Help [OFFICIAL SOLUTION] 3G issues on the 3D?

[JCampbell]

Wow I've missed alot... I've gotten up speeds above 700mb/s, but never a down greater than 100. My PRL is 21079. I've updated PRL and profile, and I have all HTC updates released so far (unless one was released within the last 4 hours, which wouldn't surprise me). The only self-fixit solution I haven't tried is restarting it since I updated profile, so I'll try that now.

Edit: I rebooted my phone and no luck with the connection.

 

[3volut1on]

What app are you guys using to verify signal strength and tower connections? I'll download and compare it to my wifes 4g.

 

[EarlyMon]

Open Signal Map, free, Market, is really top-notch.

I seem to be having GPS issues as well. Couple that with insanely low download speeds but very excellent upload speeds - and I'm think the one I got today may have that lemony scent.

If I can't correct this by morning, I'm simply going to return mine as defective.

 

[JCampbell]

What app are you guys using to verify signal strength and tower connections? I'll download and compare it to my wifes 4g.

I'm using OpenSignal

Edit: EarlyMon, just saw your post there. My GPS seems to work pretty well, but it is quite slow. Also, it didn't work at all while inside (I was near windows, it would work on my old phone that way)...

 

[JCampbell]

UPDATE

I just spent two hours on the phone with Sprint. After running speed tests with two apps and running about every diagnostic the tech guy could think of (he wasn't the entry level person, I was passed on to this guy), he decided that it was my cell towers that were having the issues. In my case, downloads were peaking at 60 kbps but uploads peaked at 900kbps on 3G. Any chance this is location-specific?

 

[ebolamonkey3]

Good Morning EM,
Are PRL and Profile updates ok for rooted users?
Thx.

Wait, how did you get it rooted already??

 

[EarlyMon]

JCampbell - Yep, it's possible.

It would be total nonsense in my case.

My wife's Shift is running PRL 60679 (good old 60679, same as my Evo was running).

And we're both getting over 600 kbps upload - but where I'm lucky to hit 200 kbps down - she's over 800 kbps down.

On the same tower as the primary connection.

I even downloaded https://market.android.com/details?id=de.mangelow.network&feature=search_result -- for those of you remembering the radio config tricks from the Evo launch days. (Please don't mess with it if you're not familiar, you can bork things.) And - no soap.

I think either we have bad hardware, or the PRL is wrong - or something.

But yes, absent a controlled data point - it could be a tower issue.

I recall the CDMA chip has changed - can't see how this could be the problem.

 

[Android 17]

I guess it's too early to try, but I recall being able to change PRL's with the EVO4G, I wonder if a PRL meant for the EVO or Shift could be loaded to the 3D?

 

[cmilviper]

Yep same here.........always between .10-.30 mbps download on 3G.

My wifes Evo 4g in the same spot is getting consistent .90-1.2 mbps.

Updated PRL/Profile/Re-started/Removed battery ect several times - No changes.

Anyone have any ideas? Might be taking it back for another one....

 

[Vinter]

I went to the Sprint store where I bought the phone and I was told phone data is not like Comcast, and that it can be spotty and sometimes give you 3kbps because it is not Comcast, and I'm welcomed to return the phone if I'd like.

 

[EarlyMon]

I guess it's too early to try, but I recall being able to change PRL's with the EVO4G, I wonder if a PRL meant for the EVO or Shift could be loaded to the 3D?

I checked around for that briefly last night - but so far as I recall, I think that required root. I ought to re-check that to be sure.

I went to the Sprint store where I bought the phone and I was told phone data is not like Comcast, and that it can be spotty and sometimes give you 3kbps because it is not Comcast, and I'm welcomed to return the phone if I'd like.

Yeah. No.

Yes, on the crowded phone network, there can be problems getting decent performance from time to time.

No, there's no way your numbers are making any sense. They're giving you the party line. In your shoes, I'd be having none of it. Complain to management, make them show you the same test in the store by tech support if they want to mess with you - have them explain why only your phone using that network is the one running so slow. Because the result of that explanation ought explain to them that they've got no leg to stand on.

