What is Field Test Display (FTD), NetMonitor, Engineering Mode

Spy Cellular Network Information
Do you know when your mobile phone communicate with cellular network in full power?

What is the sound quality when you are in conversation?

Data transfer is slow. Am I using EDGE or GPRS?

With Field Test Display, the above questions can be easily answered.

If you hit this page by search engine, you should properly know what is Field Test Display (FTD), NetMonitor (Netmon) and Engineering Mode. Yes, they refer to same thing. Different handset supplier use different terms to describe same function.

FTD is used to display engineering mode information, which is intended for network engineers' information. The information is useful for them to have quick check on network performance. Of course, phone users can also benefit from the "hidden" information if they know what the parameters refering to.

How to enable netmon function? Different brand and different handset type will have different methods. Some phone can enable the field test display by secret code. Some phones need patch specific bits of firmware (like Nokia DCT-4 phones).

The display varies from handset to handset, and not all handsets give the same information. By looking at the following links you should have an idea what it is related.

{links to be added later}

This blog is created in an attempt to provide myself a place to collect all the interesting information related the netmon. Of course, I will be glad if you find the information useful. Your comments are highly appreciated.