Database Users

3G on HTC TOUCH HD In NYC

Not trying to start any problems with my first posting but, The 3G icon on my touch hd has change a few times during since I purchased it, Does anyone know if this has been caused by any changes with EDGE.

What do you mean by has changed a few times? You never got 3G in New York did you?

The 850mhz bandwidth was converted from 2G to 3G. http://wmpoweruser.com/?p=2195
"AT&T is apparently changing the 2G and EDGE band, from its current 850Mhz to the weaker 1900Mhz. What that means, is that devices without 3G capabilities, like the original iPhone, will have to cope with the reduced coverage that the new 1900Mhz band has. In the other hand, devices supporting 3G networks like the AT&T Fuze, Tilt, Epix etc, will only benefit from this upgrade, as the 850Mhz band provides much better coverage, especially indoors."
Are you really getting a 3G signal in NYC? If that's the case I'm buying one

My Edge (E)icon has turned to G on about 20 occasions since purchase two week ago.Its not a steady G but will last about two minutes and then goes back to E

Interesting that you posted this. I am using my THD in NYC and NJ areas with T-Mobile USA. I have also noticed that the "E" icon on my THD had changed to "G" at some areas in NYC. But I have not noticed any difference in the data speed.
I just thought that my phone is able to acknowledge the T-Mobile 3G signal, but does not have to facility to access it. I do not know the technicalities behind it.

Isn't the "G" icon for a slower connection than EDGE? i.e. GPRS

yes!!!! now we have firm confirmation that touch hd is capable of 1G and 2G (EDGE)

buggybug0 said:
yes!!!! now we have firm confirmation that touch hd is capable of 1G and 2G (EDGE)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is fricken HILARIOUS...!!!

bugsykoosh said:
The 850mhz bandwidth was converted from 2G to 3G. http://wmpoweruser.com/?p=2195
"AT&T is apparently changing the 2G and EDGE band, from its current 850Mhz to the weaker 1900Mhz. What that means, is that devices without 3G capabilities, like the original iPhone, will have to cope with the reduced coverage that the new 1900Mhz band has. In the other hand, devices supporting 3G networks like the AT&T Fuze, Tilt, Epix etc, will only benefit from this upgrade, as the 850Mhz band provides much better coverage, especially indoors."
Are you really getting a 3G signal in NYC? If that's the case I'm buying one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What this means is that us in the usa better hope that we can enable 3G on the HD soon.

ya. even if tmobile does require both bands, one for down and one for up, it'd be nice if only 1 workded (down) and we were able to at least be able to DL quickly or something. any speed boost is better than none

Just to throw it out there:
Don't know if it is 3G but my "E" changed to "G" on few occasions, for few minutes here in LA, CA (T-mobile). I didn't sample the connection speed, however; thus, wasn't able to tell any difference with the download speed. Edge is good enough for my usage, tbh.
--cheers

aabye said:
Just to throw it out there:
Don't know if it is 3G but my "E" changed to "G" on few occasions, for few minutes here in LA, CA (T-mobile). I didn't sample the connection speed, however; thus, wasn't able to tell any difference with the download speed. Edge is good enough for my usage, tbh.--cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
G = gprs 1G which is not 3G and it's slower than Edge 2G....

When I look at the G settings
Its says GPRS,3G

aabye said:
Just to throw it out there:
Don't know if it is 3G but my "E" changed to "G" on few occasions, for few minutes here in LA, CA (T-mobile). I didn't sample the connection speed, however; thus, wasn't able to tell any difference with the download speed. Edge is good enough for my usage, tbh.
--cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You guys...these are the icons you'd expect to see on your HD for GSM coverage in order of speed:
G - Normal GPRS data
E - Enhanced Edge data
3G - 3G coverage
H - HSDPA, 3G turns to HSDPA on some networks while downloading data then switches back to 3G a few seconds after data use.
If you are seeing a G on the top bar, it means the HD is in the slowest GPRS data rate mode.

