Can't Call/Text on iPhone 4 With Full Signal - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

FlamesPuck12 · 09-15-2010, 07:44 PM

So I've been experiencing a weird problem with my iPhone 4 lately.

I've been having some trouble making/receiving calls and sending/receiving texts with my iPhone even though I have medium to full bars of signal. It says it's connected to 3G network as well but I don't get any data on it either (i.e. internet). Sometimes, I get "Unable to activate cell data network" error when I try sending a text.

It's been working fine for a month and a half in Calgary but now that I'm back at school in Ontario, it's having some problems.

One thing to note, it's only having problems when I'm on campus. When I'm at my house, it seems to work flawlessly without any errors.

Do you guys think there could be something wrong with the iPhone itself? I'm starting to think it's more of Bell's cell tower problem, maybe too much traffic since it's on a university campus but looking at the cell tower map, it seems like the same tower is being used when I'm at my house as well.

Ducay · 09-15-2010, 09:39 PM

Not sure if its related, but Fido has been dropping service like crazy the past few days....(in Calgary)

flamesfan6 · 09-16-2010, 01:59 AM

my 2 cents: apple sucks = iphone sucks

(i am soo getting banned for this, or a ear full from that guy who likes apple so much, what's his name? oh right fanin80)

switch to a better phone, thats my response

algernon · 09-16-2010, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlamesPuck12

One thing to note, it's only having problems when I'm on campus. When I'm at my house, it seems to work flawlessly without any errors.

...
I'm starting to think it's more of Bell's cell tower problem, maybe too much traffic since it's on a university campus but looking at the cell tower map, it seems like the same tower is being used when I'm at my house as well.

I don't know about cell tower layouts, but at my house there is definitely a dead spot. If I set the phone down on a table in the basement, it works. If I move it over 12 inches, it loses all service. Strangely, there are also areas on my roof with out coverage.

FanIn80 · 09-16-2010, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flamesfan6

(i am soo getting banned for this, or a ear full from that guy who likes apple so much, what's his name? oh right fanin80)

Don't be a prick.

Acey · 09-16-2010, 04:32 AM

Should have bought an iPod touch.

(Note that this post was made in jest and I am an iPhone owner)

silentsim · 09-16-2010, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flamesfan6

my 2 cents: apple sucks = iphone sucks

(i am soo getting banned for this, or a ear full from that guy who likes apple so much, what's his name? oh right fanin80)

switch to a better phone, thats my response

Good thing your 2 cents isn't worth much.

Redliner · 09-16-2010, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by algernon

Strangely, there are also areas on my roof with out coverage.

I'm curious how you know this? There's a picture in my head of you up on your roof doing your best verizon guy impression. "Can you hear me now? Good."

Dead spots suck, but I have yet to climb on my roof in an attempt to avoid them.

kermitology · 09-16-2010, 09:03 AM

I find that I have similar issues between 5 - 6:30 PM on Rogers. Their network seems to get overloaded.

underGRADFlame · 09-16-2010, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Don't be a prick.

Too late

FlamesPuck12 · 09-16-2010, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by algernon

I don't know about cell tower layouts, but at my house there is definitely a dead spot. If I set the phone down on a table in the basement, it works. If I move it over 12 inches, it loses all service. Strangely, there are also areas on my roof with out coverage.

Well the problem is, I have full bars of signal so the service is there and connected. It seems like it can't transfer data with the cell tower. Is there some kind of equivalence of pinging a website from a computer for the phone? Something like pinging the cell tower and seeing if I get a response.

algernon · 09-16-2010, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redliner

I'm curious how you know this? There's a picture in my head of you up on your roof doing your best verizon guy impression. "Can you hear me now? Good."

Dead spots suck, but I have yet to climb on my roof in an attempt to avoid them.

Haha, I'm putting an addition on my house, and I noticed the reception issue when I was framing the roof.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlamesPuck12

Well the problem is, I have full bars of signal so the service is there and connected. It seems like it can't transfer data with the cell tower. Is there some kind of equivalence of pinging a website from a computer for the phone? Something like pinging the cell tower and seeing if I get a response.

I am not tech savvy enough to know, but, I would think there's a way.

Yeah_Baby · 09-16-2010, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flamesfan6

my 2 cents: apple sucks = iphone sucks

(i am soo getting banned for this, or a ear full from that guy who likes apple so much, what's his name? oh right fanin80)

switch to a better phone, thats my response

To quote Wheton's law, "Don't be a dick".

FlamesKickAss · 09-16-2010, 04:02 PM

You're holding it wrong..

FlamesPuck12 · 09-16-2010, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlamesKickAss

You're holding it wrong..

Got my free case on :P

FlamesPuck12 · 09-18-2010, 01:00 AM

Anyone an expert regarding cell towers?
It's really getting annoying that my phone is pretty much a deadweight on campus.

metallicat · 09-18-2010, 01:15 AM

Have you called Bell about it?

algernon · 09-18-2010, 10:36 AM

http://www.ertyu.org/steven_nikkel/cancellsites.html

From the cell towers in Calgary map, in the bottom right hand corner, there is an ad for "indoor cell boosters"...

Quote:

Canadian Indoor Cell Phone Signal Boosters
For Bell, Telus, Rogers, Sasktel, Aliant, MTS
and all regional carriers-Stop the dropped calls
and no service inside-For Homes and Businesses
www.magicwireless.ca

I have no idea if that's a solution for you, but calling Bell should be done first.

FlamesPuck12 · 09-18-2010, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

Have you called Bell about it?

I hate calling their customer service line but I guess in this case I have no other choice.

FlamesPuck12 · 09-21-2010, 04:19 PM

Alright so I just got off the phone with the technical solutions department and they said the region I'm in was "moderate coverage zone" or something like that and that the engineering team is working on the issue to fix the issue which could take couple weeks to months.

So right now I want to switch providers so my phone isn't a deadweight on the campus.

I still have a year left on my contract with Bell so I was wondering if there is a way to get Bell to release my contract since they can't provide me any service at all while taking $70 bucks a month. Is there anyway to get them to release me from the contract without the cancellation fee given the circumstances?