topic Re: Unlocked Xperia Z3 Compact on AT&T? in Z Series

Unlocked Xperia Z3 Compact on AT&T?

RoscoV3 — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 18:48:10 GMT

I would like to know if the unlocked version will be compatible with AT&T. I know it is on T-Mobile and that their networks are sort of compatible but I want to make sure I'm not going to be buying something that isn't 100% functional on the AT&T network.

Thanks all

Re: Unlocked Xperia Z3 Compact on AT&T?

Thommo — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 19:04:57 GMT

You would be best directing this type of question towards Xperia care who should have the correct answer for you http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/support/contact-us/

Re: Unlocked Xperia Z3 Compact on AT&T?

JohnD1 — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 13:20:27 GMT

I've been trying to determine this myself. However - here is what I "think" I know.. I run both an Xperia ZL LTE (C6506) and an Xperia Z1 Compact (D5503) on AT&T. the Xperia ZL LTE supports LTE 700 / 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 while the Z1 Compact supports LTE 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 / 2600... OK - so what does all that mean?

First - the Z1 Compact and the ZL certainly connect to the AT&T network - but, for full compatability with AT&T's nationwide LTE network - you must have both LTE 700 (Channel 17) & 1700 (Channel 4). For that, typically my Z1 Compact will connect at HSPA+ speeds - while the ZL LTE runs at full LTE anywhere in the USA.

Second - what regions have AT&T LTE on which channel? No one can really tell me, and I've failed to find anyone who really knows - except to say, in my area, AT&T LTE is channel 17 (700), so again - my Z1 Compact won't work at LTE speeds (altough everything else works great..)..

So - here is the exact question that needs to be answered... Does the Z3 Compact support LTE 700 (channel 17). We already know it supports LTE 1700 (channel 4), as that that is what's used by T-Mobile in their LTE network.. If it does - the Z3C ought to fully support AT&T. If not - it will be 100% compatible in only certain areas of the USA with AT&T.

Anyway - that's the way I understand it..

- John

Re: Unlocked Xperia Z3 Compact on AT&T?

RoscoV3 — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 16:04:44 GMT

I contacted Sony Support as suggested above for them to give me the same information as everything out their about carrier bands.

Their Reply:

We are glad to hear your interest on our Xperia™ products, in regards to your inquiry about the Xperia™ Z3 Compact, you need to verify your carrier's frecuency for LTE, to confirm wich one of the models is compatible with your carrier's network. We have the following models:

*Xperia™ Z3 Compact D5803 LTE 700/800/850/900/1700/1800/1900/2100/2600

*Xperia™ Z3 Compact D5833 LTE 800 / 850 / 900 / 1800 / 2100 / 2600

*Xperia™ Z3 CompactD5833 LTE 2300 TDD"

So I just compared by current Moto X phone and the Xperia Z3 on gsmarena.com.

It looks like the D5803 would be the correct one to get. But this doesn't factor in channel numbers. Which is where the confusion sets in. Are these channels used by the phone? I'm unsure still and haven't found a straight answer.

Then there is this:

Still looks like the D5803 will work everywhere and that the frequency and band numbers don't matter. If the frequency matches then you should be good. I'm still going to research on this. No need in dropping 800 bucks or something on a phone that isn't going to work.

Re: Unlocked Xperia Z3 Compact on AT&T?

JohnD1 — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 18:32:25 GMT

Hi Rosco.!

Based on the bands...

It looks like the Z3 Compact D5803 is the one we would want (on AT&T in the USA).... As it includes both the LTE 700 & 1700... Those are the same specs as the ZL LTE that I use here in the USA for AT&T. And the LTE 700 is what is currently missing from the Z1 Compact - which, in my region - is why it goes only to HSPA+ (which is really an accelerated 3G )...

Hopefully, someone will correct me if I'm wrong..?

