Database Users

HSPDA Confusion!

Hi everyone,
It's my first post here - most likely not to be my last. Oh, and i know i spelt HSDPA wrong in the title!
I very very recently (yesterday in fact) managed to get hold of my T-Mobile Hermes (one of the .37 batch) and am having no problems whatsoever with the phone, the only problem i am having is getting any web download speeds faster than around 40kbps?
I phoned T-Mobile yesterday and after being on hold twice and explaining myself many times i think i got HSDPA enabled as the lady (who was very nice) said she promises it has been enabled for me. I tried half hour later and sure enough, i used www.dslreports.com/mspeed and could now download at around 800kbps - perfect! Unfortunately i tried again this morning and it says 40kbps again
Is there any way to tell whether HSDPA has been enabled on my phone before i call T-Mobile again? Does HSDPA just run over 3G? I haven't got a brilliant signal where i am - usually 1 or 2 bars, could this be what is affecting my download speed? I need some help!

Just realised i have spelt HSDPA wrong in the thread title - never mind! Can anyone help?

Have you read this dude?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=276154&page=5
Theres a couple of files you can check you have i believe, also the Fit4cat program is worth downloading.

40kbps is GPRS data speed. Even without HSDPA you should get 300kbps on UMTS.
Your phone will show a U or a G depending on which network you are on.

It shows a "G" all the time in a little white block next to the signal bar, and sometimes the signal bar shows an antenna and sometimes a "G" also - does that mean when im on the "G" ill be on HSDPA and when im on the antenna (if i cant get 3G) ill be on GPRS 40kbps?
If so that makes a lot of sense as the signal is not brilliant round here, i went shopping in a much bigger town this afternoon and tested again -> full signal and downloading at around 1200kbps! Obviously it is enabled, think its just down to my signal....
Does that sound about right?

RTFM, the G is for GSM ie data will be GPRS.
You will either have a 3G or U depending on what ROM you're running for 3G/UMTS/HSDPA .

I'll be honest i only got half way through the quick start guide before i started playing with it. So, if my phone is always on "G" i'll assume i need to try and unlock it using the fit4cat thing? As T-Mobile have said they have enabled HSDPA on my account?
How did i get 1200kbps on GPRS by the way? It definately said "G" when i was connected and did the speed test...?!

I just ran the fit4cat Hermes tweaker and still no luck, it only connects to "G" rather than "3G", 3G is apparently available in this area so why does it only connect to G? Im confused and would really appreciate some advice...

Well if you probably didn't notice the U (or whatever) when you got 1mbps once it. This means that HSDPA is enabled on your phone and SIM.
The fit4cat tweaker only (dis)enables HSDPA but that isn't an issue because even without HSDPA you would be getting UMTS speeds.
One thing you could try is. Go to Start->Settings->Phone->Band set GSM/UTMS to GSM900+1800 + UMTS2100
You could also try a manual search for networks from Start->Settings->Phone->Networks->Find Network
Finally you can also disable GSM totaly using network type in the band selection and see if you get a steady 3G signal.

Thanks for your suggestions, here are my findings:
kevino said:
Well if you probably didn't notice the U (or whatever) when you got 1mbps once it. This means that HSDPA is enabled on your phone and SIM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point, i have a long drive home tonight so will check when going through built up areas to see if it connects to 3G or U then.
kevino said:
One thing you could try is. Go to Start->Settings->Phone->Band set GSM/UTMS to GSM900+1800 + UMTS2100
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried this, and phone disconnected then reconnected but still said "G" when connecting to Internet. Set back to "Auto".
kevino said:
You could also try a manual search for networks from Start->Settings->Phone->Networks->Find Network
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did this also, it pops up with the message "Registering on the network" and disappears and thats it, nothing happens.
kevino said:
Finally you can also disable GSM totaly using network type in the band selection and see if you get a steady 3G signal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I cannot find an option to disable GSM in the Band tab, i have the following:
Select your network type.
__Auto
__GSM
Select your GSM/UMTS band.
__GSM(900+1800)+UMTS(2100)
__GSM(1900+850)+UMTS(1900+850)
and thats about it. Cannot find anything that would let me not use GSM whatsoever? I appreciate your help so far

It may be the case that your reception for 3G just isnt adequate enough to work where you live, O2 states there is reception in the area where i live but i only tend to get UMTS upstairs....just one of those things....here at uni i get FULL UMTS reception anywhere.

