Strange symbol in status bar: AT&T network

[Zerozal]

Have any of you seen this symbol in the status bar, or know what it means? I'm on AT&T and have seen "E" for Edge, 3G, 4G, and LTE, but today was the first time I've seen this--looks like an "o". Any ideas?

[jatt559]

Originally Posted by zerozal

have any of you seen this symbol in the status bar, or know what it means? I'm on at&t and have seen "e" for edge, 3g, 4g, and lte, but today was the first time i've seen this--looks like an "o". Any ideas?

gprs

[SandboxGeneral]

It's a step below the Edge network, basically, you have no data connection that is worthwhile.

[jessica.]

That is sad. Where was that at?

[Zerozal]

Ah, GPRS. Thanks, that makes sense. Something must be wonky today, because normally it's 4G. Philly suburbs (Montgomery County PA).

[xraydoc]

Originally Posted by Zerozal

Ah, GPRS. Thanks, that makes sense. Something must be wonky today, because normally it's 4G. Philly suburbs (Montgomery County PA).

Yep. 2G symbol.

[AlphaDogg]

GPRS delivers something like 2kbps. It's useless.

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Originally Posted by xraydoc

Yep. 2G symbol.

Nope, it's actually the G symbol. The 2G symbol is E (for EDGE).

[thejadedmonkey]

Originally Posted by Zerozal

Ah, GPRS. Thanks, that makes sense. Something must be wonky today, because normally it's 4G. Philly suburbs (Montgomery County PA).

I was in Harleysville, and my girlfriend had the same problem this morning (on Verizon), and I noticed that FioS was slow as... high speed cable!

I just chalked it up to Sandy's effects still reverberating in the area. One of my friends down the road didn't get power back until the night of the 4th, so I wouldn't be surprised if some cell towers are still out too.

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Originally Posted by AlphaDogg

GPRS delivers something like 2kbps. It's useless.

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Nope, it's actually the G symbol. The 2G symbol is E (for EDGE).

Edge is also quite capable for playing World of Warcraft on :P

[AlphaDogg]

Originally Posted by thejadedmonkey

Edge is also quite capable for playing World of Warcraft on :P

EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) is pretty good. I used it for a while before I got my 3GS. It was a good day if I was getting 150kbps on that phone

[xraydoc]

Originally Posted by AlphaDogg

GPRS delivers something like 2kbps. It's useless.

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Nope, it's actually the G symbol. The 2G symbol is E (for EDGE).

Edge is a "2.5G" technology. 1G would be voice-only; no data. You can get data on GPRS, though barely at dial-up speeds. At least this is how I understand it.

[AlphaDogg]

Originally Posted by xraydoc

Edge is a "2.5G" technology. 1G would be voice-only; no data. You can get data on GPRS, though barely at dial-up speeds. At least this is how I understand it.

Hmmm my understanding is different than yours. Wikipedia agrees with you. I'd put more energy into researching this if it wasn't 10pm and I still had stuff to do.

[dictoresno]

i dont know why apple decided to us the "o" symbol for 2G. why not just use a "G" or "1X" like every other phone since 2001 has done.

[Nermal]

1xRTT is different from GPRS. Does it use "o" for 1x as well? I can't test it myself; 1x has been eradicated here

[xraydoc]

Originally Posted by Nermal

1xRTT is different from GPRS. Does it use "o" for 1x as well? I can't test it myself; 1x has been eradicated here

It does use "o" for 1xRTT (CDMA). And like GPRS, you can get data on 1xRTT but it's painfully slow.

[stuaz]

A very familiar symbol when I am inside with cruddy O2 (UK).

[hexonxonx]

I get the same thing 24/7 on my 4S on Verizon while I am at home. I basically have to use my 3GS on AT&T to make a call while I am here. 90% of calls drop here on Verizon.

If I don't turn on airplane mode on the 4S while I am at home, the battery will drain in half a day while I have that o.

[mattroman246]

GPRS, fastest of the fast