bad iPhone or bad AT&T service???

[ryanide]

I don't know if my problem is with the iPhone (or SIM card) or just with AT&T service. I get dropped calls (call failed) all the time. Plus my service is really choppy, cutting in and out without even moving the phone. The signal will jump from 5 bars to 0 bars then to 3 then to 0 then to 5 and so on... I can barely make a phone call in my house (which was perfect on Verizon) and even when I go outside its the same.

My friend has a RAZOR with AT&T and he never has the same problem with choppy service or dropped calls, which leads me to believe it is the phone.

I stopped by the AT&T store and they immediately directed me to call the customer service number ("because they don't know anything about iPhones"). Customer service told me that the iPhone often has lots of interferrance with 2.4GHZ cordless phones and they had me reset my wireless settings by turning the Airplane mode on and off 10 times, then power down for 10 seconds and restart. Didn't help any.

The AT&T guy said sometimes changing a SIM card can fix phone problems, but they would not do it without customer service first making that recomendation.

Any ideas?? I love the phone, but the service is unbearable.

[bethanyboo]

I'm having the same issues. I can't figure out if it's AT&T because I just switched. I'm planning on using my cheap freebie phone that I got 2 days before the iPhone for about an hour or so and seeing how it turns out.

If it turns out to be the iPhones fault, I'm going to exchange it. If it was a widespread issue there would be an outcry about it and I haven't heard many complaints.

[BlueSim]

im having the same issue. i got an iPhone today and i noticed that the service will cut out and 2 inches from it i get it all back. its so random

[bobb-mini]

Signal bars shouldn't jump like that if you are not moving. Anything else big moving around you? I'd say replace phone.

[ryanide]

called the AT&T customer service and started with an Apple rep. Explained the situation with the calls being dropped, she said it sounds like a service issue; transferred me to an AT&T rep.

went through the whole explaination and she looked up my account the view my dropped calls. Told me that I was in an excellent coverage area and the dropped calls are happening in random places that all should have good coverage.

She then transferred me to a tech specialist who would determine if it was something with the towers (coverage) or with the handset. He told me that it seemed to be a hardware issue, possibly something wrong with the antenna or something. So, his recomendation was to have the phone replaced. To do so he had to transfer me back to an Apple Rep because they handle the replacements.

The new Apple Rep then went on to tell me that what I'm experiencing is bad service from AT&T and that she works with people and has similar problems on her iPhone.. Saying this as if the last three people knew nothing. So, she told me to take the phone to an Apple store and have a mac Genius test the hardware. She said there was a machine they can hook it up to to test it.

Made my appt and went to the Apple store only to be told they do not have any such testing equipment. The only thing they do is look at the number of bars and try to make a call. She said they could send it in to Apple to have it checked under warranty which takes 2-3 days, but most likely they will not find any problems with it. Plus I would have to pay $30 for a loaner. She recommended doing a Restore to see if that helps resolve any possible software issue.

Did that. No change - still more than half of my calls are dropped.

i want to cry.

[bobb-mini]

I dunn want to sound unsympathetic but being experienced in customer service (here dealing with 2 outfits new to each other), version 1.0 gadgets (bugs to be expected), these kind of things is kinda expected. I am not there so I don't know. Comparing to a Razr is unfair 'cuz again, the law of version 1.0. The BLEEDING edge. Things u put up with being 1st adopters. You understand what I am saying?

If can't do wo phone as most of us can't, buy an ugly used GSM for backup (good idea anyways) to lessen the pressure.

[shelhed217]

I am having the same problems, sitting absolutely still it goes 5 bars, 3 bars, 0- oops dropped call. I call back immediately and it is fine. I am probably having about 1/3 of my calls fail on a given day. Has anyone gotten resolution to this? I have friends with ATT who don't have this problem.... TIA

[jfnc]

The same thing happens to me, but I've been a Cingular/AT&T customer for many years, and I haven't seen this problem since my StarTak, many years ago. Everything has been fine since then, till the day I got my iphone, than right away, this problem starts.

[jerdog]

no problems here. I have had my phone now for a month and I am very happy sorry to hear all of the promblems.

[philapod]

me and my friends have noticed we used to get better reception with our older phones that we ditched for the iPhone. The iPhone's reception isn't bad, it just isnt the best.

[joeylang]

I actually get really good coverage, but where i live there are 3 towers within 5 miles of me, so go figure. I get good coverage everywhere i go, there is only one spot where i have absolutely no service, and thats at the 14th computer in the computer lab......dont ask me why, it is just that way.

