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Hey guys, I asked awhile back about switching to ST and I've done it. I finally got data working by using a TMO SIM, but I can only get EDGE, no more, no less. Even in relatively large cities in my area that have TMO towers, I only get EDGE. My question is, is there anything I can do to get better data?
I have Verizon LG G4 on Straight Talk Verizon Towers and everything works great! Not sure what your issue is. Only issue I see is when I make a phone call, it drops to 1x always
photos.by.fako said:
I have Verizon LG G4 on Straight Talk Verizon Towers and everything works great! Not sure what your issue is. Only issue I see is when I make a phone call, it drops to 1x always
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That's because you're not using Advanced Calling (VoLTE). On Verizon's network, calls always drop to 1X unless you're using Advanced Calling. In the past, most Verizon phones didn't indicate this. They would continue to show whatever data connection the phone had (3G, 4G) even though the call was being done over 1X. Several recent Verizon devices have been more honest about which networks are actually in use, including the G4.
So, what you're experiencing isn't an issue. It's what should be happening.
photos.by.fako said:
I have Verizon LG G4 on Straight Talk Verizon Towers and everything works great! Not sure what your issue is. Only issue I see is when I make a phone call, it drops to 1x always
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That's because you're using a Verizon ST SIM, the OP is using a T-Mobile ST SIM. Also, you need to enable Advanced Calling on your account and your phone to use voice and data at the same time over LTE.
To the OP, I have the same problem. When I put my T-Mobile SIM in my VS986 I only get 2G at home, while LTE only works in the older LTE sites that are using band 4 primarily. Most 2G > LTE sites are using band 2, which according to the Verizon spec page this phone supports, but it must not be active as it doesn't work. I've been looking at ways to enable band 2 without any success yet.
To the OP, you added the APN configs for Straight Talk T-Mobile, correct?
Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk
official.xian said:
Hey guys, I asked awhile back about switching to ST and I've done it. I finally got data working by using a TMO SIM, but I can only get EDGE, no more, no less. Even in relatively large cities in my area that have TMO towers, I only get EDGE. My question is, is there anything I can do to get better data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just opened a thread asking about VS986 wcdma bands availability. I was reading LG specs and they say this phone has no 3g, just 2g and LTE. Reading in many other web pages they say this phone has all 4 wcdma bands available. Maybe they are software locked?
I think, I made a mistake buying this phone to be used in a GSM network. Have you checked with Verizon/Tmo rep?
photos.by.fako said:
I have Verizon LG G4 on Straight Talk Verizon Towers and everything works great! Not sure what your issue is. Only issue I see is when I make a phone call, it drops to 1x always
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Click to collapse
What are your LTE speeds like? I thought about making the switch but then I read that Verizon limits LTE speeds on ST to 5MBPS...Is that true? As it is my 3g+ speeds end up being faster than that most of the time.
rick09 said:
What are your LTE speeds like? I thought about making the switch but then I read that Verizon limits LTE speeds on ST to 5MBPS...Is that true? As it is my 3g+ speeds end up being faster than that most of the time.
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I'm getting better than 5Mbps, but definitely shaped/limited bandwidth. If you actually use 10Mbps+ regularly, keep shopping.
So I got my pixel xl from Google today. It works but I am on T-Mobile and it will not connect to LTE band 4 or 12 which are in my area. I have an ATT SIM for my work which I popped in and it works fine. That said without driving around Atlanta to try to find B2 I cannot tell if it is T-Mobile or the phone. Is anyone else on T-Mobile getting LTE connection at all?
So news today I can connect to LTE. Yesterday when I got the SIM in using *#*#4636#*#* I would get zero reception forcing LTE only. The phone would only connect to UMTS/HSPAP. Today after several restarts and calling T-Mobile and Google support it is now working. Here is what I did.
First Google is saying the update is supposed to affect LTE connecting issues.
Second make sure your SIM is properly registered with your provider. They should elevate the issue to higher tech support to have them look into it. This takes up to 24 hours.
Third go to your dialer do the *#*4636#*#*, go to phone info and change the preferred network type to LTE/UMTS or LTE/WCDMA (I haven't seen a difference between them). (This info is in other threads) Then restart your phone.
