I wanted to start this thread to discuss making and receiving phone calls on AT&T's 3G network. I find that making and receiving phone calls while connected to 3g or HSDPA is very unreliable on my Fuze. The phone seems to always connect to H whenever there is any signal available, even if the signal is very low and unreliable.
I will sometimes recieve a call while connected to H and the person cannot hear me at all. I'll look at the phone to see that the H signal strength is very low. Instead of smoothly switching to Edge, the phone completely loses signal and drops the call. After having no signal for around 10 seconds, it will then reconnect to Edge and have 2 or more bars of service. Why couldn't it just switch to Edge without dropping my call? Any why hang on to an HSDPA connection if signal is unusably low?
I see other AT&T customers with 3G phones (Bold, iPhone) and they don't seem to have this same issue. Their phones can remain in 3g mode and work just fine. My only choice seems to leave 3G turned off, but switch it on when I need a fast data connection (a terrible solution).
I used to have Verizon and they just connect you to both their 3g and 2g networks at the same time, you can even see 2 signal meters on most phones. They use the 3G (EVDO) for data and 2G(1xRTT) for voice or data, when 3G is unavailable. Why can't my Fuze do the same thing on AT&T? Clearly, 3G doesn't penetrate building as well as 2G and the phone needs to use both, seamlessly, to work properly.
Just for background, I am using a Fuze with the latest EnergyROM and Radio 1.14.25.35 and matching Rilphone.dll. I have noticed this behavior with other roms and other radios also. I can't remember how stock worked since I haven't had it in such a long time.
Does anyone else notice the same behavior as me and does anyone have any ideas on how to improve the way the phone manages 3G vs Edge during phone calls?
Thanks in advance for anyone who can help me understand and resolve this problem.
different radio
Drop into the ROM section, hit the radio thread. I found better luck dumping the stock radio on the Fuze, and installed a different one.
Any particular one that you recommend? Ideally, a radio that doesn't use 3g unless signal is reasonably strong would be best. Ive tried all of the official Fuze ones without any change in the behavior I described at all. Based on your signature, it seems you are currently using the same radio as I am...
TheSopranos16 said:
Any particular one that you recommend? Ideally, a radio that doesn't use 3g unless signal is reasonably strong would be best. Ive tried all of the official Fuze ones without any change in the behavior I described at all. Based on your signature, it seems you are currently using the same radio as I am...
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Click to collapse
I found the newest Xperia radio (1.16.25.48) to be very satisfactory as far as signal strength goes - in fact I had more bars of 3G and dropped a lot less calls because of it. However, you need to be Security Unlocked to flash your phone with that radio. The only problem with the Xperia radio I had was the pitiful GPS accuracy.
sopranos16 where are you located? There are a few cities where users have been complaining about the 3G network. NYC/Northern NJ and San Fransisco are two that come to mind. Check on howardforums.
I'm now using a Fuze because AT&T shipped to to me to replace my Bold which will drop 5-15 calls a day in NYC. I don't believe it is a problem with the Bold, I have other lines with 3G that have problems. But this is the solution they offered so I'll try it.
You cal also check the at&t support forums as there are plenty of complaints there too. I just got the fuze and haven't really tried it yet. See what happens on Monday.
I'm located in central New Jersey: Monmouth County. Edge coverage is pretty good but 3G tends to always have a weaker signal strength and occasionally drops out, especially indoors.
Well the first day in lower Manhattan and not one dropped call. I'll let you know what happens later in the week.
bump
soprano, did you try the xperia radio? Let us know, I have had this issue for a while now...and your explanation was on the head.
Think I may just go ahead and security unlock my phone.
Related
I did search and I was sure there'd be a thread on this, but I frankly couldn't figure out what to seach for and got no hits. My Tilt makes the mistake of showing an "E" for Edge instead of 3G sometimes. My data rates seem to indicate that this is not just an icon mistake but an actual problem with the radio (though I am still not sure about this). This is all the more strange because, where I live, the telcos skipped edge and deployed HSDPA directly so I have no idea where this phone is getting an edge signal from. I have my Tilt next to a N95 and the N95 is showing 3g and getting faster transfer rates.
So my question is, which of the roms (if any) will fix this? Thanks!
