Comments on: iPhone 3G network issues frustrating early adopters

iPhone 3G users around the world are reporting problems with signal strength and quality of service on their new handsets, but no specific issues have been identified.

[tekwiz4u]

AT&T just SUCKS!!!. Apple NEEDS to re-ignite talks with Verizon on the next iPhone. It may not be a GSM network, but at this point...they would beat them in coverage hands down.

[fdunn3]

Did you miss this part of the article?
"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

[tekwiz4u]

It's obvious that you're not reading the comments from actual owners. It clearly presented itself that people are having more problems with the service then the phone.

[fdunn3]

Then every different Telco 3G provider in the other countries mentioned is also at fault when other 3G smartphones work fine side by side with an iPhone.

Wake up and smell the roses fanboy. It is a hardware issue, it is documented that Apple did not use tier 1 component supliers so that they would have more control over pricing. So in essence the "low-balled" the bidding and you're paying for it.

[fdunn3]

another response from a user that was objective enough to try a side by side test using AT&T's 3G service:

by harrys78 July 23, 2008 4:10 PM Just finished testing my wifes Samsung Sync 3G and the IPHONE 3G, the iphone keeps dropping calls and looses network non stop, it is better on Edge. I feel like i spend 300 bucks on a device which just does not deliver, not to mention the mobile me fiasco and the apps crashing, it is painfull.

[tekwiz4u]

You're trying to validate AT&T's 3g service like its better than Verizon. AT&T coverage is minimal compared to Verizon. So i'm not being a "fanboy" for Apple, I'm clearly blaming the service instead of the product. And just to let you know, Apple uses the same internal design like the 1st gen iPhone in the 3G model. Yes..the components are not tier 1, but the design is still effective.

Why would it have better reception if they turned off 3G then? Do the math.

[konfuzion]

It's true... my 3g iphone is HORRIBLE when compared to the service of my original iphone :(

and yet i cant bear to turn off 3g... i waited in line 8 hours for the thing...

[ayoung45]

3G network here in Honolulu, HI seems to be fine. I haven't tested the speed of my iPhone 3G, but it's satisfactory to me.

[harrys78]

Just finished testing my wifes Samsung Sync 3G and the IPHONE 3G, the iphone keeps dropping calls and looses network non stop, it is better on Edge. I feel like i spend 300 bucks on a device which just does not deliver, not to mention the mobile me fiasco and the apps crashing, it is painfull.

[tcld0]

I have been noticing this exact problem in Sydney, Australia. My previous phone picked up a full 3G signal throughout the city. My new iPhone 3G often loses the 3G signal entirely, resorting to the slower connection. And occasionally (too often for my liking), it drops out completely and simply says 'No Service'. It also seems to jump from 5 bars to 1 bar while I'm in the same spot.

[tspatz]

I switched from the Motorola Q9 Global (Q9h) which is also a 3G phone on AT&T's network. The service is noticeable worse on the iPhone, both in terms of bars on the display and my actual real-world experience.

[brettlamb]

What does it have to do with the iphone? Duh! What do you think is receiving the signal from AT&T? If you have read this problem is related to the iphone 3G. Other phones have been tested in the same area where the iphone is not receiving a good signal or no signal and they are working fine. My iphone 3g's signal sucks where my other AT&T phones work fine.

[etiahwhite]

The only issue I have is that it doesn't switch over from the 3G to edge when the signal is low. Otherwise it doesn't outright drop calls but I will repeatedly get call failed when trying to make a call which is strange cuz I will have bars. Over all I'm very satisfied with my phone just not crazy about the service...but I can't really think of any service provider that I've ever been completely happy with. I will say this I don't think it fair to be charging more money for spotty 3G access that to me is the real problem.

