[Q] Nexus 5 LTE & HSPA - Nexus 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello everyone,
Just got my Nexus 5 with carrier AT&T and got my LTE activated using the IMEI that came with the N5 and everything works great. Just a quick question regarding the icons that are shown depending on which network you are on. When on LTE it will show LTE above the signal bar. When not on an LTE band it will switch over to H. My understanding is that the H stands for HSPA+. Would this be the equivalent of 4G? I was under the assumption that the H was basically 3G. I also thought then when using LTE it is considered LTE/4G, so wouldn't the LTE switch to a 4G symbol, or does the Nexus 5 not have this and that would be what the H is referencing.
Thank you.

H is hspa+ which is faster than 3g but not as fast as lte. I am usually on H+ or lte. I rarely get the 3g symbol on AT&T. I also found that H+ is almost as fast as Verizon LTE. I think it is due to do many devices on their network.

eevingsa the
jm700wx said:
H is hspa+ which is faster than 3g but not as fast as lte. I am usually on H+ or lte. I rarely get the 3g symbol on AT&T. I also found that H+ is almost as fast as Verizon LTE. I think it is due to do many devices on their network.
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Thanks, so basically you won't get the 4G symbol on the Nexus 5 using AT&T? Mainly what happens is i'm on LTE, then when I make a phone call it switches to H (HSPA+). I thought AT&T is able to do voice calls over a 4G network. I may be wrong.

celphtitle said:
Thanks, so basically you won't get the 4G symbol on the Nexus 5 using AT&T? Mainly what happens is i'm on LTE, then when I make a phone call it switches to H (HSPA+). I thought AT&T is able to do voice calls over a 4G network. I may be wrong.
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You may have to manually add in AT&T's LTE apn (which you can find with a quick google search) if your phone doesn't automatically pick it up. Also make sure your SIM card has been provisioned to work with the LTE bands (use with another 4G phone ex. S3, HTC One)

k3anan said:
You may have to manually add in AT&T's LTE apn (which you can find with a quick google search) if your phone doesn't automatically pick it up. Also make sure your SIM card has been provisioned to work with the LTE bands (use with another 4G phone ex. S3, HTC One)
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Well I get LTE, I just don't get 4G. I figured the phone doesn't show a 4G icon, but if it does, then I'll check my sim in another device.

Google just changed the "4G" icon to "LTE". On jelly bean, LTE would show "4G" if you had the hybrid N4 radio flashed. hspa+ has always shown "H" on the stock ROM. Some custom ROMs have you the "H+" symbol though.
As for voice calls on at&t, they go over their hspa+ network, at&t uses their LTE for data only at this time. BTW, at&t considers their hspa+ to be "4G".
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

gotzaDroid said:
Google just changed the "4G" icon to "LTE". On jelly bean, LTE would show "4G" if you had the hybrid N4 radio flashed. hspa+ has always shown "H" on the stock ROM. Some custom ROMs have you the "H+" symbol though.
As for voice calls on at&t, they go over their hspa+ network, at&t uses their LTE for data only at this time. BTW, at&t considers their hspa+ to be "4G".
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Awesome, exactly the answer I was looking for. So I am good to go then, I see the LTE icon, and H when making voice calls.
Thank you very much.

celphtitle said:
Well I get LTE, I just don't get 4G. I figured the phone doesn't show a 4G icon, but if it does, then I'll check my sim in another device.
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4G and LTE are the same thing. LTE is a denotation of the network standard just like 3G is EDGE. If you're getting LTE above the signal indicator you are on the 4G network.
EDIT: gotzaDroid explained it much better than I did.

k3anan said:
4G and LTE are the same thing. LTE is a denotation of the network standard just like 3G is EDGE. If you're getting LTE above the signal indicator you are on the 4G network.
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yea my concern was that when I would make a phone call, the LTE would switch to H. I didn't know that H was basically AT&T's "4G".

celphtitle said:
yea my concern was that when I would make a phone call, the LTE would switch to H. I didn't know that H was basically AT&T's "4G".
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Yeah, it is the same on T-Mobile. When they refer to 4G, they are referring to HSPA+ (or H). I like to call AT&T and T-Mobile's 4G, fauxG since it is really just an improvement upon 3G. I don't know who shot first, but I wish the marketing teams would have called it 3G+ or something instead of lying to everyone or at least referred to LTE as 5G. So now everyone has 4G and 4G LTE and really LTE deserves more as it isn't a hack job to get more speed. It will replace all the legacy networks and even eventually be used for voice transmission.

