Optimizing for U.S. data network?

[hova24]

So I purchased an unlocked UK SGS2 because it has U.S. 3G bands. I should have looked into this further prior making my purchase, but I noticed slow network speeds and somebody had told me I need to optimize the device or change some settings to make it more compatible with our networks on this side of the Atlantic. I haven't had much success with Googling this issue and wondered if any of you have had experience or tips for optimizing unlocked phones purchase abroad for our networks in the US. Thanks! :'(

 

[ls377]

So I purchased an unlocked UK SGS2 because it has U.S. 3G bands. I should have looked into this further prior making my purchase, but I noticed slow network speeds and somebody had told me I need to optimize the device or change some settings to make it more compatible with our networks on this side of the Atlantic. I haven't had much success with Googling this issue and wondered if any of you have had experience or tips for optimizing unlocked phones purchase abroad for our networks in the US. Thanks! :'(

Are you using it on AT&T? It won't work with T-mobile 3G.

I think you need to put in the correct APN's. What do you have in the APN menu?

 

[hova24]

Yes, it is on ATT. I'm new to Android and am learning the technical side of things. I actually don't know where to find these APN settings. Are they easy to change once I do?

Thanks for the quick response!

 

[ls377]

Yes, it is on ATT. I'm new to Android and am learning the technical side of things. I actually don't know where to find these APN settings. Are they easy to change once I do?

Thanks for the quick response!

settings>wireless networks>mobile networks>access point names. And yeah I think so, you should just be able to add the right one.

 

[hova24]

Greatly appreciate the help! Thanks

 

[greggebhardt]

I am watching this with great interest. What should the APN be changed to?

 

[blitz118]

Did the setting change help with the speed and how much did you pay for the phone?

 

[plaut]

I also have a UK SGS2 imported to the US, and with an AT&T sim card in it the APN is automatically set to wap.cingular. Also, the data icons do show H+ when transferring data so I'm not sure what additional optimizations might be done. I'm getting about 4.5Mbs download and 1.5Mbs upload, which is well below optimal but about 2-3 times what my (3GS) iPhone gets with the same sim card.

 

[I Monarch]

Wait, 4.5mbps down is "well below optimal?" Where are you from, the future?

 

[junglejunkie]

Wait, 4.5mbps down is "well below optimal?" Where are you from, the future?

No kidding...I too am envious of those speeds. I have T-Mobile, and where I live I don't even get 3G coverage, let alone HSPA. :'(

 

[plaut]

Wait, 4.5mbps down is "well below optimal?" Where are you from, the future?

I just meant that HSPA+ is rated at 21 Mbps. I'm more than happy with 4.5Mbps downloads! The OP complained of "slow network speeds" but didn't specify any numbers....

 

[Broheemster]

I was thinking the same thing. This would have to be a first for me to ever hear of an HSPA+ phone getting above 1.5 Mbps down on ATT, from personal experience in the stores to asking friends their experience to YouTube videos. With what I saw after the Inspire updates the upload speeds were still disappointing and downloads were still the same. I wonder how many cities actually have WITH ENHANCED BACKHAUL*. Because 4.15 download and 1.15 upload 3g on my iPhone 4 says they're holding back

 

[ls377]

wap.cingular is the correct APN. I'd say 4.5 down is pretty optimized . The reason you don't get more is AT&T, not anything on the phone.

 

[greggebhardt]

I also have a UK SGS2 imported to the US, and with an AT&T sim card in it the APN is automatically set to wap.cingular. Also, the data icons do show H+ when transferring data so I'm not sure what additional optimizations might be done. I'm getting about 4.5Mbs download and 1.5Mbs upload, which is well below optimal but about 2-3 times what my (3GS) iPhone gets with the same sim card.

Mine arrives next week to be used on the AT&T network, also.

Does your voice mail work, any trouble setting it up? I know we will not get Visual Voice Mail but just wanted to make sure all worked.

I am going to have to syns with Outlook to move my contacts and schedule. Will try the Samsung Kies.

 

[plaut]

Does your voice mail work, any trouble setting it up? I know we will not get Visual Voice Mail but just wanted to make sure all worked.

I am going to have to syns with Outlook to move my contacts and schedule. Will try the Samsung Kies.

Voicemail (non-visual) works fine - speed dial 1. It's possible this is due to coming from an iPhone, but who knows....

Played around with Kies but it seems a bit unreliable (even getting the phone to connect was hit or miss). You might try first syncing with Gmail contacts/Google calendar to bring things over - that works like a charm.

 

[greggebhardt]

I got to sync with Outlook, I am still waiting for my emails to be forwarded to my gmail account.

There is 3rd party software Sync calendar and contacts on Android, iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry - CompanionLink that I is surposed to work very well.

HELP!

 

[hova24]

I just meant that HSPA+ is rated at 21 Mbps. I'm more than happy with 4.5Mbps downloads! The OP complained of "slow network speeds" but didn't specify any numbers....

Well, the reason I was (and still am) alarmed is that my Speedtest.net app keeps coming in ~500 kbps down and ~150 kbps up. My iPhone 4 in the exact same scenarios would routinely do ~3 mbps down and ~1 mbps up... not great speeds, but I certainly wasn't anticipating a sharp decline with the SGS2.

I've seen over at XDA several people reporting similar things and others with absolute zero issues whatsoever (~3-5 mbps down and ~1.5-3 mbps up).

Really frustrated at this point... I was forced to watch ATT employees Inspires pull much better results side-by-side with my new toy.

 

[plaut]

Well, the reason I was (and still am) alarmed is that my Speedtest.net app keeps coming in ~500 kbps down and ~150 kbps up.

What does your data icon show? Mine varies from 3G, H, and H+ (depending on where I am). Maybe you're only getting 3G?

 

[hova24]

What does your data icon show? Mine varies from 3G, H, and H+ (depending on where I am). Maybe you're only getting 3G?

Well, mine goes from 3G to H and back, but there are two things that bother me with this...

1) My iPhone 4 still does 3-5x faster in the exact same scenarios even if I am only pulling 3G

2) Why wouldn't I be getting H+ when the Inspires right next to my device are?

I am to the point of selling, but really don't want to. Seems like nobody has answers:'(

 

[hova24]

What does your data icon show? Mine varies from 3G, H, and H+ (depending on where I am). Maybe you're only getting 3G?

Do you have the ATT '4G' 4 GB dataplan? I wonder if this could have any bearing. I wouldn't think so, but I am also illiterate in some of these languages. I know there is the regular Datapro 4GB plan and then the 4 GB plan on the Atrix, Inspire, etc...

Last ditch effort before I sell. It is driving me mad.