Phone keeps disconnecting on XT network

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cleggy2

166 posts

Master Geek

#35895 16-Jun-2009 20:37

Hi knowledgeable people!!

I have connected a Samsung i617 smartphone (AT&T) phone to the XT network, but it's constantly disconnecting and reconnecting. I think coverage isn't the issue as it goes from full network bars to no service available. Telecom store won't help as its not a telecom phone. Any idea what could be causing the problem? I had good coverage on the old network.

Cheers

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
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Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#225700 16-Jun-2009 20:44

The phone is 850MHz and even released on Telstra Next G as well. It should just "work". Are you sure it's not coverage problem or the phone itself is not faulty?

tonyhughes

Hawkes Bay
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#225701 16-Jun-2009 20:49

P.S. good coverage on old network is meaningless for your issue, as the new network is totally independant, in terms of signals being transmitted/recieved.

qraider

374 posts

Ultimate Geek

#225715 16-Jun-2009 22:27

Is it doing this in just one location?

If so, a good test is to get a handset you know works on XT (at other locations) and try it out where yours is disconnecting.

If it's doing everywhere (where Telecom supplied handsets are working) it could be a hardware fault on the handset.

Hopefully that makes sense ...

Current Phone:
- Android: Samsung SM-G900F Galaxy S5 (XT)
- Win Phone 8: Samsung ATIV S (XT)

Current Tablet:

- Acer Iconia 7" Android Tablet

Twitter: qraider

cleggy2

166 posts

Master Geek

#225739 17-Jun-2009 07:36

I think my problem IS bad reception. I have good reception in my bedroom and haven't been disconnected. I cannot test your theory yet as I don't know anyone else on the xt network. I will use my phone up town (Invercargill) near a tower to confirm reception is the problem. I will let you all know how I get on.

PS: the garmin Mobile GPS on this phone is excellent. As good if not better than normal GPS units.

cleggy2

166 posts

Master Geek

#226256 18-Jun-2009 13:14

Yes my problem seems to be bad reception. I get good reception in Invercargill, but 3 km away I get none. The XT network sux, Unless my ph isn't very good at picking up signals. I might consider going back to the old network with my Palm treo. I wonder if there are settings on my ph to make sure everything is right?
An other thing, when the signal is lost, it searched for a wee while then says for emergency use only.

Does the XT network scan for other stronger signal or can it only go through with 3G? (this probably sounds like a dumb question)

qraider

374 posts

Ultimate Geek

#226275 18-Jun-2009 14:11

As nice as it would be to have the new XT equipment work straight out of the box (& unrealistic too), it sounds like the techs need to do a bit of fine tuning to get the coverage the same as CDMA (or better).

Did you have CDMA coverage at your home ?

Either way, I would suggest calling either *120 or 120 & logging a fault with the XT coverage in your area, it'll get escalated & hopefully you'll be up and running "Soon (TM)". If they don't know about it they can't fix it.

HTH

Current Phone:
- Android: Samsung SM-G900F Galaxy S5 (XT)
- Win Phone 8: Samsung ATIV S (XT)

Current Tablet:

- Acer Iconia 7" Android Tablet

Twitter: qraider

GMT12

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#226289 18-Jun-2009 14:53

Hi there, I've had quick look at the tech specs for your i617 and it only appears to support quad-band GSM (850/900/1800/1900Mhz) and single-band UMTS (2100Mhz). So if your're dropping calls outside of main CBD's then I suspect it's due to being handed-off from a UMTS 2100Mhz cell to a UMTS 850Mhz cell that your device doesn't support (XT is UMTS 2100Mhz and 850Mhz - no GSM). Hope this helps.

Sharesies

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cleggy2

166 posts

Master Geek

#226316 18-Jun-2009 15:51

According to the Samsung website, this phone can use GSM 850 / GSM 900 / GSM 1800 / GSM 1900/ WCDMA 850 / WCDMA 1900 / WCDMA 2100. I suspect maybe it does switch between WCDMA 2100 and WDMA 850 maybe.

cleggy2

166 posts

Master Geek

#226337 18-Jun-2009 16:58

I think I am on to something with GMT12. I mucked around with ph network settings. changed from manual to auto network location. all of a sudden I get three network choices, 2 Telecom 3G networks and a Telecom GSM network. Could this be my problem solved or am I wishful thinking. so far i am getting coverage in the living room.

GMT12

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#226612 19-Jun-2009 11:05

You're right - just checked and the i617 does support Tri-Band UMTS (850/1900/2100) as well as quad-band GSM. So far so good. I might suggest you go back to the network settings on your device and select 1) 3G Only (as opposed to Dual-Mode 3G/2G) and 2) Auto (as opposed to Manually selecting the network from the list). Be interested to see how you go - good luck!

Aaroona

3196 posts

Uber Geek

#226759 19-Jun-2009 16:37

Cleggy, leave it to automatically select the network, and cycle the phone (just to make sure everythings fine, although not required) and see if it picks up the signal.

If its what i'm thinking (Although, i really shouldnt make assumptions) it's quite possible that your phone was only selecting a certain frequency and not allowing the hand over to the 850Mhz out of the city centres.

Post back with your findings :)

cleggy2

166 posts

Master Geek

#226946 20-Jun-2009 07:41

Hi. I am still having a battle with this phone. At work yesterday it worked fine (the cell tower is only 1k awayin Edendale) and traveling home it still worked fine. Even at home it worked fine until this morning I noticed it went to an emergency network only mode. I tried to search for more networks, but a lot of other networks came up with 5 letter codes beside them (Even vodafone came up!!??).

I am at work now and turned my ph off and took battery out for 10 minutes. Now its working.

I think when the phone goes out of 2100 signal coverage it seaches for all network signals and comes across vodafone and emergency networks.

one thing I noticed on my ph, is beside the 3G symbol is a number "2". Yesterday it had a "1" there. Maybe "1" is 850 signal and "2" is 2100 signal. I might do more research on my ph settings online.

Cheers

cleggy2

166 posts

Master Geek

#228215 25-Jun-2009 11:33

Problem fixed. I found on website, a code *#1546792*# that gives me an option of the network searching all networks, gms only networks or wcdma only networks. With WCDMA only networks, the connection seems more reliable. My house seems to be a weak spot though (although cdma worked with 1 or 2 bars).