3G signal strengths

[amro]

Before the next firmware update, I thought I'd post my signal strengths and compare to others.

I found that you can get actual dB readings by typing this into your dial pad: *3001#12345#* Tap the actual number to toggle between number and bars.

These are the readings I got:

1-2 bars = -103 to -99 dB
3-5 bars = -93 to -77

Remember a smaller negative number is actually an increase in signal strength. And an increase of 3db (eg -103 to -100) would roughly be a doubling of signal strength or power received at the antenna. The readings I show are very rough and should be taken as an approximation.

BTW, I'm one of the few or many (depending on how you look at it) that is very very happy with my toy. It's white, has no cracks and syncs in less than 5 min. Never a phone a crash, but a few apps crash. Oh, and MobileMe pushes perfectly.

 

[Enlite]

Well first time giving it a shot, and amazingly when I was trying it, couldn't even maintain a freaking 3g signal. Switched over to Edge. -83 for Edge, but like that matters much.

 

[Sirobin]

Right now I'm at -101

 

[amro]

How many bars did you get at -101? You should have seen anywhere from 1-2.

Remember, you can toggle between bars and numbers just by touching the actual signal strength number.

 

[Sirobin]

Yeah, I'm at two bars right now.

 

[Slovak]

The numbers jump around, but mostly stay at -97. Every once in a while I will get a -99, maybe -103. Then back to -97.

 

[ntrigue]

I travel from Carmel to Monterey to Watsonville to Santa Cruz and needless to say AT&T really did wonderful things for 3G this week!

Last week I had almost no Edge at my house now I'm -95 on 3G.

 

[Ntombi]

-95 to -101 and I'm going between 2-3 bars.

 

[Sirobin]

I travel from Carmel to Monterey to Watsonville to Santa Cruz and needless to say AT&T really did wonderful things for 3G this week!

Last week I had almost no Edge at my house now I'm -95 on 3G.

Haha, I'll say! I was so surprised when I looked at my phone last week, and saw five bars of 3G. I wasn't expecting 3G in Santa Cruz for a while...

 

[sparkyms]

It doesn't show me, what am I doing wrong?

(am I meant to tap call or...??)

 

[fishmoose]

I get -81 in Sweden, Gävle with Telia full bars on 3G in a building but at home i don't have that much, only like 1-2 bars

 

[^0^eddiE]

mine gets -79 with 5 bars at home in Macau, China. The carrier here is pretty good, i constantly get between 4-5 bars no matter where i m.

 

[sparkyms]

nvm found it

 

[citrate]

-63 with 5 bars (UK).

 

[imac9556]

Hey guys, I have a weird problem. I cannot the get field test mode reading to go away from my iPhone. I did the *3001#12345# and my "bars" turned to a db reading (-63, etc)
someone said you can leave the reading on the phone by holding the home button down to force quit the test mode...it worked, but now I cannot get rid of it. I tried shutting down and restarting the phone, opening field test mode and quitting again, but it is stuck. Anyone got a suggestion?
Thanks, Paul

 

[chimpboy74]

-93
two bars

 

[sparkyms]

Hey guys, I have a weird problem. I cannot the get field test mode reading to go away from my iPhone. I did the *3001#12345# and my "bars" turned to a db reading (-63, etc)
someone said you can leave the reading on the phone by holding the home button down to force quit the test mode...it worked, but now I cannot get rid of it. I tried shutting down and restarting the phone, opening field test mode and quitting again, but it is stuck. Anyone got a suggestion?
Thanks, Paul

have you tried holding down the home button again?

 

[amro]

Hey guys, I have a weird problem. I cannot the get field test mode reading to go away from my iPhone. I did the *3001#12345# and my "bars" turned to a db reading (-63, etc)
someone said you can leave the reading on the phone by holding the home button down to force quit the test mode...it worked, but now I cannot get rid of it. I tried shutting down and restarting the phone, opening field test mode and quitting again, but it is stuck. Anyone got a suggestion?
Thanks, Paul

I don't hold the home button to exit. Just press it like you would any application to exit it. Not sure if holding the home button to kill the application is the right thing to do.

 

[AustinSTI]

-99 DB, -101 DB, 1 Bar

 

[ishopukisfake]

Thanks for that info on how to check signal strength more accurately.

It depends what room I'm in in my house. I recently found out one of the mobile masts across from my town is 3G, I get -79 5bar, -83 4 bar, and sometimes 3 bar or switching to standard signal in a back room. I walked into a front room so there were less walls between me and where i think the 3G mast is and from the window got -65 5 bar, amazing the difference a few walls can make.

 

[PNutts]

Edge 5 bars -75
3G 3 bars -89

 

[navigates]

-65 AT&T 3G Hanover, MD.

 

[polishmacuser]

in northridge san fernado valley just goes from 1 to 4 to 5 bars in my house without even moving my phone depends regularly its like 3 but i do have 3g