Thanks for the clarification, guys; I thought so. Oh well, no need for wishful thinking, then. 2G or not 2G...blah, curse you Hamlet!
--'night

Matterhorn said:
You guys...these are the icons you'd expect to see on your HD for GSM coverage in order of speed:
G - Normal GPRS data
E - Enhanced Edge data
3G - 3G coverage
H - HSDPA, 3G turns to HSDPA on some networks while downloading data then switches back to 3G a few seconds after data use.
If you are seeing a G on the top bar, it means the HD is in the slowest GPRS data rate mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
max speed technically...(at least in Germany)
GSM:
G --> 56kps (0,05MBit/s)
E --> 256kps (0,25Mbit/s)
UMTS:
3G --> 384kps (0,38Mbit/s)
HSDPA --> 3,6; 7,2; 14.4 Mbit!!! (depending on operator) --> sometimes called 3.5G
LTE (long term evolution) --> 4G (Generation)
coming in 2010 from 25Mbit onwards
using opera, just for surfing, i think EDGE is enough. (without using flash in opera)
regards
irm
p.s. @galaxys: the old analog network is to be considered as the 1st generation; GSM (incl. EDGE) is the 2nd generation. EDGE is some sort of speed upgrade like HSDPA for UMTS.
-

Blacqsmith said:
Its says GPRS,3G
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Click to collapse
Your saying that it said 3G on the top of your screen not just G? If so can you post what rom/radio you are using?
You can find this in settings/system/device information

Blacqsmith said:
Its says GPRS,3G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this on the top bar or is it the popup network setting bubble? Take a pic for us...

There is a setting, probably hidden and changable via Advance Config and/or HD Tweak where if a network has 3G capability then it shows "<network> - 3G" (I disabled it via one of them)
This is regardless of whether your phone itself can handle the 3G network, which in the case of Touch HD it cannot as the device does not support the frequency of US 3G bands
Mine shows "O2 UK - 3G" for this reason regardless of whether it says G, E, 3G or H at the top of the screen.
Additionally, the "generation" things are as follows:
- - GSM - 1G
G - GPRS - 2G
E - EDGE - 2.5G
3G - UMTS - 3G (surprise surprise)
H - HSDPA - 3.5G

HSDPA 900mhz

Hi all sorry but Im not real up tpo date with some of this stuff, but I will tri to explain; I have just go a prepaid 3G wireless sim and got it sort of working but the data really is very slow about 30-40k, It is with Optus in Australia and I am in a regonal area I thort it may have been sonthing wrong with my shift but i tried a telstra data sim in it today and it worked at nearly 1600k down and 260 upload.
I spoke to an optus person today and they said it was because the device doesn't have a band for HSDPA 2100MHz/900MHz dual band that optus uses in regional areas is this right? Is there a away to add that setting/band?
Is theere a nother rom with thoses settings? (I am using i00's rom which has been working well)

But here shows it works on optus 2100mhz 3G band.
http://www.onlineshoppingaustralia....ear-htc-shift-35g-next-g-mobile-computer.html

I think it's the 900mhz side of things optus uses in regional Australia that is the problem, and Im 300km the closest place that has a 2100mhz service

Scott's Shift said:
Hi all sorry but Im not real up tpo date with some of this stuff, but I will tri to explain; I have just go a prepaid 3G wireless sim and got it sort of working but the data really is very slow about 30-40k, It is with Optus in Australia and I am in a regonal area I thort it may have been sonthing wrong with my shift but i tried a telstra data sim in it today and it worked at nearly 1600k down and 260 upload.
I spoke to an optus person today and they said it was because the device doesn't have a band for HSDPA 2100MHz/900MHz dual band that optus uses in regional areas is this right? Is there a away to add that setting/band?
Is theere a nother rom with thoses settings? (I am using i00's rom which has been working well)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Shift does not have UMTS 900 band (it is Tri-Band UMTS: 850/1900/2100). The speed you say there sounds more like Australian GPRS connection. So, you are probably running your GPRS. What is the icon on your WinMo side - G, E or 3G/H (sorry if I am telling you to suck eggs there)? If it is G or E then you are not using UMTS.
Next G works very well on it (I use mine all the time) and has good coverage. It is on the 850 band so fits in the Shift range. My wife even has one of those Telstra Pre-Paid Wireless Internet USB Sticks. There is a SIM inside that I took out and stuck in the shift to test out because it has better pricing per MB (can not make phone calls on it - so my normal Next G went back in )
Cheers

Yes it is running on gprs and it does tha just the letter "G" there. so it is a hardwear problem? can it be overcome by softwear?

