VoLTE on T-Mobile USA - Xperia Z5 General

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...

Related

Hero, have to choose: Data/3G or voice calls, HTC reinvet the 90's!

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?

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.

Galaxy S5 LTE will not connect. This Fix worked for me.

I followed the instructions like another thread comment said to do but for some reason I couldn't get it to work still but after playing around I was able to get it working.
---- Instructions for enabling: (thanks eyecon82) ----
1. dial ##3282#
2. then click edit (need MSL code) (I used SPCUtility.apk as nothing else worked on my S5)
3. then click LTE
4. It will show LTE ( also known as Band 25), Band 3, Band 26, Band 41 ( I unchecked marked all of these but the LTE option leave that check marked to on)
5. Disable all bands leave LTE check mark to say on.
6. Go to the main directory by hitting back key and choose More at the bottom
7. Choose HDR/1X Selection and choose LTE only Mode. Click OK to save
8. You can either reboot or I just turn on airplane mode and turn it back off to reset the connection.
9. LTE should be working like mine did. But you will not get phone calls until you turn back on the HDR/1X Selection to LTE + CDMA +EVDO Mode but you will get text messages fine.
The items that are underlined in Red are the stuff i added.
---- To tell what Band on: ----
1. ##debug#
2. enter passcode 777468
3. go to LTE engineering menu
I hope this helps because all the other stuff I read would not work for my Galaxy S5 I just bought.
Thanks
One more thing
I read on here http://s4gru.com/index.php?/blog/1/...-due-to-circuit-switched-fallback-technology/
that this problem should be fixed soon but if you need LTE now here it is.
darhoade said:
I read on here http://s4gru.com/index.php?/blog/1/...-due-to-circuit-switched-fallback-technology/
that this problem should be fixed soon but if you need LTE now here it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info. However, I think its crazy to want to set it up for LTE when you cannot receive phone calls especially since this is you know, is a phone. Calling Sprint and talking about this situation is useless. They all say nothing is wrong and its the device. I'm really pissed off about this but I enjoy the phone. This will probably be the last Sprint phone I will get.
Sent from my SM-G900P using xda app-developers app
pastert33 said:
Thanks for the info. However, I think its crazy to want to set it up for LTE when you cannot receive phone calls especially since this is you know, is a phone. Calling Sprint and talking about this situation is useless. They all say nothing is wrong and its the device. I'm really pissed off about this but I enjoy the phone. This will probably be the last Sprint phone I will get.
Sent from my SM-G900P using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use it at night or in places that I need fast internet and when I know I dont need a phone for a bit which is why I have voicemail I just switch over to LTE for a bit and then back...but yes it sucks for now until they upgrade the tower over here with the feature needed to use LTE spark devices.
Im loyal to sprint but its becoming more and more hard to be loyal.
Probably just your area, not the phone.
Your area may have LTE but if it doesn't have the circuit fall back enabled yet (tri-band phones) can't drop the data to allow a call and thus they force you to remain on 3G only.
Once your area has everything done it should get better.
I have similar situation that KILLS my battery at home but in every other part of town it all works great :/
bryanu said:
Probably just your area, not the phone.
Your area may have LTE but if it doesn't have the circuit fall back enabled yet (tri-band phones) can't drop the data to allow a call and thus they force you to remain on 3G only.
Once your area has everything done it should get better.
I have similar situation that KILLS my battery at home but in every other part of town it all works great :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found out from reading the Sprint forums (https://community.sprint.com/baw/thread/157300?start=0&tstart=0), that this is likely not caused by the circuit fallback, but incomplete rollouts of Spark technology. Disabling the new Spark bands has helped me keep a stable LTE connection. Once the Spark rollout is complete in my area, and Band 26 can support both Voice and Data, I'll re-enable it the new spark bands.
sporklover said:
Found out from reading the Sprint forums (https://community.sprint.com/baw/thread/157300?start=0&tstart=0), that this is likely not caused by the circuit fallback, but incomplete rollouts of Spark technology. Disabling the new Spark bands has helped me keep a stable LTE connection. Once the Spark rollout is complete in my area, and Band 26 can support both Voice and Data, I'll re-enable it the new spark bands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which bands did you disable? Also, are you able to get voice calls when you LTE?
Im a bit frustrated be the place I spend most of my time (where I used to get LTE fine with my S3) I no longer get LTE and its super slow 3g. Calling sprint didn't help, they just say to wait until cell tower updates are finished in the next 6 months.
If I disable the Spart bands, will I be able to keep LTE and voice? Thanks
master4g said:
Which bands did you disable? Also, are you able to get voice calls when you LTE?
Im a bit frustrated be the place I spend most of my time (where I used to get LTE fine with my S3) I no longer get LTE and its super slow 3g. Calling sprint didn't help, they just say to wait until cell tower updates are finished in the next 6 months.
If I disable the Spart bands, will I be able to keep LTE and voice? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disabled bands 26 and 41. This forces the phone to use the default sprint LTE band. It receives voice calls just fine.
sporklover said:
I disabled bands 26 and 41. This forces the phone to use the default sprint LTE band. It receives voice calls just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But if you enabled the spark LTE bands like the default settings, will you LTE work or does it fall back to 3g? Thanks
master4g said:
But if you enabled the spark LTE bands like the default settings, will you LTE work or does it fall back to 3g? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LTE works fine because it defaults to the standard LTE band.
sporklover said:
LTE works fine because it defaults to the standard LTE band.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then is there any benefit in disabling the other bands?
master4g said:
Then is there any benefit in disabling the other bands?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read the sprint link. Incomplete rollout of spark, in particular on band 26 can cause the issue of not being able to switch between 4G and 3G and back.

