Why is my cell tower signal strength so weak now?

[Naplescustomer]

Approximately 4 weeks ago the signal strength within my residence suddenly decreased to the point that calls frequently failed in mid conversation or never connected in the first place.  This was after over seven years of absolutely perfect service!  The problem is definitely not an issue with my specific phone since it affects my wife's phone, the phone of any Verizon customer who visits our house, and the phones of neighbors with Verizon service.  I can still use my phone reliably if I stand outside my house.  I've spent hours with Verizon personnel attempting to regain the service I'm still paying for.   After contacting several support personnel, I finally found one who was helpful enough to submit trouble ticket NRB00000978473.  A few days later, on April 24, I received a text message stating "Your reported service issue has been resolved.  Please retry your service".  I did, and absolutely nothing had changed.  The reported service issue was actually not resolved at all.  I responded to the text message (theoretically) letting Verizon know that the problem persisted, but never received any indication that a live person was on the receiving end of my  response.   My most recent phone conversation with Verizon support personnel (while standing outside my house) only resulted in being put on hold for a half hour.  The closest I've come for an explanation for the loss of tower signal came from an employee at the local Verizon store who suggested Verizon may be switching out their tower equipment to move toward 5G service.  I hope that this isn't the actual reason for the sudden drop in signal strength because it would mean that issue is not caused by equipment failure, but but rather a corporate decision.  In other words, not likely to be fixed any time soon.  

[vzw_customer_support]

Naplescustomer, we apologize for the negative impacts to your Verizon Wireless service while indoors at your home. Dropping phone calls and not having them connect is the last thing we want either. We appreciate all your calls and efforts to help correct this issue. Our network can change from time to time and filing a network ticket wasn't necessary in this case as our network engineers do not investigate indoor coverage issues nor is it something we guarantee.

Many factors outside of Verizon’s control can contribute to indoor performance even in cases where you may have had service in the past. Common causes for service-related changes may include: interference, in-building issues, foliage, construction, population changes and cell site changes (tower relocation, antenna alignment, power adjustment, etc.) The text message that you received is an automated response as there are no responses we provide via text message. To clear up any misinformation, this is not a result of 5G taking over your existing coverage. 4G LTE service is here to stay and 5G isn't replacing our 4G LTE network anytime soon. 

We wish things were different and that your service experience indoors at home was more consistent. Since indoor coverage isn't something we can guarantee, I would recommend referencing the link attached on how Wi-Fi Calling can help improve your calling experience indoors. When your signal is weak, your calls will automatically default to Wi-Fi Calling using your home internet connection if you have one. This will help correct any issues with poor audio, dropped calls, etc. Does this provide clarity? http://spr.ly/6601El9sV

AlanS_VZW

[64frustrated]

My problem is slightly different. I have lived here for over 30 years and have had no other provider than Verizon.   The signal is all of a sudden bad outside as well.  We tried the wi-fi route and we still have dropped calls.  

[Wigpat]

I suddenly had trouble starting earlier this year at home and at work where I never had problems before. I have updated phone so that's not it. If Verizon is moving toward then they need to notify customers so we can switch companies 

[Redtees]

Had great signal strength for years. Have a tower right behind us.

Am in San Francisco. All of a sudden my signal strength is over 100 Dcb with 1 bar.

Found this thread. Guess I'm not the only one.

[PSBehling]

I am in the same boat - we too have had Verizon for about 30 years and have never had anything but strong reliable service inside and out - no matter where we were at in our house.  I have often bragged about Verizon to my family, friends, and co-workers.  This past year, we have started having just 2 bars on our phones and hotspot.  We used to have 4-5 always.  We were told at a Verizon store that we needed a new hotspot, so we spent $150 on the one for 4g as the sales person said there was no need to get the 5g.  This has not changed our issue - now we are lucky if we get 1-2 bars.  I cannot get through to a live person on the phone and the chat is worthless.

