iphone switches between LTE and extended 1x

[dntaulbee]

I have a iphone 6 that I recently migrated from ATT to Verizon.  It works great in my home area (zip 40601) before and after switch but on weekends, I stay in a remote cabin (zip 41339) that until recently, had absolutely zero signal for any of the major carriers.   Verizon added a tower about a year ago (which is why I switched).  the tower is about 3 miles away behind a couple of hills.  on front porch, my phone usually picks up LTE when I turn on Cellular data.  Internet is reasonably fast but shortly after starting an app such as a weather map, it often switches to extended 1x even though I am stationary and it will not switch back unless I toggle cellular data off then back on.  Sometimes that works, sometimes not and extended 1x is worthless for data apps.   I've tried some of the remedies posted in community discussions to no avail. It has to be a marginal signal issue as there is a location about half mile away that the phone picks up and stays on LTE and the signal comes from the same, single tower that is anywhere close to my location (the next closest is over 10 miles). How can I prevent my iphone from switching to 1x or how can I easily/consistently get it to switch back to LTE?  I considered buying a cell signal booster but was told by someone with the exact same issue that he bought one and it did not help and now fear going to the hassle of buying and installing a booster only to return if it doesn't work....any suggestions?  anyone had better success with a booster? 

[vzw_customer_support]

dntaulbee, 

I know how important it is to ensure that you are getting a great signal, even when traveling away from home. I'm sorry to hear that you've been having trouble recently. Let's figure this out. Do you know of any other Verizon customers in the area who also have trouble with 4G connectivity? 

Michelle_VZW
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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!!

[dntaulbee]

Yes, my spouse who has same phone and plan and same issue.

[vzw_customer_support]

Dntaulbee, thanks for confirming those details for me. With having multiple devices having the same issue, a network extender would be equal to using Wi-Fi calling and other indoor solutions. Let’s see how your device is communicating with the network. Please complete a network reset and test the connectivity. I have supplied a link to the steps in this process. Let us know of the results. https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/knowledge-base-207110/

Rodney_VZW
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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!!

[dntaulbee]

Should I do this at home where I always have LTE or at cabin where I have the issue?

Sent from my iPhone

[vzw_customer_support]

That's a good question dnatulbee. I would recommend waiting until you get home to do this. If your coverage is working well at home though, you may not even need to do this. So, I do want to go a step further here though before you complete that. I took a look at our coverage map and the zip code you provided of 41339 is considered to be extended LTE. So the service you are seeing is likely what you will see moving forward. 

Erin_VZW
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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!!

[dntaulbee]

Understood, however right now I am replying from the remote location and I am showing LTE, and the speed is great but it may switch to extended 1x at any time even though there is only one tower anywhere close to my current location. When it goes to 1x, if I toggle cellular data off and on, it will sometimes revert to LTE and I really think the issue is mostly due to weak signal, so back to my original question, if I install a cell signal booster, will I then be able to get better LTE signal, not just stronger 1x? I would think it would but I have seen posts that say otherwise.

Dt

Sent from my iPhone

[vzw_customer_support]

dntaulbee, thank you for this information and I definitely want to answer all of your questions. Before we proceed, I do want to ensure we are on the same page. I see it was stated that you migrated your device from AT&T  to us, Verizon Wireless. Are you and your wife using currently using the AT&T iPhones? Which booster are you looking to purchase? 

Natasha_VZW
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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!!

[dntaulbee]

Yes, we both are using the iPhone 6 previously used on AT&T but if you look at some of the community discussions, it’s clear this is not an uncommon issue and other phones particularly other iPhones are involved. There also seems to be several posts from people that also migrated from at&t, but not all. Not sure yet which booster, just understand I need a 700 MHz for an I-6.

