[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] DocHoliday77:
Data Speeds! build.prop Tweaks and More!

Tips and Tweaks​

In this post you will find tweaks, edits and anything else which may have an affect on your data speed.

This being the Baseband/Modem/Radio thread,

I only plan to include those tips which are related to your data connection.

In the future I may start a new thread with lots more information on everything else!​

build.prop tweaks​

In this section you will find different entries which can be changed or added/removed to your build.prop, located at /system/build.prop. I will do my best to define and describe what each entry does and the available values you have to choose from.

First a little general info about the build.prop file.

During boot, the system reads the build.prop from top to bottom. This means that if you have duplicate entries, the last one read will be the one applied. In this case you may feel free to delete any duplicates to clean it up a little.

You must leave a blank line at the very end of the file. Otherwise it will not be read.

When experimenting with different values, it can be handy to comment out the original and leave it there as a backup and reference. To comment out an entry, simply put # at the beginning of the line. Anything on that line after the # will not be read by the system. This is a good way to leave a quick note for yourself if needed.

If you see an entry here, but it is not in your build.prop, you can just add it in. If it is already in your file, just edit the value.

IMPORTANT!!!

Make a copy of your original before you edit anything!!! Stop Here and put a copy of your build.prop on your EXTERNAL sdcard!

​

There are certain lines in this file which, if incorrectly edited, can cause your system to not boot. Don't Panic! Got your Towel?? Good! All you have to do is copy your backed up original back to /system/

How? Easy! Just reboot into recovery (I am assuming that if you are editing your build.prop you also have TWRP or CWM installed). Once in recovery mount your system partition if it is not already done. Now, using the built-in file browser, rename your edited build.prop and copy the original back to /system/

Reboot! (I know for a fact that the file browser is built into TWRP. I am assuming it is the same with CWM. If it is not, let me know and I will post another easy solution for you.)

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OK, I think we have covered the important pre-edit stuff!

I will start with just a few to get this going, and I will try to continue building on it until I run out of information.

I will be adding more to the list soon! (I will also probably play with the format a bit to try making all of this easier to read)

And Now......The build.prop tweaks!

Default

ro.ril.hsxpa=1

ro.ril.gprsclass=10

Usually recommended

ro.ril.hsxpa=3

ro.ril.gprsclass=12

The radio in our phone has the following capabilities:

HSDPA Category 24 (42.2 Mbps)

HSUPA Category 8 (11Mbps)

GPRS Class 12 (?) (4 Downlink Timeslots, 4 Uplink Timeslots, with 5 Timeslots simultaneously active) (It may be capable of a higher class, but I am not sure at this time)

64QAM (wave modulation)

T-Mobile's networks support the following:

HSPA+42 supports HSDPA Cat 24, and HSUPA Cat 6

HSPA+21 supports HSDPA Cat 14, and HSUPA Cat 6

HSPA+ (will verify later) (believe D=10, U=5)

HSPA (will verify later) (believe D=8, U=5)

The ro.ril.xxxx properties are used to define the target network.

So if you are in an area that has

HSPA+42

, you should try these values:

ro.ril.hsxpa=3

ro.ril.hsdpa=24

ro.ril.hsupa=6

For areas with

HSPA+21

, try these:

ro.ril.hsxpa=3

ro.ril.hsdpa=14

ro.ril.hsupa=6

Check the HSPA+42 Fact Sheet to see if your area has been upgraded yet!

ro.ril.hsxpa defines the target networks available technology. (I have not found anywhere to verify for sure, so this is from others definitions and my own reading)

0 = 3gpp Release UMTS r99

1 = HSDPA

2 = HSDPA/HSUPA

3 = DC-HSPA (HSPA+)

4 = ?? (Maybe LTE related, or HSPA+42?, testing needed)

5 = ?? (May not even be defined yet, but likely related to LTE)

ro.ril.gprsclass defines the GPRS MultiSlot Class to be used on the target network.

10 = Slower Uplink, ?Uses Less Battery?

12 = Faster Uplink, ?Uses More Battery?

If we can verify that my theory for these is correct, I will post the HSPA+, and HSPA values as well. But you should be able to figure those out on your own.

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ALL AVAILABLE VALUES

ro.ril.hsxpa=0-3

(I have seen 4 and 5 used, but cannot confirm they are really defined values, likely LTE related if they are)

ro.ril.gprsclass=1-12 and 30-34

(I have seen and used ones in between in the past, but they are no longer listed)

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

ro.ril.hsupa=1-9

(10-12 may be defined at this point, but I could not verify this)

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

ro.ril.hsdpa=1-16 and 19-36

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

ro.ril.enable.dtm=0,1

DTM = Dual Transfer Mode -- EDGE ONLY --This defines whether or not the target network supports simultaneous transfer of both voice and data. Likely not needed at all.

ro.ril.hep=0,1

(??? I have seen this used in many places, but have never been able to verify its use) Likely not needed.

ro.ril.enable.a51=0,1

Weak, hackable encryption used to provide privacy for voice communications. Not needed.

ro.ril.enable.a53=0,1

Weak, hackable encryption used to provide privacy for voice communications. Not needed.

***These both are weak and have been easily hacked. I would imagine it would serve only to slow things down a little. Of course, there is the argument that some is better than none! I leave it up to you to decide for yourselves.​

As far as I can tell, the ONLY real tweaks you need to make for now are HSXPA, HSDPA, HSUPA, GPRSCLASS. I am aware there are others that can be added as well, but I have not done the research or testing yet and would like to nail these down first! Any help/feedback is appreciated!

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Speedtest.net Alternatives

I personally do not find the SpeedTest.net app to be very reliable or indicative of real world speeds. You can choose different servers and get wildly different results. However, as with most benchmarks, so long as you are being consistent with your use, the data can still prove useful. This is why

I still recommend using only that app for posting your results to the Map.

Your results can be heavily impacted by traffic, server choice, distance, routing, etc. I have had terrible speedtest results, only to turn around and download a large file super quick! So remember, no matter what you use, these tests will not give you a very accurate reading into what you can expect with real-world use.

Below you will find listed some alternative websites where you can test the speed of your connection. I am listing them here so that you can possibly find a better testing alternative to use for your own results. If you use any of these or know of others, please share your experience and maybe we can find something better and more consistent for everyone to use!

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/tp/internet-speed-test.htm (This one links to many different speed test sites!)

http://www.broadband.gov/qualitytest/ (This is hosted by the FCC for their Wired Broadband Testing. You have to enter your name and data to use it. Not sure if theres a way around it.)

http://www.mobilespeedtest.com

http://www.comcast-speedtest.com

http://speedtest.comcast.net/ (requires flash)

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For Your Reading Pleasure!

T-Mobile HSPA+42 Fact Sheet and List of Upgraded Markets

3GPP.org

AnandTech SGS3 Review (Pg 8, Cellular, WiFi, GNSS, Sound)

Info on HSPA

Articles on wireless technologies

Wiki on QAM wave modulation, our SGS3 uses 64QAM which can help determine HSDPA/HSUPA categories.

http://www.broadband.gov/

FCC Mobile Broadband Services Testing and Measurement Program

Your Privacy and FCC Broadband Measurement: What You Need to Know About Your Personal Data

Comments of CTIA - The Wireless Association (regarding mobile broadband testing)

Here is an image I found that may help you to understand T-Mobile's network refarming effort a little better.

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:cowboy:

MORE TO COME!!!!

:cowboy: