DAS (Distributed Antenna Systems): Challenges and Opportunities

Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) play a vital role in improving wireless coverage and capacity in large venues, urban environments, and remote areas. As mobile data demand surges with the proliferation of 5G, understanding DAS's potential and challenges becomes increasingly critical.

This article explores the key challenges of implementing DAS and the opportunities it presents for network operators, businesses, and consumers.

What is DAS?

A Distributed Antenna System (DAS) is a network of spatially separated antennas connected to a central source. These antennas are strategically distributed to enhance cellular coverage and capacity where traditional networks may struggle, such as:

• Stadiums
• Airports
• Skyscrapers
• Tunnels
• College campuses

By extending coverage, DAS ensures seamless communication in areas prone to weak signals or high congestion.

Challenges of Implementing DAS

While DAS offers significant benefits, several challenges can complicate deployment:

1. High Installation Costs

• Expense: Deploying DAS involves substantial investment in equipment, labor, and engineering.
• Cost Distribution: Organizations often struggle to justify costs unless they serve high-traffic areas.

2. Complex Integration

• Infrastructure Coordination: Integrating DAS with existing cellular networks requires careful planning to avoid interference.
• Technology Compatibility: Ensuring DAS works with multiple carriers and technologies, such as 4G LTE and 5G, can be technically demanding.

3. Regulatory Compliance

• Permitting: Acquiring permits and adhering to local regulations can delay deployments.
• Safety Standards: DAS systems must meet rigorous safety standards, especially in public venues.

4. Scalability Issues

• Capacity Needs: As data demand grows, DAS installations must scale to support more users and higher speeds.
• Future-Proofing: Upgrading existing DAS for 5G and beyond adds complexity.

Opportunities with DAS

Despite the challenges, DAS presents numerous opportunities for improving connectivity and user experiences:

1. Enhanced Connectivity in High-Demand Areas

• Seamless Communication: DAS ensures uninterrupted service in crowded venues like stadiums or concert halls.
• Capacity Management: Offloads traffic from traditional towers to prevent network congestion.

2. Support for 5G Deployment

• Critical for 5G: DAS provides the infrastructure needed for dense, high-speed 5G networks.
• Private Networks: Organizations can use DAS to create dedicated 5G networks for secure, high-speed communication.

3. Improved Emergency Response

• Reliable Coverage: DAS enhances communication for emergency services in critical areas like tunnels and airports.
• Public Safety: Supports first responder networks, ensuring rapid and reliable communication during crises.

4. Revenue Opportunities for Operators

• Carrier Collaboration: DAS systems often support multiple carriers, creating revenue-sharing opportunities.
• Business Expansion: DAS enables mobile operators to enter challenging markets, like remote regions or dense urban centers.

Conclusion

Distributed Antenna Systems are essential for meeting the growing demand for reliable mobile connectivity in challenging environments. While the initial investment and complexity of implementation pose hurdles, the opportunities for enhancing coverage, supporting 5G, and improving user experiences make DAS a worthwhile endeavor.

As technology advances and the demand for seamless connectivity intensifies, DAS will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of wireless communication.

Related Articles

• How DAS Enhances 5G Coverage
• Small Cells vs. DAS: Which is Right for Your Venue?
• The Role of DAS in Smart Cities

Best Cell Phone Reception Boosters

Few things are more frustrating than dropped calls, weak signals, or slow data speeds, especially when you rely on your phone for work, travel, and emergencies. Cell phone reception issues are common in rural areas, large buildings, and places with heavy network congestion. Fortunately, cell phone reception boosters—also known as signal boosters—offer an effective solution. These devices amplify weak cellular signals, improving call quality, data speeds, and overall connectivity. But with so many options on the market, how do you know which booster is best for you? This article explains how reception boosters work, reviews the top models, and highlights the features you should look for before making a purchase.

How Cell Phone Boosters Work

How to Extend iPhone Battery Life & Signal

Your iPhone is one of the most important tools you use every day, but nothing is more frustrating than running out of battery or losing signal when you need it most. While Apple continuously improves hardware and software, users can still face challenges with battery drain and weak reception. The good news is that there are many practical strategies to extend your iPhone’s battery life and improve its signal strength. This article covers the best methods, from built-in settings to lifestyle changes and accessories, so you can get the most out of your device.