Scott's Shift said:
Yes it is running on gprs and it does tha just the letter "G" there. so it is a hardwear problem? can it be overcome by softwear?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No . It is hardware only and no software can "make" the physical antenna change its frequency setting (lots of reasons, all very boring and maths based - way beyond me).
The Shift is very capable for the platform, but like almost all "world phones" (ie quad band GSM), it does not have the quad band UMTS. In fact I do not know any quad band UMTS devices (though there probably are some).
If you live in a region outside of "normal" 3G (and note only Telstra has H capability - unless something has changed with the other carriers over the las six months), then Telstra is the only solution at this stage.
Love them or hate them (I'm personnal luke warm), they do have good coverage for the Australian landmass.

thanks, its a pitty that telstra is so expensive they charge $30 for 225meg and optus is $30 for 1 gig

T-mobile (USA) 3G

Hello, I am having trouble getting 3G working on my x10i. I have read through these forums and tried every apn settings I could find but still it only uses edge. T-mobile customer service tells me i have great 3g coverage in my area but that since its a non-tmobile phone it will not use 3G. Is this true or can anyone help? Right now im using epc.tmobile.com as my apn, data roaming on, and MMS & data turned on. Need more info just let me know.Thx for any help

check your sony ericsson xperia x10 box on the side, see if it said UMTS is saying "AWS1/AWS4/AWS8" if you are missing AWS4, then you will not be able to use T-mo USA 3G because T-mobile UMTS (3G) bandwidth frequency is 900 (AWS1) / 1700 (AWS4) / 2100 (AWS8)

i had a similar problem when my T-Mobile 3G constantly switched to Edge even when i had good coverage, i found this solution somewhere and it helped me, since then i was never dropped from 3G unless i had no bars... i would give this a try for your problem too.
1) enter in dialer the following: *#*#4636#*#*
2) select phone Information
3) press the menu button (left bottom hard key)
4) Select Radio Band
5) Select USA Band
6) Reboot Phone
This will narrow down your phone to USA 3G only, (if leaving the country you should switch back to automatic to get international 3G coverage), i found this also helpful for 3G speed and battery performance.

check your sony ericsson xperia x10 box on the side, see if it said UMTS is saying "AWS1/AWS4/AWS8" if you are missing AWS4, then you will not be able to use T-mo USA 3G because T-mobile UMTS (3G) bandwidth frequency is 900 (AWS1) / 1700 (AWS4) / 2100 (AWS8)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx for your replies , yes it says "UMTS/HSPA band 1/4/8" So should be possible.

1) enter in dialer the following: *#*#4636#*#*
2) select phone Information
3) press the menu button (left bottom hard key)
4) Select Radio Band
5) Select USA Band
6) Reboot Phone
This will narrow down your phone to USA 3G only, (if leaving the country you should switch back to automatic to get international 3G coverage), i found this also helpful for 3G speed and battery performance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thx for your reply, I tried this and i still see the E for edge. Could it have something to do with the fact that where i live is actually using a different tower than tmobile?

thx for your reply, I tried this and i still see the E for edge. Could it have something to do with the fact that where i live is actually using a different tower than tmobile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I doubt cause tmobile told you that your coverage is okay, it might be that you have an old sim card with no support for 3G, or Would say your phone is defective…
-------------------------------------
Sent via the XDA Tapatalk App

try go to setting --->wireless controls --->Mobile Networks ----> Network mode
and select WCDMA only
see if it go back to 3G signal. For my area sometimes i stay on edge due to signal blocked by building walls....
by the way, will you get 3G signal when you are outside of your house or in a wide open area?

