3G only instead of HSDPA?

[#1]

Hello guys :smileyhappy:!

i have a question.. its important is there a way to disable HSDPA but keep 3G(UMTS) on the Xperia Arc, as my browser drains the hell out of my phone while browsing on HSDPA and GSM is too slow... I had 3G a while back working on 2.3.3. and it drained like 2% in 10 minutes while browsing, so is there any way to get UMTS permanently?

thanks in advance !!

[Uliwooly]

that's actually not upto the phone, but your network, If I'm not mistaken, 3G and H use the same frequencies, if your networks is pushing H in some areas you will get H

[#3]

are you sure about that mate? 😕 because the galaxy S2 has the option to disable HSDPA and keep 3G..

[Uliwooly]

are you sure it's not like turning off 4G (LTE)?

1. Go to your dialer

2. Dial *#*#INFO#*#*

3. Click 'Phone information'

4. Scroll down to the first dropdown selection and set according to your preference below...

For simplicity, there are two main types of cell carriers, GSM and CDMA.

The following popular data communication technology is associated with each cell carrier type:

GSM = GPRS (2g), EDGE(2g), UMTS(3g), WCDMA(3g), HSDPA(3g) {Cell Carrier examples: AT&T and T-Mobile}

CDMA = CDMA*(2/3g) EV-DO(3g) WiMax(3/4g) {Cell Carrier examples: Verizon and Sprint}

Now that the general stuff is out of the way, here's my take on the Preferred Network types:

WCDMA preferred - The GSM phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 3G is favored more.

GSM only - The GSM phone is capable of using only 2G data communication. When the 2G signal is too low you get nothing at all.

WCDMA only - The GSM phone is capable of using only 3G data communication. When the 3G signal is too low you get nothing at all.

GSM auto (PRL) - The GSM phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 2G is favored more. This one is a bit confusing to me since PRL is associated mostly with CDMA technology and not GSM technology.

CDMA auto (PRL) - The CDMA phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 2G is favored more.

CDMA only - The CDMA phone is capable of using only 2G data communication. When the 2G signal is too low you get nothing at all.

EvDo only - The CDMA phone is capable of using only 3G data communication. When the 3G signal is too low you get nothing at all.

GSM/CDMA auto (PRL) - Some phones are equipped with both GSM and CDMA capabilities. This setting appears to just have the phone attempt to stay connected to the data communication type that works the best. (Maybe the Samsung Galaxy S will take advantage of this???)

Unknown - If none of the above fit or the phone is acting weird as far as connecting to the carrier, you will see your preferred network type is set to this

Source http://www.google.ie/support/forum/p/android/thread?tid=6a327a95211ac789&hl=en

[#5]

I tried that now.. , but on WCDMA only it will still say HSDPA network and not UMTS only.. anyway thanks for now for that important information!!

[Uliwooly]

I'll keep looking

[Markus1]

Uliwooly might be right here although I am not sure.

Either way, there's no setting in the phone that can do this and I am not sure if it can be done via 3rd party solutions either. If you keep looking and find something - let me know.

[Balakrishnan]

hi markus,

Pls remove that only hsdpa and add as an third and fourth options in prefered network mode 3.only hsdpa and 4.only 3g. Pls forward this to respective dept. If you are adding this option . Again sony will have a unique feature....:smileywink:

[Markus1]

Not sure if it can be done but I'll register your comment and we'll see what future software updates and/or products will bring.

[rohan1024]

Guys please add this option to Sony phones. The old Nokia's had this option and Samsung allows this by using some secret code. If you are using this intermediate mode your battery lasts longer and sometimes also improves coverage. Battery time is 2g>3g>3.5g(hsdpa). Look at this for an in depth discussion
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=837716