Best always,

John

@RoscoV3 wrote:
I contacted Sony Support as suggested above for them to give me the same information as everything out their about carrier bands.
Their Reply:
We are glad to hear your interest on our Xperia™ products, in regards to your inquiry about the Xperia™ Z3 Compact, you need to verify your carrier's frecuency for LTE, to confirm wich one of the models is compatible with your carrier's network. We have the following models:
*Xperia™ Z3 Compact D5803 LTE 700/800/850/900/1700/1800/1900/2100/2600
*Xperia™ Z3 Compact D5833 LTE 800 / 850 / 900 / 1800 / 2100 / 2600
*Xperia™ Z3 CompactD5833 LTE 2300 TDD"

Re: Unlocked Xperia Z3 Compact on AT&T?

JohnD1 — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 18:07:55 GMT

Hi Rosco,

I can now confirm that model D5803 is the one you want - and it works amazingly well on the AT&T US network (including LTE..!). It's an amazing device, and a terrific upgrade to my Z1 Compact.

Hope this helps,

John

Re: Unlocked Xperia Z3 Compact on AT&T?

RoscoV3 — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 18:11:36 GMT

That is awesome! Where did you order yours?

Glad it worked out! Congrats!

Re: Unlocked Xperia Z3 Compact on AT&T?

JohnD1 — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 18:18:36 GMT

I ordered it Sunday from an Amazon seller - who I *thought* had inventory in the USA (I'm a Prime Member, so I was hoping to get "2 day" delivery)? Turns out they had no stock in their Seattle location, but rather shipped from Hong Kong.. Ready for this, though? With "expedited" shipping ($18), they shipped it this Monday morning and it arrived at 9:30 AM this morning (Wednesday). Came in through Fedex International Priority - in three (!!!) days..!..

Wow..!

Anyway - I'm loving this new phone..!

John

Re: Unlocked Xperia Z3 Compact on AT&T?

RoscoV3 — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 20:40:50 GMT

Did it come with a US based charger? I'm thinking of getting it soon.

Re: Unlocked Xperia Z3 Compact on AT&T?

JohnD1 — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 20:56:08 GMT

It comes with a prong adaptors to convert from the ROW spec plug (round) to North American spec (blades). Typically, a store sending overseas will open the box and add the adaptor in - which is exactly what they did As well -- it works perfecly, although a bit bulkier then a standard US spec power adaptor.

As well - I was concerned that when I powered it on, I might have to fiddle with the settings to get to "English". Not the case. When I fired it up for the first time to set it up - it defaulted to English immediately.

Hope this helps!

- John

Re: Unlocked Xperia Z3 Compact on AT&T?

bkz81 — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 10:45:16 GMT

I have a quesiton about the sim cards. Doesn't the Z3 compact have a Nano sim instead of a mirco sim? I currently have a S3 on AT&T. http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=6538&idPhone2=4803 just wanted to make sure.

Re: Unlocked Xperia Z3 Compact on AT&T?

brokenman — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 16:12:38 GMT

The Z3 compact does take a nano-sim. You will have to go to an AT&T store to get one. This is painless - tell them you have a new unlocked phone that needs a new sim. It took me 5 minutes, zero cost.

Re: Unlocked Xperia Z3 Compact on AT&T?

brokenman — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 16:28:55 GMT

I can confirm JohnD's comment that the unlocked Z3 compact model D5803 works great on AT&T. I ordered mine from Amazon, they have an US-based supplier now and it is available with free 2-day shipping through Amazon Prime.

I had to go to the AT&T store to get a new nano sim and also had to change my plan from smartphone (unlimited data) to LTE (unlimited data). It was a painless experience and the lady at the store was very accommodating (and pretty hot). I think you can order one for free if you call AT&T but I have a store nearby and didn't want to wait.

The only problem I encountered was that I could not connect for mobile data until I added the correct APN. Following is the information on that if anyone needs it:

Settings - Wireless & Networks - More - Mobile Networs - Access Point Names - hit the + sign at the top to add. I added the following settings...

