GPRS / EDGE - always "connected"?

[isomaniac]

I am using GPRS/ EDGE. Sometimes when I have NOT used any Internet program, the G or E icon become a pure square G or E only without the 2 arrows. Does it mean it has DISCONNTED the GPRS/EDGE? Now if I launch IE and click a URL, the E/G icon will flashing with a moving 2 arrows and eventually after 1 or 2 seconds, become a "square E/G icon with fixed 2 arrows".

I am wondering, shouldn't the GPRS/EDGE be ALWAYS connected, such that the "G/E icon with fixed 2 arrows" should always appear? What setting I should change in order to make my Xda neo perform that way?

[levenum]

Hi isomania!

1) The icons are interpreted as follows:
Solid G/E - GRPS / EDGE network present, but not connected.
Small G/E with moving arrows - connecting to network.
Small G/E with solid arrows - connected.

2) There is no point to keep GPRS\EDGE connected when no programs are using it, since that would only shorten battery life. If I am not mistaken the timeout on the connection cannot be changed from the device side. I know push mail function sends some data (I think 400 bytes every 120 sec) to keep the connection alive, but it kills the battery and racks up the phone bill (unless you have unlimited data).

[isomaniac]

Thanks for your explanation. But for me, "connecting GPRS/EDGE" is STILL costing some time (may be 1 to 2 seconds). so i am wondering if I can keep GPRS/EDGE connected all the time I want, so that whenever I want to check POP3 email / go to any website, then I don't need to wait the 1 to 2 seconds connection time. Now THAT'S would be my definition of "always on" :)

[TheBrit]

One or two seconds to establish a connection? How will you ever manage having to wait that long? :roll:

[markgamber]

Thanks for your explanation. But for me, "connecting GPRS/EDGE" is STILL costing some time (may be 1 to 2 seconds). so i am wondering if I can keep GPRS/EDGE connected all the time I want, so that whenever I want to check POP3 email / go to any website, then I don't need to wait the 1 to 2 seconds connection time. Now THAT'S would be my definition of "always on" :)

Check the various tweaks n tips floating about, there's always a couple that will force gprs to remain on at all times. The downside isn't battery life, it barely affects that or push mail wouldn't exist. It's that eventually you will lose the signal, the connection will die and you won't notice the difference until you try to use it. Then you have to either toggle flight mode or reset the phone...after you figure out what happened. If you're constantly having to connect to gprs, you may be better served by looking for a disconnect timeout. With that, it'll get the occasional chance to reset the connection, making sure it's active. I have no idea what they are offhand and don't use them but I've come across them in the past so try a search and check the wiki.

[levenum]

The downside isn't battery life, it barely affects that or push mail wouldn't exist.

Sorry, but I have to disagree.
Maybe if you manage to somehow keep the connection without transmitting anything (not sure this is possible) the battery drain will be minimal.
I am using push mail on my Jamin for only 3 days and the difference in battery drain is very noticeable. In fact even with no mail (I don't sync the rest) to transfer the battery life is cut almost in half.

I read an article where the same is reported for the universal.

[werkmeister47]

i have a question about this related topic, i'm a noob, just got my mda on wed and i called them and added the data plan to my existing line, the guy said it would take about 72 hours for the browser to be surfing the web normally, well today is sunday and i still can't surf, my G icon on top is with arrows moving, and it shows i'm connected to EDGE but my browser only says Locating and never loads anything, please help?

[levenum]

Hi werkmeister47!

Arrows moving means GPRS is trying to connect, but not actually connected.

There are two possibilities:
1) The provider hasn't connected you yet (72 hours??? When I bought a SIM from Orange I was surfing in 5 minutes)
2) Your connection settings are incorrect. You have to contact technical support for exact settings for your network.

Good luck.