Understanding if I can receive a 3G signal - Page 2

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 · ‎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?

No, although its irrelevant now. But I meant what I said, there was no need to overcomplicate it with schemes involving the baseband. The option to switch to 3G/dual mode is simply missing from the menu.
Because AT&T had undercapacity problems they removed the option to select anything other than GSM/GPRS from the menu unless certain certificates were present on the SIM. The phone was capable of 3G, but the option to switch to 3G or dual mode is not there for the user to select.
There have been other examples, like media players which only appear when you pay a multi-media add on!