Database Users

4G and WiFi Not Compatible?

I had been having problems getting 4G at home and just noticed that if I turn off WiFi, 4G pops right up and as soon as I re-enable WiFi (which connects to my home network) 4G disconnects. Has anyone seen this behavior? When you think about it, it makes perfect sense, and since both are enabled to connect when the other one isn't, the flip-flop is automatic. But it surprised me.

its probably because sprints 4G is based on WIFI. or it just cuts off 4G cus you dont need it anymore

I believe it works the same way as WiFi and EVDO works on older phones. When you turn on WiFi it will use that as your data connection instead of EVDO regardless if it is a crappy WiFi connection.
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Sent via the Sprint HTC EVO

Yeah, it's actually pretty cool, but if you don't know about it, it gets frustrating. I called Sprint customer service and he had me go through the battery out/in routine and go outside and try, etc. So maybe they don't know about it either!
But it makes sense for Sprint, since their data plan is unlimited and they want to avoid network overloading (are you listening AT&T? LOL). The only thing you miss on WiFi are location-based sevices that rely on GPS (navigation, some weather products, etc.).

dkdontforget said:
its probably because sprints 4G is based on WIFI. or it just cuts off 4G cus you dont need it anymore
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WiFi and 802.16e aren't all that similar. LOTS of differences between the protocols.
Maybe there's some isolation problems on your device as Sprint is using their 2.5 GHz spectrum holdings for their 4G network.

4g network and 3g network both will shut off when enabling wifi. Why have 2 forms of data going at the same time? Its not gunna use both to double your speeds.
You wont lose any GPS features. Turn on wifi and load up Google Maps, it will find your location exact.
When making calls and sending text it uses 1x so you will still receive everything except for MMS. Maybe they fixed it to where you can receive them even when on wifi with the Evo, not 100% sure.

4g and WiFi are both data only connections. You don't need two data connections simultaneously so it is smart enough to auto disable one to save battery. It would also cause routing problems.

Every phone does this LOL When you switch on Wifi they turn off 2g,3g,4g etc because you can't use 2 data connections at the same time.
I'm curious why you would want 4g and wifi on at the same time?

I thought this was pretty common knowledge (on any Android phone)... And I also thought it was done for battery conservation reasons as much as anything else. WiFi's a simpler point to point connection and from what I understand it sucks less power than 3G or 4G which is constantly checking for additional cell towers in case you've moved, etc.
If you're at home or at work w/a stable WiFi connection you should be able to preserve more battery power by using it, within the settings you can even set it so the phone doesn't revert to 3G when it goes to sleep (the default setting IIRC), otherwise it does this and only jumps back to WiFi when you wake it ('till you're out of range anyway).

I agree with all the comments. And if the Sprint Customer Service guys had said, "Hey, you idiot...it's supposed to do that," then I wouldn't have posted. But the fact that he was as stumped as I was prompted me to post (we all know that Sprint gets all it's info from reading these forums...LOL).

EVO gets stuck roaming

At my work I get 0-1 bars of Sprint service, and my phone often roams onto Verizon (we have dozens of Verizon repeaters in our building). The problem is that quite frequently lately it will get stuck in roaming mode and never switch back to a Sprint tower. I have 6 bars of Sprint service at home, but it will remain in roaming mode. I have the newest PRL (60670), and the old PRI (1.34_003).
Anyone else ever experience this? Any idea what I can do to fix it?

I have had this happen in the past as well. What I did was go into settings and change the roaming option to "Sprint Only" which forces the phone to switch back to the Sprint network. Then you can change the roaming option back to "Automatic".

I get this a lot as well. I've started to make a habit of turning on airplane mode, then turning it back off... when it scans for signal it will go back to Sprint.

Sorry if i'm stealing this thread. Is it pretty bad if my phone has to go in roaming to get signal in most my house? I've seen the threads about people getting a airwave because they get dropped calls, but since i have to roam in more than half my house, does it seem possible i could get one from sprint?
And my house is in the middle of town, if you go outside there's 4g, but not inside.

fastamx79 said:
I get this a lot as well. I've started to make a habit of turning on airplane mode, then turning it back off... when it scans for signal it will go back to Sprint.
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Same here, I just toggle airplane mode on and off.

