I notice that forcing 2g, calls get that kinda pulsating GSM radio interference noise whereas forcing 3g it does not occur!!!
Anyone else notice this?!!
strung said:
I notice that forcing 2g, calls get that kinda pulsating GSM radio interference noise whereas forcing 3g it does not occur!!!
Anyone else notice this?!!
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i thought 3g, 4g, 2g or what ever was for data purposes only....
laker666 said:
i thought 3g, 4g, 2g or what ever was for data purposes only....
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From what I understand, 4g is 3g, they are HSPA and HSPA+. 2G is GSM. So there are two separate radios in your phone and on the towers.
I just tested this on my phone and can confirm that 3G is a lot less noisier call-quality wise than 2G.
Voice uses 3G as well. TMO throttled back 2G a while back to make 3G faster, so using any phone on 2G mode nowadays is gonna suck more than it would otherwise.
zaventh said:
Voice uses 3G as well. TMO throttled back 2G a while back to make 3G faster, so using any phone on 2G mode nowadays is gonna suck more than it would otherwise.
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if that is the case how come i can turn of my data and stilll make crystal clear phone calls? not saying you are wrong just trying to understand
strung said:
I notice that forcing 2g, calls get that kinda pulsating GSM radio interference noise whereas forcing 3g it does not occur!!!
Anyone else notice this?!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep.. 2G / EDGE uses the older GSM data transmission standard, while 3G/4G uses CDMA technology to transmit data.
T-Mobile uses all GSM technology. CDMA is something totally different and is used by Verizon/Sprint in the US.
I'm not a radio engineering expert, but the main difference between 2G and 3G is the protocol. 3G uses more efficient algorithms to compress/decompress the audio (and data) signals. This is the primary reason 3G is faster than 2G to begin with. T-Mobile uses 3G for voice, which means that, in general, calls will LIKELY sound clearly and crisper on 3G than 2G, on average. This is all dependent on network conditions, your 2G signal, your 3G signal, your particular handset, and your own hearing capabilities and preferences. But the idea is like an Mp3 encoding... 3G is 320kbps and 2G is 128kbps... maybe sometimes they sound the same to some people, but technically 3G is "better" under ideal circumstances.
But the 2G throttling I was remembering was actually AT&T, not T-Mobile, though they likely have done something to a similar effect by now.
http://www.ofb.biz/safari/article/512.html
wcdma is 3/4g
zaventh said:
T-Mobile uses all GSM technology. CDMA is something totally different and is used by Verizon/Sprint in the US.
I'm not a radio engineering expert, but the main difference between 2G and 3G is the protocol. 3G uses more efficient algorithms to compress/decompress the audio (and data) signals. This is the primary reason 3G is faster than 2G to begin with. T-Mobile uses 3G for voice, which means that, in general, calls will LIKELY sound clearly and crisper on 3G than 2G, on average. This is all dependent on network conditions, your 2G signal, your 3G signal, your particular handset, and your own hearing capabilities and preferences. But the idea is like an Mp3 encoding... 3G is 320kbps and 2G is 128kbps... maybe sometimes they sound the same to some people, but technically 3G is "better" under ideal circumstances.
But the 2G throttling I was remembering was actually AT&T, not T-Mobile, though they likely have done something to a similar effect by now.
http://www.ofb.biz/safari/article/512.html
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my question is if 2g and 3/4g have any effect on call quality, how can i receive crystal clear call quality with my data turned off. im not sure 2g, 3g, or 4g have any effect on call quality
None of your voice goes through your data connection. The ONLY way there is any difference is if there is some kind of electromagnetic interference from inside the phone caused by 2G and not by 4G.
As stated above, All voice calls and SMS come through without a data connection at all.
r4d14n7 said:
None of your voice goes through your data connection. The ONLY way there is any difference is if there is some kind of electromagnetic interference from inside the phone caused by 2G and not by 4G.
As stated above, All voice calls and SMS come through without a data connection at all.
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Disabling data does not mean you disconnect from the 3G/4G network. Turn mobile data off and then look under Settings>About Phone>Status, and look at Mobile Network Type. You're phone is still connected to UMTS/HSPA/EDGE/GPRS ... or whatever other type of network it was connected to. And you're not connected to both 2G and 3G simultaneously. Its one or the other and all data and phone transmissions are sent over whichever network you're connected to.
phburks said:
Disabling data does not mean you disconnect from the 3G/4G network. Turn mobile data off and then look under Settings>About Phone>Status, and look at Mobile Network Type. You're phone is still connected to UMTS/HSPA/EDGE/GPRS ... or whatever other type of network it was connected to. And you're not connected to both 2G and 3G simultaneously. Its one or the other and all data and phone transmissions are sent over whichever network you're connected to.
