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story category iPhone Glitches May Be AT&T's Problem After All...
New tests indicate that the hardware itself is performing just fine....
(old news - 08:58AM Thursday Aug 28 2008)
tags: business · wireless · hardware
A few weeks ago, a Wall Street analyst raised a ruckus by claiming the iPhone contained a faulty chip from Infineon, which was causing 3G connectivity problems he claimed wouldn't be firmware upgradeable. Last week however, researchers in Sweden conducted tests showing that the iPhone's reception was just fine. Obviously, users impacted by the problems wanted more definitive data, so they offered their troubled phones for testing, and again the researchers found no physical hardware defect. Assuming these latest results are accurate, that means the problems being experienced by some iPhone users are either caused by AT&T's network, or by Apple's software.

Related:
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  3. Group Takes Aim At Special Access Pricing
  4. Motorola Androids To Hit T-Mobile, Verizon
  5. Verizon: LTE iPhone 'Apple's Decision'
  6. New iPhone 3GS Costs $178.96 To Make
  7. AT&T Offers Free iPhone U-Verse DVR App
  8. iPhone 3GS Already Jailbroken
Forums » iPhone Glitches May Be AT&T's Problem After All...
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Post a:

skyfreedomdo
Premium
join:2003-01-01
Boise, ID

He did it! No he did it.

Im tired of this finger pointing game! Yes i do have the 3G iPhone but turn off 3G cause it sucks my battery dry and the speed inst that huge of an improvement.
Still love the phone and dont think i can part with it, its like a damn vice.
--
SKYFREEDOM NETWORKS
Whatever the angle; We've got you covered.

ItsATT

@conversent.net

It's obviously AT&T

I've been saying it for weeks: the problem is obviously with AT&T's network in specific markets. Why else would everybody who's experiencing problems be in the same area while everywhere else people aren't experiencing any issues? That's not a firmware issue -- it's a network issue.
Mattie_B

join:2008-05-16

Re: It's obviously AT&T

said by ItsATT :

I've been saying it for weeks: the problem is obviously with AT&T's network in specific markets. Why else would everybody who's experiencing problems be in the same area while everywhere else people aren't experiencing any issues? That's not a firmware issue -- it's a network issue.
Its not a network issue when other 3G phones work just fine in the same areas. Something is wrong with the phone in general.

Do you here people complaining that there dropping calls on other 3G phones.
Steve B

join:2004-08-02
Seattle, WA

Re: It's obviously AT&T

I agree. You still have the issue of people around the world complaining about the same issue. Two big points also is that one; like you stated, other regular 3G phones aren't having this problem and two; if it wasn't an firmware issue, Apple wouldn't be trying to fix it.

cbrigante2
Cubs 20??
Premium
join:2002-11-22
North Aurora, IL
I've complained of dropped calls on AT&T's standard cell network, so I don't see why we should expect the 3G network to handle it any better.
wierdo

join:2001-02-16
Tulsa, OK
·Future Nine Corpor..
·Teliax VOIP

Re: It's obviously AT&T

said by cbrigante2 See Profile :

I've complained of dropped calls on AT&T's standard cell network, so I don't see why we should expect the 3G network to handle it any better.
And that is also often due to subpar or broken phones. (which AT&T is sells because people are stupid enough to be swayed by free phones, which are almost universally garbage reception-wise)
--
It's wierdo, not weirdo. Yes, I know that's not the 'proper' spelling of the similar english language word.

en102
Canadian, eh?

join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA
·RoadRunner Cable
·DSL EXTREME


