I received the Samsung Focus 2 weeks ago today. After I post this I will be heading over to Amazon Wireless to make return arrangements.
I come from a Windows Mobile (Tilt 2) and I don't think I am yet ready to transition to this type of phone. I depend too much on Pocket Informant and I couldn't find any app to replace that. Actually this is not really the reason I gave up. This is the reason that kept me on the fence.
At my work I have a very poor 3G signal indoors. The signal fluctuates between 2 bars to no signal indication and sometimes switching to Edge. With the Tilt 2 I turn off 3G and that keeps the phone happy. Several times I found the Focus showing no signal (small crossed out circle at the top left). Even after I went to an area with good 3G signal the Focus did not change from its no signal status. I had to actually turn it off and back on (soft reset, I guess) to get a strong 3G signal.
Searching on Google for means to turn 3G off in the Focus showed that only a few months ago there was such an option Settings | Cellular. Apparently now it is removed.
With 3G trying desperately to hang in there instead of just giving up and letting Edge take over, this phone is useless to me 8 to 12 hours a day. The Tilt 2 had a similar issue before I tweaked it to give me the band switch. However the Tilt 2 did not get stuck in the no signal state. I wish AT&T did not remove this from settings.
So long, Focus.
Um... there's totally still an option called Cellular in Settings. Whatever, though. If you don't enjoy the phone, there's no reason for you to keep it. However, there's equally no reason for you to share this information with us, since a large part of your issue is born of ignorance of the OS (not finding a setting that is clearly there) and your lack of enjoyment of the phone should have no effect on anyone who owns one.
FishFaceMcGee said:
Um... there's totally still an option called Cellular in Settings. Whatever, though. If you don't enjoy the phone, there's no reason for you to keep it. However, there's equally no reason for you to share this information with us, since a large part of your issue is born of ignorance of the OS (not finding a setting that is clearly there) and your lack of enjoyment of the phone should have no effect on anyone who owns one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the Cellular option is still there, in Settings. However, unlike screen shots or pictures I saw during my search (see this sample), I do not have the option to turn off 3G.
If your phone has it, good for you. Mine does not. Hardly a reason to call me ignorant for this though.
That's strange. My Focus appears to have better reception than my Tilt 2.
Actually, the 3G only setting is under the diagnostic menu I believe. The should have a thread in this forum on it.
Update
I checked and its under the test menu
*#32489#
Back
Back
[7] Network control
[2] Band Setting
This may help you.
Tempest790 said:
That's strange. My Focus appears to have better reception than my Tilt 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me, side by side, the 2 phones had a similar reception. The Tilt 2 got an extra bar or 2 when I forced it to Edge. However, the Tilt 2 did not get stuck with the no signal indication.
Actually, the 3G only setting is under the diagnostic menu I believe. The should have a thread in this forum on it.
Update
I checked and its under the test menu
*#32489#
Back
Back
[7] Network control
[2] Band Setting
This may help you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While at this moment I do not have the phone with me, I just looked in the PDF I downloaded from that other thread (the PDF shows [2] Band Selection) and I remember that I was in that area and when I tried to make a change I got a message saying something about the selection or option being restricted. Sorry, but I do not remember the exact words. I guess I could try again later tonight after I get home. Thank you.
Tempest790 said:
Update
I checked and its under the test menu
*#32489#
Back
Back
[7] Network control
[2] Band Setting
This may help you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I select "[2] Band Selection" the exact message is:
"RAT Selection option is restricted".
Yeah, that's what I got. I also got my phone from freaking Amazon.com and didn't work right. Had do alittle talking around but they me exchange it at the Att Wireless Store. Have you actually tried any other Samsung Focus Phones to see if its just the phone itself?
I got mine from att store, I'm using the org diagnostic app version, I get same error message.
Seed 2.0 said:
I got mine from att store, I'm using the org diagnostic app version, I get same error message.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would switch phones then. The phone has to be unlocked to switch bands, even turning off 3G. That's stupid, I know. I have a Dell Venue Pro sitting here that can switch bands but that phone is VERY buggy.
Fuzzy John said:
Yes, the Cellular option is still there, in Settings. However, unlike screen shots or pictures I saw during my search (see this sample), I do not have the option to turn off 3G.
If your phone has it, good for you. Mine does not. Hardly a reason to call me ignorant for this though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FWIW: 3G = "Data Connection" on the Focus' settings menu. As far as I know, 3G has nothing to do with voice calls. I suspect that the name of that switch was changed with an eye toward future data options on cell phones. I hope that helps. (Even the person who posted that picture notes that they modified the label to be "Cellular Data". You can see that in the comments area of the image/post that you listed. )
GrayWolf is correct
These are GSM phone and voice only works on 2G.. data on 3G and Edge if necessary. that is why you can talk and use the internet at the same time. You turning 3G off does nothing for your call reception what so ever. When you turn off the Celluar data you turn off both 3G and edge. Also I believe the bars are only for the voice service.
