[Q] Better cell network mode management/bad connection - Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I have a tmoble s4. The tmobile service in my area sucks and it will stay on 4g lte even when I have a very bad connection which drops calls and gives me really bad speeds. Is there an app that will automatically switch lte/gsm/wcdma when the signal is very low so I wont drop calls, waste battery and give me poor dl speeds? Or is there anything else that I can do? Maybe with tasker or a tweak. I would appreciate any type of solution. Thank you.

Bump.

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mode of operation

under phone and mode of operation. If i use 1x, will i get better battery life? and will my reception be just as good as evdo? I don't care how fast my data connection is, because i don't surf the internet, just text and phone. as long as my reception is just as good
You can switch to 1x if you want. The reception should not change, because the phone automatically switches to 1x when you are using the phone. EVDO is only for data. I am not sure about battery life, but I have heard that switching from evdo to 1x uses more battery than keeping it on one setting. In your case, keeping it on 1x won't hurt anything (unless you like looking at the icon).
sounds good, anyone else wanna input? i shouldn't have a problem receiving sms/mms would i? will there be a longer delay on sms/mms as well?

Hero, have to choose: Data/3G or voice calls, HTC reinvet the 90's!

Hi,
after having several missed calls going straight to my answering machine on my new HTC Hero. I was getting a bit paranoiac, so I've decided to test in/out calls.
Basically, 90 of my incoming calls were going straight to my answering machine. Out-call were about 30% KO
After several tests, to make sure there was a problem, I've decided to request for support from HTC.
Support told me that I should shut the 3g connection every time I would want to receive a call .
So I tried and Bingo, if 3G is activated, I get 10% of the calls, if I deactivate it 90% success.
So you'll say, I should be happy? Right? Wrong!
The main use of that kind of phone is to have a data integration, otherwise I would have kept my old nokia from 10 years ago..
Here basically, if I follow HTC idea, I should keep the 3g closed, sometime, I should switch it on to get my mails, thanks to the non true push capacities (ok this one is not htc) then wait for the sync, maybe force it , get my mails, and then, shut 3g back and pray that no Über important call would have been done.
Well that plain sucks!
Never had such a thing on my previous Data friendly mobiles, why should I accept it on the Hero?
If someone have come across this bug, cause it is a bug, how did he/she managed to fix it?
Thanks
works fine on mine....i suggest you are on a ****e network, or on only 2G where you are. that's what usually causes this.
I guess they suggested this because it sounds like your network hasn't figured out how to route calls properly on their network when data is active, and they dump it straight to voicemail when there is a data connection active.
not the phone's fault, the phone won't even know that the call has been missed, the network simply does not route the call through and sends it to voicemail instead.
i had this on O2 a while ago. went to t-mobile (who knew how to set up their network properly for data) and never had this issue since when i am on 3G coverage. if i'm on 2G signal and have active data then yes, i miss calls. but that's how 2G networks operate.
it's truly shocking how many networks out there have absolutely no idea how to set up their networks properly for data!
Well I wish it would be that, my signal goes from -63 dbm 25 asu(80% of the time) to -81 dbm 16 asu.
Just after my post, I called one of my friend working in carrier terminal validation.
What he told me was, 2 options:
- Same bug was on the htc cruise, bug got corrected after a fw update.
- Some of my carrier radio are buggy and 3g goes over gsm.(SFR/VOdaphone France)
I bet for the first option since I had the problem in various places since I didn't want to ask support for nothing and get busted for a " feeling and not facts" (did the test in 3 differend location 80 tests in total(I used to be a tester....).
I will update the topic if I get news about it
nmuncer said:
!
Never had such a thing on my previous Data friendly mobiles, why should I accept it on the Hero?
If someone have come across this bug, cause it is a bug, how did he/she managed to fix it?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You shouldn't accept it - but most people don't have this issue!
It's unlikely to be a "bug" per se, because otherwise it would be endemic behaviour, so it's either:
1. Your physical device (get it changed!)
2. Your network.
In addition, just an FYI in case you've got the new Sprint Hero, but most CDMA networks (including Sprint) do not support simultaneous voice and data. I've no idea what happens in practice on Sprint, but I'd imagine if you were actively using data your voice calls would get diverted to voicemail unless Sprint automatically suspends data when a voice call is pending.
Regards,
Dave
You're on SFR?
OUCH!!!!
Sounds like you have a nice strong signal, but is it 2G or 3G? (do you see a G, E 3G or H at the top of the screen?
if you see G or E, it's cos you're on 2G, If you get 3G or H, it's on 3G.
And yes, there were a few issues with the P3300 and the cruise, but they were mainly on Bouygues, not so much on SFR.
There's nothing known of on the hero, and as SFR sell the Magic, i would have thought they would have ironed out any issues already...
Hi,
I'm mostly in HSDPA or 3G.
I still have contacts with people at SFR (used to work there till recently) they might share a bit of info.
Idk if yours is CDMA or the GSM one but on mine (CDMA) under the mobile network settings, I have the option to switch the mode of operation to ether Hybrid, EVDO only, and 1X only. Now, I know how Sprint's network works, not sure if it's the same for any other networks but if I set it to Evdo only (3g) I'll miss all my calls because Sprint does voice over 1X. Hybrid mode does EVDO when you're using data and switches to 1X when you're doing voice/sms.
rhedgehog said:
if you see G or E, it's cos you're on 2G, If you get 3G or H, it's on 3G.
