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[Q] Data speeds?

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.

[Q] WCDMA vs GSM regarding signal reception on T-Mo?

Hi, I have an HTC Sensation. I live in Cleveland, OH, and went with a friend about 70 miles east towards Warren OH, mainly on Rt 422. He has Revol, which I assume is like Cricket, he had reception all the way. My service completely dropped about 15 miles east of Cleveland (South Russell - rural after that), with an X instead of any bars, till I got back about only 15 miles away again. I did get 1 bar off and on at Mosquito Lake where our cookout was, but only when right near the water, otherwise an X. I just looked up on T-Mo's website, and I should have had at least "good" to "moderate" service that whole trip. I just noticed under (Android) "Network Mode", my phone was set to "WCDMA Only". I thought this only affected data. Does this also affect voice range? I tried Googling, but couldn't really find an answer, except some sites saying WCDMA is better for rural areas, not what I really wanted to hear, given no rural reception on my phone. My other two choices are GSM Only, and GSM/WCDMA Auto, which I checked now. I don't know when I'll be out that way again, but that kind of worries me, as I just signed a new 2 year contract with T-Mo (for buying the Sensation), and I may be going out that way more, and have no service. Thanks.

WCDMA most certainly relates to voice as well as data. The only places I'd leave it on WCDMA only are metro areas and places where T-Mobile has indicated strong 4G/HSPA coverage, else always leave it on GSM/WCDMA auto or you'll be sorely lacking on reception.
T-Mobile uses WCDMA bands 1700/2100Mhz AWS for their 4G/HSPA, voice and data are combined regardless if you're on HSPA or GSM.
GSM bands are also much stronger and more effective at penetrating buildings and foliage. T-Mobile uses 850Mhz and 1900Mhz for GSM, also know as EDGE in data terms. This also means that if you happen upon an area where T-Mobile has a roaming agreement with At&t, you'll be able to get reception in those areas as well (e.g. T-Mobile has no coverage but At&t does, note this only applies in certain areas where AT&T has an agreement with T-Mobile)
EDGE/GSM is a 2G signal, so data speeds will be significantly slower in those areas. When you leave your device on GSM/WCDMA auto, it will select the optimal signal based in your location and reception quality and you'll see it change from 'H' or '4G' to 'E' often on your device.
This is normal, T-Mobile isn't going to invest HSPA in non-metropolitan areas.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA App

Thank you, TheMan42, I know now to keep it at the auto setting, as I only thought it affected data.

Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A

Is 3G faster then 4G?

My fastest tests I took with Infuse were on UMTS network, ranging between 6000 and 6500 kbps. I beleive it's a 3G, right?
Immediately following it from 1000 kbps to 6000 kbps were HSDPA tests (I assume those are "4g"?)
I took about 30+ test in different times, different networks. But top 9 speeds by download were on UMTS network following by HSDPA network.
What gives? If this is a current state of affairs, then I'd rather just lock to 3G and save battery.

artisticcheese said:
My fastest tests I took with Infuse were on UMTS network, ranging between 6000 and 6500 kbps. I beleive it's a 3G, right?
Immediately following it from 1000 kbps to 6000 kbps were HSDPA tests (I assume those are "4g"?)
I took about 30+ test in different times, different networks. But top 9 speeds by download were on UMTS network following by HSDPA network.
What gives? If this is a current state of affairs, then I'd rather just lock to 3G and save battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lo should have been forced to hpsa+ when you enter data no matter what. All the tests were on 3g just some happened to be faster. By the way our 4g is not 4g only lte is. Its a gimmick lol. And one thing suprising is regular 3g and this Plus stuff is the same stuff just having more bandwith for it to go faster.Uses no more battery.

