[Galaxy Note II General] BarryH_GEG:
This thread doesn't make a lot of sense. Most of us that aren't on T-Mobile made that decision for a reason. So a phone that additionally supports their funky AWS bands isn't any kind of bonus; nor is DC because AT&T's network doesn't support it. Buying a branded LTE-capable phone whose radios aren't configured for the network you want to use it on isn't "future proofing;" it means you can use LTE on that brand's network. If you want LTE buy a Sprint, VZW, or AT&T molested version of the N2. You're going to be paying full price for data so what difference does it make and you'll get it at a subsidized price. The whole reason people started importing unmolested phones was to get away from the damage the carriers do with their "enhancements" and to get updates directly from the manufacturer. I don't get why people would buy a molested version of a phone from one carrier to use on another. I also don't get why being able to move from one U.S. network to another is a benefit. No offense to anyone but if $5-10 a month is a financial hardship you shouldn't be buying a $600 phone.

So with all the LTE band incompatibility, we're talking about which is the best HSPA device to use on T-Mobile, AT&T, or one of their MVNOs. This doesn't concern T-Mobile/AWS users because their stuck with the T-Mobile N2 (or Wind/Mobilicity) unless they want to play a game of "find the 1900MHz spectrum" with any other HSPA version of the N2. So that leaves everyone else that's looking for a HSPA phone to use on either AT&T or one of their MVNO's.

First, you can still use the N7100 on the non-smartphone data plan; I have been for almost a week. It depends on how your account is provisioned and don't ask me why some people get flagged and some people don't. I haven't a clue. I've never had an IMEI associated to my account so that might be a reason. For people that have been flagged or are afraid they will be that want to stay on AT&T, the full price for HSPA data isn't that different from LTE so you may as well get a subsidized AT&T N2 and take advantage of LTE. And for people going through the gymnastics of using a T-Mobile N2 on AT&T because they haven't flagged it yet for non-smartphone data there's zero guarantee that it won't happen at some point in the future.

So the only group left to discuss are people using an AT&T MVNO. Assuming the off-contract price from either T-Mobile or AT&T is similar to the N7100 the latter is the one to get because it's not molested. If you can get a T-Mobile or AT&T N2 for less than a N7100 then it's your call as to whether the molestation is worth the savings.

So to recap:

Paying full price for data from AT&T or T-Mobile? Get one of their subsidized phones.

Want LTE? Get a subsidized phone from a carrier that offers it as there are no "cheap LTE" loopholes like there is for HSPA data.

Using T-Mobile or one of their MVNOs? You need a N2 that supports AWS which means a T-Mobile, Wind, or Mobilicity branded N2.

Using AT&T? Unless you're still able to use the data for non-smartphones plan you might as well use LTE and get AT&T's subsidized N2. If you're going to spin the wheel on non-smartphone data get a T-Mobile N2 or N7100 and hope for the best..

Using an AT&T MVNO? Either a branded GSM N2 would work as would the N7100. The latter is unmolested and you'll receive updates directly from Samsung.

Going to unlock and root your GSM N2? Buy whichever GSM N2 makes you the happiest and flash yourself senseless.

One final thing on the subject of flagging. AT&T and every other GSM carrier has access to a database of IMEI's in order to identify phones on their network. The first seven characters of a phone's IMEI is called a TAC (type allocation code) and identifies a phone's brand and model number. So at any point AT&T wants to they can access a phone's ID and block from certain data plans. None of us are playing the system; the system's allowing itself to be played.