topic Re: Question regarding cell towers in Get Support

Question regarding cell towers

ccdevmike — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 20:54:54 GMT

I have downloaded the network cell info app and notice that my phone does not seem to use the Telus tower that is closest to me. Its actually on the next property to me. The phone seems to lock on to a cell tower across the harbor instead of the closest one. Why would that be? Am I in the RF shadow as am underneath the hill its on?. Are not all Telus tower compatible with PM? Just wondering why?

Thanks!

Re: Question regarding cell towers

Triguy — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 16:23:34 GMT

PM usually uses Telus and Bell towers.

https://www.ertyu.org/steven_nikkel/cancellsites.html

Re: Question regarding cell towers

ccdevmike — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 17:04:41 GMT

Thanks. I have seen the coverage maps and tower locations already but doesn't answer my question.

Re: Question regarding cell towers

computergeek541 — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 17:38:00 GMT

@Triguy wrote:
PM usually uses Telus and Bell towers.

https://www.ertyu.org/steven_nikkel/cancellsites.html

not just usually - only and always Telus/BWA for service while connected to a Canadian network

Re: Question regarding cell towers

computergeek541 — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 20:06:33 GMT

@ccdevmike wrote:
I have downloaded the network cell info app and notice that my phone does not seem to use the Telus tower that is closest to me. Its actually on the next property to me. The phone seems to lock on to a cell tower across the harbor instead of the closest one. Why would that be? Am I in the RF shadow as am underneath the hill its on?. Are not all Telus tower compatible with PM? Just wondering why?

Public Mobile is owned by Telus.

Cellular signal travels further over an area without physical barriers and obstructions. This means that connecting to somehwhere further away might be more ideal at that location. Also, the strongest signal from an cell tower is not immediately next to it. The signal goes out in a certain "shape" and if you're on the outskirts of that, the signal will be weaker. Somewhere closer can actually be further out on the signal "dome". I think that @sheytoon may be able to explain that concept better than I can. Also, the more directional an attenna is, the less it spreads out in all directions (except to where it's directly pointed).

Also remember that those apps are often crowd sourced and will never be completely accurate.

Re: Question regarding cell towers

ccdevmike — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 17:36:09 GMT

Thanks. I'm a ham radio operator and do understand rf propagation. I'm not totally sure how cell sites work but am interested. Next time I'm in town or close to the cell site I'll check out my connection status.

Just wondered if anyone had the answer to this question. I'll keep researching online also.

Thanks for the answers so far.

Re: Question regarding cell towers

ccdevmike — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 17:47:03 GMT

https://www.cellmapper.net/map?MCC=302&MNC=220&type=LTE&latitude=49.018619014013126&longitude=-123.82705159516493&zoom=14.095933485618588&showTowers=true&showTowerLabels=true&clusterEnabled=true&tilesEnabled=true&showOrphans=false&showNoFrequencyOnly=false&showFrequencyOnly=false&showBandwidthOnly=false&DateFilterType=None&showHex=false&showVerifiedOnly=false&showUnverifiedOnly=false&showLTECAOnly=false&showENDCOnly=false&showBand=0&showSectorColours=true

this is the tower Im wondering why Im not connecting to.

Re: Question regarding cell towers

gpixel — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 18:34:41 GMT

@ccdevmike I think the reason is because that tower that's closer to you is an LTE tower and public mobile needs HSPA (3g) to use phone calls and text

*pm uses LTE but only for data. if making phone calls/sms it will use hspa

hopefully we get that "volte" soon. since Telus is reducing our coverage...

Re: Question regarding cell towers

ccdevmike — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 18:31:28 GMT

Ok! Yes that could be. They just upgraded the antennas on this tower a few months ago. So PM does not use any 4G/LTE connectivity? Only 3G connectivity?

Thanks!

Re: Question regarding cell towers

ccdevmike — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 18:36:26 GMT

Also, do 4G cell sites not have 3G connectivity also? Sorry don't know how this works.

Re: Question regarding cell towers

ccdevmike — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 18:47:32 GMT

I wonder if PM will move us over to 4G in the future? Price would have to go up I would guess???

Re: Question regarding cell towers

gpixel — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 19:06:51 GMT

@ccdevmike since Telus are converting HSPA towers to LTE, I would have to say they are different. but they do run on some of the same frequency bands.

I think we'll get full LTE for a while, but we'll get volte and maybe a higher throttle. to keep the costs down

the fact of the matter is, we don't need full LTE.. the average person which is 98% doesnt need full LTE speeds. if you're not streaming 1080p or higher. you don't need it

Re: Question regarding cell towers

geopublic — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 19:24:36 GMT

@ccdevmike 3G is required by Public Mobile only for calling everything else can use LTE (4G). To verify if the tower near you is only an LTE tower set your device to only use LTE(4G) and restart your phone. Does it connect to the tower nearest you? If yes, you should still be able to send/receive texts and use data.

Re: Question regarding cell towers

darlicious — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 19:38:27 GMT

@ccdevmike

A cell tower right beside likely doesn't have an optimal signal and direction for your phone to connect to it. Whereas the cell tower farther away probably has the transmitter in the right azimuth and height for your phone to connect to the strongest signal. It's like going to the movies.....the seats closest to the screen do not provide the best viewing position but @sheytoon is the resident expert on this subject. You can glean better information from the following map that will help you understand.

https://www.ertyu.org/steven_nikkel/cancellsites.html

Re: Question regarding cell towers

ccdevmike — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 19:49:47 GMT

@geopublic I'll try setting to LTE only. I think it is already but will double check.

Thanks

Re: Question regarding cell towers

ccdevmike — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 19:53:11 GMT

@gpixel I agree we only need so much speed. I just wanted to connect to my closest tower for better signal and call quality. But seeing as it's 4g, it does not connect to it for voice and texts I guess.

What is volte?

This has been a good learning experience for sure!

Thanks all.

Re: Question regarding cell towers

computergeek541 — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 20:07:58 GMT

@ccdevmike wrote:
Also, do 4G cell sites not have 3G connectivity also? Sorry don't know how this works.

Yes. Almost all do.

Re: Question regarding cell towers

computergeek541 — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 20:18:42 GMT

@gpixel wrote:
@ccdevmike I think the reason is because that tower that's closer to you is an LTE tower and public mobile needs HSPA (3g) to use phone calls and text

*pm uses LTE but only for data. if making phone calls/sms it will use hspa

hopefully we get that "volte" soon. since Telus is reducing our coverage...

This wouldn't be the reason unless the phone has LTE disabled (or doesn't have it) or if the person is in a phone call. A phone call set to LTE as the preferred network type would automatically connect to LTE regardless and only switch over if the LTE signal was very weak or unless the customer was in a phone call.

This means that while in standy, the phone would be connected to the possibly LTE-only tower (if that's the one that is reportedly nearby) if those above conditions are true.

Also, LTE at Public Mobile isn't only used for data. It is also used for SMS.

Re: Question regarding cell towers

computergeek541 — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 20:11:19 GMT

@ccdevmike wrote:
I wonder if PM will move us over to 4G in the future? Price would have to go up I would guess???

Public Mobile is already using LTE, but only for calls and text messaging, as well as HSPA.

Re: Question regarding cell towers

computergeek541 — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 20:19:19 GMT

@ccdevmike wrote:
@geopublic I'll try setting to LTE only. I think it is already but will double check.
Thanks

Please do not do this. If you do, phone calls won't work.