Understanding if I can receive a 3G signal

Anonymous · ‎12-09-2011

this has been cross-posted in the Pay & Go forum
Hello, I am a newbie to mobile technology and the learning curve is steep. Any help is appreciated.
I have an HTC Aria. According to HTC, it supports: GSM (2G) 850/900/1800/1900MHz, and HSPA/WCDMA (3G) 900/2100MHz.
As I understand, UTMS is synonymous with WCDMS. Furthermore, according to Wikipedia, O2 implemented a UTMS network a few years back, on the 900/2100MHz bands. I assume, according to O2's coverage map, that this network covers Edinburgh.
Therefore, I should be able to pick up a 3G signal in most of Edinburgh. However, since I picked up a new O2 SIM card last week (it's 3G compatible), I have only been able to get on the GPRS network, which, I understand, is a GSM technology. My speeds are consistent with GPRS, at ~30kbps upstream & downstream. I live next to the Meadows and I've been through most of Old Town & New Town.

Anonymous · ‎12-09-2011

In theory it would seem to support o2's 3G network, despite being an AT&T exclusive phone.
So, daft question out of the way first: Have you got the correct network mode configured in your settings?
Settings > Wireless & Network > Mobile networks > Network mode
Mine's set to GSM/WCDMA(auto)
SV

Anonymous · ‎12-09-2011

In theory it would seem to support o2's 3G network, despite being an AT&T exclusive phone.
So, daft question out of the way first: Have you got the correct network mode configured in your settings?
Settings > Wireless & Network > Mobile networks > Network mode
Mine's set to GSM/WCDMA(auto)
SV

It's AT&T exclusive, but I've unlocked it.
I don't have the Network Mode setting in Mobile Networks. The phone is rooted. However, I haven't touched the baseband, so radio works as it always has.

Anonymous · ‎13-09-2011

You've missed the point. US Networks extensively rewrite the firmware of handsets restricting and removing functionality (sometimes requiring use on a certain tariff before aspects of the handset become available)
I don't know about that particular handset, but it may be that unlocking alone is not sufficient to get it working. Its possible that the handset will need a generic or custom ROM (new firmware).

sheepdog · ‎13-09-2011

Whilst the sim card is 3G compatible, have you got data enabled on your account? If not might be worth checking with CS. Usual check is to try in another phone and see what happens.

Anonymous · ‎13-09-2011

Done some checking and some HTC Aria phones came with the following specs.
UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA (1900/850MHZ)
GSM/GPRS/EDGE (Quad band 850/900/1800/1900MHZ
If that is the case with your phone then it will not work with the 2100MHZ or 900MHZ used for UTMS in the UK.
I've had this with Google Nexus 1 phones where 2 different versions were released

Anonymous · ‎13-09-2011

sheepdog: Data is enabled and works at GPRS speeds of ~30kbps upstream & downstream.

Done some checking and some HTC Aria phones came with the following specs.
UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA (1900/850MHZ)
GSM/GPRS/EDGE (Quad band 850/900/1800/1900MHZ

Where did you find that information? How unfortunate if that's the case! According to HTC's Aria site (http://www.htc.com/us/support/aria-att/help/general-and-other), the supported HSPA/WCDMA bands are 900/2100MHz. And as far as my newb brain knows, WCDMA is synonymous with UMTS.

You've missed the point. US Networks extensively rewrite the firmware of handsets restricting and removing functionality (sometimes requiring use on a certain tariff before aspects of the handset become available)
I don't know about that particular handset, but it may be that unlocking alone is not sufficient to get it working. Its possible that the handset will need a generic or custom ROM (new firmware).

ROM's will not affect radio communication. I don't think kernels do either, being libraries that make calls to the baseband chipset. If you mean to say the stock baseband may have been locked by AT&T in such a way as to keep unlocked phones from using 3G on other networks (and only 3G, note 2G works fine both on T-Mobile in the US and on O2 in the UK), then I am indeed screwed. Is this what you mean?

Anonymous · ‎13-09-2011

This has been resolved. Cf this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1038512
There are two versions of the Aria, an old A6366 (mine), and a newer A6380. The latter supports 900/2100MHz UMTS bands, the former only 850/1900MHz. HTC is not very good at providing this information consistently & completely (the Aria's tech specs page assumes an A6366, and the How To/FAQ page assumes an A6380).
Unfortunately, updating the baseband/radio firmware cannot change the supported bands. How unfortunate! And unintuitive...
Time to research if there are any UK carriers which use the 850/1900MHz UMTS bands.

adamtemp64 · ‎13-09-2011

none support those bands only 900 / 2100 and 1800 allowed by ofcom

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Anonymous · ‎13-09-2011

none support those bands only 900 / 2100 and 1800 allowed by ofcom

Truly sad news... 😞 US carriers have horrid pay & go plans so I never had data in the states. I was really looking forward to it here. Oh well. At least I have e-mail & uhh... guess there's not much else to do with 30kbps speeds. =P
I wonder why baseband firmware doesn't affect the frequencies the phone uses to communicate. Somewhere on the net I heard someone say that all chipsets are capable of using all frequencies, but a piece of hardware responsible for the amplification of these signals is what ultimately dictates your usable bands. Couldn't HTC have included hardware amplifiers for ALL bands? Bah.