Database Users

How do I tell I'm using HSDPA?

Hi, I'm aware that my UK T-mobile Ameo is HSDPA capable and I think I'm in a HSDPA covered area but the homescreen only ever shows a little 3G symbol (or a GSM symbol when I'm not in a 3G covered area).
Is there a way to know whether I'm using HSDPA?
I guess one way would be to do a download speed test - anyone know a convenient way to do one?

tfotherby said:
Is there a way to know whether I'm using HSDPA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you were using HSDPA, the 3G symbol would change to an H.
However, if you only have the £7.50 web and walk package, and only signed up after the summer, you do not have HSDPA on your account.
The £12.50 and above tarriffs come with HSDPA automatically, but for the £7.50 plan, you need to ask for it and hope that someone likes you enough to add it.
By the way, On T-mobile, you will not see the H all the time. It will only appear when you are transferring data. At all other times you will see the 3G symbol so that you are able to receive calls. If you are transferring data on HSDPA, the T-Mobile Uk network will force you down to 3G while the call is routed to you, and then jump back to HSDPA when the call ends to carry on downloading.
T-Mobile is the only network i have seen that does this properly.
Also, T-Mobile has gone HSDPA on all of their 3G transmitters. If you get 3G coverage, you definitely have HSDPA coverage, but you don't necessarily have permission to connect at HSDPA speeds.

tfotherby said:
Hi, I'm aware that my UK T-mobile Ameo is HSDPA capable and I think I'm in a HSDPA covered area but the homescreen only ever shows a little 3G symbol (or a GSM symbol when I'm not in a 3G covered area).
Is there a way to know whether I'm using HSDPA?
I guess one way would be to do a download speed test - anyone know a convenient way to do one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, you will see the H symbol instead of the 3G signal - I am on O2 and it works fine (you should also see an E to show an Edge connection where available).
The point about tariffs is one for you to take up with T-Mobile.

Make sure the HSDPA checkbox is checked, in Settings > Connections > HSDPA Switch. When I'm in a 3G area and I start downloading something, the 3G symbol temporarily changes to an H symbol, then changes back to 3G when done.

cottinghamm said:
I am on O2 and it works fine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you see the H all the time, or only when you are transferring data? I know that on some networks that have an old revision of the HSDPA software, it can cause issues with receiving calls if you are on HSDPA the whole time. Have you had any issues with this?

tfotherby said:
Hi, I'm aware that my UK T-mobile Ameo is HSDPA capable and I think I'm in a HSDPA covered area but the homescreen only ever shows a little 3G symbol (or a GSM symbol when I'm not in a 3G covered area).
Is there a way to know whether I'm using HSDPA?
I guess one way would be to do a download speed test - anyone know a convenient way to do one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firstly, you will only see an H if your ROM has different icons for 3G and HSDPA. Some do some don't. If the ROM doesn't have that facility, the 3G icon won't change even if you are occasionlly using HSDPA. As far as I am remember, some of the stock T-Mob ROMs do not include this.
You do not AFAIK need to ask T-Mobile for HSDPA. I have never asked them and regularly used it. I am on a £7.50 plan.
There are plenty of speed test sites out there - Google 3G speed test.

Another good site to check speed is "http://performance.toast.net/default.asp?allservers=1&checkid=" I usually check the "Text" box and try a few hosts...TJ

rhedgehog said:
Do you see the H all the time, or only when you are transferring data? I know that on some networks that have an old revision of the HSDPA software, it can cause issues with receiving calls if you are on HSDPA the whole time. Have you had any issues with this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only when data is transferred, the 3G symbol is there most of the time.

always been seeing the H on mine, right from the original T-Mobile UK ROM. All Windows mobile 6 ROMS from HTC include the different icons, and unless the operators specify to take them out, they should always be there.
the T-Mobile ROMs do include the different icons, as do all the AP ROMs.
Sometimes you DO have to ask T-Mob for HSDPA. They originally turned HSDPA on for the £7.50 contracts by default. They changed this standard policy sometime last year (as i stated in my first post, i think it was in the summer, but i'm not sure) and now not everyone has HSDPA on their contract. If you ever see the H you do...if not, you don't.

getting an H symbol?

I'm kind of confused. After flashing cyan's rom, my service keeps switching between 3g and H. This has not happened prior to me flashing the rom though. What is H? Is it a fixable problem?