1 edit
I've had problems with 3G dropped calls since last July, when 3G went live in the Santa Clarita area. AT&T has replaced my phone times under warranty exchange, and even sent me a different model.
While there 'may' be an iPhone issue, in many places, there 'is' an AT&T issue (eg. Los Angeles areas). When I turn off the 3G function of the phone, I do not have dropped calls. Also, there is an AT&T cell site 1/3 mile from where I am, so its not due to weak signal.
--
Canada = Hollywood North

odreian615

join:2006-01-18
Chicago, IL
Right Mattie cause my Samsung 3G phone don't have the sam problems iPhone users have
wolfhouse

join:2001-03-01
Union City, NJ

Re: It's obviously AT&T

my 3G Samsung Sync dropped calls like crazy too. And was worse than the iPhone 3G at getting signal...

djrobx

join:2000-05-31
Valencia, CA
quote:
Do you here people complaining that there dropping calls on other 3G phones.
Yes!
--
AT&T U-Hearse
Your funeral. Delivered.
msanto

join:2001-08-13
Castro Valley, CA

Re: It's obviously AT&T

I work on mobile phone software. I can attest to the fact that the only phone giving us issues in 3G mode is the iPhone, at our work location.

Additionally, I was in a hospital yesterday with 2 other 3G phones. All of them dropped to EDGE, but the iPhone wouldn't make a call or browse. The Q9h and BJ2: no problem.

djrobx

join:2000-05-31
Valencia, CA
·PHONE POWER
·AT&T U-Verse
·AT&T CallVantage
·Time Warner VOIP
·RoadRunner Cable

Re: It's obviously AT&T

My 3G Samsung Blackjack and HTC 8525 both do the exact same crap as the iPhone. Sometimes they drop calls when going from 3G to Edge. They all have poorer reception in 3G mode also.

They're all also really annoying about hanging on to Edge for several minutes while there's good 3G coverage available.
--
AT&T U-Hearse
Your funeral. Delivered.
msanto

join:2001-08-13
Castro Valley, CA

Re: It's obviously AT&T

My major disappointment was that, as I indicated earlier, even when dropped permanently into EDGE the iPHone didn't perform as well as two other 3G phones I was carrying yesterday. In fact, it couldn't even make a call.

djrobx

join:2000-05-31
Valencia, CA
·PHONE POWER
·AT&T U-Verse
·AT&T CallVantage
·Time Warner VOIP
·RoadRunner Cable

Re: It's obviously AT&T

I've never had any performance problems with the iPhone in EDGE mode, and the 3G seems to be about identical to the iPhone 1G once locked to Edge.

My house is in a marginal area - some days I can make calls, others I can't. iPhone performs just as good (or as bad, depending on your viewpoint ) as every other GSM phone I've had.

Whatever the cause or whoever's at fault, I'm all for the negative press. Both AT&T and Apple need to focus on improving the situtation for their customers.

-- Rob
--
AT&T U-Hearse
Your funeral. Delivered.
wierdo

join:2001-02-16
Tulsa, OK
·Future Nine Corpor..
·Teliax VOIP

said by djrobx See Profile :

They're all also really annoying about hanging on to Edge for several minutes while there's good 3G coverage available.
If it didn't do that, you'd be whining about poor battery life from the phone constantly scanning for 3G.
--
It's wierdo, not weirdo. Yes, I know that's not the 'proper' spelling of the similar english language word.

scots
Can we have Twinkies?
Premium
join:1999-12-06
Raleigh, NC
·AT&T U-Verse
·ooma
·RoadRunner Cable
·AT&T CallVantage

I have a family plan with 3 lines, and myself and the others on the plan have used quite a few different 3G phones with AT&T since they first started offering 3G. We've always had tons of dropped calls with every 3G phone we've used on AT&T...EXCEPT the iPhone 3G. I've not had one dropped call since I got my iPhone 3G. And no, I do not have 3G turned off on it.

cbrigante2
Cubs 20??
Premium
join:2002-11-22
North Aurora, IL

Re: It's obviously AT&T

I've had the same experience, but I still get the drops on the iPhone as well (which might still point to local network issues..not hardware).
skrupowies

join:2002-08-22
Wallingford, CT
clubs:
·AT&T U-Verse

said by ItsATT :

I've been saying it for weeks: the problem is obviously with AT&T's network in specific markets.

