Service bars

DachshundMommy wrote: "...Problem started with the previous 16 update. We’ve had these iPhone for a few years. problem with signal. Problem making & receiving calls."

iPhone batteries weaken over "a few years" – which can affect an iPhone's capacity to connect with cell towers. Also, the long process of applying an iOS update to an old iPhone with a weak battery can be the proverbial "straw that broke the camel's back." So...

Do these two iPhones still have their original batteries?

And what's their Maximum Capacity % here?...

Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging

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Thank you for providing that new informatuion.

See the support article: If you see No Service, Searching, or SOS on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

Go through the various suggestions in the support article above but if they don't help, and your network carrier can't help, then  contact Apple Support for further investigation. You should be able to reach them here

Contact - Official Apple Support

or phone numbers

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

DachshundMommy wrote: "Yes original battery. It’s at 85%.

as I stated previously the problem with dropped calls & signal strength only started with the IOS 16.1 update..."

And as I stated previously: the long process of applying an iOS update to an old iPhone with a weak battery can be the proverbial "straw that broke the camel's back."

Also, the original battery could be weaker than the 85% max capacity indicates. Consider having the battery replaced:

iPhone Battery & Power Repair

About genuine iPhone batteries

Repair Provider Verification

(Articles found by searching Apple's Knowledge Base.)

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You are presumably too far from the nearest ATT tower/Mast.

Having the same poor signal on both phones proves this.

"...Guess Apple put a bug in update to crash phones & have us purchase new ones!! That’s my thought🤷🏼‍♀️.,.

is a conspiracy theory of the most illogical type. They produce updates that can be installed successfully on 5 year old phones and Watches with zero problems. Your difficulty with your device is personal to you and should be looked at individually, and should not be conflated with any Apple master plan you may have imagined.