Here in the US I am using T-Mobile, wich doesn't have 3G yet. So, I probably don't have a 3G sim in my Hermes, and everywhere I go, I always get only a G next to my phone icon. However, when I went to Toronto, Canada, this past week, the G changed to a U. Does that mean:
1) UMTS network was detected, but all it did was detect it, and keep using GSM?
2) UMTS network was detected, and I was able to connect to it, because the 3G in a 3G sim cards is for internet access only,
3) the U is for internet connection availability only, and doesn't affect the cell voice phone part of my TyTN?
or
4) I somehow got a 3G compatible SIM card, and had I wanted to, could've been charged $10 every 8 to 10 seconds for downloading REALLY fast (I get charged $10US a meg if I use web outside of USA)
Hello rassah,
In order to have a 3G service you do NOT have ot have a 3G SIM (also known as USIM). The network is backward compatible and will allow you to use whatever your SIM card (or the network) authorized you.
I am also TMO subscriber and in some countries I could use UMTS and in others only 2.5G (GPRS/EDGE). Technically you have no limitations to do so so its up to the commercial arrangements between TMO USA and the other operators.
So the bottom line:
a. Your device detected UMTS and the network allowed your device to be attached to the 3G network (hence you saw the "U").
b. You probably have a SIM and not USIM (like you mentioned TMO still does not have 3G network ready for commercial use).
c. It is perfectly OK technically to connect to a 3G network even if you have 2.5G SIM card (pending you are authorized by the network to get such a service).
You can do a simple test next time you are in Toronto or other place where you see the "U". Go to www.dslreports.com, they have speed tools, try to perform a speed test and if you are connected with "U" you should get 3G speed results (again, depends on the network and the quality of the signal.. you will see a result of something between 200k to 300k i would guess)
PS: You are right about the cost per meg. But look at the 3G speed as you get what you want but just faster so the bottom line is - you are being charged the same as 2.5G just get work done sooner
Related
So I've been reading through lots of posts on the forum and over at Howard Forums about whether you can get the TyTN to use the UMTS network on Cingular.
Some people have said that your IMEI number has to be registered in your data account with Cingular otherwise you don't actually jump on their UMTS network (even though you see the "U" on your display).
Some people have said that you only need a 3G SIM card (which I have) and the same GPRS settings and that you will then be able to use UMTS.
I called Cingular Data Support yesterday and asked these questions, and whether you need to have the UMTS_AUTO_ATTACH_FEATURE item on your account to enable UMTS and he told me:
1. Your phone IMEI does in fact need to be in your data account setup, otherwise your phone doesn't actually use (or won't register to) the UMTS network.
2. If it isn't, you are just using the GSM network, even though your phone might be showing the "U".
He tried entering my IMEI number into my data account, but he said it comes up as "UNKNOWN." Normally he said that when you enter a valid IMEI number (from the 3G phone models they sell), it automatically adds several features to your data account that enable UMTS, such as the UMTS_AUTO_ATTACH_FEATURE item.
So.... that said, I'm still not 100% sure that I agree/belive this. The reason being is that when I'm downtown (I live in Seattle), or really most places in the city, I have the U indicator, and additionally my phone shows I'm on the "UMTS Cingular" network--I also have the same roaming indicator problem that people have discussed on other threads.
Also, when I run the speed test at dslreport.com, I get average speeds between 822 - 976Kbs on the speed test.
When I am at home, my phone switches to the "G" symbol and the network name changes back to "Cingular"--I live in a bit of a signal shadow. When I run the speed test, I only get speeds around 235 - 322Kbs.
So it would seem to me that when my phone shows the "U" symbol that I'm actually on UMTS due to the data speeds I'm getting, vs. the data speeds I'm getting while on the "G" symbol (GPRS).
Any ideas or thoughts?
Not true.
I have a TyTN on Cingular and most definitely am on the UMTS network.
I get HSDPA speeds when it shows "U" and EDGE speeds when it shows "G".
Cingular data support are feeding you a line. All you need is a 3G SIM.
You got bad information. If you have the "U," you're on the UMTS network. Simple as that!
I was on UMTS today. I have a 3g SIM card, but I have just a GSM phone, SE Z520, registered with Cingular.
EDGE isn't capable of speeds in excess of 400kb/sec. Your testing proves that you were running on the UMTS network. For final proof, try this:
Start a large data transfer rate test while on the UMTS network. Now, while the test is running, try calling your phone. Hopefully, you'll be able to see it ringing while the data transfer is still going.