[lowsignaluser]

I am having the same issues - and wasted a few hours with the useless Chat person.  Been on verizon for as long as I can remember - but it may be time to switch.  We are using the GalaxyS10, S9, Apple 10, Apple 11 - all have the same poor signals.  The chat agents are really good at avoiding direct questions and answers, and stickign to their script - wasting your time.  I have a cell tower behind my house (t-mobile, just installed last year, sadly) - they can't answer if that is the cause or what.  They just want to upgrade my plan or add signal boosters - just trying to get more of my money!!  I upgraded my phone thinking that was the problem - but it did not help and now my calls are dropping or not connecting more.  

[vzw_customer_support]

Lowsignaluser, your voice has been heard and we are truly sorry to hear that you have spent so much time searching for assistance. Having service, is exactly what your phone is for. In some cases, close proximity to a tower may actually cause interference. Let's gather some information on your coverage concern. How far do you need to be from this location before you see improvement? As my goal is not to change your plan but rather find a solution, do you have Wi-Fi available at this location? Please provide the nearest cross streets and zip code.

LorenB_VZW If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[Unbeatablerebel27]

How about outside? I can set my phone on my porch rail, and watch my signal waver from 3 bars LTE to no signal, back and forth, over and over. Without the phone even moving. I live 2.4 miles from a Verizon tower, I should have full signal inside a block building, I can even get a good signal in the yard.

[vzw_customer_support]

Sorry to hear about the issues with service outside, Unbeatablerebel27. I know you rely on us for dependable service and we want to get to the bottom of service concerns. What are the nearest cross streets and zip code of your current location? Do you know if other Verizon Wireless customers nearby to you have issues with service? What's the make/model of your phone?

RyanM_VZW

[Kelly34]

We have had Verizon for over a decade and have always had great service no matter where we traveled.  We have seen our service decline as everyone else has commented over the last 4 months.  No service, 3G and LTE most of the time and I am speaking of outdoors not indoor.  These are the same locations that we have previously had good service so there is definitely something wrong.  I really don't see Verizon offereing much hope that there is a solution in the works, so may have to consider changing  providers.

Kelly

[vzw_customer_support]

Kelly34, we expect our customers to get nothing but world-class service from our network. I'm sorry to learn that this has not been the case for you. We'd be sad to see you leave the Nation's largest network for something different. How far would you need to travel before you can pick up better service? Are you stating that your service is fluctuating between no service, 3G, and LTE? May I have your nearest intersection and City so I can accurately pinpoint your location? KevinR_VZW

[DA_WA]

Us too.  We're in 99349, and have had excellent Verizon cell service for many years - then today it changed over to an "extended network" - even if we go outside.  We both work from home and were dropping calls all day, and couldn't receive incoming calls.  We'll have to change pretty fast - we have to have working phones to do our jobs.  Looking at a cell phone tower maps in our area it looks like some have changed over to AT&T?  It used to be in our area the only carrier was Verizon; maybe they are losing some of their towers?  I can't figure it out.  The other bummer is we never set-up wifi calling on our phones - never needed to.  When we tried to do it today we couldn't - you apparently have to have cellular coverage to set-up wifi calling, which is ridiculous - why else would I be setting it up except for dropped coverage?  so frustrating.

[Jduboc]

Switched from TMobile to Verizon two months ago. Horrible mistake.  Verizon service has been very poor.  Weak signals. Slow or no connections.  In fact one right in front of a Verizon store there is no signal in the open parking lot. 
trouble shooting with Verizon chat support, phone support have been no help. Resetting network. Switched SIM cards.  Nothing has worked. 

18341 Imperial Hwy, Yorba Linda, CA 92886

[Brustertoo]

lol So basically pay VERIZON to use your cable WIFI that you also pay for??  Wow, what a solution Verizon gave you there.  Big help huh?  Unbelievable 

[Eroksta]

I’m just south of Pgh., PA, zip code 15102. I travel alot for work and use my phone for work heavily. Over the past 15 years, I know where my calls drop, the same places every time. I take the same routes over a 300 mile radius so I know where the signal is good and where it isn’t. 

I also have had the latest iphone since March so I’m positive it’s not my settings, device or user error. 

About a week and a half ago, my coverage went to garbage. No bars, 1x, 3G if I’m lucky. I waited a few days to see if the network would clear up. I realize everyone’s rolling out 5G and figured they may have had to weaken the 4G LTE signal to modify existing towers. 

