Database Users

How do I set my X1i to Edge only while I'm at work?

I've looked extensively on this site for the answer to my issue so I apologize if it's already been covered. I have an Xperia X1i on the AT&T network using one of the numerous custom ROMs on this fine site. As I understand it, I am not getting 3G capability on my cell phone. However, I've read conflicting things on this very site about that. I apologize for the length of this description, but I want you all to have a full understanding of my issue as to minimiZe the back and forth. Here is my problem: When I'm at work on the 12th floor I get a block H (presumably the data indicator) and a smaller H (presumably the reception indicator?) with one or two bars beneath in the black area at the top of the screen (where all the icons and time are located). Most the time it is one bar, but occasionally I'll get two. It, from time to time, randomly switches to an E indicator (on both the block and the reception indictor with the bars and I'll get upwards of 4 bars) or a 3G indicator (again, on both the block and the reception indicator with 2 or 3 bars). On rare occasions I'll get the G indicator, but it doesn't last long. Whenever I receive a call and the H indicator is on it immediately hangs up after I push the button which accepts the call. This happens all the time. If the 3G indicator is on I'll be able to speak for 3 seconds before it the call is summarily dropped without warning. If the E indicator is on, then the vast majority of the time I'll be able to conduct a call just fine. I don't recall ever having a call with with the G indicator. Obviously, this is unacceptable. How do I turn off the H and 3G at work and still maintain the E for both voice and data while I'm at work? I've tried disabling the HSDPA/HSUPA capability through the Connection/Advanced Network tab. After a soft reset the phone settles onto a tenuous 3g that drops after a call after a few seconds (the situation I described above). Is there a way to just have Edge for voice and data for when I'm at work through some setting/software or do I just have to get another phone? If anyone knows a reasonable solution to this, I'd be really grateful for the assistance. Thanks. Bye!

May not be the best option, but if you go to:
Start
settings
connections
Advanced network
You should be able to change the option in the HSDPA/HSUPA to disable.
This will stop the H and G icons in the toolbar and should allow you to connect to your edge network.
Alternatively you could look at getting an X1a for US networks.

try this: phone>settings>band>select your network type>gsm. Soft reset. Well...?

buzz83 said:
May not be the best option, but if you go to:
Start
settings
connections
Advanced network
You should be able to change the option in the HSDPA/HSUPA to disable.
This will stop the H and G icons in the toolbar and should allow you to connect to your edge network.
Alternatively you could look at getting an X1a for US networks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Thanks for the suggestion, but in my description I had noted that I have already tried this and it only turned off the HSDPA/HSUPA and not the 3G.

quetzalquatl said:
try this: phone>settings>band>select your network type>gsm. Soft reset. Well...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Thanks for the reply. This seems to have done the trick. I'm cautiously optimistic and I'll update tomorrow since this will require further test. Again, thanks a million! Bye!

quetzalquatl said:
try this: phone>settings>band>select your network type>gsm. Soft reset. Well...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Just wanted to update you on your proposed solution. It seems to work great. I've had Edge for the balance of yesterday after I tried your suggestion and this morning I switched the band to GSM again and it's kept that setting. Thank you for your prompt solution to my irritating problem. Bye!

Maybe a time controlled 3G activation/deactivation would be a good solution?
http://www.ageye.de/index.php?s=gprofile/about

Ways to improve phone reception?

I generally have excellent 3G signal around my home but find that within the house it seems to flit between 2 bars of "H" to full-bars "G" to no reception [all in the same room/part of the room!]
At home I would generally have wifi on anyway so want to have better/consistent phone reception esp when on-call.
Someone suggested I could disable 3G/HSDPA at home and use GSM only and this will give me better reception.
I don't understand why this would be?
Is this feasible and is it simple to keep switching back and forth between 2G and 3G or will it require softboots etc?
Thanks

You could call Vodafone and let them talk you into giving them £50 for them to use your internet connection for their traffic?

oh.....kay......[backs slowly out of the room]....

wigwam12 said:
oh.....kay......[backs slowly out of the room]....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I take it you've not heard about Vodafone's Sure Signal?
http://www.vodafone.co.uk/suresignal

