PEOPLE! LISTEN! I FIXED DATA ON ALPHA2.
UPDATED TO FIX ALPHA4 BUILD..... AGAIN, THIS FIX/PATCH NOW WORKS WITH ALPHA4... THANKS.
HOW THIS DATA FIX WORKS:
GPRS provide Internet (in this case, 3G or 1X) services to your phone. Before my fix, GSM and GPRS service wouldn't stay connected to the phone, leaving Internet services a no go. This fix, along with the help of APN's to connect, keeps the GSM service connected to the networks worldwide. GSM service now is always connected, providing your phone the capability to send and receive data. When your phone makes a request to access the internet, GSM service recognizes the request and attempts to connect through GPRS service to send and receive the data. Since GSM service is providing the network and your phone with Network Based Locations and is always connected, when your phone makes the request to send or receive data, GPRS service automatically connects.
I am not the smartest cat when it comes to the roots of how the network works, but I tried my best to clearly let you understand how this fix works.
By the way, I have noticed that the GPRS service kicks in when the phone sends a request or when you unlock the screen. GPRS DOES connect while the lockscreen is enabled, but I have noticed that GPRS kicks in when you unlock the screen.
PLEASE NOTE:
The GPRS service DOES connect if you follow these steps, but it may be a little behind connecting. For example, if you are trying to browse the web, it may say that it can not connect before GPRS connects. GPRS may be a little behind connecting while you are trying to access 3G service.
HOW TO APPLY THIS PATCH:
To fix the 3G data on Alpha2, shut down the phone first.
Reboot into CWM or Xionia recovery... Then nandroid backup as usual... then, CLEAR DATA, CACHE, DELVIK CACHE, BOOT, SYSTEM, and if you have it, SD-EXT. Then, wipe cache AGAIN.
Once you have wiped, flash these things IN ORDER... ROM, Kernal, G'apps. YES. IN THAT ORDER.
Once you have done that, FLASH THE ROM AGAIN. YES, AGAIN.
After that, wipe cache and delvik cache once more.
Reboot... then reboot again. Go through the sign in first time boot thing. Skip syncing at first... Then go to settings > more (under wifi and bluetooth) and toggle airplane mode TWICE. Then, go to mobile data and toggle twice.
IF YOUR 3G ICON IS NOT SHOWING UP ALL OF THE TIME:
The 3G icon appears when GPRS service is connected. Just because the 3G icon is not showing up doesn't mean that you don't have Internet access. I have noticed on my phone that the 3G icon is a little slow appearing when GPRS is connected.
To be sure that the GSM service is always enabled and the data is sticking even though the data icon is not showing, type *#*#4636#*#* in the dialer... go to phone > ping test. You will want to see "pass" on all three things. Also, you will always want to see GSM - connected in that testing screen. I see that it is best to preform random tests on it only when the 3G icon is not showing. Test your GSM and data connections at least once a week.
IF THIS PATCH HASN'T WORKED FOR YOU:
If you see "Fail" or "Unknown" on the second thing in the list while your icon is not showing up, try repeating these steps since the "booting and sign in" part or try reflashing the ROM. Make sure your APN's are okay by going to voice dialer and saying "open A-P-N's" or "open A"... if you see one or three APN's or they are not right, go look at thekraven's tip for 3G connecting.
WHEN YOU REBOOT THE PHONE, YOU WILL NEED TO PREFORM MORE STEPS ...
If you reboot the phone and the data starts acting crazy, repeat the toggling airplane mode/mobile data part.
If you STILL can't get data to stick... Reboot into recovery and clear Dalvik Cache and Cache. After that, it should stick. If not, check your APN's... If all of the above STILL won't let data stick, repeat this whole thing.. Thanks
If you have apps that need to be reinstalled that have been backed up using Titanium, fine. Reinstall, but do not restore sys data as it screwed me up.
Thanks guys!