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View Full Version : Is it possible to roam on at&t when tmobile is not in the area?


nik513
07-30-2009, 06:14 AM
I know I can mod the phone to use an at&t sim, but sometimes I am in an area with no tmobile and strong at&t signal, and I just want to use my tmobile sim and number.

Is this possible, and if so, how?
scrannel
07-30-2009, 07:33 AM
In my experience, not unless there is really no Tmo service at all, and even then it's questionable. When Tmo was first getting established in the states I could roam back and for any time between the services. No longer. Tmo will tell you they have roaming arrangements with AT&T, but...
f4phantomii
07-30-2009, 08:56 AM
Yes, you can switch to AT&T's network. I do this often when traveling since it seems my G1 (and my previous phone) were reluctant to switch automatically even when set to do so.

Go to Settings/Wireless Controls/Mobile Networks/Network Operators

Your phone should begin scanning for compatible cellular network providers. Usually that's Tmo and AT&T. If there is no Tmo network found, but AT&T is listed, you should be able to select it and it should connect.

Very often I find that even when I'm back into a T-Mobile area with strong service, it won't switch back on it's own. I have to manually select T-Mobile....and then sometimes it claims I don't have credentials to access the T-Mobile network! When this happens, usually a reboot fixes the issue.

But the short version is, yes, you should be able to force it to AT&T if no T-Mobile service is available.
nik513
07-30-2009, 09:49 AM
I've tried manually selecting at&t when there was no tmobile, it always said could not register sim card. I even tried rebooting. Maybe attempting to place a call? I know sometimes when my edge would lag loading a web page would force it to connect.
Stryder
08-06-2009, 11:52 PM
I know you can use ATT network for calls and text (I've done it before). I've called T-Mobile to verify it's allowed. They said its covered in your plan if you have nationwide coverage (meaning they won't charge you for roaming). I don't have a data plan so don't know if that applies as well (but I would assume the same).