10 Ways to Improve WiFi Reception

Enhancing Your WiFi Experience: 10 Ways to Improve WiFi Reception

Do Boosters Work for WiFi? Debunking Common Myths and Unveiling the Truth

In our hyper-connected world, a stable and fast WiFi connection is essential for seamless communication, work, and entertainment. However, many of us have experienced frustrating dead zones and weak signals within our homes or offices. To tackle this issue, WiFi boosters have become popular solutions to extend and amplify the reach of our wireless networks. But do these boosters truly work? In this article, we will explore the efficacy of WiFi boosters, debunk common myths, and shed light on the truth behind their functionality.

How Accurate Are Cell Phone Coverage Maps?

Cell phone coverage maps can provide a general indication of the expected coverage in a given area, but their accuracy can vary. 

Why is AT&T's MicroCell Dropping Calls?

AT&T's Mini Home Cell Phone Tower

There could be several reasons why an AT&T MicroCell, also known as a femtocell, is dropping calls. A MicroCell is a device that uses your internet connection to provide enhanced cellular coverage in areas with weak signals. Here are some possible causes for dropped calls with a MicroCell:

Internet Connection Issues: The MicroCell relies on a stable and reliable internet connection to function properly. If there are issues with your internet service, such as intermittent connectivity, slow speeds, or high network congestion, it can result in dropped calls or poor call quality on the MicroCell.

Interference: The MicroCell operates on specific radio frequencies, and if there is interference from other devices or neighboring wireless networks, it can impact the performance of the MicroCell and lead to dropped calls. Interference can be caused by electronic devices, wireless routers, or other wireless signals in close proximity to the MicroCell.

Location and Signal Strength: The placement of the MicroCell within your home or office can affect its performance. If the MicroCell is positioned in an area with poor internet connectivity or where the cellular signal is already weak, it may struggle to maintain a stable connection, resulting in dropped calls.

MicroCell Software or Firmware Issues: Like any technology, MicroCell may experience software or firmware issues that can impact its functionality. It's recommended to ensure that your MicroCell's software and firmware are up to date to minimize potential issues.

Device Compatibility: Some older or incompatible devices may not work well with the MicroCell, leading to dropped calls or other connectivity problems. Checking the compatibility of your device with the MicroCell and ensuring it meets the necessary requirements can help prevent issues.

If you are experiencing consistently dropped calls with your MicroCell, it is advisable to contact AT&T customer support for assistance. They can help troubleshoot the issue, check the device's settings, and provide further guidance on resolving the problem.

Read more at the AT&T Wirless Forum

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Call Failed or Dropped Calls?

How to Extend iPhone Battery Life & Signal

To extend your iPhone's battery life and improve signal reception, you can follow these tips:

Top Tips to Improve Your Phone's Signal Strength

A lot of our daily routine depends on cell phones. Things such as dropped phone calls, weak signal strength, and slow data can have a massive impact on our everyday life. However, the good thing is that you can now better your cell signal for clear cells and fast data speed. Here, we will enlist some of the best ways to improve your phone's cell signal strength. Let us get started and address them one by one.  

Get a Verizon network extender.

 

People who have Verizon wireless will love this solution to boost their cell phone signal. It is because, at present, Verizon is the only network that still offers a network extender. Also known as a microcell or femtocell, a network extender is a device that Verizon sells to create a better signal strength at your home. It will route all the cellular calls and the data over the broadband internet. Please bear in mind; there are a few downsides to using network extenders, such as the call handoff problems, but if you do not have an existing cell signal outside, this can be quite a suitable option. 

 

'I have been a Verizon wireless user for long, and the extender has wholly resolved my call drop issues, shares Dave, a TrueBlueFishermen associate. 

 

Take your phone higher.

 

The reception of cell phones better when you travel higher. It is because if there are buildings around, they can block your signal. So, if you are in a valley or at the foot of the hill, start climbing. If you are indoors, you can travel upstairs and travel to the side that receives the best reception. 

 

 Check your phone for any possible damage.

