Like many others, I had a very inconsistent signal on Tmobile with my PH1. Issues included bouncing between LTE and LTE+ (especially after disconnecting from WiFi), and random drops to no signal (ie, LTE then nothing). After reading through many posts on XDA and Reddit, I believe I found a combination of settings that stabilizes the phone's handling of signal. Since implementing these changes, my signal has remained mostly on LTE+, and occasionally LTE - results were consistent with my OnePlus 3T.
*Note* These changes stabilized my signal. They have NOT improved my reception. Signal strength is still weaker than my 3T by approximately 5-10dBm. Download speeds on LTE and LTE+ are consistently slower than the 3T. However, I have not dropped any calls, buffered streaming audio or video, or been unable to browse/use data within apps.
Here is what I did:
1. Dial *#*#4636#*#* This will bring up the Testing menu. Select Phone Information and under Set Preferred Network Type select LTE only from the dropdown.
2. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network > Advanced. Toggle Enhanced 4G LTE Mode off then on. Set Preferred network type to LTE.
3. While still in the Mobile Network menu, Select Access Point Names at the bottom of the menu and create a new APN using the Android APN settings from here: https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-2090
That's it. I don't know if any one of these changes made the difference, or if it's the combination of all three, but my signal stability and usability have improved dramatically. I believe this is the best this phone is going to get - I doubt any software patches will fix what is probably an issue with the antenna. Hope this helps everyone on TMo with the PH1.
You're pretty much disabling LTE+ so you stop the device from bouncing between the 2 LTE types which then stabilizes the signal. This would also explain the slower speeds.
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As the subject states, is there a way to force HSDPA alone on 3G enabled pocket pcs (using Polaris) without it going back to 3G.. a kind of way to keep data request on so that hspda wont go back to standby.
Thanks
I have same problem.
I live in HSPDA supported area, Kaiser gets full H bars etc, but my Kaiser keeps switching between GPRS, 3G and EDGE for some weird reason
Hi Guys,
You can't force your handset to only use HSDPA services. HSDPA will not be enabled until you start a large download or stream services that require higher bandwidth. The BTS (base station covering you) is informed by the controling switch when to give you an HSDPA bearer, this is triggered by your data throughput. If you are not downloading a large file etc then you will not be given an HSDPA channel. This decision is always taken by the RNC (controling switch) and cannot be forced
There are a few reasons why you might switch between 3G/HSDPA/EDGE etc. These are primarily based on RF conditions - if your received signal strength falls below a certain level (decided by the network planners) you will be forced to handover to 2G (generaly a stronger signal if you live on the edge of 3G coverage) Some networks also have load based handover enabled - therefore if you serving BTS is getting highly loaded it will then hand you over to 2G/EDGE and you cannot force this either. You can of cource force you phone to only lock onto the 3G network and ignore 2G, then you will always at least get a 3G bearer but this will not guarantee HSDPA service - this will only be given if you have good enough signal and if you are using enough throughput. Forcing to 3G will of course increase the amount of call drops you have as you will not be able to hop onto another carrier
Sorry guys!!
^^^That's funny, when I was in an HSPA zone with my Fuze the H stayed on all the time... For that reason, I think you must be incorrect. Sitting there doing nothing, transferring data, didn't matter, always showed H when it was available. This happened in Boston, Albany, and NYC... So it's surely not a fluke based on the area. My data usage at the end of the month wasn't ridiculous either, so it wasn't constantly sucking data for any reason.
bumps.. i would like help on this too coz i use my phone for tethering and it always lags coz when the connection stays idle it switches to 3G instead of remaining on HSPDA..
Im not sure if this wud do but u cud try .. open up dialer n dial *#*#4636*#*# -> Phone information scroll down and there's selection of network type .. try WCDMA only?
terry3386 said:
Im not sure if this wud do but u cud try .. open up dialer n dial *#*#4636*#*# -> Phone information scroll down and there's selection of network type .. try WCDMA only?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it is on that by default
Is possible to change modem software?
matcol said:
Hi Guys,
You can't force your handset to only use HSDPA services. HSDPA will not be enabled until you start a large download or stream services that require higher bandwidth. The BTS (base station covering you) is informed by the controling switch when to give you an HSDPA bearer, this is triggered by your data throughput. If you are not downloading a large file etc then you will not be given an HSDPA channel. This decision is always taken by the RNC (controling switch) and cannot be forced
There are a few reasons why you might switch between 3G/HSDPA/EDGE etc. These are primarily based on RF conditions - if your received signal strength falls below a certain level (decided by the network planners) you will be forced to handover to 2G (generaly a stronger signal if you live on the edge of 3G coverage) Some networks also have load based handover enabled - therefore if you serving BTS is getting highly loaded it will then hand you over to 2G/EDGE and you cannot force this either. You can of cource force you phone to only lock onto the 3G network and ignore 2G, then you will always at least get a 3G bearer but this will not guarantee HSDPA service - this will only be given if you have good enough signal and if you are using enough throughput. Forcing to 3G will of course increase the amount of call drops you have as you will not be able to hop onto another carrier
Sorry guys!!
