iPhone 3G Reception Problems? You're Not Alone - Continued

I too have this problem. I will be on a call and it will just drop the connection! If I turn 3g off I NEVER have this problem but with 3g enabled it constantly happens.

SORT IT OUT APPLE!!! I have a two yr old nokia that has 3g and does not drop out atall!!

If it helps I am running 2.0.1 and am in Spain.
My 2 1st gen iPhones work without a problem!

Living in the urban bay area I didn't expect a reduction in call reliability, but my iPhone 3g drops many more calls than my old cell. I often have failed calls when trying to connect a call, having to make sometimes 2-4 attempts to place a call, and I've noticed it drops many more calls than in the past. I assume the call drops happen when switching from 3G to EDGE, but it is still annoying. I hope something can be done about this in the software, but I have a feeling it might be related to hardware. Other than that, it is a great device. I decided to join the posts on this because I waited over a year for iPhone 3g hoping that the kinks would get worked out by the 2nd model, but I guess not all of them.

Today i had a lot of calls with T-Mobile Germany. The first time i got a maybe truth answer. T-Mobile gets a lot of calls because many people have 3G reception problems. In my opinion it is a hardware issue. I will get a new one.

bluelaser wrote:
CNET posted a story today that the 3G problems may be due to the 3G chipset in the iPhone:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10015301-37.html

No other major phone manufacturer has this chipset. If this is true, then it may be a poor hardware quality issue that cannot be fixed without a replacement/ recall.

Way to go Apple.

Hello Bluelaser & All,

Wow... if this is a chipset issue... Apple has a lot of iPhones that would need to be re-called! I just traveled to the Sacramento Arden Mall, (Apple Store located there) and at least 20 people waiting in line to buy the iPhone! Even a month later!

I checked all the iPhones in the Apple store and the 3G reception is better than it was a few weeks ago? Most of the phones on display had 1 to 3 bars of 3G. Our two iPhone 3G's actually had great reception throughout the entire mall?

What is going on? Bad chipsets, AT&T tower problems, some can swap SIM's, etc... come on Apple and/or AT&T... please just tell us what is going on! The number of posts on the Apple board, AT&T board, and publications like CNet News (Tom Krazit is really hammering on Apple), ZD Net, Wired, etc., etc., are telling the "WORLD" about the 3G reception issues. It is finally getting the "attention" it deserves.

How long can Apple & AT&T remain silent?

Not talking about it... will not make it go away guys!

Thanks,
Doug

In the belief that agony shared is agony relieved, I share a summary of my 3G problems. I offer no solutions, all my efforts have been in vain too. I have lived since day 1 (7/11) by switching to 3G for data xfer when out. But I forget, occasionally, to return to Edge, and pay with missed calls, dropped calls and delayed/lost text msgs. I've found that after switching several times, that a reboot may become necessary, to get out of NO SERVICE. On the few 3G calls I have made, I occasionally hear the other party talking from under water just before the call drops. The data transfer under 3G has been good. I haven't measured it. I'm happy with it and not really looking for more cuts from which to bleed.
I'll check back from t2t for progress. Good luck to us all!

I have also had a few dropped calls since I purchased the iPhone 3G, however, it's not enough for me to get upset about. What bothers me the most is when I went to Las Vegas NV on business, and could not access the internet. I turned on my data roaming, so it should have worked. I called Rogers (my provider) and they suggested that I reset my network configuration. Perfect. This actually fixed it. ...for about half an hour. Every time I wanted to access the internet I had to reset my network configuration. I also noticed that my phone switched providers quite a bit. From AT&T to T-mobile and a few others while I was in Vegas. Maybe this is why I always had trouble accessing the Internet?

I'm having the same issue with the 3G network, and I live in an area that according to the AT&T coverage map, should have complete 3G coverage. I'm going to the apple store today to see if they can help me out. I am currently running the phone on the Edge network, just so I can have reception. This really *****!!!

Here in Toronto I have never had a dropped call on my iPhone--and I use it constantly all over the city on an unlimited talk plan. The service has been crystal-clear and 100 per cent stable. So it seems to me there must be something quite different between Rogers' implementation of 3G and At&T's–there can't be that much variation between individual iPhone handsets, can there?

"Me too"
Just got my iPhone Sunday and immediately started experiencing dropped calls. I am in the Atlanta metro area and have never had problems with reception (the iPhone is my 1st 3G). I am getting 1 bar or "No Service" at home which stinks because I work from home. And, yes, switching to Edge, I get 5 bars, but that is not what I signed up for. Like most, I love the phone but I am pretty upset at having to buy into a 2-year contract, spend more per month and have far inferior service than with my old Nokia.
So what's the deal? I can take this back within 14 days and get a refund and out of the contract?
I hate to do it really, but I have a serious problem with a premium product not functioning in a premium manner.

+there can't be that much variation between individual iPhone handsets, can there?+

well, this could be possible. there are a number of reports of people who claim they don't have any reception problems at all with the iPhone. So personally I'm still not sure if this is just a very large faulty hardware batch.

This is what only Apple can clarify.

I've had days were less than 10% of my calls could be completed. I work 1 block from a tower (according to at&t) and never had anything less than full bars with my 3g blackjack in the same spot. The bars I have fluctuate between 5 and 0 all day long from the same spot. New SIM card didn't help. I'm not sure how AT&T can justify charging more for the data plan when 3g is not reliable.

One of these companies needs to step up and claim responsibility (probably apple). We are all paying full price for a bill of goods and a service that hasn't been delivered.

I've had days were less than 10% of my calls could be completed. I work 1 block from a tower (according to at&t) and never had anything less than full bars with my 3g blackjack in the same spot. The bars I have fluctuate between 5 and 0 all day long from the same spot with the iPhone 3G. New SIM card didn't help. I'm not sure how AT&T can justify charging more for the data plan when 3g is not reliable.

One of these companies needs to step up and claim responsibility (probably apple). We are all paying full price for a bill of goods and a service that hasn't been delivered.

T-Mobile in the Netherlands is blaming Apple:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10015661-37.html

The iphone...great mobile web browser... awesome mp3 player..movie player...some cool apps out there...a great tip calculator...but a totally crap phone! It is called iphone for a reason Steve...its suppose to be a great phone before it is anything else.. I can not make a call here in Phoenix Arizona with this ibrick.. Dropped calls...no service..I have been a loyal customer of Apple for over 10 years..ever since I begged my father to buy me a mac...Ill buy there computers all day long..but this will most likely be my last apple phone ever! way to miss the mark..way to go with inferior service too..AT&T is horrible....I live in the nations 5th largest city..and have weak signal..no way..Im going with a crack berry..and different carrier...

I might as well weigh in with my 2¢.
For the most part I haven't had any real problems with my new iPhone 3G...
EXCEPT
one area near where I live (I am on bluetooth headset, driving, trying to be safe so I am not looking at phone). Almost every day I get booted off the conversation in the same place.
If AT&T cares, Washington DC area, near NIST and Rte 124.
This never happened with my Moto Razor (not 3G of course). Something is definitely interfering with the signal.