I'm just curious if there is any kind of registry editing or something like that could disable my Samsung Focus from dropping down to GPRS signal? I'm not looking to disable the internet signal entirely, I'm only looking to either drastically lower the priority of GPRS or disable it so that I only connect to EDGE and above. My phone connects to edge just fine at about 3 bars of signal and works great, but as soon as I get 4-5 bars of signal it automatically drops to GPRS, which makes no sense to me, I would rather have 3 bars of signal and use EDGE service than to get a better signal on a drastically slower internet speed.
Open Dialer and type ##3282#
(you'll see "field test"... look lower right on the screen for "...")
select settings and limit "Network type" to "3G only".
There's some other stuff you can do, as well. If you don't see the drop down menu in settings/cellular: "Highest connection speed", you need to add some registry keys.
You can limit down the connectivity level (depends on network), see this thread for registry tweaks.
1st, you need to enable the 3G toggle:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Connectivity\CellularCPL]
"Show3GToggle"=dword:1
Then, if you still don't see the drop down menu in settings/cellular:
"Highest connection speed"
add this too:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Connectivity\CellularCPL]
"ShowConnectionSpeedOption"=dword:1
Then, you should see "Highest connection speed" drop down menu.
EnderPsp said:
Open Dialer and type ##3282#
(you'll see "field test"... look lower right on the screen for "...")
select settings and limit "Network type" to "3G only".
There's some other stuff you can do, as well. If you don't see the drop down menu in settings/cellular: "Highest connection speed", you need to add some registry keys.
You can limit down the connectivity level (depends on network), see this thread for registry tweaks.
1st, you need to enable the 3G toggle:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Connectivity\CellularCPL]
"Show3GToggle"=dword:1
Then, if you still don't see the drop down menu in settings/cellular:
"Highest connection speed"
add this too:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Connectivity\CellularCPL]
"ShowConnectionSpeedOption"=dword:1
Then, you should see "Highest connection speed" drop down menu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually have all these options, seeing as they come with the custom rom's I've been using. Right now I am currently using Jaxbot's 7.8 Rom. The only thing I wasn't aware of was the ##3282# in the dialer to set the network type. However, seeing as I'm in an area where TMobile hasn't deployed 3G+ on their PCS1900 frequency, 2G is my only option, If I set it to 3G on the field test like you suggested, the phone completely loses signal. I'll try and simply my situation for you to see if you or anyone else can possibly find a solution to it.
I can be sitting at my desk, and have 4-5 bars, and while my icon says "E" for Edge, if I test it, I will only get a maximum of 55 kilobits per second. However, If I move my phone slightly over to an area that I know it drops to 3 bars, run the test again, I'll get 200-250 kilobits per second. (Which I believe is the maximum for EDGE and generally what I'm trying to STAY in until they deploy the 3G+ in my area, I'm actively following airportal.de so I can be aware if it's near me or not)
Now this is not ALWAYS the case, because there are some instances where I can have the 3 bar signal and have the E symbol, and as soon as I do something network intensive, like running a bandwidth test or attempting to stream something from last.fm or what not, It will jump up to a 4 bar signal strength quickly and change the E to a G, but only momentarily, because the G will then go back to E, though the speeds never change.
Essentially it's almost as though my phone is choosing to revert back to GPRS over EDGE just because the signal strength is better, which I could care less about, I would rather my phone just stay in EDGE and not default back to GPRS over the better signal strength.
Related
Hi,
I've found that the switch between GPRS and UTMS can be a bit of a PITA. It causes TomTom to drop it's traffic connection, and makes web browsing in a marginal 3G area practically unusable as it's chops and changes between GPRS and UTMS (3G).
I've tried to create a new "Cellular Line" connection with the *99# dialup settings, in a hope that this would connect me to GPRS without switching to UTMS if available, but I can't get it to work - it just says "No modem at above number".
Has anybody got a solution to this?
Cheers,
Steve.
If you select Settings -> Phone -> Band and choose GSM (instead of Auto), what happens? Does it stick to GSM? I think it should do.
EDIT: Jus ttried it on mine. Had full UMTS signal and forced GSM and it worked!