ITDRAGON said:
GrayWolf is correct
These are GSM phone and voice only works on 2G.. data on 3G and Edge if necessary. that is why you can talk and use the internet at the same time. You turning 3G off does nothing for your call reception what so ever. When you turn off the Celluar data you turn off both 3G and edge. Also I believe the bars are only for the voice service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This might very well be correct, however on my Tilt 2 I have to turn off 3g in order to get full voice bars back in the location where my room is in my house. It doesn't seem to make any sense; why would the phone's 3g connection interfere w/ the 2g voice? Yet it seems like this is the case.
ITDRAGON said:
GrayWolf is correct
These are GSM phone and voice only works on 2G.. data on 3G and Edge if necessary. that is why you can talk and use the internet at the same time. You turning 3G off does nothing for your call reception what so ever. When you turn off the Celluar data you turn off both 3G and edge. Also I believe the bars are only for the voice service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry. I may have used the wrong terms. After all I admit I am not really familiar with all the terminology. I am more like a user. Anyway, on my Tilt 2 phone I have a switch which turn off 3G. This puts the phone in Edge mode. Gives me a lot better reception in areas where the 3G signal is flaky. True, I cannot talk and do data at the same time. Also true that my data rate is slower. But I can receive and make calls while I am in that area.
ITDRAGON said:
GrayWolf is correct
These are GSM phone and voice only works on 2G.. data on 3G and Edge if necessary. that is why you can talk and use the internet at the same time. You turning 3G off does nothing for your call reception what so ever. When you turn off the Celluar data you turn off both 3G and edge. Also I believe the bars are only for the voice service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. Both voice and data work on 3G if it is available. You can tell this by the fact that once your phone is on 3G, you will not encounter the annoying speaker buzz from GSM phones.
The switch in the settings are for cell data connection. If you turn it off, it turns off the data connection, 2G or 3G. There is no separate setting to turn off 3G data only (a commonly requested feature but non-existent on all AT&T phones). You will always have to access the secret menu to select your band (WCDMA or GSM).
The bars are for signal strength, not just for vocie service.
EDIT: rjohnstone
foxbat121 said:
Nope. Both voice and data work on 3G if it is available. You can tell this by the fact that once your phone is on 3G, you will not encounter the annoying speaker buzz from GSM phones.
The switch in the settings are for cell data connection. If you turn it off, it turns off the data connection, 2G or 3G. There is no separate setting to turn off 3G data only (a commonly requested feature but non-existent on all AT&T phones). You will always have to access the secret menu to select your band (WCDMA or GSM).
The bars are for signal strength, not just for vocie service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
<snipped my "you're wrong" message, but leaving my other data here.>
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3G contains the following quote:
"The UMTS system, first offered in 2001, standardized by 3GPP, used primarily in Europe, Japan, China (however with a different radio interface) and other regions predominated by GSM 2G system infrastructure. The cell phones are typically UMTS and GSM hybrids. Several radio interfaces are offered, sharing the same infrastructure"
<snipped my "you're wrong" message, but leaving my other data here.>
http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=2877
"Modes GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
WCDMA 850 / 1900 / 2100"
Those are the GSM and 3G bands that the Samsung Focus uses. <snipped my "you're wrong" message, but leaving my other data here.>
I'm always willing to accept that I can be wrong (EDIT: and it seems that I was). I'm only human after all. If I'm the one who's somehow misunderstanding, then I would be open to having some information shared so that I can learn more about it. Would you have any links to back your claim up?
GrayWolf said:
I'm sorry to say that you've misunderstood how AT&T's network is set up. 3G + GSM = Data + Voice. Not 3G = Voice & Data.
contains the following quote:
"The UMTS system, first offered in 2001, standardized by 3GPP, used primarily in Europe, Japan, China (however with a different radio interface) and other regions predominated by GSM 2G system infrastructure. The cell phones are typically UMTS and GSM hybrids. Several radio interfaces are offered, sharing the same infrastructure"
To further back the position that our phones do not use 3G to carry voice data:
"Modes GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
WCDMA 850 / 1900 / 2100"
Those are the GSM and 3G bands that the Samsung Focus uses. GSM for voice traffic, WCDMA (3G) for data.
I'm always willing to accept that I can be wrong. I'm only human after all. If I'm the one who's somehow misunderstanding, then I would be open to having some information shared so that I can learn more about it. Would you have any links to back your claim up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T sends both voice and data traffic over the 3G connection when in a 3G area.
The GSM radio only comes into play when the data connection falls back to EDGE (i.e., 3G signal is too weak or not present).
This is why your call drops when you switch from a 3G area to a GSM/EDGE area.
It's a hard hand off to the next tower.
rjohnstone said:
AT&T sends both voice and data traffic over the 3G connection when in a 3G area.
The GSM radio only comes into play when the data connection falls back to EDGE (i.e., 3G signal is too weak or not present).
This is why your call drops when you switch from a 3G area to a GSM/EDGE area.
It's a hard hand off to the next tower.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks - would you happen to have any links that explains this in any detail?
I looked around after you mentioned it and found that I should have ran a few more keyword searches before posting. So far, the best explanation that I've found seems to be here:
"3G or Non 3G-that is the question"
http://forums.wireless.att.com/t5/G...at-is-the-question/m-p/1544262/highlight/true
The specific/relevant portion that I'm referring to is:
Yea 3G is amazing. It's the replacement for GSM. It's a completely seperate network. When in 3G at present signal in some area's might seem a bit more week than GSM because in some area's it runs on the 1900mhz frequency which has less penetration. But AT&T has plans of phasing out GSM in the future for 3G on the GSM frequency.
