DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 

DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> hell phones
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 22 of 22, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 07/24/2006 03:23:46 PM · #1
I am so frustrated with my cell phone service and wanted to know if others have similar problems or is it just me. I know this is a regional thing but maybe their is a common problem with either the region, cell company, or the phone itself. I have cingular service and live in southern california and use an early model LG phone. I drive everywhere so if it is a regional problem I image there are lots of others with the same problems. I can connect maybe once for every 8-10 tries. And nearly every time i receive a call it breaks up.
 07/24/2006 03:29:18 PM · #2
And this is in S.Cal? I live in VT, and aside from a few totally dead areas, I get better service than you're describing. Might be time to change carriers? I use Verizon, and they seem to do pretty good. I've never used anyone else, so I can't compare.

A few things to think of first:
-Tech evolves - is your old LG phone too old and becoming non-compatable? Is it worn out/broken?
-Is there a way to update the programming? With Verizon, it's someting like *228, and that connects to the Verizon server and updates the program on the phone, and the area/roam data.
-Have you talked to the carrier about this? They might be able to tell you what the problem is.

Good luck!
 07/24/2006 03:33:18 PM · #3
you mention you use an early model. As the reception technology developed, newer phones have a much better receiveing range than the older models.

I use an older model phone, and I get terrble reception than most of my friends in some areas

Is there a way you can get a replacement phone for free if your model's receiving technology is poorer than the current industry standard (whatever that is)?
 07/24/2006 03:33:51 PM · #4
I live in Oklahoma, but just spent 4 days in San Diego and didn't have any dropped calls or delays in getting a line through. I am with Sprint and I didn't have to use roaming, all digital. Been using Sprint since '94 and haven't had many problems anywhere I have gone.
 07/24/2006 03:34:49 PM · #5
I use cingular seems that no matter which provider you have, You will always come across areas that have poor signals, I think it probably has to do with something else in that area causing interference vs a problem with the service provider. But for the money they charge I have to say they all suck.
 07/24/2006 03:44:02 PM · #6
It sounds like a phone problem to me. SCal should be one of the better covered areas in the nation. Go back to your vendor and explain the problem. Have them recommend a new phone. They usually have one that's free (or nearly so) with a contract. Complain about the poor reception you're getting and demand a phone that works. You're paying them for a network that will keep you connected! I just renewed my Cingular contract and got a little Nokia flip-phone. It doesn't have all the bells an whistles, but hey, it's a phone, not a PDA. Works great!
 07/24/2006 03:45:24 PM · #7
Originally posted by pidge:
you mention you use an early model. As the reception technology developed, newer phones have a much better receiveing range than the older models.

I use an older model phone, and I get terrble reception than most of my friends in some areas

Is there a way you can get a replacement phone for free if your model's receiving technology is poorer than the current industry standard (whatever that is)?


we recently received a letter from cingular asking us to come in a upgrade some chip in the phone. We did and now it's worse. The phone is about 2 yrs old.

07/24/2006 03:58:16 PM · #8
Originally posted by briantammy:
Originally posted by pidge:
you mention you use an early model. As the reception technology developed, newer phones have a much better receiveing range than the older models.

I use an older model phone, and I get terrble reception than most of my friends in some areas

Is there a way you can get a replacement phone for free if your model's receiving technology is poorer than the current industry standard (whatever that is)?


we recently received a letter from cingular asking us to come in a upgrade some chip in the phone. We did and now it's worse. The phone is about 2 yrs old.


:( I'm sorry about that. I don't have any other suggestions
 07/24/2006 04:05:29 PM · #9
Originally posted by pidge:
Originally posted by briantammy:
Originally posted by pidge:
you mention you use an early model. As the reception technology developed, newer phones have a much better receiveing range than the older models.

I use an older model phone, and I get terrble reception than most of my friends in some areas

Is there a way you can get a replacement phone for free if your model's receiving technology is poorer than the current industry standard (whatever that is)?


we recently received a letter from cingular asking us to come in a upgrade some chip in the phone. We did and now it's worse. The phone is about 2 yrs old.


:( I'm sorry about that. I don't have any other suggestions


no problem, that's why i posted this, just to see if there is any common problems out there. So I can narrow this down. Cingular isn't very helpful with this.
 07/24/2006 04:36:47 PM · #10
Hi there!

I too live in So.California and have Cingular as the carrier. I was with AT&T but then it was switched to Cingular. Me and my spouse have an LG phone almost 2 years old. I had several issues with phone and got it changed a couple of times. I usually get dropped calls but my spouse never had this issue. We tried swapping the SIM Card even but then also I had dropped calls. They say it depends upon your phone # and on what server it is etc.
When we were with AT&T we never had these issues. Cingular service sucks. We are also waiting for the contract to end so we can switch to T Mobile. Good Luck!
 07/24/2006 05:23:16 PM · #11
I have an LG phone, cheapest one there was a few months ago, and cingular service, seems fine to me, I get cut off at the same places everyone else does, which are the same places I got cut off with both my old phones... just be glad you don't have sprint, they don't know the meaning of customer service
 07/24/2006 06:11:01 PM · #12
Just curious, but is your phone on the old TDMA digital service or on GSM?

Easiest way to tell is whether you need a SIM card for your phone to work I believe.

