Switch off "3G Capability" Disabled after upgrade to OS6.1

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NKSMAC Author

Level 1

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Switch off "3G Capability" Disabled after upgrade to OS6.1

Hello,

Have you noticed that the option to disable cellular data in 3G has been dissapeared?

This a major drawback:

- Battery will be drained much faster

- The phone will rarely camp on 2G since most operators are "promoting" 3G network even in suboptimal coverage. The battery will run off even faster.

- Drop calls will be more frequent

- Worse voice performance

- Even if one switches data off the phone will still camp on 3G consuming battery resources at no reason

How can you bring back the option to switch to 2G only (with EDGE data capability)?

Thanks

Posted on Feb 1, 2013 11:20 AM

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Answer 1

KiltedTim

Level 10

224,652 points

Feb 1, 2013 11:44 AM in response to NKSMAC

The presence of that switch is up to the carrier you are using. Many carriers are in the process of shutting down their 2G (EDGE) networks entirely. That's the reason the option was removed on AT&T phones in the US for example.

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Answer 2

NKSMAC Author

Level 1

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Feb 1, 2013 12:24 PM in response to KiltedTim

I have the impression that this is a universal setting on the iphone firmware and that it is irrelevant to the operator's network plans. However I also share the same view about operators shutting down their 2G (EDGE) networks entirely.

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Answer 3

KiltedTim

Level 10

224,652 points

Feb 1, 2013 12:50 PM in response to NKSMAC

From the manual for iOS 6.1, page 135 (emphasis mine):

http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/iphone_user_guide.pdf

• Enable or disable 3G: Using 3G loads Internet data faster in some cases, but may decrease

battery performance. If you’re making a lot of phone calls, you may want to turn 3G off to

extend battery life. This option is not available in all areas.

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Answer 4

NKSMAC Author

Level 1

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Feb 1, 2013 12:59 PM in response to KiltedTim

Yes exactly and that was true up to iOS 6.0.2. However after I have upgraded to iOS6.1 the option to "turn off" 3G is no more there. It has been replaced with LTE (on or off) and the phone is permanently camped on 3G.

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Answer 5

Feb 1, 2013 1:00 PM in response to KiltedTim

Same operator, same area. My iPhone 5 has "Disable LTE", the iPhone 4s of my friends have "Disable 3G".

I think that Apple should simply use the toggle of the iPhone 5 to switch off "3G+LTE" and not just LTE.

I'm in Italy, and I think that we are not leaving 2G cause the signal would result incredibly poor in many areas...

Andrea

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Answer 6

NKSMAC Author

Level 1

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Feb 1, 2013 1:14 PM in response to Andrea.sp

Good suggestion Andrea but I'm afraid that it is not only Apple's decision to remove the option in iphone5. I just hope that they will bring it back in the way you are suggesting! A user should not care much if data is served from 3G or LTE. We just want the capability to use 2G as well. Hope they will do it soon.

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