Reception problems with iPhone 3GS after upgrading to iOS 4.2.1

I have the same problem, no reception issues prior to iOS4. Now since upgrading (or should I say downgrading) no reception 50% of the time.
Apple, please fix this messed up operating system.

My 3GS has the same problem too. Apple, when are you gonna release another iOS update? I hope I don't have to wait for another 6 months for WWDC.

Message was edited by: Skylinestar

I had poor cell reception after a previous update. Been scared to update ever since (after I fixed it by downgrading). Guess I won't be updating to this version either.

Thanks for the heads up.

I've got this problem, too. Since upgrading to 4.2.1 my 3GS can almost never do any cell network stuff. No Internet, no phone calls, no text messaging.

Thanks to the suggestions here, I found that if I disable 3G, then it works. It's still obnoxious, but a lot better than it was.

I hope the next iOS fixes this.

I can not believe that Apple did not test this for major bugs like this one is.
I am a business user and can not effort to have bad reception. Apple wants to gain in the business clients... I never had this with my former BlackBerrys!
I need a reliable phone not a play thing like this is right now, it just needs it to work propely. And if a major bug like this comes along, fix it immediately. After the iPhone4 story, now this...incredible! Going back to my reliable BlackBerry! It just ain't reliable and takes forever to fix a problem.

I'm in India, with Airtel as a carrier. Looking at all the messages here, it is clear that the pb does not come from the carrier or the country, but from the 4.2.1 up(down)grade !
Very poor reception after upgrade to 4.2.1, frequent calls interrupted, not reachable most of the time ! Iphone is my professional tool, It has to work properly.
Help ! Apple, be a bit professional, please !
If you can't solve the problem immediately, please allow us to go backe to the old version ...

I'm wondering if Apple workers are reading the forum and take the issues here seriously.

Same here, nothing but lost calls since the 4.2.1 update with Fido in Canada, was getting great reception prior to this.

Wish I could revert back.

Im glad to see that i'm not the only one here. The lack of service, inability to send/receive texts and calls; it makes me want to throw my phone off a large cliff (but not too large that I can't see the satisfaction of it shatter). HEAR US APPLE??? PLEEEAAASSEEEE HEEEEELP!!!!!

Same here with AT&T in Houston, TX. I have been using iOS 3.1.2 since it came out, but wanted to download some apps that required iOS 4.0 or above. So last week I decided to go ahead and upgrade to 4.2.1. I like the new features but my reception has gone to a single bar when I used to have four. I would rather have a reliable phone than the extra features. We need a fix for this Apple!

my reception has gone to a single bar when I used to have four.

4.0.1 changed how many bars are displayed.
<http://money.cnn.com/2010/07/15/technology/iphone_beta/index.htm>
It did not change the actual sensitivity of the phone; just made the ignal strength display more realistic.

Getting very frustrated here. My rexeption St work has been slowly going down the toilet since thankgiving. Started with dropped calles followed by poor reception to not ringing And going straight to voicmal witch tells my clients" I am to busy to talk to them". Loosing business. AT&T says to talk to apple and apple says sorry you are out of warranty give us $200 and get a new one or upgrade early For even more$$$.

No one wants to fix the phone or the problem

I took it to a local place UbreakIfix speciallising in iPhone repair.(highly recomend) They put in a brand new antenna and I drove 39 miles back to work. Reception was worse now had "no service" signal. I then had to drive back to the store for a second time, they were great sId they would keep the phone for diagnostics and call me tomorrow if they can fix it.( had to put sim in a different phone) they have 4 phones today with the same issue.

Why can't Apple or At&T just admit "They" have a problem and fix if???

Same problem in Montreal with Roger's network.

Juste updated 2 week's ago and had troubles with my call and 3G network since then.