What are the different GSM Network Symbols

[p08757]

I just received my wifes new Nexus4 and I'm currently testing it out to determine if Net10 service with an AT&T sim card will work for both of us. I've been a long time Verizon user, so I'm kind of a noob when it comes to GSM.

Can someone tell me what the different network symbls are?

Currently I've only seen a capital H next to the bars. What does this indicate?
What else can I expect to see and what do those symboles mean?

Thanks for educating a GSM noob on this.

 

[Chum]

H = HSPA+ (fastest)
3G = Yep, 3G
E = Edge (2G)
G = GPRS (dog-slow)

Someone else can probably chime-in on the actual speeds.

 

[p08757]

H = HSPA+ (fastest)
3G = Yep, 3G
E = Edge (2G)
G = GPRS (dog-slow)

Someone else can probably chime-in on the actual speeds.

Thanks!

My HSPA+ speeds have been okay. I average about 3meg down and 1meg up. Its by no means VZW LTE speeds, but more than enough for what my wife and I will need. I'ts a good thing that I have not seen any of the other symbls yet. Time will tell when we venture out into the rural area where we spend most of our spring/summer/fall weekends at.

 

[Jaysus]

I've only ever seen H and E

 

[p08757]

I've only ever seen H and E

Who do you have for service?

 

[Jaysus]

T-Mobile... I am assuming that H covers 3g for them

 

[ConTejas]

I thought Att and T-Mobile had different indicators, no? Anyway, I happen to be at an office in a HSPA/HSPA+ fringe area in DE today. As you can see, I see a "+" when in HSPA+...

BTW....I had ZERO coverage here on Verizon. Go figure.





Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

 

[planoman]

You will see the + in the status menu but not on the status bar. I believe a stock N4 will show H for HSPA and HSPA+

Sent from my Nexus 4

 

[ConTejas]

You will see the + in the status menu but not on the status bar. I believe a stock N4 will show H for HSPA and HSPA+

Sent from my Nexus 4

Google Commandment 1 - Nexi shall be unlocked and rooted out of the box to unleash thy true glory!

Haha. Jk. Learned something new. Thought it was a stock feature. Thanks...clears up some confusion.

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[CoMoNexus]

H = happy because that's the fastest you can get on the N4 unless Google activates the LTE part of the chipset.

 

[p08757]

You will see the + in the status menu but not on the status bar. I believe a stock N4 will show H for HSPA and HSPA+

Sent from my Nexus 4

I never thought to go to the status menu. Big "Well DUH!" on my part.

 

[ConTejas]

H = happy because that's the fastest you can get on the N4 unless Google activates the LTE part of the chipset.

Activate it yourself, and be happy Google left the back door open for those who care about LTE. I've used it on Tmobile's fledgling LTE (near D.C.). Very minor hack and it worked as well as any other LTE device I've owned. I get 15-20mbs down on HSPA+ most places I frequent so it's just not worth the battery draw (even though it wasn't all that noticable).

After A Few Days Of Use, The Google Nexus 4 Proves A Very Strong LTE Smartphone | TechCrunch

 

[Tall Mike 2145]

I normally see H and 3G indicators on my phone. I think I've seen E once, and that was somewhere where I was getting pretty crappy reception.

 

[skotx]

You may also see R for roaming.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

 

[Jaysus]

I've only ever seen H and E

Update: I saw G over the weekend

 

[return_0]

I've only seen H, E, G (only once... never again), and R. I'm on T-Mobile. I don't see how there can be a "3G" indicator, since H covers HSPA and HSPA+, the former of which is classified as 3G (unless there's another 3G type that I'm unaware of).

 

[CoMoNexus]

(unless there's another 3G type that I'm unaware of).

UMTS/WCDMA was the original 3G in the GSM family.