Database Users

TyTN on Cingular : UMTS or Not...?

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.

How to Differentiate between GPRS, EDGE, UMTS & HSDPA?

I am using Hermes, (Dopod 838Pro Hong Kong Version) with
ROM 1.23.708.4
Radio Rom 1.06.00.10
Protocol 32.37.7010.01H
The network I am using supports HSDPA, UMTS, EDGE and GPRS where I have not subscribed HSDPA service.
When I was with my Prophet, I saw there were an "E" icon and "G" icon to differentiate between EDGE and GPRS network respectively. However, I only get "U" icon and
"G" icon to identify UMTS and GPRS connection respectively.
My question is
1. HOW TO FIND OUT THE "E" ICON FOR EDGE?
(I have tried the registry tweak EnableDifferGprsEdgeIcon, but it was not successful)
2. IS THERE ANY "H" ICON FOR HSDPA CONNECTION?
3. IF I HAVE HSDPA SUBSCRIPTION, IS THERE ANY PROCEDURE TO CONNECT HSDPA / DISCONNECT HSDPA BACK TO UMTS?
Thank you very much!

I dont think you will get HSDPA with that radio. You will need to upgrade the radio rom at least (if not the OS too).

unwired4 said:
I dont think you will get HSDPA with that radio. You will need to upgrade the radio rom at least (if not the OS too).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yes, I do have HSDPA with that version of Radio ROM. There's no indication for HSDPA. You have to use FieldText.exe to check it out. Or simply browse a web site and note the download speed (I use Spb GPRS Monitor)

felixtmwu said:
I am using Hermes, (Dopod 838Pro Hong Kong Version) with
ROM 1.23.708.4
Radio Rom 1.06.00.10
Protocol 32.37.7010.01H
The network I am using supports HSDPA, UMTS, EDGE and GPRS where I have not subscribed HSDPA service.
When I was with my Prophet, I saw there were an "E" icon and "G" icon to differentiate between EDGE and GPRS network respectively. However, I only get "U" icon and
"G" icon to identify UMTS and GPRS connection respectively.
My question is
1. HOW TO FIND OUT THE "E" ICON FOR EDGE?
(I have tried the registry tweak EnableDifferGprsEdgeIcon, but it was not successful)
2. IS THERE ANY "H" ICON FOR HSDPA CONNECTION?
3. IF I HAVE HSDPA SUBSCRIPTION, IS THERE ANY PROCEDURE TO CONNECT HSDPA / DISCONNECT HSDPA BACK TO UMTS?
Thank you very much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just about all your questions have come up before!
So for example you will find references to this as the best speed test - all you do is tapit into your device browser:
http://www.dslreports.com/mspeed?jisok=1
You'll find references to this info:
"G" - GPRS, GSM and EDGE
"U" - UMTS and HSDPA
You'll find there are tweaks for changing the non specific nature of the above.
Try that google sticky at the top of the messages list.
Cheers
Mike

Hi,
I am using the latest German HTC ROM on my Hermes
RUU_Hermes_QTEK_GER_2.15.257.1_104_6275_1.38.00.10_108_Ship.exe
This displays
G=GPRS
E=Edge
3G=UMTS
H=HSDPA
Regards
Frank

Disallow GPRS Connections, but not UMTS

Hey all,
is there anyway of stopping wm6 from connecting to gprs other than deleting the connection?
while i'm under 3g umts coverage, i would like it to be connected as the data is free... but when out of coverage or when my hermes decides its only going to join the roaming network (where i only get gprs), i get charged data.
any ideas guys? couldn't find much in the search. must be searching for the wrong thing or there doesn't seem to be a definate answer. ie, will allow umts, but not gprs etc. most seem to disable data all together.
anyone with Three in australia will know that Telstra charge a lot for using roaming when not in 3g coverage. there must be someone out there with the same dilemma?
Cheers,
Bill

can you just force 3g band only in phone setting?

possibly. at the moment everything is set to auto. so it defaults back to gsm (telstra network) when umts is unavailable. i just dunno what setting to pick for Three's umts. even then there is only one option for UMTS only. umts(2100+850) otherwise they are paired with gsm.
Any thoughts?

this app automatically do this job: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=503131

How do I tell I'm using HSDPA?

Hi, I'm aware that my UK T-mobile Ameo is HSDPA capable and I think I'm in a HSDPA covered area but the homescreen only ever shows a little 3G symbol (or a GSM symbol when I'm not in a 3G covered area).
Is there a way to know whether I'm using HSDPA?
I guess one way would be to do a download speed test - anyone know a convenient way to do one?

tfotherby said:
Is there a way to know whether I'm using HSDPA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you were using HSDPA, the 3G symbol would change to an H.
However, if you only have the £7.50 web and walk package, and only signed up after the summer, you do not have HSDPA on your account.
The £12.50 and above tarriffs come with HSDPA automatically, but for the £7.50 plan, you need to ask for it and hope that someone likes you enough to add it.
By the way, On T-mobile, you will not see the H all the time. It will only appear when you are transferring data. At all other times you will see the 3G symbol so that you are able to receive calls. If you are transferring data on HSDPA, the T-Mobile Uk network will force you down to 3G while the call is routed to you, and then jump back to HSDPA when the call ends to carry on downloading.
T-Mobile is the only network i have seen that does this properly.
Also, T-Mobile has gone HSDPA on all of their 3G transmitters. If you get 3G coverage, you definitely have HSDPA coverage, but you don't necessarily have permission to connect at HSDPA speeds.