Sent from my iPhone

[OldManBo]

I see you are working with a VZ rep but are looking for other input.  I have a similar situation except in my case Verizon was providing adequate 3G service without a booster and that is why I went with Verizon.  Then one day they totally disappeared except for intermittent voice and text, ie. 1x, outside my house.  I purchased a Surecall Fusion 4 Home booster with a yagi directional antenna and immediately was getting solid LTE 4G service.  As time went on the  LTE service began to decline until at this time even with the booster I am experiencing exactly what you are seeing.  From what I understand about the characteristic we are experiencing, it is indeed a signal strength issue and as activity increases on the tower the power to each user decreases.  Apparently there is a small time delay in the power reduction and this occurs when you connect and begin downloading data.  In your case a good booster like the one I have most likely would solve the issue you have.  VZ's Network Extender will not, unless you have a high speed internet service available.  In my case Verizon has told me that all their money is being applied to 5G and they will not increase the capacity of the existing tower or add a tower in my area.  Essentially telling me to live with it. 

[vzw_customer_support]

Hello OldManBo, the last thing we want is for you to feel we have placed all our resources in our 5G technology. 4G LTE signal is still an integral part of our network, if anything it's the biggest part of our cellular infrastructure. The last thing we want is to forget about it. When did the issue start? What recent changes have occurred? What exactly happens when you try to use the service?

GilbertoL_VZW

[OldManBo]

The problem started quite some time ago.  I was getting reliable 3G data service, 4G was too weak but 3G worked well with a Mi-Fi in my house.  Then one day as I drove past the tower I use I noticed workers at the tower.  When I got to my home I found there was no service inside the house and intermittent voice and text only outside the house.  I waited for days hoping service would return but it didn't.  I purchased a SureCall Fusion 4 Home cell booster and mounted an external yagi 10 feet above the roof.  With the booster I got excellent 4G performance for a few months and then the 4G became less reliable but still useable most of the time.  I installed a tower to mount the booster antenna and raised the antenna an additional 35 feet.  Again I began getting reliable 4G but in a few months it became less reliable.  Today I show a LTE/4G signal and am able to connect to the internet but as soon as I try to load a website the signal drops, speed slows and soon I lose 4G.  If I disconnect from the internet and reconnect the cycle repeats until after a few times all I get is 1x.  This happens with 3 Verizon iPhones and a Verizon Smart Hub.

I have talked with three Technical Associates at Verizon and so far they have been  unable to help.  The last one I talked with inferred that my Surecall booster wasn't doing its job, if I turn it off I have "no service available" on all my devices, and I should replace it with a LTE Extender 2.  I agreed to try one.  What a joke.  The first requirement for the extender is a hardwire high speed internet connection.  The only internet I have is Verizon and it isn't working.  What didn't she understand?  She was the tech associate that said my signal was too weak and not to expect Verizon to make any changes to the tower to get my service back.  Verizon was the only provider that covered my area at the time I wanted internet and I went with Verizon for that reason.  I have been a Verizon customer for many years but now my reason for having Verizon as my provider is no longer there.  I need reliable internet and voice communications and Verizon is no longer providing it so I am being forced to look for an alternative.

[OldManBo]

Update: A ticket # was generated by a helpful second level tech support person and engineering texted me that it is being processed and I would be contacted.  We'll see what happens from here.

[vzw_customer_support]

OldManBo, we appreciate the update and are so glad to hear your area is being looked into with a network ticket. I'm confident our Network Team will be able to provide a resolution and better understanding of what is going on in the area. Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance.

DanielleR_VZW

[OldManBo]

The ticket was cleared with all reccomendations requiring wired internet service which I don't have.  I resumed telephone contact with Verizon technical support and got with support at engineering level.  The engineering level person could not understand the initial LTE connection that drops to 1x shortly after connecting to internet even though it appears to be a common complaint and was the subject of the OP.  The engineer had me reset network connections as previously suggested to the OP.  The final thought was the problem is in my signal booster.  I have roughly $1000 invested in booster, tower, antennas and support hardware trying to keep up Verizon's drop in signal.  I will work with the booster manufacturer as requested but I have my doubts.  I have been a Verizon customer for several years and would like to remain as a Verizon customer but if they cannot return to the service they provided a year ago I will have to look elsewhere.  I hope the OP has better luck that I have been having.

[DeerSpotter]

2022-07-05 having this issue for the last month now thought it was a me problem turns out it is Verizon’s problem. 

it looks like fast dormancy is enabled across the board. 

[vzw_customer_support]

Hello. You have my attention. I would like to further look into this for you. I have sent you a private message so we can further help. 

-Amber