So I've confirmed today that there is in fact an LTE issue with the Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition, and thankfully, it's software based. Hopefully, Google and/or Samsung implement a fix in short order. In the meantime, here's the cause (so that you can prevent the issue), and here's the workaround (so that you can correct the issue if you're affected).
Background:
Comparing the Google Play Edition to the Touchwiz Edition, there is a setting that is slightly different on both phones. If you go to Settings --> Wireless & Networks --> More --> Mobile Networks --> , you will see a setting; either "Use only 2G networks/saves battery (GPE)," or "Network Mode (TW)."
The Network Mode on Touchwiz allows you to toggle between available network modes based on carrier, usually 3 individual settings and a full Automatic setting. The 2G Networks setting on the Google Play Edition is the cause for concern here. It's directly ported from the Nexus 4, and here's where the problem lies.
Cause:
While both devices have numerous hidden network modes, the toggle only allows for you to switch between two modes; GSM Only, and WCDMA Preferred. GSM Only occurs when the box is ticked. This sets you on Edge-only for battery savings. WCDMA preferred tells the phone to look for GSM/UMTS (Edge/3G/H), but to prefer the latter if both are available, even if the latter has a weaker signal. Did you see LTE in the equation? If you noticed that it's absent, here's why.
The S4 has an additional mode; LTE/GSM (Auto PERL). This sells the phone to switch between LTE/H/3G/Edge based on signal strength and T-Mobile's/AT&T's APN settings and roaming list. The S4 GPE comes with this mode on by default. If you tick the 2G box, you'll go to Edge only. If you untick the box, instead of going back to LTE/GSM, you are sent to WCDMA Preferred. Now, you're stuck between 2G/3G/H, or 2G only. LTE is gone. Nice oversight by Google/Samsung
The "Fix":
Because this is an issue with the firmware, there is no permanent fix. However, there are easy user-facing applications that will allow you to toggle LTE back on. The one I'm using is LTE Setting (Google Play Link). From the main page, go down about 2/3s of the way and you'll see a drop-down menu. Select "LTE/GSM (Auto PERL)" to restore LTE. Now, the next time that you set your phone to 2G Only for the sake of battery savings, you'll need to use this app again to restore LTE compatibility.
I've enclosed two pictures. The first is the setting as it appears in the Google Play Edition. The second is as it appears in a Touchwiz model, and why the Touchwiz variant does not have this problem.
i had this problem when i have flashed 3 various roms so i have to flash back a rooted stock rom which you can find in this forum (in my case XXUBMGA). after flashing i checked Settings --> More (under wireless) -->Mobile Networks and there shoud be 4 choices 1. LTE/WCDMA/GSM (auto connect) 2. WCDMA/GSM (auto connect) 3. WCDMA only and 4. GSM only. i checked no.1 to see if it worked (after rebooting). then there was no 4G connection on the status bar, so i begin to search for the answer in this forum also. here's a list of what i did to solve my problem.
1. i asked my carrier for an LTE capable SIM (micro SIM)
2. i see to it that there is an LTE coverage in my area for testing
3. LTE is activated in my prepaid account which is separate from internet access.
4. (optional) in settings/more/mobile networks/networks operators i selected manual because it drained my load when my network is not available when connection to LTE coverage of another network.
5. asked from carrier the correct APN
of all the listed steps i made above, it was the SIM card that was at fault, because my carrier gave me a normal sim but was just cut to a micro sim so i insist to have a pre manufactured micro sim. you can google for answers but i don't think this is a bug. i have read plenty of lte issues during my search and all point to coverage, SIM card and requesting the carrier for an LTE activation on your account.
hope this helps
I've edited the original post for clarity. I apologize for any confusion that I have caused.
Bug has been submitted to and acknowledged by Google. It's evident in the latest 4.3 leak, so no idea if the fix makes it into the final push, or a subsequent update.
Bug has been fixed as of last night's OTA to 4.3.
Hi Everyone,
I'm usually just a reader on XDA, but I have found a problem that appears not to have been solved and wondered if anyone had any insight.
