Help with IDream G20 on NET10

**redbullman** · 08-11-2012, 01:56 PM

I am a newbie. Not sure if this is the right place to post... so if not I apologize - and please move it.

Now, to my problem.

I live in the USA and I bought a Dual Sim IDream G20 phone. This phone is 3G, Android 2.2...etc. I have put in the standard NET10 APN... but do NOT get 3G. I get the "E" so I am assuming that is the "EDGE"? THere is 3G in my area - I have confirmed that with a AT&T rep friend of mine.

Is there any thing that I am missing? I can't find a 3G setting on the phone - I have played with a few different APN's... none of them help. Called NET10 Customer Support. Brick wall there (lol)...

I guess I was just wondering if there was some APN that I was not aware of - or anyone that has one of these phones as well.

Using the NET10 unlimited plan.

RedBullMan

**Lisme** · 08-11-2012, 02:21 PM

As I understand the situation, the Net10 sim is a real AT&T sim, but Net10's contract allows for some "watering down" of service. The towers can tell that it's a Net10 sim, and the traffic is handled accordingly. Net10 handles the billing, CS, etc. There is a tradeoff in order to offer a decent price. If you need to call CS, don't bother with the regular number. Go straight to the top at 305-715-6500 or one step down at 800-876-5753.

**redbullman** · 08-11-2012, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by Lisme

As I understand the situation, the Net10 sim is a real AT&T sim, but Net10's contract allows for some "watering down" of service. The towers can tell that it's a Net10 sim, and the traffic is handled accordingly. Net10 handles the billing, CS, etc. There is a tradeoff in order to offer a decent price. If you need to call CS, don't bother with the regular number. Go straight to the top at 305-715-6500 or one step down at 800-876-5753.

Thanks for the quick response. I will try that in just a few minutes. I will reply back with my findings.

**redbullman** · 08-11-2012, 03:57 PM

Ok... just got off the phone. The first number was closed (Saturday). talked with the second. She had me change one thing... but still no 3G.

NAME: NET10
APN: att.mvno
PROXY: proxy.mvno.tracfone.xxx
PORT: 80
USERNAME: nothing
PASSWORD: nothing
SERVER: nothing
MMSC: (the Http Thing) mmsc.cingular.xxx
MMS PROXY: mms2.tracfone.xxx (This she had me change. Was numbers before)
MMS PORT: 80
MCC: 310
MNC: 410
IP VERSION: IPV4
AUTHENTICATION TYPE: nothing
APN TYPE: nothing

(replace ALL "xxx" with .com - would not let me send that way)

There is the exact APN that is in the phone currently. Where the 3G should be - it says "E"... but speeds are basically the good ole dial-up.

RedBullMan

**Lisme** · 08-11-2012, 04:16 PM

Well, I guess you will have to call on Monday.

The issue with posting .com has to do with newbie status. They think you are posting a link, and that's not allowed in case it's a hit and run spam. I'm not sure when it will clear up.

**redbullman** · 08-14-2012, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by Lisme

Well, I guess you will have to call on Monday.

The issue with posting .com has to do with newbie status. They think you are posting a link, and that's not allowed in case it's a hit and run spam. I'm not sure when it will clear up.

Still trying to get home before 5pm when the first number closes. Today - pulled in driveway at 5:05pm

Hopefully tomorrow :-(

**neftv** · 08-15-2012, 01:25 PM

From what I seen on the spec of your G20 GSM is fine but it only has WCDMA 900/2100 and I don't think this phone is 3G for AT&T maybe the tmobile sim but I think they are on 1700.
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**Grateful4Advice** · 08-16-2012, 12:19 AM

Originally Posted by neftv

From what I seen on the spec of your G20 GSM is fine but it only has WCDMA 900/2100 and I don't think this phone is 3G for AT&T maybe the tmobile sim but I think they are on 1700.
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That's exactly right. This phone has neither the 850 nor 1900 band needed for 3g on ATT. To my knowledge, no North American carrier uses these bands. I suggest you sell the phone to someone in Europe on Ebay and purchase a phone with the correct bands. I recommend the Nokia Lumia 900. Great phone at a reasonable price.