richieboy said:
I cannot find an option to disable GSM in the Band tab, i have the following:
Select your network type.
__Auto
__GSM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the dopod ROM it has a WCDMA option too. No big deal !
Seting the band was just so that the phone doesn't bother looking for bands that are not available in this country. To try and encourage it to check the correct UMTS band more quickly.
My suggestion to use find network (you need to select manual search) in Networks wasn't too helpful anyway as it doesn't list the band. So no use unless you can disable GSM.
Of course you may have got a spurious speed test result. How old is your SIM? It needs to be a USIM

Yes firstly is your SIM card a USIM....or is it a SIM card from an old handset?? I think youve already said you have had the 'U' appear on your TyTN at some point.....so again im going with the assumption you just dont have adequate UMTS reception for it to work....hence why you are only seeing 'G'.

So, funny story...
It seems where i was over the weekend (girlfriends) is borderline, so as mentioned aboved i can get 3G upstairs but not downstairs - i decided to drive around and got 3G all over the place...the best news is i get 2/3 bars of 3G at home too!
Problem solved, im an idiot - but hey, it doesn't hurt to ask right?
680kbps! Woo

richieboy said:
So, funny story...
It seems where i was over the weekend (girlfriends) is borderline, so as mentioned aboved i can get 3G upstairs but not downstairs - i decided to drive around and got 3G all over the place...the best news is i get 2/3 bars of 3G at home too!
Problem solved, im an idiot - but hey, it doesn't hurt to ask right?
680kbps! Woo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
girlfrends! Woo

t-mobile uk HSDPA and TYTN Issues, possible solution

Right, this is my second tytn and i have sent first one back last summenr because of HSDPA problems. problem was that when i use 3g connection to internet was (usually) broken and couldn't load anything at all but was ok in gsm mode. I thought htc might have fixed it so bought current TYTN but hey! problem is still there. While trying to sort out i noticed that if i disasble HSDPA 3g works fine. dont forget you will stick with standart 3 g speeds.
can any one confirm?

how do i know when im getting hsdpa as i never seem to get any speeds faster than around 29k which is around 3g speeds even with a full 3g signal although i do find internet access very very flaky still...
I am still running the standard t mobile settings, i havnt chaged the proxy settings which in some cases help a lot of people

id be more inclined to say its tmobile's end that isnt working correctly, my TyTN is working fine on HSDPA with O2-UK. Have you had your account enabled for using HSDPA????

Gavin01 said:
how do i know when im getting hsdpa as i never seem to get any speeds faster than around 29k which is around 3g speeds even with a full 3g signal although i do find internet access very very flaky still...
I am still running the standard t mobile settings, i havnt chaged the proxy settings which in some cases help a lot of people
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you need to call t-mobile and tell them you want to speak to technical support then tell them that you want to enable hsdpa on your line. in 30 mins you get it. but doesnt metter. if you have hsdpa in your area and your tytn enabled you might have problem without actually getting it
mrvanx
id be more inclined to say its tmobile's end that isnt working correctly, my TyTN is working fine on HSDPA with O2-UK. Have you had your account enabled for using HSDPA????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i didn't know o2 has hspda network :S

nolovelust said:
...
i didn't know o2 has hspda network :S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it seems so, I checked online to make sure i wasnt spouting rubbish LOL! As in my sig i achieve ATLEAST 1.1mbps when im connected to and they did announce they would be trialing HSDPA in the isle of man (which they have the fixed aswell as mobile telecomms contracts) and they rollout would be to the latter of 2006?!? Ive managed these speeds since i got my USIM (early september).
If im SERIOUSLY mistaken then i apologise but its gotta be HSDPA since the practical achievable speeds on regular UMTS are around 300kbps right?

yes you're right. you can't achive 1mbit without hspda. i have an o2 sim. will try it

a "U" where the "G" used to be

K ya know beside the signal bar it shows a "G" then if you click on it it asks if you want to turn on wireless, well now there is a "U".
Is there someplace that can tell me what all these symbols mean?

Wow.... seriously... where do you live?
The U means that you now are connected to UMTS which gives you the "broadband" access through your provider. Make sure you have unlim data plan. It will start to eat it up when you realize what you get to do with all that bandwidth. Have FUN!!!

well does it eat up data if you "dont" use messenger or web browse? AKA: just use the phone?
I do have a data plan for unlimited text messaging and i use Wifi when i wanna surf.

