iPhone 3G= Less Bars in More Places?

[w4rmk]

Here in Denver, Colorado I get much better reception with 3G turned off. Also the iPhone 3G does a very poor job of switching to Edge when the 3G signal is weak. So I have been leaving my 3G turned off until AT&T and/or Apple figure out a better switching method. Plus I am getting much better life. I really only care about 3G when I am browsing which is not that often. Being able to receive a call and stay connected during a call is much more important. I was speaking to an AT&T tech and he was telling me that in Denver the wireless network was built out originally for Edge (lower freq) and not for 3G. When they put in the 3G equipment they of course had to use the existing Edge towers which are not properly spaced for 3G and that is part of reason that the 3G coverage has dead spots. Getting local zoning boards to approve new towers is very difficult so that's why they just used the existing ones.

 

[defenderoftheo]

You guys got defective Iphone 3Gs or bad 3G service in our areas..or both..

Take it back to the apple or att store. Why are people scared to do this? Complain to apple or ATT not just on this forum.

If nobody is calling up ATT or Apple to complain then they will never fix it.

Do not be scared...call and complain or return the phone and make a scene in the apple or att store if they will not help you.

When did people become content on keep a defective product or service?

I my opinion "making a scene" is exactly the WRONG way to go about it. Sure you should go into an AT&T/apple store to make sure your product is not defective but do it in a polite and mature fashion. State your problem in a polite, and clear manor and ask what can be done about it. I have worked in retail management for a long time and I can tell you that I am a lot less likely to bend or brake the rules to help out a customer "making a scene" (aka being an ass) than I am to someone who is acting like a mature adult should.

 

[sibruk]

You guys obviously have no clue about how the networks work. 3G is a different cell tower/network all together, from 2.5G/Edge...

I don't know how it is in the US, but that certainly is not the case in the UK. The 3G cells are on the same phone masts as everything else, they don't use separate masts for 3G.

In fact, most masts in the UK have antennae for more than one network - they lease space off of each other due to the "I don't want a phone mast in my back garden, it'll fry my baby's head" argument.

 

[GoCubsGo]

I'm sure this has been mentioned before, but I believe something is wonky with 2.0 as it has basically killed my reception on my 1g phone. Where I sit right now I've always had all bars, I now have 2...sometimes three if there is a breeze.

 

[TtOrMaMnY]

I have CONFIRMED that I get better signal with 3G off as well. Before while sitting in my office I get 1 bar of signal with 3G on. As soon as I turn it off, I now have full signal.

SAD!!!!

 

[ski2moro]

I know I don't have 3G at home, because I'm too far from a major city, but I wanted the iPhone anyway.

I have turned off 3G, removed the case, re-started the phone, restored the phone, and removed and replaced the SIM card - all ATT and Apple's suggestions, but I get NO SIGNAL more often than not. In the building or outside, I simply have no reception at my home.

I never expected such lousy reception compared to the Sony Ericsson W580i I previously used. The AT&T guy at the store said that the SE phones are known for great reception, but even the free Samsung 737 we got on the family plan can place and receive calls when my iPhone cannot. My iPhone just drops calls or cannot receive calls.

I'm no expert, but it seems like it's an antenna/hardware problem to me. Maybe Apple will issue a software update REALLY SOON.

Which brings me to the next question, are the signal/antenna boosters just a waste of money or is there something that works?

 

[chris3g]

turning off 3G does NOT make your signal better. The phone can and does connect to 3g and edge networks simultaneously, all that is happening is when 3G is connected, it shows the 3G signal at the top and hides the edge signal. You do not need to disable 3G to maintain an EDGE connection. If you are on a call and the 3G signal is not strong enough to maintain a connection, the call will automatically be transfered to EDGE.

Some phones show 2 separate signal bars at the top for this reason, the only thing happening here is that the iphone only shows the signal for the 3G when both are connected.

 

[deannnnn]

I get good reception with the 3G phone.
I've noticed though that the old iPhone would drop calls or cut in and out if I had only 1 bar... with the iPhone 3G, it doesn't seem to matter how many bars I have. Call quality is still good.

I don't know how it is in the US, but that certainly is not the case in the UK. The 3G cells are on the same phone masts as everything else, they don't use separate masts for 3G.

In fact, most masts in the UK have antennae for more than one network - they lease space off of each other due to the "I don't want a phone mast in my back garden, it'll fry my baby's head" argument.

They do the same in the USA.

