Posts:
1
From:
Manhattan NY, NY
Registered:
Jul 16, 2008
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Re: iPhone 3G Reception Problems? You're Not Alone
Posted:
Jul 16, 2008 3:43 PM
in response to: Mobilehavoc
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My iphone reception is driving me crazy. I was with Verizon for 10 years too and maybe had one dropped call in 10 years. I have had countless dropped and missed calls since I got the iphone 3G on Friday. I also regularly get call failures. My signal strength fluctuates considerably even when the phone is sitting in the same place. Sometimes the phone fails to make a proper handoff between 3G and EDGE and I get a No Service indicator.
I really don't know what the cause of all of this is. I live and work in Manhattan. I originally thought the problem was the ATT network here, but now I don't know. One would think that ATT could build out a strong 3G network in Manhattan if anywhere. This is still the center of media in the United States and to make a poor impression here seems like a terrible idea.
I plan to return my phone soon to Apple and see if a second one is any better. But after reading this forum, I am worried an exchange will do me no good!! I love all the features of the phone, but if it is totally unreliable as a phone (as it has been so far) what good are the features? My friends are already laughing at me for having a phone that can barely make and receive calls half the time.
Apple and ATT, please fix this problem now or you will ruin the reputation you have carefully cultivated for this phone!!!
Brian Crist
iphone
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Posts:
111
Registered:
Nov 21, 2004
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Re: iPhone 3G Reception Problems? You're Not Alone
Posted:
Jul 16, 2008 3:43 PM
in response to: Mobilehavoc
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I have a 3G tower about 100 yards from my building here at work. I get 5 bars outside. When I got inside to the other side of the building it switches to EDGE. The antenna on this phone must be crap. Maybe I should buy one of those stick on signal boosters, LOL.
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Posts:
8
From:
Walnut Creek, CA
Registered:
Jul 14, 2008
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Re: iPhone 3G Reception Problems? You're Not Alone
Posted:
Jul 16, 2008 3:44 PM
in response to: Doug Clements
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10 days left on my return window, tick tock tick tock. More reports building, I agree, keep (b)pumping this thread! I've checked Google for AT&T or Apple statements over last 48 hours -- not one official mention of this issue yet.
I have not tried the SIM re-insert, will try that tonight.
I did a complete reinstall last night though, no luck, no 3G service.
I tried accessing 3G at 1:30 a.m. - no luck, no 3G service.
Walked outside, walked down the block, no luck, no 3G service.
It's actually gotten worse -- I used to get 1-2 bars of 3G on Sunday, now it's instantly "No Service." So I kinda DO think it's the network congestion/mass iPhone effect, but still kinda doubt it. It's the phone....
I'll go ahead and make the call to AT&T tonight for fun (c'mon gimmie a rebate on 3G premium if I can't use it!) And to the Apple Store tomorrow.
Need to mosey up to the Genius Bar soon!
iPhone 3G
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Posts:
1
From:
Phoenix
Registered:
Jul 16, 2008
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Re: iPhone 3G Reception Problems? You're Not Alone
Posted:
Jul 16, 2008 3:48 PM
in response to: Doug Clements
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In the same boat as everyone else, posting so hopefully this draws some official attention. My wife and I switched from Verizon to ATT for the 3G iPhones. Service in our home with 3G is 1 bar at best ("No service" is common), with constant dropped calls. Service with 3G turned off isn't much better, ranging from "No service" to short bursts of 3 bars. Side by side comparisons of my phone to a friend with the original iPhone show my iPhone with 1 bar and my friend with full service.
Very frustrating and disappointing! Fingers crossed for a fix, soon.
Message was edited by: ckaps
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Posts:
1
From:
Los Angeles
Registered:
Jul 16, 2008
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Re: iPhone 3G Reception Problems? You're Not Alone
Posted:
Jul 16, 2008 3:50 PM
in response to: PDXREALTOR
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In the spirit of keeping them coming, I too have a 16g with varying 3G receptions. I do get full 3G bars occasionally in Los Angeles, but usually 1 or 2. My problem is I don't think email has ever managed to connect on 3G. I rarely have trouble connecting with Safari and web pages load very quickly. Mail works fine on 2G and on wifi.
MBA, MBP
Mac OS X (10.5.4)
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Posts:
73
From:
Colorado
Registered:
Nov 30, 2007
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Re: iPhone 3G Reception Problems? You're Not Alone
Posted:
Jul 16, 2008 3:54 PM
in response to: Doug Clements
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It's getting ugly out here, the Howard Forum on this subject is not 25 pages long, this one is catching it quickly! I am pretty sure this isn't a mass delusion, I would hope that AT&T and Apple will announce something shortly, if nothing else to acknowledge the issue and they're looking at it. I really don't want to go back to my 2G phone, but it works better!
