signal boost after orange update

[adam_hilluk]

Hey,

Was looking around my sensation after 2.3.4 update last night and noticed new app 'orange signal boost' is this just like uma on blackberry or something different? Just intrigued how it works as it doesn't say anywhere.

Also what else is new as I can't find anything...

Cheers

 

[Cornflake]

Ooh yeah, so there is...
Just finished the update myself (Orange UK branded) and thought I'd check in here.

A very quick Google snoop uncovered these:
Mobile Today | Orange ramps up Signal Boost Wi-Fi service
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/...ew-mobile-phone-Signal-Boost-from-Orange.html

It works by using your wi-fi broadband network at home or in the office. Connect your phone to the network, basically by entering your wireless router password. Then, provided you can pick up the wireless signal okay, you can receive and make phone calls too

But you still get charged for the call in the normal way, which seems a bit cheeky to me.

 

[redmelons]

Was looking around my sensation after 2.3.4 update last night and noticed new app 'orange signal boost'

Thanks for pointing this out - I hadn't noticed this new app!

When I enable signal boost a 'house icon' appears and my signal bars disappear. Disable signal boost and the signal bars re-appear. Is this correct or is signal boost actually killing my signal?

 

[Cornflake]

When I enable signal boost a 'house icon' appears and my signal bars disappear. Disable signal boost and the signal bars re-appear. Is this correct or is signal boost actually killing my signal?

The house icon appears and the signal bars disappear because you're using your WiFi connection instead of the phone's normal connection.
I'd say that the signal bars are removed as a cosmetic tweak because now you're communicating through the WiFi connection, they're irrelevant: your signal strength simply doesn't matter any more.

 

[JohnHwessel]

Sounds good - let's hope 3 come up with something similar

 

[NigelP]

Thanks for this, I hadn't noticed that either. You'd think they'd announce it somewhere if it will aid connection and remove problems some have indoors. I normally get two, maybe three bars. Have turned that Boost on, they've all disappeared and have a green "House" icon on the top bar (sure I've seen it turn red .. assuming it goes red when it's not using Wi-Fi and is reliant again on the networks G/3G signal?) .. The obvious question, is by leaving this on when you're out and about (and therefore, more often than not have no Wi-Fi signal) does it put any more pressure on battery life?

 

[adam_hilluk]

Due to it saying that youll be charged as usual When using signal boost does this mean the your using your data connection when you think you're using WiFi???

 

[Cornflake]

The phone simply uses your WiFi instead of the nearest cell mast; a voice call is still a voice call, but it goes through your own WiFi system instead.

So no, it won't affect your data allowance on the phone but it will impact on any data allowance from your ISP on the WiFi connection.

 

[ChadKaplowski]

thats peculiar, so its VoIP but not really VoIP.

I've a Sensation XE but SIM free on Orange, do you know if there's anyway to pick up Signal Boost? Data/call allowance is not an issue, signal occasionally is.

 

[Cornflake]

thats peculiar, so its VoIP but not really VoIP.

Yep, exactly.

I've a Sensation XE but SIM free on Orange, do you know if there's anyway to pick up Signal Boost? Data/call allowance is not an issue, signal occasionally is.

My app wasn't pre-installed when I got the phone (with 2.3.3) - it appeared after I'd done an OTA update via Orange to 2.3.4.
I gave it a try and it worked - not to any great advantage though: my signal's Ok at home.
It's not available on the Market so I think you'd need to talk to Orange about it.

 

[wormdazzler]

Thanks for this, I hadn't noticed that either. You'd think they'd announce it somewhere if it will aid connection and remove problems some have indoors. I normally get two, maybe three bars. Have turned that Boost on, they've all disappeared and have a green "House" icon on the top bar (sure I've seen it turn red .. assuming it goes red when it's not using Wi-Fi and is reliant again on the networks G/3G signal?) .. The obvious question, is by leaving this on when you're out and about (and therefore, more often than not have no Wi-Fi signal) does it put any more pressure on battery life?

When I first paired my Desire S I always got the green "house" symbol but recently it has changed and always seems to be red. Can't find anywhere that defines the significance of this - although it could be as you say, green when in use. Subjectively it seems to drain battery a bit faster when switched on.

 

[Cornflake]

When I first paired my Desire S I always got the green "house" symbol but recently it has changed and always seems to be red. Can't find anywhere that defines the significance of this - although it could be as you say, green when in use. Subjectively it seems to drain battery a bit faster when switched on.

I think green means the WiFi is in range and the phone is authenticated to your WiFi.
Mine remained green when I first tested it, whether I used it for a call or not.