Intriguing fact about 3G/4G switching! - myTouch 4G General

Even though this is my first post, I read this forum several times weekly, and I have not seen the following discussed.
If you download the "Mobile Signal Widget" from the Market, it will show you when you are getting a 3G or 4G connection. It shows "H" when the 4G signal is active, and shows "3G" otherwise. The on-board signal meter does not. It just shows "H" for both 3G or 4G data.
If things work with your phone like they do with my phone, you will see that when no data is being sent or received, the widget always shows a 3G signal, even when in a strong 4G area, and never shows a 4G signal. If you are in a 4G area, the 4G signal shows in the signal widget only while data is being sent or received.
Please try the following test with the speed test app. Before running the speed test app, and if no other process of the phone is sending or receiving data, the signal widget will, as noted above, show a 3G signal. If you run the speed test app, and immediately after starting the actual speed test, while it is still sending and receiving data, you return to your home screen where the signal widget is placed (NOT by hitting the back key, which closes the speed test widget and stops the downloading process, but by hitting the home key, which allows the speed test widget to run in the background while you view the signal widget on your home screen), you will notice that the widget will show a 4G signal while the speed test app is processing.
However, when the speed test is finished, the signal widget will go back to showing a 3G signal within a few seconds of the speed test finishing its processing. You can see this by viewing the up and down arrows activated in the on-board signal app shown in the notification area. When data is being sent or received, the arrows show, but when the data is no longer being sent or received, the arrows disappear.
The same applies to other apps sending or receiving data.
I'm on my third phone, and this 3G/4G switching has always happened with all three phones I have had in my possession. Thus you can see that in a 4G area, when data being sent or received starts and stops, the phone switches back and forth between 3G and 4G all day long.
Since this has been the case with all three MyTouch 4G phones I have had, I have to conclude that this is the normal and expected circumstance as designed into the phone and the 3G/4G broadcasting system.
This may have something to do with the somewhat bad battery life, plus this has other possible ramifications. I'd like to hear what some of you think about this 3G/4G switching, and the possible ramifications.

Yes it is 100% normal...that's common knowledge around these parts...No need to be using 4G when not sending or receiving data.

from the way it's been explained around here hspa is a protocol for 3g that doesn't kick in until data is sent or received, there isn't any actual switching going on unless you're moving from edge to 3g. T-Mo was smart in only using an H on the stock ROM, imagine the questions and complaints coming from inexperienced users seeing their phone "dropping" H all the time. The phone has to be able to handle the protocol, so obviously the devs have taken advantage and included the capability of showing when the hspa kicks in, but really it's just an added touch. As long as I'm getting solid consistent speeds you can put a piece of bacon as my data icon for all i care. At least then I have a constant reminder of the most important food group.

steamish said:
If you download the "Mobile Signal Widget" from the Market, it will show you when you are getting a 3G or 4G connection. It shows "H" when the 4G signal is active, and shows "3G" otherwise. The on-board signal meter does not. It just shows "H" for both 3G or 4G data.
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Click to collapse
Is that how the stock ROM works? (it's been 6 months, so I can't recall) On the two custom ROMs I've run, if you're in a 4G/HSPA+ area the built-in data icon will show "3G" when no data is being used and switch to "H" when data is actively being sent or received.

Yes, the stock signal widget does not differentiate between 3G and 4G. Both are shown as "H".

I have mobile signal widget and when my phone signal shows H my signal widget does too, when in 3G the widget shows 3G, when in E it shows E on my widget and so on.
So H being for both 4G and 3G is not always true.
I'll try to post screenies when it show other than H.

Are you on the unrooted stock ROM?
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

H means High Speed which is anything beyond the first 3G spec like UMTS/HSDPA/HSPA+. When preferred network type is available in the area its used for default RX/TX. This is done to save battery as if you were to connect on 4G based service you would eat alot of battery compared to 3G. Based on stock or AOSP based rom you also will get more accurate reading as we know how stock always emulate more than there is in the area. so OP its normal behavior.

As you can you see from my screenies, my phones signal reflects on my signal widget the same.
I'm on royal panache with latest radio.

coupetastic-droid said:
As you can you see from my screenies, my phones signal reflects on my signal widget the same.
I'm on royal panache with latest radio.
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Click to collapse
Well, that's why your case doesn't count. The OP was clearly talking about the STOCK ROM, which isn't your case. Most or all stock ROMs don't differentiate between UMTS and HSDPA and show a single indication for both, for a good reason - because most people don't know how it works, and showing them will only cause questions/complaints/confusion. This thread might be a good example, why.