 

[WordIsBorn]

Did you have your old phone on when they activated your new phone? I would try calling Sprint. this recently happened to me on my Nexus S 4G when I had it activated at Best Buy. They never had me turn off my EVO while they acticvated my Nexus, and as a result I only saw about 100 - 200kbps speeds on 3g. When I called Sprint, they immediately asked me if I had my old phone on while the new one was activating, so I'm assuming this is a common problem. After re-activating my Nexus, I was good to go! I hope that is all that you have to do to get your 3VO working, as I am loving mines!

 

[Vinter]

Yeah. No.

Yes, on the crowded phone network, there can be problems getting decent performance from time to time.

No, there's no way your numbers are making any sense. They're giving you the party line. In your shoes, I'd be having none of it. Complain to management, make them show you the same test in the store by tech support if they want to mess with you - have them explain why only your phone using that network is the one running so slow. Because the result of that explanation ought explain to them that they've got no leg to stand on.

Honestly man, I think he knew I was getting pissed, he really didn't wanna look at me and kept his head down. I get that they generally know less than us forum addicts, but holy shit the guy was rude. I ended up walking out mid conversation because I was about to blow up.

Did you have your old phone on when they activated your new phone? I would try calling Sprint. this recently happened to me on my Nexus S 4G when I had it activated at Best Buy. They never had me turn off my EVO while they acticvated my Nexus, and as a result I only saw about 100 - 200kbps speeds on 3g. When I called Sprint, they immediately asked me if I had my old phone on while the new one was activating, so I'm assuming this is a common problem. After re-activating my Nexus, I was good to go! I hope that is all that you have to do to get your 3VO working, as I am loving mines!

Maybe the case for some people, but me and my wife are both new subscribers coming from Tmobile/Att

 

[EarlyMon]

So, I called Sprint (*2 brings up a handy menu) - and a VERY nice rep, Shannon, walked me thru a hard reset (##786#, requires MSL code) and re-activation. Nothing on their end showing wrong.

Her opinion was that the antenna contacts may have been knocked loose during shipping, so she set an appointment for me at my local store/repair hour (and she called it a "box test" they can do to see if that's the problem).

That's in an hour - so, we'll see.

Worse thing that happens is that I replace the phone at my local Shack, where I bought it.

 

[EarlyMon]

Honestly man, I think he knew I was getting pissed, he really didn't wanna look at me and kept his head down. I get that they generally know less than us forum addicts, but holy shit the guy was rude. I ended up walking out mid conversation because I was about to blow up.

Bummer - yep, we've all been there, regardless of carrier. (One new rep at my local Sprint store lost his sense of courtesy with my wife - bad idea. We didn't get him fired or anything, but we did get him a little extra customer training.) You know the deal - gotta talk to the manager. Also - check with Sprint, find out if you're dealing with a corporate store or a franchise. If corporate, they'll intercede and have none of that happening. As shown in my post above, calling them really makes it happen.

Tell them at the outset that:

• You've got a 3G issue
• Updated PRL and Profile
• Have tried power-off, reset, and battery pull
• Have heard on the web that re-activation or re-provisioning of the phone may help the issue (way ok to mention our site - some of the tech reps know us)
• That you're using speedtest.net from the Market, nothing complicated
• You have no other apps installed other than simple diagnostic, phone is new and you're trying to set things up and square them away

And let them take it from there. They will likely tell you that the phone is showing ok on their end - that's just running thru the checklist - wait until they're finished and just ask if they're ready to try the re-do with you.

You will have to have a second phone handy so they can do the walk thru - you'll give them that number, and they'll call you on that line before hanging up on your cell to continue the process.

Best luck!

 

[JCampbell]

Worse thing that happens is that I replace the phone at my local Shack, where I bought it.

I'm about to head to my Sprint store now to try out one of their instore devices, if it gets 3G connection better than mine, I'll switch it out. However, I did some more poking around, and it turns out these issues aren't new.

HTC EVO 3D WiMAX smartphone review :
this guy put Mbps instead of Kbps on his review...

HTC EVO 3D (Sprint) Review & Rating | PCMag.com

oddly enough, no signs of connectivity issues from sprintusers.com... I have noticed a thread on the Sprint community forum about this as well though.

 

[EarlyMon]

I'm about to head to my Sprint store now to try out one of their instore devices, if it gets 3G connection better than mine, I'll switch it out. However, I did some more poking around, and it turns out these issues aren't new.

HTC EVO 3D WiMAX smartphone review :
this guy put Mbps instead of Kbps on his review...