Name - att Phone

APN - phone

Proxy - not set

Port - not set

Username - not set

assword - not set

Server - not set

MMSC - http://mmsc.mobile.att.net

MMS proxy - proxy.mobile.att.net

MMS port - 80

MCC - 310

MNC - 410

Authentication type - none (different than not set)

APN type - default,mms,supl,hipri,fota (no spaces)

APN protocol - IPv4

APN roaming protocol - IPv4

APN enable/disable - check box, it should says enabled

Bearer - unspecified

MVNO type - none

Regards...BM

Re: Unlocked Xperia Z3 Compact on AT&T?

Emppeng — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 17:08:12 GMT

Brokenman,

Have you been able to get LTE with those APN settings? The best I get is H+ and that's after attempting several different APN's with ATT tech support. It seems I'm not along in this problem and in the link below someone talks about using his iPhone5 IMEI on his ATT nanoSIM to be able to get LTE.

http://forums.androidcentral.com/sony-xperia-z3-compact/444558-new-z3-compact-working-great-att-lte-network-confirmed.html

Re: Unlocked Xperia Z3 Compact on AT&T?

RoscoV3 — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 17:12:41 GMT

Have you tried this?

http://forums.androidcentral.com/sony-xperia-z3/442846-got-my-xperia-z3-4.html#post3937739

Re: Unlocked Xperia Z3 Compact on AT&T?

brokenman — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 18:00:51 GMT

Yes - I'm getting LTE with those settings.

Re: Unlocked Xperia Z3 Compact on AT&T?

Emppeng — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 05:02:42 GMT

So strange. I'm using those exact APN settings you have above and yet still no LTE. Something must be different (since we own the same model phone), I just wish I knew what?

Also RoscoV3, tried the "Internet Settings: Download" option and that again only provided H+ connectivity.

Re: Unlocked Xperia Z3 Compact on AT&T?

brokenman — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 12:52:57 GMT

There is a lot of discussion on the XDA Z3c forum http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3-compact/help about APN settings, etc. I notice that many people are buying European versions of the D5803 that are showing H+ (and maybe just H) but are measuring LTE speeds. There is a post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=55796221&postcount=28 that mentions flashing a US FTF firmware to get the LTE icon. I can't say it that will work sinec I have the LTE icon.

There are 2 apps I use to check connections and speeds: rootmetrics coverage map and advanced signal status, both from the play store. I dont understand all the information but from ul/dl speeds I can tell it is LTE and the coverage map shows an LTE connection (I think). On the signal status, make sure you are checking your cell signal speeds and not your wi-fi speeds.

Re: Unlocked Xperia Z3 Compact on AT&T?

JohnD1 — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 13:04:00 GMT

@brokenman wrote:
There is a lot of discussion on the XDA Z3c forum http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3-compact/help about APN settings, etc. I notice that many people are buying European versions of the D5803 that are showing H+ (and maybe just H) but are measuring LTE speeds. There is a post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=55796221&postcount=28 that mentions flashing a US FTF firmware to get the LTE icon. I can't say it that will work sinec I have the LTE icon.....

Sorry for the delayed reply to this thread but I've been traveling all week...

Anyway - brokenman is "right on" in his reply. In fact, my Z3C was imported from HK - and it showed the LTE icon since Day 1 - with the "downloaded" APN settings from the "Settings" menu. Those who have purchased from Clove and others in the UK do not have the LTE icon - but the "H+", which again - offer LTE speed (although the icon does NOT show LTE)..

As well - I flashed the "US" version from the XDA site to see if it had any difference on performance. I will tell you, in my experience - there is none (I haven't tried it with my T-Mobile nano-sim, however - only AT&T). My feeling is that the "US" version of the formware (XXX.93) is simply an Asian FTF file renamed to "US" to show the LTE icon..

Hope this helps,

- John

Re: Unlocked Xperia Z3 Compact on AT&T?

lettucefish — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 23:31:55 GMT

Did this work out of the box or did you have to do something to get it to work on ATT?