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Level 1

10 points

iPhone reception is poor (it's actually NOT AT&T).... Hope Apple Reads This

After using the iphone all I could think of was...."fewest dropped calls" my a--. I've never has so many dropped calls in my life since switching to the new iPhone.

Here are steps I've taken:

Verified that I'm in an excellent coverage area (with AT&T)
Swapped SIM - It was suggested online, and by Apple Support.
Swapped iPhone
Purchased Wi-Ex zBoost YX510 Dual band signal booster.

All to no avail.

I've determine it's not AT&T that is the problem it's the iPhone.

When the phone is sitting, I can get full signal, 4 bars. As soon as I pick up the phone...I get dropped calls, zero signal, no service, or maybe 1 bar (barely).

Even after doing all the aforementioned items, I still get loss of service. Clearly this is a problem with the iPhone, a search of the web shows TONS of people experiencing the same issue.

Not only that, but I contacted Wi-Ex the makers of zBoost which was HIGHLY rated by several reputable magazines etc...and they stated they have actually gotten a LARGE number of calls with respect to iPhone users having poor reception.

He pointed to transmit power as possibly being the culprit. I'm not a phone expert, I'm a Senior Systems Engineer, so not sure what that would have to do with anything. But he stated it used to be the old Motorola RAZR that they constantly got calls about and he verified that they definetly had the worst trasmit power out of any cell phone seen. Which is probably why so many people complain about the RAZR but now he states the iPhone calls are slowly taking over.

Even with the booster in my house, I reguarly get FULL signal 4 bars...but like I said...as soon as I touch the phone or make a call...it's all over.

I'm hoping this can be fixed through an iPhone update. I would hate to think I have to return the phone can cancel service, but I can't operate like this.

If Apple is watching, I'm willing to be a beta tester in anyway you see fit. I love the phone but I can't deal with all these great features but constant call dropping.

Custom Built Intel Core 2 Duo 2.67GHz, ABIT, 3GB RAM, 750GB HDD, Windows Vista

Posted on Aug 14, 2007 11:00 AM

96 replies

LexusNoir Author

Level 1

10 points

Aug 20, 2007 7:28 AM in response to LexusNoir

We're not hear to bash Apple or AT&T (I hope). We just want to fix the problem.

Someone said let's post our MODEL numbers of the iphone and mention whether you have the dropped call issue or not. Great idea.

Just to clarify the ISSUE I started this thread about was....

Phone is lying down, FULL SIGNAL.
When you pick up the phone, the signal fluctuates to no signal and you're unable to make a call.

Or during a call that had full signal, your call drops and you get "no service".

Keep in mind this should happen when you're in the exact same spot. Obviously if you're moving around drop calls can occur. But we're talking EXCESSIVE dropped calls and LARGE swings in signal.

Here's the format you should post in. PS: The model # can be found on the back of the phone. Pull out your glasses old guys. 🙂

*MODEL #*
*YES I HAVE THE PROBLEM*

OR

*NO I DONT HAVE THE PROBLEM*.

I WILL START:

Model: A1203

YES I experience the problem.

Let's see if we can identify a trend.

Mike626

Level 1

11 points

Aug 20, 2007 10:09 AM in response to LexusNoir

I also have this issue.

I don't seem to think its AT&T.
Seems like it cant decide which tower to use.

Model MA712

Aug 20, 2007 2:55 PM in response to LexusNoir

Derrick, it sounds like you mean well, but this is asking for a poll, which is against the terms and conditions. This is a good thread, don't get it pulled by taking it somewhere that will get it pulled.

TikiKing

Level 1

8 points

Aug 20, 2007 9:55 PM in response to LexusNoir

derrickonline,

I hate to burst your bubble. My Razr, my wife's Razr, and my three iPhones also had the same problem with AT&T. Not most but every call we made was garbled and/or dropped, yet we would have 4 or 5 bars. Our problem was in our neighborhood. When we left town the phones worked fine.

We are using the same Razrs now for a week with T-Mobile and we have not experienced one dropped or garbled call.

I am sure there are problems with T-Mobile in other neighborhoods. And there lies the problem with the iPhone. You have to choose a carrier that works where you live and work. If AT&T can not provide that for you, no iPhone. Sorry.

Aug 20, 2007 10:13 PM in response to J.K. ROFLing

Since polling is against the terms and conditions, i created a rudimentary poll for iPhone owners experiencing this problem.

http://ktula.com/2007/08/20/iphone-reception-poll/

Right now, it's only showing two model numbers that i am aware of. If your iPhone is having this problem and the model number is not on the list, leave me a comment in that page and i'll add it to the poll.

blacnote

Level 1

0 points

Aug 20, 2007 10:47 PM in response to Changren Yong

i think atnt has been in bussiness for quite a few years and just because u bought a lemon does not mean its their fault .. ple return your phone and try to get one that works . call me green, a noobie or what ever i have had no probs with my phone. while i understand the need for info for peeps that have real problems i am sick and tired of peeps just complaining hope this help

peace

Aug 20, 2007 11:08 PM in response to blacnote

I think you are barking on the wrong tree.

