iPhone 3Gs Vodafone NZ Reception Losses

Forums › Apple iOS and devices › iPhone 3Gs Vodafone NZ Reception Losses

FB942

12 posts

Geek

#138564 8-Jan-2014 20:59

Hi
I recently bought an iPhone 3Gs. I am with Vodafone NZ and live in a Rural area. I usually get 2-3 bars with my iphone, but i loose reception when i pick up the phone in a certain way, anyway i googled it and it turns out it is a fault with the iPhone 3Gs and 4, apples fix was to buy a case which i ended up doing it did help a little bit but it still does the same thing but not as often. PLEASE HELP! I use to get 3-4 bars on my old phone which was a Vodafone Smart Mini. PLEASE HELP!

1 | 2

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#963536 8-Jan-2014 21:01

The 3GS does not support 3G on 900Mhz so coverage will be different compared to the Smart mini

FB942

12 posts

Geek

#963540 8-Jan-2014 21:06

So should I just turn the 3G off and run 2G? Or turn 3G and Mobile Data off?

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#963541 8-Jan-2014 21:08

FB942: So should I just turn the 3G off and run 2G? Or turn 3G and Mobile Data off?

Not sure how that is going to help in anyway, Approx where are you located?

FB942

12 posts

Geek

#963550 8-Jan-2014 21:14

Mangatawhiri, (south of the bombay hills)

FB942

12 posts

Geek

#963552 8-Jan-2014 21:18

I turned 3G off on my iPhone and it jumped up 3 bars, But im not too sure how stable it is, although i have had the 3 bars for the past 10min...

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#963554 8-Jan-2014 21:19

Turning off 3G is not going to make one bit of difference in that location when using a iPhone 3GS,

That area has stronger 3G 900Mhz coverage over 2G 900Mhz and now you have a different handset that does not support the 3G band in that area

FB942

12 posts

Geek

#963562 8-Jan-2014 21:25

So what do you think I should do in your opion? (eg: go back to my old phone or...?)

AliExpress

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#963565 8-Jan-2014 21:28

That is your call but if you put your SIM back in the other handset you will get 3G coverage and signal will return to normal

FB942

12 posts

Geek

#963567 8-Jan-2014 21:34

Will the internet work on my iphone with 3g turned off?

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#963569 8-Jan-2014 21:36

You don't have 3G in that area when using the 3GS so you are only going to get 2G anyway, Zero value in turning off 3G just leave it on

FB942

12 posts

Geek

#963570 8-Jan-2014 21:37

Thanks for the help, it was greatly appreciated, but i think im gonna stick with my iPhone, I think I may have kinda solved the problem.

FB942

12 posts

Geek

#963571 8-Jan-2014 21:38

But thing is when i turn 3g on i go from 3 bars to 1 or no service, it seems to work better with the 3g turned off...

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#963574 8-Jan-2014 21:43

But when SIM card is in other handset I take it things are better correct?

Shoes2468

785 posts

Ultimate Geek

#963579 8-Jan-2014 21:49

FB942: So what do you think I should do in your opion? (eg: go back to my old phone or...?)

In my opinion you have a couple of options,
1. Go back to your old phone,
2. Live with the poor reception
3. Buy a newer iphone, 4 and above support the correct bands
4. Switch to telecom/skinny, as their 3g network is compatible with the bands your iphone 3gs supports however you would still want to check their coverage maps or with someone who has a telecom mobile to see if the reception is any better. In the main places you use it.

To me the best and cheapest option would be to port your number to telecom or skinny based on coverage performance because you will more than likely have better data speeds outside the main cities on the telecom network using that device

FB942

12 posts

Geek

#963724 9-Jan-2014 10:23

Which phone is better my iPhone 3Gs or my Vodafone Smart Mini?

1 | 2