Samsung Galaxy S III Release Thread

[cp44]

Yeah. They always try to solve such issues with new SIMs. It probably can be the issue rarely with VZW's weird CDMA/LTE hybrid SIM authentication setup. BUT, my guess is if it happened again that it's something odd with the phone. You might try and pull the SIM in and out a few times incase the sim contacts had some not so conductive coating that is supposed to clear away when you insert the SIM. If nothing like that helps it may just be some odd issue with your device and you might want to look into a replacement.

I went to the VZW store and told them its happening again, the Guru zone tech told me he has the same issue when he sends a text too fast. They offered to replace my phone but I said I will try to factory reset my phone first and if that doesn't work I'll exchange it. The tech also stated that Jellybean should be out soon but not ETA, so I'm guessing that means next year lol.

[ronaldheld]

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Samsu...-after_id33053
JB coming soon?

[Tungsten]

I inquired with my local Verizon store about the S3 today and was given a story that scared me clear of it. The sales guy said that more than 50% of their customers with S3's are reporting that the phone will drop 4G and, when it does, the phone will roll back to 3G but all of the data services stop working.

He went on to tell me that the problem sometimes persists after even doing a hard reset or a SIM swap and that they are waiting on Samsung to release a new firmware revision to fix the problem. It's apparently bad enough that Verizon is telling them to advise potential customers about this before they buy, because being that it is a known problem Verizon is not waiving the $35 restocking fee during the 14-day grace period if you have a phone with the issue. In other words, you buy the phone you accept the risks.

WTF?

Has anyone else heard this? His recommendation was to wait a week or two and see what shakes loose with this situation before deciding.

[jasaero]

I inquired with my local Verizon store about the S3 today and was given a story that scared me clear of it. The sales guy said that more than 50% of their customers with S3's are reporting that the phone will drop 4G and, when it does, the phone will roll back to 3G but all of the data services stop working.

He went on to tell me that the problem sometimes persists after even doing a hard reset or a SIM swap and that they are waiting on Samsung to release a new firmware revision to fix the problem. It's apparently bad enough that Verizon is telling them to advise potential customers about this before they buy, because being that it is a known problem Verizon is not waiving the $35 restocking fee during the 14-day grace period if you have a phone with the issue. In other words, you buy the phone you accept the risks.

WTF?

Has anyone else heard this? His recommendation was to wait a week or two and see what shakes loose with this situation before deciding.

We have seen such reports if you look back a few posts. 50% seems a bit extreme though, and to blame it all on Samsung is probably even more extreme as VZW has known authentication issues of this variety it seems with about any new LTE phone that hits their network for a month or two. No clue what causes it and it seems about all phones the issue is fixed after a time. But it seems like a stuck record kinda recurring problem for any new device to this LTE network. Not to mention this also sounds like something that could also be getting done to stall people until a more preferred and higher margin OEM's NG device is available.

[TC_Mits]

Hey! I thought *I* was the Jerry Fletcher type on HoFo!

It is odd, though, that Tungsten's report from vzw folk speaks of very high percentages but HoFo is seeing relatively few such problems.

In such situations a good detective will 'follow the money'. Who stands to gain if vzw customers buy some handset other than the SGSIII?

More impressive yet, why would vzw actively discourage sales?!

Speculation is that an announcement of the Droid RAZR HD could come as early as this Friday . . .


Perspective instantiates reality.
[From DX by HoFo app.]

[Climb14er]

I inquired with my local Verizon store about the S3 today and was given a story that scared me clear of it. The sales guy said that more than 50% of their customers with S3's are reporting that the phone will drop 4G and, when it does, the phone will roll back to 3G but all of the data services stop working.

He went on to tell me that the problem sometimes persists after even doing a hard reset or a SIM swap and that they are waiting on Samsung to release a new firmware revision to fix the problem. It's apparently bad enough that Verizon is telling them to advise potential customers about this before they buy, because being that it is a known problem Verizon is not waiving the $35 restocking fee during the 14-day grace period if you have a phone with the issue. In other words, you buy the phone you accept the risks.

WTF?

Has anyone else heard this? His recommendation was to wait a week or two and see what shakes loose with this situation before deciding.