Yes it switches because they're currently you cannot surf the web while being on a phone call with LTE, so it auto switches to hspa+ so you can surf the web while talking
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda premium

dijit4l said:
Yeah, it is the same on T-Mobile. When they refer to 4G, they are referring to HSPA+ (or H). I like to call AT&T and T-Mobile's 4G, fauxG since it is really just an improvement upon 3G. I don't know who shot first, but I wish the marketing teams would have called it 3G+ or something instead of lying to everyone or at least referred to LTE as 5G. So now everyone has 4G and 4G LTE and really LTE deserves more as it isn't a hack job to get more speed. It will replace all the legacy networks and even eventually be used for voice transmission.
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It's no big deal. I considered HSPA+ more or less 3G+ anyway. All is well, you guys are great help. Got my phone unlocked the bootloader and set everything up, got my LTE (which I did not get with the nexus 4). Time to play around with the phone some more now.

I have had my Nexus 5 for a few days now and I have noticed quite a difference in reception between lte and hspa on T-Mobile. I will have lte marked and have one maybe two bars. Then I switched to hspa and then my bars went all the way up. Why is this?

dijit4l said:
Yeah, it is the same on T-Mobile. When they refer to 4G, they are referring to HSPA+ (or H). I like to call AT&T and T-Mobile's 4G, fauxG since it is really just an improvement upon 3G. I don't know who shot first, but I wish the marketing teams would have called it 3G+ or something instead of lying to everyone or at least referred to LTE as 5G. So now everyone has 4G and 4G LTE and really LTE deserves more as it isn't a hack job to get more speed. It will replace all the legacy networks and even eventually be used for voice transmission.
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You realize LTE is also not REALLY 4G...
4G is a communications standard, that currently no one meets. In fact, many people report that T-Mobile HSPA+ is faster than Verizon LTE in their areas. Of course, now AT&T and T-Mobile both offer LTE and HSPA+. Which puts them above Verizon in my eyes, because when LTE goes out, you have HSPA to fall back on.

gotzaDroid said:
Google just changed the "4G" icon to "LTE". On jelly bean, LTE would show "4G" if you had the hybrid N4 radio flashed. hspa+ has always shown "H" on the stock ROM. Some custom ROMs have you the "H+" symbol though.
As for voice calls on at&t, they go over their hspa+ network, at&t uses their LTE for data only at this time. BTW, at&t considers their hspa+ to be "4G".
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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I'm with Australian network provider Telstra, and my phone shows 4G all the time(regardless whether it is transmitting data or not) when I'm in 4G coverage, 3G when I'm not in coverage and not having data acativity and H when it is transmitting data. Do you think it is the different device model and/or the network provider contributed to the difference between mine and what you guys have in the State?

maolin95 said:
I'm with Australian network provider Telstra, and my phone shows 4G all the time(regardless whether it is transmitting data or not) when I'm in 4G coverage, 3G when I'm not in coverage and not having data acativity and H when it is transmitting data. Do you think it is the different device model and/or the network provider contributed to the difference between mine and what you guys have in the State?
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It wouldn't surprise me that the North American 820 model had the "LTE"symbol cooked in at the request of service providers here.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Simer03 said:
Yes it switches because they're currently you cannot surf the web while being on a phone call with LTE, so it auto switches to hspa+ so you can surf the web while talking
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda premium
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This confuses me. Can't the nexus 5 use both at the same time? You're getting text messages over HSPA(+) with LTE on.
I'm still puzzled why when I make a call why LTE goes away and HSPA+ shows up. This is on T-Mobile.

phoneman09 said:
I have had my Nexus 5 for a few days now and I have noticed quite a difference in reception between lte and hspa on T-Mobile. I will have lte marked and have one maybe two bars. Then I switched to hspa and then my bars went all the way up. Why is this?
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Well, I have some good news to report. I was having the same issue as you and really getting down about it. I went to my nearest T-Mobile store and told them of my situation. The rep called tech support and he did some sort of reset to my account, I am not sure what exactly. I also asked if I could get a new SIM. I was given that new ISIS SIM and as soon as my phone fired up, it started using LTE. After I left the store, from being in my pocket, it was on HSPA for a few moments and then it finally chose LTE and stuck with LTE the entire time I was within its coverage. I am really happy with my phone now, it now behaves like my hacked Nexus 4 on LTE did.

