Database Users

Switch between GPRS and UMTS network

Hello,
I know the place in the phone options (on the band page) where you can
change the network from GPRS to UMTS (3G).
But is this possible to do programmatically with RIL or TAPI or another API
on the pocket pc device?
Thanks for any suggestions.

I support this request; Many topics on the board cover erratic behaviour with JJ, and ppl return their device to no avail. Swopping to another operator often helps. The issues SEEMS to be a poor UMTS reception with a given SIM or location, and this results in JJ trying to connect to UMTS or even latching on to UMTS but with an abysmal signal. After more than 15mins (annecdotal) of this is fails to ever go back to GSM without a reboot.
Solution is to turn off UMTS, but that's darned inconvenient cos you OFTEN want 3G speed (mail, RSS, google/surf).
Here's a way forwards; can someone tell us what reg entry gets changed when we select GSM vs UMTS? I will then write a couple of .reg files that can be launched from iLauncher (or whatever). Buzz coule probably write a switching app like he did for BT.

i have the same problem
When i use my Universal at home, there is pretty low level of UMTS/WCDMA signal and full level of standard GSM signal. By default Universal changes between those two sources automaticaly. But in my case, the quality of WCDMA signal is often varying just around critical level. So the result is that Universal changes band to GSM and back. And then again. And again. And... Due this, there is sometimes not possible to make data connection, because Uni is so much occupied by changing bands back and forth...
I would like to find a better solution, than select only GSM manually in phone settings. Especially because i have to unselect it manually every time when leaving home :-(
Is there any way to set treshold value (i expect increase it) for automatic switching between WCDMA and GSM?

I still do not know how to switch from UMTS to GPRS and back
with some API function (or AT command) on the device.
If I get these Infos from someone that would be great.
Then I could write a tool that checks the signal quality
and the network status and if UMTS signal is too low
it will activate GPRS.
I think this can be done with RIL API but have not found
any infos.
Houser

Anything new aobut this umts switch problems??
I do have the same problems, often i am unable to make calls, always when umts is on...
would be happy to hear something,
thomas

craigiecraigie4 said:
I support this request; Many topics on the board cover erratic behaviour with JJ, and ppl return their device to no avail. Swopping to another operator often helps. The issues SEEMS to be a poor UMTS reception with a given SIM or location, and this results in JJ trying to connect to UMTS or even latching on to UMTS but with an abysmal signal. After more than 15mins (annecdotal) of this is fails to ever go back to GSM without a reboot.
Solution is to turn off UMTS, but that's darned inconvenient cos you OFTEN want 3G speed (mail, RSS, google/surf).
Here's a way forwards; can someone tell us what reg entry gets changed when we select GSM vs UMTS? I will then write a couple of .reg files that can be launched from iLauncher (or whatever). Buzz coule probably write a switching app like he did for BT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HKLM\SOFTWARE\OEM\UMTS
OPMODE=0/1/2 (AUTO/GSM/UMTS)

Simultaneous Voice and Data Connection???

Hey guys, I am not sure if I am missing something in the settings or what, but for some reason, when i am talking on the phone I cannot connect to the internet. My HSDPA connection turns off. Once I hang up, it reconnects. I thought the X1 was capable of doing simultaneous voice and data connects. What causes this? And is there a way to enable both voice and data connects at the same time? Thanks!

boy I explain this a lot
simultaneous voice and data have been available since the first gprs phone
it was the reason gprs was invented rather then dialup data over gsm
but if the operators hardware in the centrals don't support it no phone or setting
can change that
i'be been doing in on my old himalaya gprs phone for ages
and now on my x1 never had any problems

Well, I can do it on my old 3G phone, but not on my X1a. AT&T has allowed this for years, I know that. I just want to know if there is a way I might have accidentally turned it off or something.

Mine won't do it either. My Xperia kicks on the Wifi and continues PUSH email delivery through when ever I have the phone in use. BUT, my blackberry and iPhone would both not allow voice and data at once. It may have to do with T-mobile's settings where I am though.

I have the same issue with T-MO network.

you mean like talking on the phone and continuing surfing the net?

leobox1 said:
you mean like talking on the phone and continuing surfing the net?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. My internet gets "put on hold" for the duration of the phone call.

