Database Users

Can't get HSDPA on T-Mobile UK

As the title says, I'm not getting HSDPA in areas where I was getting it before with my Galaxy S. I only ever get 3G and it is driving me nuts!
Is there anyway to change it to allow HSDPA on the phone? It is noticably slower, particularly streaming videos.
I'm on T-Mobile UK with the web & walk+ tariff.

Are you running the stock rom?
If so - afaik you get 3G for both 3G and HSDPA. Check your connection type in "About Phone" in settings - should be under "status".

Highland3r is correct. HSDPA is a 3G technology, and the stock ROM on the Nexus S does not differentiate it in the connection type display. You are most likely connected to your provider's HSPA network, your phone simply doesn't advertise that fact.

T mobile UK, uses a different band
it uses the same frequency as the 3G from ATT in USA
Nexus S is an AWS band phone

I'm having a similar issue with my Nexus S on Orange UK. I have to manually force it to use HSDPA in the engineer's menu but after a certain amount of time it defaults to UMTS.
My brother-in-law's Galaxy S has a constant HSDPA connection.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

I'm on vodafone in the uk and I get HSPA mostly all of the time, u guys are right, it says 3g in the bar at the top of the screen but looking deeper it is in actual fact HSPA.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

it's been like this since Android 2.3. They only display 3G whether your using 3G or HSDPA... they are essentially the same.
Therefore they just show 3G...
I prefer it to show me 3G or H or UMTS ( sometimes on UMTS aswell and still shows as 3G )

I am currently on CM7 and it does display H most of the time as the coverage is pretty good where I am. This has been the case even before I rooted the phone.

Thanks for the info guys, like Highlan3r suggested it has HSDPA in the status menu but 3G in the notification bar! It is the stock ROM also, just found it a bit unusual since changing from the Galaxy S only a week ago but now I know.
Thanks again!

Just to clarify, my Nexus S shows UMTS under status, even when a data connection is active. If I force it onto HSDPA by selecting WCDMA only in the engineer's menu, it again reverts to UMTS after a certain length of time.
My brother-in-law's Galaxy S has constant HSDPA connection on the same network. We are both using stock roms.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

you will only see HSDPA when there is network traffic. If the connection's idle, it goes back to display UMTS (to save battery and network resources)

Nexus-S said:
Just to clarify, my Nexus S shows UMTS under status, even when a data connection is active. If I force it onto HSDPA by selecting WCDMA only in the engineer's menu, it again reverts to UMTS after a certain length of time.
My brother-in-law's Galaxy S has constant HSDPA connection on the same network. We are both using stock roms.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you using a custom ROM of any kind? It _could_ be an issue with the APN's setup - CM7 for example doesn't set a default APN on my phone which seems to cause mobile data connectivity problems until a default is set/the extra crap is removed.
<edit>
You're probably best starting a new thread for this btw as it's likely to be a different issue to the ops
</edit>

And now after the 2.3.3 update it switches to HSDPA perfectly.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

H and 3g switching

Anyone noticed on gs2 it switches to 3g until H is needed for data. If I'm in an H area it doesn't stay in that mode all the time.
I know H drains battery more so on the gs1 could the same functioning be transported. In theory giving better battery life?
Just my input and maybe a tribute to my old faithful gs1 and the great community
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App

Same for my sgs2 (I am on orange)
At first I just thought signal was not so great in area I live but then the H pops back when I start downloading and using net, I can see why they have made it this way but I am also a little unsure as to how much this helps, the swapping from 3g to h then 3g to h and so on and if this itself does not either slow our use as we wait for it to swap back to h and if saves energy or uses more? (like in a car changing gears more often uses more fuel)

skibadee said:
Anyone noticed on gs2 it switches to 3g until H is needed for data. If I'm in an H area it doesn't stay in that mode all the time.
I know H drains battery more so on the gs1 could the same functioning be transported. In theory giving better battery life?
Just my input and maybe a tribute to my old faithful gs1 and the great community
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. There are quite a few people with 3G and HSDPA issues:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1074396
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1073958
Yours may not be an actual problem if your getting decent speeds but mine is failing to stay on HSDPA when downloading and getting very poor results (64kbps) in an area which I normally get around 2000kbps.
I've spoken to Samsung but they have yet to respond with a resolution.

