Quick 3g question - Epic 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Can someone please explain how the 3g symbol/arrows/bars work?
I am just wanting to know how they relate with each other.
For example sometimes I have full bars and the 3g arrows are white, not transmitting data. And other times I have low signal bars and thr arrows are moving faster.
So if I have full bars should the arrows be moving all the time or is it just the nature of the beast and it transfers data when it wants to.
Thanks

Led4lyf said:
Can someone please explain how the 3g symbol/arrows/bars work?
I am just wanting to know how they relate with each other.
For example sometimes I have full bars and the 3g arrows are white, not transmitting data. And other times I have low signal bars and thr arrows are moving faster.
So if I have full bars should the arrows be moving all the time or is it just the nature of the beast and it transfers data when it wants to.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3G is actually seperate from the phone radio. The bars represent phone signal strength. If 3G (data) is down you can still make phone calls. 3G is like your internet and data. The arrows moving are your accounts and emal syncing.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

arrows show send and receive of data packets, they will blink, etc. but that has no relevance on the speed of your 3G connection or the strength.
3G is NOT separate from your phone radio, it is the same radio, which is why you can't have a data connection and voice connection at the same time.

stevesprivateaccount said:
arrows show send and receive of data packets, they will blink, etc. but that has no relevance on the speed of your 3G connection or the strength.
3G is NOT separate from your phone radio, it is the same radio, which is why you can't have a data connection and voice connection at the same time.
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Click to collapse
I have googled things on the web while on the phone. Telephone bars and 3G strength are independent otherwise where does 2G and 1X come from? People out of 3G areas still have phone service.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

kennyglass123 said:
I have googled things on the web while on the phone. Telephone bars and 3G strength are independent otherwise where does 2G and 1X come from? People out of 3G areas still have phone service.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have not "googled" anything while you were on the phone, at least not on 3G. The outdated version of CDMA Sprint uses doesn't allow for voice and data to be active at the same time.

Yea the 3G arrows are the internet up/down , the signal bars are separate thats your cell signal. Like when you turn off 3G you can still call and text , 3G is for the internet when youre not on wifi , the arrows light up when your phone is sending or receiving data
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

063_XOBX said:
You have not "googled" anything while you were on the phone, at least not on 3G. The outdated version of CDMA Sprint uses doesn't allow for voice and data to be active at the same time.
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Click to collapse
I stand corrected...it was on 4G. Sorry. 3G and phone share the CDMA Radio but they are still 2 different animals independent from each other and from indicators.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

So is there any way to make the data send and recieve faster? Or is it just luck of the draw.

Led4lyf said:
So is there any way to make the data send and recieve faster? Or is it just luck of the draw.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There were slight differences in 3G transfers with the different modems when I tested them on my Airave. EC05 was fastest with EG22 slightly behind. It varies greatly out in the real world on different towers.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Related

[Q] Using 3G and 4G at the same time?

Has anyone been looking into running the 3G and 4G radios simultaneously?
Aside from the benefit of having an additional 1-2MB/s, I get very frustrated when I am in the middle of downloading something and I come into a 4G area. Since the phone will always choose 4G over 3G, the connection resets. I would love to have a way to keep the path available to the app using it.
I guess the same problem exists when Wifi is on and the phone connects to wifi while downloading over 3g or 4g.
Can this be done?
I also would love to see a dev pick this up. It could save my marriage...
great idea. Being able to simultaneously use them and multithread downloads would be awesome.
I'd be happy if someone could fix the transition from 3g to 4g and vice versa. Nothing like downloading a file from your phone and then you lose 4g and it loses the entire session and has to be redownloaded.
Thread moved to Q&A.
DssTrainer said:
I'd be happy if someone could fix the transition from 3g to 4g and vice versa. Nothing like downloading a file from your phone and then you lose 4g and it loses the entire session and has to be redownloaded.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's going to be unlikely, as 3G and 4G are separate networks operated by separate providers (Clear vs Sprint). That's why I want to keep the 3G connection alive.
sw99 said:
That's going to be unlikely, as 3G and 4G are separate networks operated by separate providers (Clear vs Sprint). That's why I want to keep the 3G connection alive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think clear wire is responsible for everyones 4g, just a select group
chandlerw88 said:
I don't think clear wire is responsible for everyones 4g, just a select group
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could be wrong but I think sprint just resells clear wimax and calls it america's first 4g network.
sw99 said:
Has anyone been looking into running the 3G and 4G radios simultaneously?
Aside from the benefit of having an additional 1-2MB/s, I get very frustrated when I am in the middle of downloading something and I come into a 4G area. Since the phone will always choose 4G over 3G, the connection resets. I would love to have a way to keep the path available to the app using it.
I guess the same problem exists when Wifi is on and the phone connects to wifi while downloading over 3g or 4g.
Can this be done?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When connecting to 4g or Wifi the 3g radio never really shuts off. The data part of the radio goes to sleep while the voice part remains active to send or receive calls or txts.
The 3g data service going to sleep when connected to the others is by design because it is slower than the other two services.
If you don't want the connection to reset turn 4g and wifi off, and only turn them on when you need the greater data speed. (this will also save your battery)
Also another solution is using one of the location based apps that will turn those on and off based off gps location.
Its not that i don't want to use 4g, i wish i could but its not reliable enough. If i have a large download, I'd like it to stay on the reliable network, but i still want to use the fast network.
I agree that the 3g network is still available, I'm hoping there is a way to force a static route over the 3g when needed.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Data Icons... Or lack of?

