Develop Bugs

Operator Network Monitor

Hi - I'm looking for an application that will measure the strength of different cellphone operator networks in various locations.
Basically, I'm having trouble with a weak signal on Orange at home and would like some way to measure which network is going to give me the best coverage in my most common locations - home, work etc - and from there work out which would be best for me!
The various 'coverage maps' provided on the operator's websites are very pretty, but aren't detailed enough - Orange say coverage of my home location if excellent, for example. But it ain't!
I'm using an unlocked Blackstone, so presumably there's some way of convincing it to measure the strength of other networks.
Any help would be gratefully received!

I don't think you need a special app to do this... I can make my HD connect to a different network by going to the Settings Tab in TF3D, tapping Communications, going to Settings (Left-Soft-Key) --> Phone, switching to the Network Tab (third from the left) and changing "Network selection" from "automatic" to "manual". I'm presented a list of networks I can currently connect to and I can choose which one I want to use. By trying all available networks and comparing the reception bars you have, you could determine which network has the best coverage...

Fieldtest will give the signal strengths of up to six cells but IIRC it doesn't give the CellID for them so it wouldn't be easy to match the results to the operator (if indeed they are different operators rather than the current operator's ones that are 'local').
Hopefully someone will come in with a nice app that does what you require.

morfis said:
Fieldtest will give the signal strengths of up to six cells but IIRC it doesn't give the CellID for them so it wouldn't be easy to match the results to the operator (if indeed they are different operators rather than the current operator's ones that are 'local').
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no idea what you are talking about...

Fieldtest is an application that was meant for HTC engineers rather than general release. It gives info about the radio activity.

Quick search, no idea if this one will work
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=357092

Steeve24 said:
Quick search, no idea if this one will work
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=357092
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting, I didn't realise there was a version that would show the CellIDs.....now to work out how to make it display the cellIDs of the neighbours as it doesn't seem to be doing?

Armed with the CellID and location code ...is there an easy way to convert those to an operator and the actual site location?

To answer my own question (info from a friend so credit to him)
http://www.opencellid.org/

further to this I can add that the windows mobile client for opencellid (http://opencellclient.sourceforge.net/index.html) works on my Blackstone

Field test can be done by 2 methods:
1. on dialler type *#*#364#*#*
2. or use file attached

Fallen Spartan said:
Field test can be done by 2 methods:
1. on dialler type *#*#364#*#*
2. or use file attached
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi mate, have you made any comparison between radio 1.14 and 1.16 ?

HSUPA on AT&T

I noticed HSUPA is disabled in Advanced Configuration Manager on my new Tilt 2. What's up with that? I thought AT&T supported HSUPA?

It does. Maybe ATT is doing that to give more bandwidth to iPhone users...

I'm curious, which option under AdvConfig are you looking at?

xnifex said:
I'm curious, which option under AdvConfig are you looking at?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Data Connections-> HSUPA support
"Enables or disables support in Advanced Network Settings"
It was set to disabled. After enabling, I still cannot see anything refering to it under Settings-> Connection-> Advanced Network.

Anyone surprised by this doesn't know AT&T very well.

SaltyDawg said:
Anyone surprised by this doesn't know AT&T very well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the above activation fix actually work and we are left with an icon issue, like you are connected to HSUPA but only show 3G.

SaltyDawg said:
Anyone surprised by this doesn't know AT&T very well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HSDPA is enabled by default but it only shows a 3G symbol. I'm getting consistent speeds over 1000.
However, I can't find any of the settings the above posts mention...
EDIT: I read too quickly. You guys are talking about U not D. But for D, what I said above applies.

From what I have heard before, the phone does support the H speed, just that the H icon was disabled probably to prevent confusion among the common (non XDA) user.

I enabled both the HSDPA icon and HSUPA in AdvancedConfig and it works for me.

