Des Moines, IA Metro LTE Slow

[Aioka]

Hello,

Is there an issue or over saturation in the Des Moines, IA metro area (50309)? Everyday from about 9am-6pm the LTE speed/network is almost non-existent. Running speed tests from multiple verizon devices (iOS, Android and Windows Phone) in the area produce anywhere from 0Mbps-2Mpbs down with half-full LTE signal. Trying to browse and email is painful at best. Tests on other devices with T-Mobile "4G" are getting 5-6Mpbs consistently with no issues.

Is there an issue with this area? Is Verizon working on increasing tower coverage or implementing AWS to help with newer devices?

-Thanks

Branden

[Ann154]

It wouldn't surprise if there is over saturation of the towers. I have noticed a similar situation in the metro area to the west of you.

[vzw_customer_support]

Hey there Aioka,

I am sorry to learn about the signal issues that you are having in the 50309 area code. We are reviewing our coverage on a daily basis and are always looking to improve where we can. Let's take a closer look at your area to see what's going on.

Seeing as it is a metro area, it is possible that the tower becomes congested slowing down the speeds for everyone, especially from 9am-6pm, which are working hours for most people.  I'd like to further investigate before we jump to that conclusion.

Does the issue primarily occur indoors? Or outdoors as well? Does it affect both voice and data? Which make and model device are you currently using? Does service improve when you leave that zip code?

Please provide additional details so that I can better assist.

Nicholas_VZW
Please follow us on twitter @VZWSupport

[Simpanic]

I would like to follow up on the poor LTE in downtown Des Moines, IA  I am sure it's due to the large work base here and lack of coverage, but it needs to be addressed.  It's so bad I can not even use my phone downtown ( indoors, outdoors, ect).  Voice seems fine, but Data including pic text seldom function.  Considering how much I am at work it's very frustrating!!!

[vzw_customer_support]

Hi Simpanic,

Thanks for reaching out. We are here to help out. I am not showing a problem in your area. In order to find a resolution, we would need you to Direct Message us so that we open a network ticket. Again, please let us know.

Bobby_VZW
Please follow us on twitter @VZWSupport

[Wpiper]

I live in des moines as well. using droid charge. I work off walnut and sw 8th street sitting 5 to 6 stories up. I used to be able to stream netflix lol now I can't even stream slacker internet radio. It is very frustrating. Please fix the tower. It is a constant problem right now I am getting -114 dBm  in my phone case, and -106dBm with out a phone case sitting on the table by its self. You would think going up higher in the air better signal but I have to be practically be outside just to get some data, use to be pushing 1.5 to 2meg a sec, now im lucky to get 50kbps

[vzw_customer_support]

Thank you for the details Wpiper! We would need to look further into this as there are no issues in this area. Please follow and DM your name and mobile number so that I can better assist.

Thank you,

LenaA_VZW
Please follow us on twitter @VZWSupport

[acool]

LenaA

You really should talk to someone on the network group at VZ because there are major capacity problems that are noticeable all over the city. Its not cellular coverage thats a problem its backhaul and network capacity. I get better speeds on the crap wifi at panera....and its free...

-a

[ihawk2k]

I'd like to bump this thread, and get this investigated again.  I too have had issues with service in downtown Des Moines (50309), and was using the workaround of disabling LTE on my Galaxy Nexus to force 3G service during the day, which resulted in much faster data speeds than on LTE.  However, I recently upgraded to the Galaxy S 5, and can no longer turn off LTE, so I'm stuck with minimal data service during the day when the network is overloaded with users.  If I go to the center of my building, where the 4G signal cannot reach, my phone will flip to 3G, and my notifications will start coming in.  Once I get back to my desk, the phone goes back to 4G, and data service stops again.  Please advise how I can get a network ticket opened for this issue.

[SHO_time]

I mean seriously? $220.00 a month for this? Not happy!!!!! Verizon Wireless Customer Support

[IowaTodd]

Hi Brandon,

You are correct.  It seems that there is over-utilization during the weekdays from 9 to 5 in downtown Des Moines.  I believe the LTE network cannot handle the huge number of hits.  I can hardly send text messages or rarely receive email on my device during the day while at work. 

I have found a solution.... I switch the LTE feature on my device "OFF" during the day.  I am using 3G service then during the day.  It is slower, but at least my text messages and mail continue uninterrupted. 

At about 5 pm I switch the LTE back "ON" and everything is lightning fast again.

Given the business professionals in downtown Des Moines during the weekday, I would think VZ would want to "ramp up" it LTE serve downtown.  Many traveling business professionals are relying on it, and in its current state, it is not reliable during peak usage hours.

I hope this helps.  --Todd

[acool]

Hi Branden

I'd like to comment on this as well. I've been calling VZW numerous times only to be told that there is "no" capacity problems in the Des Moines area. But honestly that is not true. I work for a networking manufacturer and its unuseable in a large part of the city which is unacceptable.

