International version supporting phone calls and band 1 eliminated?

[Explore3]

The Nvidia FAQ no longer lists the international version which supports LTE band 1 and phone calls. It still says there are three LTE versions of the Shield tablet but lists only 2. This may mean that Nvidia has eliminated the model. Unfortunately, that is the version I am interested in buying. I need support for band 1 and I want to be able to make phone calls.

Does anyone have any info on this?

http://shield.nvidia.com/tablet-faq/

WHAT CELLULAR NETWORKS DOES THE SHIELD TABLET LTE SUPPORT?
There are three versions of SHIELD tablet LTE. There is a North American version that works on AT&T, T-Mobile and Rogers on LTE bands 2, 4, 5, 7, and 17 and HSPA bands 1, 2, 4, 5.

There is a second International version that works on popular European and Asian networks. It supports LTE bands 3, 7, 20 and HSPA+ bands 1, 2, 5, 8.

Check with your favorite carrier to verify coverage in your area.

PS If they actually produce the third LTE version, I would like to purchase it in the USA.

PPS The description below no longer appears in the FAQ.

The third version also works on popular International carriers, in addition to including voice support on compatible networks. It supports LTE bands 1, 3, 7, 20 and HSPA+ bands 1, 2, 5, 8.

 

[rebski]

The Nvidia FAQ no longer lists the international version which supports LTE band 1 and phone calls. It still says there are three LTE versions of the Shield tablet but lists only 2. This may mean that Nvidia has eliminated the model. Unfortunately, that is the version I am interested in buying. I need support for band 1 and I want to be able to make phone calls.

Does anyone have any info on this?

http://shield.nvidia.com/tablet-faq/


PS If they actually produce the third LTE version, I would like to purchase it in the USA.

PPS The description below no longer appears in the FAQ.

Well spotted.

The UK site confirms all three but perhaps that is just slow to update
http://shield.nvidia.co.uk/tablet-faq/

 

[jaredmorgs]

Could you work around this by flashing the radio from the recovery image of the LTE variant that suited you? Or is it a bit more complex than that?

 

[rebski]

The UK FAQs page has been updated. The statement "There are three versions of SHIELD tablet LTE" remains but only two versions are listed.

Typical Nvidia debacle. At least edit the statement to read 'two versions'.

 

[RollWii]

is there a way to enable the Band 1? im here at the Philippines and im only getting 3G connection whilst using my Phone with same Simcard i can get LTE signals

 

[ErickZ5]

You can still text and phone from shield; as long as you're connected..

I know this might not be the info youre looking for specifically, but...
I believe it can help some people, like it helped me
I couldnt sleep without having a chance of a phone options on this tablet until i found the solution the day 3 since owning the Shield. There is an app for this purpose on playstore, and its totally free. To some extent, still worth the try.
Look for editor choice app, after typing in "textplus" you should have it burning into your eyes upon confirming that search. textPlus Free Text + Calls
Now, i havent tried phone calls yet, you get free 5 minutes and the rest can be added free by watching 15 second videos, completing surveys, sharing on social sites etc. (Videos work decent easy , if you got time and patience you could get 100 minutes a day, if not more than that )
You register an account with them, email, simple, pick your area phone and get a number from them. Text works like a charm. Although i did not try to install any other sms app on it, only using the very app itself for messaging and it does serve its purpose well.

I hope i helped to some of you guys. No rooting, common sense simple, free. Exactly what i was looking for.