The problem seems to be how the phone determines what bands the network provider uses. It defaults to CDMA as the voice connection. For me this meant the phone was always connecting to UMTS only. It seems the firmware has some kind of default setting when it senses an error out the gate. The APN settings and preferred network settings needed to be updated and the phone restarted for it all to work. I now connect to band 4 LTE in my area. I hope this helps others.
I am also getting slow data speeds on my pixel XL connected to t mobile
My XL seems to get pretty consistent LTE service and good speed on T-Mobile.
LTE in Chicago working well.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
LTE in minnesota working fine.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
Google "Pixel LTE band 4 issue"
Weird. I'm getting pretty awesome Band 4 coverage in So. Cal. I also get Band 12 here, but Band 4 is what my phone tends to be connected to, which is fine since it tends to be significantly faster.
I'm in Oklahoma on t mobile getting slow connection compared to my friends. They each have a galaxy s6 edge and get between 70-80 MBs down sitting right next to me. I'm getting 14 MBs down. I just left sprint today for slow connection. Hoping to find a way to get this resolved ASAP.
mnguyen127 said:
Weird. I'm getting pretty awesome Band 4 coverage in So. Cal. I also get Band 12 here, but Band 4 is what my phone tends to be connected to, which is fine since it tends to be significantly faster.
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I only experience the issue in downtown Toronto area and I contacted my carrier, Telus, in Canada. They confirmed that network signal in such area is mainly LTE band 4...
Just an FYI for those with the same issue. Google has asked for my shipping address after contacting them about the issue.
micah_675 said:
Just an FYI for those with the same issue. Google has asked for my shipping address after contacting them about the issue.
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Which means replacement is on its way?
Not yet I'll update the thread when I get word.
I hope that result you issue, theres a lot of people with problems with LTE band 4 around the world
https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!msg/phone-by-google/OxkJ1Sn6i5c/E_2n5dFTBgAJ
micah_675 said:
Not yet I'll update the thread when I get word.
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Have you tried swapping SIM cards?
I pulled the sim out of another working TMO iPhone6s and my PIXEL got LTE right away.
Have an update and updated the main post.
micah_675 said:
Have an update and updated the main post.
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Thanks. I changed mine to LTE/WCDMA. Will know how it goes next week.
All seems to be working on my end.
I was having delays in mms being sent. I was using the default APN. About a week ago I changed the APN to the one recommended by T-Mobile. Mms sends instantly now just about. I don't think it's effected much on LTE but I didn't have problems before. Make sure your on the proper APN
I sure hope there isnt a recall..My XL hasnt even shipped yet and im on Tmo
I spoke with a t-mobile rep yesterday who helped me get my issue resolved. My main apn was set up incorrectly. Now I am connected to LTE and not just hspa+. I get generally good speeds most everywhere and I have tower right by my house that must go fairly unused.
Hi all, I have Sprint and I get awful reception in my new home. Back in the day, we used to have an option to manually update the PRL file on the phone and it would connect to Verizon or another cell provider. Is there a chance that this option or modification is still available? I guess my question is, do any ROMs offer roam only settings, or is there a way to manually roam. Sprint doesn't seem to care whether I get service or not, so I have to do some manual intervention on this. Any insight would be appreciated.
southernstyle said:
Hi all, I have Sprint and I get awful reception in my new home. Back in the day, we used to have an option to manually update the PRL file on the phone and it would connect to Verizon or another cell provider. Is there a chance that this option or modification is still available? I guess my question is, do any ROMs offer roam only settings, or is there a way to manually roam. Sprint doesn't seem to care whether I get service or not, so I have to do some manual intervention on this. Any insight would be appreciated.
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There are apps like Signal Spy that are made for Project Fi users to manually switch networks since that service is supposed to pick the strongest signal from among 3 networks used on Fi. But there are a lot more networks listed than the ones Fi uses. If you have roaming enabled on your phone maybe you could switch to a different network manually even though you aren't a Fi customer.
By the way, I'm assuming you have a Pixel XL based on where you posted your question. It's more likely an issue with the phone than Sprint. I was on Sprint for years via Virgin Mobile and 100.00 CDMA only phones were much better at picking up the Sprint signal than my 900.00 Pixel XL is. I'm on Fi where Sprint is one of the carriers and Sprint shows no service all over the city which I know is not the case.
