iPhone 4 Random "No Service" Issue

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scuwp

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#96057 19-Jan-2012 11:35

I have a 4 week old NZ purchased (VF) iPhone 4. Since new I have struggled with a random but reasonably regular "No Service" issue. Happens on average once a day, but occasionally more often (3 times already this morning). Sometimes fault free for several days then presto away it goes again. The only way I can restore service is to:

1. Turn the phone off and on again
2. Do a hard reset
3. Reset network connections (I have noticed the signal strength immediately improves though)

Turning air plane mode on/off does not work.

I have not been able to establish a pattern for the fault, and have tried the following:

1. Turning 3G and or wifi off (makes no difference)
2. Replaced the VF micro SIM
3. Complete backup and reinstall via iTunes
4. Complete reinstall back to factory standard (and reloaded all content manually)

I have compared the signal to other phones (including iPhones) in the vicinity to confirm it is not a coverage issue. I travel a lot and it happens anywhere including in major cities so doubt that's an issue anyway.

I am aware of the aerial fault and use a plastic cover (yes I have tried taking that off just in case it was causing issues)

My first handset lasted 6 days before the screen crapped out, this one was the replacement (yes it was brand new) It has always been on the latest iOS via iTunes. Currently version 5.0.1 (9A405).

We have IT people at work that cant assist. VF shop/helpdesk staff just advise me to do a factory reset. I have had a couple comment that it is a software fault so that means the phone itself is not faulty (i.e. wont repair/replace it under warranty) which sounds like a bit of a cop out, what good is an unreliable phone?

Extensive web search indicates this may be a known issue with the 4S but not so much the 4.

I am really regretting my decision to go with the iPhone at the moment, this is just a last ditch effort for a resolution before also sending this one back under warranty..and all the hassles that entails.

...or should I hang out for 5.0.2 and hope for the best?

Cheers

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

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#570739 19-Jan-2012 11:38

In this thread I mention there's a later build of 5.0.1 which fixes this issue for the iPhone 4S. I believe it is specific to the 4S, but it couldn't hurt to try on a 4.

iPad Pro 11" + iPhone 15 Pro Max + 2degrees 4tw!

These comments are my own and do not represent the opinions of 2degrees.

scuwp

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#570742 19-Jan-2012 11:43

SaltyNZ: In this thread I mention there's a later build of 5.0.1 which fixes this issue for the iPhone 4S. I believe it is specific to the 4S, but it couldn't hurt to try on a 4.

Can't hurt to try I guess. Thanks.

Fault is a little different however in that the phone does actually get and maintain network connection most times.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

scuwp

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#570877 19-Jan-2012 15:52

SaltyNZ: In this thread I mention there's a later build of 5.0.1 which fixes this issue for the iPhone 4S. I believe it is specific to the 4S, but it couldn't hurt to try on a 4.

Unfortunately it would not pick up the 4S update, still comes up build 405 not the newer 406. The 406 build must specifically be for the 4S.

Back to the repairer I guess it goes unless there are any other suggestions?

Not a real Apple fanboy but the iPhone integrated well with other household Apple devices, and we use iTunes extensively. Doubt I will get another now after 2 'fails'.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

bleater

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#578718 8-Feb-2012 15:10

Probably something you've already tried, but make sure you've got "Automatic" selected under "Carrier".

IMHO this is a Vodafone network issue. I see it regularly on both my iPhone 4 and 4s. The same phones were rock solid for reception when I was living in Germany.

johnr

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#578735 8-Feb-2012 15:33

Wait for the iOS 5.1

johnr

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#578737 8-Feb-2012 15:34

bleater: Probably something you've already tried, but make sure you've got "Automatic" selected under "Carrier".

IMHO this is a Vodafone network issue. I see it regularly on both my iPhone 4 and 4s. The same phones were rock solid for reception when I was living in Germany.

Never happens on my Samsung SGII

bleater

58 posts

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#578752 8-Feb-2012 16:03

Woop de effin do... it never happens on my Nokia 5110 either, but who cares?

Vodafone's base stations are populated with a lot of misconfigured junk, and in this case, it looks like there's an interaction between this model of phone and these sites.

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johnr

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#578789 8-Feb-2012 17:10

bleater: Woop de effin do... it never happens on my Nokia 5110 either, but who cares?

Vodafone's base stations are populated with a lot of misconfigured junk, and in this case, it looks like there's an interaction between this model of phone and these sites.

Where did you get these facts from you are postng?

SaltyNZ

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#578845 8-Feb-2012 18:03

johnr:

Never happens on my Samsung SGII

Yeah, but have you tried it in Germany? I DIDN'T THINK SO.

iPad Pro 11" + iPhone 15 Pro Max + 2degrees 4tw!

These comments are my own and do not represent the opinions of 2degrees.

johnr

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#578847 8-Feb-2012 18:04

SaltyNZ:
johnr:?

Never happens on my Samsung SGII

Yeah, but have you tried it in Germany? I DIDN'T THINK SO.?

Waiting for a plane now

bleater

58 posts

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#579046 9-Feb-2012 01:04

A mate who works as a GSM optimisation consultant for a NZ telco... not that I'm implying the other 2 are any better; that's how it is here. Pay peanuts, get monkeys.

sbiddle

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#579058 9-Feb-2012 06:25

If Apple wrote decent radio software that was fully 3GPP compliant and worked with every vendor's gear issues like this wouldn't happen.

CYaBro

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#579067 9-Feb-2012 07:29

My wife and I also have similar problems with our iPhone 4 phones.
The phone will be sitting on my desk at work with the signal showing as a full 4 bars.
However when someone tries to call they get sent straight to voicemail and the phone never rings.
This happens pretty much every day.
My wife has the same problem but she is at home.

We never get the missed call free text message when this happens either.
The only way we know we've missed a call is if the caller leaves a message then we get the text saying there is a new voicemail message. If they don't leave a message then we don't know we've missed a call unless the caller gets hold of us at a later time and mentions that they tried to call earlier but couldn't get through.

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

scuwp

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#579076 9-Feb-2012 08:17

CYaBro: My wife and I also have similar problems with our iPhone 4 phones.
The phone will be sitting on my desk at work with the signal showing as a full 4 bars.
However when someone tries to call they get sent straight to voicemail and the phone never rings.
This happens pretty much every day.
My wife has the same problem but she is at home.

We never get the missed call free text message when this happens either.
The only way we know we've missed a call is if the caller leaves a message then we get the text saying there is a new voicemail message. If they don't leave a message then we don't know we've missed a call unless the caller gets hold of us at a later time and mentions that they tried to call earlier but couldn't get through.

Not quite the same issue but thanks for your input. Have experienced this this phenomenon also fairly regularly in our office across a range of handsets, no matter the brand, even my old Nokia flip use to do it. First you know you have missed a call, despite having apparently great reception, is the voice mail message.

I have raised this with our internal IT department to formerly follow up, and personally with VF corporate who deny any problem exists.

Original 'no service' issue is not happening anywhere near as regularly as it was so will just keep an eye on things for now and wait for the update. Problem is I am now paranoid that the phone is not working and I have to check it regularly.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

Kyanar

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#579102 9-Feb-2012 09:13

bleater: Probably something you've already tried, but make sure you've got "Automatic" selected under "Carrier".

IMHO this is a Vodafone network issue. I see it regularly on both my iPhone 4 and 4s. The same phones were rock solid for reception when I was living in Germany.

Happens on my iPhone 4S on Telecom too, so clearly an Apple issue not a Vodafone issue.

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