Verizon iPhone Ad Targets AT&T Reception, AT&T Giving Out Free Microcells to Some Cu

[gehrbox]

I always found this to be the most interesting part of the MicroCell fine print. WTF is wrong with AT&T charging me twice for the same data, really.

The Microcell use does not incur any additional charges, when you use your phone with it uses the minutes that are part of you wireless plan. That is the regular rate they refer to. You have the option of paying $20 a month to have unlimited minutes during Microcell usage however, no matter what the maximum contract minutes are for your phone.

 

[bergmef]

Except for the LA (Lower Alabama) area of FL, the state is awash in AT&T coverage. Also, its geography favors GSM from what I've been told, since it has very few hills or changes in elevation. For example, the elevation change between Orlando and the Space Coast 50 miles away is 70 feet....in other words its flat as a board.

However, sadly the rest of the United States is not like CF.

I would switch to the big V if you can get out of the Death Star if there was not too much cost involved.

I don't think you mean 'favors GSM', just favors radio waves in general by being flat. There is a distance limit on GSM. For some reason 5Km is sticking in my head (2.5 mile-ish). I don't think CDMA has a limit but, the true limit would be the handsets output power going back to the tower. No good if it can't make it back to the tower. Again, all that is ruling out freq, buildings ... and all the other stuff. The 700MHz band verizon is, and ATT will be, for LTE should be nice for end users.

 

[Rafterman]

By your comment above, I'm sure others agree with me that this phone is not for you. Actually, you should stick to a landline. You have no idea how to use a cell phone, probably never heard of Bluetooth headgear, don't have the need to look for information while on the phone, sometimes to assist someone who is lost or needs technical assistance over the phone. That's not being rude. And of course, nobody here is saying they are going to talk on the phone and browse the Internet while driving, so your comment is out of place.
Don't waste your time here either, go fishing instead.

A little harsh, but I agree in principle. Actually, the mere act of using a cell phone in public is rude. So the extra step of using data to check something while putting someone on hold is minor. More likely, comments like those from some people are simply those trying to justify not having a useful feature like talk n' surf

 

[Eriamjh1138@DAN]

Wouldn't it be really nice if the iPhone5 was compatible with Sprint and T-Mobile?

 

[Themaeds]

Yawn

Haha.

AT&T iP4 User: "Hey sending you the new spreadsheet and graph now, ok sent, let me know what you think."

Verizon iP4 User: "Ok let me see.... I'm gonna have to call you back."

AT&T IP4 User that lives in any major city: Ok Ill s____ you th_s_ D____ents.....Bill are you there? Bill? Hello?

 

[stockscalper]

I'm driving and using Navigon to give me directions and a call comes in. With AT&T I answer the call and Navigon slips to the background and returns when I hang up. With Verizon Navigon closes out and I have to restart it, wait for it to acquire a GPS signal and then recalculate my route that I have had to re-enter. Meanwhile, I've just missed an important turn.

Yes, Verizon sure rules the air don't they?

 

[rsocal]

I travel to California on business about 4 times a year and I DO drop calls all the time. I can't get any reception in or around LAX at all, it is just awful.

You must have a defective phone I live in Thousand Oaks and go to LA area and LAX and do not have issues. At LAX on a recent trip to NYC with my wife & daughter all 3 of our iPhone 4's worked just fine making calls, sending texts and surfing the internet on 3G. I switched to airport WiFi for the Internet while waiting for flight and then switched back to 3G as the airport WiFi sucked.

I'm not saying AT&T is better then VZ and I'm glad to see that there will now be competition and that should bring us better pricing and service, I hope?

 

[Schizoid]

are there any websites running Mac rumors at all?

 

[bergmef]

I'm driving and using Navigon to give me directions and a call comes in. With AT&T I answer the call and Navigon slips to the background and returns when I hang up. With Verizon Navigon closes out and I have to restart it, wait for it to acquire a GPS signal and then recalculate my route that I have had to re-enter. Meanwhile, I've just missed an important turn.

Yes, Verizon sure rules the air don't they?

They don't cache anything map wise? What if you are driving out of 3G on ATT? That means you lose the map and miss your turn. Is this what really happens? Why does losing the cell signal kill the GPS chip? I thought A-GPS used data on the cells to know what part of the sky and the satelites above, to have the GPS lock on faster. Once it's on, then it's all on the GPS chip.