But 3G on the W-CDMA side handles call's and data, GSM also does handle voice and data. But the two networks are seperate. For example. If your phone is in 3G then the 3G network is handling the call and not transmitting anything to do with GSM at all. But if you travel to a non 3G area while in the call then your phone will hand off to the GSM network to continue the voice call and the call quality will get that crackly raspy phenomenom. Hope this helps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now that's another person's statement on a forum and, like rjohnstone's post, makes logical sense. I'd love to read a bit more about this, if there are any useful links out there?
GrayWolf said:
Thanks - would you happen to have any links that explains this in any detail?
I looked around after you mentioned it and found that I should have ran a few more keyword searches before posting. So far, the best explanation that I've found seems to be here:
"3G or Non 3G-that is the question"
The specific/relevant portion that I'm referring to is:
Now that's another person's statement on a forum and, like rjohnstone's post, makes logical sense. I'd love to read a bit more about this, if there are any useful links out there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Graywolf,
My friend is a tower manager for T-Mobile.
He helped setup the initial GSM/EDGE network for Cingular back when they leased tower time from T-Mobile while they were making the transition from TDMA devices from the old AT&T network.
He explained how the call handlers worked and how the air interface works when handing off from UMTS/HSPA over to the GSM/EDGE network.
All of AT&T's handsets are programmed to use either GSM/EDGE or UMTS/HSPA, not both at the same time.
The point is, a handset can't have a GSM voice call and an HSPA data session occurring at the same time. The radios are not configured to allow it.
Many towers run both GSM/EDGE radios and UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+ radios.
Mainly to support legacy devices.
You will also notice that the old network is still there when you turn of the 3G radio in an iPhone or any other handset that permits it.
Yes, AT&T is working to decommission the older GSM/EDGE towers all together to recover the 850Mhz frequencies for use with HSPA+. This will give them better building penetration in large metropolitan areas.
Right now, AT&T does use the 1900MHz band for HSPA, and as the residence of NY will tell you, it sucks at going through walls.
You will have to do some digging for old AT&T press releases, but the info is out there.
Gotta give credit where it's due. I appreciate the technical detail combined with layman phrasing. I'll do more digging later but you've given me a nice high-level view of things. I did have a suspicion that my understanding was flawed somehow. Thanks for taking the time to share, rjohnstone!
Yep your right I typed it wrong.. voice and data both work on 2G and 3G, but I know I'm in a 3G area only and when I turn data off 3G goes out. Now that doesn't mean I'm only making or recieving calls on the 2G band. It just mean 3G data is off. So if you want to turn off 3G all together, I don't see it on these phones yet. When I turn the celluar data back on, the 3G symbol comes back on, because it would be pretty dumb for the 3G to be controlled by turning data on and off.
Related
Hi,
after having several missed calls going straight to my answering machine on my new HTC Hero. I was getting a bit paranoiac, so I've decided to test in/out calls.
Basically, 90 of my incoming calls were going straight to my answering machine. Out-call were about 30% KO
After several tests, to make sure there was a problem, I've decided to request for support from HTC.
Support told me that I should shut the 3g connection every time I would want to receive a call .
So I tried and Bingo, if 3G is activated, I get 10% of the calls, if I deactivate it 90% success.
So you'll say, I should be happy? Right? Wrong!
The main use of that kind of phone is to have a data integration, otherwise I would have kept my old nokia from 10 years ago..
Here basically, if I follow HTC idea, I should keep the 3g closed, sometime, I should switch it on to get my mails, thanks to the non true push capacities (ok this one is not htc) then wait for the sync, maybe force it , get my mails, and then, shut 3g back and pray that no Über important call would have been done.
Well that plain sucks!
Never had such a thing on my previous Data friendly mobiles, why should I accept it on the Hero?
If someone have come across this bug, cause it is a bug, how did he/she managed to fix it?
Thanks
works fine on mine....i suggest you are on a ****e network, or on only 2G where you are. that's what usually causes this.
I guess they suggested this because it sounds like your network hasn't figured out how to route calls properly on their network when data is active, and they dump it straight to voicemail when there is a data connection active.
not the phone's fault, the phone won't even know that the call has been missed, the network simply does not route the call through and sends it to voicemail instead.
i had this on O2 a while ago. went to t-mobile (who knew how to set up their network properly for data) and never had this issue since when i am on 3G coverage. if i'm on 2G signal and have active data then yes, i miss calls. but that's how 2G networks operate.
it's truly shocking how many networks out there have absolutely no idea how to set up their networks properly for data!
Well I wish it would be that, my signal goes from -63 dbm 25 asu(80% of the time) to -81 dbm 16 asu.
Just after my post, I called one of my friend working in carrier terminal validation.
What he told me was, 2 options:
- Same bug was on the htc cruise, bug got corrected after a fw update.
- Some of my carrier radio are buggy and 3g goes over gsm.(SFR/VOdaphone France)
I bet for the first option since I had the problem in various places since I didn't want to ask support for nothing and get busted for a " feeling and not facts" (did the test in 3 differend location 80 tests in total(I used to be a tester....).
