I scoured the internet and did my homework researching this phone, and found only one person complaining about reception and poor sound quality; other then the review above mine here (maybe no one has bothered to review this phone and post their comments). Well, I am number three now.I was very disappointed this phone sounded the way it did, and had such horrible reception. I own a v400 as well on the cingular network, and I know what and where I should have good reception, and the e317 is not even in the same ball park, it is horrible. I am returning it, and going to give it a second try. If something changes, I will either retract my statements here, or qualify them with more bad news with the replacement e317.Stay tuned...