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Cell signal switching between Michigan and Wisconsin (80 miles across the Lake) any way to force a Michigan based signal?

I have a second home in Michigan on Lake Michigan 80 miles from Wisconsin. I often get a Wisconsin cell signal that will overwhelm my Michigan cell signal (My phone changes to central time and I cannot call or text using the Wisconsin signal even when it is strong, like -95dBm). I have a Wilson directional antenna and booster but still occasionally pick up Wisconsin service even with the antenna pointed away from Wisconsin. Without an antenna I usually get no signal or a Wisconsin signal. I think the signal from Wisconsin is unusable due to the latency over the long distance.

Is there a way to have my phone ignore Verizon signals from Wisconsin? Both Michigan and Wisconsin signals look to be Verizon signals according to the Open Signal app on my Android. BTW I can also get weak wifi signals from 80 miles away as well.

Comments

Ann154

How do you even know it is a Wisconsin signal?

budone

If you are using an antenna to get your signal, you will have nights, I am guessing the issue is at night, where atmospheric conditions will cause this. Especially over water

I spent many years on the Lk Michigan shore and never had this occur. Whereabouts is your MI home?

budone

I am guessing the time change on the device and maybe weather location also.

BobWood

Because the time changes to central time and I am even farther away from Illinois and Minnesota. Back when you used to get charged for roaming I would get a bill for roaming in Wisconsin occasionally while in Michigan.

BobWood

I'm between Manistee and Frankfort. The problem does vary with the weather as it seems to be more of a problem on clear days.

budone

Know the area well. Cell service is a crap shoot in that area.

Verizon_Support

BobWood, we want you to keep a connection and stay safe while residing at your second home. I recommend that you update your device before leaving your primary residence. If you have a 3G device, you will need to dial *228 and choose option 2. With 4G device, you will just need to power it off/on to soft reset it. Keep us posted.

Lasina_VZW

Please follow us on twitter @VZWSupport

Verizon_Support

BobWood, no worries. Most of our plans include Nationwide roaming. As a result, you will not be billed a per minute roaming rate while using your device in Wisconsin. I recommend that you view the details of your calling plan online at My Verizon, http://bit.ly/xB4iTc Additionally, your device is designed to retrieve signal from the nearest wireless tower. As a result, when the time zone changes, it will automatically updated on your device.

Lasina_VZW

Please follow us on twitter @VZWSupport

budone

Say what? Roaming is not his concern. His issue is not having usable service because on occasion his device will hit a tower across Lk Michigan and although the signal is strong it is not usable.

BobWood

"your device is designed to retrieve signal from the nearest wireless tower." That would be incorrect as it often flip flops between a Wisconsin (80 + miles) and Michigan signal (5-20 miles). Do you know what the physical limitation for a usable cell connection is? I'm 80 miles from Wisconsin and I think the distance creates a latency that the system can't handle. What I am looking for is the ability to "force" my phone to only connect to a certain geography of specific cell tower. Is that even possible?

BobWood

What will updating my phone accomplish? I cannot get 3G or 4G at my location (on a great day I can get a 1X Michigan signal which allows me some data). Resets/reboots do nothing except continuing the flip flopping of a Wisconsin (unusable)/Michigan (usasble) cell signal. What I am asking is, is there a way to limit/narrow the towers I connect to? In other words, force a connection to a Michigan based cell tower only?

As you can see I am a long way from Wisconsin

Cell Coverage 1.JPG

Here is a closer snapshot of my location. As you can see by the white coverage is poor (hence the use of a Wilson booster and directional antenna). I can get a reasonably strong Michigan signal but it is often interfered with by a signal across the lake from Wisconsin

Cell Coverage 2.JPG

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