WMguy said:
HSDPA is enabled by default but it only shows a 3G symbol. I'm getting consistent speeds over 1000.
However, I can't find any of the settings the above posts mention...
EDIT: I read too quickly. You guys are talking about U not D. But for D, what I said above applies.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What program do you use to test your speed?

on the fuze, hsdpa was enabled but att disabled hsupa to save some money for themselves. changing HKLM\Software\HTC\AdvancedNetwork\SupportHSUPA to 1 fixed that. i dont have a tilt 2 so dont hold me to that. if youre just talking about the icon then yes, att does put hspa protocols under the 3g icon.

alwayslearning said:
What program do you use to test your speed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
www.dslreports.com/mspeed

WMguy said:
www.dslreports.com/mspeed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you

motocrossmann said:
Data Connections-> HSUPA support
"Enables or disables support in Advanced Network Settings"
It was set to disabled. After enabling, I still cannot see anything refering to it under Settings-> Connection-> Advanced Network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this also in the stock AT&T ROM, because I can't seem to find the option?

There is another thread that talks about this already, but it seems the conclusion was that even though it only shows "3G" it runs at the HSDPA speeds. Mine is over 1000kbps all the time, and I can see why at&t wouldnt want to confuse regular phone users with a big "H" at the top.

There is another thread that talks about this already, but it seems the conclusion was that even though it only shows "3G" it runs at the HSDPA speeds. Mine is over 1000kbps all the time, and I can see why at&t wouldnt want to confuse regular phone users with a big "H" at the top.
There is a reg edit to change it so you will have the "H" at the top somewhere on here.

addisdar said:
Is this also in the stock AT&T ROM, because I can't seem to find the option?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to use Advanced Configuration Manager to see this option.

iceman4357 said:
There is another thread that talks about this already, but it seems the conclusion was that even though it only shows "3G" it runs at the HSDPA speeds. Mine is over 1000kbps all the time, and I can see why at&t wouldnt want to confuse regular phone users with a big "H" at the top.
There is a reg edit to change it so you will have the "H" at the top somewhere on here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My original question wasn't about the device displaying H or 3G, but the HSUPA support (not icon) in Advanced Config Manager. Mine showed the option as disabled.
In the end, I think the point is moot. With the ATT rom, my device showed the same speed test results as with the OE HTC 6.5 rom, regardless of that setting.

motocrossmann said:
My original question wasn't about the device displaying H or 3G, but the HSUPA support (not icon) in Advanced Config Manager. Mine showed the option as disabled.
In the end, I think the point is moot. With the ATT rom, my device showed the same speed test results as with the OE HTC 6.5 rom, regardless of that setting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So are you saying AT&T doesn't have HSUPA in your area, or are you saying HSUPA is enabled and Advanced Configuration Manager is wrong?
What kind of upload speeds are you seeing?

I enabled HSUPA but I am not getting HSUPA speeds....? Is it actually possible with the stock ATT ROM? Or any TILT2 for that matter?

[q] configuring wimax for other areas?

Hi,
I have a business trip coming up to Saudi Arabia next week. I know that my cdma evo won't work there, but there are quite a few WiMax providers in Saudi Arabia. Can the EVO be reconfigured for a different wimax provider if I was to pay for a plan with them? Would love to have data while out there..
Thanks,
-mark

If i'm not mistaken, wimax functions like a broadspectrum Wi-Fi, It should automatically find the signal, but you would need your phone to be registered in their system for it to accept the connection request. I could be completely wrong, but that is how i believe the connection works.

You should be able to edit the network settings through EPST if you're running a Sense ROM. I don't remember what dialer code it is.
The main issue would be the radio frequencies. Do you know if they're the same as Sprint's/Clear's?

Noxious Ninja said:
You should be able to edit the network settings through EPST if you're running a Sense ROM. I don't remember what dialer code it is.
The main issue would be the radio frequencies. Do you know if they're the same as Sprint's/Clear's?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So after researching the functionality of WiMax, it wont be a frequency issue, WiMAX works like WiFi, in the sense that any WiMax device can pickup any WiMax signal, it then falls on the carrier's side to allow the device to connect. WiMax runs on IEEE 802.16, similar to Wi-Fi which uses 802.11.
www.wimaxforum.org, and a full sitemap of Wimax locations can be found at www.Wimaxmaps.org
Now what this has also been able to let us know is that Saudi Arabia does not have a Mobile Wi-Max infrastructure, they have Fixed/Nomadic Wi-Max which requires a person to be stationary in the vicinity of the signal. 802.16e is Mobile Wi-Max, and 802.16d is Fixed/Nomadic Wi-Max. Now I don't know whether or not the EVO is capable of receiving 802.16d wireless signals, just like some 802.11 cards are labeled a/b/g/n because not all cards are capable of viewing the same revision.
If the EVO is capable of receiving 802.16d signals, then it should only be a matter of finding out from the Wi-Max provider in SA as to what they require for you to be able to access their WiMax network, if anything at all.
The attached Images show the Mobile WiMax frequencies that are broadcast in the US, and the Fixed/Nomadic Frequencies that are broadcast in SA.

