[HOW TO] Improve Optus reception/internet speed on Samsung SGS/SGS2/SGS3

kraniX · 24th July 2012, 11:49 PM

Note: This guide may work for other phones so even if you don't have a SGS/SGS2/SGS3, please feel free to give it a try.

I've recently found that disabling the UMTS 2100 frequency and thereby forcing my phone to use UMTS 900 has solved some poor 3G reception issues I've had inside my home and also greatly improved internet throughput both inside and outside the home. My carrier is Exetel (who use the Optus network) so I'm confident this will work not only for Optus customers but also their resellers'.

I've tested this theory for 2 weeks now on both an SGS and SGS2 and have had nothing but positive results. I've tried to enter the code on a HTC Magic and it hasn't brought up the service menu, so I'm not sure how much success non-Samsung users will have.

I really enjoy the consistent reception, but speed-wise there has also been a significant improvement. On my SGS2, these are the results I get for 900 (left) vs "Automatic" which seems to prefer 2100 (right, ignore last result).

The steps below have worked without problems for me, and I strongly doubt you will have issues if you follow them exactly, but as a blanket disclaimer I take no responsibility if you damage your phone.

1. Open the dialer, enter either of the the following codes and you should be presented with a service menu.

(Confirmed working on SGS/SGS2)

Code:

*#*#197328640#*#*

OR

(Confirmed working on SGS2/SGS3)

Code:

*#197328640#

2. Once the service menu is open, select the following menu options

Code:

[1] DEBUG SCREEN
-[8] PHONE CONTROL
--[7] NETWORK CONTROL
---[2] BAND SELECTION
----[2] WCDMA BAND
-----[4] WCDMA 900 (FDD VIII)
------Select WCDMA_W900 Only []

3. (Optional)

Once you have selected the 900 band, you can go back to the BAND SELECTION level and select COMBINATION BANDS. Here you can enable GSM 900 also, to act as a your fall-back should you not have 3G reception.

And that's all there is to it. Do some speed tests and see whether you've seen an improvement. Please post with feedback too!

ssnke · 29th July 2012, 11:59 PM

I've been generally annoyed dissappointed with my service.. Virgin (optus). But I accept it since i'm paying a quarter of the price I would pay compared to Telstra... (And vodafail is worse.. I will be changning my work number to Telstra...)

I'll give this tip a go, I had to just use *#197328640# to bring up the service menu.

Thanks for the guide!

kraniX · 30th July 2012, 1:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssnke

I've been generally annoyed dissappointed with my service.. Virgin (optus). But I accept it since i'm paying a quarter of the price I would pay compared to Telstra... (And vodafail is worse.. I will be changning my work number to Telstra...)

Yep, I was in a similar situation. I'm now paying $15/month to Exetel for $500 credit, $500 Exetel-to-Exetel (whole family is on it, so I can actually use this!) and 1.5GB data. Buying a handset outright is a minor obstacle in the beginning but the savings pay for the handset within the first 6-9 months.

Please let us know how it goes, and thanks for the tip on entering the code! Also, what phone do you have?

BBITS · 30th July 2012, 7:15 AM

Got the service menu up, you just didnt clear explain what to do after that.

Uh sorry yes you did, im just faik at reading before coffee.

BBITS · 30th July 2012, 7:48 AM

BEFORE ENTERING GSM900
Test Date: Jul 30, 2012 7:42:41 am
Connection Type: Gprs
Server: Brisbane
Download: 44 kbps
Upload: 30 kbps
Ping: 854 ms

AFTER ENTERING GSM900
Test Date: Jul 30, 2012 7:38:59 am
Connection Type: Gprs
Server: Brisbane
Download: 38 kbps
Upload: 32 kbps
Ping: 859 ms

WENT FOR A DRIVE AND DID A TEST
Test Date: Jul 30, 2012 10:55:53 am
Connection Type: Hspa
Server: Sydney
Download: 789 kbps
Upload: 1083 kbps
Ping: 109 ms

So my home is in a very bad wireless coverage spot.

kraniX · 30th July 2012, 12:57 PM

Thanks for the feedback

I have one question though - what exactly do you mean by this?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBITS

BEFORE ENTERING GSM900
...
AFTER ENTERING GSM900

Trying forcing UMTS 900 rather than GSM 900 and see if you can pick up a signal.

BBITS · 30th July 2012, 1:07 PM

i verbalised what you said to do wrongly thats all

its a Galaxy S II so its all the same as yours

ssnke · 30th July 2012, 1:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kraniX

Please let us know how it goes, and thanks for the tip on entering the code! Also, what phone do you have?

I'm using a Unbranded Galaxy S2 with Virgin Simcard.

