Since the Apple iPhone went on sale on November 9, it has sold surprisingly well, despite reservations over it’s limitations, and forcing buyers to choose 02 as their service provider. However, a big problem has emerged with some users complaining of terrible reception. The only question is: Are Apple or 02 to blame for this?

Two days after the phone went on sale, a thread was started on Apple’s official support board entitled ‘UK 02 (poor signal strength/reception problems)‘. ‘Matlock’ in Derbyshire claimed that:

“My iphone can barely pick up even the slightest signal, although on occasion can pick up 3 [b]ars, only for it to drop out again. I have two other 02 phones, a Sony Ericsson and a Nokia n95 with no reception problems at all. Is anyone experiencing same problem with their iphone, I would like to hear from you.”

Two weeks in, and this initial query/complaint has received over 100 replies, and nearly 4,000 page views, with many of them registering similar complaints against the iPhone’s performance in the UK.

Although at first it was thought to be an 02 network issue, some disagreed, and suggested it was instead an inherent fault with the iPhone itself. Forum poster Charles Duffy responded:

“Take your phone back for a replacement – it is faulty! I had the same problem – little or no reception. Had my phone replaced today and the signal strength is perfect. Still have a problem with Bluetooth, but hopefully this will be fixed by Apple shortly with their next update! At last I can make and receive calls!! Hope this helps! PS there is a 14 day return or exchange policy in the iPhone!”

Whoever is to blame, the problem seems to be ongoing, and not limited to just a few cases. There also seem to be a number of solutions, though their success rates vary considerably.

Some people found that reinstalling the iPhone software made a difference. Others returned their phones for new ones, and found that the problem went away, yet others reported that the new phones were no better.

02, Apple’s chosen partner in the UK, don’t seem to be taking the blame squarely on their shoulders, instead referring complainants to Apple itself.

If it is some iPhones which are at fault, one possible explanation is in the way the batteries work. The indicator on the iPhone tends to jump to five bars as soon as it is placed in the charging dock. As user Richard Catledge explains:

“It says in the manual that phone signal is adjusted to the minimum power when not in use, just enough to detect the incoming pings, then it will power up to get the best quality call. It is digital, so as long as the signal power is strong enough to reconstruct at the other end, more power is pointless. I suspect this is what you are seeing, or a slightly flakey implementation.”

We’ve already seen France and Germany overturn Apple’s exclusive deals with network providers on the grounds of illegality, and now British users are experiencing reception problems.

This is yet another problem Apple and the iPhone could do without, as Europe has so far proved a much harder nut to crack than the States.

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Entry was posted on Sunday, November 25th, 2007 at 7:12 pm under Apple, Cell phones.

Read more entries by Dave Parrack.
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