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Question

Can getting a newer phone improve my data/cellular signal?

by Aug 10, 2018 3:09PM PDT

Hello.

So, I currently have a Note 5 on Verizon. My data speeds, and cellular service, are irregular at best, I drop calls a lot and my data is never full 4G........but it's also irregular. Sometimes it'll be 10-11mbs, sometimes it'll be 0.24mb - without throttling.

I was told my tower is more congested now due to the unlimited plans.......but i was still wondering if upgrading to the Note 9 might improve my data speeds or cellular service at all? Like, is there an improved enough antenna or network advancements to give me any hope? Or will things be the same on the Note 9 likely?


Like I know the Note 9 is Cat 18, but I don't understand what that actually means and if that will be an improvement for me in a rural area compared to the note 5's Cat 8 or 9.

And yesssssssssssssssss, I understand the bulk of my problem is where i live and the tower, but do you guys think there is any chance upgrading could help my connection/speed problems??


Thank you very much for any nice and helpful response.

Discussion is locked

3 Posts
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Clarification Request
Okay but whta about the Cat 18 upgrade?
by B a B y D o L L Aug 10, 2018 11:25PM PDT

Okay thank you for responding
But will there not be any data improvement jumping to Cat 18??? What does that exactly mean btw?

Thank you

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I will defer to those
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Aug 11, 2018 11:06AM PDT

That told you about Cat 18. They need to explain this. Here, it has never been the phone that determined the signal but location and the carrier's tower systems.

PS. Tipping my hat here. I was on teams that designed base station gear. I know a little about this and share as I can.

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Answer
This is rarely a phone issue.
by Forum moderator Aug 10, 2018 3:34PM PDT

But a carrier and tower issue. That is, location matters as to where you are and where your carrier has towers.

You would have to test phones on the usual other carriers to figure out which is best. Here I use my home's Internet for best speeds and in most cities now I get good cellular coverage. I'm on Ting.com for now but where you are matters more than the phone.

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