Enabling 3G kills cell signal and disables internet

[Fullboat2]

My 3GS works fine on the Edge network. When I enable 3G, the cell signal drops to nothing for a about ten seconds and then it comes back to almost normal strength. The Edge network symbol disappears and there is no 3G to replace it.

When I try and access the data network (not wifi) I get the "you are not connected to the internet" message. If I turn off the Enable 3G nothing happens, I do not get the Edge symbol back.

Only way to fix this is to restart the iPhone and make sure 3G is not enabled.

I am currently in Saudi Arabia and the phone worked fine in the States. Others out here are running 3G with no problem so I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong....

I am thoroughly stumped. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[nbs2]

You aren't the only one, my friend. My current 3GS (#3) is having the same issue. AppleCare thinks that it may be due to a failing antenna. I have another appointment scheduled at the Apple Store for tomorrow (I may drop in today), I'll let you know what they say.

In the interim, to try and hang on to battery life until I get home this evening, I am just keeping the phone on Edge - even that is sketchy, since I only have one bar. Two hours of music, 2 hours of standby, and under 60%...we shall see...