I'm not in a position to test that at the moment (no 3G signal), however, doesn't that prevent all 3G facilities of the phone (i.e. video calls) from working?
Having said that, I can't think why I would want a video call, and I can always switch it back should I need to.
Cheers,
Steve.
Yes it does prevent all 3G features (and therefore extends battery life). Sorry, I didn't realise that this was not what you wanted to do. From your original post I thought you didn't want it to use UMTS at all.
Ideally, it was just the web browsing/internet access that I wanted to prevent switching to UTMS, but to be honest, I'm not sure I would miss video phoning - is there anything else I'm getting on 3G that I'll not get after making that change?
Cheers,
Steve.
As far as I'm aware, making voice calls on 3G is a little bit clearer than on GSM, but consumes more battery. So if you are unable to tell the difference between the two then you could fix it to GSM and save battery life.
However, don't forget that UMTS is vaunted as being 3 times faster than GPRS for internet use, so your browsing etc will slow down if you lock it into GSM/GPRS only mode. I bet this doesn't matter much for TomTom traffic though as I am sure it only uses small amounts of data. If you're happy with GPRS then go for it.
Yes, I'm aware of the speed difference between GPRS and UTMS. My main problem is that I use my Exec to update the football scores on my football club's website, but the home ground is in a marginal UTMS area, so it keeps switching on/off, and consequently takes much longer to update the score than if it just connected via GPRS.
I'll give these new settings a go, and if there are any unwanted side effects, I'll switch back.
Cheers,
Steve.
Having being in the know about 3G for some time now I'm saying that its virtually impossible to only use GSM for internet, but stay with 3G for vid calling.
Your best bet would be some 3rd party software for this as I don't think any 3G phone lets you do this.
Yes I agree Biohead. I don't even think third party software would help as the radio has to disconnect and then reconnect. So you can't do some stuff on GSM (like GPRS) and then some on UMTS (like Video calling) without disconnecting and reconnecting. Luckily for Mr Pritchard, he is not too bothered about video calling and so, hopefully, this will solve his problem.
Will someone kindly explain to me, in plain English, the difference between the different types of data services available on the Athena and other 3G devices?
Here's what I know now:The basic voice/data protocol when not in a 3G coverage area is GSM. Since I use AT&T, the 2G (or 2.5G) data service is EDGE. When in the most rural of areas, I'm using simple GPRS for data service, represented by a G on the status bar. When EDGE is available, the G changes to an E.
So far, so good.
Where I'm getting confused is when I enter a 3G service area. It seems that there are two levels of 3G: UMTS (represented by 3G on the status bar) and HSDPA (represented by an H). Also, when in a 3G area, the phone application (and the Wireless Today plugin if it's enabled) show "AT&T UMTS." Now, as I understood it, UMTS is an entire cellular protocol, designed to succeed GSM, and not a data service specifically. HSDPA is the data service.
So, what is the practical difference between a "3G" on the status bar and an "H" on the status bar?
Can someone in the know please sort this out for me?
Thanks.
In simple English the '3G' symbol shows when we are in a UMTS active area. It will show the large "3G" connected to the small "3G" when attached to the UMTS data network but not downloading/uploading anything.
If you then open an application (like Outlook and hit send/receive) the ["3G" 's] both change to ["H" 's] as the HSDPA compression kicks in. This is, of course, depending on having the HSDPA active.
Once the data exchange has ended, it returns to ["3G" 's] to show that we are still in a high speed data 'available' area. If we leave the "3G" area, we get handed of to the "E" 's for the Edge network. If we leave the Edge area, we get downgraded again to ["G" 's] for the GPRS. As you have correctly noted, it's all about speed.
You should only see the ["H" 's] on for an extended time if you are downloading a large file or perhaps streaming media to your device. The "H" shows that the compression algorithm is active, otherwise, the 3G shows when the service is available, but idle.
You may see a single '3G' meaning you are in a UMTS active area but not connected. You should never see a single "H", only a double "H" during a "3G" connected session. I have tested this by turning off HSDPA and the double "3G" remains during downlink, meaning the data is still at a higer speed than Edge, but not using the HSDPA compression. Hope this answers your question.
raskell said:
In simple English the '3G' symbol shows when we are in a UMTS active area. It will show the large "3G" connected to the small "3G" when attached to the UMTS data network but not downloading/uploading anything.
