Lewis Black's Rant on the iPhone AT&T Android and Verizon


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He lives in the middle of one of the most densely packed cities on Earth, with hundreds or thousands of tall (mostly metal framed) buildings around him, and he's surprised that he gets ****ty cell phone reception there? Am I the only one who understands the fact that metal buildings will seriously **** with any type of radio waves?

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He lives in the middle of one of the most densely packed cities on Earth, with hundreds or thousands of tall (mostly metal framed) buildings around him, and he's surprised that he gets ****ty cell phone reception there? Am I the only one who understands the fact that metal buildings will seriously **** with any type of radio waves?

You might be the only one without a sense of humor :p they are jokes, not something to really take seriously.

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You might be the only one without a sense of humor :p they are jokes, not something to really take seriously.

Well, it isn't just him though. 90% of the complaints I see about problems with ****ty signal on cell phones comes from people in huge cities full of giant metal buildings. Anyone with the slightest knowledge about radio waves knows that those types of areas are a nightmare for propagation.

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He lives in the middle of one of the most densely packed cities on Earth, with hundreds or thousands of tall (mostly metal framed) buildings around him, and he's surprised that he gets ****ty cell phone reception there? Am I the only one who understands the fact that metal buildings will seriously **** with any type of radio waves?

I live in Manhattan as well, in fact I used to live down the block from Lewis, and my phones via Verizon never, NEVER had a signal issue.

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He lives in the middle of one of the most densely packed cities on Earth, with hundreds or thousands of tall (mostly metal framed) buildings around him, and he's surprised that he gets ****ty cell phone reception there? Am I the only one who understands the fact that metal buildings will seriously **** with any type of radio waves?

I dunno, I've spent a lot of time in NYC (All over the city), and never had a problem getting a signal... Ever. I never even lost my signal...

Compare that to a friend of mine who at the time had AT&T and it seemed he had service nowhere. New York, PA, New Jersey, Maryland... You name it, he would have service issues... I really think at this point there's little sense in defending AT&T. All people are doing that do so is allowing them to ignore this issue.

As for the video, I thought it was pretty funny. It's a shame he didn't try out Windows Phone as well. It would have been interesting to see his opinion of that.

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Well, it isn't just him though. 90% of the complaints I see about problems with ****ty signal on cell phones comes from people in huge cities full of giant metal buildings. Anyone with the slightest knowledge about radio waves knows that those types of areas are a nightmare for propagation.

To an extent, yes, but it seems like Verizon does not have the same issues yet they are also bound by the same laws of physics. Laws of Physics or just ****ty network?

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To an extent, yes, but it seems like Verizon does not have the same issues yet they are also bound by the same laws of physics. Laws of Physics or just ****ty network?

Could be either I guess. But they also use different frequencies and technologies, so it is difficult to say. I just know from my years as an electronics technician, specializing in radio equipment, that the environment plays a huge role in signal propagation (especially when that environment is full of large metal objects).

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Well, it isn't just him though. 90% of the complaints I see about problems with ****ty signal on cell phones comes from people in huge cities full of giant metal buildings. Anyone with the slightest knowledge about radio waves knows that those types of areas are a nightmare for propagation.

I think I recognize your name from everythingiCafe, not sure if it's you, but anyway on-topic I thought this was funny, I'm just taking it light heartily.

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I think I recognize your name from everythingiCafe, not sure if it's you, but anyway on-topic I thought this was funny, I'm just taking it light heartily.

Nope, not me. Never even heard of that site before. I usually think Lewis Black is pretty funny too, but since he was echoing the complaints that I typically hear from big city dwellers, I figured I'd point out one possible reason for the situation.

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Could be either I guess. But they also use different frequencies and technologies, so it is difficult to say. I just know from my years as an electronics technician, specializing in radio equipment, that the environment plays a huge role in signal propagation (especially when that environment is full of large metal objects).

Well both networks had the choice of technology and bands, this is what they chose and that is why it is their fault and customers have a right to complain. Also AT&T have access to 850mhz band which is not that much different to 800mhz which Verizon use (I believe). (HSPA+) is used extensively in Australia and has a very good reputation for building penetration.

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He lives in the middle of one of the most densely packed cities on Earth, with hundreds or thousands of tall (mostly metal framed) buildings around him, and he's surprised that he gets ****ty cell phone reception there? Am I the only one who understands the fact that metal buildings will seriously **** with any type of radio waves?

Most Cell Phone companies realize this and compensate for it. I was in Chicago for 3 weeks and had no problems with my cell .

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Well, it isn't just him though. 90% of the complaints I see about problems with ****ty signal on cell phones comes from people in huge cities full of giant metal buildings. Anyone with the slightest knowledge about radio waves knows that those types of areas are a nightmare for propagation.

Way to have a sense of humor. Yes most people (who have any idea of how cellphones work) will realize this. That's not the point of this skit.

The iPhone (4/4S especially) is really junk. Apple can make a mobile software platform, but their engineering of the phone absolutely blows. I have had friends with Verizon/AT&T iPhone in NYC just lose signal, can't place calls, all the meanwhile, my other friends without iPhones (mostly dumbphones in our group) will have perfect reception/no issues. I personally have not had problems with AT&T (using a dumbphone), or Verizon (with Android devices) in NYC.

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He lives in the middle of one of the most densely packed cities on Earth, with hundreds or thousands of tall (mostly metal framed) buildings around him, and he's surprised that he gets ****ty cell phone reception there? Am I the only one who understands the fact that metal buildings will seriously **** with any type of radio waves?

I lived in downtown chicago for a few years recently. Never ever had any issue with signal, dropped calls, slow data, etc with t-mobile.
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