3G/4G radio goes inactive

[bbisbee]

When you click wifi settings click menu and then advanced and its in there....

[droidsw]

Here is a write-up:

http://www.gottabemobile.com/2011/09/14/is-your-motorola-droid-bionic-suffering-from-radio-issues/

[TominqueBo_VZW]

Hello Gerio,

I do understand the need and desire for a stable connection.  Motorola is aware of this opportunity and are aggressively working towards a resolution asap.  As Techman001 mentioned early in the post improvements to the software are being looked into to further develop the 3G to LTE transition and vice versa in some cases.  Thank you.  

[gerio]

Thanx for the note on that...
I've been on the fence about whether to exchange mine or return it together. It's like it has good days and bad days. And I wish I were sure that it's not the tower out here in the woods where our operation is located. Monday (after a restore), Tuesday, and Wednesday, the phone did good, no data signal drops. Today (Thursday), I had to restart it twice after a complete loss of data signal.

So, as they say at the optometrists office...
"we shall see "...

Geri O

[FAUguy]

I have been using the Bionic for a week now and have also noticed that every so often it will drop for 4G to 3G, even though it may last a few minutes and eventually returning back to 4G. You may recall that the Thunderbolt would cycle between 4G/3G/1x until it was fixed months later in a software update. Meanwhile, the Droid Charge likes to get stuck in 3G all the times and requires turning the Airplane Mode on and off to get it back to 4G. I agree that the 4G signal needs to be stronger from the towers, and that the phones need better antennas and software. That combination would probably solve the issues. As it is now, 4G has good data speeds, but there are too many people in a lot of markets that are all having connection issues of some sort. I hope this gets fixed before VoLTE comes out in a year or so. Can't image people using it for calls and having the phone drop the 4G signal all the time.

[jpw2]

I have been dacing the very same problems the past week with my Bionic. I spent 2 days with tech support and they were clueless of they issue and simply suggested replacing the phone. So I did. I went in and exchanged my bionic for another and still having the same signal issues.

I too am very discouraged and will likely return my device as i am unwilling to wait and see if they can fix this, amongst other issues.

I did, however discover within settings > wireless & network > mobile networks > network mode , you can select only 3g (CDMA only) which resolves the current signal problems i am have and the phone browses without issue and about 18 times faster then when set to CDMA/LTE.

I am eondering if having the phone set at CDMA/LTE is causing the phone bog down as it is constantly having to select between 4G, 3G and nothing...

I. Will give tech support another call and if i do not get a reassuring response thatp this issue is being focused on I will return my phone and wait on the sidelines.

You eould thing thatthis phone would be near flawless after months and months of pushing back its release. I certainly see the potential for this phone to be a great phone but this issue alone is big enough for me to feel riped off or scammed... and want to return it.

Also very discouraged.

[VZWExpert]

Hi there!

Many Verizon Wireless customers often assume that Verizon Wireless Technical Support representatives are members of an elite force of technobots that can diagnose, treat, and cure 100% of all technical issues via a neverending base of knowledge, training, magical powers, telepathy and other forces both seen and unseen. However, the fact is that when a new device comes out, most technical support reps are simply waiting for the phones to start ringing because they don't know what the problems will be yet.

Once the problems start coming in, the real work begins as they try to solve the problems and work toward resolutions. Since there are many different manufacturers with many different models that are running many different versions of many different operating systems, these solutions may not be the same for every handset. Thus, solutions may not come as fast as customers may like.

I am a 14 year Wireless Industry veteran and Verizon Wireless device expert. Like you, I have recently upgraded to the Droid Bionic and experienced some issues while using the default VZW carrier settings in a non-4G area. Specifically, I experienced a "Data Connection Dropped" message, followed by absolutely no ability to do anything at all that requires an internet connection.

At first, my initial response was to take the battery out and reboot the phone. When that didn't work, I thought to do a "hard reset" thinking that something might have gone wrong in the activation process. That didn't work either. Then came the real troubleshooting...

I was able to tinker with my settings to find a solution that worked for me:

Settings > Wireless & Networks > Mobile Networks > Network Mode > CDMA Only

Since I'm not in a 4G area, I don't need to enable LTE, as it's not going to work anyway. It would seem that the device, like many other 4G devices, likes to "get stuck" looking for 4G. If the 4G signal is weak and drops in and out, it's probably best just to disable it entirely.

