Picking up EE 4G signal on a non EE handset on another network experiment

Everything Goes · 01-08-2013, 10:09

Can someone try this experiment with me. I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 on Three. When I was in a EE 4G coverage area (Glasgow) I did a network search for EE 4G but was puzzled as to why it never found it. My theory is the Sim isn't 4G enabled.

On a Galaxy S4 go to Settings - Connections tab - More Networks -Mobile Networks - Network Operators. This will list 2G and 3G networks and should show 4G if in an EE coverage area.

ash45 · 01-08-2013, 10:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Everything Goes

Can someone try this experiment with me. I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 on Three. When I was in a EE 4G coverage area (Glasgow) I did a network search for EE 4G but was puzzled as to why it never found it. My theory is the Sim isn't 4G enabled.

On a Galaxy S4 go to Settings - Connections tab - More Networks -Mobile Networks - Network Operators. This will list 2G and 3G networks and should show 4G if in an EE coverage area.

Hi mate i dont have a S4 but i do have a sony xperia SP (4G LTE capable) this is also a three branded one, i put my 4G EE simcard init and it wont pick up the 4G signal on EE even with a manual scan it will only pick up all the 2g/3g networks i think three turn 4g off in the firmware untill they role it out themselves then it will be enabled in a update (this is only speculation though) Im defo in a 4g place too as my old EE phone was 4G and had full signal on it

Pic of list here

Ash

Everything Goes · 01-08-2013, 11:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by ash45

Hi mate i dont have a S4 but i do have a sony xperia SP (4G LTE capable) this is also a three branded one, i put my 4G EE simcard init and it wont pick up the 4G signal on EE even with a manual scan it will only pick up all the 2g/3g networks i think three turn 4g off in the firmware untill they role it out themselves then it will be enabled in a update (this is only speculation though) Im defo in a 4g place too as my old EE phone was 4G and had full signal on it

Pic of list here

Ash

Three do appear to list Three 2G which clearly is wrong since they are roaming on Orange 2G. So it could be Three messing with firmware. I guess an unlocked handset with stock firmware will provide an inisight if this is the case.

ash45 · 01-08-2013, 11:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Everything Goes

Three do appear to list Three 2G which clearly is wrong since they are roaming on Orange 2G. So it could be Three messing with firmware. I guess an unlocked handset with stock firmware will provide an inisight if this is the case.

yes possibly ive never noticed a three 2G but they did turn the sharing agreement off here About 4 year ago, parts of me are wanting to flash my phone with stock firmware but this will void the warranty and may be a violation of threes TOS, i was surprised it was unlocked though usually they are locked when coming direct from networks but i wont complain lol,
i might give the secret network menu a try (*#*#4636#*#*) and see if i can force a 4G connection while my 4G sim is in it dose not allow it in standard settings but might on there i will report back

Ash

EDIT

nope even in the secret menu it don't allow you to force LTE it instantly reverts to WCDMA even with a 4G sim in bah humbug lol

moox · 01-08-2013, 11:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Everything Goes

Three do appear to list Three 2G which clearly is wrong since they are roaming on Orange 2G. So it could be Three messing with firmware. I guess an unlocked handset with stock firmware will provide an inisight if this is the case.

Isn't that a feature of the SIM card rather than firmware? e.g. a 3 SIM causes the phone to display 3 and Orange 2G as "3", and an EE/Orange/T-Mobile SIM renames both Orange and T-Mobile to EE and EE3G (as appropriate)?

ash45 · 01-08-2013, 11:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by moox

Isn't that a feature of the SIM card rather than firmware? e.g. a 3 SIM causes the phone to display 3 and Orange 2G as "3", and an EE/Orange/T-Mobile SIM renames both Orange and T-Mobile to EE and EE3G (as appropriate)?

i dont think it is for example my grandma is on virgin and if shes in a t-mob area is shows virgin but if she gos into a orange area it show orange and a R signal on the phone, so if it was down the the sim then it would show virgin all the time so im guessing its a customisation in the three firmware to make it show as three 2g

Ash

The Lord Lucan · 01-08-2013, 14:16

It won't show it.

carguy143 · 01-08-2013, 18:08

Are all Samsung Galaxy S4, 4g ready then?

Everything Goes · 01-08-2013, 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by carguy143

Are all Samsung Galaxy S4, 4g ready then?

The ones sold in the UK are all 4G LTE. There are non 4G versions that can be imported if your desparate

Everything Goes · 01-08-2013, 18:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Lord Lucan

It won't show it.

