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Archive for the 'cell reception' Tag

AT&T on a roll, improves cell reception in 5 more cities

January 21st, 2010, 3:24 pm by

AT&T WirelessAnother slew of cell sites are up and running in Orange County that improve iPhone and 3G cell reception for AT&T customers. The new sites, which come one week after 6 others in O.C. were turned on, mean better wireless coverage in those areas. So speak up with a comment below if you notice a difference.

The new sites are near these intersections:

  • Dana Point: Near the intersection of Camino Del Avion and Golden Lantern St.
  • Santa Ana: Near the intersection of S. Grand Ave. and McFadden Ave.
  • Orange: Near the 55 Freeway and E. Katella Ave.
  • Huntington Beach: Near the intersection of Bolsa Chica Street and Heil Ave.
  • Anaheim: Near the intersection of Van Buren St. and La Palma Ave.
They are among 20 new sites announced today. Other cities getting better reception include Los Angeles, Glendale, Woodland Hills, Encino, Covina, Rialto, Cherry Valley, Beaumont, Montclair, Paso Robles, Ontario, and Rancho Cucamonga

All of AT&T’s 3G cell sites have been upgraded to HSPA 7.2 software, which means faster mobile Internet if you have an HSPA device. Think 7.2 mbps!

This isn’t the next generation 4G service being tested by Verizon and Sprint in other parts of the country. This is High Speed Packet Access 7.2, sometimes called Turbo 3G. AT&T’s plans to begin testing 4G (using Long Term Evolution technology, or LTE) next year and will offer 4G service in 2011.

HSPA requires a software upgrade. This is supported by souped-up cell sites, which are being linked by fiber-optic cables for to improve speeds. But each site must be activated so it’s an ongoing project. Orange County and Los Angeles was picked as one of six markets that will get the faster Internet speeds first. AT&T won’t what chunk of our area can already use the faster speeds but the company confirmed that activation has begun  in Orange County. AT&T expects the majority of mobile traffic will utilize the new technology by the end of the year.

Earlier on AT&T and HSPA:

Recent mobile news:

Posted in: Cell phones • • • • • • • • • • | 41 Comments »

AT&T improves reception in Cypress and Laguna Niguel

December 8th, 2009, 5:46 pm by

AT&T WirelessIt’s time for the monthly cell-phone reception update from AT&T. This month, the lucky winners are the cities of Cypress and Laguna Niguel. Both cities received a new 3G cell site, offering improved reception for AT&T mobile subscribers.

To collect the prize, city residents or anyone passing through, should notice better reception when near these intersections:

  • Lincoln Avenue and Valley View Street  in Cypress
  • Beacon Hill Way and Niguel Road in Laguna Niguel

Both are 3G cell sites, which means faster downloads and Web browsing.

AT&T even has this message for Orange County customers:

“We have a long history of investing in our network throughout Orange County to improve the quality of service we provide to our customers,” said Richard Porras, AT&T External Affairs, Orange County, in a press release. “Our customers will experience enhanced wireless coverage and an improved user experience as a direct result of the activation of this new cell site.”

Outside of Orange County, AT&T added nine new cell sites in the greater Los Angeles area. The additions are part of the 320 site upgrades to 3G plus 200 brand new cell sites AT&T is adding in California this year.

More on cell reception in Orange County:

Posted in: Cell phones • • • • • • • | 4 Comments »

iPhone service outage? There’s an app for that

December 8th, 2009, 8:37 am by

AT&T Mark the Spot app to report reception issues.Noted: AT&T has been criticized heavily for poor reception among iPhone 3G wireless users. Now, the company wants iPhone users to help them detect weaknesses. With an app.

The free AT&T Mark the Spot app allows customers to notify the company when they’re in a bum area. The customer just presses a button to indicate the nature of the issue, adds notes and sends it to AT&T. You can download the app from iTunes HERE.

While AT&T is on track to invest $17 billion to $18 billion in its wireless network, the company said that using crowd sourcing to determine network weaknesses will speed up improvements.

Of course by offering such an app, AT&T is getting reamed by some users:

“You have no service from AT&T and you’re supposed to notify AT&T of no service on AT&T with an app that needs AT&T service to let them know there’s no service on AT&T? What’s wrong with this picture?” was one of many similar user comments.