No way I would buy software written like that. You need to post it on their app site as a bug report. I'll stick to my Garmin.

 

[TWSS37]

@Themaeds haha... So true!!! At least verizon gives me the option to hang up instead of att's "auto disconnect"!

 

[TWSS37]

use google maps, problem solved.

 

[NoExpectations]

The Next 10 Seconds

"Jerk....why did you call me?....My data session terminated....now I have to download that large file all over again!"

 

[0815]

After all the moaning and groaning THIS. Slower data? Can't make calls and surf the net (among other things). Wifi hotspot (I mean they are pushing this) feature interrupted when receiving a call? No thanks.

This is a good point: WiFi Hotspot going dead when receiving a call ...

I always thought that data on the phone is nice, but not that important while on a call - but if it kills the Hotspot, that is bad !

 

[spazzcat]

A little harsh, but I agree in principle. Actually, the mere act of using a cell phone in public is rude. So the extra step of using data to check something while putting someone on hold is minor. More likely, comments like those from some people are simply those trying to justify not having a useful feature like talk n' surf

I use GPS on my phone all time and handsfree in my car. It would suck to lose my maps/nav because someone called me...

 

[spazzcat]

This is a good point: WiFi Hotspot going dead when receiving a call ...

I always thought that data on the phone is nice, but not that important while on a call - but if it kills the Hotspot, that is bad !

When you are on a call there is no data, so no hotspot.

 

[rsocal]

Why argue about what network is better or worse, just get the one that works for you. Some people will have better luck with VZ and some with AT&T, it's the iPhone we all want and enjoy and now it's on 2 good solid networks!

Who gives a frogs fat ass about saying my network is better then yours, i know some people who love T Mobile and Sprint, it's just service that makes your toy work.

I was on Verizon before the iPhone came out and switched to AT&T the day iPhone came out. I've had great service from AT&T and noticed no difference between call service from when I had VZ. Both companies work great where I'm at and if it's true that AT&T's network is faster as well as being able to talk & surf there's no reason for me to switch. But I'll wait and see what happens with pricing?

 

[JoJoCal19]

I'm not an AT&T 'fanboy'... That would be ridiculous..

I was a Verizon customer for 8 years. I live in Metro Detroit and never really had any problems with Verizon. But I owned an ipod touch and wished it to be my phone. So, I switched to AT&T and got an iphone 3g, and now currently I'm on an iphone 4.

Here is my experience. CALL QUALITY, which is something nobody has mentioned, is vastly INFERIOR on Verizon. Seriously. Also, I have no idea how CDMA compares to GSM but do this - call somebody with a GSM phone that you are standing next to. No delay in talking to them. Try the same test with CDMA. 1 second delay. Seems meaningless, but it must mean something!

Anyways, On day two of AT&T I experienced two dropped calls. Not cool. Thankfully this wasn't a pattern and it had something to do with freeway overpasses. My reception was spotty, definitely worse than Verizon.

In early to mid 2010 reception on AT&T was at an all time low. I did notice they were repairing and building towers near me.

Now for the last 8 months I have only experienced 1 dropped call and 3 scrambled calls. Seriously. This is amazing. I went to San Francisco recently, a problematic area, and despite my 5 days there I never once had a reception or data problem as exaggerated online. I think they might've fixed it and y'all are BSing. Bottom line is AT&T reluctantly invested in their network over the past year or so and it's a huge improvement. These early reviews about voice quality and reception... how long have the reviewers had the devices? I call BS. AT&T might be the big bad but Verizon wireless is the bigger bad. Anybody that switches without a legitimate reason is a friggin moron and needs to be shot in the back of their skull mafia style.

I enjoy my roll over minutes and lower data plan prices. "hey dad you lost again? hold on let me pull up a map of where you are at" can't do that on verizon. You mad bro?

Hmmm thats funny. I traveled to Michigan recently for a wedding and flew into Detroit. Traveled around Detroit for a while and then drove to Grand Rapids and then to many other places in MI. Verizon was FLAWLESS and the people I knew that had iPhones had absolute crap for signal in most areas outside of Detroit. There was not an area in Detroit where I didn't have full or near full signal on Verizon and my call quality was perfect.

