Database Users

Advice required re: GPRS/3G/HSDPA (Work / The Internet)

Hi guys,
I've been a HTC and Windows Mobile user a little while now. I previously had a Trinity (HTC 3600) and now I have the Touch HD. It has come to my attention that I really need to figure out what the data terminology really means.
I have noticed that when using my phone, data connections are automatically initiated when I perform/launch specific applications that are obviously using a data connection, such as:
- Google Maps
- Tom Tom Traffic
- Internet (opera/internet explorer)
- Manilla 3D Weather
- Manilla Photo uploading
- etc.
I have found it annoying at times that data connections have started without informing me, and then to make things worse, the connection doesnt cancel at the end of its task, it needs a manual disconnect.
I've gradually gone through the settings of most programs, turning off any form of "automatic update" setting. So im happier knowing that most of the time my phone shouldnt be unexpectidly in the middle of a data connection.
But on occasions I look at my phone, and see that its had a data connection open for over an hour (although my guess is that hardly any data has been transfered on these occasions).
So firstly, could anyone reccomend any programs that can monitor my data connections or usage and even force me to give authorisation whenever a data connection is requested?
Secondly, I find that if I have my wifi connection connected, all apps that try to use a data connection use this to channel their data through, this is perfectly fine and is the behaviour I expect, but when I'm using Windows Messenger on my phone, while on wifi, for some unknown reason, it feels it can establish another data connection (regardless of the wifi being connected and operating) - and that is very annoying.
Most of my concerns stem from the fact that I only have off-peak free data time on the web with my provider (Orange).
Lastly, could someone help explain the differences between:
GPRS
3G
HSDPA
I think GPRS is what sat nav apps use for geographical positioning using satelites, and its free. But im not sure about the others, are there others that I am unaware of too. I think 3G and HSDPA are data connections, but what makes one different from the other, and why is it only sometimes 3G is used, and another time HSDPA is used?
Im in London, UK, and I notice on my phones signal bar, that it can often change to show a "G" or a "H" or a "3G" and there could be others. This is all so confusing, and my main concern is about paying for data connections etc.
Oh... and whats the difference, or whats the point of telling the phone to use "Work" or "The Internet", this also confuses me.
Although this is a bit of a long winded post, I'll appriciate any bits of help and advice given.
Thanks in advanced,
WizzKidd

Ok, i've been doing some reading, and for the sake of those who "search" these forums in the future, this post will at least have an answer (even if im kinda answering it myself).
My understanding is as follows:
The 4 data channels are: GSM / GPRS / 3G / EDGE
In order of their age (oldest to newest)...
GSM: (Global System for Mobile communications)
- The European standard for the majority of handsets.
- Primary usage is voice.
- Tri-band GSM allow Europe to operate these phones and Quad-band GSM allows some Far East to operate.
- Can be used with the GPRS core network for data.
GPRS:
- One of the first widely used data channels
- Can transmit data of up to 60 KBits/sec
- is battery friendly
EDGE: (Exchanged Data rates for GSM Evolution)
- based on GPRS
- Can transmit up to 473.6 KB/its per second
- ideal for heavy webpages, and downloading email attachments etc
3G:
- Originally for video data calls but also efficient for web/email, im and voip
- very popular channel, most UK and some European networks now have 3G networks and with speeds similar to EDGE
- not battery friendly when searching for new 3G connections
HSDPA: (High speed Downlink Packet Access)
- Based on 3G technology
- Supports speeds of up to 7.2 MBits/sec (but in reality you usually get 3Mb/s)
- very good for high bandwidth usage like video streaming
So, what ive gathered from all this is that the phone can switch its data channel depending on how demanding the application is for bandwidth and also what data channels are available in the area.
Please correct me if i am wrong, assumtions and corrections is the best way to learn.
Thanks,
Wizzkidd
PS. I still dont see the point of Windows Mobile asking me if this network is connected to "Work" or "The Internet".

Isn't HSDPA also called 3G+ ?