I believe with sim cards now, the prl is automatically updated, at least that is what Verizon told me
jhs39 said:
There are apps like Signal Spy that are made for Project Fi users to manually switch networks since that service is supposed to pick the strongest signal from among 3 networks used on Fi. But there are a lot more networks listed than the ones Fi uses. If you have roaming enabled on your phone maybe you could switch to a different network manually even though you aren't a Fi customer.
By the way, I'm assuming you have a Pixel XL based on where you posted your question. It's more likely an issue with the phone than Sprint. I was on Sprint for years via Virgin Mobile and 100.00 CDMA only phones were much better at picking up the Sprint signal than my 900.00 Pixel XL is. I'm on Fi where Sprint is one of the carriers and Sprint shows no service all over the city which I know is not the case.
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Thank you for the info. I'm on the Pixel XL, but my gf has the same problem on an S7 edge. I put in my project fi Sim to see if t mobile was any better, but both seem to be weak at my house. I'll give the app a try. Thanks again
chapelfreak said:
I believe with sim cards now, the prl is automatically updated, at least that is what Verizon told me
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I had a feeling that was the case. I wish there was a way to modify the SIM card. Thanks for verifying that, it must be easier for them to keep us from editing the files.
chapelfreak said:
I believe with sim cards now, the prl is automatically updated, at least that is what Verizon told me
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Verizon works that way, but this is one of the areas where Verizon and Sprint are different in how they implemented 4G LTE. Another example is that customers can switch sim cards between 4G LTE phones on Verizon, while you have to follow Sprint's procedure to switch service between LTE phones.
southernstyle said:
Hi all, I have Sprint and I get awful reception in my new home. Back in the day, we used to have an option to manually update the PRL file on the phone and it would connect to Verizon or another cell provider. Is there a chance that this option or modification is still available?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't used Sprint, and I also haven't tried to pull a PRL off this phone, yet this is what Sprint's website returns.
https://support.sprint.com/support/...pixel |All&question_box=update prl pixel |All
alluringreality said:
Verizon works that way, but this is one of the areas where Verizon and Sprint are different in how they implemented 4G LTE. Another example is that customers can switch sim cards between 4G LTE phones on Verizon, while you have to follow Sprint's procedure to switch service between LTE phones.
I haven't used Sprint, and I also haven't tried to pull a PRL off this phone, yet this is what Sprint's website returns.
https://support.sprint.com/support/...pixel |All&question_box=update prl pixel |All
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I've never used sprint because they always roam off Verizon where I live. The nearest native coverage is about 25 miles from where I live. That's good to know.
Sometimes if you aren't stuck with a contract it's a matter of finding who has the best network near you. I was on Sprint via Virgin Mobile for over 10 years and the network was great everywhere I went. Unfortunately Virgin Mobile won't let you bring your own phone so when I got a Nexus I switched to AT&T via Cricket. I couldn't get any phone reception at all in whole rooms in my apartment. It was brutal. After months of putting up with that I switched to Project Fi. I get good reception in my apartment with both Sprint and T-Mobile, although my Nexus 6P preferred T-Mobile and for some reason the Pixel XL prefers Sprint. Sometimes I have to manually switch to T-Mobile because Sprint reception is much spottier than it should be and Fi doesn't always switch on its own.
Is Mi Mix 2 works on US T-Mobile for VOLTE and WiFi Calling?
Thanks in advance.
It should
stu5797 said:
It should
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I just want to make sure since it comes from overseas and not sold officially in states.
Yes, existing services will work, however the SIM card for the account with the services has to be activated on a network approved/issued phone. If not, you will need to call support. If you've used volte before bringing the phone onto the network, it will work from their end though you may have to change the settings on the device. If you are trying to activate a new service with the phone, you will need to call T-Mobile.
t-mizzle said:
Yes, existing services will work, however the SIM card for the account with the services has to be activated on a network approved/issued phone. If not, you will need to call support. If you've used volte before bringing the phone onto the network, it will work from their end though you may have to change the settings on the device. If you are trying to activate a new service with the phone, you will need to call T-Mobile.
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Thanks. How about wifi calling?
