I frequently used the Phone settings on my Treo 750 to turn off 3G in the Band settings tab when I wasn't browsing the web or downloading files. It extended my battery life tremendously. So I was bummed to see this tab missing in my new Tilt 2 Phone settings. Well, it's there, just hidden.
Navigate to
HLM\Software\OEM\Phone Setting\ShowUMTSBandPage
and change the default from 0 to 1. Now when you go into Settings/Personal/Phone the Band tab is exposed. To force GSM only and save battery, change the "Select your network type" drop down to 'GSM'. But here is where I need some guru help. When you try to OK this change you get the following message:
"If you change the bandset setting, the PDP context/Data call will be deactivated. Do you want to continue?"
I choose Yes and everything seems to be OK. The phone stays in GSM mode and I can still surf the web and get my push email and phone calls. To change back to 3G (if available in your area) just select 'Auto' in the drop down. You will again get that same warning...select Yes. Obviously you shouldn't ever select the WCDMA option.
Now, if you want to create a quick shortcut to that tab and add it to Mobile Shell or whatever UI you want, create a shortcut with this in the target line:
\windows\ctlpnl.exe cplmain.cpl,20,3
For those of you worried about the PDP warning, here is some info I found on PDP context. Maybe you can tell me what it means in english.
PDP (Packet Data Protocol) context is a data structure, which is created on both the SGSN and the GGSN of the GPRS core network and is used to contain the subscriber's session information when the subscriber has an active IP session over GPRS. When a GSM or UMTS mobile user wants to use GPRS, the handset must first attach and then activate a PDP context. The process will allocate a PDP context data structure in the SGSN that the subscriber is currently visiting and the GGSN serving the subscribers access point. The PDP context data structure will store the subscriber's IP address, the Subscriber's IMSI, the Subscriber's Tunnel ID (TEID) at the GGSN, the Subscriber’s Tunnel ID (TEID) at the SGSN, and the Subscriber’s tunnel ID (TEID) allocated by the GSN. Through the PDP context data structure, the GPRS core network knows how to route tunneled data between the mobile phone and the IP network (e.g. the Internet).
Well it sounds to me that when you are making that switch it is dumping your current session & aquiring a new one.
It would be nice ot hear what other believe would be possible consequences, but it sounds to me that if you had an active browser session (or phone call), you would lose it and in the case of the browser session any session variables or context about your web session would be lost & you would need to refresh your browser.
I have done this reg hack, and I never get that msg. I use gsm because it has a better signal where I am cause the 3G is just about dead till they put more cell towers up, but I can switch between auto and gsm, and hit ok, and I never have gotten that msg. I am using the tilt 2 on ATT.
OK, forget my original post because there is an easier way on the Tilt 2. I was browsing through all of the .exe's in the windows folder and ran across CMBandSwitching.exe. Just make a shortcut to this executable and there you have it.
U could do that, but I found that by sliding to settings/communications/phone and then scroll to the bottom you can choose band.
Don't worry about the PDP thing. All it does is force the phone to reestablish a data connection. If you had anything currently using data that will cut it off until it reestablishes the connection.
AngelDeath said:
U could do that, but I found that by sliding to settings/communications/phone and then scroll to the bottom you can choose band.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good find. I like to leave 3G off unless I actually need it
3G On/OFF
This is funny but my AT&T Tilt 2 in GSM mode or let's say when 3G is off has a better coverage!
nice find, but is there anyway to get this to work for CDMA users?
sorry, a neophite here, how do you "navigate" to HLM/...., do you mean regedit? and how to do that too? my phone is htc tilt 2--and thanks a lot!!
OMG Thank you! You don't know how much I resented not being able to disable the 3G band like I could with my Hermes. Like most people replying, I also have issues with 3G reception in my area and this was exactly what I needed. This should definitely be included in the tips/tricks sticky post.
Why dont you use the nice little function that HTC has put on the device?
This is what I did on my htc touch pro2:
Browse to Windows/ on your device, and run the program "CMBandSwitching"
Nice little program which allows you to toggle between Auto (3G), GSM, WCDMA, and change band freq.
