Samsung Omnia i900: Auto mode doesn't switch to 3G when available

[Dâniel Fraga]

I have a Samsung Omnia i900 (XCHG5 updated to the latest J2 firmware - Portugal).

Everything works perfectly except that it doesn't switch automatically to 3G when 3G is available. It just stays in "Edge" mode all the time. If I select WCDMA in the Band selector, it will use 3G but not Edge, of course. The Auto mode seems to not work.

Here in Brazil I'm a subscriber of "Vivo" which uses the 2100MHz band for 3G.

What I tried:

*#1546792*#

and select WCDMA first in the Network order. It keeps the same behaviour. The Auto mode just chooses Edge, even when 3G is available.

Any hints? Has somebody experienced the same issues? Or does your Omnia switch between 3G and Edge without problems?

Thank you!

[Dâniel Fraga]

Well, this is really strange, but I installed Bandswitch:

http://www.smartphonemag.com/cms/blogs/3/tutorial_quickly_switch_between_3g_umts

and it doesn't work. Then I removed and restarted the mobile. For my surprise, now it's with the correct behaviour... First it tries 3G, then Edge... and switch as expected...

Whos knows if Bandswitch did something to Windows Mobile? I don't know... Anyway, I'd like to register it in case someone has the same problem.

[Dâniel Fraga]

After many attempts, I finally solved this. If someone has the same problem, I'd like to register the solution:

1) type on the phone: *#197328640#

2) [1] Debug Screen

3) [8] Phone Control

4) [7] GCF Test Mode

5) [1] GCF Test Mode

5) [2] WCDMA R5 - HSDPA only

6) BACK and the option GCF Test Mode must be [ON].

[comer]

I tried it for Rogers - still no 3G :( I guess it does not really switch bands, i.e. still tries to finds 3G on 2100, not 850/1900...
Anyone succeeded?

[Dâniel Fraga]

I tried it for Rogers - still no 3G :( I guess it does not really switch bands, i.e. still tries to finds 3G on 2100, not 850/1900...
Anyone succeeded?

If your Omnia is from Europe, it will just work at 2100MHz, not 850MHz for 3G.

The american one will work only at 850MHz 3G.

[praico]

Hello Dâniel Fraga,

I have the same issue with my Omnia. I also use Vivo(:mad:) in Brazil.

I was trying your solution with *#197328640# to access the Root Menu. I don't know why but this code do not work for me. When I try I receive a message "Failed". Can be because the ROM I am using.

Do you know another way to access the Root Menu?

Thanks for the help. :)

[leveup3]

is really useful for me

[praico]

After some time I was able to access the menu that Daniel said, but the procedure did not work for me. :(

[Dâniel Fraga]

After some time I was able to access the menu that Daniel said, but the procedure did not work for me. :(

Hi praico. Did you find the "GCF Test Mode" option? It must be turned to "on".

[praico]

Hi praico. Did you find the "GCF Test Mode" option? It must be turned to "on".

Yes Daniel, I found that and it is turned on. It is really strange, sometimes it seems to work and sometimes not. I will test it more and I'll let you know.

Thanks for the help.....

[praico]

Hello Daniel,

Can I make another question? Are you able to make a call when your omnia is in EDGE? Today I found out that mine does not work. Even with a very good EDGE signal my call never complete.

Thanks for the help.

[pckshd]

After struggling all the weekend with this problem, I found a solution:

Cause:
Had a flashed ROM of the i900 (the phone part of this ROM seeks only 3G at 2100mhz)

Solution:
Flash the Phone part only, extracted from a i900L ROM (which works at 850/1900mhz)

Now I got my 3G signal back :)

This is the Phone.bin I used: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ERQ6368K

[n72cn]

would you be able to tell me how to ''Flash the Phone part only'' i'm a newbie
thank you in advance

[n72cn]

Don't worry it's working now.
Thanks a million for the solution.

[callcium]

i have a same problemç my phone is toshiba g500 wm5.0ç please help . i select "auto" in mode selection(in 3g area) but i get Edge alltime..

[jacampos00]

I think my Omnia is only for 3G 2100 MHz and in my country we have 3G 850 MHz is there any way to make it work???

[jacampos00]

I have the same problem I have the phone only searching for 3G 2100 and I need it to look for 850, I downloaded the file mentioned, how do I flash ti as you mention???