frustraded! dropped calls/not able to call despite good reception

I have been with sprint since 1999 and been decently happy with their
service (free&clear).
I have a samsung a400 and over the last couple months am getting more
and more frustrated as a huge number of calls get dropped or i am even
unable to place a call despite having 4 bars reception.
I am getting messaged from "call failed", "no synch" to "signal faded"
or just no message at all.
In addition i seem to not receive some calls. they show up hours later
on my voice mail, even though i had the phone and it showed
reception....
What is going on ?

Tech at *2 wasnt really helpful just said that "i might need a new
phone" but I am hol;ding out for a bluetooth phone...

this is all in major metropolitan areas (dc/nyc/boston) on the east
coast...

thanks!

---

› See More: frustraded! dropped calls/not able to call despite good reception

Have you tried a software upgrade ?

Frank

Pat wrote:

> I have been with sprint since 1999 and been decently happy with their
> service (free&clear).
> I have a samsung a400 and over the last couple months am getting more
> and more frustrated as a huge number of calls get dropped or i am even
> unable to place a call despite having 4 bars reception.
> I am getting messaged from "call failed", "no synch" to "signal faded"
> or just no message at all.
> In addition i seem to not receive some calls. they show up hours later
> on my voice mail, even though i had the phone and it showed
> reception....
> What is going on ?
>
> Tech at *2 wasnt really helpful just said that "i might need a new
> phone" but I am hol;ding out for a bluetooth phone...
>
> this is all in major metropolitan areas (dc/nyc/boston) on the east
> coast...
>
> thanks!

My personal suggestion,,, (but not knowing your situation..this is a 'stab
in the dark')

1) Make sure the phone is @ current PRL level, which I believe is 10023
I DOUBT very much this will help, but I am a 'get current, stay current
person'.

2) As soon as conveient, stop by a 'Full Service' corporate Sprint Store and
have a full diagnostic check run on the phone....
My suspicion, unfortunately, is that it will fail one or more tests
dramaticly!.

A) If the phone, does NOT fail, as them to make sure the software and PRL
levels are current and even if the software is current, explain the
situation, and ask them to refresh the software if you are current!

B) If the phone failed tests, ask them about purchasing a 'refurb'. I am not
sure if a contract is required in that situation...

Before going in, knowing that a replacement phone may be a possibility, do
the research on the phones....

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------
What is the 'fascination' with 'bluetooth'?
To me the technology is 'immature' at best!
For some interesting articles see:
http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...security+flaws

I would suspect your phone but, not sure where you placed/received calls at
either.

I have/had no issues in Boston or Wash DC and I make a lot of calls in and
around Wash DC. ( 800 min a month avg )
Boston area I was in and around the "Big Dig" and didn't have any issues
either but didn't travel all around the city either.

FWIW and YMMV ;-)

Scotty



"Pat" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have been with sprint since 1999 and been decently happy with their
> service (free&clear).
> I have a samsung a400 and over the last couple months am getting more
> and more frustrated as a huge number of calls get dropped or i am even
> unable to place a call despite having 4 bars reception.
> I am getting messaged from "call failed", "no synch" to "signal faded"
> or just no message at all.
> In addition i seem to not receive some calls. they show up hours later
> on my voice mail, even though i had the phone and it showed
> reception....
> What is going on ?
>
> Tech at *2 wasnt really helpful just said that "i might need a new
> phone" but I am hol;ding out for a bluetooth phone...
>
> this is all in major metropolitan areas (dc/nyc/boston) on the east
> coast...
>
> thanks!

Just thinking again, if the OP says "loosing sync", that would explain the
missed handoffs......
I wonder if the internal clock is deviating ( losing or gaining time ) a
lot?

I still suspect a bad phone....

