iPhone 3G network issues frustrating early adopters

Are you having network problems with your iPhone 3G?

(Credit: Apple)

Network problems appear to be frustrating iPhone 3G users in their first two weeks with the phone.

A huge thread on Apple's discussion boards has sprung up related to problems that iPhone 3G users say they are experiencing with AT&T's network, and I received several e-mails from CNET readers following last week's Ask the Editors session reporting similar problems. It's not clear at the moment exactly what is causing the issue, but it has some iPhone 3G early adopters up in arms.

The most common complaint seems to be poor reception in areas that are known to have a strong 3G signal. AT&T's 3G network is not nearly as pervasive as its EDGE one, but its Web site claims that 3G coverage is available in large cities like Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, as well as smaller metropolitan areas like Sacramento, Calif., Tulsa, Okla., and Hartford, Conn.

Still, dozens of posters are complaining about poor coverage and dropped calls, and about advice from customer service representatives to turn off the 3G connection to prevent the problems--thereby taking away the primary reason most of them bought the thing.

A CNET reader in Chicago wrote in to report poor coverage in downtown Chicago. "In addition to the low bars, the signal seems to fluctuate sometimes going from 3 bars to "No Service" and then staying in the "No Service" mode for some time. When driving to and from work on Lake Shore Drive (a major road in the heart of Chicago), my call drops multiple times when in 3G."

AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel said the company has not noticed any issues specific to the iPhone 3G or its 3G networks that might be causing the problems. He noted that wireless coverage depends on a wide variety of factors, such as your proximity to the access point or the materials used in various buildings.

However, the problem doesn't seem to be contained within the U.S. iPhone 3G users in the U.K., Germany, and Australia are also reporting problems with 3G connectivity in their countries, and no one seems to know what is causing the issues in those areas.

If you're running into this problem, please let us know, and if we hear anything from Apple we'll post an update. An e-mail to two Apple representatives Wednesday morning was not immediately returned.

In the meantime, Ben Wilson over at our sister site iPhone Atlas has some tips for boosting the signal of your iPhone 3G while we wait to see if the issues can be corrected with a firmware update, or whether more drastic steps are required.

[netPirate]

What does this have to do with the iPhone, these complaints are about connectivity to the network, not how well the iPhone 3G works. They are also well known issues with AT&T's network and anyone that takes 5 minutes online can find out. AT&T has always had spotty coverage and dropped calls even when there was a strong signal.

[kevinmfb]

I'm not an iPhone 3G owner yet because Omaha, NE doesn't have a 3G network available but I do know that AT&T offers other phones that are 3G capable. I wonder if the other 3G phone manufacturers are having the same problems in the mentioned areas? For now my "old" iPhone is my trusted device...besides, the iPhone 3G is impossible to find unless you want to spend $1000's on ebay:(

[netPirate]

What does this have to do with the iPhone, these complaints are about connectivity to the network, not how well the iPhone 3G works. They are also well known issues with AT&T's network and anyone that takes 5 minutes online can find out. AT&T has always had spotty coverage and dropped calls even when there was a strong signal.

[JacksoninSRB]

There is a very large thread on Apple's support website about a problem with upgrading the original iPhone to v.2 and losing all wi-fi connections. I'm very surprised this hasn't been reported or commented upon. The link to the discussion is: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=7645403&tstart=0#7645403

[bjlong80]

I love my iPhone but I am hating the service I get with AT&T! I live in the Philadelphia Metropolitan area and on my previous carrier, Verizon, I've NEVER had a signal issue with them. I go and switch to AT&T and get my iPhone and the signal is shotty and spotty at best. On their coverage map I am shown as having coverage for both 3G and EDGE and no "black holes" in my area at all, but it never fails...my phone calls are dropping left and right. It's starting to make me rethink the product and the carrier.

[wratbatblue]

Did you say dozens of posters are complaining? That thread on the Apple site has thousands of complaints, as I recall. Mine is one of them. I have the exact problems you describe, with weak, fluctuating signals in areas where other 3G phones have no trouble. I've tried rebooting, resetting the phone (not restoring, don't want to go there yet), reseating and then replacing the SIM card (all suggestions on your sister site, among others). No dice. It's bad enough that AT&T is charging "extra money" for 3G service, and that using it drastically reduces battery life. Now it looks like reliability is questionable at best. If they don't fix it by day 29, my iPhone is GONE.

[vmsoni]

I have a 3G IPhone and I can attest that calls do drop and that service is spotty. Moreover the problem seems to be with the phone's reception and not the coverage area as my friend's Blackjack (also on ATT) has full service in the same place where I get 1 bar. ITs not a huge problem, I've only dropped a couple of calls in the last week or so.