Anyway, with regards to your question about why using GSM gives a better signal.
If you have it set to auto, and your in a low 3G signal area, the phone will be on GSM, see 3G & switch to it. Then it will lose signal, go back to GSM, and the whole thing repeats over and over.
Setting it to GSM will stop this from happening, and as a result you get a better signal.

hollinshead said:
I take it you've not heard about Vodafone's Sure Signal?
http://www.vodafone.co.uk/suresignal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have one sat next to me. Really good piece of kit. Without it, I have no signal at all

I went to an Voda store today and he [also] recommended the 2G method. I live in the centre of Manchester so not a mobile blackspot so Voda guy said SurSignal was not really intended for me [but thanks - I didn't know how it works or the cost]

hollinshead said:
Anyway, with regards to your question about why using GSM gives a better signal.
If you have it set to auto, and your in a low 3G signal area, the phone will be on GSM, see 3G & switch to it. Then it will lose signal, go back to GSM, and the whole thing repeats over and over.
Setting it to GSM will stop this from happening, and as a result you get a better signal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
Is band swithcin straight forward [esp if I want to do it lots - probably mainly for nights I am on call]?
Do I have to restart or softreset everytime or is it just a cae of switching back and forth from within setup?

wigwam12 said:
Thanks.
Is band swithcin straight forward [esp if I want to do it lots - probably mainly for nights I am on call]?
Do I have to restart or softreset everytime or is it just a cae of switching back and forth from within setup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to reset the device, quickest way to do it is:
Press network icon on top bar so the menu comes up
Press mobile network icon on right of list (will be either a 3G or G icon with a signal bar)
This brings up Wireless controls menu, press Phone (not the on off on the right, but the actual name)
Scroll right down to the bottom it says Band, press that.
Network Type, change it from Auto to GSM.

Or look for that cab to add band switching to the communications manager.

hollinshead said:
You don't need to reset the device, quickest way to do it is:
Press network icon on top bar so the menu comes up
Press mobile network icon on right of list (will be either a 3G or G icon with a signal bar)
This brings up Wireless controls menu, press Phone (not the on off on the right, but the actual name)
Scroll right down to the bottom it says Band, press that.
Network Type, change it from Auto to GSM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
kilrah said:
Or look for that cab to add band switching to the communications manager.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks guys.
Will try it out and see the effects.
No need for a cab if it as straightforward as hollinshead is describing

Another way to speed this up is to add a start-menu shortcut to a programme in your Windows folder called CMBandswitching.exe.

[Q] Disable 1x Data

I use a lot of data for content streaming. At work I have low signal (1 bar) and sometimes the networks changes to 1x Data. (Yes, I know the epic doesn’t indicate it, but I can tell by the reduced bandwidth and about 3 second drop of all data when the switch is made.
I’ve noticed that if someone calls while on 1x data, the calls go straight to voicemail, it does not ring at all.
Is there a way to set the phone to 3G data only? And if there is no 3G available, drop the data connection?
Short recap: I Want 3G Data only. If not available, no data connection at all. Wi-Fi is not an option at my office nor is 4G.
Thanks!

You're going to need your 6 digit MSL (master subsidy lock) code.
Go to phone, ##DEBUG# (##33284#), enter MSL, scroll down to Others, HDR/1X Selection, EVDO Only Mode, Ok.

LordLugard said:
You're going to need your 6 digit MSL (master subsidy lock) code.
Go to phone, ##DEBUG# (##33284#), enter MSL, scroll down to Others, HDR/1X Selection, EVDO Only Mode, Ok.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is this setting like the old school days 6700/6800, where as if you set/force your phone to "EVDO Only Mode", you will lose Text/Voice since those only work on 1x.

Can't really tell, never left my Epic on EVDO only mode (don't need/want to). The Mogul (6800) is one phone i really don't want to remember.
Doesn't hurt to be a guinea pig though in this particular case..

lol...yea those setting were nice if the phone would bonce back and forth 1x/EVDO and you needed EV to stick and did not care about phone calls or also if you were downloading a big file and did not want to be disconnected by a call 8)

[Q] CM7: How to turn off (voice) roaming?

