If I Force The Samsung Eternity To Stay On 3G, Will Calls Still Go Over EDGE?

In my area the EDGE towers are closer to my house then the 3G towers are; so my phone is mainly staying on EDGE. But I can change the Network Settings by entering in the dial-pad *#6984125*#, going to (Network & Call Settings), (Network Mode), then setting the Eternity to run on UMTS 850 only. But then I am given a message that I will only be able to use the phone in UMTS parts of the network. I don't know though if that means I would (ONLY) be able to use the 3G network for both voice and data; or if data services will be handled using 3G and voice can still use EDGE or GSM.

So my question, if I set my phone to use UMTS 850; will phone calls still be handled over EDGE or GSM? I know with Verizon and CDMA; calls run over the CDMA network; while Data is run over EV-DO. I just don't know if AT&T and their 3G are handled in the same way. Are the HSDPA, EDGE and GSM networks all completely different networks that can handle both voice and data, or is 3G only used for data?

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AT&T handles their 3G the same way.

If you limit it to 3G ONLY then calls will not go through.

I would try it and try and do a test call; however.

Originally Posted by the2ndflood

In my area the EDGE towers are closer to my house then the 3G towers are; so my phone is mainly staying on EDGE. But I can change the Network Settings by entering in the dial-pad *#6984125*#, going to (Network & Call Settings), (Network Mode), then setting the Eternity to run on UMTS 850 only. But then I am given a message that I will only be able to use the phone in UMTS parts of the network. I don't know though if that means I would (ONLY) be able to use the 3G network for both voice and data; or if data services will be handled using 3G and voice can still use EDGE or GSM.

So my question, will phone calls still be handled over EDGE or GSM? I know with Verizon and CDMA; calls run over the CDMA network; while Data is run over EV-DO. I just don't know if AT&T and their 3G are handled in the same way.

Originally Posted by nicknrm

AT&T handles their 3G the same way.

If you limit it to 3G ONLY then calls will not go through.

I would try it and try and do a test call; however.

I have tried and I can make phone calls while on 3G-Only, but I once noticed the icon change from 3G to just (G) when I placed a call. So that leaves me wondering why if 3G-Only is set, then why did the phone place a call using GSM? Or maybe I misread it or something. I just want the best of both worlds. Getting to use 3G for data, and then placing calls with the stronger EDGE network; all without having to keep changing the settings.

((UPDATE: I contacted AT&T again to check on the status of a trouble ticket and I was told by tech support that both the 3G and EDGE network can handle both voice and data, but EDGE can't do them at the same time. The person also told me that there is 6 towers in my general area; while 4 of those are EDGE; so that is why my phone is staying with EDGE most of the time. They did tell me more 3G upgrades were in the works, but that it could take months before they are actually made. So I guess I'm stuck changing the Network settings manually for now.))