ajax
Executive Member
There is UMTS 2100 MHz in Stellenbosch. Tested with a Nokia 6680 which is only UMTS 2100 capable.
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dadiggle
Well-Known Member
Umts 900 is for HSPA plus (4G) . They must seriously look at their network because at 20 percent with a db almost a 100 the other providers have no connection problems. If they support 3G hspa and huspa then they will still be using 2100. A network is suppose to be backward compatible. Umts 900 is still in its testing stages as well. I dont want hspa "4G" i just want the thing to connect when on a supported band. I mean at 30 to 40 percent signal its suppose to log in.
For MTSO why is the pass over so out of sorts. When there isnt a better signal then why is it trying to pass it over to edge then? The mtso is suppose to tell the tower to stick with the device.
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No, you are wrong. Cell-C have 3G, HSDPA, HSUPA and HSPA+ all on UMTS 900.
dadiggle
Well-Known Member
And on 2100?
The fact that people complained about modems supporting UMTS 900 had the same problems tells me its a Cell C issue. Why? GSM900. Someone is using dualband Antenna's rather than Antenna's for GSM and UMTS separately. Cheap upgrade
There is no reason to suspect that a newer upgrade (requiring a new hardware) are anything less. 3G, HSDPA, HSUPA and HSPA+ upgrade in the existing 900MHz band was made in software.
Edit: the last sentence possibly not true.
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I recall when Cell-C first launched they were using GSM @ 1800MHz, I don't know whether they've ever used GSM @ 900MHz.
There was some distraction for a while, lets return now to the main subject. In the message #7 I wrote that the modem can be confused by the signal in the other band and get stuck to the particular frequencies in similar way it was described in the thread "Stuck on EDGE, unable switch to 3G...". Following pvt with CellC situation has stabilised and the last few days 3G connection works fine in "manual search" mode and selecting band 900MHz. There is also 3G signal in 2100MHz, so I could make more testing...
The important thing is to understand that modem stores details of the last of successful registration (operator details, 2G/3G, the band and possible many more) in non-volatile memory. The next time is powered on, it will use this information to speed-up registering. It is shown in Mobile Partner when modem is still searching: go to the manual search (but don't press Refresh), the last mode is displayed, in my case "CellC(3G)" - it doesn't say "registered" or rejected, this field is empty. It doesn't indicate 3G 21000MHz, but I know it was the case. If there is CellC 3G signal present in 2100MHz band (which is the last registered) but this time network refuses registration, modem continue searching in this band or switch to 2G mode (if allowed). It doesn't look for 3G signal in 900MHz band anymore.
The other situation happens when modem successfully register to the 3G in 900MHz band and then attaches to the network, but there are delays during connection - transfer drops to zero. These delays are associated with changing CellID to 13204 or 10984. There is no thoughput from these transmitters. I found that in the manual search mode with frequency band forced to 2100MHz, modem can register to these stations (there are indeed 2100MHz transmitters), but it cannot attach (dialup connection). So no wonder there are delays in connected state when trying to switch. All transmitters are on the same LAC. This is definitely a problem CellC should look at.
In meantime in the case of difficulties of connecting or with stability of the connection I suggest to use Mobile Partner (or CellC dashboard) and test the connection in manual search mode: Set type "WCDMA-only", band "WCDMA900" or "WCDMA2100", then perform manual search, refresh/register and test your connection on each band separately. Then use the one which works. Tested with Huawei, ZTE might differ.
The last word, when modem "Band setting" is other than default "All bands", MDMA can be still used for dialing, but don't be tempted to touch "Connection Type" box in MDMA, I saw unexpected results. If for some reason you need 2G or auto, revert back to "All band" in Mobile Partner first.
The important thing is to understand that modem stores details of the last of successful registration (operator details, 2G/3G, the band and possible many more) in non-volatile memory. The next time is powered on, it will use this information to speed-up registering. It is shown in Mobile Partner when modem is still searching: go to the manual search (but don't press Refresh), the last mode is displayed, in my case "CellC(3G)" - it doesn't say "registered" or rejected, this field is empty. It doesn't indicate 3G 21000MHz, but I know it was the case. If there is CellC 3G signal present in 2100MHz band (which is the last registered) but this time network refuses registration, modem continue searching in this band or switch to 2G mode (if allowed). It doesn't look for 3G signal in 900MHz band anymore.
The other situation happens when modem successfully register to the 3G in 900MHz band and then attaches to the network, but there are delays during connection - transfer drops to zero. These delays are associated with changing CellID to 13204 or 10984. There is no thoughput from these transmitters. I found that in the manual search mode with frequency band forced to 2100MHz, modem can register to these stations (there are indeed 2100MHz transmitters), but it cannot attach (dialup connection). So no wonder there are delays in connected state when trying to switch. All transmitters are on the same LAC. This is definitely a problem CellC should look at.
