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Just got mine today, and unlike my Hermes & Kaiser it's unable to hold on to a T-Mobile signal in my lounge.
I wonder if it's faulty.
ROM version: 1.90.405.1 WWE
ROM date: 08/01/08
Radio version: 1.02.25.19
Protocol version: 52.33.25.17U
It's a possibility... I know I'm from the states, so different ballpark altogether, but mine has had much better reception (especially with holding 3G) than other phones I've used.
I would say after reading round the forums that the poor signal complaints all one one thing in common. T-Mobile UK.
I have the TYTN II as well on T-Mobile and it always has a good solid signal round my house with the 'H' showing all the time.
I got my Raphael today and reached the conclusion that T-Mobile must be having problems because the signal has been ropey to say the least plus it has been a struggle to get the 'G' to turn to a 'H'.
After reading the various discussions on here I can only put it down to the phone being a bit deaf. Lets hope HTC address this
Right two things.
a) I am on T-Mobile and have experienced the same thing. Slightly lower but not drastic reductions.
b) I spoke with T-Mobile yesterday and they said they were having some intermittent issues with their 3G network.
I've been having all sorts of trouble with web browsing on my Vario II over the last few months. The Touch Pro seems to be better but still not perfect, I'm probably going to change networks soon though.
I have a friend at work with an iphone 3G on O2 and he doesn't get very good 3G coverage in the office, but says it's fine at home. I think I'll move to Vodafone and see what they're like!
I aint too sure where we are at the moment with SPLs so not sure if it is wise to flash a different radio version yet, however it might be worth seeing if a radio update emerges to address these issues, gotta say where i am on vacation at the mo (Norfolk) has jack **** reception for TmobileUK.
Its full 5 Bars HSDPA back in York so when i get hold of my Raph i'll post some findings alongside my Hermes (TyTN) for comparison.
Is reception in Norfolk really that bad?
My brother can get a good enough reception to talk on his phone with Tmobile at our place there... While my phone on orange cant get anything at all...
I was told Tmobiles reception was better than oranges... :/
I was hoping i could get some sort for data connection working there.
Also has the Touch Pro got an Antenna plug inside it? So you could hook it up to a more powerful antenna?
Antenna location
Well I don't have Raph yet however I've seen a Manual.
It says that antenna o Raph is placed at the bottom of Raph's back. I think this is pretty idiotic because everytime you grab your phone you automatically cover the antenna.
I don't think that the poor reception is related to the T-Mobile network itself. I think the problem is the device.
If you read the other threads it's quite obvious that T-Mobile works better/fine with other devices (same SIM) as compared to the Touch Pro.
I'm quite sure we will get similar bad reception reports from other network users as well as soon as the devices gets available in other countries.
As the Diamond has similar problems I do not think it's a software issue, I think the problem is related to the slim housing (antenna setup) of the Diamond and as the Touch Pro is a takeover in lots of parts it might suffer the same problems.
Ok this doesnt sound good :/
Does the touch pro have an external antenna plug hidden inside the battery compartment?
Im not planning on carrying an antenna about with me all the time. But wouldnt mind one attached to my house in norfolk. Just so i can get some sort of data network.
So is there an antenna socket?
Most phones hide theres with a rubber plug.
foo said:
I'm quite sure we will get similar bad reception reports from other network users as well as soon as the devices gets available in other countries.
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Click to collapse
Don't be so sure... With my Pantech Duo I would hardly ever touch a 3G signal down in my basement, with the Touch Pro I get HSDPA most of the time I'm down here. Best phone I've ever used when it comes to reception...
NutsyUK said:
Ok this doesnt sound good :/
Does the touch pro have an external antenna plug hidden inside the battery compartment?
Im not planning on carrying an antenna about with me all the time. But wouldnt mind one attached to my house in norfolk. Just so i can get some sort of data network.
So is there an antenna socket?
