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Can somebody please explain GSM vs WCDMA vs UMTS for the bands?
My impression is GSM is 2G and UMTS is 3G and both can supply regular phone service? What's WCDMA then?
T-mobile USA is GSM 850/1900 and what else?
I was thinking if I specify what network and band to use it'll use less batter (ie. no 3g unless I really need it).
this is a really easy google search... or just go to wikipedia....really any search you would try will answer your question.
(you're half right, but mostly wrong)...here's some links for you
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=wcdma+wiki&l=1
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=gsm+wiki
Well I did google already, but still is over my head when I look at the band settings in the TMO HD2.
If WCDMA = UMTS why is there a separate GSM/WCDMA network selection, both allowing bands in GSM and UMTS.
Sounds like GSM is older tech, meaning 2g, whereas 3g is the newer GSM, which is UMTS, which = WCDMA. Therefore, how can you choose UMTS band frequencies on a old GSM network?
Perhaps I'm not phrasing my question correctly. I'm asking these because of the phone settings. I'm trying to figure out if it's more efficient to just tell the phone to look for specific network/band for TMOUSA thereby saving time and battery.
is this just too simple of a question or not many people understand. anyone?
ok, instead of giving you a bunch of info, let me give you just what I think you need.
I'm guessing you're going to Settings>Wireless Controls> Phone>Band and that's where the confusion is coming from. This screen is wrong and the Bands listed there are wrong (they're from previous devices, and htc didn't bother to update that screen).
So, you have 3 main choices there that should be of interest to you as long as you're in the US on Tmobile's network: Auto, WCDMA, GSM (under Network Type).
Auto: switches automatically between GPRS/EDGE/3G (HSDPA, HSPDA+)
WCDMA: 3G (HSDPA, HSPDA+)
GSM: EDGE/GPRS
The only way that playing with the band frequencies could help you would be if you're just interested in Edge/GPRS since tmobile uses two different frequencies there (native 1900 and 850 roaming). For 3g however, Tmobile uses only (and concurrently....as in you need to use both to get 3g and not just one or the other) 1700/2100 frequency.
Long story short, if you're trying to keep the phone from switching between 3g and Edge and you're in an area that has constant 3g, set it to WCDMA. (but note that if you loose 3g but are in an area with Edge, it will not switch to Edge, it will just be 0 bars/reception).
thanks alot, that really clears it up. I don't have data connection besides mms so I figure I may set it to no 3g and save some battery.
I keep noticing the data status going from 3G and HSPDA every now and then even when I have full bars. This can't be good...
Anyone else experience this?
Is there a fix?
I also get the switching thing on my phone but only when the HSPA signal is weak and it's not that often. Is this affecting the battery life on your cell phone?
It's normal. If you have issues just set it to use 2g only mode as that saves a heap of power
Sent from my Apple Newton 2100
ickyboo said:
It's normal. If you have issues just set it to use 2g only mode as that saves a heap of power
Sent from my Apple Newton 2100
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How do I set this? I checked in settings->wireless and network->mobile networks-> network mode, but see only an option for GSM only, WCDMA only.
If you're with Bell in Canada, there is no option for 2g only as there is no 2g network. Don't worry about the 3g/H switch, this is a common occurrence on most phones on most carriers. My GF's HTC Magic on Rogers did this too.
Gsm only is the 2g mode you want
Sent from my Apple Newton 2100
thanks! I see the option now.
GSM stands for 2G
HSPDA stands for 3G
when it changes between 2G/3G (G/H)[Automode] it's sort of Prefer 3G, fall back to 2G if 3G signal is weak.
you can easily change it off Settings > Wireless and Network > Mobile Network > Network Mode as you've said
actually my network doesnt support 2G (GSM). Like I said, it bounces between 3G and HSDPA (3.5G). Wonder what this does to battery life?
there is no problem, 3G is not as fast as HSPDA
in perfect reception you get 3.5G (HSPDA)
in not so good reception areas you get 3G
in very poor reception areas you are lucky to get 2G (EDGE)
ChiGGz said:
How do I set this? I checked in settings->wireless and network->mobile networks-> network mode, but see only an option for GSM only, WCDMA only.
