shouldn't 3g have priority over 2g

IvarAtli · Aug 1, 2012

so.. i've been told that 3g networks should always have the priority over the 2g but it seems like me no matter what phone i got, that once it switches to 2g from 3g it never goes automatically back to 3g even if the signal strength is great, i always have to switch back manually which gets really annoying

and i know you can have WCDMA network mode only but 3g network strength can get really bad where i live so i do need GSM aswell.

is it just my carrier or is it the other way around.. so 2g have priority over 3g networks?

please help.

danaj · Aug 1, 2012

I do not have this problem, in fact, I have never had this problem on several different networks.

n0ve · Aug 1, 2012

I believe it is based on what you are currently trying to do with your data connection at a moment by moment basis....If your not attempting to send/receive any large amounts of data, it will revert off of 3g...

GJade · Aug 1, 2012

danaj said:
I do not have this problem, in fact, I have never had this problem on several different networks.

me neither. what phone/carrier do you have?? :thinking:

james515 · Aug 1, 2012

its a carrier configuration issue. some carriers prevent the switching back and forth between 3g to 2g and then back to 3g and so on. its usually only in poor coverage areas or where there is a VERY high amount of call or data volume.

Hadron · Aug 2, 2012

If you want to check your phone settings, try this:

Open the dialler and input *#*#4636#*#*. No need to press the call button. That should take you to a hidden app called "Testing". Select Phone Information and scroll down. See what it says for "Preferred network type". On mine the 2G/3G default is "WCDMA Preferred". If that's what yours says, it's network rather than phone.

Don't be tempted to change any setting you don't understand using this menu!

I've used this menu on GSM HTC and Samsung handsets. Cannot guarantee that some network might not disable it on their phones though (I think I met that once in my home device forum).

chanchan05 · Aug 2, 2012

Normally, phone switches from 3G to 2G in areas where the 3G coverage is so low/weak that Android sees it as a potential battery drainer. This was the same behevior in all 3G phones I've had across 3 different manufacturers and 4 different OS. The phone will default to the higher signal. In Android, my experience is that the phone will default to the higher signal unless I try to do something that exceeds the 2G bandwidth.

Hadron · Aug 2, 2012

If I enable 3g on mine it tends to stick with it as long as it can maintain a 3g connection, even if I'm not using data and despite 2g being much stronger.

zuben el genub · Aug 2, 2012

GSM Nexus S has setting to use only 2G. If I enable data, I get 3G which changes according to area. TMO is trying to get people off of 2G so I've seen Edge where signal is weak. I don't care as I'm not a data freak. I care more about how the voice reception and wifi do.

The SGS4G used to switch between 4G, 3G, 2G, and Edge depending on where I was.

I live in very hilly to mountainous terrain so this might be normal in such an area.

IvarAtli · Aug 2, 2012

Hadron said:
If you want to check your phone settings, try this:

Open the dialler and input *#*#4636#*#*. No need to press the call button. That should take you to a hidden app called "Testing". Select Phone Information and scroll down. See what it says for "Preferred network type". On mine the 2G/3G default is "WCDMA Preferred". If that's what yours says, it's network rather than phone.

Don't be tempted to change any setting you don't understand using this menu!

I've used this menu on GSM HTC and Samsung handsets. Cannot guarantee that some network might not disable it on their phones though (I think I met that once in my home device forum).

i'm trying to do this but i don't know how to apply it though cuz it seems as soon as i refresh it it's back to GSM/CDMA auto (PRL)

IvarAtli · Aug 2, 2012

IvarAtli · Aug 4, 2012

chanchan05 · Aug 4, 2012

From what I can see its just that your area's 3G coverage sucks and you can really do nothing about it. The phone is seeing that there is too much interference for 3G to be a viable connection so its sticking to 2G. Change networks to something with a better 3G coverage if you really want 3G speed.

IvarAtli · Aug 4, 2012

chanchan05 said:
From what I can see its just that your area's 3G coverage sucks and you can really do nothing about it. The phone is seeing that there is too much interference for 3G to be a viable connection so its sticking to 2G. Change networks to something with a better 3G coverage if you really want 3G speed.

it's not that because when i am in a great 3g coverage area with full bars even it still will change to 2g. i even contacted my carrier to ask them about this and they had no idea why this was happening.. might aswell just switch carriers and see if it'll get any better then.

Hadron · Aug 6, 2012

IvarAtli said:
i'm trying to do this but i don't know how to apply it though cuz it seems as soon as i refresh it it's back to GSM/CDMA auto (PRL)

Which is odd, because on my phone if I change it it stays changed, and similarly on others I've met. I just select it then hit the "back" button to back out. And in that mode mine still switches to 3G, even though 3G is much weaker than 2G, though it should be less aggressive about selecting 3G than "WCDMA preferred" mode.

I wonder whether some "helpful" network provider has messed with the phone software?

ChennyChick · Aug 6, 2012

i heard that ATT is going to get rid of their 2G in a few years. kinda sucks for people who don't want to use smartphones.

chanchan05 · Aug 6, 2012

ChennyChick said:
i heard that ATT is going to get rid of their 2G in a few years. kinda sucks for people who don't want to use smartphones.

Several dumbphones from Nokia and Samsung have 3G capability. So its not really a problem IMO.

IvarAtli · Aug 7, 2012

Hadron said:
Which is odd, because on my phone if I change it it stays changed, and similarly on others I've met. I just select it then hit the "back" button to back out. And in that mode mine still switches to 3G, even though 3G is much weaker than 2G, though it should be less aggressive about selecting 3G than "WCDMA preferred" mode.

I wonder whether some "helpful" network provider has messed with the phone software?

i did a little reading on the WCDMA preferred not sticking and i saw that some samsung phones have had trouble with that but i'm still hoping i can get this fixed even if it means switching to a different service which has bigger and better 3g coverage.

shouldn't 3g have priority over 2g

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