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I received the Samsung Focus 2 weeks ago today. After I post this I will be heading over to Amazon Wireless to make return arrangements.
I come from a Windows Mobile (Tilt 2) and I don't think I am yet ready to transition to this type of phone. I depend too much on Pocket Informant and I couldn't find any app to replace that. Actually this is not really the reason I gave up. This is the reason that kept me on the fence.
At my work I have a very poor 3G signal indoors. The signal fluctuates between 2 bars to no signal indication and sometimes switching to Edge. With the Tilt 2 I turn off 3G and that keeps the phone happy. Several times I found the Focus showing no signal (small crossed out circle at the top left). Even after I went to an area with good 3G signal the Focus did not change from its no signal status. I had to actually turn it off and back on (soft reset, I guess) to get a strong 3G signal.
Searching on Google for means to turn 3G off in the Focus showed that only a few months ago there was such an option Settings | Cellular. Apparently now it is removed.
With 3G trying desperately to hang in there instead of just giving up and letting Edge take over, this phone is useless to me 8 to 12 hours a day. The Tilt 2 had a similar issue before I tweaked it to give me the band switch. However the Tilt 2 did not get stuck in the no signal state. I wish AT&T did not remove this from settings.
So long, Focus.
Um... there's totally still an option called Cellular in Settings. Whatever, though. If you don't enjoy the phone, there's no reason for you to keep it. However, there's equally no reason for you to share this information with us, since a large part of your issue is born of ignorance of the OS (not finding a setting that is clearly there) and your lack of enjoyment of the phone should have no effect on anyone who owns one.
FishFaceMcGee said:
Um... there's totally still an option called Cellular in Settings. Whatever, though. If you don't enjoy the phone, there's no reason for you to keep it. However, there's equally no reason for you to share this information with us, since a large part of your issue is born of ignorance of the OS (not finding a setting that is clearly there) and your lack of enjoyment of the phone should have no effect on anyone who owns one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the Cellular option is still there, in Settings. However, unlike screen shots or pictures I saw during my search (see this sample), I do not have the option to turn off 3G.
If your phone has it, good for you. Mine does not. Hardly a reason to call me ignorant for this though.
That's strange. My Focus appears to have better reception than my Tilt 2.
Actually, the 3G only setting is under the diagnostic menu I believe. The should have a thread in this forum on it.
Update
I checked and its under the test menu
*#32489#
Back
Back
[7] Network control
[2] Band Setting
This may help you.
Tempest790 said:
That's strange. My Focus appears to have better reception than my Tilt 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me, side by side, the 2 phones had a similar reception. The Tilt 2 got an extra bar or 2 when I forced it to Edge. However, the Tilt 2 did not get stuck with the no signal indication.
Actually, the 3G only setting is under the diagnostic menu I believe. The should have a thread in this forum on it.
Update
I checked and its under the test menu
*#32489#
Back
Back
[7] Network control
[2] Band Setting
This may help you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While at this moment I do not have the phone with me, I just looked in the PDF I downloaded from that other thread (the PDF shows [2] Band Selection) and I remember that I was in that area and when I tried to make a change I got a message saying something about the selection or option being restricted. Sorry, but I do not remember the exact words. I guess I could try again later tonight after I get home. Thank you.
Tempest790 said:
Update
I checked and its under the test menu
*#32489#
Back
Back
[7] Network control
[2] Band Setting
This may help you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I select "[2] Band Selection" the exact message is:
"RAT Selection option is restricted".
Yeah, that's what I got. I also got my phone from freaking Amazon.com and didn't work right. Had do alittle talking around but they me exchange it at the Att Wireless Store. Have you actually tried any other Samsung Focus Phones to see if its just the phone itself?
I got mine from att store, I'm using the org diagnostic app version, I get same error message.
Seed 2.0 said:
I got mine from att store, I'm using the org diagnostic app version, I get same error message.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would switch phones then. The phone has to be unlocked to switch bands, even turning off 3G. That's stupid, I know. I have a Dell Venue Pro sitting here that can switch bands but that phone is VERY buggy.
