If you own an iPhone 4S on Vodafone and are thinking of upgrading to iOS 6.1 then hold it! Vodafone has sent out text messages warning that the latest version of Apple's mobile operating system impacts your phone's 3G performance.
The bug only seems to affect the iPhone 4S, according to a post in the Vodafone forum. Apple is working on a fix, according to the post, though there's no word on when it could reach disgruntled customers.
"Some customers may occasionally experience difficulty in connecting to the network to make or receive calls or texts or to connect to the Internet," the post reads. "Apple is working on a solution to their software issue. These connection problems are intermittent."
The text message reads: "If you've not already downloaded iOS 6.1 for your iPhone 4S, please hold off for the next version while Apple fixes 3G performance issues. Thanks."
Vodafone is the only network so far to have reported any issues with the latest version of Apple's mobile operating system. iOS 6.1 was released on 28 January and added LTE for more countries around the world, the ability to buy cinema tickets using Siri (though not for us Brits), and the option of downloading individual tracks via iTunes Match.
There is a glimmer of hope on the horizon though. Apple's iOS 6.1.1 has entered testing with developers, although there's no word on when it'll reach customers. Let's hope there's not long to wait.
The head of Vodafone recently decried 4G as strictly for "technology freaks". Which isn't going to enamour anyone to the network any time soon.
Have you experienced any issues with iOS 6.1, iPhone 4S-related or not? If you are on Vodafone, how "intermittent" have these connection problems been? Should Apple test its software more thoroughly before punting out new versions? Or is it just an unavoidable part of modern tech life? Let me know in the comments below, or sound off over on our Facebook page.
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Comments 43
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anonymous 9 February, 2013 08:36
Issues have been present on 4s since IOS 6. These are not new.
anonymous 9 February, 2013 08:43
Apple need to get their whole software act together. OSX ML still has a Network problem which Apple are ignoring. Warning: Arrogance looses customers....
Damien2701 9 February, 2013 08:47
4s ios6 user. Never experienced it
Damien2701 9 February, 2013 08:47
4s ios6 user. Never experienced it
anonymous 9 February, 2013 08:52
Yes problems alright. My ringer sound has disappeared and connection for recharging is not always working. How to download the old iOS please
anonymous 9 February, 2013 08:58
Yes, iPhone 5, iOS6.1, my connection dropped one night and i had to restart my phone in the morning to find loads of missed calls and texts!
anonymous 9 February, 2013 08:59
Yes, iPhone 5, iOS6.1, my connection dropped one night and i had to restart my phone in the morning to find loads of missed calls and texts!
anonymous 9 February, 2013 09:41
how much CNET gets per anti-apple post? never heard of any problem on network in 4s/ios from my friends or relatives or colleagues...yes, atleast 20 of them...heh, i guess u can make up these news articles.
anonymous 9 February, 2013 09:51
This is rubbish. I have iOS 6.1 on my 4S and have no issues.
As per usual Vodafone spouting rubbish
Meleagru 9 February, 2013 10:05
Just because this isn't happening to you, doesn't mean it's not real. Most hardware and software issues don't surface on normal use and on all devices.
anonymous 9 February, 2013 10:06
I upgraded then 5 mins later got a text from Vodafone, as if upgrading it promoted the text which was a bit backwards forwards if u ask me. Nothing I can do about it now!!!
anonymous 9 February, 2013 10:26
my 4s is away at the menders at present - wifi has failed. In warranty by 23 days!
anonymous 9 February, 2013 10:27
my 4s is away at the menders at present - wifi has failed. In warranty by 23 days!
anonymous 9 February, 2013 10:27
my 4s is away at the menders at present - wifi has failed. In warranty by 23 days!
anonymous 9 February, 2013 10:28
my 4s is away at the menders at present - wifi has failed. In warranty by 23 days!
anonymous 9 February, 2013 10:29
I've got 3G issues with my ipad 2 wifi and 3G on three since upgrading to 6.1
anonymous 9 February, 2013 10:29
I've got 3G issues with my ipad 2 wifi and 3G on three since upgrading to 6.1
Steve Froud 9 February, 2013 11:59
All the more reason to dump rip-off tax avoiding Apple, and switch to BalckBerry =)
Steve Froud 9 February, 2013 12:00
All the more reason to dump rip-off tax avoiding Apple, and switch to BalckBerry =)
Carfilhiot 9 February, 2013 12:02
I wish they'd warned us 3GS users back in the day not to upgrade to iOS 6 - my phone ended up completely bricked. Apple told me they could replace it for £149, which was basically adding insult to injury since it was their crap update which totalled my phone.
Carfilhiot 9 February, 2013 12:02
I wish they'd warned us 3GS users back in the day not to upgrade to iOS 6 - my phone ended up completely bricked. Apple told me they could replace it for £149, which was basically adding insult to injury since it was their useless update which totalled my phone.
Carfilhiot 9 February, 2013 12:03
I wish they'd warned us 3GS users back in the day not to upgrade to iOS 6 - my phone ended up completely trashed. Apple told me they could replace it for £149, which was basically adding insult to injury since it was their useless update which totalled my phone.
