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

Disable UMTS

Does someone know how to disable UMTS for the Trinity?
I've searched on the forum but I couldn't find any good solutions

Settings -> Personal -> Phone -> Band -> Select your network type -> GSM.

Try this...
http://commmgrpro.com/_wsn/page3.html

bonisalive said:
Try this...
http://commmgrpro.com/_wsn/page3.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use this Bandwith app also. However, if you really want to turn off HSDPA and leave on 3G permanently you can use the app on this page called HTweakC http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=Hermes_Registry
I turn off HSDPA because it blocks incoming calls (my carrier's problem). I can receive calls normally with 3G.

Thank you for that Band Tool. I'm a little confused by something, though. Does it save battery life to disable UMTS? I don't need any 3G functionality at all currently, so does it make battery sense to disable UMTS?
Thanks very much.

WilliamG said:
Thank you for that Band Tool. I'm a little confused by something, though. Does it save battery life to disable UMTS? I don't need any 3G functionality at all currently, so does it make battery sense to disable UMTS?
Thanks very much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I beleive that it will. UTMS drains the battery quicker as the phone searches for cells more frequently than it does on GSM

korben said:
I beleive that it will. UTMS drains the battery quicker as the phone searches for cells more frequently than it does on GSM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. Is there a way to make the Band Tool work every time you turn the phone on? If I turn my phone off and on, the tool resets and I'm back to 3G mode.
Thanks again.

Check out Trinityhacks...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=300783&highlight=trinityhacks

korben said:
Check out Trinityhacks...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=300783&highlight=trinityhacks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again for the reply. I installed TrinityHacks, but it's a little confusing with the whole band selection. I see auto, or GSM+UMTS selections. I don't see a GSM without UMTS. Did I miss something?

Bandswitch settings should persist through a soft reset- mine certainly do. Make sure you leave anough time for the registry changes to save before exiting the program, or doing a soft reset.
UMTS typically uses 3x the current that GSM uses as 3G is a much weaker signal. so the gain needs to be much higher. And in marginal reception areas, the constant hunting between bands further hits the battery

NeilM said:
Bandswitch settings should persist through a soft reset- mine certainly do. Make sure you leave anough time for the registry changes to save before exiting the program, or doing a soft reset.
UMTS typically uses 3x the current that GSM uses as 3G is a much weaker signal. so the gain needs to be much higher. And in marginal reception areas, the constant hunting between bands further hits the battery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I find it all bit a confusing! Gah! I uninstalled that Band Utility, and installed the Trinity Hacks. Not sure what setting to use to make sure it's 2G. Am I correct in assuming that G at the top of the screen means 2G, and 3G = 3G?

Yes
G=GSM; 3G or U = UMTS; H= HSDPA, (but only shows during data exchange)

Ah ok thanks for that! I think something got messed up, because before it would say 3G at the top of the screen, and my network was identified as UMTS Vodafone. Then I installed that Band Utility and switched to GSM only. Then I uninstalled that Band utility while I was on GSM only. So now I'm stuck on GSM, even when switching UMTS on in the Trinity Hack program. I'm so confused now.

Have you tried Phone/Menu/Options/Band and setting the top box to Auto?

NeilM said:
Have you tried Phone/Menu/Options/Band and setting the top box to Auto?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it's on Auto right now. I don't even see the *specific* GSM-only setting. Maybe Trinity Hacks doesn't have this feature?
*AH I got it*. I reinstalled Band Switch, put it back to Auto (so 3G worked again), and then uninstalled it. Trinity Hacks now works!
Thanks for the help!

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

[Q] Orange/t-mobile network sharing in the UK

Hi All,
Done a quick search on this and can't find anything relevent, but i apologise if a thread already exists.
Really a question for those in the UK on the t-mobile network. Have any of you attempted to sign up for the orange 2g roaming service yet? I signed up, recieved the confirmation text, replied to it, and received the final confirmation. However, I'm not sure it's working. The signal seems no stronger, and i still drop in my house.
Obviously i'm posting this in the android section because i'm running android myself and am wondering whether anyone in the same boat has managed to get roaming to work. Should the fact that we're on a non-official OS running off the sd card make a difference?
Oh and for completeness, i'm running shubcraft 1.5 rmnet.
Cheers fellas!

I'm quite happily flip flopping between Orange while at work and T-Mobile for everything else...
works like a charm for me though you do have to stick the phone into Airplane mode after selecting the different provider for the data to work ...

