topic Re: Signal strength indoors in Get Support

Signal strength indoors

MF67 — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 20:52:24 GMT

I’ve moved into a condo on midtown Toronto at Yonge and Eglington. I am having trouble with signal strength indoors. Calls constantly drop and if I use data indoors it’s very slow. Is there anything I can do? I can’t function with constant dropped calls and would like reliable data indoors if the wifi goes down. I’ve been with Public for at least 6 years and I am wondering if I need to change carriers. I thought Public was Telus/Bell so I don’t understand why this is happening. I was in a basement apartment in the suburbs before and never had any issues. Thanks

Re: Signal strength indoors

slusagm — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 20:55:01 GMT

what phone is that? tried Reset All Networks?

can you try your sim in another phone?

Re: Signal strength indoors

will13am — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 21:08:52 GMT

Network coverage is obviously variable throughout the city. You could ask neighbors in the building about their experience with Public Mobile, Koodo, Telus. If it is a universal issue, then perhaps a carrier switch might be necessary.

Re: Signal strength indoors

MF67 — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 21:09:58 GMT

Hi I have an iPhone 15 max pro. It worked fine at my old address. I guess I can try my sim in an older iPhone SE I have laying around. I’ve turned off 5g and no difference. I’ve gotten CS to reset things a bunch of times with no luck.

Re: Signal strength indoors

kb_mv — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 21:38:06 GMT

@MF67 I live in a concrete building and the deeper into the apartment I go the weaker the signal. Conversely of course, the closer I move to a window the stronger the signal. Any idea where your cell towers are? Might be worth checking here:

https://www.ertyu.org/steven_nikkel/cancellsites.html?lat=51.998410&lng=-96.987305&zoom=4&type=Roadmap&layers=a&pid=0&ds=0

At least you would have an indication of the best carrier for your condo.

Re: Signal strength indoors

funpig1 — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 23:03:04 GMT

@MF67

Your problem is probably environmental. You are too far away from the telus tower and your concrete walls are too thick.

Possible solutions:

1. Petition Telus to build a microcell station pointed at your building.

2. Switch to another provider with a closer tower and better signal.

3. If you have access to your roof, make your calls from there.

I have been dealing with same issue for almost 30 years at my home. If I am on the first floor of my house, the other person on the line may not be able to hear me during the call. I have to go to the second floor. I still have a cheap $11 landline which I can use for calls and faxes from home.

Re: Signal strength indoors

sheytoon — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 03:54:50 GMT

Check the tower map as suggested. Keep in mind that Bell builds in Toronto, not Telus.

You might have to switch to Rogers or Freedom if they have better coverage. Otherwise you can switch to a higher tier Telus or Bell brand that offers WiFi calling.

Re: Signal strength indoors

MF67 — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 07:04:00 GMT

Well this seems to be the case on some level as I know that if I go to a certain place in my unit I will definitely drop a call. On the other hand I am generally sat right by 9 foot windows on my couch or in my bed and I still drop calls so I’m really not certain

Re: Signal strength indoors

MF67 — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 07:17:52 GMT

So I did check out the map and I seem to be between several Rogers and Bell towers. In fact there are more Bell towers than there are Rogers towers. There are a lot of condos in the area with more going up all the time so I have no idea. I suppose if I could use wifi calling this wouldn’t be an issue so maybe I’ll have to find another provider that has this.

Re: Signal strength indoors

Shubh2023 — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 09:38:26 GMT

1 thing I have noticed a lot in Vancouver too - apartments do have this issue!
I live in a house and network fluctuates a lot, but for calls, they work ok, except when I am calling Fido/Koodo
Best scenario - as mentioned by some people, changing or rather if you could get some extra prepaid Sim to check if they work fine, at least for a month then switching might be feasible!
Might suggest giving Freedom/Lucky, a shot for a few weeks, if you wanna save on connection fees from other operators!