Can I get better signal through signal adjusting? - Google Pixel Questions & Answers

Hey everyone,
Small annoyance however I, as many of you may also experience, have crap signal at work. I've found an app called 4G Switcher however I don't know if I should use this or if there is a better/more efficient way to go about this.
Do any of you guys have this problem and can recommend an app, or otherwise? I'm on 7.1.1 with root and TWRP.
(Also I am on AT&T - I think Verizon has way better service on my area, is there a way to "tap into" and use that signal? Pardon if that sounds dumb haha)

Not that I know of. I use an app called LTE switcher which toggles my data on/off and that helps sometimes. You can also try updating your profile and prl to see if that helps. But no, you cannot tap into Verizon from AT&T, they use different technology (GSM vs CDMA).

You can't update your PRL manually like in the 3G days, it's done automatically over LTE, also that's just for the roaming list. Verizon and AT&T both use LTE and the phone supports both AT&T and LTE networks, the reason you can't "tap into" it is because your carrier (AT&T) doesn't want to pay to allow you to roam on another network unless they specifically allow it because they don't have native coverage in that area.
As far as apps go, no app is going to improve your signal strength. The best it can do is refresh your connection, which is basically like toggling airplane mode.

Related

Browse while on phone

So is this Verizon's first phone where data service stays active while on the phone? Or is this a feature that comes with hotspot?
Thunderbolt - BAMF Remix 1.5
First VZW phone that does it.
The chip they used for the CDMA radio is the first ever to allow voice and data at the same time over CDMA. Also, if you're in a 4G area, it works by keeping voice on CDMA, and of course using LTE for data.
Really? I would browse to google documents all the time while having someone on speakerphone so I could take notes...
I thought Iphone was the only smart phone that couldn't that.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
if you had wifi, it would use cdma for voice and wifi for data... i used to hate those att commercials saying we couldnt because i almost always could lol
I have used it for a week, and I can tell you this: You CAN do that talk and browse the web thing at the same time on 4G AND 3G. I did it many times, and no problems. No need to jump on wifi or anything.
Shocked the hell out of one of my co-workers today doing this, since he was a die-hard AT&T fanboy and always tried to throw that up in my face, lol.
He went on to accuse me of secretly using WiFi or that it was a fake Verizon case or something.
Yeah when i read that on their website under the features I was completely sure that it would be Simultaneous voice + data ONLY in a LTE area (Like the HTC EVO and WiMax), but i was incorrect.
You can use Voice + Data while under 3G or 4G, but only if you are in an eHRPD area. (Settings > About > Network > Mobile Network Type) If it shows CDMA EVDO rev a or 1xRTT or whatever, you may not Call and use Data.
EDIT: Also, from what is available on the Net about eHRPD, this is the 'transition' between CDMA/EVDO and LTE.... It would be my guess that this means that anywhere eHRPD is available.... they should expect LTE in 2011. Just my two cents...
necosino said:
He went on to accuse me of secretly using WiFi or that it was a fake Verizon case or something.
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Click to collapse
Your co-worker is an idiot.
I use it all the time together its amazing I am always in 4g territory so I literally don't touch WiFi on phone. Gotta love unlimited 4g for same price
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App
Topher227 said:
Yeah when i read that on their website under the features I was completely sure that it would be Simultaneous voice + data ONLY in a LTE area (Like the HTC EVO and WiMax), but i was incorrect.
You can use Voice + Data while under 3G or 4G, but only if you are in an eHRPD area. (Settings > About > Network > Mobile Network Type) If it shows CDMA EVDO rev a or 1xRTT or whatever, you may not Call and use Data.
EDIT: Also, from what is available on the Net about eHRPD, this is the 'transition' between CDMA/EVDO and LTE.... It would be my guess that this means that anywhere eHRPD is available.... they should expect LTE in 2011. Just my two cents...
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Click to collapse
Hmmm.. I have been wondering why Verizon isnt using this feature to silence ATT fanboys, but I guess not everywhere with 3G supports it, so they dont want to really advertise the feature if it doesnt work everywhere.
They are most likely trying to perfect their system, as there are probably bugs (not that have seen) they would like to squash out - before going out to squash at&t.
Although i do laugh when i see that at&t commercial now....
Topher227 said:
Yeah when i read that on their website under the features I was completely sure that it would be Simultaneous voice + data ONLY in a LTE area (Like the HTC EVO and WiMax), but i was incorrect.
You can use Voice + Data while under 3G or 4G, but only if you are in an eHRPD area. (Settings > About > Network > Mobile Network Type) If it shows CDMA EVDO rev a or 1xRTT or whatever, you may not Call and use Data.
EDIT: Also, from what is available on the Net about eHRPD, this is the 'transition' between CDMA/EVDO and LTE.... It would be my guess that this means that anywhere eHRPD is available.... they should expect LTE in 2011. Just my two cents...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, eHRPD has more to do with LTE smooth handoffs than simul voice and data.
4g-wirelessevolution.tmcnet.com/topics/4g-wirelessevolution/articles/37366-evolution-options-from-cdma-lte-benefits-ehrpd.htm
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
I'm in 3G only area and voice/data works at same time for me.
Sent from my Thunderbolt using Tapatalk
crazed_z06 said:
Hmmm.. I have been wondering why Verizon isnt using this feature to silence ATT fanboys, but I guess not everywhere with 3G supports it, so they dont want to really advertise the feature if it doesnt work everywhere.
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Click to collapse
Probably cuz the iPhone doesn't use it yet?. I have only seen iphones on those att commercials doing the talk and browse thing.
I talked to a Verizon rep and asked them why all their phones didn't do this, they said something along the lines of because they wanted to keep calls on a seperate networks that way it can help stablize and keep from getting dropped calls.. Not sure how accurate that is.. I would think if they are on seperate networks then they could both be utilized..
Tbolt has two radios in it. One for voice/sms and slow data, the other for 3g/4g. That is why you can browse and talk at the same time (as long as you're in 3G or LTE area).

