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Knowing signal strength for cellular before signing up?

R

rickeames

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Mar 12, 2008
392
71
So I have the LTE version of the 11” iPad. I am wondering if there is a way to see the actual signal strength of the different providers before signing up? I get maybe two bars with t-mobile in a location where I would like to use my iPad. I’d love to know if AT&T or Sprint would be better before I commit to a plan.
 
I would think that their maps listed on their site is pretty close. The down side is not knowing how many people are on that same location. You would have to check your location because every city/county is different. I've heard that Sprint (I think) is better in NY than it is in DC. Or Verizon is better in Miami than it is in Texas?

Ask someone in your area that uses AT&T and Sprint to see.
 
Yeah, it's more of a situational thing. Example: at my house and down the street from my house are dead zones for T-Mobile even though on a map, it shows great. What I'm looking for is something that would show me, for all networks, if the signal strength would be better with another provider. Moreso with the iPad when I'm out and about. I have a few places I go to all of the time that I would want better coverage than t-mobile at, but if I can't tell ahead of time, I don't want to pay. There should be a device that does this.
 
rickeames said:
Yeah, it's more of a situational thing. Example: at my house and down the street from my house are dead zones for T-Mobile even though on a map, it shows great. What I'm looking for is something that would show me, for all networks, if the signal strength would be better with another provider. Moreso with the iPad when I'm out and about. I have a few places I go to all of the time that I would want better coverage than t-mobile at, but if I can't tell ahead of time, I don't want to pay. There should be a device that does this.
Click to expand...

There isn't, your best bet is signup for a month on At&t and see.
 
Sign up for a month of AT&T ($14.99 for 1G if you just want to test, not actually use) and the $10/5G/5 month T-Mobile plan and test each carrier in each location where you plan to use your iPad.
 
AT&T seems to have stronger signal strength in fringe areas as opposed to Tmobile from my perspective.
 
What about websites/apps like OpenSignal? That should give you a fairly realistic idea of what the providers are giving in your area. (This assumes the device you are using has the same capabilities of what folks used to make the speed tests.) Of course in a year a tower may pop up changing everything:)
 
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