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Root [Virgin Mobile] LTE Scan Interval

TheBritton

TheBritton

Resident Galaxy Cat
I have looked and looked before posting but I can't find any info on this.

I'm wanting to change the LTE scan interval of this device to where it searches for LTE more frequently when on 3G. Not sure if there are build.prop insertions that can be made? I have read on other phones, you may dial ##DATA## and change the interval in the radio settings but our device doesn't have that option.

I'm posting this in the root section because I suspect the answer will be root related.

Any help would be appreciated.. if it's even possible. Thanks!
 
There is a way to do this, but I should advise caution for two reasons. First, modifying any settings related to your phone's network operation comes with a certain level of risk. Second, modifying the LTE scan interval can result in significantly decreased battery life at lower numbers, and less-noticeable benefit at higher numbers. Choose wisely. If you run into any issues along the way, feel free to ask here, but as I don't have a Galaxy S4 (or any Sprint device, for that matter) myself, I won't be able to offer first-hand troubleshooting.

Download "MSL Reader" from the Play Store. Run it, and make note of your MSL. It should be the last number it provides. Close MSL Reader.
Open the stock Dialer application, and enter the data access code, which is ##3282#.
Select "Edit Mode."
Enter your MSL number.
Select "LTE record."
Select "LTE scan Timer."
Change the value; values are restricted to between 5 and 30.
Menu > Commit Modifications.

Lte scan time - Android Forums at AndroidCentral.com
 
I certainly appreciate that!

However, there is no LTE Record menu item in the ##3282# options for the Virgin Mobile Galaxy S3 which leads me to believe the variable is not enabled in the radio firmware.

So, I'm hoping there is a build.prop edit/addition or some other method available.
 
TheBritton said:
I have looked and looked before posting but I can't find any info on this.

I'm wanting to change the LTE scan interval of this device to where it searches for LTE more frequently when on 3G. Not sure if there are build.prop insertions that can be made? I have read on other phones, you may dial ##DATA## and change the interval in the radio settings but our device doesn't have that option.

I'm posting this in the root section because I suspect the answer will be root related.

Any help would be appreciated.. if it's even possible. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Why would you want it to scan more frequently, the Galaxy S3 Sprint/VM/Boost scans for LTE every 15-20 seconds when you are on 3G eHRPD/EV-DO. Im assuming you live on the edge of 1900 LTE service, and your phone switches from 3G to LTE?
 
I live in a town with one single Sprint tower. It is extremely weak right now for some reason. Going inside and coming right back outside sends me back to 3G and it seems like it takes a good three minutes to switch back to LTE.

I didn't realize the scan time was that high..
 
TheBritton said:
I live in a town with one single Sprint tower. It is extremely weak right now for some reason. Going inside and coming right back outside sends me back to 3G and it seems like it takes a good three minutes to switch back to LTE.

I didn't realize the scan time was that high..
Click to expand...

If you live in Amarillo, TX I can assure you that Sprint has more than one CDMA site there. What kind of signal levels do you see when on LTE? If you don't have SignalCheck I encourage you to download it from the PlayStore, try the lite version first if you like it buy the Pro version.

Now if you live in small town called Tulia then yes there is only one Sprint CDMA site there that is broadcasting LTE. What you see is what you get on 1900 LTE, especially if you live on the fringe of PCS coverage.
 
TheBritton said:
I actually live outside Amarillo about sixty miles... Clarendon, a town of 2000 people
Click to expand...

I see just one Sprint CDMA site, I encourage you to check out SignalCheck and report back your signal level when on LTE. I would about bet your on the fringe of LTE which means a signal of -110dB or greater, if so this explains why your phone flips back and forth to 3G and LTE.
 
Must be a major issue with the tower because I'm at the intersection of highway 70 and highway 287 which is extremely close to the tower and when I obtain LTE, the signal is -112dbm
 
TheBritton said:
Must be a major issue with the tower because I'm at the intersection of highway 70 and highway 287 which is extremely close to the tower and when I obtain LTE, the signal is -112dbm
Click to expand...

-112dB is pretty much on the fringe of LTE and useless unless the airlink quality is good. Being extremely close to the site doesn't mean a good signal, being about 1/4 to 1/2 a mile from the site is usually where the best experience will be especially if panel aiming and downtilt have been adjusted accordingly.

It's possible that the final crews haven't confirmed panel aiming and downtilt on the site you connect to, but there is also the possibility that they have the aiming optimized especially since there is only one site that has to cover as many people as possible in your town. So they may have the panels aimed higher to cover the whole town as best as possible.
 
That's entirely possible because I was literally just six blocks from the tower. This area hasn't officially launched yet (unless they include this as part of Amarillo) so I'm hoping future enhancements will be made because LTE is virtually useless to me right now LOL

Thanks so much for your insight!
 
TheBritton said:
That's entirely possible because I was literally just six blocks from the tower. This area hasn't officially launched yet (unless they include this as part of Amarillo) so I'm hoping future enhancements will be made because LTE is virtually useless to me right now LOL

Thanks so much for your insight!
Click to expand...

Not a problem, Clarendon, TX falls in Sprint's West Texas market, CDMA and LTE 800 will help a lot in that area, especially since the terrain is pretty flat. 800 can propagate up to about 20 miles on 800 LTE and 40 plus miles on 800 CDMA voice service. It will be very hard to hide from LTE when 800 gets turned on.
 
Does our VM S3 support 800? I was under the impression it was 1900 only. If it does, I hope it will be turned on soon.

In other news, headed to Wichita Falls storm chasing and the LTE signal increases as I was further away from the tower. So you're right, it's the angle
 
Be careful chasing storms around Wichita Falls. April 10 was the 35 anniversary of "Terrible Tuesday" right there in Wichita Falls hit by an F-4. 1964 there was an F-5.
I live in FL now but was born there in Wichita Falls, TX @ Sheppard Air Force Base.
Sorry for off topic but you are in a dangerous place for tornadoes. B CAREFUL
 
TheBritton said:
Does our VM S3 support 800? I was under the impression it was 1900 only. If it does, I hope it will be turned on soon.

In other news, headed to Wichita Falls storm chasing and the LTE signal increases as I was further away from the tower. So you're right, it's the angle
Click to expand...

The Galaxy S3 supports CDMA 1x 800 for voice/text/very slow data it does not support Band 26 (800 LTE) nor Band 41 (2600). There is a hint that the Galaxy S3 is getting re-released as a tri-band device as model number SPH-L710T.

As far as driving further from the site and the signal getting stronger then they have the panels aimed higher to cover as many as people as possible. Also living near an interstate or major highway they may want the panels higher so the signal will propagate further before the next CDMA site picks them up. 1900 LTE should propagate around 10 or so miles under perfect conditions and given the terrain.
 
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