Slow data speed while in calls but not off calls.

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Slow data speed while in calls but not off calls.

I switched my 3GS for a 4 about 3 months ago on AT&T. I've notice recently that while I'm on a call the data speed is extremely slow compared to off call speed. I didn't notice this back on my 3GS.

I tested my phone as well as my wifes phone several times in different locations and in a different state recently.

Speed while not on a call is between 3.0-4.5meg down with .40-1.0 up.

Speed on a call is always about 0.5 down with 0.2 up.

Have others noticed this? Can others test and post their results. I don't think its AT&T since friends with android phone don't show this, but who knows.

I feel this may be a serious issue Apple may need to address if it is affecting others.

I use the speedtest.net speed test app with my phone sitting on the table.

iPhone 4, iOS 4.3.3

Posted on Sep 26, 2011 3:27 PM

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Answer 1

gdgmacguy

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Sep 26, 2011 6:47 PM in response to DFanATL

You might get more views and answers if you change back to a normal font and color.

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Answer 2

DFanATL Author

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Sep 26, 2011 7:03 PM in response to gdgmacguy

Color and highlight was an accident. Pasted my question from another forum.

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Answer 3

Sep 26, 2011 7:50 PM in response to DFanATL

Network speed is almost always 100% carrier related. You're using a majority of the spectrum during your call to transmit information for voice. The chance, if any, that you may be noticing a data slowdown in just this specific instance may be due to an issue with your AT&T account.

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Answer 4

Sep 26, 2011 9:15 PM in response to startxxinsanity

I agree with startxxinsanity. You could always give AT&T a call and complain about it. They will most likely tell you to do a bunch of things with your phone (so don't call AT&T with your iPhone!). You can even ask them to reset the default towers your iPhone uses, as they can be out sometimes.

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Answer 5

DFanATL Author

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Sep 26, 2011 9:18 PM in response to startxxinsanity

Huh, no.

Has nothing to do with my account. If it was account related the slow speed would be consistant not only during a call and back to normal after I got off. Secondly, my wife and I don't have the same account.

This is something that isnt happens by chance. I can recreate it over and over at will. Its not some, "oh it feels like slow speed", it is slow speed. As I've stated, those are the readings taken back to back, over and over. Two different phones, two different accounts.

I asked for other to test on their phones and post results. @startxxinsanity If you have the iphone 4 and don't have that issue please say so. If not stop committing on something you know nothing about.

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Answer 6

Sep 26, 2011 9:23 PM in response to DFanATL

It may be the phone.

You see whether 3G or 4G or if voice is being used or not.

The voice part of the bandwidth spectrum uses a squnadary data rate.

Less then 24 kbps.

Hence, should not noticable cripple the data portion.

iPhone will likely be 4G by 2012, but AT&T is not 4G LTE yet.

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Answer 7

DFanATL Author

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Sep 26, 2011 9:21 PM in response to TheOn3LeftBehind

Tested in a completely different state. Not tower related.

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Answer 8

DFanATL Author

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Oct 27, 2011 6:39 AM in response to DFanATL

I have also noticed the slow down is also when on wifi.

I have now test 3 iPhone 4 and all do the exact same thing. It seems to be a bug common to the phone. I'm surprised no one he has tested this and reported it.

This issue needs to be addressed ASAP by apple!

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Answer 9

DFanATL Author

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Mar 1, 2012 9:55 PM in response to DFanATL

I meant to update the info to say the wifi actually seemed ok but the 3G network isnt.

I ran across this story today along with a forum topic on Macrumors where many people are seeing the same problem.

So it seems its not an iphone issue. AT&T is throttling data speeds during calls.

http://thesmartphonechamp.com/att-secretly-throttling-their-smartphone-customers -video/

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1332192

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Answer 10

sysrage

Level 1

15 points

Feb 2, 2013 6:30 PM in response to DFanATL

This is definitely a real issue. I've just provided my feedback and details to the macrumors thread linked by DFanATL. If anybody has found a solution or an appropriate place to report this to AT&T, I'm all ears.

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