Signal problem theory/research

Hello, i live in a relatively small town where my service provider has very poor 4G signal. but pretty good 3G signal. With the Axon 7 i have a lot of signal problems that i didnt have with any of my previous phones, where outdoor signal is pretty bad and indoor signal is almost unusable. It also connects almost exclusively to 4G, and in contrast all of my previous phones connected almost exclusively to 3G. Over the last weekend i traveled to a major city where my service provider has very strong 4G signal, and the signal problem was almost non existant. I even had signal in places where other people with the same service provider did not. So my theory is the following, assuming that the hardware (antenna) used for 4G and 3G is the same, it may not be a hardware problem, but a problem with the software having a hard time knowing which band/signal it should connect to. It seems that in my case it prioritizes 4G signal and the cost of a VERY unstable cellphone service. This is also assosiated with the fact that when it connects to 3G (incredibly rare), the phone goes inmediately from 1/2 bars to 4/5 bars. I also changed the SIM configuration to leave LTE out, but either for a visual bug or a software bug, it keeps connecting only to 4G. So could this be the problem that me and a lot of people in low 4G signal zones are having? Is there anyway i can force the phone to connect exclusivly to the 3G signal to test if that is indeed the problem?
Regards!
Nehuen said:
Hello, i live in a relatively small town where my service provider has very poor 4G signal. but pretty good 3G signal. With the Axon 7 i have a lot of signal problems that i didnt have with any of my previous phones, where outdoor signal is pretty bad and indoor signal is almost unusable. It also connects almost exclusively to 4G, and in contrast all of my previous phones connected almost exclusively to 3G. Over the last weekend i traveled to a major city where my service provider has very strong 4G signal, and the signal problem was almost non existant. I even had signal in places where other people with the same service provider did not. So my theory is the following, assuming that the hardware (antenna) used for 4G and 3G is the same, it may not be a hardware problem, but a problem with the software having a hard time knowing which band/signal it should connect to. It seems that in my case it prioritizes 4G signal and the cost of a VERY unstable cellphone service. This is also assosiated with the fact that when it connects to 3G (incredibly rare), the phone goes inmediately from 1/2 bars to 4/5 bars. I also changed the SIM configuration to leave LTE out, but either for a visual bug or a software bug, it keeps connecting only to 4G. So could this be the problem that me and a lot of people in low 4G signal zones are having? Is there anyway i can force the phone to connect exclusivly to the 3G signal to test if that is indeed the problem?
Regards!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Without knowing which model Axon 7 you are using, where you are using it, and who your provider is, there is little anyone can do to help you. All I can say is that it helped me A LOT to go into settings and turn off
VoLTE.
tabletalker7 said:
Without knowing which model Axon 7 you are using, where you are using it, and who your provider is, there is little anyone can do to help you. All I can say is that it helped me A LOT to go into settings and turn off
VoLTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U model last update, using it from Argentina, and the provider is Claro. I have LTE disabled in SIM confg as i already said and VoLTE turn of as well but the phone keeps connecting to 4G no matter what i do, even if i configure it to only GSM
I don't think its a matter of position or provider (version could be if different software is provided), but a general issue with the phone and band/signal interpretation coupled with the apparent innability to go off 4G
Refards!
Nehuen said:
U model last update, using it from Argentina, and the provider is Claro. I have LTE disabled in SIM confg as i already said and VoLTE turn of as well but the phone keeps connecting to 4G no matter what i do, even if i configure it to only GSM
I don't think its a matter of position or provider (version could be if different software is provided), but a general issue with the phone and band/signal interpretation coupled with the apparent innability to go off 4G
Refards!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok when it connects to LTE it says "4G LTE". The 4G that you are getting is probably HSPA or something. And we had someone on here a few months back using Claro in Argentina and they had to seek answers from their Claro
tabletalker7 said:
ok when it connects to LTE it says "4G LTE". The 4G that you are getting is probably HSPA or something. And we had someone on here a few months back using Claro in Argentina and they had to seek answers from their Claro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If "4G LTE" is 4G and "4G" is HSPA, when only a "G" appears, what band am i connecting too? Its still pretty weird that im having major signal issues in my town, but when i go to a big city my signal is even better than other phones, it seems inconsistent with the whole "bad hardware" theory. I talked to Claro and it seemed like from their end it was a non issue, can you point me to the thread to see if he got it fixed somehow?
Regards!
Nehuen said:
If "4G LTE" is 4G and "4G" is HSPA, when only a "G" appears, what band am i connecting too? Its still pretty weird that im having major signal issues in my town, but when i go to a big city my signal is even better than other phones, it seems inconsistent with the whole "bad hardware" theory. I talked to Claro and it seemed like from their end it was a non issue, can you point me to the thread to see if he got it fixed somehow?
Regards!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
/Trolling a bit/
I'm always LMAO when I hear US people talking about that 4G scam (which is H+ for real btw)
G is for 2G
E is for 2G+
3G is 3G
H is 3G+
H+ is 3G++ (an intermediary protocol up to 42MBps)
4G is LTE (up to 150Mbps in the EU most of the time)
4G+ is LTE-A (which is available in most of the EU, SK & JP) - up to 600Mbps, 200MBps in most tests
I've not heard of an app that could modify the way the phone "clings" to 4G LTE, since that might likely be the modem firmware doing it on its own.
RedWave31 said:
/Trolling a bit/
I'm always LMAO when I hear US people talking about that 4G scam (which is H+ for real btw)
G is for 2G
E is for 2G+
3G is 3G
H is 3G+
H+ is 3G++ (an intermediary protocol up to 42MBps)
4G is LTE (up to 150Mbps in the EU most of the time)
4G+ is LTE-A (which is available in most of the EU, SK & JP) - up to 600Mbps, 200MBps in most tests
I've not heard of an app that could modify the way the phone "clings" to 4G LTE, since that might likely be the modem firmware doing it on its own.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then this is even weirder, because is G is not 3G, but 2G it means that the phone NEVER connects to the major band that all of my previous phones and Claro users connect to. Is there anyway to force to only connect to 3G?
Regards!
i have the G european model, in my town i have bad lte signal 1/2bar, when with my previously xiaomi mi4c was got 4/5 bars (maximum). In the big town i have got in the most of cases 4/5 bars. I think the "signal problems" are relatives of a lack of somehow software. i told this because i've read with the china model with the last updates an improvement of the signal reception of the phone.
Nehuen said:
Then this is even weirder, because is G is not 3G, but 2G it means that the phone NEVER connects to the major band that all of my previous phones and Claro users connect to. Is there anyway to force to only connect to 3G?
Regards!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can however force a specific protocol indeed, but you will lack the ability to autoswitch networks. Just download 4G LTE Switch (here) which is a glorified secret code dialer. Just click on prefered network and change at your convenience (4G LTE only, WCDMA only - H+ - and so on). Remember that if you force 4G LTE in an area in which you have no coverage, you won't have internet, and no 2G/3G fallback (so no texts, no calls)
I don't know if this is the same problem, but my wife has an iPhone 6+ and I have an A2017U on B29 stock root. We both use the same network (Movistar Mexico) and while her iPhone often registers LTE, my A7 often registers 4G or even E in the same place. The A7 is receiving the same bands but appears to be "choosing" or locking into the slower protocols more often.
EDIT: NEVER MIND… an xposed module was messing with my network settings. Fixed it. Now I get LTE right away.
nuserame said:
EDIT: NEVER MIND… an xposed module was messing with my network settings. Fixed it. Now I get LTE right away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which module?
What if flash any Custom OS?Would it give better signal ?

