Re: GPRS / EDGE connections dropping during, or blocking, voice calls
 

Thabks for the links.

So, if I understood correct:
I can use in the same time Internet downloads and calls when I switch to 3G or 3,5G?

But why my E90 does not needs this switching and can work simultaneously?
Regards.

Re: GPRS / EDGE connections dropping during, or blocking, voice calls
 

did a bit of checking, and the E90 is a class A gprs device. That means, it had two GSM radios in there, so one could handle the data while the other did the call:
http://europe.nokia.com/find-product...specifications

the N900 on the other hand use DTM, effectively the same using a single radio, and your operator do not support that in their network.

funny, the E90 supports both class A and DTM, apparently. Now i want to see nokia do a E900 :D

Re: GPRS / EDGE connections dropping during, or blocking, voice calls
 

tso,

Thanks for reply.
That`s my point - I think that N900 can do this but maybe at this moment the current firmware is not well "polished".
I hope Nokia will bring us an answer.
Regards.

Re: GPRS / EDGE connections dropping during, or blocking, voice calls
 

@tso, two GSM radios? are you sure? I don't think so, I had an E90 for years, simultaneous voice+data works with one operator and fails on the other. The same is for N900, it's not the phone, it's the operators for me. Class A, Multislot 32 device doesn't mean it has two radios.

Re: GPRS / EDGE connections dropping during, or blocking, voice calls
 

nashith,

In my old E90 and now in N900 I am using one and the same SIM card, so the operator is only one in my case.
Regards.

Re: GPRS / EDGE connections dropping during, or blocking, voice calls
 

ok, can be i called it a bit quick there, as i see nokia also mentions class A for the N900. In that case, color me confused.

hell, as i dig into the N900 specs, i can no longer find any mention of DTM, while the E90 specs clearly mentions it. color me confused, squared...

Re: GPRS / EDGE connections dropping during, or blocking, voice calls
 

@jorjino, I still strongly feel the problem is related to operator, maybe they haven't activated a service for your new device. This has happened to me twice before while traveling abroad, a quick call to CS fixed it. Can you please call them ask their customer service why you are being kicked off the GPRS/3G data path whenever a call comes in.

Re: GPRS / EDGE connections dropping during, or blocking, voice calls
 

@nashith,

I will try to call customer service and will let you know.
I hope you are right.
Regards.

Re: GPRS / EDGE connections dropping during, or blocking, voice calls
 

I have the same problem in the Czech Republic using N900 and T-Mobile. I have tried that with E50 and have no issue to get incoming call while browsing. with N900 i become unavailable. I prefer having a call and connections dropped, otherwise I can,t be online..

Reading this thread I cannot figurde out why is that? Why one nokia phone can handle the situation and N900 cannot? On the same network.. Has anybodz got insight deep enough to explain please?

Re: GPRS / EDGE connections dropping during, or blocking, voice calls
 

For all those who preferred incoming calls interrupting the data transfer, you might be out of luck, as our dear friends using iPhone's have noticed a while ago.

There is a thing called 'Network Mode of Operation' in GPRS, which basically dictates the behavior in this case, what happens when an incoming call comes and you have a data connection active.

The quickest link I now found is below, however it is not the best one, try googling more if you are interested.

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19512_7-10115034-233.html

The basic idea though is that there are three different modes, NOM1, NOM2 and NOM3. And NOM1 and NOM3 are good, NOM2 are bad in case of the dropping calls as the NOM2 can't signal the data channel that there is incoming call...

And for example AT&T here in U.S. uses mostly NOM2 networks, I do not know what mode T-Mobile uses, but 3G works on that, so no problems. In Finland the networks are either NOM1 or NOM3, etc depending on operators, and so on..

ps. waiting for my phone number to switch to T-Mobile, can't live without my N900 nor my incoming calls...

N900 can't receive calls while using GPRS data
 

Hi All,

I'm doing a bit of research about I m facing with my N900, especially here in Pakistan- incoming calls cant reach despite strong signal, and delayed incoming texts.

If you're on 3G you can receive incoming calls and SMS messages while you are in the middle of using 3G data - simultaneous voice and data is part of the 3G UMTS spec. So it should never happen on 3G. Great so far.

However if you are on GPRS (circle) or EDGE (E) the spec does not allow for simultaneous calls and data - if you make an outgoing call an existing data session will be terminated until the end of the call.

But what happens if you're using data on GPRS/EDGE first (browsing a web page, checking maps etc) and an incoming call comes in, will you receive the call or not ? Answer: probably not, depending on the phone network!

I have SIM's for all the major phone networks in Pakistan and I've tested all of them and they ALL go DEAD(i.e. my mobile phone acts as its powered off) while it is using GPRS/EDGE data. Also SMS messages don't go through, and are delayed a considerable amount of time.