jm700wx said:
H is hspa+ which is faster than 3g but not as fast as lte. I am usually on H+ or lte. I rarely get the 3g symbol on AT&T. I also found that H+ is almost as fast as Verizon LTE. I think it is due to do many devices on their network.
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This isn't *entirely* true.
You'll see the LTE symbol when you're on LTE, that's easy.
You'll see the H when you're on HSPA or HSPA+, which means you'll see it when you're on the network that old phones used to just call 3G.
The other symbols are specifically for Edge. I know it doesn't seem like it, since one is a 3G symbol, but do a speedtest and you'll see it. Modern phones display things poorly for connections because of the differentiation of HSPA and HSPA+. It's obnoxious.
---------- Post added at 12:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:44 PM ----------
Zandeer said:
You realize LTE is also not REALLY 4G...
4G is a communications standard, that currently no one meets. In fact, many people report that T-Mobile HSPA+ is faster than Verizon LTE in their areas. Of course, now AT&T and T-Mobile both offer LTE and HSPA+. Which puts them above Verizon in my eyes, because when LTE goes out, you have HSPA to fall back on.
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Actually, that's not correct.
ITU-R said:
On December 6, 2010, ITU-R recognized that these two technologies, as well as other beyond-3G technologies that do not fulfill the IMT-Advanced requirements, could nevertheless be considered "4G", provided they represent forerunners to IMT-Advanced compliant versions and "a substantial level of improvement in performance and capabilities with respect to the initial third generation systems now deployed".
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LTE, and even HSPA+, are considered 4G.
As for the 'Why does it switch from LTE to HSPA+ when I make a call?' question, LTE does not support standard switch-based telephony, meaning you cannot make voice calls using the network. Some carriers (I think Verizon is ahead, but I don't remember) are going to be supporting VoIP soon (voice over IP), which allows calls to be made using the LTE network, but they're all data-based (think Skype). As such, current phones will switch to HSPA+ or CDMA to make the phone call and then switch back once it's done.

hotleadsingerguy said:
As for the 'Why does it switch from LTE to HSPA+ when I make a call?' question, LTE does not support standard switch-based telephony, meaning you cannot make voice calls using the network. Some carriers (I think Verizon is ahead, but I don't remember) are going to be supporting VoIP soon (voice over IP), which allows calls to be made using the LTE network, but they're all data-based (think Skype). As such, current phones will switch to HSPA+ or CDMA to make the phone call and then switch back once it's done.
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That's not really accurate. Verizon's newer phones (Galaxy S3 for example) will let you call while on LTE. That's why I'm having such a hard time understanding why the N5 won't let LTE stay on while making a call. Doesn't it have a radio for data (LTE) and and radio for voice? Seems like both should be working in parallel like on VZ.

Related

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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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.
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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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Click to collapse
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.
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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, 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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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] Is there a way to switch between 3G and 4G?

Hey is there a way to switch between using 3G and 4G? I know there is a use only 2G networks option but what about 3G/4G? Thanks
I don't think so...
To my understanding, T-Mobile uses the same network technology for both 3G and 4G (HSPA+) so turning off 4G would also turn off 3G. And if that isn't the case, it still wouldn't make sense to turn it off. It's only affect would be slower internet speeds. I could be wrong here though, lets see what the other posts say.
BioRivet said:
To my understanding, T-Mobile uses the same network technology for both 3G and 4G (HSPA+) so turning off 4G would also turn off 3G. And if that isn't the case, it still wouldn't make sense to turn it off. It's only affect would be slower internet speeds. I could be wrong here though, lets see what the other posts say.
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I think you're right BioRivit. Unlike the switch between 2G and 3G, which involved totally different frequencies and underlying technology, 4G is basically the same technology as 3G, except with a few modifications that allow a faster speed.
XD
andrewNY said:
I think you're right BioRivit.
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It's been a long time since I last heard that... Lol
Ok thanks guys. I guess my real question was supppsed to be how do you tell if you are on tmobile's 3G or "4G". I feel like I've never seen a 3G icon in the status bar, only 4G. Thoughts?
T-Mobile uses the 3g network to transmit 4g. Unlike Verizon or Sprint which have a structural difference between 3g and 4g, T-Mobile is using the 3g network with data compression. This is how they expanded from 3g to 4g instantly, no change in network structure. You won't see 3g again if you have a 4g phone like the G2x. You can only use Edge (2g) or 4g. Hope that helps.
Alright thanks guys