Quick guide:
Starting with the slowest.
Second Generation:
GSM
GPRS (the G symbol)
EDGE (the E symbol)
Third Generation:
UMTS (the U symbol or depending on localisation, 3G symbol)
HSDPA (the H symbol, if you've got this, then you're in for some fast download speeds)
It all depends on which network you're on and proximity to a tower as to what speed you will actually get.
There are other types, but these are the ones you're more likely to come across using a Hermes.

U Bet
ROTFLMAO.... I thought I had a bug in my ROM after flashing it, even went to the trouble of rolling back.
What a freakin' idiot I am!....

I live in an area where i see U and H fairly often up there.
However, to me it makes little difference, I don't download large files with the device. Web browsing seems mostly unaffected by the connection type.

Having the device in 3G or 3.5G modes does however drain the battery somewhat faster. I saw the difference in my Uni. Can't comment on EDGE as the Uni doesn't have it, I'll be getting my Hermes today so I should be able to comment on that.

It would be logical that the faster connection speeds would drain the battery faster, but I don't know how much faster we're talking about.
However, if battery life is a concern at all for anyone reading this, I would recommend turning off 3G altogether. Why? Web pages are going to render just as fast. Surfing the web is painful on these things regardless of the connection type.

On T-Mobile at least - here is a rough guide for the download speeds for different connection types. These are averages and do change and vary with signal strength. I work for T-Mobile, so these are accurate ^^
GPRS - around 44 kbps
UTMS (3G) - around 386 kbps
HSDPA (3.5G) - up to 1.8 mbps (increasing to 3.6 soon)
If you are on T-Mobile, and in a 3G area, then you will be most likely connected to HSDPA as it covers the whole of their 3G network.
Hope this is of some interest....

Doom Tints said:
if battery life is a concern at all for anyone reading this, I would recommend turning off 3G altogether.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But how? AFAIK it's not trivial with my unit: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=337485.

From your network type, select 'GSM' instead of 'Auto', which I'm sure it is on now. That will do the trick. You might see an 'E' if you service provider offers EDGE, but this won't be an issue, otherwise you will just see the 'G' again.

Thank you. Now I know that in this sense, WCDMA = UMTS = "3G" icon.

Doom Tints said:
From your network type, select 'GSM' instead of 'Auto', which I'm sure it is on now. That will do the trick. You might see an 'E' if you service provider offers EDGE, but this won't be an issue, otherwise you will just see the 'G' again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That looks notoriously like one of my posts earlier in another thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=337485

Yeah. Someone said OH MY I HOW DO I DO THIS IT'S HARD OMG and then pasted a link to your thread, which says clearly how to do it.
A simple cut and paste seemed in order.

Radio Access Technologies
Hmmm...u poor guys..in Austria the speeds are different:
HSDPA : 7,2 MB (yep MegaBits) DL and 1,7 Mbits UL
BTW: HSDPA is not 3.5G its just a bunch of new coding schemes and NodeB software mods :.)

homerjay1981 said:
Hmmm...u poor guys..in Austria the speeds are different:
HSDPA : 7,2 MB (yep MegaBits) DL and 1,7 Mbits UL
BTW: HSDPA is not 3.5G its just a bunch of new coding schemes and NodeB software mods :.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile UK will have these speeds by the end of 2008 all going well

Well my phone bill is the same so thats good
Text messages get sent a tiny bit faster, surfing is a bit faster. I dont see what the big deal about the HW upgrade was. oh well

Checking HSDPA

Hey, I've got a (rooted) G1 on T-Mo contract.
I want to check if I'm getting the fastest internet I possibly can. I know Haykuro's build display an 'H' instead of 3G if you're on HSDPA, but I'm using JesusFreke's latest cupcake build and it's my understanding that that doesn't.
So the question is, how can I check whether I'm getting real super wow omg 3.5G internet (which presumably I can, living right in central London) or just the regular 3G?
I've wouldn't normally think twice, but I've read lots online about having to enable it and there seems to be a lot of confusion. Also, it would be nice to know when I'm on 3G and when i'm on HSPDA, given that JF's build (kickass as it is) doesn't include an icon for it.