Jack_R1 said:
Well, that's why your case doesn't count. The OP was clearly talking about the STOCK ROM, which isn't your case. Most or all stock ROMs don't differentiate between UMTS and HSDPA and show a single indication for both, for a good reason - because most people don't know how it works, and showing them will only cause questions/complaints/confusion. This thread might be a good example, why.
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Click to collapse
I read the op when I first saw this thread and now after reading your post and nowhere in the op he states his device is stock.

coupetastic-droid said:
I read the op when I first saw this thread and now after reading your post and nowhere in the op he states his device is stock.
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Click to collapse
When you're right, you're right. He indeed doesn't state it. I guess that knowing the difference in behavior between stock and custom ROMs, I automatically assumed he did.

Never knew this thanks

Related

Sadly giving up on 4G for now...

I got the phone on day one. The first thing I noticed as I looked at the phone as I walked out the door to my car was the 4g icon. Yay, I am on 4g! Wait, where did the icon go? It's pretty much been that way since I have had it. I keep it on Wifi at home. To put it on 4g, pretty much kills having a MOBILE smartphone. Data is the lifeblood of a smartphone and if it is not there, what's the point.
I have tried every single fix read here (and other forums). Including:
Rev A fix
Hard Reset
Pulling Battery and Sim card and placing back in
I have tried everything but take the phone back and complaining (rooted it).
Per the Verizon coverage map, I am (my house) in a 4g area. On the map, they ask for your address and it say's "I am covered" for 4g. I will note there are a few pockets on the map near my home that is 4g extended. I had been thinking it's just my area. As I would drive around, it would seem to lock onto 4g. But lately, no matter where I go, 4g goes in and out.
When the 4g goes in and out, it is killing all data. It's not like it quickly finds the 3g and resumes data transfer, it just stops. Goes to 1x after a while mostley.
So where I am at right now is that I have forced 3g (using Phone Info app) and now can get reliable mobile data.
Should I be patience with the network and wait it out or should I take this back and ***** (possibly being the device itself)? When does one suppose a possible software fix will be put out for the Thunderbolt?
Hey Man,
I read your post and I am a little confused. In summary is your issue that you dont have great 4G coverage by your house and 3G isnt picking up when 4g drops off?
If thats the case I know you said you tried the Rev A fix but just to double check did you:
Use the ##778# menu (hit call after ##778#)-->password is 000000-->modem settings-->Rev A-->choose enable-->hit the menu button on the tbolt and commit changes
Also have you had verizon try to swap out your sim card and/or called them up and made sure your current sim card is provisioned correctly? If both of these are the case and you tried all the other standard stuff I would go get the phone swapped out for another new device before your time runs out. I had the same problem and the Rev A fix did it for me.
jvward
What city are you in?
psufan5 said:
What city are you in?
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Click to collapse
Cincinnati area. Northern suburb. Close to towers and major highways.
Maybe return it and get a new TB?
I didn't have 4G in my home although Verizon's little "insert address" said I would. When I called, however, they said that I was on the border and it's a tough call for now.
When I started driving around to different areas, however, it picked up 4G signal just fine. When driving back into a 3G area it switched with no issue.
psufan5 said:
What city are you in?
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Click to collapse
And thats the right question to ask.
My 4G, in Los Angeles, is amazing. But Verizon is just starting to get 4G up and running in many cities right now, cant expect to have great coverage for many more months.
jvward said:
Hey Man,
I read your post and I am a little confused. In summary is your issue that you dont have great 4G coverage by your house and 3G isnt picking up when 4g drops off?
jvward
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When the 4g drops, data stops. No icon. Sometimes 3g shows up. Mostly 1x. Lately, nothing. No icon, no data.
jawa5636 said:
Cincinnati area. Northern suburb. Close to towers and major highways.
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Click to collapse
I'm in northern Cincinnati too. Contact me before you do anything.