Fuzzy John said:
Yes, the Cellular option is still there, in Settings. However, unlike screen shots or pictures I saw during my search (see this sample), I do not have the option to turn off 3G.
If your phone has it, good for you. Mine does not. Hardly a reason to call me ignorant for this though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FWIW: 3G = "Data Connection" on the Focus' settings menu. As far as I know, 3G has nothing to do with voice calls. I suspect that the name of that switch was changed with an eye toward future data options on cell phones. I hope that helps. (Even the person who posted that picture notes that they modified the label to be "Cellular Data". You can see that in the comments area of the image/post that you listed. )
GrayWolf is correct
These are GSM phone and voice only works on 2G.. data on 3G and Edge if necessary. that is why you can talk and use the internet at the same time. You turning 3G off does nothing for your call reception what so ever. When you turn off the Celluar data you turn off both 3G and edge. Also I believe the bars are only for the voice service.
ITDRAGON said:
GrayWolf is correct
These are GSM phone and voice only works on 2G.. data on 3G and Edge if necessary. that is why you can talk and use the internet at the same time. You turning 3G off does nothing for your call reception what so ever. When you turn off the Celluar data you turn off both 3G and edge. Also I believe the bars are only for the voice service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This might very well be correct, however on my Tilt 2 I have to turn off 3g in order to get full voice bars back in the location where my room is in my house. It doesn't seem to make any sense; why would the phone's 3g connection interfere w/ the 2g voice? Yet it seems like this is the case.
ITDRAGON said:
GrayWolf is correct
These are GSM phone and voice only works on 2G.. data on 3G and Edge if necessary. that is why you can talk and use the internet at the same time. You turning 3G off does nothing for your call reception what so ever. When you turn off the Celluar data you turn off both 3G and edge. Also I believe the bars are only for the voice service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry. I may have used the wrong terms. After all I admit I am not really familiar with all the terminology. I am more like a user. Anyway, on my Tilt 2 phone I have a switch which turn off 3G. This puts the phone in Edge mode. Gives me a lot better reception in areas where the 3G signal is flaky. True, I cannot talk and do data at the same time. Also true that my data rate is slower. But I can receive and make calls while I am in that area.
ITDRAGON said:
GrayWolf is correct
These are GSM phone and voice only works on 2G.. data on 3G and Edge if necessary. that is why you can talk and use the internet at the same time. You turning 3G off does nothing for your call reception what so ever. When you turn off the Celluar data you turn off both 3G and edge. Also I believe the bars are only for the voice service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. Both voice and data work on 3G if it is available. You can tell this by the fact that once your phone is on 3G, you will not encounter the annoying speaker buzz from GSM phones.
The switch in the settings are for cell data connection. If you turn it off, it turns off the data connection, 2G or 3G. There is no separate setting to turn off 3G data only (a commonly requested feature but non-existent on all AT&T phones). You will always have to access the secret menu to select your band (WCDMA or GSM).
The bars are for signal strength, not just for vocie service.
EDIT: rjohnstone
foxbat121 said:
Nope. Both voice and data work on 3G if it is available. You can tell this by the fact that once your phone is on 3G, you will not encounter the annoying speaker buzz from GSM phones.
The switch in the settings are for cell data connection. If you turn it off, it turns off the data connection, 2G or 3G. There is no separate setting to turn off 3G data only (a commonly requested feature but non-existent on all AT&T phones). You will always have to access the secret menu to select your band (WCDMA or GSM).
The bars are for signal strength, not just for vocie service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
<snipped my "you're wrong" message, but leaving my other data here.>
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3G contains the following quote:
"The UMTS system, first offered in 2001, standardized by 3GPP, used primarily in Europe, Japan, China (however with a different radio interface) and other regions predominated by GSM 2G system infrastructure. The cell phones are typically UMTS and GSM hybrids. Several radio interfaces are offered, sharing the same infrastructure"
<snipped my "you're wrong" message, but leaving my other data here.>
http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=2877
"Modes GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
WCDMA 850 / 1900 / 2100"
Those are the GSM and 3G bands that the Samsung Focus uses. <snipped my "you're wrong" message, but leaving my other data here.>
I'm always willing to accept that I can be wrong (EDIT: and it seems that I was). I'm only human after all. If I'm the one who's somehow misunderstanding, then I would be open to having some information shared so that I can learn more about it. Would you have any links to back your claim up?