When i choose WCDMA i lose my cell signal completely. I have tmobile service but In my area it is always using centennial wireless towers for my signal, centennial was bought out by AT&T which have not yet switched their new towers to 3G yet. Could this be the problem? Thx

devilleather said:
When i choose WCDMA i lose my cell signal completely. I have tmobile service but In my area it is always using centennial wireless towers for my signal, centennial was bought out by AT&T which have not yet switched their new towers to 3G yet. Could this be the problem? Thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like you found the issue. If WCDMA only shows no signal at all, it means you do not have T-Mobile 3G in your area (I suspect the 1700 spectrum).
It looks like there is a roaming agreement in which T-mobile can "borrow" the AT&T tower. So, all you get is the GSM signal. Don't bother to wait for AT&T to get the tower to 3G...because, you know, it won't be the same 3G signal as T-mobile. AT&T operates 3G on 850 and 1900.
If that is the issue, maybe you have to switch to a X10a.

When i choose US band it says its unsuccessful? any ideas why???

After 2 Weeks, I Am Throwing In The Towel

I received the Samsung Focus 2 weeks ago today. After I post this I will be heading over to Amazon Wireless to make return arrangements.
I come from a Windows Mobile (Tilt 2) and I don't think I am yet ready to transition to this type of phone. I depend too much on Pocket Informant and I couldn't find any app to replace that. Actually this is not really the reason I gave up. This is the reason that kept me on the fence.
At my work I have a very poor 3G signal indoors. The signal fluctuates between 2 bars to no signal indication and sometimes switching to Edge. With the Tilt 2 I turn off 3G and that keeps the phone happy. Several times I found the Focus showing no signal (small crossed out circle at the top left). Even after I went to an area with good 3G signal the Focus did not change from its no signal status. I had to actually turn it off and back on (soft reset, I guess) to get a strong 3G signal.
Searching on Google for means to turn 3G off in the Focus showed that only a few months ago there was such an option Settings | Cellular. Apparently now it is removed.
With 3G trying desperately to hang in there instead of just giving up and letting Edge take over, this phone is useless to me 8 to 12 hours a day. The Tilt 2 had a similar issue before I tweaked it to give me the band switch. However the Tilt 2 did not get stuck in the no signal state. I wish AT&T did not remove this from settings.
So long, Focus.

Um... there's totally still an option called Cellular in Settings. Whatever, though. If you don't enjoy the phone, there's no reason for you to keep it. However, there's equally no reason for you to share this information with us, since a large part of your issue is born of ignorance of the OS (not finding a setting that is clearly there) and your lack of enjoyment of the phone should have no effect on anyone who owns one.

FishFaceMcGee said:
Um... there's totally still an option called Cellular in Settings. Whatever, though. If you don't enjoy the phone, there's no reason for you to keep it. However, there's equally no reason for you to share this information with us, since a large part of your issue is born of ignorance of the OS (not finding a setting that is clearly there) and your lack of enjoyment of the phone should have no effect on anyone who owns one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the Cellular option is still there, in Settings. However, unlike screen shots or pictures I saw during my search (see this sample), I do not have the option to turn off 3G.
If your phone has it, good for you. Mine does not. Hardly a reason to call me ignorant for this though.

That's strange. My Focus appears to have better reception than my Tilt 2.
Actually, the 3G only setting is under the diagnostic menu I believe. The should have a thread in this forum on it.
Update
I checked and its under the test menu
*#32489#
Back
Back
[7] Network control
[2] Band Setting
This may help you.