My S3 has been holding 4G 99% of the time. The only time I saw it drop was when I was in a Costco, deep inside the store and reception there, as many can probably attest to, is spotty at best.

The S3 has been a very good phone!

[jasaero]

Hey! I thought *I* was the Jerry Fletcher type on HoFo!

It is odd, though, that Tungsten's report from vzw folk speaks of very high percentages but HoFo is seeing relatively few such problems.

In such situations a good detective will 'follow the money'. Who stands to gain if vzw customers buy some handset other than the SGSIII?

More impressive yet, why would vzw actively discourage sales?!

Speculation is that an announcement of the Droid RAZR HD could come as early as this Friday . . .


Perspective instantiates reality.
[From DX by HoFo app.]

Not sure my theory is conspiracy quite. Maybe close. I actually believe even some Moto devices had issues initially. How widespread they have ever been I am not sure? I'm not sure it's related to the device though so much as how VZW's network does authentication. It's supposed be be based on the SIM, but seemingly some new devices have an issue that seems almost like they aren't staying authenticated correctly. That's the only logical thing these odd data drops and suggestions by the techs to try a new SIM could be explained by. The fact the GOTO solution is always to try a new SIM is the tell. That tells me they know they have some authentication issues and a new SIM can somehow fool the system sometimes and let the device on.

My best guess is that they are sniffing IMEI's also and being picky about those also and not just the SIM. A new device hits and there is a new range of IMEI's the authentication system is suspect of. Those devices have issues until the OEM get's these new ranges of numbers to VZW. They shouldn't be doing that now that they have moved to SIMs and you should be able to drop that SIM in any C-Block LTE device and be good to go, but that does not mean that is how they have it set up.

If there are any around here more familiar with VZW's new LTE/CDMA authentication regime I would be curious to hear what they know. I could be WAY off base with my theory or close or somewhere in between, but I find it odd I hear stuff like this with about every new device just after they hit.

[TC_Mits]

I enquired of the local store manager about activating the developer SGSIII and received this:

"Assuming it has the correct radio inside, you should be able to just insert a sim unless the meid is not in a valid range. If the meid won't go, you can fill out a form to have it added to the dmd. . . "

Any clues there?


Perspective instantiates reality.
[From DX by HoFo app.]

[TC_Mits]

OK. This is a bit complex. I might not make it all clear on the first try.

SCH-i535 MBC VZW is the Samsung developer phone model ID. The 'MBC' is telling. I think it's for "Mobile Broadband Connect".

You may know that the FCC published a decision on the vzw tethering app violations:
http://www.fcc.gov/document/order-an...ay-125-million

This thread discusses that decision:
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1772449

It seems vzw is trying to make an end run past the FCC and use the decision to bill separately for all tethering not already "included" in a plan -- *third-party apps, too!*
Verizon: No free tethering for unlimited data plan customers

Essentially, the tactic is perfect simplicity: it will relabel "Mobile Broadband Connect". MBC has always been an "application"; now it is to become a "service". No other change required.

The FCC decision invalidated the ToS requirement that unlimited data lines must use the MBC app. Now they will be required to subscribe to the MBC "service" instead. Clever, don't you think?

Of course, it's also completely illegal.

So, the point is that we're unlikely to see the developer SGSIII before mid-September at the earliest -- until these changes are cemented in. When it drops it will have special vzw software to implement the MBC "service" under the relabeled regime.


Perspective instantiates reality.
[From DX by HoFo app.]

[ronaldheld]

By then, other phones will appear, hopefully unlocked.

[TC_Mits]

Idk. RAZR HD is now rumored for October and, at 4.5", it's no bigger than my X -- not interested, unless something changes. If the GNote II is unlockable it will be somehow like the SGSIII deal, not vzw certain, anyway. HTC might be best shot, rumored to vzw, at least.

Consolation would be that, by Q3, the rumored November Nexi will be closer. But will any of them have SD support?


Perspective instantiates reality.
[From DX by HoFo app.]

[jasaero]

OK. This is a bit complex. I might not make it all clear on the first try.

