Ok, here's the deal. I can't connect to Tmobile from work. No bars and a "searching for network"... but if I change from bars to numbers (Alt+NMLL), I see that I generally get 68-75 db... occasionally up to 80, but not often. Tmobile claims I should get 4 bars in the immediate area (metro-Milwaukee, so this isn't exactly out in the country). On my way TO work, I usually get signal halfway into the building. Once I get to my desk, its gone. When I leave work, I don't get signal back until I'm about 10 blocks away.

I don't get it. I can understand that there might be some interference, but then I shouldn't be getting bars OR those db numbers. And theres no reason I shouldn't get my phone right back as soon as I leave the building, right? Or am I just being a stupid n00b? :D

maybe try getting a new SIM, if not then i know like fido/rogers no provider can garauntee signal indoors, so either you are around alot of concrete or they have cell reception blockers or something, but i would try getting a new SIM(brand new) from tmo and see if that helps.

This is a new SIM, though for a different phone. I lost my Nokia Memorial Day weekend, so this Pearl is brand new. The Nokia didn't have reception either, but I'm kind of confused with the blackberry that if it says it is getting good signal (at home I have 4-5 bars with the SAME db numbers) why it is also "searching for network".

Wirelessly posted (8700g: BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

k4tj3, did you have good reception in the building before and this just happened, or always?

As far as not getting signal immediately when you step out of the building, try this experiment: When you step out of the building, turn the wireless off and then back on.

Always, which is why I am willing to bet that there is some interference, again, I'm mostly confused as to why I get the good db numbers then. And I do turn it off and on again, but turning it on takes forever (the nature of the blackberry I think). Sometimes I can get miles away and still it cant find the tower (I work on 87th and still won't have reception when I get to my b/fs work at 43rd St). Its just annoying.

Wirelessly posted (8700g: BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

I can't answer first question except to say I'm in similar situation. My reception in my office fluctuates from no signal to one or two bars. There's only a loose correlation between the bars and ability to make a connection with the browser. Voice is out of the question almost all the time.

What I've noticed with my 8700g is it seems to check for network less freqently when it hasn't detected the network for a period of time. That's what I assume anyway. When I step out of my building and want a connection right away, I've found turning the wireless off and back on forces the BB to seach for a network; if not, I would sometimes have to wait, like you've observed.

Mine ALWAYS says "Searching for network" at the desk... I don't know if its actively doing anything or not though. Any ideas on something non-permanent (like a rooftop antenna is out of the question) to increase my reception in the building?

Wirelessly posted (8700g: BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

No good ideas from me on what to do in the building. If I get a call, I stand up at the outside wall of the room and hope my BB hangs on long enough to tell the caller I'll call them back if I lose them. (And if I lose them, I either go outside and call back, or call back from my office land line.)

Revisiting this.

I just updated to the newest OS last night and checked my dBm this morning at work. I used to get in the 70s and a "Searching" while here. Same numbers, but now it doesn't say "Searching", its just blank, with no bars, no red x, no nothing. Think this means I'm any closer to getting signal? :D *crosses fingers*