Most phones hide theres with a rubber plug.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I BELIEVE I've heard of things you can get hooked up in a building where it receives signal at the top of the building (via an antenna) and amplifies it throughout (working similarly to a wireless router)... I think they use them in office buildings, to prevent loss of reception due to the sheer size of the structure. May be very expensive, but I haven't really looked into it. Anyone else heard of such things?
foo said:
I don't think that the poor reception is related to the T-Mobile network itself. I think the problem is the device.
If you read the other threads it's quite obvious that T-Mobile works better/fine with other devices (same SIM) as compared to the Touch Pro.
I'm quite sure we will get similar bad reception reports from other network users as well as soon as the devices gets available in other countries.
As the Diamond has similar problems I do not think it's a software issue, I think the problem is related to the slim housing (antenna setup) of the Diamond and as the Touch Pro is a takeover in lots of parts it might suffer the same problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Id wait to see if a Radio update eliviates some of the issues, remember we are on a fledgling STOCK device at the moment, same thing happened with the Hermes and it was remedied quickly once a radio update was released (with the 0107 radio bootloader in it).
@NutsyUK
Well we stayed in Hickling last year and I got full HSDPA around there which was a surprise, where we are im in a fringe area methinks since all 4 networks are crap here (Horning)......depends where you are going?
krabicka3 said:
Well I don't have Raph yet however I've seen a Manual.
It says that antenna o Raph is placed at the bottom of Raph's back. I think this is pretty idiotic because everytime you grab your phone you automatically cover the antenna.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually think this is quite a sensible location for it...
Yes, you would be covering the antenna if you are holding it "normally" i.e. browse web pages etc, but when you are on a call and you are holding it up to your ear you wouldn't be covering it at all because it's at the same end as the microphone! So at least having the antenna down there maximises your signal strength when you need it most!
After reading many posts saying that the Pro is weaker on TMobile I must ask which 3G band does TMobile operate on? Is it 2100?
I'm in Australia on Three's network and I must say the reception is very poor.
To the point I lose connection at times and have calls fade in/out.
This is coming from a P3600 which it replaced. That had better reception with one of the proven upgraded radio ROMs.
So I hope a future radio ROM upgrade addresses this, as I'm starting to really like this device.
My internet key for Three's mobile broadband which uses the same network can be right next to the Pro and have 4 bars (out of 4 or 5) while the Pro only shows 1 (P3600 generally has 1 bar less than internet key)
Mrjasjam said:
After reading many posts saying that the Pro is weaker on TMobile I must ask which 3G band does TMobile operate on? Is it 2100?
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Click to collapse
Use this site to check your local cell information (UK).
http://www.sitefinder.ofcom.org.uk/
THis is what i have found in my area
3G Network 2100MHz (umts)
TMob 1800MHz (GSM)
O2 900/1800MHz (GSM), 2100MHz (umts)
Voda 900/1800MHz (GSM), 2100MHz (umts)
Orange 1800MHz (GSM), 2100MHz (umts)
Tmobile must piggyback other networks umts as i am unable to find a Tmob cell with umts!!! If thats the case, its not the phone at fault. Maybe someone can check in their area that receives 3g on Tmobile.
Doing a quick search, it appears That Tmobile piggyback the 3G network in the uk, yet there are no reports of poor coverage on the 3G network.
The 3 an t-mobile HSDPA networks merged a while ago. So it would be interesting to know if the poor reception occurs with a 3 SIM. I would imagine that is shouldn't make any difference if they operate on the same band.
ardsar said:
Use this site to check your local cell information (UK).
http://www.sitefinder.ofcom.org.uk/
THis is what i have found in my area
3G Network 2100MHz (umts)
TMob 1800MHz (GSM)
O2 900/1800MHz (GSM), 2100MHz (umts)
Voda 900/1800MHz (GSM), 2100MHz (umts)
Orange 1800MHz (GSM), 2100MHz (umts)
Tmobile must piggyback other networks umts as i am unable to find a Tmob cell with umts!!! If thats the case, its not the phone at fault. Maybe someone can check in their area that receives 3g on Tmobile.