Scotty

"Joe Gill" <joegill@[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My personal suggestion,,, (but not knowing your situation..this is a 'stab
> in the dark')
>
> 1) Make sure the phone is @ current PRL level, which I believe is 10023
> I DOUBT very much this will help, but I am a 'get current, stay current
> person'.
>
> 2) As soon as conveient, stop by a 'Full Service' corporate Sprint Store
and
> have a full diagnostic check run on the phone....
> My suspicion, unfortunately, is that it will fail one or more tests
> dramaticly!.
>
> A) If the phone, does NOT fail, as them to make sure the software and PRL
> levels are current and even if the software is current, explain the
> situation, and ask them to refresh the software if you are current!
>
> B) If the phone failed tests, ask them about purchasing a 'refurb'. I am
not
> sure if a contract is required in that situation...
>
> Before going in, knowing that a replacement phone may be a possibility, do
> the research on the phones....
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
> ------------------
> What is the 'fascination' with 'bluetooth'?
> To me the technology is 'immature' at best!
> For some interesting articles see:
>
http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...security+flaws
>
>

"Pat" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have been with sprint since 1999 and been decently happy with their
> service (free&clear).
> I have a samsung a400 and over the last couple months am getting more
> and more frustrated as a huge number of calls get dropped or i am even
> unable to place a call despite having 4 bars reception.
> I am getting messaged from "call failed", "no synch" to "signal faded"
> or just no message at all.
> In addition i seem to not receive some calls. they show up hours later
> on my voice mail, even though i had the phone and it showed
> reception....
> What is going on ?
>
> Tech at *2 wasnt really helpful just said that "i might need a new
> phone" but I am hol;ding out for a bluetooth phone...
>
> this is all in major metropolitan areas (dc/nyc/boston) on the east
> coast...
>
> thanks!

First off, SPCS could be exactly right ... Your A400 is an old phone. In
saying that, there are a few steps you can take right now and that's to
check what PRL & Firmware versions on your phone. The current PRL is 10023.
The current firmware for your phone is WA23 via the info from this site -
http://www.sprintpcsinfo.com/modules...showpage&pid=9 .

If you don't have one or both of the most recent versions, I'd suggest going
to a SPCS store and have them do the upgrades.

While you are there, check out the new line of phones. If you've had your
A400 on the same number for 18 months or longer, you can qualify for a $150
mail in rebate. You can check that out with this link -
http://pcshandsetupgrade.sprint.com/ .

Actually, you don't have to go to the store, if the firmware version is up
to date, but the PRL is out of date, as the PRL can be updated OTA, over the
air, by calling SPCS. I only suggest going to the store, as it's probably
time to think of getting a new phone.

Bob

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] (Pat) wrote:

> I have been with sprint since 1999 and been decently happy with their
> service (free&clear).
> I have a samsung a400 and over the last couple months am getting more
> and more frustrated as a huge number of calls get dropped or i am even
> unable to place a call despite having 4 bars reception.
> I am getting messaged from "call failed", "no synch" to "signal faded"
> or just no message at all.
> In addition i seem to not receive some calls. they show up hours later
> on my voice mail, even though i had the phone and it showed
> reception....
> What is going on ?
>
> Tech at *2 wasnt really helpful just said that "i might need a new
> phone" but I am hol;ding out for a bluetooth phone...
>
> this is all in major metropolitan areas (dc/nyc/boston) on the east
> coast...
>
> thanks!

As SprintPCS says on their web site:

http://www.sprintpcs.com/common/popu...allCredit.html


With Sprint PCS, you can get credits for your dropped calls
Receive credit for a dropped call:

Dial *2 from your Sprint PCS Phone
Say "Credit for a dropped call"
Follow instructions provided to you

Check for credits:

Sign on to My PCS
Click "My Invoice & Payments", then "Account Summary"
Credits appear under the heading "Promotions/Credits/Adjustments"

In article <[email protected]>,
"Bob Smith" <[email protected]> wrote:

