[Q] Getting LTE signal strength - Thunderbolt Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

So this question maybe asked before, but does anyone know of any way or any app that can tell me the signal strength of the phone's LTE signal?
I think the signal bars show the strength for 1x. Plus RealSignal app only shows signal strength for 1x and 3G. All the other signal apps don't seem to show LTE signal strength, saying something like -120dbm.

what25 said:
So this question maybe asked before, but does anyone know of any way or any app that can tell me the signal strength of the phone's LTE signal?
I think the signal bars show the strength for 1x. Plus RealSignal app only shows signal strength for 1x and 3G. All the other signal apps don't seem to show LTE signal strength, saying something like -120dbm.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dBm is what signal strength is measured in. The closer to 0, the better your signal.
Go to Settings > About Phone > Network and you can find it there.

I knew what dbm was, my question is it shows only one signal, and its the 1x signal strength. I want the LTE strength.

If it only shows 1x then you're not getting any 4g

Beastclaw said:
If it only shows 1x then you're not getting any 4g
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
? When on sense the signal reading in about phone is your 1x signal, regardless if you have 3 or 4G
Sent from my ThunderBolt using XDA Premium App

joshnichols189 said:
? When on sense the signal reading in about phone is your 1x signal, regardless if you have 3 or 4G
Sent from my ThunderBolt using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My point was that if he is showing 1x on his phone than he is clearly not receiving any LTE.
But you are right about the sense only showing the strength of the voice. If you switch to a AOSP ROM I believe that the bars show the strength for the 3g and 4g.
I say believe because I swear mine lies to me

If you use lte on/off you can ping your network and get your signal strength. Its also in the bamf toolkit in lte settings
Sent from my Thunderbolt using my f***King thumbs

Related

[Q] No signal when I actually have signal?!

Right sounds abit strange but basically at times I'll have no bars at all, but will still be able to make a call.
And other times it will show 3 bars but I won't be connected to the network.
The reception bars seem to have no relevance on whether I'm getting any network signal.
I'm using leomars rom, is it possibly a software issue.
Does anyone have anything similar?
I'd just like for the reception bars to be accurate, i.e if I have no reception then show no bars, and if I do then show bars
Thanks
edit I've attached a picture showing what I mean, it shows no bars but as you can see I've got a data connection so I must have signal.
hmm, i may have something similar...
when you say no bars, does that mean that they are greyed out as opposed to white bars... or no bars at all?
croftyboy8 said:
hmm, i may have something similar...
when you say no bars, does that mean that they are greyed out as opposed to white bars... or no bars at all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry my fault, I didn't explain myself correctly.
Yes I mean greyed out, e.g no white bars. In the picture on my first post I've got no white bars so apparently no reception but I've got a 3g connection and can make calls.
And here is a picture showing that I have a few white bars (reception)
Yet I don't have any reception at all. No 3g, and can't make calls
It's so annoying, I've never had anything like this on any phone I've owned before.
When you have no signal at all, you'll get the circle icon thingy instead of bars. Bars all greyed out mean that you just about have a signal (an extremely weak one!) Go to Settings > About phone > Status and have a look at the signal strength details there
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Isadora said:
When you have no signal at all, you'll get the circle icon thingy instead of bars. Bars all greyed out mean that you just about have a signal (an extremely weak one!) Go to Settings > About phone > Status and have a look at the signal strength details there
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah ok so that I can deal with.
But what about when it shows a few white bars but then says I'm not connected to the network, so no data connection and unable to calls?
Signal shows -113 dBm 0asu (not sure if that's good or bad)
JGS2 said:
But what about when it shows a few white bars but then says I'm not connected to the network, so no data connection and unable to calls?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could it be a problem with your carrier? Congestion at your local mast could easily cause this.
Signal shows -113 dBm 0asu (not sure if that's good or bad)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's bad! Good signal is a small -dBm figure (so for example -99.dBm would be much better) and high asu.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Isadora said:
Could it be a problem with your carrier? Congestion at your local mast could easily cause this.
That's bad! Good signal is a small -dBm figure (so for example -99.dBm would be much better) and high asu.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the explanation regarding how the signal figures work.
Going back to what you mention about having white bars and not being able to make calls being congestion. Is there no possibility that it could be a software issue and I actually have no signal but it still shows bars.
Or is it a case where if it shows bars I definitely have signal but likely to be congestion.
Sorry for all the questions
Not sure to be honest. What I have first hand experience of is that when I was with Vodafone, there were big congestion issues in some parts of London and although the phone was getting a full signal, it was unusable (data wouldn't connect and calls would drop) the only solution to at least being able to make and receive calls was to manually switch the phone to 2g only and forget about 3g during the "busy" hours...
Edit: their forum was also full of people complaining about the same problem in other parts of the UK too...
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
On a slightly relevant note i highly recommend this app.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.smartandroidapps.missedcallpro
I've got another question regarding the modems, in another thread someone mentioned that if you are having signal issues it's likely down to the incorrect modem being used.
Now generally all I do is pick a custom rom, flash it and then use the phone as normal.
But should I be picking a rom and using a specific modem version?
Thanks again
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A
lufc said:
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apologies.
I should have known, it's pretty obvious but I'm a bit stupid at times...

