My Area is New to 3G, Edge Worked Fine - Help me understand

freak show · ‎08-26-2008

Hey folks, I want to thank you for your time in helping me understand this issue.

Basically, I just bought two iphones. 3g turned on service 4 days after I bought them. Come to find out, they both get crappy 3g reception in my house, but the phones default to that service (as well they should unless the signal is bad). 3g is about zero to 1 bars. Edge reception is generally 1 to 2 bars higher throughout the house and I was quite happy with it. The Db meter "field test" shows a reading of like 100-110 for 3g, and like 88-98 for Edge.

I still have about 19 days to return these phones and cancel the contract... but I'm curious: Will the 3g service always be this bad? Or are they improving the service in a fashion that won't take years?

Also, the iphone is NOT good at knowing when to switch to Edge from 3G. It does it ok sometimes, and other times it's just like it was never programmed for that function. Is there a fast application shortcut that you can download to switch quickly from Edge to 3g?

This is pretty much a deal breaker for me. If the phone didn't have 3g I probably wouldn't have sprung for it. I should be able to browse the web and not miss a call, ya know?

Thanks guys!

Message Edited by freak show on 08-26-2008 01:32:07 AM

Message Edited by freak show on 08-26-2008 01:32:49 AM

Jameson! · ‎12-08-2003

If you read through this forum and the APPLE forum for a bit, you'll find that you are not alone in your suffering. The 3G iPhone has problems and APPLE/AT&T are trying to work them out. It's your call on whether to wait and hope they do it, or get out while you can. Many of us are staying and hoping for the best, but some have returned their phones. Read a bit and make your choice.

freak show wrote:
Hey folks, I want to thank you for your time in helping me understand this issue.

Basically, I just bought two iphones. 3g turned on service 4 days after I bought them. Come to find out, they both get crappy 3g reception in my house, but the phones default to that service (as well they should unless the signal is bad). 3g is about zero to 1 bars. Edge reception is generally 1 to 2 bars higher throughout the house and I was quite happy with it. The Db meter "field test" shows a reading of like 100-110 for 3g, and like 88-98 for Edge.

I still have about 19 days to return these phones and cancel the contract... but I'm curious: Will the 3g service always be this bad? Or are they improving the service in a fashion that won't take years?

Also, the iphone is NOT good at knowing when to switch to Edge from 3G. It does it ok sometimes, and other times it's just like it was never programmed for that function. Is there a fast application shortcut that you can download to switch quickly from Edge to 3g?

This is pretty much a deal breaker for me. If the phone didn't have 3g I probably wouldn't have sprung for it. I should be able to browse the web and not miss a call, ya know?

Thanks guys!

Message Edited by freak show on 08-26-2008 01:32:07 AM

Message Edited by freak show on 08-26-2008 01:32:49 AM

DWC1 · ‎12-23-2002

freak show wrote:

I still have about 19 days to return these phones and cancel the contract... but I'm curious: Will the 3g service always be this bad? Or are they improving the service in a fashion that won't take years?

You should really base your decision on what you know prior to the contract lock. There will be no way to obtain a solid promise for an improvement date. Verbal promises will not hold water. Also make sure that you update you iPhone frequently via iTunes and most potential fixes for this problem will come through updates installed via iTunes.

formercanuck · ‎07-07-2003

Depending on the market that you are in, the signal will vary due to many reasons.

1. GSM is typically on 850MHz and/or 1900MHz, in MANY markets, 3G is on 1900MHz only (currently). 850MHz typically will have a better signal reading than 1900MHz coming from the same site 99% of the time. I suspect that this is the issue you currently have (I have it as well) - 6/6 bars/ -74dBm on GSM 850, -86dBm on GSM 1900, -86dBm on 3G.

2. Not all sites may be on 3G initially. This is typically the case on some new buildouts, however, you would see 0-1 bars of 3G, and full service on GSM if that were the case, unless you're in a really highly populated area (NYC).

3. iPhone itself - I don't have one, so I won't comment.

If the service doesn't work properly for you, take it back. No use being stuck in a 2 year contract with something that doesn't work for you.
Also, make sure that it isn't a 14 day return on the iPhone.
I don't suspect that is will be always this bad (referring to issue #1), as there is probably 3/4 of AT&T subs with GSM only devices, and 3G devices can run both. I suspect that AT&T will have to deploy more spectrum in some areas soon (eg. Los Angeles) as 3G service appears overloaded.

Message Edited by formercanuck on 08-26-2008 11:13:43 AM

freak show · ‎08-26-2008

Thanks for the reply gang. I have 3 out of 5 bars for Edge service. When I switch to 3g it's like 1 or none. So I just don't know. It seems weird to have such good service with one type of signal and horrible service with another, unless they haven't switched a 3g tower on yet. I think I get what you're saying... basically they need to turn on the 3g service at 850mhz for me to get decent 3g reception. Please tell me if I'm wrong about that one.

My buddies in the area said their service was terrible immediately after they turned 3g on too. It still hasn't really improved for them.

