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Just thought I should bring this up. I have noticed that most of the builds does not support HSDPA which is a faster version of UMTS data networks, (check Wikipedia for more information).
I have first noticed it after flashing KingxKxRom, which is the only Rom - that I have tested - that supports HSDPA. Maxisma, Ccyrowski, Cyanogen, and Enomther Builds do not support it for some reason!!!
Correct me if I’m wrong; Hero, Magic, and the Dream do support it by hardware. So I wonder; where the Ball was dropped , or is it just that Kingklick is using a different base for his build, or is it a kernel matter.
This was bothering me for several days and after a lot of research I could not find the reason behind it. I’m not a Rom developer by all means; just thought developers could shed some light about it.
This has been discussed previously. HSDPA is actually supported in those ROMs, however the "3G" icon doesn't change when you are connected on a network with HSDPA coverage. I guess this is because HSDPA is just another type of 3G, so its not necessary, its just an indicator of a faster "3G" connection also known as "3.5G".
Hope this helps.
edit: if you get download speeds higher than 384kbps then you are connected on a network with HSDPA support, you can actually test it using a speedtest.net app on the market.
The issue is not the icon, withier you review the settings>about or use *#*#info#*#* command it clearly state what type of network you are connected to. I have also tested the speed and it does vary.
I have no idea how any ROMs would not 'support' HSDPA, as it would depend on what hardware you're using and your carrier's network.
If it makes you feel better CyanogenMod most definitely does as I'm using it right now and I'm on a UMTS network. I think you're confusing the network type with the protocols used to get you your data.
I am using CyanogenMod's latest rom and im getting some great speeds on the web 3mb- 5mb download speeds!
As I understand HSPDA is an upgrade to UMTS, if your hardware and network supports HSPDA you will be connected to it, otherwise you will use UMTS only. That’s why I think it has to do with the kernel used rather than the build itself. It did actually show that HSDPA is used in Kingxkx Rom.
and I did try CyanogenMod's but it does not switch to HSPDA.
rex05 said:
I am using CyanogenMod's latest rom and im getting some great speeds on the web 3mb- 5mb download speeds!
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what phone are you using; im using the Dream.
If you see the H symbol then you are getting 3g also some states dont get 3g yet or have some crappy service.
I can tell you for sure that they all support HSPA. My Touch Pro 2 has a "H" icon and clearly states HSPA (aka HSDPA/HSUPA) network. Right next to it is my G1... which says connected to UMTS w/ the 3G icon. Both test at around 700-1100 kbps download and 200-500kbps upload. Those are clearly HSPA speeds and not UMTS which tops around 400kbps download.
I have used a few ROMs that have the H icon and it makes no difference in speed. It's just for looks.
sino8r said:
I can tell you for sure that they all support HSPA. My Touch Pro 2 has a "H" icon and clearly states HSPA (aka HSDPA/HSUPA) network. Right next to it is my G1... which says connected to UMTS w/ the 3G icon. Both test at around 700-1100 kbps download and 200-500kbps upload. Those are clearly HSPA speeds and not UMTS which tops around 400kbps download.
I have used a few ROMs that have the H icon and it makes no difference in speed. It's just for looks.
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Some people prefer the 3g icon thouch i think the H looks better on hero roms
Maybe I took the wrong approach in discussing this, although the main use of HSPDA is Data, Telephony could use the protocols as well. I did a small test of not connecting to Data, by deleting the APN for it, or by un-checking the “connect to network” option. It still shows the phone is connected to HSPDA vs UMTS or GSM network!! That is in Kings Rom vs. Other Rom’s. Any Ideas?
Nasrat said:
As I understand HSPDA is an upgrade to UMTS, if your hardware and network supports HSPDA you will be connected to it, otherwise you will use UMTS only. That’s why I think it has to do with the kernel used rather than the build itself. It did actually show that HSDPA is used in Kingxkx Rom.
and I did try CyanogenMod's but it does not switch to HSPDA.
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Well I'd better sue Vodafone then for selling me a phone that supports HSDPA when it doesn't!
On a more serious note, HSPA is a packet access protocol used over a UMTS network for data, not a network type. Just because you're getting the '3G' icon doesn't mean you're not getting HSPA throughput.
Unimaginative said:
Well I'd better sue Vodafone then for selling me a phone that supports HSDPA when it doesn't!