GPRS
Hai Wizzkidd
What you can do is: put gprs off. Go to settings-> connections-> connections. On the tab tasks you wil see: my isp. Open de link modify and select your isp. Hold it down and remove settings.
You will still be able to make phonecalls and sms. You will have to get your updates etc... through wifi or sync.

me to, Orange/(3G) - are they the same ?????
wizzkidd said:
Hi guys,
I have found it annoying at times that data connections have started without informing me, and then to make things worse, the connection doesnt cancel at the end of its task, it needs a manual disconnect.
I've gradually gone through the settings of most programs, turning off any form of "automatic update" setting. So im happier knowing that most of the time my phone shouldnt be unexpectidly in the middle of a data connection.
But on occasions I look at my phone, and see that its had a data connection open for over an hour (although my guess is that hardly any data has been transfered on these occasions).
So firstly, could anyone reccomend any programs that can monitor my data connections or usage and even force me to give authorisation whenever a data connection is requested?
Secondly, I find that if I have my wifi connection connected, all apps that try to use a data connection use this to channel their data through, this is perfectly fine and is the behaviour I expect, but when I'm using Windows Messenger on my phone, while on wifi, for some unknown reason, it feels it can establish another data connection (regardless of the wifi being connected and operating) - and that is very annoying.
Most of my concerns stem from the fact that I only have off-peak free data time on the web with my provider (Orange).
Lastly, could someone help explain the differences between:
GPRS
3G
HSDPA
I think GPRS is what sat nav apps use for geographical positioning using satelites, and its free. But im not sure about the others, are there others that I am unaware of too. I think 3G and HSDPA are data connections, but what makes one different from the other, and why is it only sometimes 3G is used, and another time HSDPA is used?
Im in London, UK, and I notice on my phones signal bar, that it can often change to show a "G" or a "H" or a "3G" and there could be others. This is all so confusing, and my main concern is about paying for data connections etc.
Oh... and whats the difference, or whats the point of telling the phone to use "Work" or "The Internet", this also confuses me.
Although this is a bit of a long winded post, I'll appriciate any bits of help and advice given.
Thanks in advanced,
WizzKidd
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
firstly = http://www.modaco.com/content/pocket-pc-software/246171/new-free-utility-nodata/ - not TESTED on my ELF { http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=318414&page=4 }
secondly = I had to 'make do' with a 'modem', for a bit. A '3' ZTE MF622 USB modem, it uses hdspa/3G. network3's website, classes this modem as a phone/sim - was PAYG, though (mythree. . . . ) - - - - THE HDSPA downloaded, "" faster at times than virgin-cabled Bband did !!! "" - watch [task mgr]->[network]
thirdly = NICE ONE !!! 9.75/10 for the (101/explaination's of the connections) and the check Ur not updating Ur Apps, all/some of the time.
shame the [comm mgr]->[phone]="wake on lan"/(x)
still under usb, i cannot Ms Direct push / Data connect
only LIVE via usb - NO WIFI (connected, but ...)

networks
Hi,
I think your question about preventing automatic connection has been explained.
As for GPRS, 3G and HSDPA,
They are all cellular data connections but will vary in speed and stability.
GPRS and EDGE (can provide what each stand for but i am sure google would do the work for me)
They are the packet data networks when using the 2G networks. GPRS (2.5G f you will) has downlink speeds of around 28kb/s and EDGE (2.75G) 100kb/s.
3G (UMTS) max's out around 384kb/s and officially HSDPA (3.5G) can is commercially available at 7.2mbps. All the speeds above are network dependant as all can be capped.
Most operators are now testing HSDPA and HSUPA (3.75G - same downlink speed as HSDPA but faster uplink, the speed however escapes me ) on speeds greater than 7.2mbps.
You will not be charged differently for each network type and each will come out of a data plan at the same rate.
The 2G networks are more stable but slower and the 3G networks are faster but due to congestion issues the connections have been known to drop as i am sure some other users will agree.
The thing sat nav software uses for positioning is GPS (Global positioning system) and not GPRS (general packet radio service). GPS is a handset feature like wifi or bluetooth and nothing to do with the network.
Hope that helps.
Cheers
Ross

HSDPA
Hey guys, I just wana know if any of you know how to make your phone connect using hsdpa only. Because this is realy fast compared to other connections, and its annoying when the device switches to gprs or some other type of connection which makes the net super slow.

Ok GSM is a wireless technology like CDMA it has very little to do with actual data use.
GPRS(2G), EDGE(2.5G), UMTS(3G), HSDPA (also 3G), HSUPA(3G yet again), HSPA+(3.5G) All of these, are technologies that allow internet connectivity or data transfer, at different speeds. Depending on the tech your service provider uses your speeds will vary, that being said, you, don't pay extra when your connection switches.
GPRS: General Packet Radio Service...
Pipsqueak approved this message

Hey guys, it seems that you can simply select WCDMA only option in your setting to connect using only HSDPA.

[Q] data connection causing "ppp..." error message

it seems like this happened maybe after I started using my phone with my dsl router for internet via wifi. anyway, I believe the error message also says something about the #777 that the connection dials as if it's a problem. I'm assuming that has always been the number, so maybe the problem isn't the number (?). so now I can barely connect to the internet with my data connection.google maps comes up tho momentarily.