Why Battery Life and Signal Go Hand-in-Hand

Most people don’t realize that poor reception can directly impact battery life. When your iPhone struggles to maintain a cellular signal, it uses more power to stay connected to the network. Similarly, background processes, app refreshes, and constant notifications can drain the battery unnecessarily. Understanding this relationship helps explain why optimizing both battery life and signal strength leads to better performance overall.

1. Adjust Screen Brightness and Display Settings

The iPhone’s display is one of the biggest battery consumers. Lowering brightness or enabling auto-brightness can save significant energy. You can also enable Dark Mode, which reduces power consumption on OLED screens by using darker pixels. Reducing the auto-lock time ensures your screen doesn’t stay on longer than necessary. Small tweaks to display settings can extend daily usage without affecting your experience.

2. Manage Background App Refresh

Background App Refresh allows apps to update content even when you’re not using them, but it consumes both data and power. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and turn it off completely or restrict it to Wi-Fi only. Limiting this feature prevents unnecessary updates, preserves battery life, and reduces background signal usage.

3. Use Low Power Mode

Apple’s built-in Low Power Mode is designed to extend battery life when your charge drops below 20%, but you can activate it anytime for better efficiency. This feature reduces background activity, mail fetch, automatic downloads, and some visual effects. For people on the go, keeping Low Power Mode on during travel days or long commutes can make a noticeable difference in how long the phone lasts.

4. Update iOS Regularly

Each iOS update often includes performance and efficiency improvements. Outdated software may drain battery faster or handle signals less efficiently. Always keep your iPhone updated to the latest version of iOS. You can enable automatic updates under Settings > General > Software Update. Staying current ensures you benefit from Apple’s battery optimizations and bug fixes.

5. Turn Off Location Services When Not Needed

Location tracking is another heavy drain on your iPhone. Many apps request location access even when it’s unnecessary. Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services and review which apps have access. Set most apps to “While Using” instead of “Always” to prevent constant GPS usage. This adjustment saves power while maintaining functionality for apps that truly need location data.

6. Limit Push Notifications

Push notifications keep you connected, but they also force your iPhone to wake up frequently, draining battery and requiring network access. Disable unnecessary notifications in Settings > Notifications. Grouping notifications and limiting them to essentials like messaging and calendar alerts can reduce interruptions, save power, and improve signal efficiency.

7. Switch Between Wi-Fi and Cellular Strategically

Your iPhone often uses more power when searching for cellular signals in weak coverage areas. If Wi-Fi is available, connect to it, as it consumes less battery. Conversely, if the Wi-Fi connection is poor, turning it off prevents your phone from constantly switching between Wi-Fi and cellular. Being mindful of when to use each connection helps extend both battery life and signal stability.

8. Optimize Signal Strength

Signal strength plays a major role in both connectivity and battery performance. If you’re in an area with weak reception, your iPhone works harder to stay connected. To improve signal:

• Move closer to a window or higher floor in a building.

• Avoid thick walls, elevators, or basements that block signals.

• Use Wi-Fi calling when cellular strength is low.

• Consider a signal booster if you live in an area with consistently poor reception.
  By improving reception, you reduce the workload on your iPhone and conserve battery power.

9. Disable Unnecessary Wireless Features

Features like Bluetooth, AirDrop, and Hotspot are convenient but consume energy even when not in use. Turn them off from Control Center when you don’t need them. Similarly, AirPlay scanning and background Wi-Fi activity can drain battery if left running. Minimizing unused wireless functions helps your iPhone run more efficiently.

10. Manage App Usage and Close High-Drain Apps

Some apps are notorious for consuming battery, especially social media and streaming platforms. You can check battery usage in Settings > Battery to identify which apps are using the most power. Closing high-drain apps or limiting their screen time helps conserve energy. For navigation apps that require constant GPS, consider downloading offline maps to reduce both data and battery drain.

11. Enable Airplane Mode in Dead Zones

When you’re in an area with no service, your iPhone continuously searches for a signal, which quickly drains the battery. Turning on Airplane Mode prevents this constant searching. You can still enable Wi-Fi or Bluetooth manually if needed. This tip is particularly useful during flights, rural travel, or underground commutes where signal is unreliable.

12. Use Optimized Battery Charging

Apple’s Optimized Battery Charging feature extends battery health over the long term. Found in Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging, this feature learns your charging routine and reduces wear by limiting charge beyond 80% until you need it. Maintaining long-term battery health ensures your iPhone continues to hold a strong charge for years.

