Cannot send text messages in my house or other buildings

Question

Level 1

8 points

Cannot send text messages in my house or other buildings

So here is my issue. I got an iPhone for Christmas, and at first didn't have a problem with is. But for the past 4 days or so, I haven't been able to send or receive text messages in my house and most other buildings. What really boggles me here is that while I can't send text messages, I can make and receive calls, and have a signal that is around 3 or 4 bars. Is it me, or does anyone agree that if a phone can make calls, it should be able to send text messages?

I have asked Telus about this problem, and they have been little help. The first time I went to them about it, they reset the network and said that would fix it. The second time I asked about it, they told me it was most likely a problem with the phone itself, which makes no sense to me.

In addition, I noticed that a few other Telus customers on here posting that they have problems with their iPhones. Is there something I should know about the Telus network and the iPhone?

Thoughts? Thanks

Compaq, Windows Vista

Posted on Jan 10, 2010 8:22 PM

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Answer 1

modular747

Level 6

19,674 points

Jan 10, 2010 9:01 PM in response to Fraser44

at first didn't have a problem with is. But for the past 4 days or so, I haven't been able to send or receive text messages in my house and most other buildings.

Does this mean you can send/receive SMS when outside? When you say "can't send" - does the phone not process the send function, or is it that it isn't delivered? Are these all text only or MMS messages?

What really boggles me here is that while I can't send text messages, I can make and receive calls, and have a signal that is around 3 or 4 bars. Is it me, or does anyone agree that if a phone can make calls, it should be able to send text messages?

Calls and text messages are handled differently by the carrier, and the fact that you can make calls doesn't mean anything. Usually this is a carrier problem. Do you know others using Telus local to you who aren't having this problem with iPhones?

Try: Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings

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Answer 2

Fraser44 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 10, 2010 9:20 PM in response to modular747

modular747 wrote:

Does this mean you can send/receive SMS when outside? When you say "can't send" - does the phone not process the send function, or is it that it isn't delivered? Are these all text only or MMS messages?

Yes, I can send and receive while outside, though I have experienced the same issue outside once or twice. And it processes the send function, but the message doesn't send and a red ⚠ appears beside it. And this is for text messages, I don't even know what an MMS is.

modular747 wrote:

Calls and text messages are handled differently by the carrier, and the fact that you can make calls doesn't mean anything. Usually this is a carrier problem. Do you know others using Telus local to you who aren't having this problem with iPhones?

Telus has remained woefully ignorant of the problem, they have provided little to no feedback other than to send to phone to Apple. And unfortunately, I dont know anyone else who uses Telus, or anyone with an iPhone

And I have tried the network reset, it didn't resolve the issue

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Answer 3

modular747

Level 6

19,674 points

Jan 10, 2010 9:36 PM in response to Fraser44

If you get the red exclamation point after sending, it means the carrier failed to accept or rejected the transmission. If it works in some locations but not others, it's likely a cell tower problem. If it was the phone, it wouldn't work at all.

FYI, MMS is multimedia texting where you can send pictures, videos or sound files along with the message. Telus supposedly supports this with the iPhone. To use it, you have to have iPhone OS 3.X and the proper carrier profile file installed in your phone, as well as it being active on your Telus account.

In Settings > Messages >, do you see "MMS Messaging > ON/OFF"? If it is on, try setting it off to see if this helps.

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Answer 4

Fraser44 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 11, 2010 7:36 PM in response to modular747

The problem seems to have been solved, thanks for your help.

What ended up seeming to work was resetting the network as you suggested, and THEN toggling the MMS option off then back on again. Don't know why, but that did it.

Thanks again

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Answer 5

modular747

Level 6

19,674 points

Jan 11, 2010 7:53 PM in response to Fraser44

You're welcome. Glad it worked out.

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