Also see the big U on the old AT&T network.
they told me the same thing, i went to atlanta last weekend and was on UMTS with my TyTN, and got speeds over 500kbit (i do have a 3g sim, they dont have my IMEI on record), so they were most definately wrong. Slingbox is great on 3g btw, hopefully they will turn up Miami soon
jsamuels said:
Also see the big U on the old AT&T network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have 3G SIM card with ATT&T? How did you get it?
If you have a U it means you are on UMTS. Get the fieldtest utility from the wiki and use it
Re: Not true.
sspooner said:
I have a TyTN on Cingular and most definitely am on the UMTS network.
I get HSDPA speeds when it shows "U" and EDGE speeds when it shows "G".
Cingular data support are feeding you a line. All you need is a 3G SIM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here in michigan. just popped in my 3G sim and everything is fast.
Would the sim card from a HTC Tilt (3G) work in say a Razr(non 3G phone)?
The 'phone must be hardware equipped with 3G.
The SIM then provides the 3G software functionality if the service provider has that equipment installed in its cells-and not all do (esp. the 'budget SPs)
Ashley
I know the non 3G phone wont have 3G speeds. I just don't want to have to get another sim card when I switch phones. One is 3G and the other is not.
1jaxstate1 said:
Would the sim card from a HTC Tilt (3G) work in say a Razr(non 3G phone)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
should be compatible unless the Razr locked to a certain telco.
3g work depends in network and celphone not in simcard.
I am using my 4year old postpaid simcard from my himalaya to non-wm 3g phone, works fine.
My new simcard(3g printed on card) works with my himalaya(non-3g)
3G sim cards direct the phone to access the 3G network (UMTS) if the phone is so equipped with 3G compatibility. If a 3G sim card is placed in a 2G (GSM/GPRS) phone it simply provides the phone with the 2G network. There is no need for different SIM cards.
Conversely, a 2G SIM in a 3G phone can only provide the 2G network access so if you are after something like Streaming Video and you have a 2G SIM, this would be your problem
* Service issue hint. If your service went "bye-bye" after you bought a 3G phone it could be because you are on a fringe 3G area and the phone defaults to 3G network even if there is a strong 2G signal in the area. A workaround for this is to hunt up an old Cingular 64k 2G SIM that has not been used on Ebay or someplace like that and use it in your phone. You will lose the 3G network access but will have your old 2G network access again.
** The exception to the rule would be certain older model Nokia phones that show a phone restriction upon placing the 3g SIM in the phone (No, entering a restriction code does not clear the restriction)
I've been having internet troubles since i got my Hero a few weeks ago.
It seems to jump between '3G' and 'H' when I use any applications using the internet. This means that pages often fail to load/download, or appear slower than 2G connection speeds.
I think this is because I'm in an area which can just about receive HDSPA speeds sometimes, but not consistently, so I was wondering if there's any way to set the internet to stay at 3G and not attempt to connect to HDSPA? When I'm in areas where the best speed possible in 3G, the internet is infinitely faster than when it's jumping from 3G to H and back.
Thank You!
I'm not sure on the phone itself but from a network perspective you would need to ask you phone provider to change your QOS on the HLR (network control and provisioning) to a non HSDPA entry, eg t-mobile uk QOS 1201 = HSDPA 3.6
it doesn't work that way (the hlr qos profile). you can only set the maximum speed there, not the RAN technology which is used. i don't think there is anything you can do, the phone attaches to the best server (=cell with strongest signal), and if that cell supports hsdpa it is used for data transfer. as hsd(p)a is only an "addon" for umts i don't think that your connection would be better on the same cell, even if you were able to force umts usage. bad radio reception is bad radio reception... it is not uncommon that a stable EDGE connection works better than a weak umts/hspa signal, have you tried switching to 2g?
kendong2 said:
it doesn't work that way (the hlr qos profile). you can only set the maximum speed there, not the RAN technology which is used. i don't think there is anything you can do, the phone attaches to the best server (=cell with strongest signal), and if that cell supports hsdpa it is used for data transfer. as hsd(p)a is only an "addon" for umts i don't think that your connection would be better on the same cell, even if you were able to force umts usage. bad radio reception is bad radio reception... it is not uncommon that a stable EDGE connection works better than a weak umts/hspa signal, have you tried switching to 2g?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
of course you can, thousands of sims on networks are unable to use hsdpa because of a low qos, on t-mobile's uk system if you do not provision the web and walk plus SOC on the account the service order does not go through and they are unable to use HSDPA. I dont have a HSDPA qos and I dont get a H but if I use the sim that came with it I do.. best thing to do is give the networks tech support a ring with some times and locations and ask if they can look at what ever reporting system they use and look at network statistics at the time. Best to look at the sgsn;s and look at the stats at that point.