On a more serious note, HSPA is a packet access protocol used over a UMTS network for data, not a network type. Just because you're getting the '3G' icon doesn't mean you're not getting HSPA throughput.
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Thanks for your effort so far. Forget the icons "3G" or "H" that’s not my issue. Without connecting to data either; why when I use kings Rom in the setting/about section it shows network type as HSPDA, but when I use any other Rom it shows UMTS. Giving that I didn’t move and in the same place.
Nasrat said:
Thanks for your effort so far. Forget the icons "3G" or "H" that’s not my issue. Without connecting to data either; why when I use kings Rom in the setting/about section it shows network type as HSPDA, but when I use any other Rom it shows UMTS. Giving that I didn’t move and in the same place.
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Ahh, now I get you. That is interesting though. I've only ever got UMTS as my network type but I definitely get HSPA rates so I took it as a given. Was there any correlation between using a certain type of ROM (like Hero vs. AOSP) where the difference appeared? . I remember trying a Hero ROM once and getting the 'H' icon instead of '3G' so maybe it's specific to those. Wish I'd checked Phone Status now...
It's possible kingklick made some form of modification to get the point across in his ROM, or possibly different APN settings he specifically uses. Kind of doubt it though.
Unimaginative said:
Ahh, now I get you. That is interesting though. I've only ever got UMTS as my network type but I definitely get HSPA rates so I took it as a given. Was there any correlation between using a certain type of ROM (like Hero vs. AOSP) where the difference appeared? . I remember trying a Hero ROM once and getting the 'H' icon instead of '3G' so maybe it's specific to those. Wish I'd checked Phone Status now...
It's possible kingklick made some form of modification to get the point across in his ROM, or possibly different APN settings he specifically uses. Kind of doubt it though.
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I agree I think it’s something that King did, or it relates to Rom’s based off a phone other than dream, I just flashed back a rooted stock 1.6 ADP DRC83 and it showed me UMTS, so it’s not the fault of the Rom developers I guess. I will try to test this further and I wish if king or other developers could further explain it.
Edit: found no correlation to what the Rom is based off; tried a magic, a hero, a dream based Rom’s and they all show UMTS, only Kings Rom show HSPDA, I will try to PM him tomorrow and find out if it’s only a naming thing or if he did something else.
I've had several diff roms show hsxpa in the status screen, it just matches the icon (eg replace the build.prop to get h versus 3g icons and you'll see the network type change in status too)
All the first hero builds did it as well as all Haykuro's orig Magic to Dream port
Also a stock Rogers Dream shows HSDPA. Here in the US they dumb things down for us by just calling it 3G or if you're real technical UMTS. However in Europe, Canada, and most of the rest of the developed world it is called what it truly is, HSDPA. When you see UMTS in there that is because it is a broader category. The same way EDGE is just an extension on 2G GSM (EDGE is 2.5G), HSDPA is an extension on the original UMTS 3G system (HSUPA & HSDPA are 3.5G)
Nasrat said:
Maybe I took the wrong approach in discussing this, although the main use of HSPDA is Data, Telephony could use the protocols as well. I did a small test of not connecting to Data, by deleting the APN for it, or by un-checking the “connect to network” option. It still shows the phone is connected to HSPDA vs UMTS or GSM network!! That is in Kings Rom vs. Other Rom’s. Any Ideas?
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Plain and simple it does not matter what the phone shows 3g or H if you are in an area with the HSDPA you will have the higher speed data. All HTC androids at least, do have the hardware for it. As far as voice over HSDPA that is not currently enabled yet until the HSDPA is fully up and functional. If you are not getting High speed 3g then you are most likely in an area that does not support it or the connections are maxed out and you are defaulting to the standard 3g network.
aad4321 said:
i would like to see a different logo, ex "3G' or "H" when i connect to tmobiles new HSDPA+ which has much faster speeds...is this possible?
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very, someone just has to program it
The difference is the Radio Interface Library. As far as I know the htc source libraries distinguish HSDPA.
http://www.netmite.com/android/mydroid/development/pdk/docs/telephony.html
system/lib:
libhtc_ril.so
libreference-ril.so
libril.so
You could try pushing HTC sourced RIL libraries to these other builds but the source code isn't available as far as I know.
I've seen screenshots of Captivates homescreens from you peoples showing an H instead of just 3G. May I ask how you enabled this? Thanks in advance!
