Samsung Galaxy Note II (GSM)

If you have one or the other ( AT&T or T-Mobile ) is it possible to get the missing frequencies through a software unlock ? Or , is it a hardware difference in the radios ?

The two models were approved separately by the FCC. The AT&T model is SGH-i317 and the T-Mobile one is SGH-T889. So the hardware is at least somewhat different, and the antennas may be slightly different.

I can't say what's possible via software hack. I have no idea. I'd say no, but hackers can be quite clever. But if it's possible and you did that, you would technically be using the phone in a way it was not designed, optimized, nor tested for. So performance could be less than optimal. It would also not be FCC-approved for those extra bands, and so technically illegal (but of course it's not like anyone will come arrest you for that.)

Thank you Rich Brome for the quick response. The reason I asked is because one carrier may sell it cheaper than the other. If you can possibly unlock all of the bands and they have the same radios then you have more choices.

To be honest all I want to do is root it and get carrier bloat off this fine phone. Stock and clean is the way to go for me. Good luck to all of you who get this device, and please those on Sprint and TMO tell us how it works out?