I should really do before and after speedtest..

randomman · 30th July 2012, 2:23 PM

On a stock S3 with Virgin in Perth CBD, I went from 1 bar to full bars. It appeared a lot slower initially but now it seems a lot faster.

I was also getting 1 bar at home so hopefully this fixes that too. Thanks OP!

On the S3 it's:

Code:

*#197329640#

One thing to note is that I believe 900 may consume your battery life quicker than 2100. Or is it the opposite!? This is why I stayed away from Electrical/Telecomms Engineering and stuff like that in IT.

kraniX · 30th July 2012, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randomman

On a stock S3 with Virgin in Perth CBD, I went from 1 bar to full bars. It appeared a lot slower initially but now it seems a lot faster.

I was also getting 1 bar at home so hopefully this fixes that too. Thanks OP!

On the S3 it's:

Code:

*#197329640#

One thing to note is that I believe 900 may consume your battery life quicker than 2100. Or is it the opposite!? This is why I stayed away from Electrical/Telecomms Engineering and stuff like that in IT.

Thank you for confirming this works on an S3! I've updated the initial post with the code you and ssnke mentioned

Regarding battery life - the short answer is: I'm not sure.

I've noticed a considerable improvement while at home, but I'm guessing that's because my phone isn't constantly handing over from GSM to UMTS and back again. I suspect if you have similar reception issues at home you'll also see a noticeable increase.

mtma · 30th July 2012, 11:56 PM

Well the codes don't work on my Motorola defy that's been flashed with CM10 on it, neither the older one or the newer one does. I do recall opening a service menu back on Eclair but I never saw a function that allowed me to fiddle with which carrier frequencies were enabled or preferred though.

Out of interest how is the 900MHz coverage in suburban areas? From what I recall, there's only a very limited 900MHz deployment in the urban areas particularly, but that might have changed.

Supposedly the menu is meant to be under *#*#7378423#*#* which might work for other phones but not for the defy in my situation.

ED- oh the menu that does exist on my phone is *#*#4636#*#* but that won't let me do what you need for this to work here.

kraniX · 31st July 2012, 1:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtma

Well the codes don't work on my Motorola defy that's been flashed with CM10 on it, neither the older one or the newer one does. I do recall opening a service menu back on Eclair but I never saw a function that allowed me to fiddle with which carrier frequencies were enabled or preferred though.

Thank you for posting feeedback. I've done some research and I'm lead to believe this feature exists mainly on Samsungs, but it is modem-dependent so there is no guarantee that every Samsung will have it/the code will be the same. Having said that, I'm definitely interested in feedback on other brands as my parents will be upgrading their phones in the foreseeable future and I know they'd want the better reception.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtma

Out of interest how is the 900MHz coverage in suburban areas? From what I recall, there's only a very limited 900MHz deployment in the urban areas particularly, but that might have changed.

In Sydney, it is excellent. I spent a few hours in the CBD today and 900mhz was flawless. For the first time since I changed this setting, I noticed my reception drop back to GSM, and that was at the back of Coles in the basement under World Square. (those who know Sydney will understand this is basically a big concrete cave

) Speeds have been excellent and no issues making/receiving calls. Exetel sends an SMS if your phone has been unreachable when someone has tried to call you, so I would know if I'm dropping out of coverage or the phone is playing up.

I'll be flying to Melbourne in about 2 weeks, and the Gold Coast about 2 weeks after that, so I will be able to report back with some feedback on how I go in both of those cities too

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtma

Supposedly the menu is meant to be under *#*#7378423#*#* which might work for other phones but not for the defy in my situation.

ED- oh the menu that does exist on my phone is *#*#4636#*#* but that won't let me do what you need for this to work here.

Useful to know! The 4636 code also works on the HTC Magic, but appears to be more for reporting statistics than editing settings.

Manusdei · 31st July 2012, 8:40 AM

I've had issues with my S2, up in Darwin, with Optus, and have tried some thing similiar to this, but not in the service menu. I found on android 4.0 that I could change this setting, but if i changed it from automatic, my reception was very patchy. I've now sent the phone away for warranty as instructed by the optus help desk, 3 times, so hopefully ill be able to get out of the contract, as I've now got an S3 on the only network that works reasonably well up here, Telstra.

randomman · 31st July 2012, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtma

Out of interest how is the 900MHz coverage in suburban areas? From what I recall, there's only a very limited 900MHz deployment in the urban areas particularly, but that might have changed.

The number of 900MHz towers would be limited compared to 2100MHz, but 900MHz has a greater range and penetrating capability.

I'm finding poor reception in arcades and underground areas on 900MHz, I figure this is because all the pico-repeaters (and the like) will be using 2100MHz. Anyone know if instead of disabling 2100MHz you can just prioritise 900MHz?

kraniX · 31st July 2012, 1:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randomman

The number of 900MHz towers would be limited compared to 2100MHz, but 900MHz has a greater range and penetrating capability.

