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.

HSPDA Confusion!

Hi everyone,
It's my first post here - most likely not to be my last. Oh, and i know i spelt HSDPA wrong in the title!
I very very recently (yesterday in fact) managed to get hold of my T-Mobile Hermes (one of the .37 batch) and am having no problems whatsoever with the phone, the only problem i am having is getting any web download speeds faster than around 40kbps?
I phoned T-Mobile yesterday and after being on hold twice and explaining myself many times i think i got HSDPA enabled as the lady (who was very nice) said she promises it has been enabled for me. I tried half hour later and sure enough, i used www.dslreports.com/mspeed and could now download at around 800kbps - perfect! Unfortunately i tried again this morning and it says 40kbps again
Is there any way to tell whether HSDPA has been enabled on my phone before i call T-Mobile again? Does HSDPA just run over 3G? I haven't got a brilliant signal where i am - usually 1 or 2 bars, could this be what is affecting my download speed? I need some help!

Just realised i have spelt HSDPA wrong in the thread title - never mind! Can anyone help?

Have you read this dude?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=276154&page=5
Theres a couple of files you can check you have i believe, also the Fit4cat program is worth downloading.

40kbps is GPRS data speed. Even without HSDPA you should get 300kbps on UMTS.
Your phone will show a U or a G depending on which network you are on.

It shows a "G" all the time in a little white block next to the signal bar, and sometimes the signal bar shows an antenna and sometimes a "G" also - does that mean when im on the "G" ill be on HSDPA and when im on the antenna (if i cant get 3G) ill be on GPRS 40kbps?
If so that makes a lot of sense as the signal is not brilliant round here, i went shopping in a much bigger town this afternoon and tested again -> full signal and downloading at around 1200kbps! Obviously it is enabled, think its just down to my signal....
Does that sound about right?

RTFM, the G is for GSM ie data will be GPRS.
You will either have a 3G or U depending on what ROM you're running for 3G/UMTS/HSDPA .

I'll be honest i only got half way through the quick start guide before i started playing with it. So, if my phone is always on "G" i'll assume i need to try and unlock it using the fit4cat thing? As T-Mobile have said they have enabled HSDPA on my account?
How did i get 1200kbps on GPRS by the way? It definately said "G" when i was connected and did the speed test...?!

I just ran the fit4cat Hermes tweaker and still no luck, it only connects to "G" rather than "3G", 3G is apparently available in this area so why does it only connect to G? Im confused and would really appreciate some advice...

Well if you probably didn't notice the U (or whatever) when you got 1mbps once it. This means that HSDPA is enabled on your phone and SIM.
The fit4cat tweaker only (dis)enables HSDPA but that isn't an issue because even without HSDPA you would be getting UMTS speeds.
One thing you could try is. Go to Start->Settings->Phone->Band set GSM/UTMS to GSM900+1800 + UMTS2100
You could also try a manual search for networks from Start->Settings->Phone->Networks->Find Network
Finally you can also disable GSM totaly using network type in the band selection and see if you get a steady 3G signal.

Thanks for your suggestions, here are my findings:
kevino said:
Well if you probably didn't notice the U (or whatever) when you got 1mbps once it. This means that HSDPA is enabled on your phone and SIM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point, i have a long drive home tonight so will check when going through built up areas to see if it connects to 3G or U then.
kevino said:
One thing you could try is. Go to Start->Settings->Phone->Band set GSM/UTMS to GSM900+1800 + UMTS2100
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried this, and phone disconnected then reconnected but still said "G" when connecting to Internet. Set back to "Auto".
kevino said:
You could also try a manual search for networks from Start->Settings->Phone->Networks->Find Network
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did this also, it pops up with the message "Registering on the network" and disappears and thats it, nothing happens.
kevino said:
Finally you can also disable GSM totaly using network type in the band selection and see if you get a steady 3G signal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I cannot find an option to disable GSM in the Band tab, i have the following:
Select your network type.
__Auto
__GSM
Select your GSM/UMTS band.
__GSM(900+1800)+UMTS(2100)
__GSM(1900+850)+UMTS(1900+850)
and thats about it. Cannot find anything that would let me not use GSM whatsoever? I appreciate your help so far

It may be the case that your reception for 3G just isnt adequate enough to work where you live, O2 states there is reception in the area where i live but i only tend to get UMTS upstairs....just one of those things....here at uni i get FULL UMTS reception anywhere.

richieboy said:
I cannot find an option to disable GSM in the Band tab, i have the following:
Select your network type.
__Auto
__GSM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the dopod ROM it has a WCDMA option too. No big deal !
Seting the band was just so that the phone doesn't bother looking for bands that are not available in this country. To try and encourage it to check the correct UMTS band more quickly.
My suggestion to use find network (you need to select manual search) in Networks wasn't too helpful anyway as it doesn't list the band. So no use unless you can disable GSM.
Of course you may have got a spurious speed test result. How old is your SIM? It needs to be a USIM

Yes firstly is your SIM card a USIM....or is it a SIM card from an old handset?? I think youve already said you have had the 'U' appear on your TyTN at some point.....so again im going with the assumption you just dont have adequate UMTS reception for it to work....hence why you are only seeing 'G'.