I will update the topic if I get news about it
nmuncer said:
!
Never had such a thing on my previous Data friendly mobiles, why should I accept it on the Hero?
If someone have come across this bug, cause it is a bug, how did he/she managed to fix it?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You shouldn't accept it - but most people don't have this issue!
It's unlikely to be a "bug" per se, because otherwise it would be endemic behaviour, so it's either:
1. Your physical device (get it changed!)
2. Your network.
In addition, just an FYI in case you've got the new Sprint Hero, but most CDMA networks (including Sprint) do not support simultaneous voice and data. I've no idea what happens in practice on Sprint, but I'd imagine if you were actively using data your voice calls would get diverted to voicemail unless Sprint automatically suspends data when a voice call is pending.
Regards,
Dave
You're on SFR?
OUCH!!!!
Sounds like you have a nice strong signal, but is it 2G or 3G? (do you see a G, E 3G or H at the top of the screen?
if you see G or E, it's cos you're on 2G, If you get 3G or H, it's on 3G.
And yes, there were a few issues with the P3300 and the cruise, but they were mainly on Bouygues, not so much on SFR.
There's nothing known of on the hero, and as SFR sell the Magic, i would have thought they would have ironed out any issues already...
Hi,
I'm mostly in HSDPA or 3G.
I still have contacts with people at SFR (used to work there till recently) they might share a bit of info.
Idk if yours is CDMA or the GSM one but on mine (CDMA) under the mobile network settings, I have the option to switch the mode of operation to ether Hybrid, EVDO only, and 1X only. Now, I know how Sprint's network works, not sure if it's the same for any other networks but if I set it to Evdo only (3g) I'll miss all my calls because Sprint does voice over 1X. Hybrid mode does EVDO when you're using data and switches to 1X when you're doing voice/sms.
rhedgehog said:
if you see G or E, it's cos you're on 2G, If you get 3G or H, it's on 3G.
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regarding this and your suggestion that 2g and data will result in missed calls, Can you suggest how to avoid this happening? I live and work in the country and only have 2g, so have found quite often people have mentioned my phone not even ringing- straight to answer phone. This explains it.
Nice to know, but annoying if I can't solve it- I run a business and my phone is very important.
Cheers,
ajones7279 said:
Idk if yours is CDMA or the GSM one but on mine (CDMA) under the mobile network settings, I have the option to switch the mode of operation to ether Hybrid, EVDO only, and 1X only. Now, I know how Sprint's network works, not sure if it's the same for any other networks but if I set it to Evdo only (3g) I'll miss all my calls because Sprint does voice over 1X. Hybrid mode does EVDO when you're using data and switches to 1X when you're doing voice/sms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have sprint as well and when someone calls you when youre running hybrid, you should not miss calls. you will get disconnected from the internet when someone is calling though
ajones7279 said:
Idk if yours is CDMA or the GSM one but on mine (CDMA) under the mobile network settings, I have the option to switch the mode of operation to ether Hybrid, EVDO only, and 1X only. Now, I know how Sprint's network works, not sure if it's the same for any other networks but if I set it to Evdo only (3g) I'll miss all my calls because Sprint does voice over 1X. Hybrid mode does EVDO when you're using data and switches to 1X when you're doing voice/sms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I'm on hybrid
that is what i hate about hero, it is really great except for the fact that it switches from 2g to 3g without notice. i want it to be permanently stuck in 3g for faster downloads and mms, but when it uses 2g, i cant send and receive mms and surfing the web is slow as heck! im still looking for an app that would permanently put the device in 3g just like with winmo it which you can use wcdma ONLY.
cheers!
If you use AnyCut, you can create a short cut by selecting:
New Shortcut->Activity->Phone info
This will create a shortcut on your homescreen which beings up a hidden "engineering" screen on which you'll find an drop down for "Set preferred network type" where you can select WCDMA only.
Regards,
Dave
alternatively, open the phone app
dial *#*#4636#*#* and select phone info
scroll down and set it to WCDMA only.
does the same thing but saves installing an app.
rhedgehog said:
alternatively, open the phone app
dial *#*#4636#*#* and select phone info
scroll down and set it to WCDMA only.
does the same thing but saves installing an app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
holy monkey! im going to try this!!! do i have to di it everytime i turn the phone of or is it permanent?
orouborus said:
that is what i hate about hero, it is really great except for the fact that it switches from 2g to 3g without notice. i want it to be permanently stuck in 3g for faster downloads and mms, but when it uses 2g, i cant send and receive mms and surfing the web is slow as heck! im still looking for an app that would permanently put the device in 3g just like with winmo it which you can use wcdma ONLY.
cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is not specific to the Hero. The fact is, every carrier's 2G network has better coverage than their 3G network. When the phone cannot detect strong enough 3G signal, it jumps back to 2G network. The idea is that slow data transmission is better than no data transmission at all. Many smartphones have the option to lock the mobile network to 2G only. One advantage is that it gets better reception, and another advantage is longer battery life (the 3G chip eats battery much faster than 2G).
