Over time, phones have become more powerful and the advent of 5G ensures faster data connections with lower latency. However, these faster networks are more susceptible to signal disruptions. The trend of constructing green and more energy-efficient buildings also raises the likelihood of mobile signal interruptions, which is why many large venues and offices have poor cell phone connectivity, even with reliable carriers like Verizon.
Fortunately, building owners usually have the ability to prevent poor cell phone signals. Unreliable signals are an issue across the United States where there are 273.8 million mobile phone users as of 2019, causing heavy use of cellular networks. Even small areas with a weak signal can potentially affect a large number of people.
In some cases, correcting a weak phone signal is relatively straightforward by resetting the device, ensuring the SIM card is correctly inserted, or ensuring that the device is fully charged. However, sometimes the problem is not just the device, but a truly weak signal in the building.
This article outlines some of the most effective methods to improve Verizon phone signals inside your business.
1. Understand the Environmental Factors That Interfere With a Phone Signal
Before it’s possible to fix issues with a cell phone signal, the cause of the issues must be identified. Many common building materials can cause problems with cellular signals. Even glass walls and windows can interfere, especially types with double or triple glazing. Often, something as simple as opening a window can improve a weak cell phone signal.
In some cases, it may be external factors causing the problem. Tall trees, nearby hills or mountains, or tall buildings can all impair signal strength. In densely populated areas, demand may be the culprit, as local cell towers may not be able to cope with the demand from the number of users connected to them at peak times.
2. Use Wi-Fi Calling for a Stable Connection
Most carriers, including Verizon, offer Wi-Fi calling. This feature uses your internet connection to make phone calls, and it can be a good option for people faced with a very bad phone signal.
The downside of Wi-Fi calling is that it requires a stable internet connection, and it consumes some bandwidth. The bandwidth demands are fairly modest and should not be a problem if it’s only one or two people trying to make calls. But in a large office with a lot of employees, the bandwidth consumption may become more noticeable.
In addition, Wi-Fi calling only works while the user is connected to the wireless network. This means users could not start a phone call, and then walk out of the building and continue talking.
For this reason, Wi-Fi calling is only a temporary fix to the problem of a poor cell signal. It is, however, something that can be set up fairly quickly on most modern phones. See our video guide for directions on enabling this feature on your handset.
3. Use a Verizon Network Extender inside Your Property
Verizon has some of the best 4G coverage in the country and is rapidly expanding its 5G network. Their coverage is not without its gaps, however. Many business owners find that the cell signal strength in their commercial buildings is poor due to circumstances out of both their and the network’s control.
Verizon provides 4G network extenders to help reduce problems with a cell phone signal. These devices connect to the Wi-Fi or landline internet connection in the building and use that to communicate with the Verizon network. This means they can work even in areas where the Verizon signal is very weak.
The downside of Verizon 4G Network Extenders is that they require a stable internet connection and only improve the signal strength for Verizon users. Any clients, suppliers or other visitors to the property who rely on a different network for their mobile connection would not benefit from the device.
In addition, network extenders have a limited range and signal strength themselves, meaning they work best for smaller commercial buildings.
4. Identify the Weakest Signal Areas in the Building
Before you start spending a lot of money on network extenders or signal boosters, gather as much information about the commercial building as you can.
Walk around the property and make a note of areas where you tend to lose cell signal. Think about the areas that are infamous for being signal dark spots, and the areas where people usually go when they need to make a call.
Map out the building, highlighting those spots. Note that the number of bars your phone shows for signal strength is not a particularly good indicator of how good the signal is. There is no standardized meaning of what “one bar” or “four bars” is across device manufacturers.
You’ll get a better idea of how good or poor cell signal strength is by using the diagnostic tools available on your phone. We’ve produced a guide to putting your phone into test mode that works with most iOS and Android devices. Use that testing mode to get a better understanding of signal strength in key areas of your building.
Once you have that information, consider calling in a professional to figure out how to fix the issues. A certified signal booster installer can provide you with suggestions for the most effective places to install a booster to get maximum coverage across your business’s commercial space.
5.Improve Signal Strength with Commercial Cellular Amplifiers.
There are numerous models of commercial cellular amplifiers available in the market. At WilsonPro, we offer a range of models that are compatible with major providers such as Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T.
These carrier-agnostic boosters amplify all the signals they receive, which means that all users in the building can benefit from the booster, including those on smaller, less well-known local networks. Additionally, these devices are FCC approved and do not interfere with modern electrical devices or impair signal strength for others in the area.
Moreover, our devices are compatible with current 4G standards and 5G, making them an excellent investment to future-proof your office, retail space, or hospitality venue.
Commercial cellular amplifiers function by utilizing a small external antenna placed outside the building in an area with a robust signal. The signal is then transported via a wire from the donor antenna to a device that amplifies the signal and transmits it to any mobile device inside the property.
As the device amplifies all the signals that it receives, multiple devices can benefit from the enhanced signal. This allows your employees or customers to take advantage of the improved signal for better voice calling, stable connections, and faster mobile internet speeds.
Explore Our Commercial Solutions
WilsonPro offers a team of expert installers to assist you with getting your cell signal boosters up and running. Whether you need a solution for retail connectivity or a large healthcare facility, we can help you select the appropriate booster for your property. Our professionals can guide you in finding the best location to install the booster, and they will oversee the setup and testing process. This ensures that you, your employees, customers, and clients can immediately reap the benefits of more reliable calls and faster internet speeds.