yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[HTC One S] involver:
Hello One-S users!

I recently got myself an unbranded One-S here in the Netherlands. I came from the LG 2x that I've had since the day it was available. Been experimenting a lot with different ROM's and BB, with different results across the board. Overall though the 2x has been a very nice phone to have and use, albeit not with the stock ROM's. Reception has been very good, probably the best of all the phones I've owned.

And now there's the new One-s... I've been using it for a few days so I won't go into details on battery life, user experience and all that stuff that needs a few days before making any useful conclusion. Except for reception!

I live in a particular area where there's very bad signal and only two towers in the whole area. The One-S seems to really struggle to get AND keep connection to the network. Actually, when used indoors (at home) it is impossible to get any signal at all, whereas the 2x and my girlfriends iPhone4 have no problems at all. Not great reception, with breakups during calls, but at least the work. The One-S doesn't. I've been seeing this behavior outdoors at other locations as well, around where I work I have had no reception issue's with the 2x, the One-S shows really spotty reception.

I'm on the latest OTA which is 1.78.401.2

What's your take on this, do you have any reception issue's?
[HTC One S] KillaHurtz:
I had a T-mobile branded One S (Gradient Blue) and the reception was horrible, so glad I got myself another GS2 (t989)
[HTC One S] orenfl:
I'm experiencing same issues of reception on an unbranded EU phone with 1.78. 1.53 was worst!

I tend to have signal but no data, I tend to have signal in the notification bar but no actual signal.

I have many issues which weren't here in my old desire!

MicroSIM was replaced twice with no real help - It's the phone to blame...
[HTC One S] jadedrk:
Poor reception

I also have same problem. I am in pakistan using Telenor and phone is Tmobile UK unlocked.
[HTC One S] cerebeln:
It may work to disallow some energy-saving settings(of the ril) in the build.prop, however it brings risk to do so:

You have to know how to tweak the file, and get ready to re-flash the ROM/RUU in case of half-brick caused by bad tweaks.
[HTC One S] Bernardos70:
That sucks! It is a great phone. Reception has been flawless for me. I have a TMOUSA-branded One S.
[HTC One S] orenfl:
I know exactly what you mean - had it the same!!!

Apparently there is a solution which is not hardware related:

There are network providers that doesn't support the signal fast dormancy as this phone tries to use. As a result, the phone disconnects from the service provider and tries to reconnect which takes several minutes.

In order to solve that until HTC will do it (if at all), you need to root your phone, get into build.prop file and then change the line ro.ril.fast.dormancy.rule=... to be ro.ril.fast.dormancy.rule=#.

This is thanks to jh787!

It seems to help me.
[HTC One S] Inferi0r:
I'm in the Netherlands too, with an unbranded device and facing same troubles. Got my device lately with 1.78.401.2 preinstalled.

The reception is compared to my HTC Incredible S really bad.

I becomes irritated too by the FM Tuner recepetion. If you're moving on bccycle, car, train or bus the volume is getting up and down, up and down. And lot of areas I can't listen at all to the radio stations I could with the Incredible S
[HTC One S] cowgaR:
don't want to root just yet...

Thank you, you probably mean the thread mentioned by jh787 at the bottom here:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=26923454

- it might fix the issue, the problem is I've tried 2 different mobile providers with same results and today I bought O2 PAYG microSIM to try the best (signal wise) London mobile provider to see if the fast dormancy is the problem. I don't want to root the phone yet as if it won't help the warranty is void. I'll report later.

- there's another tip in that thread

I don't have root yet, but just checked /system/build.prop file using Solid Explorer and I have this value already properly set as others have mentioned (1.78) but the phone still has weaker signal when idle and stronger when having a phone call.

# For HSDPA low throughput
ro.ril.disable.power.collapse = 1

As I understand this should be '#' instead of 1

ro.ril.fast.dormancy.rule=1

comparing to jh787 build.prop I am no wiser, as he's still at older 1.53 OTA and seems like T-Mobile branded phone.
[HTC One S] orenfl:
I'm already on 1.78, checked his 2 comments and also found that the power collapse is 1 already. The fast dormancy I did change to # and believe me, after 6 weeks of screaming on the phone to be a phone, other than a great looking mobile computer, I'm using it flawlessly as a phone too!

