What is 3.5g?

[Zah1]

This might be a stupid question for most! I'm currently using Vodacom 3g, but every now and then, the little sign on the top of my cell screen goes from 3g to 3.5g.

Any reason for this?

 

[adrianx]

3G - Universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) packet data connection is active
3.5G - High-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) is supported and active

HSDPA = faster.

 

[Zah1]

3G - Universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) packet data connection is active
3.5G - High-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) is supported and active

HSDPA = faster.

Thanks, so is there a way to keep it on 3.5g? Any reason why it keeps switching?

 

[Bronzed_Skarab]

3.5G should really be HSPA, incorporating HSDPA and HSUPA.

It'll switch if signal not strong enough to support. Keeping it on permanently is device-dependent, and usually not possible with standard firmware / sofware in my experience.

 

[Zah1]

Thanks for the explanation! Was too lazy to Google!

 

[Colin62]

I think the network is responsible for dropping you back to 3G, when there is not activity. It'll go back to 3.5G as soon as there's traffic. Or drop to GPRS if your tower is congested.

 

[UnUnOctium]

I think the network is responsible for dropping you back to 3G, when there is not activity. It'll go back to 3.5G as soon as there's traffic. Or drop to GPRS if your tower is congested.

Nop, not really. It's mainly the signal quality as stated by quote below.

3.5G should really be HSPA, incorporating HSDPA and HSUPA.

It'll switch if signal not strong enough to support. Keeping it on permanently is device-dependent, and usually not possible with standard firmware / sofware in my experience.