Bit confused with GSM/WCDMA in Galaxy S - Galaxy S I9000 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I am seeing GSM/WCDMA in the network mode on my Galaxy S. Is this different from UMTS? I think GSM-UMTS is the right wording? I am in India.

in simple human non tech terms
WCDMA = UMTS = 3G = Data
GSM = voice

ok... my telcom operator website says hspa is faster than wcdma ...so wanted to cross check... thanks

AllGamer said:
in simple human non tech terms
WCDMA = UMTS = 3G = Data
GSM = voice
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't it
WCDMA = UMTS = 3G Cell (voice + texts)
GSM = 2G Cell
HSPA = Data
I've had my phone connected as UMTS where I had no data but was sending and receiving texts. Although the most interesting of all is when instead of an H I had a G when Bell doesn't have a GSM network...

yes & no
you are right in some stuff, and that's how people gets confused by all the different techno terms
HSPA = 3.5G and it needs WCDMA for it to work
Text as in SMS doesn't need 3G, any GSM can do Text, but again that's complicating things
2G is better known as EDGE on marketing and Sales people talk, it's so uncommon to hear or see an advertisement say "blah blah blah and we offer 2G Data!" 0_o
there are more.... but anyways lets keep things simple

Related

no 3g signal

I hope someone can help me or at least point me in the right direction.
Im in the Philippines and my g1 is unlocked/rooted with the latest cyanogen rom 4.2.6.
The network im connecting to is smart communications with according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_network_code has:
515 03 Smart Gold Smart Communications Inc Operational GSM 900 / 1800; UMTS 850 / 2100
our phones have Modes GSM 850 / GSM 900 / GSM 1800 / GSM 1900
WCDMA 1700 / WCDMA 2100
So i should be getting a 3g signal or something but im not, my phone is not even making an attempt to connect to 3g. I have checked the settings and i cant find where to enable 3g. Use only 2g network is not checked. my apn settings seems to be correct but its not even getting to the point where it tries to connect to 3g. I have no 3g symble or edge symbol. please help..
help someone pls

tmobile data categories question

Hi all.
I'm under the impression that umts = 3.6mb and hsdpa = 7.2mb and hsdpa+ = tmobiles sexy new 21mb service.
Am I right? I'm asking because my phone switches to hsdpa from umts only when I'm using data. Its always hovering on umts when I am on 3g.
Thanks!
With cm rom I also saw the fluctuation. 3g was umts and the h was hsdpa right?

Disable "3G" while enabling "H" - possible or not?

My carrier has bad 3G operation, whilst HSDPA works fine. The problem is that phone sometimes switches between 3G and H, and when it does switch to 3G, there is no internet until it swithes back to H or down to E. I'm almost sure that this is caused by carrier, and I can't fix it with firmware. So I would like my Tab to avoid 3G mode at all, while using H and E. Can I set it to do so?
3Flight said:
My carrier has bad 3G operation, whilst HSDPA works fine. The problem is that phone sometimes switches between 3G and H, and when it does switch to 3G, there is no internet until it swithes back to H or down to E. I'm almost sure that this is caused by carrier, and I can't fix it with firmware. So I would like my Tab to avoid 3G mode at all, while using H and E. Can I set it to do so?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, it's impossible, you can either choose "H" & "3G" with wcdma/umts or "G" & "E" with GSM in Mobile Networks. You can't choose to leave out 3G when it's doing H, cause both of them are under wcdma mode.
Of cause, if you leave your "Network mode" to auto, it will jump around gsm and wcdma when it see fit. By choosing it to run GSM mode only, will keep your network connect to "E"/"G(gprs)" ONLY; Or WCDMA for "H"/"3G" ONLY.
helo
3Flight said:
My carrier has bad 3G operation, whilst HSDPA works fine. The problem is that phone sometimes switches between 3G and H, and when it does switch to 3G, there is no internet until it swithes back to H or down to E. I'm almost sure that this is caused by carrier, and I can't fix it with firmware. So I would like my Tab to avoid 3G mode at all, while using H and E. Can I set it to do so?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im from malaysia also,im using samsung g5..in my opinion its the the phone or tab firmware or rom problems..because im using maxis and digi broadband..both network are having problem..3g and hsdpa both switch on and back 3g h 3g h..not stabil and anoyying..