I face this when i have a GPRS/EDGE coverage, but when connected to 3G/3.5G/H it's ok, i can make both without problems

anaadoul said:
I face this when i have a GPRS/EDGE coverage, but when connected to 3G/3.5G/H it's ok, i can make both without problems
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like to expand this...
anaadoul is correct. In fact, regular GPRS cannot send data simultaneously as the voice call.
EDGE can SOMETIMES do so if the carrier's tower/cell supports this, but not all do, so while EDGE provides faster data connection, you may or may NOT get simultaneous data and voice. This is my experience at least. I think EDGE is always supposed to support simultaneous voice/data but my experience shows otherwise.
This is one of the primary reasons I am using a 3G network and 3G phone now. 3.5G/H while providing faster data, have no difference in regards to simultaneous voice data, but do use more power/battery so if I know I'm going to be out a long, long time, I turn H/3.5G off.
For me, it is VERY important I can use data and voice at the same time. I have my phone checking mail every 10 minutes, and it takes about 10-30 seconds to successfully check mail, so that means every 10 minutes, if an incoming call arrives, it'll go straight to voicemail and I miss it. That is not acceptable.
Plus, if I receive a business call, I can check mail, open up websites, etc. WHILE i am on the call. You have no idea how useful that is.

johnchan78 said:
I would like to expand this...
anaadoul is correct. In fact, regular GPRS cannot send data simultaneously as the voice call.
EDGE can SOMETIMES do so if the carrier's tower/cell supports this, but not all do, so while EDGE provides faster data connection, you may or may NOT get simultaneous data and voice. This is my experience at least. I think EDGE is always supposed to support simultaneous voice/data but my experience shows otherwise.
This is one of the primary reasons I am using a 3G network and 3G phone now. 3.5G/H while providing faster data, have no difference in regards to simultaneous voice data, but do use more power/battery so if I know I'm going to be out a long, long time, I turn H/3.5G off.
For me, it is VERY important I can use data and voice at the same time. I have my phone checking mail every 10 minutes, and it takes about 10-30 seconds to successfully check mail, so that means every 10 minutes, if an incoming call arrives, it'll go straight to voicemail and I miss it. That is not acceptable.
Plus, if I receive a business call, I can check mail, open up websites, etc. WHILE i am on the call. You have no idea how useful that is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
allow me to agree/disagree with you on some points.
imo, Edge doesn't support simultaneous call/data, except some devices that have some dual GSM radio as both operate on the same radio device level.
afaik the technology of 3G+ is different, the voice itself is not being transmitted as GSM signal, it's converted into a something similar to VOIP (that what makes Video Call Happens), a phone call uses one channel for audio transmit, the good thing is that the archetecture of 3G+ is designed to have multiple simultaneous connections to the tower cell, this will allow more transfer bandwidth, while this makes you able to browse and talk at the same time, it also puts more load on the cell (the cell can accept a certain fixed number of connections depending on the location and population of the area) resulting on people getting Network Busy Error!
so the result is a data connection is dropped if the cell is full in order to take a phone call.
what makes 3G+ really fast is that it can open milti channels with the cell, allowing more allocated bandwidth (we all know it reaches up to 7.2mbps).
3G+ consumes LESS power imo than GPRS/EDGE (Data connection only, voice calls consumes more on 3G+) as 3G+ will close all active connections when there is no application transferring (see the H icon disappearing when no application is downloading anything and 3G/3.5G icon is there, once an internet request is made it will go back to H).
so the result i think as follows
GPRS/EDGE : Low battery consumption for voice calls, High for Data & No simultaneous Call & Data.
3G/3.5G/HSDPA : Higher battery consumption for voice calls, Low for Data & Supports simultaneous Call & Data.
btw, i am connected to my Company's exchange server using Microsoft Direct Push. when the connection is G or E, i loose my battery more quicker than 3G/3.5G/H
even i have noticed that 3G+ consumes way less power that WiFi (now my email is synced over the air even in the office so my battery won't die quickly. don't worry i have a huge data plan )
please correct me if i'm wrong, all my information above is based on personal experiance
cheers

Well, I don't know if this will work for everyone but I fixed my issue. I just called my voicemail and put it on speakerphone in order to keep the voice connection open. Then I tried surfing with Opera a few times. The first few times it wouldn't connect, but then suddenly my phone beeped twice and I got the connection window saying my 3G was connecting. At first I thought I had just forced it but in retrospect, I think I just had a bad signal and had just connected to my 3G network. Thanks for all the info guys!

