Dropped Calls

em1115 · ‎04-26-2010

I have been dropping calls for awhile now. Well today every phone call I have been on has dropped. I understand that phone calls will drop sometimes, but dropping every phone call is not acceptable. I tried updating my iphone. I also tried to call technical support from at&t and drop that phone call. Is there anything I can do? Is at&t aware of the problem and are they working to fix this?

EBSkater · ‎02-22-2006

em1115 wrote:
I have been dropping calls for awhile now. Well today every phone call I have been on has dropped. I understand that phone calls will drop sometimes, but dropping every phone call is not acceptable. I tried updating my iphone. I also tried to call technical support from at&t and drop that phone call. Is there anything I can do? Is at&t aware of the problem and are they working to fix this?

Yep, follow their recommendation and call from a phone that is not your cell phone.

Actually, go to the settings and try to reset the network settings. Also, when was the last time you restarted your phone?

em1115 · ‎04-26-2010

I actually do not have another phone to call from or believe me I would have. I restarted my phone a couple of times today. Thank you for your feedback I will try restarting the network settings. Thanks

300k · ‎09-03-2009

Not the best option but try going to Settings => General => Network and switch OFF 3G... it will help with dropped calls.

Underlyingsound · ‎03-01-2009

Yes, also, you might want to look into getting a service provider who meets your needs, not a service provider who has a cell phone you want. I'm sorry for your troubles.

gadgets · ‎03-31-2003

My wife's iPhone was dropping calls so I bought a MicroCell for the house and it continued to drop calls. I went to an at&t store yesterday and they suggested replacing the SIM card. So far her phone has not dropped a call. So I guess it was a bad SIM card. Try getting it replaced as there is no cost.

stinab1983 · ‎04-27-2010

I believe it's really starting to get annoying! My phone has been working great up until two weeks ago now pretty much all calls are dropped or I can't dial out. I went to AT&T and got a new sim card myself and still having the problem. The iPhone is updated already as well. I am glad to see I am not the only one, though the amount we pay for service every month you would think these problems would be fixed right away. AT&T needs to get on the ball and fix the problem, you can't bash another Services commercials if you aren't keeping up to par with what you say on TV.

Rachael43 · ‎05-11-2010

I wonder if the SIM card replacement would help, maybe in some cases, but with my luck, probably not. I have multiple dropped calls every day, but at least my phone doesn't freeze as my old LG did with Verizon. Cell reception is horrible/nonexistant at work in Boston and fluctuates at home in Cambridge. I just wish they would make an effort to tell their customers they hear there is a problem and want to fix it, rather than say, well, we're just about the same as any other carrier, which can no way be the case.

sbloch · ‎05-13-2010

My wife and I have been losing a lot of calls, and losing a lot of words within a call, for a month or two. Last week my wife was trying to make a phone call from our living room, and couldn't get a connection until she stepped outside onto the front lawn. This evening, I was talking to her on the phone, and had several dropped calls and some very garbled calls.

BTW, we live in a residential neighborhood (single-family houses and low-rise apartments) in New York City, so cell tower reception shouldn't be a problem.

I've just tried the "Reset Network Settings" trick; we'll see how it works.

Irish Rose · ‎11-30-2008

sbloch wrote:
My wife and I have been losing a lot of calls, and losing a lot of words within a call, for a month or two. Last week my wife was trying to make a phone call from our living room, and couldn't get a connection until she stepped outside onto the front lawn. This evening, I was talking to her on the phone, and had several dropped calls and some very garbled calls.

BTW, we live in a residential neighborhood (single-family houses and low-rise apartments) in New York City, so cell tower reception shouldn't be a problem.

I've just tried the "Reset Network Settings" trick; we'll see how it works.

Did you call Customer Care, to make them aware of this problem in your area?

BIGWHITE2K9 · ‎05-13-2010

Did you take off your phone case? When I first bought my iphone 3GS I used a Incase Power Slider & it would drop my signal by 3 or 4 bars. When I removed the case it was fine. So I had to go get another phone case.

djlyon1 · ‎05-18-2010

Ditto, here in LA. Service has steadily fallen apart for past several months. Now, every call I make drops at some point. I go from 5 bars to flatline and then it spends a minute trying to figure out what went wrong and then it bounces back up to 5. I doubt it's a problem with the phones. The AT&T network is in severe disrepair and can't handle the growth. It's important to let them know as often as possible, and also to get the AT&T app where you can report every dropped call. You can download in the app store.