So, funny story...
It seems where i was over the weekend (girlfriends) is borderline, so as mentioned aboved i can get 3G upstairs but not downstairs - i decided to drive around and got 3G all over the place...the best news is i get 2/3 bars of 3G at home too!
Problem solved, im an idiot - but hey, it doesn't hurt to ask right?
680kbps! Woo

richieboy said:
So, funny story...
It seems where i was over the weekend (girlfriends) is borderline, so as mentioned aboved i can get 3G upstairs but not downstairs - i decided to drive around and got 3G all over the place...the best news is i get 2/3 bars of 3G at home too!
Problem solved, im an idiot - but hey, it doesn't hurt to ask right?
680kbps! Woo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
girlfrends! Woo

Phone Setttings Network

I am looking for a way to update the "Phone Settings Network" dialog on my new Advantage 7501 to include the features I have on my HP ipAQ 6945. On my iPAQ have options to do a Manual Network Selection where it will find all the available networks in range, not just the AT&T ones. Why is this important to me? Well I live in an area where the nearest Cingular/AT&T tower is over 15 miles away, however I am in what they call a "Partner" coverage area where I can connect to a Cellular One tower that is about 4 miles away. This way I can get 4 bars signal inside my home where if I can try to connect to the AT&T net using typical cell phones, I get 2 bars to none. Since both these devices are made by HTC there must be a way I can move the needed code off my iPAQ to the Advantage. The iPAQ with this manual net selection is the only phone I can use at home. I was hoping the Advantage would include a similar capability.
Can anyone point me the right direction?

daveheine said:
I am looking for a way to update the "Phone Settings Network" dialog on my new Advantage 7501 to include the features I have on my HP ipAQ 6945. On my iPAQ have options to do a Manual Network Selection where it will find all the available networks in range, not just the AT&T ones. Why is this important to me? Well I live in an area where the nearest Cingular/AT&T tower is over 15 miles away, however I am in what they call a "Partner" coverage area where I can connect to a Cellular One tower that is about 4 miles away. This way I can get 4 bars signal inside my home where if I can try to connect to the AT&T net using typical cell phones, I get 2 bars to none. Since both these devices are made by HTC there must be a way I can move the needed code off my iPAQ to the Advantage. The iPAQ with this manual net selection is the only phone I can use at home. I was hoping the Advantage would include a similar capability.
Can anyone point me the right direction?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to Start/setting/personal/phone, and go to the network tab. There you can manually select your preferred service provider.
Is this what you are looking for?

No, the display shows Current Network: AT&T and only a "Find Network" box. There is no option to look for anything else but AT&T. Maybe this is limitation arising from the AT&T SIM card I am using.
My iPAQ screen gives me a Network Selection box with "Automatic" and "Manual" options. If I select "Manual" and "Find Network" I get a list of all available cell towers within range, and then can pick one. Where I am I see "Cingular" and "Cell One DCS". I pick the Cellular One tower as it is a partner site and there are no roaming charges even thought the little roaming symbol ( a pyramid) shows up at the top.
I'll try switching SIM cards and see if that makes a difference. Well changing SIM cards made no difference except that it lists "Cingular" instead of "AT&T"

The Network Selection box with auto and manual options is there on my 7501 too. I didn't think that would be affected by your sim card.
Hey, just a thought -- did you switch to true VGA, and is the box just not showing up because of that?

I tried a Hard Reset and still do not get a network selection option. It may be due one of the CAB files that is run during the device setup that changes the US version. I'll try calling HTC Support.

