How is service around the city? I am moving to downtown Chicago in a few weeks and was curious how the service is for the area
Happy with 3G speeds? Slow 3G speeds?
Happy with 3G speeds? Slow 3G speeds?
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Question for those 3G users in Chicago
- Thread starter DiamondMac
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I just moved to downtown Chicago a few months ago, I haven't been able to pick up one of the new iPhones yet though. The lines have still been pretty ridiculous.
Hopefully I'll be able to grab one next week, so I will know the speed after that!
Hopefully I'll be able to grab one next week, so I will know the speed after that!
I usually get full 3G reception when I'm in the city, although there are few weaker spots when walking near skyscrapers and narrow alleys.
Can' tell you about all of Chicago, but 3g reception in the northern suburbs is lousy.
See my thread about this:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/531651/
See my thread about this:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/531651/
I've only had AT&T since Friday so I can't say a lot, but so far my experience is good. I've had decent coverage everywhere in the South-Loop, West-Loop, and University Village. In my ground level old brick apartment I get 1-3 bars, in my office on the 9th floor I get full bars.
I haven't done a speed test yet, but it seems pretty good -- it wasn't too bad browsing the transit information last night, and that is pdf and graphic heavy.
Be warned that many people will say "Chicago" when in fact they mean some suburb 40 miles out.
I haven't done a speed test yet, but it seems pretty good -- it wasn't too bad browsing the transit information last night, and that is pdf and graphic heavy.
Be warned that many people will say "Chicago" when in fact they mean some suburb 40 miles out.
I actually live about 1 mile from the west side in a tiny burb, but I work and go to school in the loop - in the loop I usually get about 4-5 bars of 3G, it remains consistent till I get to the block i live on where 3G just disappears. This is fairly common from what I have seen of the suburbs and some parts of the city (in the north Rogers Park area). It goes from great coverage to no 3G and great edge coverage...it is very rare that I find the edge coverage to be bad...so if you are traveling outside the loop then at least you will get something.
Speeds are noting compared to what some people are reporting on here - using the inetwork.app I get like 40 or kb/s sometimes more today I got 65kb/s and just now i was able to get 129 - using the web based test from inetwork I usually get around 400-500 kb/s and once I got like 660 or so...this is all in the loop with on average 4 bars of 3G.
In terms of the northern burbs, Skokie and Evanston - coverage with 3G is about the same as the loop and speeds consistent, however, the residential areas see a significant drop in signal indoors - so I assume those areas are on the very cusp of 3G coverage
Speeds are noting compared to what some people are reporting on here - using the inetwork.app I get like 40 or kb/s sometimes more today I got 65kb/s and just now i was able to get 129 - using the web based test from inetwork I usually get around 400-500 kb/s and once I got like 660 or so...this is all in the loop with on average 4 bars of 3G.
In terms of the northern burbs, Skokie and Evanston - coverage with 3G is about the same as the loop and speeds consistent, however, the residential areas see a significant drop in signal indoors - so I assume those areas are on the very cusp of 3G coverage
Appreciate the responses
I am still a little unsure where North-South sides are in terms of where I am living as I am brand new to Chicago
My apartment is 3 blocks away from the corner of E. Ohio Street and N. Michigan Street so whatever side that puts me on, I hope that is the good one
I am still a little unsure where North-South sides are in terms of where I am living as I am brand new to Chicago
My apartment is 3 blocks away from the corner of E. Ohio Street and N. Michigan Street so whatever side that puts me on, I hope that is the good one
Appreciate the responses
I am still a little unsure where North-South sides are in terms of where I am living as I am brand new to Chicago
My apartment is 3 blocks away from the corner of E. Ohio Street and N. Michigan Street so whatever side that puts me on, I hope that is the good one
You're in Streeterville or River North, which would be considered the near north side. I'm sure you will have good coverage there.
It takes a while to learn where all the neighborhoods are. This is probably the best map I've seen so far, http://search.realtyproducer.com/core/maps/chicago-neighborhoods-map.jpg
Downtown Chicago at night, like the center of the city (say Chinatown) is pretty awesome a night. Usually when we go down there late sunday night (1 AM) and the city is dead, and everything is lit up, it's pretty amazing. Although, you always have to be careful in Chicago at night.... but just the inner inner city. I've seen some strange bums...
I am coming from New Orleans
I promise you, I am prepared for whatever Chicago has crime wise
Far western suburbs are spotty at best (despite what the coverage map says). I live just north of Aurora/Naperville. I have great coverage at my house (which is only a short distance from a water tower with a AT&T cell on it)...5 bars most of the time...but when I go driving it usually varies between 1-3 bars. I was traveling along a major commute route (Butterfield Road, route 56) yesterday testing out a new hands free device and my dad said my voice was breaking up. I looked at my phone and it said I had a single bar of 3G.
They still have plenty to do to improve reception out here.
When it's working 3G speeds are great....a definite improvement over Edge.
They still have plenty to do to improve reception out here.
When it's working 3G speeds are great....a definite improvement over Edge.