If you instead lock the phone to its 3G network. The first thing you will notice is that battery life is significantly shorter. And chance is that you may be getting very spotty reception, because you are not allowing to phone to switch to 2G when it gets no 3G signal. When there is no 3G signal, forcing the phone to "3G only" mode won't give you faster download, it gives you no download.
tsekh501 said:
That is not specific to the Hero. The fact is, every carrier's 2G network has better coverage than their 3G network. When the phone cannot detect strong enough 3G signal, it jumps back to 2G network. The idea is that slow data transmission is better than no data transmission at all. Many smartphones have the option to lock the mobile network to 2G only. One advantage is that it gets better reception, and another advantage is longer battery life (the 3G chip eats battery much faster than 2G).
If you instead lock the phone to its 3G network. The first thing you will notice is that battery life is significantly shorter. And chance is that you may be getting very spotty reception, because you are not allowing to phone to switch to 2G when it gets no 3G signal. When there is no 3G signal, forcing the phone to "3G only" mode won't give you faster download, it gives you no download.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
true true. i usually charge my phone everynight though. problem that i have with 2g is that i cant send and recieve mms and yeah data connection is slow. in our place 3g signal is ok. i also lock my topaz for wcdma only. but it is ok that it switches to 2g in low signal areas.
Thanks!
You actually use mms?
Wow, they do exist.
barryallott said:
You actually use mms?
Wow, they do exist.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah... mms is great. i use it to send items that i wish to purchase etc.
What NOM1 Networks are there in the UK? I only get 2g in my area (booo) and could do with an operator that works right. T-Mobile forums suggest they still have an issue
Hi
I've checked it with Hero running in PlusGSM in Poland.
Regardless if I select 2G/3G or even "WCDMA preffered/GSM Only/WCDMA only" setting the phone is not available for incoming voice calls during data transfer. Every time when I start internet connection (example: SSH session) I'm not available for incoming calls. At this site I do have both strong 2G and strong 3G networks.
I would like to mention that a few days ago I've swapped Samsung SGH-i600 (WinMo 6.0) for HTC Hero - so I'm using the same SIM card in the same network and the same place. SHG-I600 was able to perform both data transfer (on 2G) and voice (on 3G) on the same time. HTC Hero is not...
I wonder if this is 'feature by design' or a bug in software?
Ok, first off my Vibrant has flat out awful reception.. fluctuates randomly between 4 bars and 0 bars on 3g and sometimes cant get more than 1 bar 3g in the middle of an HSPA+ city(Memphis). Its not a bar display problem, sometimes my speedtest shows download speeds as low as 150kbps. If that wasnt bad enough it takes forever to switch between 3g and edge, by forever I mean sometimes a full 60 seconds+ and if Im running a data using program (Pandora for instance) it sometimes refuses to switch at all... Is this a known issue or is it just my phone?? I know my G1 did not have these issues.
Try doing a master reset on your device.
If the master reset dosen't work, you might reflash the full stock rom from the android dev section. There's alot of people that have been reporting substantial increases in their reception and connection speeds.
And if you think it takes a long time to switch b/t 3g and edge, you ought to try owning an evo for a month. It takes FOREVA to switch the 4g radio on and off, at least 3 min for me, takes about that long to turn it on after a reset too.
Just because you're in a HSPA+ city doesn't mean you're on the HSPA+ network.
If you're having problems with it aquiring the 3G network try a new sim.
The G1 has mediocre reception but it is aided by the fact that the antenna is at the top and not the bottom like all other phones.
Bump,
I am actually having this problem too, I have tried a factory reset, I also tried reflashing the T-Mobile stock fimware, but it has not helped. I have good 3g and edge reception where I live.
Oh yeah, I am using ATT on the vibrant.
When this happens (ie. not switching between network or slow switch time), you can trigger airplane mode and then undo it and the phone will pick up the right network or switch network faster. For example, if use 2g network is checked, it will enter Edge, etc.
I see exactly what you guys are talking about, locking it on 3G will fix this right up. I was driving down the freeway and I KNOW I was passing 3G towers, but the Vibrant stayed on EDGE for way too long. I locked it on 3G and I never lost the signal and it was 4 bars for nearly all of the trip so I know 3G was there, it just wasn't switching back fast enough.
Looking under the Samsung debug mode, the Vibrant will hold onto 3G until -115 Recieve power, which is basically -115dBm under the Android network menu. Of course over -101 RSCP, it will show 0 bars so it's hard to know when reception is acutally really bad.
It should show -0 bars at -113dBm, 1 bar until -101dBm, 2 bars until -89dBm, 3 bars until -79dBm, and 4 bars until -51dBm.
just disable the extra frequencies from service menu and it will be super quick.
I'll try that, at any rate it should be remedied by Samsung.
mohitmoudgil said:
just disable the extra frequencies from service menu and it will be super quick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you talking about locking it to 3g or something else?
ttabbal said:
Are you talking about locking it to 3g or something else?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure hes talking about only having it on 1900/1700 (combi bands)
pyun said:
If the master reset dosen't work, you might reflash the full stock rom from the android dev section. There's alot of people that have been reporting substantial increases in their reception and connection speeds.
And if you think it takes a long time to switch b/t 3g and edge, you ought to try owning an evo for a month. It takes FOREVA to switch the 4g radio on and off, at least 3 min for me, takes about that long to turn it on after a reset too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it matter if you flash from nandroid backup or oden?
heygrl said:
I'm pretty sure hes talking about only having it on 1900/1700 (combi bands)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's an unintuitive user interface. sheesh.