Called HTC and was told that the AT&T SIM locks out the option to do a Network Selection. He tried a T-Mobile SIM in his Advantage and it came up with the Network Selection option. He "hinited" that I would have to do a CID unlock perhaps to get around AT&T's SIM restrictions, but couldn't tell me to do it would as it void the warranty.
I tried the HTC Network Wizard (Google for it) and it only allows you to set up your phone for a couple of possible providers.
We both agreed that I probably have files on my iPAQ 6945 that if I could identify them and transfer them to my Advantage I might get around this restriction.
He said he would contact AT&T and see if they have any way to get around this. What happens if you travel outside the US and try to use the phone on another network (huge roaming charges!!!) in an emergency?
I don't quite have the courage to try the CID unlocker on my brand new Advantage yet. Has anyone done this?

daveheine said:
Called HTC and was told that the AT&T SIM locks out the option to do a Network Selection. He tried a T-Mobile SIM in his Advantage and it came up with the Network Selection option. warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ATT sims do LOCK that option. All other att phones like 8525, 8125, blackjack, etc are missing that option too.
daveheine said:
He "hinited" that I would have to do a CID unlock perhaps to get around AT&T's SIM restrictions, but couldn't tell me to do it would as it void the warrabty
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was under the impression that CiD unlock would fix that too but that's not true.
It's just that Some (Unofficial) Roms ignore that but most of official roms like yours dont.
daveheine said:
I tried the HTC Network Wizard (Google for it) and it only allows you to set up your phone for a couple of possible providers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Network wizard will not affect that option.
daveheine said:
We both agreed that I probably have files on my iPAQ 6945 that if I could identify them and transfer them to my Advantage I might get around this restriction.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dont know what u mean.
daveheine said:
He said he would contact AT&T and see if they have any way to get around this. What happens if you travel outside the US and try to use the phone on another network (huge roaming charges!!!) in an emergency?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Att doesn't have this restriction on all the networks. This restriction is based on the country codes. Att has restriction on US, canada, and mexico.
So if you are not in those countries you will have that option available to you.
daveheine said:
I don't quite have the courage to try the CID unlocker on my brand new Advantage yet. Has anyone done this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont because it wont help.
To be quite honest with you I dont know how you could do it on your previous phone because Att blocks that option on the network side. Even if you did change your network succesfuly on the phone, it'd still be rejected by the network.
The only thing that I can think of is that your Ipaq couldn't find a good ATT signal and connected to a patner's tower instead.
And your Advantage either gets a better gsm signal or gets a decent umts signal and connects to cingular 3g.
Try forcing the phone to operate only on the gsm network from under the band tab see if that makes a difference.
and also what is your zip code?
You can enable "Find Network" by changing the following registry key.
HKLM\Security\Phone\ManualDisable=0
That will display the network selection option and you wont void your warranty or anything like that.
It just goes away after a soft reset.
Check this thread here for more info on that.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=284201&highlight=manual+network+selection

Thanks for your response. The registry edit did indeed turn on the Network Selection. Going to Manual selection it finds "Cell One DCS" just like my iPAQ does, but when I select it I get the message "Cannot register on selected network. Choose another network, or disconnect your data connection and try again."
I have been connecting for over a year with my iPAQ to "Cell One DCS" with NO roaming charges. I guess AT&T doesn't want me to use the partner network. My ZIP is 76692 and I am located near the bridge over Lake Whitney.
There is obvious a difference in the software on the iPAQ and Advantage that is causing this to happen. I just checked the latest AT&T coverage maps and see they don't show a Partner coverage anymore.
I have installed an outside yagi antenna and signal repeater at my home so I do get a signal sometimes, but not a reliable signal.
We travel a lot so I still find AT&T coverage to be good in most places, and my iPAQ still works here now.

That's strange.
I got an ipaq 6915 from cingular and with cingular sims it pretty much does the same thing and disables network selection.
Do you have a custom rom on your 6945?
When you boot it up do you get the cingular logo?
Plus at your zip code it seems like you are far away from any cingular towers.
The only thing that I can think of is that your ipaq just doesn't find a good cingular signal, and connects to a different network.
When you do a network search on your ipaq does it actually detect Cingular as an available network? When you connect to cingular from your ipaq how many bars do you get?