Doing a quick search, it appears That Tmobile piggyback the 3G network in the uk, yet there are no reports of poor coverage on the 3G network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its been the following for a fair while:
O2 and Vodaphone : GSM900
Orange and Tmobile: GSM1800
AFAIK all four use UMTS2100 for thier 3G services.
Virgin mobile uses the tmobile network also.
Three: UMTS2100
However Three works on the same network ID as the O2 3G service which seems to take priority, however that might be an old story now?? Al i can remember is that several colleagues were told this by Three when they complained about calls cutting off many times.
Never been aware of tMobile "piggybacking" the 3G network since they were the first to offer 3G with the other networks following suit? It wouldnt make sence by looking at the data rate tarriffs each network offers since Tmobile is the only one to offer unlimited HSDPA, which surely would suggest the intrastructure is thiers out of majority??
My info was from this article originally:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-Mobile#United_Kingdom
It would definitely be interesting to know if the same problems occur with O2 etc...
[Edit: See post # 7 for hardware fix that solved my problem]
I need help with improving calling reception on the used AT&T Fuze I bought for use on the TMobile USA network, specifically North-Eastern USA (NYC metro area).
I have SIM unlocked the phone (thanks to purchased unlocker from Olipro), I have flashed with several ROMs (starting with NRG's EnergyRom "photon" series), and I have tried various Radios and matching ril dlls. It surprises me just how bad reception is. In areas that my old T-Mobile Wing (a.k.a HTC Herald)gets almost full signal, the Fuze fluctuates from three "bars" down to none, with the signal being lost and reacquired constantly. I have tried "locking" the band to 850 and 1900 GSM (which is what Tmo USA uses) with little effect.
I'm at a lost. I have tried searching this forum, but several posts are related to AT&T network (understandably as it is an AT&T phone) and issues with TMobile UK reception (which is supposedly bad). For the most part, it looks like TMobile USA should have great reception in general in my area..... but I don't. I know my area has coverage by looking at other phones, just not my Fuze.
Can anyone from the NYC Metro area (mostly northern NY area) who has successfully connected the Fuze to Tmobile help me? What ROM and Radio combo worked best for you?
Plus, can anyone with experience tell me if it is possible that my phone has a hardware problem. Could there be something wrong with the antenna? How could I test this, and or fix this if it is hardware?
(Note: I am referring to regular GSM signal. I know that there is no 3G for me due to unsupported 1700 3G radio band.)
Thanks.
Nonpaq
Radios I have tried are:
Ralp 1.10.25.18
Ralp 1.14.25.35
BS 1.17.25.09
Quartz 1.11.25.01
X1 1.10.25.18
Each was tried with the default RIL in ROM and the version specific RIL (when available). All have been identical with poor GSM reception.
Has anyone been successful with using the FUZE on TMobile in northeastern US?
Another question: Does keeping a radio for longer period of time help improve the signal locking, as if the tower and phone need to "learn" about each other? I remember old non-smartphones used to have to have their list of available towers updated so that the phone could recognize newer, closer towers. I assume that this is no longer the case.
Plus: Fieldtest shows occasionally the GSM 850 band is used, but most of the time the band is listed as "PCS". Is that the GSM 1900 band? I believe that Tmobile mostly uses 1900 in this area as well as 850. Is it possible I am not seeing the 1900 band?
-nonpaq
I have the Fuze on T-mobile as well. I am in the SouthEast and have good luck with Radio 1.14.25.05. I've tried them all. This Radio I've used for almost 5 months now; good reception, good GPS, good batery. Try it, with matching rilphone ofcourse. good luck.
Well I loaded up Energy Titanium latest build (Nov 10) and had radio version 1.17.25.09 from before, and all of a sudden I was getting 3 to occasionally 4 "bars" in my home (previously I would get two "bars" max). It would occasionally drop and rescan for signal but not often. Outside had a solid lock on the signal.
I thought I finally found the perfect combo, but unfortunately when I got to work, indoors, 40 miles away from home, it was the same ol' story. Mostly no signal lock, with an occasional 1 bar signal.
