 HanSooloo
join:2009-11-09
Herndon, VA
|  Auto disconnect on Skype call over 3G
My theory is that at&t is employing deep packet inspection (DPI) to detect the presence of certain types of data streams and using that to trigger a GSM disconnect, having the tower forcefully reset the connection.
Can others using at&t and Skype over 3G confirm this, especially around the metropolitan DC area?
And all of this happening *after* big fanfare and press releases saying that they support VOIP ... come on, be upfront at&t, what is *really* going on? | |
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 | GhostDoggy
join:2005-05-11
Duluth, GA | Re: Auto disconnect on Skype call over 3G I may be missing something, but GSM isn't 3G. How is initiating a Skype conversation on 3G affected by a 2G network disconnection? | |
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djrobx
join:2000-05-31
Valencia, CA | Re: Auto disconnect on Skype call over 3G But isn't AT&T's 3G WCDMA? | |
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tiger72
SexaT duorP
Premium
join:2001-03-28
Saint Louis, MO
clubs: | Re: Auto disconnect on Skype call over 3G indeed. 2GSM and UMTS are quite different. | |
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| | | | | Markie
join:2003-07-26
Kalispell, MT
| Re: Auto disconnect on Skype call over 3G Wrong, he was right. AT&T's 3G is WCDMA (now called UMTS to reduce confusion). This is based on the GSM MAP core network and is called "3GSM" in marketing.
However, GSM on it's own (not 3GSM or UMTS) refers to 2G GSM.
The confusion is because at first GSM was the name of a specific technology. Then it became a marketing term for the family of technologies in line to replace it (WCDMA/UMTS/HSPA, and then LTE).
Also, CDMA means Code Division Multiple Access. It's a way of multiplexing users, not a technology. WCDMA means Wideband CDMA. UMTS (WCDMA) channels are 5MHz wide (compared to the 1.25MHz of Qualcomm CDMA2000 1X).
However, since it was first to use it, CDMA also refers to the Qualcomm CDMA family of technologies (Qualcomm cdmaOne and Qualcomm CDMA2000).
Confusing, I know... | |
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| | | innoman
-
Premium
join:2002-05-07
Raleigh, NC
clubs:
 ·VoicePulse
| MxxCon, what are are saying does not make sense...
GSM is a type of 2G network, it is not 3G. AT&T uses W-CDMA (Wide Band CDMA) for their UMTS Network (which is 3G). If you say that it is a GSM network, you are saying that it is 2G, there is no way to separate that. Technically, I guess you could consider that as a 1G as well if you take out some of the newer enhancements (GPRS/EDGE, etc...). You can not call a GSM network a 3G network, it simply isn't.
CDMA is slightly different as it is a protocol that is not just used in mobile phone networks but also various other types radio networks. When we refer to what Verizon and wireless companies use, we are saying CDMA but what we mean is CDMA1X, CDMA2000, etc... | |
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| | | | | Markie
join:2003-07-26
Kalispell, MT
| Re: Auto disconnect on Skype call over 3G Grrr... no. I dunno why people have such short memories.
First generation - analog
Second generation - digital (GSM, IS-136, cdmaOne)
Third generation - digital with high speed data (UMTS, CDMA2000 1xEVDO)
EDGE was a "near-3G data speed" bolt on to GSM. CDMA2000 1xRTT was a capacity improvement and "near-3G data speed" revision to cdmaOne. These technologies are often referred to as 2.5G or 2.75G to distinguish them, but they're still 2G... | |
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wifi4milez
Big Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace
join:2004-08-07
New York, NY
 ·Verizon FIOS
 ·Sprint Mobile Broa..
 ·RoadRunner Cable
·BroadVoice
2 edits | Re: Auto disconnect on Skype call over 3G said by Markie  :Grrr... no. I dunno why people have such short memories. First generation - analog Second generation - digital (GSM, IS-136, cdmaOne) Third generation - digital with high speed data (UMTS, CDMA2000 1xEVDO) Your information/analysis is not entirely correct. GSM was always digital, there were no analog GSM handsets like we had here in the US. This discussion is about GSM specifically, and as such the original implemenation of GSM (not to be confused with the data overlay GPRS or even) was a 1st generation service.
Now, if you trying to compare GSM to AMPS then your analogy is correct as AMPS was an analog service. In that regard the designation of GSM as a 2G network (not service) is appropriate.