Same thing on my EVO. It'll roam when it should but it won't switch back to Sprint when it should.
I chatted with Sprint asking why this happens. They just said I have free roaming. No reason why.

Yep, My Evo has been doing this as well. Been doing the airplane toggle trick. Thought about just leaving it, but was thinking that it may burn my battery faster? Anyone have any thoughts on that..
My PRL is also 60670, but I have the 1.71_003 PRI.

Guys if you have any type of active data connection the phone will not drop the roaming.
I roam at work too and if i turn on Aonline radio, tjen get in my car and drive, so long as the radio streaming is going iy will never drop the roaming.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Messed with the phone again tonight. Got stuck roaming again. I was not transmitting anything, and even ATK'd everything to make sure. Who knows, not really a big deal, unless I am eating more battery.

v_lestat said:
Guys if you have any type of active data connection the phone will not drop the roaming.
I roam at work too and if i turn on Aonline radio, tjen get in my car and drive, so long as the radio streaming is going iy will never drop the roaming.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
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That makes perfect sense. I sync with my Exchange server at work and the way EAS works is a constant connection between the client and server. One question though. Has your phone switched back to your carrier with no data connection?

Yeah just disable always-on data or cycle airplane mode to make it switch back. As long ad its maintaining a data connection it will wait to switch back from roaming so it doesn't unnecessarily disturb your connection if you're in a poor service area. It shouldn't be using any more battery.
Also, atk is bad.

[Q] CM7: How to turn off (voice) roaming?

I'm running CM7 7.1-RC1 (and earlier nightlies). In Settings, under Wireless & network settings, Mobile networks, Network Operators, I selected the one available where I currently am ("ROAMING"). I got the R above the cellular signal strength bars. Below the quick action icons when I swipe down Notifications is "ROAMING".
Now I want to turn off (voice) roaming but can't figure out how to do that. I don't want to pay roaming costs (any idea if T-Mobile will charge roaming costs? I want to be able to control it regardless.). Also, is there a way to turn off the cellular radio but leave GPS and WiFi on?
I'm not talking about data roaming, but in the Mobile network settings I have everything unchecked (Data enabled, International data roaming, National data roaming, Use only 2G networks).
In Notifications is a bang in a triangle "International data roaming" and "You have lost data connectitivity because..." (I can't read it all, tapping doesn't show anything making the notification a bit useless).
Under APNs I have the choice between Simple and T-Mobile US, the later is chosen.
When WiFi calling is active, the radio strength shows just gray bars (no x, no R). Of course that is only good if I'm at the hotel!
Airplane mode isn't a good option, but thanks for suggesting it.

excarnate said:
...any idea if T-Mobile will charge roaming costs?
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I finally got through to T-Mobile (40 minutes wait time? They must be preparing for the purchase by AT&T by lowering their standards). The rep (who was OK) had to put me on hold twice and check on things, but eventually he came back and let me know that if there is no T-Mobile service, then there are no roaming fees (note: inside the US for a US customer). So I just have to make sure that T-Mobile is preferred. I hope this helps someone!
All my other previous questions still stand, but add these: How, in CM7, do I make sure that my provider is preferred for voice? For data?
I find these areas a bit weak, which likely is very stock Android, so would I file a feature request against Google or Cyanogen or both? Or maybe someone has (please provide the # or URL!)?

