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Since converting from my Treo (on Verizon) to my AT&T iphone, I cannot use my cellphone in my house. There is one spot in my house in which I get good reception, but it is quite inconvenient to have to take or make every call while standing in one spot. My cellphone signal is pretty good in other places, but it really sucks to have invested in an iphone and not to be actually able to use it as a phone in my house.
This actually goes beyond inconvenience at times when I'm on-call and need to be accessible in an emergency. I am hoping it can be resolved soon.
I’m
frustrated
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I’m
frustrated
I have this problem as well and for the past year, I barely have any signal with my cell phones at home. I called them thousands of times and spoke to many people but they still cannot resolve my issue. My boyfriend uses T-Mobile and always have full bar. AT&T simply say they see my area has good signal and not sure why the problem is occurring for me. I was really angry at one point on the phone with them and they even hung up on me. Great customer service isn't it.
I am forced to use Skype now to make phone calls at home which is ridiculous. -
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The iPhone isn't rated the highest with our service for reception. There is a huge difference in signal strength between phones. My guess is that with the iPhone they wanted the get the battery life up as high as possible so they lowered the strength of the antenna. In my 6 years of working for the company I have seen a lot of change in reception between phones. Motorola has always had the best signal strength in fringe areas but not the best longevity in equipment. The best balance I have seen in a brand is LG. Sony ericsson is a close second and so is Samsung. Hopefully if the iPhone goes to 3G it will have better penetration of buildings as the frequency is higher. Also, it's all about tower placement. Sometimes we have towers in better places then Verizon and sometimes we don't. One solution is using bluetooth. Bluetooth has a range of 30-40 feet. If you place your phone in a spot with great reception and use bluetooth you can roam around the house without any problems. Just my 2 cents and good luck with the service!-
These assumptions are false. I have an iPhone 3G and my coverage is as bad as, if not worse than, my old 1st-generation iPhone's coverage and the coverage with my Motorola (with AT&T service) before that.
Also, the coverage has gotten noticeably WORSE in San Francisco over the past several months. Now I have had 1 Motorola phone and 3 iPhones with AT&T and still have almost completely unusable service in San Francisco.
BUT – I just learned of potential solution! It seems that a device called a femtocell that can be used to solve this problem:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Femtocell
Are femtocells available for us to use to boost AT&T's cellular signal in our homes? If not, why not? When will this be available?
Thank you -
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From what I can see these Femocells require you to pay an additional monthly fee to use.....do you see what they are up too???? I do.
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I’m
frustrated and angry but can't live without my iphone.
I definitely have this problem. My iphone will go all the way to NO SERVICE and I'll have to completely reboot to get it back to no bars. Not knowing anything about phone signals, I was wondering if it had anything to do with our metal roof or wireless router.
Sometimes I have to go across the street to make a call.
How does this make me feel? Is there a choice worse than the sad face? -
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I have this problem too, only I have a Razor phone and we have a 7 mile "dead zone" in our area. I was told that if I upgraded it would solve my problems. When it didn't I was given the run around for months and told that they were having problems in my area. Then it was you have defective phones. Next it was well, you don't really have that great of service in your area. I've already told them I'm getting an attorney, but I guess I will try the AG first. It's a shame that they won't just let me out of my contract so I can get a service that works. We have eighbors with other co's who have no problems so we know it's possible. -
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I’m
frustrated
I alos for the past two day have been bouncing to No Service. AT&T won't talk to me since the account is in my Wife's name. Apple tells me to set it to edge network instead of 3G.
UGH
steaming in Central Florida! -
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I’m
hoping AT&T goes out of business ASAP.
I have the same problem, as do half of my friends.
I live in the center of San Francisco, one of the world's great cities, yet you'd think I live in rural Cambodia judging from the quality of my cellular voice and data service.
Thanks to AT&T's incompetence, my iPhone is almost completely unusable in most of my house. I have to walk outside to the balcony, where, if I'm really lucky, I might actually use the phone service that I pay ~$80 a month for.
Elsewhere in the city the service is much better, like this:
-At least 5 dropped calls per week
-Lots of static and constantly having to say "what?" and "can you repeat that?"
-Very often, when people call me, the phone doesn't ring. I only learn that they called when a voicemail shows up five minutes later
-Frequent "call failed" messages when I try to place calls
Of course, any call to AT&T customer service is guaranteed to be a nightmarish and useless endeavor that will sacrifice at least 30 minutes of your life as you listen to patronizing AT&T commercials blatantly trying to scam you into buying more of their broken products and services, and atrocious hold music, with no positive outcome. They always tell you that their service is flawless and that my phone must be broken.
Meanwhile everything else about the iPhone (other than the phone service) works flawlessly, and my friends in Europe who use iPhones with other service providers have zero problems whatsoever. (AND I've had the same problems with three different phones). And everyone else I know here who uses AT&T complains of the same problems.
I pray for the day that Apple signs on with other service providers, and for the day when the Android phone is released. These developments will reintroduce the concepts of progress and competition into the U.S. cellular landscape. And bumbling, selfish dinosaurs like AT&T will finally meet their long overdue deaths. -
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My problem is exactly the same as yours. I have gone to AT&T several times and they gave me a case number to take to Apple and Apple graciously gave me a new phone. However the problem with the new phone is identical. I don't think it is the phone - it is the service. When turning off the 3G I go from No Service to no bars so that helps a little, but no one can ever reach me at home as my phone will not ring. It is frustrating to have a phone that works farily well outside your home but not at all when you ARE at home. We tried disconnecting our internet service to see if this was causing a conflict - we even had our security system at home disconnected to see if this was causing interference. But still no service unless I walk outside my house. AT&T says my coverage area is great - but I don't know who they are talking too. Please keep me up to date if anyone out there finds any fixes.
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I’m
furious and sad.
I am livid. I just switched to this "more bars in more places" network and am finding NO bars in my own home, where my Verizon roommates have perfect coverage. I used the AT&T coverage finder on their website to look up my EXACT address to ensure I would have coverage, and my entire street (as well as entire surrounding down -- I live in Boston) was shown as having "complete voice and 3G coverage."
I got home with my new phone and was shocked to find I have zero bars in the entire place. Neither do any of my friends with AT&T, who came over to help me assess whether the situation was my iPhone or AT&T's coverage. I walked to the AT&T store, which is 2 blocks from my apartment, to explain to me how their coverage map shows my street as being completely covered and yet I had no bars.
The salesman told me that they "always tell customers they cannot guarantee coverage", which is interesting considering both their website and the salesman from whom I purchased my phone assured me that they have excellent coverage in my new neighborhood. He then proceeded to tell me that AT&T was not going to build me a cell tower near my apartment, that there was nothing I could do so it's not worth calling about, and that people like me "just need to learn to accept it."
Accept it? I have been sold a phone that does not work TWO BLOCKS from where I purchased it. I have been sold a phone with explicit confirmation from my salesman that it would certainly have coverage in Boston, that it was only a few Western and Mid-western areas that did not have service. I have been sold a phone whose company's website has a map explicitly showing full coverage at my exact address.
If there is genuinely nothing that can be done, I am devastated to come to this conclusion, but I'll have to return my iPhone and go back to Verizon. I switched to AT&T just for the iPhone and have been so disappointed and frustrated by AT&T's service that it's just not worth it. I'm drawing the line at not getting any service in my own home. What am I supposed to do in the winter, stand outside? What do I do in case of an emergency?
I feel wronged and am not sure how to remedy the situation without giving back my iPhone. If AT&T's insistence on their "excellent coverage" wasn't so strong, I would have understood, but that's their new CAMPAIGN, for goodness sake.
Sigh.-
@Kimberly, yeah, my problem is still unresolved. And it is just as you say, all my friends with AT&T can't use their phones in my house. I'm generally happy with the iphone outside of my house, but at this point, unfortunately, I've given up on AT&T fixing this problem.
