False 4G (HSPA+ Coverage) shown on Long Island, NY Maps

[danstheman7]

After speaking to two AT&T representatives, and them going over specific towers more than three times, it's been determined that the current 4G coverage maps are FALSE.

I called them up after facing extremely slow data upload and download speeds, on both 3G and (what I thought was) 4G.

I purchased an Atrix after a representative told me that I had many HSPA+ towers operational within ten miles of me.

Now that I've determined AT&T has only provided PROJECTED 4G maps (said to be constructed EARLIEST January), not only have they MISADVERTISED their coverage, but tricked many, many customers into believing HSPA+ coverage is currently up and running.

Finally, the Atrix shows the H+ connection, while there IS NO 4G coverage. Either my Atrix is defective, or this phone was made to show H+ whether it is connected to 3G or 4G. Yet again, lying to customers.

I've placed a call to the president's office, and hope to get this solved as soon as possible. If this doesn't do the trick, I'll both leave AT&T, file an FCC and BBB complaint.

I wish I didn't have to do this, because for the almost 5 years i've had AT&T they weren't a problem. But until AT&T stops lying to their customers, I cannot continue paying for their intentional lies to customers.

Incorrect Coverage Map located HERE.

[belome]

Make sure you have the most up to date software on your phone.  The last update was supposed to make the fake 4g work.

I drove all they way through the Detroit area a few weekends back.  [Down I-75 from Flint to Toledo] and everytime I looked at my Atrix it was H+.

I found this very disturbing to say the least!

We are not getting what we paid for, that is for sure.

PS - We should be going to Gingerbread soon, I hope that helps other issues as well.

[danstheman7]

I've downloaded the recently-leaked Gingerbread 2.3.4 for the Atrix, and it still didn't do anything for the 4G Connectivity.

I hope to get a response from an executive at the president's office within the next 24 hours.

If you'd like a link tell me, I'd just rather not post it unless you want it.

[belome]

Nah, I'm good... I have an 'in' with a guy that is in the office of the president.  He has helped me with several issues since I've was divested from Verizon at the beginning of the year.

I live in BFE so there is no chance I'll even see 3G anytime soon.

[danstheman7]

I actually meant a link for gingerbread  

[belome]

It shouldn't be much longer... as long as the soak goes well!

[danstheman7]

hahah an OTA Gingerbread update went out starting a few days ago.
Go into settings, about, and click System Updates

[willzzz88]

You clearly don't understand how the technology works.

The HSPA+ technology is NOT only for data, in fact the reason AT&T wants it nation-wide ASAP with fiber back-haul is it allows AT&T to DOUBLE/TRIPLE VOICE CAPACITY using the SAME AMOUNT OF SPECTRUM.

With UMTS/HSPA+ technology the data is dynamically allocated using an advanced math algorithm with voice with voice taking priority.

So if there is 350-600 people SIMULANOUSLY CALLING EACH OTHER OFF THAT CELL SITE your data session will be slow as molasses.

End of story.

Now do you want E911 and emergency services or not?

There is NO TRUE 4G until LTE arrives which is a 100% pure data network not mixed in with voice.

[willzzz88]

The network protocol of H+ on your phone is correct, it's neogitating QAM64 and QAM16 down and up utilizing the latest most efficient encoding/compression algorithms to boost network capacity.

Again as long as it works it's fine.

There is a difference between engineering and advertising for the masses. If you're not smart enough to tell the "difference" which AT&T clearly LISTS IN THE DISCLAIMER at the BOTTOM OF THEIR WEBPAGE (H+ only in upgraded areas /w enhanced backhaul, most metro areas).

[danstheman7]

That's the thing though- they advertised my area as having HSPA+ WITH the enhanced backhaul, when I don't even have HSPA+.

Thank you for correcting me on the correct display of H+ on the phone itself; I appreciate that.

[willzzz88]

It may IN FACT have the enhanced backhaul, but the radio conditions ONLY permit very slow data because the resources are BEING USED UP FOR VOICE (people around you are calling other peopple like crazy!).

[belome]

So you are saying that the phone won't say HSPA+ when it is available, it will just always say H+?

[willzzz88]

H+ = HSPA+. It's the same thing.

[danstheman7]

He's asking if it'll always show H+ when the service (for example) could be edge.
(at least I think that's what he is asking)

[willzzz88]

It shouldn't. 

The engineering specs are that it's suppose to show GSM/2G/EDGE when in that mode and H+ when in 3G HSPA+ mode and simply 3G/H when in regular 3G HSPA (non-upgraded).

[executivemike]

                                                                                                                                      My samsung infuse 4g phone shows h+ everywhere there is 3g coverage. E in 2g. I believe i have enhanced backhaul here in 06790 when the map only shows just 3g coverage. I did a speedtest.net received 8.8 down & 1.1 up. Thats really fast. Then went to where it showed hspa+ on the map in central ct. & couldn't even get close to that speed. 5.9 down at best. Go figure as you can see by this pic it can't be just 3g here in torrington connecticut. Not an hspa+ tower within 20 miles!

[danstheman7]

The top speed i've EVER gotten in my area was around 3.5MBPS DOWNLOAD! I wish I was able to get speeds like that.

My upload at times is similar, but even at the best of times i've never been able to get downloads that high.

[markmayle]

Danstheman7,

I have an Atrix 4G phone but I am in the Chicago "4G'  zone.

Please see my numerous posts on my experiences that are similar to yours:

http://forums.att.com/t5/forums/recentpostspage/user-id/568008/post-type/message

Specifically this one where I opened a ticket with AT&T support to determine why I was not getting 4G speeds.  The bottom line was that they said that 4G was not ready yet in Chicago, and in fact maybe not anywhere:

http://forums.att.com/t5/Network-Coverage/It-s-Official-there-is-no-AT-amp-T-4G/m-p/2749977

AT&T has been advertising its HSPA+ 4G since late last year in limited areas that are clearly marked on its website.  I am very disappointed that I have never seen anything greater than about 3.5 Mbps download on my phone.  Their CIO brags about speeds "up to 6Mbps" on their website.  I would interpret the phrase "Up to"  to mean that you can get that speed at least once!

What has really crushed me though is that in head-to-head download speed test comparisons with an iPhone4  my Atrix always loses.  So much for AT&T 4G.

I would be very interested in what you find out from the president's office, the BBB, and the FCC.  Please post your findings.

[danstheman7]

As of right now, my contact in the presidents office has not called me back. A Mr. {Personal content removed for safety} has one more day until I give them a final call, and head to the BBB/FCC sites to file complaints.

[danstheman7]

Well, now they're telling me that I DO have hspa+ in my area.

They're intentionally trying to confuse me. And you know what, it's almost working. Even reps from the president's office are telling me lies now. 

[wilcre ACE - Expert]

now the question is are they confusing it for full hspda or hsupa........

[danstheman7]

Who knows. After (honestly) 11 phone conversations, 6 in the presidents office alone, I can officially say either THEY KNOW NOTHING, or they're intentionally trying to trick me into believing whatever "facts" they spit at me.

I'm just sick of all of this. I'm honestly considering using a HUGE amount of data, making them think i'm tethering (when i'm not), getting switched to a tethering plan, and then leaving (the contract is no longer binding once they change the data plan) according to someone i spoke to.

[JFizDaWiz]

you're contract is binding even with a switch in data.

1. they won't think you're tethering with a lot of usage, then can see if you actually are
2. if you do tether and get switched you violated the ToS which is why they can change your plan
3. you're going to have to pay the ETF no matter what if you cancel before the end f your contract

just so you know.