Google: Nexus One 3G issues result of poor coverage, bugs; patch possibly within a week
By Chris Ziegler 
posted January 25th 2010 6:01PM
posted January 25th 2010 6:01PM
Looks like Google's investigation into the crappy 3G claims on the Nexus One are winding down, and it's a one-two combo of good news and bad news. First, the bad: preliminary findings suggest that poor 3G coverage factors into it, at least in part -- a believable story considering that T-Mobile has the smallest 3G footprint of the four US nationals. Now, the good: there's a software component to the problem, too, and the company says that it's already testing a fix. So far, testing is looking good -- so good, in fact, that an over-the-air update could be available "in the next week or so." It sucks that this partly boils down to crappy coverage, but we'll have to see where things stand after the patch gets rolled out -- and hopefully this'll serve as a high-profile reminder to T-Mobile that it needs to step on the gas (and to Google that it might want to expand its horizons).[Thanks, Wesley]
If Tmobile upped their 3g coverage area i would probably move to them.
They have some good phones, HD2, Nexus one and the N900, and their prices are right, they just lack coverage in my area, which happens to be NJ one of the most densely populated states, go figure.
@jcar302 I live in NJ too, North East Bergen County...no 3G problems here...bit I notice when I ride down towards Maryland other counties don't have the same luck. What county do you live in?
@AbsoluteDesignz
Ocean county.
For some reason Tmobile has a huge hole in coverage period in central NJ.
If you look at their coverage map in my area and just south, it's white as in zero coverage.
This is why not ever one person i know has Tmobile.
I can't believe Google's stooped this low to fuckin blaming T-Mobile and trying to make them the bad guy and scapegoat in all of this which is ALL THE NEXUS ONE'S FAULT.
Every fuckin complaint you hear is of shitty 3G reception with the N1 or no 3G, or constant fluctuating between EDGE and 3G. And what do all these people say? That they get 3G perfectly fine with other T-Mobile 3G capable handsets.
I own a G1 and I ALWAYS have 3G here in NYC so don't fuckin bullshit me Google.
Forget Google now, can't believe they pulled this bitch move by blaming T-Mobile. Step up and be a man, take care of your problems and take some responsibility, remember your slogan of not bieng evil?
I can say without a doubt that I get amazing 3G coverage here in NYC on my G1 with about 4-5mbps on mobilespeedtest.com. I rarely see EDGE, I'm almost always locked into 3G. I've had 2 G1's and it's been the case for both of them. I did realize though that T-Mo's 3G got even better after they unleashed 7.2mbps HSPA, now I stay locked into 3G even more than before.
Everyone else I know with a CLIQ, MT3G and G1 on T-Mo all the same too, no one has a problem with 3G. And I haven't heard any complaints about any other phone about not getting T-Mo's 3G either. Just the Nexus One.
Stop blaming and trying to take out your problems on T-Mobile ok Google? Get of your ass and fix your problems and make a patch/fix for the Nexus One for it's poor 3G reception.
T-Mobile may not be the largest 3G carrier, but they have nice data service. Their 3G/data is very reliable for me AND very fast. Quality > quantity, because it depends on where you live. Here in NYC I have no reason to switch to shitty AT&T because their network is garbage over here plus their prices can't compare to T-Mo. I love Sprint's NFL Mobile Live but I don't need Sprint, T-Mo works for me and has better phones, pricing is about the same. And I don't need Verizon, screw their $350 ETF, horrible prices and EV-DO that's not as fast as T-Mo's 7.2mbps HSPA. T-Mo has the best prices, insane ones at that and the best phones and godly coverage for me.
I'm getting an HD2 when it comes out btw, passed on the Nexus One. This video sold me on the HD2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxkIJdG2brU
@marik1234 , they said they are coming out with a patch, perhaps in a week or so. After that, it should get the same signal as other T-Mobile 3G phones.
@marik1234
I agree. My G1 never had problems like this. I'm sure the software patch is all that's needed.
@marik1234 I agree Marik, as much as I LOVE my NExus One, my G1 held a 3G connection EVERYWHERE I went. My Nexus One Fluctuates ALL THE DAMN time in the very same places my Other T-Mobile 3G phones hold a solid FULL bar status.
Its the Firmware and they really need to push out a new one fast, I really Expected MORE from Google than not to own up to their own fault.
I really love Google too.... *shakes head***
@marik1234
agreed, I have been a long standing T-Mobile customer and have already gone through 4 iterations of Android on seperate phones and my personal experience tells me that no emphasis should be put on T-Mobile's network. I know Google is trying to cover all the bases with such a blanket statement like that, which I don't blame them for because it can happen whether or not theres malfunctioning code, but I have been all across in Southern California, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, New York, Washington, Texas, and Louisiana in the past 2 years with my other Android phones and I almost never had such a bad a problem as this.
