This sounds pretty bad. I also have to have a phone that works as a phone. However I have a Pixel from Verizon. I got it on Oct 28. Mostly I'm shown as using LTE band 13. I have yet to have a dropped call or even a bad connection. There is nothing functional about the phone I have any issue with. I guess I'll keep an eye on what band I'm on while in a call. Eventually I'll drop a call. Sort of inevitable with a cell phone. My experience with Verizon is that the network, at least around here is NOT the same network as it used to be. Signal strength and coverage in areas where I am usually at, as well as in marginal areas, where I'm at quite a bit for certain times of the year, are worse than they were. So far this is the best phone I've had.
Came from an LG V10. That phone sounds like a lot of the Pixels discussed here. Got to the point where it would drop every call. Verizon replaced it under warranty twice. I finally just gave up. That is the feeling expressed here I can empathize with. It had issues other than call dropping as well, which was why it got replaced under warranty.