HSPDA Confusion!

[richieboy]

Hi everyone,

It's my first post here - most likely not to be my last. Oh, and i know i spelt HSDPA wrong in the title!

I very very recently (yesterday in fact) managed to get hold of my T-Mobile Hermes (one of the .37 batch) and am having no problems whatsoever with the phone, the only problem i am having is getting any web download speeds faster than around 40kbps?

I phoned T-Mobile yesterday and after being on hold twice and explaining myself many times i think i got HSDPA enabled as the lady (who was very nice) said she promises it has been enabled for me. I tried half hour later and sure enough, i used www.dslreports.com/mspeed and could now download at around 800kbps - perfect! Unfortunately i tried again this morning and it says 40kbps again :confused:

Is there any way to tell whether HSDPA has been enabled on my phone before i call T-Mobile again? Does HSDPA just run over 3G? I haven't got a brilliant signal where i am - usually 1 or 2 bars, could this be what is affecting my download speed? I need some help!

[richieboy]

Just realised i have spelt HSDPA wrong in the thread title - never mind! Can anyone help?

[Schooleydoo]

Have you read this dude?

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=276154&page=5

Theres a couple of files you can check you have i believe, also the Fit4cat program is worth downloading.

[kevino]

40kbps is GPRS data speed. Even without HSDPA you should get 300kbps on UMTS.

Your phone will show a U or a G depending on which network you are on.

[richieboy]

It shows a "G" all the time in a little white block next to the signal bar, and sometimes the signal bar shows an antenna and sometimes a "G" also - does that mean when im on the "G" ill be on HSDPA and when im on the antenna (if i cant get 3G) ill be on GPRS 40kbps?

If so that makes a lot of sense as the signal is not brilliant round here, i went shopping in a much bigger town this afternoon and tested again -> full signal and downloading at around 1200kbps! Obviously it is enabled, think its just down to my signal....

Does that sound about right? :)

[kevino]

RTFM, the G is for GSM ie data will be GPRS.

You will either have a 3G or U depending on what ROM you're running for 3G/UMTS/HSDPA .

[richieboy]

I'll be honest i only got half way through the quick start guide before i started playing with it. So, if my phone is always on "G" i'll assume i need to try and unlock it using the fit4cat thing? As T-Mobile have said they have enabled HSDPA on my account?

How did i get 1200kbps on GPRS by the way? It definately said "G" when i was connected and did the speed test...?!

[richieboy]

I just ran the fit4cat Hermes tweaker and still no luck, it only connects to "G" rather than "3G", 3G is apparently available in this area so why does it only connect to G? Im confused and would really appreciate some advice...

[kevino]

Well if you probably didn't notice the U (or whatever) when you got 1mbps once it. This means that HSDPA is enabled on your phone and SIM.

The fit4cat tweaker only (dis)enables HSDPA but that isn't an issue because even without HSDPA you would be getting UMTS speeds.

One thing you could try is. Go to Start->Settings->Phone->Band set GSM/UTMS to GSM900+1800 + UMTS2100

You could also try a manual search for networks from Start->Settings->Phone->Networks->Find Network

Finally you can also disable GSM totaly using network type in the band selection and see if you get a steady 3G signal.

[richieboy]

Thanks for your suggestions, here are my findings:

Well if you probably didn't notice the U (or whatever) when you got 1mbps once it. This means that HSDPA is enabled on your phone and SIM.

Good point, i have a long drive home tonight so will check when going through built up areas to see if it connects to 3G or U then.

One thing you could try is. Go to Start->Settings->Phone->Band set GSM/UTMS to GSM900+1800 + UMTS2100

Tried this, and phone disconnected then reconnected but still said "G" when connecting to Internet. Set back to "Auto".

You could also try a manual search for networks from Start->Settings->Phone->Networks->Find Network

Did this also, it pops up with the message "Registering on the network" and disappears and thats it, nothing happens.

Finally you can also disable GSM totaly using network type in the band selection and see if you get a steady 3G signal.

I cannot find an option to disable GSM in the Band tab, i have the following:

Select your network type.
__Auto
__GSM

Select your GSM/UMTS band.
__GSM(900+1800)+UMTS(2100)
__GSM(1900+850)+UMTS(1900+850)

and thats about it. Cannot find anything that would let me not use GSM whatsoever? I appreciate your help so far :)

[mrvanx]

It may be the case that your reception for 3G just isnt adequate enough to work where you live, O2 states there is reception in the area where i live but i only tend to get UMTS upstairs....just one of those things....here at uni i get FULL UMTS reception anywhere.

[kevino]

I cannot find an option to disable GSM in the Band tab, i have the following:

Select your network type.
__Auto
__GSM

In the dopod ROM it has a WCDMA option too. No big deal !

Seting the band was just so that the phone doesn't bother looking for bands that are not available in this country. To try and encourage it to check the correct UMTS band more quickly.

My suggestion to use find network (you need to select manual search) in Networks wasn't too helpful anyway as it doesn't list the band. So no use unless you can disable GSM.

Of course you may have got a spurious speed test result. How old is your SIM? It needs to be a USIM

[mrvanx]

Yes firstly is your SIM card a USIM....or is it a SIM card from an old handset?? I think youve already said you have had the 'U' appear on your TyTN at some point.....so again im going with the assumption you just dont have adequate UMTS reception for it to work....hence why you are only seeing 'G'.

[richieboy]

So, funny story...

It seems where i was over the weekend (girlfriends) is borderline, so as mentioned aboved i can get 3G upstairs but not downstairs - i decided to drive around and got 3G all over the place...the best news is i get 2/3 bars of 3G at home too!

Problem solved, im an idiot - but hey, it doesn't hurt to ask right? :p

680kbps! Woo :D

[mlai]

So, funny story...

It seems where i was over the weekend (girlfriends) is borderline, so as mentioned aboved i can get 3G upstairs but not downstairs - i decided to drive around and got 3G all over the place...the best news is i get 2/3 bars of 3G at home too!

Problem solved, im an idiot - but hey, it doesn't hurt to ask right? :p

680kbps! Woo :D

girlfrends! Woo :D