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regarding this and your suggestion that 2g and data will result in missed calls, Can you suggest how to avoid this happening? I live and work in the country and only have 2g, so have found quite often people have mentioned my phone not even ringing- straight to answer phone. This explains it.
Nice to know, but annoying if I can't solve it- I run a business and my phone is very important.
Cheers,
ajones7279 said:
Idk if yours is CDMA or the GSM one but on mine (CDMA) under the mobile network settings, I have the option to switch the mode of operation to ether Hybrid, EVDO only, and 1X only. Now, I know how Sprint's network works, not sure if it's the same for any other networks but if I set it to Evdo only (3g) I'll miss all my calls because Sprint does voice over 1X. Hybrid mode does EVDO when you're using data and switches to 1X when you're doing voice/sms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have sprint as well and when someone calls you when youre running hybrid, you should not miss calls. you will get disconnected from the internet when someone is calling though
ajones7279 said:
Idk if yours is CDMA or the GSM one but on mine (CDMA) under the mobile network settings, I have the option to switch the mode of operation to ether Hybrid, EVDO only, and 1X only. Now, I know how Sprint's network works, not sure if it's the same for any other networks but if I set it to Evdo only (3g) I'll miss all my calls because Sprint does voice over 1X. Hybrid mode does EVDO when you're using data and switches to 1X when you're doing voice/sms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I'm on hybrid
that is what i hate about hero, it is really great except for the fact that it switches from 2g to 3g without notice. i want it to be permanently stuck in 3g for faster downloads and mms, but when it uses 2g, i cant send and receive mms and surfing the web is slow as heck! im still looking for an app that would permanently put the device in 3g just like with winmo it which you can use wcdma ONLY.
cheers!
If you use AnyCut, you can create a short cut by selecting:
New Shortcut->Activity->Phone info
This will create a shortcut on your homescreen which beings up a hidden "engineering" screen on which you'll find an drop down for "Set preferred network type" where you can select WCDMA only.
Regards,
Dave
alternatively, open the phone app
dial *#*#4636#*#* and select phone info
scroll down and set it to WCDMA only.
does the same thing but saves installing an app.
rhedgehog said:
alternatively, open the phone app
dial *#*#4636#*#* and select phone info
scroll down and set it to WCDMA only.
does the same thing but saves installing an app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
holy monkey! im going to try this!!! do i have to di it everytime i turn the phone of or is it permanent?
orouborus said:
that is what i hate about hero, it is really great except for the fact that it switches from 2g to 3g without notice. i want it to be permanently stuck in 3g for faster downloads and mms, but when it uses 2g, i cant send and receive mms and surfing the web is slow as heck! im still looking for an app that would permanently put the device in 3g just like with winmo it which you can use wcdma ONLY.
cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is not specific to the Hero. The fact is, every carrier's 2G network has better coverage than their 3G network. When the phone cannot detect strong enough 3G signal, it jumps back to 2G network. The idea is that slow data transmission is better than no data transmission at all. Many smartphones have the option to lock the mobile network to 2G only. One advantage is that it gets better reception, and another advantage is longer battery life (the 3G chip eats battery much faster than 2G).
If you instead lock the phone to its 3G network. The first thing you will notice is that battery life is significantly shorter. And chance is that you may be getting very spotty reception, because you are not allowing to phone to switch to 2G when it gets no 3G signal. When there is no 3G signal, forcing the phone to "3G only" mode won't give you faster download, it gives you no download.
tsekh501 said:
That is not specific to the Hero. The fact is, every carrier's 2G network has better coverage than their 3G network. When the phone cannot detect strong enough 3G signal, it jumps back to 2G network. The idea is that slow data transmission is better than no data transmission at all. Many smartphones have the option to lock the mobile network to 2G only. One advantage is that it gets better reception, and another advantage is longer battery life (the 3G chip eats battery much faster than 2G).
If you instead lock the phone to its 3G network. The first thing you will notice is that battery life is significantly shorter. And chance is that you may be getting very spotty reception, because you are not allowing to phone to switch to 2G when it gets no 3G signal. When there is no 3G signal, forcing the phone to "3G only" mode won't give you faster download, it gives you no download.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
true true. i usually charge my phone everynight though. problem that i have with 2g is that i cant send and recieve mms and yeah data connection is slow. in our place 3g signal is ok. i also lock my topaz for wcdma only. but it is ok that it switches to 2g in low signal areas.
Thanks!
You actually use mms?
Wow, they do exist.
barryallott said:
You actually use mms?
Wow, they do exist.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah... mms is great. i use it to send items that i wish to purchase etc.
What NOM1 Networks are there in the UK? I only get 2g in my area (booo) and could do with an operator that works right. T-Mobile forums suggest they still have an issue
Hi
I've checked it with Hero running in PlusGSM in Poland.
Regardless if I select 2G/3G or even "WCDMA preffered/GSM Only/WCDMA only" setting the phone is not available for incoming voice calls during data transfer. Every time when I start internet connection (example: SSH session) I'm not available for incoming calls. At this site I do have both strong 2G and strong 3G networks.
I would like to mention that a few days ago I've swapped Samsung SGH-i600 (WinMo 6.0) for HTC Hero - so I'm using the same SIM card in the same network and the same place. SHG-I600 was able to perform both data transfer (on 2G) and voice (on 3G) on the same time. HTC Hero is not...
I wonder if this is 'feature by design' or a bug in software?

