BlackBerry Forums Support Community
              

Closed Thread
 
Thread Tools
Old 04-21-2009, 10:19 PM   #1
gpc
Knows Where the Search Button Is
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Model: 9630
Carrier: CellSouth
Posts: 24
Default 3G vs 2G signal

Please Login to Remove!

Have been considering moving from 8800 to a Bold.

With AT&T. Live in an area where I have a signal occasionally in my home with my 8800. Was told by a rep that the signal with 3G is better in my area than the 2G signal. Have not found anyone with Bold that I could take to my home. Are there many areas where 3g is stronger than 2g?

Also anyone using anything that boost the signal from outside into home. Have seen a product with antenna and booster but they are about 600. Would it work equally well for 3g as opposed to 2g?
Offline  
Old 04-21-2009, 11:17 PM   #2
Solarplexxus
Knows Where the Search Button Is
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Alabama
Model: 9900
OS: 7.0.0.590
PIN: N/A
Carrier: AT&T
Posts: 39
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by gpc View Post
Are there many areas where 3g is stronger than 2g?
I live in Birmingham, Alabama and just upgraded to the Bold from the 8700c. The 3G signal at home is generally stronger than EDGE, but it still gets weak sometimes and the phone drops to EDGE. So, to answer your question, 3G may be "stronger", but still unreliable.

I even had GPRS on the screen the other night. AT&T's network is simply unstable. Hopefully, 3G will get better as they convert towers to 850MHz.
Offline  
Old 04-22-2009, 06:21 AM   #3
ezrunner
EPIC MOD
 
ezrunner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Virginia Beach
Model: ZED10
OS: DOS 3.1
PIN: INK STICK
Carrier: Tmobile
Posts: 12,214
Default

Wirelessly posted (overwhelmingly stressed)

I had my bold on 3G and had much better service at home! Than I did on EDGE
__________________
ZED 10
Offline  
Old 04-22-2009, 06:35 AM   #4
ExGMan
Knows Where the Search Button Is
 
ExGMan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
Model: 9000
Carrier: AT&T
Posts: 37
Default BOLD 3G Signal Much Stronger

I live in an area near Boston, MA where the 2G signal was essentially worthless in my house...commonly it was in the -95 to -100dbm strength, with one or two bars on my 8700c. I switched to the BOLD this past Sunday, and the 3G signal is five bars with -70dbm strength constantly. I find I can actually really use the BOLD in the house now.

A side benefit (unrelated to the 3G) is that I can use my WiFi network in the house for email.
Offline  
Old 04-22-2009, 06:55 AM   #5
bostonnerd
Talking BlackBerry Encyclopedia
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Boston area
Model: z10
Carrier: AT&T
Posts: 416
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ExGMan View Post
I live in an area near Boston, MA where the 2G signal was essentially worthless in my house...commonly it was in the -95 to -100dbm strength, with one or two bars on my 8700c. I switched to the BOLD this past Sunday, and the 3G signal is five bars with -70dbm strength constantly. I find I can actually really use the BOLD in the house now.

A side benefit (unrelated to the 3G) is that I can use my WiFi network in the house for email.
I also live in CH. AT&T turned on a tower in the area about a year ago and enabled 3G around 8 months ago. I find 3G coverage in CH to be much more reliable than 2G.
__________________
z10 on AT&T (plus an HTC One X)
Offline  
Old 04-22-2009, 07:04 AM   #6
mgerbasio
CrackBerry Addict
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Model: 8800c
Carrier: Cingular
Posts: 970
Default

The Bold will work with on 2G or 3G and automatically switch to the better signal. If AT&T covers the area where you'll use the phone, including your home, I'd get the Bold. You can buy a cell phone booster for less than $300. There are a few models that had good reviews; I'd be sure to find one that was discussed on a forum or you read a reliable review. Check howardforums.com and google it.

AT&T is releasing femtocells which are basically small cell towers that use your broadband connection to give you a 3G signal at home/work for calls and data. These will only work with 3G phones. Rumored date is June for release.

You can either call/online ATT and get a Bold with a 30 day trial period.

Now the bad news: The problem with 3G is that it will drop a call if the phone switches to 2G. Also, the battery life is poor. I was forced to debrand my phone so I could manually switch 3G off. I use mine in NYC/NJ and dropped more than a dozen calls a day. On 2G is solved the dropped call problem and also improves battery life considerably.

Regards-Michael G.
Offline  
Closed Thread


Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


BISSELL 3-in-1 Turbo Lightweight Stick Vacuum, 2610 (Black) picture

BISSELL 3-in-1 Turbo Lightweight Stick Vacuum, 2610 (Black)

$36.06



Bissell 3-in-1 Lightweight Corded Stick Vacuum 2030 picture

Bissell 3-in-1 Lightweight Corded Stick Vacuum 2030

$27.44



Shop Vacuum upholstery extractor conversion kit auto vac detail carpet or home.  picture

Shop Vacuum upholstery extractor conversion kit auto vac detail carpet or home.

$192.00



4.5 CFM Single-Stage Rotary Vacuum Pump HVAC/Auto AC 4.5CFM 1/3HP 1/4

4.5 CFM Single-Stage Rotary Vacuum Pump HVAC/Auto AC 4.5CFM 1/3HP 1/4"ACME inlet

$59.89



Commercial Cleaning Machine 3in1 Floor Carpet Cleaner Vacuum Extractor HOT picture

Commercial Cleaning Machine 3in1 Floor Carpet Cleaner Vacuum Extractor HOT

$480.00



3 CFM Air Vacuum Pump HVAC Manifold Gauge Set AC A/C Refrigeration Kit picture

3 CFM Air Vacuum Pump HVAC Manifold Gauge Set AC A/C Refrigeration Kit

$49.50







Copyright © 2004-2016 BlackBerryForums.com.
The names RIM © and BlackBerry © are registered Trademarks of BlackBerry Inc.