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-   -   n900 choose 2.5G instead of 3G (https://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=38917)

dawchiks 2009-12-31 17:58
n900 choose 2.5G instead of 3G
 
Today I bought a new SIM at different operator, mainly because of better network in country side. So, N900 chooses to go for 2.5G instead of 3G or 3.5G(which my old sim was doing). My friend has the same type of sim and his phone chooses 3G, not 2.5G like mine does. I called the help line and they said that few phones have manually changable which to use (3G, 2G......), and this feature, as i understand, N900 doesn't have ( not that I needed it with my old card). With this SIM i'm gettings average 10-20kb/s download speed, with old one - 100kb/s was the lowest. At nights - 150kb/s average.

So, isn't there any way i can make it to connect to 3g?

btw, offtopic question. Does my warranty provider has to change my phone if the touch screen makes strange noise, almost like when pressing keyboard, or maybe... like "click" ( only when touching arond the clock and that area, and that really is the screen it self what makes that sound) and i REALLY hate when it makes that sound. Do they have to change my phone? It's not always, 30% of the time it doesnt do that.

it's local phone shop's warranty.

lorelei 2009-12-31 18:09
Re: n900 choose 2.5G instead of 3G
 
There's an option to select between 3G and 2G (actually between 3G and GSM):
settings -> phone -> Network mode

there you can switch to 3G. If my memory serves me well, 3G is the option by default.

dawchiks 2009-12-31 18:29
Re: n900 choose 2.5G instead of 3G
 
thanks, i'd never find it :D

superhyper 2009-12-31 23:57
Re: n900 choose 2.5G instead of 3G
 
It'd be nice if there were a toggle widget for that. One click to switch from 3g to 2g!

Frank Banul 2010-01-01 01:48
Re: n900 choose 2.5G instead of 3G
 
Settings, Display, Touch screen vibration?

Quote:
Originally Posted by dawchiks (Post 448181)
btw, offtopic question. Does my warranty provider has to change my phone if the touch screen makes strange noise, almost like when pressing keyboard, or maybe... like "click" ( only when touching arond the clock and that area, and that really is the screen it self what makes that sound) and i REALLY hate when it makes that sound. Do they have to change my phone? It's not always, 30% of the time it doesnt do that.

it's local phone shop's warranty.
Frank

imation_nz 2010-01-02 08:03
Re: n900 choose 2.5G instead of 3G
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by superhyper (Post 448463)
It'd be nice if there were a toggle widget for that. One click to switch from 3g to 2g!
Yes that would be very usefully when wanting to turn on just for fast internet and then off for normal

gohan2091 2010-01-02 10:03
Re: n900 choose 2.5G instead of 3G
 
Is 'GSM' 2G? 3G just allows faster internet? So if I were streaming a Youtube video, 2G won't do it, it would be too slow?

HRZ 2010-01-02 10:34
Re: n900 choose 2.5G instead of 3G
 
yes i hope somebody out there is working on developing that widget!!! it would definitely improve battery life. I would prefer to use GSM (2g-2.5g) all the time and then switch to 3G only when skype calling/browsing/etc

ivanzorkic 2010-01-02 10:45
Re: n900 choose 2.5G instead of 3G
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by gohan2091 (Post 449687)
Is 'GSM' 2G? 3G just allows faster internet? So if I were streaming a Youtube video, 2G won't do it, it would be too slow?
Yes, GSM will activate 2/2.5G, 3G will, ofc, be 3G and Dual will use 3G when possible but allow 2.5G where 3G coverage is bad.

3G has faster Internet and won't disconnect from it while using the phone (both voice calls and SMS send/recieve will disconnect from gprs net temporarily)

2G/2.5G uses GPRS/EDGE for Internet which is slower and, yea, Youtube will be almost unusable (and some heavier websites too, - i.e. on 2.5G waiting for Gmail in browser to load in full mode is a pain), SMS and phonecalls will disconnect you from the net (and auto reconnect afterwards)

So use the 2.5G instead of 3G because of the slower battery drain. IM programs work great on 2G and it won't eat your battery so fast (you can go full day being always online) - so you're always connected. I don't even use SMS anymore. You can also view lighter websites (talk.maemo.org, for example, works just fine) - and switch to 3G when you need the speed (or use Wi-Fi)

sgbirch 2010-01-02 10:45
Re: n900 choose 2.5G instead of 3G
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by HRZ (Post 449702)
yes i hope somebody out there is working on developing that widget!!! it would definitely improve battery life. I would prefer to use GSM (2g-2.5g) all the time and then switch to 3G only when skype calling/browsing/etc
Great idea. It would be useful to have an app which could automatically switch to 3G when specific applications are started, such as the browser, skype etc.

gohan2091 2010-01-02 20:01
Re: n900 choose 2.5G instead of 3G
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ivanzorkic (Post 449709)
Yes, GSM will activate 2/2.5G, 3G will, ofc, be 3G and Dual will use 3G when possible but allow 2.5G where 3G coverage is bad.