Could be wrong, but it's probably H for HSDPA

Oooh its actually a bonus for me at least, since before, my Nexus showed 3G whther it was connected to the faster HSDPA or to 3G (Unlike my Hero, which showed H or 3G)
will have to give CM Rom a go once my Nexus arrives back from HTC
Dayz

Cyanogen's ROM enabled the notification if you are on HSPA network. I beleive you will get 3G if your network changes to UMTS (depends on your location). The stock ROM shows 3G even if you are on the HSPA network.

Ohhhh alright. I understand then. It still bugs me though lol

Yes i can verify this is the case, reason why i jumped ship to cynogens rom

heroskyy said:
I'm kind of confused. After flashing cyan's rom, my service keeps switching between 3g and H. This has not happened prior to me flashing the rom though. What is H? Is it a fixable problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
since by default the phone is after the fastest avail option, it tries to get to 3G. if and when you are in the area with uncertain 3G coverage, it could scan and switch to 3G, then to HSDPA (hence - H) or even EDGE (E)
I have this mess on the stock N1 - 3G-H-E changing constantly in some areas.
bad thing is that in such case my data stalls:-( I guess it has nada to do with Cyan's ROM. fwiw

No he must have done something, normally Nexus only shows 3G even if there's HSDPA.
I have HSDPA and here with Stock ROM it only shows 3G, but you can see in the Settings at Status that you've got HSDPA.

Router said:
since by default the phone is after the fastest avail option, it tries to get to 3G. if and when you are in the area with uncertain 3G coverage, it could scan and switch to 3G, then to HSDPA (hence - H) or even EDGE (E)
I have this mess on the stock N1 - 3G-H-E changing constantly in some areas.
bad thing is that in such case my data stalls:-( I guess it has nada to do with Cyan's ROM. fwiw
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, HSDPA is faster than "3G" (which I'm assuming is actually UMTS), so your phone will use HSDPA whenever it can, then downgrade to 3G if HSDPA isn't available, then EDGE, then GPRS. HSDPA is actually considered "3.5G, 3G+ or turbo 3G" according to its Wikipedia entry.

Paraglider1982 said:
No he must have done something, normally Nexus only shows 3G even if there's HSDPA.
I have HSDPA and here with Stock ROM it only shows 3G, but you can see in the Settings at Status that you've got HSDPA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He did do something. Someone already asked him on Twitter and he answered here.
This reminds me of my times with Windows Mobile where you'd change a registry setting to make the indicator show you had an EDGE connection instead of always showing G (for GPRS)

Quite nice, I was missing this on Nexus

Paraglider1982 said:
No he must have done something, normally Nexus only shows 3G even if there's HSDPA.
I have HSDPA and here with Stock ROM it only shows 3G, but you can see in the Settings at Status that you've got HSDPA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you even read what I wrote? The stock ROM has the H icon but for some reason its disabled so that only the 3G icon shows up if you have HSPA. Cyanogen simply enabled the H icon to be usable.

I wonder why though, they would disable it...
I cant think of any solid reasons, and if it is in-fact better then "3G", You would think they would want people to know that they have a faster connection present..
but anyways, thanks cyanogen

heroskyy said:
I wonder why though, they would disable it...
I cant think of any solid reasons, and if it is in-fact better then "3G", You would think they would want people to know that they have a faster connection present..
but anyways, thanks cyanogen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Given the confusion in this thread alone, which is presumably made up of people who know more about their phones than the general public, I think it's reasonably obvious why it's disabled. The phone companies have spent lots of money and time marketing "3G" to the public - most people will know what you're talking about if you say 3G, almost none of them will know what HSDPA is, and I doubt the cell phone company wants to spend the time to explain that it's actually better than standard 3G to every customer. It's just that much easier to make it say "3G" and be done with it.

ISTR that my Hero and Touch Diamond2 before that, and Touch Cruise before that, all showed a 3G symbol on hsdpa until you were actually downloading something - then it changed to show a H before returning to a 3G when stopped downloading.
I think!

Router said:
I have this mess on the stock N1 - 3G-H-E changing constantly in some areas.
bad thing is that in such case my data stalls:-( I guess it has nada to do with Cyan's ROM. fwiw
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@ melterx12
My Post was regarding this, it can't be that has H in display with stock ROM

So, this 'H' HSDPA signal display should be a fix in the OTA update?

Is there a possibility that someone answer here and explain how to enable H icon showing?
I think it's in framework-res.apk but don't know where exactly...
I don't want to install a cyanogenmod rom or others to have it. Who have already done it, could share that information with us...this is a forum..

