Some iPhone Calls go straight to Voicemail [ Edited ]

[parkernathan]

Recently on my iPhone 3G, when some people have called me, their calls go straight to Voicemail, and my iPhone doesn't ring at all. It is usually sitting in an Apple Universal Dock attached to my MacBook Pro (to keep it charged), and it is signed onto my new AT&T 3G MicroCell (since we only have EDGE in this area). Wi-Fi is on, but I do not have it connected to the Wi-Fi network, just the 3G MicroCell. Some calls go though, others do not. My phone never rings and I simply get the Voicemail alert that pops up when someone leaves me a message.

I tried the hard reset (sleep button and home button) and resetting the network settings, with no avail.

What do I need to do to resolve this issue? Something I should pursue with AT&T Customer Care, and AT&T Store, and Apple Store, or AppleCare (I do have the AppleCare warranty)? Something at the phone level or MicroCell level? Another iPhone friend of mine had the issue happen to him yesterday, but he was in a weak coverage spot. I show five bars on my iPhone, the AT&T M-Cell 3G shows up, and the Power, Ethernet, GPS, and 3G lights are showing on my MicroCell.

Any help of where I should go with this would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Nathan Parker 

UPDATE: Strange, when getting off the phone with my last caller that it keeps going to VM on, it cycled to regular AT&T GPRS, then EDGE, then back to MicroCell 3G. It might not be holding a constant connection with the MicroCell. 

Message Edited by parkernathan on 12-27-2009 11:02:15 PM

[garosche]

I have been experiencing the same issues with missing calls and going straight to voicemail.  Just got off the phone with At&t support whose only answer was to reset network settings. 

Even sat here in the house in front of the Microcell with 2 iPhones connected to it... used one to call the other and it went straight to voicemail, and same result vice-versa.

Frustrating.   

[ambernjack07]

actually it might have something to do with provisioning the vmail with the ring time if it is zero then there will be no ring but able to get vmail

[garosche]

is this something that can be adjusted by the end user or the Microcell firmware?

[parkernathan]

Hey guys,

I've put in a call to AT&T Customer Care and they're generating me a trouble ticket and will get with me next week. They're also having me run a myriad of tests to see where it's occurring and when it's occurring. I've also forwarded this thread over to them so they could see what's all happening with you all as they work on this. I'll keep you all posted!

Just for testing purposes, what kind of network speeds do you have and how much stuff is on your network? I have 3MB DSL through Windstream and do have a few hefty software apps running since I work with WeatherBug. Wondering what kind of speeds you're all on so I can tell AT&T. Also, when I tried my test 99% of the problem calls were Verizon customers on non smartphones in a certain location when I was on my MicroCell. Has anyone ran tests to have all their friends on different networks call them, and if so, what are your results? I'll pass any info you have onto AT&T so they can look at it while troubleshooting my case.

Thanks!

Nathan 

[garosche]

I'm On a 5mb Charter connection. No other intensive apps running.  Seems to be both VZ and AT&T calls being missed here.

[zbargain]

I've had 3 trouble tickets so far and no solution yet.  I was on the phone with tech support today for the umpteenth time from my landline.  Low and behold, a voicemail pops up on my phone while I'm on the phone with them.  I called billing and complained.  I would recommend doing the same thing.

[mmacal]

Has anyone found any resolution to this?  I just bought a microcell today and my first few experiences with it have been bad.  I hit the call button and sometimes it immediately drops the call.  Other times when calling my wife while she is at home it goes straight to VM.  This is VERY frustrating.  I have not called tech support yet as I have not had a chance and would rather just find the resolution on my own.  

[parkernathan]

Mine's resolved. I called AT&T Customer Service after doing extensive tests, and after they updated my firmware, now it's working great. 

Also, make sure you have enough bandwidth for it to work. You'll need at least a MB to hold a good signal.

[Crunk20002004]

Parker, how did AT&T update your firmware? I've been having this problem for the last week and they basically told me on a Live Support Chat that they don't understand why it's happening but they'll issue a ticket about it. People have told me when they call it either rings once and they get a busy signal or it rings once and it goes straight to voicemail.

It also only seems to be happening when I'm at home (in an Edge network, but with full bars). Where I work we have 3G and it never seems to happen there.

[parkernathan]

My problem was the calls were going to voicemail when I was on my AT&T MicroCell. There was a glitch in the firmware causing some of my calls to go directly to voicemail. When they updated my MicroCell's firmware, everything seemed to work OK.

