S6 unable to see test mobile network - Galaxy S6 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I'm building a test mobile network on some laptops and with a software defined radio based on Open AirInterface (is googleable, but I can't post the link cos I'm a newb) code, and I have this up and running. Additionally, I've bought some programmable SIMs to work with it on a bunch of phones. The information on these I've added into my HSS implementation. The Country Code/Network code deployed on the SIMs is 901/70 - so it doesn't interfere with commercial networks.
I'm testing with a bunch of phones in an isolation chamber, and my end goal is to shift the network into something I have a license for and "go public", but this network will have a low channel bandwidth (3MHz or 1.4MHz in Band 3 LTE). Not many phones have supported this, so I started with a 5MHz channel, which most do support - and I've successfully connected an S4 and a Nexus to my little network. However, when I tried the S6 with a SIM that worked in another phone, it cannot even see the network. I've seen hints of Samsung doing operator whitelisting, but would like to know if this is the case and, if possible, how to add my operator codes into the whitelist.
So far, I've tried the following:
a) "*#0011#" puts you into ServiceMode where you used to be able to enable/disable frequency bands and other such settings with the "Q0000" menu entry - but it looks like Samsung have squished this, also I know the phone has Band 3 operational as I can put a commercial SIM in it that runs on that band. I've not found any way of actually modifying any settings within this mode.
b) I found the file "/system/etc/apns-conf.xml" which contains a list of operator APN addresses - I updated mine to contain my settings, but no joy, and if I "reset to default" my APN settings, my settings are not picked up and I have to manually add my APN (but at least that stays selected)
c) I found some databases in "/data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/", in particular "nwk_info.db" and added my network details to it. The phone then changed from basically saying I was only able to make emergency calls to "Selected mobile network (901/70) unavailable", which kind of at least hints I've moved it in the right direction
The S6 is running a rooted factory reset, and allows SIMS from two different commercial operators on it so it should be completely unlocked. It's never been out of the country, so should have "defeated" the region locks that Sammy put on the phones nowadays (although it begs the question whether rooting the phone resets this and perhaps it's still awaiting 5 mins of calls via a local SIM?).
Does anyone know of a whitelist of MNC/MCC numbers I can add my settings to? Or any other possible solution to this?
The long winded solution is to change the MNC/MCC info on each of my SIMs, but that's a PITA and I'm not even sure it'll work yet (I will attempt to try one soon, but changing the configs on my mobile network is also non-trivial!)

Related

[Q] MVNOs and roaming on the DS - fix possible?

Sorry to bring this up again, but the other threads on the topic are either very old, for different phones, or both.
I'm using an MVNO, specifically Bob (232-11), who use the infrastructure of A1 (232-01), so technically I'm roaming 24/7. Sadly the Desire can't seem to tell the difference and refuses to use data services unless I allow data roaming. Of course that can get very expensive very quickly if you live near the border ...
Once upon a time that was considered an Android bug (or an idiosyncrasy at least), only HTC seem to be the only ones who haven't come up with a solution by now:
HTC Legend (stock 2.2) - needs data roaming on
HTC Desire S (stock 2.3) - needs data roaming on
LG P500 (Optimus One, stock 2.2) - works fine with data roaming off
Samsung i5700 (Galaxy Spica, CM6) - works fine with data roaming off
Samsung Galaxy S - most custom ROMs and even newer stock ones work fine with data roaming off
So, obviously there's a way to fix this in software, maybe a whitelist or something? Or an option to go by MCC only, which is crude but would work for me? (I know that there's supposed to be apps that warn you when you're really roaming but I can't say I really trust those.)
I found a nice solution over at the SGS forums: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=12693880&postcount=5
Of course it needs root, which we don't have yet on the DS, but still, it's a first, or rather second step.
I also have a MVNO. I suggest you enable data roaming and manually select your network operator, instead of leaving it to automatically connect to any other operator available in low coverage areas. This should prevent costly roaming charges from happening accidentally (since you would have to manually switch operators when abroad).
The only other problem is that Sense seems to think that your current location is not "home" so world clocks and stuff like that show one more location than needed. Of course some programs, like Spotify, always complain that you're roaming; that's a small price to pay for a much reduced phone bill .
igalan said:
I also have a MVNO. I suggest you enable data roaming and manually select your network operator.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That doesn't work in practice (at least, it didn't on any Android phone I ever had) because there isn't actually an option to lock the phone to a particular network. You can chose a network, sure, but the phone will still switch when it thinks that it has to.
Oh well, there are two options, one to automatically choose the network and another to manually select it. Supposedly once a network has been selected manually it won't jump to another one. But if you say it doesn't work, I take your word, I can't test it.

