TearAbite
join:2001-07-25
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
1 edit |  [iPhone] EDGE vs 3G for Voice
the differences between EDGE and 3G for data are obvious, but what, if any advantages are their to using 3G for voice? |
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Thinkdiff
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-07
Bronx, NY
| said by TearAbite  :the differences between EDGE and 3G for voice are obvious, but what, if any advantages are their to using 3G for voice? Is this some kind of philosophical question? 
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joeybee
Joey
Premium
join:2003-08-12
Hamilton, ON
clubs: | reply to TearAbite
More bandwidth less compression. |
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motoracer
join:2003-09-15
Valencia, CA
 ·VOIPo
 ·AT&T DSL Service
| reply to TearAbite
said by TearAbite :the differences between EDGE and 3G for voice are obvious, but what, if any advantages are their to using 3G for voice? I believe you meant the difference between edge and 3G are obvious for data.
As far as for voice, 3G seems to drop calls more often. |
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WALL_E
Premium
join:2003-05-28
USA
1 edit | reply to TearAbite
When the iPhone is connected to the EDGE network, data and voice communications cannot occur at the same time. So, if you are using a radio streaming app, you will not receive a phone call.
With 3G, on the other hand, data and voice can be transmitted simultaneously, so you will receive a call during data usage.
Also, just from my observable experience, it seems like EDGE is better able to penetrate buildings. There are locations were I receive full 3G signal outside, but must use EDGE inside in order to maintain a signal (the transition is handled automatically).
EDIT: Note also that 3G uses more power than EDGE. If battery life is your primary concern and you do not plan on using the data connection for a period of time, you may want to disable 3G and force your phone to use EDGE to eak out as much time from the battery as possible.
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TearAbite
join:2001-07-25
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | reply to TearAbite
Thanks, that explains it..
and yes, i meant "data".. it was late.. |
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grazed
join:2006-10-15
Havertown, PA | reply to TearAbite
There is no difference. Your voice traffic is not going through the fat 3g pipe. Thus why you can stream data and talk at the same time. Depending on the phone, voice is going over Edge or GPRS. |
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JoeG4
join:2001-12-16
945941
·AT&T DSL Service
 ·Comcast
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| reply to TearAbite
If you're in data mode on EDGE you should still be getting phone calls, you obviously won't be able to use the internet while talking on the phone, but the calls should still come in.
From experience, though it seems that would only happen most/some of the time on my Motorola phones, and those were (generally) very reliable phones (web browser nonwithstanding!) Here we are talking about phones that run OS X iPhone - I love Apple but I also know the company like the back of my hand, this is the same iPhone using the same software as my iPod Touch that reports 1 bar of signal sitting next to my router but 4 bars sitting outside the house!
A first gen iPhone is probably not nearly as reliable as a 3G one, and a 3G one on EDGE? I have nothing to say lol. |
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ilikeme
I live in a van down by the river.
Premium
join:2002-08-27
Houston, TX
clubs:  | reply to TearAbite
I stream music from pandora thru my car stereo with my iPhone and even in EDGE areas I still get calls, it just stops the music. |
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PhoenixDown
-- Wants FIOS
Premium
join:2003-06-08
Fresh Meadows, NY
clubs:
| For what its worth, I had the original iphone (edge) for just shy of two years and upgraded last week to the 3GS. It seems I get better voice and data penetration and reception with the 3GS. Its a little too early for me to tell just yet but I haven't had any dropped calls yet either. It was infrequent on the original iphone but it happened enough that I noticed.
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~ Insert a Funny Sig Here ~ |
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djrobx
join:2000-05-31
Valencia, CA
·PHONE POWER
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·RoadRunner Cable
| reply to grazed
quote:
There is no difference. Your voice traffic is not going through the fat 3g pipe.
False - On AT&T, if you're in 3G mode you're using the 3G network for voice calls. The phone cannot be in both modes at the same time. 3G utilizes less compression for better voice quality. AT&T is in the process of moving 3G to the 850mhz band, which should help with building penetration and dropped call issues.
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AT&T U-Hearse
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grazed
join:2006-10-15
Havertown, PA | I'm almost positive you're wrong. I've never heard of them moving off of edge. A link with proof would be nice. |
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scots
Can we have Twinkies?
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Raleigh, NC
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1 edit | said by grazed :I'm almost positive you're wrong. I've never heard of them moving off of edge. A link with proof would be nice. They're not moving off of EDGE yet, and I don't see where anyone here has said that was happening. They're starting to add 3G to the 850MHz band in some areas to allow better building penetration with 3G. |
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obeythelaw
Premium
join:2003-04-16
Bayonne, NJ
 ·DIRECTV
| reply to PhoenixDown
said by PhoenixDown :For what its worth, I had the original iphone (edge) for just shy of two years and upgraded last week to the 3GS. It seems I get better voice and data penetration and reception with the 3GS. Its a little too early for me to tell just yet but I haven't had any dropped calls yet either. It was infrequent on the original iphone but it happened enough that I noticed. I've noticed that where I am on Edge with my first gen iphone, my girlfriend who has the 3GS gets better reception than I do in the same building (that is, in the same exact spot). So I think 3G is better for overall signal and reception than EDGE. |
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a333
A hot cup of integrals please
join:2007-06-12
Rego Park, NY | reply to grazed
Here ya go...
»AT&T's 2G Customers See A Downgrade
Cheers,
a333 |
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PhoenixDown
-- Wants FIOS
Premium
join:2003-06-08
Fresh Meadows, NY
clubs:
| My personal comparison wasn't impacted by that if that actually took place in my area.
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~ Insert a Funny Sig Here ~ |
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trparky
Bite My Shiny Metal Ass
Premium,MVM
join:2000-05-24
Cleveland, OH
clubs: | Even though I have a 3GS I still use EDGE for both phone and data. I find that EDGE is good enough for data.
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Tom |
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Nemokrad
join:2002-04-24
Miami, FL
| reply to WALL_E
said by WALL_E :Also, just from my observable experience, it seems like EDGE is better able to penetrate buildings. There are locations were I receive full 3G signal outside, but must use EDGE inside in order to maintain a signal (the transition is handled automatically). I just switched from a 2G iPhone to the 3GS and now I keep almost full signal in the elevator of my office building, whereas before with EDGE it would completely die off with no service.
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"Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because if there be one he must approve of the homage of reason more than that of blindfolded fear." -- Thomas Jefferson
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iLive4Apple
Hybrid power
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join:2006-07-13
Helena, AL
·Verizon BroadbandA..
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| reply to TearAbite
Up until now the 3G network was better for calls because AFAIK AT&T doesn't use the AMR-HR codec on W-CDMA, which is the Half rate crap codec widely used on the GSM network to increase capacity by 50%. And another advantage is if the network is properly deployed it shouldn't handover to GSM therefore you should always have soft handoff's. Of course with the new supposed N-SET being put into place, calls will not automatically go through 3G for most phones.
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I get 29 MPG in my Toyota Highlander Hybrid! |
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