Signal in 80003 region
Sensenjn
Enthusiast - Level 3

Since I have moved to this zip code service has been very poor, both voice and data. I recently moved and near my own home I have seen the SOS indicator on my phone couple with not being able to access data services until I drive miles down the road. Each time I talk to Verizon I get passed around to the next support tech who gives an empty apology. Both tickets that were opened just get closed with no resolution. All I receive is the link below. This is very disappointing and frustrating. I live in a very populated area and these issues shouldn't be present. 

 

https://www.verizon.com/support/signal-concern-resolution/

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18 Replies
Naikaru1
Enthusiast - Level 2

I have the same issue. As soon as I pull down my road I lose service. In my house I normally get no service or one bar; no matter the time of day. Here are the two options Verizon supplied me. One was I could get a free signal booster. At the time I was behind on my bill so she didn't send it... so I called back when I caught up a few weeks later and the customer service person was rude and on top of that let me know that those boosters cost $350 and I wasn't getting one for free no matter what was told to me. The second option was "we are going to send someone to your area to investigate your claim" no one ever showed up and that was over a year ago. 

I have reported Verizon to the BBB for their service I was charged for and never received and I did receive my funds back for 3 months in which they intentionally put both of my devices under "device management" because I lowered my bill becaue of the bad reception service. The only way to fix it was a sim card change in both devices. 

Hope this helps. 

File a claim.

If enough of us do so we are holding THEM accountable for their practices.

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Sensenjn
Enthusiast - Level 3

Appreciate the feedback. I was sent a signal booster a couple weeks back which does boost the signal but the larger issue is obviously not fixed. The signal booster has to be hooked up to my router and then uses the internet to boost the cell signal but the range is no better than my current wifi setup so its effectively doing nothing that my wifi didn't do before. Also, I don't know why anyone would use cell signal over their home wifi unless they had really slow wifi. 

In terms of the SIM replacement, were you replacing very old SIM cards? Both phones that we have are from about 4 years back so I am wondering if maybe the newest SIM cards can contact other cell bands?

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Naikaru1
Enthusiast - Level 2

That is a curious idea. My sim cards were not old at all when they were replaced maybe a year for mine and a few months for the other device.

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Sensenjn
Enthusiast - Level 3

Sadly new SIM not helping. Had a music stream immediately drop today when entering the area. I think itโ€™s time to shop other providers since I know Verizon isnโ€™t going to do anything other than pass me to the next tech and โ€œpromiseโ€ theyโ€™re looking into it. 

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Sensenjn
Enthusiast - Level 3

Just wanted to pass this message along that I received via DM for anyone else that might come across this thread. Not quite sure why they chose to DM instead of reply to the thread, but I can only assume it's because they didn't want to relay the fact that they don't have a good answer/solution for me.  

 

"Hey Sensenjn, the last thing we would want to see is for you to leave us. I know that I demand coverage where I use my phone the most, which is also at home. Based on the details you have shared, including the link that you have received, and being sent a Network Extender, it sounds like you're in an area of known poor coverage. Sadly, without additional sites being installed to overcome the factors outside of our control for the coverage there, Wi-Fi calling and the Network Extenders are the best options we can offer. No amount of calls to tech support will help overcome this, unfortunately. I hope that these details help provide some clarity.

-Joseph"

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Sensenjn
Enthusiast - Level 3

another DM

 

"We understand your concerns, and we always want to make sure that you receive the best available service in your area, Sensejn. Coverage varies from location to location, and not everyone within the zip code you posted may be affected by a variable coverage area. The information we provided was specific to your situation (being sent a network extender for home). While it is true that Verizon Wireless radio frequency (RF) engineers and system performance engineers regularly evaluate network coverage and performance to identify locations that may require additional coverage, it's also true that Verizon Wireless' specific network expansion plans, locations and timetables are considered proprietary and confidential. Due to this, we're not able to provide a specific timeline for improvements in your area. 

 

We hope this further clarifies, and are here if you have any other questions."

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Sensenjn
Enthusiast - Level 3

Update at end of summer. Still no change in area. I have seen work performed at a presumed nearby cell tower by a 3rd party company about 2 months ago but aside from a week of work from them there has been no further progress on the tower. Starting to explore coverage from other carriers since Verizon has not given any further/substantial information on plans for expanded coverage.

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Sensenjn
Enthusiast - Level 3

update: no change. Verizon will not provide any updates. They don't seem to care at all that their service is horrible. Time to start exploring switching carriers.

