Blackberry data inconsistancy

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Hello everyone. I recently purchased a new Blackberry 8100 and started service with T-Mobile. This is my first Blackberry and in fact the first smart phone I have had. So far I think the phone is really great, better than I even expected. However, the data service while I am at my house is very inconsistant. Sometimes it seems to work quite well, for minutes at a time, but other times it will time out. This happens with any data enabled application (the web browser, the Syncml client I am using, even sending email). It even effects things like trying to get my used minutes (#646#).

When the problem occurs, I know almost immediately. This is because usually the arrows in the upper right hand corner will go rapidly in both directions and the arrows will be larger. When it is not working, the arrow is smaller and only goes in one direction (outbound).

The problem appears to be location based because when I am at work it seems to be fine, although I have not tried to use it as much at work. However, while at home it does not seem to matter if I am outside or inside. In either case, I am getting 3 or 4 signal bars, the indicator says "EDGE", and voice calls seem fine. I called T-Mobile support twice and both people thought it was either a signal strength problem or a phone problem. I also went to a T-Mobile store, and the guy there thought I should not have the problem with the signal strength I was getting. The phone came with 4.2.0.64 and I have even tried the Cingular 4.2.0.69 software, which did not make a difference.

I really want to stay with this device and T-Mobile but I don't want to have inconsistant service. If I try to exchange the device, I am concerned that I will lose my opportunity to return it and get out of the contract. I purchased the phone online. I am 9 days into my 14 day remorse period. I have considered returning it and going with Sprint as they seem to be the most price competitive. Although Sprint obviously does not have this phone.

I apologize for the long message. Hopefully some of you can give me your thoughts and suggestions.
 
First off Welcome!

I have seen this where I live with certain carriers as well. I suspect its actually a coverage problem. One question I have is have you had another phone there before with the same carrier?
 
Thank you for the welcome. I have been reading this forum even before I got my device and have found it extremely helpful.

No, this is the first phone with T-Mobile. If it is a coverage problem, do you think it could get better with time?
 
I had the same issue with t-Mobile... I have since switched to Cingular. I was able to "unlock" the t-mobile phone through t-mobile since I was closing out my account. Once the phone was officially unlocked, I updated the OS, now running .69 and happy as a clam on Cingular.

If you live in a rural area, t-mobile may have more of a coverage problem than Cingular. But, check the t-mobile web site for the coverage map. t-Mobile has the best interactive coverage map that will allow you to see the signal strength / radius from their cell towers in a specific area. You may see that where you live is on a fringe area of a tower, and may be sporadic.

To get a more granular look at you signal indicator that you can troubleshoot better: From your Phone home screen, press/hold Alt + NMLL. This will change your signal indicator to a decimal value, doing it again reverses the indicator. If the value is consistently in the high 90's or hits the 100 mark (equating to -90 - db), you may experience intermittent access problems of all types. t-Mobile may also have a problem with a specific cell for the data access and not classify the cell as problematic if voice calls are not dropping.

Good luck.
 
~via BB (wap.rabroad.com)~
When checking out their coverage maps, make sure you're not equally far away from two cell towers. It could be that your phone is constantly switching between two towers with equally good reception.
This might not effect call quality as switching towers in the middle of a call has been around for a decade, switching data in the middle of a transmit hasn't been tested and refined.
 
Williamic21, I guess I am unable to PM you until I have 10 posts. However, I think I am comfortable publicly listing an intersection to which I am close. You can search for Amston Dr and Wakeshire Dr. in Dublin, OH 43017.

Prickleypete, thank you for the suggestion about Cingular. Had you been a T-mobile customer for a while before switching to Cingular?

Corith, I think you may be right. My signal does seem to bounce around quite a bit between 3 to 4 bars. How do you determine the exact location of the towers from T-Mobile's site?

Thanks again everyone.
 
So it looks like you are in a fair coverage area, there is a spot south of you with lower coverage and everything north gets better. And as of now it is not showing any future plans for enhancement. Maybe with enough requests that could change but nothing for now.
 
Had the same problem I'm next to a park full of trees, a no coverage area. I still don't get a strong data signal with my 8700g but much better than my previous Blackberries.
 
cbusddc,
I used to be involved and helped launch Omnipoint, now t-mobile in the mid-90's and had a soft spot with those guys for years. I went through the entire build out of the infrastructure and watched the coverage map grow. They are heavily concentrated with coverage in high population and major artery areas. I finally couldn't take it waiting for decent coverage in my home (very rural) and had to switch to Cingular. Omnipoint/VoiceStream/t-Mobile for 9 years constant, Cingular just recently. But hey, I can now get all of my service options in my home abode without worry.
 
Thanks for the information. I think I am going to take a serious look at Cingular. I might go over to one of the stores tonight. I really found T-Mobiles plans, pricing and the little extras like the free tethering to be quite attractive so I am disappointed.

I did change the signal idicator (I found the with the 8100 you actually need to do ALT-NNMLL) and it is pretty consistantly in the low 90's although it moves around quite a bit. Right now I am having problems and it is at 86.

Thanks again for the help.
 
I just thought I'd let everyone know that I decided to switch to Cingular. I got my new Pearl yesterday and it is working quite well in all aspects. I am thrilled.

Thanks again for everyone's help and suggestions. I appreciate it.
 
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