Root is reversible via RUU and for me needed until HTC will provide an update which will either disable the fast dormancy or enable a switch to control it...
[HTC One S] azzledazzle:
Ive had 2 One S's since launch and both of them have had appalling signal issues, Im on Vodafone UK and believe its their network at fault.

But i see here a range of providers and still crappy signal. I was thinking of cancelling my Vodafone contract and taking out a new one with another provider, As i really like HTC..... But after reading this thread im having doubts !

Im beginning to think the safe option would be to leave HTC and Go back to Samsung, And try to get the S3 !
[HTC One S] orenfl:
Are you rooted already?

If so, try the build.prop change I mentioned before...
[HTC One S] azzledazzle:
Im rooted, Ive ran every custom ROM, Ive flashed every radio, Ive done everything possible, Nothing works.

Ill give the build.prop edit a try later. not expecting much tho.
[HTC One S] orenfl:
Give it a try - it worth it!

For me it solved 6 weeks of frustration w/o one shrink visit ;)
[HTC One S] azzledazzle:
So at the end i have .rule=

1

do i change that 1 to a # or put the # after the 1 ?
[HTC One S] orenfl:
Replace the 1 by #
[HTC One S] orenfl:
Any news?
[HTC One S] azzledazzle:
Hasnt made any difference :(
[HTC One S] orenfl:
Really? disappointing!!!

Then you probably got something else then - is the same carrier different phone have better than you on same locations?
[HTC One S] azzledazzle:
sorry, that didnt make much sense.

This is the 2nd HTC One S ive had since launch. Its the 4th HTC ive had in 3 months !! Each of them suffer this horrible signal.

I really regret leaving Samsung,

EDIT: There are a few people on Vodafone UK with these issues, If you are a Vodafone UK user, could you please head over to here http://forum.vodafone.co.uk/t5/HTC-One-Series/HTC-One-S-poor-signal/td-p/1088617/page/3 And give them the necessary information, They say if they get enough cases they can raise the issue further.

It will only take a few mins, Theres a post at the top of the page where you can copy and paste and just insert your details.

Thanks !!
[HTC One S] orenfl:
As for your HTC devices claim, are those one series only or any others?

I've had the HTC desire for two great years with great pleasure. Which means HTC do know how to make successful phones...
[HTC One S] azzledazzle:
Well I had the exact same issues with the Sensation. I think that was down to the antenna design, You know, The gold pins on the back of the phone ?

Well, I was assured this had been fixed with the One Series, So when they offered it to me for free I snatched their hand off thinking my issues would be gone and I'd have a brand new model... However when I got the phone I noticed these gold pins under the sim cover.

By then it was too late and here I am...

Just for the record, do all HTC's have these gold pins on the back ? The Sensation was my first HTC, Before then I was a Samsung user.
[HTC One S] orenfl:
not the desire, but it's kind of old one...
[HTC One S] TheReaperUK:
The "HTC Desire S" had the gold pins on the battery cover and had great cell and "H" net connection on O2 UK, never had a problem with cell reception.

Now on O2 UK with the "One S" and have no cell problems but do have h/3g switching and sometime when i turn the screen on i have no H/3g icon for about 10-30 seconds, not sure what thats about, but for phone calls and txting its never let me down so far.
[HTC One S] cowgaR:
you sure? :)

sad to hear that, what ROM did you try it on? I've looked on latest CM9 and it doesn't have it in its build.prop (the 'fastdormancy line' should be added) so I wonder that all the ppl with CM9 are having a good signal even without it (then I don't know what is the default value).

I am really tempted to root the phone and try it on stock, but if it didn't work I rather try to get replacement tomorrow even for a Galaxy SIII without much tampering to it first.

I don't have such a bad experience with HTC as you, Desire Z has been a unique phone for me, just this one is somehow screwed. It is even disconnecting me from WiFi while in pocket - how come when I am 5-7m from the router most of the time!