 

At times, when you drop your phone, despite your phone being in a case, it can lead to damage to the internal antenna. This will have a severe impact on the cell signal quality. So, it won't hurt to remove the phone's case and inspect it for damage. Carefully examine both the corners and the back. Alternatively, you can even schedule a free appointment with your carrier, and they can perform a diagnostic on your phone. It will help them confirm whether the hardware is properly functioning or not. Justin, an employee with MyPlumberschoice, shares that 'In my Apple, there was a hardware issue, which was hampering my cell reception. Since my phone was under warranty, they replaced my phone for free, and now the problem is solved.' 

 

Do not let your phone battery reach to critically low.

 

At times, when the phone attempts to connect to the nearest cell phone tower, it tends to suck up all the battery from your phone. When the battery is already low, it gets hard for the phone to look for a signal. Why? By default, our phones are programmed to consume minimum battery when searching for a network, especially when the battery is already low. Hence, it is unable to perform the task adequately, and this results in poor reception. Thus, it would help if you did everything you possibly can to conserve your phone's battery power. For this, you can turn off the NFC and Bluetooth. Also, use these features only when required. Also, keep the screen brightness to a minimum, ensure that no software or applications are running in the background that consumes your phone battery. Also, while you are traveling, it is inevitable for the battery to go low. So, in this case, carry a portable charger along.  

 

Remove your phone's case.

If there is a case covering on your phone, only removing it might better your phone's signal strength. At times, a case may block the cell phone signal and curtail it from reaching the internal antenna. So, try removing the case to see any improvement in reception. 

 

Get a new SIM or clean your existing one.

 

If you have used your carrier for a long time, your SIM card may not have adequate data to connect to the latest network systems. At times, its contact may be wearing down or dirty. This may result in intermittent failures. So, pop your SIM card out, and clean the metal surface using a cotton swab rubbed in alcohol or a disinfectant wipe. 

 

'Since my cell signal used to be continually weak, I requested my carrier's support representatives to give me the latest SIM, which helped better my signal strength,' shares Alexa, an associate with RazorHood. 

 

Yes, we agree with Alexa on this. At times, changing to a newer SIM can also improve your signal strength. Usually, your network providers will grant you a new SIM for free. 

 

Shop for a cell phone signal booster

 

This is the only certified solution, which is majorly recommended by all the key carriers and the FCC. A cell phone signal booster will catch all the existing signals outside your phone, amplify its strength, and then transmit this stronger signal into your home, vehicle, or business. The good thing is they work with all networks. So, there is no need to shop for different cell phone signal boosters. More so, it is a one-time investment, and there is no recurring fee.  

 

Keep your phone's software updated.

 

At times, the phone may be experiencing signal issues because you are running your phone on old software. Consequently, the phone may not perform at an optimal level. It may not have the newest optimizations for calls, bug fixes, data, or even routine operations. So, before trying every other method here, this should be the first thing that you do. 

 

Disable LTE if a single bar shows

 

The bars you see on your phone are determined by things, such as – load and quality on the nearby tower and the signal strength. If you see a single LTE bar, it means that the tower from where you are getting your signal is over-congested. Consequently, it affects the signal quality, resulting in it being significantly low. In this case, you can consider switching off LTE and using 3G for a bit. Since most people will be using LTE, 3G will be less congested, thereby giving you better signal strength. 

 

Get yourself a new phone.

 

When you have an old phone, particularly one that supports just 3G and not LTE, you should consider shopping for the latest phone. If you cannot afford the latest phone, even a version or two older models that support LTE will suffice. This, in itself, can better your data speeds and voice calls. 

 

Make the most of the Wi-Fi Network.

 

'I have always had cell signal issues, but this Wi-Fi calling has completely metamorphosed the things for me,' shares Robin, who did a CDR review online.

 

Well, yes, this is one of the most excellent solutions that are hugely prevalent today. Almost every carrier in the USA and Canada, and even the other parts of the world, offer this new and updated feature of Wi-Fi calling. As part of this feature, you can now use your internet connection to surf the internet and simultaneously make phone calls through your phone network. Please know that Verizon and AT&T offer this feature currently for Samsung Galaxy, LG, and iPhone users only. However, if you have subscribed to Sprint and T-Mobile, Wi-Fi calling is available on almost every model. You can find this option in the settings menu of your phone. 