[Q] Questions about hidden settings in Android 2.3

I have quite a few questions some hidden settings I found while using ANYcut app.
My phone is the Epic 4G and on Gingerbread leak EH17 if that matters.
1) MSL code. I did some google searches and found that is an algorithm to determine the ESP and other things. What is the algorithm? If a phone had a bad ESP could you change the MSL to make Sprint think there is a clean ESP?
2) Cell broadcast SMS. What is this? And what is it for? some of the settings are Emergency broadcast, administrative, maintenance, local weather, area traffic reports
general news:
local
regional
national
international
And those same options for other types of news also
3) Data Create. I think this one is self explanatory. But is this for the maximum number of each I can store on the phone before it deletes them. So if i set the maximum number of texts in my inbox to 500, that is the maximum I can store?
4) Dial up networking. I thought this was going to be the 3G but I was wrong. What is it? I turn it on and click on the connection settings but nothing happens why?
5) Dock settings. Its obvious. But I herd that you can connect your phone to the a computer via USB and have it act as a dock and play songs or videos through the speakers on your computer. Is this true?
6) DUN. It has a picture of a computer with 2 green arrows. And 2 progress like bars, labeled, RX and TX. Any ideas? I was thinking it might have to do with USB activity.
7) EVDO settings??? I am on the Sprint network. Why would they not opt this options out of there SDKs? Isnt EVDO T-Mobile network? But I am on a leaked build so maybe they haven't removed it yet?
8) Preconfig? I really not sure what this is. It says sales code and then an input field. And at the bottom a button that says install and one for cancel. What would this be for?
9) License settings. most of the options are obvious but there is one for expiry reminder. whats that? reminds you when your DRM content is going to expire?
10) MMS Provision Settings. some settings are transaction logs, optional field attendance, UA string, UAP url, and test modes. Anyone know what this is for?
11) Now one that is just called advanced. Some options are home orig. vocoder. homepage vocoder, roam orig. vocoder. whats this for?
12) USB Logging(DM) One section is Function, with the options of, enable and disable. And other section called Type. the options are CP only, AP only, CP+AP. No idea about this one
13) WiMAX CT. there is a button at the top that says open device. then options of max num of used FA, FA Index, BW, FA index. Are these settings for WiMAX networking?
14) WiMAX Mode Change. The options are, SDIO, WTM, DM, USB, Auth modes. What are these different modes and what do they do?
15) WiMAX LineTest. Optioins are, write eeprom, power on, power off, write mac with and input field, and read mac. any ideas??
16) Work mode. it says Work Mode :2 and then a button that says set work mode. and i can set it to 1, 2 or 3. what are these different modes for?
Bump - Anybody want to jump in and help the op?
Wow, with all the brilliant minds on here no takers? Or is the question too big for anyone to take a stab at?
First off, as someone who somehow burnt out my 4G chip, I would suggest that anyone reading this be very careful, search here and google before fiddling with settings. lol
Since I am doing research to see if I can get my Wimax to work better I will answer a couple of questions a day, however anyone feel free to jump in.
1) MSL code. I did some google searches and found that is an algorithm to determine the ESP and other things. What is the algorithm? If a phone had a bad ESP could you change the MSL to make Sprint think there is a clean ESP?
The MSL code or (Master Subsidy Lock) is how a phone carrier keeps the phone from going to another network, however some phones including the E4GT can be found through using Android Debug Bridge (adb) a command line tool that lets you communicate with an emulator instance or connected Android-powered device - or even easier just go to the market and download, for free, Get My MSL which will display your Master Subsidy Lock code.
2) Cell broadcast SMS. What is this? And what is it for? some of the settings are Emergency broadcast, administrative, maintenance, local weather, area traffic reports general news:localregionalnationalinternationalAnd those same options for other types of news also
According to Wikipedia:
Quote:
Cell Broadcast is not as affected by traffic load; therefore, it may be usable during a disaster when load spikes tend to crash networks, as the 7 July 2005 London bombings showed. Another example was during the Tsunami catastrophe in Asia. Dialog GSM, an operator in Sri Lanka was able to provide ongoing emergency information to its subscribers, to warn of incoming waves, to give news updates, to direct people to supply and distribution centres, and even to arrange donation collections using Celltick's Cell Broadcast Center, based on Cell Broadcast Technology.
All for today. Peace

