Is the Alpha fully compatible with US AT&T?

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Frontier3

Senior Member
Jul 26, 2010
175
11
It seems like the Samsung Galaxy Alpha has all the necessary bands to be used with AT&T in the US. But does anyone know for sure? If Samsung takes too long to release this in America can I buy the UK version and use it in the US?

Thanks
 
S

sirobelec

Senior Member
Feb 20, 2014
284
124
GSM Arena says this about the device:

2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G Network LTE 800 / 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 / 2600

If what wikipedia says, AT&T uses the following frequencies:

2G: 850 / 1900.
3G: 850 / 1900.
4G: 700 block B (main frequency) / 1700 AWS / 1900 / 2300.

So, if I read correctly, you can use the international Alpha for 2&3G, but for LTE, you are covered only by one LTE band, 1900, and this being not a main frequency, won't have good coverage everywhere, I think.
 
blairh

blairh

Senior Member
Apr 26, 2012
76
8
USA
sirobelec said:
GSM Arena says this about the device:

2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G Network LTE 800 / 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 / 2600

If what wikipedia says, AT&T uses the following frequencies:

2G: 850 / 1900.
3G: 850 / 1900.
4G: 700 block B (main frequency) / 1700 AWS / 1900 / 2300.

So, if I read correctly, you can use the international Alpha for 2&3G, but for LTE, you are covered only by one LTE band, 1900, and this being not a main frequency, won't have good coverage everywhere, I think.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Does this pertain to HSPA+ too?
 
S

sirobelec

Senior Member
Feb 20, 2014
284
124
blairh said:
So I'd get HSPA+ anywhere I'd get it from an AT&T phone, just not LTE necessarily?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Yes. If it was me to make the decision, I'd want my phone with an unlocked bootloader, HSPA+ is good enough speed for me.
Though, practically, I've never tested LTE in my life, until recently we didn't have any 4G networks. :D
 
S

stevensmiami

New member
Oct 3, 2014
4
1
International Galaxy Alpha NO US LTE on ATT or TMO

derekmarch said:
It seems like the Samsung Galaxy Alpha has all the necessary bands to be used with AT&T in the US. But does anyone know for sure? If Samsung takes too long to release this in America can I buy the UK version and use it in the US?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I bought an unlocked international/Euro Galaxy Alpha SM-G850F at the London Samsung store... Installed my USA ATT SIM and have no prob w. calls or H or H+ data but can NOT get LTE band in the USA on either ATT or TMO even though the device seems to have the right bands for ATT or TMO LTE. On advice from an ATT Wireless store manager, I updated my APN settings to match ATT setup but still did not get LTE. FYI my H+ is quite fast for most purposes but I want LTE. Hope that answers your question.... Mine is how can I get LTE???
 
P

phositadc

Senior Member
May 7, 2010
2,103
341
stevensmiami said:
I bought an unlocked international/Euro Galaxy Alpha SM-G850F at the London Samsung store... Installed my USA ATT SIM and have no prob w. calls or H or H+ data but can NOT get LTE band in the USA on either ATT or TMO even though the device seems to have the right bands for ATT or TMO LTE. On advice from an ATT Wireless store manager, I updated my APN settings to match ATT setup but still did not get LTE. FYI my H+ is quite fast for most purposes but I want LTE. Hope that answers your question.... Mine is how can I get LTE???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse


Are you sure the European version has correct U.S. LTE bands? I was under the impression that it does not....
 
S

stevensmiami

New member
Oct 3, 2014
4
1
stevensmiami said:
I bought an unlocked international/Euro Galaxy Alpha SM-G850F at the London Samsung store... Installed my USA ATT SIM and have no prob w. calls or H or H+ data but can NOT get LTE band in the USA on either ATT or TMO even though the device seems to have the right bands for ATT or TMO LTE. On advice from an ATT Wireless store manager, I updated my APN settings to match ATT setup but still did not get LTE. FYI my H+ is quite fast for most purposes but I want LTE. Hope that answers your question.... Mine is how can I get LTE???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

phositadc said:
Are you sure the European version has correct U.S. LTE bands? I was under the impression that it does not....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Originally Posted by sirobelec
GSM Arena says this about the device:

2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G Network LTE 800 / 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 / 2600

If what wikipedia says, AT&T uses the following frequencies:

2G: 850 / 1900.
3G: 850 / 1900.
4G: 700 block B (main frequency) / 1700 AWS / 1900 / 2300.

So, if I read correctly, you can use the international Alpha for 2&3G, but for LTE, you are covered only by one LTE band, 1900, and this being not a main frequency, won't have good coverage everywhere, I think.
 
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robertkoa

Senior Member
May 27, 2014
328
52
Samsung Galaxy S21
I am trying to solve this also.

I think that the Euro Version with the Exynos does not have the proper LTE Bands for North America LTE.

But the Qualcomm version does, though not sure about
TMobile.

I am looking at this from Canada GSM for $ 549. Factory Unlocked with following Bands:
2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900

3G Network HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100

4G & LTE 2100, 1900, 1800, 1700, 2600, 700, 850

Obviously for AT&T you just buy theirs.

I have read that the EXYNOS versions do not function in North America on LTE.

With all phones it seems that you must be very very
Specific about Model Numbers including Suffixes etc.

Especially SAMSUNG loves to make 24 versions of ALPHA, 50 versions of S4 etc.

Frequency Bands are a real WTF for amateurs like me:

For example are there TWO DIFFERENT 1700 bands, one for4G LTE and one for 3G , HSPA + or are they the SAME BAND with dual usage ?

In example ABOVE the Alpha Factory Unlocked Canada GSM @$ 549.

IF used for TMobile the LTE Bands look fine, but the 3G
1700 Band is not there. Will 3G merely use the 1700 LTE
band or does the SOC ( QUALCOMM) need to have
allocated the 1700 band for dual usage LTE and.3G
?
 
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    stevensmiami
    stevensmiami said:
    I bought an unlocked international/Euro Galaxy Alpha SM-G850F at the London Samsung store... Installed my USA ATT SIM and have no prob w. calls or H or H+ data but can NOT get LTE band in the USA on either ATT or TMO even though the device seems to have the right bands for ATT or TMO LTE. On advice from an ATT Wireless store manager, I updated my APN settings to match ATT setup but still did not get LTE. FYI my H+ is quite fast for most purposes but I want LTE. Hope that answers your question.... Mine is how can I get LTE???
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    phositadc said:
    Are you sure the European version has correct U.S. LTE bands? I was under the impression that it does not....
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    Originally Posted by sirobelec
    GSM Arena says this about the device:

    2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
    3G Network HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
    4G Network LTE 800 / 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 / 2600

    If what wikipedia says, AT&T uses the following frequencies:

    2G: 850 / 1900.
    3G: 850 / 1900.
    4G: 700 block B (main frequency) / 1700 AWS / 1900 / 2300.

    So, if I read correctly, you can use the international Alpha for 2&3G, but for LTE, you are covered only by one LTE band, 1900, and this being not a main frequency, won't have good coverage everywhere, I think.
    View

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