[etiahwhite]

The only issue I have is that it doesn't switch over from the 3G to edge when the signal is low. Otherwise it doesn't outright drop calls but I will repeatedly get call failed when trying to make a call which is strange cuz I will have bars. Over all I'm very satisfied with my phone just not crazy about the service...but I can't really think of any service provider that I've ever been completely happy with. I will say this I don't think it fair to be charging more money for spotty 3G access that to me is the real problem.

[bgreenlee]

I'm experiencing the same issues--poor 3G reception in areas that should be blanketed (downtown San Francisco) and constant dropped calls while on 3G. I finally just decided to turn 3G off.

Given that a number of people in this and other threads have commented that they've compared the iPhone 3G reception alongside other 3G phones and found that the iPhone reception is much weaker, I have a theory that in an effort to conserve battery life, Apple has lowered the power of the 3G chip as much as possible. If so, this issue could possibly be fixed in firmware, albeit at the expense of even shorter battery life.

[tatn821]

I'm not an iphone owner thank god,but this calls for a class action.If people are paying good hard earned money for this product. It is a fraud the mere fact that you are buying something and you are not getting it.And no apple fanboys I do not hate apple I have about 5 ipods so spare me of your hatred.How can AT&T be in good conscience be overcharging people.And you know what though? The little lie about everybody using the network or clogging up the circuits is getting old and lame. AT&T start charging for 3g until it runs perfectly and no it is not acceptable if it only works somewhat.Greedy fiends! You too Apple for running along with it.

[HeloCaptain]

The problem is with the iPhone 3G. Many users, in multiple countries, have compared 3G signals with many other brands of 3G phones, and only the iPhone is showing these symptoms. In Japan, they only have 3G (no Edge) so they are really up the creek without a signal!

If AT&T said they are unaware of any issues (other than localized individual problems), that has to be a lie. The denial statement itself raises the anger meter for many frustrated iPhone 3G users.

I am almost tempted to go to law school. As much as I hate class action lawsuits (because the lawyers are the only parties that benefit in 99+% of the cases), I know there must be many causes of action being prepared as we write (and fail to speak on our iPhone 3G).

AT&T and Apple must have known about this problem prior to the release of the product. It is so pervasive that any pre-release (select Apple and AT&T employees) user of an iPhone becomes aware of the 3G problem very quickly.

And then there is MobileMe, "Exchange for the rest of us." ...... Never mind.

Even some of the most diehard Apple loyalists and defenders are actually getting angry at Apple because of the multiple and VERY SIGNIFICANT iPhone 3G issues, which - for the most part - Apple remains silent about (tends to make you feel ignored, like - nobody cares).

[projectnation]

What's interesting about all the iPhone 3G coverage and discussions on this site is none of the videos actually run on the device.

[a1016neo1]

It has been 13th days since the iphone has launch and still no software update yet??? I bet Apple is working on 2.0.1 and plans to release it soon! What else could they be doing?!?! If Apple nails 2.0.1, it should fix the slow 3G data, poor reception, laggy OS, crashing Apps, GPS location fix, etc.... They have a lot of things to accomplish so I think it will be a little while longer....

Anyway, customer are getting frustrated by the unacceptable cell phone reception on 3G ... We need to push apple in releasing a software update fast!!! Tell them you feedback here:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

Though I rather wait longer for a quality update rather than a half-baked update that is rush out the door... Apple take your time, but remember not too long!! At least we have something to look forward to!

BRING ON 2.0.1!!!! Hopefully by Friday!!!! All we can do is wait...

[fdunn3]

Sorry to burst your bubble but this is not going to be a firmware or software fix. This is purely hardware. Apple having to take back over 1 million iPhones to either fix or just replace with more quality components is going to be expensive for everyone.

[elektric]

The best story I've read so far about iPhone 3G problems is called: Trying To Buy An iPhone 3G on FutureMusic's website. The writer really seems to have in-depth knowledge of the workings of AT&T, and especially how Apple handled the training of their iPhone Activation employees. Compelling stuff: http://www.futuremusic.com/news/july2008/apple_iphone_3g_hell_pt1.html

[alexacker]

For all the people defending the iPhone here (vs AT&T), let me put it to you this way....