Hey, I have had problems too. I work in the Tri-county area and have GREAT 4G coverage. If you look at the 4G map I am right on the cusp (Maineville) of coverage. In my house, it will rotate between 4g/3g/1x constantly. I downloaded the "LTE OnOFF" app from TeamAndIRC and will toggle 3G only when I'm at home. For some reason I STILL HAVE TO DO THIS even though I'm using wi-fi 100%. When I get to work I toggle to 4G. Doing this, my battery life is exceptional. Before I figured it out I was draining my battery overnight every night. I don't know why the wi-fi requires that 3G only be on but it works.
Almost, but hanging on by a thread....
I am new to Verizon and I picked this up the day after launch. My two weeks are up. I am not in the 4G area (home), but spend most of my waking moment in a 4G area (work). While the phone itself doesn't have a hard time switching between networks on the handheld (I've watched it go from 3 to 4G while driving, I can almost pinpoint the switching area), it does have a hard time when in WiFi Hotspot Mode.
Here's what I mean. I'll be on wireless tether in a 4G zone and then without notice, the phone reports (via Hotspot App) that there is no mobile network ready and there is no data connection icon on the top menu bar. My Xoom is much more reliable on maintaining a connection (3G of course).
This is my only complaint about the 4G network, but it's a small one. The handheld itself is wonderful. I'm keeping both for now.
Check out my speed test on WiFi tether.
Verizon confirmed on the phone with me that there is in fact a bug in HTCs software switching from 4G to 3G when coverage drops. It should be fixed... In the mean time make sure you are using an app from the market to switch to 3G only unless you need 4G.
Other than that, just return it and wait for something else.
ridobe said:
I'm in northern Cincinnati too. Contact me before you do anything.
Hey, I have had problems too. I work in the Tri-county area and have GREAT 4G coverage. If you look at the 4G map I am right on the cusp (Maineville) of coverage. In my house, it will rotate between 4g/3g/1x constantly. I downloaded the "LTE OnOFF" app from TeamAndIRC and will toggle 3G only when I'm at home. For some reason I STILL HAVE TO DO THIS even though I'm using wi-fi 100%. When I get to work I toggle to 4G. Doing this, my battery life is exceptional. Before I figured it out I was draining my battery overnight every night. I don't know why the wi-fi requires that 3G only be on but it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL. I live straight down 747 in Liberty Twp. (few miles up from Beckett Ridge). Driving around would get me a better connection (4g) at first but lately, as I drive around, it's all over the board. Most the time there is no data icon. I have another app (Phone Info) that has a toggle.
It gets frustrating in that I don't know if the issue is the phone, network or both. Hard to troubleshoot. I suppose I should mosey on down to the mall for anything and see what kind of 4g I get.
I am in almost the same situation as the OP, I have 4G everywhere but my home which I have confirmed with VZW is in a 4G coverage area, not an extended coverage area either. I have narrowed it down to my street exactly. Right after I turn down imy street I lose 4G.
I then once I am home and no I don't mean indoors just at my house I frequently go between nothing, 1x, and 3G(Very Weak) with sporadic data. Will not get 4G back unless I drive around. This is my second device, and second trouble ticket with VZW this time giving more detailed information.
I have also tried every possible solution but unfortunately switching to Rev. A is not a "solution" for me as I am in a 4G area and if I wanted 3G I probably would have just kept my Droid X.
I sure hope this bug if it is one in the software will be fixed with an update or VZW can sort it out if it is my network.
ridobe said:
I'm in northern Cincinnati too. Contact me before you do anything.
Hey, I have had problems too. I work in the Tri-county area and have GREAT 4G coverage. If you look at the 4G map I am right on the cusp (Maineville) of coverage. In my house, it will rotate between 4g/3g/1x constantly. I downloaded the "LTE OnOFF" app from TeamAndIRC and will toggle 3G only when I'm at home. For some reason I STILL HAVE TO DO THIS even though I'm using wi-fi 100%. When I get to work I toggle to 4G. Doing this, my battery life is exceptional. Before I figured it out I was draining my battery overnight every night. I don't know why the wi-fi requires that 3G only be on but it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Update:
Per my experience yesterday, if you are within the 275 loop, you are golden. Once I hit West Chester/Beckett Ridge, LTE started dropping. At my house, it is almost non-existent.

Charge switching to 3G even with strong 4G signal?