GrayWolf said:
I'm sorry to say that you've misunderstood how AT&T's network is set up. 3G + GSM = Data + Voice. Not 3G = Voice & Data.
contains the following quote:
"The UMTS system, first offered in 2001, standardized by 3GPP, used primarily in Europe, Japan, China (however with a different radio interface) and other regions predominated by GSM 2G system infrastructure. The cell phones are typically UMTS and GSM hybrids. Several radio interfaces are offered, sharing the same infrastructure"
To further back the position that our phones do not use 3G to carry voice data:
"Modes GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
WCDMA 850 / 1900 / 2100"
Those are the GSM and 3G bands that the Samsung Focus uses. GSM for voice traffic, WCDMA (3G) for data.
I'm always willing to accept that I can be wrong. I'm only human after all. If I'm the one who's somehow misunderstanding, then I would be open to having some information shared so that I can learn more about it. Would you have any links to back your claim up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T sends both voice and data traffic over the 3G connection when in a 3G area.
The GSM radio only comes into play when the data connection falls back to EDGE (i.e., 3G signal is too weak or not present).
This is why your call drops when you switch from a 3G area to a GSM/EDGE area.
It's a hard hand off to the next tower.
rjohnstone said:
AT&T sends both voice and data traffic over the 3G connection when in a 3G area.
The GSM radio only comes into play when the data connection falls back to EDGE (i.e., 3G signal is too weak or not present).
This is why your call drops when you switch from a 3G area to a GSM/EDGE area.
It's a hard hand off to the next tower.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks - would you happen to have any links that explains this in any detail?
I looked around after you mentioned it and found that I should have ran a few more keyword searches before posting. So far, the best explanation that I've found seems to be here:
"3G or Non 3G-that is the question"
http://forums.wireless.att.com/t5/G...at-is-the-question/m-p/1544262/highlight/true
The specific/relevant portion that I'm referring to is:
Yea 3G is amazing. It's the replacement for GSM. It's a completely seperate network. When in 3G at present signal in some area's might seem a bit more week than GSM because in some area's it runs on the 1900mhz frequency which has less penetration. But AT&T has plans of phasing out GSM in the future for 3G on the GSM frequency.
But 3G on the W-CDMA side handles call's and data, GSM also does handle voice and data. But the two networks are seperate. For example. If your phone is in 3G then the 3G network is handling the call and not transmitting anything to do with GSM at all. But if you travel to a non 3G area while in the call then your phone will hand off to the GSM network to continue the voice call and the call quality will get that crackly raspy phenomenom. Hope this helps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now that's another person's statement on a forum and, like rjohnstone's post, makes logical sense. I'd love to read a bit more about this, if there are any useful links out there?
GrayWolf said:
Thanks - would you happen to have any links that explains this in any detail?
I looked around after you mentioned it and found that I should have ran a few more keyword searches before posting. So far, the best explanation that I've found seems to be here:
"3G or Non 3G-that is the question"
The specific/relevant portion that I'm referring to is:
Now that's another person's statement on a forum and, like rjohnstone's post, makes logical sense. I'd love to read a bit more about this, if there are any useful links out there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Graywolf,
My friend is a tower manager for T-Mobile.
He helped setup the initial GSM/EDGE network for Cingular back when they leased tower time from T-Mobile while they were making the transition from TDMA devices from the old AT&T network.
He explained how the call handlers worked and how the air interface works when handing off from UMTS/HSPA over to the GSM/EDGE network.
All of AT&T's handsets are programmed to use either GSM/EDGE or UMTS/HSPA, not both at the same time.
