i was wondering if anyone else was using a network extender, because I believe that it is causing my thunderbolt to get horrible battery while at home. When im out I get very good battery when on standby, but at home the battery on standby is awful, like it will drop a percent every 5-10 minutes just sitting there. Also my mobile network is off, but i just wanted to know if anyone else is having this problem with a network extender or if its just my bolt
anyone using a network extender?
- Thread starter xxtsxx
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I have a network extender at home along with wifi and i don't notice any difference in battery life. I have the older network extender that's only 1x though.
I just picked one up about two months ago since my house was a dead zone... works great. I have the 3G model. It obviously helps with battery life since my radio isn't constantly searching for a signal. I use to just turn on WIFI when I was home but now I just stay on 3G with no problems.
Its a little unfair that I'm forced to use my broadband connection and still have to pay Verizon for services that aren't even running off of their network but what are you going to do.. it was either no service in my house or pay Verizon for an extender that runs off of my broadband connection. For a one time fee I guess its worth it... And its the same for all cell phone carriers in my house.. no signal whatsoever.. so switching carriers wasn't even an option. I have one for Sprint and one for Verizon hooked up.
But as for your question.. it should help your battery life.. not make it worse. I have full bars with 3G service with my phone set to CDMA/LTE and no problems with battery life.
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Its a little unfair that I'm forced to use my broadband connection and still have to pay Verizon for services that aren't even running off of their network but what are you going to do.. it was either no service in my house or pay Verizon for an extender that runs off of my broadband connection. For a one time fee I guess its worth it... And its the same for all cell phone carriers in my house.. no signal whatsoever.. so switching carriers wasn't even an option. I have one for Sprint and one for Verizon hooked up.
But as for your question.. it should help your battery life.. not make it worse. I have full bars with 3G service with my phone set to CDMA/LTE and no problems with battery life.
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Yes, that could definitely account for less battery life. It could also account for better battery life. It depends on a lot of factors. Can get complicated.
I have a 3G Network Extender. I also have somewhat weak overall VZW native coverage in my house, as you probably do, (or none!) which accounts for the reason I purchased a Network Extender, of course.
Anyway, I can stand near my NE and watch my phone switch to 3G (CDMA RevA - verified by Menu | Settings | About | Network). This is because the Network Extender only supports CDMA RevA 3G - not LTE/CDMA 4G nor CDMA eHRPD 3G.
I can get away from my Network Extender and often can pickup a local Native cell tower and get either CDMA eHPRD 3G or LTE/CDMA 4G - all Native signals.
I can watch as my phone switches between 4G/3G on the Native sites as well as when it switches to the Network Extender. Very interesting to walk around my house monitoring this. It also shows pretty plainly how well well the ThunderBolt switches between signal types. This is the same thing that can happen as you travel along outside in a vehicle.
It's kind of like having your own personal little "test lab" in your house. Very interesting.
I have been able to verify on my device using these methods that with MR1 and MR2 there were definite improvements in the "data dead time" during the phone's switchover from one signal to another. This has been the primary Achilles heal of all 4G capable phones - the dead data time between switching. Keep in mind that even when you're not moving the phone is going to "check" on a periodic basis (I don't know what it is) if there is a better/stronger signal present that it should be using. So switches can occur even when you are standing still. Or, at least this "effort" to "check" will continue to go on no matter if you have an existing 4G signal present or not.
Having said all that, I think you can imagine how having this Network Extender in close proximity (but with very limited range, measured in feet rather than miles like Native towers) and you also have Native tower signals present (of any type, 1x/3G/4G, etc.) it tremendously increases your odds of the phone spending much more time "hunting and switching". That equals much more battery use.
Obviously, if you have a very poor Native signal and if you interested in maximizing the phone's performance, you should use Wifi at home for data. This will eliminate all that "hunting/searching" that is so detrimental to the battery. Also, if you always have your phone within a few feet of your Network Extender it should pickup 3G well and maximize battery life on 3G. However, I think you said you only have a 1x Network Extender (older model - for those not familiar). So with a choice of 1x verses a Native signal, it might be working very hard to do better than 1x - unless you park yourself inches from it. I dunno...
Personally, since when I am at home I have constant access to a charger, I don't worry about the battery because I am more interested in being able to gather knowledge about my local Native tower coverage/strength, etc. So I usually leave my ThunderBolt on RF. Just for academic reasons.
-Frank
I have a 3G Network Extender. I also have somewhat weak overall VZW native coverage in my house, as you probably do, (or none!) which accounts for the reason I purchased a Network Extender, of course.
Anyway, I can stand near my NE and watch my phone switch to 3G (CDMA RevA - verified by Menu | Settings | About | Network). This is because the Network Extender only supports CDMA RevA 3G - not LTE/CDMA 4G nor CDMA eHRPD 3G.
I can get away from my Network Extender and often can pickup a local Native cell tower and get either CDMA eHPRD 3G or LTE/CDMA 4G - all Native signals.
I can watch as my phone switches between 4G/3G on the Native sites as well as when it switches to the Network Extender. Very interesting to walk around my house monitoring this. It also shows pretty plainly how well well the ThunderBolt switches between signal types. This is the same thing that can happen as you travel along outside in a vehicle.
It's kind of like having your own personal little "test lab" in your house. Very interesting.
I have been able to verify on my device using these methods that with MR1 and MR2 there were definite improvements in the "data dead time" during the phone's switchover from one signal to another. This has been the primary Achilles heal of all 4G capable phones - the dead data time between switching. Keep in mind that even when you're not moving the phone is going to "check" on a periodic basis (I don't know what it is) if there is a better/stronger signal present that it should be using. So switches can occur even when you are standing still. Or, at least this "effort" to "check" will continue to go on no matter if you have an existing 4G signal present or not.
