Xperia Arc S (LT18i) - no 3G?

[Gakusei]

Before everyone jumps on the bandwagon of saying the LT18i isn't compatible, I've read several reviews, read plenty of tech specs in online stores, and all of them point that the LT18i, specifically, is a quad-band (using GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 HSDPA 900 / 2100) AT&T 3G compatible phone. Even searching to solve this problem has had some folks here in the states successfully running it on 3G. Now maybe everyone is confused, so they assume the LT18i is compatible when it really isn't, that I don't know. It seems unlikely but I suppose plausible...

Anyway, onto the problem. I'm stuck on the EDGE network for internet. This in of itself is okay, kinda. Sure it takes about 1 to 3 minutes to load a simple page on the browser, and watching youtube videos is all but impossible (which is actually fine, considering the 2 GB data limit...). But surfing facebook via the app is fine enough, I can be patient, but looking at pictures? Forget it. I've entered these into the APN: 

Name: AT&T
APN: wap.cingular
Proxy: <Not Set>
Port: <Not Set>
Username: WAP@CINGULARGPRS.COM
Password: CINGULAR1
Server: <Not Set>
MMSC: http://mmsc.cingular.com
MMS proxy: wireless.cingular.com
MMS port: 80
MCC: 310
MNC: 410
APN type: <Not Set>

Network mode is selected WCDMA (preferred)/GSM. Changing it to either or doesn't make a difference.

When I got the phone and went into the AT&T store, the lady automatically gave me a new SIM card, since mine was super duper old. She transferred all my contacts and such onto the new SIM. So I don't think I need a new SIM card (but I'm listening none-the-less).

Restarting the phone, nothing. Updating the phone to the latest and greatest software version; nope.

Nada. Still stuck on EDGE network. Everything else works great though. I'm banging my head against the wall here. I'm ready to buy a plane ticket to pay a visit to the CEO of Sony Ericsson and demand the truth and a final "Well? WHICH IS IT?!"

So really now, are the reviewers and stores wrong about the 3G part? If so, then the LT18a will work for sure, right? If so, where can I pick that sucker up? Is the one for sale at the Sony store the LT18a (can't really tell). Its not a total loss, I can give this thing to my mom for xmas. She'll love it, it will be a huge upgrade over her 4 year old 'smart' phone, and the EDGE network will be just as fast as her current 'smart' phone is capable of doing.

Of course, I can live with the slower speeds for sure, but typically when I access the 'net on my phone its because I need it and I need the info ASAP. 

[frothe3]

Go to Amazon.com. You should have done your homework; a is for the NORTH AMERICAN market,the I phone INTERNATIONAL market like Japan and EU.

You should have also looked at the available bands. The LT15i band's are NO GOOD here in the US and NORTH AMERICAN market,since we operate on different frequencies that the EU and Asian markets. Even I KNEW THAT!!

[frothe3]

You need an LT18a. The Sony Store and Amazon sell the Arc s,MAKE SURE IT IS AN "a",not an "i"!!

[Ann154]

To get ATT 3G, you need HSDPA 850/1900 and NOT HSDPA 900 / 2100

[frothe3]

Ann,that is why he needs an LT18a,it is made for the North American market.

[hieutran972]

You got the wrong model. You need to get LT18a, I'm currently using that model and it works with the 3G data. Should of done more research before you bought it!

[edu76]

Hieutran972,

I have the LT18A model and the internet on this phone is not 3G.  The internet was not originally working, but after trying for about one hour with the ATT sales rep, he was able to make it work, for only for up to G only.  Do you know what do I need to do to get the phone to work up to 3G?

Thanks

[crash20]

Hi, I have an Xperia U that should be 3G capable with the 850/1900 bands, but I can't get any data access on it either. How were you guys able to get internet data on your phone? The Customer Sales rep told me I couldn't because my phone isn't in their pre-approved database...