It's not all that obvious to me. I had a 3G Samsung Blackjack that worked just fine. With that phone I could drive from Clinton, CT to Wallingford, CT (about 35 miles) with zero dropped calls. I got an iPhone 3G and traveling the same route had four dropped calls. Yes, it was a different day though it was the same time of day. But to me this does NOT indicate a problem with the AT&T network, rather a problem with the iPhone. I've been told to leave 3G off unless I need the speed and it does work better that way. So it seems the iPhone doesn't switch between 3G and EDGE very nicely. And again, I don't see how that's a problem with the network.

ort

@mycingular.net

no problems here

[image=http://testmy.net/share2-4GY83F6U1][/image]

Performed indoors with 4 out of 5 bars for reception. White 16gb iphone 3g on 2.02
msanto

join:2001-08-13
Castro Valley, CA

Re: no problems here

Statistically, one phone means nothing. We have several at work, and while all our other 3G phones are fine, the iPhones drop calls, etc. etc.

We work on mobile phone software, to give a little more credibility to the post.

Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02

Host:
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1 edit

NYC/NY State Users...

My contract with Verizon Wireless is officially up. The temptation is growing....despite my equally growing disdain for the hype. I've found AT&T has pretty sub-par service in upstate New York -- though it gets substantively better through Putnam and Westchester and into the city.

Anybody live north of the city or in upstate with the iPhone that can give service quality impressions? I don't want to lock into a two year if I'm going to struggle on I-87 I-81, etc...
flyingjoey

join:2005-11-07
Jersey City, NJ
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·Verizon FIOS

Re: NYC/NY State Users...

If voice quality means anything to you, stay with Verizon or go to Sprint.

If you don't care about people sounding like Donald Duck or robots on the phone then go ahead and go to AT&T... If you just don't want to get your calls at all, then go to T-Mo.

I don't know if it's the compression scheme they're using or GSM is the technology from hell, but G'damned it... phone calls on AT&T's network sound Always horrible.

Jerm

join:2000-04-10
Richland, WA

well...

I was gonna say consider the $30 Sprint SERO program ($30/month, 500mins unlimited everything) BUT Sprint just ended that promo.

I have a legacy plan now that Sprint will never take away from me... this plan is on it's way to legendary - 'cmon its $30!

ablack6596

join:2005-01-28
Scarsdale, NY

Re: NYC/NY State Users...

Well I'm at school in Binghamton and the coverage is excellent. I get full signal everywhere in the Binghamton area.

Back home in Westchester it comes in and out constantly and I very rarely have full signal. I had to turn 3G off while I was traveling down a highway because it was coming in and out so much that the phone couldn't load anything.

Tom Esmanech

@comcast.net

my ATT story

So let me just share with you my story with ATT.

let me give you a quick update.
I have received a call from one of the executive escalation managers in ATT regarding my letter complaining that their coverage map was wrong. ATT stated that there is coverage when in reality there is NONE.

She kindly informed me that the next time they plan to improve the reception in the area will be in 3 years. (she did not say there was no coverage in the area)

I replied that the 3G coverage map says there is coverage and I would like ATT to keep their promise and posted on their website.

She said, no can not do. I am free to close the contract with ATT at any time.

I replied that her Tech support and Customer service manager informed me that they are aware that the coverage map is wrong. She fell off the chair hearing that their staff openly admitted the issue.

I asked her to at least unlock my 2G iphone so I could use it with other providers. The answer was no can not do. Apple did not release to ATT the unlock codes.

...and I closed the conversation upset, with no way out.
...ATT does not care.

morbo
Complete Your Transaction

join:2002-01-22
00000
clubs:
·Charter Pipeline
·AT&T Southwest

Re: my ATT story

said by Tom Esmanech :

...and I closed the conversation upset, with no way out.
uh, you say yourself that they will release you from your contract. i think that's the most important way out. i suggest you take it.

quetwo
That VoIP Guy
Premium
join:2004-09-04
East Lansing, MI

Would we have expected more?