 

Toggle the Airplane Mode

 

Lastly, if you are not receiving a signal on your phone, you can toggle the Airplane mode once, wait for about five to ten seconds, and turn it off again. This can help you better your reception. 

 

So, these are some of the most effective ways to better weak cell reception. 

Identifying Dropped Call Locations

Dropped calls are often more annoying than dead zones themselves. Identifying the exact locations where dropped calls occur can be a complex task, as it requires analyzing various factors and data sources. However, telecommunication companies and network operators have methods to identify and address such issues. Here are some common approaches used to identify dropped call locations:

Network Monitoring: Telecommunication companies continuously monitor their network infrastructure to identify issues that can cause dropped calls. They use network monitoring tools and systems to track call quality, signal strength, and network performance. These tools help them identify areas where call drops are more frequent.

Customer Complaints: Customers often report dropped call issues to their service providers. Telecommunication companies collect and analyze these complaints to identify patterns and common locations where dropped calls are reported. By aggregating customer feedback, they can pinpoint problem areas.

Drive Testing: Network operators conduct drive tests by equipping vehicles with specialized testing equipment that measures signal strength, call quality, and network performance while moving through different areas. These tests help identify specific locations where call drops occur and provide valuable data for network optimization.

Crowd-Sourced Data: Some telecommunication companies and mobile network operators collect data from mobile devices using dedicated apps or network diagnostic tools. This crowd-sourced data provides insights into call performance, signal strength, and dropped call occurrences at various locations.

Network Analysis Tools: Network operators utilize sophisticated analysis tools that collect data from network equipment, such as base stations and switches. These tools enable them to identify areas with high call drop rates and analyze network parameters that may be causing the issue.

Signal Propagation Analysis: By analyzing signal propagation characteristics, such as terrain, obstacles, and building structures, network operators can estimate the signal strength and coverage in different areas. Weak signal areas are often associated with higher call drop rates.

By combining the data from these various sources and conducting detailed analysis, telecommunication companies can identify locations where dropped calls are more prevalent. Once identified, they can take steps to optimize the network, improve coverage, or address any underlying issues causing the call drops.

How To Check For Cell Phone Coverage By Address

When it comes to choosing the best mobile operator, most people think of the Big Three. The Big Four are known as AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile / Sprint.  However, but they should also include a number of other smaller MVNO carriers that use these major networks.    

All four networks are available in the US, with AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint each having their own LTE networks. According to paid studies most carriers will claim they have coverage everywhere but we know this is not true.  Coverage only matters at your home address and the only way to check this is by asking someone else in your area, trying it out, or by looking at coverage complaints submitted by customers on the cell phone coverage reviews map above or on the check cell coverage by address mobile map.     

You can search this map to see which areas have the worst overage on each of the four major networks in the United States. Use the small search circle in the lower left-hand corner of the map. This map allows you to filter coverage reviews of all major mobile networks by simply clicking on the carrier on the right-hand side of the map.     

Enter your country, city, postal code, home or office address select your current location, filter by carrier type and region, and select the best and worst coverage in your area for each of the four major networks in the United States. In this example, you choose one of four different types of mobile towers for the USA and specify a country.     

Use can other tools like RootMetrics, OpenSignal, CellReception.com, or SignalMap to see what others are reporting about the range of the operator in your area based on positive signal strength.  However, these providers do not allow you to provide reviews on carriers in specific locations.  There is also a map to look at cellular towers and antenna locations nearby.      

RootMetrics does not have a map of the mobile towers in the viewfinder, but in some areas, it shows the cell signal quality. Although Root Metrics does not have a map of mobile towers, it is a strong indicator of signal quality in your area.     

Note that all carrier coverage maps show the general area of coverage, but not specific cellular towers or antenna locations near you. All carrier coverage maps somewhat inform users about the type of coverage and signal quality you can expect based on the address you enter in the search bar, as well as the display of cellphones and transmission towers.     

T-Mobile Tower Map lets you enter your zip code, locate a location on the map, and see if 4G LTE coverage is available. Search for T-Mobile 5G coverage from your current location, and it's available in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.     

Sprint gives you the ability to look up any address you want and allows you to see the coverage that's in your location. To access the website you are using, such as T-Mobile Tower Map, first, enter your address in the search engine of our website. Go to our mobile phone comparison engine and check the coverage at your exact location, and you will begin to gain a better understanding of coverage at the sites you are using.

