Accessing 3G network via tethering

Forums › One New Zealand (including Vodafone, WxC, Farmside) › Accessing 3G network via tethering

benjamin12

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#86977 16-Jul-2011 13:53

I bought a WP7 (Samsung Focus) from the U.S., unlocked, yet full of AT&T settings. While USB tethering is not avaliable on the phone by default there is a hack to enable it - so I got it working and connected to the crappy GPRS network. Not exactly what I consider fast!

Does anybody have any ideas how I could connect (via the dial up function or otherwise) to the VF 3G network, either using some APN settings or changing how I connect on the computer?

Any solutions would be great, I want to be happy with every aspect of this phone lol.

It doesn't automatically connect like the Android does as soon as you plug it in BTW.

oxnsox

1923 posts

Uber Geek

#494010 16-Jul-2011 14:13

It may not work on VF 3g if it doesnt have the correct 3G frequencies

quickymart

13924 posts

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#494014 16-Jul-2011 14:26

Most likely if it's from America, it will work on XT. Where in the country are you trying to use it?

benjamin12

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#494022 16-Jul-2011 16:50

It does work on the 3G network, it picks up that form of reception when using the device (browser etc.). The phone is fully compatiable with the frequencies on Vodafone.

I'm talking about the tethered USB connection and how to log onto it in 3G. It has the ability to log-on to the GPRS/WAP network via this method, but there must be someway to access the 3G network by dialing into it??? Either through a different APN, IP or similar?

Thanks for your responses.

johnr

19282 posts

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Inactive user

#494023 16-Jul-2011 16:52

Depending on where you are Vodafone NZ uses 3G UMTS / WCDMA on 2 bands 900/2100mhz

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/coverage/

Red 3G 2100mhz
Orange 3G extended 900mhz

And as pointed out above does your handset support these bands / standards

Dial up number is *99# and the internet APN is www.vodafone.net.nz

benjamin12

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#494025 16-Jul-2011 16:59

Yea the phone does support HSDPA 2100 and the only place I really want this tethering via 3G to work is at Smales Farm in Takapuna...which I know has 3G/HSDPA and the phone works on 3G there because it says it is on a 3G network at the time.

Ok, I will give that APN address a go, although when I used it yesterday via the dial up function (using *99#) it could only connect to the GPRS service because isn't that all the *99# service provides?

Correct me if I am wrong and point me correctly! lol

BTW when I say GPRS I'm saying that it is slow, like 2G speed - because I am assuming that when you connect via WAP it is at that slower speed - NOT 3G.

sbiddle

30853 posts

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#494043 16-Jul-2011 17:33

When you establish a PDP context it's using whatever connection is available - if you're in 3G coverage it's 3G and if you're in a GSM area it's GPRS. There aren't different settings for GPRS and 3G.

benjamin12

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#494332 17-Jul-2011 17:45

I found a work around to this issue, once plugged in and tethered to the PC I have to go into the cellular settings on the phone and turn off 'Data Connection' basically this turns off data/3G on the phone but enables 3G for the laptop!!

The browser won't work on the phone while this setting is enabled, but I got around 3-4mbps on the laptop. Great!