 

[btcutter]

turning off 3G does NOT make your signal better. The phone can and does connect to 3g and edge networks simultaneously, all that is happening is when 3G is connected, it shows the 3G signal at the top and hides the edge signal. You do not need to disable 3G to maintain an EDGE connection. If you are on a call and the 3G signal is not strong enough to maintain a connection, the call will automatically be transfered to EDGE.

Some phones show 2 separate signal bars at the top for this reason, the only thing happening here is that the iphone only shows the signal for the 3G when both are connected.

Are you sure about that (3G and edge connect simultaneously)? I think a lot of people here is getting dropped calls on 3G where as edge maintains connection. In theory, it maybe able to switch flawlessly between 3G and edge but reality begs to differ.

 

[chris3g]

Are you sure about that (3G and edge connect simultaneously)? I think a lot of people here is getting dropped calls on 3G where as edge maintains connection. In theory, it maybe able to switch flawlessly between 3G and edge but reality begs to differ.

my personal experience matches what i wrote. I get a very marginal 3g connection in my house but a decent edge signal. When talking on the phone near my computer, it routinely switches back and forth between the two. It's very easy for me to tell when this happens because i can hear the speaker interference noise whenever i'm on edge.

 

[w4rmk]

turning off 3G does NOT make your signal better. The phone can and does connect to 3g and edge networks simultaneously, all that is happening is when 3G is connected, it shows the 3G signal at the top and hides the edge signal. You do not need to disable 3G to maintain an EDGE connection. If you are on a call and the 3G signal is not strong enough to maintain a connection, the call will automatically be transfered to EDGE.

Some phones show 2 separate signal bars at the top for this reason, the only thing happening here is that the iphone only shows the signal for the 3G when both are connected.

This is not true, here is an example: I was outside in a parking lot when I tried to make a phone call, the call would not connect with a message on the screen saying "call failed". I looked at the signal strength meter and it said "No Signal". So I started walking around for 5min waiting for a signal to come in to no avail. I finally went into the settings and turned off 3G. Within 3 seconds I got 4 bars and the Edge symbol. I was able to make my call with no problem. This exact senario has happened to me on several occasions in the past week.

 

[chris3g]

This is not true, here is an example: I was outside in a parking lot when I tried to make a phone call, the call would not connect with a message on the screen saying "call failed". I looked at the signal strength meter and it said "No Signal". So I started walking around for 5min waiting for a signal to come in to no avail. I finally went into the settings and turned off 3G. Within 3 seconds I got 4 bars and the Edge symbol. I was able to make my call with no problem. This exact senario has happened to me on several occasions in the past week.

well, let me put it this way instead - the phone is supposed to be able to switch back and forth as necessary without any user intervention, and for me, it does.

 

[Sean7512]

well, let me put it this way instead - the phone is supposed to be able to switch back and forth as necessary without any user intervention, and for me, it does.

My phone does this as well. I think people have a weird phone lol...I tried stating this in another thread and got tore apart. I am glad someone else's phone does this too, it makes me think I'm not on drugs

I would go immediately back to the store for a replacement if it didn't do this.

 

[zync]

My phone does this as well. I think people have a weird phone lol...I tried stating this in another thread and got tore apart. I am glad someone else's phone does this too, it makes me think I'm not on drugs

I would go immediately back to the store for a replacement if it didn't do this.

My current 3G phone does this too. Now I'm curious how my iPhone will be when it finally arrives. For the record, my 3G phone sometimes shows lower bars but it's still able to make calls that my old phone couldn't with 4/4 bars. This phone will make a call on 0 bars. I'm not positive but if the bars can even be trusted as a valid determination of signal strength 3G bars seem to equal like 4 EDGE bars.

 

[slabbius]

Reception is far better with my 3GIP than with my original; however, the big test will be when I drive from Orlando to Tampa

 

[zync]

Reception is far better with my 3GIP than with my original; however, the big test will be when I drive from Orlando to Tampa

Are you talking about the drive or Tampa? In Tampa it should rock the 3G. On the way to Orlando I've used my 3G phone with no problems. I haven't used data though since I don't have a data plan for it.

 

[Denaldo]

re: less bars, more places

Fewer, yes, but the word Less is a play on the More is Less Less is More...

 

[TheSpaz]

I get 5 bars almost 100% of the time, but I'm on 2.2.1.

 

[IBradMac]

I get 5 bars almost 100% of the time, but I'm on 2.2.1.

That has nothing to do with your signal.