Getting Cellular Coverage In The Deep Woods

Challenge

Against the advice of his local cell phone retailer, Chris P. purchased a new smart phone that included voice and data service through one of the major cellular carriers. The retailer’s concern was that Chris’ upstate New York home is six miles from the nearest cell tower and in a heavily wooded area. Not only is the house on the fringe of his carrier’s service area, but as the accompanying photo shows, it’s also surrounded by 100-foot red pine and white pine.

“I knew that I would need to be outside the house or maybe in select locations inside the house to get a signal,” Chris said. “Outside the house my phone would show one to three bars and an on and off 3G icon. Inside, I got only one to two bars, and data (transfer) was nonexistent.”

Chris tried phoning his carrier’s tech support number several times, but the reps weren’t able to offer any help. They told him again that his home was bordering the carrier’s no-coverage area. At their suggestion he tried hardware and software updates, and even replaced his phone with another unit in hopes it could pull in a stronger signal. Nothing worked.

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