coralene · ‎05-19-2010

My service is getting worse by the day. I thought at first it was due to the bad weather we had a few months ago-that a tower may have been damaged or something. But now I cannot seem to hold a signal long enough to complete a 5 minute call. I'll have 5 bars 3G one second, then the next I get "SEARCHING. . ." and loose the call. Or I'll have 3-5 bars GPRS signal, and can hear the other person fine, but they don't hear me at all. I bought a cell-phone amp (AKA signal repeater) for my home last year because the signal is weak, but it doesn't seem to help at all any more. There are places I used to get strong 3G service and now cant pick up any signal at all. It is very frustrating as I use the phone for business. It isn't a problem with my individual phone- I have borrowed others to double-check. I did call customer service and they said they updated me wirelessly which should have helped, but actually made things worse. I have rebooted, power-cycled, changed settings, enabled/disabled 3G and updated the phone. I travel the whole length of Delaware with my job, and the problems seem to be everywhere. AT&T needs to get off their butts and fix the issues fast. Once Verizon seals the deal with Apple for iPhone contracts, AT&T will lose a good deal of their frustrated customers.

mylesdad · ‎05-19-2010

I live near Washington,DC and have begun to drop calls all the time with my iphone. I work at National Airport and the phone is pretty much useless there, when I drive home from work there are several dead spots that I KNOW i am going to drop a call to the point I tell the person " I'm getting ready to hit a dead spot I'll call you back or call when I get home. But now I drop calls with like 4-5 bars and I mean DROP!!! Your talking fine and then boom dropped call. It's getting to the point now almost every call drops and I have no faith in the phone/service at all. I came here looking to see if people were having the same problem and it looks like plenty are. I love my iphone but its starting to become a joke that the service is so bad I can't even reccomend the service. So it looks like when my contract is up I will be going back to Verizon, Android here I come.

Reel Light Pict… · ‎05-18-2010

I don't understand why a company as large as AT&T can't fix this problem. I can't get through a single conversation without the call being dropped. Often times, after calling back to appologize for the dropped call, it drops the call before I can get through the appology. It seems to be getting worse by the day. It's so frustrating.

Is it AT&T or Apple that's at fault? I'm sure each one will blame the other for it. But it's really hard to talk smack to Blackberry users when the iPhone drops the call as you're making fun of them.

Of course, when you call AT&T, after sitting through 10 minutes of the automated voice and sitting on hold, when you finally do get through to customer service (assuming the phone hasn't dropped the call while you're on hold), they give you a stupid standard response like "I'm sorry sir, AT&T is trying to fix the problem, we ask that you please bare with us. You're a valued customer and your business is important". If that's the case, fix the frickin problem already!

satchev · ‎07-31-2007

Reel Light Pictures wrote:
I don't understand why a company as large as AT&T can't fix this problem. I can't get through a single conversation without the call being dropped. Often times, after calling back to appologize for the dropped call, it drops the call before I can get through the appology. It seems to be getting worse by the day. It's so frustrating.

Is it AT&T or Apple that's at fault? I'm sure each one will blame the other for it. But it's really hard to talk smack to Blackberry users when the iPhone drops the call as you're making fun of them.

Of course, when you call AT&T, after sitting through 10 minutes of the automated voice and sitting on hold, when you finally do get through to customer service (assuming the phone hasn't dropped the call while you're on hold), they give you a stupid standard response like "I'm sorry sir, AT&T is trying to fix the problem, we ask that you please bare with us. You're a valued customer and your business is important". If that's the case, fix the frickin problem already!

It honestly is a bit of both companies problems. Here in Atlanta, I can honestly say I have not had a dropped call in years. Now, the caveat is that I do not use the phone much for making calls. I maybe spend a couple hundred minutes each month on the phone.

Based on your posting, it sounds like either the iPhone is not the right device for you or AT&T is not an apporpriate carrier for you.

Why might the iPhone not be appropriate for you? Apple has publicly stated that a 30% call drop rate is considered acceptable. This along with many reports of iPhones having problems connecting and keeping a signal while other AT&T phones in the same area have not problem indicates that the iPhone as a phone is not the best choice. If you need a relaible phone for voice conversations, you should probably look at other devices.

Why might AT&T not be the best carrier for you? Do others in your area with AT&T have similar problems using different devices? If other carriers in your area provide better coverage, it only makes sense to go with the carrier that provides you the best coverage.

Frankly, if you chose AT&T because of the iPhone and not because they have the best coverage for you, then just suck it up and deal with it. You made your choice, either live with it or pay the ETF and take your business elsewhere.

Rebel130 · ‎05-20-2010

Someone here seems to think they are smarter than the average 'bear', good for you.