HTC EVO 3D (Sprint) Review & Rating | PCMag.com

oddly enough, no signs of connectivity issues from sprintusers.com... I have noticed a thread on the Sprint community forum about this as well though.

Yeah, we've seen those as they happened in our reviews thread.

To be fair - the phone is new so the issue is new by default.

Questioning why reviewers got those results led to this thread and many other posts around here: http://androidforums.com/htc-evo-3d/360306-signal-strength-analysis-evo-3d-evo-4g.html

The reviewers are mouthing off like this is a design issue and destiny.

Our users are finding that many of these phones are working fine with none of the problems reported by reviewers.

So - it's either a manufacturing issue (not applying to all phones) or as my Sprint rep suggested in today's conversation a shipping issue (not applying to all phones). (And yes - bad manufacturing or insufficient packaging can also be righteously called design issues - but not in the sense the reviewers are suggesting.)

Design defects mean that all phones will suffer the problem, by and large.

Getting great upload speeds with bad download speeds? Broken phone - replace, rejoice, move on. That's what I intend to do but that's me.

BTW - if their in-store unit is as bad as yours, it just means that they have a problem child on display - that happens often, display unit get all sorts of abuse. I wouldn't use that as proof. If your phone is bad, you do what you think best - you have choices.

 

[JCampbell]

Just got back from the sprint store... It is a location issue in my case -.- As it turns out, almost all of the sprint users in my area live near the store, just like I do. The 3G is so clogged nowadays that even the store doesn't use the 3G. Supposedly they're working on improving the tower. To test this I went across town and ran a speedtest, got 1.1 Mbps down and 600 Kbps up.

 

[wake69]

Good Morning EM,
Are PRL and Profile updates ok for rooted users?
Thx.

Again, how did you get rooted with the Evo 3D?????

 

[Vinter]

Just got back from the sprint store... It is a location issue -.- As it turns out, almost all of the sprint users in my area live near the store, just like I do. The 3G is so clogged nowadays that even the store doesn't use the 3G. Supposedly they're working on improving the tower. To test this I went across town and ran a speedtest, got 1.1 Mbps down and 600 Kbps up.

It could be, but in the same regard people are testing speeds with other phones at the same location and getting crap speeds on the evo 3d and better speeds on other phones....

not sure, but it would seem to me that it could possibly be fixed with an update.. or it is indeed a shipping problem of some sorts, not a congested network or poor location.

also getting speeds less than 100kb on 3g is just absurd if you ENTIRE area is blanketed in 3g coverage.

 

[Vinter]

Again, how did you get rooted with the Evo 3D?????

he doesn't have root, he was obviously asking a theoretical question of some sorts

 

[BenChase7]

Again, how did you get rooted with the Evo 3D?????

Sorry, I was asking in regards the EVO 4G. My bad, sorry for any confusion.

 

[JCampbell]

It could be, but in the same regard people are testing speeds with other phones at the same location and getting crap speeds on the evo 3d and better speeds on other phones....

not sure, but it would seem to me that it could possibly be fixed with an update.. or it is indeed a shipping problem of some sorts, not a congested network or poor location.

also getting speeds less than 100kb on 3g is just absurd if you ENTIRE area is blanketed in 3g coverage.

Sorry, I meant to say that it was in my case, a location issue. I did test other phones in the sprint store for 3G speed and they were all I slow as I was. Also, there isn't a lot of tower overlap in my area. I don't know the specifics of the service here but I do know that when I drove to a different tower's service area my 3G was back where it should be.

 

[Vinter]

possible fix via a post on xda (member johntown)

I had the same issue since Wednesday, couldn't get over 120kbps on 3G. Sprint had me redo the activation and it fixed my issues.

You'll need access to the data programming menu, so you have to have your MSL code. Type ##3282# in the dialer, then use your MSL as the password. Go to the data menu and then hit the menu key and click Restore. It'll re-run the activation, update PRL, then update firmware.

Hope it works for others

 

[EarlyMon]

possible fix via a post on xda (member johntown)

Yeah - that's exactly what I posted earlier - that's a re-activation/re-provisioning. And he left out the hard reset step. I still recommend that you do that with Sprint on the phone, so they can proctor what your phone does on the restore - besides - the people that will give you your MSL code will be the same ones doing that for you.

So - mine went thru the RF tester at Sprint repair.

Bad phone - defective. Getting a replacement from the Shack later this afternoon.

Onward and upward!