I'm about to get 3G plan for my phone, and curious about a few things, thanks in advance for anyone who can answer them:
1) Is there any problems with connecting to 3g, just like there is in wifi sometimes?
2) Outside, would you rather using 3G than searching a wifi network? (because of speed, etc)
3) How fast is it (in average, for an average phone company)
Thanks again!
GFex said:
I'm about to get 3G plan for my phone, and curious about a few things, thanks in advance for anyone who can answer them:
1) Is there any problems with connecting to 3g, just like there is in wifi sometimes?
2) Outside, would you rather using 3G than searching a wifi network? (because of speed, etc)
3) How fast is it (in average, for an average phone company)
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no problem with 3g or wifi.
Wifi is sometimes quicker, sometimes free or cheaper than data, and uses less power.
No such thing as average, it varies wildly based on carrier, location in the country, maybe time of day, signal strength and many other things.
3G is fine but it's not down to the phone it's down to your carrier.
As mentioned above, time, congestion, signal strength all play a part in how good a connection is.
Radio keeps getting better for me on each new release so not an issue, just find a radio that works well and stick with it.
GFex said:
I'm about to get 3G plan for my phone, and curious about a few things, thanks in advance for anyone who can answer them:
1) Is there any problems with connecting to 3g, just like there is in wifi sometimes?
2) Outside, would you rather using 3G than searching a wifi network? (because of speed, etc)
3) How fast is it (in average, for an average phone company)
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm using 3g instead of wifi because i have hardware fault and i didn't fix it yet. 3g works perfectly!
i reached 7mb/s with 3g (vodafone italy)
it doesn't drain much battery so you can just keep it on everytime
Related
Ok, I use the official dopod WM6 .. and I'm sure it's not related but for some reason I get a constant 3G/HSPDA connection which I NEVER had at my house.. and when I get a phone call it says UMTS AT&T .. anyone know what the UMTS is?
Umts=wcdma=3g
universal mobile telecommunications system..based on 3g
http://www.tech-faq.com/hsdpa.shtml
Per Tech-Fac: HSDPA is associated with the various Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) networks including the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM).
Madcap...That is good
Madcap180 said:
Ok, I use the official dopod WM6 .. and I'm sure it's not related but for some reason I get a constant 3G/HSPDA connection which I NEVER had at my house.. and when I get a phone call it says UMTS AT&T .. anyone know what the UMTS is?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I choose AUTO in phone/band, it will constantly show up UMTS, and the reception will be really bad in my place. (Battery will run out in a day) But if I choose GSM, first off, reception is great & my battery is good for 3-4 days.
Is 3G that power hungry? Or it's simply due to bad 3G reception in my area?
Cheers,
Richard
its a combination of both.
rockrichard said:
If I choose AUTO in phone/band, it will constantly show up UMTS, and the reception will be really bad in my place. (Battery will run out in a day) But if I choose GSM, first off, reception is great & my battery is good for 3-4 days.
Is 3G that power hungry? Or it's simply due to bad 3G reception in my area?
Cheers,
Richard
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I live Center of manchester in UK, i have 100% connection to UMTS, and battery is totally dead in about 28-30hours, so no its not your bad connection!
I think 3G/UMTS just uses alot of power, and i have to say i have never used the UMTS for wat it is ment for, so i jus turn it off!!!
The only time it is used is when you need to download something.
check this out:
One of the main benefits of UMTS is its speed. Current rates of transfer for broadband information are 2 Mbits a second. This speed makes possible the kind of streaming video that can support movie downloads and video conferencing. In a sense, UMTS makes it possible for you to enjoy all of the functionality of your home computer while you are roaming. By combining wireless and satellite cellular technologies, UMTS takes advantage of all existing options to result in the Holy Grail of 3G presentation: seamless transitions between WiFi and satellite.
Pumpiron579 said:
The only time it is used is when you need to download something.
check this out:
One of the main benefits of UMTS is its speed. Current rates of transfer for broadband information are 2 Mbits a second. This speed makes possible the kind of streaming video that can support movie downloads and video conferencing. In a sense, UMTS makes it possible for you to enjoy all of the functionality of your home computer while you are roaming. By combining wireless and satellite cellular technologies, UMTS takes advantage of all existing options to result in the Holy Grail of 3G presentation: seamless transitions between WiFi and satellite.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You say that the current rates of transfer are 2Mbits, but my understanding is that the Hermes chipset has a theoretical maximum of 1.8 with a typical 'good' speed of 1.2 to 1.5.
lol i feel like a noob, I had NO idea what UMTS was... and was scared i was roaming or somehing hahahah!