This is the same issue as in Iphone for quite some time now. Anyone can test it. Open safari and start loading a large website that will keep the browser busy for some time and let the page start loading. Now ring the phone from another phone. Does it go straight DEAD? Also if possible try sending it text messages during this period and see if they are delayed.

Approximately one minute after closing Safari you should be able to ring through to the phone again. (It takes about a minute for an idle GPRS/EDGE session to be closed)

Can you also please find the value for "Network Operating Mode" for the GPRS network. To do this, go into field test mode by dialing *3001#12345#* from the phone app keypad then pressing call, then go to GSM Cell Environment -> GPRS Information, and scroll down to "Network Operating Mode" and take note of the number, which could be 001, 002, or 003. (Most likely 002)

And other information I've been reading, there is more than one possible mode a GPRS/EDGE phone network can be configured in, 001 and 002 being the most common. In mode 001 if an incoming call occurs during data use the data session will be terminated and the call will come through. In mode 002, the call will go straight DEAD. Apparently most networks still use mode 002!

Not only can this be caused by actively using an app such as safari, but background mail checks and push notifications will cause it as well! So if your phone is lying there unattended and it happens to do it's 30 minute (or whatever) mail check just before someone tries to call you - DEAD!

Coming back to N900, having push notifications enabled is even worse, because it tries to keep an active data session as much as possible, and re-establishes this connection every time the data connection is interrupted.

One good example of this is if you have push notifications active, try making or receiving a call, hang up, and call the phone back within a minute or so of the previous call - DEAD!

The reason is that the GPRS/EDGE connection was interrupted by the first call, so when the call ended the phone immediately tries to re-establish the push data connection, and on a slow connection this takes up to a minute to do and then go idle before the phone can receive another incoming call


Regards,
Saad Gadit

Re: N900 can't receive calls while using GPRS data
 

Hi Saad,

Dont know what your issue is but I can receive called on GPS or Edge without any problems

Re: N900 can't receive calls while using GPRS data
 

Dear Snaps
Thnks for the quik feedback .. the problem is simple.. wenever the data is on course of uploading, calls don’t get through. Like while signing on skype or other services or maybe when authenticating from my end for PUSH mail.. that’s the time when calls or sms cant get through..

Re: N900 can't receive calls while using GPRS data
 

Its a strange issue that Ive never heard of. I can receive calls whenever I do these things. Its a multitasking phone, and Maemo 5 just minimises the current app, for me to take the call. Maybe other users can help you

:)

Re: N900 can't receive calls while using GPRS data
 

Snaps: It's not a phone issue but dependent on network settings. It seems many networks around the world keep the data connection open at the price of calls not going through, rather than dropping the data connection to let the call get priority.

saad: What happens if you set the phone to always ask before connecting?

Re: N900 can't receive calls while using GPRS data
 

Saad I'm also in Pakistan and facing the same problems on Warid , right now I've discontinued my international roaming and got call waiting activated ( it does not work with Int'l roaming on ) the problem seem to have solved

Re: N900 can't receive calls while using GPRS data
 

Dear Schawlaf
Thnks for the kind feedback dude.. sounds a bit dumb.. but wat I get get from ur reply is u activated intl roaming in Pakistan?? Btw m using telenor.. not getting how call forwarding can help (by default, call waiting is already active)

Re: N900 can't receive calls while using GPRS data
 

If you have this issue on other phones as well, i'd say the problem lies with your carrier(s), not with the phones.

did you contact one of your telcom companies? maybe they can shed more light on this.

Re: N900 can't receive calls while using GPRS data
 

I've noticed this problem when on a 2G network (edge).
Normally the data connection gets dropped and the voice call comes through, but sometimes I just don't get the call.

I think there should be an option to only connect to the internet on 3G. I know you can lock to 3G, but does this prevent incoming calls if there is no 3G connectivity and only 2G?

Fortunately in the UK the 3G/3.5G coverage is pretty good...but it does sometimes (even in the centre of Leeds) drop to 2G

:confused:

Re: GPRS / EDGE connections dropping during, or blocking, voice calls
 

would it be feasable to have an app that disconnects the internet if you go on a 2G link then reconnects on 3G?
ive missed a few calls because of this already and it is becoming annoying.

BTW im with tmobile uk

Re: GPRS / EDGE connections dropping during, or blocking, voice calls
 

I'd guess the radio interface will emit DBus signals on status changes, if this is the case then it's relatively simple, make a program that listens for those signals and then does the network connect/disconnect accordingly.

icd_dbus_test.py has some python code for talking with ICD (note: it's my personal test script so it might do different things from time to time), see also http://www.qaiku.com/go/56ho for enabling eavesdropping on the DBus (for reverse-engineering stuff that either is not documented or is documented wrong...)

Re: GPRS / EDGE connections dropping during, or blocking, voice calls
 

add me to the list too. I was a long time E90 users and was never faced with this problem but i have had it with different phones with the same operator. I have been doing some testing I have activated the data and setup a continuous ping with a larger packets and left it running, also i have have launched the browser and gave it a big webpage to load with a lot of flash.