OK does this phone actually show anything other than 4g?
I am in a 3g area and I have not ever seen anything but the 4g icon.. Unless I put it in gsm only mode. But on auto or Wcdma mode it stays on the 4g icon.
Also it seems like I have issues with the Internet staying connected even when I have signal.
Also it seems like when I leave my screen off and turn it on the signal is higher than normal but goes down within a few seconds.
Anyone else notice this?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
Strapt said:
OK does this phone actually show anything other than 4g?
I am in a 3g area and I have not ever seen anything but the 4g icon.. Unless I put it in gsm only mode. But on auto or Wcdma mode it stays on the 4g icon.
Also it seems like I have issues with the Internet staying connected even when I have signal.
Also it seems like when I leave my screen off and turn it on the signal is higher than normal but goes down within a few seconds.
Anyone else notice this?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
I am having the EXACT same issues. But, I am in a 4G area. Of course I got throttled by blowing through my 5G limit in a week--damn these new toys and massively restrictive internet access at work (financial industry). So now I am on edge for a while; but with the 4G icon up, I cannot hold a data connection at all. It goes on for a few seconds or such, then nothing. The upload icon is always on, but no download. I have to force GSM mode to maintain any sort of connection. The "Auto GSM/Wcdma" does not switch modes efficiently. I think it is continually checking for a 4G connection, thus resetting the 3G/Edge connection it is making. Very frustrating. . . I am hoping someone with make a Auto/4G/3G/Edge toggle so I can drop it on the homescreen rather than digging down for it.
Same thing here. Always on 4g and my wifi is spotty like the first poster. What's the deal?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
5gb in one week?? That's insane usage u might need the 10gb option..
The 3g 4g network is the same network.. some towers aren't updated and some phones don't get 4g speeds but that's why it always says 4g
sent from my real Gs move in silence like lasagna

Signal loss in phone call

Hey I was wondering why whenever I make a phone call my bars indicating signal decrease to 1 bar or none and my 3g symbol goes awayt any suggestions?
Currently on calkulins 1.8 rom,
El29 modem and i do update profile and prl atleast once a week, but no matter what modem or rom I am on this happens regardless
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App
3g goes away cause you cannot run data and voice at the same time.
As for it going down to one bar? That could be because you are no longer connected to 3g.
Are you having a problem?
Correct.
When you're on a call, you're using the 1x network and you're seeing the signal strength for 1x. When you're NOT on a call, you're seeing the 3G network and it's signal strength.
What I find REALLY odd is that for most folks, they see the opposite. 1x has stronger signal than 3G.