I pulled that specific info off the net....
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-umts.htm
Attn
Madcap, those HighHeels you sent me were too small
My Trinity has decided it's had enough of working and is doing some crazy stuff. Firstly if you have the phone in Automatic registration it never gets signal but will say G or 3G etc. At this point I cannot make or receive calls or texts. The only way I have managed to get it to work is by turning Auto to Manual and selecting the network..yet sometimes this doesnt work, it will show reception but calls and texts still dont work, Data works tho!!
The only way I can get a working phone is selecting GSM from the network type instead of Auto. Obviously it sounds like a 3G/UMTS problem with the phone, Sim works fine in other phones. Have tried reflashing ROM and Radio.
ANy Ideas
are you sure you have good 3G coverage in your area?
I would phone your operator.
I had a similar problem on Vodafone only when set to auto. The phone tries to pick up the 3G weak signal and so it's always droppin off and on.
The guy at Voda suggested that my phone was paired to a 3G base station several KM away, when it could have used the GSM station a few 100 metres away.
A plus of using GSM is battery life lasts much longer!
Of course there could be a hardware fault which would be unfortunate.
Additional suggestions:
sickboy555 said:
are you sure you have good 3G coverage in your area?
I would phone your operator.
I had a similar problem on Vodafone only when set to auto. The phone tries to pick up the 3G weak signal and so it's always droppin off and on.
The guy at Voda suggested that my phone was paired to a 3G base station several KM away, when it could have used the GSM station a few 100 metres away.
A plus of using GSM is battery life lasts much longer!
Of course there could be a hardware fault which would be unfortunate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assume that you've configured your phone to your operator and that you've tried different radio ROMS to ensure optimal "fit" between your specific PDA and network operator. If you haven't and none of sickboy555's suggestions work, maybe you should check these two alternatives out as well?
Cheers!
hoja67
Well the problem initially started at random, did actually do anything, also I have tried about 4 different ROMS now and all have the same problem. I'm on
In terms of reception I have full 3G signal (4 bars according to the screen) as I am just outside the centre of the city yet nothing comes through but data. tis V strange. I may retry 3G when I'm somewhere else just in case its down to the local Cell.
I've decided to bite the bullet and just disabled 3G most of the time, if I need faster data I'll turn it on for that until I can upgrade to the TyTN 2. mmmmmm
Hey All,
I've completed a search but couldn't find anything specific on the o2 network.
I know there's been some issues with regards to reception after the 2.2 update. But i've had variable reception ever since I've had the phone which makes me wonder whether it's a phone issue as opposed to a network issue.
Is anyone else on o2 who can either confirm or reject my query? Even when I don't move my phone the reception jumps up and down like a yoyo which makes it frustrating when trying to send texts or dropping call quality (or calls itself).
If it's a network issue then it could be because there are too many o2 users and the network can't cope with the volume of people using it. I've been with o2 for a good number of years now and never really had a problem until now.
If it's a phone issue then I may look for another phone...possibly go back to a regular phone as other than checking my e-mails and occasionally going online (via wifi) I know I don't use the phone to it's full potential...
On o2 myself mate. Been with them for two years.
Tbh the reception is ok. But not the best. As for the desire the signal is pretty solid on mine but at times the data is terrible when colleagues have another operator and full data...
IMHO its hit and miss and by the nature of wireless networks.
You may find another operator better. But you might not. Its too hard to say...
reception issues
Maybe this is a radio issue I've had a lot of problems.
I've just changed my radio which is now something like
5.10.05_17.This was a downgrade and has turned no signal into
a full signal without even moving position.So I don't think its an o2 issue .
Hope this helps I'm sure it will.
Are you referring to 2g or 3G coverage? O2's 3G coverage is pretty poor comparedto others at the moment - although hopefully this will change once their network share with vodafone kicks in properly.
jazz452 said:
Maybe this is a radio issue I've had a lot of problems.
I've just changed my radio which is now something like
5.10.05_17.This was a downgrade and has turned no signal into
a full signal without even moving position.So I don't think its an o2 issue .