+1
I want to enable the H icon on the stock ROM.
Rooted phone, custom recovery, locked bootloader.
Is this possible?

suffix642 said:
+1
I want to enable the H icon on the stock ROM.
Rooted phone, custom recovery, locked bootloader.
Is this possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not able to decompile framework-res.apk to source...i've done some tries but with apktool that's not possible...
It is not sufficient open it with winrar or similar because config.xml is in the core....

Nexus S only shows 3G no H in Taiwan

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。

H+, H, 3G, E, 2g

Hi all, I have an unlocked At&t Atrix and using it in the UK on Hutchinson 3 (Three). I do love the phone but it worries me I only ever see 'H+'. Is this only for the ATT branded devices? If i get another phone factory unlocked will it show the other slower data connections or is the ATT firmware just hiding it?
I normally see all H+, H or 3G on other devices ... with this Atrix I only ever see H+!
thanks

It only has images for H+ and E.
Anything above EDGE service is labeled H+.

rjohnstone said:
It only has images for H+ and E.
Anything above EDGE service is labeled H+.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can we add the missing image or change them easily? Is that possible with root?

If you go into help center app, user manual, icon. it says 3g is an icon for 3g, not H+

i have an att branded atrix and mine says 3g when on 3g and h+ when on H+

My ATRIX has displayed H+, E, and G (pre-EDGE) in my area.

justdrew said:
i have an att branded atrix and mine says 3g when on 3g and h+ when on H+
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same for me, i also see G when on 2G but not using mobile data. UK vodafone

justdrew said:
i have an att branded atrix and mine says 3g when on 3g and h+ when on H+
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I find that hard to believe. It has already been confirmed to me that 4G back-haul hasn't happened in my area and my phone always says H+

live4nyy said:
I find that hard to believe. It has already been confirmed to me that 4G back-haul hasn't happened in my area and my phone always says H+
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the back-haul has nothing to do with the wireless connectivity and everything to do with behind the scenes stuff. So you're wireless connection is H+, but the speed behind it is missing until the back-haul is completed.
Essentially allowing them to advertise their H+/4G stuff with the fine print of missing the back-haul.

bogatyr said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the back-haul has nothing to do with the wireless connectivity and everything to do with behind the scenes stuff. So you're wireless connection is H+, but the speed behind it is missing until the back-haul is completed.
Essentially allowing them to advertise their H+/4G stuff with the fine print of missing the back-haul.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's hard to be correct about anything dealing with the validity of AT&T's supposed 4G. They are completely vague about it. Back in November they had bragged that 80% of their network was H+ capable but now we have to wait on "back haul". While that might have a legitimate definition, it's still just an excuse and allows them to manipulate their marketing schemes.

justdrew said:
i have an att branded atrix and mine says 3g when on 3g and h+ when on H+
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check it again and you'll find what you saw was just a "G" for GPRS service when no data is actively connected when on a 2G connection. There are only three icons available with the current AT&T/Bell firmware, G/E/H+ for all connections. Motorola does say they use a "3G" icon for UMTS connections, but the firmware seems to have disabled that icon in order to promote the 4G network.
I have a Bell Canada Atrix on Rogers GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSPA network, and even though the phone's own Testing app (*#*#4636#*#*) shows I have a UMTS connection at times, the icon never changes from "H+" unless I drop down to 2G where it usually shows "E".

I'm not sure if my phone qualifies as a branded phone put I mine shows all the symbols above. Most often it shows either H, 3G or E.

3g useless, only hspa works

When browsing or tethering, unless the connection switches to H it is basically useless - won't even load google.com. I am aware of the speed differences between 3g and HSPA but is this normal?
I'm running CM7 nightly.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

Yes.
It's not useless, it's just slow - and having HSPA, your basis for comparison is subjective and flawed. Measurement with SpeedTest would tell you the exact differences in numbers - but in user experience, the difference seems way more than the numbers show.
Moreover, when your phone attempts to connect, if the mobile network stays on 3G - it can mean that it has no reliable connection.

for me 3G=HSPA
it says 3G until im pulling data and then it switches to HSPA, ive never pulled data while on 3G

norazi said:
for me 3G=HSPA
it says 3G until im pulling data and then it switches to HSPA, ive never pulled data while on 3G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3G is UMTS. HSPA is like 3.5G. They didn't call it 4G because it was more of an additional way to provide a slightly better 3G.