Your phone will always default to the most powerful signal, whether that's with a stock MT4G or one with a custom ROM. T-mobile has no charge for roaming, data or voice, in the US. You're making making a mountain out of a mole hill.

kalel33 said:
Your phone will always default to the most powerful signal, whether that's with a stock MT4G or one with a custom ROM.
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Although you carefully didn't answer any of my remaining questions, by implication you are saying that I can not have control over the signal. Which doesn't match my experience where it would not choose roaming until selected the first time.
T-mobile has no charge for roaming, data or voice, in the US.
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Which is what I said in my second post.
You're making making a mountain out of a mole hill.
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Typically that idiom means you are making a mountain out of mole hill knowing the facts, which I didn't til the time of my second post, so really it sounds to me like an unnwarranted slam.

excarnate said:
Although you carefully didn't answer any of my remaining questions, by implication you are saying that I can not have control over the signal. Which doesn't match my experience where it would not choose roaming until selected the first time.
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Alright, I'll answer them. You asked how you can set to not roam on voice or data. Voice, there is no way to keep it from roaming. You can go in and do a manual network selection, but the next time it comes to a roaming tower that has a more powerful signal then it will jump to it. On the data, you can only tell the phone to not roam on other's towers but you cannot set it to where it always chooses a lower signal T-mobile tower over a stronger signal roaming tower. Which means that if you set it to not roam on data then if your phone connects up the stronger signal that happens to be a roaming partner then you won't get any data connection, even if there is a T-mobile tower available. The phone just chooses the strongest symbol.

Data usage going through wifi or carrier/network?

Just a quick question.
When wifi is turned on and the H/G/3G icon disappears, all data/internet/services are going through wifi rather than the carrier network?
am I correct in saying that.
Thanks, it's for when I go on holiday and for a friend who's on holiday atm.

I think it uses wifi and when that is weak or absent it switches to 3G.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

If you want to be sure turn data off with something like APnOnOff.
jje

daivik said:
Just a quick question.
When wifi is turned on and the H/G/3G icon disappears, all data/internet/services are going through wifi rather than the carrier network?
am I correct in saying that.
Thanks, it's for when I go on holiday and for a friend who's on holiday atm.
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Yes you're correct.
But if you pay per megabyte you should install some kind of monitor application, like 3G watchdog to keep track of your 3G usage.
And when abroad you can easily turn off 3G data from the power button menu.

STOP taking the Network Mode away AT&T!!!

I love my new Galaxy S III, but once again I have no way to force HSPA+ only. I need this option while my phone sits in my desk all day. If I can turn LTE off then I can save battery life and still get calls/texts/emails.
STOP IT AT&T, JUST STOP IT!!! Your really starting to really aggravate your customers by not allowing them to select their preferred network.
I want the network mode option in mobile networks:
GSM/HSPA/LTE (Auto)
GSM/HSPA (Auto)
HSPA (only)
GSM (only)
STOP taking this off all your phones. Every other GSM carrier in the world allows this except you!!!
I hope ALL developers add this toggle in all the upcoming roms.

Your best bet until this is added/fixed, is to turn on wi-fi mode and turn off the mobile data connection.
That way you still can make calls, and have the wifi as your data, and if its off it wont use as much power as HSPA/LTE.

mastarifla said:
Your best bet until this is added/fixed, is to turn on wi-fi mode and turn off the mobile data connection.
That way you still can make calls, and have the wifi as your data, and if its off it wont use as much power as HSPA/LTE.
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I think you kind of missed the point...
Let's say your at work all day and you don't use your phone much? Let's say your phone gets 1 bar of LTE and 4 of HSPA+. The signal constantly fluctuates ultimately leading to a dead battery much faster.
Wouldn't it be great to just turn LTE off? That way my phone gets a better signal and uses less battery life. Not to mention, I can still receive calls, texts, and e-mails, whereas airplane mode disables everything.
Wi-Fi isn't available everywhere.
PS: AT&T ain't adding ****, they released their first LTE device in November of 2011 and it also lacked this option.

I think you missed the point as well
The reason for turning on wi-fi is to direct the data connection to something other than the chip used for HSPA/LTE. I'm not looking to use the wi-fi connection as an alternative data source. I'm using it to prevent as much battery drain as possible whenever I am not using the phone.
It essentially IS turning off LTE, but it also is turning off your data, and if you don't have wi-fi then you wont have a data connection, but if you do then you will.
Airplane mode is just taking it a step further and blocking calls as well.

So there's no way to turn off LTE? Even via a 4g/3g toggle from the app store?