Watching FieldTest data is interesting though. While scanning for signal, I can see the NCell info get data, which I understand are cell towers the phone "sees" but are not locked in. It fluctuates from 1 to 6 towers seen, down to none with the phone not moving. The receive strength reported for these towers varies from -106 dbm to -97 dbm, but does not lock on to the signal. (I occasionally get GPRS lock with zero bars). Can anyone explain this to me.
Plus, can any of these reception problems be related to using an AT&T phone on the T-Mobile system, preventing the towers from allowing a lock? I always thought that the SIM card's IMEI controlled access, but could tmobile somehow lock out unknown phone models?
tt1114 said:
I have the Fuze on T-mobile as well. I am in the SouthEast and have good luck with Radio 1.14.25.05. I've tried them all. This Radio I've used for almost 5 months now; good reception, good GPS, good battery. Try it, with matching rilphone ofcourse. good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I flashed the Radio 1.14.25.05 and installed the matching RIL version and now I'm getting a lock of 1 "bar" where previously I did not. Fieldtest shows the same signal strengths as before for Neighboring Cell Towers [NCells] except now it is locking onto a signal of -105 dBm or better. (I even got 2 "bars" at -103 dBm ) According to the ARFCN field , it is now locking into the 1900 band (CNs in the 600s) where previously it would only lock into the 850 band (CNs in the 100s).
Looks good so far as I can actually get phone calls now!!! Thanks for the recommendation. (By the way... it looks like the signal gets better as time passes. By the time I finished this post, the phone is showing a steady 2 "bars").
My saga continues.....
My two bars at work were short lived. Signal is now back to 1 or no bars. I am going to experiment with some of the older radios.
Heres an interesting thing. I experimented with another persons AT&T SIM card and reception was great!! From the same location, AT&T gives "Full Signal" yet TMobile gives barely 1 bar and cannot hold onto the signal. Now I realize that the TMobile towers might be located further than the AT&T towers causing the difference in signal levels, but if not that, what else can cause one to be so much better than the other. (Keep in mind, my other TMobile phone, the HTC herald, gets great service, as does the other person's regular AT&T phone. So I know there is service here.)
I know the ROMs are not service specific, but are the radios optimized for particular services. Is there any radio that may be more generic, or optimized for the 850/1900 GSM band that TMobile USA uses?
I fixed my bad reception problems with my fuze on TMobile USA. It turns out that it was a hardware issue, the antenna was not making a good contact to the circuit board.
I opened my Fuze by removing the four screws under the back cover. Then use a flat plastic "stick" to separate the casing from the keyboard (careful, the back speaker is connected by a short wire from the circuit board to the back plate.) The GSM antenna is at the bottom (looks like black tape from the outside back). It connects to the circuit board by contact tabs that touch when the back plate is on. What I did was slightly lift these tab "fingers" so that they extended a little more. The theory is that when I reconnect the back plate they will press harder on the contacts on the other side.
After putting everything back together, I'm getting full service where previously I got only two bars.
If you have bad reception, and you are not afraid of voiding your warantee and cracking open your phone's case, you should try this simple fix. I recommend looking up the disassembly guide as there are several potential problems you need to be careful of. First, the back speaker wire can easily be broken. Second there is a main circuit board and a smaller daughter board which can separate. There are two connectors, a large one about the middle of the phone, and a small on on the side. Make sure both are connected (pressed together) before reassembling the phone case.
Let me know if this is useful for you. I can put together a step by step guide if you want. Just PM me.
where did you get the radio 1.14.25.05?
where can i find this radio with the matching RIL???
thank you im also having the same trouble with my htc fuze for t-mobile
So I remember my boss had a cell booster for his blackberry. I still experience problems with reception in a few places around my town, especially my whole neighborhood...ever where around i have 3G except a few neighborhoods and my house(i get almost 0-2 all day everyday on Edge in and around my house)...
Was wondering if anyone had any experience with Indoor Signal Boosters or Boosters that attach to the device (NO NOT THOSE STUPID STICKER BOOSTERS). The boosters that cost $150+
I have had good luck with the good "expensive" ones... make sure you get one that is fully compatiable with the AWS 3G bands. Most, these days, are, but still worth double checking.