AT&T did it again, no way to turn off 4G LTE?

Looks like ATampT is becoming notorious for not including any 3G or 4G toggles. Not only can customers not turn off 3G in spotty 3G areas but now they can't turn off 4G LTE????!!!! Does AT&T not realize that someone who is in a spotty 4G LTE area will have their phone die twice as quick? I don't understand for the life in me why they don't give the customer the option to choose which network they want to be on?
I know I have the option to turn off cellular data but then I have no data whatsoever. If my phone sits in the drawer at work most of the day why can't it be forced to EDGE??? I know for a fact AT&T has an EDGE network to fall back on out here.
They allow iPhone 3GS and 4 owners to toggle 3G but not the 4S which is HSPA+. Now they don't allow you to turn off 4G LTE unless you root. WOW!!!
Honestly, they could care less about the battery life, but they do want you to use more data so they make more money. The faster the connection, the easier it would be to exceed your limit without realizing until its too late, or you may upgrade your data package because its faster. Either way is a win win for AT&T which means more money.
americasteam said:
Honestly, they could care less about the battery life, but they do want you to use more data so they make more money. The faster the connection, the easier it would be to exceed your limit without realizing until its too late, or you may upgrade your data package because its faster. Either way is a win win for AT&T which means more money.
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Wow I never thought of that. I have unlimited but I guess the faster the connection the faster I can be throttled. Boy do I wish there was a good cell phone company in America that actually gave a sh*t about their customers.
Hopefully I will be able to add the toggles in on my rom.
another idea, make another APN without the info for LTE.
designgears said:
Hopefully I will be able to add the toggles in on my rom.
another idea, make another APN without the info for LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
was just coming in here to ask if installing a custom rom would allow AT&T users to toggle edge/3g/hspa/lte . that would be REALLY nice!
Genetic517 said:
was just coming in here to ask if installing a custom rom would allow AT&T users to toggle edge/3g/hspa/lte . that would be REALLY nice!
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Click to collapse
Yes, there are many roms for the Samsung SkyRocket that allow such toggles. Its a setting with the modem radio.
MattMJB0188 said:
Yes, there are many roms for the Samsung SkyRocket that allow such toggles. Its a setting with the modem radio.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
would there be any way of using these toggles without using another rom?
Genetic517 said:
would there be any way of using these toggles without using another rom?
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Click to collapse
No, hence my frustration. Yea I like rooting but I'm pretty new to it and we shouldn't have to do it to gain this functionality.
Genetic517 said:
would there be any way of using these toggles without using another rom?
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Click to collapse
yes, but may need a modded kernel, root for sure. there are apps that shut off lte and 3g but require root. like DD said, try changing the apn.
It's also because they want to alleviate their load on the towers. All the people on 4g LTE are not on 3g, they don't care if it kills your battery because the signal is spotty.
does this mean even after sim unlock. i wouldnt be able to use this phone overseas and have 3g working?
Can you not change it under *#*#4636#*#* under phone info and scroll to preferred network type.
someone posted the answer to this question in another thread.
The LTE is integrated. So it just looks for the best available network. If you dont have lte, then it will connect you to 3g or hspa+.
MattMJB0188 said:
Looks like ATampT is becoming notorious for not including any 3G or 4G toggles. Not only can customers not turn off 3G in spotty 3G areas but now they can't turn off 4G LTE????!!!! Does AT&T not realize that someone who is in a spotty 4G LTE area will have their phone die twice as quick? I don't understand for the life in me why they don't give the customer the option to choose which network they want to be on?
I know I have the option to turn off cellular data but then I have no data whatsoever. If my phone sits in the drawer at work most of the day why can't it be forced to EDGE??? I know for a fact AT&T has an EDGE network to fall back on out here.
They allow iPhone 3GS and 4 owners to toggle 3G but not the 4S which is HSPA+. Now they don't allow you to turn off 4G LTE unless you root. WOW!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't get it; if you don;t want LTE why not just buy the international One X and have 32gig as well?
alwayslearning said:
I don't get it; if you don;t want LTE why not just buy the international One X and have 32gig as well?
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I don't want to pay $600+ for a phone. I'm going to be on AT&T for at least 2 years so I might as well get a subsidized phone.
zivan56 said:
Can you not change it under *#*#4636#*#* under phone info and scroll to preferred network type.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. Selecting any option that is not LTE it just bounces back to the "GSM/WCDMA/LTE Auto" option. Heck, even selecting "LTE only" bounces back to the default.
expertzero1 said:
someone posted the answer to this question in another thread.
The LTE is integrated. So it just looks for the best available network. If you dont have lte, then it will connect you to 3g or hspa+.
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Click to collapse
This was speculation on the part of that poster. See my response in that thread.
I remember this was also an issue on the Vivid. Toggle widgets don't work, the *#*#4636#*#* code doesn't work.
Try changing the APN to turn off LTE:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=19170113
Not a convenient toggle. But once you have the second APN setup, it wouldn't be too much of a pain to switch back and forth APNs (if it does work).
Also for the majority of the US, it doesn't even matter because AT&T LTE coverage is pretty minimal in its current form.
It even shocks me because ...
I'm quite surprised that AT&T does not allow you to turn off LTE.
My Rogers unit specifically allows this, so it's very strange to me.
Peter
I mentioned earlier it killing your battery, but considering the LTE is built in, there's no reason to really worry.
therulebookman said:
This was speculation on the part of that poster. See my response in that thread.
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Click to collapse
speculation sounds about right
you posted that you got 13 hours with your phone. Sounds about right. 1.5 hours of talk time with mild usuage. Not sure if you had data on or off during those times. So.....
DING DING DING we have a winner

