Database Users

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

The 'G' as 3G icon has started to flash on over the last few days in the 604/778!!!

Could it be that Rogers is finally rolling out the 3G network in the 604/778
area? I heard the GTA would be first... well no surprise there,
but I figure these blips of the 'G' icon maybe hardware setup and testing
during the wee hours as to avoid making people go "OH GEE, IT'S FINALLY
A G'Thang".
Anyone else see that 'G' pop up after 2AM starting this week?
AE!

I presume that you mean "3G" or "U" or "H", not "G" (which means "GPRS"). Yes, Ottawa is now live as well (finally). Although, I am not too impressed with the signal strength. My office is about 500 metres from a cell site and I get four solid bars with GSM, only one or two with UMTS. I drove all over the west part of Ottawa quite a bit yesterday and never saw it go above two bars. Is this what we have to look forward to with UMTS, or is it just that not all of the cell towers are lit up yet?
John

AquiEsta! said:
Could it be that Rogers is finally rolling out the 3G network in the 604/778
area? I heard the GTA would be first... well no surprise there,
but I figure these blips of the 'G' icon maybe hardware setup and testing
during the wee hours as to avoid making people go "OH GEE, IT'S FINALLY
A G'Thang".
Anyone else see that 'G' pop up after 2AM starting this week?
AE!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Woohoo!! Where in the 604 are you?

johnburn said:
I presume that you mean "3G" or "U" or "H", not "G" (which means "GPRS"). Yes, Ottawa is now live as well (finally). Although, I am not too impressed with the signal strength. My office is about 500 metres from a cell site and I get four solid bars with GSM, only one or two with UMTS. I drove all over the west part of Ottawa quite a bit yesterday and never saw it go above two bars. Is this what we have to look forward to with UMTS, or is it just that not all of the cell towers are lit up yet?
John
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes G as in 3G. My handset's OS ROM displays "G" instead of "U" for 3G.
Here in Vancouver they don't have it set up and working yet but I did see
the "G" blip on and off after 2AM this week. I confirmed with Rogers that
they are planning a 3G roll out in June '07 so this just maybe it but I'm not
holding my breath.
AE!

j0dan said:
Woohoo!! Where in the 604 are you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When the G showed up I was in Coquitlam and in Vancouver.
AE!

AquiEsta! said:
When the G showed up I was in Coquitlam and in Vancouver.
AE!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the "G" means GPRS, NOT 3G...I get the G all the time

tallshorty said:
I think the "G" means GPRS, NOT 3G...I get the G all the time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know on my handset the "G" is for 3G as in UMTS and the "E" is for
the Edge. I have always seen the E showing on my handset but this week
the G has popped up for a few seconds here and there after 2AM. When I'm
in Japan all I see is the G icon and there's no GSM or GPRS on SoftBank.
AE!

G is GPRS... Why would it be any different on your handset? Maybe you're roaming out of your edge coverage and hitting GPRS only territory.
Get happy when you see 3G/U/H.

airjer said:
G is GPRS... Why would it be any different on your handset? Maybe you're roaming out of your edge coverage and hitting GPRS only territory.
Get happy when you see 3G/U/H.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could be the OS ROM that I'm using isn't "stock".
AE!

no G = GPRS no question sorry! 3G = UTMS H = HSDPA this is a well known fact check your carriors information just to check. What rom are you running? If its a newer WM6 it like duttys rom you have in your sig it will show 3G or H for UTMS and HSDPA
Also the radio version has something to do with what icon is shown for what but all the newer ones should show 3G or U or H
G = GPRS
E = EDGE
3G/U = UTMS
H = HSDPA
Seems to me that you dropped to GPRS for a few minutes not to 3G

austinsnyc said:
no G = GPRS no question sorry! 3G = UTMS H = HSDPA this is a well known fact check your carriors information just to check. What rom are you running? If its a newer WM6 it like duttys rom you have in your sig it will show 3G or H for UTMS and HSDPA
Also the radio version has something to do with what icon is shown for what but all the newer ones should show 3G or U or H
G = GPRS
E = EDGE
3G/U = UTMS
H = HSDPA
Seems to me that you dropped to GPRS for a few minutes not to 3G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats right, this is the behaviour I've seen as well.
G = GPRS (2.5G, about 50-60kbit/sec)
E = EDGE ("2.75G", about 100-200kbit/sec)
3G or U = UTMS (3G, about 300-400kbit/sec)
H = HSDPA ("3.5G", about 1+mbit/sec)
If you really want to confirm if its 3G or not, switch your phone to WCDMA-only mode in the phone settings. If you don't get a signal, it means no 3G. Or conversely, switch your phone to GSM-only mode (this limits the phone to GPRS/EDGE), and if you are still getting the "G", it means that it is GPRS and NOT 3G.

austinsnyc said:
no G = GPRS no question sorry! 3G = UTMS H = HSDPA this is a well known fact check your carriors information just to check. What rom are you running? If its a newer WM6 it like duttys rom you have in your sig it will show 3G or H for UTMS and HSDPA
Also the radio version has something to do with what icon is shown for what but all the newer ones should show 3G or U or H
G = GPRS
E = EDGE
3G/U = UTMS
H = HSDPA
Seems to me that you dropped to GPRS for a few minutes not to 3G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, that's is weird because I swear (sometimes quite rudely ) that the
last time I was in Japan for a week my X01HT was showing the G icon all the
time. At first I didn't think anything of it because I had a dog's breakfast of
a setup on my handset and this and that was either sort of working or not
at all. So now I guess I will check the icons out more closely when I return
to Japan.
AE!

