[Q] Data speeds? - HTC Sensation

So I know all the issues with older 2g sims affecting speeds, I called tmobile, and they said that I was in fact registered with a 2g sim, so I had them activate the sim that came in the box, but I have no improvement in speed. I'm still getting nowhere above 2mbps, most of the time around 1. I know I have a 4g data plan, they added that when I got the phone for immediate activation, not next billing cycle. Even in areas where my old mytouch 3G slide got 4 mbps on the 3G HSPA network, I can't get much above 2 on the HSPA+ network. What gives? If the new 4g sim and data plan aren't working, what's the issue here? Anyone else having issues?

Are you sure that you're connected to HSPA+? And, even if you are connected with good reception to a HSPA+ tower, that doesn't mean that the tower has good bandwidth backhaul. If its a low traffic tower, T-Mobile might not want to pay for a large amount of bandwidth for it.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using xda premium

I suppose I can't be positive, but the icon says 4G. Although I've never seen a 3G icon, only G, 2G, and 4G, meaning they probably just replaced the 3G icon with the 4G icon since the phone can't technically display a different icon for HSPA and HSPA+, can it? I've never seen a 3G icon so I might just be connected to 3G. But even in populous areas, like downtown, at night, I top out at 4, MAYBE 5 mbps. I've heard people getting 4 or 5 on a bad day, 7-8 average and 10-12 if they're lucky. I'm wondering where that's at, maybe it's a flaw in the stock rom and an AOSP or other custom rom would be better. I seem to remember having bad speeds on sense on my Slide too.
During data transfer, I went to the about phone>network menu, and mobile network type reads HSDPA and then reverts to UMTS after a period of inactivity. It does not specify HSDPA+ though, it just says HSDPA. I understand that the 3g and 4g networks on tmobile are technically one and the same, HSDPA+ is just an advancement of the 3G technology, but I'm wondering if something just isn't clicking and the phone isn't taking advantage of HSDPA+. I checked the coverage map, and the entire region I live in, minus a few rural areas, are supposed to be covered by 4G data.

Related

does the g2x even have a 3g indicator icon?

ive noticed that i get a 4g and a 2g icon but wheres the 3g icon? has anyone seened it?
Travling through the middle of nowhere over the last 3 days I've seen, no signal, G, 2G, 3G, & 4G. It's there.
I also have not seen the 3G icon. I drive through the city and would think when I get out if 4G I would at least still be in a 3G area. Wonder if something may be wrong....
Sent from my T-Mobile G2X using XDA app.
Cyberdan3 said:
I also have not seen the 3G icon. I drive through the city and would think when I get out if 4G I would at least still be in a 3G area. Wonder if something may be wrong....
Sent from my T-Mobile G2X using XDA app.
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Same here but this is the first 4G device I have had and I know for a fact most of my city is covered by 4G. What is also weird is that in areas where I would have 1 or 2 bars with my Vibrant, it is telling me I have full bars worth of 4G with the G2X.
its there in the framwork i checked..
Im just wondering why it doesnt display 3G when its on UMTS... it sticks to 4G all the time...
very strange in the instruction manual it also shows 3g icon!
Rmoved
Sent from space
death1246 said:
its there in the framwork i checked..
Im just wondering why it doesnt display 3G when its on UMTS... it sticks to 4G all the time...
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A lot of this has to do with the fact that T-Mobile's 3G towers == their 4G towers so if you're in an area where all of their towers have been upgraded to HSPA+ you will NEVER show 3G because you're always on a 4G tower. The only time you will show a 3G signal is if you're in an older area where they have pre-HSPA+ upgradeable towers. This is how T-mobile can say they have the biggest 4G network because almost all of their old HSPA/3G equipment has been turned into 4G equipment via software upgrades.
I have had my g2x for about 5 days and all I ever see is 4G or E never 3g. I have been checking in the settings/about phone/status and even when the phone is showing 3-4 bars of 4G it is still on umts. In the exact same location and within a minute or so when checking it with my Vibrant I will have 3 bars of H or 3G and in status it shows as hspda or hspda+. What is that about? I have checked this out at least 6 to 7 times a day and it is always the same only umts on the G2X and Hspda or Hspda+ on the Vibrant. I called CS and they wanted to send out another G2X I reluctantly said yes. I do really like this phone and will try to be patient but the device I have now has multiple issues. I am going to take the stance that this is an isolated case and the new one will be golden!!!
brentil said:
A lot of this has to do with the fact that T-Mobile's 3G towers == their 4G towers so if you're in an area where all of their towers have been upgraded to HSPA+ you will NEVER show 3G because you're always on a 4G tower. The only time you will show a 3G signal is if you're in an older area where they have pre-HSPA+ upgradeable towers. This is how T-mobile can say they have the biggest 4G network because almost all of their old HSPA/3G equipment has been turned into 4G equipment via software upgrades.
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This is true. There's pretty much no need for a '3G' icon. Though, technically, it's debatable whether or not T-Mo's (or any other carriers) offerings right now are actually '4G' (according to the standards committees that define those things), but that's a different argument
tl;dr: T-Mo's 3G and 4G operate on pretty much the same technology, so if you're in an area where there was 3G, you'll probably have 4G. It doesn't need to switch back and forth or be toggled like the other solutions (looking at you Wi-Max)

G2x 3G????