I definitely have something to think about. The wife and I both can't decide right now.

Message Edited by freak show on 08-26-2008 11:59:05 AM

formercanuck · ‎07-07-2003

What area are you in ?

freak show · ‎08-26-2008

southwest lansing.. I'm in a spot where there's less normal service quality than usual... just a little pocket.

formercanuck · ‎07-07-2003

Lansing 'just' went live... its possible that not all sites are 3G, and its also possible that 3G might be on 1900MHz with GSM on 850/1900.

freak show · ‎08-26-2008

For what it's worth, I was just in downtown Chicago and I observed the same kinds of problems with 3g's service. Basically, there were 1 to 2 bars less than Edge when using 3g, and the 3g service was sporadic and glitchy.

I personally think the 3g signal has less reach than Edge does. I think it doesn't penetrate buildings/structures/trees as well, therefor the number of towers that once were sufficient no longer cover areas well enough. I also think there's a lot of towers throughout the country that aren't 3g enabled yet.

I'm still not sure if I'll take back the phones. It really irritates me that I was sold on the 3g idea and combined with the "more bars in more places" slogan I thought the decision was obvious. It was an easy sell... but I'm definitely writing letters to editors and publishing my own opinions on my blog about ATT's service, or lack thereof. I personally think they're being deceptive.

formercanuck · ‎07-07-2003

I tend to agree.
I got through to AT&T's tech support (ugh) sounded like another rep pretending to be a tech.
Totally useless. Claimed that I'm in a 'weak' 3G area (BS)
Claimed 3G is 'new' and isn't available on all sites (I happen to know that in my area they are!) 3G has been available here for over a year.
I gave them the address of a 3G site (In-N-Out Burger) where 3G is down, and they still claimed that its 'new'

Claimed to have created a network trouble ticket... but never gave me the ticket number, even after I asked.

freak show · ‎08-26-2008

Oh man, this looks really ugly for AT&T, and it confirms our suspicions.

http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2008/08/25/survey-suggests-networks-to-blame-for-some-iphone-3g-issues

What's the deal ATT? I swear I'll stop whining if you put more than one tower in my part of town.

FredW · ‎04-24-2007

Apple admits a problem and is working on it: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2008-08-19-apple-update_N.htm

But also, 3G sucked for a couple of weeks here, right after it was turned on. I think it takes some tweaking to get everything right.

As for what to do, I would be tempted to return the phones. Use your old phones and wait for the next iphone, that fixes the hardware problem.

formercanuck · ‎07-07-2003

Its not just iPhones that have issues having calls handoff from 3G to GSM/EDGE networks.
I have a Samsung ZX-20, and the majority of my calls will drop, instead of handing off to GSM.
If I force my phone to GSM only, the calls do not drop.
Part of the issue states that these are handoffs where coverage isn't available... that isn't always the case.
I am in areas that have strong 3G and GSM service, and calls still drop. My personal opinion is the spectrum is not enough to handle the traffic in my area (10MHz 3G vs 35MHz GSM), or somethings broken (i.e. iPhone flooding the network?) While this has occurred for me in the past year, it has been VERY bad over the past month.

freak show · ‎08-26-2008

It's getting uglier. http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7012181172

Maybe I'll start a lawsuit if I can find a pro-bono attorney. I have several friends that will definitely join.

10 days left until I can't return the phones. I still don't know.

pablocrego · ‎04-10-2008

I read in an article in the news (dont remember where) that for a strong 3G coverage are required double the towers that for GSM coverage in a same equal area.Thats because signal of 3G technology has almost half of the penetration of GSM. The article said that is not enough for ATT or any carrier to upgrade the towers for 3G.Installation of more towers to reduce the distance between towers is also required for a decent 3G service.Maybe that is the explanation of all that.Im not geeky in that issue,but I wonder if that could be the explanation.

freak show · ‎08-26-2008

So, I downloaded the latest update, version 2.1, and I have to say that it immediately and dramatically improved 3g reception. I literally get "full bars" now, whereas before it was one, maybe two. The Db meter on the field test mode shows about the equivalent to what edge did pre-upgrade. I have no idea what they did, but I'd really like to know. It's pretty amazing how much that update improved everything. I almost feel like it's too good to be true, honestly. I feel like I'm not getting ripped off anymore, but I don't want to feel like a sucker when I realize there's still a problem. I'm crossing my fingers that this really did fix it like it would appear, because I didn't return the phones before the 30 days were up.

So I'm a happy camper.

Anyone else notice the dramatic improvement after the upgrade?

Message Edited by freak show on 09-17-2008 10:53:48 PM

freak show · ‎08-26-2008

Well, wudduya know... I'm dropping calls still. I'll hear the person with crystal clarity and all the sudden the phone hangs up. This phone is a very expensive, fancy paper weight. It's pretty sad when skype is more reliable, almost as convenient and it costs 1/64 the price.

And while I'm complaining, what's the deal with no outlook synching, no video support, and no pc connection via bluetooth? This is simple stuff that any 400 dollar phone should have.