Qs Laptop
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2018
- Messages
- 3,554
I'm testing out a Verizon network reseller (an MVNO) to see if I get good coverage in my area. MVNO's piggyback and lease cell tower space from the big boys like Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T. Some popular MVNO's are Mint Mobile, Cricket, Consumer Cellular, etc.
I'm testing US Mobile, which resells both the T-Mobile network and the Verizon network. I am using the Verizon network. I got the US Mobile SIM card and installed it in my old Pixel 2XL phone. The last couple of days I've been taking the US Mobile powered 2XL with me and comparing the connection speeds with what I get on my Verizon powered Pixel 5a. A very important distinction between these two phones is that the 2XL has 4G LTE service only, not 5G. The Pixel 5a has both 4G and 5G service. I've got the Pixel 5a set to run on 5G.
Obviously the closer you are to a cell tower the better the signal strength. For the purposes of my testing I found a very interesting interactive map that shows the location of cell towers in the U.S. The map is on the cellmapper.net site
In order for it to work for you, you have to allow cellpmapper.net access to your location. (I did not register an account, but I would guess if you register they ask for your zip code.) When I first went to the cellmapper site it asked me if I would grant it access to my location and I clicked "Allow".
How to use this map (using a PC):
1. Allow cellmapper access to your location.
2. Select the carrier network provider. On the left side of the screen there is an option "Select Provider" with a drop down menu with scores of choices. Ignore that and use the fillable field to type in your choice. If you are on Verizon network, type 311480; if you are on T-Mobile type 310260.
Select your network, i.e. 4G-LTE
Select your specific band. (I used the default setting of All Bands)
3. Zoom in on the map to narrow the area you are inspecting and to have the individual cell towers appear on the map. Clicking on the green towers shows the location of the tower and the approximate coverage area (though I wonder how accurate this is?)
4. To check areas in the immediate vicinity, click and hold down your left mouse button and move around the map.
5. To check specific out-of-your area maps find the Location Search tab. Click on it, then type in the city and state and click on Move to Current Location.
Anyway, play around with the map. I found it quite interesting.
I'm testing US Mobile, which resells both the T-Mobile network and the Verizon network. I am using the Verizon network. I got the US Mobile SIM card and installed it in my old Pixel 2XL phone. The last couple of days I've been taking the US Mobile powered 2XL with me and comparing the connection speeds with what I get on my Verizon powered Pixel 5a. A very important distinction between these two phones is that the 2XL has 4G LTE service only, not 5G. The Pixel 5a has both 4G and 5G service. I've got the Pixel 5a set to run on 5G.
Obviously the closer you are to a cell tower the better the signal strength. For the purposes of my testing I found a very interesting interactive map that shows the location of cell towers in the U.S. The map is on the cellmapper.net site
In order for it to work for you, you have to allow cellpmapper.net access to your location. (I did not register an account, but I would guess if you register they ask for your zip code.) When I first went to the cellmapper site it asked me if I would grant it access to my location and I clicked "Allow".
How to use this map (using a PC):
1. Allow cellmapper access to your location.
2. Select the carrier network provider. On the left side of the screen there is an option "Select Provider" with a drop down menu with scores of choices. Ignore that and use the fillable field to type in your choice. If you are on Verizon network, type 311480; if you are on T-Mobile type 310260.
Select your network, i.e. 4G-LTE
Select your specific band. (I used the default setting of All Bands)
3. Zoom in on the map to narrow the area you are inspecting and to have the individual cell towers appear on the map. Clicking on the green towers shows the location of the tower and the approximate coverage area (though I wonder how accurate this is?)
4. To check areas in the immediate vicinity, click and hold down your left mouse button and move around the map.
5. To check specific out-of-your area maps find the Location Search tab. Click on it, then type in the city and state and click on Move to Current Location.
Anyway, play around with the map. I found it quite interesting.
Last edited by a moderator:
