[Q] HSDPA & 3G connection on Rogers & Bell - G2 and Desire Z Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi all,
I"m new here, with a quick question based on my usage today on both the Bell and Rogers network.
I unlocked my HTC Desire Z this afternoon, and I tried it out on Rogers to see what the speeds were like. It has been an odd experience. Here's the background, and my question is below.
Background:
- Aside from being unlocked, it is as originally shipped from Bell (e.g. no root access, ROM hasn't been flashed etc.)
- APN settings were taken from Rogers' own website (e.g. using rogers-core-appl1.apn).
- Speeds tested in downtown Toronto.
Experience so far:
Bell
I get a solid HSDPA indicator all the time (save elevators etc., when there is no connection). I can remember seeing a 3G connection icon perhaps once on Bell since I got it last week. Speeds are very good, four to five bars most of the time
Rogers
I get a solid 3G icon almost all of the time, except when I'm using data, in which case it seems to switch over to the HSDPA icon. Literally, it will show a 3G, and then if I try to browse the web, the icon will immediately switch to an H from a 3G and the web page will load quite quickly.
I was concerned that it was dropping the HSDPA connection frequently, and using 3G instead -- changing towers constantly. So I tried speedtesting it. The results were completely opposite what I expected.
Speedtest Results:
Using the Speedtest.net app (from Ookla) testing against the same Oakville, ON server from Toronto, I'm getting speeds dramatically faster on Rogers. I did three speedtests for each network.
Bell:
Fastest Down: 3411 kbps Fastest Up: 1633 kbps
Slowest Down: 1969 kbps Slowest Up: 1331 kbps
Rogers:
Fastest Down: 5740 kbps Fastest Up: 3766 kbps
Slowest Down: 5405 kbps Slowest Up: 1551 kbps
Ping latency was generally slightly higher on Rogers than Bell.
Question
Does anyone understand why, on Rogers, the Desire Z would be showing a 3G until data is requested, at which time it swaps over to show an H icon (e.g. HSDPA), whereas on Bell, it shows a constant HSDPA connection?
I would have thought that it would be slower on Rogers since it was showing 3G and then the icon switches to H, but I'm guessing that the icon switch isn't really reflecting what's going on, since the speeds are faster when this icon switch occurs. Any ideas?
Many thanks in advance!
TF

Its not just the Desire Z but also most smartphones on rogers. i had a samsung galaxy and it did the same thing. However, (correct me out there, if im wrong) But i remember reading the HSDPA was inbetween 3g and 3.5g?...i dont remmeber but to me i know that Rogers is faster, my brother has a Bell phone and my speeds were always faster.
heres a bit of help i found
HSDPA is actually one of the 3G protocols.
In everyday language HSDPA is often referred to as much faster than (basic) 3G so I would call it much faster as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

jark99 said:
Its not just the Desire Z but also most smartphones on rogers. i had a samsung galaxy and it did the same thing. However, (correct me out there, if im wrong) But i remember reading the HSDPA was inbetween 3g and 3.5g?...i dont remmeber but to me i know that Rogers is faster, my brother has a Bell phone and my speeds were always faster.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure there really is a 3.5G as such, but if there is, then HSDPA is it. It provides faster speeds than the standard 3G (UMTS) protocols. There's also HSPA+ coming out, which is even faster. HSPA+ isn't 4G, although confusingly some carriers in the US (T-Mobile I think ?) are referring to it as such.

