http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/ Engadget Comments for PCWorld ranks AT&T tops in 3G performance test http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/Feb 23rd 2010 12:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/
FINALLY, as soon as the Nexus or another good Android phone gets to AT&T people will see that it's not the service, it's the crappy iPhone with it's inefficient radio/antenna. Funny how most other people with a 3G phone on AT&T don't complain. ]]>Feb 23rd 2010 12:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/
Then how come we don't hear about iPhones dropping calls in other countries?]]>Feb 23rd 2010 12:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/Feb 23rd 2010 12:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/Feb 23rd 2010 12:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/Feb 23rd 2010 12:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.iphonealley.com/news/iphone-3g-getting-bad-reception-you039re-certainly-not-alone]]>Feb 23rd 2010 12:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/
Yeah, no. That myth was debunked a long time ago by doing extensive testing against other phones in a different country. The iPhone antennas are fine. For example, I have 5 bars all the time in my area, and I never drop calls. How do you explain that?]]>Feb 23rd 2010 12:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/Apple corrects the problem in later batches quietly, not wanting to disturb it's precious public opinion.]]>Feb 23rd 2010 12:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/
In other words, people aren't actually having this problem. Because in your own words, Apple fixed it. But did they? Look a little harder at that article you linked to:

To sum it up:
• There is no conclusive answer
• 3G may just be overwhelmed
• iPhone may just have a terrible antenna (other AT&T phones work just fine)
• Some are claiming a 'poor batch' of iPhones being sold early on
• Apple has yet to make claims of hardware issues

In your mind, do the words "no conclusive answer" somehow mean "the iPhone has terrible reception"? Would you care to explain how you made that leap of logic? We know that the iPhone accounts for 50% of ALL mobile traffic in the US, and that is 100% on AT&T. We also know that it's been bogging down their network and that they're working on fixing it.

Does it not seem reasonable then, to assume that the issues here are due to AT&T's network, and not the iPhone, especially in the face of overwhelming evidence that the iPhone is not the problem? Are you aware that in known AT&T trouble spots like New York, ALL phones on AT&T's network are having the same issues? Give it some thought.]]>Feb 23rd 2010 12:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/Feb 23rd 2010 12:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/
You dont?]]>Feb 23rd 2010 12:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/
So now there are four people all sleeping in the same bed? I'm so confused. It must be one big bed.

One of the guys was ticking off all the others because he wanted to keep the light on to read his magazine. Another had already taken off his horn rimmed glasses and just wanted to sleep. Another wore his mock turtleneck to bed because he was cold. The last guy was cold too and wanted to invite his buddy Luke Wilson to bed for spooning purposes but the other three surprisingly voted that idea down.]]>Feb 23rd 2010 12:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/
And they would be TOTALLY JUSTIFIED in doing so.

You heard it here. AT&T ranks #1.

As an iPhone user I completely agree. You verizon fanboys can cry all you want but you can't deny THE FACTS.]]>Feb 23rd 2010 12:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/
I can answer this to an extent since the last 2 phones before my iphone were the tilt2 (2 months) and the tilt (almost 2 years). The iphone 3GS is much faster, has fewer dropped calls AND has never frozen in the one one month I have used it - compared to the daily tilt freezes.

My wife is also on ATT and she has a Sony Ericsson Cybershot C905 phone and it drops at least if not more calls than the iphone.

But what I have realized since I got the iphone is that I am WAYYYYY more likely to be on the web and use data services than ever before. Before my tilt I had a Blackberry curve for a short time and NEVER used the web browser. Not once that I can remember. I used the navigation may be once and the rest was just email....

I am pretty sure the folks who are negative on the iphone are on networks that do not have the iphone and it's a case of 'sour grapes'. It's plain and simple....the usual.

Also, it's nothing new that ATT 3G is faster. ATT is faster, Verizon has more 3G coverage. Where I live in Northern VA, ATT service is solid and I see LOTS of folks with iphones. I am yet to see a single person with a Nexus One. NOT ONE! I guess the service in my area is good enough that if you want a smartphone the most obvious choice is to get an iphone....unless you're on a verizon contract, then you get a droid or blackberry. 99.99% of Droid users are ex blackberry users and not iphone converts. So that is the story in a nutshell...ATT continues to reap the benefit of their arrangement with Apple. End of story.]]>Feb 23rd 2010 12:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/Feb 23rd 2010 1:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/
I own one unlocked iPhone 3G and i've tested it with different carriers, and one thing I can say for sure: it is one of the worse cellphones when it comes to signal reception.

Places where I get 2 or 3 bars of signal with the iPhone i lose signal frequently or stay with 1 bar only.

But the dropping calls issue I think it's a AT&T issue, because besides losing signal easily, it's something that actually doesn't happen with my carrier.]]>Feb 23rd 2010 1:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/
Give us a couple of minutes to edit typos, Engadget.