I've always thought there nothing special about my 6945, but I guess there is! When I do a Network Selection on it I see both the Cingular tower AND the Cellular One tower signals. I have tried this in other locations and see several different networks (e.g., T-Mobile, and five digit numbers).
I've tried both my old Cingular SIM and a new AT&T SIM, and they both work the same in my iPaq 6945. Interesting!!! But neither will allow me to select the Cellular One tower on my new Advantage.
You are probably right about country codes for on recent cruise with stops in Grand Cayman and Cozumel the Advantage would show networks other than Cingular.
I am sorry I didn't reply earlier, but I was visiting family in Virginia this weekend. It was neat to see an "H" connection appear while sitting in DFW. Only get "E" connections out in the sticks where I live.
Dave

Oh, I should have mentioned that the 6945 is an unlocked phone from HP and is not customized for Cingular. As far as signal strength I have a cell repeater installed in my home so I get anywhere from no bars to 4 bars on that Cingular tower that is at least 15 miles away. My Cellular One is consistently 4 bars. I live in a steel framed home with a metal roof. Before I got the repeater I was using a booster amp and plugging an external antenna into my iPAQ and RAZR V3 to get a usable signal. This kept me tethered in my computer room (ugh!). When I got the 6945 and found I could manually select the Cellular One tower I then had a phone I could use throughout my home.
Several years ago I started with a simple Nokia phone before Cingular had a tower in the area, and always connected "Cingular Extend" which I now know was the near by Cellular One tower. As soon as Cingular put up their tower I have been unable to connect with the Nokia, Razr V3, and new Motorola V577.
Some of my neighbors have terminated their Cingular service because of this lack of connected to the so call "Partner" coverage.

Conecting to 3G

hello,
after searching on "3G" in the forum, i seems that the problems are just the opposite to my question, they all want 3G to be turned off.
Now I want to connect to 3G (with the "G" icon on the staus bar).
My problem is that it always connect on "edge", with the "E" icon in status bar and when I want to make a video call, it always says that there is no connection to 3G so I can't make videocall.
Anyone knwos how to activate 3G?
I looked into the connections, but I don't want to mess in it without knowing what I do.
BTW I'm in Europe (Belgium).
Thanks

You fell into the same trap I did when I first got a Windows Mobile phone.
G means GPRS and is the lowest, simplest connection speed.
G = GPRS. "Normal" internet speed (9.6-14.4kbps)
E - Edge. "Enhanced" internet speed (normally 48kbps, but can be higher)
3G = 3G internet speed (128-384kbps). Also allows video calls.
H = HSDPA. "Mobile broadband" speed. (1.8Mbps, 3.6Mbps or 7.2Mbps depending on operator).
You'll want to go to:
Start > Settings > Connections > Advanced Network
Make sure that HSDPA/HSUPA is enabled
From then on, it depends on the signal in your area. If you find that you're having a problem getting and maintaining a 3G or H signal, you might need to get an updated SIM from your operator. I got a new SIM from O2-UK and it solved my connection problems immediately.

I see that HSDPA/HSUPA is enabled.
Could it have something to do with the settings in connections (instead of advanced network settings)?
I will also check with my provider (sim card)
Thanks for the reply

i cannot connect to the internet not using wifi. i do however h an H symbol next to my signal. i dont get why i have the hsdpa but cannot connect. i've tried anything i can think of.
*i can't turn data connection on in my comm manager, it automatically disconnects and says wap.cingular not working or gprs not working somthing like that.
*in the connection settings i pick media net wich is automatically picks att but still won't
*in settings/personal/phone i left if auto defualts for bands
*settings/connections/advance network i even tried to put it to hsda ONLY won't work
the only new lead im getting is this Zenith post saying he got new sim card so now it's working. that's all im getting at now. but im even skeptical about that

If you are not getting the 3G or H icon then you either have no coverage or an incompatible SIM.
If you can't connect to the internet you either have incorrect settings on your phone, or your network aren't allowing you on their APN.
Suggest in all cases phoning your network to get clarification.

artesea said:
If you are not getting the 3G or H icon then you either have no coverage or an incompatible SIM.
If you can't connect to the internet you either have incorrect settings on your phone, or your network aren't allowing you on their APN.
Suggest in all cases phoning your network to get clarification.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you wouldn't believe how i found out i had no internet. they say'd it was in the system but it was disabled in thier system. i put in my brothers sims and his work just fine. so i told them to look at whatever his plan is and they switch to what he had. anyways long story short i found out not my settings bc you just auto configure it connectin wizards, and wasn't sims card, it was stupid att. i was getting the H icon but not an H on my signal. anyways its all done now. thanks again guys

internet problem?

hi, i have not had a smart phone before and am not to sure on how the bands work but think i have a problem.
my phone is from Virgin mobile and running 1.48 stock rom, manila and radio 2.05.
few questions i'd like to ask before you read what i think my problem is.
1. is the internet supposed to run off 3g when not on wifi?
2. is 3g faster than "H"?
my problem: 3g is active, data connection is off. i open opera (or anything else) and 3g trys to connect, 3g sign disappears and "H" appears. data connection is on and using "Virgin GPRS".
i called virgin mobile tech support and they said it is meant to go through gprs.. lie?
i called htc and they said they don't think it is a problem with my phone...
i have done a hard reset.
i think it is either the 3g doesn't work, or there is something really wrong with the settings, or virgin mobile makes it like this?
please help as i may want to return it if this causes a big problem for me.