Ryanscool said:
Lo should have been forced to hpsa+ when you enter data no matter what. All the tests were on 3g just some happened to be faster. By the way our 4g is not 4g only lte is. Its a gimmick lol. And one thing suprising is regular 3g and this Plus stuff is the same stuff just having more bandwith for it to go faster.Uses no more battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, this is consistent. There are way too many tests to consider this an accident. See results below. Umts is faster then HSDPA on 30+ tests I run so far. As you see in locations they are all different, also different parts of the day as well. Sample is too big to consider this an accendal observation.
"2011-08-13 07:00","Umts","33.00701","-96.89448",6412,1119,133,"Dallas, TX","10.183.179.99","32.150.131.141"
"2011-12-07 06:00","Umts","33.00760","-96.89575",6344,715,160,"Dallas, TX","10.41.103.105","166.205.9.197"
"2011-08-21 08:21","Umts","33.01306","-96.88703",6254,1035,140,"Dallas, TX","10.79.102.172","166.205.9.42"
"2011-08-12 13:49","Umts","33.00822","-96.89473",6239,1099,144,"Dallas, TX","10.150.100.141, 10.68.90.161","166.205.10.75"
"2011-08-12 13:52","Umts","33.00822","-96.89473",6164,1113,156,"Dallas, TX","10.93.66.121","166.205.10.75"
"2011-11-20 11:52","Hsdpa","32.99510","-96.88730",6077,730,68,"Fort Worth, TX","10.137.181.9","32.170.23.132"
"2011-11-19 11:18","Umts","33.00369","-96.88326",6028,1096,121,"Dallas, TX","10.131.241.205","32.168.238.98"
"2011-08-25 21:58","Umts","32.80980","-96.79930",5927,718,131,"Dallas, TX","10.131.153.86","166.205.8.68"
"2011-12-06 18:23","Hsdpa","33.00626","-96.88055",5906,1116,72,"Fort Worth, TX","10.58.242.16","32.145.53.131"
"2011-08-12 13:53","Umts","33.00822","-96.89473",5904,1074,154,"Dallas, TX","10.93.66.121","32.169.236.85"
"2011-08-12 15:03","Umts","33.00822","-96.89473",5886,1114,187,"Dallas, TX","10.93.3.118","166.189.112.8"
"2011-12-07 05:59","Hsdpa","33.00760","-96.89575",5864,724,137,"Dallas, TX","10.41.103.105","166.205.9.197"
"2011-12-06 18:16","Umts","33.00626","-96.88055",5643,732,124,"Dallas, TX","10.139.124.118","166.132.114.251"
"2011-08-12 13:44","Umts","33.00822","-96.89473",5530,1108,180,"Dallas, TX","10.68.90.161","166.205.10.75"
"2011-11-09 18:48","Umts","33.02570","-96.84037",5518,1065,172,"Dallas, TX","10.148.88.227","32.168.172.122"
"2011-10-02 08:52","Hsdpa","38.00000","-97.00000",5499,1131,71,"Oklahoma City, OK","10.77.146.107","32.170.196.78"
"2011-10-09 08:08","Umts","33.00628","-96.88251",5410,750,79,"Dallas, TX","10.137.89.60","166.132.199.183"
"2011-11-19 11:17","Hsdpa","33.01678","-96.88595",5408,903,68,"Fort Worth, TX","10.131.241.205","32.168.238.98"
"2011-09-03 15:58","Umts","33.06708","-96.89039",5398,740,86,"Dallas, TX","10.187.175.76","32.147.197.82"
"2011-12-06 18:19","Umts","33.00626","-96.88055",5388,1113,96,"Dallas, TX","10.58.242.16","32.145.53.131"
"2011-12-06 18:24","Umts","33.00626","-96.88055",5338,1108,70,"Dallas, TX","10.58.242.16","32.145.53.131"
"2011-08-23 18:25","Hsdpa","33.00810","-96.89472",5324,734,170,"Dallas, TX","10.17.250.78","166.205.9.55"
"2011-11-19 07:17","Hsdpa","33.00730","-96.89504",5242,732,127,"Dallas, TX","10.136.91.31","32.170.144.102"
"2011-09-05 09:04","Umts","38.00000","-97.00000",5232,1035,96,"Dallas, TX","10.102.94.83","32.150.105.130"
"2011-11-16 15:38","Umts","33.08185","-96.80335",5075,525,72,"Dallas, TX","10.149.253.134","166.188.180.124"
"2011-08-12 13:44","Umts","33.00822","-96.89473",5011,1088,161,"Dallas, TX","10.68.90.161","166.205.10.75"
"2011-08-20 16:02","Hsdpa","33.06562","-96.88689",4995,1102,169,"Dallas, TX","10.180.189.199","32.149.4.51"
"2011-08-13 06:59","Umts","33.00701","-96.89448",4985,739,148,"Dallas, TX","10.183.179.99","32.150.131.141"
"2011-11-16 16:03","Hsdpa","33.01648","-96.88608",4970,734,112,"Dallas, TX","10.55.212.71","32.151.10.169"
"2011-12-06 18:33","Umts","33.00626","-96.88055",4762,744,132,"Temple, TX","10.58.242.16","32.145.53.131"
"2011-12-06 18:15","Umts","33.00626","-96.88055",4679,739,137,"Fort Worth, TX","10.139.124.118","166.132.114.251"
"2011-09-06 08:59","Umts","37.38759","-121.97641",4533,685,136,"San Jose, CA","10.81.14.82","32.152.209.250"
"2011-10-21 14:52","Hsdpa","33.05276","-96.83213",4527,1047,88,"Temple, TX","10.138.35.120","166.132.31.49"
"2011-09-09 11:58","Hsdpa","37.39436","-121.97611",4508,987,112,"San Jose, CA","10.13.71.200","166.135.240.102"
"2011-08-31 17:18","Hsdpa","33.01180","-96.85744",4396,1089,155,"Dallas, TX","10.77.6.244","166.188.171.5"
"2011-11-20 08:04","Hsdpa","33.02268","-96.91396",4279,851,52,"Dallas, TX","10.137.181.9","32.170.23.132"
"2011-11-11 07:55","Hsdpa","38.00000","-97.00000",4229,294,72,"Fort Worth, TX","10.91.220.96","166.133.227.92"
"2011-11-11 08:02","Umts","33.08182","-96.80333",4225,745,65,"Fort Worth, TX","10.91.220.96","166.133.227.92"
"2011-09-08 01:17","Hsdpa","37.39514","-121.98374",4166,1099,142,"San Jose, CA","10.3.58.10","166.190.179.60"
"2011-08-19 15:18","Hsdpa","33.01901","-96.88339",4023,333,383,"Dallas, TX","10.184.183.207","32.149.250.36"
"2011-08-26 12:44","Hsdpa","33.02371","-96.88564",3974,1018,157,"Dallas, TX","10.79.97.170","32.145.218.19"
"2011-09-08 01:43","Hsdpa","37.39514","-121.98374",3945,1095,118,"San Jose, CA","10.3.58.10","166.190.179.60"
"2011-08-28 15:43","Hsdpa","33.01301","-96.88740",3791,644,196,"Dallas, TX","10.139.66.108","166.132.130.18"
"2011-11-16 15:46","Hsdpa","33.02505","-96.87194",3629,1055,157,"Dallas, TX","10.182.131.213","32.149.162.218"
"2011-10-04 07:08","Hsdpa","32.99733","-96.92118",3580,54,120,"Overland Park, KS","10.77.168.169","32.170.130.238"