I can tell you (as a former AT&T/Cingular employee - don't ask me any questions though I worked in the behind the scenes stuff) that if you're on TDMA the last I read they are not currently doing too much to maintain that technology as they want everyone to transfer to GSM technology and move over from the old AT&T plans to the new Cingular ones.

That could be part of the issue. If you're on GSM already though I'm not sure what else may be the trouble other than what folks have mentioned before.

That said I kept my Cingular phone and have been fine as far as receiving calls and being able to make them.
 07/24/2006 08:04:53 PM · #13
Originally posted by LucidLotus:
Just curious, but is your phone on the old TDMA digital service or on GSM?

Easiest way to tell is whether you need a SIM card for your phone to work I believe.

I can tell you (as a former AT&T/Cingular employee - don't ask me any questions though I worked in the behind the scenes stuff) that if you're on TDMA the last I read they are not currently doing too much to maintain that technology as they want everyone to transfer to GSM technology and move over from the old AT&T plans to the new Cingular ones.

That could be part of the issue. If you're on GSM already though I'm not sure what else may be the trouble other than what folks have mentioned before.

That said I kept my Cingular phone and have been fine as far as receiving calls and being able to make them.


I'll check into that. thanks. The phones do have sim cards. I'm not up on cell phone technology. My wife has been bugging them but they are trying to sell upgrades all the time. Seems like everything's ok in the beginning and as time passes it just deteriorates. We just want it back like it was, sheesh. :)



07/24/2006 08:09:06 PM · #14
I have Verizon in So Cal and I had nothing but problems with my 2 year old LG phone. I upgraded to a Motorola and have been nothing but happy. The LG phones are not that great for reception...My Motorola works EVERYWHERE my LG would not...(and I do mean everywhere)

Message edited by author 2006-07-24 20:09:38.
 07/24/2006 08:09:25 PM · #15
never had a cell phone. don't want one.

07/24/2006 08:15:45 PM · #16
Originally posted by saintaugust:
never had a cell phone. don't want one.


wish I could work without one. I'd almost be better off flashing out morse code with a mirror.
 07/24/2006 09:07:20 PM · #17
i 'need' one for my job too but make due without it.

after all, im sure all our jobs existed before cells.

07/25/2006 08:21:28 AM · #18
I was with Sprint for 6yrs before moving to Guam. During that time, we lived in 2 places in Texas and also in Florida. We also vacationed in Colorado, where our family is.

We always heard everyone complaining about Cingular and Verizon....but we never had problems with Sprint. That is why we stayed with them for so long.

Good luck! Cell phone service here in Guam sucks too, if that makes you feel better...LOL
 07/25/2006 09:09:19 AM · #19
I have Bell up here in the Toronto area. I used to have a digital-only LG phone and reception in downtown Burlington, where I live, was non-existant, but good everywhere else.

I called Bell to complain & they had no solution for me. Of course I wasn't happy with that, so I said, "Cancel my account." Of course they pulled up my account & said, OK, but you have over a year left on your contract, so you'll have to pay X dollars penalty. I forget the amount, something unreasonable, like $600+ as I have two phones on the plan.

I said, "Go ahead and cancel my account. I'm not paying the penalty, because as far as I'm concerned you've already broken the contract by not supplying me with service in downtown Burlington, where I live. Don't you agree?" They put me through to someone else.

He said it could be because of my phone. He called a Bell outlet in Burlignton to get advice on what kind of phone works best in the area & called me back. He said he'd send two new phones to try out, no charge. I'd only have to pay a $25 shipping fee. I said I wouldn't pay one red cent. He said OK, no shipping fee, no charges whatsoever.

The new phones actually work. :-/ Sanyo.
 07/25/2006 09:45:46 AM · #20
Originally posted by briantammy:
I am so frustrated with my cell phone service and wanted to know if others have similar problems or is it just me. I know this is a regional thing but maybe their is a common problem with either the region, cell company, or the phone itself. I have cingular service and live in southern california and use an early model LG phone. I drive everywhere so if it is a regional problem I image there are lots of others with the same problems. I can connect maybe once for every 8-10 tries. And nearly every time i receive a call it breaks up.


Verizon Wireless....I've connected almost everywhere I've ever wanted. Heck, just this month I was sitting in the boondocks of Illoinois in the middle of corn fields. Not only did I have signal and service. I had hooked my laptop up to my cell phone and was browsing the web.

;-)
 07/25/2006 09:45:57 AM · #21
Cellphone nightmares.... glad I havn't had one yet...

I use T-moBILE, with a moterola phone, Orginal plan was starting in the middle of Colorado, and currently living in SCal, Havn't had a problem. Long as there is a Satalite above me, I have signal.

Only problem I have had, is when I called to get a SCal number, they said they were all taken... so I still have my CO number L()L. No worries for me, I have a great plan, no roam free long and stuff.
 07/25/2006 05:56:15 PM · #22
I use Verizon and live in an area that has hit or miss reception. I would look into upgrading your phone. I had my previous phone, a Motorola tri-mode, for only a year before it died. I wanted to toss that phone out the car window so many times! With Verizon I was able to get a$140 phone (motorola e815) for only $20 with their 'new every 2' program. My new phone is so much better. I love it! I hardly ever loose a call at my house. (plus I just got a micro card and earphones to listen to music) Maybe cingular has a similar program, especially since your phone is 2 years old. Good luck!
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 03/11/2025 01:50:48 PM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 03/11/2025 01:50:48 PM EDT.