---------- Post added at 09:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:07 PM ----------

in that case changing this from '1' to '#' in build.prop should help (if you have root), as this was the fix for your described problem at first...

ro.ril.fast.dormancy.rule=#

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=26921246#post26921246

I wish I would be concerned about internet speed, I would like to have signal first lol
[HTC One S] MightyZoltar:
I've not had any issues with my cell reception at all. Seems to be pretty much the same as my previous iPhone 4S.
[HTC One S] TheReaperUK:
cowgaR thanks for the advice but not rooted at the moment and trying not to root just yet.

Could this be a network problem, really need poeple to say what network thay are with, that could narrow it down.
[HTC One S] azzledazzle:
Ive had every ROM available lol

Im now on stock rooted and its just as bad
[HTC One S] leezer3:
No reception problems whatsoever here either (Norwich, UK- Orange/ TMobile).

Seems marginally better than the Galaxy S that it replaced, but much of a muchness really.
[HTC One S] barmanham:
Very bad people sometimes when I pick up phone don't even hear me and there's a perminent static every call about to ship this aircraft aluminium airborn
[HTC One S] barmanham:
HTC you've done it again for me that OTA better perform a miracle
[HTC One S] Radsolutionz:
im on tmobile usa i have a tmobile branded one s. im having some issues holding signal. ive called both htc and tmobile... htc has NO clue about the issue. Tmobile reps tell me the OTA will fix these issues. problem is... im on leedroid rom which is based on the over seas htc branded model. basically i know i wont get the OTA. im hoping someone makes a custom rom from the tmobile update and it fixes the phones issues. other than that... im loving this phone. i switched from my unlocked galaxy nexus... which was a total pain in the ass... i wanted to constantly chuck it at a wall... n e way. any advice?
[HTC One S] Closed Source Project:
T-Mob US device - LeeDroid ROM - latest EU radio - Chicago (huge US city) - reception is very good, nothing dropped, great data speed and stability.
[HTC One S] Totòòò:
I heard same thing. Chicago htc one s has great reception
[HTC One S] micxploed:
Hehehe
[HTC One S] Richy101:
My One S has signal issues as described on this thread. In my house on Three UK the One S has a signal strength of around -105dBm and yet a Motorola Defy + on same network reports -80dBm. The Three mast is about a mile away and 100 to 150meters above us. We have clear line of sight except in the yard where trees and buildings get in the way. This doesn't bother the Motorola at all. I can walk clear of the buildings and trees and as soon as I get clear LOS on the mast the One S shoots up to around -75dBm approx the same as the Motorola. I suffer a little with loss of signals in some of the stone buildings but most of the time it just about holds onto signal.

On the subject of the antenna behind the flap that covers the sim slot then I've found removing it drops the wifi signal drastically but does not affect mobile network at all. Is that one used solely for wifi and another in the bottom of the phone for mobile network?

I took my One S back and swapped it for another and it was just the same. HTC requested it back for investigation. They kept it all of a day and loaded the software update that had become available on Three at the same time so could have done that without sending it back? Hasn't made any difference to signal though did find I don't lose connection as much.

In the car I've had the phone turned on to monitor signal and as you would expect it's all over though hangs onto signal pretty well considering. Go anywhere near a Three shop and it about blows the bars off the phone signal is that strong :D I've had no issues in nearest town/city with multiple masts no doubt? All this said the Motorola generally has better mobile network reception on same network.

My phone is now rooted and running the latest TrickDroid ROM (very nice :) ) I've found the build.prop file and the line ro.ril.fast.dormancy.rule=1 How do I change that 1 for a # ? I'm afraid I'm a bit of a newbie :rolleyes:
[HTC One S] cowgaR:
I am so glad I am not the only one in UK experiencing bad signal and it is a real issue of HTC One S. Now I doubt there can be a software fix, but please report if this helped you.

1. download the 'root explorer' or my favorite 'solid explorer' - which is free - from the market.

2.navigate to /system/ folder

3. you will find build.prop file there, so open it in one of the file managers mentioned above and edit the fastdormancy line as described...