Looking at Wikipedia, it looks like TMO uses 1700/2100 WCDMA and 850/1900 GSM (2G/EDGE). There's also a WCDMA 1900, but according to what I'm reading, TMO doesn't use WCDMA signaling on 1900, just GSM/EDGE.
To try it, go to the service menu using the steps for 3G locking and select 1700 only instead of WCDMA ALL. Then go back using menu/back (not the back button) twice and go to Combi Bands and select WCDMA 2100. That should enable just 1700/2100 WCDMA 3G service. Turning on PCS 1900 does seem to get me an EDGE connection. Enabling GSM 850 ONLY gives me emergency calls only, so it might be worth keeping on for 911 calls. 850 goes further so it might have service when the others don't.
I don't get 3G service in my basement, for example, so I would like to keep EDGE enabled. Hopefully enabling just the bands that I would use will help keep the search times down.
JasonCook said:
Does it matter if you flash from nandroid backup or oden?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To really get a full re-flash, you need Odin right now. It should be possible to do it without Odin now, but I don't know if anyone has put together a stock ROM that way yet.
I didn't see any difference in speed/stability with the stock Odin flash, but others might have. It seems to depend on the network more than the local stuff.
Band IV 1700 includes 2100Mhz so you don't have to enable it. From what I can tell, no.. combi-bands doesn't do much for the slow 3G requisition. I'm just going to lock it on 3G when I'm not at home.
PaiPiePia said:
When this happens (ie. not switching between network or slow switch time), you can trigger airplane mode and then undo it and the phone will pick up the right network or switch network faster. For example, if use 2g network is checked, it will enter Edge, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This didn't work for me. I would do this, and it would only work changing from 3G to EDGE. But, from when I would put it on use 3g, it would first change from airplane mode to EDGE, then take around 1 min to change to 3G.
mohitmoudgil said:
just disable the extra frequencies from service menu and it will be super quick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do I disable the frequencies? I can only seem to enable them.
HI all!
Right now I am using [Build][10.12.2010][NexusHD2-FRG83D V1.8 PPP+RMNET][Kernel: hastarin r8.5.3_oldcam] and that is quite ok for me.
However I havent found anywhere on that build an option to disable HDSPA speed.
What I would like is accept 3G but disable HSPDA. Now I only have a change to disable 3G totally and only get 2G. Basicly area where I live is keeping me a situation that phone is very often trying to connect HSPDA but then changes is 3G speed. It causes me time&battery drain.
I have found a solution to force phone only use 3G but that is what I wanted. 2G and 3G are ok but I want to disable HSPDA.
Anybody could help me?
Up, Up... anybody have same kind of need?
i also need same help regarding this, reason is my data plan only use 3g (umts) and not 3.5g (hsdpa)... but my android always switch 3g to hsdpa back and forth and drain battery much faster
is there any tweak/program/widget/application that can enable 3g (umts) only?
windows doenst have this problem cause in winmo i can switch the option easily (enable/disable hspa)... but android dont have this kind of thing
I have the same problem. I don't even have HSPDA where I live, yet it tries to connect, fails, and then connects to 3G. It's a very time consuming processor to wait for the phone to do this when I am just trying to load a website.
Yes.. maybe it will not drain much memory but.. who wouldn't want a fast internet..
Afaik Hsdpa uses the same radio towers (or whatever the name is) as Umts... just different software. so there should be no battery drain caused by this.
This mite help you
1. Go to your dialer
2. Dial *#*#INFO#*#*
3. Click 'Phone information'
4. Scroll down to the first dropdown selection and set according to your preference below...
For simplicity, there are two main types of cell carriers, GSM and CDMA.
The following popular data communication technology is associated with each cell carrier type:
GSM = GPRS (2g), EDGE(2g), UMTS(3g), WCDMA(3g), HSDPA(3g) {Cell Carrier examples: AT&T and T-Mobile}
CDMA = CDMA*(2/3g) EV-DO(3g) WiMax(3/4g) {Cell Carrier examples: Verizon and Sprint}
Now that the general stuff is out of the way, here's my take on the Preferred Network types:
WCDMA preferred - The GSM phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 3G is favored more.
GSM only - The GSM phone is capable of using only 2G data communication. When the 2G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
WCDMA only - The GSM phone is capable of using only 3G data communication. When the 3G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
GSM auto (PRL) - The GSM phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 2G is favored more. This one is a bit confusing to me since PRL is associated mostly with CDMA technology and not GSM technology.
CDMA auto (PRL) - The CDMA phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 2G is favored more.
CDMA only - The CDMA phone is capable of using only 2G data communication. When the 2G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
EvDo only - The CDMA phone is capable of using only 3G data communication. When the 3G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
GSM/CDMA auto (PRL) - Some phones are equipped with both GSM and CDMA capabilities. This setting appears to just have the phone attempt to stay connected to the data communication type that works the best. (Maybe the Samsung Galaxy S will take advantage of this???)