3G Mobile Network and Icon

I'm hoping this is not a bug, but there have been times when I try to fire-up a web-based app, like streaming music, that I can't get even a 3G connection yet I have multiple signal strength bars. The 3G icon is gone even if I turn Mobile Network off then back on. I don't think I had this problem with my EVO 4G using 3G. Is it just because it can't pick up on a 3G signal even though I have 3-5 bars?
The Network Mode is currently set to CDMA/LTE/EVDO even though we probably won't have 4G in Columbus until the end of next year. I kind of miss my WiMax 4G. Now that I think of it, I changed it to CDMA only. Maybe that will help.
Wadester said:
I'm hoping this is not a bug, but there have been times when I try to fire-up a web-based app, like streaming music, that I can't get even a 3G connection yet I have multiple signal strength bars. The 3G icon is gone even if I turn Mobile Network off then back on. I don't think I had this problem with my EVO 4G using 3G. Is it just because it can't pick up on a 3G signal even though I have 3-5 bars?
The Network Mode is currently set to CDMA/LTE/EVDO even though we probably won't have 4G in Columbus until the end of next year. I kind of miss my WiMax 4G. Now that I think of it, I changed it to CDMA only. Maybe that will help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The "signal bars" have nothing to do with your 3G connection...they only indicate voice call signal strength.
To check 3G signal strength go into your dialer...
Enter ##DEBUG#
Code: 777468
Debug Menu:
Select EVDO Eng RF
Pwr= Signal Strength
Better than -96dBm is a great signal
Between -97dBm and -107dBm is good
Between -108dBm and -114dBm is fair
Worse than -115dBm is poor
Bandage said:
The "signal bars" have nothing to do with your 3G connection...they only indicate voice call signal strength.
To check 3G signal strength go into your dialer...
Enter ##DEBUG#
Code: 777468
Debug Menu:
Select EVDO Eng RF
Pwr= Signal Strength
Better than -96dBm is a great signal
Between -97dBm and -107dBm is good
Between -108dBm and -114dBm is fair
Worse than -115dBm is poor
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bandage you on the gn2 now :what:
:thumbup:
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
radrian92 said:
Bandage you on the gn2 now :what:
:thumbup:
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yerp yerp...I'm smitten
You may have a connection problem with your GN2. I had some similar problem. I would taken it in to Sprint and see what they can do. Maybe it's tower upgrades in your area....
Happens to me sometimes too. Just a garbage tower. I have emailed the network guys to open a ticket and they got pissed I emailed them directly. It's a tower issue and no mine is not getting upgraded for a while.
Sent from a little old Note 2
CIM
Nice Post
Bandage said:
The "signal bars" have nothing to do with your 3G connection...they only indicate voice call signal strength.
To check 3G signal strength go into your dialer...
Enter ##DEBUG#
Code: 777468
Debug Menu:
Select EVDO Eng RF
Pwr= Signal Strength
Better than -96dBm is a great signal
Between -97dBm and -107dBm is good
Between -108dBm and -114dBm is fair
Worse than -115dBm is poor
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Rx Pwr is in positive nbrs. Is this correct?
masber2000 said:
My Rx Pwr is in positive nbrs. Is this correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there an app out there that would display the 3g or 2g signal strength on the status bar.
It frustrates me i can even search but have full voice service, at least with the signal strength indicator i would understand
pkny said:
Is there an app out there that would display the 3g or 2g signal strength on the status bar.
It frustrates me i can even search but have full voice service, at least with the signal strength indicator i would understand
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use this one...Open Signal ...it has a widget that will show signal strength also.

