[evan_2k]

Hello all,
I own 2 Bold 9900's. One is Tmobile branded, but unlocked. And the other is a unlocked Movistar Bold. I plan on using both on Tmobile here in the USA. I believe the Tmo one will work on there 3g/4g network. When I check out the Movistar Bold and look at the "About Device Versions" in the Option>Device menu, it says
BlackBerry 9900 smartphone (3G,Wi-Fi)
7.1 Bundle XXX
3G Bands 1,2,5,6
Etc....

On the Tmo version is says
BlackBerry 9900 smartphone (3G,/4G, Wi-Fi)
7.1 Bundle XXX
3G/4G Bands 1,4, 8
Etc....

The Tmo version says different bands then the Movistar. Will the Movistar Bold be able to also get 3G/4G and everything else as the Tmo Bold?

Thanks

[raino]

Short answer: it depends where you are (will be) in the US.

In some places, TMO has refarmed their 1900 (band 2) spectrum. So in these places, you will get 3G/'4G'. But in a lot of other places, you still need a phone with band 4.

[evan_2k]

Short answer: it depends where you are (will be) in the US.

In some places, TMO has refarmed their 1900 (band 2) spectrum. So in these places, you will get 3G/'4G'. But in a lot of other places, you still need a phone with band 4.

Ok, I'm in Miami FL. How can i tell if there in the 1900 spectrum down here? I know with my z10 I get LTE.

Example: lets say they have the 1900 spectrum (band 2) down here and i'm using the Movistar Bold that has that band, and I travel outside the area that is covered. Will the phone not work because it doesnt have band 4??

Thanks for replying

[evan_2k]

Which of the 2 would be better for me to use?

[raino]

The Movistar phone will work everywhere. The only thing you may or may not get, depending on where you are, is 3G and '4G'. So if you go outside a 1900 market, you will see 2G speeds only.

If you want to get an idea of how good the 1900 3G coverage is around you, check out this website: Sightings of T-Mobile 3G/4G/HSPA+ coverage on 1900MHz (PCS/UMTS band II)

[raino]

Which of the 2 would be better for me to use?

For TMO? Definitely the one with band 4.

[Upgrayedd111]

From what I remember reading, and I may be wrong, T-Mo is doing their 1900mhz refarming at the same time as their LTE upgrade. So if you have T-Mo LTE in your area, you should have the 1900mhz hspa.

[evan_2k]

This is confusing. I just want to make sure I'm using a phone that will give me the fastest and up to date coverage that the phone can handle. Don't want to use one and the other is better.

Posted via CB10

[raino]

This is confusing. I just want to make sure I'm using a phone that will give me the fastest and up to date coverage that the phone can handle. Don't want to use one and the other is better.

If you have to pick between one of the two 9900s, pick the one from TMO.

[Upgrayedd111]

If you have to pick between one of the two 9900s, pick the one from TMO.

Agree. Even if the non-TMO one will get hspa in your area, the TMO branded one will have wifi calling capability without having to do any advanced setup.