Xperia Z connectivity issues

[rozhy2k]

I have two issues I would like to get some feedback on:

1) When I just bought my Xperia Z, there were no connectivity issues and everything worked just as it should have. After the first update, the phone started to  have trouble with connecting to mobile network data services (GPRS/EDGE/3G/HSPA), despite the fact that the signal was strong and there is a mobile data service in the area. To correct this issue, I have to turn my WiFi and mobile data off and then turn the mobile data back right on. Mobile data is then magically appears and works without a problem. Also, if I do not turn the WiFi off, this trick doesn't seem to work. Once again, this issue appeared only after the first update. The second update didn't fix it, as I was hoping.

2) "Location based Wi-Fi" feature seems to connect to WiFi only when I turn on phone's display. Before I do that, the phone seems to stay on a mobile network data connection, no matter how long I have a working WiFi available in the area. Combined with a the first bug I've described, this often puts me to a state with no connection at all without me even knowing it.

Those two bugs are really frustrating and annoying, making me considering changing the phone.

Please advise on how to fix those issues or would there be a fix in the next update?

[shoryu]

I'm back in this discussion after some days of testing. last friday I restored my phone to factory settings as I already told you guys. following arjun's advice. after that, my phone worked really well...ok, until I turned on the location-based wi-fi option yesterday. this morning I had the same problems when I left the "wi-fi location" to take a walk with my dog. connection was lost again.

I guess there is something that collides within the software, when the location-based wi-fi option is activated. the most funny thing is, that the little indicator, the shows mobile connectivity still shows the changing signal, but there is no mobile data anymore.

which phone model do you have? c6602 or c6603?

[rozhy2k]

Mine is C6603.

Well, I've figured that the bug is connected to the WiFi by Location feature, but after a certain point, I think that turning it on or off doesn't help much anymore. The first time when I've noticed that bug, is when I went on a trip to a different city and switched SIM cards, leaving the WiFi by Location option to be on and updated locations near new WFi stations. It went down the hill right after that.

[shoryu]

Turning Flight Mode on-off works for me. But I turned the Location-Bases Wifi option off by now. I think I will not use this for a while. Perhaps until the bug is fixed.

[shoryu]

Update:

What I found out is, the the device cannot switch between Wi-Fi and Mobile Data. When the Wi-Fi connection is lost, the phone tries to connect to that specific Wi-Fi a certain time (I guess). Now I wonder, if this is a hardware based or software based issue. I really can't imagen, that weak hardware is responsible, because, if you switch manually it works again.

I try to contact a Sony employee... the bug has to be fixed.

[shoryu]

Update #2:

After contacting the Sony Xperia Support, I got the hint, that the SIM-Card could trigger the connectivity issue. They recommend to change the SIM-Card for further testing.

I explained that my SIM-Card comes originally from an iphone4 and that any connectivity issues may have occured on the iphone as well. But they think of an incompatibility of my SIM-card. I'll order a new SIM-Card today...and then we will see

[rozhy2k]

Yes, I've did the same:

1) Turned WiFi By Location off

2) Turned Flight Mode on

3) Turned Flight Mode of

It seems that it pretty much solves the issue. So, my conclusion is that Sony have messed up the WiFi By Location feature, making the phone wait for WiFi to appear and not connecting to the mobile data network. Which makes the phone one step closer to any other manufacturer, who doesn't have the WiFi By Location feature. Which I can achieve with the Tasker app. the question is then, why would I need Sony then

[rozhy2k]

I wouldn't buy that flam. I can bearly believe that a SIM card could potentially cause your phone to stop looking for mobile data connectivity and here are the reasons:

1) It does not happen on other phones.

2) It does not happen when you turn off your WiFi By Location feature.

3) There was no such issue before the first update came out; they've messed up something and now don't even bother to fix/admit it.

4) Yuur phone probably would find mobile data network with the same option through the Tasker app (I'll check that soon).

I pretty much hate it when manufacturers/salesmen give me such idiotic excuses and try to brush me off, like I am a moron. That tells you something about their service and care for you.

By the way, it's been a few days now, since I've wrote to Sony directly about the issue and I still have no reply.

We'll see how the next update turns out.

[shoryu]

They should fix the issue asap. What about your SIM-Card? Is it already a "newer" one?

Btw, the WiFi by Location feature is nice to have but imho, the GPS locator needs more energy for locate the device than the WiFi adapter does, if you leave it activated 24/7.

Another option is to deactivate WiFi automatically if there is no traffic. I found the feature by chance today

[rozhy2k]

WiFi by Location doesn't work based on GPS. What it does instead, is actually checking to which cell towers you are connected too. Each tower has its own unique id. In a certain area, are you pretty sure to be connected to one or two same towers, every time you visit it. When WiFi By Location recognizes these towers it turns the WiFi on. Ergo, when tower ids are unknown, WiFi is turned off. It is a very power efficient method and when done correctly (without bugs that Sony gifted our phones with), it saves you quite some energy.

[shoryu]

I totally agree. But on the other hand, my wife had similar problems when using the iphone3gs with her "old" SIM-card.

In fact, the issue does not only occure when using the WiFi by Location option. It alway occures when using WiFi and leaving the WiFi network. Thats the reason why I believe it is triggered by the phones sw. Your "3" underlines that too.

The phone lacks in basic functionality and that's why I'm so angry. Perhaps they gave the WiFi to much time to look for an AP or didn't set a timeout.

Did they announce a new update?