The point is, a handset can't have a GSM voice call and an HSPA data session occurring at the same time. The radios are not configured to allow it.
Many towers run both GSM/EDGE radios and UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+ radios.
Mainly to support legacy devices.
You will also notice that the old network is still there when you turn of the 3G radio in an iPhone or any other handset that permits it.
Yes, AT&T is working to decommission the older GSM/EDGE towers all together to recover the 850Mhz frequencies for use with HSPA+. This will give them better building penetration in large metropolitan areas.
Right now, AT&T does use the 1900MHz band for HSPA, and as the residence of NY will tell you, it sucks at going through walls.
You will have to do some digging for old AT&T press releases, but the info is out there.
Gotta give credit where it's due. I appreciate the technical detail combined with layman phrasing. I'll do more digging later but you've given me a nice high-level view of things. I did have a suspicion that my understanding was flawed somehow. Thanks for taking the time to share, rjohnstone!
Yep your right I typed it wrong.. voice and data both work on 2G and 3G, but I know I'm in a 3G area only and when I turn data off 3G goes out. Now that doesn't mean I'm only making or recieving calls on the 2G band. It just mean 3G data is off. So if you want to turn off 3G all together, I don't see it on these phones yet. When I turn the celluar data back on, the 3G symbol comes back on, because it would be pretty dumb for the 3G to be controlled by turning data on and off.
I followed the instructions like another thread comment said to do but for some reason I couldn't get it to work still but after playing around I was able to get it working.
---- Instructions for enabling: (thanks eyecon82) ----
1. dial ##3282#
2. then click edit (need MSL code) (I used SPCUtility.apk as nothing else worked on my S5)
3. then click LTE
4. It will show LTE ( also known as Band 25), Band 3, Band 26, Band 41 ( I unchecked marked all of these but the LTE option leave that check marked to on)
5. Disable all bands leave LTE check mark to say on.
6. Go to the main directory by hitting back key and choose More at the bottom
7. Choose HDR/1X Selection and choose LTE only Mode. Click OK to save
8. You can either reboot or I just turn on airplane mode and turn it back off to reset the connection.
9. LTE should be working like mine did. But you will not get phone calls until you turn back on the HDR/1X Selection to LTE + CDMA +EVDO Mode but you will get text messages fine.
The items that are underlined in Red are the stuff i added.
---- To tell what Band on: ----
1. ##debug#
2. enter passcode 777468
3. go to LTE engineering menu
I hope this helps because all the other stuff I read would not work for my Galaxy S5 I just bought.
Thanks
One more thing
I read on here http://s4gru.com/index.php?/blog/1/...-due-to-circuit-switched-fallback-technology/
that this problem should be fixed soon but if you need LTE now here it is.
darhoade said:
I read on here http://s4gru.com/index.php?/blog/1/...-due-to-circuit-switched-fallback-technology/
that this problem should be fixed soon but if you need LTE now here it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info. However, I think its crazy to want to set it up for LTE when you cannot receive phone calls especially since this is you know, is a phone. Calling Sprint and talking about this situation is useless. They all say nothing is wrong and its the device. I'm really pissed off about this but I enjoy the phone. This will probably be the last Sprint phone I will get.
Sent from my SM-G900P using xda app-developers app
pastert33 said:
Thanks for the info. However, I think its crazy to want to set it up for LTE when you cannot receive phone calls especially since this is you know, is a phone. Calling Sprint and talking about this situation is useless. They all say nothing is wrong and its the device. I'm really pissed off about this but I enjoy the phone. This will probably be the last Sprint phone I will get.
Sent from my SM-G900P using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use it at night or in places that I need fast internet and when I know I dont need a phone for a bit which is why I have voicemail I just switch over to LTE for a bit and then back...but yes it sucks for now until they upgrade the tower over here with the feature needed to use LTE spark devices.
Im loyal to sprint but its becoming more and more hard to be loyal.
Probably just your area, not the phone.
Your area may have LTE but if it doesn't have the circuit fall back enabled yet (tri-band phones) can't drop the data to allow a call and thus they force you to remain on 3G only.
