How to find the strongest cell service signal in a location?

[Tik-Tok]

So my new workplace is kind of a bunker. I barely get any signal in 90% of the building. I think some of it is just my cell phone slowly dying as other people on my network get slightly better signals than me.

Is there an app, or inexpensive portable device that I can walk around seeing ALL cellular provider signal strengths, and not just the one I'm currently using?

[vengie]

Turn on WiFi calling?

[ExtraSlow]

I wish there was more attention paid to the antennas inside cellphones. Should be a standardized and documented number for EVERY cellphone hardware review to show what kind id db rating that antenna has.
Because some handsets are so much worse than others, and it's annoying to figure that out.

[Xtrema]

OpenSignal will give you some crowd source data of how everyone's experience in your area based on GPS. But it's not a scanner.

If on Android, I believe you can get signal under SIM status but that's the network you are on.

May be ask IT to put in repeaters?

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I wish there was more attention paid to the antennas inside cellphones. Should be a standardized and documented number for EVERY cellphone hardware review to show what kind id db rating that antenna has.
Because some handsets are so much worse than others, and it's annoying to figure that out.

In the Freedom dead zone call Ikea, Samsung outperforms Pixel.

[mr2mike]

Used to be a map website for cell tower locations. Not sure if still available. That can help determine where signal is best.

[killramos]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Turn on WiFi calling?

This. In a big way.

I used it exclusively at my cabin for years before we got a tower. Worked awesome.

[Tik-Tok]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Turn on WiFi calling?

Didn't know that was a thing on Android, but after looking it up it appears Public Mobile doesn't support this so it looks like I'll have to give up the no-frills life.

That said, I'd still like to find which company has the strongest signal here. Our wifi also sucks in half of the building.

[ExtraSlow]

None of the public maps will account for specific buildings that are blocking signal.

Is there any kind of app that does like my wifi scanner app which finds all the networks and shows signal strength for each, even if you aren't connected? I'm sure the phone can "see" the other carriers networks.

[vengie]

Quick google.
This app looks neat and what you'd be looking for.
That said, highly recommend getting a phone/ carrier that supports WiFi calling

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...hl=en_CA&gl=US

[Xtrema]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Didn't know that was a thing on Android, but after looking it up it appears Public Mobile doesn't support this so it looks like I'll have to give up the no-frills life.

That said, I'd still like to find which company has the strongest signal here. Our wifi also sucks in half of the building.

Wifi Calling and VoLTE are huge quality of life improvement if you still spend time on phone to talk to people.

[ExtraSlow]

hows the "failover" with wifi calling when you are walking out of the building with the Wifi? Any calls drop? That would be a real deal breaker for me.

Shaw does Wifi calling I'm 90% sure, so for all you cheap bastards like me, that's an option.

[Tik-Tok]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...hl=en_CA&gl=US

I tried that app and it only seems to use my signal, and will crowdsource other signals from other users of the app. I'll have to convince some coworkers with other service providers to download it and compare.

Here's the signal strength in my office sitting my desk, lol

[Xtrema]

Lol weak wifi game.

Google cell tower map Canada. The info is quite current. I used be next to a Freedom tower but the building was going to be demolished and it moved across the street.

Still the closest tower to work building compare to Telus/Rogers. So it got the best strength compared to my peers.

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

hows the "failover" with wifi calling when you are walking out of the building with the Wifi? Any calls drop? That would be a real deal breaker for me.

Shaw does Wifi calling I'm 90% sure, so for all you cheap bastards like me, that's an option.

Never encounter a wifi to VoLTE hand off but VoLTE handoff is pretty stable when I drive around town. Both phone and Teams calls never drops.

[Jeeper1986]

I'm surprised no one mentioned to switch your network to 3G from the 4G/LTE/5G I live on an acreage and switched my phone network to 3G yeah, the data is a bit slow, but my signal is always 90 to 100%

[ExtraSlow]

Similar tick works for wifi. 2.4 goes further than 5ghz.
Physics yo.

[AndyL]

Put a real cell booster in the office?

GPS central still seems to sell a bunch of options....

[Tik-Tok]

No joy with switching to 3g. Wifi can't be changed on my phone, that's a router setting.

[Xtrema]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I'm surprised no one mentioned to switch your network to 3G from the 4G/LTE/5G I live on an acreage and switched my phone network to 3G yeah, the data is a bit slow, but my signal is always 90 to 100%

This trick no longer works in US. Canada should sunset 3G in 3 years.

[cam_wmh]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

So my new workplace is kind of a bunker. I barely get any signal in 90% of the building. I think some of it is just my cell phone slowly dying as other people on my network get slightly better signals than me.

Is there an app, or inexpensive portable device that I can walk around seeing ALL cellular provider signal strengths, and not just the one I'm currently using?

Does the building owner/management, have an appetite for a DAS (distributed antennae system) ? I've been privy to large commercial tenants voicing the lack of connectivity serviceability as affecting their lease performance.

[Tik-Tok]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Does the building owner/management, have an appetite for a DAS (distributed antennae system) ? I've been privy to large commercial tenants voicing the lack of connectivity serviceability as affecting their lease performance.

Doubtful as I'm the only one with the problem (from lack of VoWiFi).

I just need a better network. No frills is great until you need something like this.