Thanks in advance (even though we don't know if this will ever happen),
The community.]]>Feb 23rd 2010 1:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/Feb 23rd 2010 1:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/
if you drop to 0 bars, you lose the call...that's generally how it works. If you just drop to 1, then yes, it should hang on...but if in your experience, the iPhone has terrible reception, like I've been saying here all along, then in places where coverage is already generally weaker (yes, it DOES happen, to ALL carriers), you'll go from 2 bars or so, to 0 and drop a call. I've never dropped a call and then looked at my phone and had a bar. It's always been from being in an elevator, or a basement level of a hospital, or something like that where I have no signal strength. AT&T doesn't just drop calls when you still have reception.]]>Feb 23rd 2010 1:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/And if you say most of tat can be remedied by jailbreaking, well yes, but that decreases performance, cydia is a mess, it makes updates difficult, and anyway I shouldn't have to hack & void the warranty on my phone to use a lot of the functionality.
And crashes? I have a somewhat broken iPhone 3G, not the 3GS, but it crashes on an hourly basis. And yes, I do restart it almost every day.]]>Feb 23rd 2010 1:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/
Cause they don't surf and talk at the same time. They actually have conversations with whom they call.]]>Feb 23rd 2010 1:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/
And yet I have none of those problems, and I never had. Not with my original iPhone, and not with my 3GS. Are you going to ignore that too? Don't forget that you haven't heard from the literally millions of people who aren't having problems. You're only hearing from the few who are. Relatively speaking, they're a very small percentage of iPhone owners.

iCello, your complaints are pretty strange. Calling the iPhone's homescreen cluttered is... well, it's basically suggesting that you don't know what the word cluttered actually means. 16 icons in a grid. Cluttered? Really? Your other complaints are mostly from the viewpoint of somebody who wants a laptop, not a phone. And if your iPhone is crashing, restore it. Mine doesn't crash and never has, and almost nobody else's does either. Believe me, we would have heard about it by now if it were some common issue.

What you're doing is basically complaining that you can't drive your washing machine to work. If you want a laptop, buy a laptop.]]>Feb 23rd 2010 1:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/Feb 23rd 2010 1:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/my windows mobile phone did everything you want. I used to think like you until I got an iPhone. It's a game changer. The app store is fantastic! ]]>Feb 23rd 2010 1:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/Actually, it has more to do with the iPhone's battery saving system. By constantly dropping the connection to save juice, the AT&T network is struggling to handle the run on the signaling channels. Ars Technica had a very good write-up about this problem recently: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2010/02/how-smartphones-are-bogging-down-some-wireless-carriers.ars]]>Feb 23rd 2010 1:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/
Yep, AT&T must be breaking out Luke Wilson now. ]]>Feb 23rd 2010 1:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/
Oh yeah:
http://www.pcworld.com/zoom?id=167391&page=1&zoomIdx=1]]>Feb 23rd 2010 2:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/Feb 23rd 2010 2:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://bit.ly/att-deadlast-carrier-report-survey]]>Feb 23rd 2010 2:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/that's wrong.
Apple has been in lots of trouble in France too for dropping calls.
Of course it was stated that Orange was to blame...]]>Feb 23rd 2010 2:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/
Quick, someone convert this chart into a map and tell iPhone/AT&T haters to eat it.]]>Feb 23rd 2010 2:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/
Cell networks are unbelievably complex. Engineers try to balance coverage so there are no gaps between cell towers, but also so that they don't step on each others toes too much. Add to that the fact that the effective radius of a tower varies based on the number of users connected, and it makes engineering a reliable network a modern miracle. ]]>Feb 23rd 2010 3:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/Feb 23rd 2010 3:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/
It's as much an issue with the iPhone as tethering is - AT&T's network investment is not keeping pace with their phone sales and resultant profits.]]>Feb 23rd 2010 3:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/
I still think there some buildout issue, but I've wondered about the other AT&T smartphones as well.

I'd wager, though, that it's due to the rest of their phones using far less intensely data-based OSs - those customers use their devices more like dumbphones.

(I know. Irony, right? Many levels, too.)

We'll see how things look once ATT starts pushing some 'droid.]]>Feb 23rd 2010 3:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/
So yes, I've always felt that the iphone atennae arent quite up to snuff compared to other phones. But it could be much worse.]]>Feb 23rd 2010 4:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/
That was last year, this is this year. welcome to it.]]>Feb 23rd 2010 5:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/Feb 23rd 2010 5:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/
I still have friends with AT&T and they tell me that, while their 3G reception has gotten better, they drop about 30% of their calls.

I am no Sprint now, and consistently out speedtest.net anyone with an iPhone, and have dropped about 3-5 calls in about 6 months. I am never looking at my signal mid-call like I used to with AT&T, wondering when my 3G would give out and I would drop the call.

Austin's 3G sux with AT&T. If you think you have good service with AT&T here, you haven't tried anyone else to know what you're missing.]]>Feb 23rd 2010 6:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/
Crazy, man.]]>Feb 23rd 2010 6:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/
What is funny is that Consumer Reports ranked AT&T at the bottom of all 3G carriers in the US.

But Engadget didn't report on that story, even after it was tipped to them.
]]>Feb 23rd 2010 6:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/
Yes, or Houston. Either would be nice.

At&T might have the best according to PCWorld. But, if I'm out in the middle of nowhere with a broken-down car (for any plausible reason) and AT&T's superior signal is not around me in a 20-mile radius, I'm not gonna be with them much longer.

Living in Texas, traveling through country roads that are lined with nothing... this situation is reality for some people who want to be at the top of the pack with the highest of high-tech and who cannot easily relocate to a metro area.]]>Feb 23rd 2010 7:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/
ATT was VERY unhappy last time ... these tests simply are what we really see in the field when tested side by side.]]>Feb 23rd 2010 9:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/Feb 23rd 2010 10:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/Feb 24th 2010 12:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/Feb 24th 2010 12:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.wirelessandmobilenews.com/2010/02/call-quality-down-for-smartphones-verizon-high-customer-rankings-says-jd-power.html
]]>Feb 24th 2010 12:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/Feb 24th 2010 1:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/pcworld-ranks-atandt-tops-in-3g-performance-test/Feb 24th 2010 1:12AM