Forum Discussion
T-Mobile USA, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE bring back activations for Non-VoLTE phones
T-Mobile, PLEASE BRING BACK ACTIVATIONS FOR NON-VOLTE DEVICES!!!!!!! There are many people in this country that want to use their older 2G- as well 3G capable phones along-side their LTE or 5G capable devices, and that is including me! I want to state that it is very bothersome when I want to use my 3 T-Mobile branded Nokia 3390s, or even my 5190, that they keep disconnecting with modern SIM cards I activate! It is very greedy of T-Mobile to do this to block new customers from using not just 2G devices, but also older LTE device such as:
Galaxy S3
Galaxy Note 2
iPhone 5
iPhone 5c
iPhone 5s
Galaxy S4
Galaxy Note 3
and many more early Non-VoiceHD LTE devices that are kind of rendered useless because of this forced VoLTE that new SIM cards are programmed on.
In many European countries like Germany where Deutsche Telekom is keeping 2G service active in it's full glory and explaining that 2G service will stay, and they even reassured people that 2G is staying for probably like ever, why don't we have that system here too where we can use whatever phone we want for forever? I mean, the 2G network will be around for a long time here so what's the issue to allow activations for non VoLTE devices?
As I said earlier I have many Nokia 3390s (and I plan to get more) that I would like to use on the T-Mobile network and that will make me very happy and many others like me as well, and T-Mobile will make lots of money for new activations of 2G service too and I know they are looking for that. I will literally activate all of my 2G-3G phones in a heartbeat once they bring back Non-VoLTE activations! T-Mobile USA, the Nokia 3390s have only 64k SIM support and I BEG YOU GUYS TO PLEASE BRING BACK 64K SIM SUPPORT AS WELL!!!!! I WANT TO USE MY NOKIAS AND OTHER BRANDS FOR MANY MORE YEARS TO COME!!!!! T-Mobile, I know you are reading this, and I want to point out that since you guys have no set date for a 2G shutdown and won't for a really long time to come, I do want you guys to seriously invest thought into bringing back activations for old Non-VoiceOver LTE back, if you guys can also please favor these old phones a little more and explain how awesome they are too when you guys create that specific page for old phones and activations too! T-Mobile, Thanks for keeping 2G GSM service active for us BUT PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE JUST LISTEN TO US AND BRING BACK 64K SIM SUPPORT SO WE HAVE EASY ACTIVATIONS That way you guys will have many more customers come on the network if that's what you guys are looking for!!!!!!!
¡Gracias David!
First off -- I HATE having my time wasted -- typing in a texted code (despise it) when not everything NEEDS to be THAT secure. (just ask for my dog’s name).
I didn’t apparently adequately describe my issue(s) with -- “Activating a bring your own device”.
My present -- current -- ancient TM phone (Note 3) to which I just added $300 in the TM account -- is NOT FULLY compatible with the NEW (greedy, selfish) LTE requirements
-- Extended LTE
-- VoLTE
and does not have them -- but works on the TM network without them.
So, could MANY (many) other devices -- as mentioned above. I just bought a new (used) Samsung Xcover Field Pro -- way, way, way better than my ancient Note 3 -- and cannot use it on the TM network -- for not having --
-- Extended LTE
-- VoLTE
My present phone does not have (nor do I need or am willing to pay for).
SO, if this isn’t about -- selfish TM greed (and throwing older phones in the pacific ocean) -- why not let new “Bring your own phones” operate using that part of the TM networks -- that works -- and still produces revenue (like my $600 per year)?
My question should be -- Are there any work-arounds in firmware or other “patches” to make these perfectly good phones (not yet in the Pacific Ocean) work on the TM network?
Gracias.
fireguy_6364 wrote:
DruW wrote:
First off -- I HATE having my time wasted -- typing in a texted code (despise it) when not everything NEEDS to be THAT secure. (just ask for my dog’s name).
I didn’t apparently adequately describe my issue(s) with -- “Activating a bring your own device”.
My present -- current -- ancient TM phone (Note 3) to which I just added $300 in the TM account -- is NOT FULLY compatible with the NEW (greedy, selfish) LTE requirements
-- Extended LTE
-- VoLTE
and does not have them -- but works on the TM network without them.
So, could MANY (many) other devices -- as mentioned above. I just bought a new (used) Samsung Xcover Field Pro -- way, way, way better than my ancient Note 3 -- and cannot use it on the TM network -- for not having --
-- Extended LTE
-- VoLTE
My present phone does not have (nor do I need or am willing to pay for).
