Xperia Arc Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot Problems

[#1]

Does anyone have problems getting the portable Wi-Fi Hot Spot to work?

I have just updated my phone to v2.3.3 firmware and still not working.

Build number : 3.0.1.A.0.145

Model : LT15a

I created the Wi-Fi hotspot and successfully connected my notebook to the hot spot but not able to access the internet from the notebook browser.

Checked all the browsers settings, eg. proxy settings to no proxy, firewall settings on my notebook, etc, etc

Just called the Sony Ericsson support number and the support person on the phone.

He informed me that he has tested the portable Wi-Fi hot spot for the Xperia PLAY but not yet for the Xperia Arc

He will do a test on his side and give me a call back.

.

Not sure when though. If he does call back, I will provide an update about this.

Thank you

[#2]

Hi their again, at this stage we have had our technical contact in Australia re-check thier settings again and sadly their is no difference to those supplied previously. From this perspective assumming thiers no hardware issues, the only other factor would be the software varient on the product and specific operator customisation. As the ARC has not been released on the Telstra network we would assume the handset has been imported on this basis if you could private message me with your IMEI Number we can attempt to confirm the software varient,  and from thier establish if thiers any operator specific software customisation preventing the native use of the tethering feature.

[#3]

I've read carefully through this post and other than operating V2.3.2 and build number is 3.0.A.2.184 I am having the EXACT same issue.

Unable to tether either via usb or wifi hotspot. When connected network map shows computer to phone connection as being fine but the phone to internet connection as no connection.

I have the same issue of the 3G/HSDPA symbol disappearing when I enable the portable hotspot.

I do not think that it is likely to be an issue with other software installed as I initially tried this feature when the phone was brand new and clean as a whistle. I now have a selection of apps installed and it still doesn't work!

I have downloaded PdaNet which resolves the issue when I'm connected with USB but I really want wireless and for it to work as it us supposed to.€

I am in the UK on Orange and I have good coverage.  I'd be interested to know what the resolution to this ends up being.

[#4]

Thanks Craig. I was also thinking the only thing left could be the software variant that could be preventing the native USB tethering and Wi-Fi hot spot to work.

Yes the Arc is not officially released on the Telstra network yet. Not sure if it actually will in the end.

I may buy another Arc if Sony Ericsson decides at a later stage to allow Telstra to release it on their network. Of course I need the native USB tethering and Wi Fi hotspot feature to work first.

Currently, I believe only Optus and Vodafone have the exclusive right to sell the Arc. The version sold in not NextG compatible ie the LT15i version.

I usually try to buy pairs of phones. eg. I have two X10as

I bought my phone online through a mobile phone shop in Australia.

When the phone boots up it shows the Rogers logo, which I assume is the operator Rogers, Canada.

The Rogers version has the required hardware/antenna for the Telstra's 850Mhz frequency band which the Next G network is on.

Thank you and I await eagerly for your feedback

[#5]

Thanks elleypelley. It is good to know that other people are also facing the same problem.

I took some time to respond as I did numerous tests to rule out any apps that could be interfering with the USB tethering and Wi-Fi hotspot feature.

I am pretty sure like you, the apps I have installed are not interfering at all. I installed them from scratch one at a time.

[#6]

Craig, you mentioned in an earlier response that one of the SE Australia support team members has the native USB tethering and portable Wi-Fi hotspot working.

Do you know which software variant the phone is on?

If it is confirmed that the Rogers variant prevents the native USB tethering and portable wi-fi hotspot function working, then I may be forced to go down the path of flashing the firmware of the phone to the relevant software variant.

Reluctant to go down that path as I am not an expert in that area and don't want to brick the phone.

If someone knows of a reliable method to flash the firmware to remove the Rogers branding and also have the firmware to a generic world release, that would be great.

Thank you

[Uliwooly]

you can use the global generic firmware for LT15a

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1042963

or

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1120532

[Jake-SonyXperia]

With the information I have gathered so far, I can advise that a Rogers branded Arc handset seems to be branded in such a way that only a Rogers SIM card would allow native tethering In any manner.

Even though the handset is unlocked I do not believe you will be able to achieve native tethering with the current branding.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

[#9]

Thank you Jake for the confirmation.

Hence, reluctantly I will have to go down the path of flashing the firmware to remove the Rogers branding and also to a generic World version.

Once my phone is on the generic version, will there be problems updating and upgrading when later OS versions are released?

Thank you

[#10]

Thank you.

Will give it a go once I have fully understood the whole process step by step.

Don't want to brick the phone.:smileyhappy:

[#11]

elleypelley.

I have been told Orange, UK disables the wifi hotspot feature in their software variant.

Hence for anyone else who has problems getting the native USB tethering and Wi-Fi hotspot working, it may most likely be the software variant it is on.

This really sucks.