How Does Cell Phone Contact Tracing Work?

Contact tracing is part of the process of supporting patients and warning contacts of exposure in order to stop chains of transmission. It works by logging when two people have been in close proximity to each other for a substantial period of time. If one of the users is later diagnosed as having the disease, an alert can be sent to others they have recently been close to, telling them that they should also get tested and/or self-isolate.

The Apple-Google model carries the process out on the handsets themselves, making it more difficult for the authorities or potential hackers to de-anonymize the records and use them for other means.

Digital contact tracing replaces at least some of those interviews with technology. Especially in South Korea and China, it's been an effective way to keep infections down. (South Korea is finally down to zero local infections.) But the successful approaches used elsewhere rely on a level of trust in authority and giving up privacy, which may not be acceptable in the individualistic United States.

Your mobile phone carrier can track your location at all times, by analyzing cell tower connections. This depends on the cell signal strength.  In South Korea, when someone is diagnosed with COVID-19, those tower hits are being shared with local governments, which combine them with CCTV footage, credit card receipts, and interviews, and broadcast the results on the web and through text messaging.

Bluetooth-based contact-tracing apps such as Singapore's TraceTogether rely on phones running the app in the background, searching for nearby Bluetooth devices also running the app—that's how Apple's AirDrop works. Phones can roughly determine the distance between each other based on Bluetooth signal strength; recent iPhones can also use their U1 ultra-wideband chips to figure out their proximity to each other. Unlike the network and QR-code-based solutions, Bluetooth-based apps drain your phone's battery.

6 Easy Ways to Boost Your Mobile Phone Signal

Since the mobile industry is very big and 5.13 billion people have a mobile phone which is 66.53 percent of the whole population, we see new technology developments every day. Mobile phones have become essential in our everyday living and they offer many different features, but they are primarily built for making and receiving calls and they require cellular service.

Unfortunately, not all people experience stable signals all over the world which makes things harder for them in order to communicate. Image you want to send a message, watch a video or bet online in the NFL matchups and you can’t because there is no connection.

It is extremely frustrating when you have to find a more stable signal to make/receive calls or connect to 4G where you have to wait to send something. Basically it is unacceptable to have weak connection in this day and age.

In this article, we are going to go through some of the ways that can help you boost your mobile phone signal. Most of them are pretty simple and yet very effective in order to strengthen your connection.

1.      Clear Objects in The Way

Of course, for every connection, there has to be a mobile phone tower where the device communicates and gets the required connections. Sometimes when you are surrounded with items it is hard to establish stable connections just because of the signal blockage. When people are going toward a window or raise their phones, basically they are trying to reduce the interface between the mobile tower and the device in question.

Try to remove any obstacles that interfere with your connection to the mobile phone tower, avoid standing beneath tall buildings and electronic and metal objects also have effect on your connection.

2.   Keep your Battery Full

Having enough juice is required in order for your phone to find a signal. Battery level is also very important for keeping a stable signal on your mobile. That is why you might experience cuts and glitches on calls when you have a low battery. You have to keep your devices charged all the time in order to boost your chance for establishing a stable network connection.

3.      Hold it The Right Way

Yes, even at these sophisticated times you can still block your antenna signal by holding your phone the wrong way. It seems like long time ago, but before smartphones all phones had external antennas which were a vital part of the device. Today, most smartphones have integrated an antenna which is becoming harder to indicate where your antenna is. There are some holding positions that can lower your signal, for example, when you hold your phone in landscape position, your hands can block the connection to your nearby antenna.

4.      Use Wi-Fi Connection

You can always use a Wi-Fi connection to make calls and also connect to the web. If you already have landline internet, you can use your Wi-Fi connection to help boost reception service. Most smartphones have this feature available and it is necessary when you live in low signal area.

5.      Get Mobile Phone Signal Booster

As in any network connection, there is a device that can boost your signal and reach a greater distance. Almost every mobile signal booster will connect to cellular signal no matter how weak, and boost it by 32 times. They require a separate article in order to explain how they work.