[DroppedCalls]

enough said..........
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj235/djshyproductions/misc/IMG_0484_2.jpg
<br>
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj235/djshyproductions/misc/IMG_0483_2.jpg
<br>
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj235/djshyproductions/misc/IMG_0485_2.jpg

[unr1]

^

lulz.......
AT&T

[robswego]

I never had service with AT & T. Do they have a 30 trial period on their service quality like U.S. Cellular?

[anypats]

I never had service with AT & T. Do they have a 30 trial period on their service quality like U.S. Cellular?
I don't think AT&T is 30 days but every company has to have some time period by law that you can cancel the contract with no penalties or fees other than the service you used for that period of time. I believe most cell companies are 14 days but you would need to check with AT&T to find out what theirs is. I think the minimum required by law is 3 days but I may be wrong.

[shelhed217]

I don't suppose anyone has been able to cancel their AT&T as a result of the dropped call/spotty coverage issues? I have been putting up with this since September, and I am tired of it. As cool as the iphone is it needs to actually be able to MAKE CALLS...

[hpro]

Hi Folks

My name is Chris and I'm from Switzerland.
Also I had such troubles concerning the Reception with my 2 Generation iPhone.
I searched everywhere and the almost never-ending Story came yesterday to a end.

Working as System Engineer in Switzerland, I pushed myself to open up iPhone - meaning opening up the BOX. the first time was about 1 month ago while I was really pi**ed because I lost a few Calls at home because of no Reception or just about a tiny small Bar on the dis-play of my iPhone.

After Opening the iPhone I couldn't find anything bad or broken so I reassembled it to the same State as it was before, thought it may be a Software Error.

But still the same Errors occurred, even upgrade to Software Version 2.2. The Upgrade didn't bring anything good - no the Opposite was the truth.. Specific Apps weren't there anymore.

So after a painful Sunday Afternoon where I lost almost all my Settings of the Original con-figuration because - I downgraded the iPhone back to 1.1.4 . I went back to use my regular Siemens S75 Phone..

Missing all the otherwise cool features of the iPhone again I started to search for a CÙRE.
Still no go till yesterday.

We went to all around hardware shop where someone can buy everything from the computer to Milk. Now I found some „special phone antenna boosters „to place in the Phone.. On a Glue basis.. And because those were so cheap - piece = 1 Swiss Franc = 90US cents. Bought 10 pieces.

Now the thing was again had to open up the iphone. this time I took all the nice surroundings of it. just left the blank Phone . Then I because off, I got curios over the Antenna connectors inside the iPhone - those were somehow glued to the Printed Circuit Board of the iPhone, carefully removed those connectors and measured them to see if those made a SHORT CIRQUIT - . Both of the sides which were glued to the PCB - I cleaned off careful.
Then checked the connections again. The other two ends which connecting to the Antenna - I did the same.

After this I plugged in the SIM and Switched on the Phone already placed one of the Antenna Booster Stickers on top of the Antenna.

And there - the unbelievable thing happened... Full Antenna on the iPhone..

Before reassembling the iphone placed another two of those Boosters inside the Back cover.

Today the phone still works with full antenna in a place where it would usually show: only this tiny Bar or no reception at all.

Now I'm at work - as soon I get home I will add some Pictures I took yesterday while I worked on the Phone.

May this will make it possible to help other people who have the same problem..

I also have to say - I don't believe that those Stickers are the cure - but that reseating the Antenna Connectors were the points of Failures.

If anyone likes to get a Documention how to disassemble and reassemle the iPhone, so let me know.

Very important - Technical Skills are a MUST.!

Pictures will follow.

Regards
Chris

[shart]

Ryanide,
I had similar problems when I first got my iPhone. Long story short...after numerous back and forth with apple and AT&T, AT&T gave me a new sim card and it fixed it. The AT&T rep said the sim had a small scratch on it or something. Oh well, whatever it was it fixed my problem. You might want to give it a try.

[kernal_panic]

Ryanide,
I had similar problems when I first got my iPhone. Long story short...after numerous back and forth with apple and AT&T, AT&T gave me a new sim card and it fixed it. The AT&T rep said the sim had a small scratch on it or something. Oh well, whatever it was it fixed my problem. You might want to give it a try.


3G calling on these phones is broken. I am on my second phone and second sim card. still no 3G calling.

freind of my went to AT&T got an 8 gig Iphone 3g.

1st call he made to me it dropped. He had to turn off the 3G too.

I can't believe no one is doing a class action lawsuit about these things.

[FenderBender]

I think it's an issue with AT&T at your location. I have the same issue at home and had the same issue with my GSM Razr. I do not have the same problems elsewhere.

[WaLdO328]

Just so everyone knows, this problem has to be an AT&T issue. I ust purchased a new iPhone 3GS about a month ago and it's giving me simialr problems to this. :mad: :mad: :o