Do you know why?

wrexham103.4 · 01-08-2013, 19:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by ash45

Hi mate i dont have a S4 but i do have a sony xperia SP (4G LTE capable) this is also a three branded one, i put my 4G EE simcard init and it wont pick up the 4G signal on EE even with a manual scan it will only pick up all the 2g/3g networks i think three turn 4g off in the firmware untill they role it out themselves then it will be enabled in a update (this is only speculation though) Im defo in a 4g place too as my old EE phone was 4G and had full signal on it

Pic of list here

Ash

how do you get it to show 2g/3g in the list? got a S2 and it doesnt do that

carguy143 · 01-08-2013, 19:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Everything Goes

The ones sold in the UK are all 4G LTE. There are non 4G versions that can be imported if your desparate

I best stay close friends with my ex then as she just got an S4 on 3 and I'd be curious about actual network speeds before taking out a new contract to get a 4g phone..

Everything Goes · 01-08-2013, 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrexham103.4

how do you get it to show 2g/3g in the list? got a S2 and it doesnt do that

What OS is it running? Not sure if its from Jelly Bean onwards perhaps?

Everything Goes · 05-01-2014, 15:06

Update

Was in Glasgow today and did a search and low and behold the phone found EE 4G O2 4G and Vodafone 4G. The phone got a firmware update to 4.3 in November I think. I did a search for EE 4G on 24th December in Aberdeen city centre but it didn't find EE 4G.

So this makes me wonder if the phone has had a sim update done between Christmas and today?

The Lord Lucan · 05-01-2014, 16:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Everything Goes

Update

Was in Glasgow today and did a search and low and behold the phone found EE 4G O2 4G and Vodafone 4G. The phone got a firmware update to 4.3 in November I think. I did a search for EE 4G on 24th December in Aberdeen city centre but it didn't find EE 4G.

So this makes me wonder if the phone has had a sim update done between Christmas and today?

Strangely there is no 4G in the very city centre of Aberdeen (around that time).
Three did a sim update recently.

Everything Goes · 05-01-2014, 16:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Lord Lucan

Strangely there is no 4G in the very city centre of Aberdeen (around that time).
Three did a sim update recently.

I wasn't sure of the specific live date for Aberdeen. Know they had stated it was to be "by Christmas" so I assumed Christmas Eve would be a good chance it was live. When did it go live?

https://explore.ee.co.uk/our-company...-for-christmas

The Lord Lucan · 05-01-2014, 17:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Everything Goes

I wasn't sure of the specific live date for Aberdeen. Know they had stated it was to be "by Christmas" so I assumed Christmas Eve would be a good chance it was live. When did it go live?

https://explore.ee.co.uk/our-company...-for-christmas

It was live at the time you were there but the coverage was rather strange to say the least. I was only picking it up at the beach and cults. Pretty much nothing to the North, Centre or South...

qasdfdsaq · 05-01-2014, 17:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Everything Goes

Update

Was in Glasgow today and did a search and low and behold the phone found EE 4G O2 4G and Vodafone 4G. The phone got a firmware update to 4.3 in November I think. I did a search for EE 4G on 24th December in Aberdeen city centre but it didn't find EE 4G.

So this makes me wonder if the phone has had a sim update done between Christmas and today?

I've tried EE's official 4.3 firmware on my S4 and it doesn't list 4G networks separately during a network scan... :-/

I don't recall it ever showing 4G separately before the update on Samsung's vanilla 4.2 firmware either.

Got a screenshot?

Everything Goes · 05-01-2014, 23:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by qasdfdsaq

I've tried EE's official 4.3 firmware on my S4 and it doesn't list 4G networks separately during a network scan... :-/

I don't recall it ever showing 4G separately before the update on Samsung's vanilla 4.2 firmware either.

Got a screenshot?

Yes thankfully I took a screenshot at the time.

http://tinypic.com/r/2aionyh/5

qasdfdsaq · 06-01-2014, 01:25

Interesting - what firmware and version are you running? Never seen that on any of my Samsung phones.

Everything Goes · 06-01-2014, 10:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by qasdfdsaq

Interesting - what firmware and version are you running? Never seen that on any of my Samsung phones.

Its just the standard Three branded firmware. Here is a screenshot if it helps.

http://tinypic.com/r/2nb4wwi/5

qasdfdsaq · 06-01-2014, 10:48

Ah, must be a 3 thing. I don't see it on my unbranded, O2, or EE firmwares, whether or not a 3 SIM is inserted. Kinda nice though, wish I had it now.

01-08-2013, 10:09	#1
Everything Goes Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In the future.... Posts: 11,259	Picking up EE 4G signal on a non EE handset on another network experiment Can someone try this experiment with me. I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 on Three. When I was in a EE 4G coverage area (Glasgow) I did a network search for EE 4G but was puzzled as to why it never found it. My theory is the Sim isn't 4G enabled. On a Galaxy S4 go to Settings - Connections tab - More Networks -Mobile Networks - Network Operators. This will list 2G and 3G networks and should show 4G if in an EE coverage area.

