So I've been struggling with shoddy reception for a long while. The desire isn't exactly known for its reception, but recently I changed buildings and it's been unbearable.
Symptoms:
- If coverage is poor I'd go in and out of service frequently
- Sometimes, even with bars, texts won't send and calls won't go thru
- Sometimes, stuck in emergency calls only until a reboot
- If coverage was is, no issues
Cool. So the flaky behaviour all had to do with preferred network type. Turns out TELUS doesn't have a 2G network to fall onto if the 3G signal is crappy (remember they used CDMA tech for their 2G; it's not compatible). But most roms in here always assume you do. The phone would go full retard (beg your pardons) trying to find the 2G network that doesn't exist. In addition, many power saving "tweaks" change the preferred network type from WCDMA perferred to GSM auto PRL ... both assume you have a 2G network. The latter specifically has brutal performance on TELUS network.
Fix :
Get a build.prop editor from the market
Change ro.telephony.default_network = 2
2 is WCDMA (3G) only
Reboot
or
Dialpad > *#*#4636#*#* > Phone information > Set preferred network type > WCDMA only
But I don't believe this method will stick after a reboot
Cheers guys, I hope this helps you like it did me
ro.telephony.default_network=
0 = WCDMA Perfered
1 = GSM Only
2 = WCDMA Only
3 = GSM/WCDMA (auto mode, according to PRL)
4 = CDMA / EVDO. Perfered
Related
I live in the UK, and am using a foreign version of a TP2 that I bought on eBay. I think it's probably the Hong Kong version - it's in English, but with support for Chinese characters on the keyboard.
Something I do fairly regularly is switch between 2G and 3G modes on my TP2 manually. I've created a start-menu short-cut to CMBandSwitching.exe which lets me change the phone's Band setting between "Auto", "GSM" and "WCDMA". My somewhat limited understanding of these settings is that "GSM" basically means "2G", and "WCDMA" basically means "3G". When I set the phone to "GSM" it picks up GPRS or EDGE signals (according to the status bar). When I set it to "WCDMA" it picks up HDSPA or 3G signals (if there are any). What I thought "Auto" mode did was simply switch automatically between 3G and 2G mode depending on 3G signal strength - so that if there's a 3G signal it uses that, if not, it uses 2G.
However, it seems like there may be slightly more to it than that. If I have the phone in GSM mode at home and search for available networks, it finds O2, T-Mobile, Vodafone and Orange (in that order - does that mean O2's signal is the strongest, or does it put it at the top of the list because I have an O2 SIM?) In WCDMA mode it only finds O2, which would suggest that O2 is the only 3G signal that can be picked up in my home (and even that's pretty weak ). However, if I set the phone to Auto, then search for networks, then it also starts to get a signal from the 3 network and lists all 5 carriers - in other words, in Auto mode it finds a signal which is not visible in either GSM or WCDMA mode. This suggests that Auto may be doing something else besides switching between 2G and 3G. Can anyone explain this?
Also, if O2 is the only network it can find when set to "WCDMA" does this mean that O2's is the only 3G signal I can receive?
Finally, there are four possible frequency settings in the lower part of the BandSwitching app. These are:
Auto
GSM(900+1800)+UMTS(900+2100)
GSM(1900+850)+UMTS(1900+850)
UMTS(2100+800)
Which is the best setting for UK use? I'm currently using the second one, and it seems to work okay, but would I gain anything by switching it to "Auto"? And can someone give me an idea of which areas in the world I could get decent 2G or 3G reception with that selection of settings available?
(bump)
No one...?
When I connect to internet depending on the location sometimes I get the G icon sometimes the H icon.
Is it possible to set it only to connect on H (even if reception is bad, 1 bar only, rather than G with 3-4 bars reception)
Is there an App for it? than can let you choose what you wanna connect to?
I know in my nokia n95 i could go to networking and choose what i wanted but i cant seem to find that on the galaxy s.
any help would be great
thanks
LOL...
G - GPRS
H - HSDPA+ (faster than 3G)
You can't change it, It depends on your signal strength and location.
Elvoski said:
LOL...
G - GPRS
H - HSDPA+ (faster than 3G)
You can't change it, It depends on your signal strength and location.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
constant HSDPA+ would also kill your battery too..i would image ye?
Only as much as what constant 3G uses.
im sure its possible because here is how to do it on the Omnia HD, its just a hidden menu setting
http://forums.samsungi8910omnia.com...ncrease-web-browsing-speed-when-using-3g.html
we have the same menu on the Galaxy S, so if someone can just figure out how to get to this part then you can do it
That is to increase the speed of the 3G. You can only see results if your using 3G,not sure it will increase the speed of the HSDPA. Also this wont allow you to get more of the signal or allow you to use just 3g or hsdpa for internet, again its down to network signal and location.
