Database Users

After 2 Weeks, I Am Throwing In The Towel

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.

[Q] Is there any rom that has LTE enabled by default?

Hello!
I'm kind of new on this, I was wondering if there is a estable custom rom that has 4G LTE enabled by default with wifi tethering as well, I am on the T-mobile network in a 4G LTE enabled area and is annoying to do dial everytime I restart or tunr off my my phone to enable the LTE, I am rooted and running .33 radio, THANKS FOR READING.

kingrea said:
Hello!
I'm kind of new on this, I was wondering if there is a estable custom rom that has 4G LTE enabled by default with wifi tethering as well, I am on the T-mobile network in a 4G LTE enabled area and is annoying to do dial everytime I restart or tunr off my my phone to enable the LTE, I am rooted and running .33 radio, THANKS FOR READING.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look on this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2209368, that may help you. Not rom related btw, only by the radio. Need root though.

you missunderstood my quetion
I already know that, what I want is a stable rom that has LTE enabled by default instead of dialing every time I restart the phone

kingrea said:
I already know that, what I want is a stable rom that has LTE enabled by default instead of dialing every time I restart the phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does not excist afaik. Wait 2 weeks and probably the N4 supporting LTE will be launched.

gee2012 said:
Does not excist afaik. Wait 2 weeks and probably the N4 supporting LTE will be launched.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok thanks

kingrea said:
ok thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you absolutely must, you can edit the build.prop:
Go to the line with telephony.lteOnCdmaDevice=0 and replace it with:
telephony.lteOnGsmDevice=1
ro.telephony.default_network=9
ro.ril.def.preferred.network=9
You may need to wipe dalvik cache or clear your data. On CM based ROMs this enables the LTE tile in QuickSettings and will save LTE on/off status through reboot. I don't necessarily recommend using LTE personally, however.

JaiaV said:
If you absolutely must, you can edit the build.prop:
Go to the line with telephony.lteOnCdmaDevice=0 and replace it with:
telephony.lteOnGsmDevice=1
ro.telephony.default_network=9
ro.ril.def.preferred.network=9
You may need to wipe dalvik cache or clear your data. On CM based ROMs this enables the LTE tile in QuickSettings and will save LTE on/off status through reboot. I don't necessarily recommend using LTE personally, however.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I alteady tried that with stock ROM but it doesn't stick somehow, I'll try it with CM thanks

JaiaV said:
...I don't necessarily recommend using LTE personally, however.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any reason why? Just curious mostly (I'm nowhere near a LTE area)

espionage724 said:
Any reason why? Just curious mostly (I'm nowhere near a LTE area)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You lose features specifically continuous focus on the camera and network based location services whole connected to LTE.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

espionage724 said:
Any reason why? Just curious mostly (I'm nowhere near a LTE area)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GPS doesn't (always) work correctly
Using the .33 or older radios with 4.2.2 can cause continuous autofocus issues (as above poster mentions)
On stock 4.2.2 will cause call audio issues (on T-Mobile, reports say it works fine on other carriers, it also works fine on CM and some other ROMs)
Google Now doesn't work over LTE
Since most carriers don't have VoLTE (Voice over LTE) enabled, when receiving or making a call the phone takes a minimum of 10-20 seconds to switch from LTE to UMTS because a call can't be made while on LTE and calls can just plain fail when LTE doesn't want to be switched off (even with changes, the radio seems to have a lot of trouble switching between LTE and GSM/UMTS/HSPA)
I've made the changes to my build.prop, I just very, very rarely turn LTE on. I get up to 30Mbps on HSPA+, I don't really need LTE, unless I want to brag about getting 50-70Mbps, because it isn't worth dealing with all of the above. LTE is nice if you're in a strong LTE signal area (the radios refuse to switch from LTE to HSPA+ when the signal is exceptionally low unless you switch LTE back off), don't make or receive calls, need a massive amount of bandwidth that's larger than most people get at home in the US, and want to use up your data allotment as quickly as possible.

Switch Network Modes!

Sorry, I'm a little new to the AT&T Note 3 as I was used to T-Mobile and their phones (still use their network by the way)...So, I was looking around to see if I could switch my network modes (e.g. GSM,WCDMA,LTE, or combinations of both). Its pretty helpful if you need to switch to WCDMA,GSM, or other modes. Some of you may know it, but I am new to this stuff and hopefully I help others who don't know much about this either. On your dialer, enter *#*#4636#*#* then press device information and you'll be able to switch network modes! Just found that out and wanted to enlighten others. Press that thumbs up if this was somewhat helpful!

we already know this but thanks. And to get 4G on an att note 3 is pretty much useless without enabling the AWS bands.

