Short for "3rd generation mobile telecommunications", 3G generically refers to a set of standards for mobile phones and mobile telecommunications services. Often used when referring to a 3G mobile data connection.
21
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10answers
12k views
How does power usage for data over WiFi compare to data over 3G? (Ignore LTE for now)
If you have unlimited data over 3G so that cost is no option, which is more power efficient?
Using the WiFi or 3G connection for data usage?
Extending battery life being the goal
16
votes
1answer
780 views
Can I use my device on a different carrier?
Sometimes it's desirable to use a device on a carrier that does not officially sell it. Often this is due to regional differences and travel (for example, using a US phone in Europe) but also because ...
11
votes
2answers
164 views
Milestone outperforming Galaxy Nexus on mobile data connection speed
I recently switched from a Motorola Milestone to a Samsung Galaxy Nexus, and it seems the quality of my mobile data connections drops considerably between the devices without any apparent reason. The ...
9
votes
4answers
2k views
How can I prevent my phone from using any kind of internet?
I have a weird plan and my phone went over its bandwidth usage this month... mostly just syncing up with Gmail, Twitter etc. So right now, every 5 minutes or so, my phone is telling me that it has ...
8
votes
1answer
4k views
What does “H” mean in the signal indicator?
I understand that the colour of the signal indicator tells me whether or not I've got a connection to Google servers or not, but what is the "H" that sometimes pops up?
Usually my indicator says ...
8
votes
3answers
763 views
8
votes
1answer
194 views
Will using a vpn also encrypt my 3G traffic?
Just wondering, because I've just set my phone up to forward wifi traffic through my DD-WRT router. But I've no way to verify if my 3G traffic is also going through my router.
Does anyone know if 3G ...
7
votes
2answers
1k views
How can I check which mobile frequencies my phone supports?
I received a Samsung Galaxy Nexus as a present (in Australia), however I'm not sure where it came from so I'm not sure what mobile frequency bands it supports. Is there a way to check which ...
6
votes
2answers
4k views
Does disabling 3G while having WiFi save battery?
If I have WiFi enabled and 3G data disabled, does it save any battery relative to having both WiFi and 3G enabled? With WiFi enabled, I didn't know if 3G enabled would make any difference since it ...
6
votes
1answer
241 views
Buying apps and entering credit card number via 3G/GPRS. Is it secure enough?
As title. Of course using Android market and the Google Checkout payment. By the way, how about other market-like apps?
6
votes
1answer
370 views
is it possible to mask esn of a smartphone?
On a computer, it's possible to trick a server that you are using a different computer by masking MAC address.
Is there something like that for android?
Rooted phones have full access. So I'd think ...
6
votes
3answers
858 views
Only automatically connect to certain Wi-Fi networks
I have an HTC Desire with Android 2.2.
My problem is that there may be open Wi-Fi networks nearby that require a password once connected, e.g. hotspots at coffee shops. My phone connects to these, ...
6
votes
2answers
284 views
Load images only on wi-fi?
Can I somehow tell my phone to load images in (for example) browsers, gmail, twitter, etc. only when connected through a wi-fi connection? Mobile internet is pretty expensive in my country so I don't ...
6
votes
3answers
646 views
How do I limit 3g speed on my Nexus One
I have 1gb of traffic per month. Internet speed is 2.2mbits, so it's pretty easy to waste all gb in a few days. I don't usually watch youtube from my phone, and 500-700 kbits would be pretty enough ...
5
votes
3answers
296 views
What are the benefits of 2G+3G mode?
Some of the advanced power control widgets or 2G/3G switching widgets allow the following options for the radio mode:
2G
3G only
2G+3G
What are the benefits of 2G+3G over running 3G only? Are ...
5
votes
2answers
406 views
2G versus 3G: Does it really save battery?
I often hear the recommendation that fixing your device to 2G saves a lot of juice compared to using 3G.
Is that true? Or is it really a myth?
5
votes
4answers
3k views
Google Talk not working over Corporate Wifi. What can I do?
Whenever I'm connected to our corporate wifi, google chat goes offline (i.e. the contact list fades to grey).
I think this is due to a port setting. As far as I know only 80 (http), 443 (ssl) and ...