4G LTE technology has a much higher network capacity, much higher bandwidths, and is much more cost effective for Verizon Wireless or any other carrier to implement. While customers might not like the switching issues that take place as a result of 4G devices being set to "default" to 4G, it helps to alleviate network congestion and stress that is inherent when 95%+ of all Verizon Wireless customers are using 3G technology.

Ultimately, as a customer, I am in the same boat waiting for Motorola and Google to resolve some technical issues. However, I must confess that I take a different approach to waiting for these resolutions. Rather than watching my icons and waiting for problems to happen, I choose to spend the 99% of the time my connection is up enjoying every aspect of my phone. From ZumoCast to Gaming, from Web Browsing to Email, from Facebook to Yahoo, etc. And during the 1% of the time my phone "acts up," I shrug it off, reboot, and go back to whatever I'm doing.

I know it's not really the answer most people want, but hey...at least we could have got the "other guys" product and not been able to do half the stuff we can. And, most importantly, rather than wondering why our connection dropped, we could be wondering how far we have to drive before we get a signal again.

[droidsw]

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VZWExpert wrote:

Hi there!

Many Verizon Wireless customers often assume that Verizon Wireless Technical Support representatives are members of an elite force of technobots that can diagnose, treat, and cure 100% of all technical issues via a neverending base of knowledge, training, magical powers, telepathy and other forces both seen and unseen. However, the fact is that when a new device comes out, most technical support reps are simply waiting for the phones to start ringing because they don't know what the problems will be yet.

Wow, imagine that commercial. The impressive high tech graphics and sound effects introducing the Bionic and the voice over person saying something like, "The Bionic, Dual Core with 4G LTE from Verizon. Just don't call us expecting any technical support because our reps haven't even seen the phone, yet and have no idea how to troubleshoot it".

Once the problems start coming in, the real work begins as they try to solve the problems and work toward resolutions. Since there are many different manufacturers with many different models that are running many different versions of many different operating systems, these solutions may not be the same for every handset. Thus, solutions may not come as fast as customers may like.

I am a 14 year Wireless Industry veteran and Verizon Wireless device expert. Like you, I have recently upgraded to the Droid Bionic and experienced some issues while using the default VZW carrier settings in a non-4G area. Specifically, I experienced a "Data Connection Dropped" message, followed by absolutely no ability to do anything at all that requires an internet connection.

At first, my initial response was to take the battery out and reboot the phone. When that didn't work, I thought to do a "hard reset" thinking that something might have gone wrong in the activation process. That didn't work either. Then came the real troubleshooting...

I was able to tinker with my settings to find a solution that worked for me:

Settings > Wireless & Networks > Mobile Networks > Network Mode > CDMA Only

Since I'm not in a 4G area, I don't need to enable LTE, as it's not going to work anyway. It would seem that the device, like many other 4G devices, likes to "get stuck" looking for 4G.

So, this is an Android and Verizon problem? Are you including the pseudo 4G phones on other carriers? AT&T's 4G network goes on line this weekend. Still no final word if the iphone 5 will be 4G. Just asking, because I am upgrading, soon and want to know what phones/carriers have issues getting 4G right.

If the 4G signal is weak and drops in and out, it's probably best just to disable it entirely.

4G LTE technology has a much higher network capacity, much higher bandwidths, and is much more cost effective for Verizon Wireless or any other carrier to implement. While customers might not like the switching issues that take place as a result of 4G devices being set to "default" to 4G, it helps to alleviate network congestion and stress that is inherent when 95%+ of all Verizon Wireless customers are using 3G technology.

Ultimately, as a customer, I am in the same boat waiting for Motorola and Google to resolve some technical issues. However, I must confess that I take a different approach to waiting for these resolutions. Rather than watching my icons and waiting for problems to happen,

Man, that seems like you are taking a shot at people and acusing them of being whiners, LOOKING for problems to post.

I don't have this phone, but I read. I did stick my foot in my mouth early in this thread because I hadn't read about this issue before on this phone and the OP claimed to have had a Thunderbolt, but didn't know how long they had been out.

You make it sound like folks have nothing better to do than dig and dig until they find an issue to complain about.

They just bought this phone. They want and expect it to work.