Having said all that, I think you can imagine how having this Network Extender in close proximity (but with very limited range, measured in feet rather than miles like Native towers) and you also have Native tower signals present (of any type, 1x/3G/4G, etc.) it tremendously increases your odds of the phone spending much more time "hunting and switching". That equals much more battery use.
Obviously, if you have a very poor Native signal and if you interested in maximizing the phone's performance, you should use Wifi at home for data. This will eliminate all that "hunting/searching" that is so detrimental to the battery. Also, if you always have your phone within a few feet of your Network Extender it should pickup 3G well and maximize battery life on 3G. However, I think you said you only have a 1x Network Extender (older model - for those not familiar). So with a choice of 1x verses a Native signal, it might be working very hard to do better than 1x - unless you park yourself inches from it. I dunno...
Personally, since when I am at home I have constant access to a charger, I don't worry about the battery because I am more interested in being able to gather knowledge about my local Native tower coverage/strength, etc. So I usually leave my ThunderBolt on RF. Just for academic reasons.
-Frank
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In your case, you have the 3G Network Extender (since you said you just picked it up I assume it is a newer 3G model). You also said you have (basically) zero Native signal for your phone to compare to your NE when choosing a signal to use. This is probably the ideal case for a Network Extender environment. And it makes sense it would/could result in "better" battery life than not having one at all (and no Native signal either).
The OP has less than ideal because he has an older 1x NE. So, I would guess that the TBolt may not ever be "satisfied" with a 1x signal and might always be searching for something better. If the OP has even a hint of Native signal present, it could result in his battery taking a beating when yours does not. This whole subject, IMHO, involves very complex RF behavior and you pretty much can't predict it, you just have to test it in the environment you are referencing.
-Frank
It works flawlessly for me but like reported it is a 3G extender and doesn't support 4G so you will get better battery life if you disable 4G because since the extender only works with 3G it will continually scan for LTE which will drain battery faster.
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@Frank
I'll take your word for it since you seem to know a lot on this subject but yea.. you are right, I had absolutely no signal whatsoever so as long as I'm in the 40' range my phone is never looking for a tower (what tower? ..lol) so I'm in constant connection with the extender.
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I'll take your word for it since you seem to know a lot on this subject
but yea.. you are right, I had absolutely no signal whatsoever so as long as I'm in the 40' range my phone is never looking for a tower (what tower? ..lol) so I'm in constant connection with the extender. .
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Just to clarity I do have the older 1x model. It makes perfect sense what you guys are saying about it hunting for the signal. I have noticed the signal drop out momentarily then pick back up at full bars i
Never really remembered until now but there is most likely no fix so I'll just have to deal with it. Thanks for all the help guys
Never really remembered until now but there is most likely no fix so I'll just have to deal with it. Thanks for all the help guys
The "drop out" is when it is trying to latch onto a (maybe fleeting) Native signal. The full bars part is your Network Extender. Keep in mind that the bars represent Voice only. The data indicator represents the type of data connection. They are not absolutely directly related. They can operate independently. So, it will not be unusual, in your case (and mine), to have full bars (from the NE - voice) while you still might have a drop out in your data signal (while it is switching/hunting for a data signal).
Having said that... I see TWO potential "fixes" for your home battery drain issue.
1) This is probably the fastest and easiest. Dial *#*#4436#*#*, select "Phone Info", scroll down to "Set preferred network type": and use the pull-down arrow to select "CDMA only". Then, backout using the phone's [Return] button. This will force your phone to ONLY respond to (and look for) a 1x data signal. This should help you stay connected to the 1x data on the NE and stop dropping out (unless you go out of range, of course). Remember to return to the default when you leave the house.
Note: To return to the default, dial the same number but choose "CDMA + LTE/EvDo auto", then backout using the phone's [Return] button. This is the normal default setting.
Also Note: There is an app on the Market called "Phone Info" that will do this "dialing" for you and act just like a normal menu choice. If you decide to use this method you'll probably want to download it to keep this task simple and not have to dial.
2) If you don't have it already, install a Wifi access point or router onto your Internet infrastructure and use Wifi while in the house. This will also eliminate the phone from searching for a better RF signal. It will just stay on Wifi and will greatly improve your battery life at home.
-Frank
I have two NEs at home. They are a few months old, but seem to be 4G as I get full 4G signal with them in an otherwise dead zone house. My battery works well. I keep WiFi on all the time. The only issue I have is when on a phone call and connected to one of the NEs, I can move around the house because while on the call it wont switch to the other NE.
Two things...
1st: The 4G you are seeing is a Native 4G signal. It is not from your Network Extender. There are no 4G Network Extenders. Remember, the data signal is independent of the Voice signal. Your phone can/will use Native data signals at the same time it is using a Network Extender Voice signal. This is by design.
2nd: The inability to "switch" from one Network Extender to another is by design. Or, you might want to call it a design limitation. Up to you
The specs on the Network Extender (old and new model) explain how this works. Basically, the specs say, while on a call using the Network Extender, when you leave your Network Extender area, your phone will switch to a Native tower signal. But, while on a call using a Native tower, when your enter your Network Extender area, your phone will not switch to the Network Extender. Not until you end the call. The "other" Network Extender is not accepting a switch "to" itself.So, both of your "issues" are by design. Like it or not
-Frank
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