Problem Summary
When in an area (or network) with only HSPA and UMTS (strong HSPA/UMTS signal, but with no LTE or 2G available), the phone will drop from H+ to 3G erratically, always dropping the data connection. Traditional phone calls are not affected.
Detailed Description
I have a OnePlus Two and have 2 SIM cards. My first SIM Card is with Bell Canada (Virgin), and the second SIM Card is with WIND Mobile Canada.
Neither Bell nor WIND operate a 2G network, so the lowest the service can fall to is UMTS/3G.
Initially, I didn't notice the problem because Bell also operates an LTE network, and there is no problem with dropping the data connections when on LTE.
When I switched to the WIND SIM card (which only operates HSPA and UMTS), I noticed a problem where the phone would initially connect to H+, begin downloading whatever is needed (say, streaming music), but then part way through the download, the connection would switch to 3G, and the data would effectively stop. Within a minute, the service would jump back to H+ and download some more, but this cycle would continue (H+ --> 3G --> H+ --> 3G... ), with no way of knowing 1) how long the H+ connection would last before dropping to 3G (usually less than 30 seconds), and 2) after dropping to 3G, how long before going back to H+. This problem makes the phone almost useless when there is no LTE.
The most obvious troubleshooting I did was move to locations of better signal but I quickly ruled that out, as nothing seems to remove this problem. Other things I tried was to: move locations in the city, reboot phone, hard reset phone, flash most updated version of Oxygen, unlock bootloader, root, try the HSPA Keepalive app, swap SIM1 to SIM2, and many other things.
I originally thought this was a network issue, but I put this WIND SIM in another phone and there was no problem in any way that resembled this problem.
I also ruled out this being a network-specific problem, as I have taken a trip with the Bell SIM to an area where Bell does not have any LTE coverage (only HSPA and UMTS) and the same problem occurs on Bell as with the WIND SIM.
I have found people who had this problem on the OnePlus One tend to recommend using 2G to stabilize the connection, but this is not possible on Bell or WIND. That solution also would not provide adequate data speeds.
Remember this problem only affects data connectivity, as 3G traditional phone calls have no problems.
Question
Does anyone know if there is a way to adjust the conditions when the OnePlus Two will choose to switch from H+ to 3G?
Does anyone have any easier suggestions?
Thank you all in advance, because this rendering this phone almost useless when there is no LTE coverage.
I believe your problem is that phone it's dualsim standby, that means only one modem that alternates signal for both sims, I think normal would be alternating from faster network to slower network on sim without data.
Having to change to g3 between sims theres something stoped in the modem and data connection is also stopped.
You have no problem with voice calls because other sim is automatically turned off and unreachable.
There's nothing you can do if you're forced to only 3g on both sims
By 3g I mean 3g or h+ which to my knowledge are the same
Hope I was helpful and not wrong or more confusing
Sent from my ONE A2005 using Tapatalk
fburgos said:
I believe your problem is that phone it's dualsim standby, that means only one modem that alternates signal for both sims, I think normal would be alternating from faster network to slower network on sim without data.
Having to change to g3 between sims theres something stoped in the modem and data connection is also stopped.
You have no problem with voice calls because other sim is automatically turned off and unreachable.
There's nothing you can do if you're forced to only 3g on both sims
By 3g I mean 3g or h+ which to my knowledge are the same
Hope I was helpful and not wrong or more confusing
Sent from my ONE A2005 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I will try disabling the second SIM to see if there is a bug with the dual-sim...
What it currently does with the second SIM is it either shows "R" for roaming or just emergency only, but perhaps there is a software issue so I'll see if disabling the second SIM makes a difference.
biomedeng said:
Thanks, I will try disabling the second SIM to see if there is a bug with the dual-sim...
What it currently does with the second SIM is it either shows "R" for roaming or just emergency only, but perhaps there is a software issue so I'll see if disabling the second SIM makes a difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Though strange, this workaround fixes the issue. Thank you to fburgos for the suggestion!
So just in case anyone ever finds this issue creeps up on them, the solution is to DISABLE the SIM you are not using. It's not the most convenient workaround to swap SIMs, but the other SIM will be in Emergency Mode, so it really makes no functional difference.
