The underlying problem here is that the 3G signal in my house is quite weak, but not so weak that it is undetectable. If I leave my TP2's band setting set to "Auto" then it keeps trying to switch into 3G mode, then dropping back to 2G, with a delay every time it does it. (Drains the battery too). So I'd like to be able to quickly switch between 2G and 3G mode. (Obviously I could just leave it set to 2G all the time, but this is a waste when I'm at work or in some other place which actually has a good 3G signal).
My current solution is that I've got a start menu shortcut pointing to CMBandSwitching.exe in the Windows folder. (This is the same program that is launched if you go to the TouchFLO "settings" page, then hit Communications/Phone/Band). In here I can change the Network setting between "Auto", "GSM" and "WCDMA" which has the effect of turning 3G on and off.
But... there are horrible side-effects. Switching in this way causes the current data connection to get messed up, so that nothing can actually use it to access the Internet. Web browsers stop working, and I can't receive email. I've tried switching the data connection off and back on in Communications Manager, and this works sometimes; but even when it does, it messes up my ActiveSync schedule settings. And usually I simply can't get the data connection to turn back on. More often than not, when I change the Band setting I end up having to hit the reset button to get everything functioning normally again.
There must surely be a way of turning 3G on and off without disrupting the data connection and ActiveSync settings and requiring a reboot? The phone itself can do this in "Auto" mode if I'm moving between areas of good 3G signal and zero 3G signal. Is there perhaps a way to tweak the behaviour of "Auto" mode so that it needs a higher 3G strength signal to switch to 3G? Or is there any way to convince the phone (while in Auto mode) that there isn't really a 3G signal present (even though there is really a weak signal) so that it switches to 2G in a side-effect-free fashion?
(bump)
Hm. 136 views and no reply.
You might check into WMLonglife
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=478519
I haven't tried it, but it may work for you. It functions more based on what you are doing with the phone as opposed to what bands are available.
mwelch16 said:
You might check into WMLonglife
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=478519
I haven't tried it, but it may work for you. It functions more based on what you are doing with the phone as opposed to what bands are available.
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I'll check that out, thanks.
I was hoping someone can confirm with me if their G2 is working 'properly' with this option enabled: Location & security settings \ Use wireless networks (checked)
Test would be to see if your Google Map (or other apps that needs your location like some weather apps) can find or track you rather than being fixated at your last known position.
Mine seems to only work when using a Wi-Fi network or when I switch to EDGE cell network (2G). Never have seen it work properly with WCDMA (which is HSDPA default) and I have been using Anycut to view the Phone's info to see this portion of tidbits. BTW, I don't have 4G in my area just yet.
Is this just my phone or something in common with all G2s. My G1 does not have this issue at all.
Thanks to anyone that can verify with me.
i can confirm that my g2 has the same issue
hey try using the app gps settings to download agps data. It worked for me in finding my location via the network so it should work for you as well.
icruisin said:
I was hoping someone can confirm with me if their G2 is working 'properly' with this option enabled: Location & security settings \ Use wireless networks (checked)
Test would be to see if your Google Map (or other apps that needs your location like some weather apps) can find or track you rather than being fixated at your last known position.
Mine seems to only work when using a Wi-Fi network or when I switch to EDGE cell network (2G). Never have seen it work properly with WCDMA (which is HSDPA default) and I have been using Anycut to view the Phone's info to see this portion of tidbits.
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The way it works is this; the tower ID numbers are sent from your phone to google. Google then looks up the coordinates of that tower in their tower database, and sends the coordinates back to you. You then have your approximate location. If the particular tower you are connected to is NOT LISTED within google's database, then they will be unable to determine your location.
BTW, I don't have 4G in my area just yet.
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Congratulations, neither does anyone else since there is not a single service provider in north america that has begun rolling out 4G (despite lies to the contrary). You will be able to recognize 4G by the speed -- 100 Mb/s down, 50 Mb/s up. Your phone is NOT CAPABLE of anything even REMOTELY CLOSE to this.
Is this just my phone or something in common with all G2s. My G1 does not have this issue at all.
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Could be a glitch in the software, I suppose, but more likely you are connected to a different tower.
Is it possible to block a connection to a specific cell tower?
For the past few months I've had trouble with my 3G data connection when I'm connected to a specific cell tower in the area where I work. I've called T-Mobile countless times and they keep assuring me the issue has been identified and they are "hard at work to resolve the problem". Well I'm tired of waiting as its been a problem for months now.
I've search the market for an app that would allow me to disable connections to specific towers but none seem to exist. Would it even be possible to develop an app that could do this?
I've been able to narrow the issue down to a specific Cell Tower ID using some of the tower data apps available. If I switch my G2 over to only use 2G data networks I don't have any issues, but then my connection is unreasonable slow obviously. There are two 3G towers my phone connects to while I'm at work, and the other one works fine, so if I could lock my phone to stay connected to THAT tower it would be great.
Lock onto cell tower
You ever figure out how to do this? Looking into this myself for the E4gT forum with no luck.
My home is well within the Sprint 4G coverage area shown on the coverage maps. When I turn on 4G (from the Settings screen) it connects to the "Sprint Network" and obtains an IP address (Signal strength = Good).
BUT:
None of the applications which require network access (browser, Market, email, YouTube, etc) can connect. They'll open up, but they can't access the network. If I uncheck Mobile networks in Settings > Wireless & Networks and then re-check it again, it reports "Service unavailable" despite the fact that the 4G Settings screen still reports Connected to Spring with "Good" signal strength and I still have an IP Address.
