Droid Charge drops data constantly (actual help needed not flames or trolls)

[SlotMachine]

I have a droid charge that has been very consistent with dropping my data connection. It happens on both 3G and 4G networks. It seems like my phone loses data most when I'm using it but it can lose connection just sitting on the charger. I know this because it will give me 5 different alerts for emails and notifications at the same time for minutes, sometimes even hours-long missed. I work in an IT Help Desk and I need to be able to get my emails from exchange reliably while Away from my desk. VZW's answer has been wipe the phone, I've wiped several dozen times. In-store support can't replicate the issue but it will happen the minute I leave the store. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks in advance.

[cganoe]

Your description of the problem is vague. Are you really just having the same "Network not available" problem pretty much every other Charge owner has?

http://community.vzw.com/t5/DROID-Charge-by-Samsung/Charge-dropping-3G-service-quot-Network-not-avai...

[Odie2121]

You can put lipstick on a pig but it's still just a pig. The Charge has several issues and will be resolved with the GB update but until that point, there isn't much help. I had the same issue and Verizon's natural response is to tell you to wipe your phone or to send you another used but "like new" phone. The problem still exists. Once the official GB ota comes out, you'll be happy. It's got a snappy speed now, improved GPS lock, etc. Where it would take me 1 minute to connect via GPS and nav, I was able to connect in 3 seconds.

[SlotMachine]

So to add to my problems, here is what VZW did for me :

1. - Sent me a refurb droid charge that got NO DATA CONNECTION period. Called VZW and was told there was a nationwide 4g outage when my wife's phone was getting perfect 4g signal and I called the local store and was told they had no 4g issues, So in the end - LIED TO BY VZW!

2. - I sent back the refurb and got a new tech on the line. She said I needed a new 4g sim card cause the ones made when I got mine had issues, fine I accept that as a possibility, drove to the nearest corporate store (35min away) and got a new 4g card, data started going in and out when i left the store but I gave it the doubt it would take a while to activate the new card. Waited til the next day.

3. - Called VZW and spoke with the same tech as in #2 (had her email) she told me it would get forwarded to the network people. Now the night before when i spoke to her, i was told the 4g card WOULD fix it but if not, replacing the phone with another model was an option, but now its not possible. So again, LIED TO BY VZW!!!!. So I  was supposed to hear within 2 days from the network techs about my issue, this was almost a week ago, and being close to thanksgiving, not much will get done. So I decided to start shopping around for a new carrier which sucks cause I love vzw's service, not their customer service, but I work in a Helpdesk so I need my mobile email to stay productive at work.

In closing, Lied to twice, sent  a phone in worse condition than the one I had, and severly irritated (cant use the word I really am)

Is this getting to be the norm with VZW customer service now? I remember when they replaced my voyager with a boulder just because the touchscreen failed. What happened big red?

ok, done my rant, feeling better but still mad

[MJT1111]

I have to say in your case I would be in the nearest store raising hell. I wouldn't leave until they swapped the charge out with another brand and model. And I if I saw someone about to buy the phone I would tell them the story. After a few lost sales you probably walk out with a new phone. Verizon needs to man up and do what is right. Sending a reconditioned phone that is in worse shape than the one you sent in is unacceptable. 

[SlotMachine]

MJT - I would do that (raise hell in the store) but Instead of taken to telling everyone where I work, staff and students, (I work at the local community college) About VZW's service lately. I'm not the kind of person to cause a scene to get my way (no offense meant to anyone). I did however have a nice chat instore with a sprint rep and they would love to have me switch my lines to sprint with waived activation fees AND credit my sprint account with half of my ETF from VZW if I switch over, THAT is the kind of customer service I signed up with verizon for in the first place. So I'm contemplating that option as well, even tho vzw has the better signal in my area. I'm mainly posting this stuff up as a last chance for VZW to see my issue and offer to fix it. I doubt it'll happen tho.

[TamaraH_VZW]

I can assure you that we care about you & the service you are getting with your Droid Charge.

I am pleased to announce the Droid Charge-Software Update that will be coming soon.

One of the many enhancements is the data connectivity. 

If you notice some "buggyness" after the update, it would be wise to perform a hard/factory reset.

[JstOneMoreDroid]

---

TamaraH_VZW wrote:

I can assure you that we care about you & the service you are getting with your Droid Charge.

I am pleased to announce the Droid Charge-Software Update that will be coming soon.

One of the many enhancements is the data connectivity. 

If you notice some "buggyness" after the update, it would be wise to perform a hard/factory reset.

---

TamaraH,

The update *GAVE* me this problem. I can't hold a data connection more than a minute -  Perfect full strength signal but data will NOT stay on.  Looks like it's WORSE with the new software.

[doreen74]

I have the same problem. My phone (while slow and crashed frequently) had no problem connecting to 4g or 3g. HOwever, once I upgraded to GB, I can no longer connect. I get about 45seconds of 4g connection after I reboot the phone, but that quickly drops and i am left with nothing. I am considering a factory reset. Has anyone tried this and has it helped?

Thanks

A disspointed Droid Charge owner since July.

[JerryF]

Slotmachine,

Wait until Tuesday 11/29 and install the NEW Gingerbread update to see if that fixes it.

JerryF

[HoustonHeart]

It's not just the phone in some areas.

Verizon is doing a network overhaul in many areas, as soon as they started here in houston which had great reception, I notced 4g switching to 3g, then at times to 1x.  Hopign it's not the phone, it turned out ot be happenign to friends and families phones, including my moms Iphone 4 3gs or what even the new one out is. THe iphone is doing the exact same thing right when mine does.

I know where verizons towers are, and there are people up on it. I notced the senders missing, and trucks with new ones on it, but one tower was striped. So they must be rebuilding them all.

I stopepd ask these contractors o nthe one what is goign on, they jsut said they are contracted to do an over haul wit hthe new units, I thought well won't take to long but it turns out it will be until end of december on the one, and the area until march. SO as I ravel around I can bounce. I guess LTE needs these new units to run right.

[SlotMachine]

So here is what happened so far and ill probably leave it be

VZW FINALLY confirmed the issue is the MODEL, not the network or individual device but the MODEL. VZW agreed to replace my phone but with a Thunderbolt or Revolution, 2 phones that are DOWNGRADES hardware wise and I know for a fact the thunderbolt is about a month away from being End of Life. I told them I was NOT taking a downgrade and left it at that. BBB got a nice letter from me. Tempted to ask my lawyer If I can pull my 4 lines out of vzw without an etf because VZW CONFIRMED the issue. (I know, lots of caps, sorry)

Ill leave it be for now

[JstOneMoreDroid]

Whoever told you it was the model was incorrect.  The tech had no idea what to do so they did that.

[JonnyQwest]

I'm glad someone posted about another company offering to cover some of the ETF and switching, that's an option I'm willing to explore.

I had this issue with my phone, they did the update, phone still has connectivity issues. New SIM, fixed for a day... same connectivity issues, and lots of lies from VZW techs.

I also plan on hanging out quietly at the Verizon store and chatting with as many customers as I can about my experience so far.

OP, I wish I could help you. That would mean I have an answer to my issue.