13. Invest in Accessories for Better Performance

Sometimes hardware solutions are the best answer. A portable power bank can keep your iPhone charged during long days without outlets. External signal boosters or case-integrated antennas can help in low-coverage areas. Quality charging cables and adapters ensure efficient charging, which reduces battery stress over time. While accessories cost extra, they provide reliable solutions for extending both battery and signal.

14. Restart Regularly and Reset Settings if Needed

Restarting your iPhone once a week clears memory, closes lingering processes, and refreshes connections. If you experience persistent signal or battery issues, resetting network settings can help. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings to clear outdated connections. This often improves both connectivity and efficiency without erasing personal data.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many users unintentionally reduce battery life and signal quality. Avoid overcharging your iPhone overnight, as constant high-voltage charging generates heat. Don’t use cheap charging accessories, which can damage the battery. Similarly, avoid placing your phone in tight pockets or bags with metal objects, as this can weaken signal reception. By steering clear of these mistakes, you prolong both performance and device health.

Conclusion

Extending your iPhone’s battery life and improving signal strength is possible with a mix of smart settings adjustments, mindful usage, and occasional hardware support. From managing background activity and optimizing display brightness to improving signal with boosters or Wi-Fi calling, small changes add up to big improvements. By following these strategies, you can enjoy a longer-lasting iPhone that keeps you connected when it matters most. A well-optimized device not only saves time and frustration but also extends the overall lifespan of your phone, ensuring it remains a dependable companion in your daily life.

AT&T Home Cell Tower or MicroCell

For many households, staying connected through reliable cellular service is essential, but cell reception can sometimes be spotty at home, especially in remote or densely populated urban areas. AT&T’s solution for boosting weak signals in your home is the AT&T MicroCell, sometimes called a home cell tower. By creating a stronger, more stable signal, this device helps you avoid dropped calls and slow data speeds. Here’s what you need to know about AT&T’s home cell tower options, how they work, and if they’re the right choice for your needs.

What Is the AT&T Home Cell Tower (MicroCell)?

Cell Phone Signal Boosters

Cell phone signal boosters, also known as cellular repeaters or amplifiers, are devices designed to improve and strengthen cellular signals for better reception and coverage. They work by capturing existing cellular signals, amplifying them, and rebroadcasting them to areas with weak or no signal.

Here's how cell phone signal boosters typically work:

Why Does My iPhone 4S Battery Drain Fast?

Why Does My iPhone 4S Battery Drain Fast? Troubleshooting Tips and Solutions

The iPhone 4S may be an older model, but it remains popular with users who enjoy its simple design and reliable functionality. However, many iPhone 4S users experience fast battery drain, which can be frustrating. In this article, we’ll look at the most common reasons why the iPhone 4S battery may be draining quickly and offer tips and solutions to help extend battery life.

Common Reasons for iPhone 4S Battery Drain

Which Cell Signal Booster is Best for Verizon

zBoost YX-510 Cell Phone Signal Booster Dual-Band Unit for Home or Office

How is Verizon's New 5G Home Gateway Any Better Than Fast Wifi?

Is it true that in many cases it is faster and cheaper than the internet or “WiFi” from your cable or telco company?  

Verizon 5G may be getting a lot bigger. Today Verizon exclusively revealed to PCMag that it's launching the first 5G home router powered by Qualcomm's long-awaited QTM527 antenna, which has the potential to greatly expand the range of the carrier's fast, but short-distance millimeter-wave 5G.

The new router, made by Wistron for Verizon, can be placed inside by a window, so there's no external install needed. A smartphone app guides you on where to put the unit. The device has Wi-Fi 6 and one Ethernet port. The Ethernet port is important because Verizon's millimeter-wave system is sometimes faster than the maximum speed of Wi-Fi routers; in tests in my neighborhood, I've gotten up to 1.7Gbps. Boulben said home users will get between 300Mbps and a gigabit.

For a while now, Verizon executives have been talking about this: the latest customer premises equipment (CPE) that is going to make its 5G Home fixed wireless access (FWA) offering so much more convincing. Well, it's finally coming to eight cities, including two new cities beginning on October 1 in Verizon's 5G Home Internet coverage area: Minneapolis and St. Paul.