I live in a really good LTE area, I almost always have 4 or 5 bars no matter where I go.
I've encountered a strange issue, however, in that sometimes I will have a very strong LTE signal-- but the phone will drop to 3G anyway. Restarting the phone will usually make 4G appear for a couple minutes, and I can speedtest at the usual LTE speeds, but then it will randomly drop back to 3G & speedtest at 3G speeds.
I should note that this doesn't happen in all areas, only a few around town where I'm at quite often. One is right by a Verizon store, and I know that there is strong 4G coverage in that area because all of the 4G phones in there have 5 bars.
Has this been happening to anyone else? Is there a way to switch to 4G-only like on the Thunderbolt? I've done some searching but have so far come up empty handed.
Edit: I should note that I'm using a rooted kernel, but this problem happened before I rooted in the exact same fashion.
I'm sorry to say that you probably have no idea what your 4G signal strength really is. You sure can't use the bars at the top of the screen - Those only show your phone call signal strength ... Not your 4G data signal strength.
There is an app out there that will show the different signal strengths available to your phone, but I can't remember the name right now (it's in the Market). If I think of it, I'll repost.
Cheers,
Oh I see... I had just assumed there was a correlation since my speed test results-- around 20mbps down and 6-10 up before switching back to 3G-- seemed to suggest I was getting fairly good reception.
¿GotJazz? said:
I'm sorry to say that you probably have no idea what your 4G signal strength really is. You sure can't use the bars at the top of the screen - Those only show your phone call signal strength ... Not your 4G data signal strength.
There is an app out there that will show the different signal strengths available to your phone, but I can't remember the name right now (it's in the Market). If I think of it, I'll repost.
Cheers,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mobile Signal Widget.
Sent from my Droid Charge running Humble 1.4
kvswim said:
Mobile Signal Widget.
Sent from my Droid Charge running Humble 1.4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, I was thinking of: Network Signal Info
vash1053 said:
Oh I see... I had just assumed there was a correlation since my speed test results-- around 20mbps down and 6-10 up before switching back to 3G-- seemed to suggest I was getting fairly good reception.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hard to say about your 4G reception drop-outs.
As far as the signal strength indication in the status bar, I found out the hard way. There was a posting a few months ago, where somebody was asking if there was a way to force your Charge to use the LTE network all the time. I actually found a way to do it, but there was a hefty price to pay: You couldn't make phone calls or send text messages. When configured to force LTE only, you could get lots of that 4G love for internet browsing, and you could see the 4G icon in the status bar. However, you also saw a red slash for the signal strength icon, indicating there was no signal.
So, weak or no correlation between the signal strength display and actual 4G signal strength. Someone else confirmed this in that thread.
¿GotJazz? said:
Actually, I was thinking of: Network Signal Info
Hard to say about your 4G reception drop-outs.
As far as the signal strength indication in the status bar, I found out the hard way. There was a posting a few months ago, where somebody was asking if there was a way to force your Charge to use the LTE network all the time. I actually found a way to do it, but there was a hefty price to pay: You couldn't make phone calls or send text messages. When configured to force LTE only, you could get lots of that 4G love for internet browsing, and you could see the 4G icon in the status bar. However, you also saw a red slash for the signal strength icon, indicating there was no signal.
So, weak or no correlation between the signal strength display and actual 4G signal strength. Someone else confirmed this in that thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The signal strength in the notifications bar correlates to the quality of the calling/texting signal (evdo I think). Has nothing to do with the data signal strength.
Sent from my Droid Charge running Humble 1.42
So I've been monitoring things using the suggested apps for a couple weeks, and I'm getting -65dbm on LTE before it switches to 3G in these select areas... I'll post a screenie when I get home.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App
This is happening here in Tampa a lot lately. Friends with tbolt are seeing same thing. Started three days ago or so.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App
First ~1 - 10 minutes of being at one of these strange areas:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/vash1053/SC20110816-145555.png
After ~1 - 10 minutes:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/vash1053/SC20110816-150708.png
Is there, perhaps, a 3G tower nearby that's erroneously "weighted" heavier than the nearby 4G tower? I have no idea if it even works like that, heh.
Had an odd incident yesterday when my phone switched to 3G and wouldn't switch back to 4G until I rebooted the phone.
Rebooting cures a number of ills, apparently.
This happens to me occasionally, all I do is switch to airplane mode and then switch back.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App
I use that method (restarting and the airplane mode trick) and sometimes it works, but never in the areas described in my OP. It might work for a minute or two but it always reverts...
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App
Your phone is set to find and capture the strongest signal regardless of download speed... If 3g and 4g are both coming in at -65 dbm then its really a coin flip but your 3g is winning the consistency battle at holding at or below -65
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA Premium App
-55dbm is about the best you can do signal wise... 3g will always get closer than 4g so on fringe areas your 4g won't work
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA Premium App
I wish there was a way to lock the phone in 4G only, especially in a good LTE area.

