iPhone and 3G connectivity on Chatr

**computergeek541** · 08-01-2010, 07:07 AM

We all know that Rogers-locked phones work with Chatr sim cards and that 3G can be used for voice calls.

I can make 3G calls using a Nokia 5800 but 3G does not work on a Rogers iPhone 3G that I have. Just to make certain of my findings, restoring the phone results in the same thing - 2G onlly. I also know this is not a fluke because I have 2 iPhone 3G's in front of me. They work perfectly fine in 3G mode if I put a Rogers sim card in.

maybe, it's just me but there appears to be something funny going on with Chatr sim cards and iPhones.

**kmusky** · 08-01-2010, 10:00 AM

It may have something to do with Chatr not offering data plans.

**computergeek541** · 08-01-2010, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by kmusky

It may have something to do with Chatr not offering data plans.

3G isn't just data. It also doesn't explain why 3G works on other phones and how it appears that Rogers appears to have blocked 3G access on only the iPhone 3G.

**computergeek541** · 08-01-2010, 10:44 AM

I'm pretty much going to have to say this:
To me, it's just about 100% confirmed that you cannot use 3G if you using a Chatr sim card in an iPhone 3G (as least ones with Fido or Rogers IMEI numbers).

I tried my Chatr sim card in yet another iPhone 3G. This time it was a Fido locked phone but it's one of them that also accepts Rogers sim cards without even needing to unlock it (the Rogers ones have to be unlocked to use Fido sims). Once again, with a Chatr sim card, it would only connect the network in 2G mode.

So it short, I'm concluding that Rogers is blocking Chatr customers from the 3G network but only if you are using an iPhone. If you use other compatible 3G phones, you can still use 3G. I'm sure some other iPhone user is going to speak out about this and whether he or she is experiencing the same thing. It might just be the iPhone 3G's (haven't tried a 3GS or iPhone 4) but it's obvious to me that Rogers has done some messing around.

The makes 3 in total Iphone 3G devices (2 Rogers locked, 1 Fido/Rogers locked) that all refuse to connect to the 3G network with a Chatr sim card inserted.

This smells of Rogers meddling and playing games. If they can block out part of the network but selectively do it to only people using a certain model of phone, who's to say that the next step isn't to assign a very low network priority to Chatr customers (ie. network busies but only for Chatr users) or other types of nonsense?

**sq380** · 08-01-2010, 10:07 PM

why would all this matter if you can not get data on chatr...

**computergeek541** · 08-02-2010, 07:16 AM

Originally Posted by sq380

why would all this matter if you can not get data on chatr...

It matters because 3G is not just a data network. If you can't connect to the 3G network for voice, you've been cut off from pretty much half of the Rogers network. The 2G and 3G coverage areas are not identical and there are places where one works better over the other. 3G voice also sounds better than 2G.

**zivan56** · 08-09-2010, 04:06 PM

Rogers also forces my European SIM on any phone to GSM. It briefly registers on 3G and gets kicked off to 2G in a second or two (tested on Nokia N78 NAM with UMTS 850/1900). A Rogers/~2001 Fido SIM register just fine on the 3G network.
Strange that they would pass up on huge data roaming profits. Perhaps they treat Chatr as some special "roaming" partner?

**rockjock** · 08-09-2010, 05:32 PM

Which European sims? My Vodafone.de, Vodafone.gr, Vodafone.nl and O2.de all show 3G

Originally Posted by zivan56

Rogers also forces my European SIM on any phone to GSM. It briefly registers on 3G and gets kicked off to 2G in a second or two (tested on Nokia N78 NAM with UMTS 850/1900). A Rogers/~2001 Fido SIM register just fine on the 3G network.
Strange that they would pass up on huge data roaming profits. Perhaps they treat Chatr as some special "roaming" partner?

**zivan56** · 08-09-2010, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by rockjock

Which European sims? My Vodafone.de, Vodafone.gr, Vodafone.nl and O2.de all show 3G

BA ERONET.
Register just fine with 3G, then signal suddenly disappears and it moves to 2G after about 30 secs. They are a roaming partner.
I'm guessing they are using something similar for iPhones on Chatr to force them off 3G.

**atomnet** · 08-10-2010, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by computergeek541

I can make 3G calls using a Nokia 5800 but 3G does not work on a Rogers iPhone 3G that I have. Just to make certain of my findings, restoring the phone results in the same thing - 2G onlly. I also know this is not a fluke because I have 2 iPhone 3G's in front of me. They work perfectly fine in 3G mode if I put a Rogers sim card in.

How are you checking which network the iPhone is connected to?

iPhone 3G only displays the '3G' indicator if it has access to the 3G data network.

**michael007** · 08-10-2010, 08:33 PM

I have a 3GS on Chatr and can confirm 3G is absent

I was wondering why I was only getting 2-3 bars in the house with Chatr when I was getting 5 bars solid on Rogers

**rockjock** · 08-11-2010, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by michael007

I have a 3GS on Chatr and can confirm 3G is absent

I was wondering why I was only getting 2-3 bars in the house with Chatr when I was getting 5 bars solid on Rogers

Michael what version of os you running? I have 4.0 and I just tried something while I was having coffee.. pulled up sbsettings and switched off the edge/data toggle and the 3g icon went away but there was no change in signal strength and it did not lose signal at all in this process.. could this be the issue? also whats the call quality like? I just called my office and asked my admin assist how the call quality was and she said it was as clear as 2 mins prior.

So I am thinking that if there is no data present in the signal perhaps the Iphone switches off the 3G icon.. I think the only way for sure is to check the call quality.

**michael007** · 08-11-2010, 11:24 AM

I am using 4.0, the call quality seems great and I've never had a dropped call as of yet so I'm not complaining, it's just I've been getting 2-3bars in places I used to have 5 bars solid. I'm guessing it's because iPhones are not allowed access to the 3G towers with ChatR, would there be a big difference in sound quality between a 3G tower and a 2G tower?

**Kies** · 08-11-2010, 11:27 AM

If you're on 4.0, and not on 3G you're getting the FAR less optimistic 2G/GSM bar scale. Updating to 4.0.1 will lower your bars on 3G I'm sure. Your coverage isn't as good as the iPhone says it is before 4.0.1

**computergeek541** · 11-07-2010, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by atomnet

How are you checking which network the iPhone is connected to?

iPhone 3G only displays the '3G' indicator if it has access to the 3G data network.

You were right. Unlike some other phones that show no symbol while connected to a 2G network but do show a symbol when connnected to 3G, the Iphone 3G will only show a symbol to the right of the signal meter if there is an available data connection.
The iPhone 3G will show an E or 3G when it detects an available data connection. With just the signal meter alone, the iPhone 3G gives no indication whatsoever of which network is being connected to.