Poor LTE signal, doesn't switch to CDMA, WiFi calling flakey

When I am home I have little or no LTE coverage, and even though in network its set to LTE and CDMA, it never seems to switch to CDMA even though I have like no LTE coverage at home. I never have more then 2 bars, usually I have 1 or no service at all.
And WiFi calling is unreliable as well. Often it says it's logged in but it doesn't work, it it fails to login and then apparently doesn't try to login again. If I turn WiFi on and off, the WiFi calling usually then logs in.
Anyhow, if I can't get the phone to automatically switch over to CDMA or if I can't get WiFi calling to work reliably, I'm going to cancel my sprint service since my phone isn't really usable at home. I don't want to put the phone into CDMA only since I would have to reboot the phone every time I go outside to get back on LTE
BTW, I get great LTE signal right outside my house.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
Same boat as you my friend.i stay on wifi
bonebeatz1234 said:
Same boat as you my friend.i stay on wifi
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Click to collapse
staying on wifi doesn't really help me since wifi calling doesnt seem to be very reliable. Right now staying on lte seems like a better option since at least i can see when i have no signal. Wifi calling half the time says it's logged in, but it doesnt work.
you may need to get an airave since you aren't having service in the house. Just call up sprint and let them know what is going on and ask for one. Hope this helps!
I'm just worried the airwave well be as reliable as the wifi calling since it's essentially the same thing.
I wonder if there's something in android I can tweak that will make the phone jump to CDMA if the 4g signal it too weak.
I've noticed that if I have one bar and make a call, it almost always jumps to full bars as soon as I started the call. I'm guessing it's jumping over to CDMA. But why doesn't it do that when the phone is idle?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
merkk said:
I'm just worried the airwave well be as reliable as the wifi calling since it's essentially the same thing.
I wonder if there's something in android I can tweak that will make the phone jump to CDMA if the 4g signal it too weak.
I've noticed that if I have one bar and make a call, it almost always jumps to full bars as soon as I started the call. I'm guessing it's jumping over to CDMA. But why doesn't it do that when the phone is idle?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe that the bars you see before initiating a call are the data signal strength. When you press the call icon the phone Radio switches to cell 1x signal. which is usually pretty good in most urban areas and that is why you would see the signal bars jump to full strength.
My wife uses WiFi calling at home and it works very well. Maybe disconnect your phone from the router and do a restart/reset of your router. Then reconnect.
pcmanager said:
I believe that the bars you see before initiating a call are the data signal strength. When you press the call icon the phone Radio switches to cell 1x signal. which is usually pretty good in most urban areas and that is why you would see the signal bars jump to full strength.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would it show that if the phone is on wifi though?
Sent from my SM-N910P using XDA Free mobile app
schlepprock said:
My wife uses WiFi calling at home and it works very well. Maybe disconnect your phone from the router and do a restart/reset of your router. Then reconnect.
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Click to collapse
I've tried turning the wifi on and off on the phone. That will usually get it to work, but I have no way of knowing if it keeps working since as I said, it will sometimes say it's logged into the wifi calling but not work.
I tend to think it's not an issue with my router since every other online activity works great, including skype or streaming 4k videos on Netflix
Sent from my SM-N910P using XDA Free mobile app
merkk said:
Why would it show that if the phone is on wifi though?
Sent from my SM-N910P using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Wi-Fi icon is also a signal strength indicator. When on Wi-Fi the signal bars to the right are mobile data, then when you receive or make a call they switch to cell tower reception strength. When I'm on wifi and see only one signal bar next to it I know that I'm on LTE. if I see full signal bars and I'm not ona call, I know I'm on 3G. if I turn off wifi I will see either the LTE with 1 bar or 3G icon with full signal. this is at my house so its always the same and its a easy way to check how the signal strength indicators work on your phone. make sense?
pcmanager said:
The Wi-Fi icon is also a signal strength indicator. When on Wi-Fi the signal bars to the right are mobile data, then when you receive or make a call they switch to cell tower reception strength. When I'm on wifi and see only one signal bar next to it I know that I'm on LTE. if I see full signal bars and I'm not ona call, I know I'm on 3G. if I turn off wifi I will see either the LTE with 1 bar or 3G icon with full signal. this is at my house so its always the same and its a easy way to check how the signal strength indicators work on your phone. make sense?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have two signal strength indicators on my phone. One for wifi, and one for call (or data). So i don't really understand how the wifi icon is also a signal strength indicator since there are two separate icons for that. Why would the phone show an indicator of the strength of data if I am on wifi and not using the data connection? On my phone (note 4, rooted but stock) i pretty much always have full wifi signal strength, but i have have zero bars/no service on the signal strength icon and when that happens, if anyone tries calling me, it never comes through. I don't have anything in the missed call log - just no call. Can't send a txt either.
The next time the phone drops to zero bars/no service and i happen to have someone else with a non-sprint phone, i'll try calling myself just to confirm the behavior.
Same for me. The signal and data quality is ****e compare to Note 3
Sent from my SM-T700 using Tapatalk
elcidroyale said:
Same for me. The signal and data quality is ****e compare to Note 3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So on the same network you had better signal strength with a note 3 vs a note 4?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app

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