I choose to spend the 99% of the time my connection is up enjoying every aspect of my phone. From ZumoCast to Gaming, from Web Browsing to Email, from Facebook to Yahoo, etc. And during the 1% of the time my phone "acts up," I shrug it off, reboot, and go back to whatever I'm doing.

So others should "chose" to ignore a glaring issue and keep their mouths shut?

I know it's not really the answer most people want, but hey...at least we could have got the "other guys" product and not been able to do half the stuff we can. And, most importantly, rather than wondering why our connection dropped, we could be wondering how far we have to drive before we get a signal again.

At least you could have the "other guys" product that doesn't have issues?  Good logic.

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[VZWExpert]

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droidsw wrote:

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Wow, imagine that commercial. The impressive high tech graphics and sound effects introducing the Bionic and the voice over person saying something like, "The Bionic, Dual Core with 4G LTE from Verizon. Just don't call us expecting any technical support because our reps haven't even seen the phone, yet and have no idea how to troubleshoot it".

Like I said, customers want solutions now. Not tomorrow, not next week, not in a few months. Now. As much as every tech support rep wishes that could happen, it's just not the case. Many people are working very, very hard to resolve any issues these devices are having. Tech support's knowledge base only extends to solving problems that have already been identified and solved. If it's a new problem, the solution still needs to be found. New devices have new problems that require new solutions.

So, this is an Android and Verizon problem? Are you including the pseudo 4G phones on other carriers? AT&T's 4G network goes on line this weekend. Still no final word if the iphone 5 will be 4G. Just asking, because I am upgrading, soon and want to know what phones/carriers have issues getting 4G right.

It's not necessarily a Verizon or Android problem. 4G LTE technology is still in its infancy and the thousands of Verizon Wireless technicians out there are still learning its quirks. Imagine if you had Windows XP for 5 years on your work computer. Then, one day, you go in to work and your company has converted your computer to Windows 7. You still know how to use a computer and certain applications, but you're going to need to adjust to where everything is and figure out new features. Many things may be completely different than they used to be.

As for the iPhone, there has been no official mention of an iPhone 5. It's pointless to speculate as to what technology will be inside a device that doesn't exist yet. Until it is announced, it's all rumors and speculation.

Man, that seems like you are taking a shot at people and acusing them of being whiners, LOOKING for problems to post.

I don't have this phone, but I read. I did stick my foot in my mouth early in this thread because I hadn't read about this issue before on this phone and the OP claimed to have had a Thunderbolt, but didn't know how long they had been out.

You make it sound like folks have nothing better to do than dig and dig until they find an issue to complain about.

They just bought this phone. They want and expect it to work.

There are settings you can chage to get it to work. The default settings are set up for 4G areas. If you're not in a solid 4G area, you will need to change those settings to get it to work. This is something that the customer needs to be informed of. Sadly, some customers who purchase online or buy from "big box" chains that have reps that aren't trained properly are not properly informed. If the settings are configured right, the issues will drastically reduce and you will spend most of your time enjoying your phone.

So others should "chose" to ignore a glaring issue and keep their mouths shut?

It's not necessarily a glaring issue. The phone not working is a glaring issue. In this case, you just need to tinker with the settings and it works just fine. That's like complaining that a Porsche 911 Turbo does not have a cup holder. You can always put in a cup holder, but don't complain when your coffee spills when you hit a bump at 150 MPH.

At least you could have the "other guys" product that doesn't have issues?  Good logic.

Which products don't have issues? Every phone on every carrier has *some* issues. If they didn't, Verizon Wireless wouldn't need a technical support team. My point was that Verizon has a 4G option and has coverage that is vastly superior to other providers out there, and most phones that are set up correctly work with very minimal issues.

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[droidsw]

VZWExpert, your points are valid, but one. NO 3G/4G signal is a glaring issue and your band-aid doesn't resolve it.

Why buy a 4G phone if you are just going to change the settings and use it in 3G only?

I would also ask why buy a 4G phone if you don't reside in an area with 4G coverage, but that's your prerogative.

I find all the 3G issues in the VZW iphone section interesting. Very similar to issues Android phones have. I haven't read the Apple forums lately. Just curious how the same issues cross manufacturer lines.

And based on the 3G issues and the advent of 4G already having issues, it's not encouraging. It may seem like I was baiting you for an argument, but I was asking your "expert" opinion.

I'm clearly taking the pessimistic viewpoint. You the opposite.