SO, if this isn’t about -- selfish TM greed (and throwing older phones in the pacific ocean) -- why not let new “Bring your own phones” operate using that part of the TM networks -- that works -- and still produces revenue (like my $600 per year)?
My question should be -- Are there any work-arounds in firmware or other “patches” to make these perfectly good phones (not yet in the Pacific Ocean) work on the TM network?
Gracias.
you might opt to find a carrier that prefers to be stagnant when it comes to upgrading their network..why make it better right?I don’t know. What are issues or problems about this?
response to ==
“I don’t know. What are issues or problems about this? “
The issue is that I bought a new used unlocked (ATT) GSM Samsung Xcover Field Pro phone (can't justify new ones) and it fails to work (Emergency calls only) when I put my 20 year old TM sim in it. It fails ONLY because it lacks
-- Extended LTE
-- VoLTE
Which my present phone ALSO lacks -- but still works on the TM network (it's grandfathered). So, it shows that TM blocks BYO phones (not originally TM phones) ONLY because of this "OPTIONAL" requirement that does not diminish their network in any way.
So, I wasted my money on unlocked GSM standard phone that should work on the TM network -- but doesn't only because of likely greed to sell more TM supplied phones -- having TM features that many don't need and don't want to pay for. I just want a pretty basic smart phone.
Gracias,
DruW wrote:
response to ==
“I don’t know. What are issues or problems about this? “
The issue is that I bought a new used unlocked (ATT) GSM Samsung Xcover Field Pro phone (can't justify new ones) and it fails to work (Emergency calls only) when I put my 20 year old TM sim in it. It fails ONLY because it lacks
-- Extended LTE
-- VoLTE
Which my present phone ALSO lacks -- but still works on the TM network (it's grandfathered). So, it shows that TM blocks BYO phones (not originally TM phones) ONLY because of this "OPTIONAL" requirement that does not diminish their network in any way.
So, I wasted my money on unlocked GSM standard phone that should work on the TM network -- but doesn't only because of likely greed to sell more TM supplied phones -- having TM features that many don't need and don't want to pay for. I just want a pretty basic smart phone.
Gracias,
so which feature is it that many dont need or want? the ability to make data calls for improved call quality? since 3G is gone..and 2G is next..that only leaves data calls..
In response to --
“… so which feature is it that many dont need or want? the ability to make data calls for improved call quality? since 3G is gone..and 2G is next..that only leaves data calls.. “
I named them --
-- Extended LTE
-- VoLTE
Great bells and whistles and love to have, but don’t NEED and unnecessary FOR ME -- to have a functioning basic smart phone.
My new (used) Samsung Xcover field pro phone that doesn't work Is 4G. It's all I need (at this time) for a basic smart phone -- does not degrade the growth of the TM network in any way -- as my present phone works fine on the TM network without them.
Gracias.
Since you don't need a fully functional smartphone (i.e. T-Mobile can't text you if you didn't have VoLTE, you can't dial 911), then why not use a hotspot, and use your 'device' with everything but the phone feature ? Similarly, you could take your device to another carrier.
Response to --
" Since you don't need a fully functional smartphone (i.e. T-Mobile can't text you if you didn't have VoLTE, you can't dial 911), then why not use a hotspot, and use your 'device' with everything but the phone feature ? Similarly, you could take your device to another carrier."
On my present phone -- NOT having these two features -- TM DOES text me (too much) and I can call 911. VoLTE is a sub-function of VOIP -- that I do have -- and use often for WiFi only calls. I often use a "hot spot" -- but only with my laptop -- not for phone functions.
Gracias.
Just as a note: Verizon decommissioned CDMA, AT&T decommissioned 2G and 3G ( 3G still has signal in San Simeon CA on AT&T), Sprint decommissioned iDEN. T-Mobile , being the last holdout, still has 'some' 2G in some areas. Haven't seen 2G in new buildouts, or many rural areas with B12/B71 LTE (eg. UP of Michigan). Use your devices with a portable WiFi hotspot, and circuit switched voice / txt is EOL. You can contact FCC and plead your case.
Likewise CTIA (trade group for wireless)
https://www.ctia.org/what-to-know-about-the-sunsetting-of-2g-3g-networks-in-preparation-for-5g