01-08-2013, 10:53	#2
ash45 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 336	Quote: Originally Posted by Everything Goes Can someone try this experiment with me. I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 on Three. When I was in a EE 4G coverage area (Glasgow) I did a network search for EE 4G but was puzzled as to why it never found it. My theory is the Sim isn't 4G enabled. On a Galaxy S4 go to Settings - Connections tab - More Networks -Mobile Networks - Network Operators. This will list 2G and 3G networks and should show 4G if in an EE coverage area. Hi mate i dont have a S4 but i do have a sony xperia SP (4G LTE capable) this is also a three branded one, i put my 4G EE simcard init and it wont pick up the 4G signal on EE even with a manual scan it will only pick up all the 2g/3g networks i think three turn 4g off in the firmware untill they role it out themselves then it will be enabled in a update (this is only speculation though) Im defo in a 4g place too as my old EE phone was 4G and had full signal on it Pic of list here Ash

01-08-2013, 11:06	#3
Everything Goes Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In the future.... Posts: 11,259	Quote: Originally Posted by ash45 Hi mate i dont have a S4 but i do have a sony xperia SP (4G LTE capable) this is also a three branded one, i put my 4G EE simcard init and it wont pick up the 4G signal on EE even with a manual scan it will only pick up all the 2g/3g networks i think three turn 4g off in the firmware untill they role it out themselves then it will be enabled in a update (this is only speculation though) Im defo in a 4g place too as my old EE phone was 4G and had full signal on it Pic of list here Ash Three do appear to list Three 2G which clearly is wrong since they are roaming on Orange 2G. So it could be Three messing with firmware. I guess an unlocked handset with stock firmware will provide an inisight if this is the case.

01-08-2013, 11:17	#4
ash45 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 336	Quote: Originally Posted by Everything Goes Three do appear to list Three 2G which clearly is wrong since they are roaming on Orange 2G. So it could be Three messing with firmware. I guess an unlocked handset with stock firmware will provide an inisight if this is the case. yes possibly ive never noticed a three 2G but they did turn the sharing agreement off here About 4 year ago, parts of me are wanting to flash my phone with stock firmware but this will void the warranty and may be a violation of threes TOS, i was surprised it was unlocked though usually they are locked when coming direct from networks but i wont complain lol, i might give the secret network menu a try (##4636##) and see if i can force a 4G connection while my 4G sim is in it dose not allow it in standard settings but might on there i will report back Ash EDIT nope even in the secret menu it don't allow you to force LTE it instantly reverts to WCDMA even with a 4G sim in bah humbug lol

01-08-2013, 11:35	#5
moox Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 14,645	Quote: Originally Posted by Everything Goes Three do appear to list Three 2G which clearly is wrong since they are roaming on Orange 2G. So it could be Three messing with firmware. I guess an unlocked handset with stock firmware will provide an inisight if this is the case. Isn't that a feature of the SIM card rather than firmware? e.g. a 3 SIM causes the phone to display 3 and Orange 2G as "3", and an EE/Orange/T-Mobile SIM renames both Orange and T-Mobile to EE and EE3G (as appropriate)?

01-08-2013, 11:54	#6
ash45 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 336	Quote: Originally Posted by moox Isn't that a feature of the SIM card rather than firmware? e.g. a 3 SIM causes the phone to display 3 and Orange 2G as "3", and an EE/Orange/T-Mobile SIM renames both Orange and T-Mobile to EE and EE3G (as appropriate)? i dont think it is for example my grandma is on virgin and if shes in a t-mob area is shows virgin but if she gos into a orange area it show orange and a R signal on the phone, so if it was down the the sim then it would show virgin all the time so im guessing its a customisation in the three firmware to make it show as three 2g Ash

01-08-2013, 14:16	#7
The Lord Lucan Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Scotland Posts: 4,966	It won't show it.

01-08-2013, 18:08	#8
carguy143 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Leyland Posts: 1,971	Are all Samsung Galaxy S4, 4g ready then?

01-08-2013, 18:42	#9
Everything Goes Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In the future.... Posts: 11,259	Quote: Originally Posted by carguy143 Are all Samsung Galaxy S4, 4g ready then? The ones sold in the UK are all 4G LTE. There are non 4G versions that can be imported if your desparate

01-08-2013, 18:43	#10
Everything Goes Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In the future.... Posts: 11,259	Quote: Originally Posted by The Lord Lucan It won't show it. Do you know why?