Switching between UMTS and HSPA bug

An almost identical topic already exists in HTC One S section (Radio UMTS/HSPA switching bug (3g/4g)), but I was thinking that maybe there is a different possible fix for Blaze 4G.
I am currently on the AT&T network using Straight Talk SIM. On the status bar it displays 3G with enough bars, but from time to time it stops receiving data in the middle of the transaction. When it happens, the mobile network type is shown as UMTS under "About phone" -> "Status". When it switches back to HSPA, the data resumes. It really messes up my browsing a lot
When I was still on T-Mobile, it did not seem to happen, as the connection was either "4G" or E (mobile network types HSPA+ or EDGE, respectively). I never noticed UMTS in the phone status while using T-Mobile.
One of the reasons I chose Blaze 4G is because it supports both AWS and 1900 bands, so it can work on AT&T and T-Mobile networks. As we know, T-Mobile coverage is not great, so the connection often switched from "4G" to edge. Being on AT&T, the connection firmly stays on 3G, but now I have this annoying bug.
Your input and suggestions would be highly appreciated! By the way, I am using a stock ROM with root.
I have had the same issue with my GS3 as well as my S2 and Sensation, all on T-Mobile. It is something I've noticed. Another thing I noticed, that is shady on T-Mobile's end, is that they show "4G" even if it is on UMTS.
RevenG said:
I have had the same issue with my GS3 as well as my S2 and Sensation, all on T-Mobile. It is something I've noticed. Another thing I noticed, that is shady on T-Mobile's end, is that they show "4G" even if it is on UMTS.
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Blaze only has 4g, E, and G, while on T-Mobile that's why it displays 4g while in umts, Umts is 3g and since there is no 3g icon it shows as 4g, hspa+ is "4g"
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RevenG said:
I have had the same issue with my GS3 as well as my S2 and Sensation, all on T-Mobile. It is something I've noticed. Another thing I noticed, that is shady on T-Mobile's end, is that they show "4G" even if it is on UMTS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that shady? UMTS Band IV (AWS) provides HSPA+ service. Looks like 1700MHz will be split 50/50 for GSM and H+ coverage, and teh 1900MHz will be split LTE/H+ by next year.
TMO said:
As part of its transition to deploy LTE on its 1700 MHz spectrum, T-Mobile will refarm its PCS spectrum to support both 2G GSM services and HSPA+ services. In a recent FCC filing, T-Mobile said by mid-2013, its expects half of its 1900 MHz spectrum to be devoted to GSM while the other half will run HSPA+ services, and that by then half of its AWS spectrum will support HSPA+ and the other half LTE.
Read more: T-Mobile to test HSPA+ in 1900 MHz for iPhone - FierceWireless http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/t-mobile-test-hspa-1900-mhz-iphone/2012-06-08#ixzz24wzhoLRc
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http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/t-mobile-test-hspa-1900-mhz-iphone/2012-06-08
This chart also indicates that the AWS and PCS spectrums are both used for H+ communications. However, it is a tid bit simplified...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-Mobile_USA#Radio_frequency_spectrum_chart
---------- Post added at 11:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:53 AM ----------
Have you tried flashing the other radio? I'm not sure which radio you're using, or if the other one will perform better. However, it does seem like your problem is being caused by the radio.
E107946 said:
An almost identical topic already exists in HTC One S section (Radio UMTS/HSPA switching bug (3g/4g)), but I was thinking that maybe there is a different possible fix for Blaze 4G.
I am currently on the AT&T network using Straight Talk SIM. On the status bar it displays 3G with enough bars, but from time to time it stops receiving data in the middle of the transaction. When it happens, the mobile network type is shown as UMTS under "About phone" -> "Status". When it switches back to HSPA, the data resumes. It really messes up my browsing a lot
When I was still on T-Mobile, it did not seem to happen, as the connection was either "4G" or E (mobile network types HSPA+ or EDGE, respectively). I never noticed UMTS in the phone status while using T-Mobile.
One of the reasons I chose Blaze 4G is because it supports both AWS and 1900 bands, so it can work on AT&T and T-Mobile networks. As we know, T-Mobile coverage is not great, so the connection often switched from "4G" to edge. Being on AT&T, the connection firmly stays on 3G, but now I have this annoying bug.
Your input and suggestions would be highly appreciated! By the way, I am using a stock ROM with root.
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snoopy1e11 said:
Blaze only has 4g, E, and G, while on T-Mobile that's why it displays 4g while in umts, Umts is 3g and since there is no 3g icon it shows as 4g, hspa+ is "4g"
