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.
Tom Krazit writes about the ever-expanding world of Internet search, including Google, Yahoo, online advertising, and portals, as well as the evolution of mobile computing. He has written about traditional PC companies, chip manufacturers, and mobile computers, spending the last three years covering Apple. E-mail Tom. 





It will come down to either the selected 3G transceiver chip, it's antenna design, or both.
When you have multiple regional carriers that have customers with a wireless device and they all seem to be having the same problem then you can pretty much narrow it down to the device and NOT the carrier.
I never had the same problem in same area earlier!!!
Aple needs to address this otherwise I will be definately in the list of unsatisfied customer.
Dhiren Mehta, INDIA
"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."
So is it really AT&T or a design issue? With evidence presented here I'd have to say it is the latter of the two
People have done side-by-side comparisons using OTHER phones. iPhone supposedly gets worse 3G reception.
"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."
So is it really AT&T or a design issue? With evidence presented here I'd have to say it is the latter of the two
and don't you like those commercials where they act like there are no dropped calls or black holes anywhere? ha!
"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."
So is it really AT&T or a design issue? With evidence presented here I'd have to say it is the latter of the two
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.
"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."
So is it really AT&T or a design issue? With evidence presented here I'd have to say it is the latter of the two
"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."
So is it really AT&T or a design issue? With evidence presented here I'd have to say it is the latter of the two
"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."
So is it really AT&T or a design issue? With evidence presented here I'd have to say it is the latter of the two
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.
The maps AT&T has all show perfect 3G coverage not only at our home but within a several mile radius.
"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."
So is it really AT&T or a design issue? With evidence presented here I'd have to say it is the latter of the two
I'm for a class action suit, too! Apple and AT&T need to get their S#*! together ASAP!
"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."
So is it really AT&T or a design issue? With evidence presented here I'd have to say it is the latter of the two
"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."
So is it really AT&T or a design issue? With evidence presented here I'd have to say it is the latter of the two
- by harrys78 July 23, 2008 12:45 PM PDT
- I have a Samsung Sync 3G which has no problems, so it is definitely the IPHONE which has problems.
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- by thchildress September 8, 2008 7:19 PM PDT
- I have a Samsung Sync 3G, and I am CONSTANTLY having problems at work. However...2 years ago I very RARELY had those problems because I had a Motorola Razr back then. It was fantastic, not 3G; wish I'd have kept it.
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