Finding strongest carrier signal in a given location

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timmmay

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#120852 16-Jun-2013 08:52

Is there an app that can tell me which mobile operator has the best signal strength at a given location? I use 2degrees but it's pretty slow at work, I'm wondering if I can work out what the best carrier would be.

So far I've tried these apps:
- RF Signal Strength
- OpenSignal
- Network Signal Info

So far I can only get them to report on the strength of the signal I'm connected to, not all the carriers signals. WiFi Analyzer does what I want for WiFi, but not 3G.

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#837499 16-Jun-2013 09:13

Speed is not just how strong a signal is

timmmay

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#837511 16-Jun-2013 09:44

I'm not really that concerned about speed, I just want a reliable connection. Anything data intensive I do on WiFi, I just want to be able to check the weather, check facebook, check email on the phone.

What's the best way to work out the best carrier for the locations I go to regularly?

johnr

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#837512 16-Jun-2013 09:44

Try a SIM from each carrier

timmmay

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#837516 16-Jun-2013 09:49

That would work, but it's a lot of messing around, and there's a cost to get those SIMs. Is there really no app for this?

ubernoob

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#837519 16-Jun-2013 09:59

Why not try loading the http://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22487235/Address.html NZ Cell Sites page from the top of GZ onto your phone and see who's closest.
Not saying they'll be strongest.... but maybe

joutei

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#837520 16-Jun-2013 10:00

Sim cards are relatively cheap these days.
Otherwise, just ask some of your colleagues.

timmmay

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#837523 16-Jun-2013 10:05

ubernoob: Why not try loading the http://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22487235/Address.html NZ Cell Sites page from the top of GZ onto your phone and see who's closest.
Not saying they'll be strongest.... but maybe

Nice idea. Both Telecom and Vodafone are quite close and have cell towers in every direction, but 2degrees is a bit further away. Given it's inner city they could have their transmit power on a lowish setting to prevent interference.

2degrees is great value, but if it doesn't work where I need it then I'll change to one of the others.

Thanks for the help :)

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ubernoob

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#837534 16-Jun-2013 10:48

timmmay:
ubernoob: Why not try loading the http://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22487235/Address.html NZ Cell Sites page from the top of GZ onto your phone and see who's closest.
Not saying they'll be strongest.... but maybe

Nice idea. Both Telecom and Vodafone are quite close and have cell towers in every direction, but 2degrees is a bit further away. Given it's inner city they could have their transmit power on a lowish setting to prevent interference.

2degrees is great value, but if it doesn't work where I need it then I'll change to one of the others.

Thanks for the help :)

Woo Hoo I helped somebody. Sometimes you can't see the wood for the trees, then someone else comes along and say's "There's some wood there, in that tree" :-)

peejayw

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#837544 16-Jun-2013 11:08

Didnt know about that map, interesting. Had a look for the cell tower my phone says its connected to but it doesnt show on the map:-(

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

mxpress

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#837600 16-Jun-2013 13:20

peejayw: Didnt know about that map, interesting. Had a look for the cell tower my phone says its connected to but it doesnt show on the map:-(

The map is great and I didn't know about it either. It is however not very accurate. I.E In New Plymouth by the racecourse corner (I call it Cell site corner), it shows both a 2D and a telecom cell. It doesn't mention the Vodafone one which was the first one to appear on the corner about 2 years ago. The 2D one was built a couple of months ago and the Telecom one doesn't exist although each Womad there is a COW there for a few weeks.

mxpress

michaelmurfy

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#837606 16-Jun-2013 14:05

Those maps don't show what way the panels are pointing either - sure there is a cell site there but might be no panels pointing in your area resulting in bad coverage. The sites you'd be looking for are:

http://telecom.co.nz/coverage
http://vodafone.co.nz/coverage

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peejayw

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#837609 16-Jun-2013 14:11

In my location there is a Vodafone site that the Geekzone map shows as both 900 and 2100 but Vodafone's own coverage map shows no 900 and little 2100 coverage in the area, strange.

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

timmmay

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#837617 16-Jun-2013 14:44

Vodafone and Telecom both say they have good strength where I need it, but I guess the only way to know inside a building is to try it.

gareth41

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#837619 16-Jun-2013 14:44

timmmay: Is there an app that can tell me which mobile operator has the best signal strength at a given location? I use 2degrees but it's pretty slow at work, I'm wondering if I can work out what the best carrier would be.

So far I've tried these apps:
- RF Signal Strength
- OpenSignal
- Network Signal Info

So far I can only get them to report on the strength of the signal I'm connected to, not all the carriers signals. WiFi Analyzer does what I want for WiFi, but not 3G.

Here you go:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Agilent-HP-E4448A-PSA-Spectrum-Analyzer-3-Hz-50-GHz-/140713760710?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20c33197c6

AKLWestie

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#837622 16-Jun-2013 14:48

johnr: Try a SIM from each carrier

+1 for this.

Both Telecom and 2degrees are selling SIM for $5 now. In fact, I read a Warehouse flyer that they are selling 2degress SIM for $1.

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