Hope this helps I'm sure it will.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok does downgrading the radio mean I need to root the phone?
huwwatkins said:
Are you referring to 2g or 3G coverage? O2's 3G coverage is pretty poor comparedto others at the moment - although hopefully this will change once their network share with vodafone kicks in properly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good question, because of poor battery performance I rarely have 3g/mobile on so I'm referring to 2g. I only use 3g when I'm out and about and need to check something quickly. Otherwise I use WiFi at home. When is the network share scheduled to happen?
huwwatkins said:
Are you referring to 2g or 3G coverage? O2's 3G coverage is pretty poor comparedto others at the moment - although hopefully this will change once their network share with vodafone kicks in properly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'M talking about phone signal for calls see first post.However it seems to help on all fronts.
who_me said:
Ok does downgrading the radio mean I need to root the phone?
Good question, because of poor battery performance I rarely have 3g/mobile on so I'm referring to 2g. I only use 3g when I'm out and about and need to check something quickly. Otherwise I use WiFi at home. When is the network share scheduled to happen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YES u need to root phone I'm afraid but seeing your here it shouldn't be a problem.
who_me said:
Ok does downgrading the radio mean I need to root the phone?
Good question, because of poor battery performance I rarely have 3g/mobile on so I'm referring to 2g. I only use 3g when I'm out and about and need to check something quickly. Otherwise I use WiFi at home. When is the network share scheduled to happen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jazz452 said:
YES u need to root phone I'm afraid but seeing your here it shouldn't be a problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It maybe an upgrade for you check which radio you're on first from" about phone "
who_me said:
When is the network share scheduled to happen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
Not sure-here is some info i dug up
http://www.mobiletoday.co.uk/Network_share_deal_frustrates_Orange.html
http://www.mobiletoday.co.uk/Jobs_risk_at_O2_and_Vodafone.html
http://forum.vodafone.co.uk/topic/56777-vodafone-signal-joint-venture-with-o2-and-coverage/
http://tech-n-life.com/index.php/20...o2-your-coverage-is-going-to-get-alot-better/
huwwatkins; said:
Are you referring to 2g or 3G coverage? O2's 3G coverage is pretty poor comparedto others at the moment - although hopefully this will change once their network share with vodafone kicks in properly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't hold your breath. I'm on Vodafone and it's total gash for data. Yes, they have a lot of coverage, but a heavily congested network meaning that while you may well have a good signal, best of luck getting any data through it. I can't imagine adding you lot to an already congested network is going to help much. (of course it depends on where you are in the country - I'm in central London where the problems with Voda network congestion are well documented)
The Guy only asked about call reception now were miles away.
As you may know desire has a built in feature that monitors when you do need 3g connection and when not, so when you do not need it it automaticly switches to 2g. I have also read somewhere that this feature consumes less battery then being always on 2g. Is that true? I still heard a lot of people that are most of the time on 2g while they do not browse the internet, reporting decent battery lives.
So, as the title says, which is better?
2g uses less battery than 3g. Use 2g when not using data for the best battery life.
Whoever said that 2g and sometimes 3g uses less battery that 2g only needs to go back to school, its mathematically impossible if 3g uses more battery.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
lvnatic said:
As you may know desire has a built in feature that monitors when you do need 3g connection and when not, so when you do not need it it automaticly switches to 2g.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
are you completely sure about that? my phone seems to be always in 3G as long as it is available and switchs to 2G if it cant get a 3g connection.
anyway, 2G is the best option battery wise.
there is a video from google i/o 2k9 talking about this. I think it's this one : http://developer.android.com/videos/index.html#v=OUemfrKe65c
I have used both modes for some weeks, but i didn't see any difference.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=688492
How about this? Does it apply to desire as well? I am curently using gsm only when im not browsing the net.
2g only will use the least battery.
Auto is great but the issue is that it will preferentially seek 3g. To seek 3g more power is required. (Now this is a negligible amount on its own). However if comparing the battery use in only a 2g area the 2g phone will last longer.
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk
if you have signal i recommend to use 3g. the cells needs more power to have/transmitt fast data connections like hdspa and in that case the cellphone need less battery to connect to it. in Romania the network it's kinda new hardware, because we use cellphones later than anyone else and the tech was envolved when we first install the network, but remember if your cellphone go from 2g to 3g often, this will consume a lot of power.
