For those having 3G/WiFi Fall-Over Issues

[N8ter]

From the T-Mobile forum "thesmack" did some testing:

Hello Everyone! I have been frustrated with this issue so I have been doing some testing with multiple firmware releases and reseting the HD7. This is what I have found:


-The firmware updates since the "Internet Sharing" option has been added all have the issue, which includes the latest firmware released this week that fixes the MAC address issues.


-When resetting the phone I no longer have the issues with the WIFI. What I have found is that once you actually turn on the "Internet Sharing" for the first time it must change some settings for the HD7 permenantly. After I enable that setting the WIFI will no longer function properly on my home WIFI. Like earlier stated a phone reset fixed the issue for me.


Having found this out, I suggest if the issue is terrible for you that you reset your phone and never enable the "Internet Sharing" option ever...don't even set it up, as it changes registry settings that effect the WIFI operation. The problem will also carry over between updates, so it's possible we may have to reset our phones even if there is a fix. The issue seems to be a combined problem of both software and hardware. I have not seen the issue reported with any other WP7 device except the HD7.


It is in T-Mobiles interest to get this fix. It's pretty bad when standard features don't work on devices that are exclusive to your service. It makes your product testing look terrible.

So, that may explain some people not having seen the issue. T-Mobile gave us with Unlimited Data plans free tethering so we're more likely to use it compared to AT&T, Verizon, and even Sprint subscribers.

So, if you're having the issue with the phone using 3G over WiFi (basically having to turn off your data connection to get on WiFi), reset your phone and try never using WiFi tethering - ever - to remedy the problem for the immediate future until Microsoft gets a fix out.

The issue persists on too many phone models from almost every OEM, so it can be reliably said it's an OS issue and not issue.

 

[Bearach]

Deleted.

 

[Thuoudo]

After applying the "installing internet connection sharing breaks cellular reliability fix," the Focus runs just fine.

-1 for trying to blame WP for an HD7 problem.

 

[N8ter]

After applying the "installing internet connection sharing breaks cellular reliability fix," the Focus runs just fine.

-1 for trying to blame WP for an HD7 problem.

It's not an HD7 problem.

If you spend 5 seconds on Google you could see that and spare us all the useless responses.

Both T-Mobile and HTC are aware of the issue and both say Microsoft is aware of it and working on a fix. Rumor is the Tango Update is supposed to fix it.

See post below, the Focus has this issue as well so -1 for replying without spending 20 seconds on a Google Query :-(

 

[N8ter]

I've got unlimited data and I use the WiFi sharing all the time to tether my laptop. I've not once had a WiFi issue, or any problem connecting to my WiFi after. I've also not had issues with 3G after using the internet sharing.

If this is indeed an OS issue, then it is a really odd one. I would believe the OS would behave very similar on all the devices, and would exhibit mostly the same behaviour. Until we know more, I'm not sure I can reliably say it's an OS issue.

Person after you would behoove himself to click these as well:

Samsung Focus - Using Data MB while on WiFi - Microsoft Answers

Samsung Focus - 3G and WiFi active at the sametime, using 3G instead - Microsoft Answers

WP7.5 chooses Data connection over Wifi - Microsoft Answers

Really there are like 20 threads I can link and I haven't even touched on the OEM or carrier forums (threads exist at T-Mobile, O2, HTC, Samsung, etc.).

Happens on almost all device types. All OEMs and devices seem represented in this issue. Like I said, if your 3G/LTE connection is fast, you may never notice it... Or maybe you're just lucky cause a lot of people are dealing with this issue.

I wonder if this also has something to do with the fact that my phone cannot send or recieve MMS, either. Everything was working fine until I started using Internet Sharing, but I think I may have to Factory Reset and stop using it because my phone is borderline unusable without WiFi/MMS.

Perhaps this is why T-Mobile is waiting to bring tethering to some of its other Windows Phones that don't currently have it?

 

[Bearach]

Deleted.

 

[N8ter]

I believe you're saying that despite my phone seemingly connected to WiFi its actually using the 3G for data? I will tether my laptop to my phone. Then turn on WiFi to check my connection to the router through statistics and see whether this is the case.

I'm saying that a lot of people experience the issue. I don't know for sure if you are or not, I'm not using your phone. I know for sure mine does it and it's pretty obvious for me since T-Mobile 5 bars of 3G here is 150-250kbps download while my WiFi is like 7mbps download.

And yes, that's what I mean. The phone uses the 3G connection even though the WiFi is turned on and connected to a hotspot. It's as if you're off WiFi.

In fact toggling the data connection on and off is such a terrible usability compromise that the phone mind as well should have come without a WiFi chip in it.

 

[amorenod]

This is no myth, for a few months it has happened on my Optimus 7 as well. The clue was the 300MB speed cap on my "unlimited" data plan. At full speed I get about 2mb, but once the cap kicks in, it slows down to 128kb. Indeed, after the cap starts, wifi is slow, but disabling data connection solves the problem.

I don't know if ICS is the cause, but I've reset my phone just in case. I have no use for ICS, but I've tried it to see how it works. This time I won't look at the option.

I will repport in a month, the data cap reset yesterday.

 

[Bearach]

Deleted.

 

[N8ter]

Yep, a lot of people on low cap data plans are complaining about the issue.

Same IP Address as my Computer (on a Wired connection to the router):

Results:
Lookup IP Address: 108.15.230.13
Lookup Hostname: pool-108-15-230-13.hrbgpa.east.verizon.net

My ISP = Verizon

IP Trace:

Results:
Lookup IP Address: 208.54.40.162
Lookup Hostname: ma22836d0.tmodns.net

Obviously T-Mobile's 3G network.

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I'm up for upgrade in 2 months so I won't have to deal with it too much longer. It's beyond frustrating.

Now that I think of it, the only toggle that Microsoft has published as a Tile in the Marketplace is the Data Connection link. I'm willing to bet they knew about this before we did and put it there as a possible solution to the issue until they figured out how to fix it...

 

[Thuoudo]

See post below, the Focus has this issue as well so -1 for replying without spending 20 seconds on a Google Query :-(

I'm saying that a lot of people experience the issue. I don't know for sure if you are or not, I'm not using your phone.

Sweet, sweet dichotomy.

 

[N8ter]

WorksForMe™ is never a valid rationale for denying an issue exists, which is basically what your reply did.

Never did I say 100% of users experienced the issue, I only said it was a rather common, well-known issue that both my Carrier and OEM [of my phone] acknowledged, and whom Microsoft apparently told they were looking for a resolution for the issue.

Maybe [mis]using big words makes you feel intelligent, but I'm about to start reporting posts: The title of the thread makes that obvious that I'm aware that everyone doesn't experience this issue "FOR THOSE" not "FOR EVERYONE," however the issue clearly exists since I do and so do many others. That's not dichotomy, that's simply rationalizing the facts, which you seem to not be able to do without attempting to bait someone.

This is not a device specific issue, so no matter how hard you try you won't miraculously change the facts of the matter.