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Sensenjn
Enthusiast - Level 3

Another update - still no fix from Verizon. Chatted a few weeks ago and rep was of no help as usual. Has a call drop today right outside my house despite being within 10 miles of a major city. Would be real nice if Verizon took complaints seriously.

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Sensenjn
Enthusiast - Level 3

Update as of September 2024. Signal still non existent in my area. Verizon has done nothing to remedy.

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vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

We are concerned to learn that you are experiencing services issues and would like to find the root cause of the issue. Please tell us a little more. What model is your device and is the software up to date? Do you have problems indoors or outdoors?

~Maria

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Sensenjn
Enthusiast - Level 3

Problems are both indoors and outdoors. I have raised this issue multiple times and no one assists. Iโ€™m given the same answer over and over that engineers are looking into it and nothing gets resolved. 

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vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

Hello, Sensenjn. Help is here as we know the importance of having reliable service. It is our goal to provide you with answers and a resolution. We appreciate you for raising this issue but we will need to gather a bit more info. I have sent you a Private Message for further assistance.

-Natasha

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Sensenjn
Enthusiast - Level 3

Verizon support 'looked into' my issue after PMing me. Here's the response I get after the 'investigation'

 

"Thank you for waiting. I do see that unfortunately the area does not have optimal coverage. As much as we would like to provide you with better news, we do want to provide you with the correct information to avoid setting up incorrect expectations, but we will make sure to forward your feedback as we are always working on improving our services. If you have any other questions besides this, let us know"

 

The coverage issue is why I contacted them, and they just tell me I have bad coverage. Such a non-answer. I also love how they claim they aim to continue to improve their service and its been 2+ years of the same issue. How many years do they need to improve?

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SynthpopAddict
Master - Level 3

Is there a reason why you haven't tried another provider?  From your earlier posts, you've certainly given Verizon enough of a chance.  Poor service can certainly be had for less elsewhere, and switching may leave you pleasantly surprised.

I'm wondering if it's the lake or hills/mountains causing a problem, based upon looking up your ZIP code.

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I'm not a Verizon employee, just another customer trying to help.
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Sensenjn
Enthusiast - Level 3

I tried Tmobile eSim for a little and there wasn't any difference. It was also worse around town. In general verizon gets the best reception in town and near the mountains. The worst part is I can go less than a mile down the road and get 5GUW. I dont understand why the pocket I live in has such a dead spot. 

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SynthpopAddict
Master - Level 3

5G UW is particularly susceptible to fading out over distances, because the spectrum used for mid- and especially high-band 5G just doesn't travel very far.  High-band 5G only goes ~1500 feet before the signal is lost.  Mid-band 5G may travel 2-3 miles, but that's assuming there aren't a lot of obstructions (buildings, hills, lakes, lots of trees are just some examples) to absorb the signal.

There are many reasons for dead zones, and they can happen in the unlikeliest of locations.  Considering that Verizon had told you that they were aware of your location being a subpar service spot, I'd have to think it's on their agenda for network improvements, but Rome wasn't built in a day.  And there may be other constraints such as local ordinances not allowing more cell towers to be built?

If you're using an iPhone, try switching the network connection to "LTE" as the older LTE technology is better at getting through obstructions and could help with your reception.  As far as I know, you unfortunately cannot band select on an Android phone anymore with Verizon.  The only other things I can think of would be to invest in an (expensive) 3rd party signal booster system for your home to improve the signal strength, perhaps get a Verizon network extender, use Wi-Fi instead of cellular service while at home, or ask around if Blue Logo Place works.

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I'm not a Verizon employee, just another customer trying to help.
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Sensenjn
Enthusiast - Level 3

Related to local ordinances, a little while back I had contacted the city about a tower near my home that I thought was a cell tower in the works that unfortunately seems to not be for cellular communication.  Going off what they told me is while they cannot compel a private cell company to build towers, they have passed legislation to make things easier on that front, though as with everything it takes time. One thing I am curious about is verizon could possibly build a smaller 5G node within the neighborhood (as opposed to a tall cell tower). I was in an area around Denver that had really poor service and then all of a sudden it was spectacular and lo and behold I saw a relatively new 5G tower right by the road. Im wondering if businesses in the area petitioned for one to be put there to serve the shopping center better.

I certainly understand things take time, but what frustrates me the most is not knowing that someone physically came out to the location and diagnosed the issue. Im sure they have ways of looking at coverage maps via their internal systems virtually but having a tech physically come to the area could give them a better picture.

Lastly, related to a booster, I do have a verizon one in my home but it relies on being connected to my router making it of no use should my internet fail for any reason. The range is also no further than my existing wifi so its effectively a glorified hotspot.

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