Develop Bugs

[Q] 4G Connection Issue

Hi guys,
I can't seem to get a stable 4G connection on my Epic 4G for some reason. When I toggle the "4G" to "ON", it would connect for a split second and immediately Disconnects and tries to connect again and again. My friend tested his phone (Nexus S 4G) and he connects just fine with data speed of 3,000kbps on Speedtest compared to my miserable 600-700kbps. I've also tried testing this in several different areas including major cities that supposedly cover "4G" and it does the same
I'm currently running SRF 1.2 ROM on Genocide 2.0 Kernel but I believe this issue was present even before rooting my phone. I also tried using different modems (EB13, EC05, EE03, EF02, EG22, EH17) but it made almost no difference to my 4G connection.
Does anyone have any suggestion on this??? I would really like to experience my 4G connection on my supposed 4G phone.

I have the same set up as you, and the same spotty 4g. Sometimes it's very hard to keep a stable 4g connection even in areas where I know 4g has been strong. It disconnects, or it pretends that it is connected but data really isn't going through.
Though, 4g is kinda new to my area and there are rumors that it's still in testing phases. Also, I don't have any input from other 4g users here. So in the end I'm not sure if its just my epic, or if there are wider issues.
Sent from a secret underground bunker

Strong 4g signal
I am also running SFR 1.2 and I get very strong/stable 4g speeds. I live in Chicago (Sprint 4g has been here for a while), and I get 3-4Mbps in my apartment on 4g. This is enough to do things like play Xbox Live or Skype using my 4g. I have noticed that while traveling on trains in the area the connection tends to go on and off, but I would say that overall, I usually have a great connection.
This may just be in your area, where are you located?

mjben said:
I have the same set up as you, and the same spotty 4g. Sometimes it's very hard to keep a stable 4g connection even in areas where I know 4g has been strong. It disconnects, or it pretends that it is connected but data really isn't going through.
Though, 4g is kinda new to my area and there are rumors that it's still in testing phases. Also, I don't have any input from other 4g users here. So in the end I'm not sure if its just my epic, or if there are wider issues.
Sent from a secret underground bunker
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same issues, even though the Sprint coverage map shows I should be able to get 4G inside my house.
After researching, what I have found is you must find the nearest Sprint tower that has 4G, hold your left hand directly on the control board of the tower, and while placing your right big toe directly on the battery of your phone (must be the right big toe, the left big toe will not carry current correctly), you must complete the following key sequence on the dialer (###WTF***4G###***). Only then will you receive a 4G signal. Now be aware this will only enable the signal to last for 15 seconds. If you need more time that that, you must repeat the process. Oh...and By the way...This will only get you 1 bar of 4G service. I will be working on a detailed guide for 2 bars. There is no known method to actually get 3 bars of 4G service!!
Sorry, but this is a good of an explanation as anyone from Sprint has given me.
You may now return to your normally weak 3G Sprint signal.

Goodroid said:
Hi guys,
I can't seem to get a stable 4G connection on my Epic 4G for some reason. When I toggle the "4G" to "ON", it would connect for a split second and immediately Disconnects and tries to connect again and again. My friend tested his phone (Nexus S 4G) and he connects just fine with data speed of 3,000kbps on Speedtest compared to my miserable 600-700kbps. I've also tried testing this in several different areas including major cities that supposedly cover "4G" and it does the same
I'm currently running SRF 1.2 ROM on Genocide 2.0 Kernel but I believe this issue was present even before rooting my phone. I also tried using different modems (EB13, EC05, EE03, EF02, EG22, EH17) but it made almost no difference to my 4G connection.
Does anyone have any suggestion on this??? I would really like to experience my 4G connection on my supposed 4G phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whts your location cause I am having the sam exact problems with my epic and evo!
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

[Q] Poor cell signal- often roaming

I've had the E4GT for less than 24hrs, and biggest issue is the less than splendid cell reception. Sitting in my living room i used to get 2-3 bars- this thing constantly throws into roaming. I updated my PRL, Profile, and Firmware. Didn't know what the latest PRL was that was out.
I know this thing has only been out a few days, so i understand some bugs. Is anyone else having signal issues where they didn't before?
I'm really trying rock this for a couple days stock before i root the hell out of it, lol.
Thanks for any input. Link me to resources if you like, i have no issues reading up on my own if this is a common issue.

fattmann said:
I've had the E4GT for less than 24hrs, and biggest issue is the less than splendid cell reception. Sitting in my living room i used to get 2-3 bars- this thing constantly throws into roaming. I updated my PRL, Profile, and Firmware. .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ditto! I even have an Air Rave and reception is poor.