Khilbron said:
Now what this has also been able to let us know is that Saudi Arabia does not have a Mobile Wi-Max infrastructure, they have Fixed/Nomadic Wi-Max which requires a person to be stationary in the vicinity of the signal. 802.16e is Mobile Wi-Max, and 802.16d is Fixed/Nomadic Wi-Max. Now I don't know whether or not the EVO is capable of receiving 802.16d wireless signals, just like some 802.11 cards are labeled a/b/g/n because not all cards are capable of viewing the same revision.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the clarification. You're right - I hadn't seen any mention of mobile wimax - just wimax @ home there..
cheers,
-mark

There are more reasons it won't work:
- WiMax can be deployed on multiple frequencies. If they don't match, it won't work.
- I don't know the exact details of how this is implemented, but when you connect to Sprint's WiMax, there's an encryption key exchange. I don't know if that's just intended to keep other WiMax devices off of Sprint, or if it also prevents your phone from negotiating a connection with something off Sprint. In other words, even if the carrier isn't trying to negotiate with a key, is the fact that our phones are programmed to use that key in the connection process going to cause a problem? I don't know the answer to this.
- If the carrier you're trying to connect to requires a similar handshake, you wouldn't have the right key on your phone to do that.
- There aren't any global roaming arrangements for WiMax as far as I know. That carrier doesn't intend to let you use it if they can't get paid, even if no technical restrictions prevent it.

[Q] Change preferred network order?

I have a slightly odd requirement, and I wondered if there was any way to fix it:
My carrier has a partnership with a second carrier so we can roam on each others networks for no extra cost.
Where I live, my own carrier only gives me a 2G signal, whereas the other gets 3G. Thing is, I have to physically select the other network. If it's on Automatic, it always "prefers" my own carrier.
This is fine until I'm on the other side of town where the other network gets no signal at all. I then have to manually select my own carrier again!
Is there any way to get it to prefer the other network, or even more ideally, prefer the one that offers the better signal at any given point?

Hi,
a bit of *bump* because I'm struggling with the same issue. I had such option on my previous samsung i780 (oooold) and it worked like a charm.
Currently my mobile operator has 2 roaming partners and if I want to change quickly the preferred order (because in some location it might have better coverage but only there and only for a while) I wold have to switch simcard to the old phone...
Isn't there at even a separate aplication to do that? Does andorid API allow such modification?

Glad I'm not the only one!
Interesting you mention an app to do it... i've not looked actually. If an app can access the list of networks and actually set the phone to use one, then I guess it would be possible. I'll check it out...

to the best of my understanding this is somewhat network option/setting and when suggesting an app I was thinging abount some way to read this setting, modify it and then save/send back to network. It would be a matter of access to the network settings from the API and knowledge how to operate it....

Still investigating this. Looks like the stuff to access the list of networks is in some internal APIs, so a little harder to access. I'll post back when I learn more...

Hey I hope you guys can figure this out have you tried the *#*#4636#*#* command and changed the radio? This will select the most preferred network.. e.g. I'm with Telstra in Australia, the stock radio defaults to 2100MHz but Telstra's HSPA+ is 850Mhz.. so I have to switch to AUS2 radio so it defaults to that every time.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

@Simmo3D
It's not about the radio band but about the service provider itself.