k20z3_si said:
suddenly my phone beeped twice and I got the connection window saying my 3G was connecting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Call dropped maybe?!
try this,
Start -> Settings -> Phone -> Band
1.Set network type to WCDMA
2.Set GSM/UMTS band to UMTS
these forces your device into a 3G+ network
3.open commManager from start menu
4.turn dataconnection ON
5.Make a call
6.try browsing
7.Post Here
cheers

anaadoul said:
allow me to agree/disagree with you on some points.
imo, Edge doesn't support simultaneous call/data, except some devices that have some dual GSM radio as both operate on the same radio device level.
afaik the technology of 3G+ is different, the voice itself is not being transmitted as GSM signal, it's converted into a something similar to VOIP (that what makes Video Call Happens), a phone call uses one channel for audio transmit, the good thing is that the archetecture of 3G+ is designed to have multiple simultaneous connections to the tower cell, this will allow more transfer bandwidth, while this makes you able to browse and talk at the same time, it also puts more load on the cell (the cell can accept a certain fixed number of connections depending on the location and population of the area) resulting on people getting Network Busy Error!
so the result is a data connection is dropped if the cell is full in order to take a phone call.
what makes 3G+ really fast is that it can open milti channels with the cell, allowing more allocated bandwidth (we all know it reaches up to 7.2mbps).
3G+ consumes LESS power imo than GPRS/EDGE (Data connection only, voice calls consumes more on 3G+) as 3G+ will close all active connections when there is no application transferring (see the H icon disappearing when no application is downloading anything and 3G/3.5G icon is there, once an internet request is made it will go back to H).
so the result i think as follows
GPRS/EDGE : Low battery consumption for voice calls, High for Data & No simultaneous Call & Data.
3G/3.5G/HSDPA : Higher battery consumption for voice calls, Low for Data & Supports simultaneous Call & Data.
btw, i am connected to my Company's exchange server using Microsoft Direct Push. when the connection is G or E, i loose my battery more quicker than 3G/3.5G/H
even i have noticed that 3G+ consumes way less power that WiFi (now my email is synced over the air even in the office so my battery won't die quickly. don't worry i have a huge data plan )
please correct me if i'm wrong, all my information above is based on personal experiance
cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree... 3G and 3G+ seem to consume LESS battery than WIFI!
As for Edge, my experience is that I never could get simultaneous voice/data, but you're right, both the cell AND the phone need to support this function. I dont think our Xperia's hardware actually supports this at all. When I switched to using the Xperia I had purposely changed to a 3G network to take advantage of the 3G/3G+ capabilities it has.

i am quite sure that GPRS does not support simultaneous... everytime i call, a "cancel" icon appeared

I called AT&T to see if they support simultaneous Data and Voice and they said they do, but your phone has to as well. The X1 supports it also, so I just think I wasn't asble to do so because I was only in GPRS, not 3G.

leobox1 said:
i am quite sure that GPRS does not support simultaneous... everytime i call, a "cancel" icon appeared
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't. We already stated that above. anaadoul and me already stated that above.

Hero, have to choose: Data/3G or voice calls, HTC reinvet the 90's!

Hi,
after having several missed calls going straight to my answering machine on my new HTC Hero. I was getting a bit paranoiac, so I've decided to test in/out calls.
Basically, 90 of my incoming calls were going straight to my answering machine. Out-call were about 30% KO
After several tests, to make sure there was a problem, I've decided to request for support from HTC.
Support told me that I should shut the 3g connection every time I would want to receive a call .
So I tried and Bingo, if 3G is activated, I get 10% of the calls, if I deactivate it 90% success.
So you'll say, I should be happy? Right? Wrong!
The main use of that kind of phone is to have a data integration, otherwise I would have kept my old nokia from 10 years ago..
Here basically, if I follow HTC idea, I should keep the 3g closed, sometime, I should switch it on to get my mails, thanks to the non true push capacities (ok this one is not htc) then wait for the sync, maybe force it , get my mails, and then, shut 3g back and pray that no Über important call would have been done.
Well that plain sucks!
Never had such a thing on my previous Data friendly mobiles, why should I accept it on the Hero?
If someone have come across this bug, cause it is a bug, how did he/she managed to fix it?
Thanks

works fine on mine....i suggest you are on a ****e network, or on only 2G where you are. that's what usually causes this.
I guess they suggested this because it sounds like your network hasn't figured out how to route calls properly on their network when data is active, and they dump it straight to voicemail when there is a data connection active.
not the phone's fault, the phone won't even know that the call has been missed, the network simply does not route the call through and sends it to voicemail instead.
i had this on O2 a while ago. went to t-mobile (who knew how to set up their network properly for data) and never had this issue since when i am on 3G coverage. if i'm on 2G signal and have active data then yes, i miss calls. but that's how 2G networks operate.
it's truly shocking how many networks out there have absolutely no idea how to set up their networks properly for data!