[Completed] Help! Tmobile Samsung S7 locked only on 1800 mhz band. Already rooted

Hi everyone.
Last time i was in xda forums was when i try to mod my windows mobile CE 5.0 lol
This is my sad story:
I bought in the US a samsung s7 with T-Mobile SM-G930T, i paid a guy who 'unlocked' it in there. After that i brought it to Colombia, in here i run the T-mobile unlock app which succeded and erased itself after that. Then the cellphone started working with all the mobile companies in my country except for one that operates over 1800 mhz, other companies do work fine. When i insert a simcard of this company it just says that 'Not registered in network' and wont do nothing. I already tried to put the APN settings correctly (Actually it automatically loaded every company settings detected).
After that i tried to root with a modded Odin with a custom ROM and it succeeded and i got the SuperSU application, tho the cellphone its a little laggy now, but neither that way it worked. Anyone knows how where should i start looking?
I went to this company support and they sent me to Samsung support, which redirected me back to this company, lol
Thanks in advance guys
XDA Visitor said:
Hi everyone.
Last time i was in xda forums was when i try to mod my windows mobile CE 5.0 lol
This is my sad story:
I bought in the US a samsung s7 with T-Mobile SM-G930T, i paid a guy who 'unlocked' it in there. After that i brought it to Colombia, in here i run the T-mobile unlock app which succeded and erased itself after that. Then the cellphone started working with all the mobile companies in my country except for one that operates over 1800 mhz, other companies do work fine. When i insert a simcard of this company it just says that 'Not registered in network' and wont do nothing. I already tried to put the APN settings correctly (Actually it automatically loaded every company settings detected).
After that i tried to root with a modded Odin with a custom ROM and it succeeded and i got the SuperSU application, tho the cellphone its a little laggy now, but neither that way it worked. Anyone knows how where should i start looking?
I went to this company support and they sent me to Samsung support, which redirected me back to this company, lol
Thanks in advance guys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
It seems your phone is region locked due to which you are locked onto a particular mhz network frequency...
yes the first step would be to try to a custom rom to see if this over rides this situation or you could try below situation below... this is ideally for s6.... or atlast google search...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-galaxy-s6/general/enabling-using-servicemode-t3109579
Ok, since now we have root, many users wanted to know if they can lock onto certain LTE frequency bands using Samsung's ServiceMode. So here is a quick guide.
ServiceMode is Samsung's proprietary Engineering Mode, built within the TouchWiz framework, readily available on International variants, and some domestic like T-Mobile. It allows us to observe the RF connection, change certain RF related settings, and lock our phones onto specific technologies and frequencies. Sadly, Verizon has been blocking user access to Engineering Mode for years now.
So in order to enable access to ServiceMode on Verizon GS6/Edge you'll need to:
- Download Root Explorer
- Navigate to /efs/carrier/HiddenMenu
- Use TextEdit to open it (not text viewer)
- Change the value to ON (upper case), Save and Exit
- Restart the phone
Once restarted you can dial:
*#0011# to observe the connection
If you want to lock your device onto a specific LTE band (13, 4, 2):
*#27663368378#
- UE Settings & Info
- Settings
- Protocol
- NAS
- Network Control
- Band Selection
- LTE Band Selection
Here you can force your phone onto a specific Verizon LTE Band (13, 4, 2), or use LTE ALL if you have VoLTE (Advanced Calling) enabled as this will eliminate the need for CDMA radios.
To go back to default, go through the same process but at Band Selection make sure to chose AUTOMATIC.
There are a lot more settings here, you can enable AMR WB on UMTS if you use T-Mobile so you can get HD Voice on their UMTS layer, etc... Carrier Aggregation has already been enabled, so no need to tweak that.
If you aren't sure what certain settings and values correspond to, it's better to avoid tinkering. You're responsible for your own actions.
According to this thread, he posted via visitor.
Then he registered and posted his query here so he seems to have posted in correct section.
Just documenting this here.
Thread closed!
Regards
Vatsal,
Forum Moderator.