 

[Popeye206]

So now T-Mobile is going to have to try twice as hard to get people not to go with iPhone in general.

The T-Mobile commercials are soooo annoying. I love that they tout a 4G network that is pointless unless you live in specific area's of large metro areas. I won't see 4G from anyone for at least a year or more where I live.

But... did see a new one last night where they were picking on AT&T and Verizon with the iPhone. They are just jealous.

But it does show that the iPhone is still considered the one to beat by the phone companies.

 

[JoJoCal19]

I'm driving and using Navigon to give me directions and a call comes in. With AT&T I answer the call and Navigon slips to the background and returns when I hang up. With Verizon Navigon closes out and I have to restart it, wait for it to acquire a GPS signal and then recalculate my route that I have had to re-enter. Meanwhile, I've just missed an important turn.

Yes, Verizon sure rules the air don't they?

No, most GPS apps have the maps on the device and the GPS does not depend on the data connection. If I remember correctly Navigon stores maps on the device as well. So no, your story is wrong. Also good luck with using non cached map programs on AT&T because their 3G is almost non existent outside of major metro areas while I have solid EVDO on backroads and rural country.

 

[wahoo1991]

Free AT&T Microcell offer

I will confirm I received a free Microcell mid-year last year from AT&T. I will recommend if you are having problems with the reception at your home, download the app from AT&T "Mark the spot" and notifiy AT&T everyday of your reception issues. Not sure if it is the reason, but I received my Microcell offer a short time later. Works fine now.

 

[deputy_doofy]

Perhaps you should disable 3G when you want to make an important call. The 2G call handling is so much better than 3G (of either GSM or CDMA).

TEG

THIS. People always look at me like I have 3 heads when I tell them that I use my iPhone on EDGE (2G, I suppose) for the majority of the time. Unless I need high speed or I'm driving and need to talk and use GPS, (simultaneous) 3G is at least an option.
As for voice, I find AT&T's EDGE far better.

 

[Mistrblank]

It's pretty sad that AT&T has to offer free Microcell devices to boost cell phone signals in houses. It's disgusting that this offer only happens now that Verizon is carrying the iPhone 4. Are they officially admitting their cell signal sucks and have been providing customers inadequate service for years?

Actually, they've been offering them free to customers for the last year.

 

[zin]

"Can you hold when I do _____ irrelevant activity for my own benefit?"

Typical. An area where AT&T excels and Verizon fans are discrediting it by trying to disguise it as being "rude" or "unnecessary." AT&T may be bad (I'm working off the numerous blunt opinions over the company) but there really is no need to discredit an awesome feature just because a competitor, who may have a better public representation, is now in the game.

What about deciding on a movie, a place to eat, a hotel to decide upon with your friend? How is that irrelevant and/or for your own benefit? I know it's extremely difficult to believe, but there are genuine reasons why people use data and voice simultaneously (and in no way should be construed as being rude or unnecessary; it's a feature for goodness sake!).

 

[Popeye206]

"Jerk....why did you call me?....My data session terminated....now I have to download that large file all over again!"

Okay... not picking on any one person... but I don't get it with the hot spots.

I travel. I use my iPhone a ton for checking email and checking things out. But I can't imagine why I would want to broadcast a hot spot on my iPhone. Sure it would be helpful sometimes where I might want to fire up the laptop and respond with a more lengthy email, but those times are rare, and if I really need internet, most of the time it can wait or I can find a hot spot - it's not that hard... heck most McDonalds have them now. Also, if I have to download a large file, I'm going to do that on WiFi.

So, my point is, I would never pay $30 a month for that service. It just makes no sense to me.

So what is the real value of hot spots? Am I missing something? Seems like something some people want just to say they have it.

 

[Bigskygangsta]

AT&T needs to put all its capital into wireless.

Oh man, how many business calls have I screwed up because of AT&T. You know when you're chasing a potential client lead for month and then you finally get to speak to someone, AT&T drops 4 times in a call.

I agree!! I can't tell you how many times I've sped around trying to keep a signal long enough to finish a critical business conversation. Never happens when I'm talking to my homeboys though...

If Verizon could handle simultaneous calls and data, I'd switch asap.