[Q] xt1060 - band 4 LTE - global SIMs

[tchaika]

Two questions related to the Moto X Developer Edition for VZW (xt1060):

1) Does the DE version of the xt1060 actually support Band 4? I've seen mixed opinions on this; some sites claim it only supports Band 13. My hometown has a deployment on Band 4, what Verizon calls XLTE, I've confirmed via phones with field test modes that allow you to see which band you're on. Unfortunately, I've never seen any evidence that my DE xt1060 will connect to this network. It always seems to end up on the overburdened Band 13 network, even if I sit directly below a tower that I know has Band 4 on it.

2) What caveats apply if I wish to purchase a prepaid SIM abroad for my next trip to Finland? I just got back from there and used the $25/100MB plan, which worked well enough, but even with limiting my data usage I still ended up with >300MB of usage and $100 worth of charges. There's a prepaid provider there that offers unlimited data for €17/mo, so I'm strongly considering that for my next visit. Obviously I won't get LTE but HSDPA seemed plenty fast enough on my last trip.

 

[nhizzat]

1. According to every support document and spec sheet, it does. It became available with the 4.4 firmware.
2. None that I know of. Just put the sim card in the tray and power the phone on.

 

[KidJoe]

To expand on what @nhizzat said...

1. When originally shipped, the XT1060 (Verizon X) supported only LTE Band 13. With Android 4.4, LTE Band 4 support was added. Many web sites (including Moto's) did NOT go back and update their info, hence the confusion and disagreements (some would point to an outdated web site to say "here is what it supports")

I do have an app which shows me the band in use. And I do get Band 4. In addition, I get LTE with my T-Mobile USA sim in my DE VZW X. T-Mobile doesn't use LTE band 13, but does use LTE band 4 in some areas. If the phone didn't support Band 4 LTE, I wouldn't get LTE on T-Mobile.

2. After powering up with the Non-Verizon SIM you might get an error message saying its not a Verizon SIM. You should be able to clear it. Also, depending on the carrier sim/network, you may have to manually enter APN settings for the target carrier in order for voice/data/sms/mms to work. I've also seen posts that when your bootloader is locked and write protection is enabled on the X, the Non-VZW APN settings may not survive a power off/on.

As for carriers/plans, I have no info.