Are the signal bars any indication of 3G strength?

[JohnJSal]

I've noticed that even with 3G turned off, I get the standard signal bars. I assume these bars represent the signal strength for voice/text usage, of course, but do they have anything to do with 3G signal strength as well?

Thanks.

 

[sitlet]

I dont think so. Although the two are related, i.e. if you have bad voice signal you will most likely have bad 3g signal.

 

[mcl1981]

Voice and 3G data use the same signal. With that said, you do need a decent reliable connection to maintain data integrity. As long as you have about a steady one bar, you should have 3G data service as well. Less than that, the connection is not reliable enough for that kind of data integrity and data will not work.

Also, there are some cell sites here and there that do not have 3G data. You could have 5 bars and no data because the site doesn't have it. It's rare but it happens now and then.

 

[Rigmaster]

The signal bars are for network service. The 3G indicator is to let you know that network signal includes 3G data availability. If you roam sometimes you will see bars without 3G, and that's usually because some of the off-network providers don't provide 3G data signals. Very common in remote areas, and I experience it in ME, VT, MA, upper MI, and rural VA when traveling. You can have great voice signal and no data in these areas.

Bars themselves are estimates. 0 or 1 bar basically means you're in low quality signal, but it's useful enough if the signal remains continuous.