I have noticed in the 3 days since I have had my g2x that I never get 3g, I either get 2g or 4g on my status bar, but never 3g. Anybody else having this issue?? Considering sending it back to TMO for a new one. And yes I have a new similar card, got it about 3 months ago when I had my G2.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
I've noticed the same thing though idk if that's really a bad thing....
They probably lumped 3g and 4g together.
That's what I was thinking but wasn't sure.....has anyone seen 3G on their status bar ever????
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
Come to think of it... I haven't.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA Premium App
I've read other threads here where people report seeing a 3G icon... I haven't seen it myself.
But it's possible that we're in areas where HSPA+ is turned on, which is "4G", and once you leave that range, you are in 2G (EDGE) territory. In other words, there's no area near us that is just HSPA (3G), it's either HSPA+ or EDGE.
Too many people not doing a search. No one has seen the 3g logo/symbol yet. Also a side note for those complaining about 4g speeds:
T-Mobile USA uses the 1700/2100 MHz AWS Band for its 3G network. The carrier states it allows faster download and upload data speeds utilizing HSPA+ technology, which allows for simultaneous voice and data. Upgrades to HSPA+ are planned for 2009 through 2010 which may boost average download speeds from 7.2Mbps to 21Mbps. (Reported from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-Mobile)
But my old G2 that I had just a few days ago hag Edge(2G), 3G, and H(HSPA/4G). Now with my new g2x it's either 2G, or 4G. No 3G.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
yes they are lump together. It's always 4g or 2g. It's a marketing thing, they want us to think that we always have 4g, when a lot of the time we're only getting 3g speeds.
moemoney12 said:
yes they are lump together. It's always 4g or 2g. It's a marketing thing, they want us to think that we always have 4g, when a lot of the time we're only getting 3g speeds.
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This, its not that we don't have 3g. Its that the display in the upper right hand corner says either 2g or 4g.
moemoney12 said:
yes they are lump together. It's always 4g or 2g. It's a marketing thing, they want us to think that we always have 4g, when a lot of the time we're only getting 3g speeds.
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I agree. My "4G" speeds range from 1.5 Mbps to 7.0 Mbps down depending on my physical location
Sent from my G2x
se1zure31 said:
Too many people not doing a search. No one has seen the 3g logo/symbol yet. Also a side note for those complaining about 4g speeds:
T-Mobile USA uses the 1700/2100 MHz AWS Band for its 3G network. The carrier states it allows faster download and upload data speeds utilizing HSPA+ technology, which allows for simultaneous voice and data. Upgrades to HSPA+ are planned for 2009 through 2010 which may boost average download speeds from 7.2Mbps to 21Mbps. (Reported from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-Mobile)
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Click to collapse
Actually there is a thread here where someone stated they did see 3G (I'm skeptical) on a long distance driving trip they did.
There is also a comment from someone that the "missing" 3G icon is a bug TMO is aware of and will fix in the first software update. Take it for what it's worth (although I would believe this one).
You will not see a 3G icon appear on any TMO 4G device.
Here is the reason:T-Mobile is using the same frequencies for 3G as they do for "4G". Meaning they are using the same cell tower/antenna. The upgrade in speed comes from a base station software upgrade and a strengthened backhaul. HSPA+ devices branded as 4G literally cannot tell the difference between 3G and 4G.
DelinQuentisDQ said:
You will not see a 3G icon appear on any TMO 4G device.
Here is the reason:T-Mobile is using the same frequencies for 3G as they do for "4G". Meaning they are using the same cell tower/antenna. The upgrade in speed comes from a base station software upgrade and a strengthened backhaul. HSPA+ devices branded as 4G literally cannot tell the difference between 3G and 4G.
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You forgot a technology: UMTS (on which HSPA is based). It can tell the difference between UMTS and HSPA (but not HSPA and HSPA+). That's why other phones have had separate "3G" and "H" icons. Both were originally 3G technologies (in the same way that GPRS and EDGE are both 2G), but HSPA has been expanded to now qualify as a 4G technology (I'm not going to argue semantics here, HSPA+ is 4G and provides faster speeds than WiMAX).
Has anyone pulled apart the framework-res.apk to see if there's a 3G png in there?
I haven't seen 3g sign either, only 2g or 4g, mostly 2g though, and I'm in vegas... I'm returning the phone for that reason, and I have very bad light bleeding from the top corners too. When calling t mobile, they don't even try to troubleshoot, I guess they r aware of that problem already. Now I'm waiting for another one in the mail
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
se1zure31 said:
Too many people not doing a search. No one has seen the 3g logo/symbol yet. Also a side note for those complaining about 4g speeds:
T-Mobile USA uses the 1700/2100 MHz AWS Band for its 3G network. The carrier states it allows faster download and upload data speeds utilizing HSPA+ technology, which allows for simultaneous voice and data. Upgrades to HSPA+ are planned for 2009 through 2010 which may boost average download speeds from 7.2Mbps to 21Mbps. (Reported from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-Mobile)
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Just to add: The G2x is limited to 14.4Mbps theoretical maximum download speed So you won't enjoy anywhere near 21Mbps, or 42Mbps which is now rolling out slowly and is already in 3 cities (Las Vegas, NYC, Orlando). The most I've gotten on my G2x is 7.9Mbps down.
moemoney12 said:
yes they are lump together. It's always 4g or 2g. It's a marketing thing, they want us to think that we always have 4g, when a lot of the time we're only getting 3g speeds.
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This.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
bobthq said:
I haven't seen 3g sign either, only 2g or 4g, mostly 2g though, and I'm in vegas... I'm returning the phone for that reason, and I have very bad light bleeding from the top corners too. When calling t mobile, they don't even try to troubleshoot, I guess they r aware of that problem already. Now I'm waiting for another one in the mail
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
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I can understand returning the phone because of the bleeding but to say your going to return the device because you haven't seen a 3G icon is laughable.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
I haven't seen a 3G icon either but I don't think ir bothers me one bit. In fact, I am trying to grasp why it would bother anyone.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
4G Says UMTS ?????
jrwingate6 said:
I haven't seen a 3G icon either but I don't think ir bothers me one bit. In fact, I am trying to grasp why it would bother anyone.
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My beef is not the lack of a 3G icon, although I have yet to see one on my phone.
My beef is the lack of reception at my work, a problem the Galaxy S 4G and MyTouch 4G dont seem to have.
And why does the phone say UMTS when its on 4G ?
That right there tends to make me think the phone has an issue
(along with poor/no reception at work).