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+ 1
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
Ah, fair enough. I was under the impression that voice always went through a GSM connection, whether WCDMA was active or not. Has this changed in the last few years?
r4d14n7 said:
Ah, fair enough. I was under the impression that voice always went through a GSM connection, whether WCDMA was active or not. Has this changed in the last few years?
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Click to collapse
Don't think it's ever been that way. Phones will switch from one type of mobile network to another depending on user settings and signal strength, but you're only connected to one type of network at any given time. GSM networks utilize 2G technologies to allow for voice and data, but not simultaneously. GSM networks also utilize 3G/4G technologies to allow voice and data simultaneously.
Here's a good source of info on different technologies used by GSM networks:
http://www.gsmworld.com/technology/index.htm
My bad. Thanks for the link though.
When on 2g my speakers of my surround sound and car audio will make static from the phone... 3g doesn't do this. 2g and 3g are different.
Asus Transformer 3.1 pwnd
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So - on an Android phone, do I need to check "Data Enabled" for the better voice quality, or will the 3G/4G for better voice be enabled by default?
No, enabling or disabling your mobile data connection will not affect call quality directly. Your device will connect to the best network available regardless of data being enabled. The only setting you can look at is your preferred network type under mobile network settings.
Related
I understand that 2G and 3G has more to do with data speed. However does the voice quality differ between the two??? I can't find much consensus on the subject. Thank you.
unless your operator have strange equipment it would be 100% the same
A wireless communications guy who is a fanatic with cell phones on youtube (aka absalon3) once said that his Nokia E90 kept dropping calls because it did not support the U.S. 3G frequencies at his carrier.
So yes, if you don't have 3G access or subscription, than your phone is more likely to have a weaker signal--hence the dropped calls.
poetryrocksalot said:
A wireless communications guy who is a fanatic with cell phones on youtube (aka absalon3) once said that his Nokia E90 kept dropping calls because it did not support the U.S. 3G frequencies at his carrier.
So yes, if you don't have 3G access or subscription, than your phone is more likely to have a weaker signal--hence the dropped calls.
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i dont think so. gsm 3g devices can have simultaneous voice and data connections 3g and voice are totally separate.
josefcrist said:
i dont think so. gsm 3g devices can have simultaneous voice and data connections 3g and voice are totally separate.
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Check out Absalon3's video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNrRNUZfqkQ
He says that the lack of 3G hardware meant that he got dropped calls.
On another video he claims to have a degree on some sort of communications thing. I haven't looked for the video because I don't know which one it is on the top of my head. Anyways it sounded as if his 'degree' made him an expert on cell phones.
I also have a Nokia E90 and the reception isn't as good as my North American version of Xperia X1. However, I do understand that reception is also determined by the other hardware factors.
Well thank you guys, this is why I had trouble finding out definitive info on this. It seems that there are no hard fact, just anecdotal evidences.
I am trying to decide whether I have to go with a higher price Telus HTC Hero (3G on ATT), or I can stick with a cheaper price HTC Hero (2G on ATT). I don't give a crap about data, however, voice is very important, after all it is a phone.
"gsm 3g devices can have simultaneous voice and data connections 3g and voice are totally separate."
not just gsm 3g devices
gsm since gprs (1g) have supported simultaneous voice and data
that is if the operators equipment support it too
had simultaneous data and voice on all my 1g gsm smartphones
Many 3G operators have their 2G service provided by another operator in low coverage areas, so when moving between 3G and 2G and vice versa there can sometimes be line drops.
The actual voice quality between a 2G phone call and a 3G phone call is no different.
Research your desired operator's coverage in your area for both 2G and 3G, then decide.
From what I've seen, and also from the maps on their websites.
If you have a phone with 2G and 3G you have the most coverage.
Now if you have a 2G device you will only have coverage in the 2G area, so if there are places that only have 3G in their area, you will get a dropped call.
This is practically useless for the large decent carriers like AT&T and Verizon who have a lot of coverage. But maybe it's a problem for some other carriers.
Also from the maps it looks like most 2G area have 3G.
Just my .02, I have nothing really to back this up. Best thing you can do is make sure you have good coverage.
