Mobile Network Settings Question

[steve_ma]

Am hoping someone can provide some thoughts on this. Unrooted TB user here with the GB and all other recent updates.

I have a question about my mobile network settings/connectivity. It seems like my mobile connection is shutting off and I'm not sure why... or maybe it's because there is network issues around my home lately. I live in an area with sketchy 3G coverage, so when at home, I usually use my wireless connection for data and surfng and etc. Once I enable the wifi, it shuts down the mobile network and it automatically turns back on when I shut off wifi. For some reason, today my mobile is not turning on. When I pull down the notification/quick settngs, it is not checked as being on.

Have I screwed up a setting maybe? If it looks for a signal and doesn't find one, will it shut itself down? I do have 2x battery installed so I believe when the screen is off it kills the mobile connection as well. Maybe that or a bad network day?

Thanks and any thoughts appreciated.

 

[paintdrinkingpete]

Am hoping someone can provide some thoughts on this. Unrooted TB user here with the GB and all other recent updates.

I have a question about my mobile network settings/connectivity. It seems like my mobile connection is shutting off and I'm not sure why... or maybe it's because there is network issues around my home lately. I live in an area with sketchy 3G coverage, so when at home, I usually use my wireless connection for data and surfng and etc. Once I enable the wifi, it shuts down the mobile network and it automatically turns back on when I shut off wifi. For some reason, today my mobile is not turning on. When I pull down the notification/quick settngs, it is not checked as being on.

Have I screwed up a setting maybe? If it looks for a signal and doesn't find one, will it shut itself down? I do have 2x battery installed so I believe when the screen is off it kills the mobile connection as well. Maybe that or a bad network day?

Thanks and any thoughts appreciated.

It doesn't really "shut down" the 3G when you enable WIFI, at least not automatically by default (things like SMS still rely on it), but it does route as much data as it can thru your WIFI connection.

First thing I would do is a battery pull restart (with WIFI turned off before restarting). That can sometimes fix everything!

When you say, "Have I screwed something up?", have you changed anything recently? Is the 2x battery new?

 

[FrankXS]

(things like SMS still rely on it)

Actually, plain vanilla SMS doesn't use the data connection. That's why it even works without a data plan.

-Frank

 

[steve_ma]

I've had 2x battery for a month or so and just noticed this today. I did a battery pull earlier but the wifi might have been on. Will give it a shot without. I am wondering if it looks for a mobile/data connection and doesn't find one, does it shut itslef off? If I am having a bad network day at my house, wondering if that could be it?

 

[paintdrinkingpete]

Actually, plain vanilla SMS doesn't use the data connection. That's why it even works without a data plan.

-Frank

That's true...I meant MMS, to be honest, but even that may not *need* it.

I do know that even with WIFI turned on, my 4G icon will popup whenever a multimedia message arrives, and when sending messages as well.

Plus, he's talking about mobile network, not just 3G, which includes all voice and SMS/MMS messages I believe. (I could be wrong...I always leave mine on!)

 

[FrankXS]

...I always leave mine on!)

Yeah, me too. Overall, after much fooling around since the release of the TBolt, I've decided to just leave everything at the defaults and when/if necessary toggle Airplane mode. Thankfully, for me, that is very rare with this new GB setup.

-Frank

 

[steve_ma]

Thanks for pointing that out, Frank. I do have a couple of bars, so I guess I'm really referring to 3G/4G/1x

 

[paintdrinkingpete]

I've had 2x battery for a month or so and just noticed this today. I did a battery pull earlier but the wifi might have been on. Will give it a shot without. I am wondering if it looks for a mobile/data connection and doesn't find one, does it shut itslef off? If I am having a bad network day at my house, wondering if that could be it?

Definitely could be... It may not be able to find the mobile network...

 

[steve_ma]

Interesting. Went someplace with a strong connection and bam. 4Glte with no trouble and nothing to do on my end. Odd though. When I pull down the quick settings menu and go to the wireless/network settings, mobile network is unchecked/off on both. Curious.

Sent from my ThunderBolt using TapaTalk

 

[Small_law]

I've seen this too, stock unrooted. It's happened a couple of times for me. Restarting cleared things up.

 

[steve_ma]

Just a follow up. I believe the issue was real and was a conflict between my TB and 2x Battery. What would happen is I would wake up my TB (unlock the screen) but my mobile data connection would not come back every time. Also the settings would read inconsistent. Pull down the quick settings and it shows mobile network not checked/engaged. Same with settings-----> wireless & networks. when I use the naitive HTC status bar widget, it would show as on/engaged. Regardless of the readings, when I would wake up/unlock my screen, I would only get my mobile data connection back sporadically.

I uninstalled 2x Battery and all seems right.

Sent from my ThunderBolt using TapaTalk

 

[bjboucher]

That's true...I meant MMS, to be honest, but even that may not *need* it.

I do know that even with WIFI turned on, my 4G icon will popup whenever a multimedia message arrives, and when sending messages as well.

Plus, he's talking about mobile network, not just 3G, which includes all voice and SMS/MMS messages I believe. (I could be wrong...I always leave mine on!)

Not sure about the Thunderbolt for sure but you can send pictures over the voice network. Before the thunderbolt I just had a basic texting phone and it could send pictures via text.

Also, when turning off the mobile network, it just turns data off. You have to go into airplane mode to turn voice off as far as I know.

 

[FrankXS]

Not sure about the Thunderbolt for sure but you can send pictures over the voice network. Before the thunderbolt I just had a basic texting phone and it could send pictures via text.

Yes. The reason that even dumbphones without a data plan can do picture messages is because Verizon runs its own "picture message server" (MMS server) that dumbphones actually send to. Then, VZW's MMS server sends the actual picture message.

In the case of Smartphones, they have MMS capability built-in therefore they can send MMS directly without need of Verizon's "picture message" server. In fact, that is the ONLY way Smartphones can send MMS. So, a data plan is needed for MMS on a Smartphone, but not on a dumbphone. Although, a dumbphone plan that includes picture messaging is required.

-Frank

 

[Mortiel]

Just to clarify: As was previously stated, SMS and voice works over 1xRTT (2G), while MMS and internet work over EV-DO/LTE (3G/4G).

The Mobile Network toggle refers to only the latter... disabling it turns off your 3G/4G, but calls and SMS work still.

Also, MMS can and try to retrieve over WiFi whenever possible. When you turn on WiFi, it actually does disable the cellular data radio, but the phone can turn it on temporarily if it detects it needs it for an MMS.