Cellular Signal Strength: Everything You Need to Know

Understanding your cellular signal strength can significantly improve the quality of your calls, messages, and data speeds. Whether you are trying to avoid dropped calls, improve slow data speeds, or are curious about the bars displayed on your phone, knowing how to measure and enhance your cell signal strength is invaluable.

This guide covers all the basics, factors affecting signal quality, methods to test signal strength, and practical solutions to improve it.

Basics of Cellular Signal Strength

Cellular signal strength indicates the quality of the connection between your device and the nearest cell tower. This strength is measured in decibel milliwatts (dBm), a logarithmic unit representing signal power.

Unlike the signal bars on your phone, which provide a general indication, the dBm reading offers a more accurate and precise measurement. Here's a quick reference for interpreting signal strength in dBm:

• 50 to 79 dBm: Great signal, excellent data speeds, and call quality
• 80 to 89 dBm: Good signal strength, minimal issues
• 90 to 99 dBm: Average signal, occasional dropped calls or slower speeds
• 100 to 109 dBm: Poor signal strength, frequent connectivity problems
• 110 to 120 dBm: Feeble signal, almost unusable for regular tasks

Your mobile signal strength directly impacts call quality, text messaging reliability, and internet browsing speeds. Identifying your signal quality helps troubleshoot connectivity problems effectively.

Factors Affecting Cellular Signal Strength

Distance from Cell Tower

The distance between your device and the nearest cell tower significantly impacts signal strength. The further you are from the tower, the weaker your signal becomes, leading to potential connectivity issues.

Physical Obstructions

Various physical obstructions, such as buildings, mountains, trees, and even severe weather conditions, can obstruct cellular signals, weakening their strength and causing disruptions. Dense foliage and heavy rain can degrade signal strength notably.

Building Materials

Materials used in building construction, such as concrete, metal, brick, and certain types of glass, can considerably degrade cellular signal strength indoors, reducing connectivity. Modern buildings often use reinforced materials that significantly impact indoor signal reception.

Network Congestion

High user traffic on mobile networks, particularly during peak usage times, can reduce available bandwidth, negatively impacting signal quality and resulting in slower speeds or dropped calls. This issue is common during events, holidays, or in densely populated urban areas.

Carrier and Phone Manufacturer

Signal reception can vary widely based on your mobile carrier's coverage in a specific location and the type of phone you're using. Different phone models may have varying antenna designs affecting signal reception. Additionally, carrier infrastructure significantly impacts the reliability and strength of the cellular signal.

How to Test Signal Strength

Knowing how to find your cell phone signal strength is crucial for accurately assessing your connection's quality.

Method 1: Using Your Phone's Settings Menu

Most Android devices allow users to check signal strength through their settings:

1. Go to Settings > About Phone > Status > SIM Status.
2. Here, you will find your signal strength in dBm.

The exact location of this information varies by phone model, so check your device manufacturer's instructions if needed.

Method 2: Network Cell Info Lite (Android App)

Network Cell Info Lite is a popular, free app that provides detailed information about your mobile signal strength:

1. Install Network Cell Info Lite from the Google Play Store.
2. Open the app, and it will automatically measure signal strength, displaying the results.

Method 3: iPhone Field Test Mode

iPhone users can access the Field Test Mode to check signal strength in dBm:

1. Dial `*3001#12345#*` and press call.
2. This activates Field Test Mode, which displays your current cellular signal strength in dBm at the top corner. This provides precise and accurate details, making it preferable to general bars displayed.

Method 4: Weboost App

The WeBoost app is another convenient tool available for both Android and iOS devices, designed specifically for signal strength testing:

1. Download and open the WeBoost app.
2. Follow the simple on-screen instructions to test your signal strength accurately.

Method 5: Signal Strength Meter

A dedicated signal strength meter device offers a highly precise measurement of cellular signals. These handheld meters accurately measure signal strength across different carriers and frequencies, making them ideal for professional installations or troubleshooting complex connectivity issues.

Understanding Signal Bars

While checking dBm readings is the most accurate way to gauge signal strength, the bars displayed on your phone offer a general indication:

• Four or five bars: Good to excellent signal strength
• Two or three bars: Average signal strength
• One bar or fewer: Poor or feeble signal

Remember that signal bars differ between phone models and carriers, making dBm the preferred method for reliable measurement.

How to Improve Your Cellular Signal Strength

If you experience dropped calls, slow data speeds, or generally poor signal strength, here are practical ways to improve it:

1. Reposition or Relocate

Moving to a higher floor, closer to a window or outdoors, can significantly improve your connection. Use your existing cell signal outside as a reference signal to see if there's improvement.

2. Switch to WiFi Connection

If cellular service is unreliable, connecting to WiFi signals for calls, texts, and data can resolve immediate issues.

3. Cell Phone Signal Boosters

Installing cell phone signal boosters is an effective way to amplify an existing weak signal. Boosters enhance your existing outside cell signal indoors, significantly improving your signal quality.

4. Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS)

For large buildings, stadiums, corporate environments, or areas consistently experiencing very poor signal strength, implementing a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) significantly enhances mobile coverage.

DAS solutions capture external cellular signals, amplify them, and distribute the enhanced signals evenly throughout your premises, ensuring stable voice and data coverage regardless of the building's size or complexity.

When to Implement a DAS Solution

A Distributed Antenna System (DAS) is ideal when consistent and reliable cellular coverage is crucial.

DAS greatly benefits environments such as hospitals, large commercial buildings, universities, shopping malls, sports arenas, and conference centers.

DAS ensures robust and uniform mobile network coverage, effectively eliminating dead zones, boosting productivity, enhancing safety during emergencies, and significantly improving overall user experience.

Conclusion

Understanding and accurately measuring cellular signal strength can transform your daily mobile experience, eliminating frustrations like dropped calls and slow data. There are numerous ways to enhance your connectivity, from using dedicated apps and iPhone field test mode to installing cell phone signal boosters and comprehensive DAS systems.

At RSRF, we're experts in improving cellular signals through state-of-the-art DAS solutions tailored to your needs.

Contact our team today to learn more about effectively boosting your cellular coverage!

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