[Q] 2G is useless

Anyone else notice when you switch to 2G the S4G the data is almost nonexistent? I don't wanna run 4G all day cuz that would be battery homicide. On my N1 I can run 2G all day and still have blazing data speed.
also what i noticed is that if i move from a 4G area, the phone goes to 2G. like wtf am i gonna do with 2g. completely skips 3g which i dont understand y...its frustrating
Well of course 2G is useless.
From a quick google search:
2G networks were built mainly for voice services and slow data transmission.
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Hardly a fault of the Sensation, or any phone for that matter.
On my N1 I can run 2G all day and still have blazing data speed.
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Then your N1 is displaying the wrong connection symbol. Even GPRS (2.5G) is only 56 kbit/s to 115 kbit/s.
for the tmous Sensation they swapped out the E for edge & put in 2G. They left the G for GPRS.
I'm guessing the reason you won't see 3G is because Tmobile has upgraded most of their 3G network to HSPA+ so it'll show the 4G
They use "2G" to mean Edge?
Edge is 2.75G, strictly speaking, but I suppose the symbol only has room for a couple of numbers/letters. Very misleading, though.
I guess the OP will have seen relatively fast speeds with a "2G" symbol then, but I still wouldn't associate the phrase "blazing data speed" with "Edge"!
Well to update. Lately the 2G speed on the S4G has increased, quite a bit. I'm thinking it needed time to kick itself into gear since its still brand new.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App

[Q] 2G, 3G, 4G? [T-Mobile]

