How to get UMTS working on N73?

J

Janaaa

New member
Hi there,

I'm in Seattle, WA and I recently got the N73 off ebay, unlocked, but branded with the TIM service provider.

Anyways, I was wondering how I would use Cingular's UMTS (3G right?) service... I know that they have it available in Seattle cause my friend's Blackjack picked up 3g but when I go to Network options and set the Mode to UMTS, then the phone restarts I get no signal and I can't do anything. But when I set it back to Dual Mode it seems pretty fast like the same speed as my friend's blackjack on 3g.

I'd like some more understanding of this UMTS , is it because I'm not on a 3g data plan or something?

Thanks in advance!
 
You will not be able to use your N73 on Cingular's 3G network. The radio frequencies between the network, and your hardware are different. The N73 works on networks which use the 2100mhz frequency, while Cingular I believe use 850/1900mhz for 3G transmission. In order to save battery life you should change your phone off of dual mode and on to "GSM Only".

-Kap
 
to complement Kaplanfx's completely correct and accurate response, I'll answer your next question.

There currently is no Nokia S60 device that WILL work on Cingular's 3G network. There were a handful of N80 prototypes made with the 1900 UMTS band, but they are extremely hard to find and the reports i've read say they're buggy as hell and you can't update the firmware (cause there were no production models made).

The Nokia N75 is still running Cingular's gauntlet of testing, and might come out in the next few months. Might being the keyword. Until then, like was suggested, just admit defeat and switch the network to gsm only. Tis a shame, though, for sure.
 
Great answers, much appreciated!

I see on Nokia's website that the n73 is expected to be released here you think they will change the hardware to support Cingular's frequencies?

And why can't the world just get along and use the same frequencies...
 
1. No I doubt you will ever see a US 3G N733.

2. Because the US has to deal with the FCC, who screws it all up.

3. If you're really interested in a US 3G s60 device, you will want to follow this thread. +
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?p=8561163#post8561163

Also check back on my site, http://www.symbian-guru.com on Tuesday, I will have a hands-on with the Cingular branded model posted.
 
The short answer? Blame the military.

The longer answer is that while the rest of the world has built out as follows:

GSM 900/1800
UMTS 1900(uplink)/2100(downlink)

The U.S. was in a bad position to standardize because 900/1800 were already in use for other purposes, so we went with GSM 850/1900; and the 2100mhz for UMTS has been until recently military use only. Recently, a bunch of the 2100mhz was auctioned off, and it's likely that T-Mobile will be deploying on UMTS 2100 for their 3G offerings...

...but before you get all excited, your N73 STILL won't work when T-Mo finally deploys either, because they will be doing their uplink on 1700mhz, rather than the world standard 1900mhz.

So, basically N. American frequencies are one big cluster****.

-olly
 
I have one other question.

With my N73, I'm right now on Cingular with the PDA Connect Plan:

http://www.cingular.com/cell-phone-service//cell-phone-plans/data-connect-plans.jsp

The unlimited is 45.99 but I was wondering if I can move to the Smartphone plans:

http://www.cingular.com/cell-phone-service//cell-phone-plans/smartphone-connect-plans.jsp

which is only 19.99.

Any advice? Is there a major loss of features going to a smartphone plan?
Thanks!
 
nope. in fact, according to cingular's policy, which says that only qwerty smartphones should be on the pda connect plan, you're on the wrong plan. call and get switched to the cheaper one stat!
 
Back
Top