[Q] Use your own carrier with Motorola Xoom?

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If you bought the WiFi-Only version of the Motorola Xoom, can you use your own SIM card to get 3G/4G data working on another wireless carrier? I really wanted the 3G version, but I did not want to sign up for a contract with Verizon Wireless. Or is the hardware incapable of supporting a 3G/4G Upgrade on the WiFi-Only version?

The Verizon data contract was just ridiculous. They wanted 20 dollars a month for 1GB of data, then 20 dollars more for each GB. I barely use my Comcast internet at home and easily hit 50GB a month with it. I'd much rather get some "Pay As You Go" data plan from another company and use their SIM card. I am sure this is not possible, but I thought I would ask anyway.

Thanks Guys!

I am wondering the same thing. Could we install a 3g card like the att 881u in the pci slot?

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In theory it would be possible, but then you are looking at coding an entire framework and driver lib for what ever card you get installed, if the Wifi Only board even has a slot of anything.

But if you have just metric tons of extra time on your hands, it would be better spent trying to convince Google to give us source for HC.

So Hawk2k8 posted a guide on how to get the 3G Xoom to work on another carrier. http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1016158

My question is, if we buy a Verizon 3G SIM card, can we use it on our WiFi only Xoom? What are the differences between the 3G version and the WiFi version? Can we activate 3G on our WiFi-Only version by flashing it with the 3G image?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by jonnirage

So Hawk2k8 posted a guide on how to get the 3G Xoom to work on another carrier. http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1016158

My question is, if we buy a Verizon 3G SIM card, can we use it on our WiFi only Xoom? What are the differences between the 3G version and the WiFi version? Can we activate 3G on our WiFi-Only version by flashing it with the 3G image?

Thanks!

There is no such thing as a VZW 3g sim card. VZW's 3g runs on CDMA Evdo, which doesn't use any sim cards.

I assume you're referring to the LTE sim card, which is for their 4g network?

Fuuton: Atsugai

Originally Posted by jonnirage

So Hawk2k8 posted a guide on how to get the 3G Xoom to work on another carrier. http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1016158

My question is, if we buy a Verizon 3G SIM card, can we use it on our WiFi only Xoom? What are the differences between the 3G version and the WiFi version? Can we activate 3G on our WiFi-Only version by flashing it with the 3G image?

Thanks!

The WiFi only model has no radio to support a 3G/4G connection. I'm not sure if the slot is still there on the WiFi model.

If it does exist, you would have to do quite a bit to get it working:

• reflash the firmware to support the new radio
• find/create a driver that supports the radio and works with the OS
• program the radio to work with your carrier
• tear apart the Xoom to insert the radio

As stated above, that's a ton of work to do in order to make this work.

...or just wait for the UMTS model (mz601/3) with the right frequency bands.

Originally Posted by LordLugard

There is no such thing as a VZW 3g sim card. VZW's 3g runs on CDMA Evdo, which doesn't use any sim cards.

I assume you're referring to the LTE sim card, which is for their 4g network?

Fuuton: Atsugai

Actually Verizon DOES have 3g SIM cards. They use them in the MiFi devices. I have installed a number of the ZTE Fivespot devices for users where I work and I've actually opened them up and seen the SIMcard. The SIM in the MiFi is for the GSM/GPRS/EDGE connectivity.

This is the Verizon SIM card

Originally Posted by SPIDERTECH

Actually Verizon DOES have 3g SIM cards. They use them in the MiFi devices. I have installed a number of the ZTE Fivespot devices for users where I work and I've actually opened them up and seen the SIMcard. The SIM in the MiFi is for the GSM/GPRS/EDGE connectivity.

This is the Verizon SIM card

That's not a VZW 3G SIM card (rather a Vodafone SIM card). Those are for when you're roaming on GSM networks in Europe or elsewhere they have roaming arrangements. All their dual mode CDMA/GSM phones and data devices have those Vodafone SIMs in them. Vodafone owns a majority of Verizon.

As far as running the xoom on another carrier, your pretty much limited to vzw or sprint in the USA. Its not GMS compatable......yet.