Tempest790 said:
That's strange. My Focus appears to have better reception than my Tilt 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me, side by side, the 2 phones had a similar reception. The Tilt 2 got an extra bar or 2 when I forced it to Edge. However, the Tilt 2 did not get stuck with the no signal indication.
Actually, the 3G only setting is under the diagnostic menu I believe. The should have a thread in this forum on it.
Update
I checked and its under the test menu
*#32489#
Back
Back
[7] Network control
[2] Band Setting
This may help you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While at this moment I do not have the phone with me, I just looked in the PDF I downloaded from that other thread (the PDF shows [2] Band Selection) and I remember that I was in that area and when I tried to make a change I got a message saying something about the selection or option being restricted. Sorry, but I do not remember the exact words. I guess I could try again later tonight after I get home. Thank you.

Tempest790 said:
Update
I checked and its under the test menu
*#32489#
Back
Back
[7] Network control
[2] Band Setting
This may help you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I select "[2] Band Selection" the exact message is:
"RAT Selection option is restricted".

Yeah, that's what I got. I also got my phone from freaking Amazon.com and didn't work right. Had do alittle talking around but they me exchange it at the Att Wireless Store. Have you actually tried any other Samsung Focus Phones to see if its just the phone itself?

I got mine from att store, I'm using the org diagnostic app version, I get same error message.

Seed 2.0 said:
I got mine from att store, I'm using the org diagnostic app version, I get same error message.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would switch phones then. The phone has to be unlocked to switch bands, even turning off 3G. That's stupid, I know. I have a Dell Venue Pro sitting here that can switch bands but that phone is VERY buggy.

Fuzzy John said:
Yes, the Cellular option is still there, in Settings. However, unlike screen shots or pictures I saw during my search (see this sample), I do not have the option to turn off 3G.
If your phone has it, good for you. Mine does not. Hardly a reason to call me ignorant for this though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FWIW: 3G = "Data Connection" on the Focus' settings menu. As far as I know, 3G has nothing to do with voice calls. I suspect that the name of that switch was changed with an eye toward future data options on cell phones. I hope that helps. (Even the person who posted that picture notes that they modified the label to be "Cellular Data". You can see that in the comments area of the image/post that you listed. )

GrayWolf is correct
These are GSM phone and voice only works on 2G.. data on 3G and Edge if necessary. that is why you can talk and use the internet at the same time. You turning 3G off does nothing for your call reception what so ever. When you turn off the Celluar data you turn off both 3G and edge. Also I believe the bars are only for the voice service.

ITDRAGON said:
GrayWolf is correct
These are GSM phone and voice only works on 2G.. data on 3G and Edge if necessary. that is why you can talk and use the internet at the same time. You turning 3G off does nothing for your call reception what so ever. When you turn off the Celluar data you turn off both 3G and edge. Also I believe the bars are only for the voice service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This might very well be correct, however on my Tilt 2 I have to turn off 3g in order to get full voice bars back in the location where my room is in my house. It doesn't seem to make any sense; why would the phone's 3g connection interfere w/ the 2g voice? Yet it seems like this is the case.

ITDRAGON said:
GrayWolf is correct
These are GSM phone and voice only works on 2G.. data on 3G and Edge if necessary. that is why you can talk and use the internet at the same time. You turning 3G off does nothing for your call reception what so ever. When you turn off the Celluar data you turn off both 3G and edge. Also I believe the bars are only for the voice service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry. I may have used the wrong terms. After all I admit I am not really familiar with all the terminology. I am more like a user. Anyway, on my Tilt 2 phone I have a switch which turn off 3G. This puts the phone in Edge mode. Gives me a lot better reception in areas where the 3G signal is flaky. True, I cannot talk and do data at the same time. Also true that my data rate is slower. But I can receive and make calls while I am in that area.

ITDRAGON said:
GrayWolf is correct
These are GSM phone and voice only works on 2G.. data on 3G and Edge if necessary. that is why you can talk and use the internet at the same time. You turning 3G off does nothing for your call reception what so ever. When you turn off the Celluar data you turn off both 3G and edge. Also I believe the bars are only for the voice service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. Both voice and data work on 3G if it is available. You can tell this by the fact that once your phone is on 3G, you will not encounter the annoying speaker buzz from GSM phones.
The switch in the settings are for cell data connection. If you turn it off, it turns off the data connection, 2G or 3G. There is no separate setting to turn off 3G data only (a commonly requested feature but non-existent on all AT&T phones). You will always have to access the secret menu to select your band (WCDMA or GSM).
The bars are for signal strength, not just for vocie service.