Elvoski said:
That is to increase the speed of the 3G. You can only see results if your using 3G,not sure it will increase the speed of the HSDPA. Also this wont allow you to get more of the signal or allow you to use just 3g or hsdpa for internet, again its down to network signal and location.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could do *#*#4636#*#* in the phone app and change CDMA/GSM Auto to WCDMA or WCDMA preferred for 3G only, but you will have no service if you leave 3G coverage since it will not revert to standard GSM.
dsjr2006 said:
You could do *#*#4636#*#* in the phone app and change CDMA/GSM Auto to WCDMA or WCDMA preferred for 3G only, but you will have no service if you leave 3G coverage since it will not revert to standard GSM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That method didn't work for me when I tried it; each time I re-entered the menu, the settings had reverted to whatever was chosen in Menu -> Settings -> Wireless & Network -> Mobile Networks... either GSM Only or GSM/CDMA auto (PRL) depending on whether the 2G only box was checked.
To get 3G only, enter ServiceMode:
*#*#197328640#*#* -> Debug Screen -> Phone Control -> Network Control -> Band Selection
Choose WCDMA BAND for 3G only.
aurorix said:
To get 3G only, enter ServiceMode:
*#*#197328640#*#* -> Debug Screen -> Phone Control -> Network Control -> Band Selection
Choose WCDMA BAND for 3G only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LEGEND, thanks so much works perfectly for me, exactly what i was looking for.
aurorix said:
That method didn't work for me when I tried it; each time I re-entered the menu, the settings had reverted to whatever was chosen in Menu -> Settings -> Wireless & Network -> Mobile Networks... either GSM Only or GSM/CDMA auto (PRL) depending on whether the 2G only box was checked.
To get 3G only, enter ServiceMode:
*#*#197328640#*#* -> Debug Screen -> Phone Control -> Network Control -> Band Selection
Choose WCDMA BAND for 3G only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes thank you for this informaion. I was able to get to the service mode but was not able to change the band selection.
I receive the error: RAT Selection Option is Restricted !
theres probably a way to shortcut the screen with anycut but ive given up trying
I cab only get edge at work but it does actualy give me about 100 kbs
well i was reading this guide and came across tip #22.
well that guide was made for the evo which is a cdma phone but when i checked my preferred network settings it was on wcdma preferred. since my G2 is a gsm phone,i changed it to "gsm auto (prl)".
was this the correct choice or should i have it set to wcdma?
thanks for any help!
durps said:
well i was reading this guide and came across tip #22.
well that guide was made for the evo which is a cdma phone but when i checked my preferred network settings it was on wcdma preferred. since my G2 is a gsm phone,i changed it to "gsm auto (prl)".
was this the correct choice or should i have it set to wcdma?
thanks for any help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on what you are trying to achieve. GSM Auto (Prl) will switch between 2G and 3G based off what the tower is telling it to be on and the strength of the signal. From my experience this is the best setting for use and don't worry. Personally, I usually put my phone on 2G only, and only switch to 3G when I am going to be using the data.
WCDMA Preffered and WCDMA Only is telling the phone to hold 3G as long as possible, and if there is any 3G coverage to switch to it, or in the case of Only it will never switch off 3G, even when there is no 3G coverage available.
If you are trying to save battery GSM auto or GSM Only are your best bets, if trying to preserve a weak 3G signal for data WCDMA only, and if you are somewhere that gets decent 3G but the phone loves to switch to 2G for some odd reason, WCDMA Preferred.
Useful General Information Regarding 2G and 3G for either CDMA or GSM modes
For CDMA Networks there are Only three Modes Controlling CMDA 2G or 3G:
CDMA only CDMA phone force Only 2G Mobile data. if 2G signal is too low you get no Signal.
EvDo only CDMA phone force Only 3G Mobile data. if 3G signal is too low you get no Signal
CDMA auto (PRL) CDMA phone can use both 2G and 3G Mobile data . if signal strength is low then 2G is favored more.
Please see Automatic Mode ( GSM/CDMA auto (PRL)
TWO GSM Modes that include the word "CDMA ",But They Do Not Relate to CDMA Networks :
WCDMA preferred GSM phone can use both 2G and 3G Mobile Data . if signal strength is low 3G is Preferred .
WCDMA only GSM phone forces only 3G Mobile Data . if 3G signal is too low you get no Signal .
Other GSM Modes :
GSM only GSM phone forces only 2G Mobile Data . if 2G signal is too low you get no Signal .
GSM auto (PRL) GSM phone can use both 2G and 3G data Mobile Data . if signal strength is low 2G is Preferred
Automatic Mode :
GSM/CDMA auto (PRL) - phones equipped with GSM and CDMA .( Not Sure ) phone attempt to stay connected to the Mobile Data type that works the best ( through choosing the CDMA network directly or GSM Roaming networks , not sure ) ??????.