I am running into the same situation. It keeps on switching between roaming and normal for no reason. I usually get pretty good reception in my room. It will sit there at about 2-3 bars reception, few minutes later its roaming. The phone hasn't been moved at all.

This happened to me 20 minutes after I got it on Friday but after a reboot it was fine. No problem since then. I assumed it was a network issue.

Same issue here, even with Airave (evo next to SG2 has better signal)

Huh, I'm getting better reception than my Evo 4G. The Epic Touch now works in my condo elevator at basement garage level where the Evo would consistently drop a call.

has anyone did a signal strength comparison instead of bars. they may have different values per bar on different phones.

Returns are warranted?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App

I wonder if there is a difference in radios or something. My experience tells me that this radio is finicky as heck, and I don't know why.
Is there a way to find out if Samsung used different parts or suppliers to make the Epic Touch?
I remember HTC doing this with their phones, and some would be fine, and some would not (different issue each phone, lol)

Mine was doing the same i switched the phone to only go on sprints network and has been fine. I rarely need true roaming but it would go into roaming even when sprint service was available.

I think Sprint may be doing network upgrades/maintenance. The same phenomenon occurs on my Epic 4G Touch and multiple Nexus S 4G's. I'll see signal jump from -106 dBm to -76 dBm and in some places go into roaming. Nothing to worry about as long as it works. They may be upgrading equipment to support EVDO rev B hopefully.
I get much better 4G reception on the E4GT than the NS4G, FWIW.

My signal isn't as good as my photon was better then my evo 3d. I usually don't roam much. Trust me when I say this, reception could be worse lol ill deal with it!!
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk

I hope the poor signal has to do with upgrading to EvDo RevB on Oct7

Thank God I am not alone. My cell reception too is finicky. In places my old evo (which my girl use now)have weak signal my epic touch would roam in and out. Sometimes it won't leave roaming even after I get to a known good reception area. Only a reboot would kick it back to sprint network. I read somewhere that calling sprint and having them reset my phone on their end might help. I am going to try this out as soon as I get home.

Signal power

So far everything is working fine , i really like it except that i am starting to notice that the phone signal is not as hot as the htc .. has anyone seen that

Yes. Just tested side by side with my evo4g having the latest radios. The samsung was 6 to 10db higher.
Example: evo4g:-88, et4g -96
Is this something that software update can fix?
Sent from my Epic Touch 4G

Joey SR said:
Yes. Just tested side by side with my evo4g having the latest radios. The samsung was 6 to 10db higher.
Example: evo4g:-88, et4g -96
Is this something that software update can fix?
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Click to collapse
Probably, though, my EVO4G had an especially kick-ass signal strength for the 2G and 3G radio. Nothing could compete with it.
That said my ET4G has a better signal than any of my 3 EVO3Ds ever did and I'm not tower hopping and roaming nearly as much.
...do both phones have the same PRL?

I can also vouch for this. Really a shame that Sammy missed this tiny little feature that makes the phone, well, a phone. =/

daneurysm said:
Probably, though, my EVO4G had an especially kick-ass signal strength for the 2G and 3G radio. Nothing could compete with it.
That said my ET4G has a better signal than any of my 3 EVO3Ds ever did and I'm not tower hopping and roaming nearly as much.
...do both phones have the same PRL?
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Click to collapse
Yes both had same prl. The et4g did hold the signal stable where the evo did bounce around that value
Sent from my Epic Touch 4G

Just picked mine up today and the reception seems worse than than my old evo. I will return it tomorrow . i hate how they now have a restocking fee.

Settings or Radio
I think first it needs to be determined if the issue is hardware or software related.

I'm also having this problem... On my 3d I never 0% time without signal, now I'm having 8 to 10% tws??? Wth?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk

Same problem. Find myself roaming far more than with my old evo, and I often have no signal at all and need to power off and restart the phone. I'm rooted fwiw.

Same here! Really annoying. Wondering if this is something related to the root. Not getting the signal back after losing it.

Are you guy aware that the Epic Touch has the same radio as the Nexus S 4G, and we were plagued with signal issues, the last update seem to fix it but the radio, wifi, etc. could be stronger

How's the 4G reception?

I just switched from AT&T today and got the Evo 3D, figuring I could try it out and probably swap it within the next two weeks if it has bad battery life/the 3D turns out to be just a gimmick. I wasn't prepared for it to have bad 4G reception in areas that are supposed to have good reception. Then I look on Google and apparently the Photon 4G crushes the signal quality of my Evo, so I'm thinking about taking it back.
I'm thinking that I will return the Evo 3D because of signal strength issues (and I hear bad battery life too, although I haven't yet had a chance to test that), and I'm torn between the Photon and Epic 4G Touch.
TL;DR:
How's the 4G reception of this compare to Evo 3D and Photon?

