Questions about radios and signals-European vs US

[Mr_Drewskie]

So I was asking if it were possible to swap 16gb memory for 32gb and hot my answer.

After that disappointment I am wondering something. If I were to buy a European 925 32gb and swap the firmware for a north American 925 will that open the radio up to north American frequencies?

Are the frequencies determined by hardware or software?

 

[Vertego]

Not sure I can answer your query but this is what Vodafone UK says about frequencies:

3G network: UMTS 850/900/1900/2100
4G network: LTE 1800/2600/900/800

and this is what Nokia say:

Data Network .LTE network bands: 1, 3, 7, 8, 20.
.LTE max data speed DL: 100 Mbps .
.LTE max data speed UL: 50 Mbps .
.WCDMA network: 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1900 MHz, 2100 MHz.
.WCDMA max data speed DL: HSDPA - 42.2 Mbps .
.WCDMA max data speed UL: HSUPA - 5.76 Mbps .
.GSM network: 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 1900 MHz.
.GSM max data speed DL: EGPRS 236.8 kbps .
.GSM max data speed UL: EGPRS 236.8 kbps .

How does that compare?

I wouldn't have expected any real issues as I can easily come to the US and use my UK phone while roaming.

 

[Mr_Drewskie]

Well I know European frequencies are not the same as north American ones. What I want to know is are the frequencies for GSM and lte determined by firmware or is it hardware.

 

[slotti]

Well I know European frequencies are not the same as north American ones. What I want to know is are the frequencies for GSM and lte determined by firmware or is it hardware.

hardware. Firmware flash won't do any good.
European GSM is pretty much the same as NA except for T-mobs 1700 band in the US. LTE is completely different though and not compatible.