I have a 3G AT&T laptop card for my MacBook Pro and IT WORKS FLAWLESSLY in NYC (where I work) and Long Island (where I live). The only time the service goes out is when my LIRR train is going through a tunnel.

Face it people, the iPhone 3g is broke and my 1st gen iPhone isn't going anywhere....

[doug526]

I think there is such a disparity between the 3G and "2.5G" EDGE iPhones in terms of coverage simply because AT&T's 3G network is primarily 1900mhz. Whereas EDGE runs on both 850 and 1900mhz. Therefore, 3G coverage WILL NOT EQUAL or come close to EDGE coverage in most markets.

Dropped calls can be caused largely by failed handoff attempts from 3G to EDGE. I have an LG CU500 that I forced to 3G as an experiment. After the towers decide that they no longer want to serve me on the 3G cell and try to tell my CU500 to handshake with an EDGE cell, it will drop the call. During the day this is highly evident, and 3G calls will immediately drop before they're even completed, but during the late evening hours I can hold a 3G call for hours with no problem. So there probably are issues to work out on the AT&T side as well.

This is probably as much of a PERCEPTION issue rather than a RECEPTION issue. If people realized that 1900mhz does not penetrate and cover as well as the 850mhz signal, they would see where the real problem exists. AT&T's 3G network even in dense urban settings does not even come close to EDGE!!! As far as coverage goes, you're looking at mostly 1900mhz as the primary carrier for their 3G system. People need to realize that EDGE to 3G coverage is apples to oranges, at leat for the time being.

But this is not an excuse poor network engineering on AT&T's side. Dropped calls on 3G are unacceptable, even if the 3G > EDGE handoff is rejected before the 3G cell gives up.

Anyone remember GAIT phones? What percentage of the time did in-call TDMA to AMPS handoffs happen smoothly? And remember that GSM to TDMA or GSM to AMPS handoffs never was possible.

Personally, I am in a hilly area of South Austin (78704). Although this area is supposed to be real good for 3G coverage, I'm not impressed.

[doug526]

I should also note that with my Samsung SGH-A717 in the same household, my calls rarely ever hold a 3G connection for very long before they fall back to EDGE. Even when the phone is "camping" (i.e., idle, not in-call), there are a lot of 3G to EDGE handoffs. I've tested this dozens of times at all times of the day. The threshold is simply configured too conservatively somewhere on the network side, there should be no good reason that a call with a moderate 3G signal should fall back to EDGE, or even need to negotiate it, unless the terrain (such as hills) simply is too much for a WCDMA signal to navigate.

[diazhill]

Have two iPhone 3G's running on Rogers here in downtown Toronto. 5 Bars with flawless reception and the best call quality I have ever experienced using a cell phone.

[luckymarlo]

Come on people, wake up! If other 3g phones on the AT&T network works fine, but the "NEW" 3g iPhone has problems with the signal, then logic should show you that it?s the phone not the network. Every phone will pick up signals different, this is the iPhone second gen and already you think that a company that has been in the cell phone market for some time is the problem. Think about it and get the "Apple" out of your eye.

[rprashford]

I am having the same 3G issues, & it is the iPhone. I had the BlackJack 1 & 2, never had any 3G issues. Got the iPhone 3G and it has been a nightmare. I had the first iPhone with very few problems, if any. I was in line the other day & had NO SERVICE for 30 minutes, the guy in front of me had the first gen iPhone with full signal. I rebooted twice still nothing, did the sim card thing, nothing, turned 3G off rebooted, nothing for ten minutes, then Edge finally kicked in. Tried to make calls dropped everyone for the next twenty minutes, mean time the guy in front of me is chatting away on his 1st gen iPhone with no problems. ARGGGHHHHH!!!