Same as volte or other features. If a network service/feature has been active/used on the network before the new phone was brought to the network, it's all good from the carrier end.
t-mizzle said:
Same as volte or other features. If a network service/feature has been active/used on the network before the new phone was brought to the network, it's all good from the carrier end.
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I don't think thats a correct statement. I have VOLTE and wifi calling on my current phone. But when I got Xperia XZ premium mone of those features worked.
daviddem said:
I don't think thats a correct statement. I have VOLTE and wifi calling on my current phone. But when I got Xperia XZ premium mone of those features worked.
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You misunderstood. If you put a SIM into a network issued or supported phone, typically the services that are already active will work right away. However if you bring a phone to the network that is not sold by the carrier, chances are you will have to call them to get the services working.
Some carriers are setup in a way that inserting a new sim into a phone unknown to the network won't work, some or all services may be disabled but if you put the new sim into a recognized device first, the sim and it's services will be active and you can just transfer it to the unrecognized phone. Of course, that may not be enough, modifying APN settings on the phone for example may be needed to get it running
I'm going to cut my monthly bill in half by switching to project fi and I'm sharing my plan here though it will work and/or make sense for very few users out there.
It only makes sense to do this if you are already on T-Mobile's network and you pull less than 2GB from the LTE network. This is due to the low base cost but high bandwidth prices through project fi. If you are a heavy data user and you don't pull the bandwidth from wifi, project fi plan would cost more than the T-Mobile you're on.
Next up, you need one of these 6 devices:
Pixel XL Model G-2PW2100 (North American version)
Pixel Model G-2PW4100 (North American version)
Android One Moto X4 (All versions)
Nexus 5X Model LGH790 (North American version)
Nexus 6P Model H1511 (North American version)
Nexus 6 Model XT1103 (North American version)
While you can use most phones on project fi, (all phones that already work on T-Mobile will do) only these 6 phones can activate a project fi sim. If you don't already have one, you don't need to buy them, you can just borrow one from a friend however they can be used to activate a fi sim only once, after the activation that phone won't be able to activate another. Or if you find a damaged phone cheap, it only needs to be able to connect to the internet, read a sim and it's touch screen is still working, you can do that. Nexus and pixel phones with shattered screens sell as low as $50, you just need it activate it the sim. If you don't pull lots of data, you recover the cost in 2 billing cycles.
Project fi works by having a physical T-Mobile SIM, virtual Sprint SIM (it supports up to 10 virtual SIM cards) and it connects to an array of wifi networks in urban areas throughout the US. A fully compatible project fi phone connects to all of them, other phones aren't compatible with the virtual SIMs so they are limited to T-Mobile's network, so if you are a T-Mobile user, nothing changes except the reduction in monthly bill (provided you don't pull lots of data through T-Mobile.
Now this is where the mix 2 comes in. It's compatible with all but the T-Mobile band 71 but I wouldn't get excited about that anytime soon, by the time T-Mobile fully deploys it's 600 MHz band, today's flagships will have reached end of life anyway, it's something to consider once mix 3 or mix 4 are out. I suspect that the Mix 2 is capable of utilizing both T-Mobile's and Sprint network due it's array of compatible bands but I won't know for sure until next week. Even if it's not, using the mix 2 through T-Mobile's network only at a reduced cost is still a good deal.
t-mizzle said:
I'm going to cut my monthly bill in half by switching to project fi and I'm sharing my plan here though it will work and/or make sense for very few users out there.
.
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You would be better off switching to http://www.mintsim.com
The 2Gb, and unless you are extremely miserly on Data, the 5Gb plan will be cheaper than Project Fi. Mint is on T-mobile, and owned and operated by UltraMobile. You do have to buy several months at once, so that is a downside, but if you can afford the outlay of cash, it is a very inexpensive service. I personally just switched from Project Fi, and have been happy with the service.
That is a good alternative too. Ting is also an option for those wanting to reduce their bills. I live in an urban area and project fi is the only viable alternative for me, all the local MVNO's get blatantly deprioritized.
daviddem said:
Thanks. How about wifi calling?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile's WiFi Calling will not be baked into the Mi Mix 2, there for you won't have the ability to use it. T-Mobile requires a WiFi certification through them that the phone manufacture must pay for and provide units for testings in order to receive their certification. Although the Mi Mix 2 has every band supported that T-Mobile uses outside of the new 600MHx band 71 and extended band 4 on band 66, it will work fine for calling and texting but no WiFi Calling.
