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

I have an issue even with the 2.1 upgrade where I have a solid 3G connection for data, then I check for e-mails, 3G drops and EDGE symbol displays.

After the 2.1 upgrade,
I notice that APPS from the APP store take longer to download too. I had a Hold'em poker that took 20 minutes to download and install over my WIFI at 6M download speed.

There are a few class action lawsuits being filed against apple due to the failed promise of the phone compared to how it was marketed.

WE NEED A PHONE THAT WORKS AS MARKETED.

I guess I should exchange my phone to see if that will help or not. I got one of the first batch of 3G phones. I doubt they have changed any hardware in the manufacturing yet though.

I don't want to bash Apple, I just want to have an awesome experience with my iPhone! I want it to be a success! right now, it is just not working out. 😟

<Edited by Moderator>

it's much easier if folks would tell their dBm vaules instead of saying solid, perfect reception, etc....if you check your average dBm value..you know exactly if you have good reception or NOT..


if you have a reception like steady -80 dBm, then it should not be any problem (except if there are many users who grabs bw), if you are above -90, then you have not so good reception, and if you have a dBm value over -100, then you have really bad reception..

Prior to 2.1 upgrade I had in my house 3G always(you guys can check my zip code 10312), now I see that I have EDGE most of the times.

I have checked my coverage and it shows that I have 3G. So I called AT&T and the guy had no idea how help me, he was telling me that I need to download the 3G application????, I explain guy that prior 2.1 upgrade my phone had 3G all the times, any way he told me to call Apple, and I did, spoke to a guy and he made me do a reset of the sim card, when I turn ob the phone it showed 3G but after I hung up the phone EDGE showed again, so I called apple again and I was told to go to AT&T store and change the sim card.

As soon as I got there the phone showed 3G network so I couldn't do a thing about it.

Are you guys experience the same problem???

(Update) When I get 3G signal I have full bars,so i don't get it why it switches to Edge)

Message was edited by: PATRICIO_NY

Hey PATRICIO_NY,

Don't just do a SIM swap. Ask the AT&T rep to do the following. This is the best shot to resolve your issue. Amazing how Apple is now telling people to try the SIM procedure!

1. Ask the AT&T rep for a new SIM card.
2. Why? Because you want the latest update, and hopefully it will fix your 3G reception issues.
3. NO CHARGE for doing this.
4. Updates can only be put on a brand new SIM card immediately after it’s activated.
5. The AT&T rep must go into your account, change the SIM card number to match the new one.
6. Once in your account confirm that your iPhones IMEI number matches AT&T’s records as well.
7. Next, the AT&T rep must have an application open called "Card Station".
8. Put the new SIM card into the card reader.
9. Click on the Card Station application (on the computer), and click "Activate".
10. Your new SIM card will then receive 4 downloads, take SIM card out.
11. Wait 1-2 minutes.
12. Then, do it again, place the SIM card back in the Card Station and click “Activate”.
13. It will now receive another 2-7 downloads.
14. Now, place the new updated SIM card back into phone.
15. Re-Set Your Phone.
16. Check Your Signal Strength.
17. Sometimes the AT&T Network can take up to 30 minutes for the update to take effect.
✓ Remember... Get your original SIM card back.

Good luck,
Doug

Thank you Doug

Will do it first thing tomorrow

Just now, with 2.1 & in Field Test mode, my 3G iPhone / O2 combination was registering -71dBm to -79dBm, up & down, up & down, when I was by the front window, and as I moved back through the house it gradually weakened to -89dBm to -103dBm, occasionally -113dBm, up & down, up & down, by the time I got to the back window (where the iMac is - ie: where I might most often need it to work) ... all the time showing 3G, nearly always showing 5 bars, occasionally dropping to 4 then 3 bars ...

we occasionally get dropped calls ⚠, but surfing generally seems pretty OK - presumably because the average signal is not diabolical - and when I measure the download rate using the Wired test, it usually registers something around 1.7Mbps ... occassionally as low as half that ...

the 1.7Mbps is rather better than our 3G USB stick / Hutchison 3 combination manages - I did once see it reach such dizzy speeds, but it usually churns away at about a tenth of that, perhaps double that during the small hours !

ie: iPhone / O2 is doing a lot better than the stick, and the bars seem now to be an indicator more of download speed capacity rather than straight signal strength !

Great device ... fantastic functionality ... occasional dropped 'calls, & generally poor 'call audio quality - we're surprised, but we can live with it !!

took 20 minutes to download and install over my WIFI ...

how about turning Wi-Fi off - we find things much faster when the iPhone goes via 3G (the Wi-Fi being used to connect our iMac & laptops & iPod together, too) ... we get fast downloads, too, even with relatively weak 3G signals ...

Hey PATRICIO_NY,

From tracking the stats on my web site... this procedure appears to work about 65% of the time. Please call ahead and make sure the AT& store has the SIM card reader. Some people have told me that the AT&T store they went to did not have one! If the AT&T store does not have one... I would call and find an AT&T store that does. Just remember to get your original SIM card back. Just in case this does not work, or makes your reception worse.

I sure hope this works for you.

Good Luck Man!
Doug

I seem to have just little problems, but since the new update my battery ***** !!! my reception picked up tho so im happy just want the battery fixed

All that replied to me... your missing my post. Its was "<Edited by Moderator>"

The entire post is not there. I'm out...

Hi Doug,

I went to the AT&T store and yes they didn't have the SIM car reader,I made an appointment with apple to see if they can fix the problem, although the guys on AT&T store had no idea about the SIM card reader, one guy was telling me that they use the SIM reader to transfer information form contacts information into the new Sim card????

And the AT&T store gave me the new card, I don;t know if I go to a different AT&T store will they charge me for replacing the Sim card again????

Thanks

Patricio

I still have appalling 3G reception in several areas that O2 claims have strong 3G coverage. I'm in the process of making a formal complaint to them at the moment.

I don't know if it's the phone or the network. I suspect a bit of both.

Either way, neither Apple nor O2 appear to give a **** about their customers.

Hey Patricio,

No charge for SIM cards. Yes... defiently try another AT&T store. I would call first and ask the following questions:

1. Ask for the store manager.
2. Ask if they have a SIM card reader.
3. Ask if they have the software application "Card Station".
4. Print the directions and take them with you.

It sounds like the store you were at had the SIM reader? But they just don't know how to do this procedure. 99% of the AT&T stores do not! I wonder if they had the software application "Card Station"? It takes some convincing to do this!

All the AT&T stores in our area have the SIM card readers. I wish my store could do the SIM card for you... and I could mail it to you!!! Anyhow, did you try calling a few other AT&T stores?

Unfortunately Apple does not have them for sure.

Did you try the new SIM they gave you? Did it work?

Thanks,
Doug

Hi Doug,

Yes,I put the new Sim card ant went to Apple store, and they saw that the phone showed EDGE, and they gave me a new phone, although I got a new phone, I was reading on this forum that refurbished phones serial number's star with 5k?? is this true.

On the other hand, the new phone shows 3G on the my house, I will keep you posted if this phone have any problems

Patricio

UK - found this this morning ... tells where all current base-stations are, their operator, power, frequency, etc ...

http://www.sitefinder.ofcom.org.uk/

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