S2 poor signal - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Morning all, loving this forum already!
I have an S2 which is fantastic apart from the poor 3g reception. I have a MiFi on 3 aswell , and the two can be side by side and the phone says no 3g and the dongle says full strength!
I have unlocked the MiFi but need to know what settings I will need to change in order to use my phone sim (with unlimited data), without Three knowing I am doing this? Apparently it contravenes the terms of my contract and they can tell, even though most of the time I am online I am tethered anyway.
Your help will be appreciated.
Thanks
SST

Check your apn settings in wireless and networks / mobile networks / apn. If they are incorrect then Google for the correct one.
Sent from my GT-I9100

Maybe try flashing the KP8 modem

Related

3G connectivity AT&T on Samsung Galaxy S2

Hello Folks,
Just bought myself a samsung galaxy S2 and swapped my AT&T SIM into the new phone. The phone seems to be working just fine but there is no internet connectivity through the 3G network. It doesn't even show that there is a 3G connection. I've tried to go into the settings and have played around but to no avail. Could someone please help or point me in the right direction? Would be a shame to spend 600$ for a phone that only works for voice calling and wifi.
Much appreciated
Harry
I'm having the same problem. Signed up for AT&T since the international version doesn't work with Simple Mobile, have a 2GB dataplan for smart phones and 400 minutes. A friends AT&T sim with an unlimited data plan works fine no problem. Went to the AT&T store and had them test the phone with one of their sim's and it worked... Have to go back to the store on Monday and try and get someone further up the chain to take a look at this.
If you have the Inter model, you will need a 4G data plan... apparently you can swap it. Make sure they set you up in their system under the 4G plan, the price remains the same.
Edit: Have them check your SIM card also, to be safe is compatible with the 4G network.
At Bell, it costs $5 to replace your SIM card. My old SIM worked out of the box with the new phone.
and verify your apn settings. They will vary depending what data plan you are on.
The APN settings are set as the default. WAP.cingular APN gets an unhighlited H+ for a second then it drops to 3G with no connection up or down then it drops off. I'm going to use the ADB log to get more info.
Raised a case with AT&T after verifying everything twice, the latest they'll get back to me is Wednesday.
Ok, so finally got Data working. The AT&T representative, when I first signed up in store, didn't put an IMEI of an AT&T phone in the system so regardless of whether or not I had the correct smart phone data plan, the system wouldn't allow me to properly connect to the data network. So after fussing about the SIM card at the store, the AT&T rep put in an IMEI of an AT&T 4G phone in and then it connected.
Although now that i've found out that H2O wireless has an unlimited $60 plan and is an MVNO that piggy backs on AT&T, i'm tempted to sign up with them. I just need to find out if they support HSPA+ and conditional call forwarding.
I as well has the problem with my S2 not getting a data connection. I did everything that I could think of, but just wasn't getting any connection.
My wife has a Atrix (motorola) and she has the HSPA+ and 3g, so I swapped the SIMs and then my phone was getting the same connection speeds.
I went to the AT&T store and they did give me a new sim (one that said is used for the 4g) , but still nothing.. I told the rep at the counter about me swapping my wife' sim and that happened and she looked at her phone, noticed some setting and basically did a copy and paste and now I got the same speeds.
So, if anyone has any light to shed on what might have been updated.. I sure would like to know.. just in case our account gets changed or updated...
I don't recommend the new unl H2O data plan b/c I had a bad experience with them, their data speed its just too slow. Its like the lowest 3G speed of like 180kbps down and lime 86kbps up.
Using at&t non-smartphone plan I get like 7.5Mbps down and 2Mbps up for $10/mo. (big, big difference), AT&T is the way to go on the GSII.
Sent from my GT-I9100
A little off subject, will the S2 get 4G? I get the HSPA+ , but the AT&T rep said that it would not get the AT&T 4g
hey guys,
i have this exact problem. I am on a family plan and my phone number has an unlimited $15/mo data plan. I have a sim card from 2002, and it works fine with my dumb phone.
My sony ericsson C905A shows an "H" symbol as well as 3g and i can get the internet/data on it. however, on my international galaxy s2 , all i get is edge and i have no indication of either 3g or H+.
how would i be able to switch to the "4g" plan? what would i need to do when i go to the AT&T store?
4G from AT&T is HSPA+ I'm on AT&T and after some account hiccups now have 4G
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
okay... I need to do a speed test, but there is that new 4LTE (or something like that) isn't that the 'true' 4G?
There's HSPA+, which gives "4G"-esque speeds. I've gotten as high as 7 Mbps on it on my EU version phone running KE7. Currently available SGS2's don't support LTE; Samsung has announced a LTE version, but it is, as far as I know, not available just yet.
My understanding is that the AT&T version, due out next weekend, will NOT be LTE-capable.
The LTE version has only just come out in Korea, my guess is the US market may see it on the Verizon network first.