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wtf.. when i go to settings->wireless and network->mobile networks i see "data roaming" "access point names" and "network operators".
i have a bell vibrant unlocked and on rogers and id LOVE to force gsm only.. are you running the updated firmware or something?
I'm curious what everyones Preferred Network Type is on their G2.
You get there by...
Go to "Phone"
Type *#*#4636#*#* (Don't hit send, you will see a screen appear)
Click "Phone Information"
Scroll down until you see "Set Preferred Network Type" and post what it says
The reason I want to know is because I did this and my phone's preferred network type says "WCDMA perferred".
Does anyone know if changing this value to GSM Prl will be more suitable for this GSM phone or does it not matter?
I switched mine to GSM Preferred PRL and I seem to get better battery life. It has a higher threshold before it switches from E to H. In places with good H signal it doesn't seem to make a difference.
I'm happy with it this way.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
From the N1 thread I used to lurk in religiously.
WCDMA preferred - The GSM phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 3G is favored more.
GSM only - The GSM phone is capable of using only 2G data communication. When the 2G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
WCDMA only - The GSM phone is capable of using only 3G data communication. When the 3G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
GSM auto (PRL) - The GSM phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 2G is favored more. This one is a bit confusing to me since PRL is associated mostly with CDMA technology and not GSM technology.
CDMA auto (PRL) - The CDMA phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 2G is favored more.
CDMA only - The CDMA phone is capable of using only 2G data communication. When the 2G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
EvDo only - The CDMA phone is capable of using only 3G data communication. When the 3G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
GSM/CDMA auto (PRL) - Some phones are equipped with both GSM and CDMA capabilities. This setting appears to just have the phone attempt to stay connected to the data communication type that works the best. (Maybe the Samsung Galaxy S will take advantage of this???)
Unknown - If none of the above fit or the phone is acting weird as far as connecting to the carrier, you will see your preferred network type is set to this.
Also, WCDMA uses more power because it is constantly scanning for connections and will always prefer 3G connections; have a lower threshold to use 3G.
GSM AUTO PRL has a higher threshold for 3G, generally about 2 bars or slightly lower so far I've noticied.
i cannot change network type. default is wcdma preferred. i click gsm only or wcdma only and it defaults back to wcdma preferred. Help! I cannot save the setting. I have galaxy note i717.
Hey,
I am on Rogers, in Canada, on the I337M. I have a ROM that allows for the selecting a variety of network modes. By default, the LTE/GSM/WCDMA setting is selected, but there is also a setting for LTE/CDMA/EvDo/GSM/WCDMA. Obviously, that's more networks than are available by default.
What I wonder is if selecting the 5-network option would be a good idea or a bad idea. Would more battery be drained? Would greater reception be gained in sparse areas? Does it depend upon which networks one's carrier uses? If I have no signal, would switching to the 5-network mode potentially enable a 2G signal or something? I don't understand how this works; I just know that LTE is 4G and is the fastest data band and is only partially available in my region currently. I often drop to 3G, but I don't know if that is WCDMA or GSM or what. I looked up these various standards on Wikipedia but still am not clear on everything. To compound matters, Rogers apparently uses HSPA+ as a 3G network and I often see that icon in my status bar, but what is that—WCDMA?
Any light shed on my conundrum would be appreciated.
Te3k said:
Hey,
I am on Rogers, in Canada, on the I337M. I have a ROM that allows for the selecting a variety of network modes. By default, the LTE/GSM/WCDMA setting is selected, but there is also a setting for LTE/CDMA/EvDo/GSM/WCDMA. Obviously, that's more networks than are available by default.
What I wonder is if selecting the 5-network option would be a good idea or a bad idea. Would more battery be drained? Would greater reception be gained in sparse areas? Does it depend upon which networks one's carrier uses? If I have no signal, would switching to the 5-network mode potentially enable a 2G signal or something? I don't understand how this works; I just know that LTE is 4G and is the fastest data band and is only partially available in my region currently. I often drop to 3G, but I don't know if that is WCDMA or GSM or what. I looked up these various standards on Wikipedia but still am not clear on everything. To compound matters, Rogers apparently uses HSPA+ as a 3G network and I often see that icon in my status bar, but what is that—WCDMA?