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"If it's to be a bloodbath, let it be now. Appeasement is not the answer."
-Ronald Reagan-
»www.theadvocates.org/quizp/index.html
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| | | | | | | Chaldo
join:2008-03-18
West Bloomfield, MI
| Re: Auto disconnect on Skype call over 3G GSM- 2G
GSM- Voice Only
GPRS- Voice, and Data
edge- Voice, no data being used
EDGE- Voice, faster data then GPRS
Then 3G(WCDMA)
UMTS- will show up on a phone as 3G means VOICE, and DATA both available ( you can use it simultaneously)
HSPA= high speed packet access, basically you can take UMTS+HSPA and make the download speeds go from 3.6 to 7.2 to 21mbps if you keep upgrading.
CDMA- 2G
1x- Voice no Data
1X- Voice, Data available
EV/EVDO- DATA
If you are using a Verizon phone, and have EV then 1X available, if you make a call it will drop the EV and go to 1x because EV does not support simultaneous voice/ and data, nor does 1X.
I hope I didn't confuse a lot of you. | |
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| | | | | | | | Chaldo
join:2008-03-18
West Bloomfield, MI
| Re: Auto disconnect on Skype call over 3G Also EVDO- 3G, but UMTS/HSPA can still beat its speeds because of the HSPA upgrades. EVDO is stuck at around 3.2 mbps I believe. That is why Verizon is hurrying up to deploy 4G because it is basically stuck right now, and AT&T/T-Mobile can still sit on 3G because they can upgrade it. | |
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| | HanSooloo
join:2009-11-09
Herndon, VA
| on the iPhone the 2G and the 3G connections can be on at the same time; and they can be both voice and data at the same time.
what is happening is that the radio connection is being reset; as if i totally lost connection and the phone tries to re-establish connection (not voice or data, but basic RF level connectivity) | |
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No Wrong
@bellsouth.net
| Re: Auto disconnect on Skype call over 3G That is a incorrect statement. The function of Voice and Data at the same time is specific to UMTS or WCDMA networks. It's called a multi RAB connection or Multiple Radio Bearrers. At no time does any 3G device connect to both GSM and UMTS at the same time. You would need multiple Receivers and Transmitters in the UE to accomplishment this. | |
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| Landin_CH
join:2003-02-04
Fredericksburg, VA
·Cingular Wireless
 ·Cavalier Telephone
1 edit | Used Skype on my AT&T GSM connections in Florida and D.C. to chat with my daughter at Dyess AFB, Abedeen TX without issues other than low-frame stuttering. In fact, my 3-bar 3G Florida connections worked better than my 4-bar 3G connections in the Nation's Capitol. Chris. | |
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ual
@bellsouth.net | Only on a tech forum would more people discuss if you should use the term "3G connection" instead of "GSM" rather than the main point of your post - that being does anybody else have their connection drop the moment they try to use Skype? | |
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tiger72
SexaT duorP
Premium
join:2001-03-28
Saint Louis, MO
clubs:
·T-Mobile US
·RoadRunner Cable
1 edit | Re: Auto disconnect on Skype call over 3G said by ual :
Only on a tech forum would more people discuss if you should use the term "3G connection" instead of "GSM" rather than the main point of your post - that being does anybody else have their connection drop the moment they try to use Skype?
That's probably because only on a tech forum would they know there's a significant difference between the two, and depending on which connection is used, and what precisely is happening, the problem can be solved in different ways.
A UMTS network handles calls and data differently than a GSM network handles calls and data, which is still different than how a CDMA network handles calls and data. The way towers hand off information is different. The fact that, unlike CDMA's "2g" and "3g" implementation's which are basically just bolt-ons for the same network, GSM and UMTS are functionally different networks using different air interfaces, etc.. and thus their cooperation is more complex and quite a bit different than how CDMA would handle the OP's situation.
All of this (and much, much more) can contribute to someone misdiagnosing an issue as some kind of packet-inspection, when in reality it could just be a faulty tower/phone/application setup which is knocking data from 3g to 2g mid-call.
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"What makes us omniscient? Have we a record of omniscience? ...If we can't persuade nations with comparable values of the merit of our cause, we'd better reexamine our reasoning."