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Actually it does have a 3G icon smart guy
I never seen a 3g icon and I live in a 3g area. Smartguy
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I have only seen 4g and e, but never 3g
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I have been in a couple areas where it kept switching between 4g and 3g so don't assume there is no icon just because it has never been on your phone.
Screenshots or it didnt happen
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If it happens again I will
For what it is worth, my unlocked Blaze 4G running on WIND Network in Canada (HSPA/HSPA+) only shows 3G icon and always says UMTS in Phone->Status, running UVLF4 radio.
myorks1127 said:
If it happens again I will
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theshowman said:
For what it is worth, my unlocked Blaze 4G running on WIND Network in Canada (HSPA/HSPA+) only shows 3G icon and always says UMTS in Phone->Status, running UVLF4 radio.
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Exactly so the phone is CAPABLE of showing 3G in the signal indication, mine is stock
theshowman said:
For what it is worth, my unlocked Blaze 4G running on WIND Network in Canada (HSPA/HSPA+) only shows 3G icon and always says UMTS in Phone->Status, running UVLF4 radio.
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I did say "on T-Mobile" I have no doubts it'll show 3g on unlocked or another sim but as I say I live in a 3g area my phone shows umts with 4g icon
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And here is the screenshot to prove, happened to me today at the gym. Stock everything as well.
Have you tried flashing the other radio? I'm not sure which radio you're using, or if the other one will perform better. However, it does seem like your problem is being caused by the radio.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using a stock radio because it supports both 1700 MHz and 1900 MHz bands (Tmo and AT&T) - that is why I bought this phone in the first place. I am not sure there are other radios around for my phone, and even if there are, I am not sure what benefit I would get from flashing a non-stock radio. Very few phones support bands for both GSM providers in the USA; usually, it is either Tmo or AT&T.
On a another note: I got a Tmo SIM card from Straight Talk, and now I do not have this UMTS switching bug. The coverage is a bit worse, but where I have HSPA+, it is still 2-3 times faster than what I got from AT&T HSPA network.
myorks1127 said:
And here is the screenshot to prove, happened to me today at the gym. Stock everything as well.
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It is not surprising, as T-mobile is rolling out HSPA+ on 1900 MHz band. It will be happening more in the future as more areas will be re-farmed. Since there are only few T-mobile phones that can support 1900 MHz, other users will not see it happen. On the other hand, those few with iPhones on T-mobile network can finally see 3G.
What puzzles me is why it shows 3G instead of "4G" on 1900 MHz band right now? Do they need to upgrade this band to HSPA+ during re-farming?
myorks1127 said:
Actually it does have a 3G icon smart guy
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Yep, it absolutely does on dark knight build 8.
Oh you guys are talking about ...stock..?
Yeah no 3g icon on stock as T-Mo views all 3g as 4g now. There's no 3g icon on ANY 4g T-Mo phone's stock rom (with a T-Mo sim card). It is how they claimed to have the 'largest 4g network' during that ad campaign. Funny how T-Mo no longer claims that (or is no longer allowed to claim that)....
Here where I live I only have 3g. I have verified this using speedtest where I have never had more than 1.7 down/ 400 up. In Minneapolis I know there's 4g service as I have had speeds as high as 11 down / 2 up and average 8 down 1.5 up. All 3 of those statements are confirmed using Dark Knight build 8 as I have a 3g icon here at home and a 4g icon when I am in Minneapolis. The whole drive to Minneapolis showed '4g' on my wife's Sensation 4G. No, I am completely positive there's no 3g icon in the stock rom for any newer T-Mo 4g phone. If there is a 3g icon on any 4g t-mo phone (using T-Mo service), by all means educate me.
There obviously is a 3G icon as in the screenshot i posted. This rarely happens in the specific area I am in a lot (Gym) but my phone is totally stock and always shows 4G everywhere else. Let the screenshot educate you...
myorks1127 said:
There obviously is a 3G icon as in the screenshot i posted. This rarely happens in the specific area I am in a lot (Gym) but my phone is totally stock and always shows 4G everywhere else. Let the screenshot educate you...
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Are you using a T-Mo sim with T-Mo service?
Yes T-Mobile everything, everything stock never rooted yet. BTW I went to st.cloud state for my first year of college, small world

[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)
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