Well I wish it would be that, my signal goes from -63 dbm 25 asu(80% of the time) to -81 dbm 16 asu.
Just after my post, I called one of my friend working in carrier terminal validation.
What he told me was, 2 options:
- Same bug was on the htc cruise, bug got corrected after a fw update.
- Some of my carrier radio are buggy and 3g goes over gsm.(SFR/VOdaphone France)
I bet for the first option since I had the problem in various places since I didn't want to ask support for nothing and get busted for a " feeling and not facts" (did the test in 3 differend location 80 tests in total(I used to be a tester....).
I will update the topic if I get news about it

nmuncer said:
!
Never had such a thing on my previous Data friendly mobiles, why should I accept it on the Hero?
If someone have come across this bug, cause it is a bug, how did he/she managed to fix it?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You shouldn't accept it - but most people don't have this issue!
It's unlikely to be a "bug" per se, because otherwise it would be endemic behaviour, so it's either:
1. Your physical device (get it changed!)
2. Your network.
In addition, just an FYI in case you've got the new Sprint Hero, but most CDMA networks (including Sprint) do not support simultaneous voice and data. I've no idea what happens in practice on Sprint, but I'd imagine if you were actively using data your voice calls would get diverted to voicemail unless Sprint automatically suspends data when a voice call is pending.
Regards,
Dave

You're on SFR?
OUCH!!!!
Sounds like you have a nice strong signal, but is it 2G or 3G? (do you see a G, E 3G or H at the top of the screen?
if you see G or E, it's cos you're on 2G, If you get 3G or H, it's on 3G.
And yes, there were a few issues with the P3300 and the cruise, but they were mainly on Bouygues, not so much on SFR.
There's nothing known of on the hero, and as SFR sell the Magic, i would have thought they would have ironed out any issues already...

Hi,
I'm mostly in HSDPA or 3G.
I still have contacts with people at SFR (used to work there till recently) they might share a bit of info.

Idk if yours is CDMA or the GSM one but on mine (CDMA) under the mobile network settings, I have the option to switch the mode of operation to ether Hybrid, EVDO only, and 1X only. Now, I know how Sprint's network works, not sure if it's the same for any other networks but if I set it to Evdo only (3g) I'll miss all my calls because Sprint does voice over 1X. Hybrid mode does EVDO when you're using data and switches to 1X when you're doing voice/sms.

rhedgehog said:
if you see G or E, it's cos you're on 2G, If you get 3G or H, it's on 3G.
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regarding this and your suggestion that 2g and data will result in missed calls, Can you suggest how to avoid this happening? I live and work in the country and only have 2g, so have found quite often people have mentioned my phone not even ringing- straight to answer phone. This explains it.
Nice to know, but annoying if I can't solve it- I run a business and my phone is very important.
Cheers,

ajones7279 said:
Idk if yours is CDMA or the GSM one but on mine (CDMA) under the mobile network settings, I have the option to switch the mode of operation to ether Hybrid, EVDO only, and 1X only. Now, I know how Sprint's network works, not sure if it's the same for any other networks but if I set it to Evdo only (3g) I'll miss all my calls because Sprint does voice over 1X. Hybrid mode does EVDO when you're using data and switches to 1X when you're doing voice/sms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have sprint as well and when someone calls you when youre running hybrid, you should not miss calls. you will get disconnected from the internet when someone is calling though

ajones7279 said:
Idk if yours is CDMA or the GSM one but on mine (CDMA) under the mobile network settings, I have the option to switch the mode of operation to ether Hybrid, EVDO only, and 1X only. Now, I know how Sprint's network works, not sure if it's the same for any other networks but if I set it to Evdo only (3g) I'll miss all my calls because Sprint does voice over 1X. Hybrid mode does EVDO when you're using data and switches to 1X when you're doing voice/sms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I'm on hybrid

that is what i hate about hero, it is really great except for the fact that it switches from 2g to 3g without notice. i want it to be permanently stuck in 3g for faster downloads and mms, but when it uses 2g, i cant send and receive mms and surfing the web is slow as heck! im still looking for an app that would permanently put the device in 3g just like with winmo it which you can use wcdma ONLY.
cheers!

