1) How can I tell if my phone is running on a 3.5G network? I am on T-Mobile in Virginia Beach, VA.
2) I know there are different bands out there for different carriers, so can I change to a band that can get me better 3G coverage? I have slooooow 3G coverage where I am right now.
Any help in the right direction would be awesome, and don't be afraid to dumb it down for me. I am getting pretty savvy on all this phone stuff, but bands still elude me.
Hi
until recently, 3.5G was known as HSPA7.2. If your device shows "H", then your device can use the HSPA (real) speeds.
If so, and your browsing is slow, then this is mainly due to saturation and low signal strength, but exists more factors.
To use another bands, you must change the service provider (and change your device). No manually way to do it.
Best regards
iusauser said:
Hi
until recently, 3.5G was known as HSPA7.2. If your device shows "H", then your device can use the HSPA (real) speeds.
If so, and your browsing is slow, then this is mainly due to saturation and low signal strength, but exists more factors.
To use another bands, you must change the service provider (and change your device). No manually way to do it.
Best regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recently visited Jacksonville Florida where my CM7 Rom showed me I was running on 4g. When I came back home to Virginia Beach it is showing me a H. Stock rom shows me as 4g but CM7 still shows me as H (HSPA). Is this truly telling me that I am operating on 3.5G network here in Virginia Beach?
Related
So I know all the issues with older 2g sims affecting speeds, I called tmobile, and they said that I was in fact registered with a 2g sim, so I had them activate the sim that came in the box, but I have no improvement in speed. I'm still getting nowhere above 2mbps, most of the time around 1. I know I have a 4g data plan, they added that when I got the phone for immediate activation, not next billing cycle. Even in areas where my old mytouch 3G slide got 4 mbps on the 3G HSPA network, I can't get much above 2 on the HSPA+ network. What gives? If the new 4g sim and data plan aren't working, what's the issue here? Anyone else having issues?
Are you sure that you're connected to HSPA+? And, even if you are connected with good reception to a HSPA+ tower, that doesn't mean that the tower has good bandwidth backhaul. If its a low traffic tower, T-Mobile might not want to pay for a large amount of bandwidth for it.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using xda premium
I suppose I can't be positive, but the icon says 4G. Although I've never seen a 3G icon, only G, 2G, and 4G, meaning they probably just replaced the 3G icon with the 4G icon since the phone can't technically display a different icon for HSPA and HSPA+, can it? I've never seen a 3G icon so I might just be connected to 3G. But even in populous areas, like downtown, at night, I top out at 4, MAYBE 5 mbps. I've heard people getting 4 or 5 on a bad day, 7-8 average and 10-12 if they're lucky. I'm wondering where that's at, maybe it's a flaw in the stock rom and an AOSP or other custom rom would be better. I seem to remember having bad speeds on sense on my Slide too.
During data transfer, I went to the about phone>network menu, and mobile network type reads HSDPA and then reverts to UMTS after a period of inactivity. It does not specify HSDPA+ though, it just says HSDPA. I understand that the 3g and 4g networks on tmobile are technically one and the same, HSDPA+ is just an advancement of the 3G technology, but I'm wondering if something just isn't clicking and the phone isn't taking advantage of HSDPA+. I checked the coverage map, and the entire region I live in, minus a few rural areas, are supposed to be covered by 4G data.
Hi, I have an HTC Sensation. I live in Cleveland, OH, and went with a friend about 70 miles east towards Warren OH, mainly on Rt 422. He has Revol, which I assume is like Cricket, he had reception all the way. My service completely dropped about 15 miles east of Cleveland (South Russell - rural after that), with an X instead of any bars, till I got back about only 15 miles away again. I did get 1 bar off and on at Mosquito Lake where our cookout was, but only when right near the water, otherwise an X. I just looked up on T-Mo's website, and I should have had at least "good" to "moderate" service that whole trip. I just noticed under (Android) "Network Mode", my phone was set to "WCDMA Only". I thought this only affected data. Does this also affect voice range? I tried Googling, but couldn't really find an answer, except some sites saying WCDMA is better for rural areas, not what I really wanted to hear, given no rural reception on my phone. My other two choices are GSM Only, and GSM/WCDMA Auto, which I checked now. I don't know when I'll be out that way again, but that kind of worries me, as I just signed a new 2 year contract with T-Mo (for buying the Sensation), and I may be going out that way more, and have no service. Thanks.
WCDMA most certainly relates to voice as well as data. The only places I'd leave it on WCDMA only are metro areas and places where T-Mobile has indicated strong 4G/HSPA coverage, else always leave it on GSM/WCDMA auto or you'll be sorely lacking on reception.
T-Mobile uses WCDMA bands 1700/2100Mhz AWS for their 4G/HSPA, voice and data are combined regardless if you're on HSPA or GSM.