Robert A said:
if you have signal i recommend to use 3g. the cells needs more power to have/transmitt fast data connections like hdspa and in that case the cellphone need less battery to connect to it. in Romania the network it's kinda new hardware, because we use cellphones later than anyone else and the tech was envolved when we first install the network, but remember if your cellphone go from 2g to 3g often, this will consume a lot of power.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you recommend wcdma only? Even when I don't use the internet? Its true that I have signal most of the time, but I am on "gsm only" all the time, switching to wcdma only when I browse the net.
I would recommend GSM auto (PRL) from the testing menu ( *#*#4636#*#* ) then in phone information. Your phone will still use 3G but only when the signal is strong. Otherwise it will prefer 2G.
WCDMA preferred will try to force 3G even when the signal is weak. Consuming more battery.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
2G only uses the least power.
3G only uses moar power.
Constant switching uses the most, it peaks at 600mA battery drain in the process.
3G only will only give you signal outages, therefore I would not recommend it. It is not widespread as GSM signal is.
Oh I finally know how to acces PRL options, thanks. But regarding this, I found this thread on the nexus one section, which says wcdma prl is better. Any of you know how accurate that is?
Edit:
sheek360 said:
He mentioned that gsm auto prl will save the user a bit more power because it wont force the phone to continuasly hunt for a stronger signal. Typically this option gives our n1's a weaker signal and slower data speed. But he said it depends on our network in our city.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nvm, it wasn't battery related anyway. And I found what I needed. Thanks a lot.
Im back to gsm only, gsm auto prl didn't seem to be better in terms of battery saving.
I've had my HOX now for just over a month and i'm loving it. One thing that is slightly bugging me is that occasionally the phone signal will completely cut out giving me an 'x' where the signal strength normally is and telling me that I can only make emergency calls only.
This will correct itself within 30 seconds or so and go back to giving me a signal. This doesnt happen all the time which has made it harder for me to diagnose. Do you think it is a problem with the sim card (Orange UK network) or is it likey to be an issue with the radio software?
I never had an issue with Orange on my Desire although this is a different SIM card.
Any help or advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
I think this is a common problem I'm on Vodafone and this happens to me. I applied a fix when installing insertcoin Rom a while back and it doesn't do it as often now.
I'm glad this has been mentioned now because my One X (On Vodafone) drops connection all the time. The amount of times that I have been somewhere and needed to transfer money through the Natwest App and haven't been able to is getting annoying now. As I am not rooted I can't try any fixes but I have found by using GSM only around where I live, it won't drop signal half as much or often. I don't have a 3G mast near me so its always dropping connection switching between the two as opposed to a smooth transition.
Hi,
You are not alone. I'm on Orange UK and have seen this problem on quite a few occasions. Unfortunately, as yet I can't see any pattern to understand when it happens or what causes it.
Tim
Happens to me on 3. Sometimes I have to hard reset to get it back.
Glad that its not just me. At least I can rule out an issue with the sim.
As it seems to cover more than 1 network, could it be a radio issue that is addressed in a future firmware upgrade?
It is definitely not just you. I'm in Malaysia on the Maxis network and have this problem as well. It happens randomly - at the most it happens twice in a day.
Do you also sometimes get the message 'Preparing SIM card...' at the bottom of the screen?
I brought my phone to the HTC service centre and they offered to take it in to test the radio. I will do this when I get back from my holiday and keep you guys posted!
Mirlina said:
It is definitely not just you. I have this problem as well and it happens randomly - at the most it happens twice in a day. Do you all also get the message 'Preparing SIM card...' at the bottom of the screen?
I brought my phone to the HTC service centre and they offered to take it in to test the radio. I will do this when I get back from my holiday and keep you guys posted!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do get that message at the bottom of the screen. I'd be interested to hear what the outcome is once you've had your radio tested.
Yep, it's the [email protected] radio firmware HTC has provided us with. Radio 2.05 is much better. HTC are useless with updates. I've had problems with my network connection for 2 months!
an.d.d said:
Yep, it's the [email protected] radio firmware HTC has provided us with. Radio 2.05 is much better. HTC are useless with updates. I've had problems with my network connection for 2 months!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only slightly IMO not sorted properly. (t-mobile uk)
XsCode said:
Happens to me on 3. Sometimes I have to hard reset to get it back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too.
Except I am on Tim @ Brasil.
This is nearly always down to signal.
If you're in an area that has decent 2G signal but fluctuating/low 3G signal then the phone will keep trying to connect to the 3G signal. Sometimes it'll be too weak and not be ableto connect and will stick with the 2G signal. If the 3G signal is only just strong enough to connect the phone will switch to 3G mode (dropping the 2G signal). Then it'll realise that the 3G signal is too weak to do anything with (showing an 'X' in the signal area) and drop back to your full 2G signal.
3G signal is breathable which means that if lots of people are connected to the 3G mast then it's signal area (i.e. distance from mast) is reduced. If no-one is using the 3G mast then it's area is bigger.
Perhaps your signal is breathing in and out of use where you are.
Obviously the radio can have an affect too, but with so many people using the same radio software there are going to be some it works well for and others it doesn't.
Personally, I keep my phone on 2G/GSM Only for most of the time and then switch to 3G when I want to use data. I hardly ever get problems with signal, and if I do I shrug and put it down to the coverage in the area I'm in.
P.S. Saying this, my 2G signal seems to drop in and out when I have WiFi turned on. Usually when I'm using wifi I'm not making calls anyway so it doesn't bother me...
Thanks for this useful info. How do I set my phone to 2g only so I can test this theory out ?
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
bobsie41 said:
Only slightly IMO not sorted properly. (t-mobile uk)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seemed 'good enough' to me, but I only had 2 days with my phone on 2.05 and then my camera wouldn't work at all. So I sent the phone back for a replacement. Crazy it's still not fixed!
I've had 5 faulty phones now.
Hi
r2b2 said:
This is nearly always down to signal.
If you're in an area that has decent 2G signal but fluctuating/low 3G signal then the phone will keep trying to connect to the 3G signal. Sometimes it'll be too weak and not be ableto connect and will stick with the 2G signal. If the 3G signal is only just strong enough to connect the phone will switch to 3G mode (dropping the 2G signal). Then it'll realise that the 3G signal is too weak to do anything with (showing an 'X' in the signal area) and drop back to your full 2G signal.
3G signal is breathable which means that if lots of people are connected to the 3G mast then it's signal area (i.e. distance from mast) is reduced. If no-one is using the 3G mast then it's area is bigger.
Perhaps your signal is breathing in and out of use where you are.
Obviously the radio can have an affect too, but with so many people using the same radio software there are going to be some it works well for and others it doesn't.
Personally, I keep my phone on 2G/GSM Only for most of the time and then switch to 3G when I want to use data. I hardly ever get problems with signal, and if I do I shrug and put it down to the coverage in the area I'm in.
P.S. Saying this, my 2G signal seems to drop in and out when I have WiFi turned on. Usually when I'm using wifi I'm not making calls anyway so it doesn't bother me...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which is correct, however any phone working correctly should manage to switch between 2G/3G without problems, i.e. you should not find the phone without a signal at all provided there is 2G coverage, which seems to be the case being reported here. My previous phones with 3G/2G never had a problem, and the HTC One X has been no different for me, it hasn't dropped it's signal, I'm on Vodafone in UK.
Regards
Phil
---------- Post added at 09:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:38 PM ----------
Hi
craggybuk said:
Thanks for this useful info. How do I set my phone to 2g only so I can test this theory out ?
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Settings -> Mobile Network -> Network mode then set to GSM only.
Regards
Phil
This is happening fairly regularly for me on UK T-Mobile. Seems to happen when switching between Orange and T-Mobile or T-Mobile and 3G T-Mobile. I've got a ROM that distinguishes between a 2G and 3G connection in the carrier name area.
bailie1912 said:
I think this is a common problem I'm on Vodafone and this happens to me. I applied a fix when installing insertcoin Rom a while back and it doesn't do it as often now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What fix was that?
OliverHaslam said:
What fix was that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Installing a Custom ROM
nickhuk said:
Installing a Custom ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which, and what about it was supposed to be a fix? I'm using MaXimus 2.1.
It happens to me also. I'm on 3 in Denmark. They providing only 3G coverage in area. So far, I figured out that it's happening when I'm loosing signal completly (i.e. when I go down in concrete basement), and when I'm within coverage again, phone is unable to register on any network at all. Sometimes can help turn airplane mode on and off, or sometimes I have to turn phone off and on again.
ROM : 1.29.401.11
Radio: 1.1204.105.14