Anyone having issues with signal constantly dropping to 2G?

My wife just upgraded from the MyTouch Slide 3G to the Slide 4G. The 4G is constantly dropping to 2G so obviously the data speeds are terrible. Her Slide 3G usually always stayed in 3G in the same areas the 4G is now dropping. Anyone else experiencing this?
Did experience something like this at a friend's house.
Sounds like the problem that the one of the reviewers of the Sidekick 4G was having (ping-ponging between 4G and 2G). Not everyone was having that problem in the wild, though. Could be a coincidence that two recent physical keyboard-based 4G phones are having trouble holding their T-Mobile HSPA+ connections and skipping the 3G alternative, though it could be a bug with T-Mobile's HSPA+ at the tower or phone level. I don't know know the protocol rules on the handoff between 3G and HSPA+. Some reviewers have reported lower data rates than expected with the Slide. The Sensation supposedly has a death grip issue, so maybe there's a variation of that with the Slide (due to a different landscape hand position using the physical keyboard) resulting in 2G connections. Could be temporary capacity issues with your wife's local 3G/4G towers. Is this a constant problem or worse at different times of the day? I remember a few years back reading a report on 3G mobile streaming usage experiments in Europe that it only took like 8 people streaming on the same tower to saturate the tower's 3G capacity. Of course, the number should be higher with HSPA+, but just wanted to point out it is possible for a tower to get overloaded. Keep us posted. This is the kind of stuff that will determine whether I get the Slide and stay with T-Mobile.
I'm in MD and I'm constantly having this issue in my apartment. One minute I have 4g and the next I have 2g and it wont switch back until I restart the phone. I wont even be holding it and i see the issue. Dunno, at least I have 14 days to bring it back.
Had same issue with my sensation. Try going into settings and switching to just wcdma as opposed to it picking between gsm/wcdma. It is under wireless and mobile settings. That is assuming you are in a good 4g area. It will not show 3g
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA Premium App
Well i saw this happening on the 1st floor of my house. But it was in a hallway away from the windows. but when i moved it came back to 4g and stays there. I think it has do more with the tower and whats available in your area.
Should I ever see 3G on the phone? Currently it is only ever in 4G or 2G. I notice the manual mentions 3G also though. I was assuming it always said 4G even if it was really 3G, but now I'm not sure. Has anyone seen 3G at all for their signal? I'm wondering if there is a setting wrong on the phone.
For those of you that don't have the network settings, go to the market and download an app called Network, it's free. Scroll down to set preferred network type and chose WCDMA only.
Randomocity812 said:
I'm in MD and I'm constantly having this issue in my apartment. One minute I have 4g and the next I have 2g and it wont switch back until I restart the phone. I wont even be holding it and i see the issue. Dunno, at least I have 14 days to bring it back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This issue is the phone itself. This is a verry buggy phone. Coming from a family g1 plan and were very excited but these phones have issues. Cant wait for root. Neways i know the 2g issue is that it gets stuck and u have to reboot. For ex. I tested in cordelane ID in near costco. Full 4g bars. Had 2 mt4gs's. One phone was in 4g and the other was stuck. I tried the old g1 trick they had in the beginning switching in and out of airplane mode. Did not work. Rebooted and it worked fine. Many other issues like all the time on both phones the widgets get stuck. U must slide to next screen than go back and widget works. Like i said i have 2 phones so i can troubleshoot and feel confident its not a glitch with a particular phone, etc. These phones suck.