[Q] Can Someone Summarize Data Speed/Phone Issues?

After digging through pages of posts about data speed issues and 2G vs. 3G vs. 4G/LTE, can someone with good expertise and knowledge summarize exactly what the phone supports and how it does it? I am seeing conflicting comments, so it is a little confusing. Also, please clarify a comment I recall seeing from at AT&T person that that the Vivid has one radio that switches between LTE and HSPA+ rather than having as separate 3G radio as earlier LTE phones did.
Or point to a good tutorial.
Thanks
I'll see if I can help!
So in order from slowest to fastest, the GSM data technologies are:
2G:
-GSM
-EDGE
3G:
-UMTS
-HSPA
-HSPA+
4G:
-LTE
Most Android phones display these as G, E, 3G, H, & H+ (don't know what stock Android displays for LTE). The Vivid, however, displays G & E, then displays 4G for 3G, H & H+, then 4GLTE for LTE. So no matter what 3G network your on, it'll show 4G (because AT&T thinks H+ counts as 4G), then when you're on an actual 4G network, it'll show 4GLTE.
As for the single radio, yes, that's true. LTE is a GSM based technology, so a single radio can handle all of the above connections. This is different from Verizon, which uses CDMA for its 2G & 3G networks, then switched to LTE for its 4G network, necessitating two different radios: one for CDMA, one for LTE. AT&T, however, has been GSM from 2G on, so one radio can handle everything. This will most likely continue to be the way it works: Verizon (and eventually Sprint) phones will require two radios for two technologies, AT&T/T-Mo phones will only require one.
This leads to one consequence, however, concerning simultaneous data & voice. No LTE network currently implements voice communications, they're purely data. Even when they do implement it, it'll be VoIP based, so it'll just be more data (This will be called VoLTE for Voice over LTE). Therefore, since this isn't implemented yet, phones must revert to the 3G network to make voice calls. On Verizon, since they're two different radios, you can continue to use LTE data while using CDMA for voice. On AT&T, they're the same radio, so dropping down to 3G drops the LTE connection. You can still use simultaneous voice & data (as you can on just about any GSM based network), but you just don't get LTE speeds.
Make sense? Let me know if that helps!
Thanks, BJG222
That's what I wanted to know. I appreciate the info.
brucegil said:
That's what I wanted to know. I appreciate the info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem! Glad I could help!
bjg222 said:
I'll see if I can help!
So in order from slowest to fastest, the GSM data technologies are:
2G:
-GSM
-EDGE
3G:
-UMTS
-HSPA
-HSPA+
4G:
-LTE
Most Android phones display these as G, E, 3G, H, & H+ (don't know what stock Android displays for LTE). The Vivid, however, displays G & E, then displays 4G for 3G, H & H+, then 4GLTE for LTE. So no matter what 3G network your on, it'll show 4G (because AT&T thinks H+ counts as 4G), then when you're on an actual 4G network, it'll show 4GLTE.
As for the single radio, yes, that's true. LTE is a GSM based technology, so a single radio can handle all of the above connections. This is different from Verizon, which uses CDMA for its 2G & 3G networks, then switched to LTE for its 4G network, necessitating two different radios: one for CDMA, one for LTE. AT&T, however, has been GSM from 2G on, so one radio can handle everything. This will most likely continue to be the way it works: Verizon (and eventually Sprint) phones will require two radios for two technologies, AT&T/T-Mo phones will only require one.
This leads to one consequence, however, concerning simultaneous data & voice. No LTE network currently implements voice communications, they're purely data. Even when they do implement it, it'll be VoIP based, so it'll just be more data (This will be called VoLTE for Voice over LTE). Therefore, since this isn't implemented yet, phones must revert to the 3G network to make voice calls. On Verizon, since they're two different radios, you can continue to use LTE data while using CDMA for voice. On AT&T, they're the same radio, so dropping down to 3G drops the LTE connection. You can still use simultaneous voice & data (as you can on just about any GSM based network), but you just don't get LTE speeds.
Make sense? Let me know if that helps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow thanks, a very helpful summary of so much **** otherwise kinda complicated to figure out.. quick question, under the Network menu, my phone always says HSDPA, not any of the other options you listed above. This means..?
Here is an interesting read...Explains alot, considering I bought my White Vivid in Houston and got amazing speeds on LTE, and can barely stay locked on an LTE signal at home here in the SW burbs of Chicago.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2393286,00.asp#fbid=ruQf5IEExI0
Actually, HSPA+ is also categorized as 4G.
dizzyraider said:
Actually, HSPA+ is also categorized as 4G.
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Click to collapse
Well, AT&T & T-Mobile claim this, but it's not really true. UMTS = 3G; HSPA was an upgrade to that, call it 3.5G; HSPA+ is an upgrade to HSPA that incorporates higher bandwidth behind the scenes, more of a 3.9G. LTE's actually a new protocol. Technically, by the initial ITU standards, that's not even 4G (LTE-Advanced, the next upgrade to that, is the only one that does), but they've since expanded the definition to include LTE, too.
so we don't get a different symbol for 3G...so how do we know when we are using 3G verses HSPA and HSPA+ ? (other than speed)...
sucks...

