Reports out of France indicate that Orange, the iPhone’s officially sanctioned carrier there, may be artificially bridling the device’s network throughput, forcing it to use slower 3G data rates where significantly faster 3G+ data rates are available. iPhone users in France have reported download speeds between 350 and 450 kbps typical of 3G, but slower than generally offered by 3G+/HSDPA. The iPhone’s hardware expressly sports full HSDPA capabilities, and Orange’s network is advertised as HSDPA compatible, meaning that users should experience speeds that are between three and six times higher. The iPhone 3G is capable of attaining these higher speeds when linked to networks other than Orange, such as SFR in France and various other European providers. Most interesting, an iPhone Atlas reader purports that some users have achieved the higher data rates with Orange thanks to a software-based change enacted by customer service representatives. Thomas Burgel writes:

“A very few lucky iPhone users could get their Orange subscription unlocked by Orange technicians: much higher downloading speeds are, technically, possible on Orange’s network.”

Burgel also shares the anecdote of an Orange customer who allegedly received some spurious information followed by an odd denial from company representatives:

“An Orange representative unofficially got in touch with one of forum members. He first acknowledged a technical problem on Orange side, and said they were working on it. Unsatisfied with this response, the forum went on speculating. Now, the most interesting part of this story : the same rep got in touch again with the same forum member, and changed his version of the facts, clearly blaming Apple for these downloading speeds. Yes, Orange can settle the problem on his side, but this would require a modification on the device side that Apple wouldn’t accept.”

Meanwhile, screnshots showing the discrpancy between a throttled and allegedly full-speed iPhone 3G on Orange’s network have surfaced: Throttled: Full-speed:

Apple’s iPhone 2.0.2 update was the first update pushed by Apple and AT&T in a unique way: SMS messages to all active accounts that arrived late last week. The controversial update is the first to be aggressively pushed by either of these companies who are usually quiet about such releases, which are usually accompanied by scant release notes and little intentional publicity. Apple has even gone so far as to create a new website that offers step-by-step instructions for performing the update. Still, however, no detailed release notes are provided. Apple has publicly stated that the 2.0.2 update is designed to fix some issues related to the iPhone 3G’s poor 3G network performance, though users report mixed results.

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We previously covered an issue apparently caused by iPhone OS 2.0.2 in which some third-party applications crash or do not launch, for many users. We’ve now received reports indicating that the problem is almost universally eliminated by reducing the number of applications installed on the iPhone. Reader David Sternlight writes:

“After reviewing this further and discussing it with Apple support, it appears the quit on launch after splash screen problem with iPhone 3rd party apps is caused by a bug triggered by having ‘too many’ such apps on the iPhone. Reducing the number from 6 pages worth to a bit under 3 pages worth seems to provide a temporary fix. Apple is aware of the problem; it is high on their priority list.”

A less-than-desirable fix to be sure. Meanwhile, the following laborious process may also provide relief:

• On the iPhone go to Settings, General, Reset, and Erase All Content and Settings.
• On the host computer, in iTunes, navigate to Applications on left-hand bar.
• Click on any application, select all (command-A),and delete them (command-click on any one). When the options window comes up, select move to trash. Empty the trash.
• In iTunes, Sync the iPhone without any music or video selected.
• In iTunes, reinstall all desired apps.
• In iTunes, sync again.
• Add back desired music, video, etc via another sync

See our previous coverage for more fixes.

While Apple officials now claim that iPhone OS 2.0.2 delivers “improved communication with 3G networks” in an attempt to fix widespread reception/connectivity issues, users are mixed on the subject; some report slightly enhanced 3G reception, a minority report worse 3G reception, and most report no change. iPhone Atlas reader Reader Chasulme is in the mild-improvement camp:

“The upgrade to 2.0.2 has made my iPhone 3G go from a completely inoperable 3G mode (had to be kept off or disabled), to be pleasingly functional (all things considered). In testing since the upgrade, I find that flat out “No Service” at my home has now shifted to 1-2 bars 3G.”

And this reader is in the worse-off camp:

“I use to get 1-3 bars of 3g service in my house and now I cant make a call… I have to switch off the 3G to get any bars Things are going the wrong way!”

Reader John G is in the no-improvement camp:

“I took AT&T coverage maps showing five locations that should have full signal strength and have virtually no signal. They mentioned the new update released today (2.0.02) but wouldn’t disclose what it was designed to fix. They also replaced my phone and loaded the latest update. I’ve been back to two of the five locations (home and office) and there is absolutely no improvement in my 3G connection. I’ll be calling Apple and asking for Steve Jobs cell number or a refund and release from my contract.”

It does appear that, even if reception hasn’t been enhanced for most users, Apple has made improvement in one significant area. The iPhone 3G automatically switches between 3G and 2G networks for voice and data connections. In theory, the phone should hop off 3G when signal strength is too low or non-existent, and hop back on when the signal gets better. Previously, the iPhone 3G wasn’t aggressive enough regarding the switch from 3G to 2G. In other words, the phone stayed connected to the 3G network when the signal strength is too low to allow incoming or outgoing calls. The iPhone OS 2.0.2 update appears to improve the switching mechanism. As described by one iPhone Atlas reader:

“I find switchover (3G to EDGE) to now work reasonably, where it was useless before.”