5
votes
2answers
255 views
Analyzing packets in android
I want to analyze packets on my rooted Android mobile phone.
What I did so far:
I have installed shark for root and shark reader. I tried to sniff packets, but shark reader only shows RAW packet.
...
5
votes
1answer
7k views
How to force network operator selection once and for all?
I'm using HTC Desire running stock Android 2.2 (with HTCs enhancements). There's a network operation selection in Settings / Wireless & netwokrs / Mobile networks / Network operators, which allows ...
4
votes
3answers
2k views
How do I connect to a wifi ap and 3g network simultaneously?
When I turn wifi on my 3g connection shuts down, which is fine in most cases however I need to connect to a LAN at work that is not connected to the internet and I'd prefer not to lose my data ...
4
votes
1answer
1k views
Bluetooth 3G modem
I have a Nokia 6500S-1 which I previously used as a 3G modem (with Windows). Is it possible for an Android device to use this phone as a modem (just like the windows PC does), but expose the modem ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
3G Connection Not Working on Samsung Galaxy S2
I have a Galaxy S2 that for some reason does not work when it's connected to a 3G network(or at least I think it's connected, there's a '3G' symbol next to my signal meter). When I say it doesn't ...
4
votes
1answer
565 views
Can anyone reccomend a 2g / 3g switching widget?
I've just got my new HTC Desire HD and I want to switch 3G on and off as required. I used to do this on my old HTC magic and got quite good battery life compared to some friends with the same phone.
...
4
votes
1answer
560 views
Auto sync only when connected to a specific wifi network
I am getting rather low battery life when using auto-sync on 3G. I have wifi in college and at home, so I'm looking for a way to enable auto sync only when connected to those 2 specific wifi networks.
...
4
votes
2answers
576 views
Enabling Wi-Fi disables 3G service (ZTE Warp running Shinjitsu 1.5b)
I just started using this ZTE Warp (on Boost Mobile) yesterday. I rooted and ROM'd it with Clockwork Mod and Shinjitsu 1.5b (1.5.1c and 1.5.1c-beta2 did not work, for some reason).
Everything is ...
4
votes
1answer
441 views
How to monitor tethering bandwidth
Is there any way to monitor 3G tethering usage. ie excluding regular 3G bandwidth. (This is for a UK GiffGaff plan, where normal use is unlimited, but tethering charged per GB.)
4
votes
1answer
832 views
What controls the 3G radio sleep time?
Is there any way to control how/when the 3G radio goes to sleep?
Is that, in fact, what it is doing?
3
votes
2answers
9k views
How can I force 3G only on the Nexus S after the ICS update?
In earlier versions of Android there was an option to toggle data between 2G, 3G preferred and 3G only. After the ICS 4.0.3 update for Nexus S, there is no option for "3G only".
Did Google lock down ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
Does the Nexus 4 have 4G?
I know it doesn't have LTE, but what about the 4G networks of other carriers?
If I happen to buy one, will I be able to use it T-Mobile's "4G" HSPA+ network?
3
votes
1answer
474 views
How can I find why I'm using so much data on mobile network?
According to my provider, I've used 6.8MB of data within 3 days.
The thing is, I don't know how. I've installed DroidWall and WiSync and only used Waze (a navigation app). I installed Traffic ...
3
votes
2answers
95 views
Email client that restricts certain accounts to particular connection types, e.g. company WiFi at work, 3G/GPRS for personal
Is there such an email account whereby in the account settings, one can choose which connection types that the account can use?
Would like this feature so that checking personal email goes through ...
3
votes
1answer
759 views
disable sync when in mobile (3g) network
How can I enable auto-sync only when wifi is available? I have a small data plan and I don't want to waste it on sync.
3
votes
2answers
392 views
Prepaid plans or cards for Android PHONES?
I need to access the Web via my Android phone's cell radio only occasionally. Therefore, I am not interested in a monthly plan (and certainly not in a 2-year minimum contract).
I thought that finding ...
3
votes
2answers
4k views
How to configure HTC Desire for 3g connectivity in Peru?
How can I configure an unlocked HTC Desire for 3g connectivity in Peru?
I have managed to add an APN so that I have EDGE but I would like to use Claro's 3.5g.