ATT's Webpage for Coverage
There are other places where you can find a carriers coverage.
When I make a phone call my data connection switches from LTE to 3g/hspa. Is anybody else seeing this?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727
Sheolrock said:
When I make a phone call my data connection switches from LTE to 3g/hspa. Is anybody else seeing this?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727
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Same here on AT&T Downtown Los Angeles, drops to HSPA+. Honestly to me, it doesn't really matter.
thats what its supposed to do.
when on a call, it goes into HSPA/3G, then after the call ends, LTE should kick back in.
thats how AT&T LTE works. there is no VOICE over LTE yet
Pirateghost said:
thats what its supposed to do.
when on a call, it goes into HSPA/3G, then after the call ends, LTE should kick back in.
thats how AT&T LTE works. there is no VOICE over LTE yet
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Well said. I couldnt of said it better lol
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
Oh
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727
LTE is a Data only network, No voice calls should go through it.
The LTE standard only supports packet switching with its all-IP network. Voice calls in GSM, UMTS and CDMA2000 are circuit switched, so with the adoption of LTE, carriers will have to re-engineer their voice call network. Three different approaches sprang up. Most major backers of LTE preferred and promoted VoLTE (Voice over LTE, an implementation of IP Multimedia Subsystem or IMS) from the beginning. The lack of software support in initial LTE devices as well as core network devices however led to a number of carriers promoting VoLGA (Voice over LTE Generic Access) as an interim solution.[13] The idea was to use the same principles as GAN (Generic Access Network, also known as UMA or Unlicensed Mobile Access), which defines the protocols through which a mobile handset can perform voice calls over a customer's private Internet connection, usually over wireless LAN. VoLGA however never gained much support, because VoLTE (IMS) promises much more flexible services, albeit at the cost of having to upgrade the entire voice call infrastructure. While the industry has seemingly standardized on VoLTE for the future, the demand for voice calls today has led LTE carriers to introduce CSFB (Circuit Switched Fallback) as a stopgap measure. When placing or receiving a voice call, LTE handsets will fall back to old 2G or 3G networks for the duration of the call.
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Source
i know you could do it with the galaxy s3, but it seems like it cant be done with this phone.
the secret menu has practically nothing in it, and only WCDMA preffered, LTE only, etc
i want to be able to force a particular band, could this be done by editing the build prop? i want to try and force 900mhz
can it be done, or am i searching for hours on the internet for nothing?
Sounds like you have a CDMA phone. "No SIM Card". Sprint or Verizon ????
If this is the case, then you are looking in vain.
AT&T HTC OneX
Android 4.1.1
ViperXL 3.2.3
NAH i have an australian htc one xl. i am on a carrier (not particularly the fastest) but i have unlimited data and wanted to see if i could increase my download speeds by locking onto a particular band lol
Are you talking about selecting something like this in the phone info "secret" menu?
Sent from my HTC One XL
Venomtester said:
Sounds like you have a CDMA phone. "No SIM Card". Sprint or Verizon ????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're confusing WCDMA with CDMA.
WCDMA refers to the HSPA (3G) radio on this device, and not to be confused with the CDMA network used by Verizon and Sprint.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3G#Overview
Is this what you are talking about?
legend221 said:
[2G/3G/3.5G] Preferred Network Types Explained & How To Change It Easily
I'm noticing most of us are on the AT&T Network, yet there are those that do not want or need 3G/3.5G and want to use 2G or have another carrier so they cant take advantage of the speeds because they are on a Network such as T-Mobile.
Obviously someone using primarily or mainly 2G will see significantly more battery life.
This is good for someone that rarely uses data service or goes online using WIFI for the most part.
To change or edit your Preferred Network type go to your Phone app
then enter the following: *#*#4636#*#*
>Phone Information
>Set Preferred Network Type
Now you are able to change and edit the way your phone looks for and uses the Network you are currently on.
The Terms are explained below:
Preferred Network Types change the type of frequency the phone searches for.
Android is used on several devices that can gain access to different cell carriers.
For simplicity, there are two main types of cell carriers, GSM and CDMA.
The following popular data communication technology is associated with each cell carrier type:
GSM = GPRS (2g), EDGE(2g), UMTS(3g), WCDMA(3g), HSDPA(3g) {Cell Carrier examples: AT&T and T-Mobile}
CDMA = CDMA*(2/3g) EV-DO(3g) WiMax(3/4g) {Cell Carrier examples: Verizon and Sprint}
Now that the general stuff is out of the way, here's my take on the Preferred Network types:
WCDMA preferred - The GSM phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 3G is favored more.
