Bold 9700 won't connect to 3G network, only 2G

[-58-]

Hi,

I recently bought a Bold 9700 unlocked. My 9000 connected to both 3G and 2G (if 3G wasn't available). I didn't change my plan, just the phone. Now it will only connect to 2G networks. I talked to my provider, they verified my account should still allow me to connect to both networks but wouldn't provide technical support as it was an unlocked phone. They suggested it may not be capable because of frequency issues but that seems odd to me seeing as it's a 9700.

Anyway I can verify it should be able to connect?

In my signal options if I choose "2G and 3G" I connect to the edge network. If I choose 3G only I get the SOS signal.

[llllBULLSEYE]

Most likely if its unlock 3G wont work.
like I'm with AT&T and if I unlock and use my phone with T-mobile
I wont get 3g only 2g speeds.
same thing is you Unlock a 9700 from T-mobile you will get
2g speeds on AT&T.
every other feature of the phone should work.

[SwitchBeach]

To what carrier is the device branded?

Or check what 3G bands the device has on the Options > About screen. Do they match the frequencies of your carrier?

[-58-]

I'm in Ontario Canada, my carrier is Fido (who are a 2G network but they're owned by the larger Rogers and that's how they are able to offer 3G as well).

The device does not appear to be branded to any carrier. It was bought from Hong Kong though so maybe they removed it.

My last Bold 9000 was an unlocked phone as well and accessed the 3G network no problem.

[SwitchBeach]

What 3G bands does the device have?

[-58-]

How do I tell which 3G bands I have? Is it somewhere on the device itself or under one of the system options?

[llllBULLSEYE]

go to options>device>about
it should be there

[llllBULLSEYE]

btw if you purchased this phone from Hong Kong Im 100% sure
its not running on the Rogers/AT&T frequencies which is 850/1900.
usually in those surrounding countries they have 900/2100mhz

[grahamf]

Use Telus' compatibility checker: Non TELUS device compatibility checkÂ[b][/b]|Â[b][/b] Phones and devicesÂ[b][/b]|Â[b][/b] SupportÂ[b][/b]|Â[b][/b] TELUS Mobility

If it works on telus then it'll work on Fido.

[-58-]

Originally Posted by llllBULLSEYE

btw if you purchased this phone from Hong Kong Im 100% sure
its not running on the Rogers/AT&T frequencies which is 850/1900.
usually in those surrounding countries they have 900/2100mhz

You're right, running on 1 4 & 8 ... damnit, I didn't realize that. Frustrating as , well I guess that's the last phone I buy from HK.

[bobbydudeman]

Rogers/Fido use 1900 mHz for 3G, whereas Hong Kong carriers use 2100 mHz for 3G. Unfortunately, you will not get 3G on this phone with Fido. I had the same problem with a Swisscom 9700 (2100 mHz 3G) on T-Mobile USA (1700 mHz 3G). Although the phone's hardware will theoretically work with all GSM frequencies, some frequencies are disabled to prevent customers from unlocking their phones and switching carriers easily. There is no way to enable the frequencies which are locked.

Hope I helped