Once your area has everything done it should get better.
I have similar situation that KILLS my battery at home but in every other part of town it all works great :/
bryanu said:
Probably just your area, not the phone.
Your area may have LTE but if it doesn't have the circuit fall back enabled yet (tri-band phones) can't drop the data to allow a call and thus they force you to remain on 3G only.
Once your area has everything done it should get better.
I have similar situation that KILLS my battery at home but in every other part of town it all works great :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found out from reading the Sprint forums (https://community.sprint.com/baw/thread/157300?start=0&tstart=0), that this is likely not caused by the circuit fallback, but incomplete rollouts of Spark technology. Disabling the new Spark bands has helped me keep a stable LTE connection. Once the Spark rollout is complete in my area, and Band 26 can support both Voice and Data, I'll re-enable it the new spark bands.
sporklover said:
Found out from reading the Sprint forums (https://community.sprint.com/baw/thread/157300?start=0&tstart=0), that this is likely not caused by the circuit fallback, but incomplete rollouts of Spark technology. Disabling the new Spark bands has helped me keep a stable LTE connection. Once the Spark rollout is complete in my area, and Band 26 can support both Voice and Data, I'll re-enable it the new spark bands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which bands did you disable? Also, are you able to get voice calls when you LTE?
Im a bit frustrated be the place I spend most of my time (where I used to get LTE fine with my S3) I no longer get LTE and its super slow 3g. Calling sprint didn't help, they just say to wait until cell tower updates are finished in the next 6 months.
If I disable the Spart bands, will I be able to keep LTE and voice? Thanks
master4g said:
Which bands did you disable? Also, are you able to get voice calls when you LTE?
Im a bit frustrated be the place I spend most of my time (where I used to get LTE fine with my S3) I no longer get LTE and its super slow 3g. Calling sprint didn't help, they just say to wait until cell tower updates are finished in the next 6 months.
If I disable the Spart bands, will I be able to keep LTE and voice? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disabled bands 26 and 41. This forces the phone to use the default sprint LTE band. It receives voice calls just fine.
sporklover said:
I disabled bands 26 and 41. This forces the phone to use the default sprint LTE band. It receives voice calls just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But if you enabled the spark LTE bands like the default settings, will you LTE work or does it fall back to 3g? Thanks
master4g said:
But if you enabled the spark LTE bands like the default settings, will you LTE work or does it fall back to 3g? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LTE works fine because it defaults to the standard LTE band.
sporklover said:
LTE works fine because it defaults to the standard LTE band.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then is there any benefit in disabling the other bands?
master4g said:
Then is there any benefit in disabling the other bands?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read the sprint link. Incomplete rollout of spark, in particular on band 26 can cause the issue of not being able to switch between 4G and 3G and back.
So, as some of you know, if you use the XT1060 with T-Mobile and connect to LTE, you'll have one of two issues: 1) it connects to LTE, but you can no longer call out (or receive calls) as the phone falls back to CDMA even when locked out in the network settings, or 2) it doesn't connect to LTE because it locks the T-Mobile 3G APN in even when a manual entry T-Mobile LTE APN is selected (my issue). My X absolutely REFUSED to move to fast.t-mobile.com and failed to connect to LTE and had absolutely no signal whatsoever (no HSPA or GSM even when on LTE/GSM/UMTS). The reason from the tower: APNfailed. Tried a million times to change the APN in the LTE area to no avail.
I've found it will only change to fast.t-mobile.com (manually entered) in a non-LTE area. Well that's a great inconvenience. I had to disable LTE completely and restart the phone to get it back on HSPA+ (or wait 5-10 minutes).
Anyway, the Verizon rep called me to "troubleshoot" my issues when connecting to T-Mobile LTE. I refused to go through the typical troubleshooting steps because none of it worked when I tried, so it's not magically going to change. I found that interesting (that they'd call me) even though I've had no direct contact with Verizon. Anyway, nothing was really resolved.
