Just noticed this over the past day or so... most times when I'm not near a WiFi source, my 3G kicks in but on occasion it suddenly cuts down to 1X. What causes this and are there any settings that I may want to consider to keep my speed up (without compromising battery power of course)?
Not very long, but I noticed it when I was listening to Pandora, and also when I was texting. Just seems to dip down for a couple minutes or so, then bounces back up to 3G.
Not very long, but I noticed it when I was listening to Pandora, and also when I was texting. Just seems to dip down for a couple minutes or so, then bounces back up to 3G.
It will switch to 1x for texting. Texts are sent via the 1x network.
It will switch to 1x for texting. Texts are sent via the 1x network.
Well I'll be.. thanks for that, mine has been dropping to 1x on occasion as well as the OP.
I'll have to pay more attention to when it happens, what I'm doing with the device and where, etc. I'd been thinking it was just a temporary drop due to atmospheric conditions or maybe poltergeists.
I'd been thinking it was just a temporary drop due to atmospheric conditions or maybe poltergeists.
True, especially with the rain here over the past two days... granted, it's not a snowstorm freakout like most of the country at the moment, but it does beg the question: just how much can adverse weather/atmospheric conditions affect network signal?
Also re: poltergeists, I recommend the wacky weirdness of the Ghost Radar app.
Last edited by gridbug; February 6th, 2010 at 07:30 AM.
Yea, I can see my 6800 flip to 1x when sending/receiving texts. Most time I don't notice unless I'm watching the phone as one comes in.
The reason it flips to 1x is, texts are sent via the control channel on the 1x side of the cell. Your phone favors 3G so it will flip back once the text is taken care of.
As others have said, it has to change to 1x for voice/text. However, mine does switch more than it should have to. I'm sure it's a strain on the battery, especially, if you put your phone in sleep mode while in 1x. From my experience, it will stay in 1x until you wake it up.
Also, recently, I've been noticing my 3g just turning itself off. I have to go toggle it back on when I wake my phone up. Seems sporadic.
We have been using Verizon cellular Internet service with various devices since 2002. Since EVDO has been available, I have seen our phones and USB modems switch between 1x and EVDO many times. When I look at signal strength, the switch has always been related to the strength of the two signals. If the 1x signal is stronger, they flip to that.
We have started spending our summers on the Oregon coast at a location where the 1x signal is almost always better than the EVDO signal. With my USB modem I can force it to EVDO, which gives me much better service in that location.
There seems to be no mechanism for forcing the Droid to EVDO or 1x.
All that is not to say that other factors could be involved. I'm no telecom engineer, so I won't speculate on whether services such as texting force the switch. I know for a fact that relative signal strength does, though.
... I won't speculate on whether services such as texting force the switch. I know for a fact that relative signal strength does, though.
That has always been my suspicion.. seems to make the most sense to keep it alive on the next lower tier if the upper tier is iffy or missing in signal at times.
Now, that's not to say that RF conditions can't force your phone to switch between 3G and 1x. The EVDO carriers may be programmed with different propagation parameters that can affect the actual coverage. So if you're on the border of coverage your phone will drop 3G first, go to 1x then drop completely.
Here's information on forcing your phone to either 1x or 3G:
1. dial ##778
2. Choose Edit mode
3. Enter 000000
4. Open Modem Settings
5. Open Preferred Mode
6. Select the mode to lock. HDR=3G/EVDO Rev A, Digital Only=3G/EVDO Rev. 0, CDMA Only=1x
Please be advised that you can seriously hose your phone if you mess with some of the settings in PST mode. But locking it to 3G or 1x isn't a big deal.
The Following User Says Thank You to NKT For This Useful Post:
Really it would only be if you're on a border area and don't want your phone flipping back and forth all the time.
So if your device is in a marginal area and it's locked into 3G it'll not drop to 1x or drop calls or other communication at all? That's cool. If it's true. Maybe I'm misunderstanding.
I'll keep an eye on this thread as info unfolds about this. My phone does go to 1x during the day sometimes, too, and in the same location. If I can keep it at 3G, good.
So if your device is in a marginal area and it's locked into 3G it'll not drop to 1x or drop calls or other communication at all? That's cool. If it's true. Maybe I'm misunderstanding.
I'll keep an eye on this thread as info unfolds about this. My phone does go to 1x during the day sometimes, too, and in the same location. If I can keep it at 3G, good.
Somewhat close...
If you lock it to 3G and you're in a marginal area, you're phone won't sit there flipping between 1x and 3G. This can cause battery drain and become annoying as you will continue to drop and connect your data session.
Your best bet would be to lock in 1x in that area to maintain a steadier connection. It may not be spectacular coverage, but it's coverage
If you lock it to 3G and you're in a marginal area, you're phone won't sit there flipping between 1x and 3G. This can cause battery drain and become annoying as you will continue to drop and connect your data session.
Your best bet would be to lock in 1x in that area to maintain a steadier connection. It may not be spectacular coverage, but it's coverage
Excellent explanation, thank you, Sundedo.
As it is, the automatic way mine runs now seems to not affect battery drainage in the main location I use it. But it is great to know that tweak you offered up there in case I need it.
I think mine's just switching to 1x when texting.. I'll keep a closer watch.
As it is, the automatic way mine runs now seems to not affect battery drainage in the main location I use it. But it is great to know that tweak you offered up there in case I need it.
I think mine's just switching to 1x when texting.. I'll keep a closer watch.
For most people, Automatic will work just fine. That will allow the most freedom for the phone to connect to the best network available, maintaining maximum connectivity.
If you're constantly in a border area with degraded coverage, it may benefit the user to lock in 1x to maximize battery life and network stability. The service provider won't tell you about locking the service, for a variety of reasons. So a lot of people don't know about it.
In your post #20 you say "you will drop" as answer to my question about locking into 3G if there is no 3G in the area (at least that's what my question meant, may have worded it poorly).
So if locked in to 3G and there's no 3G all communication will stop? Calls? Texts? etc.. ?
In your post #20 you say "you will drop" as answer to my question about locking into 3G if there is no 3G in the area (at least that's what my question meant, may have worded it poorly).
So if locked in to 3G and there's no 3G all communication will stop? Calls? Texts? etc.. ?
Yes, if you lock the network to 3G and there's no 3G coverage available it will say "No service". I can confirm tomorrow. Unfortunately I have really good 3G coverage here so locking it in doesn't do much for me since I stay on it anyways...
I did just test locking the phone to HDR only (Rev. A). You can send texts but not receive them. It flipped over to 1x to send the text then back to 3G. It's weird that it's not doing the same to receive.
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3G drops to 1X
