iPhone 3GS and the disappearing 3G (or all data) signal

[appleweed]

Hi Everyone,

I hope you'll are all well!

It's been some time since I've last posted here (I know, I know - I only come back when I have a problem - apologies in advance)

Ok - I picked up an iPhone 3GS from Singapore earlier this summer. It's a factory unlocked Singtel unit. I have been using it on Etisalat for quite a while, while juggling between the best data package - I am currently on a 1GB (which seems to never end - strangely, I am a pretty heavy user!) package.

My problem is that my data signal drops out from time to time. Occasionally it'll drop from 3G to EDGE and down to GPRS (the little dot), which is to be expected depending on coverage.

However, at times it'll drop from 3G and completely out. No data signal whatsoever. No EDGE or GPRS. The thing is, the phone will not recover and get a data signal back - I reboot, I shake it etc - Nothing!

On ocassion, when the data signal comes back, it'll stay for a while and then drop out again!

I am quite sure that the problem is not with the network - I have a colleague's 3G sitting here that has a full 3G signal, while my phone is on no data right now.

I know that there is a issue that people in various places have reported with the 3GS switching to EDGE more often than the 3G - but I am unable to find anyone experiencing a full data signal drop out.

Has anyone got any ideas?

To date I have tried:

• Leaving it on EDGE only (i.e. 3G switched off. This works, I have no problems and the data signal never leaves, unless I go into a no coverage zone.
• I have done a full restore
• My phone is not Jailbroken / unlocked etc

Hmm, another thought - maybe my simcard is messed up (I replaced my very old simcard recently..) - maybe it isn't sitting right? But I have a full phone signal?

Please help!

[appleweed]

Ok - I think this is probably a sim card issue.

I know I sounded like I was at a complete loss - but my troubleshooting gene kicked in. I swapped my sim card for one that I know is working and immediately my phone picked up a 3G signal.

I put my sim card into the other phone and found that - no 3G signal.

I will replace and report back (If you may be following the saga so far..) (maybe).


One a sidnote - I think it's time for an EmiratesMac refresh - this is a Mac community - we should look much slicker. If the admins may be interested, I know the right people!

[Magnus]

One a sidnote - I think it's time for an EmiratesMac refresh - this is a Mac community - we should look much slicker. If the admins may be interested, I know the right people!

You should have been at the EMUG meeting on Friday or read this. If you know the "right people", whatever that means, let me know what they can do.

[appleweed]

Hi Magnus,

Let me try to get back to you with some ideas a little later on (hopefully!).

A quick update on my phone - I replaced the sim card, but the issue persists. Upon replacement, I had a full signal for a while and then the issue started to repeat itself.

I'm back at square one.

I have someone following up with our Account Rep at Etisalat to see if there is a problem with my number - nothing so far.

I rang 101 and got through to Etisalat's iPhone section - they took down all my details and were about to launch a request through to Apple but decided to ask whether I had bought my phone from them - when I answered no - everything came to a grinding halt. I tried to explain that an iPhone is an iPhone no matter who sells it - if there is a problem surely we should be able to get a way to get through to Apple.

If I bought my phone in country X and then decided to move - what then? Do I have to go back to country X to have a repair take place - why is it not as easy as repair and replacement on all other Apple products.

Anyways - I still don't think there is a problem with the phone - but I am out of ideas.

Anyone care to help?

[Magnus]

If I bought my phone in country X and then decided to move - what then? Do I have to go back to country X to have a repair take place - why is it not as easy as repair and replacement on all other Apple products.

iPhone warranty is country-specific, thereby making it different from other Apple products. Check Apple's FAQ:
"Can I get my iPhone serviced outside the country of purchase?
No, service for eligible repairs is only available in the country where your iPhone was originally purchased."

[appleweed]

Hi Magnus,

Thanks for turning the point above into a sticky.

I saw this the same thing on the Apple site a few minutes ago.

I then decided to try the Online Solver (selfsolve.apple.com) and entered in my serial number. The unit I bought is one from Singtel (Singapore) - as is the case out here they are forced to sell unlocked units (it's law out there - while out here, I don't really know why!).

When I click on the information it says that my phone is covered under the iPhone Limited Warranty until July 20th 2010.

A second option to pick your country is available:

• If I pick the UAE - it simply states that both du and Etisalat provide repair options. Unfortunately there is nothing else beyond links to their websites.
• If I pick the US - there are a whole heap of options available including the Apple Store, Phone etc.
• If I pick Singapore - again I have two options

Each country specific page states the following: "The following service options are available for this product in the location you've selected." I want to point out that in my view it is specifically referring to my iPhone (at this point I have already entered in my serial number) and not generically to various repair options.

The point I am trying to make is that since this unit is an unlocked one and is not carrier specific - can I push for a repair out here?

The Apple Forums point out a few users who are facing similar dropped signals which seem to be unit specific.

Ah- this is driving me crazy.

Ok - I've tried the same online solver with a serial of a 1st Gen iPhone - the same information comes up - with the wording that it is out of warranty. This doesn't make sense - if repair is covered only in the country of purchase why show up the information for your phone for every country - what kind of solver is this!

I think I'll try to hit one of the small Etisalat 'booths' to see if I can truthfully convince them to help me out.

[Magnus]

The point I am trying to make is that since this unit is an unlocked one and is not carrier specific - can I push for a repair out here?

If you do try, please let us know how it goes.

[appleweed]

Hi Everyone,

No luck so far. I was stuck on Etisalat 101 hold hell - 45 mins and nothing.

I seem to have found some sort of fix for the moment. After my latest full reset, I decided to not restore from a previous back up and instead chose to set it up as a new device.

My 3G signal lasted for around 12 hours overnight and then 'died' out by morning.

To get my signal back I 'Reset Network Settings' and usually after one (sometimes two) resets I get back on to the data network. It seems that I am not alone in facing this problem - there seem to be posts around the internet with people reporting similar issues - it sounds like it is more prevalent with the 3GS rather than the 3G.

I am continuing to consider other options, such as buying a new phone and sending this one back to Singapore to someone who can take it into Singtel for replacement. At the same time, I strongly feel that there must be a way to fix this - why is my phone being kicked off the data network after a few hours? While it is on the network - both voice and data function perfectly.

Any thoughts?

[appleweed]

Another update.

I read somewhere that wifi could be causing some sort of interference.

After having changed sim, doing a couple of hard resets and numerous network settings rests, I have found that switching off the Wifi completely allows me to remain connected to either 3G or EDGE with successful switching between them as and where required. At times when reception is poor, the signal will drop away and then pick up again when I move back into an area of reception, with the data signal coming back.

This has worked for the longest period yet - over 24 hours in various areas and no complete drop off for a significant period of time.

I am not sure whether this may be related to routers with the N spec or whether it is with other types of wifi (i.e. a / b / g).

I do no think this was an issue before 3.1.2.

Turning off wifi completely seems to be a fix.

P.S. The iPhone FAQ has a number that allows you to check your data consumption - this number no longer works - any idea what the new number is? Singtel seems to have a nice little app to allow you to check your consumption against your account - someone want to give this a shot?