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I’m
o so sad and frustrated. bummer
Yea, this sounds totally like me. I have a Sony Ericsson W600i Walkman and I dont get any signal except for one spot on occasion, when I have to leave it in a window upstairs.And that isnt all the time, just by chance. I only live one mile from the center of our town and like half a mile from the school. GRRR. My sister has the Motorolla Razor V3, and when she visits, she always has bars.....Grrr again. lol. And so does my brother with a nokia flip phone....I am seriously thinking of getting a razor phone, so at least I can use it at home too. -
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I’m
sad and angry
I have the SAME EXACT PROBLEM. I bought an iPhone 3G and att said that i would have great coverage at my house and thats also what the coverage map said also. I get home with my iPhone, NO SERIVICE. Iv contacted att and they said it's because of my trees around my home (because I live in the sticks) So I purchased a zboost dual band cell phone extender and its not working with my iPhone. I have 1 bar on the iPhone but when I try to make a call or send a text it doesn't go through. Im so mad right now with att.
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I’m
completely frustrated and annoyed
I have spent hours on the phone with at&t "customer service". I too cannot get a signal from my home and they have assured me that the signal is very strong. While standing in my driveway trying to talk to customer service on my cell, the rep asked me to call her from a land line because I was breaking up and she couldn't hear me! But then she assured me about my "strong" signal. It is totally ridiculous, but they want my first born in order for me to get out of my contract. What exactly needs to be said to the attorney general to get help? Has anyone done this yet?
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I’m
angry and frustrated
I have the same problem, except I don't have an iPhone. I have a Nokia flipphone, and there is like one place in my house I can get one bar. But even though I have one bar, there is still no point in trying to call anybody because it just consists of a lot of "what?"s and "sorry the phone cut out again." If somebody does something and figures out how to fix this, I'd like to know.
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I’m
upset at AT&T and Apple for the lack of coverage.
Hey Guys... I live in Garner, NC and have the same problem with my iPhone 3G. I love the phone but service here at the house is non-existent. I have called AT&T numerous times and decided that having a cell signal was too important to me. I switched to Sprint and bought an AirRave from them which provides a cell signal in about a 4000sq-ft radius. It hooks to the internet and allows you to create your own cell zone in your house. It works beautifully.
I am tired of spotty service at the house. AT&T has this same technology but they are taking forever to introduce it. The tech is called "femtocell". Google "femtocell and at&t" and you will see what I mean. More bars in more places is a ridiculous slogan when you can't make a call from your house. -
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I’m
frustrated
I have a Motorola Z9 with AT&T and do not get any signal inside the house and maybe 1-2 bars outside. Before AT&T bought Cingular i had almost full bars all around my property and inside the house. When AT&T took over they moved their tower (stopped paying another company and put in their own tower) leading to very poor signal on my end :( It's very frustrating not being able to even receive a text message in your house after paying so much for 'service.'
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I’m
frustrated
I have Sony ericsson phone and I am suffering for last 8 months. Recently I moved from GA to Emeryville CA which is just next door to SFO. I checked with the local At&T sales office for the laptop connect card. They said there is excellent coverage in the area. I looked at the map and it was indeed showing the best coverage. But when I try to use my phone it shows no bars most of the times. Sometime it will show as much as 3 bars which last for 10 seconds or so and then disappear. In short if I have to call I have to come out in the balcony. Inside I get disconnected in 10 seconds if I manage to get connected. AT&T is a company talks about more bars in more places and internet everywhere. These are all lies.
Is there a way to lodge a complaint with the Attorney general's office. Are they at the state level? Will they do anything? This is happening to at least 80% of the AT&T customers. My house in GA get poor reception but at least my phone was not going searching for the network all the time. -
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I’m
glad my ATT contract is ending
complain to the FCC for false advertising ... that's what I have done.
you can also get ATT to refund some of your service fees. -
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I’m
resolved
If you read the fine print on their coverage data carefully, you will see that they ONLY guarantee service as advertised if you are OUTSIDE, on the street, with a clear line-of-sight.
I had this problem, there was nothing they could do about it. It was not a CS problem, it was a technical problem, and one that they could not resolve.
I switched to Verizon last week. Couldn't be happier. -
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I had the same issue with my at&t service. No bars at all in or anywhere near my house. Like that for 2 years until my contract ended.
Right now I am writting this on my new FREE Blackberry Curve from Verizon, in my basement no less!
Verizons coverage is the SHIZZY!
Only VZ for me! -
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Has anyone tried using any boosters?
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I’m
annoyed with the lack of mobile competition
Femtocells are quietly entering the market and we should see more of those options over the next year since mobile operators are signing agreements with manufacturers and figuring out what the business model will be.
Basically the small device (like the size of your wireless router) puts a tower in your home that must connect to the hardline network through your high speed connection. Sprint has already launched their entry to the market (http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/s...) without a huge response.
For cell phone providers it is an easy way to expand a 3G network one house at a time, but they don't want to pay if consumers are willing to put up the estimated $150-$250. One of the greatest fears is that consumers will expect cheaper or free calls when they are using their own femtocell.
The ball is in the mobile provider's court -- they own the spectrum that these devices must use to work and they must accept and route the hardwire connection.
So you can wait for new million dollar towers to be built in your neighborhood or potentially buck up $200 to have one in your home. AT&T is going into large testing in spring 2009 and may be market ready by the end of the year -- if they think it is worth while!
http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/11... -
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I’m
excited
Currently AT&T is working on what Alex was describing earlier.. its called AT&T MicroCellTM its currently being tested in a few markets..
http://www.wireless.att.com/dcom//Eng... -
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I’m
somewhat optimistic
i'm happy to test this in the San Francisco market ... coverage here is horrible. -
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I'm unsure on what markets it's currently being tested in, I recommend going into a local AT&T COR store, they should know if it is or not.
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employees at the office of the president told me not to renew my contract because of the coverage problem ... thought you might want to know, sean
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I have exactly the same problem. Switched from Tmobile (which has excellent signal in my home), to ATT. Now, very choppy signal. Very frustrated everytime i get home. Also people who try to call me, get very upset over this. But the most annoying thing is, from my home, I can see a big ATT billboard saying "the best coverage". Hm... I don't think they really know what they are doing
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I’m
MAD
I have the same problem in Eads TN. AT&T tried several things and then advised switching me to tech support but just left me on hold for 36 minutes I finally hung up. Had to make call on Verizon phone cause ATT phone has no bars what so ever!!! However I did not have this problem until I cancelled my internet and land line, has anybody else experienced this same problem? Have had phone for a year with no problem until last 2 weeks.
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I’m
relieved it's almost over
just got off the phone with the office of the president of ATT ... they could make no assurances that there will be any network improvements in San Francisco in the near future. i was basically told not to renew my contract when it expires in July (by Steve B., a manager of that group).
I recommend that everyone who is hoping this problem will be fixed (like me) stop living in a fantasy world and switch to Verizon. -
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I’m
pissed off
I have to go out on my front porch to make a call, and no telling how many business calls I am missing and don't know it, I have been a cingular now at&t customer for 14 years, they'd better get off of their more bars in more places ass and fix this problem, good God I am an ALL CELL HOME, no land line! They are about to lose a 2 account 5 phones each family REAL QUICK!
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I’m
frustrated
I switched from Sprint to AT&T for the iPhone. My service on AT&T is horrible here in Chicago (third largest city). The signal drifts in and out all day long even when I'm in downtown (business district) of Chicago. Sprint was awesome with a strong signal all the time. If it weren't for the iPhone, I'd be back on Sprint. I'm surprised Apple doesn't come down on AT&T for making the iPhone look so bad.
I don't think the problem is the iPhone because I just returned from New Orleans where I had a solid 5-bar 3G signal the entire time -- inside and outside. I can't believe that Chicago (and San Fran as indicated by a number of posts) are so poorly covered. Both cities are large and would seem to have a high number of iPhone users.
