Does 3G Use Battery When There's No 3G Signal?

[Locker]

A quick question... sorry if it's been mentioned before:

In Settings you can turn 3G on/off. In my area there's no 3G reception, nor at my workplace, so on a normal day my phone won't have any 3G connectivity at all. Even though there's no 3G signal for my phone to pick up, will leaving the 3G option turned on in Settings affect my battery?

 

[quagmire]

It will probably still use battery as it is still looking for a signal to connect to even though the iPhone is using 2.5G for phone calls and data. Best bet is just to turn it off.

 

[LeeTom]

i find that my battery wears quicker when there is no signal, as it is constantly looking for a network.

 

[quagmire]

i find that my battery wears quicker when there is no signal, as it is constantly looking for a network.

It uses the batter quicker because the 3G chip is using more power then if it had a better signal.