[Q] UK GS2 - rubbish without WIFI

Hi there..
I am generally very happy with my S2, which i purchased from Phones 4 U in England, and is using Vodafone sim.
I am a noob unfortunately, but i do know what Wifi is, and i know that when i am connected to my home wireless network, i can browse online (stock or dolphin browser) use the FB app, and marketplace etc all nice and smooth.
The problem appears to be when i am not connected to a Wifi network, it is usually very very slow do display data, and more often than not, it will say "unable to connect", or "there was a problem".
Also, how important is the fact that i bought in the UK? my phone says..
GT-I9100
2.3.3
I9100xxKE7 (baseband v.)
(kernel v.) 2.6.35.7-I9100XWKF3-CL276555 [email protected] #2
Build number GINGERBREAD.XWKF3
It is a great phone apart from when i'm out and about data is rubbish! I am on a £36 a month contract.
Google maps/navigation also slow to find me. maybe cause i'm in the countryside at the start of my journey?
many thanks for any help from geniuses and sorry if this answer is well known/ already there... it's just that many questions seem to relate to korean/US/non UK versions. regards
You mentioned you are in the countryside, chances are the signal is bad it's always usually city's who have the best signal i highly doubt it's anything to do with your SGSII.
ps - i purchased my SGSII in the UK and have never had any major issues with it.
Wow, back to basics eh? Well, the speed of your mobile network depends on the coverage in your area. Generally if you're in the UK countryside, you're probably looking at GPRS, which is painfully slow.
Go to http://www.vodafone.co.uk/vodafone-uk/personal-coverage/ enter your postcode and choose "Internet and email", if it's "Slow speed", that's where your problem lies.
It's not a problem with the Samsung Galaxy S II, or with Android, it's probably a problem with your network operator.
im on the london/kent borders, can only really get 2g in my flat but outside the signal is fine. like others have said it will be because you are in a rubbish signal area, or you have put the phone into 2g only mode. Also you cant compare your wifi speed with normal signal speed. Until we start getting 4g rolled out it will always be slower
well many thanks for quick replies. The vodafone signal map thing states that i have yeah either variable or rubbish signal. I knew this would be the case around here... just well... thought my Galaxy was some kind of nex gen super phone. Just what kind of network do Voda think they're running here man?
Cheers guys
Luckylewie said:
just well... thought my Galaxy was some kind of nex gen super phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it is but it cant magic up a signal that isnt there
a ferrari could cost you £200,000 but still needs petrol to run

