This is about the VZW version of the phone. I've been losing service for 30 - 60 seconds several times a day ever since around the time that 4G was turned on in my area. The signal bar will go to a small x (I'm attaching a screenshot). When it gets service again within a minute, it goes directly to 3 or 4 bars. So it's not like I'm on a fringe area.
But that was also around the time that the phone got the most recent update, I think (I'm running stock). My sister has an iPhone and lives right about where I do. She says that her phone is doing the same as mine. I tried to weed out whether or not it could be a different issue that she has, but it sounds the same.
So I think it's probably an issue with the towers on this side of town, but I haven't heard widespread complaints from friends and family. It doesn't just happen at my house. From specific times I remember being on the road and it happening (I listen to online radio, so I know almost immediately), it was two different locations that are 3 miles apart and probably 1 or 2 miles from my house.
I had never had this issue before it started several weeks ago. I did once have the issue where bars would go gray and I couldn't use data, but phone calls still worked then. But with this, I've got no data or phone calls. I did try switching off 4G, but it still happened.
So does this sound like issues that other people have had with the phone? If so, would rooting and ROM'ing with updated radios help? Or do you think I'm right that it's local tower issues??
Thanks.