No issues with mine on ATT
@GeekGirl No shit sherlock. No 3G = No problems
@choffy21 hey not worried as long as i dont:) and the new iPhone is coming....
@GeekGirl True. But if what Bloomberg posted is true, then it may not matter who you're on.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aj0GERrpPuhQ&pos=6
Maybe it's time for companies like Google and Apple to start thinking about taking over the carrier business.
Nexus hasn't even sold 50,000,000 units like the iPhone has. And they already having grips of problems. Blaming it on tmobil.
Tmobil blaming it on htc. Htc blaming google etc. How weak.
I was right. No iponekiller here. Y u ask.failed to sell million in 72 hours.can't even replace an an iPod touch.
@logic thinker, re-read the post. They are saying it is bad software, plus weaknesses in the network. IOW, they are getting complaints from people who won't get 3G even after the software is fixed. They aren't blaming T-Mobile for the phone not working in 3G mode in NYC. They are telling people outside urban areas that they may not get 3G even after the patch is done.
As for Apple,d didn't they have activation issues the week the original iPhone issue came out, before they sold 50 million? Didn't they have similar issues a year later when the 3G came out? Bugs happen all the time.
nice atleast those effected can be happy now. Im not effected
T-Mobile is GARBAGE, and I won't even consider buying the Nexus One until it hits Verizon. Once the device hits Verizon, it's a DONE DEAL ! I can't wait to DUMP my MASSIVELY OVER-HYPED BB9700, which I purchased to replace my iToy 3GS.
@jds4000 You're Garbage NOT T-Mobile you hound.
@jds4000 Man you seem pretty upset. Did you just get your Verizon bill today?
There is actually a patch for poor coverage?
Did you mean pooch? Because a pooch would be more effective for poor coverage than a patch. Please clarify.
Here's the exact post:
Hello Folks,
I wanted to post an update to the Nexus One Help Forum to let you know what we've been working on to help address the 3G issues some of you have been facing. I also wanted to thank you for being patient as we work to investigate the problem, an effort which has included our hardware partners.
Our engineers have uncovered specific cases for which a software fix should improve connectivity to 3G for some users. We are testing this fix now, initial results are positive, and if everything progresses as planned, we will provide an over-the-air software update to your phone in the next week or so. It may be, however, that users are experiencing problems as a result of being on the edge or outside of 3G coverage, which a product fix cannot address.
Thanks again for your patience and for your feedback, and we will continue to keep you informed.
Thanks,
Ravi
So technically, you're gonna have to have coverage to get the patch which gets you coverage...
even with a patch if this phone ever comes to at&t it will still have 3g coverage problems which will be blamed on the phone
Can Engadget also do a story on the fact that I cant send MMS messages to ATT or Verizon customers on my Nexus?..other boards are full of the same story.
@genomecop
It is a well known fact that this type of problem occurs on almost any network occasionally... kind of a paradox i know
It makes sense that so many people would be 'shocked' by the lack of coverage; after all, google REQUIRED you be a new sign up, which guarantees they couldn't have known if there was 3g in their respective area before signing up, and thus, they wouldn't know if the cause was Nexus/Goog or Tmo. Probably less goog's fault than it appeared, especially if those were former Vz customers.
I'm sorry, but how short is everyone's memory? The Nexus One was shown side-by-side with a G1 that had full T-Mo 3G, and the Nexus was stuck on Edge. Way to shift the blame Goog! Yes, T-Mo needs to expand their network rapidly, but that is not the issue with the Nexus.
@RockTripod, they are admitting there is a software issue. There will be a patch in the next week or so. The part about T-Mobile seems to be a disclaimer so that people who live outside of 3G areas don't complain when they don't get 3G next week.
Many of you are sorely lacking in the area of reading comprehension. If you re-read the actual post by the Google employee, he says "Our engineers have uncovered specific cases for which a software fix should improve connectivity to 3G for some users..." This is Google admitting that SOME of the N1 units are being affected by a software bug. Other units, such as mine, are not being affected by this issue (I have compared my data reception to my gf's CLIQ and we get 3G and EDGE in all the same places). Even though I have a properly functioning N1 I still don't get 3G everywhere, which is why the Google employee also states "It may be, however, that users are experiencing problems as a result of being on the edge or outside of 3G coverage, which a product fix cannot address." So, because I have a properly functioning N1, no software update is going to give me 3G where I currently get EDGE. So this isn't Google "shifting the blame to T-Mobile," it's a short disclaimer explaining that the software fix isn't going to magically give everyone 3G everywhere. The network, itself, has its limitations.
people are putting their other android 3g phones next to the nexus one and seeing problems.
i walked into a t-mobile store, took out my N1 and went right to the android display and checked each phone. i was the only one in edge.
All "G..." OS/Android buzz will ends in 2015, when Goggle managers realized that system is build on the clay feet.
Mobile OS future is only with Apple, MS and BlackB. Others will lose.