It doesnt matter if the cell supports hsdpa, hsdpa on the cell itself is only a capability to go back through to the msc. a footprint on a 3g cell will keep the closest strongest users when it hits max capacity, if you are on the outskirts you ill lose out.
the more you complain to the provider the qucicker they add some higher bandwidth lines to th local exchange or hub..
Might simply be a congested site, if so it should report itself...
naughty naughty trx
ahem... hspa is RAN (as in Radio Access Network) technology. it is applied to the communication between the handset and the node b, not anything behind the node b (not sure whether the rnc needs to be aware of it, but that's it, no msc involved). i am not sure whether the simcard needs to be hspa capable, but i have never heard of it. and i do provision sim cards for a living...
kendong2 said:
ahem... hspa is RAN (as in Radio Access Network) technology. it is applied to the communication between the handset and the node b, not anything behind the node b (not sure whether the rnc needs to be aware of it, but that's it, no msc involved). i am not sure whether the simcard needs to be hspa capable, but i have never heard of it. and i do provision sim cards for a living...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are rightt hsdpa as a technology does get implemented between the mast (node b) and the handset.. what is added between the RNC and the node b is the LUB this is an added control mechanism, this kinda makes sure no data is loss occurs when the node b's buffers are overflowed! this is not a fool proof system, RNC? it could be a SRNC controller,, anyway you are right in what you say but as i have worked within this area i do know that when i was saying "SIMS" I didnt mean the actual sim itself i was referring to sims with old HLR profiles that cant access hsdpa! most pay as you go sims cant on tmob uk this stops them going £1 a day unlimited handset internet and hammering the sim in a dongle!! Im a big fan of provisioning btw! geeky as it sounds the complexity of mass provisioning failures interests me!
Hi Everyone,
I'm usually just a reader on XDA, but I have found a problem that appears not to have been solved and wondered if anyone had any insight.
Problem Summary
When in an area (or network) with only HSPA and UMTS (strong HSPA/UMTS signal, but with no LTE or 2G available), the phone will drop from H+ to 3G erratically, always dropping the data connection. Traditional phone calls are not affected.
Detailed Description
I have a OnePlus Two and have 2 SIM cards. My first SIM Card is with Bell Canada (Virgin), and the second SIM Card is with WIND Mobile Canada.
Neither Bell nor WIND operate a 2G network, so the lowest the service can fall to is UMTS/3G.
Initially, I didn't notice the problem because Bell also operates an LTE network, and there is no problem with dropping the data connections when on LTE.
When I switched to the WIND SIM card (which only operates HSPA and UMTS), I noticed a problem where the phone would initially connect to H+, begin downloading whatever is needed (say, streaming music), but then part way through the download, the connection would switch to 3G, and the data would effectively stop. Within a minute, the service would jump back to H+ and download some more, but this cycle would continue (H+ --> 3G --> H+ --> 3G... ), with no way of knowing 1) how long the H+ connection would last before dropping to 3G (usually less than 30 seconds), and 2) after dropping to 3G, how long before going back to H+. This problem makes the phone almost useless when there is no LTE.
The most obvious troubleshooting I did was move to locations of better signal but I quickly ruled that out, as nothing seems to remove this problem. Other things I tried was to: move locations in the city, reboot phone, hard reset phone, flash most updated version of Oxygen, unlock bootloader, root, try the HSPA Keepalive app, swap SIM1 to SIM2, and many other things.
I originally thought this was a network issue, but I put this WIND SIM in another phone and there was no problem in any way that resembled this problem.
I also ruled out this being a network-specific problem, as I have taken a trip with the Bell SIM to an area where Bell does not have any LTE coverage (only HSPA and UMTS) and the same problem occurs on Bell as with the WIND SIM.
I have found people who had this problem on the OnePlus One tend to recommend using 2G to stabilize the connection, but this is not possible on Bell or WIND. That solution also would not provide adequate data speeds.
Remember this problem only affects data connectivity, as 3G traditional phone calls have no problems.
Question
Does anyone know if there is a way to adjust the conditions when the OnePlus Two will choose to switch from H+ to 3G?
Does anyone have any easier suggestions?
Thank you all in advance, because this rendering this phone almost useless when there is no LTE coverage.
I believe your problem is that phone it's dualsim standby, that means only one modem that alternates signal for both sims, I think normal would be alternating from faster network to slower network on sim without data.
