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Nokia N95 switches from 3G to GSM during a call
I would like to report a certain behaviour of my N95 that I'm not sure whether to class as a problem or as a 'feature' of the handset or of the network.
In about 85% of the cases, when I am on a call the phone switches from 3G mode to GSM whilst in the middle of the call.
First time I realised it was when I saw the GSM icon as I hang up the call, instead of the 3G icon.
After the call has finished, the phone reverts back to 3G mode.
It does this in areas with full 3G signal (indeed all 7 bars of it) where I'm standing still, and it does it in about 90% of all the calls I make or receive. Obviously it also does it in areas with less strong 3G signal and/or when I'm moving, I just want to stress the above fact.
Furthermore, I've noticed the switch can happen after one to two minutes into the call, although sometimes I can get through a two- to three-minute call without switching to GSM.
At first glance, this 'feature' is welcome, as it means most of my call is on GSM and thus comsumes less energy, so the battery will last longer.
But the problems with this 'feature' are that if there are any active 3G connections at the time of this in-call switch, these connections are dropped.
For example, I usually have VoIP over 3G enabled, and the VoIP service disconnects when the switch happens.
Also, if I'm on a call that has switched to GSM and want to email a picture to that person at the same time, it becomes impossible as the phone (or the network?) cannot support a GPRS/EDGE connection at the same time as the call (it is only possible with 3G).
I'm posting this as a question, as this isn't a problem per se, not something that is really spoiling the fun of using this handset... It's only causing minor inconvenience, but my real intention is to find out whether it's my handset's quirk, whether it's my network's funny behaviour (O2 in the UK) or if it's just how the N95 works.
Any input and ideas will be appreciated.
In about 85% of the cases, when I am on a call the phone switches from 3G mode to GSM whilst in the middle of the call.
First time I realised it was when I saw the GSM icon as I hang up the call, instead of the 3G icon.
After the call has finished, the phone reverts back to 3G mode.
It does this in areas with full 3G signal (indeed all 7 bars of it) where I'm standing still, and it does it in about 90% of all the calls I make or receive. Obviously it also does it in areas with less strong 3G signal and/or when I'm moving, I just want to stress the above fact.
Furthermore, I've noticed the switch can happen after one to two minutes into the call, although sometimes I can get through a two- to three-minute call without switching to GSM.
At first glance, this 'feature' is welcome, as it means most of my call is on GSM and thus comsumes less energy, so the battery will last longer.
But the problems with this 'feature' are that if there are any active 3G connections at the time of this in-call switch, these connections are dropped.
For example, I usually have VoIP over 3G enabled, and the VoIP service disconnects when the switch happens.
Also, if I'm on a call that has switched to GSM and want to email a picture to that person at the same time, it becomes impossible as the phone (or the network?) cannot support a GPRS/EDGE connection at the same time as the call (it is only possible with 3G).
I'm posting this as a question, as this isn't a problem per se, not something that is really spoiling the fun of using this handset... It's only causing minor inconvenience, but my real intention is to find out whether it's my handset's quirk, whether it's my network's funny behaviour (O2 in the UK) or if it's just how the N95 works.
Any input and ideas will be appreciated.
I’m confused, interested
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Inappropriate?I find your post interesting. You stated "any active 3G connections at the time of this in-call switch, these connections are dropped". Does your display screen say"connection error"? I have similar problems with my N95-3. I am on an At&t network in the United States. The problem is not with my carrier because I don't have these issues with my other 3G phones. Thanks for any info.1 Comment
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This answers the question
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Hi Daniel,
no it doesn't say anything, the data connections are dropped on the switchover simply because GSM cannot have an active data connection at the same time as a voice call.
So, for example, having the VoIP function of the phone enabled over 3G, what I see when it switches to GSM is the GSM antenna symbol appear in place of the 3G symbol, underneith it the connection symbol changes to the one that means 'connection on hold' and the VoIP symbol disappears.
I am on the O2 network in the UK, and I had this issue with my previous N95 that resulted faulty (for a totally unrelated issue) and ended up being sent for replacement. So that's two N95-1's I've had this with, but all on the same network. -
Inappropriate?Further info on this issue:
It seems the handset switches to GSM only when the other calling party is on GSM (or a landline), but stays on 3G if the other party is also using a 3G network and phone.
I just had a phone call from a friend who I know uses a 3G phone on a 3G network, and for the whole 18 minutes of the call my N95 stayed on 3G mode. However, as mentioned above, it seems to always switch to GSM about 1 to 2 minutes into a call when I ring a landline.
If this is the case, this must be an undocumented, but very clever, feature of this handset, as it should noticeably increase battery life!