Does TMobile not have a 3G speed?
Im always on EDGE unless I go Downtown. Then its HSPA+
Its never HSPA.
Verizon has 3G AND LTE coverage? wtf
BUMP.
I really want to know the reason for the issue
T-Mobile's '4G' network is just an enhanced version of their 3G network. So when you see 4G in some areas, you might actually be running on 3G speeds.
aNYthing24 said:
T-Mobile's '4G' network is just an enhanced version of their 3G network. So when you see 4G in some areas, you might actually be running on 3G speeds.
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Click to collapse
I know that much,
but I never get HSPA (3G) unless Im directly under HSPA+(4G)
Basically I am always on EDGE unless I'm downtown.
Other TMO phones and VErizon have 3G coverage nearly everywhere..they never drop to EDGE or 2G
Correct me if I'm wrong, but t mobile does not have true 4g. When you get the 4g icon on your phone, that's just their enhanced 3g. So you are getting 3g. From what I've read i think they just upgraded their 3g towers with hshpa+ which only hsdpa+ enabled phones like the sensation 4g can take advantage of. What you're really missing is true 4g
burnie022 said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but t mobile does not have true 4g. When you get the 4g icon on your phone, that's just their enhanced 3g. So you are getting 3g. From what I've read i think they just upgraded their 3g towers with hshpa+ which only hsdpa+ enabled phones like the sensation 4g can take advantage of. What you're really missing is true 4g
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I feel as no one is fully understanding what I'm trying to say.
I know 4G is really an overmarketed 3G+
Now, Tmobile phones and other services receive 3G where I only receive "2G" .
But I do receive HSPA+ when I go downtown.
Why dont I receive normal 3G speeds like other devices?
Its either EDGE or HSPA+
Never an inbetween
Check T-Mobile's website, where you live probably doesn't have or hasn't been upgraded to the 3G/4G service yet. Layman's term; the towers around your house don't support 3G/4G. Call T-Mobile and have them check.
This is common in a lot of suburbs that have a low population. Like you mentioned when you go downtown, you'll have 3G but not at home.
xdviper said:
Check T-Mobile's website, where you live probably doesn't have or hasn't been upgraded to the 3G/4G service yet. Layman's term; the towers around your house don't support 3G/4G. Call T-Mobile and have them check.
This is common in a lot of suburbs that have a low population. Like you mentioned when you go downtown, you'll have 3G but not at home.
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Click to collapse
Hopefully your right. Hate it to be a problem with my SIM or phone.
I dont live but 5minutes from downtown.
Very residential but still out of the way, so like i said hopefully your right
I can directly relate to your problem. First off, I didn't know that T-Mobile's 4G is just 3G+, but that's good to know. I've had the HTC Sensation 4G for over 3 months, and I've travelled all over LA and the only services I've seen are 4G, 2G, & G. I've yet to see 3G.
I'll see my Sensation jump between "H" and "3G" all the time - essentially the same thing, as noted.
(in case this was part of your question) "Standard 3G" (such as what AT&T offers) isn't available on TMOUS because they missed out on buying part of the "standard 3G" spectrum.
Before my Sensation I had a Legend (still do actually) - it's a "standard GSM/3G" phone. Without the TMOUS-specific radio, best data I could get was EDGE. (though if I went to UK and used a local SIM, I'd get 3G just fine due to compatibility with their 3G nets)

[Q] Why no 4g?

Well the name of the phone is the samsung infuse 4g. My phone is rooted running CM10. And for some reason, since I got it, it has always run on 3g (or some other network). Is it an additional service to pay for to get 4g? I have AT&T
It is not true 4g even though it is in the name.... AT&T calls it something like 3g+ with enhanced backhaul.
By editing a few image files, I can make your phone show that it's running on a 6g+ network.
The rom that you are using is probably showing closer to the real connection that you'really getting.
sent from outer space.
Exactly as both have said...infuse doesn't have real 4G...it has H+ which like pony said said is more like 3G+
And with a simple edit to the framework-res you can make it display whatever you want...doesn't mean you will actually
Have it but it will be displayed...back in the gb days I ditched out the h+ icon for a 4glte icon so the phone displayed 4g LTE even though it was on H+
Cyanogenmod only displays up to H. They also have a more accurate service "detector"
Sent from my HTC Holiday using Tapatalk 2
like they said. the infuse has faux-g not 4g. atleast not lte 4g. bassically att has had umts with hspa for a while which is technically 3g+ or 3.5 g in othe rcountries. att just decided to advertise it all as 3g so that they can say they have the fastest 3g network with a huge 3g coverage map even if the area didn't have the hspa aspect of it working instead of a huge 3g map and a small 3.5 g map. then they came out with hspa+ with "enhanced backhaul" which now things get confusing do they call it 3g++? or 3.75g? nope some government agency decide that since we have different technologies running on different networks 4g is not a definition of service type but as long as the theoretical speed is above 10mbps or something they can advertise 4g. so att does, they just put a little disclaimer in the fine print "4g speeds made availible through hspa+ with enhanced backhaul"
well the infuse takes this a step further in the factory firmware and doesn't report 3g, hspa and hspa+ as seperate connection statuses. it just assumes h+ anytime you have a umts connection.
so basically you've been lied to by your phone and deceived by marketing practices. all the cell companies deceive. they select the information that makes the look best and only show you that.
Its LTE not 4g. That's why it usually says H+ instead of 4g
Either way 850KB/s is enough for me. (Sorry for the weird picture my screen is 160dpi)
P.s. my GPS didn't lock in time. I'm in Sacramento and the server is 3000 miles away in Florida. (350 ping)
Sent from my SGH-I997 using xda app-developers app

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