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.

HSDPA or 3G speed?... I go crazy!

I have a question regarding the HSDPA on the TMOUS HD2. I used a Diamond back in Germany and when I was in an area with HSDPA reception it was indicated by a "H" in the taskbar. Now I am using the HD2 in Baltimore. From what I`ve read there should be HSDPA available arround here (especially since I am in Downtown B`more) however I only get the 3G symbol in the taskbar. I have also been in DC over the weekend and it was the same only 3G. But I am quite sure they have the HSDPA network available there. Does that mean my HD2 doesn`t get the faster HSDPA speeds at all?
I did a speed test using mobilespeedtest.com and IE.8 teethered WiFi connection on a Windows 7 system. My results in Downtown Baltimore are: "Your speed: 1428.571 Kbps Your latency: 0.561 seconds Transferred 100 KB in 0.56 seconds". With a 4 bars 3G symbol instead of a H in the taskbar. Aren't this speeds you would expect on a HSDPA network? I am running the original stock ROM on my HD2 by the way.

I am pretty sure most carriers use 3G with hspda enhancements, aka 3.5g, which would allow the speed above 3G's cap (364 kbps). As far as why your phone states H instead of 3G, it is dependent on the phone and icon set your phone uses. Some roms will show 3G and others will show H.

where do you find the HSPDA settings? I know they were somewhere but I can't find them!

I think the 3G/HSDPA is weird on the HD2. I can sit in one place and watch it change from Edge to HSDPA without moving the phone (and sometimes a random 3g will show up).
It definitely sounds like you have HSDPA since those are some nice speeds. Mine says 'H' and I get around 780kbps, so you're double that. As long as you have a fast data transfer (and you do) I wouldn't worry =)

Svegetto said:
I think the 3G/HSDPA is weird on the HD2. I can sit in one place and watch it change from Edge to HSDPA without moving the phone (and sometimes a random 3g will show up).
It definitely sounds like you have HSDPA since those are some nice speeds. Mine says 'H' and I get around 780kbps, so you're double that. As long as you have a fast data transfer (and you do) I wouldn't worry =)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was in Las Vegas Convention recently, and witnessed the power of HSPA+.
HOLY CRAP. Why can't we have that speed ALL over the world?

I was always under the impression 3G was better than H. Perhaps it's a good thing then that mine's usually H then! Where does E fit into the speed scale?

E = Edge. the slowest.

actually GPRS is even slower than EDGE
if i remember EDGE = 500kbps
GPRS = 360kbps

GRPS = 2G
EDGE = 2.5G (sorta)
3G = 3G
H (HSDPA) = 3.5G

Hero stuck on hspda?

Hi, ive just rooted my hero and installed the elelinux 6.2.0-hero-speedmachine 4.
Everythings working good but its stuck in hspda mode, the top right icon used to switch to 3g before now its stuck at H and ive tried downloading something and its amazingly slow.
So defo stuck in hspda mode, im on 3 in england. The networks fine as my wifes fone is on 3g perfectly.
Is it the rom or am I doing something wrong?

mine permanently stuck on H too, its their high speed network mate

hello, whats faster 3g or H?
ive got villianrom 13 now and its still stuck on H.
my wifes fone goes to 3g and h and the phones are next to each other.
whats going on?

ah786 said:
hello, whats faster 3g or H?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's the order of speed that the Hero supports.
GPRS - Shows as a "G" on your phone. Max theoretical speed is 48 Kbit/s
EDGE - Shows as an "E" on your phone. Max theoretical speed is 473.6 Kbit/s
UMTS - Shows as "3G" on your phone. Max theoretical speed is 2 Mbit/s
HSDPA - Shows as "H" on your phone. Max theoretical speed is 14 Mbit/s
---
So right now if you're stuck on H, you're at the fastest available speed.
On a personal rant, if you were stuck on the "3G" (UMTS) connection, and were an orange customer. You wouldn't get any data transfer, never mind a slow speed. For some reason Orange doesn't seem to support UMTS, in fact when I rang them up to query this (over a year ago) they denies that UMTS could be used for data transfer.. Shows how much their tech support department knows.

ahh you learn new stuff everyday, now if only the youtube app worked properly.

ah786 said:
ahh you learn new stuff everyday, now if only the youtube app worked properly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What ROM do you use and get the youtube problem? btw do a factory reset and see if you still have the problem...
Stefan