Develop Bugs

[Q] Is it possible to Flash G2's 3G Radio, an set it to work on 900/2100 mhz??

Well, it's just as the title of this thread says... I have a Tmobile's G2 (A.K.A. HTC Vision), which its 3g default bands are under 1700 / 2100. Here on my country, all the providers have their 3g services on 900 / 2100.... soo... Is it possible to Flash T-mobile G2's Radio, an set it to work on 3g 900/2100 mhz, so I can use the phone on 3G, instead of that annoying and extremely slow EDGE??
Or, is there a Custom ROM that has these settings on it? (I mean, a rom that automatically turns the 3g band to 900 instead of 1700)
Thanx.

No you can't, the radio bands are set in hardware (e.g. the physical antennae in the phone), not just in the radio software.

Why would you need to, the phone would use the 2100 band for it's 3G in your country? I took mine to Russia and it worked fine.

I don't think it's that simple. I only get edge on my T-mobile G2 using the Rogers network.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA app.

Rogers doesnt use 1700 or 2100 so that is to be expected. The original posters country has a 2100 3G, I would suspect he just isn't in a coverage area.

Circledog said:
Why would you need to, the phone would use the 2100 band for it's 3G in your country? I took mine to Russia and it worked fine.
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Click to collapse
I don't think it works like that, I think it needs both bands to work. If it was that simple then surely they wouldn't bother making different phones for different markets (e.g. T-Mobile US vs Europe/Asia)

That may be...I'm only speaking of my experience in Russia, they have 2100 only 3G and mine worked without the second band.

Just to add, T-Mobile US use the 1700 MHz band for the uplink, and 2100 MHz for the downlink. So presumably the phones (i.e. G2, as opposed to the Desire Z) are physically setup like that too.

Oh I thought Rogers uses 2100. Either way, no worky.... sad.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA app.

Ah, I think I'm following you, because Russia exclusively uses 2100 for up and down my phone worked, but since his county has a seperate uplink and a downlink band it won't?

Circledog said:
Ah, I think I'm following you, because Russia exclusively uses 2100 for up and down my phone worked, but since his county has a seperate uplink and a downlink band it won't?
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Click to collapse
Yeah I think that's it. I don't know *that* much about this myself, just picked up on a few discussions about the G2/DZ on here over time.
Have a look at this - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UMTS_frequency_bands
I think the "problem" is that the G2 uses exclusively "Band IV" for 3G (i.e. 1700/2100 split), but somewhere like the OP's Dominican Republic uses Band VIII (900).
What the OP needs is a Desire Z, which operates on Band I (2100) and Band VIII (900).
Russia appears to use Band I (2100) as well. Maybe a G2 can partially work there then ?
Rogers uses something else, Band II (1900) and Band V (850).
As I say, I'm don't know that much about this myself, so if anyone else can help clarify/confirm/deny, then that'd be great.

Much appreciated.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA app.

Via Google, I dug up another interesting piece of info.
Although it's not on HTC's official spec list on their site, on T-Mobile's support pages it says that the G2 does Band I as well. Which would explain how it would have worked in Russia. That's not going to help the OP's problem though.
http://support.t-mobile.com/doc/tm24233.xml?&A2L.SERVICE=FeatureSummary

Wow mega confusing, but you helped clear it up, thanks!!
Mine worked very well in Moscow, I was pleasantly suprised, it was kind of a bonus to be able to get on the web, I wasn't expecting much.

I don't understand why the manufactures don't provide phones with penta-band 3G support like the Nokia N8. Maximize profit when producing 2-3 same phones with different frequencies maybe? I mean quad-band GSM has been supported for pretty much all of the current phones, why not 3G bands as well?

