Having Problems with Unlocked iPhone After T-Mobile's Network Updates

I'm just curious if anyone else is having problems with their T-Mobile service in an area that has been updated. I've had two iPhone's on T-Mobile through Wal-Mart's "My Family Mobile" for some time now. They've always worked great except for the fact that the phone is limited to the Edge network.

Now suddenly in the last few days I'm constantly getting no signal or a signal but calls and texts won't go through. I would think it's my phone, but it started happening to my wife's iPhone as well. Both are 3GS, but hers is factory unlocked, mine jailbroken and it seems odd that it's happening to both. I took my phone to the Genuis Bar and they couldn't find anything wrong with it.

Then I found this random post where someone complains that their unlocked phone on T-Mobile's network started having problems after the network was upgraded and they switched to Straight Talk's AT&T option and the problems went away - http://consumerist.com/2012/07/09/t-mobile-signal-finally-fails-on-my-unlocked-iphone/

I just found it interesting because we live in Kansas City and it was just updated by T-Mobile presumably for the new iPhone. It seems odd that I would start getting worse service because T-Mobile is trying to improve their network for the iPhone so I'm just curious if anyone else is having this problem. If nothing changes in the next few days though, I'm probably going to be forced to switch to Straight Talk.

Hmm. Maybe I'll wait a few days. My phone is both personal and work though, so if it doesn't correct soon I'll have to do something.

Just an update for anyone else in this situation since it's been a week since I first starting constantly losing a signal and the ability to receive calls and texts. The first 2-3 were horrible. Then I had the ability to call/text probably 50-60% of the time for a day or so. Now things seem to be mostly working. However, there is one problem. I still see my phone periodically lose all bars and then, within a few seconds, regain a signal. It sounds like the phone is still having to work more than normal to connect. The side effect of this is that the battery is being drained in the same way it is when you are in an area without service and your phone constantly searches for a signal. In my case, the phone barely holds a charge half a day. We will see if things improve because that's not workable for me in the long-term. It's weird to see how "improving" a network could cause so many problems here in Kansas City.

I'm waiting it out at this point. I don't think it's the phone because my wife's iPhone and mine are both affected and both have run perfectly in the same area for 2 years.

What's weird to me is that one other phone we have that's just a "dumb phone" on the same account is completely unaffected. I could understand if the 3G data went in and out but I don't understand why the signal is coming and going on iPhones, but doesn't seem to be on other phones.

upnorth85 said:

If you shut off data and 3G and run the network on Edge only, does it still loose tower connection?

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I don't think turning off 3G has much of an effect either way. It's now holding a signal for the most part. I'm just trying to figure out why my battery is draining in half a day. Maybe my battery is dying at the same time, it just seems like a really odd coincidence.

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AutoUnion39 said:

Poor quality network that is being overloaded because of all the iPhones.

Switch to StraightTalk and jump on a better network

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I've considered that, but I'm going to give it some time as I've got a better deal than StraightTalk. I've been on T-Mobile's network for years, with over two years of that with iPhones, and I haven't had any problems.