Can anyone confirm volte works on T-Mobile? Thanks!
Sent from my Redmi Note 4 using Tapatalk
Ulver said:
Can anyone confirm volte works on T-Mobile? Thanks!
Sent from my Redmi Note 4 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
VoLTE works on MintSIM, which is an MVNO on T-Mobile.
Has anyone used it with actual T-Mobile and can confirm it's working? Or is it guaranteed to work with actual T-Mobile if it works on a T-Mobile MVNO? Thanks guys!
I am in Australia on Telstra, on my Redmi 3 it used to drop from LTE to 3G when making a call.
Now is says 4G+ even during a call, on my MI Mix 2
When I turn on Volte is says HD next to 4G+, when I turn off Volte the HD disapears, I guess HD stands for High Definition?
FMXP said:
Has anyone used it with actual T-Mobile and can confirm it's working? Or is it guaranteed to work with actual T-Mobile if it works on a T-Mobile MVNO? Thanks guys!
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Yes,I got the MIX2 two days ago,have used it w/LTE Bands 4 & 12.
VoLTE is built-in/switchable on/off,AFAICT,no WI-FI Calling.
From my limited use,it all works well (calls/text),connects to WI-FI very quickly,stays connected.
Data signal seems to work well also,turned off WI-FI to test weak T-Mobile signal when @ home,found/stayed connected to Band 12 w/no problem.
There is no WiFi Calling option in this phone (I just got one) ?
toiday said:
There is no WiFi Calling option in this phone (I just got one) ?
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Click to collapse
WiFi Calling for T-Mo ile is enabled on a certified device by T-Mobile when a T-Mobile SIM is detected. The Mi MIX 2 has not submitted a request for testing and has not paid for the certification process to have T-Mobile WiFi Calling enabled. Xiaomi is not marketing the device towards the U.S. market so there will not be any T-Mobile WiFi Calling on the Mi MIX 2.
toiday said:
There is no WiFi Calling option in this phone (I just got one) ?
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Click to collapse
Wifi calling works if you use Google Voice.
I'm wondering if anyone else is or has been experiencing this issue. For the last couple weeks my black Pixel 2XL 128gig on Android 8.0 is having a problem switching from LTE to HSPA when trying to make a phone call. I've been on the phone with both Google and AT&T numerous times. ATT deactivated and reactivated my sim card. I ended up getting a new sim card and still didn't fix the problem. Google eventually sent me a brand new phone and I'm still having the same problem. Now Google wants to send me another new phone. I had the original pixel XL on ATT and did not have this issue at all. Anyone else having a similar issue?
Uh... Yes, that's normal, you don't have VoLTE enabled. There's a whole thread about enabling it with AT&T here on the boards. TLR of that thread, download the Oreo 8.1 beta, enable VoLTE in the software, talk to AT&T to enable enhanced voice features.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
You may need a new sim card, I had similar issues, visited an AT&T store and it was fixed within five minutes.
dratsablive said:
You may need a new sim card, I had similar issues, visited an AT&T store and it was fixed within five minutes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did get a new SIM card. Still was experiencing the same problem. I updated to 8.1 beta to and enabled enhanced LTE to see if that fixes the issue.
JaredC01 said:
Uh... Yes, that's normal, you don't have VoLTE enabled. There's a whole thread about enabling it with AT&T here on the boards. TLR of that thread, download the Oreo 8.1 beta, enable VoLTE in the software, talk to AT&T to enable enhanced voice features.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It definitely was not normal. I had a the first pixel XL before this and did not experience this issue.
dutchy716 said:
It definitely was not normal. I had a the first pixel XL before this and did not experience this issue.
