In the current world, almost everybody has a mobile phone which is almost becoming a basic need for every household. Different communication providers are coming up and they have made the network accessible to even some of the most remote areas. As a T-Mobile customer, you might be asking yourself what is T Mobile EDGE.
T-Mobile Edge is a technology by T-Mobile, that allows users to access the internet, text and make a call with their mobile devices. Compared to other networks, it is relatively slower when it comes to network speeds. In this article, we will dive into what T-Mobile Edge is, compare it with other networks, and even troubleshoot some common connection issues.
T-Mobile EDGE: Preview
EDGE, short for Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution, is a second-generation (2G) wireless data transfer module. This technology was introduced in the early 2000s and allows users to transfer data quicker on GSM networks. Since then, there have been faster and more reliable mobile technologies like 3G, 4G, and 5G. If you keep seeing E on T-Mobile then you have most likely been asking yourself what is T-Mobile EDGE?
T-Mobile is a wireless network provider operating in the United States. It provides mobile phone services, such as voice, text, data, and home internet services. T-Mobile EDGE is an enhanced 2G network that is available when you are outside 3G or 4G coverage areas.
What Is T Mobile EDGE When On 4G?
At times when operating in other networks, you might see the EDGE sign and you could be worried about what could be the issue. By default, most of the latest smartphones are designed to automatically switch to the best available network. So let’s say your 4G network is poor, the phone will automatically switch to other available networks.
You can however configure it to strictly operate in your preferred network. However, you may be exposed to the risk of having flat signal bars when your preferred network is down. To select 4G only on your mobile device, use the following steps.
On iPhone:
- Open Settings then select Cellular.
- Tap Cellular Data Options, pick Voice & Data then select 4G.
On Android:
- Open Settings then go to Connections.
- Select Mobile networks, tap on Network mode then pick 4G only.
EDGE Vs LTE
LTE, short for Long Term Evolution, is a wireless broadband communication for mobile devices. In basic differences, EDGE is an older technology whereas, LTE is a newer mobile technology. When it comes to speeds, LTE beats EDGE by far making it good for online working, streaming videos, and other high-speed internet needs.
Due to faster speeds, data usage is higher when on LTE, this is the same case with battery usage. In terms of coverage, EDGE takes it all as you will even have network access in some of the most remote areas.
How To Fix T-Mobile EDGE Not Working?
The 2G network has as wide coverage and there are rare circumstances in which this network fails. Anytime you face an issue with 2G, there is a high chance that you are in quite a remote area. If you are in a 2 G-covered area and it is still not working, you may have to try the following troubleshooting ideas.
Turn On Flight Mode Then Off
This is the quickest yet most efficient idea when your network fails. Swipe down the notification panel then tap on the Airplane sign to turn it on. Wait for a few seconds, turn it off then check how your network behaves. If the airplane sign is not in the notification panel:
- Launch Settings then select Connections.
- Turn on the toggle key beside Flight mode, wait for a few seconds then turn it off.
Restart Your Phone
A simple restart is enough to clear your phone’s memory and fixes common issues including connection problems. To restart your phone, press and hold the power button then hit Restart. Once your device is up, input your SIM PIN then see how it all goes.
Reset Network Settings
If you have made a little bit of tampering with your network settings, it may affect your connection. To bring back your connection, reset your network settings to default. It is however important to note that your WiFi passwords and other connection settings will be removed.
- Go to Settings then select General management. Some other devices may have reset settings under System.
- Tap Reset, click Reset network settings then confirm your action to start the reset.
- Once complete, check if your connection is back.
Contact Support
If you have tried all of the above and your connection still doesn’t work, it could be best to contact support from your provider. Your area could be facing outage issues and it can be addressed once you have notified your provider about the issue. Before contacting support, you can try removing and then readjusting your SIM card and see the results.
Do you want to find out who calls me on this number?
Is It Worth Using T-Mobile EDGE?
After getting all answers to “what is T-Mobile EDGE”, you may have other additional ones e.g is T-Mobile EDGE worth it? Well, the answer could be yes or no depending on the situation. If you love good network speeds then do not even think of T-Mobile EDGE. You will have a speed of between 120 Kbps and 348 Kbps. These speeds are quite low and some sites may bring the “it took too long to load” message. You may however go for this option if you want basic phone operations like making calls or texting.
We have Another article on Free Listen To Phone Surrounding Live someone
Final Thoughts
Up to this far, all your questions about what is T Mobile EDGE and when you need it has been answered. Despite the slow network speeds, there are some scenarios where T-Mobile EDGE comes in handy e.g when you are in a remote location in the US.
If you are not such a heavy internet user, a speed of about 380 Kbps can do a simple google search. To be on the safer side, you may have to set your phone to automatically switch to the best available network. By doing this, you will have a connection when your favorite network mode is down.