Still, at least AT&T is putting itself out there. And one independent testing firm says that AT&T’s reputation for an inferior network is just perception. Perhaps AT&T should add a feature to the app to that informs users when the location is fixed or upgraded?

At the moment, the service is only for iPhone customers but AT&T said versions for other smartphones are expected in coming months.

Earlier stories on cell phone services:

Posted in: Apple mania • iPhone • Video & TV • • • • • • • | Comments Off

AT&T improves cell reception in Westminster

November 12th, 2009, 11:19 am by

AT&T WirelessGood news for iPhone dwellers in Westminster, especially if you live near the intersection of Edinger Ave. and Newland St. AT&T added a 3G cell site near that intersection.

Why there? An AT&T spokeswoman tells me that generally, “We determine where to place cell sites on a case-by-case basis depending on a variety of factors including where subscribers are located and where better coverage is needed.”

So, if you ever notice issues with poor cell phone coverage, REPORT IT! AT&T is listening. (Here are some other tactics AT&T suggests if you’re experiencing poor reception: “Troubleshoot poor call quality.”)

Also today, the company announced that it is adding new cell sites in Santa Clarita, Long Beach and Riverside.

The new sites are part of the company’s goal to add 200 new cell sites in California this year, plus upgrade 320 others to 3G.

Related stories:

Posted in: Cell phones • • • • • • • • • | 4 Comments »

AT&T improves wireless service in 5 O.C. cities

October 29th, 2009, 2:10 pm by

AT&TJust learned that AT&T added five new cell sites throughout Orange County. All 3G, of course. That should mean better Internet and voice reception with all those iPhones out there (does it? Share your experience in comments).

The upgrade is part of AT&T’s goal to add 200 cell sites and upgrade 320 others to 3G this year just in California.

The new locations are near these intersections:

  1. Aliso Viejo: Near the intersection of Aliso Creek Road and Pacific Park Drive
  2. San Juan Capistrano: Near the intersection of Stonehill Drive and Camino Capistrano
  3. Santa Ana: Near the intersection of S. Main Street and E. Edinger Ave.
  4. Buena Park: Near the intersection of Western Ave. and La Palma Ave.
  5. Garden Grove: Near the intersection of Brookhurst St. and W. Chapman Ave.

More on cellular reception:

Posted in: Cell phones • • • • • • • • • | 21 Comments »

Verizon improves wireless coverage in Anaheim, Mission Viejo

June 15th, 2009, 3:24 pm by

Verizon WirelessVerizon Wireless turned on two more cell sites in Orange County, the company said today. 

One is in Mission Viejo, offering better coverage along Alicia Parkway and Trabuco Road. 

The other new site is in an industrial neighborhood near East Street and Vermont Avenue in Anaheim.

This should offer better reception not only for passing drivers, but residents and businesses in the area.

The upgrade is part of Verizon’s $90 million investment to add 3G service to existing cell sites in Southern California, as reported earlier (see “Verizon spends $90 million improving 3G, indoor coverage.”)

The company is adding the 850 Megahertz frequency, which penetrates through walls better. The new frequency also expands and adds capacity to its 3G broadband network.

All of Verizon’s cell sites in Orange County are now 3G friendly, says spokesman Ken Muche.

Past stories on Orange County cell reception:


Posted in: Cell phones • • • • • • | 4 Comments »

Stump the Gadgetress

March 1st, 2006, 10:30 am by

tamara.3.gifActually, it’s not too difficult to stump me. But as long as I have Internet access and a phone to call people who do know the answers, I’m pretty good with tracking down the solution. People email me random technology questions on a weekly basis and I try to respond as best I can. But really, I’m here to help you help yourself. So since I’m helping one person out, maybe someone else can benefit from my reporting and show you where I look. I’m launching a new blog category today as a way to respond to reader questions AND inspire other readers to comment if they have a better answer.

First up, Steve from Orange:
razr.jpg
Q: I was wondering if you knew anything about motorollas razor phone making radios and tvs buzz every five to fifteen minutes. if my phone is within 5 to 10 feet of said appliance it will do it. what gives?

My answer: I’ve noticed that my cell phone seems to periodically check for cellular service and when it does, I hear a faint doot-to-doot sound over my computer’s speaker or if I’m on a landline. But that’s the extent of interference I seem to get with my cell phone.

Another possibility is the phone’s Bluetooth connection…
Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in: news • • • • • | 2 Comments »

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