[outlanderbz]

what it has to do with the iPhone is other 3G AT&T devices work fine in these areas. I have dropped at least 2 calls a day since I got my new iPhone. The NW suburb of Chicago shows coverage but it seems as it doesn't switch to edge agressive enough like other 3G phones. In the 1 year I had my old iPhone I can only remember 1 or 2 dropped calls.

[Icon11]

Lots of 3G problems in Portland, Oregon. Supposedly full 3G coverage but no signal strength, dropped connections and calls. Switch back to EDGE and system is fine.

[gkriser]

I have contacted AT&T both by email and with their CSR's as well as requesting that a Manager call me back regarding 3G service in my home. AT&T advertises that my specific street address is within their 3G area as posted on their Web Pages. I am about 3/4 mile away from where the map states 3G service ends to the NE.
I do not receive 3G service.
In all their communications with AT&T, they are stonewalling me and not providing any assistance or relief at all except to be pleasant and say we are sorry that you are not receiving 3G service although AT&T advertises it as so.

I would like to initiate a class action lawsuit with everyone else that has this problem.

[PapiWooza]

Same issue here. I have owned blackberries and several HTC WM devices and have to say I am shocked at some of the issues I have had since using the iPhone 3G. Not only do calls repeatedly drop but the exchange email often fails to properly sync as well.

[jonbruce]

My Nokia N75 has excellent 3G coverage - in fact I'd venture to say it is *much* better than standard GSM...

[saghirmo]

I have 2 iPhone 3gs(one for my wife) and we NEVER get 4 or 5 bars throughout the metro Detroit area (outside, in the open, clear day, excellent coverage map areas, all times of the day). I usually max out at 3 and on average have 1 to 2 bars. I get a lot of "No Service". The 3g network is a joke! It is as fast as an average 1XRT(2.5g Sprint Network). Nonetheless, I still love the iphone even though it has this issue and it is absolutely FILLED with bugs (SMS lag, contacts lag, safari crashing, APPS CRASHING). They should call it iPhone Vista or iPhone ME. If you use Apps the crashes are even worse, so I just don't use apps. It's ironic that the solution to issues with new features are to not use the new features (3g doesn't work? Don't use 3g. Apps Crash like crazy? Don't use apps). But I digress. To reiterate, the iPhone 3g has terrible service. I love Apple, but some of these fanboys are insane. They would literally accept ANYTHING Apple releases with NO complaint. They attack people that complain on the boards. There is this one guy from Ann Arbor, MI that spews ridiculous lies about how great his service is. He attacks everyone that even mentions an iPhone flaw. Well, I know like 3 people with the iPhone 3g in AA and they think it sucks. I had 2 bars in all over Ann Arbor yesterday.

[jmpetersen]

I'm glad I opted for the iPod Touch, and a dumb Sprint/Sanyo telephone!

Signal acquisition and retention has got to be the number one concern for a cell phone owner. I'm no expert, but I know that an untested handset on the country's "most dissatisfied" provider is not going to be a very good experience.

And the poor users that haven't figured out there is a 3G problem - they're sitting there wondering why their battery drains in nothing flat.

[samirbhavnani]

My wife bought the iPhone in San Diego and we cannot get good or consistent 3G connection in our home. AT&T Store advised her to "turn off" the 3G in and near our house. This does seem to work, but her question is what is the use in paying so much for the AT&T data plan.

The maps AT&T has all show perfect 3G coverage not only at our home but within a several mile radius.

[onelivinglife]

Yep! Network connectivity sucks here in Austin, Texas, too. I've had numerous dropped calls and no 3G connectivity all over the city, even downtown and in the most heavy-traffic central areas of the city. It's beyond irritating and inexcusable that the service is so bad, particularly given the premium I am paying for it.

I'm for a class action suit, too! Apple and AT&T need to get their S#*! together ASAP!

[uscomputer]

My Att 3G Razr2 V9 never drops calls & works well in 3G mode in Miami thru West Palm & in the Tampa Bay Florida areas. My impression is that many of the reported problems may be the phone as opposed to the network.

[saghirmo]

These corporations only respond to pressure and bad press. If we continue to register our disatisfaction with the TERRIBLE 3g service then Apple and AT&T will have to address it.

[kevinmfb]

WOW!! I'm glad I kept my old iPhone. The only problem I have with mine is the screen is cracked and need a replacement phone. Hearing the complaints I don' t think I want a 3G version just yet. Here in Omaha I have never had a problem with calls dropping or poor coverage. Maybe thats the difference between the old vs the new (or we don't have any tall buildings)? Honestly, I feel for you folks having these problems and this is absolutely TERRIBLE for Apple. Hopefully these issues can get resolved soon...with the holiday season coming up this could be a total disaster for iPhone sales.

[harrys78]

I have a Samsung Sync 3G which has no problems, so it is definitely the IPHONE which has problems.