HTC Thunderbolt, Mobile Hotspot and Ipad3 Issues
bwmaddox
Newbie

Hello everyone hope you can help me.

I have an HTC Thunderbolt with the Hotspot feature.

I've used my Hotspot for a little over a year now, had a few issues but recently its been running great.

I work online, so its used a lot.

My issue: I have 2 laptops connected to the hotspot, both work fine.

I just purchased the New Ipad (Ipad3) Wifi edition, since I already pay for the mobile hotspot.

When I connect my Ipad 3 to the hotspot, it works fine for a little bit then the phone will loose internet connection.

This is only when the Ipad is hooked up to it. The Laptops work fine with it.

It was suggested i turn off the security, I did so, still no improvement.

Usuage usually lasts 5-10minutes then the phone looses connection. I can disconnect the Ipad, then reconnect and internet connectivity is back and the Ipad is back on for another 5-10 minutes. It stinks!

On a side note. my parent's MIFI is password protected and my ipad stayed on theirs for more then 2 hours with no issues, same with my Inlaws home based DSL wireless.

Issue must be in the thunderbolt. What do I need to do?

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18 Replies
Ann154
MVP MVP
MVP

Hey, , isn't this question right up your alley?

I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.

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budone
Legend

I have the exact same issue with my iPad2. On my laptop great for 98% of the time. The iPad, I lose my connection. I used to think it was the Thunderbolt, but now I think it is the iPad as I can shut off the wifi connection on the iPad and start it back and all is good again.

To counteract the issue and Since I have unlimited data, I run a radio station in the background while using the iPad so I do not lose my connection.

I will say one thing that has helped is to change the channel the hotspot is on. Default is 6 which most wireless router user use. I changed mine to 11 and that has helped reduce interference from other routers.

If you do not mind, I would like to forward your post to someone at VZW I have been working with on this someone at VZW.

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Dcpmark1
Newbie

Are you guys talking about the same thing? The OP is talking about the Internet connection disappearing from the T-bolt while tethering, and it sounds like you are talking about the wifi connection between the iPad and the T-bolt. Changing wifi channels to affect the ability to hold a wifi connection shouldn't have anything to do with the T-bolt's ability to hold an Internet connection while tethering.

I've had the the problem of the T-bolt dropping then cycling the 4G connection while tethering from the beginning, but in varying degrees. When I first got the T-bolt when it was released, I had no problems with the T-bolt dropping the Internet connection while tethering. I was in the unique position of using tethering with the same iPad 2 for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week at the same location. The first week was perfect, then on Friday of the first week I began having the dropouts and cycling. I figured it was network thing, and sure enough the following Monday it worked perfectly again. It continued to work nearly perfectly all summer, then in the fall I started getting the dropouts and cycling again. I replaced the SIM card, replaced the phone, and I still get the dropouts every day now. I've tried WEP, WPA, WPA2, and no encryption, and all fix the problem only temporarily. I've gone from an iPad 2 to the new iPad, and it's the same thing.

One possible theory is that these phones are simply not designed to run as hotspots for extended periods of time, heat up, and the excessive heat is what is causing the 4g connection to fail. This theory fits the symptoms of working initially, then failing after a certain amount of time. I was about to demand a phone change to see if that fixes the problem, but I see that people are reporting the same problems with the Rezound and the Razr. It may take a class action suit for all the people paying for service who can't access the Internet on a regular basis to get Verizon to address this problem.

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budone
Legend

I am thinking yes. Because when I would lose my iPad connectivity, I would reset the phone. NOW, I just turn off and on the wifi connection on the iPad and all is good.

Now when I am in a 4G service area, I never lose my iPad connectivity.

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bwmaddox
Newbie

Thanks for the input. Please forward this to whomever can help.

The Hotspot works great with the laptops I have on it. 99-99% reliable.

When the Ipad is on the hotspot, the 4G icon on the phone will just drop, or the left activity arrow will lock and i will loose net connection. The issue only pops up under IPAD use. when the Ipad is on the network the laptops are subject to the connection drop as well.

How would I change the wireless channel on the t-bolt hotspot

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vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

Hi bwmaddox!  I know it’s important to be able to maintain a steady connection using the hotspot feature!  First, I’d like to thank the other community members for the feedback & suggestions!  This has actually been lifted up to our Product Support Team, and although I don’t have a fix as of yet, we are working diligently to provide a resolution.  Thanks, again, for your patience!  ^AT

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bwmaddox
Newbie

Thank you very much I look forward to your reply and solution. I can provide any info you may need.