The 5G Home Internet equipment, including a single-device 5G internet receiver and Wi-Fi router, was designed for the user to easily set up in their home. It comes in a single package and consumers can find the perfect location for mounting on a wall or window using a mobile app; the 5G gateway can confirm that a 5G signal is usable.

Wistron NeWeb Corporation (WNC), an Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) based in Taiwan, is the maker of the CPE hardware. Verizon announced that the home router is operated by the long-awaited QTM527 antenna from Qualcomm, which PC Mag first mentioned.

Verizon notes that including step-by-step instructions, all the user requires to install the unit is in the box. The operator didn't say how long it would take to set it up; during an earnings call in July, CEO Hans Vestberg suggested that he expected the self-installation to be less than an hour. It beats the old paradigm of waiting weeks for an installer to come into the home to set it up, although that didn't happen. Verizon is promising to do it for them for those who don't want to set it up themselves.

The company says that clients can expect average speeds of about 300 Mbps and maximum speeds of up to 1 Gbps, depending on the venue.

For Verizon subscribers, the cost of the service is $50 per month and $70 per month for non-Verizon subscribers. Verizon is tossing in YouTube TV for one month and Disney+ for one year for potential 5 G Home Internet users to entice customers. It also throws in a free Amazon Smart Home Package for smart home fans, which includes an Echo Display 5, Ring Stick Up Cam, Echo Dot, and Amazon Smart Plug. 

In areas of Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, and Sacramento, Verizon provides its 5 G Home Internet service, in addition to Minneapolis and St. Paul. The new equipment is available in all those cities except Sacramento, where the 3GPP 5G New Radio (NR) variant will be converted by customers in 2021.

Through this service, Verizon has said it plans to be in parts of 10 cities by the end of 2020. According to a spokesman, the 5G Home Internet product is designed to use millimeter wave (mmWave) signals at 28 GHz and 39 GHz.

"The new 5G Internet Gateway from Verizon is a game-changer for our customers," said Frank Boulben, Verizon's SVP of Consumer Marketing and Products, in a statement. "The extension of 5G Home Internet to new markets with new and enhanced hardware would provide consumers with the convenience and efficiency to enjoy more digital interactions and increased productivity from the comfort of their home, with people spending more time at home during these tough times."

Verizon suggested earlier this year that it would not wait for its 5G Home service to be completely baked, introducing an FWA service using its 4G LTE network. The LTE service helps the company to grow and develop beyond its Fios and 5G Home footprints into more rural areas.

Does Your School Have Cell Phone Service Problems?

Do Schools Block Cell Phone Signals? 

We were interviewed today by CBS TV in Fort Lauderdale, Florida which is doing a news story on cell phone coverage in schools.  They were asking questions about whether schools block cell phone signals in schools or whether cell coverage is just a factor of the cell phone tower being located too far from the school.  

The cell phone coverage in each school depends on a lot of factors.  

1)  Does the school block signals using a cell phone signal jammer?

2)  How far is the school from the nearest cell phone tower? 

3)  What material is the building made out of concrete, steel, or wood?

4)  Are hills or trees blocking cell phone signals?

5)  Does the school allow students to make phone calls and send text messages over WiFi when a cellular signal is not present?

6)  Has the school installed cell phone DAS antennas/repeaters?  

7)  Does the school have adequate WiFi coverage in every classroom and location throughout the school campus?  

Here is another community in California concerned about cell phone towers causing cancer on school campuses.  Sprint actually removed a cell phone tower on campus because it was thought it could have caused 4 cases of cancer. 

Please add your comments to this story below about cell phone coverage and policies in your school.  What are your thoughts about having cell phone coverage in the school?  

How to Run Your Business From Only A Cell Phone

Phone.com - Virtual Office solution provides local or toll-free 800 numbers (including vanity numbers) for business and manages them according to the customers' specifications. The virtual office service includes custom greetings, auto attendant, voicemail, internet fax receiving, call transfer and many more features you would expect from a more costly business phone system, all at a very affordable cost. Home Phone Service with Phone.com- Simplest way to set up a flexible, low cost with all the features and options to make it exactly what you want.

Phone.com is the #1 Cloud Phone Service for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Phone.com offers innovative, customizable and cost-effective communications solutions with plans as low as $9.99 per month. Come see why more than 25,000 companies across the U.S., count on Phone.com for reliable Cloud PBX phone service and award-winning support. Sign up for a Free 30-Day trial.