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Click to collapse
Then somehow you had VoLTE on your first Pixel. Without VoLTE, the phone will 100% of the time kick back out to HSPA+ when you make a phone call. That's been the case with every phone I've owned prior to VoLTE and actually having a phone that had and made use of VoLTE.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
JaredC01 said:
Then somehow you had VoLTE on your first Pixel. Without VoLTE, the phone will 100% of the time kick back out to HSPA+ when you make a phone call. That's been the case with every phone I've owned prior to VoLTE and actually having a phone that had and made use of VoLTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know it's supposed to kick back to HSPA when making a phone call. The problem is that it doesn't. Instead of going to HSPA I lose signal completely. The phone will try to make the phone call and then the phone will manually hang up like I hit the end call button but it does it automatically. Then I either have to toggle airplane mode or reboot the phone to get LTE again.
dutchy716 said:
I know it's supposed to kick back to HSPA when making a phone call. The problem is that it doesn't. Instead of going to HSPA I lose signal completely. The phone will try to make the phone call and then the phone will manually hang up like I hit the end call button but it does it automatically. Then I either have to toggle airplane mode or reboot the phone to get LTE again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah ha, your original post didn't make it sound like that. In that case, maybe try a new SIM card?
Edit: Re-read the first post and you already tried a new SIM. Have you tried a SIM from someone else, maybe on another Network to see if it's the phone or the network?
JaredC01 said:
Ah ha, your original post didn't make it sound like that. In that case, maybe try a new SIM card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya I got a new SIM the other day. I talked to jcase about it and he believes it's a provisioning issue on AT&Ts end. I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and if they found a solution to it. I did end up upgrading to 8.1 beta and that obviously fixed it because of enhanced calling. It's just weird because I haven't found anybody else who has had this problem.
dutchy716 said:
I'm wondering if anyone else is or has been experiencing this issue. For the last couple weeks my black Pixel 2XL 128gig on Android 8.0 is having a problem switching from LTE to HSPA when trying to make a phone call. I've been on the phone with both Google and AT&T numerous times. ATT deactivated and reactivated my sim card. I ended up getting a new sim card and still didn't fix the problem. Google eventually sent me a brand new phone and I'm still having the same problem. Now Google wants to send me another new phone. I had the original pixel XL on ATT and did not have this issue at all. Anyone else having a similar issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One thing you should always try before going to the provider is a safe mode boot. I tried a new rom and could not get data. Most things worked but no data. I could call and WIFI but no cellular data. In safe mode I got data. That tells you some third party APP is responsible.
JaredC01 said:
Then somehow you had VoLTE on your first Pixel. Without VoLTE, the phone will 100% of the time kick back out to HSPA+ when you make a phone call. That's been the case with every phone I've owned prior to VoLTE and actually having a phone that had and made use of VoLTE.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What does VoLTE have to do having LTE data while on a call? I don't see any reason why you couldn't have LTE available for data even when it doesn't support LTE for voice calls.
I've had LTE switch to H every time I've made a phone call on my Nexus 5, Nexus 5X and Pixel 2 XL. Since 8.1 I've had VoLTE. I know because when I make a call I see the "HD" which is VoLTE but the LTE still switches to H so it seems like the two are related.
jimv1983 said:
What does VoLTE have to do having LTE data while on a call?
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Click to collapse
Uhm, everything? VoLTE is Voice over LTE which implies that you have an LTE radio connection (as opposed to a UMTS/WCDMA/HS*PA radio connection).
jimv1983 said:
I don't see any reason why you couldn't have LTE available for data even when it doesn't support LTE for voice calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's because you don't understand the fundamental way in which cellular networks work. Don't feel bad - you're not alone; it's a complicated topic.
The radio on your device can only support one type of radio connection at a time. There are a multitude of reasons for this: capacity on the chip, the need for multiple amplifiers to work simultaneously (because typically carriers use different parts of the radio spectrum for one Radio Access Type than another), antenna capacity etc. Keep in mind that are scenarios in which your device is already juggling quasi multiple radio connects, e.g. carrier aggregation.
Don't get me wrong, there have been devices that supported multiple simultaneous radio access technologies on a single device, but that's because they had multiple radios. These were older devices on IS-95 CDMA carriers such a Sprint when they were pushing WIMAX, and even I believe some Verizon devices which allowed them to do multi-RAB for simultaneous voice and calls before their CDMA infrastructure was upgraded to allow this (and prior to their VoLTE launch). These devices are few and far between.
