[Q] WCDMA Only - Nexus S Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

My 3G signal is always very strong apart from maybe 1 or 2 areas my transport to other areas goes through (drops to maybe 1 bar, or to EDGE).
Would, in theory, setting my preferred network to "WCDMA Only" save any (even if a little) battery compared to the default of "GSM/CDMA Auto", since it wouldn't bother searching for a 2G signal despite my 3G always being very good? Or does GSM Auto only search for a better 2G signal when 3G is low?

Related

Does the signal bar represent data or just voice/text?

I've always been curious about this. When I have 2 bars does that mean I have a bad data signal or a bad voice/text signal? Or is it both?
Thanks for any info
Sent from my ADR6400L using das bamf 1.6.3 remix with imoseyon's lean 2.5 kernel
It seems like it only shows bars for 1x. If I disable 1x on my phone, I have no bars, and the signal strength says -120dBm. I still have 3G since data works though.
If you use sensorly you can probably see the signal strength for 3G. Mine says -81 dBm with 1x off.
A little O/T but I have found that the signal bar strength bars to be kinda misleading. In BAMF 1.6.3 I was getting 6 bars almost all the time. In CM7 I get 1 or 2, but I'm still at about -84dBm.
Actually both if you notice when you attempt a Data connection (this is on a sense rom) the bars will show your EV-DO connection and then when the data transmission stops its goes back to 1X. Now on CM7 it always shows EV-DO until you get a call in then shows 1X

[Q] "Mobile Network Type" Question with AT&T

I got my Infuse a few weeks ago and while I'm happy with the speeds over the Captivate (which never seemed higher than 2mbps) I don't think I am getting HSPDA speeds.
With 2-5 bars I am averaging around 1.5-3.5mbps in and around Boston which is all covered by AT&T's "4G" service (Im only talking HSPA+ here not LTE). My highest was 6.7mbps and 7.4 mbps once a week or so ago.
In looking at my "Mobile Network Type". I think that I am very infrequently if ever seeing it say HSPDA. It generally says UMTS.
Am I correct in saying the UMTS is the 3G service that basically the IPHONE gets?
Is anyone else out there seeing faster speed and their "Mobile Network Type" say HSPDA regularly?
UMTS is ATT's basic 3G service...and is generally a very slow network but has a big coverage base....
HSPA is the newer 3G service which gets even better speeds but it still limited in some areas.....An iPhone as you mentioned will connect to UMTS or HSPA depending on cell tower location......HSPA+ which is what the INFUSE connects to is nothing more then HSPA with better backhaul for higher speeds but has the same coverage and range of regular HSPA.
HOWEVER, the way it works is that it connects to the STRONGEST signal at the time, if UMTS is outputting a stronger signal from a cell tower you will latch onto that one more often then HSPA....
At work and traveling to and from, i am usually on HSPA, but at home that signal is weak (location of cell tower with HSPA amplified) so i am usually on UMTS...
actually hspa runs on top of umts and only switches when you start downloading. if you idle, it should say umts.
The Jack of Clubs said:
actually hspa runs on top of umts and only switches when you start downloading. if you idle, it should say umts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not always true, it depends on the cell site architecture the device is pinging - my device and many previous device idle on HSPA frequently and in other spots, UMTS.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA App
A useful post to tweak your 4G settings: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1127980&highlight=HSPA+cat+control&page=2

Custom rom that can lock phone to 3G and not HSPA

anyone can do that???
3G is HSPA. Some carriers are just more specific about the connection, hence one might see an E instead of 2G or an H instead of 3G and H+ instead of 4G. Here in the US the only carrier that's specific about the connection used is sprint which displays an Ev (for EvDO) to indicate 3G (even tho their speeds are more like 1G).
I wonder HSDPA is an enhanced 3G which the speed is faster than 3G. Lumia diagnostics has built in setting to turn on or off the HSDPA that I wonder it can set the phone in default 3G or user defined HSDPA. Hence Lumia user can still select in radio setting lower to 2G connection in order to save more standby time.
angler said:
I wonder HSDPA is an enhanced 3G which the speed is faster than 3G. Lumia diagnostics has built in setting to turn on or off the HSDPA that I wonder it can set the phone in default 3G or user defined HSDPA. Hence Lumia user can still select in radio setting lower to 2G connection in order to save more standby time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is exaclty what i ask for, at least save some battery life...
remember how the iphone 3G has great battery life?
because it does not use HSPDA, only 3G, and this is during web usage too..

Question about network signal in relation to battery life

I notice thay if i turn off LTE, I get a stronger cell signal on H+. Would I get better battery life by turning LTE off when im using home wifi? I dont lose the signal on LTE or HSPA, but the signal is a bar or two higher normally on HSPA
I believe LTE gives better battery life pretty close to/on part with WiFi levels. Future LTE modems coming out are going to be more battery friendly than WiFi.
LTE>3G as long as there is strong signal if not stick to 3G I guess.
The number of bars is arbitrarily set by the rom for a given dBm and can't really be compared between 3G and LTE. LTE will still function well at lower signal strength than 3G.

poor LTE signal

I own an h830 and has poor LTE signal compared to other phones. Is this a common issue with this phone?
Also when it finds a LTE signal it usually is about -100 so it switches back to 3g within seconds

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