In meantime in the case of difficulties of connecting or with stability of the connection I suggest to use Mobile Partner (or CellC dashboard) and test the connection in manual search mode: Set type "WCDMA-only", band "WCDMA900" or "WCDMA2100", then perform manual search, refresh/register and test your connection on each band separately. Then use the one which works. Tested with Huawei, ZTE might differ.
The last word, when modem "Band setting" is other than default "All bands", MDMA can be still used for dialing, but don't be tempted to touch "Connection Type" box in MDMA, I saw unexpected results. If for some reason you need 2G or auto, revert back to "All band" in Mobile Partner first.
dadiggle
Well-Known Member
Its fixed now 3 days up with no problems seems they have worked on their network same time i was fiddling with the modem manage to download over 21gb of data the past few days
Nope. Anyway, good 4U.
ajax
Executive Member
What is the AT command for Huawei to force UMTS2100 only? With MDMA I seem to get much better speed on the UMTS2100 tower than the UMTS900 one but I can't get the modem to "stay" on the UMTS2100 tower
ajax
Executive Member
There are no options like the above in Mobile Partner. A typo or incomplete details perhaps?
I am using Mobile_Partner_11.302.09.01.539_Voice_USSD.zip
The options available depend on the modem. Program reads it from the modem (somehow).
Edit: Or it takes from its own database. For the same modem Vodafona A1 E272
These are options in proprietary Vodafone A1 dashboard called (Mobile Connect):
- All Band
- GSM900/1800/WCDMA2100
- GSM1900
These are options in generic Mobile Partner 11.302.09.01.539:
- Automatic
- GSM1900
- GSM850/1900/WCDMA850/1900
- GSM900/GSM1800/WCDMA2100
For proprietary Vodafone A1 dashboard options are fixed, not changed when swapped for E220 or E160G modems.
The options available depend on the modem. Program reads it from the modem (somehow).
Edit: Or it takes from its own database. For the same modem Vodafona A1 E272
These are options in proprietary Vodafone A1 dashboard called (Mobile Connect):
- All Band
- GSM900/1800/WCDMA2100
- GSM1900
These are options in generic Mobile Partner 11.302.09.01.539:
- Automatic
- GSM1900
- GSM850/1900/WCDMA850/1900
- GSM900/GSM1800/WCDMA2100
For proprietary Vodafone A1 dashboard options are fixed, not changed when swapped for E220 or E160G modems.
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I can now confirm that 40541 is a 900MHz cell and 40544 is a 2100MHz cell.
I am getting much better signal strength and speeds on 900MHz:
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/258764?p=6677086#post6677086
I am getting much better signal strength and speeds on 900MHz:
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/258764?p=6677086#post6677086
Both my Nokia N900 and my Huawei E1820 seem to sometimes prefer a weaker UMTS2100 signal to a stronger UMTS900 signal. I also had the problem where the E1820 would sometimes prefer EDGE (@ 1800MHz?) over UMTS900 (see Stuck on EDGE, unable to switch to 3G (E1820 / E1752?)).
There must be some algorithm in the devices that decides which is the best network and frequency to use when in automatic mode. I wonder whether these algorithms are not optimal because UMTS900 is still new. On the other hand, maybe it's the network that needs to say "here is UMTS900, use this if you can".
There was a big Cell-C outtage in Cape Town on Tuesday afternoon/evening. Both UMTS900 and UMTS2100 at my closest tower were switched off. When the network came back up in the early hours of Wednesday morning I noticed there was only UMTS900 and when I left for work later that morning it was still like that. On Wednesday night UMTS2100 was back, but both my N900 and my E1820 are currently on UMTS900 in automatic mode, so things seem to be better since the outtage but it could just be a coincidence.
There must be some algorithm in the devices that decides which is the best network and frequency to use when in automatic mode. I wonder whether these algorithms are not optimal because UMTS900 is still new. On the other hand, maybe it's the network that needs to say "here is UMTS900, use this if you can".
There was a big Cell-C outtage in Cape Town on Tuesday afternoon/evening. Both UMTS900 and UMTS2100 at my closest tower were switched off. When the network came back up in the early hours of Wednesday morning I noticed there was only UMTS900 and when I left for work later that morning it was still like that. On Wednesday night UMTS2100 was back, but both my N900 and my E1820 are currently on UMTS900 in automatic mode, so things seem to be better since the outtage but it could just be a coincidence.
It was my initial feeling (my first posting in this thread) that this algorithm was flawed. "Stuck on EDGE" seems to be the same problem at its roots. Additionally CEllC has too many roaming partners which confuse modem too.
