AT&T compatibility

[LudditeJones]

Hello,

New here. I recently purchased an HTC U11. I have not even unboxed it yet because I have been reading a lot of things on-line about it not being fully compatable with AT&T network. Specifically I have read that I will be unable to use VoLTE, Video Calling or Wifi Calling. And if I contact AT&T to activate the phone, I will also lose LTE coverage and will be relegated to HSPA+. One person said that MMS is very low quality (very pixelated) .

All the issues I was reading about, including on this site, were from June and July. Couldn't find any current discussion to find out if the issues have been resolved. I was able to get a Tech Support Chat with an AT&T rep who assured me it should work now. Here is the chat:

AT&T : Hello! Thanks for choosing AT&T Chat.
Seana : Thank you for reaching out to AT&T Advanced Technical Support. My name is Seana, and I will be your resolution specialist.​ (✿◠‿◠)
Seana : Hello, How can I help you?
Me: I purchased an HTC U11 but have not activated it yet because I am reading a lot of things online that say it is not fully supported on ATT
Seana : Did you buy it through AT&T?
Me: No, ATT does not sell HTC
Seana : It will work with AT&T most features are included.
Me: will I be able to use VoLTE?
Seana : Yes
Me: Some people have said that once they activated the phone with ATT they lose LTE coverage and will be relegated to HSPA+
Me: is this true?
Seana : It is the same
Me: LTE is the same as HSPA+?
Seana : Yes
Me: All the reports of the comparability issues are from several months agao. Do you know if there were issues that have now been resolved?
Seana : Yes they have.
Me: My current phone has a micro sim. I believe the U11 takes a nano sim. Do I just take it to an ATT store and they will give me a new sim?
Seana : Yep You can get a free replacement at any AT&T store
Me: OK. I just want to confirm. I am a little nervous about all the reports of the phone not functioning fully on ATT. Are you telling me that you are aware that there were some issues in the summer but they have been resolved?
Seana : Correct
Me: Great. last two questions.
Me: If I have a plan that suppoerts the use of mobile hotspot will it work on this phone?
Seana : Let me double check that one
Seana : So we strive for all devices to work on our network, however there is no guarantee since it is not an AT&T certified device.
Seana : Since hotspot is a fairly common feature it is more likely it will work
Seana : We just can't guarantee it
Me: ok
Me: can you email me a copy of this chat?
Seana : For your record, you can also email the transcript of our conversation by clicking on the “” icon on your chat window.
Me: Thanks. You have been helpful.
Seana : Of Course!
Seana : Is there anything else I can help you with today?
Me : nope
Seana : Okay, Perfect!
Seana : I hope you have a great evening!
Seana : Happy Holidays!
Seana : Thank you, for your continued loyalty and for your input on helping us remain your first choice for your wireless and entertainment needs. We appreciate your business. -Seana(✿◠‿◠)
Seana : Please use the x at the top of the chat window, so that notes will be saved correctly.
Me : Thanks. Same to you
Seana : Thank you!


This gives me a little more confidence. But am still a bit leery. Can anyone here confirm any of this? Have the issues been fixed? Any other issues I should know about? Fact is, I am currently using an HTC one X so it should be an upgrade either way but I would rather have all the functions available. Especially since HTC failed to send me free items as per their Black Friday sale (Fetch and JBL earbuds).

Thanks

 

[JEANRIVERA]

Not true at all

 

[Anon2016]

Seana : It is the same
Me: LTE is the same as HSPA+?
Seana : Yes

I would have ended the chat here. Either Seana is an idiot or Seana thinks you are an idiot. Either way the claim is BS.

 

[LudditeJones]

I figured as much. Are there any members here that use this phone on AT&T and can share their experiences? Is it worth activating or should I just return it and buy a Samsung from AT&T?

I read a couple of people who said they talked with tier 2 tech support who told them they would "add their phone and IMEI to the ATT system" and that it would allow all the features to work. I never found any posts from those people saying if it resolved the issues or not.