On the technical side, it does appear that there is actually a bug in Android for a very uncommon network configuration. It will only appear in this exact configuration:
SIM1: Network has HSPA/3G only, no LTE or 2G to move to
SIM2: Network also only has HSPA/3G with no LTE or 2G
The non-data SIM does NOT connect to a roaming network (connects with "Emergency Only") - if it connects to a roaming 2G network, this problem does not happen.
The data SIM connects to HSPA/3G
Both SIMs are active
I'm not sure if this will happen anywhere else in the world other than having a WIND Mobile Canada SIM and Bell or TELUS Canada SIM
If anyone has insight on how to report this to Google, or someone else who can confirm my theory, that would be great!
Try this:
1. You need to make sure you have the correct LTE APN selected in mobile networks and LTE as preferred type.
2. Go to dialer and type in this: *#*#4636#*#*
3. Phone Information
4. Set Preferred Network Type to: LTE/GSM (PRL) - you an play with which one you wanna use but the one I said works for sure. on other roms I have" TD-SCDMA, GSM/WCDMA and LTE"
5. Now click TURN OFF RADIO and wait WAIT few secs. will that button turns to Turn Radio ON
6. Now TURN ON RADIO and wait
7. when u see the triangle for the signal is back, at least black , go down and lick SMSC REFRESH then UPDATE.
8. now just go back to APN settings and go into your LTE APN
9. Change Bearer to LTE
biomedeng said:
Hi Everyone,
I'm usually just a reader on XDA, but I have found a problem that appears not to have been solved and wondered if anyone had any insight.
Problem Summary
When in an area (or network) with only HSPA and UMTS (strong HSPA/UMTS signal, but with no LTE or 2G available), the phone will drop from H+ to 3G erratically, always dropping the data connection. Traditional phone calls are not affected.
Detailed Description
I have a OnePlus Two and have 2 SIM cards. My first SIM Card is with Bell Canada (Virgin), and the second SIM Card is with WIND Mobile Canada.
Neither Bell nor WIND operate a 2G network, so the lowest the service can fall to is UMTS/3G.
Initially, I didn't notice the problem because Bell also operates an LTE network, and there is no problem with dropping the data connections when on LTE.
When I switched to the WIND SIM card (which only operates HSPA and UMTS), I noticed a problem where the phone would initially connect to H+, begin downloading whatever is needed (say, streaming music), but then part way through the download, the connection would switch to 3G, and the data would effectively stop. Within a minute, the service would jump back to H+ and download some more, but this cycle would continue (H+ --> 3G --> H+ --> 3G... ), with no way of knowing 1) how long the H+ connection would last before dropping to 3G (usually less than 30 seconds), and 2) after dropping to 3G, how long before going back to H+. This problem makes the phone almost useless when there is no LTE.
The most obvious troubleshooting I did was move to locations of better signal but I quickly ruled that out, as nothing seems to remove this problem. Other things I tried was to: move locations in the city, reboot phone, hard reset phone, flash most updated version of Oxygen, unlock bootloader, root, try the HSPA Keepalive app, swap SIM1 to SIM2, and many other things.
I originally thought this was a network issue, but I put this WIND SIM in another phone and there was no problem in any way that resembled this problem.
I also ruled out this being a network-specific problem, as I have taken a trip with the Bell SIM to an area where Bell does not have any LTE coverage (only HSPA and UMTS) and the same problem occurs on Bell as with the WIND SIM.
I have found people who had this problem on the OnePlus One tend to recommend using 2G to stabilize the connection, but this is not possible on Bell or WIND. That solution also would not provide adequate data speeds.
Remember this problem only affects data connectivity, as 3G traditional phone calls have no problems.
Question
Does anyone know if there is a way to adjust the conditions when the OnePlus Two will choose to switch from H+ to 3G?
Does anyone have any easier suggestions?
Thank you all in advance, because this rendering this phone almost useless when there is no LTE coverage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same problem. Do you already have solved it?