EPIC FAIL

Rumoranger

@sbcglobal.net

bad upgrade?

A little birdie at some blue swirly logo'd company mentioned that a botched network update was causing 3G issues...

lo-and-behold...days later I'm no longer dropping calls on 3G and suddenly my signal quality is much higher

could it be true?

Mars

@ucdavis.edu


from:
leevis See Profile

Maybe it's not just iPhone users...

Two reasons that more iPhone users are seemingly having problems in areas that other phone users are not:

1. There are more iPhone users than any other single model

2. iPhone users are part of a community and are very vociferous. They are *much* more likely to go online and complain than, say, Nokia phone users.

So maybe everybody really is having problems in the same areas, but only iPhone users are making a big stink about it.

FWIW, my own iPhone 3G gets perfect 5-bar 3G reception in some parts of the town I live in, and 0 bars in others. I blame AT&T for that, not Apple.

kfsutops
Premium
join:2002-08-19
Brandon, FL
clubs:
·RoadRunner Cable

Re: Maybe it's not just iPhone users...

I don't know that I agree with #1.

But you could be spot on with option #2.

But I was part of a Blackjack community and there really wasn't any complaints about 3g. The signal is weaker on my iPhone than it was with the Blackjack. Having said that, I have not had any dropped calls. What I did notice is that it take forever to switch from 3g back to Edge. I don't get that.
--
"There are no stupid questions, but there are a LOT of inquisitive idiots"

Jmartz

join:2000-07-20
Tenafly, NJ

This is a new phone

It will have problems for a while until they can work out the kinks. People were speculating for weeks before the launch of IPHONE 3G whether or not the AT&T Network could handle the load.. it obviously CAN'T in some areas. Give them time to fix the problems... oh, and next year when the new iphone comes out... wait 6 months to buy it -- chances are it will be cheaper and the problems will have been fixed by whoever needs to fix them.

pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD
·Comcast

Definitive Research?

Were other 3G phones that AT&T offers tested and compared with the iPhone, in the same places in which the iPhone was reported to have trouble?

AT&T offers quite a few 3G phones. Unless the same problems are found in a number of these other phones, it is not fair to indict AT&T for these problems.

For the record, I have AT&T service and own 2 3G phones, an HTC 8525 and Samsung Blackjack 2. The only place we run into reception issues are in the EDGE areas.
--
"At the moment of conception."

cbrigante2
Cubs 20??
Premium
join:2002-11-22
North Aurora, IL

Re: Definitive Research?

said by pnh102 See Profile :

The only place we run into reception issues are in the EDGE areas.
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the EDGE network coverage a LOT more complete than the 3G coverage?

pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD
·Comcast

Re: Definitive Research?

said by cbrigante2 See Profile :

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the EDGE network coverage a LOT more complete than the 3G coverage?
It is. However, EDGE coverage is much better in other areas too. It would be wrong of me to conclude that all of AT&T's EDGE coverage stinks based on a small research sample.
--
"At the moment of conception."

wifi4milez
Big Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace

join:2004-08-07
New York, NY
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·RoadRunner Cable
·BroadVoice

Worst "update" ever!

quote:
Assuming these latest results are accurate, that means the problems being experienced by some iPhone users are either caused by AT&T's network, or by Apple's software.
I dont think anyone suggested that the Easter Bunny was (potentially) responsible for these issues, so how the hell is that an update??
roughstuff99

join:2008-07-31
Springfield, MO
·Cingular Wireless

3G network

I have their AC881U air card and I get dropped signals, so their network really needs work. i live just outside of Springfield Missouri and have 4 out of 5 bars, but they will suddenly disappear and my broadband will drop out of existance. So, if it happens to me, it can happen to iphones too.
gopnick

join:2005-01-07
Benton, AR

Duh!