Both of these issues are violations of the C-block agreement. Also, if you select Global mode, it'll default to EDGE even though HSPA is available. It'll go to HSPA after selecting LTE/GSM/UMTS, UMTS only, then move back to Global. Interesting how they make you go through these hoops, eh?
Jason.DROID said:
So, as some of you know, if you use the XT1060 with T-Mobile and connect to LTE, you'll have one of two issues: 1) it connects to LTE, but you can no longer call out (or receive calls) as the phone falls back to CDMA even when locked out in the network settings, or 2) it doesn't connect to LTE because it locks the T-Mobile 3G APN in even when a manual entry T-Mobile LTE APN is selected (my issue). My X absolutely REFUSED to move to fast.t-mobile.com and failed to connect to LTE and had absolutely no signal whatsoever (no HSPA or GSM even when on LTE/GSM/UMTS). The reason from the tower: APNfailed. Tried a million times to change the APN in the LTE area to no avail.
I've found it will only change to fast.t-mobile.com (manually entered) in a non-LTE area. Well that's a great inconvenience. I had to disable LTE completely and restart the phone to get it back on HSPA+ (or wait 5-10 minutes).
Anyway, the Verizon rep called me to "troubleshoot" my issues when connecting to T-Mobile LTE. I refused to go through the typical troubleshooting steps because none of it worked when I tried, so it's not magically going to change. I found that interesting (that they'd call me) even though I've had no direct contact with Verizon. Anyway, nothing was really resolved.
Both of these issues are violations of the C-block agreement. Also, if you select Global mode, it'll default to EDGE even though HSPA is available. It'll go to HSPA after selecting LTE/GSM/UMTS, UMTS only, then move back to Global. Interesting how they make you go through these hoops, eh?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow. Hopefully something changes with Verizon and letting people use LTE on other carriers. I know almost all Verizon phones don't get LTE on any carrier other than Verizon even if the LTE bands are supported. Verizon is full of crap.
I started out with USCC on this device. But last week I switched ourn lines over to big red. I noticed that big red forces you to use LTE, with no options under "cellular networks" to select CDMA. Here in Maine, LTE drains your battery 50% faster than CDMA, and data is wonky. It tends to be slower than CDMA, or at least feels slower because it is constantly switching between the 2 or hanging in limbo.
My phone was set to CDMA on USCC, and even after switching to Verizon, I'm still on CDMA. My question is, if I return to stock LP will it force me into LTE -with no choice of switching back to CDMA? So far, Marshmallow has been a huge disappointment on my phone.
HikingMoose said:
I started out with USCC on this device. But last week I switched ourn lines over to big red. I noticed that big red forces you to use LTE, with no options under "cellular networks" to select CDMA. Here in Maine, LTE drains your battery 50% faster than CDMA, and data is wonky. It tends to be slower than CDMA, or at least feels slower because it is constantly switching between the 2 or hanging in limbo.
My phone was set to CDMA on USCC, and even after switching to Verizon, I'm still on CDMA. My question is, if I return to stock LP will it force me into LTE -with no choice of switching back to CDMA? So far, Marshmallow has been a huge disappointment on my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just go into hidden menu via dialer and force your phone into CDMA or LTE or whatever you want. It's simple really and will give you what you want.
Well, is there a "new to Verizon" guide somewhere? Verizon didn't tell me about the secret codes. I don't even know how to do an advanced prl update.
I should have clarified that I've only ever been on USCC. I've never used Verizon. But I do vaguely remember reading about a hidden dialer code now that you mention it. I'll look into that.
HikingMoose said:
Well, is there a "new to Verizon" guide somewhere? Verizon didn't tell me about the secret codes. I don't even know how to do an advanced prl update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is android secret code not Verizon.
*#*#4636#*#*
Thanks. Never needed it because us cellular already offers that.
HikingMoose said:
Thanks. Never needed it because us cellular already offers that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not a that they don't offer that 99% of the time you are better off on LTE so its good that phones prefer LTE. Most likely your other phone simply had that option not hidden unlike on Moto. So that wasn't a ussc feature
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk
Agree to disagree. The data speeds are about the same here, but with the constant handoffs, LTE actually becomes slower and pages won't load because it's switching to 3G and back to LTE over, and over, and over. Plus the added battery drain off having 15-20dBm weaker signal, it's a no brainer. But maybe that's just in our less developed state.