UnUnOctium
Expert Member
Just a note to anyone curious: Since UMTS works on WCDMA, the algorithm which your transceiver uses to select the best antenna/cell is HIGHLY dependent on how many other users are on it. A BTS will actively advertise how much power it has (this is proportional to how much users) spare. The algorithm probably decided that the trade-off in drop in SNR to everyone by you joining the 900 MHz cell vs the effective drop in SNR due to propagation at 2100 MHz will be in favour of the 2100 MHz cell.
I thought this was fixed in 1.0.0.31 beta 4 and then the fix was backported to 1.0.0.30c. Have you noticed the problem recently?
So are there algorithms at the BTS as well as in mobile phones and 3G modems? Which take preference?
Does using a high gain antenna mess with these algorithms?
How to set frequency for Huawei modems?
You can install generic Mobile Partner ver.11.302.09.01.539 and go to the Tools->Option->Network>Band. Easy way. It can be also done from terminal emulator.
The first step is to write down default setting IMPORTANT!
Then query all available options:
For older modems like E220 or E272 it will display nothing, the only way to learn options is to install generic Mobile Partner and write down available settings of "Band".
Here is AT^SYSCFG=? result for E160G
It seems Mobile Partner do not parse this output, because it displays "Automatic" instead of "All Band" and one frequency string is slightly different.
Here is AT^SYSCFG=? result for K3565
The first two parameters will set type of the connection. They seems are identical to the ^SYSCONFIG command for Sierra modems:
It sounds complicated, but Huawei modems use the following combination:
The third parameter is bit-mapped image of allowed frequencies. Look at the 13-digit hexadecimal number:
Note that these options are hardware dependent and modem will reject frequencies or combination of frequencies not supported by hardware. Results are consistent across all modems tested:
Vodafone E220,
Vodafone A1 E272,
Vodafone K3565,
E160G,
E1820 (not tested - from the posting)
One exception is default settings "All Band" or "Automatic", it is different for different modems (remove commas):
E1820 default setting is also bit-map of all supported frequencies, at least it looks consistent to me.
I found that E272 actually accepts 3FFF,FFFF. This settings is left after using buggy MWCONN network analysis, it is why I found it.
Once you know all parameters required, use set command in the form:
All parameters must be included in the command line, including the last two (unknown).
History:
1. Corrected bitmap frequencies description (code 0380)
2. Added WCDMA850 and WCDMA1900, modems K4605 and K4505 thanks to Jola and ajax.
You can install generic Mobile Partner ver.11.302.09.01.539 and go to the Tools->Option->Network>Band. Easy way. It can be also done from terminal emulator.
The first step is to write down default setting IMPORTANT!
Code:
AT^SYSCFG?
^SYSCFG:14,2,4F80380,1,1 (E272 response)
Code:
AT^SYSCFG=?Here is AT^SYSCFG=? result for E160G
Code:
^SYSCFG:(2,13,14,16),(0-3),((200000,"GSM1900"),(280000,"GSM850/GSM1900"),(400380
,"GSM900/GSM1800/WCDMA2100"),(3fffffff,"All Band")),(0-2),(0-4)
OKHere is AT^SYSCFG=? result for K3565
Code:
^SYSCFG:(2,13,14,16),(0-3),((80000,"GSM850"),(200000,"GSM1900"),(2000000000000,"
WCDMA900"),(400380,"GSM900/GSM1800/WCDMA2100"),(3fffffff,"All Band")),(0-2),(0-4
)
OK
Code:
1st parameter <mode>:
2 - Auto-Select
13 - 2G only
14 - 3G only
16 - No change
2nd parameter <Network acquisition order>:
0 - Automatic
1 - 2G, then 3G
2 - 3G, then 2G
3 - No change
Code:
2,1 - 2G prefered
2,2 - 3G prefered
13,1 - 2G only
14,1 - 3G only
Code:
x,xxxx,xxxx,xxxx
38 - GSM900 + GSM1800
8 - GSM850
2 - GSM1900
4 - WCDMA2100
48 - WCDMA850 + WCDMA1900
2 - WCDMA900Vodafone E220,
Vodafone A1 E272,
Vodafone K3565,
E160G,
E1820 (not tested - from the posting)
One exception is default settings "All Band" or "Automatic", it is different for different modems (remove commas):
Code:
4F8,0380 - E272
3FFF,FFFF - E220, E160G, K3565, K4605, maybe E1820{?}
2,0000,0068,0380 - E1820 (from ginggs posting)
2,0000,04E8,0380 - K4505I found that E272 actually accepts 3FFF,FFFF. This settings is left after using buggy MWCONN network analysis, it is why I found it.
Once you know all parameters required, use set command in the form:
Code:
AT^SYSCFG= (list of parameters)History:
1. Corrected bitmap frequencies description (code 0380)
2. Added WCDMA850 and WCDMA1900, modems K4605 and K4505 thanks to Jola and ajax.
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