[How to] Fix the 3G issues on Nexus One

You can’t get everything right on the first go. Even the most successful products enter with minor defects. Google’s first attempt to launch a smart phone was no different. First version of Nexus One (T-Mobile compatible version) shipped had issues with 3G connectivity. The connection was getting lost often. Though Google claims to have fixed this issue with an OTA update (for the pinch-to-zoom capabilities), some of the users continue to suffer 3G connectivity issues. I have this problem on my Nexus One – the mobile network connectivity continues to hop from 3G to Edge and to 2G even with the same signal strength.

 

How to diagnose the problem?

• Its pretty easy. The network notification bar jumps from 3G to Edge and back to 3G often (even from the same location). However, one can not conclude just by this. There may be actual signal problems in the place. But, there is a technical way to diagnose this problem.
• Android phone has a number of hidden interfaces (interfaces which can not be launched by a naive phone user). ‘Phone info’ is one such interface which gives you information about your phone connectivity as well as the mobile network.
• As the ‘Phone info’ interface is hidden, there is no straight way for the user to launch this interface.
• How do I launch these interfaces? Any application available in Market? ‘Any Cut’ is an awesome application which comes handy here. ‘Any Cut’ allows you to instantly create shortcuts for nearly any function that your phone has to offer. Install the app from the Android market.
• Open the ‘Any Cut’ application. New Shortcut > Activity > Phone Info. A new shortcut will be created on the home screen. (Organize the shortcut using folders)
• Open the shortcut ‘Phone Info’. This will open the hidden interface ‘Phone Info’.
• ‘Phone Info’ shows information like the IMEI number, Current network, Signal strength, GSM service, Network type, etc. Monitor the signal strength. Whenever there is a network hop, check out the difference in signal strength. If there is no significant change, then there is problem on your mobile.
• ‘Phone Info’ can also be launched by dialing “*#*#4636#*#*”

Fix for the problem

• Open ‘Phone Info’. Follow the above steps.
• Set the preferred network type to ‘WCDMA only’ (3G). This will force the device to use 3G networks only. The default option will be ‘WCDMA Preferred’.
• But, this fix comes with a cost. Your phone will not have receive signals in places without 3G network.

I will be on WiFi 90% of the time, the remaining 10% of the time I have been using this fix. It is working smoothly in cities like Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore. However, when you travel inner parts of the state, you will not have 3G network everywhere.

Are you guys facing the 3G connectivity issue with AT & T compatible version also? Have you figured out any other solution for the same? Share them on comments.

-- Varun