Force 4g radio, ignore edge

Hello,
I am coming from an Inspire 4g phone have been using the Not since its release date. I am having a similar issue with my Note that the Inspire had, but I am unable to work-around the issue the way the Inspire did.
My issue is that while my phone has great cell tower signal, my phone drops into Edge connectivity constantly. Prior to my Note upgrade, my Inspire would do the same thing, but I had a couple of work arounds I could do to lock back into 4G (HSPA+).
A) I could reboot the phone and the overwhelming majority of times it would go back to H+.
B) I could turn the mobile data radio off and then back on and again, the majority of the times, it would go back to H+.
C) The fix I used most often was to go into the phone dialer and dial *#*#4636#*#*. This brings up a back door to the testing screens and I could access the phone information section. In phone information, I could change the preferred network type and I would change from the default WCDMA preferred to either GSM ONLY or WCDMA ONLY depending on the area I was in. This not only work with near 100% success, it also locked the signal into H+ for longer periods of time.
Now that I have my Note, I have the same issue with the phone dropping to Edge service. However, when I try each of the 3 methods above, including *#*#4636#*#*, my phone stays locked into Edge. I can not get it to change.
I called AT&T about the issue and they explained to me that the phone will lock into the stronger signal, so if Edge is stronger, that is what I will get. I told them about my workaround with my Inspire and they could not give an explanation why it worked with that phone. I did talk them into re-sending the network information to my phone while on the call. They sent the information and while I was sitting still with full bars of signal strength, the phone miraculously popped into 4G service. I asked why it would change from Edge to H+ when they sent the network information since I didn't move to affect the signal and they could give me no explanation.
Does anyone have an idea how to make the Note ignore Edge service if H+ is available? If I can't figure this out, the Note is going back and I will stay with my Inspire 4G for now.
Thanks,
Roger
Flash the Rogers modem(I think)..its got RAT access or whatever its called.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
(I don't have a Note yet but...) Settings- Wireless and Network- Mobile Network- Network Preferences. Maybe you can force it there. Keep in mind this is an LTE phone, and SIM, so a little different than our Inspires.
kimtyson said:
Settings- Wireless and Network- Mobile Network- Network Preferences.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unavailable on the stock rom.
kimtyson said:
(I don't have a Note yet but...) Settings- Wireless and Network- Mobile Network- Network Preferences. Maybe you can force it there. Keep in mind this is an LTE phone, and SIM, so a little different than our Inspires.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As stated, this is not available in stock rom nor TPC Note 2, which I am currently running. However, based on what I remember seeing on other Samsung phones, the *#*#4636#*#* feature I reference is supposed to do the same thing.
Thanks for the replies. Looks like the RAT feature is locked. Using the Rogers Radio seems to fix the problem, but breaks video playback at this time.
I found it an other thread, so I don't take any credit for it as someone else posted it, but I have confirmed it works on my Galaxy Note
*#*#197328640#*#* > debug screen > phone control > network control > band selection
You need to do this after each reboot though as it does not stick.
To work around this I have made a contact and only left out the last * in it, so all you do is use that as a speed dial and you are good to go

HSPA issues

I have a International Galaxy S3 I9300 bought in India and i have come to US and have took a TMobile connection. Now the issue is that , im not getting 3g(h,h+) speeds all the time. I have set my device in Auto(GSM/WCDMA) . I have another guy under same roof using same Tmobile conn (Nexus 4) and he is getting 3g speeds and im not. Its showing as Edge('E') in my phone. I can confirm that the 3G is working at some places near my apartment so its not an activation issue or something. Does it has to do anything with the ROM/kerner . I have been using the Foxhound/Persus combo. Should i change the modem settings?
Try setting the Network Mode setting to WCDMA only (instead of auto). I am on AT&T, but was having same problem in certain areas and this fixed it.
BaronInkjet said:
Try setting the Network Mode setting to WCDMA only (instead of auto). I am on AT&T, but was having same problem in certain areas and this fixed it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, i tried this, but the network goes blank. I'm sure im covered under a 3G area as the other guy is getting awesome speeds under the same roof. Was it because the other guy got his mobile in US(Nexus 4) and i got the international version that it could not read certain spectrum? Really confused.
Did you compare APN settings with other phone? Somewhere here there are probably APN settings that are optimized for T-Mobile. Or may find them on Google.
My gt-i9300 does the same
ashgan4ever said:
I have a International Galaxy S3 I9300 bought in India and i have come to US and have took a TMobile connection. Now the issue is that , im not getting 3g(h,h+) speeds all the time. I have set my device in Auto(GSM/WCDMA) . I have another guy under same roof using same Tmobile conn (Nexus 4) and he is getting 3g speeds and im not. Its showing as Edge('E') in my phone. I can confirm that the 3G is working at some places near my apartment so its not an activation issue or something. Does it has to do anything with the ROM/kerner . I have been using the Foxhound/Persus combo. Should i change the modem settings?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on omega v35 and I have tmobile as well. it seems I get this edge all around were I live but then I'll go about a mile in any direction and I'll "all hspap??, 4g, 3g., all" I guess thats because of the towers mabey and the fact that I have the international as well. If any one knows why I would like to know as well.