MY experience with this has been totally annoying! ! ! The single and ONLY BAD thing about this phone.
What I experience is that for some unknown reason the Imagio looses the password to the data connection, and therefore can't connect the data side. It remembers the user name ([email protected]) but looses the password.
The only solution Ihave found is to go to settings/connections/connections/manage existing and edit the connection and re-re-re-re-re-re-re-enter the password.
I changed the registry setting in HKLM\comm\connMgr\Providers\7c4b...blah\VerizonWireless\RequirePw to 0, but no joy
I also changed connections.xml to include the [email protected], AND password, and requirePw = 0 with no joy there either.
I use WiFi when I'm at home, and every time I leave home, I have to re-enter the password. This is totally annoying.
IF I leave the data connection on, it will remain connected, but if I disconnect, I will have to reenter the password. That sucks.
I'm using the stock MR2 ROM.
Oh, no help from VZW, they say it's some program I'm running. Yeah, right.
Like there's a piece of software or some game that I'm running that's going to change the data connection's password. Right, and I own swamp land in Florida too.
It's bad enough that I can't use a hard IP address on Wifi when at home because the CDMA data side will also try to use that hard address, so the only solution I found is to use DHCP on WiFi so it will also work on the CDMA side.
IF someone knows a way that I can have something enter the password even on a timed basis, I would be very happy.
Until then, every time I connect to the CDMA data side, I have to enter the password or get the damn ppp error, can't connect message.
Just sharing MY experience.....

so what's the password?

For verizon (which is what I know)
Verizon
Username:
[email protected]
Password:
vzw

oh silly me. i use pageplus. but thanks anyway

2G/EDGE packet data connection problem solved in apps...

Hello.
I came from a NOKIA 5800 XPRESS MUSIC Symbian smartphone, where my packet data connection settings were ready to go by default, so I didn't have to set up manually the 2G/EDGE internet connection from my provider.
But...
After buying my SG3 five days ago, I was going to continue to use the sim card from my Nokia phone i.e. use my unlimited 2G/EDGE internet connection to use it where there's no wifi, like to browse apps, get enlightened by the xda-development, chat in gtalk and be allways synchronised.
So.
First I requested a configuration message (CM) from my operator and was all happy (after installing the CM) about the connection notification that I can use packet data, so I opened the gtalk app to share my experience with my buddies, but there was not a chance to connect via packet data.
I tried to reinstall the CM, but nothig happened, only where it was working was the browser. In my APN (access point name) settings were wap and mms profiles due to CM install, but no internet, even after installing another CM with given APN and AP usage only.
When my frustration level was high enough, I deleted all the CMs and APs. Than an idea poped in my mind, to manually create a 2G/EDGE AP, filled with the informations about the internet connection given by my provider inside Froyo's wireless settings.
Simple enough?
...well it worked!!!
From that moment i did not encounter any problems with the 2G/EDGE internet connection.
It's like being on wifi, with just the speed of 2G connection. ;-)
Le a kalappal - Thanks to...
GT-I5800_TiBiSMART FROYO JPF_LIVE WALL_WIN ANIMATION_LAUNCHERPRO
Ps. : Very stable.
Edit: here's a very helpful post, where's the global apn settings file which I am using, since it is included in korillos 2.2 Rom.
It includes the internet ( 2G, EDGE, 3G, HDSPA, etc.) and mms settings as well.
Thanks to madhuranand007.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=11301556&postcount=1

I joined as this is the exact same problem I am having. TMUS, have data plan.
I had a C6 Nokia, and it had quite a few categories to enter info. Like Packet Data. The Apollo doesn't.
Phone is working fine - even have Skype working.
Problem is MMS/photo compression and slideshow. I've got it halfway fixed - I can see the images, but they are smaller than I'd like. There is no darn setting for messaging in the Android. A lot say that you can't use 2G/Edge/Gprs to send mms.
The C6 did it with no problem, I've seen complaints from other phone and carrier users, so I'm suspecting it's Samsung/Android. I have a TTW plan, so the phone should be covered. I use more wifi at home than data, except for the mms. And I don't send many of those.
Thinking of rooting the phone - reading everything and proceeding cautiously.
I would like to get all problems solved before I do anything.
I have internet, but no place to enter wap. They were 2 different settings on the Nokia C6
Thanks,
Zuben

Basically the bottom line is, if you don't get your APN settings automatically find out the name of your mobile service provider and google: X apn settings android
X being your service provider

I did. Trouble is, there were 2 settings in Symbian. One for internet which was epc
and one for data, which was wap.voicestream. That came from the carrier.
I have no place in Android to enter the one for data only. It doesn't give me the choice.