Has anyone tried this option?
bring up the dial pad and dial
*#*#info#*#* (aka *#*#4636#*#*)
press "Phone Info"
you'll get the screen with the imei, phone no, network and a button that says "Run Ping Test" at the top
press your "menu" button
when the menu pops up, it'll have 6 options, select radio band, view sim address book, view fixed dialling numbers, view service dialling numbers, get PDP list, and More.
Choose the first one "Select Radio Band" then select the appropriate band.
Not sure if it helps in this situation, but I found it in a thread about gaining 3G in Europe on the N1

hey bro.. I read from one topic in TMo's official G2 forum that the G2 will work on a country with only a UMTS band of 2100 both for up and down (the answer is from TMo employee, an engineer)... hope you'll be enlightened. I bought an unlocked G2 and I researched extensively before purchase. Im from the Philippines which only supports the 2100 band for 3G. I Know and Im 100% positive that the phone will support the 3G band here in my country. cant wait for my G2 (arriving tomorrow)
btw... coverage is vital. if the 3G signal is weak or non-existent in your area, you'll be switched to edge for data on your phone (naturally).. good luck
sorry.. cant post the link. would've loved to have posted it.

juanito05 said:
hey bro.. I read from one topic in TMo's official G2 forum that the G2 will work on a country with only a UMTS band of 2100 both for up and down (the answer is from TMo employee, an engineer)... hope you'll be enlightened. I bought an unlocked G2 and I researched extensively before purchase. Im from the Philippines which only supports the 2100 band for 3G. I Know and Im 100% positive that the phone will support the 3G band here in my country. cant wait for my G2 (arriving tomorrow)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the Band I thing that I was talking about, that T-Mo shows on their spec sheets (but HTC doesn't seem to list, for some reason).

I think the G2 will do 3G if any one of the two bands are supported by the country. Correct me if Im wrong

juanito05 said:
hey bro.. I read from one topic in TMo's official G2 forum that the G2 will work on a country with only a UMTS band of 2100 both for up and down (the answer is from TMo employee, an engineer)... hope you'll be enlightened. I bought an unlocked G2 and I researched extensively before purchase. Im from the Philippines which only supports the 2100 band for 3G. I Know and Im 100% positive that the phone will support the 3G band here in my country. cant wait for my G2 (arriving tomorrow)
btw... coverage is vital. if the 3G signal is weak or non-existent in your area, you'll be switched to edge for data on your phone (naturally).. good luck
sorry.. cant post the link. would've loved to have posted it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is nowhere in the world that uses 2100 in both directions. Band 1 is 1900 UP, 2100 DOWN.
In all cases, your phone must be able to upload on the frequencies that the towers listen on, and download on the frequencies that the towers transmit on.
I.e., north america vision transmits on 1700 or 1900, receives on 2100.

Any way to get to Field Test / RF Band Menu? (UPDATE! I Found Out!)

[AUG 12, 2012] Like the Title says. But I will like to strictly test the 1900 HSPA+ band only (auto off).
[Sept. 25, 2012] EDIT/UPDATE: Guess i'll explain in the OP how to get there (screenshots in 3rd post). My original/earlier post was for SELECT specific band selection. I didn't get that, but this is the best I could find. And this is SPECIFICALLY for TmoUSA user since we're in the middle of a refarmed 1900 band upgrade process.
Use service code in dialer: *#*#INFO#*#*. Select "Phone Information". Scroll down to make sure WCDMA (HSPA+) preferred is enabled. Then hit the menu button to reveal a few options. Hit "select radio band", and select "USA Band" which will use the 1900 band.
Now, it will take ~15+ seconds to switch. If it takes to long, turn off/on the radio below WCDMA (give the radio about 10 seconds per tap). If it shows EDGE, you don't have 1900 HSPA+ for your area/nearest tower, yet. If you do, then :good: :highfive: ! But TmoUSA JUST started rolling out 1900 HPSA+. So far, Las Vegas is the first city, with my city, Seattle, L.A., NYC, DC very near completed. You can try this site/map out to see where there has been reported TmoUSA 1900 HSPA+ sightings --> http://airportal.de