Jezwick said:
I'm quite happily flip flopping between Orange while at work and T-Mobile for everything else...
works like a charm for me though you do have to stick the phone into Airplane mode after selecting the different provider for the data to work ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many thanks for the reply Jezwick. So, just for clarity, you're manually selecting each provider as and when required? Because i can do that, i think. When i select orange though, whilst it registers with the network fine, i get a little "R" above the signal bar (any ideas what that means?) And the speed appears to be limited to Edge. Orange have a very strong signal round here, so i figure i should be getting GPRS really.
It's the auto-switching i'm not totally sure is working really. Is there any explicit indicator that it's flipping on it's own? Or do you just observe a generally better 2g signal, rather than say, a very weak 3g one? Round the house, my phone is still trying to make do with 1 or zero bars of 3g. I would have hoped it would flip over to orange more or less all the time under those circumstances. Nothing to stop me manually selecting it i guess though...

_tangent said:
Many thanks for the reply Jezwick. So, just for clarity, you're manually selecting each provider as and when required? Because i can do that, i think. When i select orange though, whilst it registers with the network fine, i get a little "R" above the signal bar (any ideas what that means?) And the speed appears to be limited to Edge. Orange have a very strong signal round here, so i figure i should be getting GPRS really.
It's the auto-switching i'm not totally sure is working really. Is there any explicit indicator that it's flipping on it's own? Or do you just observe a generally better 2g signal, rather than say, a very weak 3g one? Round the house, my phone is still trying to make do with 1 or zero bars of 3g. I would have hoped it would flip over to orange more or less all the time under those circumstances. Nothing to stop me manually selecting it i guess though...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The R is indeed for roaming that's the way it works if your not on your 'own' network.. The 'flipped' service will currently only work at GRPS speeds at the moment but should be 3G by the new year
I have noticed mine flipping automatically but only once or twice in the last few weeks but only when I get NO signal from the current service.

Jezwick said:
The R is indeed for roaming that's the way it works if your not on your 'own' network.. The 'flipped' service will currently only work at GRPS speeds at the moment but should be 3G by the new year
I have noticed mine flipping automatically but only once or twice in the last few weeks but only when I get NO signal from the current service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Understood - thanks for the info Just done some reading and apparently EDGE is faster than basic GPRS. For some reason, i'd always assumed the reverse. Looks like the best option is just to have it always on orange whilst at home and use wifi for data (which i do anyway to compensate for the poor signal). Cheers!

HTC Surround 3G Switch missing

Hi, does anyone know why on earth did HTC disable the 3G Switch for HTC Surround?? I have this phone, updated to Mango and the 3G Switch is missing from the Network Settings. I cannot understand this stupid idea of not letting the user decide what band to use his phone on.

RE: Solved
I have solved this.
This is available for every HTC Device which does not have the 3G Switch available:
Enter the Field Test Menu by dialing ##3282#, on the lower right side there are three dots: ... , enter that menu and there you can choose the band to work on: Automatic, 2G only, 3G only.

Sounds like a solution, but each time I change the setting from 3G to 2G or Automatic, and then go back into settings, it reverts back to 3G only. And the 3G icon remains at the top of the screen. So is your experience different. Been trying to disable 3G since December.

jimski said:
Sounds like a solution, but each time I change the setting from 3G to 2G or Automatic, and then go back into settings, it reverts back to 3G only. And the 3G icon remains at the top of the screen. So is your experience different. Been trying to disable 3G since December.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do not set to auto,
Set it only to 2G, go back in the field test main menu with the back arrow <-, and then again in the ... menu, 2g should be still selected, and then <- twice to exit.

mmuntean2 said:
Do not set to auto,
Set it only to 2G, go back in the field test main menu with the back arrow <-, and then again in the ... menu, 2g should be still selected, and then <- twice to exit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gave it another try, but not so sure.
Went in to menu, set to 2G and then back arrow <-. Went back in ... and 2G was still selected, but after exiting <- <-, and going back in, 3G is selected again. Also my phone still shows 3G at the top of the screen, but I will admit that the signal strength appears to maybe be 1 bar higher. So, am I on 2G although the 3G icon still shows?
Guess I will know tomorrow after a full day of use hopefully at 2G, with reduced battery drain. I have a great WiFi signal at home and at work, so basically 90% of my day. The only thing data does is load email in the background and the occasional need for a connection if I stop somewhere on the way home. My 3G signal is typically 1 to 3 bars, averaging 2. And almost never higher than 3.
I have an unlimited data plan, but my WiFi speeds are generally 3 to 4 times better, and my experience has show very little difference in battery drain with WiFi on/off. No idea why AT&T would prevent me from using 2G, especially with Unlimited. iPhone users should be thanking me for the extra bandwidth I am offering.
Btw, I will absolutely NOT purchase a new phone with 4G/LTE whatever, unless I can turn it off.