Unknown - If none of the above fit or the phone is acting weird as far as connecting to the carrier, you will see your preferred network type is set to this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Source http://www.google.ie/support/forum/p/android/thread?tid=6a327a95211ac789&hl=en
domenukk said:
Afaik Hsdpa uses the same radio towers (or whatever the name is) as Umts... just different software. so there should be no battery drain caused by this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
uhh... maybe you dont catch what us mean....
when umts change to hspda (icon change from 3g to H) then it use battery power.. in my case i use 3g (umts and not 3.5g or hspda )data plan only... but android keep searching hspda signal and THIS is when battery used the most (the process) and EVEN when my area have 3.5g covered but because i use 3g only data plan... then the back and forth process (3g<->H) will kep coming and rdrain my battery fast
so... we look for any kind of workaround so our android keep stay in 3g (umts) and not drain any unnecessary battery power searching for hspda
btw sorry for my english
agarp said:
This mite help you
1. Go to your dialer
2. Dial *#*#INFO#*#*
3. Click 'Phone information'
4. Scroll down to the first dropdown selection and set according to your preference below...
Source http://www.google.ie/support/forum/p/android/thread?tid=6a327a95211ac789&hl=en
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i use this thing before and no luck
i use "wcdma only" as the option and android still process 3g and 3.5 back and forth, maybe android "thinks" 3g/umts and 3.5/hspda as the same?? android categorize umts and hspda as one big fat 3G network
i wonder why newer os like android doesnt have this kind of feature in winmo there is an option :
disable hspa = so hspda disabled.. AKA 2G or UMTS only
enable hspa = enabled hspda, hspa, hsupa etc.. AKA 2G, UMTS and HSPDA
try this settings
CDMA auto (PRL) - The CDMA phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 2G is favored more.
agarp said:
try this settings
CDMA auto (PRL) - The CDMA phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 2G is favored more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
isnt cdma auto (prl) used exclusively for cdma phones? (those phones with evdo and wimax thing) and not used for our hd2 (GSM)???
C'mon how this is impossible with newer phone software??
This feature has been in WinMo and Symbian in many years!!
It is really frustrating that almost every time my phone is trying to make HSPDA connect and then decide 3G is enough and possible. It causes some delay and sometimes also timed out errors.
agreed
my android keep going back and forth between umts 3G and hspda 3.5G like some clueless kid while 2 experienced guy (symbian & winmo) laugh at him
i know this is a old topic
i have still this issue
my phone is switching to hsdpa an back to 3g after a few seconds
when the phone is connected to my slow wifi connection everything works fine and i can use it for 3 day's
when it is connected to hsdpa my battery is empty after 15 hours and the voip connection is not working properly (i need to start a ping to some server first to keep the connection alive so i can call with voip)
I just came upon this thread, but I don't have this problem, so I can't really test it out this theory. But my thought was, what if you just went into the build.prop file and edited the ro.ril.hsxpa.category settting from ro.ril.hsxpa.category=2 to ro.ril.hsxpa.category=0. I just tested it out and it never jumped from 3g to H. My only concern is that you wouln't get the fastest speed you could be getting. Test it out and let me know though.
at this moment it is not posible to root my phone (SE Xperia pro with latest firmware)
so i am afraid we need to wait to test this
but thanks for the hint
Anyone have this problem? It happens ever time
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
Hmm.... seems like your phone might be in WCDMA mode only... It should be in WCDMA-Preferred since you plan on using 3G and 2G
Go to your phone dialer and dial *#*#4636#*#*
and Diagnostics Menu should come up..... Go to PHONE INFORMATION.... Scroll down and Set Network Type to: WCDMA Preferred
see if that helps...
Thanks for the reply i am on tmobile and it is defaulted to GSM. Will changing it be any different than GSM?
my phone does that as well right now at home even though i have it on WCDMA preferred, t-mo has been having issues with their 4G towers and their DNS servers lately that has been affecting many people with newer phones/SIM cards and in 4G areas, t-mo has not released an ETA on a fix but i have been dealing with it for a month now at my home and i am about ready to switch carriers
tvdang7 said:
Thanks for the reply i am on tmobile and it is defaulted to GSM. Will changing it be any different than GSM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, it'll still be the same. WCDMA-Preferred means that then phone will Prioritize 3G/4G signal over an EDGE signal. So If you are in a decent 4G/3G coverage the phone will set itself into 3G/4G mode... and when you move into an area where you have a weaker 3G/4G signal...t han the phone will be in EDGE mode.
Keep in mind that if you're referring about using WCDMA Preferred in a 3G/4G coverage area - but only 2G works - then you have a network issue. This isn't so much a device issue as it is a MSISDN issue on the network or a potential tower issue.
If you get no signal on 3G/4G and signal is there on 2G - check your coverage first - then if coverage shows you should have 3G/4G, call TMO and let them know, they'll need to do a service request or trouble ticket based on the location and breadth of the issue you're having.
On my news Nexus S I am only getting and showing 3G with poor connection whether I use Chung-Hwa Telecom or Taiwan's Far Eastone. On my HTC Desire when downloading or uploadinging it would show an "H" up on top and show "3G" if connection was not all that great but with this new Nexus S all I get is 3G. What's up with this? Reception is also worse than the HTC Desire.