**redbullman** · 08-17-2012, 04:55 AM

Originally Posted by Grateful4Advice

That's exactly right. This phone has neither the 850 nor 1900 band needed for 3g on ATT. To my knowledge, no North American carrier uses these bands. I suggest you sell the phone to someone in Europe on Ebay and purchase a phone with the correct bands. I recommend the Nokia Lumia 900. Great phone at a reasonable price.

Please keep in mind that my previous phone was a flip razr phone and I am 100% new to the smart phone world. This phone has a Operating Frequency: GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 And WCDMA 900/2100. I am through NET10 with a sim card. Net10 C/S told me to use the GSM slot for the sim card. So, I am using the GSM side - not the WCDMA side. So - shouldn't it work? On NET10's site it says "Bring an AT&T or T-mobile compatible GSM phone, or an unlocked GSM phone. Make sure it operates on our compatible frequencies (850 and 1900 MHz)"

Again - please be gentle as I really know nothing about this. I have been trying to get out of work to call the US support - but have not made it yet.

RedBullMan

**neftv** · 08-20-2012, 06:39 PM

In easy terms GSM is considered 2G or EDGE which is fine for that phone it has the proper frequencies. For 3G speed data wcdma Att works on 850 and 1900 depending on area and Tmobile 3G is 1700 at the present time. I don't think that phone will get 3G in this country based on that info. It will be on Edge for either one if unlocked. if you plan on doing video on that phone you best bet to use local WiFi wherever possible.
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**redbullman** · 08-21-2012, 04:17 AM

Ok, I think that a "bell" just went off in my head. If I am understanding you correctly... If this phone's WCDMA frequency was 850/1900 I would put the sim card on the WCDMA side and it would work. Not in the GSM side - like it is currently?

RedBullMan

**neftv** · 08-21-2012, 07:46 PM

That phone will work with GSM that is the older system which basically handles voice and texting and the slower data speed. Any unlocked phone will work with GSM on mobile or AT&T. With WCDMA Yes
Wcdma 850, 1900 =AT&T 3G with At&t sim
Wcdma 1700 (presently) =TMobile 3G with Tmobile sim
If a phone has all five grew Wcdma 850, 900, 1700, 1900, 2100 known as pentaband phone you can use either sim. If you only have certain freqs then make sure you get the correct carrier sim card.
For example I have unlocked dell venue pro tmobile version. The unlock means that GSM is unlocked and will work with any carrier so that will be on Edge basically 2G. But this phone only has wcdma 900 1700 2100 so it only works with tmobile 3G.
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**DoctorM** · 08-23-2012, 08:15 AM

Your phone isn't the problem -- GSM phone service providers in general do not have 3G. They will have 2G, Edge, or 2.5G.
Only CDMA (WCDMA) phones have 3G. This situation may change as GSM carriers like AT&T phase in 4G. But they skip 3

Your solution (if you want 3G) is to use your other sim card slot for a CDMA carrier.

**whacker** · 08-23-2012, 10:57 AM

Do not confuse the OP by confusing the terms CDMA and WCDMA.

The phone's specs tell the tale: It only does WCDMA (i.e. the desired high-speed portion commonly referred to as "3G") on 900 and 2100 MHz. Therefore it will not obtain this level of service with AT&T, since AT&T uses 850 or 1900 MHz for their 3G portion.

**redbullman** · 08-24-2012, 03:32 PM

Well as I stated earlier - I am with NET10 and their "sim card" program. It uses the towers provided by AT&T. My zipcode is 49781. There is 3g in my area and recently 4g as well. Earlier post recommened that I look for a Nokia Lumia 900. NICE phone... but a little out of my range. Keeping in mind that I will be using NET10 - GSM Sim Card - Unlimited Plan - would the Motorola Atrix work as a 3G phone in my area? Providing that 3G (which it is I am told) is available in my area? My daughter has a sprint phone - and she has great 3g in our humble little town.

I can not tell you all how much I appreciate your patience in helping me understand this stuff. Coming from a Razr Flip phone - it is a little confusing. I did find a great article on the UnLocker website. Entitled - "How 3G Frequency Compatibility Works / Why Your Unlocked Phone Doesn’t Get 3G". It echoed what you all have been trying to get me to understand.

Anyhow, back to the Atrix. "Should" it work?

RedBullMan