UPDATE:
If anyone here cares, I found out how to test the 1900MHz band on the GNex. I wanted to find out because Tmo is refarming their 1900MHz network. Plus Tmo just announced Las Vegas is the first to launch the full HSPA+ refarm with my city, Seattle, L.A., NY, DC, and other close to full launch. Tmo is downsizing their GSM to 10MHz or less (from atleast 20MHz), and bolting on their HSPA+ network on to it using atleast 20MHz on average on the 1900MHz band (some sites will only be 10MHz HSPA+ starting off).
I can't remember, but Tmo will also downsize HSPA+ on their current 1700 (AWS) band (from 20MHz to 10MHz) to make room for LTE over 1700MHz, or only use 5x5 LTE instead of 10x10 LTE. If that market has enough spectrum, then I'm sure Tmo won't downsize their HSPA+. But it varies from market to market (Tmo can have either high or mid spectrum), so let me wrap up how it will look with a good amount of Spectrum in a market:
1900 (PCS) band = 10MHz GSM / 20MHz HSPA+ = 30MHz
1700 (AWS) band = 10-20MHz HSPA+ / 10-2MHz LTE = 20-40MHz
So to wrap this up, I just wanted to use my GNex's 1900 HSPA+ band exclusively to see when my area (my local towers) in Seattle lights up, and I found out how (not pretty/not SPECIFIC bands).

Screenshots below... The "USA Band" doesn't use the 1700 band (Tmo) it seems. When I select it, I only get EDGE (1900) on Tmo, but I get a better signal (dB/asu) at work compared to using HSPA+ (1700).

Nm
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

herzzreh said:
Nm
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What did you say? I missed it.

Just explain how please

You state you found out, yet did not state how.

Well did the "Auto Band" and the "USA Band"
The USA Band is good with signal strength, speed wise is slow ass ****.
The Auto band is still not bad with signal strength but not how USA band is.. Speed is there tho.
#Galaxy Nexus HSPA+

crixley said:
Just explain how please
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tibere86 said:
You state you found out, yet did not state how.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use service code in dialer: *#*#INFO#*#*. Select "Phone Information". Scroll down to make sure WCDMA (HSPA+) preferred is enabled. Then hit the menu button to reveal a few options. Hit "select radio band", and select "USA Band" which will use the 1900 band.
Now, it will take ~15+ seconds to switch. If it takes to long, turn off/on the radio below WCDMA (give the radio about 10 seconds per tap). If it shows EDGE, you don't have 1900 HSPA+ for your area/nearest tower, yet. If you do, then :good: :highfive: ! But TmoUSA JUST started rolling out 1900 HPSA+. So far, Las Vegas is the first city, with my city, Seattle, L.A., NYC, DC very near completed. You can try this site/map out to see where there has been reported TmoUSA 1900 HSPA+ sightings --> http://airportal.de
luckylui said:
Well did the "Auto Band" and the "USA Band"
The USA Band is good with signal strength, speed wise is slow ass sh*t.
The Auto band is still not bad with signal strength but not how USA band is.. Speed is there tho.
#Galaxy Nexus HSPA+
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you even read my 2nd post? That's what were testing. If you have EDGE/slow speeds on the "USA Band", then Tmo hasn't refarmed your area/tower(s) yet. If you do get HSPA+ on the "USA Band", then that's great! Better HSPA+ signals in building for your area. I wish the GNex had DC-HSPA+ tho

J-Hop2o6 said:
[snip]
You need an app. Theirs no native app or setting (maybe a service code?). I use Battery Monitor, but theirs a simple app to get into the Hidden Menu/Testing Menu. Use Test Menu (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=appinventor.ai_Gareth_Hannaway_420.Test_Mode&hl=en) Then go to "Phone Information". Scroll down to make sure WCDMA (HSPA+) preferred is enabled. Then hit the menu button to reveal a few options. Hit "radio band", and select "USA Band" which will use the 1900 band.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can do that by typing *#*#INFO#*#* on your dialer.

efrant said:
You can do that by typing *#*#INFO#*#* on your dialer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx, that's the one.