-United States Secretary of Defense (1961-1968) Robert S. McNamara | |
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NeoandGeo
join:2003-05-10
Harrison, TN | . Anything to protect the unnecessary charges for voice. | |
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dellsweig
Extreme Aerobatics
Premium,MVM
join:2003-12-10
Campbell Hall, NY | Vonage over 3G working fine My Vonage works fine over 3G. My phone is jalbroken and running 3gunrestrictor. In addition, I have backgrounder enabled for the vonage app so calls do not get interrupted by sms or incoming ATT calls. | |
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Vchat20
Landing is the REAL challenge
join:2003-09-16
Warren, OH
clubs:
| Re: Vonage over 3G working fine But does it use VoIP though? As I recall Vonage's mobile apps both iPhone, Blackberry, and others, all just act as simple callback systems so it's just using your normal voice minutes still but you are passing via PSTN to their network and then whoever you are attempting to call.
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I swear, some people should have pace-makers installed to free up the resources. Breathing and heart beat taxes their whole system, all of their brain cells wasted on life support.-two bit brains, and the second bit is wasted on parity! ~head_spaz | |
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bender
Bite my shiny metal ass
Premium
join:2005-03-19
Evanston, IL
clubs: | Re: Vonage over 3G working fine you sir, are my hero. | |
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ropeguru
Premium
join:2001-01-25
Bridgeport, WV
clubs: | My Droid... Is working great with a free VoIP application. I do have some quality issues but that is due to my coverage area and not VoIP being hindered. | |
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djrobx
join:2000-05-31
Valencia, CA | Re: My Droid... But I thought Verizon's coverage was perfect?
/s 
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AT&T U-Hearse
Your funeral. Delivered.
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Z80
1 point 77
Premium
join:2009-08-31
Amerika | They said they have a Map for That. | |
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See 47 replies to this post |
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HanSooloo
join:2009-11-09
Herndon, VA | With Skype? Good data points. It would be great if someone with Skype can test the theory above. Would be interesting to compare with other people's experiences. | |
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| HanSooloo
join:2009-11-09
Herndon, VA | Re: With Skype? apparently, this behavior is not seen at *every location*. trying it at work, a few miles away from home, and my connection is still up.
still interested in others' experiences... | |
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k1ll3rdr4g0n
join:2005-03-19
Homer Glen, IL
| Spinning wheels quote:
"It's worth noting that we already allowed VoIP apps on other wireless devices,"
Wait, you never DISALLOWED VoIP on other wireless devices to begin with. I could Skype over 3G even before the iPhone. | |
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Tommy Tech
@sbcglobal.net
| To MR AT&T And Mr Apple Stop playing games
if you are not letting us using Skype over 3G.
special Message to AT&T
we will be moving to T-Mobile $79
everything unlimited call text web.
why i am paying $110 ( AT&T), if i am note using skype over 3G
Special Message to Apple
new device will be soon in the market and you will feel really bad. ( sorry Mr steve ) | |
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yabos
join:2003-02-16
Ingersoll, ON
| I don't remember a Skype update I don't remember ever getting any Skype update lately to enable VOIP on the cell network. Skype disables it in their app so I don't see why anyone would expect this to work yet. There's nothing AT&T is doing to block Skype. The only way it could get into the App Store previously was to disable VOIP over the cell network. | |
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Cowardly
@CMU.EDU
| VOIP: A retrograde step Abandoning the perfected circuit switched PSTN for "best effort" protocol-based telephony seems like a huge step backwards. Cell phone providers are already having difficulty maintaining QOS for data connections. Do we really want to entrust our telephony to their data networks? | |
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hellenpage
join:2009-11-10
San Jose, CA | office phone system Anyone can be successful in the business industry with the help of a good office phone system. VOIP is one application you can rely on. | |
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axiomatic
join:2006-08-23
Tomball, TX
| I stopped waiting too I gave up on AT&T doing the right thing and jailbroke my phone recently as well so I could use Skype and Slingplayer the way they are supposed to work without AT&T's anti-competitive meddling.
It's like a new phone again. I'm enjoying my iphone again whereas before I jailbroke it the iphone was a constant reminder to me of how unsatisfied I was (still am) with AT&T.
At least I feel like I'm in control of things again. That's a big bonus. | |
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VoIP Over 3G Still Not Working For iPhone