No mobile data during calls on G930U

I just flashed G930U firmware (Oreo RG3) on my verizon S7 and overall I'm much happier with my phone. But, sometimes when placing a call with a strong LTE signal, the mobile data disappears and becomes unavailable until the call is completed. The strange thing is that it only happens 50 percent of the time. I've changed my network settings from global to LTE/ CDMA but that doesn't fix the problem. Is this a known issue with the "u" firmware? Or is it perhaps only prevalent on this particular version I installed? Any feedback is appreciated! Thanks!
maxforwardspeed said:
I just flashed G930U firmware (Oreo RG3) on my verizon S7 and overall I'm much happier with my phone. But, sometimes when placing a call with a strong LTE signal, the mobile data disappears and becomes unavailable until the call is completed. The strange thing is that it only happens 50 percent of the time. I've changed my network settings from global to LTE/ CDMA but that doesn't fix the problem. Is this a known issue with the "u" firmware? Or is it perhaps only prevalent on this particular version I installed? Any feedback is appreciated! Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think that the devices stay connected to 4G LTE while on the actual phonecall as it uses the data maybe for the enhanced calling?
I noticed the same change in connections on my Verizon s7 and att s4. It varies and changes during initiated outbound calls or once a call is incoming. Even seconds before incoming calls I see it drop from 4g LTE down to no internet at all. Then without wifi connected during those ones you can't get online while in call. It depends on phone Carrier like Att, Vzw, and even tracfone brand devices.
It usually cuts back to 3g or H+ and even old Edge/gprs or worse, 2g speeds until the calls are complete. Then regular 4g LTE will come back if your phone is working. This is all from personal experience so please don't take what I say over the other developers who might be able to explain what it is happening a little better.
Hope this helps either way!
P.s- It also probably depends on how strong your signal is to determine what speed you will drop down to during calls. Exp. 4g lte,4g,H+,H,3g,2g,edge,gprs,wap.

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