I use only one SIM card so it is not a problem two cards.
really you do not have this problem? if no one knows the solution?
compared with my htc butterfly 2 and another low-end android, one plus 2 running latest Oxygen OS has serious connectivity issues. I compared the signals strength using same sim card in same location (including being connected to the same tower) and One Plus 2 keeps dropping the connection and has really poor signal strength. I have tried the *#*#4636#*#* and tried different network modes, but none of them are helping. Its a real disappointment that the basic feature of this phone is screwed up.
I have tried with CM13 as well. Any ideas if this is a modem version issue?
odeccacccp said:
Try this:
1. You need to make sure you have the correct LTE APN selected in mobile networks and LTE as preferred type.
2. Go to dialer and type in this: *#*#4636#*#*
3. Phone Information
4. Set Preferred Network Type to: LTE/GSM (PRL) - you an play with which one you wanna use but the one I said works for sure. on other roms I have" TD-SCDMA, GSM/WCDMA and LTE"
5. Now click TURN OFF RADIO and wait WAIT few secs. will that button turns to Turn Radio ON
6. Now TURN ON RADIO and wait
7. when u see the triangle for the signal is back, at least black , go down and lick SMSC REFRESH then UPDATE.
8. now just go back to APN settings and go into your LTE APN
9. Change Bearer to LTE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did It.. But it seems like it didn't solve my problem..
In device info I find several options for the network mode: lte/gsm, lte/cdma, or lte only, but I want something like lte preferred. If I switch it on lte only, phone calls or sms stops working (can't receive or send). Is there anything I can try to prefer lte all the time? My Vodafone carrier in Romania doesn't support VoLTE and whenever I make a phone call it goes to 2g, then it takes a few seconds to switch to "H", but it almost never goes directly to 4g. I'm also rooted so some exposed module or something similar would also be appreciated.
Basically what I'm looking for is to prioritize lte all the time, but switch to 2g/3g when I make a phone call or there is no 4g signal. Can anyone help me out pls?
i just got this phone from visible, of course it comes unlocked but it only has some of the bands needed for lte service on att. i was curious if anyone has tried this phone on att and tell me how good lte is with just a few of the bands
Google camera for zte blade a7 prime
Even I got this phone through visible, but was wondering if gcam can be installed in this?
It is lacking almost all of At&t bands. Most likely you are on band 2.
quote from sd
To whomever is trying to configure the ZTE Blade A7 to work voice/text, use a network app like "Mobile Network Mode" to force it to select different type of network.
1. Go to the app, select "Force Mode"
2. Set Preferred Network Type: either "GSM Auto" or "LTE/UMTS auto"
This should enable you to make voice call or text both incoming & outgoing.
I had success doing this for my CricketWireless. When doing voice call, it switches to 3G mode.
You must setup your regular APN to have 4G LTE enabled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have mine on T-Mobile and it works perfectly after popping in a different SIM to add the TMOB APN.
But it wouldn't make a great DD, because while TMOB Band 4 support is fine where I am, I know from experience that it's pretty spotty elsewhere.
hello!
I am trying to set my network mode to WCDMA because I want to use data and receive calls on the same time since my carrier hasn't enabled VoLTE (that's another story...) but I can't!
The option is there, settings, more, Mobile networks, network mode, i make the change to "GSM/WDSMA auto" but it won't stick! If I go back and come again to this menu, the option is reverted back to "GSM/WDSMA/LTE auto"!
There is no luck either with the LG hidden menu, *#546368#*870# , it says "Connection problem or invalid MMI code".
Could this has to do with my modded kernel?
Any other ideas?
Here is my setup right now:
LG G6 H870
Android 7 Nougat V11i-EUR-XX
Melina kernel 3.18.62-melina-rel7_2017.12.31_uber-6.x_STOCK_zefie
Thank you in advance for your help!
That is a GSM phone. You cannot simply switch to CDMA. Different hardware.
patruns said:
That is a GSM phone. You cannot simply switch to CDMA. Different hardware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what?
If i know that correct, WCDMA = 3g, right?
I want my device to be locked to 3g only, not 4g, because when I receive a call, it drops from 4g to 3g and I lose my internet connection, which is really frustrating if you are in the middle of a video call!