YoungDev said:
Sorry, I'm a little new to the AT&T Note 3 as I was used to T-Mobile and their phones (still use their network by the way)...So, I was looking around to see if I could switch my network modes (e.g. GSM,WCDMA,LTE, or combinations of both). Its pretty helpful if you need to switch to WCDMA,GSM, or other modes. Some of you may know it, but I am new to this stuff and hopefully I help others who don't know much about this either. On your dialer, enter *#*#4636#*#* then press device information and you'll be able to switch network modes! Just found that out and wanted to enlighten others. Press that thumbs up if this was somewhat helpful!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On all of my past AT&T Phones, I never had this stick for me. The phone would always switch back to LTE after a short time. I am using Intelli3G with Xposed and I can now successfully turn off LTE when I need to with a toggle.

PeteSeiler2010 said:
On all of my past AT&T Phones, I never had this stick for me. The phone would always switch back to LTE after a short time. I am using Intelli3G with Xposed and I can now successfully turn off LTE when I need to with a toggle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why do you switch to 3G, is 4G in your area spotty?

Netrunner157 said:
Why do you switch to 3G, is 4G in your area spotty?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The building that i work in seems to almost block the LTE signal for all AT&T phones. There are a few of us in my department that have issues with this. The phone will constantly switch between 4G and LTE, this also causes the phone battery to die faster. Since we can't flash an unlocked radio the Note 3, the Xposed module was my best bet. As soon as i switch over to the just 4G by making my phone use WCDM only, I have no issues with signal. Using the hidden menu, (*#*#4636#*#*), and switching it to WCDMA Only doesn't stick permanently. I had this issue once before with my Skyrocket, but with that phone you were able to flash a RAT Unlocked radio or a non-LTE radio on the phone and that would disable LTE as well. As soon as i step outside of my building, my LTE signal is strong and I have no issues at all.

In my jobs basement only people who get any sort of signal are people who have tmobile. Would this help me get signal as well?

It's worth a shot, it works flawlessly for me.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I have to wonder if changing your network mode after a throttling would still allow good download speeds???????????????

Update: sadly changing to a different network mode does not work to remove a throttle. Neither does flashing a different modem. If only the bootloader was unlocked.... Crossing fingers and remaining hopeful with my blazing edge network speeds.: (

Can anyone tell me what the default mode is?

VoLTE on T-Mobile USA

One of my friends came from overseas a few months ago with VoLTE working on Tmobile US. At least I thought it was.
I did not think much of it at the time, but now that I have my own Z5, and can't get it to work, I'm curious.
Is there any special APN settings needed for VoLTE on TmoUS?
WHen i received my Z5, I noticed there was not any option for VoLTE. I went ahead and flashed the a singapore rom and it is here now but still cannot get it to work. I will try different settings and update.
I am also going to go through a few more roms to see if they work out of the box with it.
WIll it not ever work unlesss TmoUS certifies this device specifically? I don't think that is the case.

It's carrrier dependant

VoLTE uses the SIP protocol for communication. Aside of the implementation of the handling of such calls you would need the necessary data for registering at the server including the server's address, username and password.

I bought my international version from Amazon and turns out it is a Taiwanese version.
I can turn volte on or off but I can't tell it is working or not cause I don't know how to test it.

Testing it is pretty straightforward. Make sure you're on a 4G (LTE) network and place a phone call. Watch to see if you're signal changes to something other than where it started.
My experience is that I have 4G (LTE) in fewer places than 3G, as 4G seems to be less awesome at penetrating thick buildings. So, I don't see what the advantage/concern of VoLTE working or not is. But, I'm happy to learn.

Yakkosmurf said:
Testing it is pretty straightforward. Make sure you're on a 4G (LTE) network and place a phone call. Watch to see if you're signal changes to something other than where it started.
My experience is that I have 4G (LTE) in fewer places than 3G, as 4G seems to be less awesome at penetrating thick buildings. So, I don't see what the advantage/concern of VoLTE working or not is. But, I'm happy to learn.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I make a call, the icon switch from 4G into 3G and H+ (back and forth between the two).
Does it mean no VoLte?

misbehave said:
When I make a call, the icon switch from 4G into 3G and H+ (back and forth between the two).
Does it mean no VoLte?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same question too.

That's my understanding of the problem. With my AT&T iPhone, it stays reading LTE when I place calls.

If you see switching from LTE to another network upon dialing or receiving a call and going back to LTE once hung up it's a very strong indication that VoLTE does not work.

andiling said:
If you see switching from LTE to another network upon dialing or receiving a call and going back to LTE once hung up it's a very strong indication that VoLTE does not work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THat is correct. My phone switches from 4G to H+ when on a phone call...
After many hours with t-mobile, and also at work, i was informed that t-mobiles VoLTE is proprietary and only tmoUS branded devices are usually the ones to get VoLTE to work with them.
Maybe in the future that will change, they said. oh well.

Until now every provider's solution is proprietary as the 3gpp standard is not finalized yet. So we need to be patient...

Verizon users, lend me your ears!

I started out with USCC on this device. But last week I switched ourn lines over to big red. I noticed that big red forces you to use LTE, with no options under "cellular networks" to select CDMA. Here in Maine, LTE drains your battery 50% faster than CDMA, and data is wonky. It tends to be slower than CDMA, or at least feels slower because it is constantly switching between the 2 or hanging in limbo.
My phone was set to CDMA on USCC, and even after switching to Verizon, I'm still on CDMA. My question is, if I return to stock LP will it force me into LTE -with no choice of switching back to CDMA? So far, Marshmallow has been a huge disappointment on my phone.