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Click to collapse
am i correct to say that based on your explanation, switching from 3G to HSDPA is cell station controlled and not controllable via our handphone?
This is actually on old hack I used from the G1 forum. This is really useful if you are in an area where 4G or 3G is weak and you phone keeps switching back and forth to edge. Very annoying...
Install AnyCut from market
Open AnyCut and click NEW SHORTCUT
Click ACTIVITY
Scroll down to "Phone Info" and select that.
I renamed the shortcut "FORCE 4G" but you could name it anything.
Click OK
Now open the shortcut on your home screen, and scroll down to the bar that spans across the whole screen. This is the bar that controls all your network types listed here.
WCDMA preferred - The GSM phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 3G is favored more.
GSM only - The GSM phone is capable of using only 2G data communication. When the 2G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
WCDMA only - The GSM phone is capable of using only 3G data communication. When the 3G signal is too low you get nothing at all. (FORCE 4G!)
GSM auto (PRL) - The GSM phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 2G is favored more. This one is a bit confusing to me since PRL is associated mostly with CDMA technology and not GSM technology.
CDMA auto (PRL) - The CDMA phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 2G is favored more.
CDMA only - The CDMA phone is capable of using only 2G data communication. When the 2G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
EvDo only - The CDMA phone is capable of using only 3G data communication. When the 3G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
GSM/CDMA auto (PRL) - Some phones are equipped with both GSM and CDMA capabilities. This setting appears to just have the phone attempt to stay connected to the data communication type that works the best. (MY FAVORITE ON G2X)
Unknown - If none of the above fit or the phone is acting weird as far as connecting to the carrier, you will see your preferred network type is set to this
Im sure this hack works on all android devices, less options will show for phones w/o that capability.
BetterCut will obviously also work and youll be able to customize an icon for the shortcut
Menu, settings, wireless and networks, mobile networks, network mode, wcdma only.
Won't that do the same thing without all the work?
*#*#4636#*#*
Phone information
Scroll down
Change WCDMA preferred to WCDMA Only
Same thing as well... If youre that desperate for "4g", however, if you lose 4g/3g you lose ALL SERVICE, I believe. I had played with these settings on my n1 last year. In the end, I found WCDMA preferred was the most reliable ;-)
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
DelinQuentisDQ said:
Menu, settings, wireless and networks, mobile networks, network mode, wcdma only.
Won't that do the same thing without all the work?
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Click to collapse
He's talking about changing the hidden menu. There are two menus, if you change it in the non-hidden menu and not on the hidden menu, is different.
This should probably be moved to themes and apps or general. Nothing really developed here, no offense.
jayohwhy said:
He's talking about changing the hidden menu. There are two menus, if you change it in the non-hidden menu and not on the hidden menu, is different.
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Click to collapse
This isn't the hidden menu this is just the phone info menu that you can access with *#*#4636#*#*
Thanks! I skirt the edge of society and there are a few ROMs that I really like to use that don't have this option built-in. Bionix has it but CM7/Faux and others do not have the option available from the mobile networks menu. I'm sure it adds to radio life if you set it to stick with the highest signal since the phone won't be switching towers.
I have a post about this in the Q&A section, but have any of you experience the G2X using only 1X or CDMA data frequencies other than 4g?
After finding out that forcing LTE Mode on the SamChg (See here) always results in a Signal Disabled "circle-slash" display for the network signal strength - even when you have a solid 4G connection - I am suspecting that the signal strength bars in the notification bar only show CDMA signal strength, and never show 4G signal strength.
If so, the signal strength indicator lies to us (at least, when the 4G icon is on the notification bar).
Is there a widget / app / notification mod that will show both the 3G and 4G signal strength? A dB indication would be fine. That way, I can identify the real 4G signal vs. the real 3G signal vs. the signal bar display.
Cheers,
Yes, the signal strength meter lies and only indicates 1xRTT signal strength, not EVDO or LTE.
OpenSignal Maps will show the LTE signal strength but it's a mapping program.