Unfortunately, it’s not getting better. I tried finding a phone number to talk to a real tech but no matter what I did, I kept getting driven back to the MyVerizon app. I had to use some support chat that cuts you off if your screen goes black so after 20 minutes on it and being cut off, I had to re-start a new chat. 

They distracted with apologies and feel-good comments that were obviously scripted because the 2nd tech said the same things verbatim. They finally committed to mail me a cell booster. While that’s great and fine, I need something to keep my signal when I’m walking or on the move. Am I supposed to carry a battery pack and booster everywhere?

I wish instead of the platitudes and band-aid responses, Verizon would tell their techs what the actual problem is and what they’re going to do to fix it. 

The truth will retain customers, not a booster or advice as to why I’m not using my phone correctly. This is insulting and makes people feel worse. 

If we can’t reach a decision maker, i.e., a manager or engineer with real fact, what’s the point of being a customer?

Awaiting the truth.

E

[vzw_customer_support]

I am a consumer too and I sincerely understand your service concerns and you desire for a permanent solution to the service issues (No bars, 1x, 3G), Eroksta. You mention that you do not want further apologies, but I am truly sorry that you are experiencing these issues and that you were not able to contact a live representative when you called us. Please allow us the opportunity to assist you via Social Media.

I understand that you received a Network Extender, and while this is a great indoor solution it cannot improve your service experience on the move. We can only check coverage and troubleshoot specific locations. You shared ZIP code 15102, please provide the nearest intersection to the specific location where you experience service issues and we will take a closer look.

AntonioC_VZW

[jrgomezjr]

I live and work in El Paso Tx (on the border with Mexco).  A few weeks ago there was a story on the news that Verizon was competing with the Mexican cell towers.  I work approx. 9mi from the Mexican border @4,500ft above sea level and 1,000ft above El Paso and I still get a week signal, having a full view of cell towers.  At home I'm closer to the border 3mi @4,000ft above sea level and a view of west El Paso.  A little bit better signal but still not what it used to be.

[Fedupwithservice]

I  am having the same problem too and everyone i know that has verizon. No coverage inside our house and even outside it's hard to find a spot to make calls. I can still text inside. 

this started 2 weeks ago when I upgraded to 4g and I feel like it's more like a down grade. Primitive. I have called and called. I was told all of Newberry which is 35 miles from my house has outages and they were working on it and when it was fixed i would have coverage. Well it got fixed but I don't have signal inside so I called back. Then they told me to use wifi. So I did but today my Wi-Fi is not working on my cell phone most of the time.  I haven't used my house phone in years but over the past two weeks i have had to use it for inside. My daughter asked why I was calling her on my house phone .lol I called Verizon back and they talked me through steps and fixed it. Thirty minutes later wifi wouldn't let me call and said not connected when it was connected. so I called back. This time I was told since Verizon signal wasn't working i should find another cell provider. It's awful and stressful to have had great service that has gone away.   

They are sending me a thing to boost Wi-Fi when they get more in stock. I  do not want to use wifi as my solution cause during power outage we will not have Wi-Fi to use cell phones to call to report outage. 

One friend told me yesterday she left Verizon cause they was no Verizon signal anywhere in her town so she went to sprint. Another neighbor told me today Verizon didn't pay their tower leases and they shut Verizon down from the towers so that is why Verizon customers don't have good signal now.

[teesee824]

---

@Fedupwithservice wrote:

One friend told me yesterday she left Verizon cause they was no Verizon signal anywhere in her town so she went to sprint. Another neighbor told me today Verizon didn't pay their tower leases and they shut Verizon down from the towers so that is why Verizon customers don't have good signal now.

---

Now that's a heck of a note!  If they're not paying their bills we're the ones to suffer the loss of service and we're paying our bills   maybe we should cut out the middle man (Verizon) and pay for the towers ourselves. Probably wouldn't cost near as much!

[vzw_customer_support]

We are concerned to hear that your signal is not what it used to be. We understand the importance of getting this corrected, and we will be glad to help! We want to run a speed test with your device to see what exact speeds you are getting at the moment. When you have a chance, please click on the following link, and select Run Speed Test. Then please share your results with us to further troubleshoot the issue with your service. We will be standing by waiting for your results: http://spr.ly/660411EQQ