AT&T: Worst thing about not being able to turn LTE off

I was at the AT&T store playing with the One X yesterday. I had read the complaints about not being able to turn LTE off, mainly centered around battery concerns. Well, I think there is a much bigger concern.
AT&T's LTE network is obviously spotty in most places. It's supposedly pretty robust here in the DC area. Well, the phone I was playing with was constantly switching between LTE and HSPA. And guess what? Every time it switched, it lost its data connection for a good 30+ seconds. So since it was switching back and forth constantly, it would lose data connection for several minutes at a time before it would finally stabilize on either LTE or HSPA for a few minutes. Then it would start switching back and forth again, thereby losing data yet again.
It took me about 10 minutes just to download the SpeedTest app from the market. And then, I could not even get a single speedtest to complete running because it never stabilized on a connection for long enough to complete the test. Web pages wouldn't load. Youtube wouldn't load. Basically rendered the phone useless.
So yeah, battery concerns are there, but they are minor compared to this. If you are in an area with weak LTE, but you do not have the ability to turn LTE off, you might essentially find yourself with no data connection whatsoever as your phone bounces back and forth between LTE and HSPA. I imagine that would be a deal breaker for most people.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my house and my office both get either strong enough LTE signals to avoid this, or, alternatively, that they get no LTE signal at all so that it just stays on HSPA.
Battery concerns aside, this is why AT&T needs to give us the option to turn LTE off.
No LTE in my area for a while, which is strange because I live near two big cities and neither of them have LTE yet, for that matter no city in TN has LTE yet
I believe you can technically turn the lte off by selecting "hspa only" in mobile network settings.
P_
pakalrtb said:
I believe you can technically turn the lte off by selecting "hspa only" in mobile network settings.
P_
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Click to collapse
From what I've read, you can do this on the Rogers version, but not on the AT&T one.
In the future I can almost guarantee that there will be an option to turn it off and on as you wish. Most likely will require root but, if you aren't going to root it what are you doing here anyways haha
Well for what its worth, A quick flash of a rogers ROM and we are good to go ;-). Not that we should have to, but we shouldn't be kept from doing as we wish with out device. I am sure I will be flashing within the first hour of a released ROM.
Nope they disable it on all their phones. They don't want the customer selecting their network. They can charge more for data on LTE as its faster and you'll use more quickly.
They also don't want us to be able to force EDGE. Totally ridiculous.
I'm referring to the settings under mobile networks
GSM Only
GSM/HSPA ONLY
GSM/HSPA auto
GSM/HSPA/LTE
HSPA only
MattMJB0188 said:
Nope they disable it on all their phones. They don't want the customer selecting their network. They can charge more for data on LTE as its faster and you'll use more quickly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not for those of us on unlimited data! Their plan backfires.
MattMJB0188 said:
They also don't want us to be able to force EDGE. Totally ridiculous.
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Click to collapse
I might be misremembering an old article, but from what I've read, they're actually starting to repurpose/shut down EDGE towers in cities with a lot of 3G/4G coverage. A good reason to keep us from selecting EDGE only.
I just want them to turn on LTE in Philly.
If the next iPhone (which will have LTE I believe) didn't have a feature where you can disable LTE, then people would go crazy. It's really a shame that the Rogers model allows you to do so but the AT&T model does not. It's not a big deal to me, but certainly I think the consumer should always have that option.
I am one of the lucky ones to still have unlimited on AT&T but there can't be that many of us left where it would affect things.
Pick up an AT&T iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4 and you have an option to turn off 3G. And yes people would go nuts if the next iPhone didn't have an option to turn off LTE.