Network coverage issues or device ?

I'm having some problems with my G2 - I don't have good 3G coverage especially inside and my phone keeps dropping calls when on 3G. It seems the software doesn't reconnect that fast and doesn't switch to 2G when the 3G signal is too low. Is there any way to change the preferred network and stop the device being so agressive at keeping 3G connection?
Settings/networks/tethering & networks/mobile networks/network mode/GSM only.
I already know that. It is the most unhelpful advice to give. I have to constantly go into settings and change that? No way. It isn't in the notification toggles which is really odd. Any idea how to add it? I feel my G2 has some radio issues.
Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk
axlastro said:
I already know that. It is the most unhelpful advice to give. I have to constantly go into settings and change that? No way. It isn't in the notification toggles which is really odd. Any idea how to add it? I feel my G2 has some radio issues.
Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if you're going to be like that then there's no wonder why there aren't a stream of responses on here with people trying to help you out.
Just remember, you're the one with the problem, so you may want to be a little nicer to those that try to give you help.
I'm sorry about that, but there wasn't a stream of responses in the first place. He was just stating the obvious, and the obvious is that the G2 doesn,t have a shortcut to switch between 2g and 3g. I'm just trying to figure out a way to do that, but all the apps that claim to do that and they are too many of them, just don't work. I'm thankful for any help, don't get me wrong.
Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk
axlastro said:
I'm sorry about that, but there wasn't a stream of responses in the first place. He was just stating the obvious, and the obvious is that the G2 doesn,t have a shortcut to switch between 2g and 3g. I'm just trying to figure out a way to do that, but all the apps that claim to do that and they are too many of them, just don't work. I'm thankful for any help, don't get me wrong.
Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There isn't a solution as simple as hitting a switch, but you can try the following:
Go into your Dialer and tap in *#*#4636#*#*
This will take you into the Testing Menu
Select 'Phone Information'
Then about half way down you will have a drop down where you can "Set preferred network type:"
This will allow you to choose whether to use 2G or 3G, but more important to your case you can choose how it will react if signal strength is low.
You probably want to select something like "GSM auto (PRL)"
Bare in mind though that this option will reset itself back to original setting each time you reboot the device.
Now I don't know if this will solve your problem, but it is worth testing out.
Here's a list detailing the main available options:
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.
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.
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
Wnderful setting.. amazing speed... performance of handset increased like rocket..
Thanks a lot...
Hi,
After dialing *#*#4636#*#*, it shows up the menu.
But i am not able to select Phone Information option. It says "This application does not work on this device".
Phone info: LG G2 D802 - Rooted - PowerG2 2.1 ROM.
I face frequent network signal drop, I tried CloudyG2 ROM also.
Thanks !