(Q) signal strength change after ota update?

anyone seeing decreased 3g signal and better 4g after the ota update? Also is anyone getting a mobile ip registration error after turning 4g on? What causes that?
Sent from my MB855
TheShackSpecialist said:
anyone seeing decreased 3g signal and better 4g after the ota update? Also is anyone getting a mobile ip registration error after turning 4g on? What causes that?
Sent from my MB855
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I noticed the change too. didn't want the 3g signal to decrease
Are you looking at the "bars" or are you looking at the actual signal strength which you will find in settings>about phone>phone status I have found that the number of "bars" has very little to do with the actual signal strength. At the point, I'm not even sure what the hell the "bars" mean.
I just installed it, but my signal in the office (always crap) isn't any worse or better as far as bars are concerned.
Did the OTA Possibly change your Mobile Network Settings? Change you from Automatic to Sprint only or something?
Haven't seen any noticeable difference
Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk

What is your average dBm in Houston? Settings -> About Phone -> Status

If you go to Settings, About Phone, Status, you'll see your network strength.
I have the Epic 4G Touch and my average signal strength is -100 dBm around Houston. Right now, I don't know if its a Sprint thing and their network sux or if it's a Samsung thing and their antennas sux.
2 months ago I had Tmo and had WAY better average signal. I actually roam while in Houston; on Sprint network. I also get dropped called and calls don't come through.
Are people getting horrible connection with your Evo 3D? If you're getting great service in Houston, I'm getting rid of this phone. What's the point of s smartphone if you can't even connect to data without WiFi.
Sent from my Epic 4G Touch using an average signal of -100 dBm. -_-

[Q] TMO GS5 LTE signal always low?

Does anyone else notice that the LTE signal on this phone always seems on the weak end? For example, with the T-Mobile cell site about 10 yards away, my LTE reception is -90-95dbm. When sitting that close with my AT&T iPhone 5 (work phone) the signal is about -75-80dbm. What gives? I also notice that the phone does hold onto weak LTE signals, but I am seeing weak LTE signal more often than not. I have seen a -115dbm-120dbm LTE signal. Yes, data still works, my only concern though is that the battery life is getting sucked out of my phone?
Running stock, T-Mobile also likes to show 5 bars for a -109dbm LTE signal. That couldn't be more of an exaggeration could it? Also in my tests, I have noticed if you set the phone to WCDMA only, the signal is a lot stronger.
Anyone care to comment on this?
No issues for me. Even in the factory that i work at i am getting 4G LTE over people with ATT and its quite strong. LTE Tower is a good distance away.
Have you rooted or flashed anything? If its 100 percent pure stock, ask for a replacement. Or even re-flash the latest update to see if that helps.
The only issue i have and others have is where the outgoing data arrow constantly lights up but no data is coming in. I think its a T-Mobile programming bug in 4.4.2 as the issue didn't exist in 4.3 on my S4.
elesbb said:
No issues for me. Even in the factory that i work at i am getting 4G LTE over people with ATT and its quite strong. LTE Tower is a good distance away.
Have you rooted or flashed anything? If its 100 percent pure stock, ask for a replacement. Or even re-flash the latest update to see if that helps.
The only issue i have and others have is where the outgoing data arrow constantly lights up but no data is coming in. I think its a T-Mobile programming bug in 4.4.2 as the issue didn't exist in 4.3 on my S4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but on average what is your dbm? Not going by bars.
T-Mobile also does not have a dense cell grid in my area which could be why. Already past the 14 day return window. Absolutely no device modification has even done.
I'm at full 5 bars on LTE 4G signal strength @ - 97 dBm
Biker1 said:
I'm at full 5 bars on LTE 4G signal strength @ - 97 dBm
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Click to collapse
Appreciate the response. Been doing some research lately, and I think its because t-mobile doesn't have many sites in my area. I don't think their frequencies travel far either. Maybe I am wrong, but wouldn't this cause very low LTE signal?
BlockEight88 said:
Appreciate the response. Been doing some research lately, and I think its because t-mobile doesn't have many sites in my area. I don't think their frequencies travel far either. Maybe I am wrong, but wouldn't this cause very low LTE signal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the towers are far from you, I would think that would cause a weak signal.
You can try this app.
It may help to see where the issue may be regarding towers, etc
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.android.telnet
Biker1 said:
If the towers are far from you, I would think that would cause a weak signal.
You can try this app.
It may help to see where the issue may be regarding towers, etc
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.android.telnet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That app just shows the -dBm as a widget. Anyone else notice a -109 or less signal showing 5 bars?
BlockEight88 said:
That app just shows the -dBm as a widget. Anyone else notice a -109 or less signal showing 5 bars?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does give you a more accurate signal bar strength indicator consisting of 14 bars and not 5 bars, as the stock indicator does. I'm at 11 bars.
BlockEight88 said:
Yes, but on average what is your dbm? Not going by bars.
T-Mobile also does not have a dense cell grid in my area which could be why. Already past the 14 day return window. Absolutely no device modification has even done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh. I will have to check the dbm. I don't get full signal but i get like 2 bars. Sometimes four depending where i sit. Then outside, i get full bars. I'll double check the dbm outside with full bars. It should be in and around the -90s.