I've had similar problems on my Tilt with every rom I've tried so far. The download speeds vary wildly, and the icon constantly changes between E, 3G, and H. Sometimes it changes every couple of seconds, even when standing still, in a typically good connection area. My GPS connection has similar problems. It's constantly jumping between various satellites, and never seems to hang on to the same one for more than a second.
I really hope a radio upgrade fixes these problems!
Thanks for the reply! That is too bad . Guess I will be sitting tight for an update .
Did you guys call AT&T about this? If they don't know they won't bother trying to fix it...
My Tilt stays on 3G or E, which ever I choose, very solidly. It might be just your area is a little weak on signal, which is a fix done at the towers at your location. So, you'll need to let AT&T know.
I don't know if this is reLated. I do not have 3G in my area but only EDGE. However I find my TyTn II uploading and downloading data at only half the rates to what my HTC Touch can manage. While my TyTn gives me around 100kbs the Touch can manage 200+kbs. I have tested repeatedly by swapping SIMs between the two. Could this be a radio problem?? Can I bank my hopes on a future ROM upgrade??
same issue here. I had to reboot few times and hope for the best. I was in San Jose ( EMC / Yahoo Campus) and was getting EDGE but I rebotted the device few times and it finally picked up 3G.
Been using this rom for a few hours now: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=341886, and is seems to have fixed my problem. You should give it a try.
BTW, I got a Tilt as a gift but I have never had AT&T service. I am still puzzled as to where the old ROM was finding an Edge signal, as my carrier confirmed they never implemented Edge, just straight from GPRS to HSDPA.
I changed from a Tilt to a Fuze. I now tried the Fuze on my wife's T-mobile. I noticed that the Fuze seems weaker. My working place is really bad for T-Mobile. With my tilt I get 2 bars and sometimes 1. With the Fuze, I get 1 and sometimes when I try and update the weather, I loose all connection. And sometimes I get dropped calls.
Now, I know the radio has much to do with this. But in general, has anybody noticed if the Fuze seems weaker than their old phone? I can't judge 3G/H because I never had it till now.
no absolutely not id say at worst the same if not better. It has all to do with the radio as well.
I figured as much. Maybe ATT optimized it for 3G network of theirs. I was hoping if anybody else on another network noticed a drop of signal quality with the stock rom/radio with tmobile.
I'm using the stock Fuze ROM, and I have worse reception on the bay area AT&T network. It's not a matter of bars on the display - it's that the calls are dropping in areas that never did with the Tilt.
My Tilt gets better reception. But it has a more mature radio. Hopefully this is an issue of radio firmware, and not bad hardware.
You do know where the antenna is in your device???
(read the manual)
In bad reception area's your hand can easily block the "low" signal....
I just switched from the Tilt to a Fuze 3 days ago and have definitely noticed the Fuze is weaker where I'm at (Statesville, NC).
And Karloe is right, the antenna is in the base of the phone, where I normally hold it. I've been holding it at the top and people on the other end of the line say it is clearer than when I first got the Fuze. Calls aren't dropping as much either.
Kind of awkward to hold the phone this way though....
It worked great when I was in Winston-Salem yesterday, had excellent 3G also.
I don't think the signal is worse than the Tilt. The display shows less bars than the Tilt did, but every phone displays signals differently.
As someone else said, the antenna is at the bottom, so you have to hold it differently than the Tilt.
So far I haven't had any dropped calls on the Fuze and I've had a few on the Tilt. Call clarity seems to be better on the Fuze than it was on the Tilt too.
Single is DEF worse then my 8525 I could take screen shots to prove it.
So far in my experience fuze has been giving me better reception that the tilt.
My Fuse def has less signal than my previous phones.
At my home in long island, NY I always had 4 to 5 bars on any phone I had.
The fuse only gives me 2 bars.
I live in a rural area and have noticed that while I usually only averaged two bars on my tilt, sometimes in a sweet spot I would get three.
The fuze peaks at two in sweet spots and a lot of the time it is hunting for a signal.
That being said, the tilt was the same way before I upgraded the radio rom many moons ago.
One thing I can say is that while the indicator shows poorer reception (it is just an icon) on the fuze, my call quality is better and is far less garbled during calls.
I work in NYC and with my tilt I would always have problems getting a signal in Manhattan. I could have full 3g reception in one signal spot, take one step foward and it would start searching for a signal. With my fuze Ive never seen less than 3 bars so far. It gets better reception than my tilt for sure.