volte missing in Samsung s8

I do not have very good reception where I am, so I started looking for things to help. Got a booster which wasn't much help. I then thought voice over wifi, so I checked if the s8 had it and yes it does, or so I thought. Voice over WiFi did not appear anywhere in my settings, my Telus provider was baffled as I was. We have been on the phone for hours. I with guidance backed up and factory reset my s8. This brought in an app under settings>Apps>more>show system apps and then scroll till I came to WiFi Calling. This appeared with the reset. Apparently something like that should appear in the phone app settings and have a switch, Mine does not. Then I discovered there were codes and service mode. Under code *#9090# I found a setting that reads "VoLTE Weakcell Setting.
My question is please if anyone knows how to implement WiFi Calling on s8 I would be grateful. God bless.
kenmartel said:
I do not have very good reception where I am, so I started looking for things to help. Got a booster which wasn't much help. I then thought voice over wifi, so I checked if the s8 had it and yes it does, or so I thought. Voice over WiFi did not appear anywhere in my settings, my Telus provider was baffled as I was. We have been on the phone for hours. I with guidance backed up and factory reset my s8. This brought in an app under settings>Apps>more>show system apps and then scroll till I came to WiFi Calling. This appeared with the reset. Apparently something like that should appear in the phone app settings and have a switch, Mine does not. Then I discovered there were codes and service mode. Under code *#9090# I found a setting that reads "VoLTE Weakcell Setting.
My question is please if anyone knows how to implement WiFi Calling on s8 I would be grateful. God bless.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Typically, VoLTE functionality is controlled by your carrier in their system.
This is how it normally works:
1) your device must support/offer VoLTE service
2) your carrier must support VoLTE
3) your carrier must support VoLTE on your specific model number
4) your carrier enables VoLTE service to your device in their system somehow or they send you a specific SIM to enable VoLTE.
In other words, VoLTE support and functionality is more controlled on their end than it is on your end.
Yes I understand, when their tech support says s8 should do wifi calling, and the settings dont appear where they should, and then after a reset an app called "wifi calling" appears in the app list, but nothing anywhere else. Except, as I was able to find, there is a service mode and there is a selection there that is called "Weak Cell Settings". Sadly I dont have service programming manual. Thank you.
kenmartel said:
Yes I understand, when their tech support says s8 should do wifi calling, and the settings dont appear where they should, and then after a reset an app called "wifi calling" appears in the app list, but nothing anywhere else. Except, as I was able to find, there is a service mode and there is a selection there that is called "Weak Cell Settings". Sadly I dont have service programming manual. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It could be that the network supports S8 but doesn't support your specific model number of S8, especially if the S8 that you are using is not the same model number as the specific model of S8 that they offered/sold on their network, if it's from another network and has been unlocked to be used on other networks, it may not be a specific model number that is specifically supported by their network. If this is the case, the specific model number(s) of S8 that they support would have a firmware that has the settings in the correct place but the firmware on your specific model number might not have it. Not all model numbers are equal, the firmware on each of them is designed and built by the specific network that it is branded to, with each if them having differences intentionally chosen by the network that is branded to, including what settings it has or doesn't.
Hi Everyone
Thank you for your help. Problem is solved. It is a service setting that sets the retail company selling you the phone and /or the plan. In my case I had a phone which my provider did not program when I began a new plan with them. all companies are listed and I guess the program for wireless calling is included with your selection of the company....phone responded immediately with all the proper programming. Thanks again for your time and effort
kenmartel said:
Hi Everyone
Thank you for your help. Problem is solved. It is a service setting that sets the retail company selling you the phone and /or the plan. In my case I had a phone which my provider did not program when I began a new plan with them. all companies are listed and I guess the program for wireless calling is included with your selection of the company....phone responded immediately with all the proper programming. Thanks again for your time and effort
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never known a device to have that setting. If your device is an international model, it would make sense to have that setting for the various regions/carriers.

Do US phone carriers have the ability to grey out Android call features from being selectable ?