I'll give a thanks for trying but you really didn't tell us something we don't already know.
Your op made it seem like you were able to go in and physically select radio bands (like from a list 850, 1700, 1900, etc). Not just select from us bands, aus band, etc. I guess when you posted that it "isn't pretty" we were expecting something different than what we already know.
It is already fairly common knowledge on how to access the service menu, so you don't need that app either.
Like I said, I'll give a thanks for trying, and you likely did help someone, so that's fine. But this topic has been discussed at length in the past.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

i do not see the option to choose band on my nexus, does it have to be custom rom?

thos25 said:
I'll give a thanks for trying but you really didn't tell us something we don't already know.
Your op made it seem like you were able to go in and physically select radio bands (like from a list 850, 1700, 1900, etc). Not just select from us bands, aus band, etc. I guess when you posted that it "isn't pretty" we were expecting something different than what we already know.
It is already fairly common knowledge on how to access the service menu, so you don't need that app either.
Like I said, I'll give a thanks for trying, and you likely did help someone, so that's fine. But this topic has been discussed at length in the past.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea I know, its not what I wanted either (I wanted EXACT radio bands selections), but I found something useful for us TmoUSA users, which are in the process for refarmed 1900 by years end and beyond + LTE in 2013. I believe only Samsung's TW roms has that embedded to select specific bands. And do you have that specific thread you're talking about? I didn't see it in the search results.

PUTALE said:
i do not see the option to choose band on my nexus, does it have to be custom rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You cannot choose the individual band. You can only choose US, AUS, etc. by pressing the menu button.

efrant said:
You cannot choose the individual band. You can only choose US, AUS, etc. by pressing the menu button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you get back to the original radio band, is it Automatic?

jawmail said:
How do you get back to the original radio band, is it Automatic?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. It might take more than 15 seconds to switch. If not, turn off/on the radio.

i just did this and show edge but now cannot get back to hspa.
nvm, i restart and it works now.

I use codename android and every time I use this code it gives me an error and says settings has crashed is there any other way to test this or how to get the code to work.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

abrcrmdl23 said:
I use codename android and every time I use this code it gives me an error and says settings has crashed is there any other way to test this or how to get the code to work.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The "info" code? And link the rom for me.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

[Q] What would happen in a refarmed area with HSPA on 1900MHz?

The T-Mobile Galaxy S3 supports HSDPA on 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100, right?
Right now, as areas are being refarmed to get HSPA on 1900MHz, what happens when HSPA is available on both 1700MHz and 1900MHz? I'm curious because 1700 should be picked up a bit stronger by the phone, but maybe 1900MHz will allow for faster speeds because it won't be as congested? (If most 3G/4G phones in an area are on 1700MHz). How does the phone decide that to do?

They are going to use it for future LTE deployments. I have a pic at the bottom of the linked post that may help understand what they are doing.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=31409290
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

[Q] I9500 S4 on American Tmobile Network with missing 1700 Frequency

I live in America and was thinking about ordering the S4 GT-i9500 for Wolfson Audio chip reason. I wanted to use Tmobile because they have the best prices. I saw that the i9500 network is:
Network: 2.5G (GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE): 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz; 3G (HSPA+ 42Mbps): 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 MHz
And from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-Mobile_US#HSPA.2FHSPA.2B_.224G.22_upgrade, I see that HSPA+ uses 1700/2100 Mhz. It also saids:
Band IV AWS consists of the 1700 / 2100 MHz band pair. Data is transmitted upstream on 1700 MHz and downstream on 2100 MHz. A device must support both frequencies to access T-Mobile's AWS data services.
I don't understand, but sellers on ebay are claiming i9500 will work with Tmobile's 4G in America. How would the i9500 work on the American Tmobile network if it doesn't use the 1700 frequency? What would be the draw back?

Tmobile is refarming its 1900Mhz band for hspa+. If you're in an area that has it you could get 4G with that and pretty good speeds. You won't get LTE and if you're in an area without the 1900 you'll get 2g speeds.