One last point on this topic: the network handles handover between RATs (though it's possible for the device to only support one RAT). If you were allowed to have simultaneous connections to two radio access types, the network would be juggling twice the resources for your device (the transmit and receive portion of a data connection or call is not the only resource involved). This is yet another reason why in most circumstances you'll never see two simultaneous RATs for one device: it costs the network money. Unless you're trying to cover up for a deficiency is your network architecture (e.g. IS-95 CDMA networks lack of support for multi-RAB. Multi-RAB refers to radio access bearers, basically multiple virtual connections across a single radio link. You might think of this like VLANs on an ethernet network.) you don't put the network and engineering expenses to support multiple RATs..
jimv1983 said:
I've had LTE switch to H every time I've made a phone call on my Nexus 5, Nexus 5X and Pixel 2 XL. Since 8.1 I've had VoLTE. I know because when I make a call I see the "HD" which is VoLTE but the LTE still switches to H so it seems like the two are related.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, no. "HD" stands for "HD Voice" which is a better codec. Depending on the carrier, you may get HD voice on a 3G RAT and VoLTE RAT or just on a VoLTE RAT. Keep in mind that HD Voice uses more radio resource than the standard GSM codecs, so there's a trade-off involved here. LTE is more spectral efficient, so offering the higher quality, higher bit rate voice codec on VoLTE has less of an impact on the network than offering it on VoLTE + 3G. So depending on your carrier, they may or may not allow the HD codec on non-VoLTE radio connections. Either way, HD does not in any way shape or form constitute having a VoLTE connection, since it's radio access type independent.
RomPlinker said:
Uhm, everything? VoLTE is Voice over LTE which implies that you have an LTE radio connection (as opposed to a UMTS/WCDMA/HS*PA radio connection).
That's because you don't understand the fundamental way in which cellular networks work. Don't feel bad - you're not alone; it's a complicated topic.
The radio on your device can only support one type of radio connection at a time. There are a multitude of reasons for this: capacity on the chip, the need for multiple amplifiers to work simultaneously (because typically carriers use different parts of the radio spectrum for one Radio Access Type than another), antenna capacity etc. Keep in mind that are scenarios in which your device is already juggling quasi multiple radio connects, e.g. carrier aggregation.
Don't get me wrong, there have been devices that supported multiple simultaneous radio access technologies on a single device, but that's because they had multiple radios. These were older devices on IS-95 CDMA carriers such a Sprint when they were pushing WIMAX, and even I believe some Verizon devices which allowed them to do multi-RAB for simultaneous voice and calls before their CDMA infrastructure was upgraded to allow this (and prior to their VoLTE launch). These devices are few and far between.
One last point on this topic: the network handles handover between RATs (though it's possible for the device to only support one RAT). If you were allowed to have simultaneous connections to two radio access types, the network would be juggling twice the resources for your device (the transmit and receive portion of a data connection or call is not the only resource involved). This is yet another reason why in most circumstances you'll never see two simultaneous RATs for one device: it costs the network money. Unless you're trying to cover up for a deficiency is your network architecture (e.g. IS-95 CDMA networks lack of support for multi-RAB. Multi-RAB refers to radio access bearers, basically multiple virtual connections across a single radio link. You might think of this like VLANs on an ethernet network.) you don't put the network and engineering expenses to support multiple RATs..
Actually, no. "HD" stands for "HD Voice" which is a better codec. Depending on the carrier, you may get HD voice on a 3G RAT and VoLTE RAT or just on a VoLTE RAT. Keep in mind that HD Voice uses more radio resource than the standard GSM codecs, so there's a trade-off involved here. LTE is more spectral efficient, so offering the higher quality, higher bit rate voice codec on VoLTE has less of an impact on the network than offering it on VoLTE + 3G. So depending on your carrier, they may or may not allow the HD codec on non-VoLTE radio connections. Either way, HD does not in any way shape or form constitute having a VoLTE connection, since it's radio access type independent.
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My Pixel 2 XL does VoLTE on AT&T. "HD" might have different meanings in different cases but in this case the "HD" does mean VoLTE. Google specifically stated that in release notes for 8.1 on the Pixel 2 XL.
Also, back when I had a Galaxy S2 Skyrocket (AT&T's LTE variant of the Galaxy S2 and its first LTE phone) back in late 2011 it didn't do VoLTE but it did allow LTE data while a voice call was in progress.