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Verizon iPhone 6s+ and iPhone 7+ holds onto 3G in a strong LTE area

Freakonomics101

Freakonomics101

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Nov 6, 2014
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Hey everyone! Hope all is well. So this has been going on with both iPhones I've had listed in the title. It's been going on all throughout iOS 10.

Last night, I went and visited my dad. Verizon delivers a very weak signal inside his home. LTE is unusable in most areas of his home. Could barely send a text. Switched to 3G and had an awesome signal.... was shocked! Anyway, I left and went back into an area with a great LTE signal but the iPhone remained on 3G. This has happened to both iPhones I've had and I don't believe it's a software issue because I started from scratch on my iPhone 7+ to see if it was a software problem.

So I'm wondering if any of you have this same issue, maybe with other carriers (even HSPA+ to LTE).

Thanks!
 
Applejuiced said:
Sounds like a Carrier settings issue.
....
Click to expand...

That's not how config settings work, they are just normal data, they aren't executable data.

The OS isn't running a carrier app to connect to cell towers.

It is up to the OS to do whatever it wants with those settings.
 
macfacts said:
That's not how config settings work, they are just normal data, they aren't executable data.

It is up to the OS to do whatever it wants with those settings.
Click to expand...

Carrier config files have certain parameters and dictate how the device behaves when it connects to the carriers network and how it hands off calls and data from 3G to LTE and also the way wifi callings connects, stays connected or switches from wifi calling to carrier network.
So no it's not up to the OS or the device to do whatever it wants.
 
macfacts said:
Parameters are just options passed on to a function or app. Parameters are not instructions.
Click to expand...

Carrier configuration files include instructions on how your device connects to the network and how it performs certain carrier functions.
What are you arguing about? That carrier settings do not do anything and the OS or phone does whatever it wants when connecting to a wireless network?
 
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Applejuiced said:
Carrier configuration files include instructions on how your device connects to the network and how it performs certain carrier functions.
What are you arguing about? That carrier settings do not do anything and the OS or phone does whatever it wants when connecting to a wireless network?
Click to expand...

Blame game rules: Never Apple's Fault.

Must be carrier's fault.
 
I don't recall this happening with AT&T and T-Mobile a lot. It happened with T-Mobile every now and then but I don't think I had any issues with it on AT&T.

But with Verizon, it sticks to 3G every time when entering an LTE area again.

Not sure about Sprint. Haven't been a customer since 2011 when I had an iPhone 4s.

Edit: I remember going up to northern Michigan when I had AT&T. T-Mobile would stick onto AT&T's network sometimes but it would always switch from T-Mobile HSPA+ back to LTE. Got the two mixed up.
 
Last edited:
I have this problem too. One side of the building where I work has poor LTE coverage, so it drops to 3G. When I go back to the other side of the building, I sometimes have to turn airplane mode off and on to get it to switch back to LTE. I also had AT&T and didn't have this problem, although the coverage was better at work.
 
I have Verizon, and do not have this issue. The parking garage drops me to 3G every day, but the phone goes right back to LTE as soon as I drive out. 7+ on the beta, currently. For what it's worth, I switched to them a month ago, so maybe my account was provisioned with something slightly different than yours.
 
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DaveOP said:
I have Verizon, and do not have this issue. The parking garage drops me to 3G every day, but the phone goes right back to LTE as soon as I drive out. 7+ on the beta, currently. For what it's worth, I switched to them a month ago, so maybe my account was provisioned with something slightly different than yours.
Click to expand...

That or the latest iOS beta you're using has an updated carrier settings file.
 
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I had this problem with a Nexus 6 - the phone was confirmed to have problems. I've never had this problem with an iPhone. I know in areas of low reception my phone may just give up on LTE and hang onto 3G while I'm in that low reception area but as soon as I go back to high reception, it hits LTE pretty quickly.

Long long time ago - days before LTE, I had a problem where Verizon accidentally removed 3G from my account and actually had to go to high level support and spend a week reprogramming my line to add 3G. Probably not related but it reminded me of this. :) (Droid 1 days).

Settings --> Cellular --> Cellular Data Options (Enable LTE should have Voice & Data). I leave Roaming to Voice Only (default I think).

Same for you?
 
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