Any light shed on my conundrum would be appreciated.
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LTE/GSM/WCDMA simply means your phone will choose the most advancement network automatically. Let's say you are in an LTE area, with this setting you will have LTE. GSM means EDGE (2G) and WCDMA is 3G/3.5G (HSPA+). You will probably conserve battery life if you put it to GSM/WCDMA (auto). It will prefer 3G/3.5G/H+ in LTE areas. I am not familiar with Rogers but it might get you a stronger signal.
Sometimes when the LTE in my area is acting up I'll switch it over to WCDMA only, which helps.
Hope I answered your questions.
MattMJB0188 said:
LTE/GSM/WCDMA simply means your phone will choose the most advancement network automatically. Let's say you are in an LTE area, with this setting you will have LTE. GSM means EDGE (2G) and WCDMA is 3G/3.5G (HSPA+). You will probably conserve battery life if you put it to GSM/WCDMA (auto). It will prefer 3G/3.5G/H+ in LTE areas. I am not familiar with Rogers but it might get you a stronger signal.
Sometimes when the LTE in my area is acting up I'll switch it over to WCDMA only, which helps.
Hope I answered your questions.
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Thank you very much for your reply. It was helpful to learn that GSM=EDGE/2G and WCDMA=3G/3.5G (HSPA+). I understand that disabling 4G conserves battery life, and since 4G service isn't as saturated as 3G in my area, perhaps disabling 4G in certain circumstances will be beneficial as the phone will automatically jump to the saturated 3G network.
I'm still not sure about enabling CDMA and EvDo in addition to GSM/WCDMA/LTE. Would it be unnecessary to do so? Would that turn on more radios and drain more battery? Are those networks only available in certain regions, on certain carriers?
Te3k said:
Thank you very much for your reply. It was helpful to learn that GSM=EDGE/2G and WCDMA=3G/3.5G (HSPA+). I understand that disabling 4G conserves battery life, and since 4G service isn't as saturated as 3G in my area, perhaps disabling 4G in certain circumstances will be beneficial as the phone will automatically jump to the saturated 3G network.
I'm still not sure about enabling CDMA and EvDo in addition to GSM/WCDMA/LTE. Would it be unnecessary to do so? Would that turn on more radios and drain more battery? Are those networks only available in certain regions, on certain carriers?
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What rom are you running?
MattMJB0188 said:
What rom are you running?
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LiquidSmooth 2.9 on KToons' latest kernel.
Sorry to revive an old post, but I've been searching all over for this 'simple' question.
What is the difference in LTE/GSM auto and LTE/GSM/CDMA auto? Only APN in use is the T-Mobile LTE APN.
**KEEP IN MIND that while on LTE/GSM and not in an LTE area, I get HSPA and HSPA+ no problem on T-Mobile**
Just wish I could SUCCESSFULLY get 1 of those modes to stick on stock 4.2.2 ROM even with the build.prop edits.
Any way of turning off 4g and enabling 3g while on GSM unlocked?
dragonhart6505 said:
Any way of turning off 4g and enabling 3g while on GSM unlocked?
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Changing to GSM/UMTS should turn off 4G LTE and read 3g/2g services from the SIM and APNs. For me, to enable 4g as well as GSM, I have to use *#*#INFO#*#* and select LTE/UMTS/GSM from the menu, otherwise setting UMTS/GSM from the standard mobile network menu puts it in GSM Auto (PRL) mode, which is just HSPA+, UMTS, EDGE, and GPRS frequencies. (3.5G, 3G, 2.5G, and 2G respectively). I have my Razr M setup with a Straight Talk AT&T sim for GSM and PagePlus on CDMA, service toggle works flawlessly after setting it up.
