Consistently Low Signal Strength

I live less than a half-mile from the cell towers and both of my Droids consistent report very low signal strength...usually -90 to -100 dBm. Is there any reason for this? I've done the *228 thing numerous times and reboot the phones fairly often, to no avail. For the life of me, I can't figure out why my signal is so low? I stood right next to the tower last week and was able to get -60 dBm, and I wish that were the case at home, which is literally down the road. It's not like I live in the middle of a canyon or anything.

I'm hoping the 2.1 update (whenever it may come) will help, but until then, any ideas you can offer would be most appreciated. Thanks for your help.

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Originally Posted by iceisles

I live less than a half-mile from the cell towers and both of my Droids consistent report very low signal strength...usually -90 to -100 dBm. Is there any reason for this? I've done the *228 thing numerous times and reboot the phones fairly often, to no avail. For the life of me, I can't figure out why my signal is so low? I stood right next to the tower last week and was able to get -60 dBm, and I wish that were the case at home, which is literally down the road. It's not like I live in the middle of a canyon or anything.

I'm hoping the 2.1 update (whenever it may come) will help, but until then, any ideas you can offer would be most appreciated. Thanks for your help.

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I assume you're hoping for more than a recommendation that you set up a tent next to the cell phone tower. :)

But let's start with basics. Can you confirm that the lower signal strength is affecting your call quality? If it isn't, I suspect that VZW won't be especially sympathetic. And I've noticed on a number of occasions that my signal strength appears to be low without affecting my call quality.

Assuming you are experiencing a significant degradation in call quality compared to (a) being away from home traveling about and (b) next to the cell phone tower, I'd suggest you contact VZW and keep hounding them until you can get to someone who can check the cell tower, itself. From your description it sounds as if the problem may not be in your phone but in the performance of the tower.

P.S. I strongly suspect their first reaction will be to tell you that you need a signal amplifier at your home. If I were you I would resist that recommendation. At a half mile over what you describe as flat terrain you shouldn't need an amplifier.

Yeah, I'd like to avoid setting up a tend next to the tower, if possible. :)

My call quality is often muffled and certainly not clear. I can understand the other party (and vice versa), but there's definite room for improvement. When I called VZW about this issue, they said they could hear me fine and did not see any problems in my area. Imagine that. Problem is, the majority of my calls do experience suboptimal call quality, and since I can get a great signal next to the tower, there must be an issue on their end.

Like you said, a half mile over flat terrain shoudn't be an issue.

Try swapping phones. If you're less than 30 days out, VZW shouldnt have a problem giving you a different phone. Just explain to them what's up.

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Originally Posted by LtKen

Try swapping phones. If you're less than 30 days out, VZW shouldnt have a problem giving you a different phone. Just explain to them what's up.

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I may do that. My wife I both have about 20 days left to do so. I just wish VZW would do more than say "Everything looks good here" like a broken record. I'm no engineer, but my gut says they have an issue to investigate in my area.

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Originally Posted by iceisles

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Originally Posted by LtKen

Try swapping phones. If you're less than 30 days out, VZW shouldnt have a problem giving you a different phone. Just explain to them what's up.

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I may do that. My wife I both have about 20 days left to do so. I just wish VZW would do more than say "Everything looks good here" like a broken record. I'm no engineer, but my gut says they have an issue to investigate in my area.

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Wait, so are both of you having problems?

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Originally Posted by LtKen

Wait, so are both of you having problems?

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Yes, same signal strength readings and generally muffled call quality, unless we go for a walk and call within very close proximty of the tower.

Then there might be something wrong with the tower, and you may be SOL...

Have you tried a different cell? Next time you're a few miles from home, see what the call quality is like.

Not sure if VZW has an executive level customer support, but I've always had good luck with notoriously unhelpful companies by going this route.

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Originally Posted by LtKen

Then there might be something wrong with the tower, and you may be SOL...

Have you tried a different cell? Next time you're a few miles from home, see what the call quality is like.

Not sure if VZW has an executive level customer support, but I've always had good luck with notoriously unhelpful companies by going this route.

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Never had a problem with my previous LGs - always full bars and crystal clear signal strength. I may have to call upper level support, as the usual CR route is making me sound like I'm an idiot.

Do you think it would be a tower issue if my previous cell phones had no issues whatsoever?

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Originally Posted by iceisles

Never had a problem with my previous LGs - always full bars and crystal clear signal strength. I may have to call upper level support, as the usual CR route is making me sound like I'm an idiot.

Do you think it would be a tower issue if my previous cell phones had no issues whatsoever?

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It **could** be... It could be the phone with that specific tower, there are a number of things it could be. You should really try a different cell so you can be sure.