3G has faster Internet and won't disconnect from it while using the phone (both voice calls and SMS send/recieve will disconnect from gprs net temporarily)

2G/2.5G uses GPRS/EDGE for Internet which is slower and, yea, Youtube will be almost unusable (and some heavier websites too, - i.e. on 2.5G waiting for Gmail in browser to load in full mode is a pain), SMS and phonecalls will disconnect you from the net (and auto reconnect afterwards)

So use the 2.5G instead of 3G because of the slower battery drain. IM programs work great on 2G and it won't eat your battery so fast (you can go full day being always online) - so you're always connected. I don't even use SMS anymore. You can also view lighter websites (talk.maemo.org, for example, works just fine) - and switch to 3G when you need the speed (or use Wi-Fi)
2G and 3G are only relevant for a phone right? Wi-Fi is internet via a wireless router? I only use Internet via wireless router in my home. If I were to travel, I wouldn't use the Internet on my phone. Because of this, I can leave it on GSM all the time and still have fast Internet?

ivanzorkic 2010-01-04 04:09
Re: n900 choose 2.5G instead of 3G
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by gohan2091 (Post 450256)
2G and 3G are only relevant for a phone right? Wi-Fi is internet via a wireless router? I only use Internet via wireless router in my home. If I were to travel, I wouldn't use the Internet on my phone. Because of this, I can leave it on GSM all the time and still have fast Internet?
Well, you should use GSM (instead of 3G/Dual) while traveling to keep your battery alive, but you'll probably get a slow Internet experience. Still, its better than having a dead phone without a power outlet nearby, right? And if you need faster Internet speed, just switch to 3G and back when you don't need it anymore.

As for the wireless routers, I disagree - there are many situations outside your home where Wi-Fi can be useful. Where I live there are lot of free Wi-Fi hotspots one can use. Pass next to a school? Have a drink in a coffee-shop? Spend your time in the faculty campus? Even our Danube beach has good Wi-Fi coverage.

Your N900 can save these spots the first time you use them, so it can switch from 2G/3G to Wi-Fi automatically whenever you're within reach (with the default settings, Wi-Fi "wakes up" every 10 minutes - and you can change this interval - to check if there are any available connections - so spend some time at a location which has Wi-Fi and N900 will switch to it). So why use a slower 2G or battery-draining 3G (and even 3G is slower, depending on the net speed provided by the hotspot) when you can enjoy a good Wi-Fi without any big hassle of connecting to it?

Also, while we're on the whole Wi-Fi subject - I often use my N900 even while at home. You can't lie comfortably in your bed and read email with a desktop (or laptop/netbook for that matter) can you? :)

That doesn't mean 2G/3G isn't important, it is. And I wish 3G wouldn't drain the battery so much.

gohan2091 2010-01-04 04:51
Re: n900 choose 2.5G instead of 3G
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ivanzorkic (Post 452056)
Well, you should use GSM (instead of 3G/Dual) while traveling to keep your battery alive, but you'll probably get a slow Internet experience. Still, its better than having a dead phone without a power outlet nearby, right? And if you need faster Internet speed, just switch to 3G and back when you don't need it anymore.

As for the wireless routers, I disagree - there are many situations outside your home where Wi-Fi can be useful. Where I live there are lot of free Wi-Fi hotspots one can use. Pass next to a school? Have a drink in a coffee-shop? Spend your time in the faculty campus? Even our Danube beach has good Wi-Fi coverage.

Your N900 can save these spots the first time you use them, so it can switch from 2G/3G to Wi-Fi automatically whenever you're within reach (with the default settings, Wi-Fi "wakes up" every 10 minutes - and you can change this interval - to check if there are any available connections - so spend some time at a location which has Wi-Fi and N900 will switch to it). So why use a slower 2G or battery-draining 3G (and even 3G is slower, depending on the net speed provided by the hotspot) when you can enjoy a good Wi-Fi without any big hassle of connecting to it?

Also, while we're on the whole Wi-Fi subject - I often use my N900 even while at home. You can't lie comfortably in your bed and read email with a desktop (or laptop/netbook for that matter) can you? :)

That doesn't mean 2G/3G isn't important, it is. And I wish 3G wouldn't drain the battery so much.
I'm still a little confused over 3G and wi-fi. I will tell you what I think and you tell me if I got this right....

2G/3G is Internet on your n900 from your mobile provider. Wifi is Internet from your wireless router or a hotspot outside your home. Since I have no plans on PAYING for Internet from my phone provider, I can just leave it on 2G? Hotspots and my home wireless Internet has nothing to do with 2G/3G.

Have I got this all wrong? Or am I correct?

shadowjk 2010-01-04 06:58
Re: n900 choose 2.5G instead of 3G
 
You are correct.

gohan2091 2010-01-04 07:03
Re: n900 choose 2.5G instead of 3G
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by shadowjk (Post 452156)
You are correct.
Thanks :) Does leaving your Wi-fi connected when the phone is on standby reduce battery power greatly like 3G?

shadowjk 2010-01-04 08:14
Re: n900 choose 2.5G instead of 3G
 
Depends on your AP. Some don't support powersaving mode very well, and will cause your n900 to eat so much power it gets warm and lasts 4 hours or less.

With a non-buggy AP though, the n900 will idle for days with wifi active (assuming nothing else consuming excessive power, of course).

gohan2091 2010-01-04 11:00
Re: n900 choose 2.5G instead of 3G
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by shadowjk (Post 452198)
Depends on your AP. Some don't support powersaving mode very well, and will cause your n900 to eat so much power it gets warm and lasts 4 hours or less.

With a non-buggy AP though, the n900 will idle for days with wifi active (assuming nothing else consuming excessive power, of course).
AP is access point? That would be my router right? I don't know if it has power saving function but it's a D-Link DIR-615. I noticed the n900 has a powersaving wi-fi feature, it's set on 100%.

pycage 2010-01-04 11:31
Re: n900 choose 2.5G instead of 3G
 
D-Link DIR-615 works well with the N900. I have the same.
The preproduction firmwares had some issues with maximum powersaving and the DIR-615 but that's gone.


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