I really wish AT&T would improve their 3G service. It's disappointing and frustrating. -
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I’m
happy
Dear friends ,
I'm jena from shenzhen ,china . Pls don't worry about the probelm , we are the manufacturer of mobile signal booster in shenzhen , it can boost the signal of mobile phones , if your mobile signal is weak , when you install one signal booster , it will be good , welcome to know more details .
best regards !
jena
shenzhen asicon telecom co,.ltd
MSN :ascjena0910@hotmail.com
skype:jena0910
mobile : 0086-15818561923 -
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I’m
giving att a raspberry
you can give apple feedback here:
apple.com/feedback
you can also write a letter to the CEO:
stevejobs [at] apple [dot] com
there must be a way for apple to get out of the exclusive ATT deal due to these problems and the potential brand damage Apple is suffering. I'm pulling every lever I can think of, but getting the CEO's office involved is what got customers the rebate for the first iphone launch. -
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Me too!...All of a sudden, I have no service in my home. This just happened 2 days ago. As soon as I step outside, I get a signal.
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I’m
frustrated with AT&T
NO SERVICE IN AND AROUND MY HOME..sounds good to contact the Attorney Generals office. If they dont refund me or cancel my contract, that is where I am going. -
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I’m
furious
1Sounds like we have enough people for a class action lawsuit or something. Nobody's happy with AT&T. Bad enough the rates keep going up often. I pay $1 a day just to use the GoPhone. My credit is shot so they want $700 security deposit to get a plan phone. So, being broke keeps me broke. I pay at least $25 a week to reload minutes onto my phone, and if I run out of minutes before my next check, no phone service til I reload. I just moved to Waukesha WI and I can't get a signal to save my life. I have a family to support and keep in touch with, yet AT&T's rates are outrageous and I can't get a signal. It's time for action. Who's with me?
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If there is no cell tower near you, all the fancy equipment in the world will not provide you with service. If you are in an area where there are multiple cell towers and you lose or cannot maintain connection to the network, try powering the phone off for a minute or so. Also, a low battery will affect the signal and service. I have had service with multiple carriers and AT&T happens to offer the best coverage in my area. That does not mean that it is the best everywhere but I just came from a cross country trip and was quite happy with the coverage. All carriers have a return policy. AT&T has one for new service and equipment upgrades. If your phone is working good and you move or change job locations and it no longer works I don't understand how that can be the carrier's fault. I read in the service agreement that there is no guarantee of coverage. If you have had a poor experience with customer service, ESCALATE up the ladder if you have to. Nobody wants to spend hours on the phone when calling a company but the end results are what count. Good Luck to all in getting coverage issues taken care of.
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I’m
Frustrated
I live in Lecompton, Kansas and I have had Cingular then ATT&T for the past 4 years & live in the same house. No changes. 3 weeks ago, I suddenly began dropping calls in my home where I've never had a problem before. Then I noticed and I wouldn't have any bars most of the time and people calling me said it went to voicemail. I wouldn't even know I missed calls till I went outside and got the voicemail chime. I thought it might be my Samsung phone and my 2 yr contract was up, So, I got a new LG Incite phone yesterday and still have the same issues. I don't understand since my home is the same and no new lights or anything added.
I gave up my landline and it's soooo frustrating to not have phone service without going outside. I notice I connect instantly to my Wi-Fi router here at home. -
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I’m
mad
I have this same problem. I used to have sprint before changing to ATT and did not have this problem. I get a signal everywhere except at my job. Bad thing is I really need a phone for my job. It stinks to have to walk outside and all the way across the parking lot and face a certain way just to get a signal.
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I’m
irritated
I like this post has been tagged with THE COMPANY IS WORKING ON THIS ISSUE. What exactly is the company doing to fix reception issues? All I get from AT&T is excuses and promises, but no change in service. The service is so bad in Chicago that it's been documented on Fox Chicago, The Red Eye and Sun-Times.
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The "company is working on the issue" was marked because AT&T is currently working on femtocell to improve the reception at home.
Sorry to those of you who are unable to receive reception in your desired locations, I hope for all of you that your issues will be resolved soon, if not I hope you find a solution to meet your needs.. AT&T does appreciate your business!-
"if not I hope you find a solution to meet your needs" sounds like a bit of a cop-out
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So, you guys are going to *charge* people for the privilege of extending your network for you? Make people pay an extra monthly fee, plus the cost of the equipment, in order to make usable the service that they are already paying you for?
Look, I understand that femtocells cost money to produce. I wouldn't mind buying the hardware, but to charge an *additional monthly fee* for the privilege of having service that works is not acceptable behavior. -
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Sean, If ATT is not uncaring they are definitely late. When iphone 3.0 was released in June MMS was included in the software yet ATT still does not support it. Many of the other large cell companies support and have released the products and tech for femtocell, not to mention MMS (a very nice work around for many of the problems cited on this very page) and ATT has yet to provide their own version. What really is the deal?! Are there too many pizza parties going on while ATT lives it up riding on the coat tails of Apple and it's products and achievements? Brace yourselves, ATT, when the iphone is no longer exclusive with you (and it won't be forever) people will remember this and no one will care when ATT falls flat on its face from the mass exodus of customers.
In the meantime, we'll find our own solutions and work arounds as that's what ATT's current "service" has taught us to do. Google voice is looking very nice (will its release beat ATT's release of femtocell, even if not, who cares, it'll be free and worlds better)? -
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It seems (as I read more and more "ATT no-service" forums) that there are two issues:
1. Many people (myself included) love their iPhones and won't give them up (even with lousy service at home.) These people will do whatever it takes to keep the iPhone including buying zBoost units (I did). ATT should pay a commission to zBoost. I can get a signal at home if I stand a few feet from the zBoost. Obviously, this is a lousy solution. Buying the zBoost was a good solution in that it was a one-time cost. This brings up the femtocell issue which, if all indications are correct, is NOT a one-time cost, but rather a recurring monthly fee.
I am out of the house for about 9 hours per day. During this time away from the "ATT Dead Zone" my service is excellent. I would be happy paying ATT for those 9 hours and letting the remainder of my monthly bill go toward the femtocell. I don't even mind that ATT would expect me to pay monthly for a femtocell which is connected to a high-speed connection that I pay Comcast to put in my home.
I'd even switch to FIOS if the femtocell was included.
ATT still has the "rental" mentality (you may not be old enough to remember when the only landline hardware was that which you rented from Ma Bell). This rental model has again shown up in the ATT Navigation app. $9.95 a month? Can't wait for the TomTom app which should (as a one-time cost) effectively kill the ATT app. The femtocell will be another "rental."
2. Second issue (in case I lost you). People are willing to accept these problems instead of being proactive: i.e. Class action, AG contact, etc.). Anyone have an idea why?
I've decided not to go the femtocell route and take this direction. Maybe some of you will also. My solution will be this when I'm at home:
a. Forward the iPhone to a Skype-in number when Skype releases a version with push notification (should be sooner rather than later)
b. Use the iPhone Skype app for outgoing calls to cells and landlines with Skype-out.
Since my wifi is very strong all through the house and yard this will work perfectly.
Thanks for reading
Stan -
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I meant to include this in the previous post.
Skype's unlimited rate for outgoing calls to cells and landlines (US and Canada) is $36.00 per year.
If you get this subscription, the cost for a Skype-in phone number is $30.00 per year (a 50% discount)
So my total will be $66.00 per year or $5.50 per month.
If ATT wants to charge this for a femtocell :-) I'd get that instead.
Stan (disclaimer I have NO connection with Skype) -
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i was thinking of going the skype route as well considering their very affordable out service. for in calls i was thinking of forwarding my cell to the house phone (considering this will work when the cell is getting little to no signal, i have not experimented with it yet).