Google will dominate search for the next 10 years max. And it is better if they spend most of the money on that. Apple and MS will be next search dominant. They have real OS, real devices, real support. They care about clients, Google - not.
Um, hello, it's both. I don't think anyone is trying to argue that that there is nothing wrong with the Nexus, there is a bug and Google has handled that fact crappily. However, T-Mobile has shitty 3G coverage in a lot of their 3G markets. I am not talking about New York because I don't care what network you use, if you have shitty Manhattan coverage you're done. I, for example, live in the Bay Area: a lot of people but a lot of area and geographic hindrances to cover as well. A lot of areas are EDGE only regardless of what phone you use because they just haven't built out the network yet. Give it a year or two and things should get better.
Goes to show just how bad the Mobile network coverage is in the US. Ive been all over the place with my N1 in Queensland, Australia (Ive covered about 4000km over the last month), and Optus 3G coverage hasn't missed a beat.
Muppets..
So in the last two days; my Nexus one has travelled in Asia.
In South Korea I'm on SKT (local SIM); which on my seperate Korean phone has FULL signal with UMTS. On my Nexus One, I go from full signal, to one bar, to occasional drop to 3 bars. In the same area my Korean Phone (UMTS as well) is FULL signal the whole time.
Today I'm in Taiwan; On Chunghwa and FarEastTone I go to 3G then drop the connection then go to 3G full signal then no signal then full signal. I put my SIM into my Korean phone and it's Full or near full signal everywhere.
In the US I'm a T-Mobile US user... What I fail to get here is why my G1 has EXCELLENT coverage in the US and out of the US (on non T-Mobile 3G networks with FULL coverage on previous trips) yet the Nexus one sucks eggs in the US, Taiwan and Korea.
It "ain't" a T-Mobile US issue; Google is masking a real issue here. It's called real world 3G networks. If it isn't working in South Korea (which has REALLY good coverage on UMTS) I can suspect it's the phone... In Taiwan the coverage isn't great but it's generally better than the US. So bottom line is Google has an issue with Nexus One; admit it and move forward with the workaround.
Quit blaming the networks.. The networks that work FINE on the G1 and other 3G devices. Either the RF sucks on the Nexus One or there are legit radio firmware issues that can be fixed. Get your head screwed on straight and be forthright.
I love the phone; just hate the crappy 3G connectivity; now proven for myself as a NON-T-Mobile specific issue.
Nice. Way to throw TMO under the bus, GOOG.
If it's a poor network then why the hell does my MT3G not have this issue? OH. I know. It's not a coverage issues.
Man, GOOG is an epic newb at doing business with partners that aren't their bitches (like advertisers).
3G coverage is great in UK on Vodafone, I have no issues at all apart from the lack of decent widgets.
I had to switch from tmo because I live on the street in a metro area that is the slice-a-deadzone every carrier has. It's still like that too. It's a shame cause they have quite the pimpin' lineup coming...
Poor Coverage??? Between my self and about 20 other colleagues across the country whom I have spoken with in the past couple of weeks, the problem has nothing to do with coverage, at least for us. We all were rockin' the G1/MyTouch 3G/Hero etc... with full 3G coverage in our respective parts of the country. Once we switched to the Nexus one, that is when the 3G signal was all over the place. So if I have perfect 3G coverage at home with my G1 and shoddy 3G coverage at home with the Nexus one, does that constitute a coverage issue? It doesn't sound like it.
Granted that this may be the issue for some as T-Mo is still expanding it's 3G footprint, but from reading blogs, posts, and interacting with Nexus One owners, I am seeing a Much larger trend suggesting a software issue to blame as opposed to a coverage issue. I guess we will see pretty soon as it seems a patch is right around the corner. I can't wait!
I love how the hardware fails because of software.
What if they made a patch to up the amps on the wireless signals and fried all our brains with just 1 phone call?
This is madness.
Glad I returned mine... I blame more HTC than Google... it's the hardware afterall...
HTC did it on purpose to make everyone (esp on T-Mo) wait for and get the Bravo, but mainly HD2
its a conspiracy
rofl jk but roflmao if it was true
I'm a big cell phone fan, and just a wild ass guess, there are 2 issues with the Crapus One, the antenna needs redesigned, perhaps the whole phone, and there's a software/firmware issue.
Google needs to think hard about what they want to do here, I suggest a recall. And dare I say, give the phone back to HTC and get out of the phone retailing business, it's tarnishing the brand.
The return rate on these things must be pretty high, I'm thinking Storm I levels returns...
I'm not an Android/Google hater, I'm a long time Android user, and a decade long TMobile customer, using a Cyanogen ROM on a G1, and loving it in a manner that Mosspuppet loves the Apple tablet, and the way that dude in South Carolina loves his horse...
With Larry & Sergy selling massive blocks of stock, we're entering the period when bean counters are going to control what Google does, think: "We're going to be evil now."