Verizon CS Live Chat

[AFirefighter]

I've had my Thunderbolt since it arrived off pre-order at Best Buy (Day 1). It's been an okay phone. I've never rooted it (I have a Mac). I'm sick of my data dropping ALL THE TIME. It goes from 4G to 1x, to 3G to no data, or any odd combination within a matter of seconds sometimes. Even if I am outside and not moving. My buddy, with his VZ iPhone can be next to me, full signal as well, and no connection issues. I'm also sick of my phone having 4G, 4 bars of signal, and Google Maps not working because there's "No signal", not to mention the same crap with Facebook and other apps. I'm just sick of the overall lack of service that I receive with this phone. So, I need to complain to Verizon and hopefully get a new, different model of phone.

I've used their customer service live chat a couple times, but typically it's hit or miss with the link showing on their website. Does anyone have a direct link to their CS (Not Sales) Live Chat? Or should I just go into Sales and see if they can transfer me to CS?

 

[oberkc]

I, too, experience the display showing 4G, then 3G, then 1x, etc... It is very infrequent that I get data dropping out. Unlike with you, my change of 4G/3G/1x is usually related to surrounding circumstances, such as inside or out, in a car or not, or leaving urban areas..

Much of the time, I go from 4G to 1x when I go from outside to the basement of a concrete structure. I was under the impression that, due to the lower frequencies of LTE, I would get better penetration inside structures with the 4G network than with 3G CDMA or others. Given this, I have come to question the meaning of the 4G display. I began to suspect it is more an indication of data speed rather than connection to a particular network, with 4G indicating higher speeds (whether on LTE or not) and 3G and 1x indicating progressively slower speeds (even if still on LTE). Slower speeds are, I have always assumed, the result simply of less robust signal.

Like I said, I don't get a lot of data drop outs as are you. This would, indeed, be frustrating.

 

[AFirefighter]

Thanks for your reply. I appreciate the information.

Examples of "4G" being displayed and no websites (not even Google) loading, Google Maps, Facebook, you name it:

-Walking in Center City Philadelphia. I knew the general area of a restaurant at which I was meeting my g/f and her family. I opened Google maps and it was just a blank screen. It then slowly loaded (I assume using the GPS) the area and could locate me. However, I would type a location into the "Search Maps" and do a search. It would sit there and spin trying to find the location. I'd try another location. Same thing. Another, still the same. All the while having "4G LTE" shown, with 4 full bars.

-An hour or so later at the restaurant above I still had 4G with full signal. I was sitting 1 seat from the window. I opened up the Facebook app, several times to try and "Check In". The page would not load. I then tried Google.com, WPVI.com, and several other websites. All of which did not load through the evening. Everything worked fine when I got home and was connected to my home Wi-Fi network.

-Yesterday I was driving home in the Philly 'burbs. I decided to take a different way home and ended up slightly off-track. Having two pizzas and a growler, my g/f and I wanted to get home quickly so we could eat. I grabbed my phone for Google Maps Nav, opened Google Maps, and typed in our address. It sat there searching for the address (Which is saved and on the drop down list). After a minute or so of trying I checked to see if I could get any websites to load. I could not. I gave up and just used the Google Maps App to zoom in to my location and manually check the roads in the area to get home. My signal was 4G LTE, 4 full bars the whole time.

This happens SO OFTEN, especially when I need directions to a specific location or want to check Yelp for restaurant reviews, etc. It's really a PITA.

Currently sitting at work where I have 4G often, but still the same data issues. I looked at my phone, no data, but 2-3 bars of signal. Oh look, now 3G. And wait, now it's 4G! I'm sure within a moment I'll be struck back to no data...

 

[OhioG]

The problem is when there is no 4G signal, the hand off the 3g or 1x is so terrible with the thunderbolt, it often leaves you with no data. Just get a data toggle, when you dont get signal just turn off data and back on. Its not perfect but its the best with this crappy phone

 

[nvoll84]

I had the same problem you have. Check this thread out. I just traded in my Thunderbolt for a RAZR Maxx free of charge thanks to my insurance.

http://forums.androidcentral.com/ve...-forums/197374-what-wrong-my-thunderbolt.html

 

[AFirefighter]

It's funny: My co-worker has a T-bolt as well. He's had it for a year or so now. We just put our phones side by side for a minute or two. He had 2 bars, and was showing 3G. I had 3 bars and was showing 1X. How's that work? Whatever the case, I'm highly debating the iPhone 5....