This is what I've been posting on half of these ridiculous stories... DUH, it's AT&T's crappy 3G network. All of my other 3G handsets did the same thing.

Nezmo
The name's Bond. James Bond.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-11-10
Coppell, TX
·Verizon FIOS

Re: Duh!

said by gopnick See Profile :

This is what I've been posting on half of these ridiculous stories... DUH, it's AT&T's crappy 3G network. All of my other 3G handsets did the same thing.
Ah but... my BlackJavk II and 3G RAZR do NOT have any problems in the EXACT same area as the iPhone. Side by side and the iPhone seems to have issues with the signal while the others are rock steady.
--
My Gallery
MySpace
Formerly Nezmo

sheik28
Premium
join:2000-10-15
New York, NY
·1and1
·Packet8

Blackberry Bold

This is probably the same reason why the Blackberry Bold is delayed as well. Originally it was due to battery problems but the latest news is that there were connectivity issues.

Here is one of the reports about the battery issues
»freeblackberrystuff.com/index.ph···c=319.0;
--
There is no such thing as a stupid question, and yes, the camel types.

thxultra

@ameritech.net

AT&T

I have nothing but trouble with the at&t network. They drop calls all the time. I wish verizon had the iphone I would switch in a heartbeat. It is a shame sense the iphone is such a nice phone but the dropped calls will drive u crazy.

HardwareGeek

join:2003-11-15
Brooklyn, NY

Apple now blames you

Apple says the people who haven't upgraded their iphone software are to blame.

And balming the software on he iPhone, something to do with the power is what I heard.
--
Email/MSN: Michael at hardwaregeeks.comAIM: MikeR35292

pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD
·Comcast

Re: Apple now blames you

said by HardwareGeek See Profile :

Apple now blames you
There's got to be a "In Soviet Russia ..." joke in that somewhere.
--
"At the moment of conception."

Halo5

join:2000-07-20
Dayton, OH
clubs:

Easy

C'mon guys, give AT&T a break!

It's hard work filtering all your traffic over to the NSA!

Monty_Python

@charter.com

AT&T Does Play It's Part Too

Sure, some people may not be having 3G issues with regular phones, but what's new? Just the luck of the draw.

I don't own the 3G iPhone but have 5 lines on my AT&T account and all phones are 3G capable. We drop calls like crazy with full bars and they constantly bounce between 3G and EDGE while idle or 3G to GSM during a call. Call quality has gotten terrible. I'm here in Santa Monica, CA.

I do agree that iPhone users are more vocal. Apple customers, although extremely loyal, are still very critical of hardware or manufacturing defects even if network related.

If anything, the iPhone is clearly bringing the weaknesses of today's HSPA networks around the world to the table. Carriers have to learn that people are going to start doing more than downloading ringtones to their phones in the future. Backhaul and capacity will have to be increased to keep up with demand.

I'm glad AT&T is getting bad press over this. Their network here in LA needs attention. Everytime I hear their claims of having the best coverage or fastest 3G network it makes me sick. How they can get away with misleading the public by some form of technicality is beyond me?

ultracooldave

@verizon.net

Re: AT&T Does Play It's Part Too

Yes, my Samsung 3G drops calls with AT&T here but worked perfectly in several cities in Australia last year, no argument AT&T 3g is terrible, only operating on 1 of the 4 bands-BUT- the new I-Phone has a lot of problems worldwide with several companies' 3G.
Since its not the connector as I had thought, Apple is now free to not fix, replace or refund anyone's money and continue with its crazy software "fixes".
At least Blackberry is delaying introduction of its new 3G phone.
I blame Apple 100%, they released it with problems, they chose AT&T and now many of Apple's devoted fans are going to be ripped off! While Apple rushed it to market early, Apple fans rushed to buy it before independent testing, this is really a dumb idea with any new gadget.
Forums » iPhone Glitches May Be AT&T's Problem After All...


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