GSM bands are also much stronger and more effective at penetrating buildings and foliage. T-Mobile uses 850Mhz and 1900Mhz for GSM, also know as EDGE in data terms. This also means that if you happen upon an area where T-Mobile has a roaming agreement with At&t, you'll be able to get reception in those areas as well (e.g. T-Mobile has no coverage but At&t does, note this only applies in certain areas where AT&T has an agreement with T-Mobile)
EDGE/GSM is a 2G signal, so data speeds will be significantly slower in those areas. When you leave your device on GSM/WCDMA auto, it will select the optimal signal based in your location and reception quality and you'll see it change from 'H' or '4G' to 'E' often on your device.
This is normal, T-Mobile isn't going to invest HSPA in non-metropolitan areas.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA App
Thank you, TheMan42, I know now to keep it at the auto setting, as I only thought it affected data.
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A
So, just bought an HD7 from eBay (in the UK) and I violated my normal rule of only buying things with a 'real' picture.
My 'unlocked' HD7 has just shown up and is T-Mobile branded. I know this doesn't mean it's locked, but I was under the impression that T-Mo in the UK didn't ever carry this phone so it really looks to me like it's from the US.
Now, I need some advice as to how acceptable this is going to be. My main concern is 3G bands. Now, with my UK SIM I'm seeing '3G' in the top left corner, which surprised me a little as I thought the bands were totally different.
I'm getting around 2/3rds of the download speed I was getting on my HTC Sensation in a quick spot test (~1Mbps vs ~1.5Mbps).
Any thoughts?
If your not using a T-Mobile sim and you still have a connection then the phone is unlocked but still branded. This wont cause you any problems that I know off.
Speed tests are a bit odd to do on mobiles and very unreliable.
Not sure what you mean by 3G Bands. 3G is 3G it should when you have a better signal up to H (HSDPA) which is the 7.5Mb speed if i remember right. If it only showed G then i would be worried.
Well, I get the unlocked bit, certainly works from that POV.
I've worked out the difference is HSPA, like you say, so that's what's missing
karnka said:
Well, I get the unlocked bit, certainly works from that POV.
I've worked out the difference is HSPA, like you say, so that's what's missing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HSDPA works on the same bands and standard 3G - in the UK is 2100MHz. If you're getting 3G but not HSDPA it's either a problem with the phones software not switching, or that the mast your phone has decided to use doesn't support HSDPA for whatever reason.
HSDPA is essentially a software update to the original 3G technology.
That's actually really helpful, thanks.
So, if I see _anything_ 3G related then all is good.
HSDPA should show as 3G+ icon. But OEMs can make the 3G+ icon show as just 3G, so you might be on HSDPA and even not know about it. Run some speed test when you have better signal strength
Indeed anything 3G related is all good.
HTC will normally replace 3G+ with a H, for obvious reasons. I don't know if TMO america have any weird definitions in place though.
Also, the maximum transfer speed of 3G is 386Kb/s, so your rating of 1Mb/s (equivalent to 1024Kb/s) suggests you're on HSDPA anyway.
Does TMobile not have a 3G speed?
Im always on EDGE unless I go Downtown. Then its HSPA+
Its never HSPA.
Verizon has 3G AND LTE coverage? wtf
BUMP.
I really want to know the reason for the issue
T-Mobile's '4G' network is just an enhanced version of their 3G network. So when you see 4G in some areas, you might actually be running on 3G speeds.
aNYthing24 said:
T-Mobile's '4G' network is just an enhanced version of their 3G network. So when you see 4G in some areas, you might actually be running on 3G speeds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know that much,
but I never get HSPA (3G) unless Im directly under HSPA+(4G)
Basically I am always on EDGE unless I'm downtown.
Other TMO phones and VErizon have 3G coverage nearly everywhere..they never drop to EDGE or 2G
Correct me if I'm wrong, but t mobile does not have true 4g. When you get the 4g icon on your phone, that's just their enhanced 3g. So you are getting 3g. From what I've read i think they just upgraded their 3g towers with hshpa+ which only hsdpa+ enabled phones like the sensation 4g can take advantage of. What you're really missing is true 4g
burnie022 said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but t mobile does not have true 4g. When you get the 4g icon on your phone, that's just their enhanced 3g. So you are getting 3g. From what I've read i think they just upgraded their 3g towers with hshpa+ which only hsdpa+ enabled phones like the sensation 4g can take advantage of. What you're really missing is true 4g
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel as no one is fully understanding what I'm trying to say.
I know 4G is really an overmarketed 3G+
Now, Tmobile phones and other services receive 3G where I only receive "2G" .
But I do receive HSPA+ when I go downtown.
Why dont I receive normal 3G speeds like other devices?
Its either EDGE or HSPA+
Never an inbetween
Check T-Mobile's website, where you live probably doesn't have or hasn't been upgraded to the 3G/4G service yet. Layman's term; the towers around your house don't support 3G/4G. Call T-Mobile and have them check.
This is common in a lot of suburbs that have a low population. Like you mentioned when you go downtown, you'll have 3G but not at home.
xdviper said:
Check T-Mobile's website, where you live probably doesn't have or hasn't been upgraded to the 3G/4G service yet. Layman's term; the towers around your house don't support 3G/4G. Call T-Mobile and have them check.
