Samsung SYNC SGH-A707
Samsung Sync and Dropped Calls
I got a Samsung Sync several days ago, an AT&T branded one. I was using it outside behind my house. The signal strength indicator went from maximum strength to almost nothing within a matter of seconds. The call kept dropping and I had to call the person back. Could that be a problem with the network? I called the person back later on my home phone and then HIS cell phone kept dropping calls and he has T-Mobile. Any feedback would be appreciated.
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It is the phone switching from 3G to the 2G Edge networks. 3G is an imperfect system apparently still being refined. This is the number one complaint of Sync users - dropped calls regardless of what the adverts say ("Fewest dropped calls" in your dreams!!) Many hackers are trying to find a way to keep the phone on 2G. Worst news...theres nothing you can do about it, but if it is a major on-going problem for you, take the phone back within your thirty day window and trade for a new one. The Sync is a great phone, 3G is not so great. Yet.
BTW, 3G stands for third generation, a new cellular communication protocol that will offer improved internet streaming applications. Maybe someday it'll work well, but we are apparently going through th...
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BTW, 3G stands for third generation, a new cellular communication protocol that will offer improved internet streaming applications. Maybe someday it'll work well, but we are apparently going through th...
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The reason I was getting dropped calls was because the phone was switching from 3G to 2G Edge networks? That's interesting. Speaking of switching, I was downtown in my area today and I looked at the external display. It had a G instead of an E. What was that for? Was it on the 3G network or did that stand for something else? My father had a cell phone that had a G instead of a picture of a tower. By the way, thanks for the answer. It was very informative.
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>>>It had a G instead of an E. What was that for? Was it on the 3G network...
There yuh go, thats exactly whats happening. E equals Edge, G equals 3G. Be observant and you'll see them switch frequently, like just after you've made an important connection.
I hear you can call ATT/Cingular and they can "turn off" your phone's search for distant/weak 3G cells, leaving you (supposedly) with strong Edge towers. Haven't tried it but I don't have bad connection issues in my area.
There yuh go, thats exactly whats happening. E equals Edge, G equals 3G. Be observant and you'll see them switch frequently, like just after you've made an important connection.
I hear you can call ATT/Cingular and they can "turn off" your phone's search for distant/weak 3G cells, leaving you (supposedly) with strong Edge towers. Haven't tried it but I don't have bad connection issues in my area.
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I heard from some of the users at the AT&T Wireless forums that the G stood for GPRS, but that is cool if it stands for 3G. I have not tried calling AT&T to have them switch off the phone's search for distant and weak 3G towers.
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Edge info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enhanced_Data_Rates_for ... »
3G info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3G »
GPRS info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPRS_Core_Network »
Oh my, you are absolutely correct about the G on the phone face. Page 18 of the manual explains the symbols. Thanks for the correction.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enhanced_Data_Rates_for ... »
3G info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3G »
GPRS info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPRS_Core_Network »
Oh my, you are absolutely correct about the G on the phone face. Page 18 of the manual explains the symbols. Thanks for the correction.
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You're very welcome for the corrections. I'm glad I was able to help. I looked at the icon and if I were in a 3G area, it would say 3G on the external display.
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I have both the A707 and the new A717. Regarding dropped calls, I've used several providers and find AT&T the best, however that does not apply to everyone. Also if you are in between cell towers you may experience the dropped call issue.
My A717 is much better in terms of call quality and I have had no dropped calls, while I had a few (not many) dropped calls on the A717. Hope this helps shed a little light on the subject
My A717 is much better in terms of call quality and I have had no dropped calls, while I had a few (not many) dropped calls on the A717. Hope this helps shed a little light on the subject
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That information about being in between cell phone towers may have something to do with the dropped call issue. However, I have now had this phone for two weeks and I have not had any more dropped calls. I also notice that the cell phone signal, even in the dead spots in and around my house, is three or four bars, which is enough to make a call and keep it connected. I wonder if those days that I was dropping calls, the network was just having an issue. That is interesting that your A717 has better call quality. I have found my A707 call quality to be pretty good. I thought for a moment that I would have to take the phone back because of dropped calls. It now looks like I do not.
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My wife has the same issue with her Sync. I can watch my blackjack do the same thing, Go from E with 5 bars to 3G and 1 bar with me not moving in my house. Very frustrating. AT&T switched her simm card to see if that would help, that was yesterday. They also said we should turn off our phones once a day since this is when network updates would be transfered to our phones. This is suppose to help also. Give it a try.
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Sorry to hear you're having the same issue. I will turn my phone off and then back on and see if it works. I also have some dead spots in my house, even though the phone sometimes says there are several bars. However, at other times, the phone will have one or two bars and it will dial out and stay connected to the person I am speaking with. Thanks for the advice.
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