John J.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
HSDPA and 3G are the same thing (i'm pretty sure)
or more technically speaking, HSDPA is one half of 3G, with HSUPA being the other half (HSDPA=download, HSUPA=upload)...
can anybody correct me if i'm wrong?
You're correct. AT&T requires all its 3G phone to display 3G instead of any other icon. Often times, ppl find ways to replace it with the native 3G icon, H, which is widely used by rest of the world. But that makes no difference in actual connection speed.
Lucke said:
HSDPA and 3G are the same thing (i'm pretty sure)
or more technically speaking, HSDPA is one half of 3G, with HSUPA being the other half (HSDPA=download, HSUPA=upload)...
can anybody correct me if i'm wrong?
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this is correct. when referring to both of them together they are commonly called just HSPA.
Lucke said:
HSDPA and 3G are the same thing (i'm pretty sure)
or more technically speaking, HSDPA is one half of 3G, with HSUPA being the other half (HSDPA=download, HSUPA=upload)...
can anybody correct me if i'm wrong?
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"3G" is the common short abbreviation for UMTS. HSDPA is an update to UMTS that gives faster download speeds (a version is widely deployed on AT&T). HSUPA is a protocol upgrade that enables faster upload speeds (installing HSUPA equipment borked upload speed on AT&T recently). Combining the two is called HSPA. HSPA+ is an update to HSPA that's even faster. T-Mobile is planning on rolling this out. LTE (AT&T's 4G pathway) is totally unrelated to HSPA.
Thanks for your replies! I appreciate the schooling
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Drachen said:
"3G" is the common short abbreviation for UMTS. HSDPA is an update to UMTS that gives faster download speeds (a version is widely deployed on AT&T). HSUPA is a protocol upgrade that enables faster upload speeds (installing HSUPA equipment borked upload speed on AT&T recently). Combining the two is called HSPA. HSPA+ is an update to HSPA that's even faster. T-Mobile is planning on rolling this out. LTE (AT&T's 4G pathway) is totally unrelated to HSPA.
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This is the correct post.
Also, I'm certain AT&T doesn't disallow the H icon because I've seen screenshots of the Captivate with that icon.
However, at the same time, I have a -51 dBm signal and no HSUPA which I know I should be able to get here because my iPhone 4 got it. Something is going on, but I'm not sure what yet.
Edit: Nevermind, it sounds like I'm wrong. In the manual there's no mention of an H icon. There's also no mention of HSUPA. I think we just got screwed by AT&T. What a surprise.
AJerman said:
This is the correct post.
Also, I'm certain AT&T doesn't disallow the H icon because I've seen screenshots of the Captivate with that icon.
However, at the same time, I have a -51 dBm signal and no HSUPA which I know I should be able to get here because my iPhone 4 got it. Something is going on, but I'm not sure what yet.
Edit: Nevermind, it sounds like I'm wrong. In the manual there's no mention of an H icon. There's also no mention of HSUPA. I think we just got screwed by AT&T. What a surprise.
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I'm pretty sure AT&T does disallow use of the H icon. They did on my Fuze. The reason is that there's ALWAYS confusion when people don't have a good operational knowledge of the protocol names. There's always someone on the EnergyROM or Cyanogenmod threads asking why "only" H comes up when they expect 3G.
Anyway, I have an AT&T band Nexus One as well as a Captivate. The N1 is definitely HSUPA compatible. I just tried speedtest.net a few times and got an average of 2.5M down and 175k up (5 runs no run over 256k) in midtown Manhattan. On my Captivate I'm getting ~4M down and 200k up. Upload speeds are about the same, probably limited by AT&T's current (under) capability.
I don't have access to an iPhone 4, but if you do, could you do a few runs on the speedtest.net app on both devices from the same location and let us know the results? At this point, I'm pretty convinced it's the HSUPA equipment screw-up at AT&T not lack of HSUPA on the phone.
Drachen said:
I'm pretty sure AT&T does disallow use of the H icon. They did on my Fuze. The reason is that there's ALWAYS confusion when people don't have a good operational knowledge of the protocol names. There's always someone on the EnergyROM or Cyanogenmod threads asking why "only" H comes up when they expect 3G.