IF and when ATT comes out with a femtocell unit, like you, i'll lean that way based on what they're charging. I look forward to the day VOIP is more fully developed and mainstream when we won't worry about cell tower issues anymore. -
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i'd join a class action in a heartbeat. I predict a mass exodus from ATT when iphone is off the exclusive contract. ATT should be VERY worried about this because Wall Street will not be kind.
In the meantime, minor concessions to affected customers would go a long long way. All I asked for was free text messages so that I could communicate on ATT while at home (calls get dropped immediately, but I can send texts). ATT said "no," even though text messages have a marginal cost of zero to them.
they are a bad, bad company. -
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I’m
disgusted
I would also join a Class Action suit. I tried to get some resolve through the Better Business Bureau. Though I received a little satisfaction, AT&T basically told the BBB to F-off. Today I called AT&T about the bad service here at my home and the representative was shocked about the report he saw. Of the four towers in my 1 block radius, 3 are severely degraded and 1 is degraded. Not ETA on repair. How can AT&T get by offering this type of service for a premium!!!
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Does AT&T realize that as soon as ANY other carrier gets the iPhone, there will be a mass exodus? With all the bad press (just read MG Siegler's article in Tech Crunch about not getting voicemail for 2 weeks) and the apparent inability to have the network keep up with the iPhone (MMS????) they either don't care or don't get it.
The game has changed. It's not about the providers giving users any piece of crap hardware that they have anymore. It's more about the users wanting the hardware and using any network that gives good service.
Stan -
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More than 2,200 AT&T retail locations given makeover
(http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/...)
This is just rich. It'd be nice if ATT went and spent some of their "store makeover" funds to fix their coverage dead zones, maybe invest in a few more towers. I mean, it makes sense, especially considering they really won't need the storefronts in the future as few are going to frequent these locations once ATT's exclusive iphone contract is up. -
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I’m
frustrated
me too... love the new iphone, but may need to pay to switch back to verizon
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I’m
pissed with AT
ATT has no signal. I get disconnected a dozen times a day and on those time I don't get disconnect I can barely hear or barely heard. ATT should do something about this. It is terrible. I'm moving to a different carrier asap -
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I’m
Shearn
i have some news for u guys...
i have tried every major carrier and none of them give me good service in my home... AT&T is the best for me but my phone is still barely usable in my house... i miss tons of calls and have to walk outside to stay connected.
i know for sure that some phones have better antenna's than others but it is my personal opinion that most pda's have crappy antenna's. my room mates flip phone does a little better than mine but not much.
that being said i spoke to an AT&T serv. rep and she basically told me that they implemented a beta program that lets people talk on their routers but they only did it for testing and only for certain areas. Now if that is true then that would really solve all of our problems. I get great service everywhere but in my house. If i can get on my router and talk then my problem is solved. I dont give a rats butt... charge me for the minutes.. im not trying to get anything for free... i just want a signal in my home... is that too much to ask?
If AT&T cannot provide a viable wi-fi talk solution soon i am going to break my contract and go with T-mobile who DOES allow people to talk on their routers for a small price. I shouldnt be charged for this if i cant get a signal in my house but w/e...
AT&T... give me a signal in my house or im out!!!!!!!!! -
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I’m
frustrated
I have been a LOYAL customer of AT&T and CINGULAR and then the "new" AT&T (in which the word "new" must mean "crappy") for 8 years. I used to brag about how wonderful my service WAS. I live in western PA. Probably about 1 month ago I noticed that my phone began dropping calls in more places than before. I previously had 1 TINY "known" dead zone between my house and my job and now there are 3 or 4 - with no reasonable explanation. It's not like I'm in a dip or under trees or anything of the such. At home, my phone sits there all happy with it's four little bars on the screen UNTIL my phone rings and I answer it. The second my call connects, I can literally do a countdown...4 bars...3 bars...2...1... NO BARS... NO CONNECTION... NADA. Then I go to call the person back and apologize and I MAGICALLY have 4 bars again. SO the second the person says "hello" the countdown begins again. 4-3-2-1 NONE!
I can't get rid of my landline... can't trust my cell... and I feel really bad because for Christmas, I added my grandparents to my plan and gave them a phone that does no good for them. They borrow my uncle's trac fone when they go anywhere far from home. How embarassing!
I just today emailed AT&T to ask them when the contracts for each of my 5 lines were up... it seems I'm stuck until February 2011 :-( I can begin to get out of the contracts one at a time in January 2010 but then I will be forced to pay 2 bills. Verizon and AT&T. I am going to be proactive about this, though! I am going to contact the BBB and AG and also see if I can get AT&T to release me without charging me $175 per line ($875 in total) just so I can get the service I am paying for - - but with a better company. I can be a thorn in the side of AT&T if necessary. And I'm prepared to be one.
Good Luck to everyone! (By the way, I do not have an I Phone - just a plain phone.) -
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I’m
thinking AT&T sucks
i talked to an AT&T rep teh other day that told me he was gonna push an update to my phone that "may or may not" give me an extra bar... the catch was i had to turn my phone off first.
i knew he was totally lying to me but i thought the rouse to be rather clever so i played along. one thing i have noticed that is different than any other carrier is that AT&T allows their people to lie to your face as if it is completely acceptable. they are like telemarketers or something...
dont believe me? ask a question and you will get a different answer every time u call... i even had a manager at the customer service center told me to go buy one of those stickers that enhance my phones antenna and fasten it to the back of my iphone lol... they dont even sell those...
i heard about the *22 thing or whatever... but idk... i dont think that works... but here is something that did work... my girlfriend cant get a signal and her contract is up... she has an unlimited plan and pays almost 200 a month... they sent people out to her house to check her signal and then said they were gonna do something to the tower. now she has a signal in her house like its no big deal at all.
i called and they told me to cancel my contract. i guess AT&T only provides costomer service to those they deem worthy or more simply put.. those that pay for expensive calling plans. -
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The industry bloggers are claiming that ATT's toast, courtesy the iPhone they can't support, and is playing desperation musical chairs with their resources.....and us! I agree completely; things came apart in my area about two weeks ago and nobody is allowed to tell the truth. They gave me a new bit of fiction every time I called, mostly absurd ones. If you have trouble getting away from them, there supposedly is a bit of law that helps you exit with your cash intact. I can't give them any more slack. It's one thing to have problems and be honest, it's another to do what they're doing.
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I have had ATT service for many years and always had good service at home, at least, until recently. Something has changed in the last few months. Now I am moving from room to room trying to make a call and the signal strength meter on the phone is going up and down with every step I take. If they can't fix this issue, I guess my family will go with another carrier.
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I’m
frustrated
We have been very patient with at&t but have reached an impase. We have changed SIM cards, settings, and done everything that the SAVE team has requested short of changing our phone numbers that we need for our home business. at&t simply refuses to admit that we have a no signal issue at our home. I have tried to get them to send a field technician to our house but they have refused. I have even told them that I was going to send a letter to my AG but that didn't seem to matter either. I can use some help here.
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I’m
very frustrated
I was hoping to find an answer here, but to no avail. It seems beyond ridiculous that the original posting was a year ago and AT&T still hasn't addressed the issue! When we moved a year ago, we didn't get a landline because we already had cell phones with AT&T and didn't feel the need to add another phone bill. Unfortunately, the signal has NEVER been good in our home and we have to run around the house to find the strongest possible signal, so as not to drop a call. We have missed calls constantly, because the phone may lose signal wherever it's sitting in the house (though we try to keep the phones where they're most likely to hold a signal--which brings up the issue of not having the phone actually in the room we're in). Why should we keep our contract with AT&T if they can't provide us with proper phone service and they CLAIM our area has full coverage!? Is there NOTHING they can do to help us boost the signal indoors? Neighbors tell me Verizon is MUCH better.
