HSDPA on N95 / T-mobile working nicely thanks

[miffed]

Just set the N95 up as a BT modem on the old Macbook

http://www.speedtest.net/result/133966717.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

I am quite pleased with it - certainly seems quick to use :)

[Hands0n]

Ooooh very nice - I'm scared to try mine out on Vodafone! Too damned expensive ....


Edit: Absolutely nothing to do with 3G or HSDPA but http://www.speedtest.net/result/134380414.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

No, that is not a misprint! I just got home from a week's holiday, my replacement Virgin Media cable modem had arrived and that is the first result against the new 20Mbps service ..... Cor :D

[Hands0n]

Just for the record - here's the same speedtest that miffed did but using T-Mobile's standard 3G speeds via a Nokia N93 http://www.speedtest.net/result/134758935.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

The latency is horrible!

[Ben]

Wow, that latency is horrific. :(

[Hands0n]

Yea, its even slower than [as I recall] a terrestrial 128Kbps fibre link from UK to Hong Kong! That used to be in the region of 600ms. I've managed to get a few better latency timings, but not by very much at all.

But its a sight better than 2G speeds/latencies - so for small mercies, until I get my T-Mobile HSDPA phone later this year, I suppose one must be grateful :rolleyes:

[miffed]

Going to sound like a right numpty here .... but what is latency ? :rolleyes:

[Hands0n]

Latency (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lag) mi amigos is the time it takes for a packet of information to travel from source to destination. These days, though, it is expressed as round-trip delay, the time it takes for a packet to hit its destination and return to the point of origin (your pooter).

Generally, humans do not sense latencies of less than 100ms, but can increasingly so as the times extend out. Here I am talking about when using a terminal style communication where each character typed is echoed back from the distant host computer. We tend not to use this kind of technology much these days, everything is much more geared to client-server where the client computer assembles the information and sends it in one lump.

But when latencies start to go over 200ms even these become detectable to the user. An overall sense of sluggishness prevails. And at the 788ms that I was getting, even with 300Kbps speed, the whole experience is reminiscent of the days of 19.2Kbps dial-up modems.

Edit: The Wikipedia explanation is one that I'd subscribe to

[timothythetim]

This is what I get when connected via 3G on tmobile on my N95
http://www.speedtest.net/result/136245544.png (http://www.speedtest.net)
Seems pretty quick.
How do you know if you get the HSDPA jazz?

[miffed]

Well standard 3G is a max of 384kbps - so any quicker and you have to be cooking on HSDPA

One thing I have noticed on the N95 , is that the HSPDA can be a little irratic - if I do three tests in succession ,the results can vary right from below 300kbps to 1100kbps - whereas previously , when I used HSDPA on my spv m3100 , it was far more stable , OK so the speeds may vary , but they showed a little more stability

Not sure if it's an N95 or a Network thing (both devices were used on T-mobile BTW ) , or it could be an HSDPA thing

[Bleubean]

I've just got the N95 on -T-Mobile but im not impressed! The handset resets itself every few minutes. In the 20 minutes ive had it on its reset upwards of 10 times, which eats the battery life.

So thats two different handsets, on two different networks that have the same stupid issues.

Im really considering taking the handset back and asking for a reliable SonyEricsson unless anyone has any suggestions on how to stop it from resetting constantly?

[miffed]

Thats bizarre mate , I have had one on orange (from CPW ) and one on T-mobile , and can honestly say that neither of them has ever reset without being asked - I also have two friends with N95's (both on Orange) - one says he has never had the phone restart itself (but he does turn it off at night anyway ) .... and the other one hasn't texted back yet

I ran Generic new firmware on the first one , and then T-moblie new firmware on the second , the freind that has got back to me has the old firmware

I am sure you must have a faulty one (or two ) there mate

[Hands0n]

I've just got the N95 on -T-Mobile but im not impressed! The handset resets itself every few minutes. In the 20 minutes ive had it on its reset upwards of 10 times, which eats the battery life.

So thats two different handsets, on two different networks that have the same stupid issues.

Im really considering taking the handset back and asking for a reliable SonyEricsson unless anyone has any suggestions on how to stop it from resetting constantly?

Before you give up the ghost completely - have a try at the Nokia Software Updater - you are almost certainly on an early version of the firmware and it is usually rather unstable. The N95 is a solid device generally and you should not have the problems you are experiencing. It does all rather point to early firmware.

Check yours by * gate 0000* (no spaces, gate is the shifted 3 normally - I can't find it on this new keyboard!!) - thats Star Gate Zero Zero Zero Zero Star.

[miffed]

pssst ! Handson

# is "alt" & "3"

[Ben]

pssst ! Handson

# is "alt" & "3"
Bless 'im, he's getting on a bit, y'know! ;)

Definitely try the Nokia Software Updater if you haven't already, Bleubean - you'll need a Windows PC to do it on. My N73 was a nightmare until I updated it, resetting all the damn time.

[Bleubean]

The firmware version on both my handsets isnt the most up todate. I dont have them near me at the moment but i know they are V 10 something something 18. I tried yesterday to update the unbranded O2 N95 but i allegedly have no software available for my handset.

Im loosing all faith in the N95 to be honest. It annoys me more that other people like yourselves have no problems. Yet i get two that reset quite frequently. I dont no if there is anything i can do? Ive done a complete restore on the -T-Mobile handset and the problem is not AS bad, but it still reset whilst i wasnt even touching it.

I dont have much confidence in taking the phone back to the shop to have it replaced because i have a fear that its going to just reoccur.