artisticcheese said:
My fastest tests I took with Infuse were on UMTS network, ranging between 6000 and 6500 kbps. I beleive it's a 3G, right?
Immediately following it from 1000 kbps to 6000 kbps were HSDPA tests (I assume those are "4g"?)
I took about 30+ test in different times, different networks. But top 9 speeds by download were on UMTS network following by HSDPA network.
What gives? If this is a current state of affairs, then I'd rather just lock to 3G and save battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, some clarifications. I'm guessing you're just talking about how it was displayed in your app, but HSPA and HSPA+ are both UMTS based networks, so 3G and HSPA+ "4G" are both UMTS. The difference in this current implementation of 3G and "4G" is that 3G is HSPA which maxes out at 14 Mbps downstream, whereas "4G" HSPA+ maxes out at 84 Mbps downstream. It's the same technology, just basically a software update.
Now, most HSPA 3G phones don't support 14 Mbps downstream. I think most max out at 7.2 Mbps. Most HSPA+ 4G phones max out at 21 Mbps, or some even support 42 Mbps, however, being that AT&T's network is 16QAM, their network's max speed is 14 Mbps. So really, HSPA 3G is entirely capable of going as fast as HSPA+ 4G on AT&T's current network, assuming you have a phone with a fast enough chip in it.
As for the results you posted, I'm not really sure what to say. You said your UMTS tests gave you 6000-6500 Kbps, but then HSDPA tests gave you 1000-6000 Kbps. What's confusing is that whatever app you are using is posting random labels on the network which are all technically correct, but only confusing people. 6000 Kbps is very definitely HSDPA. In it's first release, HSDPA was sometimes called 3.5G, whereas UMTS without HSDPA would have been base 3G. The second release of HSDPA is where we go to HSPA+ and "4G", increasing speeds to 42 Mbps.
If all of this is very confusing, then I apologize, but I'm not really surprised. This is why they apply names like 3G and 4G to it when it's far more complex. If you really want to learn more about the network technology, check out the wiki page for HSPA: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-Speed_Packet_Access
And yes, as previously mentioned and as you may have gathered from what I posted, HSPA 3G and HSPA+ 4G are the exact same technology, just updated a little, so the battery effect is negligible. LTE 4G will bring an entirely new radio, on top of having an HSPA or HSPA+ radio in it as well, so that's where you get more battery drain. For now, HSPA+ 4G devices won't drain any more battery than HSPA 3G devices.