Radio UMTS/HSPA switching bug (3g/4g)

OK, so as I'm sure some of you are seeing, there's an issue with the HSPA/UMTS switching. Like a LOT. I've tried to do Speed Tests, but simply am not able to, because the connection wants to switch from 3g to 4g and back over and over again.
I wanna see how many of you are aware of this and are fed up with it. It's kind of silly. C'mon HTC.
I too have noticed this issue. I'm sure it will be fixed quickly. Such is the penalty to being an early adapter.
Doesn't affect my calling in no way whatsoever. Does mess with my browsing a bit, and after connecting to my home wifi i can say that the switching is definitely the cause.
Hope it gets a quick and tidy fix soon.
yep I see it all the time, doesnt bother me though
I think this is a bug in all HOS
Enviado desde mi HTC One S usando Tapatalk 2
The Galaxy Nexus does this. It switches between 3G and H based on what is being done. If you're not browsing it is on 3G, and if you're browsing and actively using the connection it switches to H. My One S doesn't do this at all unless I'm in a fringe area.
Agreed with the OP, this is annoying, because while the device is in this period of switching there is no data transfer possible, it can stay like this for a long time, sya a few minutes not just a few seconds.
joshnichols189 said:
The Galaxy Nexus does this. It switches between H and H+ based on what is being done. If you're not browsing it is on H, and if you're browsing and actively using the connection it switches to H+. My One S doesn't do this at all unless I'm in a fringe area.
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Click to collapse
No, it's nothing like that at all. I came from a Nexus S, which had HSPA (not +), and it would switch from 3g to H, and it was never a problem. The issue here is that once it gets to H, it suddenly dies out, switches back to 3g, goes for a sec, dies, switches to 4g, and over and over again. It's nothing like what you're describing, because I'm very familiar with your situation.
In your situation, as you described, it switches based on usage. So, if you're using data a bunch, it'll switch to HSPA+ and stay there until activity dies down. On the One S, it switches back right in the middle of doing data-intensive work. And it ruins the connection.
Let's put it this way: I cant even perform the Speed Test app half the time because the connection gets interrupted and dropped. I've had less than 50% success rate with finishing that test, and I usually only succeed by timing it based on the switching.
nickmv said:
No, it's nothing like that at all. I came from a Nexus S, which had HSPA (not +), and it would switch from 3g to H, and it was never a problem. The issue here is that once it gets to H, it suddenly dies out, switches back to 3g, goes for a sec, dies, switches to 4g, and over and over again. It's nothing like what you're describing, because I'm very familiar with your situation.
In your situation, as you described, it switches based on usage. So, if you're using data a bunch, it'll switch to HSPA+ and stay there until activity dies down. On the One S, it switches back right in the middle of doing data-intensive work. And it ruins the connection.
Let's put it this way: I cant even perform the Speed Test app half the time because the connection gets interrupted and dropped. I've had less than 50% success rate with finishing that test, and I usually only succeed by timing it based on the switching.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand haha and I haven't had a single problem except one place where I frequent is a fringe area and it will go from one bar or "4G" down to 2G but that's about it.
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using xda premium
You sir... are wrong or lying.
nickmv said:
No, it's nothing like that at all. I came from a Nexus S, which had HSPA (not +), and it would switch from 3g to H, and it was never a problem. The issue here is that once it gets to H, it suddenly dies out, switches back to 3g, goes for a sec, dies, switches to 4g, and over and over again. It's nothing like what you're describing, because I'm very familiar with your situation.
In your situation, as you described, it switches based on usage. So, if you're using data a bunch, it'll switch to HSPA+ and stay there until activity dies down. On the One S, it switches back right in the middle of doing data-intensive work. And it ruins the connection.
Let's put it this way: I cant even perform the Speed Test app half the time because the connection gets interrupted and dropped. I've had less than 50% success rate with finishing that test, and I usually only succeed by timing it based on the switching.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lets see... HSPA and 3g = the same thing. You claiming your Nexus S switches between H and 3g is total utter BS. The H moniker in the notification bar is ONLY a reference to HSPA+ otherwise known by carriers as 4G.
Nexus S does not, never did, never will, switch between H and 3g. It just doesn't have the hardware. Since you are obviously a liar or just wrong, I discount the rest of your post as well.
yech22 said:
Lets see... HSPA and 3g = the same thing. You claiming your Nexus S switches between H and 3g is total utter BS. The H moniker in the notification bar is ONLY a reference to HSPA+ otherwise known by carriers as 4G.
Nexus S does not, never did, never will, switch between H and 3g. It just doesn't have the hardware. Since you are obviously a liar or just wrong, I discount the rest of your post as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Nexus S shows H when using the connection and 3G when not.
AOSP sees UMTS as 3G and HSDPA/HSPA/HSPA+ as H. It will sit on UMTS until you are using mobile data, then it will switch to H.
