[cleverstar]

Then when do I need to turn on 3G (there's only 1 option for 3G & 2G hybrid, but no option to lock tight to 3G only)?

[snhrph]

Why would you have to turn 3G off? The switch should be seamless...

[trax95008]

hes asking if there is a way to turn 2G off to lock on 3G. and the answer is.........yes AND no. RIM doesn't give you the option in the network options. however, there is a way to do it in the escreen. i have the same problem of it switching between 3G and 2G. most of the time it stays on 2G. so i just disable 2G in the escreen and it works GREAT! it stays locked to 3G constantly. one downside is that it needs to be disabled again whenever you reboot the device. but thats no big deal. this procedure can be risky though. you need to know what your doing and be comfortable with the escreen. also getting in to the escreen is a little tricky

[snhrph]

Originally Posted by trax95008

hes asking if there is a way to turn 2G off to lock on 3G. and the answer is.........yes AND no. RIM doesn't give you the option in the network options. however, there is a way to do it in the escreen. i have the same problem of it switching between 3G and 2G. most of the time it stays on 2G. so i just disable 2G in the escreen and it works GREAT! it stays locked to 3G constantly. one downside is that it needs to be disabled again whenever you reboot the device. but thats no big deal. this procedure can be risky though. you need to know what your doing and be comfortable with the escreen. also getting in to the escreen is a little tricky

The only problem is that you need escreen unlock code and the generator is no longer working. Unless you know where to obtain the code... If you do, please share. Thanks.

[felix1522]

Yeah, I found AT&T 3G coverage to be spotty at best when I was with them (and I lived in the Houston metro area). Sorry to hear it hasn't gotten any better.

As for the 2G, 3G options, it must be firmware or something because I have a Telus BB and I have options for just 3G, 3G&2G or just 2G.

[MidnightDraven]

As mentioned a while back, AT&T block the "3G only" option.
This was changed in a 4.6 for the 9000, but its possible they then re-affirmed the block the 9700 OS 5 versions.

[cleverstar]

Originally Posted by MidnightDraven

As mentioned a while back, AT&T block the "3G only" option.
This was changed in a 4.6 for the 9000, but its possible they then re-affirmed the block the 9700 OS 5 versions.

Does that mean if I download and install a non-AT$T OS, the "3G only" option will be available? or AT$T did some hack at machine boot and network service connection/configuration time?

[trax95008]

i have used every OS version available for the 9700 and have NEVER seen the option for 3G only in the network settings. the escreen code generator is still available. i have it. just google for it. i also have an app on my BB that will generate a code.

[cleverstar]

Originally Posted by trax95008

i have used every OS version available for the 9700 and have NEVER seen the option for 3G only in the network settings. the escreen code generator is still available. i have it. just google for it. i also have an app on my BB that will generate a code.

Thanks. Before I do this, I wonder how bad I can screw up my phone if I did sth incorrectly in escreen... what exactly does escreen allow me to do?

[cleverstar]

Originally Posted by trax95008

hes asking if there is a way to turn 2G off to lock on 3G. and the answer is.........yes AND no. RIM doesn't give you the option in the network options. however, there is a way to do it in the escreen. i have the same problem of it switching between 3G and 2G. most of the time it stays on 2G. so i just disable 2G in the escreen and it works GREAT! it stays locked to 3G constantly. one downside is that it needs to be disabled again whenever you reboot the device. but thats no big deal. this procedure can be risky though. you need to know what your doing and be comfortable with the escreen. also getting in to the escreen is a little tricky

If I lock myself to 3G, does it mean in cases where my phone used to switch from 3G to 2G due to poor 3G coverage I will now truely get poor 3G and may not even get any data or voice connection since I opt out of 2G?

[tsac]

IF you lock the BB to 3G and the service is bad or non existant you will not have any service. Thats why they dont offer the option. Just what it is intended to do unless some wingnut fools with the option.

[trax95008]

Originally Posted by tsac

IF you lock the BB to 3G and the service is bad or non existant you will not have any service. Thats why they dont offer the option. Just what it is intended to do unless some wingnut fools with the option.

i dont think thats true. your actually not locking to 3G, but instead disabling 2G. so i would assume you could still drop to GPRS, or even GSM. i have really good 3G coverage where i live so i have not had a problem having 2G disabled. i constantly have 3G now.

[trax95008]

Originally Posted by cleverstar

Thanks. Before I do this, I wonder how bad I can screw up my phone if I did sth incorrectly in escreen... what exactly does escreen allow me to do?

yes you can screw it up bad. its similar to Microsoft windows registry. one wrong move, and your toast. however, worst case, you reload your OS and all will be fine. (however you will be starting fresh with default settings and no apps)

[Soapm]

Originally Posted by snhrph

The only problem is that you need escreen unlock code and the generator is no longer working. Unless you know where to obtain the code... If you do, please share. Thanks.

BlackBerry Unlocking Hot Solutions

[MidnightDraven]

Originally Posted by trax95008

i dont think thats true. your actually not locking to 3G, but instead disabling 2G. so i would assume you could still drop to GPRS, or even GSM. i have really good 3G coverage where i live so i have not had a problem having 2G disabled. i constantly have 3G now.

GPRS is 2G. Meaning you would have no data at all, possibly drop to GSM and have voice and SMS only.

[trax95008]

hmm i thought only EDGE was 2G and GPRS was 1st gen

[MidnightDraven]

EDGE is roughly known as 2.5G
GPRS is 2G
GSM voice and SMS

[trax95008]

Got it. Well technically what your disabling is "RAT_GERAN" which is EDGE. So I would still assume that GPRS would still work

[toddz]

Originally Posted by cleverstar

Thanks. Before I do this, I wonder how bad I can screw up my phone if I did sth incorrectly in escreen... what exactly does escreen allow me to do?

Really, really, bad if you start to change settings your don't know about. The good thing is that a battery pull usually restores the phone to a working state. Just stick with the information on locking the phone to 3G and don't touch the other settings.

toddz