AJerman said:
Okay, some clarifications. I'm guessing you're just talking about how it was displayed in your app, but HSPA and HSPA+ are both UMTS based networks, so 3G and HSPA+ "4G" are both UMTS. The difference in this current implementation of 3G and "4G" is that 3G is HSPA which maxes out at 14 Mbps downstream, whereas "4G" HSPA+ maxes out at 84 Mbps downstream. It's the same technology, just basically a software update.
Now, most HSPA 3G phones don't support 14 Mbps downstream. I think most max out at 7.2 Mbps. Most HSPA+ 4G phones max out at 21 Mbps, or some even support 42 Mbps, however, being that AT&T's network is 16QAM, their network's max speed is 14 Mbps. So really, HSPA 3G is entirely capable of going as fast as HSPA+ 4G on AT&T's current network, assuming you have a phone with a fast enough chip in it.
As for the results you posted, I'm not really sure what to say. You said your UMTS tests gave you 6000-6500 Kbps, but then HSDPA tests gave you 1000-6000 Kbps. What's confusing is that whatever app you are using is posting random labels on the network which are all technically correct, but only confusing people. 6000 Kbps is very definitely HSDPA. In it's first release, HSDPA was sometimes called 3.5G, whereas UMTS without HSDPA would have been base 3G. The second release of HSDPA is where we go to HSPA+ and "4G", increasing speeds to 42 Mbps.
If all of this is very confusing, then I apologize, but I'm not really surprised. This is why they apply names like 3G and 4G to it when it's far more complex. If you really want to learn more about the network technology, check out the wiki page for HSPA: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-Speed_Packet_Access
And yes, as previously mentioned and as you may have gathered from what I posted, HSPA 3G and HSPA+ 4G are the exact same technology, just updated a little, so the battery effect is negligible. LTE 4G will bring an entirely new radio, on top of having an HSPA or HSPA+ radio in it as well, so that's where you get more battery drain. For now, HSPA+ 4G devices won't drain any more battery than HSPA 3G devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Boom! Better explanation than me lol. Sorry for my post not being long enough, i am at school. I was trying to get to what he said.

Captivate now works with T-Mobile 3G (in selected area?)

I guess some people might already know this, but I want to mention it anyway in case .... someone wants to save money by switching T-Mobile.
I am in Miami area. I bought a Captivate for my brother a while back and unlocked it. He visited today so I tried on my T-Mobile Sim card and it works with AT&T HSPA with no problem. The device is running SlimBean 2.9 with no baseband changes. No data roaming enabled.
I guess this is due to the 1900mhz band that T-Mobile leased from AT&T after the failed buy out. I don't know specifically what other area 1900mhz are available. I remembered earlier this year I had an international Galaxy S3 and it only got EDGE on T-Mobile, so this has been a recent development.

