone will store both but you will only see the second when your MNC is set to Fido (370).

Being a mobile tech noob, I don't know if the SIM or the tower assigns the MNC but I discovered a fun trick. If you change your MNC with MarketEnabler (requires root) to 370, not only can you see and edit your second MTS APN but you also 'download' the Fido APNs. You also get data and a Fido IP address :P
Works with Rogers on MNC 720 as well.

So I guess the second APN that MTS advertises is for Rogers/Fido data roaming.... but I guess that depends on how MNC codes are set and how Android handles it.

**Black09SS** · 06-15-2012, 06:55 PM

Has anyone got a bell atrix working on mts? There are some old posts saying data wasn't working but did anyone figure it out?

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**MaxSteel** · 06-18-2012, 03:26 PM

Kinda new to all this, since I'm on this network I'm limited to what phone I can have, so now I need to look elsewhere.

1) Is there a post that tells me what a phone needs to have to work on the MTS network(s)?

2) Will Koodo phones work? HTC One V specifically?

**WPGHTC** · 06-18-2012, 05:54 PM

"To work on the MTS network, your device must support the MTS network bands (UMTS/HSPA 850/1900 MHz)."

Also, the device needs to be unlocked.

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**MaxSteel** · 06-19-2012, 11:58 AM

Thanks WPGHTC, much appreciated. IT was the bands I wasn't sure on.. so I guess as long as the phone supports these bands we're ok? I'd assume it doesnt' matter if there are more bands on the phone..

Originally Posted by WPGHTC

"To work on the MTS network, your device must support the MTS network bands (UMTS/HSPA 850/1900 MHz)."

Also, the device needs to be unlocked.

**WPGHTC** · 06-19-2012, 02:00 PM

Yeah.
Most phones are pretty safe.
I think only Virgin and Wind use strange stuff like 2100mhz. Most Rogers and Telus devices should work fine.

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**Azure1203** · 06-20-2012, 10:23 PM

Anyone have a clue if the reception strength of the Galaxy S2 is stronger than the original Galaxy S? I want to upgrade one of these days, and the Galaxy S2 will be at a pretty good price when the S3 comes out. I don't have good service in my area, and a phone with a bit better reception would be a plus. Even if it was just a slight improvement.

**corey006** · 07-31-2012, 05:42 AM

Does anyone know if a Sprint B.B 9650 will work on MTS?

Network Generation 3G
Network Technology CDMA / EVDO Rev. A, GSM/GPRS/EDGE, HSPA / UMTS
Band GSM 850/900/1800/1900 (Quadband) HSDPA 2100 CDMA EVDO Rev. A 800/1900

**heliguy** · 09-03-2012, 01:37 PM

Just did a quick search, and didn't see anyone else post this yet ....

I'm running a Rogers Droid Razr XT910 unlocked on the MTS network. It was really stable until the I got the Rogers bloated ICS update push, I'm pretty sure it screwed my phone up and I had to flash it with the LATAM XT910 ICS fastboot files.

IMHO, it's way better than the bloated Rogers code and I haven't had problem since flashing it.