08/28/2008, 10:50am, EDT
Thursday, August 28th
Source: 3G problems a mix of software, networking
Ongoing 3G connection problems with the iPhone are actually a mix of software and networking issues, a new account indicates. The report from Roughly Drafted cites "an inside source from AT&T," who explains that the trouble originates with how UMTS-based cellular networks function. All devices tapping into a UMTS node demand a certain amount of power, and once a certain threshold is reached, the node can run out of power to share. At this stage a node will begin dropping calls, and graphs are said to demonstrate this exact event coinciding with the release of the iPhone 3G.
Apple's fault in the situation stems from the iPhone 2.0 firmware, which until recently was demanding more downlink power than necessary, affecting the practical capacity of UMTS nodes. The v2.0.2 firmware is meant to fix this error, but is being hampered by the continuing use of v2.0 and v2.0.1, which can "drown out" v2.0.2 devices. The final remedy thus requires as many people as possible switching to v2.0.2, something that AT&T is allegedly encouraging by sending text messages to iPhone customers.
iPhone 3G woes have in the past been blamed on Infineon's 3G chipset, which was thought to have inherent hardware flaws. Subsequent testing, however, has shown this to be unlikely, and Apple itself has stated that the problem is exclusively software-based.
Filed under: iPhone, troubleshooting, networking, Apple
Other story tags: AT&T, iPhone 3G, iPhone 2.0, UMTS
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nice
to get a straightforward explanation which credits us with some intelligence (even if it was an 'unnamed source' and not an official source).
If this were Microsoft, they would deny, deny, deny there was a problem and a year from now as the problems persisted, they would start a PR campaign to convince people everything was hunky-dory.
Blame the USofA
Blame the US. How can companies be honest with the risk of being sued by people.
hurray!
Fresh-Faced Recruit, you are an idiot.
USA shed lots of blood to support FREE SPEECH, individual liberty and rights for its citizens... unlike countries such as China, Iraq, Iran, Russia, Cuba, etc. etc. where government actively thwarts them.
Blame individual companies for their communication choices, and use your economic power to spend on products and services which support your needs and interests. That's how capitalism works.
Hurray for AT&T and Apple and MacNN and other news sources for setting the record straight on iPhone connectivity issues involving the 3G network.
dont' release as often
Apple should just go back to the release schedule they use to have with the old PowerPC computes. twice a year I think it was and the odd update. Is there really a need to release so frequently other then to appease share holders and analysts, which in the end is resulting in fault products? In the end you are pissing off the customers and giving yourself a bad name. I would much rather wait for the perfect product than have a fault product in my hand. Especially since you can't force iPhone users to upgrade firmware.
Re: nice
If this were Microsoft, they would deny, deny, deny there was a problem and a year from now as the problems persisted, they would start a PR campaign to convince people everything was hunky-dory.
As opposed to Apple, who never say a word (Apple never said anything with the 2.0.2 release that it would help fix this issue) and pretend that the issue doesn't even exist (way too many examples to cite). Or they try to convince people the problem is small or just slightly inconvenient.
The only time Apple has really replied to anything in the last year seems to be the whole MobileMe fiasco. And that forever for them to even admit to a problem, not admit the problem was widespread, say it was fixed when it wasn't, and then basically buying off customers (three months free!) to try to appease them.
Re: hurray
Hurray for AT&T and Apple and MacNN and other news sources for setting the record straight on iPhone connectivity issues involving the 3G network.
Guest, I would call you an idiot, but that would be rude. But you should learn to read (oh, wait, that was rude wasn't it).
Neither Apple nor ATT "set the record straight". In fact, both have been quiet on this issue (except to say "it isn't a problem"). Thank Roughly Drafted and the source for the info, and MacNN for relaying the info. But that's as far as the thanks go.
USA shed lots of blood to support FREE SPEECH, individual liberty and rights for its citizens... unlike countries such as China, Iraq, Iran, Russia, Cuba, etc. etc. where government actively thwarts them.
Well, the US sheds blood for free speech and freedoms when they feel like it and it suits their needs and they think they can win(what, the people in China, Iran, Russia, Cuba don't deserve to be 'freed' like Iraq?). But the US has no problems kissing up to China, despite their lack of freedoms. I guess money talks too.
Oh, and FREE SPEECH only rests with people against the gov't. Not people against people. You can still be sued. And in the US, as the poster was trying to point out, the system is set up to basically make it easy to sue anyone over any piddling thing, and get away with it to boot.
Blame individual companies for their communication choices, and use your economic power to spend on products and services which support your needs and interests. That's how capitalism works.
So we should blame ATT for their use of 3G? Or Apple, for using 3G and demanding too much power?
So you're arguing that people need to stop buying iPhones, right.
apple...
...has control over the hardware and the software - it just works - right?
And seeing as how they have allowed for limited access to developers - unlike their desktop platform - no sharing between developers and other hush hush methods - it can't possibly be anything Apple is or is not doing - it must be AT&T all the way.