vB Easy Archive - dropping more phone calls on V3xx after disabling 3g/2g

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dropping more phone calls on V3xx after disabling 3g/2g
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Posted by: aneftp

I'm trying to tinker with my V3xx (which I love and has the best RF hands down of any Cingular/ATT phone I've ever owned). Playing with 3G internet surfing and tethering was cool for about a year but the novelty has worn out on me and I just want a cell phone to be a cell phone now.

I'm trying to conserve battery life. I know 3G drains battery life like crazy. I live in the DC area (excellent 3G coverage). When I disabled all internet/text messaging on my previous LG CU500, my dropped calls improved.

However, while my battery life has improved by disabling all data transmissions on the V3xx, plus shutting off bluetooth (I actually get 4 days avg. talk time about 45 minutes) I've found that I've had more dropped calls especially on my trip around the Northern VA beltway/Chevy Chase/Silver Spring area. Those in the DC area know that the are no "Dead Spots" and Cingular coverage is excellent throughout the Beltway.

Has anyone else tried disabling all data transmission on the V3xx and noticed more dropped calls?

Posted by: shortyd999

Wirelessly posted (MOT-RAZRV3xx/96.71.95R BER2.2 Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; 11063081) Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 Opera 8.00 [en] UP.Link/6.3.0.0.0)

How do u disable data transmissons on your v3xx?

Posted by: aneftp

I just called customer service off and told them to disable all internet/text messaging features. basically nobody can send you text messages (although they won't get a "sender refused response" all outgoing/incoming messages are block and if you try to click on the cingular/att video or internet icons, it will say "network problems"

It improves battery life by at least 2 days on the V3xx but you pay a heavy price without data transmission but if you just use the phone to be just a phone, than it's no big deal.

Posted by: zephxiii

Quote:

Originally Posted by aneftp

I just called customer service off and told them to disable all internet/text messaging features. basically nobody can send you text messages (although they won't get a "sender refused response" all outgoing/incoming messages are block and if you try to click on the cingular/att video or internet icons, it will say "network problems"

It improves battery life by at least 2 days on the V3xx but you pay a heavy price without data transmission but if you just use the phone to be just a phone, than it's no big deal.

So did that fix your dropped call issues?

Posted by: troyboy30

just curious..how would disabling internet/text improve battery life? That has nothing to do with disabling 3G.

Posted by: aneftp

It's like the bluetooth radio and wi-fi on your laptop computer. If it's always looking for data transmissions, it's going to drain the battery life. The same thing goes for cell phones.

All data transmissions whether is 3g/2g will eat up battery life whether you use it or not. If you disable, this will prolong battery life. For those with the V3xx, all know that especially living in 3g areas, your battery life is at best 2-2.5 days if you used the internet for about 30 minutes a day.

I actually have given up on conserving battery life because of the dropped calls and reactivated the 3g feature. My dropped calls around the washington DC beltway have vanished! I'll just go back to charging my phone every 2 days and use my car charger when needed.

Posted by: zephxiii

Quote:

Originally Posted by aneftp

It's like the bluetooth radio and wi-fi on your laptop computer. If it's always looking for data transmissions, it's going to drain the battery life. The same thing goes for cell phones.

All data transmissions whether is 3g/2g will eat up battery life whether you use it or not. If you disable, this will prolong battery life. For those with the V3xx, all know that especially living in 3g areas, your battery life is at best 2-2.5 days if you used the internet for about 30 minutes a day.

I actually have given up on conserving battery life because of the dropped calls and reactivated the 3g feature. My dropped calls around the washington DC beltway have vanished! I'll just go back to charging my phone every 2 days and use my car charger when needed.

That is interesting since i bet there are v3xx's out there in GSM only areas with no problems, unless GSM network out there is problematic

Posted by: aneftp

To: zephxiii

To clarify: In order to disable ALL data transmissions , I mean there is no GSM data signal, no "E" Edge, and No "3G" icon on your V3xx. All you'll see is the signal bar icon on the upper left corner of the screen.

You have to call Customer Service in order to block everything.

The obvious default data connections for those in non 3g areas is to have "E" Edge or those in very rural areas is just GSM (I'm guessing since I've never taken the V3xx to a rural area)

I have experienced very few dropped calls in the DC area after enabling data transmissions.

Posted by: zephxiii

Quote:

Originally Posted by aneftp

To: zephxiii

To clarify: In order to disable ALL data transmissions , I mean there is no GSM data signal, no "E" Edge, and No "3G" icon on your V3xx. All you'll see is the signal bar icon on the upper left corner of the screen.

You have to call Customer Service in order to block everything.

The obvious default data connections for those in non 3g areas is to have "E" Edge or those in very rural areas is just GSM (I'm guessing since I've never taken the V3xx to a rural area)

I have experienced very few dropped calls in the DC area after enabling data transmissions.

Cool makes sense, btw, do you get service in the DC Metro? I travel to DC often as i have a lot of family there (born in PG county even). I'll be porting over to cingular eventually.

Posted by: aneftp

Cingular's/ATT's Washington DC overall network is "above average" It's much better than Sprint and Tmobile.

I usually get 4 and 5 full bars with the V3xx. If you live in the city or the surrounding suburbs (Arlington/Fairfax/Montgomery/Prince George's County and even Loundon and Prince William Counties(Loundon and Prince William used to be considered the boonies but coverage there is also very good"

Sadly, although I'm the biggest Cingular fan, I will have to admit Verizon's Coverage in the Nation's Capitol is slightly better the Cingular/ATT. I just can't stand Verizon's 9PM off peak times and restricting their cell phone functions etc. Their coverage is a little better mainly do with them having exclusive Metro service (bell atlantic mobile had installed services in the underground tunnels a long time ago) and their previous Bell-Atlantic mobile days. You won't get cell phone service with Cingular when you are underground (but that's no big deal, you shouldn't be talking too much in the Metro anyways!)