Fuji Laptop
Windows XP Pro
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Posts:
8
From:
Walnut Creek, CA
Registered:
Jul 14, 2008
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Re: iPhone 3G Reception Problems? You're Not Alone
Posted:
Jul 16, 2008 3:59 PM
in response to: justflybob
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(I was back in NY in early June and I found the city waaaay more wonderful than SF these days. SF is one big trash gutter. As for BART, who really thought upholstered seats and carpets would work on a subway!?!?!? Ewwww! But hey, the Giant's "new" ballpark is amazing fun even when the team isn't. Saw the new park on All Star Game last night, ya'll will enjoy, but sheesh, ditching Candlestick was no biggie. Tearing down Yankee Stadium?!?!?!)
And just to stay on topic: I'll test my 3G reception at AT&T PARK on Friday Night at the ballgame. C'mon, their name's on the stadium, I'll get 3G there right?!?!?!
iPhone 3G
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Posts:
237
Registered:
Sep 11, 2005
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Re: iPhone 3G Reception Problems? You're Not Alone
Posted:
Jul 16, 2008 4:00 PM
in response to: Doug Clements
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ok - i have just checked with the 2 iPhone 3G's i have here - both on o2 (UK) and both with 3G enabled
One of them sticks with EDGE (seems to get no 3G signal at all) and the other sticks doggedly with a weak 3G signal - i tried them each in the same locations here in my flat (one turned on while the other was off). The 'EDGE-only' handset shows a really strong signal - while the 3G one shows a very weak 1 or 2 bar signal.
IS this a variation in antenna sensitivity from one handset to another? Looks like it! Or could it be something software related??
Both are the same firmware (bought at the same time in same shop) - the earlier one ~ (can't remember or be bothred to look up number now!)
G5 2.3 Dual
Mac OS X (10.4.2)
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Posts:
1
From:
Boston
Registered:
Jul 16, 2008
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Re: iPhone 3G Reception Problems? You're Not Alone
Posted:
Jul 16, 2008 4:34 PM
in response to: Doug Clements
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Im having the same problem as well. Just upgraded to the iPhone 3G today from a Treo 750. I normally got 3-5 bars on 3G with my Treo at my house, but now im getting 1 bar 3G and sometimes jumping down to 1 bar woth Edge. Never gets above 1 bar 3G.
I upgraded to the iPhone so i could surf the web better but with these speeds and inconsistency i would have been better with the Treo. I have the 30 days so well see what happens but ill return it if nothing is done by then.
Laptop
Windows XP Pro
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Posts:
3
From:
Houston, TX
Registered:
Jul 16, 2008
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Re: iPhone 3G Reception Problems? You're Not Alone
Posted:
Jul 16, 2008 4:42 PM
in response to: Doug Clements
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I am in Houston having the same problems. Two 16GB phones. 3G is never above 2 bars, almost always 1 or zero. I went to ATT store, and they did not think there was any problem, until they also tested some of their iPhones - no 3G. I am smack in the middle of a huge blue (3G) area.
I would hope that Apple is watching this. I would hope that they would be thinking about all the COO's and IT people reading the internet buzz about this. Apple was trying to break into the corporate market and what do we get: (1) can't activate your phone for hours, (2) MobileMe disaster, and (3) dropped calls.
Blackberry slayers -- yeah right.
Sony Vaio
Windows Vista
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Posts:
4
From:
Seattle, WA
Registered:
Sep 15, 2006
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Re: iPhone 3G Reception Problems? You're Not Alone
Posted:
Jul 16, 2008 4:51 PM
in response to: Doug Clements
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Hi All-
Here is an excellent link that answers information about cell coverage. The signal strength showing on the 3g iphone is not going to be the same as on the 2g because its not comparing apples to apples. A low signal strength (displaying) on the 3G does not necessarily mean lower call quality than the original iphone that might show 5 bars. In most cases your voice calls may actually be better on the new phone.
If you go to the website below it explains in full detail:
http://www.mobiletechreview.com/phones/iPhone-3G.htm
Velocity Micro PC
Windows Vista
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Posts:
6
From:
Brisbane, Australia
Registered:
Nov 29, 2007
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Re: iPhone 3G Reception Problems? You're Not Alone
Posted:
Jul 16, 2008 4:53 PM
in response to: Doug Clements
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I'm having similar problems here in Brisbane, Australia. At home I get one bar with 3G enabled and four to five bars with 3G disabled. It's very consistent though. But at home I have a wireless router, so I really don't need 3G.
The real trouble is when I go to work. On the roof of our car park 3G reception is 5 bars, as it should be with line-of-sight to the centre of the city just a few kilometers away. That would be fine if I moved my desk to the car park roof, but once in my nearby office, 3G drops to one bar at best and no service probably 50% of the time. To get 3G back, I have to walk over to a window and put the phone up to it, power it off and then reboot. It won't pick up the 3G signal on it's own. If I leave MobileMe PUSH enabled, the phone's battery drains in just a couple of hours. I'm assuming it is continuously trying to make a connection to MobileMe and failing.
So it looks like I have to always shut down 3G and PUSH services as I arrive at work, and re-enable them on the way home. So how is this of any business use? Why is 3G reception so bad just 15 minutes walking distance from the centre of a capital city? (I'm on the Optus Network). Are we dealing with transmission frequencies that just don't reach into buildings?