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Marg R,
Since you have never had good signal, your problem is different than the rest of us who have had service mysteriously get bad recently. You just need to find out which other carrier works best in your neighborhood. Don't believe online coverage maps as they are not based on that much data. If you can't switch carriers for some reason, you can get a bi-directional relay amplifier that you put outdoors in a location where there is good signal; it acts just like a wireless router, except that it amplifies cell phone calls. Won't help you down the block, though.
Update on my service: I got rid of it. Too many serial lies from ATT; has to be deliberate policy.-
I failed to note that the signal was initially only poor in the basement (walk-out, so it's only partially underground), but the signal has gone downhill progressively throughout the house over the last few months.
Seriously considering changing service, but hubby LOVES his iPhone.... -
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I’m
pissed
I'm pretty much going to wait until the end of the year and if I dont see AT&T do either major service work or Femtocells, I'm ditching AT&T and my iPhone for a PHONE AND SERVICE THAT ACTUALLY WORK.
There is no sense having an iPhone if the damned thing doesnt actually have the signal to make calls... -
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I’m
relieved!
Woo-HOOOO! Woke up today and discovered we had a 3G signal and now the whole house is "hot"---signal in every room, including the basement. Someone said they thought AT&T might be adding new towers in the area. I don't know what happened, but whatever they did, we're very glad to have 3-4 bars of signal on our phones inside our home. We'll see if it holds.
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Wow. Lucky you. It's been almost a year and my service is still horrible inside my home. It's so bad that all my friends and family who thought my iphone was so cool will not even look at one since the service is AT&T.
Oops looked up at my earlier post and low and behold it has been a year! I am still in contract but I sure hope this issue can be resolved for everyone. -
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I’m
thankful
I too woke up the other morning to see my phone reading "3G" in the upper part of the screen. I am able to hold phone calls again and all of my dead zones on the way home from work have gone away! I have to say I'm almost glad that I suffered thru the crappy service instead of going thru all the trouble to try to break contract and possibly paying a security deposit to get Verizon. I hope it stays this way!
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There has got to be a way to get out of a contract without a fee when they are not providing a service!This is ridiculous. I did not have any problems with unicel and now for a week , I can't get service in my house and the sales associates are not any help! They said they are working on the towers and another says they did not know there was a problem! I am so frustrated.
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I’m
frustrated
i live in CHICAGO!!!!
and i've had my phone from cingular to at&t for the past four years i've always had good service in this same house until all of a sudden a week and a half ago my phone stops working only in my house. if i've anywhere else it works PERFECTLY FINE! this is a $200 dollar phone and it doesnt work. its driving me crazy and not only is it me its also my brother and sister that have had no signal.
this is ridiculous. i live in a place where i should have signal anywhere yet i can't get it in my house! its bs.
im REALLY mad. -
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I’m
frustrated and annoyed
I live in San Francisco and up until yesterday, I had full bars and 3G in most areas in my apartment with the exception of my kitchen and bathroom. Last night, I updated my iPhone on my computer, and now all of a sudden I have NO bars and NO 3G ANYWHERE, even when I walk outside onto the street! WTF? It can't be because of the update, I'd imagine, because I had a great signal around my work. I have a clear view of a huge cell phone tower from my balcony but no signal at all. I am so annoyed right now.
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I’m
frustrated
I live in Oklahoma City. I have a Sony Ericsson Z750a and my husband has an Iphone. My cell phone reception is so bad that my husband refuses to use my phone at all, because it will drop calls like crazy. The only place in my whole house that it works is on my couch, under a window, leaning back towards the window. Which is ok for talking to friends and family, but not so great when hubby is watching tv or playing video games and roommate is laughing and talking loud. I've had to resort to forwarding my cell phone to my house phone when I'm at home, just so I can get reception! Hubby works in Midwest City and can't even USE his Iphone while at work. Pretty bad because he's an Assistant Manager and the store's phone is broken, so they depend on his phone working! If the account wasn't under my mother-in-law's name... I'd have been back with US Cellular! But we're getting our own service soon, just as soon as we can afford the ridiculous FEES associated with it! -
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I’m
disappointed,sad and angry
im 14 and just got my frist phone (pantech matrix). i have not been able to make one call yet. im very disappointed.. no bars . i got the unlimited data and cant even use it . i go out side and get on top of my house to get one bar and its like below 50 out here.is there any way to get a better signal?? if i cant get a signal be for the 30 days im switching to someone easel. i hope you can help i love my phone
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ATT has spotty coverage. Shortly they will offer you, at extra cost, a way to overcome that via the internet which will connect you through a tower elsewhere. Bets being poked in the eye with a sharp stick.
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yes could you elaborate on that. please im very interested
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Anger is not useful Action is.
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They will be rolling out a femtocell (see: http://www.intomobile.com/2009/06/25/... in various areas. It has not reached me yet. It works as a cell-phone pole that gets you to their switching system. It is like a wif-fi but no like a wi-fi connection. It goes through the regular switching system. It makes up for the fact that they do not have a pole near you and thus the service sucks. They still charge you as of they were providing a service. Dependent on where you live this is the story of ALL cell "providers."
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seeing this makes me vary happy and hopeful.i just hope it wont be over 100 buck. by the time it dose come out will get tax rebates soon
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i am still digging on this and i think this pricing was the original plan but now they have compromised to an extent (thank god)
it seems now that the 19.99 unlimited calling plan is not manditory but is there for those that wish to save on their wireless plan minutes while they are calling from their home. the tower itself will cost 150 with no monthly fee but you will still use your minutes regularly.
if this is true than i will be satisfied with this model. I dont use all my minutes as it is so i definately do not need to pay more for unlimited minutes. i will gladly pay the 150 for the device to have service in my home as it is getting cold as hell outside.
now if they can just hurry up and roll this out before i die then i will be happy... -
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I’m
frustrated
After 2 years of great coverage at my home, now 2 weeks ago everything changed, I can hardly make or receive a call. Called ATT and did the reset B.S. which of course did nothing. ATT is the worst. I am ready to join the Class Action!
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u know i have noticed something too... so many that had good service now cant get a signal...
sometimes i will literally have 4 bars in my house and then the other 99% of the time i have no signal...
physically thats not possible unless there is something going on with the tower... maybe too much traffic? i dont think AT&T is capable of handling the flow of data from all the new Iphone users with the 3g network.
not to mention they had to upgrade their infrostructure to handle mms messaging on the Iphone. i bet they are having trouble handling the upsurge in data usage.
If this is the case... if we are all experiencing poor service because AT&T bit off more than it could chew, than i think they should provide customers who qualify (i.e. people who cannot get a signal in their home) with a free 3g microcell tower.
why should we have to pay more for AT&T to provide us with the service we were already paying for? they are raking in millions with Iphone... time for them to pony up and make good on their end... -
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"sometimes i will literally have 4 bars in my house and then the other 99% of the time i have no signal... "
My friend had a similar problem, where a call will start with a strong signal, which would then slowly drop off as the call continued. It ended up being a problem with the phone doing some band switching while the call was in progress. You can check with your AT&T service tech to see if your phone is multi-band, and if they can lock it to one band for you.
For everyone else, the only way to draw attention to the problem is to vote with your wallet. When your contract comes up, drop AT&T like a hot potato! I switched to Verizon about a year ago, and haven't looked back! Coverage around here has been beautiful ever since. FInd a good provider in your area (not necessarily VZW, I'm not trying to sell their product), and get OUT of ATT's crappy network. No iPhone is worth it if you can't make a call! -
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this is my third phone with AT&T and they have all done the same thing... all three are Iphones and i dont believe they have multiband capability...
but to your second point... i will definately vote with my wallet... soon as my contract is up or if T-Moblie gets the Iphone again i will gladly pay to break my contract with AT&T.
Joe is right.. the only way to deal with the "bean counter" mentality is to take your money somewhere else... AT&T has pissed off so many loyal customer's and iphone users that i am thinking they will be losing some serious business in the yrs to come... -
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I’m
ebulient to be free from AT&T
I just switched to Verizon and have been amazed at the difference in the network. Voice coverage is crystal clear and ubiquitous ... the 3G connection for data is lightening fast compared to AT&T.