The Samsung phone that I bought for my wife has no CDMA provisions, so it's not a Moto thing, it's a Verizon thing.
You can also download the thunder bolt lte on/off app and you have choices like CDMA auto prl. I use it to force CDMA only on my range extender at home.
Use shortcut creator to link to the hidden menu and your all set
HikingMoose said:
Agree to disagree. The data speeds are about the same here, but with the constant handoffs, LTE actually becomes slower and pages won't load because it's switching to 3G and back to LTE over, and over, and over. Plus the added battery drain off having 15-20dBm weaker signal, it's a no brainer. But maybe that's just in our less developed state.
The Samsung phone that I bought for my wife has no CDMA provisions, so it's not a Moto thing, it's a Verizon thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This device doesn't run Verizon branded firmware at all. It's how Motorola provisioned the device to work. Like patt2k said you can change that via the hidden menu and you should be good to go, it won't look for LTE after that.
Oaklands said:
You can also download the thunder bolt lte on/off app and you have choices like CDMA auto prl. I use it to force CDMA only on my range extender at home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There seem to be many LTE on/off utilities in the App store. How did you pick this one?
I also have a Verizon Network Extender at home. I have trouble getting connected to it. I often have to reboot or turn the radio on/off to get my phone to connect to the Extender. I would appreciate any advice on how to get my phone to connect to the Extender more reliably.
It would also be nice if the phone would show via an Icon or screen that it is connected to the Extender. Right now the only way to know is to dial #48
EDIT: When I go into the Hidden Menu and select CDMA only, the phone temporary drops the LTE signal. However, LTE seems to quickly come back. Any suggestions on how to turn off LTE when I am home so that I force a connection to the Network Extender?
I can't get the hidden menu to switch from CDMA to LTE. It will switch temporarily, then drop the radio altogether forcing me to restart. Upon restart it's in CDMA only again. Personally, I'm fine without LTE. But I'm not sure why I can't get it enabled at all. I'd like to know I COULD have LTE if I wanted it. So I'm confused why it's stuck in CDMA
swieder711 said:
There seem to be many LTE on/off utilities in the App store. How did you pick this one?
I also have a Verizon Network Extender at home. I have trouble getting connected to it. I often have to reboot or turn the radio on/off to get my phone to connect to the Extender. I would appreciate any advice on how to get my phone to connect to the Extender more reliably.
It would also be nice if the phone would show via an Icon or screen that it is connected to the Extender. Right now the only way to know is to dial #48
EDIT: When I go into the Hidden Menu and select CDMA only, the phone temporary drops the LTE signal. However, LTE seems to quickly come back. Any suggestions on how to turn off LTE when I am home so that I force a connection to the Network Extender?
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It worked with other Motorola devices in the past. CDMA only will fix your network extender issues.
You will have to set it back when you leave the house. Also it will go back to the default settings if you reboot. Works great for me.
How the heck do you disable LTE and force the phone to go on 4G? I need to be able to do this when the signal is weak so I can get some data connectivity. I looked in the settings and couldn't find any toggle (see attachment).
Not sure if it matters, but I have a "pure Google" Unlocked Pixel 4 that I got from BB and using on AT&T.
"LTE" is a synonym of "4G".
The phone can be forced to use 3G or 2G in the mobile network settings, but there is no "4G / LTE only" setting. I would like to have that too - my area is fully 4G covered, but sometimes the phone chooses one of the few remaining 3G stations if that one is just a bit stronger than 4G.
Oh,AT&T haha.
AT&T devices always make fake network type icons to display.
You can type *#*#4636#*#* on dialer to turn on engineering mode. The network information is usually accurate in engineering mode.
REF:https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/at-t-5ge-icon-continue-to-show-up-after-advertising-watchdog-order/