I know on EDGE if you're using data (don't have it connected to Wi-Fi), calls will go to VM since EDGE can't handle voice and data simultaneously as 3G can. Same with if you're on a really slow EDGE network. Our EDGE network up here gets 4k down, and I've periodically had calls go to VM. You could try getting a MicroCell to see if that'd help or sign your iPhone onto Wi-Fi. Or call AT&T or visit and AT&T Store and see if you get some assistance. Not sure why yours would be doing it since mine was definitely traced back to the MicroCell firmware glitch.

[Crunk20002004]

When I'm at home my phone is always on WiFi because of our router. The guy at the AT&T store today suggested I get a MicroCell because when he's at home he has full bars of Edge, but I don't see the point in getting one if I have full bars of Edge showing up on my phone already.

They also tried to tell me at the store today that apparently at my house we have moderate coverage so phone calls inside may be dropped/not received. I don't understand how randomly, after all this time that in the last month is when the problem all of a sudden started happening. And if I was in a moderate coverage area wouldn't I be showing less bars on my phone?

He also said that within the next month or so that they're suppose to be putting up 2 more towers close to my house so that should also improve the calls.

I just don't know what to do. Wait a month to see if the towers help the problem or go to Verizon. I can't keep not being able to receive phone calls when I'm at home, heaven forbid there was ever an emergency. He also said that it might be the phone, and I could always buy a new one (which of course, would have to include a new 2 year contract that I don't want to get stuck in incase the problem with not receiving my calls continues).

I don't know what to dooooo.

[parkernathan]

Good to hear about it being on Wi-Fi. 

I've noticed even on full bars of EDGE when out and about, I've still had a few dropped calls or calls go to VM. Our EDGE speeds just don't have the bandwidth to function as they should. 1-4k down just isn't enough, even for some voice calls. Full bars doesn't always mean good coverage I've learned.

The MicroCell has helped me tremendously (after the firmware updates on it were fixed). I get much stronger coverage since it's utilizing a 3G (UMTS signal) and simultaneously utilizing both 850MHZ and 1900MHZ. Gives me much more bandwidth to work with when talking on the phone.

Seems your in a similar boat to me. I'm in a "moderate" coverage zone as well. From what I've heard, sometimes cell towers are "turned down" (in some money saving effort is the excuse I've heard), which results in poorer cell coverage. So one month when the towers are turned up to full power, you'll have better coverage, and when they're turned down, coverage won't be quite as good.

Nice to know you're getting more towers. Up here our county is still bickering over where they should go. The new towers should really help you.

Also, I have noticed when I upgraded from my 3G to the iPhone 4, I do get far better coverage. In areas where my 3G wouldn't even get a signal, the 4 got a few bars and could actually place a call. So upgrading to the iPhone 4 would probably help you out.

Here's what I'd do. Wait a couple months and see what happens with the towers. If that doesn't work, consider a MicroCell. If you're still having trouble, consider the iPhone 4. If it's still not working, you'll be in a 30 day period on the iPhone 4 (and MicroCell) where you could return them and go with another carrier without having to pay any ETF's. That's what I'd recommend for you.

[Crunk20002004]

So you think I should just stick it out for the next month or so and see if it improves with the towers that are supposidly going in? Do you think if it doesn't improve within a month that I should upgrade to the 4 after that?

I just hate paying for a service that is randomly not working when I'm at home

[parkernathan]

I would probably wait about a month and see what happens. Then I'd look at getting the MicroCell first before upgrading your phone (unless your dying to have the new iPhone 4 features, I was, so that's why I upgraded). Or if you want to try the MicroCell now, you can. I'm sure it'd help and would give you more of a boost even after the new towers are in since the MicroCell is on 3G. Plus, you could be sampling it right now for 30 days to see if it'd work.

Then after that, look at upgrading to the 4. I've noticed it does boost my signal, so you'd be getting a much better phone out of the deal, along with all the new features (multitasking, etc.) which I've thoroughly enjoyed. 

Since your's works well out and about, the MicroCell is going to be the quickest way to solve your problem. I had problems with mine at home and around town, so what I did was get the MicroCell for home, upgrade to the 4 which boosted my signal, and picked up a Verizon MiFi and signed up for a Skype number as a backup. Since home is where you need the boost, either wait for the new towers or go for a MicroCell. They definitely help.

[jessejbjr]

I have tried different phones. even the cheaper ones that aren't smartphones with no better results. my problem is my calls get sent to voicemail no matter where i'm located. I was able to talk to one ATT associate one time that fixed my problem in an instant while I was still on the phone. so the problem is not with your phone its with your service.as soon as im outta this contract im going to Verizon. my daughter has it and it works great.