On O2 in the UK, I get the same effect, holds at 3G then switches to HSDPA when in use. There doesn't seem to be any latency when switching and if it can't achieve HSDPA it remains at 3G. Speedtest returns about 1.5-2 Mbit which is normal.
I can only imagine its a power saving feature as from experience with the Touch Diamond 2 / Touch Pro 2, having HSDPA enabled sucked battery life significantly. I don't remember this happening on those phones either. Seems like a good idea, but would be nice to choose (always on, auto, always off)
I actually used to disable HSDPA and use 3G exclusively and consistently got 2-3 days out of both phones with moderate use. I never missed it.
Craig

craiglay said:
I can only imagine its a power saving feature as from experience with the Touch Diamond 2 / Touch Pro 2, having HSDPA enabled sucked battery life significantly. I don't remember this happening on those phones either. Seems like a good idea, but would be nice to choose (always on, auto, always off)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That must be it -- interestingly, I went into the About Phone > Network > Signal Strength menu to check it out. When the icon is showing 3G, the "Mobile network type" is UTMS. When data is being transmitted, the icon immediately switches to H and the "Mobile network type" reports HSDPA.
Very cool -- I'm going to see if this -- by itself -- extends my battery life tomorrow. Thanks for the feedback!
TF

Just FYI -- there has been a dramatic improvement in my battery life on Rogers, compared to what I was experiencing on Bell. Typically, I would be at about 40% battery life left at this point in the day (presumably because I was constantly connected to HSDPA with Bell). Whereas I'm at 80% battery life left with the Rogers 3G connection, and I've still been connected to Wi-Fi for the past five hours and browsing reasonably heavily.
Thanks for your help in sorting this out everybody.
TF

Interesting, as Bell has rolled out several HSPA+ areas, Toronto being one of them, and Rogers still only has HSPA.
What I found odd on my DZ (still on Bells network) is that my Network Mode is GSM / WCDMA auto (never seen this on any other handset I've hand that's been HSDPA) and I understand that the HSDPA networks here are CDMA with a GSM overlay (ie, the need for a SIM card, etc) and I frequently see my icon changing from 3G to H (again, this is only on my DZ), but Bell only has a CDMA EVDO 3G network and the HSPA "3G+" network, there's not really a GSM enabled 3G network.
I'm confused, as on my Telus Milestone, it's constantly H, never once seen 3G appear on it, and Telus and Bell share their network.
Maybe I'm just horribly misinformed.

I donno if it is just me but I seem to be getting ridiculously slow 3G speeds here on my unlocked Desire Z using Rogers. I go to school in Hamilton at McMaster and most of the times the 3G is nigh on unusable because of its speeds. I don't know if it is an app or anything that has caused it because it was never slow when I first got the phone.
I am running the virtuous rom 0.72 atm. I do have half a mind to just factory reset the device adn see if that fixes the issues however I really don't want to lose all of my contacts and other settings that I have on this device.

TravelFiend said:
Rogers
I get a solid 3G icon almost all of the time, except when I'm using data, in which case it seems to switch over to the HSDPA icon. Literally, it will show a 3G, and then if I try to browse the web, the icon will immediately switch to an H from a 3G and the web page will load quite quickly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The same thing happening to me with Galaxy S,and this started a few days ago.
I unlocked my phone and I am using it on Telenor Serbia a and past two weeks it was just H all the time,now it's 3g all the time and when I start browsing it switch to H again and it work well,but why do that,should I be concern?

VladaP85 said:
The same thing happening to me with Galaxy S,and this started a few days ago.
I unlocked my phone and I am using it on Telenor Serbia a and past two weeks it was just H all the time,now it's 3g all the time and when I start browsing it switch to H again and it work well,but why do that,should I be concern?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me on O2 UK, it depends on the area.. Sometimes its solid 3G, sometimes solid H and sometimes 3G when idle, H when in use.. I guess its the base station software / hardware..
Craig

HAK Devil said:
I do have half a mind to just factory reset the device adn see if that fixes the issues however I really don't want to lose all of my contacts and other settings that I have on this device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you've snyced with google then your contacts will just sync back. And I go to school at Mac as well and usually the speeds are really slow inside any buildings... If i don't have full bars then the speed will be crap, otherwise they are fine. But I am on Fido, not Bell.
Also, I thought that Bell didn't have a 2G GSM network? If that is the case then that could be why only H would be appearing...

craiglay said:
For me on O2 UK, it depends on the area.. Sometimes its solid 3G, sometimes solid H and sometimes 3G when idle, H when in use.. I guess its the base station software / hardware..
Craig
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But why this start to happen two day ago and not before... Should I call my operator or it's up to my phone. Maybe to do factory reset of change rom...