So yes, the phone can switch between 3G and H while being used. HSPA and variants ARE 3G, but are seen as 4G, thus H. It doesn't even sound like you had a Nexus S so how would you even know what the status bar does?
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using xda premium
yech22 said:
Lets see... HSPA and 3g = the same thing. You claiming your Nexus S switches between H and 3g is total utter BS. The H moniker in the notification bar is ONLY a reference to HSPA+ otherwise known by carriers as 4G.
Nexus S does not, never did, never will, switch between H and 3g. It just doesn't have the hardware. Since you are obviously a liar or just wrong, I discount the rest of your post as well.
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Click to collapse
LOL, with all due respect, you just made yourself look like a fool. If you actually owned a Nexus S or looked up its specifications, it is capable of 7.2mbps HSDPA (H, or sometimes described as 3.5G), whereas UMTS is described at traditional 3G. HSDPA was and has never been considered 3G. It's definitely a step up.
Traditional 3G has never been capable of 7.2mbps downstream. I invite you to do some research here regarding the differences. I'll assume since you had time to time to craft a clever little response, that you can take time to read up on it.
Again, had you actually owned a Nexus S or researched it, you would have found that it typically stays on regular 3G (UMTS...NOT HSPA) when not very active, and switches to H (HSDPA).
Again, had you actually owned a Nexus S or researched it, you would have found that in the System Settings, that network mode is easily found, and either displays HSPA (H/3.5G) or UMTS(3G).
Another links for explanations....scroll to the bottom for this statement
"Three has now backed down and agreed that HSPA+ is not 4G"
http://www.ispreview.co.uk/story/20...rk-with-42mbps-capable-evolved-hspa-tech.html
SFP said:
Another links for explanations....scroll to the bottom for this statement
"Three has now backed down and agreed that HSPA+ is not 4G"
http://www.ispreview.co.uk/story/20...rk-with-42mbps-capable-evolved-hspa-tech.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think that's ever been up for debate. However, the stock ROM displays HSPA and HSPA+ connections as "4G", and so do some of the modded ROMs. I'm not here for a debate on what's true 4g. This thread has somehow transformed....
Apologies, I wasn't challenging what you'd written, think I'm confused too :rolleyes
Sent from my HTC One S using XDA
nickmv said:
I don't think that's ever been up for debate. However, the stock ROM displays HSPA and HSPA+ connections as "4G", and so do some of the modded ROMs. I'm not here for a debate on what's true 4g. This thread has somehow transformed....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm only here because of the know it all on the first page
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using xda premium
I have this problem with my phone as well. I just want to throw something else out there also.
On my Nexus one when I had CM7 depending on what I was doing it could display 3g change to H. The thing is though that when 3g was displayed you actually had no data connection.
It seems something similar is going on here because the behavior isn't a slow down in the connection speed rather it's an actual break in the connection (downloads stop, speedtest does nothing, etc.)
We might not have a problem with the phone switching back and forth between 3g and 4g. Rather the phone could be switching from 4g to nothing to 4g. Only it's so fast the icons don't display the whole story (this is my personal belief)
You can see the same type of behavior when switching from WCDMA only to GSM Only
It starts at H
Then briefly 3G
Then no letter
Then E
I've tried to find a way to get the phone locked on 3g but I can only get 2g or 4g.
nickmv said:
OK, so as I'm sure some of you are seeing, there's an issue with the HSPA/UMTS switching. Like a LOT. I've tried to do Speed Tests, but simply am not able to, because the connection wants to switch from 3g to 4g and back over and over again.
I wanna see how many of you are aware of this and are fed up with it. It's kind of silly. C'mon HTC.
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Click to collapse
I can't remember whether you've mentioned this somewhere else, but what radio are you using? I'm curious as to whether you received a phone that didn't get an updated to release radio? I haven't had any problems.
I'm on 0.16.31501S.02
Also, I NEVER see 3G on my phone. I wonder if that actually helps my situation. I'm mostly always at full 4G, but will sometimes drop to 2G, or even G, depending on whether I'm in a shielded area or passing through a dead zone. I wonder if this could actually be working for me/against you?
majalo said:
I can't remember whether you've mentioned this somewhere else, but what radio are you using? I'm curious as to whether you received a phone that didn't get an updated to release radio? I haven't had any problems.
I'm on 0.16.31501S.02
Also, I NEVER see 3G on my phone. I wonder if that actually helps my situation. I'm mostly always at full 4G, but will sometimes drop to 2G, or even G, depending on whether I'm in a shielded area or passing through a dead zone. I wonder if this could actually be working for me/against you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I only go between 4G and 2G when in fringe areas as well. Haven't seen 3G once.
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using xda premium
Solved my problem
I had the same problem of my Galaxy SII switching back and forth between data types. I had tried putting my iPhone 4 SIM into my Android (with an adapter). Turns out that my problem was with the SIM. I needed a different SIM for this type of phone.
Just positing this in case it helps anyone. Try visiting your carrier and ask for a different SIM.
Flash my T-Mobile ROM and it'll fix the issue.