My tilt had better reception while at home. The tilt never cycled through e -> g -> 3g like the fuze did. I agree that once the radio matures it will get better, but my stock tilt never had this problem when new. I also maintained a pretty steady 3g speed on the tilt whereas the fuze had huge swings in speed.
=
You have to security unlock your phone, but I just flashed the Blackstone radio and it appears to get a little better signal than my stock ATT radio did.
I know it all depends on the area and conditions, but some of you that say it has worse reception might want to try some of the different radios that are out there.
Same Bad Reception
starstreak said:
I changed from a Tilt to a Fuze. I now tried the Fuze on my wife's T-mobile. I noticed that the Fuze seems weaker. My working place is really bad for T-Mobile. With my tilt I get 2 bars and sometimes 1. With the Fuze, I get 1 and sometimes when I try and update the weather, I loose all connection. And sometimes I get dropped calls.
Now, I know the radio has much to do with this. But in general, has anybody noticed if the Fuze seems weaker than their old phone? I can't judge 3G/H because I never had it till now.
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I definitely agree. I would routinely get 4 bars with my tilt in my apartment. I'm lucky to get 1 bar with the Fuze. Anyone have a suggestion for the best radio for those of us who have not security unlocked yet? I'm willing to do the unlock if there are no other viable options.
Thank god I'm not the only one. My TILT always had full bars on 3g at home in my condo in Chicago. The Fuze constantly cycles from G > E > 3g and I have yet to be on a call that has not been dropped.
I'm debating returning this. While I know I can flash better ROMs to be faster, I don't know of any better radios currently to flash.
stevieraveon said:
Thank god I'm not the only one. My TILT always had full bars on 3g at home in my condo in Chicago. The Fuze constantly cycles from G > E > 3g and I have yet to be on a call that has been dropped.
I'm debating returning this. While I know I can flash better ROMs to be faster, I don't know of any better radios currently to flash.
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I have noticed this as well. My Fuze is very quick to changef rom G > E > 3G > H.
With my Tilt it was almost always on H especially with the 1.70.19.09 radio. All in all I do think that it could be dependent on the radio it self. I guess with time we will see if it's the radio or the device itself.
stevieraveon said:
Thank god I'm not the only one. My TILT always had full bars on 3g at home in my condo in Chicago. The Fuze constantly cycles from G > E > 3g and I have yet to be on a call that has been dropped.
I'm debating returning this. While I know I can flash better ROMs to be faster, I don't know of any better radios currently to flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can try some different radios from this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=439566
Unfortunately so far I haven't noticed any big differences between them in regards to reception. I've tried quite a few of them.
I have been having some really annoying issues with the 3G capabilities of the Touch Cruise. I actually think it is something AT&T is doing on the network, but can't be sure. Anyone experience anything like this? Here are the symptoms:
1. The TC worked great on the 3G network when I first received it. Averaged around 700k speeds.
2. I flew across the state and the phone was unable to make or receive calls. I noticed the 3G/H symbol just fine, but no voice, no data. On a whim, I turned off the 3G and went back to Edge and everything worked fine, slower - but fine. I noticed this behavior on several subsequent trips. Coverage maps show 3G capability.
3. I've been to numerous other cities and experience varying 3G speeds, but the phone definitely works.
4. Lately I've noticed the phone almost seems to experience 3G "fatigue" by the end of the work day. In my home area where it seems to work fine, I'll look at my phone and it will either have no service, or it will not be working on 3G (no calls or e-mail). By later in the evening, it appears to be back to normal.
5. A reset will normally bring things back at least temporarily.
6. I have been trying out new ROM's and Radios posted here, but don't think they are the source of the issues. I've upgraded and downgraded with the same results.
Is this the AT&T network? Could it be with the proliferation of 3G devices, the network becomes saturated particularly by the end of the day?
More importantly, if 3G is for some reason unavailable the phone should degrade gracefully enough to allow it to continue to operate on the Edge network without any interaction by the end user.
Anybody else experiencing this behavior? Any tips? Any resolutions?
Re:
You could try to fix the GSM and 3g bands in the phone settings from automatic to your specific band. Normally that reduces ur battery usage and provides better network clarity. It might just help.