[Q] Two phones on T-Mobile, but different signal strenght

Hi, everyone.
Could someone help me with the signal strength issue I'm having with one of my phones.
I currently have two I605.
One (white) is rooted with unlocked bootloader with latest CM11
The other (Grey) is rooted with locked bootloader on stock MJ9. (4.3)
I'm using both on Lycamobile on Tmobile network.
The white one is working well with the Lycamobile.
The signal strength is -69 dBm with 22 asu on HSADPA.
I see the network as Lycamobile.
However, my grey phone's signal strength is bad.
It's -90 dBM with 11 asu on HSPA.
THe network is listed as T-mobile on this phone.
The APN settings are exactly same.
The phones are next to each other in the same house.
I have never had problem with the WHITE one any where,
but the GREY one won't connect to the network intermittently
because of weak signal strength outside. I'm not talking about the data.
The phone simply doesn't call or receive calls.
I'm wondering if there's a setting that I should be touching additionally
to unleash or unlock more bands in this GREY phone.
I'd appreciate any insight.
Thanks.
oinop said:
Hi, everyone.
Could someone help me with the signal strength issue I'm having with one of my phones.
I currently have two I605.
One (white) is rooted with unlocked bootloader with latest CM11
The other (Grey) is rooted with locked bootloader on stock MJ9. (4.3)
I'm using both on Lycamobile on Tmobile network.
The white one is working well with the Lycamobile.
The signal strength is -69 dBm with 22 asu on HSADPA.
I see the network as Lycamobile.
However, my grey phone's signal strength is bad.
It's -90 dBM with 11 asu on HSPA.
THe network is listed as T-mobile on this phone.
The APN settings are exactly same.
The phones are next to each other in the same house.
I have never had problem with the WHITE one any where,
but the GREY one won't connect to the network intermittently
because of weak signal strength outside. I'm not talking about the data.
The phone simply doesn't call or receive calls.
I'm wondering if there's a setting that I should be touching additionally
to unleash or unlock more bands in this GREY phone.
I'd appreciate any insight.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aosp roms more accurately read the signal strength. The tw rom is reading lower but it just not as accurate at displaying the correct signal strength. It is strictly visual though. This is perfectly normal. Neither phone has to something wrong with it.
DreamFX said:
Aosp roms more accurately read the signal strength. The tw rom is reading lower but it just not as accurate at displaying the correct signal strength. It is strictly visual though. This is perfectly normal. Neither phone has to something wrong with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, Thanks for the reply.
I'm not talking about the signal antenna icon.
I know that one is strictly for visual. Some shows Full Bar even when it's -100 while some shows 2 bars for the same condition.
Are you saying that even the signal strength reading in dBm is strictly visual as well?
Because I used various signal strength apps and they all show poor strengths in the "poor" note 2.
And I'm curious why there's a discrepancy of showing HSPA vs HSDPA, and Tmobile vs Lycamobile
when I'm using same phone, same cell tower, same service.
oinop said:
Hey, Thanks for the reply.
I'm not talking about the signal antenna icon.
I know that one is strictly for visual. Some shows Full Bar even when it's -100 while some shows 2 bars for the same condition.
Are you saying that even the signal strength reading in dBm is strictly visual as well?
Because I used various signal strength apps and they all show poor strengths in the "poor" note 2.
And I'm curious why there's a discrepancy of showing HSPA vs HSDPA, and Tmobile vs Lycamobile
when I'm using same phone, same cell tower, same service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it's visual in there as well. Aosp is supposed to read more accurately.I just heard time and time again not to focus so much on those numbers as tw has just as good of signal strength as aosp it just doesn't look like it visually.

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