If you then open an application (like Outlook and hit send/receive) the ["3G" 's] both change to ["H" 's] as the HSDPA compression kicks in. This is, of course, depending on having the HSDPA active.
Once the data exchange has ended, it returns to ["3G" 's] to show that we are still in a high speed data 'available' area. If we leave the "3G" area, we get handed of to the "E" 's for the Edge network. If we leave the Edge area, we get downgraded again to ["G" 's] for the GPRS. As you have correctly noted, it's all about speed.
You should only see the ["H" 's] on for an extended time if you are downloading a large file or perhaps streaming media to your device. The "H" shows that the compression algorithm is active, otherwise, the 3G shows when the service is available, but idle.
You may see a single '3G' meaning you are in a UMTS active area but not connected. You should never see a single "H", only a double "H" during a "3G" connected session. I have tested this by turning off HSDPA and the double "3G" remains during downlink, meaning the data is still at a higer speed than Edge, but not using the HSDPA compression. Hope this answers your question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent explanation. Thanks. Not that I needed it, but many noobs to 3G based devices might.
Thanks for your positive comments, mackaby007
Symptoms
- You cannot maintain a constant data connection. The connection is often lost or dropped.
- HD2 reception indicator dances between G to 3G to H despite showing good reception, and user remaining stationary.
Counter measures - No cabs or registry tweaks needed.
Presented in the order I would try them. If the lower number levels don't work, then move up a level. These are offerred as advice from a UK based HD2 user, though may work for you elsewhere.
LEVEL 1
- Go to Comm Manager > Wireless Controls
- Turn the Data connection Off then On again.
This will usually get you back and running again faster than waiting for the HD2 to sort itself out.
LEVEL 2
- Go to Settings > All Settings > Connections > Advanced Network
- Disable HSDPA/HSUPA
This will stop your phone attempting to use '3.5G' and will mean that you only use 3G.
Remember to re-enable HSDPA/HSUPA when you are in an area with better reception.
LEVEL 3
- Go to Settings > Wireless Controls > Phone - Change phone settings
- Move down to Other Options > Band - Change baseband
- Change Network Type from Auto to GSM
- Change Band frequency from Auto to either GSM (900+1800)+UMTS or GSM (1900+850) . To make the decision, you need to know the GSM frequency your operator uses. If you don't know, you can just try both of the GSM options and see which works. No damage will be done by using the wrong frequency first time, and you can change back.
This will disable 3G and force your phone to use 2G. Most operators have decent 2G networks, so you shouldn't have the disconnects anymore, but you will have slower than 3G potential speeds.
Remember to change your phone back to Auto for both Network Type and Band Frequency when you are in an area with better reception.
Thanks for the heads up... will have to try some of these. I find it most annoying at times...!
Thanks for the advice, I do find those issues annoying. What are the benefits of using 3.5G? If they're aren't any major advantages and turning this off helps then I may as well leave it off.
CHIP STAXMAN said:
LEVEL 1
- Go to Comm Manager > Wireless Controls
- Turn the Data connection Off then On again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem with this is that it b*llockses up your push email settings, if you use the phone to get email from an Exchange server. The better approach (assuming standard configuration) is to press and hold the power/end-call hard-button. That brings up a menu of four choices. The last of those is "terminate data connection". Click it. Anything the phone does which requires the data connection after that will automatically reactivate it.
3G 2100
These tricks may solve the issue for many but not for me because I'm in a 3G 2100 only network so I cannot switch to GSM. I will try to disable HSDPA/HSUPA to see if that works though.
The weird thing is that the issue occurs almost exclusively when I'm logged on an IM client and the phone stays in sleep mode a few minutes (say 15 min or so). After I wake up the phone the signal seems ok but the data connection is lost (IM, browsing, mail, weather update, etc.). It doesn't happen every time but very often, several times a day.
If I don't log on any instant messenger app the data connection is stable, especially with the new 1.66 ROM (I tried both Duttty's custom and official). In this case I lose data connection very rarely, in fact I din't even remember the last time I did.