Dont know if its an issue for me as it swaps back to 3g once its got all it needs (page loaded) its stays 3g until i click on next page or it needs it then jumps to H again.

voodoochild2008 said:
Dont know if its an issue for me as it swaps back to 3g once its got all it needs (page loaded) its stays 3g until i click on next page or it needs it then jumps to H again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here - no problem with speeds or whatever, but once it's finished it changes back to 3g. I'm on vodafone.

I'm in Australia with H+ and it will only switch to that when I'm actively downloading something, could be a battery saving feature?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

It's not an issue, my SGS does the same thing.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

Ahh see my sgs (i9000)didn't. It was always on H or 3g depending on signal.
I flashed God knows how many Roms and kernels (mainly darkys & voodoo/speedmod) it never switched like this.
Oh and my battery lasts way longer on my sgs2
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App

I noticed this too but I have yet to properly test it to see if that's actually what it's doing....

my nexus one also stays on H always and never switches back and forth for the data transfer.
however i thin kit is network dependent sometimes, because when i traveled to a different city a few weeks ago suddenly it would switch between 3G and H anytime data transferred. as soon as i drove about 15 minutes north out of that city, it returned to constant H and back to normal.
so i dont know exactly how or why this is caused. i'd prefer to jsut stay on H and not change back and forth.

Depending on Carrier actively terminating HSPA when data transfer finished?
Is the same on my HD 2 .
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

I chose Orange via CPW. I received my SGS 2 yesterday. Such a stunning phone but I'm returning it as I can't connect via HSPDA. My two O2 Galaxy S's sitting on same desk connect at H without issue. If I take out the Orange contract SIM and replace it with one of my O2, the SGS 2 connects at HSPDA immediately. Definitely an Orange issue.
Hopefully I can take advantage of CPW policy to find a network that works for me. Would be great if I could keep the handset (put protective screen on it and time spent customising handset) and pop in another SIM.

Anyone tried changing the preferred network type? On my Nexus One the default (which I never changed) was WCDMA preferred, on the GSII it's GSM/CDMA auto (PRL). A brief bit of research online suggests that this does affect how the phone switches between available network types.
(*#*#4636#*#* then Phone Information, then scroll down, for those who don't know where this is)

snoopstah said:
Anyone tried changing the preferred network type? On my Nexus One the default (which I never changed) was WCDMA preferred, on the GSII it's GSM/CDMA auto (PRL). A brief bit of research online suggests that this does affect how the phone switches between available network types.
(*#*#4636#*#* then Phone Information, then scroll down, for those who don't know where this is)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you for useful info

I get this issue when I have GSM/WCDMA (Auto mode) selected.
Speed tests are rather slow even when it switches to H. When I select WCDMA only I get great speeds (3Mb+). Still switches between 3G and H though.
My issue is that I've never been able to connect to H+ in central London on Three. Not sure if it's my phone or the network.

This is actually how the umts/hspa technology works. HSPA as a technology is only for data, so it's used only then. Carriers drops the connection back to umts if data is not used.
This is also related to the FastDormancy bug discussed here. So it might also relate to why this phone does it so often or fast.
I've tested two usb-modems and another phone in my location and they all do exactly the same thing what galaxy s ii.
My network provider always drops the connection to 3G if data is not used, it can't be forced. A way around it is to keep a small download going.
E.g. if I use a usb-modem on my laptop and want to keep it in HSPA (for some reason...), I just put wget with 1kt/s download in the background.
The networks capacity is not limitless, so older technologies is used instead.
Hope this clarifies things.

gvoima said:
This is actually how the umts/hspa technology works. HSPA as a technology is only for data, so it's used only then. Carriers drops the connection back to umts if data is not used.
This is also related to the FastDormancy bug discussed here. So it might also relate to why this phone does it so often or fast.
I've tested two usb-modems and another phone in my location and they all do exactly the same thing what galaxy s ii.
My network provider always drops the connection to 3G if data is not used, it can't be forced. A way around it is to keep a small download going.
E.g. if I use a usb-modem on my laptop and want to keep it in HSPA (for some reason...), I just put wget with 1kt/s download in the background.
The networks capacity is not limitless, so older technologies is used instead.
Hope this clarifies things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My problem is not that it goes back to 3G but it's dropping back every few seconds, even whilst downloading. It doesn't happen on my other Android handsets on the same network. So it is a problem.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

I'm in U.S. on AT&T, with an HTC Inspire "4G" and SGS2. The Inspire stays on H+ at all times, idle or active. The SGS2 does bump up to H+ on demand it seems. BTW, The SGS Tools app with the dialer codes still works fine on this device. I've been messing with network bands since I got the phone.