At least where I live (Strathfield, NSW) there are actually a few 900mhz-only towers. (e.g. this one) From inside my house with my phone set to 900mhz only, this is the UMTS Neighbouring Cell readout I get:

30th July 2012, 2:23 PM	#9
randomman Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: WA Posts: 4,678	On a stock S3 with Virgin in Perth CBD, I went from 1 bar to full bars. It appeared a lot slower initially but now it seems a lot faster. I was also getting 1 bar at home so hopefully this fixes that too. Thanks OP! On the S3 it's: Code: #197329640# One thing to note is that I believe 900 may consume your battery life quicker than 2100. Or is it the opposite!? This is why I stayed away from Electrical/Telecomms Engineering and stuff like that in IT. Last edited by randomman; 30th July 2012 at 2:31 PM.*

30th July 2012, 11:56 PM	#11
mtma Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2,597	Well the codes don't work on my Motorola defy that's been flashed with CM10 on it, neither the older one or the newer one does. I do recall opening a service menu back on Eclair but I never saw a function that allowed me to fiddle with which carrier frequencies were enabled or preferred though. Out of interest how is the 900MHz coverage in suburban areas? From what I recall, there's only a very limited 900MHz deployment in the urban areas particularly, but that might have changed. Supposedly the menu is meant to be under ##7378423## which might work for other phones but not for the defy in my situation. ED- oh the menu that does exist on my phone is ##4636## but that won't let me do what you need for this to work here. Last edited by mtma; 31st July 2012 at 12:05 AM.

24th July 2012, 11:49 PM	#1
kraniX Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Strathfield, NSW Posts: 502	[HOW TO] Improve Optus reception/internet speed on Samsung SGS/SGS2/SGS3 Note: This guide may work for other phones so even if you don't have a SGS/SGS2/SGS3, please feel free to give it a try. I've recently found that disabling the UMTS 2100 frequency and thereby forcing my phone to use UMTS 900 has solved some poor 3G reception issues I've had inside my home and also greatly improved internet throughput both inside and outside the home. My carrier is Exetel (who use the Optus network) so I'm confident this will work not only for Optus customers but also their resellers'. I've tested this theory for 2 weeks now on both an SGS and SGS2 and have had nothing but positive results. I've tried to enter the code on a HTC Magic and it hasn't brought up the service menu, so I'm not sure how much success non-Samsung users will have. I really enjoy the consistent reception, but speed-wise there has also been a significant improvement. On my SGS2, these are the results I get for 900 (left) vs "Automatic" which seems to prefer 2100 (right, ignore last result). 　 The steps below have worked without problems for me, and I strongly doubt you will have issues if you follow them exactly, but as a blanket disclaimer I take no responsibility if you damage your phone. 1. Open the dialer, enter either of the the following codes and you should be presented with a service menu. (Confirmed working on SGS/SGS2) Code: ##197328640## OR (Confirmed working on SGS2/SGS3) Code: #197328640# 2. Once the service menu is open, select the following menu options Code: [1] DEBUG SCREEN -[8] PHONE CONTROL --[7] NETWORK CONTROL ---[2] BAND SELECTION ----[2] WCDMA BAND -----[4] WCDMA 900 (FDD VIII) ------Select WCDMA_W900 Only [] 3. (Optional) Once you have selected the 900 band, you can go back to the BAND SELECTION level and select COMBINATION BANDS. Here you can enable GSM 900 also, to act as a your fall-back should you not have 3G reception. And that's all there is to it. Do some speed tests and see whether you've seen an improvement. Please post with feedback too! Last edited by kraniX; 2nd August 2012 at 4:48 PM. Reason: added second code*

29th July 2012, 11:59 PM	#2
ssnke Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sydney 2770 Posts: 397	I've been generally annoyed dissappointed with my service.. Virgin (optus). But I accept it since i'm paying a quarter of the price I would pay compared to Telstra... (And vodafail is worse.. I will be changning my work number to Telstra...) I'll give this tip a go, I had to just use *#197328640# to bring up the service menu. Thanks for the guide!

30th July 2012, 1:07 PM	#7
BBITS Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Brisbane Southside Posts: 605	i verbalised what you said to do wrongly thats all its a Galaxy S II so its all the same as yours

31st July 2012, 8:40 AM	#13
Manusdei Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Darwin... Posts: 223	I've had issues with my S2, up in Darwin, with Optus, and have tried some thing similiar to this, but not in the service menu. I found on android 4.0 that I could change this setting, but if i changed it from automatic, my reception was very patchy. I've now sent the phone away for warranty as instructed by the optus help desk, 3 times, so hopefully ill be able to get out of the contract, as I've now got an S3 on the only network that works reasonably well up here, Telstra.