Better 3g signal (for me at least)

I just flashed the radio image from 21.12 firmware with RSDLite and saw an amazing increase in 1x signal! from about -120 dBm to about -95 dBm! ... thought I would share this info BUT I AM NOT SURE IF THIS HAS A NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES ... AFAIK, worst comes to worse, you can just reflash the updated baseband
EDIT: okay so dont do this... it disables the ability to turn on wifi, dont know why
EDIT: logs tell me wifistatemachine: failed to load wifi driver... maybe if there was a way to implement the new wifi drivers into the old cell radio image or vise versa. Also, thread post should say 1x not 3g
Why are you worried about 3G signal?
gqskrub said:
Why are you worried about 3G signal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because a signal change from 120 to 95 could add hours of battery life if you are getting a bad signal in your house... cell standby is sucking up about as much power as my screen
Do you not have LTE in your house?
adrynalyne said:
Do you not have LTE in your house?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do, but what would that help? I would still get power drain from 3g scanning unless i disabled it... and phone calls dont run over LTE so that would not be a fix. I would love if someone had a solution for me, but am I wrong about any of this?
can someone check 3g and LTE signal strength before and after toggling advanced HD calling? I got the same -120 to -95 increase in signal and I think that is essentially what I was doing by downgrading the radio image to pre-VoLTE
diabl0w said:
I do, but what would that help? I would still get power drain from 3g scanning unless i disabled it... and phone calls dont run over LTE so that would not be a fix. I would love if someone had a solution for me, but am I wrong about any of this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because 3G isn't active when LTE is.
Phone calls also don't run over 3G, they run over LTE, or 1x.
adrynalyne said:
Because 3G isn't active when LTE is.
Phone calls also don't run over 3G, they run over LTE, or 1x.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was under the impression that 1x was 3g? And i just tried to make a phone call on LTE only and it doesnt work, so I am sort of confused now
Edit: I guess i shouldve thought about what VoLTE meant, and how i had it toggled off.
diabl0w said:
I was under the impression that 1x was 3g? And i just tried to make a phone call on LTE only and it doesnt work, so I am sort of confused now
Edit: I guess i shouldve thought about what VoLTE meant, and how i had it toggled off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1x is voice only, 3G is data only.
Generally speaking (sans dual radio devices), one cannot run at the same time as another which is why Verizon never had voice and data at the same time before LTE.
I've found much better battery life with VoLTE on, if the LTE signal is strong.
adrynalyne said:
1x is voice only, 3G is data only.
Generally speaking (sans dual radio devices), one cannot run at the same time as another which is why Verizon never had voice and data at the same time before LTE.
I've found much better battery life with VoLTE on, if the LTE signal is strong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! I've had it off for so long because I didnt care about the voice/data feature but now Ill have to try it out since I understand how it operates. I have a stronger LTE signal than I do 1x signal so im hoping it will help. I also toggled mobile network mode to LTE/GSM because it now only scans for LTE as far as i could tell so it may save some battery by not worrying about the 1x signal... just speculation
diabl0w said:
Thank you! I've had it off for so long because I didnt care about the voice/data feature but now Ill have to try it out since I understand how it operates. I have a stronger LTE signal than I do 1x signal so im hoping it will help. I also toggled mobile network mode to LTE/GSM because it now only scans for LTE as far as i could tell so it may save some battery by not worrying about the 1x signal... just speculation
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are really brave, set your radio to LTE/GSM/UMTS and try that out.
I *believe* that should work only on VoLTE, and would turn off 1x.
I believe you can set LTE only with a google play app too.
adrynalyne said:
If you are really brave, set your radio to LTE/GSM/UMTS and try that out.
I *believe* that should work only on VoLTE, and would turn off 1x.
I believe you can set LTE only with a google play app too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that is what I meant when i said LTE/GSM... I dont see why it wouldnt work. Advnaced signal status app is only registering LTE so i guess thats a good sign

network mode option to change it to GSM/WCDMA/4G

HI,
Can someone help me to to change the network mode setting to change the mode to either GSM/WCDMA or 4G which will improve cell strength in poor signal areas.
Thanks,
Prafulla Kota
I had to find a solution since my cell signal was constantly dropping switching from 3G/4G/LTE...
With this app, I leave it on 3G/4G, no LTE and everything is now fine. This app should work for you as well
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/widget-toggle-network-type-5-0-xda-t2945406

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