vB Easy Archive - Can't get 3G to work on 8525

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Can't get 3G to work on 8525
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Posted by: Kelkin

I'm wondering if I'm missing something obvious, but I just received the phone last night and I've noticed two things.

It never goes into Edge mode, at least it doesn't appear to as it always says "G"

At work, where I know for a fact we have 3G service, I still only get the G symbol. I've tested someone else's Blackjack here previously and got 3G, so not sure what's up. I'm using a 64k sim from my 8125, and subscribe to the grandfathered $19.99 mediaworks/net plan. Think any of those things are stopping me from getting 3G?
-Keith

Posted by: Wrangler3383

First off, the original firmware for this phone only shows a G for both GPRS and EDGE. The official release of the new firmware will address this issue as well as a few others. Regardless, you ARE getting EDGE speeds when you see the G.
Number 2- You need a 3G sim to use the 3G network. If your sim doesnt say 3G on it anywhere then you need to run to your closest store and buy one and activate it.

Posted by: Kelkin

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wrangler3383

First off, the original firmware for this phone only shows a G for both GPRS and EDGE. The official release of the new firmware will address this issue as well as a few others. Regardless, you ARE getting EDGE speeds when you see the G.
Number 2- You need a 3G sim to use the 3G network. If your sim doesnt say 3G on it anywhere then you need to run to your closest store and buy one and activate it.

Thanks for the quick response, think the store will give me a hard time when they see I'm using the old mediaworks plan? I couldn't even get them to sell me a phone at full price (no contract) without adding the new data plan to my account, which is why I went the ebay route.
-Keith

Posted by: Wrangler3383

They might give you a hard time, but dont let that frustrate you. Dont give them your account or anything. Just go in there, and tell them you want to buy a 3G sim. If they still give you a hard time and say they need an account, you can do what I would do (tell them where to go), or you could just buy one off ebay. A dealer might be less likely to ask questions than a corperate store.

Posted by: ROLLTIDE

They should give you a sim card for free. I wouldn't pay for it !

Posted by: Wrangler3383

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLTIDE

They should give you a sim card for free. I wouldn't pay for it !

lol neither would I, but maybe thats just us

Posted by: Kelkin

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wrangler3383

Got the 3G sim, but still only getting the G icon. Any ideas?

Posted by: Wrangler3383

Yep, call up Cingular and have them put the 3G code on your account. Check out the last of my features. Thats what you need to get. THIS is where they will try to sucker you into a package. Stick to your guns and if they ask any questions, just say your borrowing a friends phone to see how you like the 3G, and that you need the UMTS compatible code. When they ask for an IMEI tell em youd rather not give it out because its your friends. DONT let them mess with your data plans. There is no need.

Included Features

FEATURE MONTHLY COST
Unlimited Expd M2M $0.00
Cingular Direct Bill $0.00
Rollover FM 2100 $0.00
International Roam $0.00
GSM Coverage Area $0.00
Unlimited N&W $0.00
Primary Line $0.00
Cingular Domestic LD $0.00
Off-Network Roam $0.00
Cingular Roam LD $0.00
Upgrade Processor $0.00
Intl Call Allowance $0.00
MEdia Works $19.99
MEdia Works-WIX $0.00
Media Works-Txt Msg $0.00
Media Works-MMS $0.00
Off Net AlphaTag $0.00
UMTS Compatible $0.00

Posted by: mush10

Are you sure you are in a 3G area?

Posted by: Kelkin

Quote:

Originally Posted by mush10

Are you sure you are in a 3G area?

Yep! I'm on Rt. 110 in Melvilly, NY which is smack in the middle of the 3G service area which runs north and south of here. I tested a Blackjack here in December and had 3G. Actually, I've been playing some more and have gotten the phone to go into UMTS mode a few times, it seems to go into U mode and then stops. I did a speed test on DSL Reports and got 593 kbit/sec. Not sure if that's normal or what.
-Keith

Posted by: Wrangler3383

Well thats DEFINATELY not EDGE lol. Try getting the band switch program from XDA-developers and locking it to 3G. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=286844

Posted by: dwcliff703

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelkin

593kbit/sec is definitely in the 3G range and well out of the Edge range. I would concur that maybe try Bandswitch from xda developers and try locking into the 3G (UTMS) only and see what happens. Its a wonderful 'free' program made possible by Daniel Herrero at xda.

Posted by: mferni

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wrangler3383

UMTS Compatible $0.00

Don't mean to derail this thread, but does anyone know the difference between UMTS Compatible and "UMTS Auto Attach" feature? I only have the latter on my acct.