I was waiting for a decent smart phone to launch on Verizon ... I got the Motorola Droid. It does everything the iPhone does and more (and much faster). I agree with most reviewers that the keyboard seems irrelevant because it is just as easy to use the touch screen.
I think it's sad that I had to switch from iphone. it's a great device. however, all things considered, I think any iphone lover who is frustrated with AT&T will be more than happy with the droid. possibly even ecstatic. -
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I’m
frustrated!!!
I have AT&T for 8+ years now...that was in Jacksonville, FL. I recently moved to NY (Windsor) and I have no service in the house. I have contacted AT&T. They moved my account address from FL to NY but that hasn't solved the problem. I was told that the company is coming out with a device that can connect to your internet connection to boost the in house service. Problem is...it's not free! I feel that as a dedicated customer and I pay approx. $170 a month for 2 phones that I should be supplied the device for free under the circumstances. There is a cell tower approx. 500 feet from the house but apparently AT&T doesn't owe space on that tower. UGH :-( -
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I’m
frustrated
I too have been having cell phone problems with AT&T at my home. It's pretty bad when you are running a business from your home and nobody can reach you to hire you. This has been going on now for several months and a rep. from AT&T tells me that "if you read the contract, they do not guarantee service all the time." To me that's ridiculious! Why would anyone sign up for a contract with a company that does business like this? Not only do we not have a land line, we have two small children and if there is an emergency we are struck! We have to drive several miles out just to get a weak signal. If I would have know this before I re-upped my plan, I certainly would have canceled and gone to another carrier. My husband is practically sitting on the roof to get in touch with his mother who lives 10 minutes away!
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At AT&T Took me one month and i got my cancelation fees(for two lines, i moved and had no service in the house) waived. Just keep calling , be always polite and if no luck, just call next day :))) Try to get customer service in Texas, they are the best.
I can't believe it happened !!! -
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Hi everyone, I just switched from verizon to At&t to find both companies are playing in the dark with us. They are both running a business that does not stand behind what they promise. I do think the people all of us have to take a stand. If I ran my business in any shape of the way they do I wouldnt have a business and understand-ably so.
If we sell a product and it doesnt work for customer/client it us our duty to to make it right for the fellow person. Not to say Ha I got you and now I will charge you more money in order to get out of this contract.
I believe that we do have to take action and file a law suit against both parties for false advertising and all the damages they have cause us financially and mentally. I know that I have been thru so much stress over my phone situation over the last year. I have filed complaint after complaint after being lied to. Verizon gave me in writing what my bill would be which was 160 a month. It never was less than $250, it was a bait and switch. When I explained I had it in writing they could only apologize for the mis communication and would not do anything about it. On top of that my HTC smart phone keep locking up and the only way you could unlock it was to take it apart and pull the battery out. They would do nothing about that until the day that it finally locked up for good. Then there answer was for me to give up my phone for 4 days and be without a phone until they could see if they could fix mine. I use my phone for my business and could not have that. My only other option was to buy a new phone for 150.00. Also to note my smart phone was still under warranty and I was paying insurance on it......what a joke!
So after all the hassle I switched to AT&T. Also please note that Verizon is now trying to charge me $800 for breaking contract. Now take in mind that I had 4 phones. One contract up this month and another up in April one in May and one in over a year. I have been filing complaints from the minute that Verizon took it over. I never had any problems with Cell One.
Now I am with AT&T and my phone keeps locking up and I have no service.......lol here I keep going on and on. Same problem with a different company.
As a law abiding citizen.....the big companies should play the same role as us little companies...us little people would probably be in jail if we played the game that these big guys are playing. We the people have to stand up and be heard and quit letting them get away with this behavior.
I am all for suing and I hope that you all reading this will do the same. Let us file Class Action Law Suits! PLEASE! -
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I apologize if I seem to demonstrate narcissism; however, your copious bewailment of dissatisfaction with cellular devices is relatively imprudent and infantile. Your vituperative ire is frivolous and, to an extent, irksome, as it portrays only ignorance. Have you considered home phones? The need for cellular devices is highly minimal, and those who subsequently invest are unfathomably improvident, thus correspondingly inane through the disquisition of assailment against righteously deserved discontentment. If not at home, most likely, one would be either driving (in which one would not be using a cell phone, unless illicitly, which would also demonstrate one should not have the cell phone due to irresponsibility), at another domicile, or at a developed establishment, both of which would have available telecommunication. Naturally, of course, an emergency requiring an avenue of immediate correspondence is comprehensible rationale. Nevertheless, a circumstance where other people or other ways of communication is utterly nonexistent is exceptionally sparse; and for the amount of those claiming the latter would occur, it is preposterous; the likeliness of such tantamount to the chance of finding a cephalopod who relishes peanut butter salad. It is understandable, however, your hanker to receive compensation for promised repletion and elation regarding the product, despite its impiousness as it was induced by your simpleton choice to purchase the cell phone initially.- view 1 more comment
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Looks like someone was playing "fun with a thesaurus." Here's a pro-tip. Stringing together lots of big words doesn't make you sound smart, it makes you sound pretentious. The primary goal in any conversation is clear and effective communication of an idea, and by using obscure, obtuse, or overly flowery language you obfuscate your own point and shoot yourself in the foot. Clarity and brevity my friend, clarity and brevity.
As to your argument, it is preposterous.
"The need for cell phones is highly minimal."
In order to conduct business effectively at the pace that is set by our modern world, it is expected that one is reachable by phone. The modern pace of business requires reliable and consistent connectivity.
As to your argument over the "exceptionally sparse" and "preposterous" likelihood of an emergency situation in which there is no other communication method, please allow me to offer the following real-life scenarios:
1) Automobile accident on a rural road at night
2) Home invasion in which the phone lines are cut
3) Kidnapping
4) A fire which traps someone in a room away from a land-line phone
5) Any natural disaster in which residential phone lines are damaged
6) Earthquake, survivor trapped in rubble
The list goes on and on.
And as for your final argument, that it is stupid to use a cell phone and unreasonable to expect them to perform adequately, let me say this:
Most of the ire reflected in this thread comes from the perception of deception on the part of AT&T. The problem is not so much in the lack of functionality, but in the lack of clarity (and in some cases outright misleading statements or blatant deception) regarding the claims made by AT&T on the effectiveness of their product and coverage.
Madam, your arguments are invalid. -
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AMEN!!!!!
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Monsieur Joe-
Firstly, it is not "playing fun with a thesaurus," or "stringing together lots of big words." It is edification. Nonetheless, if I portrayed boorish pompousness, I do apologize; it was not my intention. I frequently struggle with terseness, finding immensurable relish regarding grandiloquence and sesquipedalianism. Correspondence with laconic prose is not of my aptitude. For many unsuccessful years, I have endeavored to establish more embellished and sophisticated language. Nevertheless, I do concur, although partially. Before, however, I beseech you comprehend the following; from time to time, an ardent and sporadic need for vituperation effervesces within me due to any scintilla of what I may incorrectly contemplate as a simpleton assertion, most likely in consequence to the many contemptible half-wits I perceive daily and thusly, I, perhaps, commented overly acrimoniously. As I stated before, emergencies are legitimate reasoning for needing a cell phone. However, as I as well stated previously, the amount claiming the latter would occur as justification for the incessant use and effusive necessity for a cell phone is absurdly flabbergasting. I do admit, nevertheless, that I did not contemplate the need for cell phones of the industrial business, which I assume the many corresponding employees would not hanker to release residential information to or rely on communication to through only one device. Essentially, I believe, my choler was misplaced; being a member of the “older” generation, I have found the ceaseless, usually impertinent, use and, incontrovertibly, often excessive infatuation and dependence with cell phones (mainly demonstrated by the whippersnappers of this epoch) highly lamentable and deplorable. I simply found an associated foundation where my growing chafe and rancorous vexation could be expressed. With optimism, I hope you understand, as I will, subsequently, understand my need to develop succinctness and constraint of bilious ebullition.
