SE Texas spotty cell service. Flip phone works, smart phone does not

[Tobra]

Wife is down there visiting. Apparently, they have been having a severe heat wave, which may or may not be related to the issue. Wife and her mother have smart phones, her dad has a flip phone. Last few days, only phone that works consistently is the flip phone.

Two things.

Anyone else having issues?

Why would a flip phone work and a smart phone not work?

[KFC911]

There are three carrier networks.... AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.

There are also "now" three types of networks using 4G (LTE), 5G, and mebbe 5GUC (for some devices).

Something is "special" and there is no "one-size-fit-all"...

My guess ... the flip is 4G and the others 5G (and not negotiating)... or it's raining ...???

I dunno

HTH ....

edited: Toby ... it might not be their phones, etc. The various networks might be flakey due to other factors at times too.

I have to juggle mine all the time fwiw...

[Tobra]

I think flaky network due to heat wave

[The Synergizer]

Good thing we haven't advanced to the Star Trek transporters yet. Could be messy.

[3rd_gear_Ted]

Maybe A/C units tripping off on local cell towers and the next tower transfer is too far.
Texas is huge.

[GH85Carrera]

The newer iPhones can connect to the Starlink satellites. Right now, no charge. So about anywhere in the USA and most of the world, in the middle of the ocean, on in the boonies with no cell coverage, you can send and receive a text message. And from I saw, even an call to 911.

[masraum]

The smart phones may get better service if they disable the high speed stuff. If there's an option to disable 5G/LTE. It could be that they are trying really hard to get a usable signal of "the good stuff" and therefore are stuck with a really crappy signal, where a basic calls low capability signal is working just fine.

And are all of them on the same network?

I have been told by T-mobile that hot weather can cause a problem. Seems weird because I don't remember my cell phone crapping out every summer when the temps hit 100º+. It sounds like an excuse to me, but could be.

[Tobra]

Not on same network, will see if she can disable 5G

[onewhippedpuppy]

I’m convinced that the smart phone companies are consistently upgrading every aspect of their phones except for the phone part.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I’m convinced that the smart phone companies are consistently upgrading every aspect of their phones except for the phone part.

Yea, cell towers are expensive, and they figure they work "good enough" in most areas. The reception is often poor in many urban areas. I have use my WiFi connection to make my cell phone calls really work.

No one wants more towers in their neighborhoods. We have one not very far from our house that looks more like a very heavy duty flagpole. They had a flag on it for while, but flags are expensive as well. I only know it is a cell tower because I saw the "guts" of it as the built it. It is either non functional, or on a different network than my cell provider.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I’m convinced that the smart phone companies are consistently upgrading every aspect of their phones except for the phone part.

I've upgraded phones in the past and experienced better connectivity.