SCH-i535 MBC VZW is the Samsung developer phone model ID. The 'MBC' is telling. I think it's for "Mobile Broadband Connect".

You may know that the FCC published a decision on the vzw tethering app violations:
http://www.fcc.gov/document/order-an...ay-125-million

This thread discusses that decision:
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1772449

It seems vzw is trying to make an end run past the FCC and use the decision to bill separately for all tethering not already "included" in a plan -- *third-party apps, too!*
Verizon: No free tethering for unlimited data plan customers

Essentially, the tactic is perfect simplicity: it will relabel "Mobile Broadband Connect". MBC has always been an "application"; now it is to become a "service". No other change required.

The FCC decision invalidated the ToS requirement that unlimited data lines must use the MBC app. Now they will be required to subscribe to the MBC "service" instead. Clever, don't you think?

Of course, it's also completely illegal.

So, the point is that we're unlikely to see the developer SGSIII before mid-September at the earliest -- until these changes are cemented in. When it drops it will have special vzw software to implement the MBC "service" under the relabeled regime.


Perspective instantiates reality.
[From DX by HoFo app.]

Hmm...?? The FCC said they could charge for unlimited peeps tethering, but basically said VZW had no authority to go and find who is hiding their tethering with tether apps and actually had to give ALL users access to such apps officially. Not sure what it means if the DEV device is labelled MBC?? MBC sorta suggest secondary device that doesn't have primary modem and SIM and such so much as it's accessing the data connection from such a device. Guessing though you are trying to connect this aspect with your post right before it. MBC as a service would kinda suggest a data only service though and as far as I know this will have voice capability.

Now to tear down your conspiracy more effectively, I point out the model numbers of ALL VZW GSIII's Currently known to exist.

SCH-I535RWBVZW (Marble White)
SCH-I535MBBVZW (Pebble Blue)
SCH-I535MBDVZW (16gb DEV)
SCH-I535MBCVZW (32gb DEV)

No clue what those three letters are getting too, but seem coincidental one ended up as MBC. There is also an MBB and MBD device. One also being a developer edition.

[jasaero]

I enquired of the local store manager about activating the developer SGSIII and received this:

"Assuming it has the correct radio inside, you should be able to just insert a sim unless the meid is not in a valid range. If the meid won't go, you can fill out a form to have it added to the dmd. . . "

Any clues there?


Perspective instantiates reality.
[From DX by HoFo app.]

This I find more significant and probably part of the reason new devices sometimes have issues. Not sure how this DMD works and sends out IMEI ranges for new devices, but I could see new devices having trouble on some towers. It might take awhile for all the new ranges to work well across the whole network. Technically I don't think it should even be doing this though. And the fact it is is probably part of the reason the network has had so many odd authentication related data outages.

This could point to device specific data outages that are not the devices fault so much as the networks if you ask me. A normal GSM/LTE network could careless what you IMEI is as far as authentication goes. The servers might be able to see it for carrier snooping reasons though. Well I take that back, I think there are white, grey, and black lists, but if I am not mistaken everyone uses the same lists.

[TC_Mits]

Relief that "MBC" coded developer unit may be vzw clean. Thanks!
Odd coincidence, though.

The MBC app ccum service ruse, however, is still a fast one from vzw and clearly a violation of the explicit text of the C-Band regs.


Perspective instantiates reality.
[From DX by HoFo app.]

[jasaero]

Relief that "MBC" coded developer unit may be vzw clean. Thanks!
Odd coincidence, though.

The MBC app ccum service ruse, however, is still a fast one from vzw and clearly a violation of the explicit text of the C-Band regs.


Perspective instantiates reality.
[From DX by HoFo app.]

Not sure of the numbers, but guessing those clinging to unlimited count PLENTY high for them to cause network havoc if they all started using that unlimited allowance on a line for their home. The issue is that wouldn't probably happen and would probably just cause slower than desirable LTE speeds here and there LONG before it created actual problems. My guess is though that this long shot, but real threat was used to argue some of the C-Block loophole verbage atleast for unlimited customers. For those paying by the GB though I think any overuse can be argued to create plenty of revenue for network upgrades to handle such things.