Most signal boosters are a piece of hardware or software that can connect to your home Wi-Fi and boost your cellular connection. Sometimes it might be a considerable investment for you, but also it might be your best bet in order to establish a stable cellular connection.

These are some of the methods to use in order to boost your mobile phone signal. Some places in the world are not covered by network antenna nearby so there is no chance of getting a connection. For those particular times, it is best if you use satellite phone connection. However, improving your home signal connection can be an easy process and drastically improve the quality of your calls.

Why Your Home Cell Phone Signal Has Stopped Working

Cell Towers vs Distributed Antenna Systems

If you live in a rural area of the United States it is likely that your cell phone signal strength has been fluctuating or might have dropped entirely in recent years as carriers move from 3G to 4G LTE.  Wireless carriers are increasingly moving services in areas from the very tall cell phone towers to the smaller distributed antenna systems as you see in the picture above.  Why?  

These very tall cell phone towers can provide 2G, 3G, and 4G LTE coverage of 1 to 2 miles and service several thousand people and homes from a single tower.  Carriers are increasingly dealing with capacity issues on these tall towers and have to turn wireless signals down or off in areas on antennas where there are congestion problems (too many users) or not enough customers (not profitable).  

This could result in your home that previously had several bars of cell phone signal suddenly not having any signal at all.  The wireless carrier may put up a DAS system in your neighborhood to fix the problem if you complain enough.  DAS or Distributed Antenna Systems are essentially smaller and lower power cell towers that are installed on top or inside of buildings or utility poles most commonly.  DAS antenna systems will provide service to a smaller number of people.  The theory is that your signal will be more reliable and faster.  

Unfortunately, the FCC or FTC has no mandate for the wireless carrier they have to inform you of changes in signal strength in your neighborhood.  Carriers might not even reflect this coverage accurately on their coverage maps for several years.  Deadcellzones.com has been operating for the last 18 years collecting complaints on a map of where customers have trouble getting cell phone signals.  

The complaint latest trend in the industry seems to be carriers optimizing their networks in markets and dropping coverage for "unprofitable" markets.  There is no guarantee that coverage will be provided at your home and this is the biggest portion of customer traffic adding data to the dead zones map.  

I am curious what some homeowners have done to remedy this problem with carriers.  Please comment below if you have any feedback or suggestions on how to solve this problem with each carrier.  These carriers have gotten so big that bureaucracy is probably the biggest obstacle to getting solutions for customers who have lost good home cell phone signals.  

Improving Cell Signal for United States Cellular Networks

Staying connected to family, friends and, as much as we hate to admit it, work, while you’re using your cell phone at home, office or vacation home is now totally dependent on having a usable cell signal.

This post explains why your mobile signal strength is weak and identifies which solution will be your best means of getting stronger cell reception in your home, vacation home or small office.

Why do some buildings have weak cell signal

The cause for weak signals inside of a building can stem from a few different sources. As a general rule, anything between your cell phone and the cell tower will weaken the radio frequency (RF) signals that give your phone the ability to call, text and stream data.

Here is a list of things that block mobile signals:

·        Non-Conductive Construction Materials have a moderate impact on your mobile connectivity. This includes materials that cannot conduct electricity: drywall, plastic matter, wood, glass and others will modestly impact your mobile connectivity but, in most cases, will not completely block a strong signal.

·        Conductive Construction Materials have a significant impact on your mobile signal and these materials, like tin, copper, silver, aluminum, and others, have the ability to render a strong mobile signal completely useless.

·        Organic Materials can have a wide-ranging effect on your signal. Depending on the size of the impediment and its material makeup, these can either modestly dull or completely block a strong signal. For example, mountains, hills, large snow-mounds, dense tree or plant matter, bodies of saltwater (conductive material), and more can completely block a strong signal. On the other hand, sparse tree or plant matter, small bodies of salt or freshwater, small or loose-packed snow piles and others may only moderately reduce the signal strength.

·        Weather like fog, snow, rain, sleet, hail, dust, and more, can have a weakening impact on your signal. Depending on the density of the weather system and the distance the signal needs to travel, these can either dull or completely block a strong cellular signal.