EDIT: rjohnstone
foxbat121 said:
Nope. Both voice and data work on 3G if it is available. You can tell this by the fact that once your phone is on 3G, you will not encounter the annoying speaker buzz from GSM phones.
The switch in the settings are for cell data connection. If you turn it off, it turns off the data connection, 2G or 3G. There is no separate setting to turn off 3G data only (a commonly requested feature but non-existent on all AT&T phones). You will always have to access the secret menu to select your band (WCDMA or GSM).
The bars are for signal strength, not just for vocie service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
<snipped my "you're wrong" message, but leaving my other data here.>
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3G contains the following quote:
"The UMTS system, first offered in 2001, standardized by 3GPP, used primarily in Europe, Japan, China (however with a different radio interface) and other regions predominated by GSM 2G system infrastructure. The cell phones are typically UMTS and GSM hybrids. Several radio interfaces are offered, sharing the same infrastructure"
<snipped my "you're wrong" message, but leaving my other data here.>
http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=2877
"Modes GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
WCDMA 850 / 1900 / 2100"
Those are the GSM and 3G bands that the Samsung Focus uses. <snipped my "you're wrong" message, but leaving my other data here.>
I'm always willing to accept that I can be wrong (EDIT: and it seems that I was). I'm only human after all. If I'm the one who's somehow misunderstanding, then I would be open to having some information shared so that I can learn more about it. Would you have any links to back your claim up?

GrayWolf said:
I'm sorry to say that you've misunderstood how AT&T's network is set up. 3G + GSM = Data + Voice. Not 3G = Voice & Data.
contains the following quote:
"The UMTS system, first offered in 2001, standardized by 3GPP, used primarily in Europe, Japan, China (however with a different radio interface) and other regions predominated by GSM 2G system infrastructure. The cell phones are typically UMTS and GSM hybrids. Several radio interfaces are offered, sharing the same infrastructure"
To further back the position that our phones do not use 3G to carry voice data:
"Modes GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
WCDMA 850 / 1900 / 2100"
Those are the GSM and 3G bands that the Samsung Focus uses. GSM for voice traffic, WCDMA (3G) for data.
I'm always willing to accept that I can be wrong. I'm only human after all. If I'm the one who's somehow misunderstanding, then I would be open to having some information shared so that I can learn more about it. Would you have any links to back your claim up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T sends both voice and data traffic over the 3G connection when in a 3G area.
The GSM radio only comes into play when the data connection falls back to EDGE (i.e., 3G signal is too weak or not present).
This is why your call drops when you switch from a 3G area to a GSM/EDGE area.
It's a hard hand off to the next tower.

rjohnstone said:
AT&T sends both voice and data traffic over the 3G connection when in a 3G area.
The GSM radio only comes into play when the data connection falls back to EDGE (i.e., 3G signal is too weak or not present).
This is why your call drops when you switch from a 3G area to a GSM/EDGE area.
It's a hard hand off to the next tower.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks - would you happen to have any links that explains this in any detail?
I looked around after you mentioned it and found that I should have ran a few more keyword searches before posting. So far, the best explanation that I've found seems to be here:
"3G or Non 3G-that is the question"
http://forums.wireless.att.com/t5/G...at-is-the-question/m-p/1544262/highlight/true
The specific/relevant portion that I'm referring to is:
Yea 3G is amazing. It's the replacement for GSM. It's a completely seperate network. When in 3G at present signal in some area's might seem a bit more week than GSM because in some area's it runs on the 1900mhz frequency which has less penetration. But AT&T has plans of phasing out GSM in the future for 3G on the GSM frequency.
But 3G on the W-CDMA side handles call's and data, GSM also does handle voice and data. But the two networks are seperate. For example. If your phone is in 3G then the 3G network is handling the call and not transmitting anything to do with GSM at all. But if you travel to a non 3G area while in the call then your phone will hand off to the GSM network to continue the voice call and the call quality will get that crackly raspy phenomenom. Hope this helps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now that's another person's statement on a forum and, like rjohnstone's post, makes logical sense. I'd love to read a bit more about this, if there are any useful links out there?