If you use AnyCut, you can create a short cut by selecting:
New Shortcut->Activity->Phone info
This will create a shortcut on your homescreen which beings up a hidden "engineering" screen on which you'll find an drop down for "Set preferred network type" where you can select WCDMA only.
Regards,
Dave

alternatively, open the phone app
dial *#*#4636#*#* and select phone info
scroll down and set it to WCDMA only.
does the same thing but saves installing an app.

rhedgehog said:
alternatively, open the phone app
dial *#*#4636#*#* and select phone info
scroll down and set it to WCDMA only.
does the same thing but saves installing an app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
holy monkey! im going to try this!!! do i have to di it everytime i turn the phone of or is it permanent?

orouborus said:
that is what i hate about hero, it is really great except for the fact that it switches from 2g to 3g without notice. i want it to be permanently stuck in 3g for faster downloads and mms, but when it uses 2g, i cant send and receive mms and surfing the web is slow as heck! im still looking for an app that would permanently put the device in 3g just like with winmo it which you can use wcdma ONLY.
cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is not specific to the Hero. The fact is, every carrier's 2G network has better coverage than their 3G network. When the phone cannot detect strong enough 3G signal, it jumps back to 2G network. The idea is that slow data transmission is better than no data transmission at all. Many smartphones have the option to lock the mobile network to 2G only. One advantage is that it gets better reception, and another advantage is longer battery life (the 3G chip eats battery much faster than 2G).
If you instead lock the phone to its 3G network. The first thing you will notice is that battery life is significantly shorter. And chance is that you may be getting very spotty reception, because you are not allowing to phone to switch to 2G when it gets no 3G signal. When there is no 3G signal, forcing the phone to "3G only" mode won't give you faster download, it gives you no download.

tsekh501 said:
That is not specific to the Hero. The fact is, every carrier's 2G network has better coverage than their 3G network. When the phone cannot detect strong enough 3G signal, it jumps back to 2G network. The idea is that slow data transmission is better than no data transmission at all. Many smartphones have the option to lock the mobile network to 2G only. One advantage is that it gets better reception, and another advantage is longer battery life (the 3G chip eats battery much faster than 2G).
If you instead lock the phone to its 3G network. The first thing you will notice is that battery life is significantly shorter. And chance is that you may be getting very spotty reception, because you are not allowing to phone to switch to 2G when it gets no 3G signal. When there is no 3G signal, forcing the phone to "3G only" mode won't give you faster download, it gives you no download.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
true true. i usually charge my phone everynight though. problem that i have with 2g is that i cant send and recieve mms and yeah data connection is slow. in our place 3g signal is ok. i also lock my topaz for wcdma only. but it is ok that it switches to 2g in low signal areas.
Thanks!

You actually use mms?
Wow, they do exist.

barryallott said:
You actually use mms?
Wow, they do exist.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah... mms is great. i use it to send items that i wish to purchase etc.

What NOM1 Networks are there in the UK? I only get 2g in my area (booo) and could do with an operator that works right. T-Mobile forums suggest they still have an issue

Hi
I've checked it with Hero running in PlusGSM in Poland.
Regardless if I select 2G/3G or even "WCDMA preffered/GSM Only/WCDMA only" setting the phone is not available for incoming voice calls during data transfer. Every time when I start internet connection (example: SSH session) I'm not available for incoming calls. At this site I do have both strong 2G and strong 3G networks.
I would like to mention that a few days ago I've swapped Samsung SGH-i600 (WinMo 6.0) for HTC Hero - so I'm using the same SIM card in the same network and the same place. SHG-I600 was able to perform both data transfer (on 2G) and voice (on 3G) on the same time. HTC Hero is not...
I wonder if this is 'feature by design' or a bug in software?

htc band settings on 3 network!?