·        Mobile Tower Direction & Locations send a limited strength signal in a general direction. If your mobile device is further than the power of the mobile tower can reach or does not fall within the tower’s window of reception, you could receive a reduced signal or none at all.

·        User Capacity is not infinite on mobile towers. As more simultaneous users send and receive signals from a nearby mobile tower, the less power the tower has to offer each user.

·        RF Interference can be caused by being surrounded by other devices that emit an RF frequency that disrupts the signal you are using to make calls, send or receive texts, or stream data using a mobile signal. Naturally, this has a dulling impact on the strength of a usable signal.

Solution 1: Signal Booster

Signal boosters are a very common choice for most buildings. The defining requirement for a signal booster is that the building has a usable signal existing just outside or nearby to the building. Signal boosters capture that outside signal, amplify the signal’s strength and retransmit that signal within the structure. These are wideband solutions, which means they support all US, Canada and Mexico mobile network providers simultaneously. This includes Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Bell, Telus, Rogers Wireless, Sasktel, Bell MTS, Telcel, and all others. Signal boosters support all voice, text, and data signals for 2G, 3G and 4G LTE and support buildings as small as 5 square feet and up to just under 500,000-square-feet. Prices range from a few hundred dollars for a small or medium-size space to over one thousand for larger spaces.

Solution 2: Femtocells

Femtocells are often the go-to solution for customers who only need coverage for a few users in a small space and who all use the same mobile network provider. These are carrier-specific solutions, so if you buy a Verizon femtocell anybody with another carrier will be unable to get cellular service. These are great for buildings that have no signal outside or nearby to the building but have a strong internet connection. These work by creating a mobile hotspot in your home that pulls from your internet connection. These cost between $100 and $400 and require a monthly fee on your internet bill, which varies from provider to provider. These are limited to four simultaneous users and the maximum coverage area on these is usually one or two small rooms.

Solution 3: Active DAS

Active distributed antenna systems (DAS) are most often used in very large buildings above 500,000-square-feet. These solutions require approval by any carrier that the system supports because Active DAS uses base stations and remote nodes that are connected directly to the carrier’s network. This being the case, these solutions are more expensive, require a substantial amount of time before installing, and, in turn, are typically the option of choice for very large buildings and businesses – think sports stadiums, very large hotels, casinos, and more.

Each of these presents a great solution for a specific application. Let’s wrap it up with a simple summary of which mobile solution will be best for your building.

Choose Active DAS for very large buildings that have time, money and a high user count. Femtocells are best for small spaces with strong internet, no outside signal and very few users who are all on the same mobile network. Signal boosters for small, medium and larger spaces up to 500,000-square-feet that have a decent outside signal and need coverage for all carriers throughout the building.

Solutions for Weak Cell Phone Signals at Home

The relationships, work, and information that fuels our lives is made possible by our cellular-powered devices. Remaining connected at home is no longer a matter of want; it has become a need.

This post is for those of you who have already tried the free tricks to improve cell signal and are now looking for paid solutions that can provide reliable cellular coverage within the walls of your home.

To improve cell signal for your home, you’ll want to start by answering the following questions to better assess your needs.

1.   What’s the strongest signal immediately outside of your home?

This is likely the clearest identifier for which solution will best suit your needs. To get started, learn how you can take a signal reading here. Use the results from your signal reading to determine which cellular solution will work best for you.

·     If the strongest single point of cellular signal outside of your home is less than -105 dBm your needs will likely be best met by a femtocell, which can provide reliable coverage for one or two small rooms in your home.
·     If your reading is -94 to -104 dBm you are in a gray zone; you may be able to use a signal booster but may also require a femtocell.

·     If your reading is better than -93 dBm you will be well suited for a cell phone signal booster and, depending on the signal booster kit you select and the size of your home, you can expect to receive usable cellular signals in spaces spanning from just a few rooms to an entire more.

2.  How big is your home?

The solution to boost the cellular signal for a two-bedroom apartment will likely be different from the solution for a five-bedroom home or 12,000-square-foot mansion. Signal boosters tend to provide a usable signal to larger coverage areas whereas femtocells are generally used in small spaces the size of one to two rooms.