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If you have cell phone coverage problems in your home, we might suggest purchasing a cell phone booster.  

Verizon 4G LTE Wireless Signal Booster

Verizon & AT&T 4G LTE Signal Booster

Now there’s a mobile signal booster for those using Verizon Wireless LTE devices.  The Sleek 4G-V from Wilson Electronics was announced this week.  You can boost AT&T's 700 MHz LTE (bands 12 & 17) signal as well as all carriers 3G & 2G cellular signals on 800 MHz & 1900 MHz.  The boost provides more than 20 times the power of your cell phone alone.  This booster will help you stay connected by providing a strong reliable signal in weak-signal areas indoors and outdoors in a car (1 or 2 bars), reducing lost dropped calls and speeding data rates.  It's designed for the car but will work anywhere.

The Sleek 4G-V works with all devices on all conventional 2G and 3G networks, except Nextel.  FCC type accepted.  Below is a diagram of how to set up the antenna for a typical car.

Verizon 4G LTE Signal Booster 

Related Articles: 

Which Cell Phone Signal Booster is Best for Verizon Home?

What Would You Rather Have: Portable Emergency Cell Tower or Defibrillator?

AT&T's Network Is Known To Cause Heart Attacks! 

AT&T (NYSE: T) made a product announcement yesterday to start selling a portable cell tower in a suitcase.  You have to laugh when you see the product because you are more likely to die of a heart attack trying to connect to the network in an emergency.  The emergency cell tower is designed to be used and deployed in a disaster scenario when there is no cellular service.  However, you are more likely to die of a heart attack being stuck in a dead zone before you are able to set up your emergency cell tower to get coverage.   This product is so dumb that you know the US Government will by buying these things in droves because AT&T will be terrifying officials with fear.  I have an idea . . . How about using some of the emergency funds to fix the cell coverage dead zones you already have?    If spectrum were more open in rural areas the private sector could solve the coverage issues themselves with products like: Solar Powered Remote Cell Towers. 

This begs the question why are they offering this if their cellular network covers 98% of the population?  This portable cell tower only covers a 1/2 mile radius and it is way overpriced. Who or what company is going to buy this for $15,000 - $45,000 depending on options?  Who is going to spend 30 minutes trying to set this up in the middle of a disaster?  How can they possibly have enough of these portable towers in place to repair their broken network when it inevitably crashes?  

Related Stories:

Emergency Vehicles Need Cell Signal Boosters

FCC Could Ban Cell Signal Boosters = Bad Idea

 

Cell Boosters: A Solution for Poor Cell Signals

Wherever there are dead cell zones, dropped calls, static during calls and generally, bad reception is bound to follow. Cell phone users that live in an area where there is not even one bar of reception anywhere in their vicinity will have a hard time rectifying their situation without a provider’s solution. However, for those that can pick up even one bar of reception, a cell booster is a very affordable solution to improve cellular signal reception.

In the simplest terms, cell boosters take weak cellular signals and amplify them within a home, office, or building. A typical cell booster kit includes an external antenna (for picking up weak signals), an amplifier (for boosting weak signal), and an internal antenna (for rebroadcasting the amplified signals). But how does one go about selecting the best cell booster?

There are a couple of things to keep in mind when shopping for a booster: application and frequency. There is a difference between a small home cellular repeater and one designed for a warehouse. Large, multi-story buildings or spaces larger than 30,000 square feet often require custom cell booster installation and the expertise of a specialist.

However, for smaller cell booster applications, the most important thing to take note of is frequency. Amplifiers operate on different frequencies including 800 MHz (Verizon, US Cellular, and Alltel), 1900 MHz (T-mobile, Sprint and Metro PCS), and iDEN (Nextel). For those that aren’t sure what frequency their carrier utilizes, a Dual Band booster is probably the best choice. These amplifiers operate on both the 800 MHz and 1900 MHz bands, covering most carriers (with the exception of Nextel).

Basic cell boosters typically fall into the $200 -$250 price range and can be installed with minimal technical assistance.

How to Find The Best Indoor Signal Booster

So you're tired of poor reception, dropped calls, and drained batteries. You know it's time to find a solution and someone recommended checking out signal boosters. But how do you navigate the sea of uninformative model numbers, strange names, and new technologies to find the solution that fits your setup at the most reasonable price? Here's a guide that will outline the factors to remember when going booster shopping. You'll be a cellular amplifier expert in no time.