<Full name deleted per TOS along with the extra content.>

Message was edited by: Verizon Moderator

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Dcpmark1
Newbie

Ok, the latest update has so far completely solved my 4G cycling issues when tethering with my iPad 3. I couldn't be more pleased right now, and my only gripe is that it took 14 months since the initial complaints came out. That's too long. But thanks, Verizon, for finally making my MHS operate as it should!

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budone
Legend

Dcpmark1 wrote:

Ok, the latest update has so far completely solved my 4G cycling issues when tethering with my iPad 3. I couldn't be more pleased right now, and my only gripe is that it took 14 months since the initial complaints came out. That's too long. But thanks, Verizon, for finally making my MHS operate as it should!

Smiley Sad I really hoped it would correct the issue for me, but unless I keep the connection constant, it is lost still after a few minutes.

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Dcpmark1
Newbie

Just to be clear.....unless you having something else running on your iPad, the "4G" symbol on the T-Bolt disappears and reappears after a few minutes of Hotspot use? Or do you have something running on the T-bolt to keep the "4G" symbol from cycling? Or are you saying that the  wifi connection between the iPad and the T-bolt won't stay connected unless you have something running on either the iPad or the T-bolt?

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budone
Legend

I am in a 3G service area. If I am on Netflix, or SiriusXM Radio I can stay connected for hours. If I am just surfing. I will lose my connection and I will have to turn off the WiFi switch on the iPad and then turn it back on to get a connection back

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Dcpmark1
Newbie

Still doesn't answer my questions.

1) Is the Netflix and/or SiriusXM on your T-Bolt or your iPad?

2) When you say "lose your connection", does your "3G" appear and then reappear when you are surfing the net, or does the Wifi symbol on either the T-Bolt or the iPad disappear when you are surfing the net?

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budone
Legend

Sorry. Netflix and SiriusXM is on the iPad.

No, the connectivity dies on the iPad and I reset the connection on it and all is good.

NOW, an update .... You spoke of the update fixing the issue. I was thinking the iOS update that came out this weekend. Now I think you spoke of the TB update. I looked on my phone tonight and it was there to download. Since then, my connection has stayed....so far on the iPad

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Dcpmark1
Newbie

LOL! I feel like there is a language barrier issue here. I asked you a specific question about whether you lose your "3G" icon on your T-bolt, or whether your Wifi icon disappears on either your iPad or T-bolt. Your response, that the connectivity "dies" on your iPad, doesn't answer my very specific question.

You dont seem to understand the issues involved here, which makes diagnosing your particular problem difficult, but hopefully the iOS 5.1.1 resolved whatever wifi issues you were having. If it doesn't fix things and you are still having problems, it may be a hardware issue in your iPad. Perhaps you can replace your iPad with Apple if it's still under AppleCare.

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budone
Legend

I think ya may skim messages. I said When you mentioned the update took care of your issue,I thought you meant the iOS update that was pushed this weekend.

But now I believe you meant the Thunderbolt update that was pushed tonight as my connectivity issue is gone.

No the 3G icon would not disappear. The pinwheel on the iPad would not appear and nothing would load. So I would have to switch the wifi connection off and on on the iPad to get the connection back....

But again, since the firmware update on the TB tonight, all has been well!

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bwmaddox
Newbie

My issue fixed with the latest update. Try that if your firmware isn't current

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4GLTE smartphone

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SLWeiss
Newbie

I recently purchased an iPad3 for business along with switching to an Android type phone (LG Lucid) so I could use the "hotspot" from the phone for internet access on the iPad when I'm at my cabin.    Last year I had a Blackberry and tethered it to my laptop and NEVER had any problems (in the same area). 

I had a Stratosphere and constantly had problems accessing the hotspot with my iPad so I swapped out the Stratosphere for the Lucid and now I'm having the same problems with the Lucid.  Every time I call Verizon about it, I have to go through the whole process of them checking the phone.  Last time I had to do this, I was on the phone with them for 2 hours.  I'm of the opinion that this 4G stuff is just crap because most of the time when I'm looking at my phone, it says 3G.

I'm on my laptop right now typing this so I'm accessing the hotspot with my laptop but my iPad is searching for the hotspot and thus I cannot get internet access with that.  I'm starting to think the problem is with the iPad.

Also, the hotspot seems to be slower than tethering.  When I use to tether my Blackberry to my laptop, it was as if I was at my home with broadband/DSL or whatever I have there.

I wish they would figure this stuff out before they take it to market and we then pay for these phones, iPads, etc. and they don't work for the very reason we buy them.

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skychaser
Newbie

I think Verizon does this on purpose to slow usage down.. I have same problem with Auus epad and have to refresh the connection every ten or fifteen minutes. Also still waiting for ICS on ThunderBolt 

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