[UPDATE: 4/2/12] PRL Information Thread

Before I go into the full details of the project, let's go over what a PRL is, what it does, and why it matters to you.
What Really is a PRL?
"The Preferred Roaming List (PRL) is a database residing in a wireless (primarily CDMA) device, such as a cellphone, that contains information used during the system selection and acquisition process. In the case of R-UIM-based CDMA devices, the PRL resides on the R-UIM. The PRL indicates which bands, sub bands and service provider identifiers will be scanned and in what priority order. Without a PRL, the device may not be able to roam, i.e. obtain service outside of the home area. There may be cases where missing or corrupt PRL's can lead to a customer not having service at all.
On many networks, regularly updating the PRL is advised if the subscriber uses the device outside the home area frequently, particularly if they do so in multiple different areas. This allows the phone to choose the best roaming carriers, particularly "roaming partners" with whom the home carrier has a cost-saving roaming agreement, rather than using non-affiliated carriers. PRL files can also be used to identify home networks along with roaming partners, thus making the PRL an actual list that determines the total coverage of the subscriber, both home and roaming coverage."
Source: Wikipedia
TLDR: The PRL tells a device what towers to connect to, which frequency to search on, and in what order to connect to them. This includes "on" and "off" network towers. PRLs do not effect 4G WiMax performance.
Why Should I Care?
The PRL directly effects the coverage you receive and the data speed performance of your device. Ensuring you have the latest PRL is critical to maintaining the best signal your device will get. However, there are a few "special" PRLs we can use in order to gain access to hidden features, such as 3G data roaming.
So What is This About?
I'm glad you asked. I've been working on this for a few months now and I'm now ready to go public in order to gain more statistical data from my fellow peers. I have a collection of PRLs that I have rigorously tested to see which ones give me the best performance. This isn't enough. I need real world testing for as many members as I can get.
While I can't give the full details of my project away yet, let me assure you it will benefit everyone on Sprint. Phase 1 of my project has already started and here is how you can contribute:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ArqBGjrbNosddGR3OURoNnJLdTlTaEo1RmVEYjdVNlE
The above document is open to everyone and can be edited by everyone. This spreadsheet will be used to compile data from everyone's usage of the PRLs available to us. Check the bottom of the file for sheet of each individual PRL. Each one has it's own sheet. Just add your data for which ever PRL you are testing.
The tool accepted for measuring data speed is Speedtest.net. They are the industries leader in speed testing, and it is a very reliable application.
If the PRL you are testing isn't there, I have included a template sheet so you can make your own sheet. Please stick to the format and be honest. This project is for everyone to benefit from, so don't ruin it for anyone. Also be sure you are adding your raw data to the correct PRL sheet. Little mistake like that can skew the data. Please test "Home" and "Roam" equally, I am trying to obtain the best performing PRL overall. I want to repeat that 4G WiMax is not effected by PRL, so do not include 4G in your testing.
Be impartial, be true, be consistent, and most of all be precise. If you notice something is wrong, fix it. You can chat inside the document. Just check the top right hand side for the people viewing the document. I will check this document often and update it regularly.
I have included the primary PRLs for testing in the 2nd post, and instructions how to manually update your PRL from a PC in the 3rd post. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask away.
[UPDATE: 3/4/12]
- Closed private testing
- Added ##3432# to 3rd post
[UPDATE: 3/6/12]
- Revised 3rd Post
- Added Nexus S 4G support
- Added Disclaimer to 2nd Post about Network Vision PRLs
[UPDATE: 4/2/12]
- Phase 1 of private testing is through. Haven't posted results yet
- Added new updated version of PRLs in 2nd post
- Updated guides in 3rd post

PRL Information
Mobile Broadband Corporate Sprint PRL
- 11115 (Outdated)
- 11117 (Outdated)
- 11119
Mobile Broadband Corporate Sprint PRL for Network Vision*
- 12117 (Outdated)
- 12119
Corporate Sprint PRL
- 61085
Corporate Sprint PRL for Network Vision*
- 22085
Sprint PRL for Network Vision*
- 21083 (Outdated)
- 21085 (Outdated)
- 21086
Sprint PRL
- 60683 (Outdated)
- 60685 (Outdated)
- 60686
Modified Verizon PRL
- 00001 (Outdated)
- 00002
* If your device is not a "Network Vision Ready" device, these PRLs will not change that fact. It does not hurt to test these as they might improve the performance of your device.