Real Signal shows separate 1x and EV bars like how Verizon feature phones display it, however it doesn't yet support LTE. I've e-mailed the developer to find out if this was planned and/or if they'd like any help in implementing that feature and I've received no response thus far.
skuzz said:
Yes, the signal strength meter lies and only indicates 1xRTT signal strength, not EVDO or LTE.
OpenSignal Maps will show the LTE signal strength but it's a mapping program.
Real Signal shows separate 1x and EV bars like how Verizon feature phones display it, however it doesn't yet support LTE. I've e-mailed the developer to find out if this was planned and/or if they'd like any help in implementing that feature and I've received no response thus far.
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Click to collapse
It's no longer in the market. Do you have the APK by chance ?
Field test mode access seems to elude us on the Charge, but if we could find the code, there's got to be a signal strength indicator in there.
I'm going to query Samsung to see if they'll cough it up.
ram130 said:
It's no longer in the market. Do you have the APK by chance ?
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Click to collapse
nvm..found it under another name. Also Samsung is not the only one with misleading bars, Motorola too. Just look at the thread I did on it here:
https://supportforums.motorola.com/message/302492
distortedloop said:
Field test mode access seems to elude us on the Charge, but if we could find the code, there's got to be a signal strength indicator in there.
I'm going to query Samsung to see if they'll cough it up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Meanwhile, googling around I found some info on enabling hidden menus on the phone (basically same steps as for Fascinate), but once there, none of the known dialer codes work for me, despite others saying they do.
HOWEVER, check out the app called SGSTools in the Market. Install it, run it, select Service Mode. A black screen comes up, hit the menu button, then back and voila, you're in LTE Monitor screen. You might be able to navigate around from there and get your signal information.
Hope this helps.
distortedloop said:
Meanwhile, googling around I found some info on enabling hidden menus on the phone (basically same steps as for Fascinate), but once there, none of the known dialer codes work for me, despite others saying they do.
HOWEVER, check out the app called SGSTools in the Market. Install it, run it, select Service Mode. A black screen comes up, hit the menu button, then back and voila, you're in LTE Monitor screen. You might be able to navigate around from there and get your signal information.
Hope this helps.
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Click to collapse
you should take a pic...I'm curious what that mode looks like. Don't have a charge to fool around with it.
Bumping this up because I just noticed that in Anandtech's review of the LG Revolution, there's a way at least for that phone to see the 4G signal strength: http://images.anandtech.com/doci/4450/DSC_0734.jpg
Given that the Revolution and Charge have different LTE chips, I'm not sure if this can be reproduced on the Charge.
Credit: Page 10 of the LG Revolution review by Anandtech
---------- Post added 10th November 2011 at 12:36 AM ---------- Previous post was 9th November 2011 at 11:55 PM ----------
I just looked around the LTE Monitor menu as distortedloop posted above (thanks!) and it does seem there are some values that may give a better idea of the LTE signal.
One interesting thing I noticed was some sort of MPSR timer that counts down; what it seemed like it was doing was counting down to the next time it would attempt to connect to the LTE network (I was on 1X at the time). Other values that I believe pertain more to the LTE signal strength include: RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power) and CINR (Carrier-to-Interference-and-Noise Ratio). I correlated faster LTE speeds with lower RSRP values (that is, LESS negative).
For those of you having issues with WiFi calling try the following, it may or may not help you but probably worth trying:
1. Enable SIP ALG in your router
2. Switch to 5Ghz WiFi band especially if you live in an apartment or a Wifi congested area as 2.4Ghz band faces a lot of interference due to widespread usage as well as added interference from things like some Bluetooth devices and Microwaves. Only interference you may face on 5Ghz is possibly really old 5ghz cordless phones.
3. On the Z3 going to WiFi settings -> Advanced and select keep WiFi on during sleep (I keep it off but it may help)
4. Try disabling "Que Background Data" in Power Management (May alleviate SMS issues over WiFi)
5. Either disable Stamina mode or try adding your SMS/MMS app like Google Messenger to Whitelist.
6. For some it seems VoLTE is causing MMS/Calling issues so you may want to try turning it off and see if it improves the situation.
For those of you who have the 4G Range Extender (NOT the Cell Spot router), it seems it actually sometimes interferes with the 5Ghz band oddly enough.
For those of you who live in a 700 MHz (Band 12) area you can force the phone to use only Band 12 when in an LTE area, for better signal and improved battery. Band 12 has lower bandwidth though like 7-10 Mbps but I get Full signal vs the other LTE Bands where its 1-3 bars but higher speeds.
Dial in phone *#*#386#*#* -> You will enter Tech Mode -> go to the LTE option and disable bands 2 and 4.
Hello XDA Community!