Guide: How to turn LTE off (EASY)

Guide: How to turn LTE off
Turning LTE OFF can be very beneficial to the end user. Turning LTE off can boost your signal and save battery life in areas of weak LTE signal strength. HSPA+ and EDGE signals travel further than LTE signals. At the time of this writing, AT&T’s HSPA+ network performs very, very well. Most people have switched to LTE. It is very easy to pull 10mbps down on HSPA+. Therefore, if LTE is congested you can try out HSPA+ (AT&T calls this 4G). Some people also like to force the device to LTE only; this way they don't get calls, but can receive texts.
1. Open dialer
2. Dial *#*#4636#*#*
3. Device information
4. Scroll down and then choose your preferred network type:
WCDMA Preferred = Your phone will prefer UMTS/HSPA or HSPA+. Will connect to EDGE if it has to. NO LTE.
GSM Only = If selected, your phone will only connect to EDGE (2G). You will be able to call, text, and use slow data.
WCDMA Only = UMTS/HSPA+ only. No EDGE, or LTE whatsoever
GSM/CDMA Auto= Will connect to either UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+ or EDGE (which ever one is available)
LTE/CDMA Auto = Will only connect to LTE and UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+, NO EDGE
LTE/GSM/CDMA Auto = Will connect to LTE, EDGE, or UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+
LTE/GSM Auto = DEAFAULT SETTING
LTE Only = You will only have LTE. You cannot make calls under this setting. Good for those who want data and text capabilities.
Hope this helps!!!
MattMJB0188 said:
Guide: How to turn LTE off
Turning LTE OFF can be very beneficial to the end user. Turning LTE off can boost your signal and save battery life in areas that don’t have good LTE signal strength. HSPA+ and EDGE travel further than LTE signals. At the time of this writing, AT&T’s HSPA+ performs very, very well. Most people have switched to LTE. It is very easy to pull 10mbps down on HSPA+. Therefore, if LTE is congested you can try out HSPA+ (AT&T calls this 4G).
• Open dialer
• Dial *#*#4636#*#*
• Device information
• Scroll down and then choose your preferred network type
o WCDMA Preferred = Your phone will prefer UMTS/HSPA or HSPA+. Will connect to EDGE if it has to. NO LTE.
o GSM Only = If selected, your phone will only connect to EDGE (2G). You will be able to call, text, and use slow data.
o WCDMA Only = UMTS/HSPA+ only. No EDGE, or LTE whatsoever
o GSM/CDMA Auto= Will connect to either UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+ or EDGE (which ever one is available)
o LTE/CDMA Auto = Will only connect to LTE and UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+, NO EDGE
o LTE/GSM/CDMA Auto = Will connect to LTE, EDGE, or UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+
o LTE/GSM Auto = DEAFAULT SETTING
o LTE Only = You will only have LTE. You cannot make calls under this setting
Hope this helps!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will the change last through a reboot or does it need to be changed every time the phone is restarted?
scott14719 said:
Will the change last through a reboot or does it need to be changed every time the phone is restarted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. For each reboot you'll have to repeat the above steps. However, I would rather do this, than have to take out the sim each time.
MattMJB0188 said:
Yes. For each reboot you'll have to repeat the above steps. However, I would rather do this, than have to take out the sim each time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wonder if a NFC task program can be used to program the sequence into a NFC tag so it can be easily changed each time?
scott14719 said:
I wonder if a NFC task program can be used to program the sequence into a NFC tag so it can be easily changed each time?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That I don't know.