GrayWolf said:
Thanks - would you happen to have any links that explains this in any detail?
I looked around after you mentioned it and found that I should have ran a few more keyword searches before posting. So far, the best explanation that I've found seems to be here:
"3G or Non 3G-that is the question"
The specific/relevant portion that I'm referring to is:
Now that's another person's statement on a forum and, like rjohnstone's post, makes logical sense. I'd love to read a bit more about this, if there are any useful links out there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Graywolf,
My friend is a tower manager for T-Mobile.
He helped setup the initial GSM/EDGE network for Cingular back when they leased tower time from T-Mobile while they were making the transition from TDMA devices from the old AT&T network.
He explained how the call handlers worked and how the air interface works when handing off from UMTS/HSPA over to the GSM/EDGE network.
All of AT&T's handsets are programmed to use either GSM/EDGE or UMTS/HSPA, not both at the same time.
The point is, a handset can't have a GSM voice call and an HSPA data session occurring at the same time. The radios are not configured to allow it.
Many towers run both GSM/EDGE radios and UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+ radios.
Mainly to support legacy devices.
You will also notice that the old network is still there when you turn of the 3G radio in an iPhone or any other handset that permits it.
Yes, AT&T is working to decommission the older GSM/EDGE towers all together to recover the 850Mhz frequencies for use with HSPA+. This will give them better building penetration in large metropolitan areas.
Right now, AT&T does use the 1900MHz band for HSPA, and as the residence of NY will tell you, it sucks at going through walls.
You will have to do some digging for old AT&T press releases, but the info is out there.

Gotta give credit where it's due. I appreciate the technical detail combined with layman phrasing. I'll do more digging later but you've given me a nice high-level view of things. I did have a suspicion that my understanding was flawed somehow. Thanks for taking the time to share, rjohnstone!

Yep your right I typed it wrong.. voice and data both work on 2G and 3G, but I know I'm in a 3G area only and when I turn data off 3G goes out. Now that doesn't mean I'm only making or recieving calls on the 2G band. It just mean 3G data is off. So if you want to turn off 3G all together, I don't see it on these phones yet. When I turn the celluar data back on, the 3G symbol comes back on, because it would be pretty dumb for the 3G to be controlled by turning data on and off.

Did I buy a bad phone / wrong phone?

Just bought a galaxy note n7000.. when I poped in my sim card it does now work..
I am with mobilicity they use AWS, with bands 1700/2100
http://mobilicity.ca/
Is there anything I can do? Other than beat the hell out of my brother who told me it will work?

Preaak said:
Just bought a galaxy note n7000.. when I poped in my sim card it does now work..
I am with mobilicity they use AWS, with bands 1700/2100
http://mobilicity.ca/
Is there anything I can do? Other than beat the hell out of my brother who told me it will work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
beat away... now it will work but on edge... there is a thread on trying to create a radio to work for tmobile which is the same as yours... now they have got the i717 version(usa att) to work but not the 7000... give these guys time they always come through... but until then its edge only....
ps you may find someone with a i717 wanting a 7000 and might trade....

Frequency used by Galaxy note :
Also known as Samsung GT-N7000, Samsung I9220
General 2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G Network LTE 700 (region specific)
Since your service provider uses 1700 and 2100, then it should work.. just activate your 3G network in your wireless settings.
Good luck

kawgirlval69 said:
beat away... now it will work but on edge... there is a thread on trying to create a radio to work for tmobile which is the same as yours... now they have got the i717 version(usa att) to work but not the 7000... give these guys time they always come through... but until then its edge only....
ps you may find someone with a i717 wanting a 7000 and might trade....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am gonna beat that kid... dam it!!
can you link me to this thread... are they close or this a dream?
Sorry for my ignorance but by radio you mean making and receiving calls?

sagaff said:
Frequency used by Galaxy note :
Also known as Samsung GT-N7000, Samsung I9220
General 2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G Network LTE 700 (region specific)
Since your service provider uses 1700 and 2100, then it should work.. just activate your 3G network in your wireless settings.
Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you sound like my brother... how do I do this?

i just want to make and receive calls I can live without internet for now!

