[AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note I717] castcreativity:
Unstable 4G data and poor/no call reception

Model number: SGH-I717R *Rogers*

Carrier: Mobilicity and Wind Mobile

Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Android version: 4.0.4 *ICS*

Baseband version: Unknown

Kernal version: 3.0.8

Build Number: IMM76D.UCLF6+FJMod

CWM-based Touch Recovery v5.5.0.4

Modem (used and tested in both scenario below): T-mobile Blaze ICS Radio from: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1679722

Hi, I like to first thank you everybody for providing there great input, comments and efforts with this device in the community forum.

I'm a new proud owner of the Galaxy Note SGH-I717R. I had recently discovered this forum and been able to root and load all the goodies into my device. But unfortunately, I've been having some difficulties with stability and quality of the reception with data and phone calls using the service providers - Mobilicity and Wind Mobile in the Calgary area. I'm fully aware that there are different factors that could affect the stability and reception of the device.

So here is my problem:

MOBILICITY SCENARIO:

I would only have 1 or no bars on the phone with 4G symbol. Sometimes after an extended period, I may even lose reception in different parts of my house and it would go into roaming as I'm on a prepaid plan with Mobilicity zone calling only. I have tested the sim card on a Google Nexus S and I would have about one or two bars in the area with 3G. I'm located in the suburb area of Calgary. So I think the reception with Mobilicity is the best I could get with my device in my area. As I'm probably on the borderline of the towers. Within the downtown area of Calgary, reception is stable with 4G using the Galaxy Note. It is also the same on the Nexus S. As I listen to a lot of digital radio streaming through data with my phone without any issues.

WIND SCENARIO:

So I recently switched over to Wind Mobile, as I have tested the carrier on my Google Nexus S device and the reception is usually full with 3G. Now when I place my new Wind Mobile prepaid sim card into the device. I would have three or four bar reception, depending where in the house I am with 4G. But 4G would drop in random intervals and continuously. I can't seem to keep a stable 4G connection and without the 4G symbol showing, I have no data connection at all. I have experienced the same in the major city centre where I normally get good reception in the downtown area of Calgary with 3G using Nexus S. But with the Galaxy Note, reception would be 4 bars with 4G but unstable 4G with constant 4G dropping in a continuous and random interval. I can still receive calls and text messages, with four bars without 4G. But I have also experienced garbled computerized noises during a phone conversation from my end or on the recipients end.

Note:

The force 'HSPA Only' mode setting does not exist with my device or rom used. (Settings>Wireless and Network>Mobile Networks> Network mode). I would use *#2263#, then '2' and select 'WCDMA 1700'. The *#*#4636#*#* does not work with the rom either. So I use the 'Network app' located in the Google Play Store, which is the same as *#*#4636#*#* to lock it to 'WCDMA only'. My settings in there are the following: Turn off radio 'on', Turn off IMS Registration required 'on', Turn on SMS over IMS 'off' and Turn on lte ram dump 'off', with whichever applicable SMSC to the service providers given above.

I've tried numerous settings and read numerous threads on the subject and I can't seem to identify the correct solution to my problem. I'm really hoping someone could help me find the solution to this problem.