When my new phone (Huawei P9 Lite Mini) is on 3G/2G auto network mode, it consumes more battery than LTE/3G/2G auto mode even mobile data off.
I do not understand how this happens? For example, while 3G consumption at overnight is %10-15; LTE is only %2-3. This problem is the same in daytime too. Mobile data is off, unneccesary services/apps disabled, and no extra application installed while this happens. I tried all "wipe/factory reset/update firmware/factory reset/wipe/no app install" procedures, enabling all battery saving options, but it did not work. This is a problem for me when I'm in non-LTE areas.
This problem occurs the same result in different locations. There was no problem with my previous phone and I use same nano sim card.
I tried the following but it did not work:
- Wipe cache, factory reset, wipe cache,
- Wipe data/factory reset over recovery menu,
- Update latest firmware, wipe data etc. again.
How this happens and where am I doing wrong? Thank you for your help, best regards!
EDIT: PROBLEM SOLVED!
I changed my mobile carrier (provider) and the problem is gone. This is very interesting! I worked for hours and days to solve the problem, but this problem is neither caused by the phone nor by the software...
WCDMA (aka 3G with support for 2G/Edge) is in always-on mode on most phones, because that's how you receive and emit phone calls and, for most phones, SMS (in some more recent phones, LTE takes care of sending and receiving SMS/MMS), so if you're in an area where 3G/2G reception is poor, your phone has trouble locking on a cell with enough power to maintain contact, hence the battery drain.
4G/LTE only works for data, and voice if you have VoLTE (Voice over LTE) enabled, but works on a on-demand mode, even with cellular data constantly enabled. In other words, the 4G modem on your phone will memorize the latest position and IP address the nearest 4G tower/cell allocated it, and connect to it using the memorized settings when you need it to.
Not so with 3G, where DHCP doesn't exist, at least not the way it does in 4G: it uses PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol), where an ad-hoc IP address is attributed to each new connection, based on a pool of existing addresses allocated to the tower and its owner (carrier) by the authorities.
UglyStuff said:
WCDMA (aka 3G with support for 2G/Edge) is in always-on mode on most phones, because that's how you receive and emit phone calls and, for most phones, SMS (in some more recent phones, LTE takes care of sending and receiving SMS/MMS), so if you're in an area where 3G/2G reception is poor, your phone has trouble locking on a cell with enough power to maintain contact, hence the battery drain.
4G/LTE only works for data, and voice if you have VoLTE (Voice over LTE) enabled, but works on a on-demand mode, even with cellular data constantly enabled. In other words, the 4G modem on your phone will memorize the latest position and IP address the nearest 4G tower/cell allocated it, and connect to it using the memorized settings when you need it to.
Not so with 3G, where DHCP doesn't exist, at least not the way it does in 4G: it uses PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol), where an ad-hoc IP address is attributed to each new connection, based on a pool of existing addresses allocated to the tower and its owner (carrier) by the authorities.
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Thank you for your reply!
When I googled about 3G vs. LTE battery consumption, everyone says that LTE will consume more batteries. That's make sense on first thought. So what I've been through is very interesting to me.
I think about is there a problem with my phone's 3G antenna. (footnote: I don't know about that 3g and LTE antennas are same or seperate?)
But I understand that you say this is normal, right?
Edit: I found a forum that this problem may be due to the operator (carrier). I'm still investigating...
3G and 4G operate on basically the same principle: receiving and sending "information" via radio waves.
The difference lies in the frequencies each standard uses, the way the data sent over them is modulated and demodulated, and how handsets make and maintain connection, so if you stay in the same location, and set your phone to 3G-only, then switch Airplane mode on then off, it'll take your phone longer to reconnect to the 3G cell/tower with the strongest signal (not necessarily the closest to you), because it'll have to go through the whole getting-acquainted process again, whereas in 4G, it'll go straight to the "Hey, how do you do? Long time, no see".
Now, if your phone antenna has a problem, you could be standing a few feet from the tower, in line of sight, and still get a crappy to non-existent signal. How many bars are showing on your screen is just an indication of how well your phone is receiving the signal from the tower; it doesn't mean that this signal is consistent and steady, hence the bars coming and going in real time.
If I were you, I'd download and install the Hidden Settings app from the Play Store, and run it; there, you go to RadioInfo, and you'll get a lot of information about how your phone modem actually works. It's a bit technical, but it would give you an indication.
I will try and looking for a new carrier. Thank you again. See you.
I changed my mobile carrier (provider) and the problem is gone. This is very interesting! I worked for hours and days to solve the problem, but this problem is neither caused by the phone nor by the software...