Just Copy this program and paste a shortcut into your start menu.
Then you can also put a shortcut on your home screen.
or you could just use one of the many 3g com manager cabs floating around that lets you toggle 3g from the comm manager tab
just install NoData from Modaco and then you re set
I enabled the Band tab in Phone settings and now I can have better reception in a couple of areas where 3G has a very poor signal. Great...
Now, if I shutdown the phone or go to Airplane mode while GSM is enabled, on powerup or on coming out of Airplane mode the phone will again go to 3G. A quick check on the Band tab shows that GSM is selected, but the phone is in GSM.
Is there a way to make this selection actually survive a power down or Airplane mode?
Thanks!
Related
Hi,
Does anyone know of any app that restricts data connection to only when in WCDMA (UMTS 3G) network?
Reason why is that i use my Dopod D810 to surf the net and download files. However i have managed to rack up $320 in roaming charges for internet usage even though i am on a 1 GB XSeries plan on 3.
I was not aware that i was roaming at all. So in future, i want my phone to automatically disconnect when "Roaming".
Is there such an app? I have tried Bandswitch but i couldnt get it to do what i wanted.
use search.
There is an app called trinity hacks or something that adds this feature.
Are you sure? I have Trinity Hacks v0.3 and it doesnt seem to have this feature.
What i want is for my phone to automatically disconnect once it is "roaming" onto Telstra's network from the 3 network.
Yes,
Trinity Hacks v0.3 --> Phone tab --> 'Enable GSM/UMTS Band Selection'
Ticking this enables a new tab under 'Settings' --> 'Phone' --> 'Band'
Switch it from 'auto' to 'WCDMA'
Then you will never incur roaming charges on Telstra network.
Yeah i already have that setup.
What i want is to be able to Roam to Telstra so i get full PHONE coverage, but once it goes to roaming, i want the data connection to automatically disconnect.
What you have asked me to do is to permanently connect only to 3G which means i cannot get reception everywhere.
Does that make sense?
What you want is not possible without some serious programming! The Radio stack can be set to connect to GSM, UMTS/WCDMA or either, but you can't split voice and data functionality.
Hi,
Thanks for all your replies, but im not asking for voice and data functionality to be split. The phone can already tell whether it is roaming or on the home network. Isn't it just a matter of getting this information from the phone possibly via the OS API and then when the phone returns a value to signify that its roaming, then the program will disconnect the connection, just like pressing the disconnect button, but this time programmatically?
Im not asking for someone to write something like this, but if something already exist like this.
Maybe this reply is not needed anymore sinds the thread is one month old. Still, I use spb grps monitor. It has a lot of customization option. Maybe it has a feature that will do the trick. I'm not going to look into it myself. Just wanted to give you a headsup.
Dear all,
since one week I have the TP2 and like it a lot. Until the TP2 I used to have an Iphone3G and now of course I have to change my user behaviour a little bit.
There is one big topic I would like to discuss here: DataConnections!
I have the problem, that I dont have a flat option for data from my provider. I have to pay by time and not by traffic. Hence I like to keep the time I am connected to the Net to a minimum!
Is it possible to realise the following with the TP2 (maybe with extra software)?
1. Mobile data connection only manually with immediate cut off after the transfer (for example if I press send/receive for mail). If I want to manually access the net there should be a short message box asking me to connect. Currently I have to use the CommCenter to switch data connection on/off. As I already use nodata to really cut off the automated connection behaviour, maybe this tool can also be used somehow to allow access and cut it off after the sending/receiving is done.
2. Wifi Scan constantly in the background (after manually switching it on) to scan for open networks or prefered networks. If some network is found, it automatically connects, checks internet, do all the other automated updates and stays connected until I manually disable wifi.
As you can see, I want to have some kind of automated, cost efficient, connection behaviour of TP2. The tool nodata, which I currently use is great to cut off the automated connection but is not very flexible
I am looking forward to exchange with you on that topic.
Regards,
dvdjimmy
...does really nobody else need something like this? Or am I just too stupid to use the onboard tools of wm6.1 correctly?