I hope they don't do away with EDGE. First thing I'd say is, why at home do I get 3 bars of 3G and then if I can switch to EDGE I get a full signal? Call quality isn't broken up like it is on 3G. I'd also like the option to switch my device to EDGE while I'm at work all day to save battery life. EDGE serves a very good purpose for me still.
I think more people need to start calling AT&T technical support and complaining about this. I guess its possible the next update could have this feature.
What good is LTE when its draining my phone sitting in a desk drawer all day?
I remember reading that by "getting rid of EDGE" ATT is actually upgrading those towers to 3G. So, yeah, you lose EDGE, but it gets replaced by better 3G coverage.
Although I entirely agree that not being able to toggle LTE is rediculous.
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12261_...-phones-will-be-thinner-more-efficient-scoop/
I'll just leave this here...
Just because Verizon rushed out LTE phones before the tech was ready which resulted in terrible battery life, doesn't mean AT&T did the same thing.
brandontrout said:
I remember reading that by "getting rid of EDGE" ATT is actually upgrading those towers to 3G. So, yeah, you lose EDGE, but it gets replaced by better 3G coverage.
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Click to collapse
Is that even possible? I thought EDGE is still used for voice, and the reason that we can browse and use voice at the same time (like AT&T always advertises). I'm no expert by any means. But I don't think they can get rid of the EDGE towers, until they do something like move completely to 3G for voice, and LTE for all data (which obviously would not happen for a long time).
---------- Post added at 05:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:38 PM ----------
If spotty LTE coverage indeed proves to be a problem on the One X, you can try manually enter a new APN to force the phone to HSPA+. I read it worked on the Vivid.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=25340058&postcount=16
cant we turn off mobile network all together?
Sent from my MB860 using XDA
zonk7ate9 said:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12261_...-phones-will-be-thinner-more-efficient-scoop/
I'll just leave this here...
Just because Verizon rushed out LTE phones before the tech was ready which resulted in terrible battery life, doesn't mean AT&T did the same thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you even read the original post? It really had nothing to do with battery life, which is a minor concern compared to what I described.
tian105 said:
cant we turn off mobile network all together?
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Click to collapse
Only a solution if you have WiFi access. This would have no impact on the situation the OP is talking about: spotty LTE coverage causing data connection to be dropped.
Also defeats the purpose of having an LTE phone.
redpoint73 said:
Is that even possible? I thought EDGE is still used for voice, and the reason that we can browse and use voice at the same time (like AT&T always advertises). I'm no expert by any means. But I don't think they can get rid of the EDGE towers, until they do something like move completely to 3G for voice, and LTE for all data (which obviously would not happen for a long time).
---------- Post added at 05:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:38 PM ----------
If spotty LTE coverage indeed proves to be a problem on the One X, you can try manually enter a new APN to force the phone to HSPA+. I read it worked on the Vivid.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=25340058&postcount=16
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both GSM and UMTS support circuit switched voice calls. Only LTE does not, as there is not yet a standard defined for voice over LTE...so as long as there is a 2G or 3G network for circuit switched fallback, it will work.
Data is independent of voice in all GSM derived networks, unlike CDMA.
Your data connection does not reflect call quality.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2
You know, the current iPhone doesn't give you an option to force EDGE
Sent from my Lumia 900 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
mosesman86 said:
You know, the current iPhone doesn't give you an option to force EDGE
Sent from my Lumia 900 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, but why do the 3GS and 4 allow it?