It appears to be in limited areas: http://www.androidcentral.com/t-mobile-improving-coverage-lighting-1900mhz-10-metro-areas

They are re-farming their 1900Mhz spectrum to make it HSPA+. Right now it's just a few metros, but it is expanding and will continue to roll out for a while. Any AT&T smartphone that otherwise lacks T-Mobile's previous flavor of radios can take advantage of it, but T-Mobile is mostly aiming this at iPhone users who want to jump from AT&T and Verizon (the Verizon iPhone 5 is GSM unlocked).
Sent from my Nexus 4

just tested my unlocked cappy on t-mobile in seattle...
and got the fastest network speeds i've seen on this phone: 6.02 Mbps down / 3.43 Mbps up. This is on t-mobile's 1900 band refarmed to the HSPA network. I understand that the cappy will max out around 8 Mbps down/up, but I've never seen anything close to this on ATT's network.
I'll be moving over to the $30 t-mobile plan with 5 gb data next week when my contract expires. Ahhhh freedom.

[Q] Slow internet with Nexus 5 - Anyone using N5 with Straighttalk in SF?

I just received the new Nexus 5 (dec 17). I am using it with StraightTalk (AT&T network).
Since I activated the phone, I am experiencing slow internet and connectivity issues.
The network indicator on my phone indicates 'LTE' so I know I am connected on the LTE network.
I used the Speedtest app to determine my internet speed. Here is the kind of speed I have (in download):
With 1 bar signal strength: < 1 Mbs
With 2 bar signal strength: 1 to 3 Mbs
With 3 bar signal strength: 3 to 5 Mbs
With 4 bar signal strength: 7 to 15 Mbs
In average, I have no more than 2 to 5 Mbs in San Francisco. Strangely my upload speed seems almost normal, and is always higher than my download speed (as high as 5 times higher), which is weird.
It seems rather slow to me for a LTE (4G) connection.
People are reporting speed as high as 25 Mbs with the Nexus 5 (even on StraightTalk), and 15 Mbs with only 2 bars of signal.
I know many things could explain a slow internet on a mobile phone: your local LTE network, the setting of your account by your network provider, your network setting in the phone (APN), a defective phone, etc.
In order to eliminate most of these possibilities, I would like to know if anyone is using the Nexus 5 with StraightTalk in the San Francisco area and is having higher average speed than what I have?
If it's the case, I would have to conclude that my phone is faulty.
Thanks!
For information, my APN setting is the following (recommended by StraightTalk Costumer Support):
NAME Straight Talk
APN tfdata
Port 80
MMSC mms-tf.net
MMS PROXY mms3.tracfone.com
MMS PORT 80
MCC 310
MNC 410

just because your lte can be as fast as 25mbps download speed, it depends on your locality, your distance from the nearest tower, how busy your local connection is.. among other things. if someone else is using the exact same service as you, but are in a different location of san fran, and are getting 35mbps download speed, and you are just getting 5mbps download in your location, thats still normal. im in nyc, sometimes i get 38mbps download speed, sometimes i only get 7-8mbps, depends on my exact location and how busy that local network is.

simms22 said:
just because your lte can be as fast as 25mbps download speed, it depends on your locality, your distance from the nearest tower, how busy your local connection is.. among other things. if someone else is using the exact same service as you, but are in a different location of san fran, and are getting 35mbps download speed, and you are just getting 5mbps download in your location, thats still normal. im in nyc, sometimes i get 38mbps download speed, sometimes i only get 7-8mbps, depends on my exact location and how busy that local network is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi simms22, thanks for your input, it's appreciated.
My understanding was also that bandwidth will depend on the local network (as well as all the other things you mentioned), for example att/straighttalk network in Miami is different than att/straighttalk in San Francisco. That's why I asked if there was anyone using the Nexus 5 with StraightTalk (or any provider using the AT&T network, such as Aio or GoPhone) in the San Francisco area? And what internet speed they were getting on average? I am curious to know if it would be similar to what I am getting: 2 to 5 mbs on average, and never higher than 15 mbs...

SF, ahh, San Francisco.
I thought you were talking about Santa Fe.