Edit: Nevermind on the iPhone.. Looking at the Samsung Galaxy SIII now...

iPhone
CPU: 2-core 1 GHz
GPU:SGX543MP3
RAM: 1 GB
Display: 4"
Screen resolution: 1136x640
Storage: 64 GB
Charger: Only Apple's new one!
Price: Ridiculous

************************************

Samsung Galaxy S3
CPU: 4-core 1.4 GHz
GPU: 4-core Mali-400MP
RAM: 2GB
Display: 4.8" Super AMOLED
Screen resolution:1280x720
Storage: 128 GB
Charger: Standard micro USB
Price: Reasonable

 

[johnriii]

LOL. samsung CRUSHES apple. if those specs are correct, there is no reason I would even debate over which phone to purchase. however, I believe the S 3 is only dual core. in america, anyway.

 

[AFirefighter]

LOL. samsung CRUSHES apple. if those specs are correct, there is no reason I would even debate over which phone to purchase. however, I believe the S 3 is only dual core. in america, anyway.

Ah okay, I got those specs from a guys article on iPhone versus competitors. I see now his name is to the effect of European Dude. How the hell do I get a Euro phone over here?! haha...

 

[willdogs]

The Verizon SG III is Dual core due to the 4G technology. There was no Quad Core 4G Processors out when the SG III was first made. Now, I believe one has been created and will ship with the Verizon Samsung Note 2

All other carriers (GSM Carriers) In the US are Quad Core

 

[recDNA]

The Verizon SG III is Dual core due to the 4G technology. There was no Quad Core 4G Processors out when the SG III was first made. Now, I believe one has been created and will ship with the Verizon Samsung Note 2

All other carriers (GSM Carriers) In the US are Quad Core

Is there really any difference a user could discern or.measure?

 

[irocroe]

my daughter gave up iphone for gs3

 

[jlgraham]

I would just call VZW and skip the online chat. I was having this same Maps issue (as well as the constant data issues) on my Thunderbolt, and after about a dozen replacements (only one of which was my fault, broken screen), they finally decided to give a me a choice to get a different replacement device. Gave me the choice of the Rezound, Razr and Gnex. Went with the Galaxy Nexus (jelly bean!) and couldn't be happier. If you don't want to Root your Tbolt, just scrap it.

 

[AFirefighter]

I'm going to Best Buy today at lunch to request a new phone due to the following issues:
-Constant data drops
-Random reboots
-Google Maps it hit or miss, even with full, 4G signal
-Google Voice is also hit or miss. Constantly fails, even with full signal
-Camera will not focus closely as it once did

Anything I should say specifically to guarantee me a new device, not another TBolt? I have their warranty which provides replacement for any damage, my fault or not, among other reasons. Thanks.

 

[Spacemaker24]

I'm going to Best Buy today at lunch to request a new phone due to the following issues:
-Constant data drops
-Random reboots
-Google Maps it hit or miss, even with full, 4G signal
-Google Voice is also hit or miss. Constantly fails, even with full signal
-Camera will not focus closely as it once did

Anything I should say specifically to guarantee me a new device, not another TBolt? I have their warranty which provides replacement for any damage, my fault or not, among other reasons. Thanks.

How did it go at BB today?



Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt using Tapatalk 2

 

[Bond32]

I'm going to Best Buy today at lunch to request a new phone due to the following issues:
-Constant data drops
-Random reboots
-Google Maps it hit or miss, even with full, 4G signal
-Google Voice is also hit or miss. Constantly fails, even with full signal
-Camera will not focus closely as it once did

Anything I should say specifically to guarantee me a new device, not another TBolt? I have their warranty which provides replacement for any damage, my fault or not, among other reasons. Thanks.

You have the Black Tie plan? If so you can bet best buy will replace it with another thunderbolt.