Because nexus s only gets 3g
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
kjy112 said:
Because nexus s only gets 3g
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here I see it showing it gets HSDPA.. From what I understand is the 2100 Band in Taiwan is not just 3G
http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=3620&idPhone2=3077
It gets HSDPA also, it just doesn't change icons like cyanogen or like the static H on the G2. It wasn't a widely used icon in america until the networks (T-mobbile and AT&T) upgraded to HSDPA or HSPA+.
It is capable of 7.2mbps download.
You could always check the status of the phone under settings to see what connection you have or wait until cyanogenmod comes out for the nexus s, not just the alpha version.
ya HSPA is still 3G with a max download speed of 7.2 HSPA+ depending on device ranges from like 14.4 to 42
KnightMAREcrow said:
It gets HSDPA also, it just doesn't change icons like cyanogen or like the static H on the G2. It wasn't a widely used icon in america until the networks (T-mobbile and AT&T) upgraded to HSDPA or HSPA+.
It is capable of 7.2mbps download.
You could always check the status of the phone under settings to see what connection you have or wait until cyanogenmod comes out for the nexus s, not just the alpha version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mobile Network Type
UMTS
Signal Strength
-101 dBm 4asu
Now answered in the stickied FAQ in the Q&A section.
unremarked said:
Q: The Nexus S only gets 3G? Omg, I only see a 3G icon!
The Nexus S gets UMTS and HSDPA, which are both technically 3G. Your phone idles on UMTS 3G, and when it starts downloading/uploading, it'll flip to HSDPA after a few moments. You can see this by typing *#*#4636#*#* into your Dialer, going to Phone Info, and looking at Network Type while downloading something. The ability to switch the icons on the notification bar is something that was added in custom ROMS, and is not supported by the stock ROM. Rest assured, if you are on a network that uses the 3G bands the Nexus S supports, then you are recieving HSDPA regardless of what icon you see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EDIT: Also, in the future, use search and look at that FAQ prior to starting a new thread, mate. This has been asked a bajillion times.
unremarked said:
Now answered in the stickied FAQ in the Q&A section.
EDIT: Also, in the future, use search and look at that FAQ prior to starting a new thread, mate. This has been asked a bajillion times.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Question,
I always wondered, never really bothered asking, what should the setting be "preferred network type" by default my NS shows GSM/CDMA auto (PRL)
slowz3r said:
Question,
I always wondered, never really bothered asking, what should the setting be "preferred network type" by default my NS shows GSM/CDMA auto (PRL)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found this for ya:
loganss said:
WCDMA preferred - The GSM phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 3G is favored more.
GSM only - The GSM phone is capable of using only 2G data communication. When the 2G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
WCDMA only - The GSM phone is capable of using only 3G data communication. When the 3G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
GSM auto (PRL) - The GSM phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 2G is favored more. This one is a bit confusing to me since PRL is associated mostly with CDMA technology and not GSM technology.
CDMA auto (PRL) - The CDMA phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 2G is favored more.
CDMA only - The CDMA phone is capable of using only 2G data communication. When the 2G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
EvDo only - The CDMA phone is capable of using only 3G data communication. When the 3G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
GSM/CDMA auto (PRL) - Some phones are equipped with both GSM and CDMA capabilities. This setting appears to just have the phone attempt to stay connected to the data communication type that works the best. (Maybe the Samsung Galaxy S will take advantage of this???)
Unknown - If none of the above fit or the phone is acting weird as far as connecting to the carrier, you will see your preferred network type is set to this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Source: http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/android/thread?tid=6a327a95211ac789&hl=en
unremarked said:
Found this for ya:
Source: http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/android/thread?tid=6a327a95211ac789&hl=en
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still sorta understood all that, so should I just leave it where Im at, i mean it is what came with the phone stock after all
As was stated, when an active data connection is formed and there is activity then the status will change under settings. I have an attached screenshot for your viewing pleasure.
slowz3r said:
Still sorta understood all that, so should I just leave it where Im at, i mean it is what came with the phone stock after all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PRL is preferred roaming list, iirc. When searching for a network, it'll get preference to those that are on the list over those that aren't. Supposed to be battery savings.
unremarked said:
PRL is preferred roaming list, iirc. When searching for a network, it'll get preference to those that are on the list over those that aren't. Supposed to be battery savings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
fair enough
I'm noticing this too. I get full HSDPA in the US on AT&T, but when I came to Taiwan and plugged in my prepaid sim for Taiwan Mobile which clearly has 7.2mbps HSPDA in this city, I only get the "3G" icon.
I did do the *#*#INFO#*#* to set my band to Euro which was how data kicked in. But otherwise it only shows "3G." Readingt he posts above, people say it idles on UMTS, but I have AT&T at home and it always shows the H icon. I can never the the H icon in Taiwan.
I have the 9020a which has 850/1900/2100, so I'm not understanding whats going on... Is the lack of 900 3G band hurting me?
Edit: I've been using this phone for 7 months on AT&T now and I just arrived in Taiwan last night....
正常啊。在 系統設定 - 關於手機 - 狀態 裡,看到 行動網路類型,會顯示為 hsdpa。這就是3.5g h了。雖然訊號顯示為3g,實際在支援hsdpa的地方會使用hsdpa的。
我是大陸的,語言可能不太好理解,見諒。