problem with defy losing dropping 3g connection

hello, i have just bought a defy, and notices it usually drops hspa connection very fast. it takes sometimes up to a minute to load a page, if it works at all, some other times works perfect.
I am on vodafone romania
i entered the info menu *#*#4636#*#* and if i run a ping test when the connection drops, i see an error: http client test: unknown (it's pass if it works) even tough ping ipaddr and host name are both pass, so the internet works in theory, i just can't connect over http sometimes
i update to beta 2.3.4 then downgraded to 2.2.2 and still no change, wiped everything in the process. i checked the apn 100 times and it's the right one (it does work half the time after all)
i rooted and used set dns program (tried all the dns addresses), still no luck
i tried to change baseband, with defy baseband, set them all, same thing
i tried to use the wcdma preferred setting - default is gsm auto (prl) - but it does not stick (only wcdma only and gsm only work)
please help me

get the radio replaced
vanadragos said:
hello, i have just bought a defy, and notices it usually drops hspa connection very fast. it takes sometimes up to a minute to load a page, if it works at all, some other times works perfect.
I am on vodafone romania
i entered the info menu *#*#4636#*#* and if i run a ping test when the connection drops, i see an error: http client test: unknown (it's pass if it works) even tough ping ipaddr and host name are both pass, so the internet works in theory, i just can't connect over http sometimes
i update to beta 2.3.4 then downgraded to 2.2.2 and still no change, wiped everything in the process. i checked the apn 100 times and it's the right one (it does work half the time after all)
i rooted and used set dns program (tried all the dns addresses), still no luck
i tried to change baseband, with defy baseband, set them all, same thing
i tried to use the wcdma preferred setting - default is gsm auto (prl) - but it does not stick (only wcdma only and gsm only work)
please help me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well i had the same problem , i got the radio replaced from the service center .
also iv noticed the data hang issue is not present in the new Wiui rom by wajik , give it a try

Please ask all question in Q&A. Thread moved there.

[Q] Connection icon greyed

Hello,
two days ago my mako started to show grey connection icon for mobile data. The background synchronization also does not work.
After connecting to Wifi both icons go blue, synchro works.
Sometimes after disconnecting from wifi the mobile data icon stays blue and synchro works, but in 99% it greys out
Tried: android 4.2.2, android 4.3, cm 10.1.2-stable, 20130824-nightly cm 10.2, all of them have same problem
Has anybody some advice?
Logcat
Code:
D/ConnectivityService( 551): handleInetConditionHoldEnd: net=0, condition=0, published condition=0 // grey icon
D/ConnectivityService( 551): handleInetConditionHoldEnd: net=1, condition=100, published condition=0 //blueicon
if condition is 0 the icon is grey, when condition is 100 the icon goes blue, and everything is fine
edit:// internet is functional, manual sync too

cyberking said:
Hello,
two days ago my mako started to show grey connection icon for mobile data. The background synchronization also does not work.
After connecting to Wifi both icons go blue, synchro works.
Sometimes after disconnecting from wifi the mobile data icon stays blue and synchro works, but in 99% it greys out
Tried: android 4.2.2, android 4.3, cm 10.1.2-stable, 20130824-nightly cm 10.2, all of them have same problem
Has anybody some advice?
Logcat
Code:
D/ConnectivityService( 551): handleInetConditionHoldEnd: net=0, condition=0, published condition=0 // grey icon
D/ConnectivityService( 551): handleInetConditionHoldEnd: net=1, condition=100, published condition=0 //blueicon
if condition is 0 the icon is grey, when condition is 100 the icon goes blue, and everything is fine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, this means your device is having trouble communicating with Google's servers. If you're getting blue bars on wifi, I suspect it has something to do with your carrier or APN settings. Who are you with?

carrier O2 Czech republic

cyberking said:
carrier O2 Czech republic
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Compare with your APN settings:
Contract
Dial Number : *99#
APN : internet
Username : (leave blank)
Password : (leave blank)
Pay As You Go
Dial Number : *99#
APN : gointernet
Username : (leave blank)
Password : (leave blank)

dialing number not found, but everything seems fine
weird is, that sometimes it stays blue after wifi disconnect
and that manual sync works and internet works

problem solved??
i played yesterday with APNs, changed APN type to "default,supl,hipri,internet", many times did "reset to default" in APN, and finally it started working, i don't know why, i don't know how, but it works

cyberking said:
problem solved??
i played yesterday with APNs, changed APN type to "default,supl,hipri,internet", many times did "reset to default" in APN, and finally it started working, i don't know why, i don't know how, but it works
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to hear :thumbup:
It was probably a carrier-side issue then.
Sent by carrier pigeon