UK 02 (poor signal strength/reception problems)

Oh well, it seems my request to the Status Level 5 (or below) posters has been removed by the Moderators, for the reason it was "Off-Topic or a Non-Technical post"? However, I note that the postcode data posted recently is still up? May we interpret this to mean that while explicit requests for data are not allowed by the Mods, whatever (relevant) information we decide to provide off our own bat is our own business?

I hope Apple and/or 02 are taking note of it, and it is providing some help.

The postcode data will verify areas where O2 signals are weak, thus deemed useful. A part of my house, and the local Sainsburys superstore (1/3 into that building structure and I would start to see no service) have low signal strength on the iPhone.

When I took my iPhone to the Genius Bar on Regent St for investigation, the signal reception was max at five bars. I guess they have excellent coverage - and I have no problem using my iPhone when commuting into London. They had suggested I restore the iPhone in iTunes & I did and the symptoms remained. I had the option of a new replacement unit if I returned to the Genius Bar, but held off with the believe that it is an iPhone issue (compared to my other Sony K800i which can handle low signals).

I do not believe that this is an O2 issue, but remains an iPhone issue. This is Apple's early attempt with cellphones & hopefully performance will improve.

I understand that people want to collect post codes, but this is a futile exercise. Every Mobile Operator has a coverage map of radio signals. Two people can be in the same post code but have completely differing levels of radio signal. So the reality the post code comparision tells you nothing. You need to have two phones side by side to actually compare.

If you have ever seen a radio coverage map you will understand that a post code is not granular enough to make a meaningful conclusion, unless that postcode is in the middle of a large large field with no trees or buildings and even then each phone needs to be an exact distance from the base station, and even them a base station could have multiple antenna pushing out stronger signals in differing directions.

I actually suspect since I have great coverage in France ( Orange ) and Vodafone ( Germany ) but very poor intermittant coverage in Ireland with Meteor the issue is perhaps related to a specific phone antenna design coupled with a vendor specific base station coupled with software controls of the phone baseband.

Kevin Brown2 wrote:
I understand that people want to collect post codes, but this is a futile exercise. Every Mobile Operator has a coverage map of radio signals. Two people can be in the same post code but have completely differing levels of radio signal. So the reality the post code comparision tells you nothing. You need to have two phones side by side to actually compare.

Indeed. This is the most informative comparison. Point taken about the postcodes.

the issue is perhaps related to a specific phone antenna design coupled with a vendor specific base station coupled with software controls of the phone baseband.

Again, I agree completely. It is this combination of potential confounds and interactions, that is probably making this problem so hard to identify and solve.

Been following this thread for a few days as having similar problems with no service/ low signal/ missing calls etc. Like others noticed that signal strong when connected to the dock, but when goes to standby - would not take calls/ texts even when phoning from phone right next to it with same signal.

Took it into Apple Store today, at first suggested restore, but I wasn't convinced. When I suggested that it may be a battery issue (also had noticed battery running out pretty quickly) e.g. the fact that when it goes on standby may not be generating enough power to get signal? was brought out a replacement handset straight away.

Since this morning has been working perfectly - no longer intermittent signal in the house and as soon as you bring up screen from standby/ auto lock the signal is there 4/5 bars straight away. Before it would be nothing or 1 bar and then the signal would take a while to boost up. So, for the moment seems that a replacement handset may be the answer - whether it is a battery issue don't know - seems to make sense to me being a very non-technical person!

This discussion was great for getting some info and realising I wasn't going mad thinking that my phone might be the only one with a problem - have fallen back in love with my Xmas iphone (hope it lasts)! Suggest to anyone with similar problem to get to an Apple Store if you're near one and maybe request a replacement - shouldn't matter if past 14 days , mine was, if it's not working as a phone it's not doing it's job!!! Good luck.