Regards,
dvdjimmy
take a look at bandswitch or commmgrpro...
you can use this registry entry,
for example this will kill automatic the connection after 10 seconds,
or if you dont use...
HKLM\Comm\ConnMgr\Planner\Settings\
CacheTime = 10 (sec.)
SuspendResume = GPRS_bye_if_device_off
http://forum.xda-developers.com/search.php
Dear all,
thank you for your suggestions. The registry is already a good start for me. Many thx. The commgrpro also looks very good. It seems to allow also the disconnect after a certain amount of time.
Anyway, I think I have to program it on my own: My dream would be to have a software which I can tell that I allow Access to the net from now on. Then the software is switching on wlan in the background and constantly scans for open or prefered networks. If such a network is found I would like to get connected to it. If somehow the WLAN connection breaks down and access to the net is no longer possible, the app should ask if I would like to use UMTS instead of WLAN right now. If I answer yes, WLAN is switched off, the data connection is switched on, the transfer is taking place and afterwards the connection is cut off completely and WLAN is switched on again and hopefully finds another open access again
So the main benefit would be, that automatically only the WLAN is allowed to connect. All the dataconnection by UMTS have to be allowed and are immediately switched off.
I would like to program something like this if you can help me on how to start with it, as I have not programmed a lot for the WM Platform until now.
With best regards,
Joachim
The underlying problem here is that the 3G signal in my house is quite weak, but not so weak that it is undetectable. If I leave my TP2's band setting set to "Auto" then it keeps trying to switch into 3G mode, then dropping back to 2G, with a delay every time it does it. (Drains the battery too). So I'd like to be able to quickly switch between 2G and 3G mode. (Obviously I could just leave it set to 2G all the time, but this is a waste when I'm at work or in some other place which actually has a good 3G signal).
My current solution is that I've got a start menu shortcut pointing to CMBandSwitching.exe in the Windows folder. (This is the same program that is launched if you go to the TouchFLO "settings" page, then hit Communications/Phone/Band). In here I can change the Network setting between "Auto", "GSM" and "WCDMA" which has the effect of turning 3G on and off.
But... there are horrible side-effects. Switching in this way causes the current data connection to get messed up, so that nothing can actually use it to access the Internet. Web browsers stop working, and I can't receive email. I've tried switching the data connection off and back on in Communications Manager, and this works sometimes; but even when it does, it messes up my ActiveSync schedule settings. And usually I simply can't get the data connection to turn back on. More often than not, when I change the Band setting I end up having to hit the reset button to get everything functioning normally again.
There must surely be a way of turning 3G on and off without disrupting the data connection and ActiveSync settings and requiring a reboot? The phone itself can do this in "Auto" mode if I'm moving between areas of good 3G signal and zero 3G signal. Is there perhaps a way to tweak the behaviour of "Auto" mode so that it needs a higher 3G strength signal to switch to 3G? Or is there any way to convince the phone (while in Auto mode) that there isn't really a 3G signal present (even though there is really a weak signal) so that it switches to 2G in a side-effect-free fashion?
(bump)
Hm. 136 views and no reply.
You might check into WMLonglife
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=478519
I haven't tried it, but it may work for you. It functions more based on what you are doing with the phone as opposed to what bands are available.
mwelch16 said:
You might check into WMLonglife
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=478519
I haven't tried it, but it may work for you. It functions more based on what you are doing with the phone as opposed to what bands are available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll check that out, thanks.
recently got my HTC Hero I am with Optus (Australia) all the time when it says 3G at the top of the screen the connection is terrible (speed tests are slow etc) however if that says H i get more bars and super fast connection
if i use just 2G its just plan slowand not usable for VOIP etc
I am wondering is there a command i set to say only use H which i am guessing HSDPA?
Thank you
OzJames
The phone automatically uses the best connection available to it.