[Q] Switch Network Mode based on Location

I am using my Nexus 5 on AT&T, currently with Slimrom 4.2.2 v2.8 RC3 rom installed. Back in September they activated a LTE tower just in range of my house. I get 1 bar, or 0 bars of service from this LTE tower. I have a HSPA/HSPA+ 3G tower much much closer to me, only about a mile away at most with just about a clear line of sight as well. I get constant 4 or 5 bars of service from this tower. If I keep my Network Mode set to LTE, my Nexus 5 keeps defaulting over to the LTE tower instead of the much closer HSPA+ tower. Because of this, I constantly get dropped calls, bad call quality, and many times miss calls completely and they go directly to voicemail. I have to remember when I am home to set my network mode to "3G" only. Under 3G it will connect to the closer tower and I can perfect reception on the phone. Then again I have to remember when I leave to go back to "LTE" mode as at work and a few other places I get perfect 4/5 bars of LTE service, and seem to get better call quality on LTE than HSPA+ in those locations.
Now what I'm looking for is some way to automate the process of switch network modes based on some location aware setting. The easiest way would be when connected to my home WiFi network, switch to 3G network mode, and when not connected to it, switch back to the LTE network mode, or something similar to this. Anyone know of any way to do this?
WoodburyMan said:
I am using my Nexus 5 on AT&T, currently with Slimrom 4.2.2 v2.8 RC3 rom installed. Back in September they activated a LTE tower just in range of my house. I get 1 bar, or 0 bars of service from this LTE tower. I have a HSPA/HSPA+ 3G tower much much closer to me, only about a mile away at most with just about a clear line of sight as well. I get constant 4 or 5 bars of service from this tower. If I keep my Network Mode set to LTE, my Nexus 5 keeps defaulting over to the LTE tower instead of the much closer HSPA+ tower. Because of this, I constantly get dropped calls, bad call quality, and many times miss calls completely and they go directly to voicemail. I have to remember when I am home to set my network mode to "3G" only. Under 3G it will connect to the closer tower and I can perfect reception on the phone. Then again I have to remember when I leave to go back to "LTE" mode as at work and a few other places I get perfect 4/5 bars of LTE service, and seem to get better call quality on LTE than HSPA+ in those locations.
Now what I'm looking for is some way to automate the process of switch network modes based on some location aware setting. The easiest way would be when connected to my home WiFi network, switch to 3G network mode, and when not connected to it, switch back to the LTE network mode, or something similar to this. Anyone know of any way to do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds like the 'Smart Radio' featured on Cataclysm Rom
Gravity box has the smart radio feature as well.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Trigger and Tasker, among others, can do this.
Btw, it would be nice to have a 'Location Aware Network Switch' function that let you customize based on geographical location. Sounds good like for an App, or new feature for android.
If interested to keep Slim Rom and add functions like Smart radio, here they discuss how to http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2646407
PhilipTD said:
Trigger and Tasker, among others, can do this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tasker did the trick! Thanks! Along with XPosed and Gravity box I got it working. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2564947
WoodburyMan said:
Tasker did the trick! Thanks! Along with XPosed and Gravity box I got it working. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2564947
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome.

Sprint and MSL

I've had root and unfortunately lost root. Simple tweaks like changing data type to 3G (too many users in one area) is one of those things I've missed. I went to sprint (chat) today and said pretty much this.
"I've updated my PRL and my Profile. I've restarted my phone. I know if I can switch the the 3G network I'd get better data speeds (because of my location and network congestion). Unfortunately, this phone limits my ability to do so. If I can get my MSL code I can disable LTE bands and my phone will switch to the 3G network. This will drastically improve my network experience."
I was given my MSL no questions asked. This is not some BS workaround to get it, but it worked. If you're experiencing issues with network reception or other programming issues try this approach. Never hurts to try. BTW I'm not off contract, so that wasn't a factor.

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