Here's a more technical explanation.
T-Mobile used to exclusively use the AWS (1700/2100) spectrum for DC-HSPA+42mbps. They are currently refarming this for LTE use.
HSPA+21mbps is being moved to the 1900mhz spectrum. So, in areas that have been refarmed, you will have HSPA+ access (NOTE, no 42mbps). In areas that are not refarmed, you'll be limited to EDGE service.
I have a Galaxy S2 GT-i9100, so I have the same limitation. I signed up with T-Mobile about 2 months ago and on a weekly basis, I'm seeing towers refarmed. They intend to have it nearly completed by end of 2013, thus limiting the areas you'll be on Edge only. Eventually, their entire 1900mhz network will be HSPA+ 21, with their AWS network being LTE.

jaykresge said:
Here's a more technical explanation.
...you will have HSPA+ access (NOTE, no 42mbps).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If not 42mbps, what speed?

dman777 said:
If not 42mbps, what speed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Their HSPA+ network on 1900mhz is limited to 21mbps.
Basically, their network prior to refarming was:
1900mhz (PCS) - EDGE
1700/2100mhz (AWS) - DC-HSPA+ 42mbps
They have since acquired a TON of PCS and AWS spectrum from; failed AT&T merger, Verizon spectrum swap, and MetroPCS merger.
This will allow them to expand to new markets currently not served, as well as expand bandwidth in existing markets. So, their current plans are to refarm the network to;
1900mhz (PCS) - HSPA+ 21mbps
1700/2100mhz (AWS) - LTE
There will be some limited spectrum for the old EDGE (PCS) and DC-HSPA+ 42 (AWS) available for legacy devices, but that will eventually (at least 2020, most likely) go away. The goal is to have LTE over their core network by mid-2014, and HSPA+ 21mbps being the expanded fallback network. T-Mobile will also be taking part in the 600mhz auction in mid-2014. Their network plans will be made more clear (VoLTE, LTE-A) after that auction. Lower frequencies allow for better building penetration. T-Mobile is currently silently lobbying the FCC (through other groups) to remove Verizon and AT&T from that spectrum auction for the sake of competition.

jaykresge said:
Here's a more technical explanation.
T-Mobile used to exclusively use the AWS (1700/2100) spectrum for DC-HSPA+42mbps. They are currently refarming this for LTE use.
HSPA+21mbps is being moved to the 1900mhz spectrum. So, in areas that have been refarmed, you will have HSPA+ access (NOTE, no 42mbps). In areas that are not refarmed, you'll be limited to EDGE service.
I have a Galaxy S2 GT-i9100, so I have the same limitation. I signed up with T-Mobile about 2 months ago and on a weekly basis, I'm seeing towers refarmed. They intend to have it nearly completed by end of 2013, thus limiting the areas you'll be on Edge only. Eventually, their entire 1900mhz network will be HSPA+ 21, with their AWS network being LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so eventually you'll be able to access the 21mb range? Thus, if in a refarmed area, you could get 21mb with a i9500?

For explanatory purposes: Ever noticed how, if connected to a 100mbps LAN, you don't ever see 100mbps? That's link speed, not real world.
Applied here, HSPA+ has a top link speed of 21mbps (assuming both ends are compatible). DC-HSDPA has a top link speed of 42mbps. Real world performance will be 3-8mbps on the former, and 5-15mbps on the latter. I've seen spikes up around 12mbps and 25mbps, but those are incredibly rare. Bottom line is, do not expect LTE speeds. I currently have a phone that has 21mbps HSPA support on PCS (1900mhz), and on T-Mobile, I get 6-7mbps in most HSPA areas.
I hope that helps.

