WiFi, what uses it?

[raroberts]

I'm confused about what the Driod uses WiFi for. I assume it uses it to connect to the INTERNET, when available, because it's faster than the Verizon network.  Does it use WiFi for phone calls too? Can someone explain what and when WiFi is used for on the phone (assuming I have a connection)?

Thanks,,,I have received a lot of great help from this forum.

[SuzyQ · Accepted solution]

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raroberts wrote:

I'm confused about what the Driod uses WiFi for. I assume it uses it to connect to the INTERNET, when available, Yes, this is correct.  because it's faster than the Verizon network.Not necessarily BECAUSE it's faster, it uses the connection because it's there and availalble, and in some cases it may be faster.  It depends on the network that is  broadcasting the wi-fi signal. 

Does it use WiFi for phone calls too? Can someone explain what and when WiFi is used for on the phone (assuming I have a connection)? No.

Thanks,,,I have received a lot of great help from this forum.

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Wi-fi is an alternative way to connect ot the internet on your phone, if there is a wi-fi signal close enough for your phone to detect.  Put your phone in airplane mode; it will no longer transmit data using your Verizon internet service, and will still be able to  use wi-fi if available.  Others have reported that this actually seems to work better in places where both wi-fi and Verizon signals are present; reduces conflict or something and signal is more consistent in airplane mode.

Voice calls are not the same, and don't use Verizon's data network or wi-fi....although that line is becoming more blurred as VOIP comes into play (Voice Over Internet Protocol). 

[raroberts]

Thanks for the reply Susie.  I think I get it. The phone only uses WiFi for apps that require the Internet. I was hoping my droid would use WiFi for calls as I get a very weak Verizon signal at home. It also seem that the WiFi feature is kinda weak as I regularly get "network unavailable" type messages at home even when I have a good WiFi signal. I will try the airplane mode suggestion to see if that helps. Thanks again 

[G2]

Verizon sells a device that connects to your WiFi connection at home to make it like a mini cell phone tower in your home.  It should make connecting to your cell phone much better.  Maybe someone else can give you the specifics....

Also, try calling *228 on your cell phone when your at home to see if it helps with your signal strength.

Call *228

Option 1.

G2

[hubsm]

I guess I will tag onto this discussion since I can't find my answer by looking through 2400+ threads on WiFi.

I just upgraded from a Storm 2 to a Droid X.  Since I don't use data that much I decided to change from unlimited data to the 150MB plan for $15.00.  Due to this I need to ask this question.  When I connect to an internet site or the marketplace, do my downloads get charged again my data usage if I am on WiFi?

One other matter while I'm here since weak signals were also mentioned.  I never had a single problem making calls from my home with my Storm 1 or 2.  Now with the Droid X, only 1 in 10 calls go through.  I have already replaced the phone and spent many hours with tech support.  Is this just a Droid X thing - weak radio or something?

[crb79]

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hubsm wrote:

I guess I will tag onto this discussion since I can't find my answer by looking through 2400+ threads on WiFi.

I just upgraded from a Storm 2 to a Droid X.  Since I don't use data that much I decided to change from unlimited data to the 150MB plan for $15.00.  Due to this I need to ask this question.  When I connect to an internet site or the marketplace, do my downloads get charged again my data usage if I am on WiFi?

One other matter while I'm here since weak signals were also mentioned.  I never had a single problem making calls from my home with my Storm 1 or 2.  Now with the Droid X, only 1 in 10 calls go through.  I have already replaced the phone and spent many hours with tech support.  Is this just a Droid X thing - weak radio or something?

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It's my understanding that Marketplace only functions over the network connection, so yes any downloads here would count towards your limit.  If you are connected to your WIFI any internet use or downloads will not go against your total.

As for your signal issue: going back to your previous post about the matter it sounds like you are connecting via a US Cellular tower.  That's why you are getting the US Cellular message when you try *228, you have to connect to a VZW tower to use any of the program codes.

Once you are on a VZW tower doing *228 opt 2 should update your roaming list.  I'd also download realsignal from the marketplace (free)  it will give you your decibel readings.  Your voice connection will transmit on 1x while text/data transmit on 3G.  Voice calls generally start dropping or don't go through when you get close to -100 or lower.

[hubsm]

Thanks for your followup.

FYI, after I read your post I put my Droid in airplane mode and then turned on WiFi and tried to get on Marketplace.  It connected fine.  So, it appears that you can use WiFi for downloads (I just downloaded Real Signal).  This is great because, based on your response, I can save a bunch of data usage by downloading apps at home.

As far as the non-connected calls from my home issue is concerned.  The question that no one has been able to answer is why I never got US Cellular, ever, for any reason, and zero non-connected calls during the 2+ years I had my BB Storms.  Now I get these problems all the time.  The only difference is the phone - not the carrier (Verizon for both), not the location (I have not moved in 15 years). According to Signal Strength, under About phone / Status, my signal is varying between -89db and -100db as it sits on my desk.  Ocassionally it will drop as low as -83db momentarily.  I have been trying for the last 1/2 hour to connect with *228 but it just will not do it.  Not getting US Cellular - not getting anything - the call just does not go through.  Since this is my second phone in a week I don't see how it can be anything but a Droid X thing, unless the local Verizon store got a whole batch of bad phones.  Am I missing something?

[crb79]

First thing you need to do is find a location where you can update on a VZW tower.  Usually a call to VZW will give you details if you tell them you are trying to program your phone and want to know the closest area of coverage for voice signal.  They won't tell you the exact location of the tower but should guide you to a coverage area.

Once you get the new PRL it should help you out a bit.  With you getting a -100 decibel voice signal I can tell you it's 100% your issue.  Have you ever tried to pull the battery and check to see if your phone pulled a closer tower?  Sometimes phones do hang on towers that are further away for some reason.

It is odd that your signal would have a swing from -84 to -100 while not being moved, it makes me wonder if there is something that is interfering with your signal.  What does your signal show standing outside your house?  If it's better outside I'd look into what could be blocking your signal inside the home.

[hubsm]

I just found out something very interesting.  I talked to a friend of mine who had the exact same experience after he got his Droid X.  He could not make calls from his house.  Since he has no land line he was in a fix.  He talked to someone in the Verizon store in his area who happened to know the guy who oversees the towers there.  He told him he would reprogram his phone OTA so that it would use Alltel towers as well as Verizon towers.  After about 15 minutes his bars went up to 4 and have stayed that way.  So, problem solved.  On Monday I am going to see about that as a solution for me.

[crb79]

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hubsm wrote:

I just found out something very interesting.  I talked to a friend of mine who had the exact same experience after he got his Droid X.  He could not make calls from his house.  Since he has no land line he was in a fix.  He talked to someone in the Verizon store in his area who happened to know the guy who oversees the towers there.  He told him he would reprogram his phone OTA so that it would use Alltel towers as well as Verizon towers.  After about 15 minutes his bars went up to 4 and have stayed that way.  So, problem solved.  On Monday I am going to see about that as a solution for me.

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I believe VZW phones use Alltel towers anyways, as a matter of fact they will use any CDMA tower as most of the big companies allow cross-carrier access.  Your PRL, preferred roaming list, is what designates which to use whenever the VZW isn't the strongest.  There are a couple of settings that can be adjusted on a Tech's end to setup a working priority list for you.  I'd have imagined that the employees you spoke to would have already tried this.  

On a few older phones there was actually a dialpad menu that you could go into a diagnostic mode and set the phone to pick the best signal rather than hold a weak signal of a preferred tower.