Auto PRL ( Preferred Roaming List ) :
this list should be updated frequently , help connect to 3G ? . to get update ( through *228 or through Dialing ##778 , Then Select Prl then Update . i don't have much Knowledge about the following , But some who change Carrier would download PRL suitable for the New Carrier and replace the existing . through using certain Software ( Powerful Software that Can damage Your phone if you Don't know what you are doing ) , and is that required or Not . for myself i would not do it unless it is a Must.
Hope help testing and adjusting setting for 2g,3G , i myself was confused about some of those setting Especially WCDMA Preferred
You can reach All the above Options through Phone Information menu ( called also testing menu ) by dialing *#*#4636#*#*I appreciate if you hit thanks Button , if you found this Post useful
trkaaa said:
GSM/CDMA auto (PRL) - phones equipped with GSM and CDMA .( Not Sure ) phone attempt to stay connected to the Mobile Data type that works the best ??????.
Auto PRL ( Preferred Roaming List ) :
this list should be updated frequently , maybe help connect to 3G ?? . to get update ( i think *228 or i think through Dialing ##778 ,Not Sure , Then Select Prl then Update . i don't have much Knowledge about the following , But some who change Carrier would download PRL suitable for the New Carrier and replace the existing . through using certain Software ( Powerful Software that Can damage Your phone if you Don't know what you are doing ) , and is that required or Not . for myself i would not do it unless it is a Must.Hope help testing and adjusting setting for 2g,3G , i myself was confused about some of those setting Especially WCDMA Preferred
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While working for Verizon I know that *228 option 2 is the one you select to update just the PRL. When updating the PRL it just ensures your phone has been updated on the network with latest additions to towers and such. Possibly can improve your signal strength in areas where improvements or new towers have been added. This also can help when you travel in extended network where Verizon has a roaming agreement. It is recommended to do so atleast 1 time every 3 months.
Choosing option 1 from the menu is for when you are changing devices(esn's) on your number. This will program the proper MDN and MIN as well as SID into the phone so it can work on your number and the Verizon network. Sometimes doing option 1 can resolve issues with your device as well, but in rare cases.
so there is no way can force the htinc2 to work with h or 3g
m_srayi said:
so there is no way can force the htinc2 to work with h or 3g
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes you can force 3G as follows ( All mentioned in my above Post ) :
for CDMA ( if you want to use CDMA network Only )
EvDo only CDMA phone force Only 3G Mobile data. if 3G signal is too low you get no Signal
For GSM ( if you want to use GSM networks only )
WCDMA only GSM phone forces only 3G Mobile Data . if 3G signal is too low you get no Signal .
if you don't want to force 3G only , But make 3G Preferred when Both 2G and 3G are available :
for CDMA ( if you want to use CDMA network Only ) :
CDMA auto (PRL) CDMA phone can use both 2G and 3G Mobile data . if signal strength is low then 2G is favored more.
For GSM ( if you want to use GSM networks only ) :
WCDMA preferred GSM phone can use both 2G and 3G Mobile Data . if signal strength is low 3G is Preferred .
For Both ( Auto ) :
GSM/CDMA auto (PRL) - phone attempt to stay connected to the Mobile Data type that works the best
You can reach All the above Options through Phone Information menu ( called also testing menu ) by dialing *#*#4636#*#*
i guess it works like this but not sure ,
if you choose EvDo onlythe phone will force the connection to Verizon Wireless 3G only , it will not try to use the sim Card to use the roaming GSM networks !!!
if you moved to another GSM carrier ,then you have only GSM ( No CDMA ) , then if you used WCDMA only the phone will only connect to the 3G provided by this Carrier
[I927 ICS AT&T ROM] Change GSM mode to 2G/off 3G, minimize risk missed calls and text
Hello,
i have I927 with stock AT&T ICS ROM, to change phone to work in only 2G mode u must do:
1) enter to dial pad
2) enter to "ServiceMode" by typing *#197328640#
3) on menu you see click:
[1] DEBUG SREEN ->[8] PHONE CONTROL ->[7]NETWORK CONTROL ->[2] BAND SELECTION ->[3] GSM BAND ->[1] GSM ALL
4) now press "select GSM All Bands
to back to 3G/4G band in step 3 in band selection chose [2] WCDMA BAND or [1] AUTOMATIC
Attention: after each restart or on/off, phone chose automatic mode and one must again manualy change to 2G.
Now phone work in 2G mode:
- baterry consumes energy slower
- phone have best range (don`t now why I927 in automatic mode chose the faster mode not this with best range: its on 4G with 1 bar range, ane i this same place 2G have 3 bars range)
- calls quality is best
- minimize risk missed calls and multiple text, look in this tread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2018299 , i use only 2G from 2 month. In this time i have only 1 time GSM freezing, after manual chose 3G band to use internet and later return to 2G band mode.
greetings
kamykkamyk_pl