tfotherby said:
Hi, I'm aware that my UK T-mobile Ameo is HSDPA capable and I think I'm in a HSDPA covered area but the homescreen only ever shows a little 3G symbol (or a GSM symbol when I'm not in a 3G covered area).
Is there a way to know whether I'm using HSDPA?
I guess one way would be to do a download speed test - anyone know a convenient way to do one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, you will see the H symbol instead of the 3G signal - I am on O2 and it works fine (you should also see an E to show an Edge connection where available).
The point about tariffs is one for you to take up with T-Mobile.

Make sure the HSDPA checkbox is checked, in Settings > Connections > HSDPA Switch. When I'm in a 3G area and I start downloading something, the 3G symbol temporarily changes to an H symbol, then changes back to 3G when done.

cottinghamm said:
I am on O2 and it works fine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you see the H all the time, or only when you are transferring data? I know that on some networks that have an old revision of the HSDPA software, it can cause issues with receiving calls if you are on HSDPA the whole time. Have you had any issues with this?

tfotherby said:
Hi, I'm aware that my UK T-mobile Ameo is HSDPA capable and I think I'm in a HSDPA covered area but the homescreen only ever shows a little 3G symbol (or a GSM symbol when I'm not in a 3G covered area).
Is there a way to know whether I'm using HSDPA?
I guess one way would be to do a download speed test - anyone know a convenient way to do one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firstly, you will only see an H if your ROM has different icons for 3G and HSDPA. Some do some don't. If the ROM doesn't have that facility, the 3G icon won't change even if you are occasionlly using HSDPA. As far as I am remember, some of the stock T-Mob ROMs do not include this.
You do not AFAIK need to ask T-Mobile for HSDPA. I have never asked them and regularly used it. I am on a £7.50 plan.
There are plenty of speed test sites out there - Google 3G speed test.

Another good site to check speed is "http://performance.toast.net/default.asp?allservers=1&checkid=" I usually check the "Text" box and try a few hosts...TJ

rhedgehog said:
Do you see the H all the time, or only when you are transferring data? I know that on some networks that have an old revision of the HSDPA software, it can cause issues with receiving calls if you are on HSDPA the whole time. Have you had any issues with this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only when data is transferred, the 3G symbol is there most of the time.

always been seeing the H on mine, right from the original T-Mobile UK ROM. All Windows mobile 6 ROMS from HTC include the different icons, and unless the operators specify to take them out, they should always be there.
the T-Mobile ROMs do include the different icons, as do all the AP ROMs.
Sometimes you DO have to ask T-Mob for HSDPA. They originally turned HSDPA on for the £7.50 contracts by default. They changed this standard policy sometime last year (as i stated in my first post, i think it was in the summer, but i'm not sure) and now not everyone has HSDPA on their contract. If you ever see the H you do...if not, you don't.

So my 3g doesn't work...always switches to HSPDA and then works.

Title says it all. When i have NO HSPDA I become screwed and I have to revert to EDGE otherwise I have no data connection. I haven't tried it out of town yet, but it's ridiculous. It says I'm on 3g, but then switches when I start a speedtest. Is that just because I'm always in HSPDA? Any ideas?
I'm on the Desire ROM. I don't think it's the rom though, because this happened on Cyanogen.

HSDPA is only on when necessary, when it isn't, your on 3G. You're in an HSDPA area, so when you use data your carrier bumps you up to HSDPA.

mudrock1000 said:
Title says it all. When i have NO HSPDA I become screwed and I have to revert to EDGE otherwise I have no data connection. I haven't tried it out of town yet, but it's ridiculous. It says I'm on 3g, but then switches when I start a speedtest. Is that just because I'm always in HSPDA? Any ideas?
I'm on the Desire ROM. I don't think it's the rom though, because this happened on Cyanogen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Assuming you're in the U.S. and on T-Mobile, this thread covers your issue:
3G --> H Data problems
Cheers,
Kermee

Ahh much thanks. So in theory if I leave the HSPDA area my 3g will work because it isn't trying to switch?

mudrock1000 said:
Ahh much thanks. So in theory if I leave the HSPDA area my 3g will work because it isn't trying to switch?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you leave an HSPDA area and only UMTS (3G) & EDGE are available, then in theory, yes. The data will transfer over 3G or EDGE. It's normal for the N1 to "idle" with the "3G" icon, but when you're actually doing data transfer, it'll switch to "H" if it's available.
In other words... nothing is broken. =)
Most people are confused by the "H" because on the *Stock* ROM, the "3G" icon doesn't differentiate between "UMTS/3G" and "HSPDA"... It'll always display 3G with either technology. The *Custom* ROM's differentiate which technology the handset is talking with the tower in regards to HSPDA and UMTS.
Cheers,
Kermee