[Q] H/H+

I have only really been using my phone properly with a SIM for the last few days, but I have noticed that it is constantly jumping between H and H+. At first I thought it may have been to do with my train journey into London, as that's when my phone gets most use during the day.
But I noticed that it's also happening when I am stationary too. I'm at home right now and it has jumped from H to H+ and back twice during the time it's taken my to write this.
Why is it changing so frequently? I think on my Nexus 5 it just said H, so I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference.
Couldn't he a incorrectly configured apn or is it literally just that I don't have a good H+ signal anywhere?
I am on Virgin Mobile (EE's network) but I don't have 4G.
It's normal. Of it's not causing any issues in your every day browsing I think that's normal behavior
Sent from my A0001 using XDA Free mobile app
Your phone only goes into H+ mode when you are actively doing something on your phone that requires fast speed data. It goes back down to regular H to conserve battery. Its just the way the phone and previous phones are designed.
On LTE, it will remain LTE but as you said you don't get 4G (in USA, they market LTE as 4G so I commonly call 4G as LTE)
7ewis said:
I have only really been using my phone properly with a SIM for the last few days, but I have noticed that it is constantly jumping between H and H+. At first I thought it may have been to do with my train journey into London, as that's when my phone gets most use during the day.
But I noticed that it's also happening when I am stationary too. I'm at home right now and it has jumped from H to H+ and back twice during the time it's taken my to write this.
Why is it changing so frequently? I think on my Nexus 5 it just said H, so I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference.
Couldn't he a incorrectly configured apn or is it literally just that I don't have a good H+ signal anywhere?
I am on Virgin Mobile (EE's network) but I don't have 4G.
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Click to collapse
No the Nexus 5 does the same thing when it is not using data it will switch back to H and it will have a small delay going back to H+ when you call for data. So yeah they both do it and it's normal. Bring speed test up but don't run it right away and you will see it drop back to H the hit start test and it will delay and hit H+ again.
hashim71 said:
It's normal. Of it's not causing any issues in your every day browsing I think that's normal behavior
Sent from my A0001 using XDA Free mobile app
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Click to collapse
zephiK said:
Your phone only goes into H+ mode when you are actively doing something on your phone that requires fast speed data. It goes back down to regular H to conserve battery. Its just the way the phone and previous phones are designed.
On LTE, it will remain LTE but as you said you don't get 4G (in USA, they market LTE as 4G so I commonly call 4G as LTE)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Vortex1969 said:
No the Nexus 5 does the same thing when it is not using data it will switch back to H and it will have a small delay going back to H+ when you call for data. So yeah they both do it and it's normal. Bring speed test up but don't run it right away and you will see it drop back to H the hit start test and it will delay and hit H+ again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are all correct. On my Nexus 5, it always said 'H' it never changed to H+ although I believe it would have done this, the icon never changed. That's why I was getting confused, I wasn't expecting that, and didn't know it would only change when connecting to the Internet, but realised is the case.
7ewis said:
You are all correct. On my Nexus 5, it always said 'H' it never changed to H+ although I believe it would have done this, the icon never changed. That's why I was getting confused, I wasn't expecting that, and didn't know it would only change when connecting to the Internet, but realised is the case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depending on what ROM you use, H and H+ may be viewed as the same thing. Some ROMs don't have anything to distinguish H and H+ signal. In CM 11S. So really behind the scenes on the N5, you really are on H+ but the status bar didn't indicate that you are on H+.

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