3.   In how much of your home do you need to use mobile devices?

Think about how much area within your home will need to have reliable cellular signals. Depending on the solution you select and the signal outside of your building, you may only see an improvement in a small area. If a small area of coverage is sufficient, a femtocell may be a suitable solution. On the other hand, if you have a moderate outside signal, a signal booster may be able to repeat that signal throughout your home.

4.   What is your budget for a cell phone booster?
Your pricing options range from a few hundred dollars for a femtocell or signal booster that can support small spaces to $1000 for very large homes. For signal boosters that can cover very large homes, the cost can exceed $1000 and may require a cellular system design service, which SureCall provides free for buildings above 10,000 square feet. Your cellular provider may offer you a free (or discounted) femtocell solution to enhance your signal within a small area of your home. To pursue that option you’ll need to contact your provider.

5.  Are there other carriers who provide better service for your area?

If you have poor reception with your cellular provider but have friends or family who have better reception with a different cellular carrier, you may want to consider transferring carriers. There can be early contract termination fees if you are not at the end of a contract term. Check with your cellular provider for their contract termination fee or to see when your existing contract expires.

Based on your responses to the questions above you will be best served by one of two viable cellular solutions: femtocell or signal booster. Dive into the details of each cellular signal solution below.

Femtocell

Also known as microcells, femtocells produce a cellular signal by using your internet connection. Femtocells can be purchased through your cellular carrier and will be carrier specific. So, if you have a cellular plan with Verizon you will want to purchase your femtocell through Verizon.

Femtocells are the ideal solution for homes with no cellular reception, which we consider readings lower than -100 dBm. In most instances, femtocells will enhance cellular signal for a small space, but typically not much more than one to two small rooms.

Femtocells cost between $100 and $400 and require a monthly subscription that will be added to your internet bill. Your cellular carrier may provide this for free, but this is very situational and something you shouldn’t depend on.

Signal Booster

Also known as bi-directional amplifiers (BDA) or repeaters, cell phone signal boosters come in kits that include an outdoor antenna, indoor antenna, signal booster, and cabling to connect and power the system. Some kits may combine the indoor or outdoor antenna and booster for a minimalist appearance in your home.

Signal boosters are carrier agnostic, meaning most signal boosters will improve your signal no matter which North American device or provider you use. These are the best solution for homes with weak cellular reception (readings stronger than -93 dBm) outside of the building.

Cell phone signal boosters work by capturing the signal that exists outside of your home with an outdoor antenna before feeding it to the signal booster. The signal booster then amplifies the signal strength and sends it to the indoor antenna to transmit the signal inside of your home.

Some signal boosters are more powerful than others, and the coverage area will primarily depend on the signal that exists outside of your home and density of internal walls and building structure.

Generally, with a clear line of sight, signal booster kits with a Yagi outdoor antenna can reach towers up to 40 miles away, whereas Omni-directional outdoor antenna kits reach towers up to 20 miles away. This range is dependent on the strength of the signal leaving the tower and the number of obstacles between you and that tower.

Signal boosters cost around $300 for small homes and apartments, around $400 to $600 for large homes, and around $1000 for very large homes. These kits can be customized with different indoor antennas to adapt to the layout of your home and outdoor antennas to adapt to the distance between you and the nearest cell phone tower.

Both femtocells and cell phone signal boosters present strong solutions that, given your cellular circumstance, can take you from weak or unusable cellular signals to strong signals. If you have any questions, we suggest doing your research on SureCall, a top signal booster manufacturer. Check out all of SureCall’s cell phone signal boosters for home.

Does Rootmetrics & OpenSignal Drain Battery Life & Memory?

Sensorly, OpenSignal, MyMobileCoverage, or Rootmetrics apps basically turn your cell phone into a signal meter so you can measure your 4G & 5G cell signal strength.  These apps run in the background of your phone and send data to the provider.  They all aggregate the data and provide a theoretical coverage map.

Is RootMetrics Data Too Expensive?

RootMetrics vs DeadCellZones Map

RootMetrics just sold to IHS last year for what was reportedly a huge number.  Why?  Carriers and wireless regional tower operators/service providers buy their data for competitive analysis and determine which carriers could use coverage enhancements in certain markets.  How many service providers can afford the huge price for the data?  If you are in the industry you know what I mean.