Secondly you could try the SEA 6.1 official rom as that seems to be one of the best ones so far.
I had plenty of 3G / Edge issues when i first received my TC. I spent many hours with AT&T tech support as well as a few conferrence calls with AT&T and HTC. No one was able to come up with a viable solution. Being a geek at heart I spent many hours testing roms and radios. Only a few combinations work with the AT&T edge network. My ROM is based on 18129.0.4.5 with a murata radio 1.58.21.23(must be certified murata) and has worked for me with no problems.
Hope this helps
Has anyone else noticed that their Fuze gets worse reception than previous phones? My Tilt NEVER had less than 3G at my house. The fuze is constantly in EDGE and many times drops to GPRS. I went to the ATT store and was told that the original ones had an old ROM and that they needed to replace my phone. They did that and I still have the problem. Not only that but when it switches between 3G/EDGE/GPRS I drop calls!!! This is very fustrating. For as much as I love the Fuze I must have good data speeds and got to stop the dropped calls.
Any one else have the same issue?
GABIGDAWG
gabigdawg said:
Has anyone else noticed that their Fuze gets worse reception than previous phones? My Tilt NEVER had less than 3G at my house. The fuze is constantly in EDGE and many times drops to GPRS. I went to the ATT store and was told that the original ones had an old ROM and that they needed to replace my phone. They did that and I still have the problem. Not only that but when it switches between 3G/EDGE/GPRS I drop calls!!! This is very fustrating. For as much as I love the Fuze I must have good data speeds and got to stop the dropped calls.
Any one else have the same issue?
GABIGDAWG
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Not sure if you plan on switching to diffferent ROM's/Radios, but there is a link in the ROM Dev thread with steps to get this changed. A different radio (the one that works in your area best) should help with the 3G signal and could improve clarity of your calls/GPS signal.
Redundant thread. Try different radios. There are many threads on ways to improve your reception. No need for this one. Thread closed.
I've been testing out the data speed connections with my Moto G on Tesco Mobile. When it is showing a HSDPA connection (H+) or UMTS (H, I think) or 3g (3G) data connection speeds are what I would expect.
But as soon as it drops to Edge (E) or GPRS (G) I get speeds so slow that practically no data is being passed - even with a full 4 bars of signal.
And I am well aware that Edge and GPRS are significantly slower than 3G and its superior data connections, but I'm talking less than 0.03Mbps speeds as measured by the Speedtest app. The speed is so slow that useful "out and about" apps like google maps refuse to recognise that there is an internet connection present.
I've raised this with the network and they say that for all of the cells that I've accessed data speeds shouldn't slow that much, and suggested it might be a faulty SIM (perhaps). But today on a different sim in another Moto G on a different network I experienced the same - Edge connection was connected, but practically non-existent.
Is this anyone else is experiencing, or am I just being really unlucky in the cells I am located in?
Thanks!
Matt
larkim said:
I've been testing out the data speed connections with my Moto G on Tesco Mobile. When it is showing a HSDPA connection (H+) or UMTS (H, I think) or 3g (3G) data connection speeds are what I would expect.
But as soon as it drops to Edge (E) or GPRS (G) I get speeds so slow that practically no data is being passed - even with a full 4 bars of signal.
And I am well aware that Edge and GPRS are significantly slower than 3G and its superior data connections, but I'm talking less than 0.03Mbps speeds as measured by the Speedtest app. The speed is so slow that useful "out and about" apps like google maps refuse to recognise that there is an internet connection present.
I've raised this with the network and they say that for all of the cells that I've accessed data speeds shouldn't slow that much, and suggested it might be a faulty SIM (perhaps). But today on a different sim in another Moto G on a different network I experienced the same - Edge connection was connected, but practically non-existent.
Is this anyone else is experiencing, or am I just being really unlucky in the cells I am located in?
Thanks!
Matt
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Yes, slow edge nd gprs sppeds experienced by you is possibly due to ur location....coz i get a decent edge speed as well as my friends too who r also using moto g.....So nothing is wrong in the phone it just depends uoon location....
Akshay7273 said:
Yes, slow edge nd gprs sppeds experienced by you is possibly due to ur location....coz i get a decent edge speed as well as my friends too who r also using moto g.....So nothing is wrong in the phone it just depends uoon location....