If it's not showing H, you're not within range of HSDPA service.
check on the market and download an apps called "any cut".after u install it open it and create a short cut for phone info by tapping on create a shortcut then choose activity then phone info by scrolling down to the options that says phone info.now go back to the short cut created called phone info and open it and scoll down to set preffered network type.the phone has a default settings to wcdma preffered.tap on the pull down menu and choose wcdma only and press on the back key twice to go to the home screen .this keeps your connection on 3g or H but will reduce in areas you cant get 3g or H.WHEN YOU GET THESE CONNECTION PROBLEMS CHANGE IT TO GSM ONLY.hope this helps
bruzay said:
check on the market and download an apps called "any cut".after u install it open it and create a short cut for phone info by scrolling down to the options that says phone info.now go back to the short cut created called phone info and open it and scoll down to set preffered network type.the phone has a default settings to wcdma preffered.tap on the pull down menu and choose wcdma only and press on the back key twice to go to the home screen .this keeps your connection on 3g or H but will reduce in areas you cant get 3g or H.WHEN YOU GET THESE CONNECTION PROBLEMS CHANGE IT TO GSM ONLY.hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't understand, what is the purpose of doing this?
Like I said above, the phone will always use the best connection available (unless you set it otherwise in the options). Why set it to WCDMA only?
If you're in range of HSDPA service, the phone will use it.
Maybe I'm missing something, but this makes as much sense to me as asking how you can download more RAM to your computer
~David said:
Maybe I'm missing something, but this makes as much sense to me as asking how you can download more RAM to your computer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
actually it would be like setting the computer up that it would only use a fast internet connection, and if it is slow not to use it at all. would be like connection fast -> page loads, connection slow -> page is not loaded at all.
hs(d/u)pa is an extension to the umts standard. if it is not available in the cell you are using there is nothing to do about it. if you have gsm with edge availabe that might even be faster than a bad 3g/umts connection, but that depends on many factors.
Works perfectly thank you
Its much more stable now
Cheers
ozJames
ozjames said:
Works perfectly thank you
Its much more stable now
Cheers
ozJames
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome
Heya, I'm also on Optus in Australia. The problem thatyou have described is actually really common with Optus users. Optus has way too many customers and have overloaded their system. A easy work around for a more stable connection is to change your APN from internet to yesinternet hope this helps.
Is there way to disable 2g/enable 3g only on WP7? I have a T-Mobile HD7 if that makes a difference.
On Android, you can go to the dialer, type in *#*#4636#*#* and it puts you in a menu where you can change it from WCDMA preferred to WCDMA only. I want that same functionality on my HD7 if possible.
I found the answer shortly after posting this. I swear I searched. Well anyway, to let anyone who wants to know, here are the steps:
Go to the phone dialer
Type ##3282#, Call
Tap the ... on the lower right of the screen
Tap Settings
Under "Network Type", select "3G Only"
Going back into the ##3282# menu/settings shows "Automatic" in the "Network Type" box, but it stays on 3G, indefinitely. I'll report back here if that changes.
thanks for the tip, might want to add it to the tips and tricks thread.
Can you set it to 2G only? I live in a low network area and sometimes calls drop out when switching from the weak 3G signal to the strong 2G signal
zukа said:
Can you set it to 2G only? I live in a low network area and sometimes calls drop out when switching from the weak 3G signal to the strong 2G signal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know the hd7 has that option under cellular but apparently not all phones have this.
What are the benefits of doing this?
It's already in tips - it's called Field Test
brummiesteven said:
What are the benefits of doing this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your phone has a 3G signal but the Edge signal is stronger, it reverts to Edge. You lose calling capabilities when not in a 3G area but if you are never out of range it stays in 3G all the time, as in my case.
zukа said:
It's already in tips - it's called Field Test
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I checked tips and could not find it. Search doesn't allow the search "3G" because it is too short and it finds no results for "3G only" and for "WCDMA only". Who would know to look for "Field Test"?
Not me either - I wasn't having a go at you, just saying it was in there
I know. I was commiserating. Sometimes techies aren't clear about what certain functions do. I consider myself a techie of sorts but I'm not a programmer. It was very difficult for me to find. It took 2 days of searching.
When you set the 3G only change, does it stick?
I'm trying it on my Quantum and no matter what I pick, 2G/3G/automatic, nothing happens..
3G lock is nice for me because I have dialup at home, and I can just throw the phone in 3G mode and tether.