There's one puzzle you should try to solve first before you start your booster search: Namely, why is my reception so poor? Coverage goes hazy for a variety of reasons. You might live adventurously close to the edge of the network, a good distance from the most far-flung cell towers. On the other hand, you might live in a city skyscraper behind thick concrete walls impenetrable to the strongest of cell signals. Or it's possible you live comfortably in suburbia well within cellular range but your house happens to rest at the bottom of an imposing hill, blocking most of the good reception from reaching your residence. Determining the primary obstacle to your cellular experience is key in reaching success with a signal booster.

The second puzzle to solve (and this is a lot easier than the first) involves determining how strong your natural, unamplified signal is, both indoors and out. Just open up your phone and check the bars of reception. Signal boosters vary in the degree to which they amplify a signal. Some simply modify a mediocre signal while others totally soup up a dead zone into a powerhouse. So why not go for the biggest and the strongest? Price, of course; those powerful amplifiers come with a hefty price tag for their fancy technology. You want to find the booster that suits your needs exactly to be financially sound and energy-efficient.

So, you’ve determined why your cell signal is poor and just how strong your unamplified signal is indoors and out, as described above. Now, you'll want to know exactly how much square footage you plan on blanketing with amplified signal before hitting the stores. The signal booster kit contains multiple pieces of equipment that serve different functions. The broadcasting antenna distributes the boosted signal throughout the desired space and these antennas come in a wide spectrum of strengths, each able to cover a different-sized space. Of course, the larger space, the more powerful and more expensive the antenna. It's important to keep in mind that some websites and product descriptions advertise maximum broadcast ranges that refer to tests set in open territory. However, when those antennas are placed indoors where it must battle through walls, staircases, and other obstacles, the antenna's range reduces significantly. Be sure to get help with an expert from the store to find the true indoor range of these amplifiers.

With this easy checklist, you'll be way ahead of the game when in the market for a signal booster. Try to look for boosters with the strength you need and antennas to cover the space you want. Remember, asking for help never hurts. There are cell booster experts available to answer specific questions and assist with large-scale installations.

Cell Phone Tips to Prepare for Hurricane Irene

How to prepare for the next hurricane disaster?  Does your family have an emergency communications plan for when you cannot reach your friends and family with cell phones because the network is jammed?  Cell phone operators cannot prevent the worst from happening and consumers and small business owners should be prepared before and after the storm hits. Here are 10 tips that should help you be prepared for the worst during a disaster.

1. Have a two phones ready possibly from two different carriers. One corded or landline phone and one mobile phone. The landline phone is critical because it is not dependent on electricity in the case of a long power outage.
2. Make sure all of your local emergency contact numbers and e-mail addresses are in your mobile phone. Police department, coast guard, fire station and hospital, as well as your family members.
3. Keep your cell phone batteries charged at all times and keep an extra on hand. Have a plan to charge your battery in case of a long power outage using your car charger or generator.
4. Keep your wireless phone dry in a dry pack or waterproof housing. If you phone gets wet or is exposed to excessive humidity you might not be able to use it.
5. You can track the storm and access weather information on your wireless device but don't use too much phone battery power or data on the phone to jam the network. Try not to upload or download a lot of video during the storm.   Thousands of homes will lose power during the storm and if you have a wireless device that provides access to the Internet, you can watch weather reports through mobile TV.  
6. Download one of the many weather apps if you have smartphone to track your local weather Accuweather, Weather Undergound and Weather.com are some of the best apps to see the radar.
7. Have a camera and video phone on hand to take and send photos and video clips of damaged property or people in need of emergency help. It is also helpful to document the damage for your your insurance company.
8. Use location-based mapping technology from Google and other services to help with evacuation routes or avoid traffic congestion from downed trees or power lines. Download and use location based friend applications to track a family members and friends on wireless device in case you get separated.
9. During an emergency cell phone networks are typically jammed by multiple people trying to use their phones at the same time. The increased calling volume or data traffic on the network can create network congestion, leading to a "fast busy" signal on your mobile phone or a slow dial tone on your landline phone. If this happens, hang up, be patient and wait several seconds and then try the call again. This allows your original call data to clear the network before you try again. Keep non-emergency calls and usage of video uploading and downloading to a minimum. If there is severe weather, chances are many people will be attempting to place calls to loved ones, friends and business associates.
10. Use text messaging as much as you can during an emergency as messages may go through more quickly than voice calls. Text messages require fewer network resources and will get priority before voice calls.