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Thanks for taking the time to reply. I don't think it is location as the problem seems to be consistent in every cell I am in. I've obtained a fresh sim from the network to see if that was the problem. Will post back with any further info!
larkim said:
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I don't think it is location as the problem seems to be consistent in every cell I am in. I've obtained a fresh sim from the network to see if that was the problem. Will post back with any further info!
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Well....do u have any friend who is using Moto G and getting same problem at that place??And by the way, Here in india some operators give faster 3g speeds but 2g speed sucks...So just like that it could be the operator's prblm too....First confirm if any of ur friends are getting better edge or gprs speeds.....Thanx
Thread subscribed.
On my old phones I was used to only use 2G (Edge or GPRS) networks in order to get one day of battery life. On my Windows Phone 7 device with an Edge connection it would sync emails, send and receive them and I could even browse (slowly) the internet.
On this one Edge is slow as ****. Furtunately H+ isnt that heavy on its battery as in order devices but when I get to places without a 3G connection the phone gets pretty much unusable, its a shame...
rmrbpt said:
Thread subscribed.
On my old phones I was used to only use 2G (Edge or GPRS) networks in order to get one day of battery life. On my Windows Phone 7 device with an Edge connection it would sync emails, send and receive them and I could even browse (slowly) the internet.
On this one Edge is slow as ****. Furtunately H+ isnt that heavy on its battery as in order devices but when I get to places without a 3G connection the phone gets pretty much unusable, its a shame...
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Click to collapse
Interesting. For the full story:-
I have a Moto G with Virgin (MVNO in the UK using the EE network), and have had for about 5 months. Love it. Never had an issue with data speed on any of the "flavours" (obviously GPRS and Edge are slower, but useable as you say). I've just persuaded my wife to take a Moto G too, but she is on the TescoMobile network (MVNO in the UK using the O2 network). I obviously don't expect our experience with data speed to be identical, but she has only had the phone for a week or so and she reported to me last week that it seemed that data was turned off so she couldn't use maps when she was driving to get some travel time updates. When I looked at the phone at home, it was all fine - and at home both of us get H+ signals throughout most of the house (when wifi turned off). On playing a little more, I noticed that in one room of the house the signal dropped consistently to Edge, and when testing data speed there I noticed the slow (unusable) speed. I swapped the sim into my phone (which was a sim free purchase, so unlocked) and got the same issue. I've then subsequently tested data speeds when we've been out and about in different cell locations, and consistently when she is on Edge or GPRS the data drops off a cliff. HSDPA is always fine.
Then yesterday I was out and about just with my own phone in an Edge area, and I also got the same experience - unusable Edge data speeds (bear in mind this is now on my network, Virgin). Now, I've only had this once, but I am wondering if the 4.4.4 update has slowed Edge / GPRS performance, as the common factor across both my phone and my wife's is that they have only just been updated to 4.4.4
If no-one else here is experiencing the same, then clearly it is just local signal issues, but it does seem peculiar that both phones, on different networks and in different physical locations (up to 30 miles away) appear to be experiencing something similar.
Both phones are on 210.12.40.falcon_umts / 4.4.4
I've just found something to try. Won't be for everyone, but using the "hidden" phone menu via *#*#4636#*#* > phone information and setting preferred network type to "WCDMA only" I can at least force the phone to ONLY use a 3G connection. Whether that will leave me with no signal in areas where I'd like to have a signal I'll wait and see, but I could at least switch manually back to 2G if I found myself down a dark country lane with no 3G signal. Perhaps an option only for the tech-enthusiast, wouldn't want my wife to be relying on this if her car broke down in the wrong end of town!!
It may be a work around, but I can't possibly rely on that since being unreachable isn't acceptable for me.
Let me add that I experience these "issue" since I can remember, so definitely 4.4.4 wasn't the culprit...
rmrbpt said:
It may be a work around, but I can't possibly rely on that since being unreachable isn't acceptable for me.
Let me add that I experience these "issue" since I can remember, so definitely 4.4.4 wasn't the culprit...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is an option "WCDMA preferred" which may (I know nothing about this!) set a preference for a stronger reliance on 3G services rather than 2G. It's very easy to set up and switch, worth a little experiment if you get into an area where you are suffering with a slow 2G service.
Changed it right now.
If I feel any difference I will leave the proper feedback.
Thanks