VladaP85 said:
But why this start to happen two day ago and not before... Should I call my operator or it's up to my phone. Maybe to do factory reset of change rom...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It could be anything to be honest.. Your operator could have updated the base station.
It seems the phone is designed to do this probably to save power, HSDPA is battery intensive so having the phone in 3G while in standby probably saves quite a bit of power..
You could try emailing HTC with the question before your operator.
Regards
Craig

TravelFiend said:
Just FYI -- there has been a dramatic improvement in my battery life on Rogers, compared to what I was experiencing on Bell. Typically, I would be at about 40% battery life left at this point in the day (presumably because I was constantly connected to HSDPA with Bell). Whereas I'm at 80% battery life left with the Rogers 3G connection, and I've still been connected to Wi-Fi for the past five hours and browsing reasonably heavily.
Thanks for your help in sorting this out everybody.
TF
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you switched your phone to stay in umts only to get this dramatic battery gain?

craiglay said:
It could be anything to be honest.. Your operator could have updated the base station.
It seems the phone is designed to do this probably to save power, HSDPA is battery intensive so having the phone in 3G while in standby probably saves quite a bit of power..
You could try emailing HTC with the question before your operator.
Regards
Craig
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone is Samsung I9000 Galaxy S So maybe I will email Samsung...
Thanks,
Regards

From my understanding
GSM = 1G
GPRS= 2G = G
EDGE = 2.5G = E
UMTS = 3G = 3G
HSDPA/HSDUPA/HSPA+=3.5G = H
Since Rogers has all the above mentioned transceiver systems you will see that mostly on the Rogers network Android phones tend to stay on UMTS=3G switching to H only when more data throughput is required.
The battery life is much better on UMTS vs HSDPA hence you will get a better battery life on Rogers vs Bell.
Bell only has a HSDPA/HSPA+ network hence you will only see H
I am not claiming to be a 100% on this
Just my 2 cents by putting together 1 and 1

xdjneo said:
GSM = 1G
GPRS= 2G = G
EDGE = 2.5G = E
UMTS = 3G = 3G
HSDPA/HSDUPA/HSPA+=3.5G = H
Since Rogers has all the above mentioned transceiver systems you will see that mostly on the Rogers network Android phones tend to stay on UMTS=3G switching to H only when more data throughput is required.
The battery life is much better on UMTS vs HSDPA hence you will get a better battery life on Rogers vs Bell.
Bell only has a HSDPA/HSPA+ network hence you will only see H
I am not claiming to be a 100% on this
Just my 2 cents by putting together 1 and 1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nearly there (source Wikipedia),
GSM is 2G
GPRS is 2.5G
EDGE is 2.75G
UTMS is 3G
HSxPA is 3.5G
I would put HSPA+ as 3.75G as its slightly different to HSxPA but would settle for 3.5G
Broadly speaking battery life reduces the higher the generation but I think UTMS can be more efficient than 2.xG sometimes. (NOT HS... which is generally terrible all over hence the behaviour between 3G and H)
I always used to disable HSxPA because of the battery life, its just not easy on this phone. It requires root and editing a prop file..
Craig