4. please let us know if it helped you

sent from my HTC One S via buggy Firefox 14
[HTC One S] el_smurfo:
Mobile radio is almost always in the bottom of the phone to pass regulatory emissions tests, thus the "grip of death" that effects many smartphones (they only test for radiation into the brain, not the jaw). The fact is, Jobs was right, we really are usually "holding it wrong". Retry some of your experiments holding it by the sides with your fingertips.
[HTC One S] Richy101:
I was viewing it in Root Explorer but long press on the file and choosing 'open in text editor' which gave me a warning saying I can't edit because it's read-only. Go back and long press then this time choose 'open with' which then allowed me to edit the file.

That done and no difference to signal strength. Other than that we'll see how it goes.

---------- Post added at 08:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:31 AM ----------

Other thing I've noticed with my One S is that you can wake phone and it'll show full signal for maybe 10 to 15 seconds then drop down to regular 0 to 2 bars (at home). Also noticed that in call signal strength will jump up and remain there, sometimes until call is finished.

I don't know if it's hardware or software issue TBH. Signal strength can be so variable. I know out in the sticks that is the norm anyway as depends very much on the terrain. I know I have a good Three UK and T-Mobile signal for that matter in our house and yet the One S struggles. Motorola Defy + has no problems on that score. I did consider a new Razr Maxx (UK) but apart from phone reception my experience with the Defy + was not great. I'll maybe root that phone at some point and try another ROM. I had two Defy +'s and both were shockers for rebooting - often 6 times a day. Back in olden times there was a lot to be said for a phone box :rolleyes::rolleyes:

End of the day I really like my One S and most of the time it seems to hang onto signal with 0 bars and make and receive calls without issue. Knowing how things go we'll probably have to live with this issue or get another phone?
[HTC One S] compta5:
My service is horrible. Thinking about returning this phone. My sister has a galaxy phone she gets better service than I do.
[HTC One S] jimnastics:
I'm also on Vodafone UK and having big signal problems with the HTC Ones S... constant drop-outs, and best I get is 2 bars. Too scared to even carry the phone in my pocket for fear of being of the grid. So fooking annoying... have posted in the Vodafone forum.
[HTC One S] kuroyume_cl:
I had solid signal until i got the upgrade from 1.53 to 1.78... now i'm lucky to get any reception at all
[HTC One S] jimnastics:
I would like to try this build.prop fix as well, but I'm not rooted. Can you point me to an easy root guide for the One S? I'm not interested in trying other ROMS etc., just want to be able to edit the build.prop file.
[HTC One S] orenfl:
Hi,

I did my Root with later installing the Lee's ROM with this: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1604677

But this might be easier: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1583427

Also, keep in mind you might try 2 options for the line change I mentioned:

ro.ril.fast.dormancy.rule=#

Or

ro.ril.fast.dormancy.rule=0

For me the 1st option was better than =1 but not optimal so now I'm trying the 2nd for 2 days already with better success probably.

Due to the fact that this issue is network provider related, you should try both.

Good luck!
[HTC One S] :
worst reception

Out of all the 20 or so phones I've owned, this one a has probably the worst reception. I hope it's just a software issue and t mobile and HTC will fix it soon.
[HTC One S] jimnastics:
I have noticed that there is a vast improvement in signal strength if I set the phone to 2G only, where it settles fine on 3/5 bars. Not much help because a) I didn't spend £350 on a phone to use 2G and b) you get the home button bug.
[HTC One S] h.han:
Not sure if I am lucky or most people without this issue don't reply, I actually think this phone has quite good cell reception. especially after 1.78 update, the 3G switching problem is fixed, wifi connect/disconnect problem is fixed, 2G/3G signal is very stable or even better, getting full bars at places I used to get only half, no complaint at all from me...

Maybe it's network/location dependent? I am on Orange UK.
[HTC One S] orenfl:
It's location/Network related for sure.

For me, for example, the network carrier was not supporting the fast dormancy the phone use and for that I was getting disconnected all the time - with the Build.prop change that was solved.

Wifi for me (although I'm with EU unbranded with 1.78 update) is not yet resolved. It might be better than before but not solved for sure.
[HTC One S] vise01:
Same issue with bouygues here in France, signal is terrible and i'm often losing it.

