Unlocked Druid 2 Global abroad- no data!

[aznightshade]

Hi everyone,

I am currently in Netherlands. I brought my unlocked Droid 2 Global hoping to buy a local SIM card and use it instead of Verizon SIM. I got a new SIM from Vodafone, popped it in and realized that I could call and send SMS but I had no data (the plan I bought included 1G of data). I went through all the settings, rebooted, switched between Global and GMS networks- no luck. Then I read that someone had the same problem with this phone and wrote that when he inserted a mini SIM (which is for iphones +an ill fit for Droid 2), he got a data access right away. I bough a second SIM w 1G of data, this time a mini SIM. I also bought an adapter which turns mini sim into a normal size sim to make sure it will fit Droid 2 right away. I still have no data. It is a mystery to me and to all Vodafone representatives. I don't know why I have this problem and if there is any setting I can change to be able to use data. Is it possible that Droid 2 has locked data for non Verizon sim cards? Any help is appreciated.

Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using DroidForums

[aznightshade]

Also, my phone is not rooted. I got an unlock code from Verizon.

Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using DroidForums

[leobg]

Did you create the necessary APNs for data to work?

Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL

[TJConnery]

I use my D2G rooted phone in Ireland with my Verizon sim card. Could not get a foreign sim card to work with fission, so while I have limited and very expensive roaming data via 3G, I bought an O2 wifi hot spot. €50 for the device, and €20 for 5G of data per month and connect both the phone and Xoom. Works great!

I don't use voice much since it is so expensive.

BTW, I don't think you can get data in 2G GSM areas. That is the only drawback I have experienced.

Sent from my Xoom using DroidForums

[haro]

check data delivery in setting, try enabled roaming data

set ur apn setting, if it cannot save, battery pull up
but try to do tis whr there a gd 3g signal

[turnpike]

no data is available in host countries with stateside verizon phones even it's offered on through the sim card company

something to due with phones designed for the states...

[aznightshade]

Thank you all for replying. I set APN as live.vodafone.com and had no problem saving it, it didnt switch to Verizons emgsm.vzw3g.com or another Verizons APN created for roaming (don't remember the name). I tried w roaming off and roaming on, didnt work. I will try again later and if anything changes, I will let everyone know.

If Turnpike is correct, I dont understand why Verizon would block data for their phones abroad when we use them w other carriers, but at the same time let us use voice and sms. It doesnt make sense to me... The only reason I switched to Verizon from AT&T is that they finally got a decent phone w a SIM card so I could use it freely abroad... Well, I thought I could...

Is it possible that this data blockage has something to do w Vodafone and Android phones?
I really don't want to waste more money on other carriers SIM cards unless someone can confirm that it is possible to use data w Droid2 Global without Verizons SIM.

Also, my signal on this phone is consistently weak. Rarely goes to 3 bars, usually stays at 1 or 2. I have the same problem at home, in USA. I put three Verizon phones side by side and my Droid2 Global w my husband's regular Droid would show 2 bars when an old LG phone shows 4.

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[leobg]

You really need to read throughout the board here before posting all these questions, because they are pretty much covered all.

You can certainly use Droid 2 Global outside US with SIM card NOT from Verizon as long as you can havi it unlocked to accept foreign SIMs. Mine is a live example. I use it outside US with a sim card from local provider and pretty much it is alright.
All the rest (aside unlocking) is a matter of configuration of the settings of the phone and sometimes the model of the sim card you slide in. D2g does not like old sim cards, you need to get brand new if yours is 1+ year old. Turns out iPhone 4 sims (microsims) work best. Confirmed by another member on Vodafone NL and by me on Rogers Canada. This pretty much covers connection stability issues and cases when APN don't save.
Signal being shown as weak is known bug. Simply ignore it. You may have no bars on antenna and still be able to pump out 6Mbps downloads and make crystal clear calls.
One of the first steps you take is to switch phone to GSM/UMTS mode ONLY. Then reboot to avoid any issues with mix ups with baseband (and some cases of disappearing APNs), then go ahead in settings and add all required APNs for the operator your sim is from. You may or may not need roaming data on, depends on operator.
Across other boards D2g is being confirmed to work on many operators across North and South America, Central America, europe and Asia (havent seen anybody from Antarctica or Africa yet )
Make sure you go thru the stickies here in this board and don't hesitate to use the search function too

Since your troubles are on Vodafone NL, it might be a good idea to PM that member for more details and insight on the issue, since he was able to sort it out.

Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL (on Rogers in Canada )

[aznightshade]

For some reason Network Info II in "device" tab shows my USA's phone number and doesn't see my new one, from Netherlands.
The rest of the settings are fine: my MCC+MNC are 204 and 04.

I pressed *#*#4636#*#* in the dialer window to get to a debug menu, but the only message I saw related to a data was

GSM disconnects:======DATA=====
State: DcInactiveState
disconnected with last try at .... (time)
fail because Unknown Data Error
================ State: DcInactiveState
disconnected with last try at .... (time)
fail because No Error

I don't know what else can I do. I'm a little bit mad but I don't know if I should be mad at:
a) myself for switching to Verizon and getting a phone which is useless to me abroad
b) Verizon for blocking data capabilities abroad
c) Vodafone for not supporting data for Droid2 Global

[aznightshade]

Thank you, Leobg

I bought a regular sized SIM from Vodafone 4 days ago.
I bought a micro SIM for iPhones a day ago, so my SIMs are pretty fresh.
As I already wrote, I also tried w different settings on and off, but I will repeat them all again and make sure every time I change something, I reboot.
I did use search function and learned a lot as it is. Thanks to everyone for the useful info! I guess, I could have checked for a "weak signal" problem before complaining, my bad... ))
I didn't know I had to get Masters in Droid2 Global in order to use it abroad, but it looks like this is the only way to make it work )

You really need to read throughout the board here before posting all these questions, because they are pretty much covered all.

You can certainly use Droid 2 Global outside US with SIM card NOT from Verizon as long as you can havi it unlocked to accept foreign SIMs. Mine is a live example. I use it outside US with a sim card from local provider and pretty much it is alright.
All the rest (aside unlocking) is a matter of configuration of the settings of the phone and sometimes the model of the sim card you slide in. D2g does not like old sim cards, you need to get brand new if yours is 1+ year old. Turns out iPhone 4 sims (microsims) work best. Confirmed by another member on Vodafone NL and by me on Rogers Canada. This pretty much covers connection stability issues and cases when APN don't save.
Signal being shown as weak is known bug. Simply ignore it. You may have no bars on antenna and still be able to pump out 6Mbps downloads and make crystal clear calls.
One of the first steps you take is to switch phone to GSM/UMTS mode ONLY. Then reboot to avoid any issues with mix ups with baseband (and some cases of disappearing APNs), then go ahead in settings and add all required APNs for the operator your sim is from. You may or may not need roaming data on, depends on operator.
Across other boards D2g is being confirmed to work on many operators across North and South America, Central America, europe and Asia (havent seen anybody from Antarctica or Africa yet )
Make sure you go thru the stickies here in this board and don't hesitate to use the search function too

Since your troubles are on Vodafone NL, it might be a good idea to PM that member for more details and insight on the issue, since he was able to sort it out.

Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL (on Rogers in Canada )