916x10 said:
So there's no way to turn off LTE? Even via a 4g/3g toggle from the app store?
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Nope, that's not how it worked on the HTC One X... even dialer codes would just reset on exiting. LTE stays on for some stupid reason with ATT.
A bet a toggle with root requirements will come out later./

mastarifla said:
I think you missed the point as well
The reason for turning on wi-fi is to direct the data connection to something other than the chip used for HSPA/LTE. I'm not looking to use the wi-fi connection as an alternative data source. I'm using it to prevent as much battery drain as possible whenever I am not using the phone.
It essentially IS turning off LTE, but it also is turning off your data, and if you don't have wi-fi then you wont have a data connection, but if you do then you will.
Airplane mode is just taking it a step further and blocking calls as well.
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Ok? What if you don't have Wifi and your in a very spotty LTE area with fluctuating signal?
Nevertheless, we need the toggle!!!

What about an APN switcher, would that work?

916x10 said:
What about an APN switcher, would that work?
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Nope, many have tried this but it doesn't stick. We need AT&T to add the option under mobile networks.

MattMJB0188 said:
Ok? What if you don't have Wifi and your in a very spotty LTE area with fluctuating signal?
Nevertheless, we need the toggle!!!
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Then it would be best to turn off the Wi-fi and the Mobile Data connection, the only reason I have the Wi-fi on is if I'm in an area that has it (home, work, at&t hotspot) otherwise it is automatically turned off (I think?).
And I agree completely, I would love that feature, but until that time we have to make due with what we have, this is my solution, it isn't perfect but it works for me.

mastarifla said:
Then it would be best to turn off the Wi-fi and the Mobile Data connection, the only reason I have the Wi-fi on is if I'm in an area that has it (home, work, at&t hotspot) otherwise it is automatically turned off (I think?).
And I agree completely, I would love that feature, but until that time we have to make due with what we have, this is my solution, it isn't perfect but it works for me.
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Yes, but like I said turning off mobile data completely turns off the data connection, whereas with this toggle we can change it to EDGE or HSPA+ only, still having a data connection.

I agree I like turning on edge only when I'm at work and home
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

I'm just hoping developers starting adding the GSM toggle via Mobile networks in their custom roms.
AT&T NEVER WILL!!!

It could be the sim card. I have a SIM card from 2007. The network toggle still works on my Thrill. Someone put a newer SIM card in their Thrill and the network toggle is gone. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1326760 post 27

cproaudio said:
It could be the sim card. I have a SIM card from 2007. The network toggle still works on my Thrill. Someone put a newer SIM card in their Thrill and the network toggle is gone. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1326760 post 27
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And you hit the nail on the head. It's actually a mix of SIM Card and Radio. What we need is the canadian version of our radio and we will have it back.

Erm would juice defender not fix this? I still get texts and calls but it turns off my data.. plus its free! ( i bought the ultimate though)
Sent from my Axiom MAXX!!

benefit14snake said:
Erm would juice defender not fix this? I still get texts and calls but it turns off my data.. plus its free! ( i bought the ultimate though)
Sent from my Axiom MAXX!!
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i guess technically it could since it turns off everything (Except calls) and turns it all back on every 15 minutes to check if anything was received on Att servers.
But if hes waiting for an important text or something, it would come delayed until juice defender decided to retrieve it.
not a bad idea though.

Here's an idea, since your at a desk all day, invest $1.32 on monoprice into a USB cable and charge your phone...
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

doctorTJ said:
i guess technically it could since it turns off everything (Except calls) and turns it all back on every 15 minutes to check if anything was received on Att servers.
But if hes waiting for an important text or something, it would come delayed until juice defender decided to retrieve it.
not a bad idea though.
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I believe it just turns off 3g and 4g on verizon. My calls and texts are instant. Also, if you buy the app you can change frequency. Mine syncs every hour or two. It may be different with att since verizon handles their 4g in kind of a silly way.
Sent from my Axiom MAXX!!

bloodrain954 said:
Here's an idea, since your at a desk all day, invest $1.32 on monoprice into a USB cable and charge your phone...
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Click to collapse
You mean cycle it twice as much as necessary since AT&T has removed the functionality that's needed? :good: