t-mobile reception is garbage

[antiseptic]

I live in NYC with T-Mobile and the reception is garbage. It's not that it's dropping calls, the voice on the other end is garbled, and sometimes it's fine and the person I'm on the phone with says my voice is garbled and can't understand me.

The nearest tower is two blocks away, so I don't think proximity is the problem.

I have a Sony Xperia Z5. I haven't heard any issues with this phone regarding this problem. But I could be wrong.

The icon shows full bars, but there's an 'x' in the upper left corner of it.

Any ideas what the problem could be? Some place had reviews of T-Mobile in my area, and they all seem to be experiencing the same issue. I'm just hoping someone has a better suggestion than to move.

 

[tube517]

First thing to check/do: Make sure wifi calling is OFF. I have to do this w/every T-Mobile or MetroPCS phone I've had.

 

[mustang7757]

I also have TMobile in the same area as you OP and have excellent coverage on multiple devices , have you tried any diagnostic steps ?
I'll leave a link to register so you can communicate here , as a guest account you can't.

https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=409154

 

[antiseptic]

There seems to be no wifi calling setting at all on my phone.

What kind of diagnostic steps?

 

[mustang7757]

Hi Welcome!
Have you tried resetting network in settings or clearing cache in recovery if that device allows?

 

[antiseptic]

I've done a complete factory reset in the past. I'll try anyway. I don't see where to reset the network? Or cache?

What's the difference between 2g and LTE? I have pay per minute plan, and I started when 2g was the default.

 

[mustang7757]

I've done a complete factory reset in the past. I'll try anyway. I don't see where to reset the network? Or cache?

What's the difference between 2g and LTE? I have pay per minute plan, and I started when 2g was the default.

2 g will default in low reception area you want leave that enabled also keep preferred on lte , did it auto populate the APN or you had to put one ?
Cache would be in recovery I have to look it up on your device if you like?

 

[Rukbat]

How good the call sounds depends on the load on the particular tower. If you're in midtown Manhattan at 5:05 PM, expect the signal to be terrible. At lunchtime also. It really depends on which tower and what time. At 3 AM, you probably get pretty good coverage.