Cell phone carriers do recognized the risk of their cell phone towers going down during an emergency and typically send out emergency teams and boost capacity in the area with additional towers.  This usually includes the installation of back-up generators at cell sites and switching facilities. They also try and locate critical communication equipment in less vulnerable areas and try to upgrade copper wiring with fiber optic cable. Also, elevation of switches on the network above expected flood levels and extra protection of physical facilities against flooding is also important.

How to Boost a WiFi Signal Using an Electrical Powerline Extender

If your home or office Wi-Fi isn't performing well you might consider improving the signal using an electrical powerline extender.  

Which Cell Signal Booster is Best for AT&T

AT&T has a femtocell device to help their customers extend coverage inside their homes and offices.  

How Many Cell Phone Calls Are Made a Day?

13.5 Billion Cell Phone Calls Per Day Worldwide

According to a report by Statista, in 2021 there were an estimated 13.5 billion mobile phone calls made per day worldwide. This figure includes both voice calls and video calls made using mobile devices. It is important to note that this is just an estimate and the actual number of phone calls made per day may be higher or lower than this figure.

The average person makes or receives 8 mobile phone calls per day.  That is roughly 2.4 billion phone calls across the 300 million cell phone user in the U.S.  The average mobile phone user in the U.S makes 250 phone calls per month or 3,000 phone calls per year.  There are 300 million cell phone users in the United States so if you do the math that is 900 billion cell phone calls made per year.

Do you know what percent of calls are dropped?  Our surveys say that the average cell phone customer drops 12 percent of their phone calls which is probably a conservative estimate.  100,000,000,000 billion phone calls are dropped each year and consumers have very few solutions accept cell phone boosters and femtocells which the FCC is trying to ban. These numbers are calculated by with a Verizon customers who claim to drop 5 percent of their calls and AT&T iPhone user who claim they drop 1 in 6 calls or between 15 to 20 percent.   We have read the ChangeWave surveys and that claim AT&T and Verizon customers drop 4.5 to 1.5 percent of the calls and we all know these are not true.

The average mobile phone user pays $59 per month for service and this factors out to approximately .24 cents per phone call for 250 minutes.  So if the average person drops 12 percent of their calls per month you are paying $7.08 for calls that should be if your carrier refunded the dropped call.  Carriers should be refunding $85 per year to customers on average if dropped calls were refunded as credits.  Thats a total $25 billion dollars that carriers are stealing from their customers.

Related Stories: 
How Many Text Messages Are Sent a Day?
How Much Does AT&T Charge for Text Message Overage?

10 Reasons Why The FCC is a Joke

1) FCC evaluates competition locally and not Nationally. Are they stuck in the '90's?
2) FCC is funded by Verizon, AT&T & Comcast, and not taxpayers.
3) No transparency & FCC complaints go into a mysterious black hole

4) FCC thinks rural carriers have a fair competition with National carriers.
5) FCC violated our trademark and tried to replicate our dead zones service.
6) FCC trusts AT&T lies and propaganda.
7) It takes 10 years for FCC to force Verizon & AT&T to roam for regional carriers
8) FCC tried to ban cell phone signal boosters at the request of carriers
9) FCC refuses to acknowledge consumers getting screwed and our data.

10) FCC Staffers leaving to become a lobbyist for telecom companies.

Carriers Bluffing on Cell Phone Signal Booster Network Interference

Mobile operators have avoided facing the reality of consumers frustrated with congested networks and entrepreneurs who have found solutions to fix coverage problems. Now comes a report from the New York Times that the leading mobile operators in the USA are contending that wireless boosters interfere with the smooth running of their networks. What's ironic is "cell phone boosters" have been around for a few years with companies like Wilson Electronics and Wi-Ex.  This equipment is used by law enforcement and often used at stadiums to boost coverage.  Fast forward 10 years and now with an investment in femtocell made, the mobile operators are screaming stop, and seeking assistance from their trade body, CTIA and the FCC to limit or eliminate the use of the wireless boosters when in reality the solution to provide coverage in many places really has been Wi-Fi.  Here are products that have been sold directly from Amazon Wireless for many years.

Read more about the craziness of this idea at VoIP Watch.