Fix for spotty iPhone 3G reception on tap?

Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:04AM EDT

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Is your iPhone 3G dropping calls left and right? Join the club. Also: Word is that a faulty chip might be the culprit, and that Apple is prepping a software patch to fix the problem.

Both the Wall Street Journal and BusinessWeek are reporting that Apple will release the patch "in the coming weeks," although Apple—per usual—hasn’t made any official comment. An AT&T spokesman declined to tell a Journal reporter whether the new iPhone had more reception issues that other phones in its lineup.

I used my iPhone 3G pretty heavily in the past week during my (already over?!?) vacation in California, and while I suffered a couple of dropped calls, I didn’t notice any serious problems. Actually, let me clarify that: My iPhone 3G call quality and reception has been about as bad as every other cell phone I've ever owned or tested.

That said, other iPhone users have been lighting up Apple's support forums with angry posts, and an informal survey at CNET News.com found that 87 percent of respondents complained of sub-par cell service. And naturally, AT&T and Apple support reps are pointing their fingers at each other.

So, what's the trouble? According to BusinessWeek, the problem lies primarily with the iPhone 3G's custom-made Infineon chip, which is apparently having trouble switching between AT&T's speedy 3G and slower EDGE networks.

Symptoms include failure to get full 3G reception in areas where AT&T's HSDPA network should be readily available, as well as dropped calls when the iPhone 3G attempts to switch between 3G and EDGE, the BusinessWeek story says.

While the iPhone 3G's Infineon chip is, obviously, a hardware feature of the iPhone 3G, insiders are telling the WSJ and BusinessWeek that Apple believes a software patch will do the trick.

But wait—how could a software patch fix a hardware probem? Well, one BusinessWeek tipster claims that the Infineon chip has been programmed to "demand a more powerful 3G signal than the iPhone really requires." That means the chip could theoretically be reprogrammed to stick with a less-powerful, but still adequate 3G signal, thus keeping the 3G-EDGE switching to a minimum. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

So, anyone out there plagued with iPhone 3G reception problems? Sound off below.

Related:
What's Behind the iPhone 3G Glitches [BusinessWeek]
Apple Moves to Fix Problem of Dropped Calls on iPhone [WSJ]

 

Comments on Fix for spotty iPhone 3G reception on tap?

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  • 26 Posted by jmisback_2000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:37PM EDT Report Abuse

    Mixed emotions....finally made the switch to iphone, at times its the "best" hand-held internet device i've ever used....unfortunately, best of luck if you have to make a phone call. AT&T service is horrible!!!

  • 27 Posted by mervatdabis@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:16PM EDT Report Abuse

    I don't really have any problems with dropped calls. 3G reception is really weak in my house but I guess that's AT&T's fault and not the phones. In 3G rich environments I don't have much trouble and web browsing is very speedy. I guess I just got lucky.

  • 28 Posted by timothyjhodges on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    My 3g iphone drops a call if I am on more than a few minutes. I can usually hear the other person keep saying "hello" "hello" but they can't hear me? It just drops. Its driving me crazy. My old iphone worked well with few dropped calls. However, the device is unusable as a phone if it drops every call!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • 29 Posted by richluckcuck@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:40PM EDT Report Abuse

    glad that I am waiting. I knew there would be problems. This is what happens when Apple tries to rush out there products. They don't care because they know everyone will by the new 3G phone, then the next one and the next one. Even if they have already had problems. I had the exact same problem with the first blackjack that came out that was 3G. Eventually I had to ship it back for refurbished one. Turned out to be a faulty 3G chip made for the blackjacks. I was never told this, but it now appears that this is the same problem. Would go from full coverage to no coverage just sitting there.

  • 30 Posted by mrk5800 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    I switched from sprint to AT&T for the 3g iPhone, and I went from never having had a dropped call to frequent outages, particuarly when driving. I assumed it was AT&T, and not the phone.

  • 31 Posted by sportguy13112 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    I've had my iPhone 3G since launch and I love it. The only problem that I've had with it is activating when I first got it. And mrhz your totally wrong about Apple, they are a very very reliable company and have great products. Apple junkies do know what theyre talking about :)

  • 32 Posted by whitejade530 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:44PM EDT Report Abuse

    Just bought an iphone on Saturday. I had all kinds of problems, not being able to access my email, or set up my voice mail. I had to schedule an appointment at an Apple store and they told me the only way to get my iphone 3G to work is to disable the 3G service. No explanation. Well, they got me on the $30 a month data plan, so what do they care! I am so unhappy with this phone. I have had Nokia, Motorola, Siemens, and HTC. The iphone is the prettiest, but the worst when it comes to functionality. Well, at least it still looks cool and stores a lot of music. I just wi----- worked as a smartphone. Don't waste your money on this.