> "Pat" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > I have been with sprint since 1999 and been decently happy with their
> > service (free&clear).
> > I have a samsung a400 and over the last couple months am getting more
> > and more frustrated as a huge number of calls get dropped or i am even
> > unable to place a call despite having 4 bars reception.
> > I am getting messaged from "call failed", "no synch" to "signal faded"
> > or just no message at all.
> > In addition i seem to not receive some calls. they show up hours later
> > on my voice mail, even though i had the phone and it showed
> > reception....
> > What is going on ?
> >
> > Tech at *2 wasnt really helpful just said that "i might need a new
> > phone" but I am hol;ding out for a bluetooth phone...
> >
> > this is all in major metropolitan areas (dc/nyc/boston) on the east
> > coast...
> >
> > thanks!
>
> First off, SPCS could be exactly right ... Your A400 is an old phone. In
> saying that, there are a few steps you can take right now and that's to
> check what PRL & Firmware versions on your phone. The current PRL is 10023.
> The current firmware for your phone is WA23 via the info from this site -
> http://www.sprintpcsinfo.com/modules...showpage&pid=9 .
>
> If you don't have one or both of the most recent versions, I'd suggest going
> to a SPCS store and have them do the upgrades.
>
> While you are there, check out the new line of phones. If you've had your
> A400 on the same number for 18 months or longer, you can qualify for a $150
> mail in rebate. You can check that out with this link -
> http://pcshandsetupgrade.sprint.com/ .
>
> Actually, you don't have to go to the store, if the firmware version is up
> to date, but the PRL is out of date, as the PRL can be updated OTA, over the
> air, by calling SPCS. I only suggest going to the store, as it's probably
> time to think of getting a new phone.
>
> Bob

Thats good advice for someone who moved to an new area. Pat apparently
hasn't changed location but

"over the last couple months am getting more
and more frustrated as a huge number of calls get dropped or i am even
unable to place a call despite having 4 bars reception."

The only thing that might help is to resync with your local tower by
dialing *18

More likely it's 100% Sprint's fault, others want to blame the phone or
the user, and use a Network problem as an excuse to sell a new phone.

As with what happened to Justin, if the Network has locally
deteriorated, a different phone helps not at all, in which case the
poster may want to consider switching carriers if it is indeed a Network
issue which isn't quickly resolved.

In article <[email protected]>,
"Scott Nelson - Wash DC" <[email protected]> wrote:

> I would suspect your phone but, not sure where you placed/received calls at
> either.
>
> I have/had no issues in Boston or Wash DC and I make a lot of calls in and
> around Wash DC. ( 800 min a month avg )
> Boston area I was in and around the "Big Dig" and didn't have any issues
> either but didn't travel all around the city either.
>
> FWIW and YMMV ;-)
>
> Scotty

The poster's IP # indicated a Cambridge, Mass. posting location, and
possibly also cellular location.

Anybody aware of network issues in Cambridge, Mass.?

In article <[email protected]>,
Frankie says <[email protected]> wrote:

> Have you tried a software upgrade ?

That would not explain sudden increase in dropped calls after 2 years.

Robert M wrote:

> In article <[email protected]>,
> Frankie says <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>>Have you tried a software upgrade ?
>
>
> That would not explain sudden increase in dropped calls after 2 years.

Well if his PRl is too old and his software has degraded it might, in
any event it is a starting place.

Frank

In article <[email protected]>,
Frankie says <[email protected]> wrote:

>
>
> Robert M wrote:
>
> > In article <[email protected]>,
> > Frankie says <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> >
> >>Have you tried a software upgrade ?
> >
> >
> > That would not explain sudden increase in dropped calls after 2 years.
>
> Well if his PRl is too old and his software has degraded it might, in
> any event it is a starting place.

Software degraded? What kind of fantasy is that?

For more likely the Network degraded.

Frankie says <[email protected]> wrote:

>> That would not explain sudden increase in dropped calls after 2 years.
>
> Well if his PRl is too old and his software has degraded it might, in
> any event it is a starting place.