You might also want to take a look at a femto cell, if T-Mobile has any.
I was just looking at a signal repeater for AWS bands... can't remember what website it was, but it was about $350 for the entire kit which included an outdoor antenna and an internal receiver. I'm sure it works, but I can't justify the expense when I have wifi.
here in the uk some of the network providers offer femto cells which attach to your broadband router.
These are good not only for voice but data, since 3g generally uses less power than wifi, particularly if the signal strength is very good so you get better battery life since the radios reduce transmit power for closer cells
pjcforpres said:
I have had good luck with the good "expensive" ones... make sure you get one that is fully compatiable with the AWS 3G bands. Most, these days, are, but still worth double checking.
You might also want to take a look at a femto cell, if T-Mobile has any.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
scote said:
here in the uk some of the network providers offer femto cells which attach to your broadband router.
These are good not only for voice but data, since 3g generally uses less power than wifi, particularly if the signal strength is very good so you get better battery life since the radios reduce transmit power for closer cells
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you guys post more on these femto cells? Sound interesting..but are they expensive?
Edit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Femtocell
a guy at work got a femto cell from vodafone uk for about £80
I just installed a Wi-Ex zBoost YX500-CEL Signal Booster, and it works great. Went from 1-2 bars to solid full. Just a little pissed off I didn't do this sooner.....
Got mine from Amazon for $200.00
Has anyone found a cell booster that works for T-Mobile's 3G bands 1700/2100?? they all seems to work with T-Mobiles GSM bands, but I want the upgrade for 3G. TIA...
I checked, and to the best of my knowledge, Im under LTE coverage. But for some reason, I have yet to see any LTE icon or speeds. Anyone else having a similar issue at all? Might this be an APN issue or something?
EDIT: Nevermind, please delete.
I've noticed that this device really drops reception as hard as possible when in low reception areas, which seems to be done in order to save power.... because I put it in my pocket and reception is often E or no reception in my school (usually 0-2 bars of HSPA+ or EDGE), even though it is more than capable of staying at around 3 bars of reception of HSPA+ where my old device could maybe get 1-2. I know that's not a good comparison but it's clearly dropping down to 2G/no reception when not in use.
Hello,
I was wondering if 4G antennas have a bigger range than 3G antennas. I will be moving to a more remote location and I will depend on the signal from a nearby town.
I was wondering if I should buy a 4G dongle for my mobile internet or just stick with my phone, which has H+. I know there is a signal there, but I don't know which type (3G or 4G). Considering the 4G dongles are way more expensive, I wouldn't like to invest in one and have a 3G signal. I also can't test the signal because I don't have a 4G phone.
So let's assume the antennas are in the same place, one is with 3G technology and one is with 4G and I am pretty far away (let's say 3/5 max bars of signal). From which antenna would I have a faster internet connection?
keeekeeess said:
Hello,
I was wondering if 4G antennas have a bigger range than 3G antennas. I will be moving to a more remote location and I will depend on the signal from a nearby town.
I was wondering if I should buy a 4G dongle for my mobile internet or just stick with my phone, which has H+. I know there is a signal there, but I don't know which type (3G or 4G). Considering the 4G dongles are way more expensive, I wouldn't like to invest in one and have a 3G signal. I also can't test the signal because I don't have a 4G phone.
So let's assume the antennas are in the same place, one is with 3G technology and one is with 4G and I am pretty far away (let's say 3/5 max bars of signal). From which antenna would I have a faster internet connection?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well 4g is not available everywhere. It depends on what carrier u have and where u are. But from what I noticed is 4g is not as strong as 3g. I get 4g at home but if I go in my basement or in the woods I only get 3g. It's very picky but if you get 4g you won't regret it, even if you don't get it everywhere.
4G is open to certain areas. The main areas I would say is the city. 3G range is allot better as its universal, although 4G is faster, 3G is good.
I can't say we can compare these two networks as 4G isn't universal and it currently isn't available everywhere.