Having to change to g3 between sims theres something stoped in the modem and data connection is also stopped.
You have no problem with voice calls because other sim is automatically turned off and unreachable.
There's nothing you can do if you're forced to only 3g on both sims
By 3g I mean 3g or h+ which to my knowledge are the same
Hope I was helpful and not wrong or more confusing
Sent from my ONE A2005 using Tapatalk
fburgos said:
I believe your problem is that phone it's dualsim standby, that means only one modem that alternates signal for both sims, I think normal would be alternating from faster network to slower network on sim without data.
Having to change to g3 between sims theres something stoped in the modem and data connection is also stopped.
You have no problem with voice calls because other sim is automatically turned off and unreachable.
There's nothing you can do if you're forced to only 3g on both sims
By 3g I mean 3g or h+ which to my knowledge are the same
Hope I was helpful and not wrong or more confusing
Sent from my ONE A2005 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I will try disabling the second SIM to see if there is a bug with the dual-sim...
What it currently does with the second SIM is it either shows "R" for roaming or just emergency only, but perhaps there is a software issue so I'll see if disabling the second SIM makes a difference.
biomedeng said:
Thanks, I will try disabling the second SIM to see if there is a bug with the dual-sim...
What it currently does with the second SIM is it either shows "R" for roaming or just emergency only, but perhaps there is a software issue so I'll see if disabling the second SIM makes a difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Though strange, this workaround fixes the issue. Thank you to fburgos for the suggestion!
So just in case anyone ever finds this issue creeps up on them, the solution is to DISABLE the SIM you are not using. It's not the most convenient workaround to swap SIMs, but the other SIM will be in Emergency Mode, so it really makes no functional difference.
On the technical side, it does appear that there is actually a bug in Android for a very uncommon network configuration. It will only appear in this exact configuration:
SIM1: Network has HSPA/3G only, no LTE or 2G to move to
SIM2: Network also only has HSPA/3G with no LTE or 2G
The non-data SIM does NOT connect to a roaming network (connects with "Emergency Only") - if it connects to a roaming 2G network, this problem does not happen.
The data SIM connects to HSPA/3G
Both SIMs are active
I'm not sure if this will happen anywhere else in the world other than having a WIND Mobile Canada SIM and Bell or TELUS Canada SIM
If anyone has insight on how to report this to Google, or someone else who can confirm my theory, that would be great!
Try this:
1. You need to make sure you have the correct LTE APN selected in mobile networks and LTE as preferred type.
2. Go to dialer and type in this: *#*#4636#*#*
3. Phone Information
4. Set Preferred Network Type to: LTE/GSM (PRL) - you an play with which one you wanna use but the one I said works for sure. on other roms I have" TD-SCDMA, GSM/WCDMA and LTE"
5. Now click TURN OFF RADIO and wait WAIT few secs. will that button turns to Turn Radio ON
6. Now TURN ON RADIO and wait
7. when u see the triangle for the signal is back, at least black , go down and lick SMSC REFRESH then UPDATE.
8. now just go back to APN settings and go into your LTE APN
9. Change Bearer to LTE
biomedeng said:
Hi Everyone,
I'm usually just a reader on XDA, but I have found a problem that appears not to have been solved and wondered if anyone had any insight.
Problem Summary
When in an area (or network) with only HSPA and UMTS (strong HSPA/UMTS signal, but with no LTE or 2G available), the phone will drop from H+ to 3G erratically, always dropping the data connection. Traditional phone calls are not affected.
Detailed Description
I have a OnePlus Two and have 2 SIM cards. My first SIM Card is with Bell Canada (Virgin), and the second SIM Card is with WIND Mobile Canada.
Neither Bell nor WIND operate a 2G network, so the lowest the service can fall to is UMTS/3G.
Initially, I didn't notice the problem because Bell also operates an LTE network, and there is no problem with dropping the data connections when on LTE.
When I switched to the WIND SIM card (which only operates HSPA and UMTS), I noticed a problem where the phone would initially connect to H+, begin downloading whatever is needed (say, streaming music), but then part way through the download, the connection would switch to 3G, and the data would effectively stop. Within a minute, the service would jump back to H+ and download some more, but this cycle would continue (H+ --> 3G --> H+ --> 3G... ), with no way of knowing 1) how long the H+ connection would last before dropping to 3G (usually less than 30 seconds), and 2) after dropping to 3G, how long before going back to H+. This problem makes the phone almost useless when there is no LTE.
