Will Upgrading Cellphone to 3G Improve Signal Strength

[Expat]

I havd been using the same cell phone for seven years, always worked fine. However I recently moved to the middle of nowhere and cannot get a signal to make phone calls. According to AT&T the signal strength in my area is supposed to be excellent,but that is predicated on a 3G network. If I buy a new phone will this be the answer to my problem of no signal. (At present I have no bars at all, and most of the time see an icon that says no service).
At present I have to drive to within 4 miles of the interstate in order to make a call.
I do not want to change carriers as I have an excellent deal with AT&T.
Thnks for any help with this problem.

 

[Cenla Agent]

Upgrading can't hurt, I'm sure. You must have a very durable phone if it has lasted 7 years. I think the most I've gotten out of a phone that I've used continuously is about 3 years.

I didn't know that there was anything less than a 3G network at this point. Are you sure it's not 4G? But most of my experience has been with CDMA in recent years (Verizon, Sprint) as opposed to GSM (AT&T, T-Mobile.) I used to work for Sprint back in the dark ages when camera phones were all the rage and they had the commercials with the X-Files inspired "Sprint man." Even though Sprint fell behind Verizon about 10 years ago, they've had 3G voice for about that long, maybe longer. But I could be wrong and it may be that 3G wasn't available in all areas. Now a carrier is behind if they don't have 4G.

AT&T (and before that Cingular, etc.) was basically considered technologically inferior until they managed to get the iPhone.

 

[briko3]

I havd been using the same cell phone for seven years, always worked fine. However I recently moved to the middle of nowhere and cannot get a signal to make phone calls. According to AT&T the signal strength in my area is supposed to be excellent,but that is predicated on a 3G network. If I buy a new phone will this be the answer to my problem of no signal. (At present I have no bars at all, and most of the time see an icon that says no service).
At present I have to drive to within 4 miles of the interstate in order to make a call.
I do not want to change carriers as I have an excellent deal with AT&T.
Thnks for any help with this problem.

Older phones get better signals for talk. 3G only has to do with data (ie., surfing the web, checking e-mail.) My brother teaches and the only phones that work in his school are flip phones. All the newer smart phones don't get a signal.

 

[TXINSURANCE]

I havd been using the same cell phone for seven years, always worked fine. However I recently moved to the middle of nowhere and cannot get a signal to make phone calls. According to AT&T the signal strength in my area is supposed to be excellent,but that is predicated on a 3G network. If I buy a new phone will this be the answer to my problem of no signal. (At present I have no bars at all, and most of the time see an icon that says no service).
At present I have to drive to within 4 miles of the interstate in order to make a call.
I do not want to change carriers as I have an excellent deal with AT&T.
Thnks for any help with this problem.

The issue is AT&T, as usual.

My ATT&T barely works at my office, and only works in half of my house.

AT&T solution is to spend $200 for a booster that somehow connects to my Internet router?

I have only had signal issues for around 6 years, I probobaly need to give them more time - I am sure they are working on it.

And to answer your question, upgrading your phone is a great idea - but not the issue.

 

[JoKat]

T-Mobile will let you make calls through your wireless connection on your internet connection. EDIT: Thanks I meant Wifi.

 

[WinoBlues]

I havd been using the same cell phone for seven years, always worked fine. However I recently moved to the middle of nowhere and cannot get a signal to make phone calls. According to AT&T the signal strength in my area is supposed to be excellent,but that is predicated on a 3G network. If I buy a new phone will this be the answer to my problem of no signal. (At present I have no bars at all, and most of the time see an icon that says no service).
At present I have to drive to within 4 miles of the interstate in order to make a call.
I do not want to change carriers as I have an excellent deal with AT&T.
Thnks for any help with this problem.

Joanne, just reminded me. Signal is horrible in my house. So Sprint sent me this device called an AirRave that sends calls though your wifi connection. That may be an option for you.

 

[Norwayguy]

T-Mobile will let you make calls through your wireless connection on your internet connection. EDIT: Thanks I meant Wifi.

So nice of them to let you make calls off of another carriers service ie your internet provider.

 

[JoKat]

VOIP is available to many different carriers other than just my internet provider including but not limited to Skype

 

[Expat]

Many thanks for all of the information.

 

[Norwayguy]

VOIP is available to many different carriers other than just my internet provider including but not limited to Skype

Yes but your voip calls would not be possible without the internet connection. I know its just a rant but if my cell phone company suggested as a solution to not being able to get a signal at home and in essense have those calls go through voip I would drop them in a heartbeat. We have a carrier like that tmobile is great if you never want to be far from the interstate thier maps at least are accurate they show coverage in Maine in a swath following I95 outside that your SOL.