New Galaxy Nexus - No 4G?!

[ThePiombino]

Gooooood morning, esteemed ladies and gentlemen of the VZW Community.  I am having an issue with my new SGN and was wondering if anyone here might be able to offer some insight or assitance of any kind...

Before purchasing the phone I went to the 4G coverage page on VZW's website, popped in both my home and work addresses and verified that both area are, in fact, within 4G coverage.  I picked up the phone yesterday during my lunch break and immediately headed back to the office- no 4G signal.  I figured no big deal- I work indoors and I have electronic equipment all around me, maybe I just won't get 4G inside.  So I head outside- weird, still no 4G signal.

I head home a few hours later (again- I confirmed that this is a 4G area beforehand) and wouldn't you know it- no 4G again!  At no point during the ride home did it pop up either.  I double-checked the site with the addresses and even popped in a couple addresses of area that I know don't have 4G just to make sure the site doesn't say EVERY area is a 4G area- sure enough, the site APPEARS to be accurate.

I then reached out to my buddy who works in one of the VZW NOCs.  He confirmed that not only is my office in a 4G area, but we're literally within a stone's throw of a 4G tower.  So at this point I figured there's something wrong with the phone so I called phone support.  I spent about 10 minutes with level I and another 25 minutes with level II (4G support) and at the end all I had was a ticket number for my efforts.  Everyone agrees i SHOULD be getting a 4G signal at work and home.  My signal strength is admittedly bad (hovers around -100 dB) and never changes from eHRDP.

Also weird, when I turn WiFi on, my 3G status bar immediately drops 1-2 bars.  What on earth is going on here?!

Has anyone else here had any issues with the SGN and 4G or just 4G in general in the NNJ area?

Any feedback would be GREATLY apprecited- thanks!

[PJNC284]

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kryptykk wrote:

I also usually keep it on 3G, but even my 3G reception has been **bleep**-poor

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Samsung devices tend to have weaker radios than their competition granted all of the LTE phones seem to have one issue or another when it comes to signal.

[ThePiombino]

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PJNC284 wrote:

Samsung devices tend to have weaker radios than their competition granted all of the LTE phones seem to have one issue or another when it comes to signal.

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Weak signal would be one thing.  I'm getting no signal, at all, ever.

[AZSALUKI]

i'd give it until the begining of january. then i'd return it if many people are still reporting a signal issue. i'm sure they are aware of the problem. the problem is that they could feed you that "we are aware of the issue and are working on a fix" line for the next year (or at least number of months). the tbolt had a reboot issue that many users experienced and it took them months to fix it.....all the while answering customers with "we are aware of the issue and are working on a fix." you have until Jan 15 to hope that they fix it. 

[ThePiombino]

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AZSALUKI wrote:

i'd give it until the begining of january. then i'd return it if many people are still reporting a signal issue. i'm sure they are aware of the problem. the problem is that they could feed you that "we are aware of the issue and are working on a fix" line for the next year (or at least number of months). the tbolt had a reboot issue that many users experienced and it took them months to fix it.....all the while answering customers with "we are aware of the issue and are working on a fix." you have until Jan 15 to hope that they fix it. 

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I'm definitely going to put forth every effort to make this relationship work lolol.  I don't see myself giving up until I can at least confirm that there is 4G coverage in my area and that the GNex just won't be able to pick it up.

UPDATE:  I went into NYC last night (went to 30 Rock to see the tree).  As soon as I got within several miles of the city I FINALLY received my first 4G signal!!!  I was getting speeds of about 9 Mbps up/2 Mbps down.  However, once I was actually IN the city speeds approached 15-20 down/10 up.  I was AMAZED at how awesome this phone could really be if all things ever come together.

So at this point I know my phone is capable of receiving a 4G signal- I can now cross faulty 4G radio off the list.  Next order of business is to somehow confirm the exact location of the supposed 4G tower by where I work and see what kind of signal I get there.  There is supposed to be one about a 1/4 mile from where I work according to my buddy who works for VZW, but I am yet to grab a signal from that tower if that's the case.

[ThePiombino]

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AZSALUKI wrote:

you're correct. you will get "this is a known issue that is being addressed" A LOT.....lol. i don't think it's the sim card, but i could be wrong. i think it has more to do with the radio software. from what i've seen, a bad sim card is a bad sim card and you wouldn't have been able to activate it if it were bad. LTE is pretty sweet, but to be honest, i keep my device on 3g about 90% of the time (for battery reasons). i only turn on LTE if i'm streaming video or downloading a LARGE file and wifi is not available.

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Makes sense as far as the SIM likely being OK since I was able to activate without issue.  If this is a radio sofware issue, is it just a matter of time before they release a fix or are we possibly SOL?

I have another question- when I log into my account online, it does not show that I have a GNex, like it used to with every other phone I've ever had activated on my line (the other two phones on my family account do show their respective phones).  Any chance this could be part of the issue?