Related

HSDPA Signal

After about a week plus of having my TP2, i realize that where i normally am surfing the net, i don't have HSDPA anymore. All i get is 3G. It's strange cos when i put the sim card into my TP, it gets HSDPA right away.
I've taken my TP2 out and in town, it gets HSDPA so that pretty much confirms that there is no setting problem. I've flashed with all the available Radio from the radio thread and none seem to help. I still can't get HSDPA where i'm sitting now while my TP would have full strength.
Anybody else has this problem? Is there a way to force HSDPA connection?
Anybody?
I just hard reset my TP2 and still no "H". Took the TP2 out for a drive closer to tonw and i get "H" which again means nothing is wrong with the settings portion.
Take the sim card out and put it into my TP, i get a strong full strength "H" from where my TP2 could not get
Weird & sad cos i use my data plan a lot.
Try downloading something and see if actively using the data connection switches it over from 3g to H
Let me preface by saying I don't have TP2 yet, still waiting on AT&T
I think without using something like Advanced Config (assuming there is a rhodium version), it will only show 3G even if it is in fact an HSDPA signal. You can adjust the setting with advanced config to enable the H display. But it is just enabling the icon I believe.
With the stock rom on my worldwide version it comes up with H when i use the data connection, otherwise it sits on 3g even in full reception ;- ) why i suggested it
worldwide edition is; world 3G on GSM right? where can you get that one!
Axeslocked said:
worldwide edition is; world 3G on GSM right? where can you get that one!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Worldwide except the USA I believe. Otherwise I would have bought it long ago
dammit!
I want to upgrade to this **** from my TyTN that is falling apart but no Canada 3G until 2010 quarter 2. thats when rogers upgrades to 2100
HSDPA is 3G. Some taskbars on the Touch Pro 2 label a 3G connection as "H" or HSDPA.
You are getting the same data speeds regardless of whether the "H" or the "3G" symbol can be seen on your phone.
However if you get an "E" or a "G" that means you will get EDGE speeds and GSM speeds respectively.
The fastest is as follows from left to right: 3G > EDGE > GSM
Thanx for the reply guys.
HSDPA is faster then 3G right? Or did i get that information wrong
Anyway HSDPA is already enable in my TP2 as when i move to other locations...say closer to town, i do get "H". I just feel that the reception is not as strong as that of the TP cos at home where my TP has HSDPA connection, my TP2 does not

Getting "H" instead of 3G

For the past few days i have been getting a "H" by the bars instead of "3G". Any ideas, I am hoping its not for "Home" and i am loosing 3G
T-Mobile TP2 With Tmo WM 6.5
what carrier and what ROM?
Tmobile, With the new TMO 6.5
Be Happy!
Read the GOOD news.
http://www.brighthand.com/default.asp?newsID=16066&news=T-Mobile+3G+HSPA+7.2Mbps+LTE
Yea i know of the upgrade. Dident think it would change the bars.
It's purely cosmetic anyways, I wouldn't worry too much about it. In fact, the setting can be changed in one or more of the tweak utilities. The Tilt 2 has the opposite issue. The stock ROM only shows 3G instead of H.
I'm on AT&T and I get the H all the time. I don't really notice any speed difference though.
donniesd said:
Tmobile, With the new TMO 6.5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
boy that sure would suck if we had to go back to the stock rom to get the"H"
innovator8 said:
boy that sure would suck if we had to go back to the stock rom to get the"H"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well I jusr installed the new radio and I see no difference. I still show "h" sometimes and 3g other times. when I tether and use speedtest.net I still can't get over 1Mbps.
innovator8 said:
well I jusr installed the new radio and I see no difference. I still show "h" sometimes and 3g other times. when I tether and use speedtest.net I still can't get over 1Mbps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesnt the H has nothing to do with the radio rom?? it's just in what area you are where the signal is the strongest.. 3G, Hdspa, or Gprs.. In the stupid little pesantville i live i often get only 'G' for gprs,, i only get 3g in the big cities..
you just have 'H' because theres no strong 3G signal in your area
xdadJeroen said:
Doesnt the H has nothing to do with the radio rom?? it's just in what area you are where the signal is the strongest.. 3G, Hdspa, or Gprs.. In the stupid little pesantville i live i often get only 'G' for gprs,, i only get 3g in the big cities..
you just have 'H' because theres no strong 3G signal in your area
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Being in your shoes I would be happy to see H instead of 3G as it is 3.5G rather than 3G ;-)
H stands for the latest standard HSPA (where HSDPA --> High Speed Download & HSUPA --> HS Upload) while 3G is a generic High Speed network of 3rd generation.
With 3.5G one is getting up to 7.2Mbit per second Download and up to 2.4Mbit per second Upload while with 3G it is well below 1Mbit per second in both cases.
Of course, it is UP TO and depends on particular implementation...
Cheers.
ksmm said:
Being in your shoes I would be happy to see H instead of 3G as it is 3.5G rather than 3G ;-)
H stands for the latest standard HSPA (where HSDPA --> High Speed Download & HSUPA --> HS Upload) while 3G is a generic High Speed network of 3rd generation.
With 3.5G one is getting up to 7.2Mbit per second Download and up to 2.4Mbit per second Upload while with 3G it is well below 1Mbit per second in both cases.
Of course, it is UP TO and depends on particular implementation...
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
h
there was an article last week about tmobile upgrading thier network to hspa, theoreticle 7.2Mbps. with the rom that came with my tmo tp2, i never showed the "h", when i went to the energyb rom series, i was often showing an "h" but there was no differance in my speed. it is clear to me that the tmo hspa 7.2 upgrade has not hit here in seattle yet. i just upgraded my radio as i saw that someone in a previous post has the official tmo 6.5 upgrade and he was gettting 4mbps.
i sure do hope that tmo gets this working in seattle soon...
Sorry, this doesn't mean anything usually. If you are running non-stock (aka flashed) then most likely it just is the ROM that changes the 3G to H. I am on ATT and that just is what took place of the 3G icon. It doesn't mean anything else. Now, on stock ROM's it could.