Im getting 20-30 m.b.p.s. dwn anf 10-15 m.b.p.s. up Lte.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app

rp56 said:
Im getting 20-30 m.b.p.s. dwn anf 10-15 m.b.p.s. up Lte.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Shouldn't it be more? Are you using the Snapdragon version on the American Tmobile network?

jaykresge said:
For explanatory purposes: Ever noticed how, if connected to a 100mbps LAN, you don't ever see 100mbps? That's link speed, not real world.
Applied here, HSPA+ has a top link speed of 21mbps (assuming both ends are compatible). DC-HSDPA has a top link speed of 42mbps. Real world performance will be 3-8mbps on the former, and 5-15mbps on the latter. I've seen spikes up around 12mbps and 25mbps, but those are incredibly rare. Bottom line is, do not expect LTE speeds. I currently have a phone that has 21mbps HSPA support on PCS (1900mhz), and on T-Mobile, I get 6-7mbps in most HSPA areas.
I hope that helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, kind of considering the I9500 again. I live in Austin, Texas. How will I know if Tmobile converted here and if I can get the 6-7mpbs in HSPA where ever I am here? Also, right now I have a Nexus S with 3G. I have to admit that I only am able to get 3G(Tmobile) about 50% of the time and the rest is edge speed. Would HSPA consistency be this bad?

dman777 said:
Wow, kind of considering the I9500 again. I live in Austin, Texas. How will I know if Tmobile converted here and if I can get the 6-7mpbs in HSPA where ever I am here? Also, right now I have a Nexus S with 3G. I have to admit that I only am able to get 3G(Tmobile) about 50% of the time and the rest is edge speed. Would HSPA consistency be this bad?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you got the Nexus S model sold for T-Mobile, that has AWS support. That means that switching to a PCS 3G phone like the i9500 means that AT BEST you will have the same Edge/3G coverage ratio you have now, and at worse you'll have mostly Edge coverage. Your 3G data speeds will be faster in the areas you get it though. It will be a tradeoff.
EDIT: Here's a user-generated map of areas that have had 3G and HSPA+ refarmed to PCS. Looks like a few rowers directly in Austin have been refarmed. This is a massive project by T-Mobile and is nowhere near being complete. However, an areas HAS to be refarmed in order for them to launch LTE, so refarmed markets (that already offered 3G/4G AWS service) are the ones that are getting LTE eventually.
http://www.airportal.de/

[PSA] You may be able to use HSPA+ on T-Mobile

Sorry if this is old news, I searched the forums and couldn't find a thread where this was explained.
Until recently, it wasn't possible to use HSPA+ with the Glide on T-Mobile, because T-Mo used to use different frequencies (1700/2100) than AT&T (850/1900) for it's HSPA+ service.
However, T-Mobile is migrating its HSPA+ network over to the 1900mhz band. So apparently that means that IF you are in an area where T-Mobile has already made the switch (and your phone is not carrier locked to AT&T), then you can use HSPA+ on T-Mobile.
One thing to note is- since the phone is only operating at 1900mhz and not 850mhz, the speed is cut in half (at least that is how I understand it).
So instead of getting 42Mbps you'll only be able to get 21Mbps (max). Still, it's way better than 2g. Source
Map. Twitter Feed. List.

Sorry, am I missing something? The Captivate Glide specs show it as having UMTS 850/1900/2100, so shouldn't it work both with 1900 and 2100?

rad30n said:
Sorry, am I missing something? The Captivate Glide specs show it as having UMTS 850/1900/2100, so shouldn't it work both with 1900 and 2100?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The way I understand it, the older T-Mo towers use both 1700mhz and 2100mhz for their HSPA+, using 1710-1755mhz for uploads and 2110-2155 for downloads. The radio's in the Glide are missing the 1700mhz band so it won't work in the areas where they haven't rolled out the switch to 1900 yet.
I am only going by what I have read on the net, so this may not be completely accurate.

DarkBlaidd said:
The way I understand it, the older T-Mo towers use both 1700mhz and 2100mhz for their HSPA+, using 1710-1755mhz for uploads and 2110-2155 for downloads. The radio's in the Glide are missing the 1700mhz band so it won't work in the areas where they haven't rolled out the switch to 1900 yet.
I am only going by what I have read on the net, so this may not be completely accurate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got it, thanks!