GSM only - The GSM phone is capable of using only 2G data communication. When the 2G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
WCDMA only - The GSM phone is capable of using only 3G data communication. When the 3G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
GSM auto (PRL) - The GSM phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 2G is favored more. This one is a bit confusing to me since PRL is associated mostly with CDMA technology and not GSM technology.
CDMA auto (PRL) - The CDMA phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 2G is favored more.
CDMA only - The CDMA phone is capable of using only 2G data communication. When the 2G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
EvDo only - The CDMA phone is capable of using only 3G data communication. When the 3G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
GSM/CDMA auto (PRL) - Some phones are equipped with both GSM and CDMA capabilities. This setting appears to just have the phone attempt to stay connected to the data communication type that works the best.
Unknown - If none of the above fit or the phone is acting weird as far as connecting to the carrier, you will see your preferred network type is set to this
When using the 'only' options you should still be able to make calls.
To put things into perspective, The Nexus One is set to WCDMA preferred as default and the Droid Incredible is set to CDMA auto (PRL).
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I just got the Airave and I was wondering how come when I use CDMA only for "mobile networks", I get 5-6 bars i.e. pretty much perfect but when I select CDMA/LTE, I get 1 bar..sometimes two.
More importantly, Airave hasn't fixed this issue but when I go to CDMA only, it seems perfect. How do I go about fixing this?
Thanks
PS - It seems like at home, I have weak LTE (which is what it's connected to by default) rather than holding onto a STRONG 3G signal....how do I make the S5 favor strong 3G over weak LTE?
Which kills more? 3G at -70db or LTE at -102db?
The Airave is only a 3g CDMA over Broadband solution. When you choose CDMA only it's the only choice and is a strong connection. With LTE enabled the device is still trying to keep an LTE link but since your coverage area sucks it keeps falling off. Seems the Sprint GS5 has that issue for everyone where there is bad LTE coverage. It may also be that "Connections Optimizer" crap.
I'd suggest tasker or a similar app for automating setting your mobile network to CDMA Only when at home or elsewhere LTE is crappy and creating another to revert back to LTE/CDMA. There a bunch of threads with people trying to figure out how to optimize their LTE band for their specific coverage. I burned a lot of battery with my N4 constantly trying to decide whether to stick with HSPA+ or other crappy alternative networks. I don't think Google or the manufacturers have done a good job of considering what happens under less than good conditions signal wise.
GorillaPimp said:
The Airave is only a 3g CDMA over Broadband solution. When you choose CDMA only it's the only choice and is a strong connection. With LTE enabled the device is still trying to keep an LTE link but since your coverage area sucks it keeps falling off. Seems the Sprint GS5 has that issue for everyone where there is bad LTE coverage. It may also be that "Connections Optimizer" crap.
I'd suggest tasker or a similar app for automating setting your mobile network to CDMA Only when at home or elsewhere LTE is crappy and creating another to revert back to LTE/CDMA. There a bunch of threads with people trying to figure out how to optimize their LTE band for their specific coverage. I burned a lot of battery with my N4 constantly trying to decide whether to stick with HSPA+ or other crappy alternative networks. I don't think Google or the manufacturers have done a good job of considering what happens under less than good conditions signal wise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not so much that it falls off but that the signal for LTE is low....around -112db while CDMA/3G is around -70db (full bards).
I wish there was a way to make "CDMA only" turn on at my house while LTE/4G turning on while I leave it....How do I do this using tasker or a similar app?
Then again, I don't really download anything outside of my house....only time I use data outside my house is for Waze or Snapchat or Instagram or Facebook....and they seem to load fine under 3G...it's not worth the battery drain to use 4G for those applications.
The Galaxy S5 only has one radio so this causes huge problems with use of a device like an Airwave. Since Sprint didn't include WiFi calling in the S5 you have no real solution except to force the S5 in to CDMA only mode. It requires a reboot and is annoying. This is ridiculous by Sprint. I went and got a more advanced phone with two radios (The Galaxy S4) and now have no problems with one radio staying attached to 1x Airwave and LTE. I returned my S5 and am now very happy.
thegame2388 said:
It's not so much that it falls off but that the signal for LTE is low....around -112db while CDMA/3G is around -70db (full bards).