01-08-2013, 19:01	#11
wrexham103.4 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3,140	Quote: Originally Posted by ash45 Hi mate i dont have a S4 but i do have a sony xperia SP (4G LTE capable) this is also a three branded one, i put my 4G EE simcard init and it wont pick up the 4G signal on EE even with a manual scan it will only pick up all the 2g/3g networks i think three turn 4g off in the firmware untill they role it out themselves then it will be enabled in a update (this is only speculation though) Im defo in a 4g place too as my old EE phone was 4G and had full signal on it Pic of list here Ash how do you get it to show 2g/3g in the list? got a S2 and it doesnt do that

01-08-2013, 19:44	#12
carguy143 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Leyland Posts: 1,971	Quote: Originally Posted by Everything Goes The ones sold in the UK are all 4G LTE. There are non 4G versions that can be imported if your desparate I best stay close friends with my ex then as she just got an S4 on 3 and I'd be curious about actual network speeds before taking out a new contract to get a 4g phone..

01-08-2013, 23:02	#13
Everything Goes Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In the future.... Posts: 11,259	Quote: Originally Posted by wrexham103.4 how do you get it to show 2g/3g in the list? got a S2 and it doesnt do that What OS is it running? Not sure if its from Jelly Bean onwards perhaps?

05-01-2014, 15:06	#14
Everything Goes Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In the future.... Posts: 11,259	Update Was in Glasgow today and did a search and low and behold the phone found EE 4G O2 4G and Vodafone 4G. The phone got a firmware update to 4.3 in November I think. I did a search for EE 4G on 24th December in Aberdeen city centre but it didn't find EE 4G. So this makes me wonder if the phone has had a sim update done between Christmas and today?

05-01-2014, 16:34	#15
The Lord Lucan Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Scotland Posts: 4,966	Quote: Originally Posted by Everything Goes Update Was in Glasgow today and did a search and low and behold the phone found EE 4G O2 4G and Vodafone 4G. The phone got a firmware update to 4.3 in November I think. I did a search for EE 4G on 24th December in Aberdeen city centre but it didn't find EE 4G. So this makes me wonder if the phone has had a sim update done between Christmas and today? Strangely there is no 4G in the very city centre of Aberdeen (around that time). Three did a sim update recently.

05-01-2014, 16:54	#16
Everything Goes Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In the future.... Posts: 11,259	Quote: Originally Posted by The Lord Lucan Strangely there is no 4G in the very city centre of Aberdeen (around that time). Three did a sim update recently. I wasn't sure of the specific live date for Aberdeen. Know they had stated it was to be "by Christmas" so I assumed Christmas Eve would be a good chance it was live. When did it go live? https://explore.ee.co.uk/our-company...-for-christmas

05-01-2014, 17:03	#17
The Lord Lucan Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Scotland Posts: 4,966	Quote: Originally Posted by Everything Goes I wasn't sure of the specific live date for Aberdeen. Know they had stated it was to be "by Christmas" so I assumed Christmas Eve would be a good chance it was live. When did it go live? https://explore.ee.co.uk/our-company...-for-christmas It was live at the time you were there but the coverage was rather strange to say the least. I was only picking it up at the beach and cults. Pretty much nothing to the North, Centre or South...

05-01-2014, 17:20	#18
qasdfdsaq Inactive Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3,286	Quote: Originally Posted by Everything Goes Update Was in Glasgow today and did a search and low and behold the phone found EE 4G O2 4G and Vodafone 4G. The phone got a firmware update to 4.3 in November I think. I did a search for EE 4G on 24th December in Aberdeen city centre but it didn't find EE 4G. So this makes me wonder if the phone has had a sim update done between Christmas and today? I've tried EE's official 4.3 firmware on my S4 and it doesn't list 4G networks separately during a network scan... :-/ I don't recall it ever showing 4G separately before the update on Samsung's vanilla 4.2 firmware either. Got a screenshot?

05-01-2014, 23:38	#19
Everything Goes Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In the future.... Posts: 11,259	Quote: Originally Posted by qasdfdsaq I've tried EE's official 4.3 firmware on my S4 and it doesn't list 4G networks separately during a network scan... :-/ I don't recall it ever showing 4G separately before the update on Samsung's vanilla 4.2 firmware either. Got a screenshot? Yes thankfully I took a screenshot at the time. http://tinypic.com/r/2aionyh/5

06-01-2014, 01:25	#20
qasdfdsaq Inactive Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3,286	Interesting - what firmware and version are you running? Never seen that on any of my Samsung phones.

06-01-2014, 10:26	#21
Everything Goes Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In the future.... Posts: 11,259	Quote: Originally Posted by qasdfdsaq Interesting - what firmware and version are you running? Never seen that on any of my Samsung phones. Its just the standard Three branded firmware. Here is a screenshot if it helps. http://tinypic.com/r/2nb4wwi/5

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Picking up EE 4G signal on a non EE handset on another network experiment

06-01-2014, 10:48	#22
qasdfdsaq Inactive Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3,286	Ah, must be a 3 thing. I don't see it on my unbranded, O2, or EE firmwares, whether or not a 3 SIM is inserted. Kinda nice though, wish I had it now.