Just to add. I'm using the same vodafone sim card from my old sgs and it always stayed on H unless signal was 3g only area.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App

I've posted in many threads regarding this
It didn't do it on my SGS with same sim card/network. Speed results between the two are very similar. Only network performance issues experienced were when immediately after i swapped out the sim card from captivate to SGSII and shortly after i switched my data plan from smartphone plan to medianet

T-Mobile H/E connection

So i finally got my nexus 4 and I'm on T-Mobile network and noticed that at work i notice my signal is constantly switching from H (HSDPA+) and E (edge). It's kind of annoying since edge data is very slow. Is this a common issue with the n4? When i get H signal, i have two bars so i don't think it is being boarder line signal. Please let me know, really hope i don't have to return this sweet phone!!!!
Are there any updated radios yet that i can try? I know with Vzw galaxy nexus radios helped a lot with 1x/3g/4g switching.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Any info on this? I know what the symbols stand for, however why can't this hold a strong HSPA signal for more than a minute without switching to edge even if the signal is 2 bar? Doesn't seem right

check your APN's

bradm23 said:
Any info on this? I know what the symbols stand for, however why can't this hold a strong HSPA signal for more than a minute without switching to edge even if the signal is 2 bar? Doesn't seem right
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It happens to me as well but its not just my nexus 4. It happens to my iPhone and my brothers HTC one v. Its just that we have decent to bad signal at home. Signal gets spotty sometimes.
So if you're at home just use WiFi and leave data off.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

famoustito said:
check your APN's
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply, any info how how to change the apns and what the best ones would be? I have been reading many people say their n4 idles with 3g and then ramps up to hspa when it calls for data usage. Mine doesn't act like this and just randomly drops to edge

Mine stays on 3g and only switches to H+ when I use data (custom rom icons). I think its normal

There is an app that takes you into the menu where you can choose network types, this is what is used to turn on LTE. Go in and put it to WCDMA Only, that should make it stay only on H+ and not go to Edge.
Play Store Link

link is not working

Dark lord me said:
There is an app that takes you into the menu where you can choose network types, this is what is used to turn on LTE. Go in and put it to WCDMA Only, that should make it stay only on H+ and not go to Edge.
Play Store Link
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
moldovanos said:
link is not working
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can just dial *#*#4636#*#* and it'll take you to that exact menu.

closedcircuit said:
You can just dial *#*#4636#*#* and it'll take you to that exact menu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I try to go into the settings>Select Radio my com.android.phone FCs is there a way around that?
I am on stock 4.2.1

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 !

4g / LTE Toggle / radio control

At work the 4g LTE signal for ATT is very poor in the building, but we have 4g repeaters for ATT to fix this issue. Unfortunately, phones are stubborn and like to stay on 4g LTE despite having 1 bar of signal vs full signal with 4g. I had this same issue on my iphone 5 but was able to easily force off LTE while i was at work and have a steady, reliable data connection. My Note 4 seems to have the same affinity to wanting to be on 1 bar of LTE, but I cannot figure out a way to toggle / force LTE off and just use 4g. Anyone have any ideas? Anyone know of an application I can use to resolve this issue?
Thanks

try settings...more networks...mobile networks....network mode....It should be in there..I have the sprint model so I don't know for sure...but that is where mine is....hope this helps

djboo4you said:
try settings...more networks...mobile networks....network mode....It should be in there..I have the sprint model so I don't know for sure...but that is where mine is....hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, there is no option for Network mode on the ATT version. I wonder if this has to do with voLTE....
I did find a backway to the network mode via *#*#4636#*#* but I am unsure of what I should be setting to "disable" lte while I'm in the building at work.

I think I've sorted this out now. If I change LTE/GSM AUTO to WCDMA preferred it seems to immediately switch and hold onto 4G. I do have to change it back. Maybe I will write something so I can quick toggle this since nothing on the app store seems to work.

hi,
If you are rooted ? You can use an xpose module called Intelli3G
I use it on my phone ,works 100% and switches smoothly/fast between eg 4G..3G automatic
eg if my data is of its on 3G as soon as i switch data on /wifi it changes to 4 G
For interest sake ,here is a link to market ,you can read desciption what it does ?
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.voidvapps.intelli3g&hl=en
good luck