If signal reception is the most important thing to you, go with the Photon. If you are looking for the overall best phone on Sprint, get yourself an Epic 4G Touch.
BTW, I have the E4GT and my 4G reception has actually been very good. I compared the E4GT to the Photon side-by-side and while the Photon had a stronger signal and slight edge in DL speed, the E4GT was just hands-down a nicer phone.

Wimax reception is as good as the EVO 4G not 3D (judging from the signal indicator) but the Epic seems to get faster speeds in the same spot =] - Evo was maxing out at 5Mbps where as the Epic was getting 8mbps same servers, using speedtest.
But yep wimax is pretty spotty you will have to sit in one place where you get coverage and even then it might kick you off. If you really need 4G i would suggest verizon or even att's hpsa, (i think its called?) should be fast enough. If you are looking at the Sprint coverage map there are two indicators dark orange i believe? for indoor service and lighter orange for on street. BLAH!

Horrible. The entire 4G network on Sprint is horrible. They should just give it up and go back to the drawing boards. I hope they announce LTE on the upcoming October announcement.

akarol said:
Horrible. The entire 4G network on Sprint is horrible. They should just give it up and go back to the drawing boards. I hope they announce LTE on the upcoming October announcement.
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sadly, this is probably a more accurate description of 4g than many of us are willing to admit. i have been trying out the epic for 7 days now in kansas city (
sprint headquarters) and the consistency of 4g is flaky at best. the 3g is worse than my verizon 3g speeds. coming from att i would venture to guess you are going to be very dissappointed with the data. now the epic is a whole different ball of wax. this has to be the nicest phone on the planet. just wish it was with another carrier.

Like the poster before me said. 4G is absolutely terrible in my area. I'm getting 1.4 mbps down on 4G!!!! 3G gets like 200kbps tops. It's ridiculous how terrible the Sprint Network has gotten in the past year.

3G Data Evo (1669 kbps) > Epic Touch (422 kbps)

I am extremely upset with the 3G data speeds of my new Epic Touch compared to my Evo 4G. I tested the download 3G data speeds at the exact same time using the speedtest.net application. I tested the data speeds several times throughout the day with the same results. My Evo is always about 4 times as fast as my Epic Touch. The Evo is running around 1600 kbps and the Epic Touch around 400 kbps. I have tried everything. Any suggestions?

I just tested two Evo 4G's and my touch and they were all in the same range +-200k, and all fluctuated pretty much the same.
Did you ever do the proxy 0 setting on the Evo? I have heard that really boosts speeds.

There is a similar problem on the Epic 4G. If I recall correctly, a modem nvram reset in Odin fixed it.

You might be connecting at 1X. Check out this thread for how to make the phone properly display the 1X icon.
In my office where I have gotten great 3G and 4G speeds on my EVO for the last year, my E4GT barely gets 20kbps and ping times of several seconds (thousands of ms), all while connected to 1X. Coworkers on Sprint have phones right next to me getting 1Mbps... There is definitely a problem. 4G is unaffected and it still connects and is fast as normal.

phdeez said:
There is a similar problem on the Epic 4G. If I recall correctly, a modem nvram reset in Odin fixed it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are there instructions regarding how to perform this? What does this do?
I guess I'm justifiably nervous about messing with the radio.
For what its worth, both my EVO and ET4G seem to get similar (crappy, 150-400kbps) speeds at my house. 11115 PRL and roam control get me much better (600-1200kbps).
But just today I dropped calls twice on my ET4G, once on home towers about -91dB, and again on VZW towers at -76dB. That never seemed to happen on my EVO, and I have a job where i often work from home, on the phone for 5-7 hours per day. I need my phone calls to be RELIABLE!

rfeagan said:
Are there instructions regarding how to perform this? What does this do?
I guess I'm justifiably nervous about messing with the radio.
For what its worth, both my EVO and ET4G seem to get similar (crappy, 150-400kbps) speeds at my house. 11115 PRL and roam control get me much better (600-1200kbps).
But just today I dropped calls twice on my ET4G, once on home towers about -91dB, and again on VZW towers at -76dB. That never seemed to happen on my EVO, and I have a job where i often work from home, on the phone for 5-7 hours per day. I need my phone calls to be RELIABLE!
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I actually think if both phones had crappy data speeds I wouldn't be as upset. It kinda feels like I paid to downgrade.

mstgkillr said:
I actually think if both phones had crappy data speeds I wouldn't be as upset. It kinda feels like I paid to downgrade.
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You should return your phone and stick to the Evo 3D.

Evo 3D has bad signal also. Original Evo had good signal.