In an Android smartphone, you will notice that the data network often switches from GSM to 3G or from 2G to 3G (UMTS) depending on the operator who takes it. This behavior of the phone signal can be optimized in various ways: - To save battery, theoretically, it would be the case to always have 2G reception because 3G consumes more. - If you want to always be connected to the internet with your mobile phone and you have the 3 as operator, you must keep 3G as active as possible, avoiding that your mobile phone switches to TIM roaming by deactivating any connection.
- If you often use the internet connection on your smartphone to publish photos on Facebook or to upload from the network, it is better to use the 3G connection because the EDGE or GPRS connection in 2G is very slow.
- Those who live in an area not covered by 3G, can disable 3G completely.
With Android there are some strategies and a hidden menu where you can choose which data network to connect to preferably and optimize the reception of data at any time as appropriate.
READ ALSO: Mobile phone connection speed: 2G (GPRS), 3G, UMTS, HSPA, 4G LTE
In an Android smartphone, any ROM mounts and any model is (Samsung, LG, HTC or others), you can open the numeric keypad (the one for making calls) and enter the following code * # * # 4636 # * # * to enter the verification menu. From here, tap on Phone information to enter a technical information screen with a selection menu in the center. Above the "Disable cellular signal" button, where it says "Set preferred network type", you can touch and choose the way in which the cellular phone must automatically choose the type of data connection and the type of signal it must receive.
The list of options is long (not all of them are quite clear, perhaps a mobile phone expert can be more precise):
- WCDMA preferred : the GSM mobile phone is able to use both 2G and 3G with data connection, but even when the 3G signal strength is low, it remains favored.
- GSM only : The GSM mobile phone is able to use only 2G data communication.
If the 2G signal is low or absent, the phone does not pick up the line and obviously does not receive calls.
- WCDMA only : The GSM phone is able to use only 3G UMTS data communication; if the 3G signal is absent, the phone no longer takes and no longer receives calls.
- GSM auto (PRL) : The GSM mobile phone is able to use both 2G and 3G and internet data, however when the signal strength is low 2G is favored.
- Auto CDMA (PRL) : The CDMA mobile phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G and data communication, but when the signal strength is low the 2G is favored (CDMA is the American network).
- CDMA only : The CDMA smartphone is able to use only 2G data communication
- EvDo only : for the CDMA smartphone, it only takes 3G.
- GSM / CDMA auto (PRL) : for those phones equipped with GSM and CDMA functionality, this option keeps the mobile phone attached to both networks.
The LTE options are only valid for smartphone mobile phones that connect to LTE data, in areas covered by LTE (which would be 4G ).
- Unknown : Unknown, it never goes away.
CDMA options are not to be considered, therefore only the first 4 have meaning and can be used. These configurations are predefined differently depending on the type of mobile phone, but must be changed in order to be able to save battery, to better take the mobile phone and optimize the signal and reception .
Whoever has Tre should use the WCDMA preferred option to keep the phone connected to 3G as much as possible. Anyone who never connects to the internet should always keep 2G and never 3G to save battery power.
In areas with strong 3G UMTS reception, it is worth keeping WCDMA preferred if not WCDMA only (but be careful when moving) while in areas with weak 3G signal it is better to use GSM Auto, not to strain the smartphone to try to connect to the 3G network. Setting up the auto GSM network (PRL) will significantly optimize battery life.
Unfortunately there is no application capable of automatically managing the transition from one configuration to another.
Among the applications to save battery on Android there is Juice Defender Pro version capable of switching from one network to another depending on the reception.
To quickly access the phone's hidden menu of network information, instead of typing the code, you can download the Network Mode application.
With another simpler application, 2G-3G OnOff, instead you get a link to quickly enter the Android settings menu and force the use of 2G when needed.
READ ALSO: 2G-3G coverage map for mobile phones and mobile internet in Italy (Tim, Tre, Wind, Vodafone)
In the appendix to this article it is useful to also report the applications to speed up the internet on Android which, in a completely automatic way, improve signal reception .