Anyway, I have an AT&T band Nexus One as well as a Captivate. The N1 is definitely HSUPA compatible. I just tried speedtest.net a few times and got an average of 2.5M down and 175k up (5 runs no run over 256k) in midtown Manhattan. On my Captivate I'm getting ~4M down and 200k up. Upload speeds are about the same, probably limited by AT&T's current (under) capability.
I don't have access to an iPhone 4, but if you do, could you do a few runs on the speedtest.net app on both devices from the same location and let us know the results? At this point, I'm pretty convinced it's the HSUPA equipment screw-up at AT&T not lack of HSUPA on the phone.
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That's what I was saying. My iPhone 4 got HSUPA here with no issue at all. When everyone else's HSUPA had issues, I still had no problem at all. So unless HSUPA decided to die in my area the day I returned my iPhone 4, I don't think the Captivate has it.
AJerman said:
That's what I was saying. My iPhone 4 got HSUPA here with no issue at all. When everyone else's HSUPA had issues, I still had no problem at all. So unless HSUPA decided to die in my area the day I returned my iPhone 4, I don't think the Captivate has it.
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When did you return it? The iPhone 4 was released on June 24 and the AT&T HSUPA issue cropped up around July 6th or so. That's when my Nexus went from over ~1M up to ~200k up. If you gave it up after July 6, what sort of upload speeds were you getting? What sort of speeds are you getting now on the Captivate? Not trying to grill you or anything, I'm genuinely curious.
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
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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.
Hey is there a way to switch between using 3G and 4G? I know there is a use only 2G networks option but what about 3G/4G? Thanks
I don't think so...
To my understanding, T-Mobile uses the same network technology for both 3G and 4G (HSPA+) so turning off 4G would also turn off 3G. And if that isn't the case, it still wouldn't make sense to turn it off. It's only affect would be slower internet speeds. I could be wrong here though, lets see what the other posts say.
BioRivet said:
To my understanding, T-Mobile uses the same network technology for both 3G and 4G (HSPA+) so turning off 4G would also turn off 3G. And if that isn't the case, it still wouldn't make sense to turn it off. It's only affect would be slower internet speeds. I could be wrong here though, lets see what the other posts say.
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I think you're right BioRivit. Unlike the switch between 2G and 3G, which involved totally different frequencies and underlying technology, 4G is basically the same technology as 3G, except with a few modifications that allow a faster speed.
XD
andrewNY said:
I think you're right BioRivit.
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It's been a long time since I last heard that... Lol
Ok thanks guys. I guess my real question was supppsed to be how do you tell if you are on tmobile's 3G or "4G". I feel like I've never seen a 3G icon in the status bar, only 4G. Thoughts?
T-Mobile uses the 3g network to transmit 4g. Unlike Verizon or Sprint which have a structural difference between 3g and 4g, T-Mobile is using the 3g network with data compression. This is how they expanded from 3g to 4g instantly, no change in network structure. You won't see 3g again if you have a 4g phone like the G2x. You can only use Edge (2g) or 4g. Hope that helps.
Alright thanks guys
I've since it done on other versions of the galaxy and I tried to mimic what they did to see if I could get into a menu to change the settings. I found one that worked for me you just go to dial and enter *#*#4636#*#* then it will take you to the menu where you can change what preferred network type you want to use but keeps changing it back to default. Anyone know how to possibly save this setting or something?
Why do you believe you aren't getting "4G" on the phone? Is it the "H" that you are seeing when you are sending/receiving data and the "3G" when you are not? If so, that is completely expected behavior. The SGS4G is not a true 4G phone in the sense that it is not capable of using LTE.
Okay I see your point, mine does "3g" "h" and "e" figured when I had it back on gingerbread it said "4g" that it could handle "4g" coverage but now I'm assuming "h" is now the term it says for having "4g"?
T-Mobile, at least when this phone was released, did not have significant LTE coverage, but did have HSPA+ (21-42 Mbps download speeds). They advertised HSPA+ as "4G"
They probably weren't the only ones that "fudged" on that. It is definitely faster than 3G speeds for HSPA, but not all consider HSPA+ a "true" 4G.
T-Mobile ROMs and those "cooked" from them, not surprisingly, promoted the HSPA+ connection as "4G" in the UI. AOSP, CyanogenMod, and similar ROMs were a little more "honest" about things. There are patches somewhere to change the icon to "4G" if it makes you smile more.