slonzor said:
Hey, I've got a (rooted) G1 on T-Mo contract.
I want to check if I'm getting the fastest internet I possibly can. I know Haykuro's build display an 'H' instead of 3G if you're on HSDPA, but I'm using JesusFreke's latest cupcake build and it's my understanding that that doesn't.
So the question is, how can I check whether I'm getting real super wow omg 3.5G internet (which presumably I can, living right in central London) or just the regular 3G?
I've wouldn't normally think twice, but I've read lots online about having to enable it and there seems to be a lot of confusion. Also, it would be nice to know when I'm on 3G and when i'm on HSPDA, given that JF's build (kickass as it is) doesn't include an icon for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
download xtremelabs speed test from the market. then check your max speed against max 3g and min hsdpa speeds that you have since googled to find out. while on haykuros rom, i got the h icon and i have full 3g coverage here in kansas city kansas.

Ilm in the same boat at the moment. When running Haykuro's H build I have H on Orange UK, the about status of the network says Ilm running on HSDPA but nettraffic says I have no connection speed unlike UMTS (won't work in other words).
I'm currently on JF's ADP1.5 rom based on htc build and only get UMTS. It would be nice to be able to have HSDPA but UMTS is fine...

Hey aad4231, thanks for your reply...
I'm a little confused, I thought UMTS utilised 3.0g services whereas HSDPA uses 3.5g? When using JF, T-Mobile or Haykuro's G build the phone uses UMTS according to system information and netmeter and nettraffic. When I use Haykuro's H Build GPRS comes up, then UMTS and finally HSDPA. Data services work while on GPRS / UMTS but as soon as HSDPA comes up there is no connection speed in system info.
I'd love to have HSDPA speeds (with Orange UK I believe it's 3.6mbps or smthg) rather than UMTS as I use my G1 as a mobile router with Wifi-Tether.
Thanks in advance again!

Run a speedtest (e.g. http://i.dslr.net/tinyspeedtest.html). If your downlink is greater than 384kbps, then you have HSDPA.
As been mentioned above, just because you do not have a H icon doesn't mean you are not connected via HSDPA. The H icon is present only in Haykuro HTC build because HTC added extra icons to indicate whether a 3G connection is HSXPA enabled or not. However, that does not mean that standard Dream software cannot connect via HSDPA. It does, but it will not indicate it. Again, confirm with speed test.

Just done a speed test using Xtremelabs speedtest from market. I noticed I'm now getting 843.5kbps since I flashed my G1 with JF's ADP1.5 last night. Prior to this I was only getting about 320kbps on JF's RC9/RC33 Builds.
Thanks for your quick reply and sorry for having to get you to explain again.
G1 > IPhone

aad4321 said:
Thats pretty impressive, but as far as I know the different versions flash don't effect the speed. I believe that has all to do with the radio. Did you update your radio, that may have something to do with the increased speeds?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually the most likely scenario is just moment-to-moment variation in network usage. Packet-switched data services are usually delivered on a "best effort" basis. If you check the bandwidth at different times of day you will probably notice fluctuating numbers.

aad4321 said:
Thats pretty impressive, but as far as I know the different versions flash don't effect the speed. I believe that has all to do with the radio. Did you update your radio, that may have something to do with the increased speeds?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, Flashed the Radio with HTC's 1.5 from their Dream website. I do notice that speeds vary though throughout the day. In Mid-day I get about 400mbps but hadn't got 800mbps+ before, even in the evening.

Hot damn, it must be a low traffic day here in AZ. I just pulled down 1062kbits/s.

I just noticed that it says your network type on Settings>About>Status, so you can get an easy definitive answer rather than just running a speed test. Also has battery level which is nice. I made a homepage link to it on anycut for easy access

internet problem?

hi, i have not had a smart phone before and am not to sure on how the bands work but think i have a problem.
my phone is from Virgin mobile and running 1.48 stock rom, manila and radio 2.05.
few questions i'd like to ask before you read what i think my problem is.
1. is the internet supposed to run off 3g when not on wifi?
2. is 3g faster than "H"?
my problem: 3g is active, data connection is off. i open opera (or anything else) and 3g trys to connect, 3g sign disappears and "H" appears. data connection is on and using "Virgin GPRS".
i called virgin mobile tech support and they said it is meant to go through gprs.. lie?
i called htc and they said they don't think it is a problem with my phone...
i have done a hard reset.
i think it is either the 3g doesn't work, or there is something really wrong with the settings, or virgin mobile makes it like this?
please help as i may want to return it if this causes a big problem for me.