Hi.
I have an HTC Touch HD on the UK 3 Network.
It works fine with texts and calls n 3g but whenever I need data for an app etc it ignores a great 3g signal and tries to connect on HSDPA instead.
now this might not seem like a problem but it often switches from full 3G bars to one bar on HSDPA to check my email. this can take 5 to 10 seconds when it could have just done it on 3G.
what gives? am i using the right settings?
start/settings/phone/band
Network Type "Auto"
GSM/UMTS band "Auto"
when i was on Vodafone it would stay on the best choice ie HSDPA instead of all this swapping about.
I hope this is the right place to ask. not a major problem just a frustration.
thanks
don

In common with many (all?) of the five networks, 3UK has recently switched their handsets from staying on HDSPA to "only" 3g, but automatically changing to HSDPA when data traffic occurs.
HSDPA demands extra bandwidth to the cell. There might be a second or so delay while the handset re-negotiates the extra protocol, but it's done to give extra capacity on the cell, allowing more space for 3G voice calls, while ensuting your data speeds aren't affected by push-email or similar low-bandwidth devices using an always-on HSDPA protocol.
In short, it's completly normal and pretty standard nowadays. Keep your phone on Auto/3G, you can't force it to HSDPA only.

Problem with HD2, anyone else had this issue

This morning my phone stopped working. Screen went off, couldn't wake it up and couldn't charge it. None of the buttons did anything. I decided to try a soft reset as a last resort and it's working again now. HAs anyone else had this issue, and is it something that occurs a lot? I'm not happy about this

Morning,
Search is your friend. Look on here for a thread started by Beards. Has all the info and solutions you need for this.
Use this to search as XDA search is a bit hit and miss..http://www.google.com/advanced_search?q=+site:http://forum.xda-developers.com&hl=en&lr=&as_qdr=all
WB

wacky.banana said:
Morning,
Search is your friend. Look on here for a thread started by Beards. Has all the info and solutions you need for this.
Use this to search as XDA search is a bit hit and miss..http://www.google.com/advanced_search?q=+site:http://forum.xda-developers.com&hl=en&lr=&as_qdr=all
WB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't find anything on XDA search to be honest. I tried that link you sent, but I can't find it on that either, any hints as to what keywords I should be using?
I also tried searching by members list, and finding all posts by beards, but I just get this long list, any idea which one he/she is?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/memberlist.php?&order=asc&sort=username&ausername=beard

try searching the site for standy screen of death.
Its a problem that has afflicted many HTC devices and seems somehow related to the phone moving between 2G and 3G in areas of poor 3G signal

rumpleforeskin said:
try searching the site for standy screen of death.
Its a problem that has afflicted many HTC devices and seems somehow related to the phone moving between 2G and 3G in areas of poor 3G signal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that hint, found lots of info on it now. This is going to show how really clueless I am, but apart from 3G being a lot faster I'm not sure what the difference is between 2G and 3G. Also, is the 2G and 3G just related to data usage/transfer, or is it calls as well?
If it's just data transfer then I may as well set it to 3G only as I'm too impatient to wait for the internet etc on 2G. If it responsible for the connection of calls as well I'm going to have to leave it on both as I quite frequently go from3G to 2G areas, and I don't want to keep losing signal for my phone.

Snerkler,
Take a look at this thread...http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=596484
WB

> If it's just data transfer then I may as well set it to 3G only as I'm too impatient to wait for the internet etc on 2G. If it responsible for the connection of calls as well I'm going to have to leave it on both as I quite frequently go from3G to 2G areas, and I don't want to keep losing signal for my phone.
GSM (2G) handles all the voice traffic and SMS in UK, plus basic GPRS speed at up to 56Kbps. Where available it also includes (E)dge connections for data up to about 100Kbps (technically can go much higher, but this is the practical limit)
3G and HSDPA (Also termed UMTS and WCDMA) are data only and can allow 330Kbps and up to 7.2Mbps respectively though you'll generally see around 200Kbps and 1-1.5Mbps as usable maxima. These protocols are also used for video calling and MMS media content. However if a device is set for WCDMA only, it can still make/receive voice and SMS services.
If all you do is use email, voice, SMS and basic web page browsing, there is an advantage in constraining the connection to GSM only, as the battery life will improve by up to 25%. For occasional higher volume web browsing it may still be worth staying on GSM, but switching to Auto or WCDMA when needed.
For frequent web use, then it's best to stay on Auto and take the battery hit. Don't select WCDMA only- the 3G service in UK is still patchy and if you go out of a 3G area, you;ll get no signal at all with this selection.
You may also see a few posts on here relating to auto-disconnecting the data signal after a timeout. In general this is not a good idea with current 'connected' devices as it prevents all the 'push' updating of email, Facebook etc. The programs to allow this were originally produced to prevent unwanted data charges when data was expensive, or when roaming. A lot of users are now utilising this in an effort to improve battery life- this is a little futile as the data connection itself uses the normal phone signal service channels and therefore negligible battery power, unless the 3G service is switched off at the same time.