Sunil_237 said:
hi, i have not had a smart phone before and am not to sure on how the bands work but think i have a problem.
my phone is from Virgin mobile and running 1.48 stock rom, manila and radio 2.05.
few questions i'd like to ask before you read what i think my problem is.
1. is the internet supposed to run off 3g when not on wifi?
2. is 3g faster than "H"?
my problem: 3g is active, data connection is off. i open opera (or anything else) and 3g trys to connect, 3g sign disappears and "H" appears. data connection is on and using "Virgin GPRS".
i called virgin mobile tech support and they said it is meant to go through gprs.. lie?
i called htc and they said they don't think it is a problem with my phone...
i have done a hard reset.
i think it is either the 3g doesn't work, or there is something really wrong with the settings, or virgin mobile makes it like this?
please help as i may want to return it if this causes a big problem for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's nothing wrong with the phone mate.
You've got GPRS (2G) and 3G which includes HSPDPA (and HSUPA). HSDPA is the fastest of those types, 3G slower, and GPRS the slowest. Your phone will try and use the best connection available, and that just depends on the coverage in your area (and how good the phone's reception is). If you're getting a strong and steady signal, I really wouldn't worry about it.
Basically, HSDPA is a faster version of 3G.

but my sisters 3g (on o2 iphone) is faster (by a lot... and then some) than mine.
ran the same video on youtube (wifi disabled) and she got done in a matter of seconds while i was buffering mid stream
with the coverage checker i ran before i got the phone it said my area was "very good" and i get 3 bars usually.
o it is connecting through gprs not HSPDPA, in the connections screen it shows "Virgin GPRS"

Sunil_237 said:
but my sisters 3g (on o2 iphone) is faster (by a lot... and then some) than mine.
ran the same video on youtube (wifi disabled) and she got done in a matter of seconds while i was buffering mid stream
with the coverage checker i ran before i got the phone it said my area was "very good" and i get 3 bars usually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All I can say is that she must have a better signal with O2 than you have with Virgin.

Sunil_237 said:
hi, i have not had a smart phone before and am not to sure on how the bands work but think i have a problem.
my phone is from Virgin mobile and running 1.48 stock rom, manila and radio 2.05.
few questions i'd like to ask before you read what i think my problem is.
1. is the internet supposed to run off 3g when not on wifi?
2. is 3g faster than "H"?
my problem: 3g is active, data connection is off. i open opera (or anything else) and 3g trys to connect, 3g sign disappears and "H" appears. data connection is on and using "Virgin GPRS".
i called virgin mobile tech support and they said it is meant to go through gprs.. lie?
i called htc and they said they don't think it is a problem with my phone...
i have done a hard reset.
i think it is either the 3g doesn't work, or there is something really wrong with the settings, or virgin mobile makes it like this?
please help as i may want to return it if this causes a big problem for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Yes
2) No. H is a faster type of 3G.
My only worries with Virgin and 3G are wether they cap the actual download bandwidth available to handsets at 384kbps (despite the phone connecting with HSDPA - I had this problem with T-Mobile), wether they cap the upload speed at 44kbps and wether they block the Skype ports.
The connection name, Virgin GPRS, is just the name they gave to their data connection when they setup your phone. It could actually say anything you want if you change the settings in the phone.

Sunil_237 said:
but my sisters 3g (on o2 iphone) is faster (by a lot... and then some) than mine.
ran the same video on youtube (wifi disabled) and she got done in a matter of seconds while i was buffering mid stream
with the coverage checker i ran before i got the phone it said my area was "very good" and i get 3 bars usually.
o it is connecting through gprs not HSPDPA, in the connections screen it shows "Virgin GPRS"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's possible that she has a better signal than you but I find that 3G coverage on O2, especially HSDPA coverage is generally significantly worse than coverage on T-Mobile (Virgin use their network).
However it could also be that the bandwidth is capped at a pretty low level on Virgin (3G rather than HSDPA despite the symbol), which I mentioned in my previous post.

o ok. ok ok. ok lol satisfied with some logical and knowledgable answers.
i believe they will have capped the data rate then (i haven't had signal problems for 7 years now on 4 different providers and the coverage map showed a very good signal for 3g here), if you can provide me with an app which would test.. o maybe speedtest.net may work i'll try them now and let you know.