Nexus 5 on CDMA Network

[Lee12311]

Will the Nexus 5 work on the MetroPCS CDMA network? I just ordered the phone and wanted to see if it will work on CDMA and not have to switch from my current plan.

 

[MrGlowy]

Metro now also runs on GSM AFAIK

 

[Shabbypenguin]

no its not possible to have it run on the cdma network.

 

[mrsmumbles]

People on Sprint can use it so it has the radio band, but I doubt if MetroPCS would let you use it.

 

[alfick3]

Metro's cdma uses diff frequencies than Sprint.

 

[Shabbypenguin]

cdma freqs are all teh same, its why you could flash/roam from alltel/sprint/cricket/metropcs/verizon etc. there is no denying you could indeed "get" teh n5 working by esn flashing (which is illegal) and youd be stuck on 3g. or... switch to metro's gsm and have 3g/hspa+/lte...

 

[alfick3]

cdma freqs are all teh same, its why you could flash/roam from alltel/sprint/cricket/metropcs/verizon etc. there is no denying you could indeed "get" teh n5 working by esn flashing (which is illegal) and youd be stuck on 3g. or... switch to metro's gsm and have 3g/hspa+/lte...

Ah, thanks for that clarification.

 

[iamsirlurkalot]

just have it on metros GSM network, i dont think your current plan changes (someone correct me)

and what you order was the GSM version, the CDMA version will be sold by sprint at their store/site i believe

 

[OcalaFlGuy]

You have to be on a current (price) plan for GSM.

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

 

[alfick3]

just have it on metros GSM network, i dont think your current plan changes (someone correct me)

and what you order was the GSM version, the CDMA version will be sold by sprint at their store/site i believe

If you buy it from the play store, it'll already be ready for Sprints CDMA network, right our of the box.

 

[iamsirlurkalot]

If you buy it from the play store, it'll already be ready for Sprints CDMA network, right our of the box.

really? interesting.. thought sprint were going to sell their own version, works better this way tho

 

[Gman9831]

Specs from Play Store
Network
2G/3G/4G LTE
GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
CDMA: Band Class: 0/1/10
WCDMA: Bands: 1/2/4/5/6/8/19
LTE: Bands: 1/2/4/5/17/19/25/26/41

Supported Service
Unlocked: Use with any provider that offers service on Nexus 5 supported networks
Carriers: T-Mobile, Sprint

 

[johnnyolivares]

You have to be on a current (price) plan for GSM.

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

Meaning that if we're on a cdma/LTE plan we'll have to switch to a GSM one?

 

[Gman9831]

Meaning that if we're on a cdma/LTE plan we'll have to switch to a GSM one?

There's no specific GSM plan you'll just have to switch to the current price plans if you get a GSM phone. The current plans have been around since 1/10/13 but it's only switching to a GSM that you've been forced onto them.

 

[mrsmumbles]

Meaning that if we're on a cdma/LTE plan we'll have to switch to a GSM one?

It will work with Sprint, but not Verizon. But Sprint might require you to buy it from them, I'm not sure.

 

[johnnyolivares]

There's no specific GSM plan you'll just have to switch to the current price plans if you get a GSM phone. The current plans have been around since 1/10/13 but it's only switching to a GSM that you've been forced onto them.

So no keeping my grandfathered $40 plan? I got this plan when the Galaxy Indulge first came out

 

[Gman9831]

So no keeping my grandfathered $40 plan? I got this plan when the Galaxy Indulge first came out

Nope has to be one of the ones currently on the website

 

[Gman9831]

It will work with Sprint, but not Verizon. But Sprint might require you to buy it from them, I'm not sure.

It capable of working with Verizon since it has the required bands but that would need Google and VZW to fix their relationship

 

[the hulk]

Will the Nexus 5 work on the MetroPCS CDMA network? I just ordered the phone and wanted to see if it will work on CDMA and not have to switch from my current plan.

It could be, but it's totally illegal, and it will not work at its full potential in terms of data.

It's like buying a corvette with a lawnmower motor, sure it looks pretty, but damn is it slow.

 

[jhawkkw]

It capable of working with Verizon since it has the required bands but that would need Google and VZW to fix their relationship

Yeah, People have tried putting already activated SIM cards in and it won't activate the phone on the network.

 

[the hulk]

Yeah, People have tried putting already activated SIM cards in and it won't activate the phone on the network.

but is verizon's LTE like metro'cs CDMA/LTE where the UICC card and IMEI have to be tied?

 

[jhawkkw]

but is verizon's LTE like metro'cs CDMA/LTE where the UICC card and IMEI have to be tied?

Not necessarily, people have been able to switch sim cards amongst devices and have them activate just fine. In fact, switching an already active one is currently the only way to activate the LTE Nexus 7 tablet on Verizon because they are still refusing to activate it on new sim cards.

 

[the hulk]

Not necessarily, people have been able to switch sim cards amongst devices and have them activate just fine. In fact, switching an already active one is currently the only way to activate the LTE Nexus 7 tablet on Verizon because they are still refusing to activate it on new sim cards.

gotcha, I guess everyone's set-up is different then

 

[whatsitsname]

Not necessarily, people have been able to switch sim cards amongst devices and have them activate just fine. In fact, switching an already active one is currently the only way to activate the LTE Nexus 7 tablet on Verizon because they are still refusing to activate it on new sim cards.

I think that only works on Lte data. The Lte is tied to sim card but calls and 3g data still goes through cdma. On cdma, subscriber identity is link to handset esn/imei and needs to be registered first.

 

[ebucemag]

I got a question, If I can get my IMEI of my nexus 5 into the Metro PCS database and have them activate the device on their cdma network, what, if any, hoops will I need to jump through?

Thanks.