Can anybody provide an explanation for this, what is happening with the connection between the IM server and the phone during sleep?
snerkler said:
Thanks for the advice, I do find those issues annoying. What are the benefits of using 3.5G? If they're aren't any major advantages and turning this off helps then I may as well leave it off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your network supports it, you should have higher potential data upload and download speeds through using 3.5G (HSDPA/HSUPA).
In reality and every day use, on many networks you probably wouldn't notice the difference between 3G and 3.5G.
I'm on Virgin Mobile, which piggybacks on T-Mobile's network here in the UK. My speedtests in central London, show virtually no difference between me using 2G, 3G and 3.5G!!!! Which is ridiculous. The main difference I get as a HD2 user is much more stable data connection on 2G vs 3G/3.5G.
I generally have excellent 3G signal around my home but find that within the house it seems to flit between 2 bars of "H" to full-bars "G" to no reception [all in the same room/part of the room!]
At home I would generally have wifi on anyway so want to have better/consistent phone reception esp when on-call.
Someone suggested I could disable 3G/HSDPA at home and use GSM only and this will give me better reception.
I don't understand why this would be?
Is this feasible and is it simple to keep switching back and forth between 2G and 3G or will it require softboots etc?
Thanks
You could call Vodafone and let them talk you into giving them £50 for them to use your internet connection for their traffic?
oh.....kay......[backs slowly out of the room]....
wigwam12 said:
oh.....kay......[backs slowly out of the room]....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I take it you've not heard about Vodafone's Sure Signal?
http://www.vodafone.co.uk/suresignal
Anyway, with regards to your question about why using GSM gives a better signal.
If you have it set to auto, and your in a low 3G signal area, the phone will be on GSM, see 3G & switch to it. Then it will lose signal, go back to GSM, and the whole thing repeats over and over.
Setting it to GSM will stop this from happening, and as a result you get a better signal.
hollinshead said:
I take it you've not heard about Vodafone's Sure Signal?
http://www.vodafone.co.uk/suresignal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have one sat next to me. Really good piece of kit. Without it, I have no signal at all
I went to an Voda store today and he [also] recommended the 2G method. I live in the centre of Manchester so not a mobile blackspot so Voda guy said SurSignal was not really intended for me [but thanks - I didn't know how it works or the cost]
hollinshead said:
Anyway, with regards to your question about why using GSM gives a better signal.
If you have it set to auto, and your in a low 3G signal area, the phone will be on GSM, see 3G & switch to it. Then it will lose signal, go back to GSM, and the whole thing repeats over and over.
Setting it to GSM will stop this from happening, and as a result you get a better signal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
Is band swithcin straight forward [esp if I want to do it lots - probably mainly for nights I am on call]?
Do I have to restart or softreset everytime or is it just a cae of switching back and forth from within setup?
wigwam12 said:
Thanks.
Is band swithcin straight forward [esp if I want to do it lots - probably mainly for nights I am on call]?
Do I have to restart or softreset everytime or is it just a cae of switching back and forth from within setup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to reset the device, quickest way to do it is:
Press network icon on top bar so the menu comes up
Press mobile network icon on right of list (will be either a 3G or G icon with a signal bar)
This brings up Wireless controls menu, press Phone (not the on off on the right, but the actual name)
Scroll right down to the bottom it says Band, press that.
Network Type, change it from Auto to GSM.
Or look for that cab to add band switching to the communications manager.
hollinshead said:
You don't need to reset the device, quickest way to do it is:
Press network icon on top bar so the menu comes up
Press mobile network icon on right of list (will be either a 3G or G icon with a signal bar)
This brings up Wireless controls menu, press Phone (not the on off on the right, but the actual name)
Scroll right down to the bottom it says Band, press that.
Network Type, change it from Auto to GSM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
kilrah said:
Or look for that cab to add band switching to the communications manager.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks guys.
Will try it out and see the effects.
No need for a cab if it as straightforward as hollinshead is describing
Another way to speed this up is to add a start-menu shortcut to a programme in your Windows folder called CMBandswitching.exe.
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.