Here's my gripe. I signed up with AT&T wireless to 'get more bars in more places.' I've been with them about four years and they've lived up to this claim until a couple months ago. When I had full bars on 3G it was great and when it dropped to 0 I understood I wasn't in the right place. Now, I get full bars on 3G and nothing happens, no connection, can't send text, email, internet, nothing. AT&T is lying, showing I have service when I don't and it happens at anytime, day or night, no matter where I am and I know I'm not the only one. it's not because it's iPhone. I've had that phone for a year and never had an issue 'till now.

I use the 'mark the spot' app everytime this happens and it shows up on your account. Customer Service can see this. I'm at the point where I want a credit for every dropped call, failed text message and missed email. If they can't do that I want out of my contract because they have failed to provide the service I pay for. I'll go to Verizon and sell the iPhone on Craigslist.

bmillz2281 · ‎05-20-2010

this service is crap i constantly have dropped calls and it is beyond silly. i live in chicago and will have full bars and then it will drop to no service all of the time. what is ATT doing to solve this problem? everyone i know in chicago has the same problem all the time with ATT's service. if your paying the charges every month for the service why isnt it getting better? after being a customer of theres for almost ten years i am at my boiling point with this crap service that they deem to be the best coverage nationwide.

TallGuy1970 · ‎10-19-2009

Interesting...

As I look back on this specific thread I notice that the majority of those who are simply complaining have posted only once on these AT&T message boards. Those who offer help or possible solutions and take a more reasonable approach have posted multiple times.

One could assume the complainers are simply trolls who come and post outrageous comments and then run away. They may be people with legitimate problems, but it makes me wonder...

mylesdad · ‎05-19-2010

So just because we have posted 1 time does that make our concerns less valid? Speaking for myself, I came to this forum because I was dropping WAY more calls in the last couple of months than I had to endure up to now and I was curious if other people were experiencing the same thing. Those posting "solutions" such as turning off 3G and resetting the network settings I will try. AT&T has said 30% call drops is acceptable then anything over 30 should not be acceptable, if places you had coverage in the last couple of months you now have spotty or no coverage that again, is a cause for concern and I would think if they want to stay in business they will address it. I pay a bill every month just like you do and to get decent service is all I ask. True, maybe they are not meeting my needs and I will decide if I will pay the ETF and leave but until then I will be heard about my displeasure with the service.

It always interesting to me that people who post on boards all the time somehow think they are better or smarter than the newbies just because they hang out in forums and post replies all the time maybe they just need to realize that some of us have better things to do.

TallGuy1970 · ‎10-19-2009

mylesdad wrote:
So just because we have posted 1 time does that make our concerns less valid? Speaking for myself, I came to this forum because I was dropping WAY more calls in the last couple of months than I had to endure up to now and I was curious if other people were experiencing the same thing. Those posting "solutions" such as turning off 3G and resetting the network settings I will try. AT&T has said 30% call drops is acceptable then anything over 30 should not be acceptable, if places you had coverage in the last couple of months you now have spotty or no coverage that again, is a cause for concern and I would think if they want to stay in business they will address it. I pay a bill every month just like you do and to get decent service is all I ask. True, maybe they are not meeting my needs and I will decide if I will pay the ETF and leave but until then I will be heard about my displeasure with the service.

It always interesting to me that people who post on boards all the time somehow think they are better or smarter than the newbies just because they hang out in forums and post replies all the time maybe they just need to realize that some of us have better things to do.

I said it made me wonder. I never said it was fact. I honestly think the truth is somewhere in the middle. Some who come here have a valid problem and need help. However, I also know it is true that some will come to a comment board like this intending to do nothing but be snarky trolls.

If you truly want to be heard about your displeasure with your service, this is not the place to be heard. We are nothing but customers with a few moderators and a couple of employees, who lurk but can do nothing in an official capacity. Contact AT&T customer service regularly. Download and use AT&T's Mark the Spot app each time you get a dropped call. These actions will get more attention, AND they will be evidence you can use if you eventually want to get out of your contract.

geode1 · ‎08-11-2010

An Apple store employee told me my experience of dropped calls on the iphone 3G was rare. I'm on my 5th iphone. I replace the phone every few months when I reach my breaking point of frustration with dropped called or inability to make calls. My phone diagnostics always indicate a replacement phone might be appropriate because the failure rate has been from 10% to 70% or they get sick of having to deal with me.

For some reason my dropped call rate has been nearly 100% this week. I've submitted a complaint to the FCC but don't think that will accomplish much. I am unable to identify the source of the poor service- apple or att, but clearly there's a failure to provide a working product.

Whether the failure is criminal in nature, I can not say but I certainly feel like I'm being robbed by someone.

Fly Alaska · ‎09-10-2010

I have had an Iphone 3G since Mar 08. Phone worked great. Since I have upgraded the 4.0 OS"s I have CONTINUOUS dropped calls. My kids can't een get the words.."Hey Mom " out of their mouths and it drops the call and goes on a "searching" expedition forever.

