[k_b0000]

Hi.

Got myself a E72 recently but people started complaining that they cannot hear what i say (i have turned off noise cancellation). So i started looking at the signal strength reported by the phone and compared this with the E51 phone i also use extensively.

I made the test in the exact same location, using the same SIM-card (and operator).

I placed the phone on the desk and then held it in my hand, both time using the loudspeaker.

Here is what i found, in general and in test.

- The E72 always shows between 1 and 3 bars of less signal strength.

- People tell me that the sound is chopped up, just like i would have poor coverage (which i really do not have).

- The E72 often switch over from 3G to GSM while talking, this happens almost always on the E72, and almost never on the E51. I can see on the phone that this always happens when signal strength for 3G goes down. The switch over is bad, while on 3G i can use data traffic while talking, but on GSM i can not use data traffic while talking.

I used the Energy profiler version 1.23 to have a look at what is going on.

I made the call only on the 3G-network.

When i have the phone lying on the desk i got the following signal strength.

The calls were about a minute.

On desk, using loudspeaker, location 1

E72: transmit average -2dBm, receiving average: -95dBm

E51: transmit average -5dBm, receiving average: -87dBm

In hand, using loudspeaker, holding hand still, location 1.

E72: transmit average -0dBm, receiving average: -96dBm

E51: transmit average -7dBm, receiving average: -87dBm

The variation in signal strenght vas very limited, usually less then +- 4dBm.

In hand, using loudspeaker, holding hand still, location 2.

E72: transmit average -10dBm, receiving average: -91dBm

E51: transmit average -18dBm, receiving average: -77dBm

on the second location, recieve signal was stable on both phones, transmit went at the most + 11dBm and -7dBm on E51 but was stable on E72.

E72 software 031.023.261.01 (update not available yet for this one).

E51 software 410.34.001

Is it a hardware issue or is it a software issue?

What can i do about this?

[k_b0000]

I think that the signaling issue may be a design issue.

On the E72 antennas are placed at the bottom of the phone, down by the key pad. This of course is where most people will have their hand when using the phone, either when holding the phone to the ear, or when typing on the keypad. Effectively blocking any signals.

I made a test using both the E72 and the E51, in which i used the Nokia Energy profiler to see the signal strength. In the first half part of the call i held my hand behind the top of the phone (behind the display), then i moved the hand down to the normal grip (behind the keypad).

On the E72 signal strength was good when holding at the top, but drop when hand was moved down, this was exactly the opposite to E51, where all antennas are at the top.

In the attached file you can see the signal strength from the E72.

At first it is good, then it suddenly drops almost 10dBm. That's when i move the hand down to the normal position behind the keypad.

[k_b0000]

Adding a comment on the signal attachment.

In the bottom you can see reception (green).

On the top you can se transmit (purple).

As reception goes down, tranmitt strengt also goes up.