HikingMoose said:
I started out with USCC on this device. But last week I switched ourn lines over to big red. I noticed that big red forces you to use LTE, with no options under "cellular networks" to select CDMA. Here in Maine, LTE drains your battery 50% faster than CDMA, and data is wonky. It tends to be slower than CDMA, or at least feels slower because it is constantly switching between the 2 or hanging in limbo.
My phone was set to CDMA on USCC, and even after switching to Verizon, I'm still on CDMA. My question is, if I return to stock LP will it force me into LTE -with no choice of switching back to CDMA? So far, Marshmallow has been a huge disappointment on my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just go into hidden menu via dialer and force your phone into CDMA or LTE or whatever you want. It's simple really and will give you what you want.

Well, is there a "new to Verizon" guide somewhere? Verizon didn't tell me about the secret codes. I don't even know how to do an advanced prl update.

I should have clarified that I've only ever been on USCC. I've never used Verizon. But I do vaguely remember reading about a hidden dialer code now that you mention it. I'll look into that.

HikingMoose said:
Well, is there a "new to Verizon" guide somewhere? Verizon didn't tell me about the secret codes. I don't even know how to do an advanced prl update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is android secret code not Verizon.
*#*#4636#*#*

Thanks. Never needed it because us cellular already offers that.

HikingMoose said:
Thanks. Never needed it because us cellular already offers that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not a that they don't offer that 99% of the time you are better off on LTE so its good that phones prefer LTE. Most likely your other phone simply had that option not hidden unlike on Moto. So that wasn't a ussc feature
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

Agree to disagree. The data speeds are about the same here, but with the constant handoffs, LTE actually becomes slower and pages won't load because it's switching to 3G and back to LTE over, and over, and over. Plus the added battery drain off having 15-20dBm weaker signal, it's a no brainer. But maybe that's just in our less developed state.
The Samsung phone that I bought for my wife has no CDMA provisions, so it's not a Moto thing, it's a Verizon thing.

You can also download the thunder bolt lte on/off app and you have choices like CDMA auto prl. I use it to force CDMA only on my range extender at home.

Use shortcut creator to link to the hidden menu and your all set

HikingMoose said:
Agree to disagree. The data speeds are about the same here, but with the constant handoffs, LTE actually becomes slower and pages won't load because it's switching to 3G and back to LTE over, and over, and over. Plus the added battery drain off having 15-20dBm weaker signal, it's a no brainer. But maybe that's just in our less developed state.
The Samsung phone that I bought for my wife has no CDMA provisions, so it's not a Moto thing, it's a Verizon thing.
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This device doesn't run Verizon branded firmware at all. It's how Motorola provisioned the device to work. Like patt2k said you can change that via the hidden menu and you should be good to go, it won't look for LTE after that.

Oaklands said:
You can also download the thunder bolt lte on/off app and you have choices like CDMA auto prl. I use it to force CDMA only on my range extender at home.
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There seem to be many LTE on/off utilities in the App store. How did you pick this one?
I also have a Verizon Network Extender at home. I have trouble getting connected to it. I often have to reboot or turn the radio on/off to get my phone to connect to the Extender. I would appreciate any advice on how to get my phone to connect to the Extender more reliably.
It would also be nice if the phone would show via an Icon or screen that it is connected to the Extender. Right now the only way to know is to dial #48
EDIT: When I go into the Hidden Menu and select CDMA only, the phone temporary drops the LTE signal. However, LTE seems to quickly come back. Any suggestions on how to turn off LTE when I am home so that I force a connection to the Network Extender?

I can't get the hidden menu to switch from CDMA to LTE. It will switch temporarily, then drop the radio altogether forcing me to restart. Upon restart it's in CDMA only again. Personally, I'm fine without LTE. But I'm not sure why I can't get it enabled at all. I'd like to know I COULD have LTE if I wanted it. So I'm confused why it's stuck in CDMA

swieder711 said:
There seem to be many LTE on/off utilities in the App store. How did you pick this one?
I also have a Verizon Network Extender at home. I have trouble getting connected to it. I often have to reboot or turn the radio on/off to get my phone to connect to the Extender. I would appreciate any advice on how to get my phone to connect to the Extender more reliably.
It would also be nice if the phone would show via an Icon or screen that it is connected to the Extender. Right now the only way to know is to dial #48
EDIT: When I go into the Hidden Menu and select CDMA only, the phone temporary drops the LTE signal. However, LTE seems to quickly come back. Any suggestions on how to turn off LTE when I am home so that I force a connection to the Network Extender?
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It worked with other Motorola devices in the past. CDMA only will fix your network extender issues.
You will have to set it back when you leave the house. Also it will go back to the default settings if you reboot. Works great for me.