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Level 1

5 points

Garbled "Alien like" phone calls

I have had the new phone since the day after launch, and once a day I get a dropped call that starts with "garbled" almost robotic like voices....it similar to if you were take a radio dial and spin it as fast as you could and just hear a second of every channel.

Hard to explain. I never had this problem with the 3G, and wondering if it is an apple or an AT&T issue?

PowerBook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on Jul 2, 2010 4:58 PM

44 replies

Jul 17, 2010 11:20 AM in response to Jmtreetop

Jmtreetop wrote:
I saw in another thread that you no longer get the garbled voice while using the microcell if you turn off cellular data via the network settings. Ever since I turned it off, I haven't encountered the garbled voice although it's reproducible once I turn cellular data back on. I just have to remember to turn it back on when leaving the house.

I was reading this as I was on a phone call that WAS fine and then went garbled. I turned off cellular data and it did nothing. Honestly, you should not have to adjust your phone to work. It should work as is.

The problem still exists for me. I don't think it will ever get fixed honestly. I have a ticket open and it's been escalated - still nothing.

Jul 17, 2010 11:53 AM in response to Vismich

I was on another call and it went garbled. So I moved closer (directly in front of) the microcell and it cleared up. I moved away, back again. I was thinking that ***** if you have to be directly in front of it. Then the conversation went garbled again while standing in front of the darn thing. So nope, has nothing to do with how close you are.

I got tired of it yet again and unplugged it. Now I can actually make calls and hear them with my 1/2 bars of service. I think this hunk of junk will be going back.

Jul 17, 2010 4:32 PM in response to SpurtSpanker

I agree that the phone should just work. I also am unable to get it to take effect when I'm on the call and turn off the setting but all calls going forward have been just fine. It's not a solution but it is a temporary workaround, if it works.

Jul 23, 2010 7:31 AM in response to Vismich

I too have had lots of trouble with the Microcell even before iOS 4. Last night I tried the "cellular data" trick and it worked.

So I did another experiment: I turned cellular data back on and turned WiFi off. I then made a call and verified the garbling happened. I then waited for the call to clear up and then ran a speed test to attempt to induce it. But that did NOT work.

So cellular data is definitely involved, but not the "kind" of cellular data that involves apps connecting to the net.

Push? Location services? Something else?

tech01x

Level 1

0 points

Jul 29, 2010 4:43 AM in response to SpurtSpanker

I've got 2 iPhone 3's and my iPhone 4 on the same Microcell. I get this problem on my iPhone 4 the further away I am from the Microcell, especially if I'm going through walls. Moving, usually closer or at least with more of a direct line of sight to the Microcell usually "fixes" the issue during a call. Again, the iPhone 3's don't seem to have this issue and it seems to have gotten worse on my iPhone 4.

I have very poor AT&T reception at this location. The iPhone 3's usually can barely get a signal and will drop most call readily, while the iPhone 4 will hold a call with the normal towers. But with the Microcell, even 3+ bars, my iPhone 4 garbles easily.

Jul 29, 2010 6:24 AM in response to SpurtSpanker

Without a microcell, I have this problem on my Iphone 4. My 2g never did it before...creeped me out the first time it did it too.

Aug 4, 2010 6:59 PM in response to SpurtSpanker

Please see my video I made of this problem. I love my new iPhone 4 please fix this apple or at&t!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZoHt_9e1iw

Aug 4, 2010 7:41 PM in response to justintact

I tried turning off all my notifications. I use the app sportacular for baseball and football updates. I turned this off and disabled my app notifications and it seems like my garbled calls are gone!! I will test more but I wanted to see if this helps anyone else. Thanks

Aug 4, 2010 9:01 PM in response to justintact

tested more, garbled calls came back...

Nov 28, 2011 3:03 PM in response to mikuk

I have the same problem, sans a microcell. The original post had nothing to do with using a microcell. Does someone have a solution to the OP's problem? The garbling is driving me crazy. Only happens sporadically, but it really shouldn't happen at all.

imlwb

Level 1

0 points

Nov 13, 2012 4:42 PM in response to Vismich

I had a problem where I get this garbled audio every time I put a call on hold or conference calls. Even after I drop the second call the voice quality won't come back. I called AT&T and even demonstrated this on my iPhone 5 and my wifes iPhone 4. It was elevated to teir two support and the tech says you can't put two voice calls on the microcell at the same time or it will garble. So you can't take a second call or conference calls. I decide to go back to my 1 or 2 bar tower and unpluged the microcell.

Urnheart

Level 1

8 points

Jun 10, 2013 3:30 PM in response to Vismich

I've been having similar issues this year. I've also had more dropped calls than ever before and so have my closest friends who are also iphone users. Weird robotic sounds. Breathing airy sounds like someone running and breathing hard into the microphone. The weird "alien" sounds. I actually had a call drop and heard nothing but silence, but then the family member who had been calling me from a landline said they heard what sounded like "aliens" landing and thought I was playing a practical joke.

Would really like to know how to fix the problem and have better quality on calls and less drops.

MCS2010

Level 1

4 points

Jan 17, 2014 11:00 PM in response to Vismich

Just recently purchased the 5s and am using the Microcell. I have the OPPOSITE problem in that it's the RECEIVING end of the call that is getting garbled distortion despite all bars (or dots) solid.

AT&T is sending a new MCell, but I have my doubts that will fix the issue. I even upgraded my ISP to tover twice the bandwidth to no avail.

Please, someone with some answers, respond! We pay a lot of $$$ for all this technology to work right!

cckupke

Level 1

0 points

Mar 11, 2014 2:30 PM in response to Vismich

We started hearing this when we had iphone 3G. Now we have 5s. We have a microcell. Phones don't work very well in our OFFICE of all rooms in the house. Alien sounds usually occur just inside of the back french doors. Very creepy indeed! Happened again today.

Garbled "Alien like" phone calls