I have an 8525, brand new 3G Sim, and the new (unofficial 2.06) firmware. Although the firmware makes it work a whole lot better in 3G areas, its still a bit flakey.....

Posted by: ROLLTIDE

UMTS Compatible $0.00

Can you still get 3G without that code on your account ?

Posted by: dvious141

Hello all...

I just recently upgraded to the 8525 from a Blackjack. (Still trying to get use to a PPC vs SP) On my BJ it would display 3G, but on my 8525 it displays 'U' Is this the same as 3G?

Thanks in advance from a PPC noob.

Posted by: harlenm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLTIDE

UMTS Compatible $0.00

Can you still get 3G without that code on your account ?

It's not on my account, and I get 3G fine, with the grandfathered mediaworks data plan.

Posted by: monkey28rb

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvious141

Hello all...

I just recently upgraded to the 8525 from a Blackjack. (Still trying to get use to a PPC vs SP) On my BJ it would display 3G, but on my 8525 it displays 'U' Is this the same as 3G?

Thanks in advance from a PPC noob.

yea the U means your in UMTS which is 3g

Posted by: dvious141

Quote:

Originally Posted by monkey28rb

yea the U means your in UMTS which is 3g

Thanks monkey for the response. I know I have a lot to learn about PPC.

Posted by: flexdmc

I'm a newb too

So I have a corporate phone with Cingular (it's an old plain moto and they pay the bill) and I want to pick up the 8525 at my own cost.
If I go to Ebay or a Cingular dealer and tell them I want a 3G SIM, I can switch it with no issues? Will I have to contact my IS group at work and tell them or can I do it on the under?
Also if I'm understanding this right, I can't use 3G without the data plan and that means my company has to pay for it?

But I can still use WIFI since that's free as long as I have an avail. wifi access spot?

Does 3G improve phone calls or phone reception at all?

Posted by: Wrangler3383

Quote:

Originally Posted by flexdmc

I'm a newb too

Your correct. All you have to do is obtain the phone, and a 3g sim and your good to go. You can then just call into Cingular and activate it. You won't have to deal with your company at all. Now to get 3G that's a different story. I'm assuming that you currently have no data plan. Therefore you need to pick one up to get 3g. It doesn't matter which plan you go with. They all will give you 3G access. As far as wifi goes you don't need a data plan. Cingular might tell you that you do but that's only for THEIR hotspots. You can use any public wifi includung your own whenever you want for free. Lastly, yes I do believe as well as many others on this forum that the 3G network has better call quality. However performance will varry depending on signal strength. For instance fringe areas of 3G can cause problems. But this is nothing the band switch program I mentioned above can't handle.

Posted by: Capt.D

and here I was thinking that the 3g was just for the data and the phone was still just using gsm same as always for calls..........

Posted by: ROLLTIDE

Quote:

Originally Posted by harlenm

It's not on my account, and I get 3G fine, with the grandfathered mediaworks data plan.

Thanks for the info cause its not listed under my account either

Posted by: speckledpig

I just have to say that I got my 8525 last week but don't have 3G in my area yet...well this weekend we traveled to Orlando for Disney World and I finally got the wonderful "U" and all the fantastic 3G speed!

I'm posting from my tethered laptop right now! Grandfathered mediaworks FTW!

Posted by: flexdmc

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wrangler3383

Thanks Wrangler...
So I got my phone yesterday and only had some time to mess around with it today.
I went to Cingular after work and spoke to a nice girl. She called Cingular HQ to activate my 3G card since it's a corporate phone/contract and she couldn't pull up my info.
I was expecting to have to pay something but nope... she just popped the SIM in and I was on my way.
Here's the funny thing and maybe someone can help out.
Using my OLD SIM, I was able to connect to Yahoo and stuff using IE even though my company does not have a data plan for my account (that I know of) and I just put in the IS request today to enable 3G (which will take about 2 weeks to implement... haha large corp's move slow sometimes).
When she popped in the new SIM, I was nervous about losing my web abilities. When I got im my car, at first it wouldn't connect...
I turned off the phone and turned it back on and then it connected again!!!
SOoooo....
anyone knows what's going on here? Am I being given 3G access for free or is something else going on?
BTW, I checked my mins and they are not being used.
For now, I'm happy and loving this phone. Works well with my BMW bluetooth system!!!

Posted by: Wrangler3383

I would assume that you have the pay per use on your acct. and your company has been quietly footing the bill. Since you could connect before, theres nothing different now. Lets just hope your IT guy doesn't mess anything up.

Posted by: Kelkin

Just thought I'd update everyone on my 3g issue.. winds up the problem was the radio rom the phone came with... Updated the radio rom to 1.27 an 3g works perfect now.
-Keith