3G: do voice calls use the "3G network"? or ...

[DualMonitors]

Out of curiosity, i've been trying to figure this out...

a customer service agent told me that even voice calls for the G1 would use the "3G network", according to her. she further elaborated by saying that "... the way the G1 uses the 3G network is 'smart', in that if a signal needs to penetrate buildings, the 3G network will utlize the lower frequencies, i.e. 800ghz or 900ghz, and if it needs to travel longer distances without physical barriers, it would be smart enough to use the higher frequencies like 1800ghz, as the lower frequencies penetrate buildings/concrete better..."

i thought about it later and it just didn't make sense to me. how would a call know whether it needs to penetrate buildings or not and, as a result, know which frequency to choose? additionally, what would happen to calls in a non-3G network area? would i drop to a 2G/Edge network and STILL, the voicecalls would use the 2G/Edge?

i've always thought that voice calls use a different part of the spectrum/frequency, and the data portion would use either the Edge (if there's no 3G available or on a non 3G compatible device), and would use 3G if it is a 3G device and there is a 3G network available. nonetheless, the voice portion is SEPARATE from that of the data portion.

hope someone is able to clear this up!

thx in advance!

[sivalley]

As far as the 'smart' signal is concerned, the phone's radio is programed to use the lowest transmission power possible. To do this it uses the highest frequency at the lowest power setting possible to maintain contact with the towers. If signal to nose ratio is undesirable, power is increased to maximum permissible for that frequency. If at maximum power for a given frequency the noise level is still too high, it will drop to the next lower frequency and repeat the power ramping until a usable signal is achieved. The reverse happens when you get into a cleared area. The reason for lower frequencies is the physics of radio communications, longer wavelengths(lower frequencies) are less hindered by solid objects(this is why you can hear the bass line from an obnoxious driver from your house but not the treble).

As far as network protocols; 3G, 2G/EDGE, 1G/GPRS, are how the radio communicates with the towers, all three are digital signals weather you are communicating data or voice. This is why you cannot transmit or receive data while you are in a call. (Technically you can, but the packet switching would make the call sound choppy because of the difference in which the voice and data are handled within a given protocol). Again, by default the radio is programed to use the most efficient (ie. newest) protocol possible before going to the next inferior protocol. If you happen to be in a call when you transition between towers that no longer support the upper protocol you are using you may hear popping or clicking in the call as your phone attempts to switch operating modes in mid transmission. Worst case scenario is your call is dropped due to lag between two different tower groups. This phenomenon is rarely, but not never, seen when transiting between two towers on the same network.

In the end it's the tower that dictates how high transmitting power your phone uses and as a result your phone will drain your battery more quickly in low/no signal areas as it futily attempts to maintain contact by transmitting/scanning at full power at its lowest frequency.

[segfault]

As far as the 'smart' signal is concerned, the phone's radio is programed to use the lowest transmission power possible. To do this it uses the highest frequency at the lowest power setting possible to maintain contact with the towers. If signal to nose ratio is undesirable, power is increased to maximum permissible for that frequency. If at maximum power for a given frequency the noise level is still too high, it will drop to the next lower frequency and repeat the power ramping until a usable signal is achieved. The reverse happens when you get into a cleared area. The reason for lower frequencies is the physics of radio communications, longer wavelengths(lower frequencies) are less hindered by solid objects(this is why you can hear the bass line from an obnoxious driver from your house but not the treble).

As far as network protocols; 3G, 2G/EDGE, 1G/GPRS, are how the radio communicates with the towers, all three are digital signals weather you are communicating data or voice. This is why you cannot transmit or receive data while you are in a call. (Technically you can, but the packet switching would make the call sound choppy because of the difference in which the voice and data are handled within a given protocol). Again, by default the radio is programed to use the most efficient (ie. newest) protocol possible before going to the next inferior protocol. If you happen to be in a call when you transition between towers that no longer support the upper protocol you are using you may hear popping or clicking in the call as your phone attempts to switch operating modes in mid transmission. Worst case scenario is your call is dropped due to lag between two different tower groups. This phenomenon is rarely, but not never, seen when transiting between two towers on the same network.

In the end it's the tower that dictates how high transmitting power your phone uses and as a result your phone will drain your battery more quickly in low/no signal areas as it futily attempts to maintain contact by transmitting/scanning at full power at its lowest frequency.

Wow, Sivalley, great first post! very educational. +rep to you friend.