Sunil_237 said:
hi, i have not had a smart phone before and am not to sure on how the bands work but think i have a problem.
my phone is from Virgin mobile and running 1.48 stock rom, manila and radio 2.05.
few questions i'd like to ask before you read what i think my problem is.
1. is the internet supposed to run off 3g when not on wifi?
2. is 3g faster than "H"?
my problem: 3g is active, data connection is off. i open opera (or anything else) and 3g trys to connect, 3g sign disappears and "H" appears. data connection is on and using "Virgin GPRS".
i called virgin mobile tech support and they said it is meant to go through gprs.. lie?
i called htc and they said they don't think it is a problem with my phone...
i have done a hard reset.
i think it is either the 3g doesn't work, or there is something really wrong with the settings, or virgin mobile makes it like this?
please help as i may want to return it if this causes a big problem for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's nothing wrong with the phone mate.
You've got GPRS (2G) and 3G which includes HSPDPA (and HSUPA). HSDPA is the fastest of those types, 3G slower, and GPRS the slowest. Your phone will try and use the best connection available, and that just depends on the coverage in your area (and how good the phone's reception is). If you're getting a strong and steady signal, I really wouldn't worry about it.
Basically, HSDPA is a faster version of 3G.

but my sisters 3g (on o2 iphone) is faster (by a lot... and then some) than mine.
ran the same video on youtube (wifi disabled) and she got done in a matter of seconds while i was buffering mid stream
with the coverage checker i ran before i got the phone it said my area was "very good" and i get 3 bars usually.
o it is connecting through gprs not HSPDPA, in the connections screen it shows "Virgin GPRS"

Sunil_237 said:
but my sisters 3g (on o2 iphone) is faster (by a lot... and then some) than mine.
ran the same video on youtube (wifi disabled) and she got done in a matter of seconds while i was buffering mid stream
with the coverage checker i ran before i got the phone it said my area was "very good" and i get 3 bars usually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All I can say is that she must have a better signal with O2 than you have with Virgin.

Sunil_237 said:
hi, i have not had a smart phone before and am not to sure on how the bands work but think i have a problem.
my phone is from Virgin mobile and running 1.48 stock rom, manila and radio 2.05.
few questions i'd like to ask before you read what i think my problem is.
1. is the internet supposed to run off 3g when not on wifi?
2. is 3g faster than "H"?
my problem: 3g is active, data connection is off. i open opera (or anything else) and 3g trys to connect, 3g sign disappears and "H" appears. data connection is on and using "Virgin GPRS".
i called virgin mobile tech support and they said it is meant to go through gprs.. lie?
i called htc and they said they don't think it is a problem with my phone...
i have done a hard reset.
i think it is either the 3g doesn't work, or there is something really wrong with the settings, or virgin mobile makes it like this?
please help as i may want to return it if this causes a big problem for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Yes
2) No. H is a faster type of 3G.
My only worries with Virgin and 3G are wether they cap the actual download bandwidth available to handsets at 384kbps (despite the phone connecting with HSDPA - I had this problem with T-Mobile), wether they cap the upload speed at 44kbps and wether they block the Skype ports.
The connection name, Virgin GPRS, is just the name they gave to their data connection when they setup your phone. It could actually say anything you want if you change the settings in the phone.

Sunil_237 said:
but my sisters 3g (on o2 iphone) is faster (by a lot... and then some) than mine.
ran the same video on youtube (wifi disabled) and she got done in a matter of seconds while i was buffering mid stream
with the coverage checker i ran before i got the phone it said my area was "very good" and i get 3 bars usually.
o it is connecting through gprs not HSPDPA, in the connections screen it shows "Virgin GPRS"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's possible that she has a better signal than you but I find that 3G coverage on O2, especially HSDPA coverage is generally significantly worse than coverage on T-Mobile (Virgin use their network).
However it could also be that the bandwidth is capped at a pretty low level on Virgin (3G rather than HSDPA despite the symbol), which I mentioned in my previous post.

o ok. ok ok. ok lol satisfied with some logical and knowledgable answers.
i believe they will have capped the data rate then (i haven't had signal problems for 7 years now on 4 different providers and the coverage map showed a very good signal for 3g here), if you can provide me with an app which would test.. o maybe speedtest.net may work i'll try them now and let you know.