wacky.banana said:
Snerkler,
Take a look at this thread...http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=596484
WB
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Cheers for this, read through to page 8 so far, will read the rest later. WHy can't I find the threads I want when I search?
I may as well just PM you everytime WB lol

NeilM said:
> If it's just data transfer then I may as well set it to 3G only as I'm too impatient to wait for the internet etc on 2G. If it responsible for the connection of calls as well I'm going to have to leave it on both as I quite frequently go from3G to 2G areas, and I don't want to keep losing signal for my phone.
GSM (2G) handles all the voice traffic and SMS in UK, plus basic GPRS speed at up to 56Kbps. Where available it also includes (E)dge connections for data up to about 100Kbps (technically can go much higher, but this is the practical limit)
3G and HSDPA (Also termed UMTS and WCDMA) are data only and can allow 330Kbps and up to 7.2Mbps respectively though you'll generally see around 200Kbps and 1-1.5Mbps as usable maxima. These protocols are also used for video calling and MMS media content. However if a device is set for WCDMA only, it can still make/receive voice and SMS services.
If all you do is use email, voice, SMS and basic web page browsing, there is an advantage in constraining the connection to GSM only, as the battery life will improve by up to 25%. For occasional higher volume web browsing it may still be worth staying on GSM, but switching to Auto or WCDMA when needed.
For frequent web use, then it's best to stay on Auto and take the battery hit. Don't select WCDMA only- the 3G service in UK is still patchy and if you go out of a 3G area, you;ll get no signal at all with this selection.
You may also see a few posts on here relating to auto-disconnecting the data signal after a timeout. In general this is not a good idea with current 'connected' devices as it prevents all the 'push' updating of email, Facebook etc. The programs to allow this were originally produced to prevent unwanted data charges when data was expensive, or when roaming. A lot of users are now utilising this in an effort to improve battery life- this is a little futile as the data connection itself uses the normal phone signal service channels and therefore negligible battery power, unless the 3G service is switched off at the same time.
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I fI'm reading this right, you need 2G to make and receive calls, therefore if you select 3G only then you can't make and receive calls?

snerkler said:
I fI'm reading this right, you need 2G to make and receive calls, therefore if you select 3G only then you can't make and receive calls?
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No- if you select 3G only you can make/receive calls and exchange fast data- but only if you are in a 3G coverage area. Out of 3G coverage and there's nothing
GSM only: Voice, SMS, Data wherever theres a signal. Good battery life. Slow data
3G only: Voice, SMS, fast Data, but nothing at all out of 3G coverage. Higher battery drain
Auto: Switches between the 2 above, but favours 3G where available so again, higher battery drain especially in marginal 3G signals where it will continually switch between protocols, potentially using a lot of battery power.

NeilM said:
No- if you select 3G only you can make/receive calls and exchange fast data- but only if you are in a 3G coverage area. Out of 3G coverage and there's nothing
GSM only: Voice, SMS, Data wherever theres a signal. Good battery life. Slow data
3G only: Voice, SMS, fast Data, but nothing at all out of 3G coverage. Higher battery drain
Auto: Switches between the 2 above, but favours 3G where available so again, higher battery drain especially in marginal 3G signals where it will continually switch between protocols, potentially using a lot of battery power.
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Ok, thanks for clearing this up. If I want to improve battery life, am I best to have it set to 2G, unless I want to use internet/email, and if I want to do that then swap it to 3G for this (assuming I don't want push mail)?
Also, most of the time I'm hooked up to wifi, so I'm assuming in this case I don't need 3G at all?

snerkler said:
Ok, thanks for clearing this up. If I want to improve battery life, am I best to have it set to 2G, unless I want to use internet/email, and if I want to do that then swap it to 3G for this (assuming I don't want push mail)?
Also, most of the time I'm hooked up to wifi, so I'm assuming in this case I don't need 3G at all?
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Even email (polled or push) is fine over 2G unless you are receiving large attachments.
When you are on WiFi, data should take that path so you are correct- 3G won't be needed.