iPhone 4 not connecting to Vodafone extended 3G?

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rawsoncj

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Topic # 65258 1-Aug-2010 08:12

The iPhone 4's quad band antenna supports 900 MHz UMTS/HSDPA, so it should theoretically work just fine with Vodafone's extended 3G network (the first iPhone to do so). But since getting my iPhone 4, I've noticed that in areas where Vodafone's coverage maps claim there's extended 3G coverage, I'm still connecting via GPRS. Anyone else seeing this? I posted something similar to this in Vodafone's forum last night, but they haven't commented yet.

I'm wondering if Vodafone has to issue a carrier file update in order for the iPhone 4 to connect to their extended 3G network, or if maybe there's something I can do on my end to get it working. Being able to say farewell to bloody GPRS was one of the things I was most looking forward to with the iPhone 4, so if anyone has any answers, I'd appreciate it.

z2k

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Reply # 360917 1-Aug-2010 08:30

rawsoncj: The iPhone 4's quad band antenna supports 900 MHz UMTS/HSDPA, so it should theoretically work just fine with Vodafone's extended 3G network (the first iPhone to do so). But since getting my iPhone 4, I've noticed that in areas where Vodafone's coverage maps claim there's extended 3G coverage, I'm still connecting via GPRS. Anyone else seeing this? I posted something similar to this in Vodafone's forum last night, but they haven't commented yet.

I'm wondering if Vodafone has to issue a carrier file update in order for the iPhone 4 to connect to their extended 3G network, or if maybe there's something I can do on my end to get it working. Being able to say farewell to bloody GPRS was one of the things I was most looking forward to with the iPhone 4, so if anyone has any answers, I'd appreciate it.

are you holding it "the right way"?

rawsoncj

22 posts

Geek

Reply # 360924 1-Aug-2010 08:55

z2k:

are you holding it "the right way"?

Ba-dum-TSH! Hey-oooo!

But seriously, yes, I am.

z2k

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Reply # 360927 1-Aug-2010 08:58

Sorry.. I couldn't resist..

The only thing I can think of is the enable 3G option in settings.. I'm guessing you've already made sure it's turned on?

Have you been able to get 3G anywhere else?

sbiddle

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Reply # 360928 1-Aug-2010 08:59

Where are you located?

rawsoncj

22 posts

Geek

Reply # 360930 1-Aug-2010 09:07

sbiddle: Where are you located?

I'm in Hokowhitu in Palmerston North, about 2 km away from downtown. With my iPhone 3G I used to get 3G coverage at my house occasionally, but it dropped down to GPRS most of the time. South of here and across the Manawatu in the newly developed areas by the road to Pahiatua, it was the same deal: 3G occasionally, GPRS usually. Both areas are covered by Vodafone's extended 3G network, but I'm not seeing any better performance with my iPhone 4.

rawsoncj

22 posts

Geek

Reply # 360931 1-Aug-2010 09:21

May have the solution: a poster at Vodafone's forum suggested going into Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. I can't say with 100% certainty this has done the trick (need to go to an area with no 2100 MHz coverage first and see if it hooks up to 900 MHz instead of GPRS), but at the very least, it's now much more difficult to get my iPhone 4 to drop down to GPRS while at home in Hokowhitu -- pretty much nothing short of the "death grip" kicks it out of 3G now.