Why Am I Only Getting 2G Edge Data on My BLU Smartphone?

Today two readers have reported only getting 2G, Edge data connections using Straight Talk wireless with their BLU smartphones.

First, Amy, writes:

Okay I’m about to send this phone(BLU Studio 5S) back ..no matter what I can not connect to my data plan only get edge and I tried everything

Next, Cindy commented…

I have a blu studio 5c HD d535u and can’t seem to find the appropriate straight talk APN settings for it. I also wonder why I’m only able to operate on 2g network? I would be so grateful for some help please.

Hi Amy and Cindy,
First, for the benefit of other readers, both Cindy and Amy report that they are getting a 2G or Edge data connection. A 2G data connection means that their phones are only connecting to a older and much slower network. 2G networks are barely usable for email and web browsing, and essentially too slow for streaming music and video. You can tell if you have a 2G connection by the E in the top right of the screen in the status bar.

That said, there are a few reasons why you might be getting a 2G connection. The first is that with some BLU phones, there are two SIM slots, one of the slots is 2G only. I am not sure if that is the case with our phones. Second, it possible, that your settings are configured wrong. Check Settings->More->Mobile Networks->Preferred Network Types and make sure that your phone is not set to 2G. The exact options might be different on your BLU phone than my Android phone.

Most likely, these two reason are not the problem but we needed to rule them out.

The third and most likely reason you are getting a 2G connection is because of the cellular network in your area. Straight Talk uses either the ATT network or the TMobile network depending on which SIM you activated. The easiest way to tell which network you are using is by the color of the plastic card your SIM came on. If the card was red or pink your using the TMobile network. The blue or gray cards are the ATT network. You can see what the different SIM cards look like here:
Straight Talk Wireless Bring Your Own Phone Activation Kit SIMS Packaged Incorrectly

If you are using Straight Talk’s T-Mobile network, sometimes transferring your service to their ATT network helps. TMobile had made a huge investment in updating their network in many parts of the country, but in some areas coverage is still sparse and you’ll get a 2G connection. Transferring your service from your current Straight Talk SIM to a new Straight Talk SIM is pretty straight forward. See Transferring Your Existing Straight Talk Service to a New Straight Talk Phone or SIM

The ATT network has better coverage, and its usually a better choice. But, there are some areas of the country, where the ATT network doesn’t have coverage. Many readers tell me that in their area, everyone uses the Verizon network because ATT doesn’t work well. Straight Talk also uses the Verizon network as well, but you need a Verizon compatible phone, and unfortunately your BLU phone isn’t.

I hope this helps. Check out these options and let me know what you find.

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