Yesterday, we reported that Verizon admitted to its third major data outage in less than a month and the fourth for 2011. The issue appears to be related to the others, mainly affecting the wireless carrier’s 4G LTE network. Verizon claims that no 3G services have been affected, though we’ve been experiencing intermittent trouble accessing 3G and 4G services on a Galaxy Nexus in Michigan.
Two hours ago, Verizon Tweeted to inform everyone that services were back online: “4GLTE issue resolved overnight. 3G operated normally; calling, texting were unaffected.”
We can confirm that our device is getting 4G LTE service at this moment.
During the last two outages we’ve been unable to connect to 4G or 3G service. Without 3G, almost all network services, aside from texting and calling, are unreachable. Have any of you experienced these outages, and if so, was it just a lack of 4G or did you lose 3G as well? Please let us know where you live and if the other outages affected you.
How long until we experience another outage?
Another perspective–I have been using the Verizon 3G hotspot service since the Droid X was released in the summer of 2012. Although I enjoy rapid refresh when using the browser, most of my needs revolve around use of the hotspot offered by Verizon. In my opinion, I have wasted all of the monthly charges related to this service since it just flat out didn’t work and Moto never really recognized the problem and never really addressed it. Of course, I kept wondering just how much of the issues were caused by the phone itself. Even when a solid 3G connection was available, it would only last for a few minutes–twenty seemed to be the upper limit. There were lots of messages that noted the loss of the 3G signal. Arrrrgh.
Flash forward to December 2011 and I took the opportunity to buy a Galaxy Nexus when they became available. I certainly wanted to take advantage of the tremedous increse in speed on the 4G network plus the advanced processors, etc. Initial success turned into disgust because the performance of the phone was not much better than the old 3G service–and then the outages hit. After the one before xmas, things got even worse and I found myself on long phone calls with verizon techs who eventually sent me a new 4LTE SIM card to try. They specultated that the “3G network was stronger in my area and that I was on the fringe of 4G coverage.” The SIM arrived this week and just as I was putting it into the phone, the latest network outage occurred. Whoopee. So far, no improvement.
Then a strange thing happened–after I replaced the new SIM with the original and turned the phone back on, there was a strong 4G signal on the phone in places where both the 4G and 3G service have been weak–now there are four bars of 4G and for the first time I am getting the anticipated 4G speed from the hotspot. I am a bit reluctant to claim victory here but I do think that Verizon has fixed some of their issues with the 4G service, at least in Santa Fe, NM. Here’s hoping that Verizon can keep the service up and running at real 4LTE speeds. For now, I am happy for the first time in years. Don’t ask me about the battery–hopefully the ICS engineers at Google are working on the fix for that problem and we’ll see a patch soon.
Lost 4G service for 3rd time this month. Connects to 3G for 2 minutes then out again. Losing interest in Verizon network. Droid Charge, Tampa, Florida
I’ve lost both 3G and 4G service during all three of the outages. Grant it, I have the HTC Thunderbolt –which is lackluster when compared to your Galaxy Nexus– and do not need anything else to top off the frustration that it already gives me. I live in Richmond, VA and can speak for atleast two of my friends that experienced the same data outages in this area.
Yeah, I’m sorry you have the ThunderBolt. They should give you an early renewal because you helped test their 4G network with that. The battery life just doesn’t hold up at all, though it’s not a ton better with the Galaxy Nexus.
I’m glad you understand my frustration. It’s pretty difficult having a phone whose battery can’t even last through lunch.
Though I have a growing concern about the Verizon network stability, I can’t see myself switching anytime soon, because, to my knowledge, there are no other satisfactory “Verizon 4G LTE” network competitors whose speeds can compare to what Verizon’s FUNCTIONING network is capable of (even when it’s not at the top of its game).
I’d still like the occasional coupon book for dealing with their network issues, especially since they’re going to drop an extra $2 charge on me every time I fork over my wages in bills across their network rather than in person.
Yeah right! 3 times in a MONTH! A nationwide network! 3 times! Are you kidding me! Join this cell phone provider???? NO THANKS!
Verizon slogan – “nation’s fastest, most reliable 4G network.”
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