Carfilhiot 9 February, 2013 12:03
I wish they'd warned us 3GS users back in the day not to upgrade to iOS 6 - my phone ended up completely trashed. Apple told me they could replace it for £149, which was basically adding insult to injury since it was their useless update which totalled my phone.
Carfilhiot 9 February, 2013 12:03
I wish they'd warned us 3GS users back in the day not to upgrade to iOS 6 - my phone ended up completely trashed. Apple told me they could replace it for £149, which was basically adding insult to injury since it was their useless update which totalled my phone.
Carfilhiot 9 February, 2013 12:03
I wish they'd warned us 3GS users back in the day not to upgrade to iOS 6 - my phone ended up completely trashed. Apple told me they could replace it for £149, which was basically adding insult to injury since it was their useless update which totalled my phone.
Carfilhiot 9 February, 2013 12:04
I wish they'd warned us 3GS users back in the day not to upgrade to iOS 6 - my phone ended up completely trashed. Apple told me they could replace it for £149, which was basically adding insult to injury since it was their useless update which totalled my phone.
Damien2501 9 February, 2013 13:10
I ain't gonna comment about iPhone problems, but CNET UK fix the problems on your website, multiple people are having problems commenting.
anonymous 9 February, 2013 14:06
Just bought iPad 2 upgraded to ios 6.1 now the 3g don't work luckily the WiFi still works
anonymous 9 February, 2013 14:10
im on iphone 5 and have 6.1 and from the day after i installed it i started experiencing 3g problems and i phoned vodafone and the update had stopped my sim card updating itself when in a 3g area. i really do they sort this soon!
anonymous 9 February, 2013 14:10
im on iphone 5 and have 6.1 and from the day after i installed it i started experiencing 3g problems and i phoned vodafone and the update had stopped my sim card updating itself when in a 3g area. i really do they sort this soon!
anonymous 9 February, 2013 17:20
Yes I've had connection issues since the OS upgrade whilst out and about. Very inconvenient for my Business. iPhone 4S user.
Damien2701 9 February, 2013 19:36
For once I agree with Damien2501. Sort it out Cnet.
anonymous 10 February, 2013 04:18
Why has does apple continue to roll out when they know it’s a problem? Rolling out in Singapore on Chinese New Year is just plain dumb. Now no way of getting support as phone goes around in endless login register loops.
anonymous 10 February, 2013 04:20
Why has does apple continue to roll out when they know it’s a problem? Rolling out in Singapore on Chinese New Year is just plain dumb. Now no way of getting support as phone goes around in endless login register loops.
anonymous 10 February, 2013 04:22
Why has does apple continue to roll out when they know it’s a problem? Rolling out in Singapore on Chinese New Year is just plain dumb. Now no way of getting support as phone goes around in endless login register loops.
anonymous 10 February, 2013 04:23
Why has does apple continue to roll out when they know it’s a problem? Rolling out in Singapore on Chinese New Year is just plain dumb. Now no way of getting support as phone goes around in endless login register loops.
anonymous 10 February, 2013 04:26
Why has does apple continue to roll out when they know it’s a problem? Rolling out in Singapore on Chinese New Year is just plain dumb. Now no way of getting support as phone goes around in endless login register loops.
anonymous 10 February, 2013 04:31
Why has does apple continue to roll out when they know it’s a problem? Rolling out in Singapore on Chinese New Year is just plain dumb. Now no way of getting support as phone goes around in endless login register loops.
anonymous 10 February, 2013 04:33
Why has does apple continue to roll out when they know it’s a problem? Rolling out in Singapore on Chinese New Year is just plain dumb. Now no way of getting support as phone goes around in endless login register loops.
anonymous 11 February, 2013 09:47
Confirming issues with iPhone 4S & 5 here in London since 6.0.1.
If we have wi-fi turned on, there is no way of seeing if 3G or lower is still active for voice or SMS.
Yes, there are bars showing, but that only says my handset can receive a signal from the nearest cell, it doesn't mean there is any connectivity.
We only know there are problems, when people call us on our landlines to say that our iPhones are not working.
Many other issues with 3G and battery life as well.
anonymous 11 February, 2013 19:33
Yeah, iPhone 4S iOS 6. My battery is awful, No sound, phone won't turn off and 3G and mobile data turn on by themselves even though i've turned them off..
Even worse: my phone is almost 2 months old.
anonymous 12 February, 2013 10:00
Many customers have reported increased call drop and network signaling in WCDMA networks with iPhone 4s with iOS6.1. IPhone4S with iOS6.1 fails to respond with RRC Physical Channel Reconfiguration Complete when the NW commands the UE to move to Cell-PCH. The issue is also seen when Fast Dormancy is enabled or disabled. Sometimes the UE does not respond to CN Paging.
Some of the reported symptoms included sudden loss of network coverage by the UE despite the good radio conditions. Failing RRC state transitions and calls drops in FACH increased the network signaling.
Apple has acknowledged an UE issue and a correction was released to the operators February 8th
anonymous 16 February, 2013 14:57
I updated last Friday 8th everything fine until Wednesday then lost carrier cannot make or receive any calls or texts, also wont let me update to new 6.1.1 Not very happy