Details of iPhone 2.0.2 Firmware 3G Connectivity Improvements?
RoughlyDrafted reports on details of the iPhone 2.0.2 firmware 3G connectivity improvements. According to a "source close to AT&T," the connectivity issues have been caused by iPhones demanding that cell towers devote more power than necessary to their connections. When a "critical mass" of iPhones, all demanding excessive amounts of power, are connected to a cell tower, the transmitter runs out of power and begins dropping calls and degrading data delivery. The 2.0.2 firmware update is said to address this issue via modifications to the power control algorithm.
The source also clarifies that iPhones running 2.0 and 2.0.1 firmware are continuing to cause problems for all users, which explains why many users have reported that connection issues persisted after they updated their iPhones. This also explains the advertising push for the 2.0.2 update seen with Apple adding a banner ad to the iPhone App Store and AT&T sending text messages to users encouraging them to update their iPhones.
The source also clarifies that iPhones running 2.0 and 2.0.1 firmware are continuing to cause problems for all users, which explains why many users have reported that connection issues persisted after they updated their iPhones. This also explains the advertising push for the 2.0.2 update seen with Apple adding a banner ad to the iPhone App Store and AT&T sending text messages to users encouraging them to update their iPhones.
This is one of the reasons why AT&T has been sending text messages to users to persuade them to upgrade to the 2.0.2 software. In a mixed environment where users are running 2.0, 2.0.1, and 2.0.2, the power control problems of 2.0 and 2.0.1 will affect the 2.0.2 users.
It is not the network that is fault but the interaction of the bad power control algorithm in 2.0 and 2.0.1 software and the network that is at fault. The sooner everybody is running 2.0.2 software the better things will be. Having seen the graphs the 2.0.2 software has already started to make difference.
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45 months ago
Hear that everyone? UPDATE YOUR PHONES! *Sigh* Even with these problems, I wish there was 3G in my area. I finally got to use it the other day...and I hate EDGE even more now.
45 months ago
What do you mean, change the speeds? If you're talking about 3G data, presumably the more people that download this update, the better off everyone will be. The reason why I think the few who downloaded 2.0.2 early on are having degrading/non existent services is because not only are the other iPhones w/o the update demanding a large amount of power, but the updated phones are probably moved down the priority list for service due to the lower power request. Just a thought. I'm probably buying one soon, so it would be nice if this got cleared up (not just for me, but for everyone ;))
Ninja edit: After more throughly reading the article, my idea has substance! Sweet. Everyone update those iPhones!
Ninja edit: After more throughly reading the article, my idea has substance! Sweet. Everyone update those iPhones!
45 months ago
all i know is that my reception has been worse since the 2.0.2 update. in fact, ive had more dropped calls in the past 3 days than at any other point with the 3g
45 months ago
Either this is true or some really good BS. It makes sense, but I don't think it will fix the issue at my work location with a "bad" tower. I thought I read somewhere that said different bands transmit better through buildings (850 vs. 2100, etc). I have two towers by my work (north and south). If I walk to the north building I can get perfect call quality with two bars, but if I walk from the north building to the south building I drop the call I am on and connect to the south tower and my phone is unusable with two bars and drops over and over.
Between the thread proving good signal quality of iPhone 3G, I think the signal issues are primarily the immature 3G network from AT&T here in the US at least.
Between the thread proving good signal quality of iPhone 3G, I think the signal issues are primarily the immature 3G network from AT&T here in the US at least.
45 months ago
They should lock the iPhone until people update their firmware!
You know, they really should. Without doing something like that, Apple risks damaging their rep even more. The reason why people with 2.0.2 are getting crappy reception is because of all the users who haven't upgraded.
45 months ago
This would imply that people would gradually start seeing improvements as more people update.
I don't know about others but I haven't been seeing anything get better from the first day I upgraded until now.
It also makes you wonder why in some areas there aren't any problems. I may just be cynical but it sounds like a spin job to me allowing all to say it isn't my fault, we need all users to participate in solving the problem.
I don't know about others but I haven't been seeing anything get better from the first day I upgraded until now.
It also makes you wonder why in some areas there aren't any problems. I may just be cynical but it sounds like a spin job to me allowing all to say it isn't my fault, we need all users to participate in solving the problem.
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