The ability of a modern phone to access the Internet — a very important function, but network access can be disrupted for various reasons. Sometimes the letter “E” appears on the screen, which indicates certain problems with the Internet.
The appearance of the letter “E” in the upper status line of the phone screen indicates that the device has switched to using mobile internet standard called EDGE, explains GSMinfo. This means a very low speed, a maximum of 150–200 Kbit/s. This is barely enough to send and view messages in messengers. Other Internet capabilities are unavailable.
A weak mobile signal is often observed in the following situations:
- 1. Remote regions: Due to the rare location of cell towers in sparsely populated areas, there are problems with coverage.
- 2. Underground spaces: The signal weakens in basements, underground parking lots and basement floors of buildings.
- 3. Urban development: Dense high-rise buildings, physical obstructions, and large numbers of mobile users can interfere with the signal.
While it is not possible to relocate base stations or eliminate architectural obstructions, there are methods to improve communication quality. If there are no obvious reasons for a weak signal, and the “E” indicator is displayed on the device screen, you can try to improve the situation.
To get rid of the letter “E” on the smartphone screen, you need to switch the network type manually. How to do it:
- go to the phone settings and select the “SIM cards and mobile data” section
- click “Preferred network type” or “Network type” and select “Only 3G”
Most often after that the “E” icon disappears and the inscription 3G appears. If the problem is not solved, you need to reboot the smartphone.
If the method described above did not help, the problem may lie in the SIM card or the malfunction of the smartphone. In order to find out the reason and eliminate it, you will have to contact the service center.