Questions about t-mobile and LTE

Hamster · 23 Jan 2013 at 03:32

I've got a t-mobile sim only contract at the moment and I'd like to keep it as it's a good deal which I've recently renewed for another 12 months. Internet speeds are pretty good (just tested it at home, 2.8Mbit down, 1.5Mbit up) but the faster would be a bonus. If I remember correctly, the speeds improved when it became EE. The internet part of my plan is the old Web&Walk Plus with a 3GB monthly download limit.

I have an HTC Desire Z at the moment and as much as I love the phone, it's getting a bit long in the tooth so I'm thinking about replacing it.

If I buy something like a Note 2 or any other phone with LTE, will I be able to get the fast 4G speeds with my current sim or will I need to buy a new contract?

Richie · 23 Jan 2013 at 06:56

I take it you have checked you get 4G in your area?

ATM I am not bothering with 4G. I use WiFi at home and when I am at work I get speeds of between 10MBps and 14MBps on 3G so I don't see the need for it. (All T-Mobile)

Hamster · 23 Jan 2013 at 07:12

I can, yes. I use wi-fi whenever possible unless it's really slow so it's really for use away from home.

kona786 · 23 Jan 2013 at 10:03

need a new EE sim and contract to use 4G - You maybe able to switch from your current t-mob tariff by paying extra but you won't just get 4G FOC lol.

Hamster · 23 Jan 2013 at 10:17

kona786 said:
need a new EE sim and contract to use 4G - You maybe able to switch from your current t-mob tariff by paying extra but you won't just get 4G FOC lol.

Thanks, that's what I wanted to know. Maybe not what I wanted to hear though

Evilpaul · 23 Jan 2013 at 10:18

Looking at the specs of your current phone (http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_desire_z-3421.php), it looks like it does not support HSPA+.
If you change your phone to one that does support HSPA+ then you *may* get the improved speeds you are after, but without having to change your contract.

kona786 · 23 Jan 2013 at 10:24

Evilpaul said:
Looking at the specs of your current phone (http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_desire_z-3421.php), it looks like it does not support HSPA+.
If you change your phone to one that does support HSPA+ then you *may* get the improved speeds you are after, but without having to change your contract.

HSDPA, 14.4 Mbps; HSUPA, 5.76 Mbps

Plenty for T-Mobile. You could always try your sim in a mates newer phone like the S3/S3LTE/NOTE LTE/NEXUS 4 etc to see if your phone is holding your speeds back. It is very old. Modems are a lot better now.

DC-HSPA is next step up.

Hamster · 23 Jan 2013 at 10:25

Evilpaul said:
Looking at the specs of your current phone (http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_desire_z-3421.php), it looks like it does not support HSPA+.
If you change your phone to one that does support HSPA+ then you *may* get the improved speeds you are after, but without having to change your contract.

When the signal is good, it has the 'H' symbol which I think is HSDPA. I'd never heard of HSPA+ until you mentioned it! Just had a google and it looks promising. Thank you

kona786 said:
HSDPA, 14.4 Mbps; HSUPA, 5.76 Mbps
Plenty for T-Mobile.
DC-HSPA is next step up.

Now I'm confused!

kona786 · 23 Jan 2013 at 10:29

Desire Z is good for upto 14.4 Mbps download speed

You should get 10Mbps atleast if the signal/network is strong enough.

Hamster · 23 Jan 2013 at 10:59

kona786 said:
Desire Z is good for upto 14.4 Mbps download speed You should get 10Mbps atleast if the signal/network is strong enough.

OK got you, thanks

I still want to replace it though as it's quite slow but I really want another qwerty phone which seem to be out of fashion unfortunately. This is why I'm considering something like the Note 2 which I know doesn't have a proper keyboard but would probably be OK for my sausage fingers!!

kona786 · 23 Jan 2013 at 11:03

First things first is to try a new software KB on your desire - this is superb:

http://www.swiftkey.net/flow/

watch the video and download the free beta - it's great for one handed use - just use your thumb.

Hamster · 23 Jan 2013 at 11:10

Thanks kona. I've tried swiftkey, flow and swype and although they are a lot better than they used to be, I still can't type nearly as well as I can on the hardware keyboard. I can almost touchtype using it and I don't think that's a possibility with an on-screen keyboard!!

kona786 · 23 Jan 2013 at 11:27

Fair enough mate - note2 should be a great alternative.

stoosh · 23 Jan 2013 at 17:46

I don't have a good word about T-Mobile UK and seeing as this is a family orientated forum I shall stay away from using expletives! They are shockingly bad and have seen their customer service descend from excellent to a farce. They are known to lie to their customers. I left after being with them for 14 years and haven't looked back since. I will be taking to them to court in regards to chasing a payment that they owe me since Oct.

They are lying low life thieves!

Richie · 24 Jan 2013 at 08:30

I have been with them since 2000 and not had an issue with their CS.

Just to balance things out

stoosh · 24 Jan 2013 at 18:09

Richie said:
I have been with them since 2000 and not had an issue with their CS.

Just to balance things out

Different strokes for different folks I guess. Besides you wouldn't have a good word to say about a company that has broken the Distance Selling Act Regulations and dragging it's heals refunding me £350!!!!