What are they doing that makes them have this ability? They seem to be able turn off things like VoLTE, video calling, and WifI calling but also make it non selectable. For example if VoLTE is not selectable even with the hidden controls from *#*#4636#*#* when a phone is compatible with the network and even previously worked why is that? Does it differ by carrier on how this is accomplished or do they all use basically same methods? Or is it generally all the same thing? I already know they run an IMEI check and have a white list but I’m talking about what happens after that.
Is it the APN settings? I think I also heard there is something called an IMS setting that is sometimes seporate from the APN settings that VoLTE is dependant on and not always visible to the user. I know there is something network side they have control over but from recent experience being told that I do have features like VoLTE enabled on their end unless I am being lied to I think something also is done on the phone itself. Do the network carriers have the ability to just push settings to the phone and can push out improper settings causing such issues? So does that mean they can push over the proper settings or can it only be controlled from the user side? If it can only be controlled from user side then why is it that certain features are forcibly non selectable? It makes no sense if the user side is the only one who has control because this clearly is an indication the network carrier is the one in control.
I have this issue and am just throwing a broad topic before I cover the issue in it’s own dedicated section for my phone model to get a better understanding of what is going on since I know this is by no means device specific as I’ve heard from many different makes and models of similar occuring over different network carriers too. In my specific case it’s Verizon’s network through Straight Talk on an unlocked phone I got through them.
The carrier isn't necessarily remotely enabling or disabling anything. When your device is provisioned, it receives a configuration file that tells it what channels to use, what APN to use, and what features are available. If this configuration file does not indicate the network supports features such as VoLTE, video calling, or wifi calling, these features will not be available. Your device is most likely capable, but you can't use features that don't exist.
Think of it like the cable internet industry - while you might own the modem, the carrier pushes the configuration file that allows it to work on their network. You as the user don't get to decide what that configuration entails, beyond what features your plan supports and what the network is capable of. The only thing you can change are whether you use features that are available. Trying to change the network side configuration is absolutely against the carrier's terms of use, and in most cases is illegal - just like hacking a cable modem or cable TV box to get channels you don't pay for.
It sounds like you need to contact Verizon support and explain that even though your plan and device support VoLTE, video calling, and wifi calling, these features aren't working for you. It's going to be a real pain because they're going to assume something is wrong with your device and try to walk you through the infuriating process of basic troubleshooting, but you'll eventually get some real help.
V0latyle said:
The carrier isn't necessarily remotely enabling or disabling anything. When your device is provisioned, it receives a configuration file that tells it what channels to use, what APN to use, and what features are available. If this configuration file does not indicate the network supports features such as VoLTE, video calling, or wifi calling, these features will not be available. Your device is most likely capable, but you can't use features that don't exist.
Think of it like the cable internet industry - while you might own the modem, the carrier pushes the configuration file that allows it to work on their network. You as the user don't get to decide what that configuration entails, beyond what features your plan supports and what the network is capable of. The only thing you can change are whether you use features that are available. Trying to change the network side configuration is absolutely against the carrier's terms of use, and in most cases is illegal - just like hacking a cable modem or cable TV box to get channels you don't pay for.
It sounds like you need to contact Verizon support and explain that even though your plan and device support VoLTE, video calling, and wifi calling, these features aren't working for you. It's going to be a real pain because they're going to assume something is wrong with your device and try to walk you through the infuriating process of basic troubleshooting, but you'll eventually get some real help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These features all were available on same phone and same network before working fine and stopped working a few months before the 3g shutdown and after the shutdown it made it so Im unable to make calls at all since I cant use VoLTE. Im not sure if they had pushed a bad configuration to prepare for this whether intentional or not or if it was result of a bad configuration caused by an Android security update or something. I’ve heard of this happening a lot particularly with unlocked phones on bring your own phone prepaid plans.
Yes, it’s difficult to get ahold of anyone who understands what is going on. I’m not even sure if i can contact Verizon since their support looks like it’s setup where you need a Verizon account for them to assist and my service is through Straight Talk which while its now owned by Verizon I imagine they will give me the runaround because of that small detail and the people at Straight Talk arent high up enough to know some details about the network I would assume as Ive been on the line with them a few times already and their solution came down to get a new phone which I dont want to be pushed into even if it came to a point they start offering it for free since I dont want this to be the case in the future potentially happening over and over. I want them to show they are competent enough to run their own network. The Straight Talk support just keep doing the same things even after getting to higher levels of support, checking my IMEI and ICCID are correct and that they have VoLTE turned on their side in some settings then commonly they work backwards and assume I’m an idiot and ask if I have data turned on.

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