But yeah, if you go into the mobile network settings and change it to GSM/UMTS mode and set the proper APNs, you should get 3G without issue and the LTE radio should be off (since it only supports Verizon's LTE band anyway)
Skreelink said:
Changing to GSM/UMTS should turn off 4G LTE and read 3g/2g services from the SIM and APNs. For me, to enable 4g as well as GSM, I have to use *#*#INFO#*#* and select LTE/UMTS/GSM from the menu, otherwise setting UMTS/GSM from the standard mobile network menu puts it in GSM Auto (PRL) mode, which is just HSPA+, UMTS, EDGE, and GPRS frequencies. (3.5G, 3G, 2.5G, and 2G respectively). I have my Razr M setup with a Straight Talk AT&T sim for GSM and PagePlus on CDMA, service toggle works flawlessly after setting it up.
But yeah, if you go into the mobile network settings and change it to GSM/UMTS mode and set the proper APNs, you should get 3G without issue and the LTE radio should be off (since it only supports Verizon's LTE band anyway)
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Dandy, but those options aren't available on my current ROM eclipse v5b3.
dragonhart6505 said:
Dandy, but those options aren't available on my current ROM eclipse v5b3.
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Click to collapse
I've not used that rom, but you should still have access to the secret menu, Open the dialer and type *#*#INFO#*#* (*#*#4636#*#*) > Phone information > Scroll down and select GSM auto (PRL) it's the same thing, GSM/UMTS only based on the SIM.
Skreelink said:
I've not used that rom, but you should still have access to the secret menu, Open the dialer and type *#*#INFO#*#* (*#*#4636#*#*) > Phone information > Scroll down and select GSM auto (PRL) it's the same thing, GSM/UMTS only based on the SIM.
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WCDMA Preferred would actually be a better choice and is the default choice on normal GSM phones, GSM auto (PRL) uses either 2g or 3g and just chooses whichever has stronger signal, WCDMA Preferred will make it use 3g as long as there is 3g signal and only drop to 2g if it has to.
msnuser111 said:
WCDMA Preferred would actually be a better choice and is the default choice on normal GSM phones, GSM auto (PRL) uses either 2g or 3g and just chooses whichever has stronger signal, WCDMA Preferred will make it use 3g as long as there is 3g signal and only drop to 2g if it has to.
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Yeah, but in my experience with using verizon global phones on gsm, trying to set this always changes itself back to gsm auto making WCDMA Preferred a moot option.
Skreelink said:
Yeah, but in my experience with using verizon global phones on gsm, trying to set this always changes itself back to gsm auto making WCDMA Preferred a moot option.
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WCDMA Preferred actually activates the 4g HSPA+ and GSM Auto only connects me to Edge: 2 making both of these options moot :-/
dragonhart6505 said:
WCDMA Preferred actually activates the 4g HSPA+ and GSM Auto only connects me to Edge: 2 making both of these options moot :-/
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Uhm... HSPA+ is actually 3.5G.. It's based on the UMTS 3G standard and is technically the same thing/catagory. "4G" is a marketing gimmick by AT&T and T-Mobile, they even had apple push an update on the iPhone when they started marketing it as 4g to change 3g to 4g on the phone. Although they did NOTHING to the capabilities of the phone. The phone does not differentiate between 3G UMTS and 3.5G HSPA+ as far as WCDMA/3G connections go, 4G should be referred to only on LTE, but carriers like their money. Remember AT&T used to tout the 'fastest 3g network' now they claim 'the largest 4g network' It's the SAME NETWORK, they just upped the number. T-Mobile actually offers a 42Mbps dual band HSPA+ network, whereas AT&T only has a 21Mbps HSPA+ network, both of them advertise as '4g' but they also have 4gLTE networks.
So in ALL technicality; their "4g" HSPA+ networks are ACTUALLY 3G networks... There is no way to force the phone to use only UMTS as it's the basis for HSPA being the 'same' network type. The only real 4G is LTE, which without a verizon SIM card, is disabled when not using an "LTE/CDMA" option.
Skreelink said:
Uhm... HSPA+ is actually 3.5G.. It's based on the UMTS 3G standard and is technically the same thing/catagory. "4G" is a marketing gimmick by AT&T and T-Mobile, they even had apple push an update on the iPhone when they started marketing it as 4g to change 3g to 4g on the phone. Although they did NOTHING to the capabilities of the phone. The phone does not differentiate between 3G UMTS and 3.5G HSPA+ as far as WCDMA/3G connections go, 4G should be referred to only on LTE, but carriers like their money. Remember AT&T used to tout the 'fastest 3g network' now they claim 'the largest 4g network' It's the SAME NETWORK, they just upped the number. T-Mobile actually offers a 42Mbps dual band HSPA+ network, whereas AT&T only has a 21Mbps HSPA+ network, both of them advertise as '4g' but they also have 4gLTE networks.