How to Update PRL Manually:
You must have your respected device's drivers installed prior to starting.
Download and Install QPST 2.7 - Build 366
Open QPST Configuration in the "QPST" folder under Programs
Disable debugging on your device
Type one of the following codes in you respected device's dialer and switch to "CP" or "Modem"
Epic 4G Touch: ##8778#
HTC EVO 3D: ##3424#
Nexus S 4G: *#*#8778#*#*
Plug in your device
Click on the “Ports” tab and “Add a new port”
Select the “COMXX – USB\QC Diagnostic” and click ok. If you don’t see a port, uncheck the box for "Show Serial and USB/QC Diagnostic ports only" and add all of the USB/Unknown ports. One of them should show an active phone.
Click “Start Clients” on the top of the program and open Service Programming
Select your device
Click "Read from Phone" and enter "000000"
Click the "Roam" tab
Click "Browse" and select the PRL you wish to use
Click "Write to Phone"
Phone should reboot with the PRL you specified
How to Pull PRL From Device:
You must have your respected device's drivers installed prior to starting.
Download and Install QPST 2.7 - Build 366
Open QPST Configuration in the "QPST" folder under Programs
Disable debugging on your device
Type one of the following codes in you respected device's dialer and switch to "CP" or "Modem"
Epic 4G Touch: ##8778#
HTC EVO 3D: ##3424#
Nexus S 4G: *#*#8778#*#*
Plug in your device
Click on the “Ports” tab and “Add a new port”
Select the “COMXX – USB\QC Diagnostic” and click ok. If you don’t see a port, uncheck the box for "Show Serial and USB/QC Diagnostic ports only" and add all of the USB/Unknown ports. One of them should show an active phone.
Click “Start Clients” on the top of the program and open Service Programming
Select your device
Click "Read from Phone" and enter "000000" or your MSL
Click "Save to File" and save the file
Open RL Editor in the QPST folder
Go to "File" then "Open" and navigate to the location where you saved the file
Open the .r0l file
Go to "File" then "Save As" and save the file as a .prl file type.
If either are unclear in any way, please let me know.

What are your opinions on 12117? I am interested in this one.

phatmanxxl said:
What are your opinions on 12117? I am interested in this one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So far it hasn't performed like I expected. I believe this is due to our devices not being Network Vision ready. Originally it was reported and displayed that it was tested for the 800 MHz band, but I guess that was a lie. I do not think the 800 MHz band can be disabled by software. This makes sense since we have the regular PRL's like all the other devices.
So far 60683 performs the best on network. If you roam a lot, the 11115 seems to be the way to go, that way you can flip between roaming and home network with Roam Control.

Yes way out here in the country 1115 has worked best for me. Thanks.

phatmanxxl said:
Yes way out here in the country 1115 has worked best for me. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Feel free to test the 12117 though! You never know what you may get in performance. Maybe it really does work and our device can pick up the 800 MHz frequency? Maybe during the time of testing 12117 didn't perform like it should have due to variables.
Like I said, I have multiple tests I still need to run, then I can move on to phase 2.

Maybe you are not in an area with network vision enabled yet?

donsh00tmesanta said:
Maybe you are not in an area with network vision enabled yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm really interested in trying out the 11115 PRL. I'll let you know how it goes.

Love that you wrote it on a boogieboard. Thing's really useful.

Been running 11115 for awhile. Definitely get best of both worlds
Sent from my Epic Galaxy S2

Does 9999 has Verizon 3G or only Verizon 1x?

Running 11115 PRL here. I get exceptional roaming data rates, and very good home network data rates. Coupled with Roam Control for network access at work, 11115 PRL is best for me.
Thanks Korey for all your work.

Excel is more practical...

Wouldn't it make more sense to do the tests at morning/afternoon/night on separate days, then take the average from there? I think that would be a more well rounded test.

11115 has been the best for me by far. Alot of the places I go I end up roaming. Paired with Roam Control I can switch it over to roaming and get Data when I need it. I don't run it like that all the time but when I do force it so roam I get nice 3G speeds.

I've tested 11115 multiple times with latest version of Roam Control, in Northern New Jersey. I only get 1x Verizon data speeds, no matter what, including the typical long latencies (~900ms).
With 9999 I get robust 3G Verizon data, but doesn't roam back onto Sprint when there is poor Verizon coverage.
Ideal would be something akin to 9999 but with roaming back onto Sprint network when needed.

I have been using the 01337 Hacked Verizon PRL for a long time now and it's performed great.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=729989&d=1316909416

I get no data roaming with this in Boston for some reason

jerdog said:
I have been using the 01337 Hacked Verizon PRL for a long time now and it's performed great.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=729989&d=1316909416
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what is unique about this one? Sprint and data roaming on Verizon?