I used Google Maps successfully once while on the road, but lost 3G entirely just a few blocks away. This was only a few kilometres further from the city (Greenslopes for those readers who live here). So I'm coming to the conclusion that 3G with an iPhone is a good idea in theory, but it's unreliability makes it impractical for everyday use - unless you work on the roof.
iMac 24", iPhone 3G
Mac OS X (10.5.4)
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Posts:
23
From:
Japan
Registered:
Jul 14, 2008
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Re: iPhone 3G Reception Problems? You're Not Alone
Posted:
Jul 16, 2008 4:58 PM
in response to: zzGordon
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Indeed the problem is worldwide!!
I am in Japan and we have no choice but to run 3G for ALL calls and data. (so for all you folks saying turn off 3G, NO CAN DO)
My house for example my old Nokia3G phone had full signal, My wife is still using her Nokia with full signal. My new iPhone has 1 bar constantly goes in and out of no service. This is bad for 2 reasons. 1. The obvious, no signal no calls.
2. (Not only does having to keep 3G on all the time drain the battery)Low signal forces it to drain the battery even more as it is struggling to get more signal.
I have only seen the signal go to full strength outside a handful of times.
Conclusion, this must be some kind of hardware/software problem.
I do so hope that this can be resolved because of right now I am shelling out another 250 bucks for an indoor antenna from Softbank to hopefully improve the signal. As I can't deal with this problem as I work from home and need my phone quite often.
iMac
Mac OS X (10.5.4)
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Posts:
3
From:
NY
Registered:
Jun 2, 2008
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Re: iPhone 3G Reception Problems? You're Not Alone
Posted:
Jul 16, 2008 5:03 PM
in response to: Doug Clements
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I am having the same exact issues. On the at&t website it says i should have good coverage and i am stuck on 1 bar for both 3g and edge. It will jump to 2 or 3 bars at random but then move right back down. I spoke to at&t yesterday and the first rep said to replace my sim card because my IRDB never downloaded or something like that. Once i had replaced it i went back home and had the same issues. I even only had 3 bars in the at&t store. You would think their service should be good there. I contacted them again and the rep told me this time that they have more detailed maps, and my house was in a poor coverage area and that those maps that are on the website are just a guesstimate.
Like many people here i canceled my verizon account wanting the iphone, with verizon my service was amazing, now i get dropped and failed calls when i've only had the phone for 2 days. I don't want to go through the headache of canceling again and going back to verizon, and since this problem is so widespread apple pretty much HAS to fix it.
Has anyone submitted this to Engadget or Gizmodo? If you want more people to notice make sure these sites know, because alot of their articles end up on digg and reddit etc. I am going to submit it now, if you want people to notice please do the same!
edit: I live in long island,NY
Message was edited by: Sbrito
Intel imac Silver
Mac OS X (10.5.4)
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Posts:
4
From:
Melbourne Australia
Registered:
Jul 16, 2008
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Re: iPhone 3G Reception Problems? You're Not Alone
Posted:
Jul 16, 2008 5:16 PM
in response to: Doug Clements
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I hate to just echo everyone else's problems, no really - I wish this phone would do the most basic thing properly and be a phone.
Model: white 16GB 3G
Firmware: Used restore process to update it to latest
Carrier: Optus (Melbourne Australia) - carrier update was installed
Other: Removed and reinserted SIM as suggested.
I am experiencing the same issues with 3G. Where I am currently sitting I see 4 - 5 bars. I move the phone less than 1 meter from this exact position and it will drop to 2 bars or even no service. A restart will put it back to 3 - 5 bars.
I have broken out my old bluetooth headset as it tends to work ok if I leave the phone in one position and simply not move it.
For stability reasons I have tried turning off 3G. Yes it gives great reception BUT for whatever reason all the push services, browsing etc ... does not work. I think this is a carrier issue though considering those of you in the US seem to have no problem on the slower service still getting access to data services. I will be speaking to Optus today about this.
Further to this, I am also experiencing black outs for calls in areas where the phone is telling me I have full 3G reception. That was a new experience yesterday (switching 3G off and back on sorted it out) but again, I can't tell if it's a phone issue or carrier having problems.
Quite simply I am struggling to accept paying the high monthly charges for a device that doesn't work.
The only conclusive fact from this thread is that irrespective of what carrier people are on, around the world the same problem is being experienced. If it is a carrier problem, Apple really needs to address what the carriers need to do to their network to make it work for the phone and put it to the carriers to make the necessary changes. If the phone simply doesn't work properly with ANY carrier then the phones need to be fixed. If that is not possible without a hardware change then phones should be returned and priority placed on replacements finding their way to owners hands with a suspension of the costly accounts until a working product is brought to market.
It is a joke to think that consumers should be burdened with having to pay for a failed product /service.
At the end of the day my contract is with my carrier. If this is not resolved soon or at the very least some assurance that these problems have been acknowledged and will be fixed this phone will be returned.
The only thing Optus has suggested is to try a new SIM (which I am now waiting for). I am not sure what this is supposed to do exactly but will try it and let people here know how that goes.
Message was edited by: Uberdruid
MBP
Mac OS X (10.5.4)
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