I've just switched to an Asda Mobile contract, which has good 3G coverage in my area (according to their 3G coverage map). I let the phone auto-configure the data settings and restarted, but it still seems to use GPRS to connect every time (i.e. I see the "G" icons in the title bar).
How can I:
(a) check for a local 3G signal, and
(b) force the phone to use it if available?
Related
Feel free to refer to THIS THREAD
Summed up, since the UMTS towers in my area are operating in some sort of testing mode, I am only able to maintain/achieve UMTS reception by "dragging" it with me through hand-offs, which ONLY WORK IF I'M ON AN ACTIVE DATA CALL (H symbol showing). When the data transfer (which I keep active with MobiTV or streaming radio) pauses/ends, the "H", as usual, turns back to "3G", and the tower "kicks me off" 2-3 seconds after that. The phone loses reception, rescans, and connects to a GSM tower with no way to force it to register back to the UMTS tower, which has a stronger signal... NOW THE QUESTION:
Is there any way to trick the network into believing that my data connection is constantly being used so i can maintain this connection? Maybe keep HSDPA active w/out any actual data transfer or possibly writing a script that would download a fraction of a kilobyte every 2-3 seconds?... just a thought...let's hear yours...
I have been trying to get the data connection to work, when I am in a 2G coverage area, however I didn't have any luck.
3G works ok, but as soon as it goes on the GSM as apposed to WCDMA setting, none of the online options are available.
Do I have to set another access point on the phone to get data when I only have GSM (2G) coverage?
Hmmm, for some strange reason, yesterday while at work, I couldn't connect to T-mobile's 2G data network (GPRS)... Yesterday evening it shutdown by itself (empty battery) and after I restarted it, I have 2G data connection... very slow but it is there...
I wonder what may have been the problem. Any thoughts?
Guys is it totally normal for your internet connection icon to continuously switch between 3G and H?? no matter whether I set it for WCDMA only or GSM / WCDMA auto..
I have noticed that when there is no current internet connection being made - the icon remains 3G, then when i connect to the internet it switches to H, but freezes up all the time. When I use my o2 sim on the same desire handset, the icon remains H and the speed is fast continuously without any pause or disruptions.
Any help would be much appreciated, also a copy of an APN for orange internet would be great so I could check it with mine.
Never noticed a H on mine. Only seen it go to 3G+
Mine goes between 3G and H all the time while im in my flat.
Not checked while im out.
Its probs a network thing, orange might not have a strong 3G+ network in your area so it keeps switching. I even seen mine on GPRS sometimes.
3G+ is HSDPA
What I'm trying to say is that my phone never displays a H just a 3G+. I have pretty good HSDPA coverage where I am
thanks for the replies - will keep testing my internet connection, still feel that o2 was faster but what the heck - the Desire was free so had to switch alliance!
Hi,
Tomorrow I'm going out of town for two weeks to florida, and ive checked the coverage map for tmobile, and it says there's no signal for tmobile where i'm going. How would I be able to connect to att's signal, or is that even possible? Thanks if You guys can help!
Ask your operator (-T-mobile) if he has roaming agreements with another operator in the area you will be. If so then the device will hook to the network there automatically. You will notice a new symbol on the status line at the top looking like a triangle - indicating that you are in a "foreign" network.
Mind that tarrifs are much higher if you are hooked to a "foreign" network. Usually also terminating calls cost you then.
I'm in the area now, and there's absolutely no signal whatsoever. Apparently there is roaming agreements here. My zip code where I'm at right now is 32346 (Panacea, FL). In network seletion it shows that AT&T is available as a network to select, but when I select it, it says "Cannot save settings, verify that You have network coverage or if the settings are available" Or simply, "No cell availabe''. Whats upi with this?
You say there is no signal but you can select a network?
I suspect that the default network for (T-Mobile) does not deliver a signal - which seems obvious as they do not supply coverage where you are.
When you go to select another network it usually shows you the available networks which HAVE a signal - otherwise they are not listed. You can however not tell how good the signal is (I suspect the best are listed at the top) and if you are at the edge your login may fail due to this.
I suggest you set the network selection to "automatic" and keep the device with you when you move around. It should login the network once the signal is strong enough. Be patient though - the retry to login is done in a minutes interval range to save battery. To check the network signal strength you could find people that have a phone and are logged in the AT&T network. Or go to an AT&T shop and ask there.
it doesn't matter which network your phone picks up here in florida, unless you have it unlocked and with an att simcard it won't matter, is not like when I went up north to canada with my dash, that even though it was roaming it picked up rogers , I live in a weak area for tmobile, I had to go outside my house when I had my dash , 'cause it wouldn't get a signal indoors, and it would show att indoors on my phone but it would never let me do anything , calls, text, or anything, I would have to go outside and let it find tmobile before I would be able to use it.
My home is well within the Sprint 4G coverage area shown on the coverage maps. When I turn on 4G (from the Settings screen) it connects to the "Sprint Network" and obtains an IP address (Signal strength = Good).
BUT:
None of the applications which require network access (browser, Market, email, YouTube, etc) can connect. They'll open up, but they can't access the network. If I uncheck Mobile networks in Settings > Wireless & Networks and then re-check it again, it reports "Service unavailable" despite the fact that the 4G Settings screen still reports Connected to Spring with "Good" signal strength and I still have an IP Address.
I should add that the phone has been doing this since I got the phone in November, but I figured it was due to the "unofficial/testing" status of the 4G coverage. I also installed the new 3.70.651.1 update hoping that it would fix the problem, but it had no effect.
After telephone support ran out of things to try they issued a Ticket # and sent me to a Sprint repair location this morning. That location couldn't test the phone on 4G because the store isn't in a 4G coverage area so they just replaced it with a brand new one (not a referb). So I get it home and try it on 4G before I make a single configuration change and the new phone does exactly the same thing as the old one: Good 4G connection but no service.
Has anyone else experienced this problem? Did you find an answer for it?
Thanks!
Pete
Note: All apps seem to work fine when I'm connected to 3G.
Additional info:
For the record, switching back to 3G after trying 4G results in the battery dropping like a stone. aLogcat reveals a flood of those damned <DC Connect> failures going on in the background. Thankfully, powering the phone off and on clears the problem until I try 4G again.
Two things of note:
It doesn't matter whether I use the 4G widget or the Wireless & networks screen.
Removing the 4G widget has no effect.
Pete