Preaak said:
i just want to make and receive calls I can live without internet for now!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am just trying to help here. I hope it will work
Try
Setting -> Wireless and network -> Mobile networks -> Network mode
choose automode... If it doesn't work then go ahead.. beat the kid.

Preaak said:
i just want to make and receive calls I can live without internet for now!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok...the 1700/2100 is correct but like tmous they use the 1700 as the data so activating 3g is going to do nothing.... there is a 1700 freq in the chip, but it is locked hence the need for the custom radio.... btw that thread is in the general forum... as for making phone calls, well if it is unlocked it should make them just fine...
is it telling you something when you power it on? does it have signal strength?.... need a bit more info....

sagaff said:
I am just trying to help here. I hope it will work
Try
Setting -> Wireless and network -> Mobile networks -> Network mode
choose automode... If it doesn't work then go ahead.. beat the kid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks... do you know if it should be on GSM.. wdma.. or both?
sorry btw it has been a bad day... I feel a cold comming on too... beating the kid is gonna feel good...

kawgirlval69 said:
ok...the 1700/2100 is correct but like tmous they use the 1700 as the data so activating 3g is going to do nothing.... there is a 1700 freq in the chip, but it is locked hence the need for the custom radio.... btw that thread is in the general forum... as for making phone calls, well if it is unlocked it should make them just fine...
is it telling you something when you power it on? does it have signal strength?.... need a bit more info....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get signal but it says... mobile network not available when I try to make a call... the notification bar says "emergency calls only"
Good thing because after I beat that kid he can call for help...

Preaak said:
I get signal but it says... mobile network not available when I try to make a call... the notification bar says "emergency calls only"
Good thing because after I beat that kid he can call for help...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Normal GSM Functions (Calls/SMS) should work on 100%
There is something wrong with either the phone or your SIM Card/Provider
Call Customer support and explain your problem and be sure to tell them that the problem is Calls/SMS and you are aware that 3G will/may not work!
Maybe they are blocking the international Notes for some reason?!
It never hurts to ask them!

You will NOT get 3G to work if your carrier uses 1700mhz for AWS. Tmobile and as far as I know Wind use 1700 AND 2100 for 3G data. Having just one band (in this case, 2100, will not cut it). In any event, you should still get 2G data and be able to call/text.

joshnichols189 said:
You will NOT get 3G to work if your carrier uses 1700mhz for AWS. Tmobile and as far as I know Wind use 1700 AND 2100 for 3G data. Having just one band (in this case, 2100, will not cut it). In any event, you should still get 2G data and be able to call/text.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is there anything I can do to get this to work other thank popping my sim card in?

OrionBG said:
Normal GSM Functions (Calls/SMS) should work on 100%
There is something wrong with either the phone or your SIM Card/Provider
Call Customer support and explain your problem and be sure to tell them that the problem is Calls/SMS and you are aware that 3G will/may not work!
Maybe they are blocking the international Notes for some reason?!
It never hurts to ask them!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how can test if this is problem with the phone?

I tried another sim card form rogers wireless and it works right away.
my sim card has "no service" then after 5 mins the icon changes for a stop sign with a live through it to actual bars.. the no service changes into emergency calls only.

Preaak said:
I tried another sim card form rogers wireless and it works right away.
my sim card has "no service" then after 5 mins the icon changes for a stop sign with a live through it to actual bars.. the no service changes into emergency calls only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK. Then your phone is OK. Call Mobilicity customer support and explain everything! Tell them that the phone works with Rogers SIM and not with yours!