The most obvious troubleshooting I did was move to locations of better signal but I quickly ruled that out, as nothing seems to remove this problem. Other things I tried was to: move locations in the city, reboot phone, hard reset phone, flash most updated version of Oxygen, unlock bootloader, root, try the HSPA Keepalive app, swap SIM1 to SIM2, and many other things.
I originally thought this was a network issue, but I put this WIND SIM in another phone and there was no problem in any way that resembled this problem.
I also ruled out this being a network-specific problem, as I have taken a trip with the Bell SIM to an area where Bell does not have any LTE coverage (only HSPA and UMTS) and the same problem occurs on Bell as with the WIND SIM.
I have found people who had this problem on the OnePlus One tend to recommend using 2G to stabilize the connection, but this is not possible on Bell or WIND. That solution also would not provide adequate data speeds.
Remember this problem only affects data connectivity, as 3G traditional phone calls have no problems.
Question
Does anyone know if there is a way to adjust the conditions when the OnePlus Two will choose to switch from H+ to 3G?
Does anyone have any easier suggestions?
Thank you all in advance, because this rendering this phone almost useless when there is no LTE coverage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same problem. Do you already have solved it?
I use only one SIM card so it is not a problem two cards.
really you do not have this problem? if no one knows the solution?
compared with my htc butterfly 2 and another low-end android, one plus 2 running latest Oxygen OS has serious connectivity issues. I compared the signals strength using same sim card in same location (including being connected to the same tower) and One Plus 2 keeps dropping the connection and has really poor signal strength. I have tried the *#*#4636#*#* and tried different network modes, but none of them are helping. Its a real disappointment that the basic feature of this phone is screwed up.
I have tried with CM13 as well. Any ideas if this is a modem version issue?
odeccacccp said:
Try this:
1. You need to make sure you have the correct LTE APN selected in mobile networks and LTE as preferred type.
2. Go to dialer and type in this: *#*#4636#*#*
3. Phone Information
4. Set Preferred Network Type to: LTE/GSM (PRL) - you an play with which one you wanna use but the one I said works for sure. on other roms I have" TD-SCDMA, GSM/WCDMA and LTE"
5. Now click TURN OFF RADIO and wait WAIT few secs. will that button turns to Turn Radio ON
6. Now TURN ON RADIO and wait
7. when u see the triangle for the signal is back, at least black , go down and lick SMSC REFRESH then UPDATE.
8. now just go back to APN settings and go into your LTE APN
9. Change Bearer to LTE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did It.. But it seems like it didn't solve my problem..
Device: A2017U
Software: Stock, rooted (if it matters), B29
Sim 1: Tmobile gsm mode (connected to tmobile) for voice only
Sim 2: freedompop gsm/hspa mode (connected to att), for data only
Issue: Device keeps losing connection to tmobile when sim 2 is enabled. My immediate area has relatively poor tmobile coverage so keeping it in 2g (gsm) mode extends battery life. It'll stay connected for a bit, then drops, and doesn't regain until I disable/re-enable sim 2. I haven't tried disableing/re-enabling sim 1, but that may also work.
It seems there's some incompatibility when gsm mode is set.
I haven't tried swapping the sim cards yet as the freedompop sim has been removed from its plastic (both sim cards + sd card currently installed).
I wonder if the issue is because in general sim1 has greater priority, and is being used with a lower/inferior network standard (gsm vs hspa). When both are set to gsm/hspa, no disconnect issues, but signal is a good 10 db weaker on the tmobile side.
Thoughts?
Try flipping the sim orientation, see what that does. I'd also try to let your voice only sim camp on umts. Tmobile has been cannibalizing 2g and lots of the newer towers don't have 2g installed on them.
Harmtan2 said:
Try flipping the sim orientation, see what that does. I'd also try to let your voice only sim camp on umts. Tmobile has been cannibalizing 2g and lots of the newer towers don't have 2g installed on them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll definitely give that a shot.
Further research (tmo ........................ att ) , shows that tmo gsm operates at 1900 mhz, while att hspa also operates at 1900. Since the dual sim set up on here is active standby, I wonder if the different carriers operating at the same freq has something to do with it.
Harmtan2 said:
Try flipping the sim orientation, see what that does. I'd also try to let your voice only sim camp on umts. Tmobile has been cannibalizing 2g and lots of the newer towers don't have 2g installed on them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Swapping sims didn't change anything. Looks like I'll just leave it on 3g and call it a day. In fact, most of the usage is data, so the voice sim can be turned off most of the time. I use gv for my primary number, there's an immediate email notification for any missed calls even if the caller hangs up.