Connection jumping from 'H' to 'G'

Had my Desire for a while now, and I'm just wondering why my internet connection jumps from 'H' straight down to 'G', seemingly bypassing 3G.
Anyone else got this happening?
this happens to me but only when im on a train which is understandable
it shouldnt happen if you are stationary
HSUPA is 3G just an enhanced version, so if you lose HSUPA it will just jump to G/E
I get H, 3G or G, I've never once seen Edge at all.
samac92 said:
I get H, 3G or G, I've never once seen Edge at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's because T-Mobile never bothered to implement EDGE on their network. As far as I'm aware, only O2 and Orange have implemented EDGE, and O2 only did it because of the original iPhone 2G contract.
Regards,
Dave
foxmeister said:
That's because T-Mobile never bothered to implement EDGE on their network. As far as I'm aware, only O2 and Orange have implemented EDGE, and O2 only did it because of the original iPhone 2G contract.
Regards,
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see, thanks for the info.
Seen EDGE once, that's it haha
No what I mean though, is fine, I'll be getting GPRS signal pretty much anywhere I go, and should be getting H signal in city's and largely populated areas, which I do (while it is pretty flakey). But inbetween those gaps, shouldn't I be getting 3G signal, in the areas with no H?
At the moment if I have no HSPA it goes straight to G, just completely missing the 3G areas, is this normal?
Sorry, tried making myself as clear as possible here
This is common problem with the Desire. Try dialling *#*#4636#*#* and then changing from wcdma preferred GSM auto (PRL). It's helped for a few people, including myself. A search will dig up a few useful threads
weird, I only see H and E and G. Have never ever seen 3G and I monitor it closely too.
HSUPA is 3G just an enhanced version, so if you lose HSUPA it will just jump to G/E
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This. As long as you are not on an internet package that doesn't allow HSDPA then you should only see the H symbol, not 3G, when in range. Before I contacted T-mobile I was stuck on their normal Web 'n' Walk that restricted the speed so I was only ever seeing 3G. After being upgraded to the W 'n' W Plus I never see 3G anymore flick between H and G depending on my signal.
foyrtcw said:
This. As long as you are not on an internet package that doesn't allow HSDPA then you should only see the H symbol, not 3G, when in range.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, but that is incorrect.
I'm on T-Mobile, and I regular see G, 3G, and H depending on where I am.
Right now, my phone is sitting on my desk in my office and is showing 3G. If I run a speed test, it immediately jumps to H and I get results of 1877kbps down and 476kbps up, so I'm definitely provisioned for HSDPA.
So, you can be correctly provisioned for HSDPA and still see the 3G symbol, though it would appear that this will jump to H pretty much as soon as you start using data.
Regards,
Dave
HSDPA (H) is a lot faster than 3G, but not all mobile masts have the right equipment to use it. If an HSDPA cell is available on a mast then your phone will only show H and never 3G. However, if the mast is not configured for HSDPA it will show 3G.
If a handset is connected using 3G/HSDPA and the signal is weak/lost it will drop down to 2G(G)/EDGE.
Most issues people have with the handset dropping down to 2G will be coverage/signal related. Best thing to do is try it in another area. If the connection is stable in any other place you are in then there is nothing wrong with the handset.
foxmeister said:
So, you can be correctly provisioned for HSDPA and still see the 3G symbol, though it would appear that this will jump to H pretty much as soon as you start using data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HSDPA is data-only so the handset will show 3G if not using data. As soon as a data connection is established/requested it will change to HSDPA (H) if it is available. 3G is for voice/texts and also data if no HSDPA is available.
samac92 said:
I get H, 3G or G, I've never once seen Edge at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I only get H/G here in the UK, but a recent trip to Paris had me only on E. It's dependant on what the carrier is using.
foyrtcw said:
This. As long as you are not on an internet package that doesn't allow HSDPA then you should only see the H symbol, not 3G, when in range. Before I contacted T-mobile I was stuck on their normal Web 'n' Walk that restricted the speed so I was only ever seeing 3G. After being upgraded to the W 'n' W Plus I never see 3G anymore flick between H and G depending on my signal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bull****... It is like Edge and Gprs, Edge is a "better" version of the normal Gprs, you get >Edge where ever Edge is available, otherwise normal Gprs.
Same to HSDPA and 3G (umts) thats why i get mostly 3G here and HSDPA not that often, because my Provider has bad availability of HSDPA.