[curtterp]

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ThePiombino wrote:

 

I have another question- when I log into my account online, it does not show that I have a GNex, like it used to with every other phone I've ever had activated on my line (the other two phones on my family account do show their respective phones).  Any chance this could be part of the issue?

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Did you call the phone number to activate the phione as stated in the activation instructions? According to the instructions, we needed to call the number to activate 4g. Edited to say " I really should read ALL posts to see that you got a 4g signal... bad me"

I live in a spotty 4g area (Verizon calls it extended 4g coverage - Translation = you might get a 4g signal since the closet towers are not 4g yet). I have seen  both 4g and 3g signals on my phone, mostly 3g. I will not be at work until Tuesday so I will not see my phones response to a solid 4g area until then.

[rudc1]

I am coming from a Thunderbolt and I am so frustrated with this phone.

I am CONSTANTLY losing voice and data on this phone when LTE is enabled. Any call over 5 minutes WILL drop. Text messages have failed to send about 10 times since purchasing the phone on Thursday and I am not a heavy texter. I woke up to no messages this morning and upon moving around a bit I received 3 text messages, a VM and about 30 whatsapp messages (group chat) all at once, so service had definitely been lost since LAST NIGHT!?!?

Now, I believe I found a fix for my phone at least...but you're not gonna like it.

Turn off 4G. Settings -> More -> Mobile networks -> Network mode CMDA...not CMDA + LTE.

Not a single dropped call since or any other issues (while LTE is disabled).

I did turn on 4G again after about an hour of outstanding signal + 3G speeds...problems returned immediately.

Very sad that my $300 4G phone isn't a 4G phone. This is how I will get by until this supposed mircacle update, but I will be returning this phone if it's not fixed soon. This shouldn't be called a 4G phone at all.

[ThePiombino]

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curtterp wrote:

I live in a spotty 4g area (Verizon calls it extended 4g coverage - Translation = you might get a 4g signal since the closet towers are not 4g yet). I have seen  both 4g and 3g signals on my phone, mostly 3g. I will not be at work until Tuesday so I will not see my phones response to a solid 4g area until then.

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I live in an extended coverage area.  However, I supposedly work right next to a 4G tower.  I'm beginning to think that it's not 4G.  I got awesome 4G in NYC a couple nights ago and so-so 4G at the mall last night, but continue to get nothing in my work area.  I would love to know if there is a map that shows where all the 4G towers are located.

[glocker]

I'm more worried about the poor 3G radio signal, which might be the cause of the LTE issues.  This phone is -20 to -30dbm less then my other phones.  I've been losing 3G data, phone drops down to -120dbm.  Thinking of returning it today, if its bad hardware I don't want to be stuck with it.  I wish Verizon would hold off releases until they are sure the key components of the phones work properly. 

[Bandit390]

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glocker wrote:

I'm more worried about the poor 3G radio signal, which might be the cause of the LTE issues.  This phone is -20 to -30dbm less then my other phones.  I've been losing 3G data, phone drops down to -120dbm.  Thinking of returning it today, if its bad hardware I don't want to be stuck with it.  I wish Verizon would hold off releases until they are sure the key components of the phones work properly. 

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We do have until Jan. 15th to return it.

[glocker]

I know, but I'm already losing data service.  This is a mobile device, the radio should have been working properly before release.   

[glocker]

I know, but I'm already losing data service.  This is a mobile device, the radio should have been working properly before release.   

[DaBeat]

I experienced the same thing. Except 4G at the store and on my way home. When I got home, it went to 3G and wifi was crappy. I was able to fix it by leaving it off for an hour (don't know why) and charging the battery all the way. Once I turned it back on, everything was/is fine.

If this doesn't work, hopefully someone else can offer more suggestions. Good luck!

P.S.

For those using Pandora and logging in for the first time on Nexus via wi-fi with constant fails: You'll have to open the app up over 4G, sign in, close the app, turn wi-fi back on and load Pandora.

[bkfrank]

Same problem here, both in NYC and CT.  Also, when the phone is on the LTE/3G preferred betwork setting, as opposed to only 3G, it keeps dropping the 3G signal.  Glad to know others are having this problem -- which, obviously, is a serious issue for useability.  Makes it much more likely I'll have to return the phone.

[kryptykk]

It seems the problem was with my phone, I must have gotten a bad radio. Went Friday evening to get a new one and have had ZERO drops of data, and much better signal strength. My first speed test got 30MB down! Highest I've ever gotten in my area!

I would HIGHLY suggest going to Verizon and trying a new phone, and ruling that out before you pass judgement on the phone!

[Dietz]

I have the same issues.  I went to my local Verizon store and my service indicator said 3G service.  The store rep said they have 4G service in the store.  It took about 10 minutes to change to 4G service with almost no bars showing the wireless strength.  The store reps did not know why this happened. The reps phone showed 4G service with the service indicator with all signal strength bars at maximum.

I have a Cisco router plus a Cisco booster in my house.  The wifi service is sketchy to say the least. The service strength barely indicates a signal and the phone drops out of internet connection repeatedly. What is wrong? I hope that Verizon will fix this problem pronto or I am returning the phone.