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Frustrated with Straight Talk data connection

rdross80

Lurker
Dec 10, 2012
8
1
I just recently got my Nexus 4 and decided from the get-go to use Straight Talk. I had never used this service before so I didn't know what to expect. After I got the card, I changed the APN settings like it said to and it seems to connect, but my connection is awful! I have full bars most of the time and I get the little H at the top telling me I'm connected to the network, but a lot of times when I try and connect to Facebook it just keeps saying I have no connection, and there's a lot of times when I try to load a webpage, the text will come up, but no pictures, or else it will say it can't connect to the proxy server.

Does anyone else have this problem? I am so disappointed with this service. I was really looking forward to having the faster HSPA+ service compared to Sprint's 3G, but this is worse! I'm not sure if did something wrong with the APN settings or what, but if that was the case, I would think it wouldn't connect at all. After my month of service is up, and if I'm still not having any luck, I may switch over to TMobile's value plan to see if they're any better (although going by their coverage map for my area, I can't see how it could be).
 
I've tried that, and it doesn't seem to work. I've done a lot of searches on APN settings and tried all kinds of different combinations, but haven't had any luck. They all end up resulting in very slow speeds. I'm curious, what does all the different letters mean that show up over the reception bars? First it was H, then another setting had G, and another E.
 
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I'm curious, what does all the different letters mean that show up over the reception bars? First it was H, then another setting had G, and another E.

E - Edge network - aka 2G. Definitely the slowest of the slow

H - HSPA+ - aka 3.5G - this will be your fastest data connection

Not sure about the G. R would be for Roaming.
 
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Okay, so then I definitely shouldn't be using the settings that give me E then. My current settings are giving me an H, but it's crazy slow. Here's what I'm using:
Name: Straight Talk
APN: att.mvno
Proxy and Proxy Port: Not Set
MMSC: http://mmsc.cingular.com
MMS proxy: 66.209.11.33
MMS port: 80
MCC: 310
MNC: 410
APN type: default,supl

I know I've read in some other threads that some people use two APN settings to get MMS to work, but honestly at the moment I don't care about MMS, I just want my damn data to be faster.
 
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Holy cow, I think that actually worked! My data connection seems to be flying now. In fact, I'm even able to get a good connection in my workplace, which I've never been able to do when I was on Sprint. I'm assuming it was the setting change that did it, and not because it's the middle of night and network traffic is low. I'll check again this afternoon when I wake up, but so far it's looking good!
 
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Try changing the settings below in bold on your device then reboot and report back.

Name: Straight Talk
APN: att.mvno
Proxy and Proxy Port: Not Set
MMSC: http://mmsc.cingular.com
MMS proxy: mms2.tracfone.com
MMS port: 80
MCC: 310
MNC: 410
APN type: default,supl,mms

Man thanks that worked sent some pics to myself and my wife and they sent. Thanks for the help.
 
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Holy cow, I think that actually worked! My data connection seems to be flying now. In fact, I'm even able to get a good connection in my workplace, which I've never been able to do when I was on Sprint. I'm assuming it was the setting change that did it, and not because it's the middle of night and network traffic is low. I'll check again this afternoon when I wake up, but so far it's looking good!

Very cool. Let me know if it continues to work for you.

Man thanks that worked sent some pics to myself and my wife and they sent. Thanks for the help.

You're welcome, glad to be of help!
 
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Well nevermind, it's back to being slow, lol. That actually is making me start to wonder if it's not the settings, but just a congested network, since it was very fast last night. I may just switch over to TMobile next month to see how they are.

Ive been on Straight Talk ATT Sim since May. I have also noticed slow data speeds but Im on wifi 90% of the time so it didnt really bother me. That being said, yesterday a colleague with an N4 was next to me and he had the T-Mo Straight Talk Sim.

We did a speed test next to each other(not using wifi) and his speeds were incredible. He was getting 7-9 down and 2 up. I was barely hitting 1-2 down and .5 up, it was embarrassing. Right after that I ordered the T-Mo Sim from Straight Talk. It should be on my doorstep in a few hours. Ill report back in the next couple days.
 
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i was going to make a seperate thread, but thought it would be better in here.

I'm in a similar boat as the OP, except i switched to a straight talk t-mobile sim, and i have HORRIBLE data connections. Full bars everywhere i go and i know t-mobile has service in my area, i checked already. I can barely stream pandora, takes 5 min to get it going. My data speeds are around 100-250Kb/s o_O i thought T-Mobile was suppose to be faster?
 
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i was going to make a seperate thread, but thought it would be better in here.

I'm in a similar boat as the OP, except i switched to a straight talk t-mobile sim, and i have HORRIBLE data connections. Full bars everywhere i go and i know t-mobile has service in my area, i checked already. I can barely stream pandora, takes 5 min to get it going. My data speeds are around 100-250Kb/s o_O i thought T-Mobile was suppose to be faster?

I had switched to the t-mo sim from the att sim on ST for about a month or so. I did get faster speeds than on the att sim but unfortunately my issue was building penetration. I just switched back to the att sim last night. Since Im on wifi 80% of the time I dont really care about data speed, I just want connection.
 
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I had switched to the t-mo sim from the att sim on ST for about a month or so. I did get faster speeds than on the att sim but unfortunately my issue was building penetration. I just switched back to the att sim last night. Since Im on wifi 80% of the time I dont really care about data speed, I just want connection.

Yea, i cant figure out why its soo slow. I only ever found 1 APN setup on the internet. Im thinking Straight talk may be throttling my speeds...

Though i just did a speed test 10 min ago, and i was getting phenomenal speeds! over 7Mb/s, i thought my problems were over, so i updated some apps, and google wallet still hasn't updated yet, going at a snails pace of 12KB/s >.>
 
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I had switched to the t-mo sim from the att sim on ST for about a month or so. I did get faster speeds than on the att sim but unfortunately my issue was building penetration. I just switched back to the att sim last night. Since Im on wifi 80% of the time I dont really care about data speed, I just want connection.

Similar story here. Tried the Tmo monthly plan and sure, 8Mbps down was nice on the road, but I was always losing service at home. With ST ATT I have consistently full or nearly full reception all day. Can't get everything though, I'm paranoid of data usage on ST

also, for APN settings, I found some people recommending certain ones for better connection here and there but I really didn't see much difference from what the ST instructions had, and it was mostly working on the default settings the phone picked up just by starting it with the new sim.
 
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Similar story here. Tried the Tmo monthly plan and sure, 8Mbps down was nice on the road, but I was always losing service at home. With ST ATT I have consistently full or nearly full reception all day. Can't get everything though, I'm paranoid of data usage on ST

also, for APN settings, I found some people recommending certain ones for better connection here and there but I really didn't see much difference from what the ST instructions had, and it was mostly working on the default settings the phone picked up just by starting it with the new sim.

yup yup! On my way to a job interview today, kept losing signal for maps -_- but anyway, now i cant switch back to my old AT-T sim card, keep getting the page that just says, there was an error. on top of that, just got a voicemail saying that my account is at severe risk of termination due to excessive data usage.... after I had just thrown $45 at them yestderday for another month...
 
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