[Q] Anyone else experience weird behavior with data connection, 3G to H and back?

Is this an Android feature or is there something wrong with my 3G?
What happens is that whenever I am using my browser and searching on Google and my data connection shows 3G, when I click something it switches to H. Then, after page load, it changes back to 3G.
It makes me wonder if something is wrong with my 3G, or it is some battery-optimizing done by the phone.
Am I missing something? I did not notice this with my HTC Desire, it stayed on 3G or H until connectivity became worse or better.
perfectly normal,as 3G just being the band you can be called on,but once you start browsing and download stuf,your conection turns into HSPDA(thus the H) this is the data conection integrated in 3G(its faster than actual 3G)
you can see it as a download mode.
H is just a download indicator if you ask me.
thus maybe your HTC was downloading constand or had a lower refresh rate?
the described action you present is pretty common on my nexus S
Yes this is normal behaviour in stock Android.
Great to hear, thanks
Yeah it was constant on my HTC Desire, either on H or 3G. Apps were the same, so I don't think Desire did some background work that Nexus isn't doing.
I like it, thanks!
Every phone I've had from the Nexus One would do this - usually stock roms don't show an "H," only 3G, so you can't tell that it's switching between.
My HTC desire would switch between 3g and h on Orange but if I roamed on to t mobile it would permanently show as H. I guess it can also depend on the network.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
You don't want it to stay on H .. it uses heaps more battery. There's also limited capacity on the network to support H connections. If everyone connected in H they would run out. It's meant to be temporary while you need to download a webpage, etc.
Mine is doing this too
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
I think there's been a thread on this already, but just to reiterate:
This is just a feature of UMTS and HSPA. Using HSPA takes more battery than UMTS or EDGE, so you only want it on when you are actively downloading or uploading data. Otherwise, UMTS serves just fine for background data and syncing.
When you're reading a web page (your example), there's not a lot of data being transfered, and you're sitting on UMTS. As soon as you click a link, it switches to HSPA, pulls down the info, and switches back again.
To my knowledge, stock android shows the difference between 3G and H pretty accurately. Carrier and/or manufacturer customized ROMs often tend to lead towards leaving "H"/"H+"/"4G" in the status bar more than 3G. If you watch your "about phone" > "status" screen, you'll see your phone switches between UMTS and HSPA quite often, even if the interface is preferring to show you "H". I think its mostly a marketing tactic that also reduces customer confusion.
So bottom line, you should be happy it switches to save your battery!
I have this and trust me, it cains battery.
I have never seen H in my Nexus S.
So this is good
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
gogol said:
I have never seen H in my Nexus S.
So this is good
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's because the Nexus S is a 3G phone that doesn't have the hardware required to transmit HSPA+ signal.
matt2053 said:
That's because the Nexus S is a 3G phone that doesn't have the hardware required to transmit HSPA+ signal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Nexus S is HSPA capable. just not HSPA+.
Actually HSPA doesn't use _more_ battery when you're camping. It only uses more battery while transferring, but even thats debatable. Eg 10mb downloaded in 1 minute over HSPA vs 5 minutes on 3G - which uses more battery to complete the task?
What does use extra battery is IF it has to switch to another tower to get you HSPA. However the network is pretty smart at choosing the most efficient thing to do, although it is biased to move people to towers which allow the most number of subscribers to be on the network. For example, if you are in a built up area and there are 3 towers within range, one perhaps right next to you, you may be switched to one further away so that one can service a user on the edge of its signal area. Although this uses more of your battery, it allows both of you to use the network rather than just 1.
Booo. So I just upgraded from a mt4g (the old one) to a GN, and now when I stream Sirius, it cuts out as it switches between H & 3G. I used Wifi today because it was driving me crazy. I wish there was a switch to turn off 4G, not 3G also.