Just like you are sicked and tired of people complaining, many iPhone users are sicked and tired of having their calls dropped. I have never claimed that i have bought a lemon. I certainly have not blamed AT&T for this problem (i have said that it could be a combination of AT&T and Apple).

I am happy that you have absolutely no problem with your iPhone. But that is not the case with many others, like me.

bboyredcel may have hit it right on the nail when he wrote that the issue "lies in the iPhone software and its inability to switch towers and frequencies efficiently or effectively." If bboyredcel is right, then iPhone owners (and former owners like me) having this problem happened to be in an area where iPhone cannot handle two cell towers providing the same rx signal strength.

I think one way to test this is to put iPhone in the Field Test Mode. Putting iPhone in the Field Test Mode should tell you the rx signal from the nearby towers.

http://www.wirelessinfo.com/content/Inside-the-iPhone-field-test-mode.htm

blacnote

Level 1

0 points

Aug 20, 2007 11:21 PM in response to Changren Yong

trust me im not barkin ihave stood in the same spot with another ipone customer and have had totally two different out comes and the only thing i told him was to go and get a phone that performed better i apoligize if i came off wrong or harsh

blacnote

Level 1

0 points

Aug 20, 2007 11:25 PM in response to blacnote

i was trying to state the obvious when most peeps try to get all technical somtimes its the simple things that makes the difference

Aug 20, 2007 11:50 PM in response to blacnote

If you pay attention at the posts by others having this issue, you will notice that they are on their second or third iPhones. If the solution is as simple as replacing the "bad" iPhone with a "good" one like what you mentioned, many have already tried that.

JKahuna

Level 1

0 points

Aug 21, 2007 2:07 AM in response to TikiKing

Model: A1203

YES I am experiencing the problem as well.

I already Re-set,Restored and replaced the SIM card & the actual iphone once, but the problem continues.

Aug 21, 2007 8:18 AM in response to LexusNoir

It IS AT&T!

I moved into my new place in October 2006. I had Cingular, the RAZR. The reception sucked. I didn't have a prayer of getting any signal inside, and it was really really spotty out on the deck, with I would say 90% of calls dropping, and according to the map I was in a strong coverage area.

So, being that my RAZR was almost 2 years old at that point, I thought I would try my luck with the new Samsung slider phone that just came out. Nope - same results! Just as bad.

At the end of January '07, I was out on the deck in the rain trying to make a call, and once again the calls just kept disconnecting. I got so fed up I threw my phone across the deck shattering it!

I put my coat on and headed to T-Mobile and got the BlackBerry Pearl. Perfect, and I mean perfect signal strength. Not only could I get a full signal outside, I could get one inside, and even in my bathroom (not that I make calls in the bathroom - was just testing).

Well, when I saw the iPhone I had no choice but to switch back to a company I am not, in the least, a fan of. Well, the iPhone has proved a whole heck of a lot better than the RAZR or Samsung. I get much better reception, although I still experience dropped calls and it is spotty inside. Not as good as T-Mobile, but improved, thank God.

In my experience, it's the iPhone that has improved my reception, because my upstairs neighbor has AT&T (SE phone) and his reception has remained unchanged - he struggles with the signal too.

It just baffles me that Apple went with AT&T. I mean, they are the worst - plan and simple. Worst signal strength, worst customer service, and they nickle and dime their customers more than any other company I've ever seen.

When I was with T-Mobile my bill was the same every single month, almost to the penny. With AT&T/Cingular it's all over the place - a nickle here, and dime there.

I love the iPhone though...

Aug 22, 2007 6:16 AM in response to LexusNoir

For those having issues with the signal fluctuation / drop calls issue, has the 1.0.2 update helped in any way?

Aug 22, 2007 7:56 AM in response to LexusNoir

I too had a problem with this...only I returned my iphone and went back to verizon. I had the same signal issues at home which I am less than 2 miles from a strong signal on ATT's map and "no service" at work where others on ATT were making and receiving calls with their non-iphones. I believe this is a problem with the phone and this is my reason...with verizon I had a razor and with no bars at work (I do work in a warehouse) I could make and receive calls and texts...I now have a Treo 700p and drop calls with one bar showing but can send/receive texts. I am still in love with the iphone and am tempted to get another with a different number to see how apple can try to fix this problem...maybe only have to pay restocking fe if I return it again. Many of the ideas on here make sense especially the ability to switch signals, and the antenna location. Seems like many having this problem had it fixed when apple sent them a new phone....still want one

iTried

Level 1

0 points

Aug 22, 2007 8:44 AM in response to JKahuna

I am in the same boat...

Model: A1203 (x2 my wife has the same model #)

Tried everything - restores, software updates, changed SIMs, changed iPhones, and still the problem persists.

By the way - not sure if this is at all geographically based, but I am in NC.

iPhone reception is poor (it's actually NOT AT&T).... Hope Apple Reads This