iPhone's Connection Problems Could Be Self Inflicted

[Ed Hardy]

Many iPhone users love their smartphone, but they hate AT&T's network, which they blame for their beloved device's weak data connections and dropped calls. But experts say that the real source of the iPhone's woes is the iPhone itself.

According to Roger Entner, the head of telecommunications research at Nielsen, Apple's smartphone does not communicate well with cell towers, which causes problems that "affect both voice and data."

This could help explain the results of some recent research by Root Wireless. This company compared the 3G networks of all four of the top wireless carriers, and found that AT&T's came out on top in most ways, including average download speed and more consistent coverage.

For example, many iPhone users were probably mystified by Root Wireless' assertion that AT&T's network offers nearly full-strength connections in 71% of the New York City area, as they have grown accustomed to very poor reception in this city. The company's CTO says this may result from the fact that its tests weren't performed with an iPhone.

The Ramifications
There are many who are hoping that the iPhone will come to Verizon Wireless, so they won't have to use AT&T's network, which they perceive as being of poor quality. If Nielsen's Entner and the Root Wireless study are correct, a new network won't improve the wireless performance of the iPhone -- it is up to Apple to do that. 

Source: New York Times

 

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[headcronie]

The Ramifications
There are many who are hoping that the iPhone will come to Verizon Wireless, so they won't have to use AT&T's network, which they perceive as being of poor quality. If Nielsen's Entner and the Root Wireless study are correct, a new network won't improve the wireless performance of the iPhone -- it is up to Apple to do that.

This quote assumes that it is going to use the same technology. The problem lies with the way the iPhone connects to GSM technology. As of yet, there isn't a CDMA version, and nobody can say what will happen at that point. The CDMA version could be without the issues, or it could have the same issues.

[r0k]

< r0k hears music in the distance >

Here on the island of misfit toys...

Wouldn't it be funny if Att resurrected their "map for that" lawsuit and said it was the iPhone's fault, not their network. Ouch. So how does the iPhone compare in Europe? Surely there are some bh members walking around with iPhones outside the US. What's the scoop?

[questionfear]

< r0k hears music in the distance >

Here on the island of misfit toys...

Wouldn't it be funny if Att resurrected their "map for that" lawsuit and said it was the iPhone's fault, not their network. Ouch. So how does the iPhone compare in Europe? Surely there are some bh members walking around with iPhones outside the US. What's the scoop?

I seem to recall reading complaints on macrumors from iPhone users overseas who complained about the iPhone compared to Nokia, etc. Not sure if it's as bad, but different networks, less stretching...I think it's fair to say its a combo of the phone and the network.

[Varjak]

I wonder if maybe one of the iPhone's major design flaws is that the antenna is at the bottom of the phone (IIRC), right where someone is likely to cover it with one's hand. If they moved the camera down a bit and put the antenna at the top, perhaps that would help. Even better would be to embed the antenna in a gasket AROUND the perimeter of the whole phone, sandwiched b/t the front and the back.

[JRakes]

This is interesting and ironic, just as an observation. A coworker with an iPhone called me about a work issue (again) this past weekend. And, again, the voice quality was awful and the call was dropped. THREE times. I say "again" because I've noticed the pattern - I have no issues with poor voice quality or dropped connections when talking with anybody else, using a variety of phones on a variety of networks. Since I am also on AT&T, I'd wondered if it was an issue with his phone, but the pattern has become clear enough that I'm convinced and had mentioned it to him, wondering if he has a defective phone. Doesn't really matter, though, as he loves Loves LOVES his iPhone. He just has to use somebody else's phone to complete a conversation.

Neither here nor there, just an observation since this topic came up when it did...

[Ed Hardy]

Wouldn't it be funny if Att resurrected their "map for that" lawsuit and said it was the iPhone's fault, not their network.

AT&T is never going to sue Apple. Not as long as the iPhone is its best-selling device. AT&T is catching a lot of flack, but it's also making truckloads of money off iPhone users, and a lawsuit would almost certainly mean the end of the iPhone at AT&T.

-

[r0k]

AT&T is never going to sue Apple. Not as long as the iPhone is its best-selling device. AT&T is catching a lot of flack, but it's also making truckloads of money off iPhone users, and a lawsuit would almost certainly mean the end of the iPhone at AT&T.

-

Exactly. It wouldn't be biting the hand that feeds you, it would be more like sawing off the hand that feeds you. Too bad our government is too distracted to do anything about all this silly phone exclusivity. They are busy trying to figure out what kind of health care Emperor Lieberman would like.

[ward.smith]

Exactly. It wouldn't be biting the hand that feeds you, it would be more like sawing off the hand that feeds you. Too bad our government is too distracted to do anything about all this silly phone exclusivity. They are busy trying to figure out what kind of health care Emperor Lieberman would like.

There are many ways to find/use/abuse power. You can create a phone that everyone wants or is led to believe they want, corner the market, and then not worry about having a highly functioning phone or quality control. You could be an independent politician and play one side off the other even if neither side really wants you (they just want your vote). As they say, sometimes negative publicity is better than no publicity.

[Varjak]

AT&T is never going to sue Apple. Not as long as the iPhone is its best-selling device. AT&T is catching a lot of flack, but it's also making truckloads of money off iPhone users, and a lawsuit would almost certainly mean the end of the iPhone at AT&T.

-

I have to laugh at ATT's newest ads with 'their' map. It's almost entirely covered; but doesn't say that that includes all their networks and bands. Talk about misleading! And they were worried about VZW's 3G map? No, ATT will not sue Apple and I doubt they'd even have flimsy grounds; much less legitimate ones.