Best service in Torrance/Palos Verdes? & what happened to VW?

It sounds like capacity problems. In some areas Verizon is becoming a victim of their own success hence the capacity issues. I have a good friend that lives in Hollywood Riviera and works in Torrance and has good service with Sprint. Sprint has added several microcells in the PV/Rolling Hills area.

I can't answer the question of who is the best carrier since I have not used every carrier in that area.

G.

 

Gman,

Try over 30 new microcells in the Palos Verdes area since May 2003. They've pretty much had their way in that tough nimby area which is rare these days.

 

The VX4500 is an awful phone for reception. Complain to the local VZW store. They replaced my mother's VX4500 with an Audiovox CDM-8600 - no more problems.

 

I really doubt cell shrinkage would cause a phone to display no service in an area once serviced before with full signal. Most users who complain of capacity issues claim they have a full set of bars on their signal indicator and get fast busies or call connect latency.

I would suggest having your phone replaced. If there is a cell site that has gone offline, that may cause your phone to show no servcie though I'm sure VZW would already be aware of that.

I've had times where my phone would fall to the floor of my car and stay there for a while. When I'd pick it up, the display says "No Service" for about 5 seconds then would revert back to full signal. The same has happened in my truck when I left my phone on the passenger seat. If I attempted to make a call within the first couple of seconds after picking it up, the call might not connect.

 

That is correct. Modern systems are designed so that doesn't happen. A more likely possibility is either a hardware failure at the cell site or a tower taken down due to a an expired lease which does happen but is very rare.

 

That does not explain why the 'no service' problem increases during rush hour. His phone's potential hardware problem does not know when people get off work. I have experienced network capacity problems at events like concerts where I have watched my phone go from full signal to searching to full signal again.

 

Hey Pleiades777...what a bummer! Can see your delema, especially if you depend upon it for your business. I also have a lg-4500, but I'm up here in the Bay Area-Oakland, CA., but have absolutely no problem's with my LG. But I know issues can take place and happen from handset to handset, so maybe try another one? Heard they upgraded the software in some of the 4500's, so maybe see if they're giving you the 2nd version. If that doesn't work, try the LG-3200. It doesn't have an outer display, but it's tri-mode and has a speakerphone. My roommate has one and it works great! Also the Audiovox 8900 is another good option. Several people have one where I work. If you don't mind having a bar-style, try the Nokia 3589i. Now after all this and you want to try another carrier...several of my friend's in the L.A./Long Beach area are on T-Mobile and get great service and reception. Up here in S.F./Oakland, T-Mobile is just "so-so", but my friend's say it's great down in L.A. Also look into Cingular. By October/December, the merger should be nearing completion from what I've heard, so maybe give them a shot. Whatever you do, I wish you the best of luck!!

 

I can't determine from reading your posts if this is happening sometimes, or every second of everyday.

Fewer bars is nothing to worry about necessarily. They are not an accurate measurement of service. Many think so and ATT Wireless' new commericals touting: "How many bars do you have," don't help. I notice as my phones get older, they do the same thing. If they still call fine, then they're okay.

It's normal to receive late voicemail notifications once and a while. I do too from time to time. Now if it is every single voicemail, then there is definitely a problem with your local network.

I can't explain how your phone will have full service than all of a sudden go to No Service for no reason. That is not normal. Some users have complained about the LG 4500 for having less than stellar RF performance but signal usually will degrade gradually as opposed to suddenly if you are in one spot. While driving, that could be a different story.

I know I may come across as a jerk for saying this so please don't take this the wrong way. I just don't like to "beat around the bush." Never depend 100% on a mobile phone for your business income. I've been using mobile phones for years and use them now for my clients to contact me too. Give business contacts alternate landline voicemail #'s because you never know when you will run into issues like you are currently having. Guys like us sometimes will take mobile phone use more personal because we use it to keep in contact with important business clientale. I use my phone most than the average user, so like yourself we are more prone to experience the good and bad of cellular/pcs service.

If VZW insists there is no issue with their network and you happen to do business in one of their black hole service areas, then maybe another service provider will cover your area better. Try another carrier within their limited trial period. Don't cancel VZW until you are sure the other service will work better for you. Check out Sprint or Cingular. Just be ready to pay the Early Termination Fee with VZW if you are still under contract. $ 175 US.

VZW techs will only see the obvious. If there is no malfunction of equipment being monitored, they might assume there is no problem. That does not mean you are not having any issues. Ever call your cable ISP? Your internet service may be off, but if they can ping your modem, they'll say they see nothing wrong and usually will have to have a technician go to your place to investigate. Sometimes the VZW techs will have to physically investigate the sites in your area and test to see whether they can find the issue(s) affecting your service area.

Whatever you do, I hope it all works out.

 

Good advise, Your Daddy!!

 

I was at the Staples Center for the Lakers chamionship parade 2 years ago and there were over 500K people there. My phone showed full signal but I could not place any calls. When I tried to make an outgoing call it just wouldn't connect due to overload. I don't remember it losing service though. That is the only time I remember seeing a capacity issue.