I'm running CM7 7.1-RC1 (and earlier nightlies). In Settings, under Wireless & network settings, Mobile networks, Network Operators, I selected the one available where I currently am ("ROAMING"). I got the R above the cellular signal strength bars. Below the quick action icons when I swipe down Notifications is "ROAMING".
Now I want to turn off (voice) roaming but can't figure out how to do that. I don't want to pay roaming costs (any idea if T-Mobile will charge roaming costs? I want to be able to control it regardless.). Also, is there a way to turn off the cellular radio but leave GPS and WiFi on?
I'm not talking about data roaming, but in the Mobile network settings I have everything unchecked (Data enabled, International data roaming, National data roaming, Use only 2G networks).
In Notifications is a bang in a triangle "International data roaming" and "You have lost data connectitivity because..." (I can't read it all, tapping doesn't show anything making the notification a bit useless).
Under APNs I have the choice between Simple and T-Mobile US, the later is chosen.
When WiFi calling is active, the radio strength shows just gray bars (no x, no R). Of course that is only good if I'm at the hotel!
Airplane mode isn't a good option, but thanks for suggesting it.

excarnate said:
...any idea if T-Mobile will charge roaming costs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I finally got through to T-Mobile (40 minutes wait time? They must be preparing for the purchase by AT&T by lowering their standards). The rep (who was OK) had to put me on hold twice and check on things, but eventually he came back and let me know that if there is no T-Mobile service, then there are no roaming fees (note: inside the US for a US customer). So I just have to make sure that T-Mobile is preferred. I hope this helps someone!
All my other previous questions still stand, but add these: How, in CM7, do I make sure that my provider is preferred for voice? For data?
I find these areas a bit weak, which likely is very stock Android, so would I file a feature request against Google or Cyanogen or both? Or maybe someone has (please provide the # or URL!)?

Your phone will always default to the most powerful signal, whether that's with a stock MT4G or one with a custom ROM. T-mobile has no charge for roaming, data or voice, in the US. You're making making a mountain out of a mole hill.

kalel33 said:
Your phone will always default to the most powerful signal, whether that's with a stock MT4G or one with a custom ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Although you carefully didn't answer any of my remaining questions, by implication you are saying that I can not have control over the signal. Which doesn't match my experience where it would not choose roaming until selected the first time.
T-mobile has no charge for roaming, data or voice, in the US.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which is what I said in my second post.
You're making making a mountain out of a mole hill.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Typically that idiom means you are making a mountain out of mole hill knowing the facts, which I didn't til the time of my second post, so really it sounds to me like an unnwarranted slam.

excarnate said:
Although you carefully didn't answer any of my remaining questions, by implication you are saying that I can not have control over the signal. Which doesn't match my experience where it would not choose roaming until selected the first time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, I'll answer them. You asked how you can set to not roam on voice or data. Voice, there is no way to keep it from roaming. You can go in and do a manual network selection, but the next time it comes to a roaming tower that has a more powerful signal then it will jump to it. On the data, you can only tell the phone to not roam on other's towers but you cannot set it to where it always chooses a lower signal T-mobile tower over a stronger signal roaming tower. Which means that if you set it to not roam on data then if your phone connects up the stronger signal that happens to be a roaming partner then you won't get any data connection, even if there is a T-mobile tower available. The phone just chooses the strongest symbol.

Verizon users, lend me your ears!

I started out with USCC on this device. But last week I switched ourn lines over to big red. I noticed that big red forces you to use LTE, with no options under "cellular networks" to select CDMA. Here in Maine, LTE drains your battery 50% faster than CDMA, and data is wonky. It tends to be slower than CDMA, or at least feels slower because it is constantly switching between the 2 or hanging in limbo.
My phone was set to CDMA on USCC, and even after switching to Verizon, I'm still on CDMA. My question is, if I return to stock LP will it force me into LTE -with no choice of switching back to CDMA? So far, Marshmallow has been a huge disappointment on my phone.

HikingMoose said:
I started out with USCC on this device. But last week I switched ourn lines over to big red. I noticed that big red forces you to use LTE, with no options under "cellular networks" to select CDMA. Here in Maine, LTE drains your battery 50% faster than CDMA, and data is wonky. It tends to be slower than CDMA, or at least feels slower because it is constantly switching between the 2 or hanging in limbo.
My phone was set to CDMA on USCC, and even after switching to Verizon, I'm still on CDMA. My question is, if I return to stock LP will it force me into LTE -with no choice of switching back to CDMA? So far, Marshmallow has been a huge disappointment on my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just go into hidden menu via dialer and force your phone into CDMA or LTE or whatever you want. It's simple really and will give you what you want.