I should add that the phone has been doing this since I got the phone in November, but I figured it was due to the "unofficial/testing" status of the 4G coverage. I also installed the new 3.70.651.1 update hoping that it would fix the problem, but it had no effect.
After telephone support ran out of things to try they issued a Ticket # and sent me to a Sprint repair location this morning. That location couldn't test the phone on 4G because the store isn't in a 4G coverage area so they just replaced it with a brand new one (not a referb). So I get it home and try it on 4G before I make a single configuration change and the new phone does exactly the same thing as the old one: Good 4G connection but no service.
Has anyone else experienced this problem? Did you find an answer for it?
Thanks!
Pete
Note: All apps seem to work fine when I'm connected to 3G.
Additional info:
For the record, switching back to 3G after trying 4G results in the battery dropping like a stone. aLogcat reveals a flood of those damned <DC Connect> failures going on in the background. Thankfully, powering the phone off and on clears the problem until I try 4G again.
Two things of note:
It doesn't matter whether I use the 4G widget or the Wireless & networks screen.
Removing the 4G widget has no effect.
Pete
I work in a building that is well shielded in most places and get no signal. My phone drains incredibly quick when this is the case. Is there a way to reduce the polling frequency that it looks for a tower to stop this? I thought juicedefender might but I can't figure a way to do this.
Rom: Fresh 4.0.0.4b
Kernel: netarchy 4.3.1.4 cfs have no sbc
hw version 0003
juicedefender ultimate
setcpu 200-1152MHz, smartass governor
Thanks!
When I'm in an area where I roam or have very poor signal I notice increased drain rate as well. This was the same with my TP2. I've always just understood that when the phone is constantly seeking signal and cycling back and forth between roam/3G/1x the battery drains faster.
Your best option, is to utilize "airplane mode" when you know you're going to be in an area that had no signal/you won't be able to use it. I hate to do it because I don't like my family not being able to reach me in case of an emergency, but it is one option for you.
I second the airplane option. Also, WiFi is available while in airplane mode. Perhaps your building has WiFi you can connect to and you can keep something like AIM or Facebook or Google Voice/Talk open and instruct those who might need you in an emergency to reach you through the method of your choice so that you may call out from a landline or step away from the building if there is an emergency.
Just a thought.
See if you can get in on the new Google voice option where you can make your sprint # your Google voice number. Once you have done that you can have your work # as one of your forwarding numbers if your work allows. Or airplane mode with a 2nd charger for work.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App
Yep, Airplane mode is the ONLY way to turn off the cell radio. Otherwise, it will be constantly polling for a tower.
Dial ##3282# from a froyo sense rom and it will bring up a menu where you can change how often it polls the tower. It's Going to affect how long it takes your phone to receive calls though.
Sent from my EVO
If you know you're not getting reception, why not just use airplane mode? I mean, if you don't have reception you're not getting contacted anyway.
If you want to go the airplane mode route, Tasker is a great app that lets you control lots of things. You should be able to turn off your radios at set times during the day and have them enable after you get out of work.
I just loaded the 2.1 EPST and run a Verizon PRL when I am at work. I get a crappy Sprint signal at work. However your issue seems to be different as the walls/windows may be blocking all signals? Verizon seems to penetrate better though.
With Tasker, you can also set your phone to airplane mode during work hours, but automatically turn it off and enable data every fifteen minutes (or however long) to check for text messages, voicemails, etc. That is assuming that you get any signal at work... if you don't have a signal at all, just turn airplane mode on yourself.
To answer your question:
Yes, not having a signal will drain your battery. The phone will keep increasing the radio strength to lock onto a tower. Opposite is true to, if you have a strong signal, the radio will decrease the power level thus saving battery power.
You might want to contact Sprint ([email protected]) and let them know that you don't get service in your work building. They gave me a airwave device, but have to have Internet connection for it to work. The only other option might be to have some type of power booster/repeater that are typically very expensive. Not sure how your employer would feel about these suggestions - but never hurts to ask.
I am military and work on a base. The entire internet is locked down except for official military business, so an Airave device wouldn't work.
No internet, no cell signal and neither AM or FM penetrates. Maximum pain.
I'll try tasker, thanks guys.
tomplatz said:
I am military and work on a base. The entire internet is locked down except for official military business, so an Airave device wouldn't work.
No internet, no cell signal and neither AM or FM penetrates. Maximum pain.
I'll try tasker, thanks guys.
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In that case, if you don't already have Tasker, I'd just turn airplane mode on yourself when you get to work & turn it off when you leave. Or there are free apps that will do it automatically that aren't as complex as Tasker. Unless you find another use for it, then go ahead.
Would roam control work to try verizon towers? I think they have a stronger signal locally.
tomplatz said:
I am military and work on a base. The entire internet is locked down except for official military business, so an Airave device wouldn't work.
No internet, no cell signal and neither AM or FM penetrates. Maximum pain.
I'll try tasker, thanks guys.
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Click to collapse
LOL you said it yourself. If the military doesn't want you getting signal, you're not getting signal. In general, if you can't get radio signal you can't get cell phone signal. Early cell phones operated on FM (type: frequency modulation) radio and what we're using now is basically a digital-type FM radio. In the end it's all EM waves and you're likely in a giant Faraday cage of a military base. I say avoid even trying to fix your problem and just go airplane mode.