Again, I apologize for any wrongful discourtesy.
Yours most fondly,
Madame Gertrude
P.S. I highly appreciate your esteem and ability to communicate without the use of disdainful obloquy now plaguing the world, as well as your identifying me as "Madame," despite (unless you were not intending the French form) your misspelling. How flattering!- view 1 more comment
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Madame Gert, still silly writing. AT&T has not improved, either.
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Wow, i wish i could talk like that! I felt stupid after reading the first five words.
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I am replying to Madame Gertrude. Wow! You do seem to have a need to use big words. Good for you, you do a great job! Honestly I don't know what some of the words you used however I think I got the jest of your reply.
Anyway, I really don't think you even got my point. The point I make is that all the people of the world need treat each other with honesty and respect. Whether you believe in cell phones or not is your business, however, the point is these companies sell one thing and deliver another. Which I believe to be dis-honest business. This is where we need to take a stand as people who want to live on this planet in harmony. If you buy a product and it does not work...then the company either fixes the issue or refunds the money and cancel the service at no charge. It is just that simple.
If we just sit back and allow such behavior of bad business...then it continues.
A question to you Madame Gertrude from myself is: Why are you going to a cell phone complaint site if you think it is nonsense? -
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This reply was removed.
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I had a gathering at my home and there were 7 guests who owned iphones. None of them could use their phones. They looked like a bunch of ghost busters walking around my home lifting the phones to various areas all trying to see it they could get a signal - but alas, no service found. My house is now lovingly referred to as "The Dead Zone". It has been almost been two years now that I have brought it to AT&T's attention and no one from AT&T has been able to resolve this issue, even though there is an AT&T store only a few blocks from my home. All they say is our computer shows a strong signal in my area. I challenge AT&T to come to "The Dead Zone " and see for themselves.
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The ineptitude of the AT&T gang is amazing. Customer Diservice Department is hopeless and helpless. The new wifi device they ahve out is spottily available and the AT&T stores have help who don't know it from Shinola. A call to a lady at Customer Disservice resulted in her putting me on hold for twenty minutes while she checked stores in my region for availability. No cigar.
One would think that all this data would be at fingertips on keyboard, but no. I imagine she was using a relatively reliable land line to make her queries. -
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I’m
frustrated
Well i just moved into my new house... And i have no services whatsoever. my ENTIRE STREET does not have service. I am seriously thinking of switching from AT&T to Verizon. I need to drive 5 minutes until i have service. That is just absolutely ridiculous. -
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I’m
frustrated
Same with me in Portland, OR. I cannot make a call or even receive/send a text in my house. I have to position my iPhone on my couch to get a text. This is ridiculous. I am seriously thinking about ditching the iPhone and especially AT&T and getting Verizon and a Blackberry....this sucks!
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Try turning off 3G while you're in the house. My husband and I just tried this and now the phone is using EDGE. It's not what we want long-term but until AT&T fixes their 3G problem it will have to do. At least we can now receive and make calls which we haven't been able to do for more than 2 weeks now. I've been to AT&T twice in the last week and the best they say they can do is have a technician come to the neighborhood. We can make calls from the street but that isn't acceptable.
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I’m
frustrated
Ok, so I just received a letter from AT&T offering to sell me their 3G Microcell (links below). $150. And before anyone thinks I'm just an AT&T basher, you should know that I've been with them for 14 years - only carrier I've ever had - and they have treated me incredibly well and generously. I actually had good 3G coverage in my house but over the last couple of months, have started to get dropped calls left and right while stationary in places from which I have always used the phone (iPhone 3GS).
So I'm interested in the Microcell as a solution, but after investigating it, it really needs some rethinking...
Let's ignore that they want me to pay them, and use my bandwidth which I already pay someone else for, to extend their poor 3G network.
It might be OK if that was the only drawback. But a quick read of the FAQ shows:
1. It has a 40 foot radius. That won't even cover many backyards or even some houses. Forget using your phone in the driveway, by the pool, etc. Even wi-fi goes further than 40 ft! Jeez, they might as well just charge
$150 and hand out $150 of Skype credit....
2. They tout "automatic handoff when you leave the
house to the nearest cell tower". Well, duh, if I can't get good 3G
coverage at my house, it's fairly likely that I don't have good
coverage at all exits of my house. So now I have to position the
Microcell within 40 ft of a DOOR, so that I don't drop the call while
walking out of the house and down the driveway. (Others, on TUAW, have already reported this as a real problem. But that's fine, I don't mind parking my car in a different location if it helps my cellphone carrier!!)
3. When you set it up, you have to be near a window
because it has a GPS receiver in it so that AT&T knows where the call
is (probably for E911?). Did you remember to install your broadband in a windowed room ten years ago????
4. No mention that I saw of health hazards - probably why the power is so low - but in a small apartment, I'm guessing you might have your broadband router near a bed. I sure wouldn't want to sit right up against a cell tower ;-)
So I've got to install it near a window, near my primary exit, within 40 ft of my
desk, away from where I sit or sleep, and near my broadband router??? Gee, I hope I can juggle all those requirements. But I'm happy to rewire my house or move my office to the kitchen if it helps my cellphone carrier.....
Also, they do let you share the service with friends, but obviously the 40ft limit means that your neighbors will only benefit if they are leaning on your fence to make their calls. (individual phones need to be registered with the
Microcell.)
Other reported problems:
5. It kills your bandwidth and drops with two simultaneous calls. No problem, I'll just set up a timesheet so all five of us can reserve slots to use our cellphones.
6. Call quality is horrible - users report a lag/delay. That won't stop me - I will just end each sentence with "OVER". Wow, I feel like a pilot now!!
7. Can't use it with a business account. Hope you didn't really need that $1,000 tax deduction....
CONCLUSION:
As you can see, it really is a pretty limited option. Might be worth it if they gave them out for free or cheap but save your money unless you really need it and can make it work.
REFERENCE LINKS:
faq: http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/why...
main site: http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/why...
TUAW review (reviewer liked it, but commenters slaughter it):
http://www.tuaw.com/2010/05/12/atandt... -
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I’m
sad
I have the same problem, with my Blackberry instead of an iPhone. My fiance had Verizon when I moved in and was able to make and take calls with his phone, where mine's always steady at "No Service." It's so frustrating. AT&T is the only carrier that will even set up a contract with someone in this area (Verizon and others saying there's no service here), but is the only one that doesn't have service (when the ones saying they don't actually do). I love my phone and everything associated with it when I'm NOT home... but since I don't have a job that means that around 97+% of my time is at home.
Yay for paying for something I can't use.
AT&T really needs to start sharing towers like Verizon and others. It's so annoying to be here and have other people with full service because they're sharing towers... and I'm locked in to a contract. -
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I’m
frustrated, angry & just pissed.
About 2 weeks ago my husband and I started having problems with reception in our home with our iphones. We've had iphones for 3 years (1,2, & 3 generation) and we haven't had any problems until recently. The reception is fine on the street but not in the house or on the patio or front porch.
I've made 2 trips to AT&T, the last one today and they haven't a clue what is going on. Apparently we sit in the middle of 3 towers and will get 5 bars in the house but cannot send or receive phone calls. I can sit next to my husband and try to call him but the phone appears to be dead. I still have 5 bars but no communication.
At other times, the bars disappear. I will turn the phone on to make a call and see that the bars are gone. I have to reboot the phone. After the reboot I have 5 bars but still cannot make or receive calls.
We have no land line and rely solely on our cell phones. -
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I’m
happy
I've rarely had service in my house in the last few years and AT&T has never helped. I upgraded from 3G to iPhone4 believing it would improve and It didnt, so I called Apple today and we RESOLVED it.