Well, is there a "new to Verizon" guide somewhere? Verizon didn't tell me about the secret codes. I don't even know how to do an advanced prl update.

I should have clarified that I've only ever been on USCC. I've never used Verizon. But I do vaguely remember reading about a hidden dialer code now that you mention it. I'll look into that.

HikingMoose said:
Well, is there a "new to Verizon" guide somewhere? Verizon didn't tell me about the secret codes. I don't even know how to do an advanced prl update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is android secret code not Verizon.
*#*#4636#*#*

Thanks. Never needed it because us cellular already offers that.

HikingMoose said:
Thanks. Never needed it because us cellular already offers that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not a that they don't offer that 99% of the time you are better off on LTE so its good that phones prefer LTE. Most likely your other phone simply had that option not hidden unlike on Moto. So that wasn't a ussc feature
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

Agree to disagree. The data speeds are about the same here, but with the constant handoffs, LTE actually becomes slower and pages won't load because it's switching to 3G and back to LTE over, and over, and over. Plus the added battery drain off having 15-20dBm weaker signal, it's a no brainer. But maybe that's just in our less developed state.
The Samsung phone that I bought for my wife has no CDMA provisions, so it's not a Moto thing, it's a Verizon thing.

You can also download the thunder bolt lte on/off app and you have choices like CDMA auto prl. I use it to force CDMA only on my range extender at home.

Use shortcut creator to link to the hidden menu and your all set

HikingMoose said:
Agree to disagree. The data speeds are about the same here, but with the constant handoffs, LTE actually becomes slower and pages won't load because it's switching to 3G and back to LTE over, and over, and over. Plus the added battery drain off having 15-20dBm weaker signal, it's a no brainer. But maybe that's just in our less developed state.
The Samsung phone that I bought for my wife has no CDMA provisions, so it's not a Moto thing, it's a Verizon thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This device doesn't run Verizon branded firmware at all. It's how Motorola provisioned the device to work. Like patt2k said you can change that via the hidden menu and you should be good to go, it won't look for LTE after that.

Oaklands said:
You can also download the thunder bolt lte on/off app and you have choices like CDMA auto prl. I use it to force CDMA only on my range extender at home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There seem to be many LTE on/off utilities in the App store. How did you pick this one?
I also have a Verizon Network Extender at home. I have trouble getting connected to it. I often have to reboot or turn the radio on/off to get my phone to connect to the Extender. I would appreciate any advice on how to get my phone to connect to the Extender more reliably.
It would also be nice if the phone would show via an Icon or screen that it is connected to the Extender. Right now the only way to know is to dial #48
EDIT: When I go into the Hidden Menu and select CDMA only, the phone temporary drops the LTE signal. However, LTE seems to quickly come back. Any suggestions on how to turn off LTE when I am home so that I force a connection to the Network Extender?

I can't get the hidden menu to switch from CDMA to LTE. It will switch temporarily, then drop the radio altogether forcing me to restart. Upon restart it's in CDMA only again. Personally, I'm fine without LTE. But I'm not sure why I can't get it enabled at all. I'd like to know I COULD have LTE if I wanted it. So I'm confused why it's stuck in CDMA

swieder711 said:
There seem to be many LTE on/off utilities in the App store. How did you pick this one?
I also have a Verizon Network Extender at home. I have trouble getting connected to it. I often have to reboot or turn the radio on/off to get my phone to connect to the Extender. I would appreciate any advice on how to get my phone to connect to the Extender more reliably.
It would also be nice if the phone would show via an Icon or screen that it is connected to the Extender. Right now the only way to know is to dial #48
EDIT: When I go into the Hidden Menu and select CDMA only, the phone temporary drops the LTE signal. However, LTE seems to quickly come back. Any suggestions on how to turn off LTE when I am home so that I force a connection to the Network Extender?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It worked with other Motorola devices in the past. CDMA only will fix your network extender issues.
You will have to set it back when you leave the house. Also it will go back to the default settings if you reboot. Works great for me.