2g/3g issues with phone signal strength

[Guest nixey]

I have an issue with the phone reception Signal strength on my HTC Desire.

I have gone the Goldcard route and updated from Orange 2.1 to the standard HTC Froyo.

Everything is great apart from the phone signal. In network settings I normally use GSM/WCDMA AUTO.

When I am in an area of low 3g signal strength, the signal indicator often goes down to zero

bars and drops the call.

I have to switch 2 GSM only through the phone settings and the signal is stable this is OK when i

remember to do it but I still often forget.

It's like the GSM/WCDMA AUTO option is not very efficient in deciding which mode to stay on.

Any advice on a permanent fix?

[Guest volatile_ink]

Same here.

Only found that option screen when I read this post! Switched to 'WCDMA Only' and the data connection is far more stable. Device switches between 3G and Edge and has not dropped to GPRS yet.

So I'd recommend WCDMA only with the latest radio.

[Guest snapilica]

You could also try switching to "GSM Auto (PRL)".

See here for more details.

GSM auto (PRL) - The GSM phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 2G is favored more.

[Guest Rudolfje]

Thanks, very useful.

[Guest Kiran J. Holla]

You could also try switching to "GSM Auto (PRL)".

See here for more details.

Hi,

Can you tell me how exactly should I switch to this GSM Auto (PRL)?

I don't see any such option under Settings -> Wireless & networks -> Mobile Networks on my Desire.

Regards,

Kiran

[Guest Kiran J. Holla]

Hi,

Can you tell me how exactly should I switch to this GSM Auto (PRL)?

I don't see any such option under Settings -> Wireless & networks -> Mobile Networks on my Desire.

Regards,

Kiran

OK Got it. Need to put in *#*#4636#*#* on my Phone Keypad and then go into Phone Information.

Hmm... Interesting.

Regards,

Kiran

[Guest DiscoHero]

You could also try switching to "GSM Auto (PRL)".

See here for more details.

Thanks for the tip/link. Very interesting. Going to give it a shot as I have horrible 3G reception (with stock settings) at home.

[Guest volatile_ink]

I have an issue with the phone reception Signal strength on my HTC Desire.

I have gone the Goldcard route and updated from Orange 2.1 to the standard HTC Froyo.

Everything is great apart from the phone signal.

Any advice on a permanent fix?

It's not the phone, its the network. Get yourself a Pay-as-you-go SIM for O2 and/or Vodafone (or borrow a friend's)...

Go to the spots you get crap signals with orange (so pretty much anywhere on the planet).... and you'll see the difference.

Am now signed up to a monthly sim-only plan with Vodafone, so if they screw me it's bye-bye! :)

'Everything Everywhere', should be 'Nothing Nowhere'. :)

[Guest Ondra81]

Got same problem. Switching to GSM Auto (PRL) doesnt help though. Desire still preferes WCDMA even in areas with TERRIBLE coverage. :-(

[Guest volatile_ink]

Got same problem. Switching to GSM Auto (PRL) doesnt help though. Desire still preferes WCDMA even in areas with TERRIBLE coverage. :-(

And you are with whom?

[Guest Ondra81]

Vodafone

[Guest DiscoHero]

I would be curious to see what the setting is on operator branded phones. HTC Desire wasn't available from any operator here (Spain) for a while with Vodafone just picking it up recently. I wonder what they have it set to (in case operators actually bother to tune phones for their networks anymore or just load bloatware).

After switching to GSM Auto (PRL) I seem to have 3G/H a lot more in areas of bad reception actually (where I would be getting 2G signal only) and 2G signal appears to be stronger. 3G/H signal is still weak but more stable. Seeing a lot fewer 3G/2G switchovers. Just one day though, so it could all be in my head. That said, gTalk doesn't handle switchovers very well and I am getting fewer disconnects.