3G data connection is still activated and calls go through the odd one got rejected probably as I wasn't giving the phone a break lol.

I then force the phone to use 2G and with the same results

All below had problems.
Tmobile
Vodafone
o2

I did this about 10 times on each network. A few times data disconnected red cross and the phone rung. Other times straight through to voicemail. There has to be something setup or a fix for this as this is becoming a deal breaker for me as much as I love the phone not all my locations I am in have good reception.

Re: N900 can't receive calls while using GPRS data
 

This isn't even possible on the N900 yet.

Re: N900 can't receive calls while using GPRS data
 

So this is why people suddenly stopped calling me:P Haha, I had realized that if i had an active data session I was unable to recieve calls, however SMS seemed to work.
I mostly use GPRS to conserve battery, it's really unneccessary with 3G for IM's and small quantities of surfing. But if I always use 3G people will be able to call me?
I will need to experiment on this, and see if the battery time will be acceptable.

Re: N900 can't receive calls while using GPRS data
 

I had a similar issue on my n900 here in the UK and im on the 02 network. This occurred last week, I had my 3G switched on and was signed into msn via the conversations plug-in. that is all i had on. I drove over to mate house an i tried makin a call but kept coming up "call could not be established" error. I tried calling diff ppl but same result. As soon as i disconnected the 3G web, it was working fine!
Anyone know why this happens or any way to fix it........??

calls not received
 

Hi,

Have anyone experience not receiving calls on your N900 despite the callers claiming they called?

This has happened to me a lot, ppl have been asking why i am not answering calls all the time. But the problem is, my N900 is not even showing any calls coming in. I have tried calling myself from another phone as well and witnessed this myself. Very often a reboot would fixed it but not for long before it happens again.

I have contacted my service provider and they have sent me a new SIM card but the issue is still happening.

Can someone shed some light on this?
Thank you

Re: calls not received
 

This will happen if you are using EDGE -- connected and using the data. While using the data on EDGE, voice will not go through (sometimes). Only 3G will allow simultaneous data and voice.

Re: calls not received
 

I am not sure what EDGE is? but my internet connection is active on my N900.
Should i disable that?

Re: calls not received
 

Do you see "3G" or "3.5G" under your signal bars? If you see something other than those two AND you are using data (internet), then that is the reason why the calls are not going through. What do you have, T-Mobile or AT&T or another service?

Re: calls not received
 

I am on AT&T, under the signal bars it is showing 2.5

Re: calls not received
 

Okay I am sure that is why. If you want to fix this problem, stop using internet (IM, refreshing widgets, browsing). Or you can tell the people who call you to leave a voicemail.
If not, then you have to switch to T-Mobile to get 3G for simultaneous data and voice. With 3G, you can use the internet and call at the same time. With 2.5G, you have to turn data off to call someone. Try browsing a page, then use the phone to call someone, the phone will pop up a message saying "Cellular data unavailable" or something like that.

Re: calls not received
 

ok i get it now. Thanks a lot, i will probably have to upgrade to 3G then.

Re: calls not received
 

Yup, best way is to switch to T-Mobile. I edited my post above...

Re: calls not received
 

yes yes that is true.......i always see the message 'cellular data unavalable' but never quite bothered much about it as the call did go through anyways......

wow..you are really good......thanks a lot

Re: calls not received
 

I actually have this problem all the time on Tmobile, and I never knew that would be the cause. Why wouldn't the phone application recognize a 2.5 connection, and automatically disable data?

In areas of questionably signal strength, my device will switch between 2.5g and 3g intermittently, and sometimes I have trouble making a successful phone call.

Re: calls not received
 

Normally EDGE data connection should go on hold automatically when there is an incoming call. Mine works as expected, so I guess the problem only exists with certain operators/networks.

Re: calls not received
 

The phone WILL recognize a 2.5 connection and automatically disable ONLY for outgoing calls (you calling someone). It cannot (or will not) do it for incoming calls --- it can only do it SOMETIMES, not all the time. I am not sure if it is a problem with N900 or it's just limited by the 2.5G technology.

Re: calls not received
 

Maybe you were lucky, nothing was accessing the data when someone tried to call you. It all could be just a coincidence that your connection was just idle.

But set your connection to EDGE and keep your internet active by continuously browsing, then call yourself from a different phone. You will notice that sometimes, the call will not go through.

Re: calls not received
 

I tried forcing network mode to GSM, started a large download and called a few times from another phone. It worked every time, the data connection got suspended and automatically resumed when the call ended.

If the problem existed on every network and always when there is a active data connection, there would be a lot more people complaining...

Re: calls not received
 

I was told that the N900 will not work with AT&T's 3G, is this true?

I did a search on the web and it seems like many are saying so....

anyone here running AT&T 3G on the N900?