[Q] [LG-D620R] GSM Phone Connected to CDMA Networks? (And other questions)

I've somewhat recently obtained the LG G2 Mini (D620R) due to my stupid self bricking my Samsung S3. In every single way it utterly destroys the S3, despite the S3's specs being slightly better. I've recently switched to T-Mobile, since I was under the impression that T-Mobile is a GSM carrier, and my phone is GSM as far as I know and Straighttalk was no longer a viable option.
I was told I would get spotty data coverage where I live, and that is completely understandable and I knew that going in. However, I have been getting little to no voice and text service where I live, and fair service in town. Even a free cell booster did not seem to help despite getting fair signal at the window unit. I did a bit of troubleshooting and for some reason, the phone is connected to T-Mobile (WCDMA). This makes no sense as A)It's a GSM phone (afaik). B) T-Mobile is a GSM carrier. The only other options when scanning the networks in the area are AT&T (WCDMA) and AT&T (GSM). In town, there is a T-Mobile (GSM) network, but selecting it results in EDGE instead of 3G/H. The cell booster did work some at first, but it seems to have stopped helping at all. Since it is not a T-Mobile phone I can't use Wi-Fi calling/texting. Is there something I'm missing? Did I find wrong information/get lied to about T-Mobile? Did I get scammed on the phone? I'm hoping I can get some help or figure this out, I can't really afford another phone and getting a phone through T-Mobile would push my bill up way too high (and honestly, I'm considering dropping to the non-unlimited plan because of how insanely expensive it is).
A less important question, how do I bypass the tethering restrictions? Do I need to root the phone or is there a simpler method? Last time I rooted a phone...it resulted in me having to buy this one in the first place...
Also, is the S3 really that badly crippled by Touchwiz a weaker phone can utterly humiliate it?
Ok, first of all google a bit about mobile network standards, there's everything explained. I'll just introduce you with a few things:
1. WCDMA is not equal to CDMA, it actually represents 3G standard for regular (not CDMA) phones.
2. GSM equals 2G standard, and it gives EDGE data communication, while WCDMA equals 3G/3G+ standard and it gives HSPA/HSPA+ data communication.
As I said just google it, at your location you probably have stronger 2G than 3G signal, and when you go to some bigger town or city you get 3G better.
For start read the information given at this link.
Problem is, I get absolutely no EDGE at all where I live, only 3G/H and I consistently lose all service and cannot make calls. I am well within the coverage area for at least voice. I also have been having more and more troubles with data even in town. It's progressively gotten to the point where I have to constantly toggle data just to get some mobile data for a few minutes or so.
Try to select 2g only network and you should get EDGE.
If I select 2G Only, I get no service at all, it doesn't even attempt to search for a signal where I live (Red 'X' instead of spinny icon). However in town if I do this, I do immediately get switched to EDGE/2G and it's signal is slightly better.
Than it means you don't have network coverage at your place, that's all.
My booster however shows it gets 3 bars, and I was made aware at the time I would get at the very least get voice service. I did some checking and I'm about 5 miles from the nearest cell tower. My only other option at this point is AT&T, but I have a general distaste for them, can't afford a phone if they don't have a BYOP program, and they do shady things to rooted phones from what I've heard.
I do expect poor or no data service where I live, I can make do with that. What I don't expect is no voice service at all, sometimes even to the point of no E911 either.

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