I have read some great things about this phone from users on this and other forums. I am really excited about it and really want to keep it. That said, even though my current phone doesn't have most of these features so I wouldn't really be missing anything, it is the principle of the matter. The whole point is that I am trying to upgrade.

 

[JEANRIVERA]

I figured as much. Are there any members here that use this phone on AT&T and can share their experiences? Is it worth activating or should I just return it and buy a Samsung from AT&T?

I read a couple of people who said they talked with tier 2 tech support who told them they would "add their phone and IMEI to the ATT system" and that it would allow all the features to work. I never found any posts from those people saying if it resolved the issues or not.

I have read some great things about this phone from users on this and other forums. I am really excited about it and really want to keep it. That said, even though my current phone doesn't have most of these features so I wouldn't really be missing anything, it is the principle of the matter. The whole point is that I am trying to upgrade.

To be honest the phone is awesome and since you coming from a really old device you are still getting a hell of an upgrade the phone worth every penny you pay for it and VoLTE is not such of a big deal you still be able to browse the net while on a call in hspa+ which to be honest it is not bad at all is just that could be better on VoLTE bcz you would be able to browse the net in LTE speeds but it is not something I would take in consideration to return the phone

Sent from my HTC U11 using XDA Labs

 

[LudditeJones]

Thanks for the quick reply. This is my concern: I live in a place where my only internet option is my phone. When home, my phones hotspot is on at all times and I use my laptop and tablet just fine. If I am on a phone call and need to also use the internet at the same time it gets super slow. I am assuming that this is where VoLTE would help me. Maybe I am wrong.

I do agree that either way it will be an upgrade. Like I said, it is just the principle of the matter. HTC already screwed me out of the free items I was supposed to receive from their Black Friday sale. I was supposed to receive JBL earbuds and a Fetch device but did not. Customer service said they can't just send me the items. They told me to return the phone and repurchase. I pointed out that the sale is over and that if I repurchased the phone it would be $50 more and not include the free items. They said this is true. They couldn't seem to grasp the issue with that. Anyway, I already feel like a sucker and now I have to come to terms with AT&T screwing me as well. I am willing to swallow my pride if the phone experience is worth it though.

 

[LudditeJones]

I just spoke with a tier 2 tech support person at AT&T. I explained the concerns. He said it is hit or miss with unlocked phones. According to him the issue is usually the APN (access point name). He told me to make sure it says nxtgenphone. If it doesn't I should change it.

For what it is worth I asked him point blank if AT&T restricts certain features from phones that are not purchased from them. He said no, there would be no way for the network to know if a phone was purchased from them or not. If this is true then it should just be a matter of getting all the settings correct on the phone. I guess I will activate the phone today and see what happens.

 

[JEANRIVERA]

I just spoke with a tier 2 tech support person at AT&T. I explained the concerns. He said it is hit or miss with unlocked phones. According to him the issue is usually the APN (access point name). He told me to make sure it says nxtgenphone. If it doesn't I should change it.

For what it is worth I asked him point blank if AT&T restricts certain features from phones that are not purchased from them. He said no, there would be no way for the network to know if a phone was purchased from them or not. If this is true then it should just be a matter of getting all the settings correct on the phone. I guess I will activate the phone today and see what happens.

I got that answer too believe me it won't work and they lied to you again they do now if the phone is an at&t phone or not by the IMEI once gets connected to their network and it is even easier for them to know is not a device sold by them when they don't even carry HTC phones anymore on a side note I tried every configuration possible form my M8 and HTC 10 to perfect match on my U11 and still didn't work if you really want to use VoLTE and it is a priority for you then don't buy the U11 or ask for refund bcz is simple VOLTE IT IS NOT GOING TO WORK !!! Believe me !!!!

Sent from my HTC U11 using XDA Labs