RootMetrics claims to drive test (test signal strength) in under 100 markets twice per year.  Drive testing makes sense but it is anecdotal data and only a snapshot at that time.  Can RootMetrics possibly drive test during every rush hour in every location?  No!  Do RootMetrics have actual customer complaints? No!  Are they drive testing in rural and undeserved marketing?  No!  Do their maps tell you where problems exist?  Kind of.

Which map tells you more about where problems exist?  What RootMetrics doesn't have are actual customer coverage complaints like what we publish on Deadcellzones.com.  We get 3,000-5,000 people per day that visit our web site and contribute dead zones directly to the map.

If you are looking to purchase data from RootMetrics than you most certainly should also look at purchasing our crowdsourced Dead Zone data.  Positive signal strength data and negative signal strength information can be quite complimentary.  Contact us for further details on pricing and why we can help you save money.  

Can You Drive Testing Indoor Coverage?

In our ever more transparent and tough economic environment don't you would think Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint should take a look at new innovative ways to better serve their customer's needs as more customers are using their mobile phones indoors. Our mashup DeadCellZones.com collects thousands of carrier indoor and outdoor cell coverage complaints from customers each month with zero advertising. If our website is collecting this data for free it appears the carriers are all overlooking a very simple way of listening to their customers. Ask!

Wireless service providers (especially in the U.S.) do drive testing to build theoretical coverage maps and test their networks for cell signal strength. Drive Testing or wireless data collection is used to provide coverage analysis, network weakness information and to aid in finding specific problem areas reported by consumers. Most drive testing companies are specifically tasked with simulating the actual call experience of customers during weekday periods to simulate capacity issues outdoors. Such companies include GWS, LCC, and WFI. Most carriers outsource this capability to third parties, unlike Verizon who has its own in-house drive testing team. Drive testing companies usually spend between $15-25 per mile in over 300+ U.S. markets benchmark testing signals. These companies provide a tremendous service to the carriers and deserve every penny for their efforts but how do they efficiently acquire in-building coverage data where customers use their phone the most?

DeadCellZones.com will be a the forefront of the carrier femtocell revolution and will start helping drive testing companies get better visibility of in-building coverage problem areas. U.S. carriers are starting to roll out femtocells and the number of worldwide subscribers is rising rapidly, jumping from 1.7 million in 2007 to 9.7 million in 2008. The number of femtocell phone units is expected to nearly quintuple in the 5 years from 2007 to 2011.

I think the current recession is going to demand cost-cutting measures that we have never seen from these companies since churn is more prevalent than customer growth. The carnage could be huge from suppliers and vendors beneath the umbrella of these giant companies of those who do not innovate. Its widely known throughout the industry that working with carriers is not much different than working with government bureaucrats because of their proprietary networks and huge customer bases. The lack of leadership of the wireless communication giants to is the primary reason why the U.S. is way behind Europe and Asia in wireless telecommunications.

Bluetooth Beacons Are Used Like Mobile Phone Cookies

Bluetooth Beacon Transmitter

Bluetooth proximity marketing is the latest marketing technique being deployed by retailers, Governments and sporting venues to track users.  How these groups benefit from it?  They do it through proximity marketing and it is about connecting with your audience at the right place and time.

Bluetooth is a short-range wireless system found on most smartphones and tablets that transmit information and can receive information.  Most people currently use Bluetooth for hands free in our cars or to connect to a wireless speaker. Bluetooth proximity marketing involves setting up Bluetooth "broadcasting" equipment at a particular location.  If your Bluetooth is "turned on" and you are near one of these beacons.  Information can be sent to devices via be text, images, audio on enabled devices (aka cell phone, tablet) within range of the transmitter (beacon).  A Bluetooth enabled mobile device, when in range of the beacon (transmitter) receives the signal and then via the device's operating system, passes information to the appropriate mobile app(s).

Several things need to happen beforehand.
1)  Bluetooth is turned on
2)  A Bluetooth beacon transmitter must be nearby
3)  The targeted individual should have a specific application installed on the their phone that is capable of receiving a push notification.  

What information is collected?
1) The ID of the phone and user of the phone
2) Cellular or Wifi signal strength issues
3)  Locations traveled of other beacons in the area (for example locations within a store).