iPhone 4S data speed is super slow in the Salt Lake City area

**skarloey** · 07-13-2012, 10:49 PM

We can't get more than "1G" data speeds after having the new VM iPhone 4S for a little over a week despite their 3G coverage map showing excellent 3G data coverage. This means we can't use Siri. Been on the phone with VM, did network reset, then they sent me to Apple Care. Apple suspected that VM only has access to the "2g" spectrum off Sprint's network. I'm back on hold with VM and they insisted that "3G" data speeds are available for the iPhone. Waiting to get resolution and will post results.

Anyone getting good 3G speeds in other locations with the VM iPhone 4S?

**skarloey** · 07-13-2012, 11:20 PM

They kicked me off the phone since it's after hours...will try again in the morning.

**jpapa1086** · 07-14-2012, 10:05 AM

Stupid apple geniuses... I hate them!

Anyway, of course you have access to sprints 3g network! A few things might be happening .. sprint is going thru major upgrades under their "network vision" plan ... you might be in a area where upgrades are being performed. Second , your phone might of not been provisioned correctly and calling cs might help address that issue. Have you left salt lake city to see if 3g works outside of your problem area? If it does work , then there is a tower problem in your area, if it doesn't then you have a phone issue

Sent from my SGH-I997 using HowardForums

**skarloey** · 07-14-2012, 10:38 PM

If upgrades are being performed, what is an acceptable time frame to get these completed? We have had the phone for 10 days now and Siri can't even be used without some kind of decent data speed. We only consistently get 0.110 Mbps for download speeds according to the speedtest.net app and surfing wait times confirm this. We will probably return the phone Monday as I am not optimistic of any near term resolution. I would expect a decent 3G data speed in the 2.0-3.0 Mbps range and we are so far below that. I would even accept something in the 0.5-1.5 Mbps range with Virgin Mobile's killer monthly rates but I can't live with 0.110 Mbps for any price (and that renders Siri useless).

Would love to hear of any success stories with iPhone data speeds on Virgin Mobile.

**503ducati** · 07-14-2012, 11:36 PM

Originally Posted by skarloey

I would expect a decent 3G data speed in the 2.0-3.0 Mbps range and we are so far below that.

Not going to happen on 3G EVDO on Sprint or Verizon. Those are approaching theoretical laboratory maximum speeds(3.1Mbps) only possibly attainable with one single user on one single tower in an optimum environment, or in a laboratory setting.

Return your iPhone ASAP.

**skarloey** · 07-15-2012, 12:17 PM

If we could get 500-700kbps on average I would be ecstatic at this point and would stay with VM. Wife loves the iPhone and I haven't been able to talk her into Android.

0.110 Mbps is just pathetic.

**skarloey** · 07-15-2012, 01:23 PM

VM customer service reset 3G on their end with my phone twice yesterday (each was a 4-hour reset). I called today and they escalated the issue yet again. I went over to BestBuy last night to talk to them. The phone guy there did not act that surprised at the low speed and just said you basically get what you pay for.

**503ducati** · 07-15-2012, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by skarloey

VM customer service reset 3G on their end with my phone twice yesterday (each was a 4-hour reset). I called today and they escalated the issue yet again. I went over to BestBuy last night to talk to them. The phone guy there did not act that surprised at the low speed and just said you basically get what you pay for.

Looking for answers at a Best Buy? if I were you I'd return that iPhone, you are not going to get what you expected.

**Joplin T-Mobile** · 07-15-2012, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by skarloey

If we could get 500-700kbps on average I would be ecstatic at this point and would stay with VM. Wife loves the iPhone and I haven't been able to talk her into Android.

0.110 Mbps is just pathetic.

Hey... if your wife loves the iPhone and is happy with it... that's all that matters. That's perfectly fine.

But... I don't know how many times I've heard from folks who have signed up for VM and Sprint complaining about their services... then basically give up and ultimately justify their decision because they "love" the phone.

Take a look at what people are saying in the forums about VM's Evo V 4G released in May and you'll see what I'm saying. Most users admit service is poor... but they just "love" the phone.

Maybe I'm old fashioned... but even the fanciest phone is just a brick to me if I can't access proper services on it.

I know the iPhone is the "icon" of America and Apple has marketed it so everyone and anyone wants one... but I just can't understand how a company can ask $600 for a 3G only device that's paired to a network well known for mediocre voice and data services when other prepaid 4G devices costing 1/4 as much are out there working just as well and as advertised.

Just blows my mind...

**soylentgreen77** · 07-16-2012, 08:47 AM

I think Vm should have almsot stated that Siri may not be usable under VM due to necessary data speeds required for Siri to work.

**Sweeped** · 07-16-2012, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by soylentgreen77

I think Vm should have almsot stated that Siri may not be usable under VM due to necessary data speeds required for Siri to work.

Just return the phone and try going to a GSM carrier if you want siri that badly. Some of you might have the issue that many of us faced during our first month of VM. You might have to try calling them and restart your month to get 3g at full speeds. Siri is just voice control, I'm sure even when VM is at its slowest should still handle siri fine since audio clips of siri responses shouldn't need a high download speed.

**soylentgreen77** · 07-17-2012, 08:10 AM

I'm not leaving VM! At least not for a few more months.. I didn't buy into the iphone hype. I am still on the grandfathered plan with an old intercept heh. The only reason I am still with VM, is the low monthly price, not the 20 kbs dial up speed we all get in my area

But that being said, why shouldn’t a person who paid 600.00 for an iphone 4S with VM, not except to be able to use Siri on a regular basis? Why is using an advertised built in feature (that requires data) on a phone considered an occasional exception rather than an expectation with VM? If VM can’t handle Siri, then Sprint should have only released the iphone 4 and not the 4S.

**billm261** · 07-17-2012, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by soylentgreen77

But that being said, why shouldn’t a person who paid 600.00 for an iphone 4S with VM, not except to be able to use Siri on a regular basis? Why is using an advertised built in feature (that requires data) on a phone considered an occasional exception rather than an expectation with VM? If VM can’t handle Siri, then Sprint should have only released the iphone 4 and not the 4S.

Very valid argument but sadly there is no near term solution.

Sprints data network is struggling in many places.

**skarloey** · 07-17-2012, 01:54 PM

Siri does not function at 0.110 Mbps despite what Sweeped says. Siri just responds "cannot make connection"

**skarloey** · 07-17-2012, 02:00 PM

Hard to believe the difference in 3G speeds. We just came off a multi year ATT contract and it was not uncommon for me to get better than 3.0 Mbps with my iPhone 4. Speeds of 1.0 Mbps would probably be the less common slow speeds I got. But for VM to advertise 3G and only be capable of 0.110 Mbps speeds just seems unspeakable. At this point even 0.384 Mbps would seem like a godsend.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3G#Data_rates

"it is expected that IMT-2000 will provide higher transmission rates: a minimum data rate of 2 Mbit/s for stationary or walking users, and 384 kbit/s in a moving vehicle,"