[Bleubean]

Just a further note, i've just looked at the firmware versions of both handsets.

On the O2 (unbranded variant)
V10.0.018
15-03-2007
RM-159
NOKIA N95 (65.03)

And as for the -T-Mobile handset actually reset when attempting to find out the firmware.

V10.0.018
15-03-2007
RM-159
NOKIA N95 (43.02)

I have no idea what the numbers after the phones title represent?

All help/suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[Ben]

Assuming the problem continues...

...what other handsets would you consider? There aren't a great deal out at the moment that catch my eye! The E65 is stonking, but I don't think T-Mobile do that?

[miffed]

I do know how you feel mate , it is frustrating when all those around you are raving about how great something , but you are having a hell of a time

I honestly do think you have had (a couple ) of rogue devices though

The latest firmware is 11. something or other , and the T-mobile version of this is DEFINATELY on NSU ( I update mine from 10 - 11 )

Surprised the o2 firmware isn't included in the update though .... It is simple enough to flash to a different version , using the NSS app and then NSU , but I understand how daunting a prospect this may be on £400 + handset if you have never used it before

I am truly gutted for you , you should be having a great experience , not getting frustrated just getting the bloody thing to work properly !!

I think your best bet is to take your handset back to T-mobile and make a lot of noise , tell them you want one with the latest firmware - I would be surprised if you'd get a 3rd dodgy device ! and if you do , take it back again

[Bleubean]

just another update, i used my friends windows pc to update the tmobile version and it worked great! The phone has stopped resetting and i'm actually typing this message from the handset itself!

Needless to say i'm one happy T-Mobile-er! Perhaps i should have tried the update in the first place!

I'll keep everyone updated but so far so good! :-)

[miffed]

Excellent news !

TBH I used the old firmware for a day or so with no issues , but it obviously seems to be what was causing your problems

...Now you can finally get around to enjoying the device !

[Hands0n]

I'm glad its working out for you finally. It really is down to that version 10 firmware. I don't know what the mobile firms are doing releasing handsets with that version. My N95 is on Vodafone and it arrived with version 10 and was unstable. Flashed to version 11 solved all the problems. Try and get the O2 handset done also and you'll have a pair of excellent phones. Now go and enjoy, finally :-)

Edit: Sent via N93 while at 70MPH on motorway

[Bleubean]

I have been enjoying having the internet at my fingertips all night!! The Web'N'Walk service is very reliable. I've not had any "Connection lost" or "Page unavailable" which is great.

One slight dissapointment i have is that the built-in IM client from the unbranded version is not included in the -T-Mobile version. Im hoping it could be added in a future firmware update or that -T-Mobile release their own messenger.

Clearly version 10 has some issues, but 11 seems to be much more stable. I've already noticed a remarkable difference in how version 11 manages to handle more applications and tasks than that of version 10.

Another thing that would have been good which manufacturers dont seem to take advantage of is OTA firmware updates! It would be brilliant if you could simply click a button and have bugs and new features added in minutes.....we can only wish i suppose lol.

[Hands0n]

OTA is entirely possible - but you wouldn't want to pay the Data costs on any network other than T-Mobile right now :D Three fare a bit better than the remainder with their X-Series Data tariff, but the rest of the crowd will effectively beat you up for havin the temerity to use their networks for Data.

Give it a few years and we'll see some reasonableness in Data tariffs and then OTA will become the norm, it may be safe to predict :)

[miffed]

One slight dissapointment i have is that the built-in IM client from the unbranded version is not included in the -T-Mobile version. Im hoping it could be added in a future firmware update or that -T-Mobile release their own messenger.




Well if you do want to flash to generic firmware it is very simple - I realise that the phone is new , and therefore it is seen as "risky" but TBH being new is a double edged sword - and you also have the return period to use to your advantage ;)

If you do want to change , there are numerous guides all over t'interweb - if you can't find one check back here

Although - I have had some difficulty when trying to flash "sideways" - not with the N95 , but with the e61 & 6280 - it will not let you change to EARLIER firmware , fair enough - but when you try to flash with the SAME firmware # you currently have ,I have found that 50% of the time I get "Your Firmware is up to date" and no options other than "finish" and the other 50% I get "Your firmware is up to date - you can reinstall it if you want to" {<<< this is the option needed to flash to a different version of the same firmware ! )
Wierd - anyone else notcied this ?

[whatleydude]

I just updated mine to V12 and I get this:


Via VF UK

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

[getti]

Does anyone elses N95 say 3.5G when in a HSDPA location? my pre-release original N95 did not and if it now does this is a big point for me.

Would be on a sim free phone

cheers

[miffed]

No , I used HSDPA on the T-mobile firmare and the Generic , but the was no such indicator

My Ameo, however shows either 3G or H, (or G for 2.5g - this is pretty unusual on T-mobile though ! )

[getti]

That sucks!!

Must be a way to make it happen if vodafone can do it

[getti]

v12 sim free software will show 3.5g I have now been told

[whatleydude]

I would've (maybe should've) told you that myself earlier but I've uber busy at work..

Not checking back here as often - apologies.

But yeah - I upgraded to V12 N95 software..
I've not got a 3.5g icon as well as A-GPS*.

*A-GPS = Assisted GPS. Means I can get it all working much quicker AND from indoors too!

Wooooooooo!

[miffed]

I
*A-GPS = Assisted GPS. Means I can get it all working much quicker AND from indoors too!

Wooooooooo!

A-GPS ... Takes me back to the A920 ! :D