I wish there was a way to make "CDMA only" turn on at my house while LTE/4G turning on while I leave it....How do I do this using tasker or a similar app?
Then again, I don't really download anything outside of my house....only time I use data outside my house is for Waze or Snapchat or Instagram or Facebook....and they seem to load fine under 3G...it's not worth the battery drain to use 4G for those applications.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With Tasker or similar you'd want to set it up to switch mobile networks to LTE/CDMA based on your location but like rocket said it's a reboot every time - aka PITA. I just set up a shortcut to Mobile Networks and change if it's a problem. Rebooting often sucks. I don't know why they'd give the S4 two radios and the S5 one. Seems stupid. I'm not sure if you can change to CDMA only via the debugging options - that may not require a reboot. There's a big thread about optimizing LTE bands that has a bunch of info on that.
GorillaPimp said:
With Tasker or similar you'd want to set it up to switch mobile networks to LTE/CDMA based on your location but like rocket said it's a reboot every time - aka PITA. I just set up a shortcut to Mobile Networks and change if it's a problem. Rebooting often sucks. I don't know why they'd give the S4 two radios and the S5 one. Seems stupid. I'm not sure if you can change to CDMA only via the debugging options - that may not require a reboot. There's a big thread about optimizing LTE bands that has a bunch of info on that.
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Click to collapse
Alrighty. Looks like I'll use CDMA at my house for Airave with Wi-Fi for downloading stuff and have CDMA for downloading stuff while I'm beyond the borders of my house.
I don't "download" anything anyway.
You will be UNABLE TO CONNECT TO THE AIRAVE unless your are in "CDMA ONLY".
Go to
settings/network connections/more networks/mobile networks
and change to CDMA .
( Do NOT select CDMA/LTE until you LEAVE the Airave vicinity)
If you are indeed connected to the Airave, you will hear a recording telling you that you are if you call *99.
You will have to re-enable the CDMA/LTE everytime you leave the vicinity of the Airave to get LTE service.
Sprint Tier II Tech informed be of the above, and I have verified it all by personally testing the above.
Now, here is the real question:
What are the EXACT DIFFERENCES between using the "Wi-Fi Calling Feature" with NO Airave - AND- using the Airave WITHOUT using W-Fi Calling.????
tt c6 said:
You will be UNABLE TO CONNECT TO THE AIRAVE unless your are in "CDMA ONLY".
Go to
settings/network connections/more networks/mobile networks
and change to CDMA .
( Do NOT select CDMA/LTE until you LEAVE the Airave vicinity)
If you are indeed connected to the Airave, you will hear a recording telling you that you are if you call *99.
You will have to re-enable the CDMA/LTE everytime you leave the vicinity of the Airave to get LTE service.
Sprint Tier II Tech informed be of the above, and I have verified it all by personally testing the above.
Now, here is the real question:
What are the EXACT DIFFERENCES between using the "Wi-Fi Calling Feature" with NO Airave - AND- using the Airave WITHOUT using W-Fi Calling.????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the differnece is the range of the signal / router range of 2.4 ghz/5.0 vs airave 5k to 6k sq ft. and of course haveing a phone made before the s5. any lte+ or sprint spark device will not stay connected to an airave device without network mode selection and crossed fingers. and due to that- wifi calling was born and pushed to the front lines
When you're at home, why not just leave WiFi on for data, and WiFi Calling on for phone calls? That's what I do. I used to use an Airave, but I stopped using my Airave when I got a Galaxy S5 because it has WiFi Calling. (BTW. If you leave WiFi Calling on, your phone will automatically switch to cellular calling when you leave the house.)
Has anyone found a way to tell the radio to allow 3g or better connections?
My carrier has crappy voice quality over 2G and during the N4 days I used to set 3G only.
Now with the Nexus 5 I don't want to loose LTE connectivity, so I'm looking for a way to tell the modem to use UMTS or LTE connections only.
georgemv said:
Has anyone found a way to tell the radio to allow 3g or better connections?
My carrier has crappy voice quality over 2G and during the N4 days I used to set 3G only.
Now with the Nexus 5 I don't want to loose LTE connectivity, so I'm looking for a way to tell the modem to use UMTS or LTE connections only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't believe there is any mod for this as of yet. You'd have to lock to wcdma (hspa+) or leave it as is with edge/wcdma/lte. The only other thing i could think of is some sort of apn configuration to achieve your desired result. You would have to speak with technical support of your carrier to see.
Hope this helps