All I did was go to Settings>General>Network>turn OFF 3G
Apple said I don't need 3G on unless I want faster data uploading when using the web.This will increase battery length too.
Hope this helps others. -
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Gayla,
Having the same problems as you but my phone can find my local wifi network and should be fine but the phone is still of no use to me. -
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I’m
hopeful
NY state attorney general office consumer fraud number is 1-800-771-7755. I'll be calling on Monday for sure. $130 a month for no service. Unacceptable.
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there has been no att cell phone service all day in n.c. i have traveled over 50 miles trying to get a call out. att online service isent worth shit
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dude, i had the same problem in my house. I love my iphone but I work from home and had to go upstair or outside to get a good signal. Now I ordered a repeater from www.indoorcellularsolutions.com for around 300 bucks and I get 5 bars now. It was well worth it.
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I have the same problem. AT&T has said they will solve it by me buying a microcell - which they were willing to discount after multiple phone calls and an additional $20/month. AT&T is unethical in my opinion.
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hi, guy, may be you can choose a cheap and best iphone cell phone , http://www.topons.com/electronics/ipa... so, replace it at once.
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I’m
so over att
I have the same problem. I have been with the same phone company for over 18 years. Our original cell company merged with cingular. We stayed and the service was still good in our house and the service around our county was much better. Then came the merge with ATT, after two years our service became noticably worse. Now, we have have to go outside to make calls. We aren't the only ones here in town compaining about this. We are moving as well as most of our friends to verizon, but cellular south has the best service of all but isn't in our area. If Cellular south would make our area a home region, everyone in this county would leave and go with them.
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I’m
floored by terrible service
The SF Chronicle said there are free femtocell towers being provided by AT&T to customers getting no service in their homes in SF. I have called AT&T over and over and the insist it will be only provided at $150 charge. My husband and I are both paying $100/mo already for our complete lack of service. I am amazed AT&T is not being sued for fraud by the State Atty General.
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I’m
happy
..i also love my iphone to bad att is the only only provider to have them..But I have a solution that worked for me.. I called unwiredsignal.com and they recommended me a kit for my home. It improved my signal from 1 bar to 3 and 4 bars. Maybe it can help some of you guys.
http://www.unwiredsignal.com/?p=1861&... -
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I’m
frustrated
I have had this problem too since I got phone!!! What's the use of haveing phone if can not use in your own home!!!!
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I’m
done with AT&T
2I loose service as soon as I pull under my carport.
AT&T kindly offered to send me a microcell booster that costs $149. They said they would credit $100 of it. Seriously my contract is up next month and I have been with them since 2005 I have 4 cell phones, home phone, internet and cable with them. I pay an additional fee just to have an Iphone plan and they want me to give them more money. I'm DONE! They should advertise the Iphone as an outside phone only! I think I'll use it as garden decor... I'm looking into other service providers. I have spent way too much money for the phoniest phone ever! -
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that's terrible then what we can do is raplace a good cellphon
Mobile phones accessories http://www.topons.com/cell-phone-acce... -
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1Att ruined my credit. My in-laws installed a tin roof and lost their signal inside their house. ATT told us they would not charge for cancellation because issue is out of service contract's scope. They were on my plan with my wife, as well. When mine and my wife's contracts ended we switched to Verizon (and haven't been happier). No further communication via email or snail mail or phone from ATT for 4 months until we get a call from a collection agency. It turns out, ATT actually turned us over to the agency 2 WEEKS AFTER we talked to them and confirmed they would not charge for cancellation. I need a credit card for work and have had success with other lines of credit until now. Since I can't get a line of credit my boss told me today to get it fixed or find a new job. I'm reluctant to believe there is help out there for someone like me.
We had ATT's DSL service when it first came out several years back. Could not connect to internet and finally ended the service. They charged us 3 months worth of service (over $400). I stood outside with a battery pack, my laptop, their modem, and a direct connection via the RJ11 they use to connect to my Dad's old house from the telephone pole (their pole). They insisted that we could connect and blamed it all on the wiring inside the house. READ: I WAS OUTSIDE DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO THEIR LINE. They promised every time I called they would send out a tech or install a repeater (the real problem - thousands of dollars worth they were unwilling to invest in).
They personally screwed me 2 times so far and I'm reluctant to ever use any of their services. They've got my money and time, and I got bad credit, lost time, and will possibly be unemployed because of them. Please stay away from them, heed my experience as a warning. -
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1I noticed the last post here was 3 months ago. I just recently moved my business to a home business and I have the 3g Iphone. I do not have any signal in my home at all and have been sending emails like mad with no resolutions to AT&T, not even an early upgrade to which i would most likely have to downgrade my phone. I have had this issue since i upgraded from the very first I-phone till now.
I have to stand out in the middle of my street make or revive a call. My phone never rings in my home i only get voice messages although texting is not an issue. I am loosing calls and business each and every day due to the no resolution for this cause. They will not allow me to end my contract with out the cancellation fee.
If these femtocells are what is working then they should be offered to us customers whom are not getting service in there homes... I do not have a land line I spend a small fortune to own this phone It should work better than any appliance In my home with the cost to own the I-phone.
I am very dissatisfied with AT& T and there customer service. I will be contacting my State Attorney Generals Office to complain about the dissatisfaction of AT&T.
I am going to write because I cant place a call from with in my own home(go figure) and its 103 outside. Telling them i feel they are in breach of their contract to correct my issues or I will be taking this to my Attorney General.
I even asked for a discount for me to perhaps put a land line in my home business area but they denied this as well.
My contract is up in March of 2012 I cant wait to get out of this inconvenience. Not to mention I have been a customer with AT& T for over 7 years.. I do not matter to them this is BAD BUSINESS.
VERISON here I come..
Sandra -
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It sounds like most of us are catching on. AT&T has no intention of making their cellular service so reliable that it could risk taking money out of the pockets of their land line business. AT&T in the U.S. will not even sell you a tablet until they disable the cellular voice phone modem in the tablet first. This way they don't risk taking money out of the pockets of their cellular voice business with the exact same tablet that had both functioning data and voice when it was sold in Asia and Europe. This greed is what will prevent the cellular phone from ever taking the place of the home phone in this country. They keep adding crazy features and speed, but after all of these years do you really believe that this giant company has not yet figured out how to keep a call connected? It is a lot more likely that they have not found it in their best interest to fix this problem. As long as we are realistic and keep our expectations low we will not be surprised when we can't use a service we pay hundreds of dollars a year(sometimes more) to use and when corporate representatives provide poor(and sometimes rude) customer service.
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all iPhone users, turn OFF 3G. odd but please try. allow the Edge network to be your service. Not greatest data download rates, but usually get more consistent bars! Also works best in the cities too, 3G towers are overloaded there, by switching to Edge, can usually get better data rates and more bars like at MLB or NFL.
The reason Edge works better in the stix is the signal type. 3G uses a higher signal in GHz (2+), vs Edge is closer in MHz. Lower frequencies travel better over hills, trees and such. Don't you always hear bass thumping cars before you hear the cymbals? It requires more towers for 3G to triangulate the data to you for better use, vs Edge can use 1 tower. If you want faster service and less battery usage, have to use 3G and more towers and it's a global signal meaning Europe and other areas use it. Most of the Verizon towers use a Edge type of tower near 900MHz which helps and why they claim can you hear me now deals, BUT those bands are mainly just in the US. hope this helps people.
Kevin, Engineer -
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There have to be laws out there about allowing consumers to end contracts without having to pay the early termination fee if you don't get a signal in your home. Has anyone contacted the Attorney General or Federal Communications Commission? Here's the number for the FCC: 888-225-5322
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I’m
frustrated
Tired of our local AT&T sales people telling me that our service will get better....Been with them for 5 years now (iphone).....really tired of being taken advantage of by big corporations!!! -
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