ATT&T has been working on my trouble ticket for 3 weeks. While I was on the phone with Tech Support for 10mins, it dropped the call over 6 times and she had to keep calling me back. ATT&T tech reported when it dropped she got the recording "this number is no longer in service"...NICE!!

I am a single Mom with 3 kids and my kids can't even contact me. Maybe its both ATT&T and Apple's problem but all I know is I bought a phone which worked great until they launched Iphone4 and the new OS upgrade. Nice s pretty useless except to text ad play games. YIPPEE...NOT

My kids Samsung phones have no issues. I am really disgusted with Apple and their lack of support. Sorry...you need to pay 29.95 to talk to us. Nice support there, Mr. Jobs. And with the lack of answers or assistance from ATT&T. LOANER PHONE..anyone ???

So, even though I WAS a loyal Apple customer, I am seriously thinking of giving up the IPHONE and going with a more reliable product with better support. I thought of biing the bullet and getting the new Iphone4 but why ? When Apple launches the new latest and greate, what's not to say we will all get screwd again ???

Yes, I reset my settings, yes, I upgraded my sim card....still it's nothing but a texting brick!

knighttyme · ‎09-10-2010

You must not be part of the 97 percent of Americans that are covered by AT and T....as they claim but i think that is BS. From reading in here im thinking the I phone doesnt sound the way to go and i was wanting one but not very optimistic about it at all now. If you pop the sim card in your old phone i bet all calls would be okay, if not then it is A T and T.

the gryphon · ‎07-06-2010

I didn't have an issue with dropped calls (much) until this week. Virtually ever call thursday and every call friday had to be done twice.

elakerfan · ‎09-13-2010

I am very frustrated with at&t, I think I am the 3% of non coverage. I currently live in Downey, Ca., which is in Los Angeles county. I have an iPhone and I'm pretty much stuck with at&t. My wife for 6 months was a verizon user and which I just added her to my at&t plan because I didn't want to give up my iPhone. I always had a problem with coverage at home but didn't have an issue with it so much because my work provided me with a phone through sprint. Since my wife came onto my plan I have noticed how much more horrible at&t coverage is. She pretty much lost 4 substitute teaching opportunities last week because there is little to no service at our home. The caller gets directed to voicemail because of the lack of service than she receives a voicemail 30 minutes after the call when she gets in the car and drives a few blocks away. When I use to call her when she was with verizon she always picked up the phone. Now when she is at home or anywhere else I get directed to voicemail 50% of the time. I used the "mark the spot" app frequently when I installed it and I thought it would bring attention to my problem area but the coverage has not been any better but maybe has been worst. You would think that at&t will contact you so say they are aware of the problem and will be working on fixing your issue. But I think at&t only created the app to keep apple happy and make it seem like they are working on the coverage issue.

I work in the IT/telecommunication industry and deal with at&t engineers and they have told me at&t's backbone cellular network it running on T-1/T-3 circuits. There was a project to upgrade to Ethernet technology but when they implemented the infrastructure it failed. There was no lab testing, they just installed it. So now they spent more money to revert back to T-1/T-3. Other vendors that work with at&t have mentioned how at&t is so screwed up on how they don't know what direction or products they want to use.

It looks like at&t is not going to get better anytime soon. I have the 3G iPhone and and want to upgrade to the iPhone 4 but I am going to tough it out until Verizon gets the iPhone.

poorphoneservice · ‎09-10-2009

I am fed up, ATT has played a game with me long enough. A worthless device for phone calls. I am currently searching for a reliable service provider and switch ASAP. ATT has done NOTHING to improve service. I am sitting at home with NO SERVICE and I am sick of it!!!!

I had to walk down the street, use the forward call function in order to receive calls on my land line. I have two iphones for sale now!

duffyri · ‎10-05-2010

I share your pain. Both my wife and I have EM330's and cannot use the phones in or around our neighborhood. They were working perfectly before but now a call will drop in minutes...consistently. We are both extremey frustrated that AT&T cannot resolve even after putting in a new sim on hers. I believe mine will be next. I am lucky enough to have a seperate work phone that I call forward to. But the EM330's are fast becoming a decision maker (drop my calls...drop a customer).

toshibamouse60 · ‎02-15-2010

yes...if u r like me. wait till verizon offer iphone and switch. pay ur early termination. att service just sucks so bad.

johncast91 · ‎02-19-2011

I went to an AT&T store and told them about my dropped calls. They installed a new SIM card on my IPhone. I still have dropped calls. Honestly, Verizon here I come!