Some help required please

[latro]

So I got myself a Google Nexus 4 phone recently. Pretty wicked. (Sorry HTC One- I couldn't wait anymore!)

But I'm struggling with signal issues. a lot!

I have a blackberry on the Cell C network (set to 3G only) and I never have signal issues. I'd be hard pressed to even get that signal to drop one bar. And throughput is always excellent.

But I also have the new Nexus 4, on the same network, and I can barely connect. It feels like being out on the farm where you have to hunt down the nearest 'koppie' to find some signal.

So far, I've tested the network on the Nexus 4 and a Samsung Galaxy 3. They both have these Issues. But in the Blackberry there's no problem.

(I've forced the androids to WCDMA only via *#*#4636#*#*, but even then the signal just disappears every few seconds. Open Signal Maps reports the signal level to be between 85-105db)

Could someone please explain to me why on earth this is?

(Please don't move this to the Cell C forum)

 

[nevadayz]

change it to auto, let it choose the networks itself. it should pick up the 3g and run fine, if not it'll at least receive signal on edge.

 

[latro]

change it to auto, let it choose the networks itself. it should pick up the 3g and run fine, if not it'll at least receive signal on edge.

Thanks, but I'm trying to avoid Edge. No (data) throughput, especially on Cell C's network. And when on auto mode, it keeps on jumping between edge and hspa, which is obviously problematic because of stability/missed calls)

Main thing that's bugging me is how the BB can permanently have full 3G signal, but not the droids..

 

[OGroteKoning]

I have heard about the BB's not displaying the signal properly.

Seriously, Why don't you try to flash a different modem. I am not that familiar with the GN4, but the modem packed into it might not be optimal for SA and CellC.

 

[Maverick Jester]

Actually, don't change it to auto- Cell C have been having massive issues on their 3G networks, especially with regards to throughput. Putting your device on auto will result in no data connectivity (at least in my experience).

My advice- put the device on EDGE, until they get their act together. I have the same problem on my Note 2 LTE, and there are a number of threads highlighting the same problem. Their EDGE is not horrific, but is not close to HSDPA+.

 

[nevadayz]

easiest option, and most guaranteed to work, leave Cell C

 

[Maverick Jester]

I have heard about the BB's not displaying the signal properly.

Seriously, Why don't you try to flash a different modem. I am not that familiar with the GN4, but the modem packed into it might not be optimal for SA and CellC.

This would be my second piece of advice, if changing the connection type to EDGE doesn't work...

FWIW- I did the same thing, went through a number of different modems, and nothing helped. The problem is Cell C.

 

[OGroteKoning]

This would be my second piece of advice, if changing the connection type to EDGE doesn't work...

FWIW- I did the same thing, went through a number of different modems, and nothing helped. The problem is Cell C.

Then there is no point in changing modems. Sounds like a CellC problem.

EDIT: But why would the BB pick up signal then? Frequencies?

 

[sajunky]

I am not that familiar with the GN4, but the modem packed into it might not be optimal for SA and CellC.

I agree with this initial assessment. Modem might not support UMTS (WCDMA) 900MHz frequency, it is why is hunting for signal and not finding it, as Cell C UMTS 2100MHz is really rare.
Can you see modem on device manager when connected to PC using USB cable? I don't know GN either but if it does, by querying the modem it would be the quickest way to determine if modem supports Cell C frequency.

 

[latro]

Thanks for the replies folks.

I agree with this initial assessment. Modem might not support UMTS (WCDMA) 900MHz frequency, it is why is hunting for signal and not finding it, as Cell C UMTS 2100MHz is really rare.
Can you see modem on device manager when connected to PC using USB cable? I don't know GN either but if it does, by querying the modem it would be the quickest way to determine if modem supports Cell C frequency.

Here is the official connectivity specs for the Nexus 4:
http://www.google.co.za/nexus/4/specs/

Unlocked GSM/UMTS/HSPA+
GSM/EDGE/GPRS (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
3G (850, 900, 1700, 1900, 2100 MHz)
HSPA+ 42

http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_nexus_4_e960-5048.php :

3G Network HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100
HSDPA 900 / 2100

The Samsung Galaxy 3 I've been testing with is also has a 900MHz HSPA radio, and yet it struggles as well.

Funny thing is: The Blackberry also has a 900MHz HSPA radio. And has no problems.

While I can understand that the BB might have a signal bar that's not reflecting true signal level, the throughput is what's telling me that it at least has signal and good connectivity, whereas putting the N4/S3 in the same location, they won't even have signal, and if they do have signal, it's usually stalled, no throughput or even calls being able to be made to them.

So yes, It's a head scratcher (for me at least), and part of the reason I can't yet log a network fault with Cell C.

 

[SirFooK'nG]

I'm on Vodacom, MY N4 also battles with signal loss. I thought my sim might be the cause, replaced it with a new one, no difference. I am also running Cyanogen Rom on my N4, no difference on other ROM's.

 

[Maverick Jester]

Then there is no point in changing modems. Sounds like a CellC problem.

EDIT: But why would the BB pick up signal then? Frequencies?

Could be the APN? BB doesn't use the regular internet APN. Whatever issues Cell C have on their backbone, is rather tiresome.

Had to reboot my Note 2 now, because I forgot to switch it to EDGE when I came to work, and I lost all data connectivity.

 

[sajunky]

Could be the APN? BB doesn't use the regular internet APN. Whatever issues Cell C have on their backbone, is rather tiresome.

I don't thinks so. latro wrote, when forced 3G-only it doesn't pickup a signal at all. APN matters only when attmpting to establish data connection.

Edit: @latro PM Cell_C on this forum with your SIM details, to find out if everything is OK on network side.

 

[latro]

I'm on Vodacom, MY N4 also battles with signal loss. I thought my sim might be the cause, replaced it with a new one, no difference. I am also running Cyanogen Rom on my N4, no difference on other ROM's.

TBH, I think they should have ditched the wireless charging, and in place of that coil in the back, they could've placed a bigger antenna. But the S3 doesn't have the coil, and it's also having issues. Perhaps it's just down to the network.

I don't thinks so. latro wrote, when forced 3G-only it doesn't pickup a signal at all. APN matters only when attmpting to establish data connection.

Edit: @latro PM Cell_C on this forum with your SIM details, to find out if everything is OK on network side.

It does pick up the signal when set to WCDMA only. But the signal is intermittent. There are spots where I get the phones to have almost full HSPA signal, with good throughput, but you can't dare touch the phones because the signal goes tata. And even then the signal goes and comes when it pleases.

I've Pm'ed Cell_C thanks.

 

[sajunky]

I would also try to find out, whether phones can be forced to use only UMTS 900MHz. Similiar to changing 2G/3G preference settings. There were cases where modems set to 3G-only were stuck to 2100MHz due to some firmware bugs and kept hunting on 2100MHz frequency instead of switching back to 900MHz. Similiar to "Stuck to EDGE" thread: http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/272499. In other cases network is forcing soft handover to another cell, but another tower doesn't generate any throughput, even with full signal. These problems were specific To Cell C from the beginning and never were fixed.

 

[Kawak]

I'm on cellc with my SGS3 and whenever my phone shows 3G its not able to connect to anything, only works on EDGE or HSPA+ not even HSPA works, so if anyone has an idea, please.....

Maybe a cellc rep can answer our question?