Coverage maps published by major network providers on their websites are meant to help potential customers get an understanding of what quality of service to expect when signing up with each network. As competition for subscribers remains fierce, the Big 3 have taken great pains in providing accurate information so potential churners can make informed choices when selecting their provider.
These special maps show the area covered by radiocommunication transmitting stations (or networks). They are commonly produced for broadcast television, mobile telephone networks, and satellite transmission. Coverage is often defined in terms of its footprint – which refers to where reception of signals with specific strengths can be expected with standard receiving equipment under normal operating conditions.
Whichever map indicates the coverage of a network is either good, poor or somewhere in-between is highly dependent upon local geography and the sensitivity of its receiving equipment used to measure signal levels. As such, even in areas deemed suitable by coverage maps, it is often impossible to know for certain if any particular site can receive their signal reliably.
Cell Sites
These maps depict the locations of cell towers within a geographic area, created through an analysis of signal strength readings using specialized equipment in various regions. This data is then processed into visual images on maps to evaluate signal coverage, identify gaps and plan future infrastructure upgrades.
Most wireless carriers provide detailed coverage maps on their websites for consumers to review. You may be able to enter your address to view approximate voice, 4G LTE mobile data, and 5G coverage based on what each provider should offer in that location; this can help you decide which carrier may best meet your needs.
Network coverage maps should offer an intuitive user interface to enable easy navigation, comprehension of signal strengths and quality levels, interpretation of presented data effectively, and comparison over time. They should also incorporate historical information for tracking network performance over time.
Wireless carrier coverage maps are an invaluable resource, yet should not be the sole basis of a subscriber’s decision on what carrier or where to live. Before making any commitment, test both at home and work, ask friends or neighbors for feedback, and consult any relevant guides and reviews available online.
OpenSignalMaps, a free smartphone app available for both iOS and Android devices, lets you track signal strength across each carrier network in your area. The color-coded map shows average signal strength at any address as well as details regarding speed and stability for 2G/3G/4G networks used by each carrier.
Coverage Areas
cell phone coverage maps offer customers an overview of where they should expect cellular service in general; however, they don’t always indicate exactly how strong or effective the coverage will be based on phone type, weather and terrain considerations; signal strength may also depend on phone model and operating system choice and data performance may suffer inside buildings even with accurate maps.
To view network coverage maps for your area, simply visit the carrier website and enter in your ZIP code or address. Alternatively, check with friends and neighbors to determine their providers as well as experiences they’ve had with them.
There are also websites such as RootMetrics and OpenSignalsMaps that allow you to compare carriers by using Google Maps search feature – these offer heat maps of mobile signal strength for each carrier in your locality based on real user mobile phone data collected during visits by them. It’s important to check with the carrier and through these apps or separative services, independently, to get a good idea of the true coverage.
Planning a backcountry hike or road trip requires knowing where you can find optimal cell coverage, so make sure to check out all of the new network coverage maps of all major US carriers for help planning your adventure.
Dead Zones
Dead zones can be frustrating; that area in your house where phone calls drop or are so weak you can barely make out what’s being said, the parking lot at your child’s high school where internet connectivity is nonexistent on your commute, or that stretch of road in the middle of nowhere where GPS cannot help guide navigation to avoid getting lost are all prime examples of them.
Even though cell phone companies advertise full coverage on maps, there remain areas with weak and unusable signals. A variety of factors could contribute to this situation including where you are and the quality (primarily sensitivity) of receiving equipment used; topography also plays a part in this as it can block or reflect radiofrequency waves and cause weak signals.
Material can also have an effect on cellular signal. Buildings made of low e-glass, brick, concrete or metal may prevent radiofrequency (RF) signals from passing through and reaching mobile devices. A dead zone may also result from having too much foliage around a cell tower which interferes with its signal as it travels through the air.
As much as we cannot control these variables, the Federal Communications Commission is taking steps to address poor cellular service. On Monday, they unveiled a plan that will shift $300 million annually spent subsidizing rural telephone services towards providing broadband in remote or difficult-to-serve locations.
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler recently made an announcement (https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/fccs-proposed-net-neutrality-rules-put-wireless-carriers-on-edge/) regarding their efforts to force wireless carriers to be more transparent with their coverage maps and the data used to generate them.
To achieve this objective, they are proposing new rules which require wireless providers to submit more standardized, detailed network coverage information as part of its Broadband Data Collection project – this information will enable consumers to make more informed choices when it comes to picking a carrier and provide greater confidence that the coverage they are purchasing is accurate.
How to Improve Your Coverage
Cellular connectivity issues can make life challenging, from dropped calls to unreliable mobile hotspots. Luckily, there are ways you can enhance network coverage.
Cell phone signal strength can be severely diminished by buildings, walls, metal and other materials that obstruct carriers’ networks. One way to boost signal is to step outside; however, that may not always be practical or accessible.
1. Turn off Wi-Fi calling
Wi-Fi calling is an advanced feature that enables you to make and receive HD voice calls, send/receive texts and pictures over WiFi rather than through traditional cellular networks. It’s an ideal option in places where signal strength may be low or nonexistent such as within buildings constructed of metal and concrete or rural locations where cell service might not exist at all.
However, this feature can be problematic in terms of data usage and call quality. As it uses your phone’s WiFi data instead of cell tower data, enabling this feature can use up a great deal of bandwidth and affect call quality negatively.
Public WiFi networks typically have limited bandwidth available for everyone who logs onto them, meaning your call may still compete for bandwidth with other users despite having enough speed for smooth call quality. Switching off WiFi calling can help address this problem on Apple and Android devices; simply follow instructions in your device settings for this task.
2. Move to a Better Location
If you’re experiencing poor cellular connectivity, moving to an area with better mobile coverage may be the answer. Building materials, large trees and even your carrier’s wireless towers may all impede signal quality.
You can find your nearest tower by entering your address into a free online or downloadable tower locator app; once there, explore your best options for improving network coverage by moving closer to it or switching out tinted windows for ones that won’t obstruct it as much.
3. Switch to a Different Carrier
No matter how frustrating it may be to experience poor connectivity at home. This is true especially if this problem doesn’t exist with family and friends, just with you and your  dekningskart mobilabonnement or area. Sometimes there is simply no choice other than switching carriers. Major carriers publish coverage maps, so if your area experiences poor signal coverage, it is a good way to quickly assess whether another provider might offer better service.
Change of carriers won’t help if your signal is blocked; for that you may require something like a cell phone booster. Before switching providers though, make sure your new provider supports your device; if not consider purchasing one elsewhere as there are often deals to be had when purchasing smartphones and plans.
4. Install a Cell Phone Booster
While there are several things you can do to enhance network coverage, such as moving or upgrading your phone, for optimal results invest in a cell signal booster. These devices are specifically designed to enhance cell signals for voice calls, texting, and data connectivity across homes, offices and vehicles.
Cell phone boosters include an outside antenna that captures existing signal, an amplifier that strengthens it, and an inside antenna to redistribute it. Before installing one of these boosters, it’s advisable to conduct an extensive site survey using either your smartphone or an advanced signal meter in order to gain accurate insight into your signal strength and quality, which in turn determines wireless architecture within your system.