This is common in a lot of suburbs that have a low population. Like you mentioned when you go downtown, you'll have 3G but not at home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully your right. Hate it to be a problem with my SIM or phone.
I dont live but 5minutes from downtown.
Very residential but still out of the way, so like i said hopefully your right
I can directly relate to your problem. First off, I didn't know that T-Mobile's 4G is just 3G+, but that's good to know. I've had the HTC Sensation 4G for over 3 months, and I've travelled all over LA and the only services I've seen are 4G, 2G, & G. I've yet to see 3G.
I'll see my Sensation jump between "H" and "3G" all the time - essentially the same thing, as noted.
(in case this was part of your question) "Standard 3G" (such as what AT&T offers) isn't available on TMOUS because they missed out on buying part of the "standard 3G" spectrum.
Before my Sensation I had a Legend (still do actually) - it's a "standard GSM/3G" phone. Without the TMOUS-specific radio, best data I could get was EDGE. (though if I went to UK and used a local SIM, I'd get 3G just fine due to compatibility with their 3G nets)
I thought I can connect my 4GS onto the other UMTS network, but its max was HSDPA:9 (HSDPA:8 in JB).
Other phone such as Photon Q didn't have problem in connecting with HSPA+:15
Do I have to manually enable something? I believe this phone's potential is better than this
My carrier is using 2100MHz band, and my baseband ROM is a new one.
Is this info relevant : ?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1914122 [ Enable North American UMTS/HSPA bands (3G data on AT&T)]
palmwangja said:
My carrier is using 2100MHz band, and my baseband ROM is a new one.
Is this info relevant : ?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1914122 [ Enable North American UMTS/HSPA bands (3G data on AT&T)]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your carrier is using the 2100MHz frequency, this phone should have no problem using HSPA+ with it. When I travel to China, I use a China Unicom SIM in my MT4GS which enables my phone to use their 2100MHz HSPA+ network without any problem. Back at home in US, I use T-Mobile SIM.
Fuzi0719 said:
If your carrier is using the 2100MHz frequency, this phone should have no problem using HSPA+ with it. When I travel to China, I use a China Unicom SIM in my MT4GS which enables my phone to use their 2100MHz HSPA+ network without any problem. Back at home in US, I use T-Mobile SIM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I don't know what causes this...
So, you are seeing H+ (HSPAP:15) right? All I can see with various ROMs are only 3G and H....
Do speed tests, symbols don't always mean what they say after all
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
just tested: only around 3Mbps whereas other hspa+ phone got 9Mbps...
Is there any hidden menu to tick this on?
palmwangja said:
Thanks, I don't know what causes this...
So, you are seeing H+ (HSPAP:15) right? All I can see with various ROMs are only 3G and H....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The stock ROMs are configured by HTC/T-Mobile to display 4G when it has a HSPA+ connection. Other ROMs, however, will display 3G or H (depending on the ROM) for HSPA+. So, if you see 3G, H, or 4G, they are all HSPA+ connections. This phone operates data in the G (GPRS), E (2G or EDGE), and 4G/3G/H (HSPA+) modes. Depending on the carrier, it can perform up to 14Mbps HSPA+ but of course, you would rarely see that fast in the real world. It does not operate at the 21+ or 42+ levels of HSPA+.
I'm on a stock-based ROM (Miktouch), when I'm home on T-Mobile, I see 4G. Also, when I'm in China and connected to China Unicom, I see 4G.
I've never seen "H" on this phone, it always shown 3G or 4G (using stock ROM, just de-junked and rooted by myself)
IIRC speed test results, I had best down speed exceeding 14+Mbps on Wind in Vancouver and Toronto areas, but in US it almost always was 3G only (but then I was usually outside any large cities).
Fuzi0719 said:
The stock ROMs are configured by HTC/T-Mobile to display 4G when it has a HSPA+ connection. Other ROMs, however, will display 3G or H (depending on the ROM) for HSPA+. So, if you see 3G, H, or 4G, they are all HSPA+ connections. This phone operates data in the G (GPRS), E (2G or EDGE), and 4G/3G/H (HSPA+) modes. Depending on the carrier, it can perform up to 14Mbps HSPA+ but of course, you would rarely see that fast in the real world. It does not operate at the 21+ or 42+ levels of HSPA+.
I'm on a stock-based ROM (Miktouch), when I'm home on T-Mobile, I see 4G. Also, when I'm in China and connected to China Unicom, I see 4G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the input, if you are using non-stock rom, still would you let me know what the following says in the most normal case:
setting - phone - status - mobile network type.
In my case, it's HSDPA:9, which seems obviously non-HSPA. Other phone shows HSPA+:15 or HSPAP:15.
Am I missing something, or HSDPA:9 can be also considered as a decent HSPA+ ?
I'm kinda downshifting toward MT4GS recently as I love its small form factor, but somewhat at a loss due to this limitation, thanks.