turn off hspa+ and only use 3G?

hello, I was just wondering if there was any app that will allow me to turn off hspa+ on my GSM galaxy nexus? I prefer using 3G only
thank you
anyone?
10 char
haven't seen this anywhere except on original samsung galaxy S, where dialling in a code allowed you to change the data connection speed.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=837716
seems you can only choose either 2G or 3G/HSDPA data but not specify one.
Hspa+ is 3G.
Sent from my Nexus in Texas.
@rbiter said:
Hspa+ is 3G.
Sent from my Nexus in Texas.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HSPA+ is 3.5G
Lol. I know that but for all intents and purposes, who is going to weed out UMTS and hspa and hspa+ just so you can have UMTS only? It's 3G no matter how you slice and dice it.
Sent from my Nexus in Texas.
in an area of low signal, you're going to spend more power trying to have a stable "H" connection rather than "3G". Back in the SGS1 days i remember it did actually have a little but noticeable effect on battery.
if you watch careful, when you have a low "H" signal it will once in a while drop back to 3G...3G is way better than Edge or GPRS but not as fast as HSDPA which goes to 20+ mbps, whereas 3G AFAIK hovers around 700-800kbps.
zerozoneice said:
in an area of low signal, you're going to spend more power trying to have a stable "H" connection rather than "3G". Back in the SGS1 days i remember it did actually have a little but noticeable effect on battery.
if you watch careful, when you have a low "H" signal it will once in a while drop back to 3G...3G is way better than Edge or GPRS but not as fast as HSDPA which goes to 20+ mbps, whereas 3G AFAIK hovers around 700-800kbps.
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3g / umts limit is 384 kbps. I'm having a hard time seeing tgere would be any difference in power drain in terms of low signal seeing as its the same exact air interface (wcdma) for all of them.
Its like saying wifi b drains less power than wifi g in low signal. If its true someone would have to explain cause i dont understand how it could be...
RogerPodacter said:
3g / umts limit is 384 kbps. I'm having a hard time seeing tgere would be any difference in power drain in terms of low signal seeing as its the same exact air interface (wcdma) for all of them.
Its like saying wifi b drains less power than wifi g in low signal. If its true someone would have to explain cause i dont understand how it could be...
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Click to collapse
yea 384kbps.
dunno the exact reason but i know it had results at least on stock SGS roms...couple of %, not much...but something.
probably radio uses more power to keep a good (faster H) connection in a low signal area before giving up and falling back on 3G.

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