Downtown des moines iowa (50309) full LTE bars dialup speeds. West Des Moines Jordan Creek area dialup speeds with full LTE bars. North side of des Moines in the beaverdale dialup speeds and little to no coverage.

Personally I think a call to the FCC is in order to lodge a complaint about this because this is unacceptable. Anyone else interested in lodging a complaint? I did get through to some woman who claims to have been in the executive team and she said I was free to cancel my contract and go with another company. So honestly you all have two choices, go with AT&T which is not as good as VZW or VZW fixes their capacity problems.

The VZ pop is on 6th and walnut downtown for crying out loud!

-a

[mjuhl1994]

Des Moines LTE is slow because Verizon has such a huge market share of the state in Iowa. There isn't many other options for statewide coverage besides maybe US Cell. Sure T-Mobile and Sprint are good options as long as you're in Metro Des Moines all the time, but for most people this isn't an option. I would also believe that Des Moines, IA is on a lower concern level for Verizon than other cities

[phx1138]

No data service inside or outside on 6th & Locust in the 50309 zip code, using an iPhone 5s.  I don't mean "it's a little slow," I mean, "I cannot use data for 11 hours each day."  There has to be a way to solve this other than VZ suggesting to switch companies if people aren't happy.  There are 80,000 business professionals working in downtown Des Moines every day.  It's most likely that at least half of those professionals are VZ customers, and with downtown businesses rapidly expanding, VZ may not want that to happen.

And, really, no solution for a complaint which was opened a year ago, VZ?  Really?

[LRVassar]

Oversaturation shouldn't really be an issue on LTE, and recently, they're released XLTE, which should be helping in case some areas are becoming oversaturated.

I wish I could help, but the last week or two, I've realized that Verizon just doesn't care. They know they're still getting paid.

[SHO_time]

I started having the same issues with LTE operating on my Iphone 5. I have been having issues in 50009,50310 and 50265. I use it primarily as a hot spot for work in 50009 because our work internet is slow .25 - 1 Mgb. But now my LTE is pulling the same type of speeds. It gets a little better in the 50310 and 50265 areas, 2 Mgb (when I'm lucky). Considering I am paying for 10 gigs with 2 phones isn't, needless to say I ma not very happy with good ole Verizon right now. Contract is up in October I will consider pulling away from Verizon. @VZWsupport #getmyspeedback #slowVZW4GLTE

[#17]

XLTE at its best

IPhone 5S

50322 zip code

[vzw_customer_support]

Let's get those speeds going, VerzionSucks2006! I checked the zip code using my mapping system, and I see that this zip code is fully covered by 4G. Have you checked the speeds at different times of day in the same location? Capacity can play a factor with network speeds. Please keep me posted, thanks!

ChristinaB_VZW
VZW Support
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

[#19]

Oh yes, I have 100's of tests before XLTE and 100's afterwards and before XLTE it was 6-8 down and 2-3 up, AFTER XLTE it is 2+ down and 1+ up.    I can start regularly posting them.   I also test in multiple locations and on the south side of Des Moines Metro area it will drop to 3G coverage sometimes.   Recently I noticed the tower I drive by has had speeds return to PRE XLTE speeds and hadn't been right since XLTE so that is a network issue not a capacity issue.

[SHO_time]

Ridiculous I've tested anywhere from 15 Mbps to this nonsense above. At 8:30 this am it was a whopping 3.82. 10:05 a staggering 1.00 then 10:23 a zooming  3.06 and well, my last test is above. 50009. The 15 Mbps was at my home in 50310 but that is just as inconsistent as in the 50009. Again I say not worth the 220/month Verizon Wireless Customer Support

[ihawk2k]

I can't even get a speed test to complete, but when it does, the results have been <0.3Mbps up and down. (50309 - Downtown Des Moines).  I had a network ticket opened a couple weeks ago, and the "resolution" was to do some sort of configuration change on my account and reboot my phone.  That did not improve the speed. 

Other things I learned from the ticket process (paraphrased from the customer service reps I talked to):

1) "4G LTE service is not guaranteed indoors"

2) "The number of users shouldn't make any difference"

3) "You should buy a range extender, and plug it into your internet in your office" (Company controlled network)

4) "4G LTE will always be faster than 3G"  (which is clearly not the case, supported with speed tests)

5) "None of the phones allowed you to turn off 4G" (False. The galaxy Nexus allowed you to do CDMA only, and turn off LTE (thus defaulting to the faster 3G), but the S5 does not)

Since this IS likely an issue of capacity due to the number of cell phone users in Downtown Des Moines during weekday business hours, what is the plan to increase the backhaul/capacity for the towers that serve the downtown area?

By the time I finished writing this (on my work computer, since I can't open ANY websites on my phone...), my phone finished the speed test:   Ping: 569ms   Download: 0.20Mbps   Upload: 0.01Mbps.  And that is with 3 "bars" showing for 4G LTE signal strength.