So in ALL technicality; their "4g" HSPA+ networks are ACTUALLY 3G networks... There is no way to force the phone to use only UMTS as it's the basis for HSPA being the 'same' network type. The only real 4G is LTE, which without a verizon SIM card, is disabled when not using an "LTE/CDMA" option.
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We need more clarification like yours on the interwebs ^_^ thank you. Either way, my issue appears to be throttle and neither option allows me to get above 8 kbs download speeds.
Still a shame they need to be so crude about their marketing. And I tried so hard not to be a sucker!
Skreelink said:
Uhm... HSPA+ is actually 3.5G.. It's based on the UMTS 3G standard and is technically the same thing/catagory. "4G" is a marketing gimmick by AT&T and T-Mobile, they even had apple push an update on the iPhone when they started marketing it as 4g to change 3g to 4g on the phone. Although they did NOTHING to the capabilities of the phone. The phone does not differentiate between 3G UMTS and 3.5G HSPA+ as far as WCDMA/3G connections go, 4G should be referred to only on LTE, but carriers like their money. Remember AT&T used to tout the 'fastest 3g network' now they claim 'the largest 4g network' It's the SAME NETWORK, they just upped the number. T-Mobile actually offers a 42Mbps dual band HSPA+ network, whereas AT&T only has a 21Mbps HSPA+ network, both of them advertise as '4g' but they also have 4gLTE networks.
So in ALL technicality; their "4g" HSPA+ networks are ACTUALLY 3G networks... There is no way to force the phone to use only UMTS as it's the basis for HSPA being the 'same' network type. The only real 4G is LTE, which without a verizon SIM card, is disabled when not using an "LTE/CDMA" option.
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Minor correction: AOSP and maybe stock (not sure...) do indicate HSPA+ in the status bar by changing it from 3g to H+
Also, technically LTE isn't 4g either, but it's the closest to 4g you can get.
IIRC it's ~50mbps ideal and ITU 4g standard is like 100. H+ is like 30 or 40. Of course, my numbers may be way off... It's something like that though
Also, there's no GSM/LTE option? Could've sworn there was one...
Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 4
sloosecannon said:
Minor correction: AOSP and maybe stock (not sure...) do indicate HSPA+ in the status bar by changing it from 3g to H+
Also, technically LTE isn't 4g either, but it's the closest to 4g you can get.
IIRC it's ~50mbps ideal and ITU 4g standard is like 100. H+ is like 30 or 40. Of course, my numbers may be way off... It's something like that though
Also, there's no GSM/LTE option? Could've sworn there was one...
Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 4
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The stock rom shows H+ and next gen lte is 300mbps capable, current is ~100mbps. I have seen someone hit 45mbps on a droid 4. Course you won't see anywhere near ideal max. Hspa+ is 21Mbps dual band hspa is 42Mbps. As I recall they are working on a 1Gbit lte, but that will be a long way out. There is an lte/gsm option, but since the M doesn't support lte bands besides verizon, kinda useless. Lte sim will be lte/cdma verizon.
While on cdma my phone shows 3g for evdo and H+ for hspap. (I have pageplus and att sim straight talk on my M).
Skreelink said:
The stock rom shows H+ and next gen lte is 300mbps capable, current is ~100mbps. I have seen someone hit 45mbps on a droid 4. Course you won't see anywhere near ideal max. Hspa+ is 21Mbps dual band hspa is 42Mbps. As I recall they are working on a 1Gbit lte, but that will be a long way out. There is an lte/gsm option, but since the M doesn't support lte bands besides verizon, kinda useless. Lte sim will be lte/cdma verizon.
While on cdma my phone shows 3g for evdo and H+ for hspap. (I have pageplus and att sim straight talk on my M).
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Gotcha.
1gbit? So you can burn up a 10 GB data plan in 40 seconds! YAY! I WANT ONE!
Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 4