Yeah, yeah, and Verizon reps tell me to do *228 to update my PRL when I
have connection problems... however, updating your preferred roaming list
generally doesn't help you when you're not roaming - is the OP roaming when
he has the problems, or does he have them at home?

A *firmware upgrade* might help. But not a PRL update.

--
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Steven J. Sobol, Geek In Charge / 888.480.4NET (4638) / [email protected]
Domain Names, $9.95/yr, 24x7 service: http://DomainNames.JustThe.net/
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"Pat" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have been with sprint since 1999 and been decently happy with their
> service (free&clear).
> I have a samsung a400 and over the last couple months am getting more
> and more frustrated as a huge number of calls get dropped or i am even
> unable to place a call despite having 4 bars reception.
> I am getting messaged from "call failed", "no synch" to "signal faded"
> or just no message at all.
> In addition i seem to not receive some calls. they show up hours later
> on my voice mail, even though i had the phone and it showed
> reception....
> What is going on ?
>
> Tech at *2 wasnt really helpful just said that "i might need a new
> phone" but I am hol;ding out for a bluetooth phone...
>
> this is all in major metropolitan areas (dc/nyc/boston) on the east
> coast...
>
> thanks!

Shouldn't this be a sign to get a new phone?

"Røbert M" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> "Bob Smith" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > "Pat" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > > I have been with sprint since 1999 and been decently happy with their
> > > service (free&clear).
> > > I have a samsung a400 and over the last couple months am getting more
> > > and more frustrated as a huge number of calls get dropped or i am even
> > > unable to place a call despite having 4 bars reception.
> > > I am getting messaged from "call failed", "no synch" to "signal faded"
> > > or just no message at all.
> > > In addition i seem to not receive some calls. they show up hours later
> > > on my voice mail, even though i had the phone and it showed
> > > reception....
> > > What is going on ?
> > >
> > > Tech at *2 wasnt really helpful just said that "i might need a new
> > > phone" but I am hol;ding out for a bluetooth phone...
> > >
> > > this is all in major metropolitan areas (dc/nyc/boston) on the east
> > > coast...
> > >
> > > thanks!
> >
> > First off, SPCS could be exactly right ... Your A400 is an old phone. In
> > saying that, there are a few steps you can take right now and that's to
> > check what PRL & Firmware versions on your phone. The current PRL is
10023.
> > The current firmware for your phone is WA23 via the info from this
site -
> > http://www.sprintpcsinfo.com/modules...showpage&pid=9
..
> >
> > If you don't have one or both of the most recent versions, I'd suggest
going
> > to a SPCS store and have them do the upgrades.
> >
> > While you are there, check out the new line of phones. If you've had
your
> > A400 on the same number for 18 months or longer, you can qualify for a
$150
> > mail in rebate. You can check that out with this link -
> > http://pcshandsetupgrade.sprint.com/ .
> >
> > Actually, you don't have to go to the store, if the firmware version is
up
> > to date, but the PRL is out of date, as the PRL can be updated OTA, over
the
> > air, by calling SPCS. I only suggest going to the store, as it's
probably
> > time to think of getting a new phone.
> >
> > Bob
>
> Thats good advice for someone who moved to an new area. Pat apparently
> hasn't changed location but
>
> "over the last couple months am getting more
> and more frustrated as a huge number of calls get dropped or i am even
> unable to place a call despite having 4 bars reception."
>
> The only thing that might help is to resync with your local tower by
> dialing *18
>
> More likely it's 100% Sprint's fault, others want to blame the phone or
> the user, and use a Network problem as an excuse to sell a new phone.

So you leave no room for the possibility that the problems could the phone?

> As with what happened to Justin, if the Network has locally
> deteriorated, a different phone helps not at all, in which case the
> poster may want to consider switching carriers if it is indeed a Network
> issue which isn't quickly resolved.

And how exactly, if you know, does a network ''locally deteriorate'' for
just one user? If there is a local network issue in Boston or anywhere else
in the state, would it not be a known issue?