CellC + Android: GSM/WCDMA or Auto

[Budza]

Just ported to CellC from MTN

With DesireHD + CellC 900+ or whatever network:

Goes Edge (GSM) work well enough for most background data connections?
Should I leave it on GSM Only, Auto or WCDMA only? I take it the WCDMA is the same as HSPA+?

What affects battery life more: Straining to find weak signal or continuously scanning for ans switching to better signals?

When on MTN, I turned on 3G when I needed VOIP, fast browsing or would be using phone as a modem, otherwise I left it on GSM only. I've heard CellC Edge coverage isn't great, just wanting to know what the other Android okes are doing.

TIA

 

[Willie Trombone]

Just ported to CellC from MTN

With DesireHD + CellC 900+ or whatever network:

Goes Edge (GSM) work well enough for most background data connections?
Should I leave it on GSM Only, Auto or WCDMA only? I take it the WCDMA is the same as HSPA+?

What affects battery life more: Straining to find weak signal or continuously scanning for ans switching to better signals?

When on MTN, I turned on 3G when I needed VOIP, fast browsing or would be using phone as a modem, otherwise I left it on GSM only. I've heard CellC Edge coverage isn't great, just wanting to know what the other Android okes are doing.

TIA

GSM only, none of the SA providers support WCDMA (no sim) connectivity.
Your options are to turn off 3G/HSDPA in favour of edge to save battery life, but if you need the speed, then put up with the 3G+ connection with possible shorter battery life. The biggest saving would be to install toggle apps to toggle wifi / 3g to let you turn data off when you don't need it. You simply touch the desktop icon to toggle them on and off.

 

[ajax]

GSM only, none of the SA providers support WCDMA (no sim) connectivity.

I run my Galaxy S on WCDMA only with Cell C. Reception is actually better than with GSM only in the places I mostly find myself. But when I leave the Cell C 3G coverage area I switch to Vodacom and then GSM only. Vodacom has superior coverage in rural areas.

With one or two calls a day and a bit of browsing I've pushed my battery to 10 days standby.

 

[Budza]

Ja, I think the wcdma is 3g or hsdpa. Basically, more than edge or gsm. I've got an app that turns 3g on, which I use when needed.

Sometimes, as mentioned, it seems 3g is better than gsm, even when used just for calls...

Sent from my Desire HD using MyBroadband Android App

 

[ajax]

Ja, I think the wcdma is 3g or hsdpa. Basically, more than edge or gsm. I've got an app that turns 3g on, which I use when needed.

Sometimes, as mentioned, it seems 3g is better than gsm, even when used just for calls...

Ok, I misunderstood slightly, the app or widget that "turns on 3G" enables the internet connection on the phone. That connection will run on either EDGE or 3G depending on the band settings on your phone (GSM only, WCDMA only, etc.)