Cell Phone Coverage Map Updates

How To Search For Coverage Problems

Finding the best cell phone coverage just got easier by comparing cell phone coverage reports from other customers. We have updated our Cell Phone Dead Zones Coverage Map with the following new data features and information:

• All blanks or entries with nothing in the description have been deleted.  78,289 records were in the database as of today and approximately 28,320 were deleted because they were left blank or didn't have any description of the reception problem.  There are 49,969 active records in the database from 2008-2016 as of today.  

• Dates have been added to all entries and you can search by year or month. 

• Record numbers have been added to all entries from 2008-2016.  If you see a number between 1-49,696 then it has been added to the database before December 16, 2016.  If carriers or customers think reception problems have been fixed that are currently on the map.  Simply send us a list of the records that you would like to deleted. A description of why we should delete would also be helpful. 

• Search the map by data or description for a particular problem by city, state, zip or by a keyword in the description.  (Example: "school", "hospital", "airport").  

• Every point on the map will have some context of the problem a customer is experiencing.  We will not longer be keeping blank data entries on the map. 

• Email us if you would like a download of a particular region.

How to Search Database by Date Submitted?

How to Search Database Dead Zones by Date?

Our database has been around since 2001.  However, we only have data from 2008-2015 on the map published as of today.  You can now search the entire live database by date.  See the example above.  

In the future, we will be logging dead zones on a month-to-month basis and selling reports to carriers who want only recent problems.  However, we all know that dead zones and coverage problems can persist for a long time and that is why continue to publish the data until a carrier can confirm that the problem has been fixed.  

If you are interested in reporting coverage areas that have improved please read the previous link?  

We also publish date-based heat maps of the coverage problems reported so you can see the reports evolve over time.  

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.  

How To Remove Dead Zones From Map?

1)  Click on + to Add Pin

2)  Add Address or Click on Map Directly in Area to Remove

3)  Describe Reason for Removal of Pin 

- Network Upgrade

- Coverage Fix 

- No Longer Have Issues

Where Are Wireless Carriers Turning Off 2G & Why?

Why Are Carriers Are Turning Off 2G & 3G Reception?

AT&T & Verizon are slowly turning off 2G cell phone towers in many rural markets.  Why?  Because they need the capacity and or spectrum in that market for 4G and LTE.  3G and 4G provide faster data speeds but voice service can often be less reliable.  

If you have been a long time customer with an older phone and suddenly you don't have coverage any longer, you are probably one of those people who either have to upgrade their phone or find a new carrier.  Many carriers still service 2G customers so its best you do your homework in a particular market and find out who has 2G service.   

I think the FCC has done an incredible disservice to consumers not mandating that carriers provide transparency on where they are turning off 2G service.  Thus, our map database Deadcellzones.com has exploded with contributions of dead zone problems this year on our map.  Consumers are confused and don't know what to do.  These present an opportunity for an aggressive smaller carrier to capitalize on this incredibly horrible service and transparency the big carriers are providing.  Stay tuned because the fireworks are just beginning!  

Cell Phone Reception for Indy Super Bowl

Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis

AT&T, Verizon and Sprint are getting ready for the huge influx of Patriots and Giants fans for Super Bowl weekend in Indianapolis.  The whole area will experience and huge increase in extra cell phone traffic.  Lucas Oil Stadium holds 63,000 people and it is highly likely there could be 25,000+ iPhones simultaneously trying to share pictures all at once.  The big question is can the carriers 3G and 4G LTE networks handle the capacity?  We will be at the Super Bowl in person to find out and share with you our experiences.

Last years Super Bowl in Dallas it was reported that numerous fans complained about the cell coverage inside Cowboy Stadium for the Super Bowl.  Most networks just don't have the capacity to handle the traffic all at once.  It still surprises me that stadiums have not installed their own Free WiFi networks inside the stadium for fans.  Carriers often partner with the stadium to install WiFi / DAS networks in venues like this in order to enhance wireless connectivity.  We would love to see more PR on this issue from all the sports leagues including the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB.

AT&T has made concerted efforts to enhance the network in Indianapolis.  Not only are they upgrading the network but they are actually showing customers on a pretty map they call AT&T MicroSites.

One of the other things Patriots and Giants fans will see are these "cells on wheels," which are also called COWS.  They are trucks with portable cell towers on top of them. You'll may also see devices hidden in parking garages and other places that will also boost cell power.

Months of planning have gone into the upgrades. "Over the last year, we've made more than 500 improvements in our wireless network alone here in the Indianapolis-metropolitan area," said George Fleetwood.

AT&T isn't the only wireless provider upgrading its network ahead of the big game. Verizon has spent $159 million on upgrades in 30 locations around Indy. Sprint has also beefed up its coverage with several cells on wheels along with major added capacity inside Lucas Oil Stadium.