I also have an iPhone with the same ...
3
votes
1answer
270 views
What is an unsupported unsolicited response code 11016?
My UK Nexus S (Android 2.3.2) has real problems sustaining a reliable data connection on 3G even when I have a full signal in London. Connections time out or pages/tweets/whatever load exceptionally ...
3
votes
2answers
515 views
3G Radio Always on When Screen On?
According to JuicePlotter, my HTC Evo's 3G radio is always on when the screen is on -- even when doing absolutely nothing. I tested this by turning the brightness down to 1 and opening the settings ...
3
votes
0answers
611 views
Simple way to toggle between 2G and 3G connection
TL;DR
Usually, I have my device locked to "2G only" for multiple reasons:
saving battery-life
no need for "high-speed" to simply be informed about new mail or doing the little contacts/calendar ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
How can I set Android Galaxy Ace to only use 3G network?
I am having a little bit of a hard time with my new android phone for the reason that it doesnt always connect to certain services (such as Angry Words, or Whatsapp). Sometimes I get the message ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
How can I turn off the 3G connection?
I'd like to be able to turn the 3G connection on and off without navigating the "Settings -> Wireless and networks -> Mobile Networks" menus each time.
Is there a widget (or some other way) of ...
2
votes
1answer
410 views
How can I tell the differences between a 3G, 3G LTE, and 4G phone?
I apologize if this is the wrong place to ask, but it looks like the Gadget StackExchange has been closed.
I've been doing research on mobile phones and looking at different Android devices and I'm a ...
2
votes
1answer
173 views
Foreign phone, stuck on 2G
I am currently working on a Coolpad 8150, a Chinese phone running Android 2.3.7. It is connected to T-Mobile (in the United States) and can place calls successfully. However, it is stuck on 2G. I have ...
2
votes
1answer
167 views
my phone hit a pavement and 3g/4g stopped working. next step?
As I was cycling, my htc rezound fell on the pavement. The battery popped out.
There are few scratches but no visible damage.
I start the phone and it's fine as long as I don't use data.
Once I use ...
2
votes
1answer
1k views
How can I configure an unlocked HTC Sensation XE for 3g connectivity in USA?
I bought this phone in India and brought it home to USA. In India I had no issues in connecting to 3G network but after coming back to USA I am no longer able to connect to 3G network (AT&T). I ...
2
votes
2answers
2k views
Connect XOOM to internet using a USB UMTS Stick
I have bought a XOOM WiFI, and would like to know if it would be possible to connect it to internet using an external USB UMTS Stick (Huawei E122 HSPA USB Stick). I am aware this is not supported out ...
2
votes
1answer
104 views
make website offline available and browse later without 3G connection
I have a Nexus 7 (wireless only) and no smart phone. How to make a web site offline (mirror) available that I later can read it without internet connection?
example site ...
2
votes
1answer
358 views
Unable to connect to 3G after updating my software
I have a Sony Ericsson Xperia X10, and I updated the software to Gingerbread (Android 2.3.3), but I'm having problem connecting my mobile to 3G provided by my Network. When I go to settings and ...
2
votes
1answer
74 views
Picture always appears on Facebook as “on line”
My picture is constantly being displayed as "on line" in Facebook even when I am not. I have completely uninstalled the Facebook app from my Droid 3 and all related apps yet my picture continues to ...
2
votes
0answers
194 views
LG P500 (Software Version V20e) Phone Call Issue
I just got a LG P-500 device and I want to deploy with it. Everything is working fine, except that I cant make phone calls, recieve phone calls, send SMS or recieve SMS.
The phone is on its stock ROM ...
2
votes
3answers
2k views
Data Network mode doesn't get activated on gingerbread 2.3.4
This happened all of a sudden. I could not start the 3g on my phone.
The Data Network mode is always deactivated now.
Although, when I go to Settings > Wireless and network settings > Mobile network ...
1
vote
1answer
322 views
Does disabling mobile data revert from 3G to 2G?
When I disable mobile data in Android 2.2, the 3G symbol disappears. Does this revert my phone's signal to 2G? I don't want to lose my signal when I go to the subway, but I don't want to all my apps ...