  • 33 Posted by jamiekcc on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    i have experienced a TON of dropped calls, and my network will go from full reception to no reception in the space of a second and with me traveling no distance at all. This phone and att&t suck!

  • 34 Posted by ozzysumsion13 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    OMG apple made me feel like i was the only one with this problem and it was my fault. And i dont know if anyone else has had this problem but once i got my 3G i pluged it into itunes and it made me download the newest itunes and ever since i did that my itunes hasent been able to connect to the itunes store. And ive tryed EVERYHING to fix it so now im just blaming it all on the iphone.

  • 35 Posted by jlarr51 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    I bought my iphone in july. it was and is not a very smart "smart phone"...more dropped calls & no reception in area where ATT is supposedly strongest took it back and got a V365...better reception easier to use!

  • 36 Posted by ssicctv on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    I wish someone would make a cell phone that would simply equal "land-line" reception! No need to put all the "kids crap" on it. I don't want my MTV, play stupid video games, take crappy pictures, listen to music, wash my windows etc! I want clear reception first and foremost! Email and internet capability come are nice, but come in second to basic telephone RECEPTION! DUH! The company to manufacture a reliable cellular telephone" that you can actually clearly listen and "talk" on will earn my business. Am I the only one out there that desires this?

  • 37 Posted by ptalbott72 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:21PM EDT Report Abuse

    These phones are not worth crap. Customer service sucks and the phone sucks. AT&T did not tell me that I couldn't buy insurance for at the time was a $500 dollar phone. Why in the world would you sell such an expensive product and not offer insurance for it? Apple must have learned this from the raping gas company's. No thanks, I work way too hard for my money!!! You can keep it!

  • 38 Posted by ssicctv on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    Let me say this, Verizon's service is no better than AT&T. It's like choosing which airline you'd like to fly on. They all suck.

  • 40 Posted by magtibayoscarbryan on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:03PM EDT Report Abuse

    what can you expect on things that are done in a rush.... we've been blind on the flashy glamorous side of the iphone yet it gives us the one unwanted problem.... it really sucks. hope in my country they won't be to blind maybe yet.... "What the heck, i have an iphone who else has it???" metality... hahahahaha!!!

  • 41 Posted by ryan25r9 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    You people are sickening, every product has problems. This product, just so happens to be one of the most groundbreaking products in the history of technology, so its problems are magnified beyond belief. Quit complaining guys and go find something better to do with your time rather than complain about the best phone ever.

  • 42 Posted by charskan on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:22PM EDT Report Abuse

    I haven't had much issues. A few dropped calls in some spotty areas and the browser is not as fast as advertised but works. What's up with the SMS texting....it gets LAGGY. Other than the laggy thing it's pretty cool. The browser is the best out of all the mobile phones i have tested.

  • 43 Posted by algvera@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:50PM EDT Report Abuse

    I purchased the iphone in April 2008. Everytime someone calls me the call is dropped, I have repeadedly confronted bith AT&T and Apple 'product specialists', twice they have suggested changing the SIM card but to no avail. My response to my callers is 'when the call is dropped i will call you back!" This is very frustrating, I am waiting anxiously for the new BBerry to come on the scene!

  • 44 Posted by thepathwithin on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:04PM EDT Report Abuse

    Seriously? I was with Verizon before I went to get the "wonderful" iphone 3g..... I drop at least 4 calls a day, and driving around Fort Lauderdale (not a rural area) I get about 1 bar of service....... so the whole "more bars in more places" and the "fewest dropped calls of any service" is complete BS....... Never.... and I mean Never, did I have a problem with Verizon dropping calls. Great expensive extra Ipod I have here...... not much of a phone at all....... And forget "near broadband" speed on the net........

  • 45 Posted by tivirgo on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    Well I have used the Iphone here in Oregon, and I cant say I am too happy with them here either. I still have AT&T which I am glad, but I decided to switch over to a BlackBerry. And I got to say I have had less issues with it dropping calls or anything compared to my friends who are now using the iphones.

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