I don't think I had the issue before the 1.78 OTA though...

---------- Post added at 12:37 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:36 AM ----------

Just tried the build.prop tweak, will see how it does.
[HTC One S] :
Whoa whoa whoa.... Whoa...

This thing can make phone calls? Friggin Sweet! :D:thumbup:

But no seriously... Signal is ok... Not bad... But by no means great
[HTC One S] xxquicksh0txx:
OH GREAT... You're here? :p

On another hand, I won't be able to test signal tomorrow when I go to the post office and pick my phone up.
[HTC One S] Inferi0r:
I thought that Swedish University found out that the Incredible S has one of the most worst cell receptions. I own both and can tell you the HOS is even more worse on 3G. It's not a sofware thing but a framework thing. They dont care at HTC. Therefore Ive one phone for calling and one phone to have the gadget itself.
[HTC One S] moonrock:
Jumping in with a comment just in case my issue happens to anyone else, because it doesn't seem that it has (so far, at least from what I can tell).

My service and coverage has been perfectly normal and reasonable at home, everywhere else I've gone, etc - All of a sudden Saturday night my coverage dropped 100%. I had NO coverage. No phone calls, no text, nothing I changed in network options made it connect.

Sunday I was out driving around and I'd get coverage here and there for about 30 sec-1min at a time, and it'd drop out again.... it's been the same since. Still absolutely nothing at home, little bits and pieces elsewhere. I called (after dealing with special account issues... ) after Tmo trying the various fixes that I'd already tried (up to and including a hard reset).... no luck. A replacement was shipped out, so hoping that "fixes" my problems.
[HTC One S] :
Nice to have another friendly... :D

The reception is similar to the amaze was once it got ics... Not as good as it was on gb
[HTC One S] moonrock:
And a quick update: replacement device arrived, and tada, i have service again!
[HTC One S] xxquicksh0txx:
Mine is actually slightly better in some spots, and worse in others. But not much better or not much worse.
[HTC One S] ickedmel:
My experience is that It's been just okay a lot of fluctuations I came from the amaze.
[HTC One S] Gr33nPo1son:
I'm from Belgium annd also have a bad reception :( thinking of switching to another phone...too bad because the 1S is awesome
[HTC One S] crazyC:
Looking quickly over the UK responses - the positive ones I saw seemed to be from Orange UK users, with Vodafone UK all bad.

Is this a fair response? I am considering the One S for my wife to replace her HTC Desire, and she is on orange currently. I am on vodafone (and have a new One X, which has noticeably better reception than my Desire Z) and was thinking of movingher to Vodafone, but not reading all this.

Anyone on Orange UK having all these issues?
[HTC One S] sylvania:
My wife got the HTC One S and she's ready to take it back to TMobile over terrible cell reception. SMS are frequently not sent or delayed. I'm curious if enough people are having this issue that it might get fixed in software.
[HTC One S] Gr33nPo1son:
I also hope that this gets fixed very soon with an update, because I'm getting very frustrated about it:(
[HTC One S] p4nts:
I have raised the network/wifi connectivity issue with HTC directly though the CS person said that there

was no known issue with it!. When I asked he was happy to raise a ticket to escalate the issue and provided him

with the details of my problems with the phone.

I was thinking it might help focus things if as many people as possible can raise network/wifi connectivity issue

(where you know that the issue is not network coverage)

You will be asked to provide the following information when raising a ticket:

These can be found in Settings, About Phone, Software Information. (hopefully the prefilled stuff matches your phone)

IMEI

Software number:

Build Number:

baseband:

device Serial:

Android: 4.03

Sense V: 4.0

HTC SDK: 4.11

HTC extension Version: HTCExtension_403_1_GA_4

HTC UK Chat support link opening hours (Mon – Fri 9:00 - 21:00)

HTC SE Asia Online chat support

Mondays to Saturdays, 8:00 - 20:00

Sun and Public Holiday 9:00 - 18:00

I originally raised the issue via e-mail but after 24 hours no response so

I used the online chat though this only seems to be exist for a few locations?

HTC European contact details

HTC US contact details