Thanks! I switched from the default to WCDMA preferred and seem to have a better signal where I live (on a mountain).
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
MattMJB0188 said:
Guide: How to turn LTE off
WCDMA Preferred = Your phone will prefer UMTS/HSPA or HSPA+. Will connect to EDGE if it has to. NO LTE.
GSM Only = If selected, your phone will only connect to EDGE (2G). You will be able to call, text, and use slow data.
WCDMA Only = UMTS/HSPA+ only. No EDGE, or LTE whatsoever
GSM/CDMA Auto= Will connect to either UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+ or EDGE (which ever one is available)
LTE/CDMA Auto = Will only connect to LTE and UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+, NO EDGE
LTE/GSM/CDMA Auto = Will connect to LTE, EDGE, or UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+
LTE/GSM Auto = DEAFAULT SETTING
LTE Only = You will only have LTE. You cannot make calls under this setting. Good for those who want data and text capabilities.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry if this is a stupid question but I don't want to screw up my phone. Which would be the default in case I want to turn LTE back on?
alryder said:
Sorry if this is a stupid question but I don't want to screw up my phone. Which would be the default in case I want to turn LTE back on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will not screw your phone up, no matter which setting you choose. LTE/GSM Auto is the default setting. Once you select your preferred network it will not stick once you reboot your device anyway.
Which one is the best?
galaxy s4 nutjob said:
Which one is the best?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably leaving it on automatic.
isn't there a toggle switch or a widget that you can download from play store to do he same thing? just wondering
+1. Also interested in a widget of sorts. Any ideas?
plarser48 said:
+1. Also interested in a widget of sorts. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are widgets, but they do not work.
Cannot turn off LTE with above instructions
When I try to follow the instructions, I dial the number and a pop-up appears with "USSD Code Running..." then it closes and a new pop-up appears saying "connection problem or invalid MMI code". I have tried to make this call from various areas with better connections than in my house, but still to no avail. I'd really like to disable the LTE because it is only strong enough to constantly force changes from 4G to LTE and back while massively draining my battery in the process. Any advice?
I upgraded from S3 to S5... In Out location there is one LTE tower.
When at office which is bit far from LTE tower, It only connects to LTE and due to congestion i always get 0.2 mbps only..
But When i had S3, it will switch automatically to 4G(HSPA+) at office and at home or shopping it connects to LTE.
So I called ATT support and they said its due to network congestion and they switched to 4G on their side.
So now its always shows 4G only no LTE but speed are good like 8 to 10 mbps..
I tried the steps in post1 and it shows WCDMA preferred... Is this what they modified remotely?
Try Intelli3G everyone, you have to install Xposed framework and then install it but this app is amazing for convenience.
I tried changing to LTE option its not allowing. I can change to other options other than LTE.
Any idea.. Is it controlled by AT&T?
I called ATT and asked them to change it to LTE.
Now I can change the settings as needed.
So if ATT sets to 4G, you wont be able to switch to LTE.
Is this the only way to change the preferred network mode on SAMSUNG-SM-G900A, ie. by going to details mentioned under #2
Has anyone tried this lately? I know the old 4636 code worked on older galaxies buy I can't get my G900a to respond. Still on 4.4.2
Work fine here on 4.4.2 and 5.0
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using XDA-Developers mobile app

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