Intermittent data connection on iPhone 4S

[Laid-Back]

I first started noticing an issue when tethering my phone to my laptop at work.  After a few months of monitoring the problem, I found this happens when traveling as well. Somehow the internet connection between my phone and the cell tower gets into a funk. When this happens I cannot resolve websites or ping any website on my phone or tethered laptop.  Usually after several minutes spent turning the phone on and off, resetting network settings, and toggling airport mode I can coerce my iPhone to access the internet once again.  

I have talked to co-workers at my office using AT&T when I notice my internet connection drop.  They usually have similar trouble loading a website or any data excluding phone calls or text messages.  Has anyone else noticed problems like this on their phones?  Has anyone found a straightforward solution to restore an internet connection once it drops?  

My phone always shows a 4G icon and 3-5 bars of signal strength.  I can only guess that a cell tower is overloaded and can't handle the extra connection.  Calling tech support only gets me a tutorial on how to use an iPhone.  I haven't found any tech support representative that can confirm it is an overloaded cell tower only whether or not it is in repair.

[JCourtney88]

Experiencing the same problem with my iphone 4S...only thing that seems to work...and not all the time is turning the phone off and allowing it to reboot.  Seems like the problem is during peak use times...making me think it is an AT&T service problem with the cellular towers.

[retalsw]

I do not believe these issues are specific to the iPhone 4S (I own the iPhone 3GS), nor do I believe they are limited to a certain area or tower.  I am located in northwest lower Michigan and many friends and family members (including myself) have been experiencing the same "funk" over the last week or so.

Much like you, after cycling the power (sometime it requires multiple attempts), internet connectivity is restored. 

I have found AT&T's technical support to be less than helpful in this instance.  So far, their solution has been to cycle the power.

Prior to these connectivity issues I (we) had no problems obtaining and retaining internet connectivity.

Maybe this has something to do with the recent expansion of AT&T's services?  I only widh it could get resolved.

[Tpeltz]

AT&T has been running new fiber to cell sites and they also have been adding more capacity to most areas in northwest lower Michigan. I live in northeast lower Michigan and my data has been "funky" as well, however AT&T is also in the process of converting EDGE areas to 3G this year.

Anytime there are network upgrades going on, the connectivity may get messed up for a few weeks.

[Laid-Back]

A couple of weeks after I posted here about the problem, I saw a message in the mark the spot app saying UMTS coverage has been expanded to one site and that extra wireless capacity has been added to another site. The network news wasn't directly related to any of my reports for the app so I don't know if the upgraded towers are near my workplace or not.  They are only listed as upgrades in the same zip code.  Luckily, I haven't had any problems with the data connection dropping out for awhile, and speeds have been consistent around 2-5 Mbps.  I'm pleased to see an improvement after using the iPhone app and calling customer support.

I also read about a new self optimizing network technology that is supposed to be deployed throughout the year.  I figured network upgrades like this might also cause some problems while everything is being installed.

[lee_]

I have the same issues with my iPhone 4, Inspire 4g, and Galaxy Note.  Power cycling or just simply turning off the wireless for a couple of minutes, then back on, seems to temporarily fix the issue.  I dont have the issue at all in the early mornings and most of the time during the weekend though.

It only happens on UMTS / HSPA towers as well.  I commute into Houston for work, and while on the the LTE towers, the speeds are always blazing fast.

Strangely enough, my issues started late February in my area.  Prior to that I never had ANY issues like this.