Re: iphone se signal strength issues
DigitalRules
Specialist - Level 1

You only need 80kbps to hold a call. Wi-Fi "quality" is just as important as speed.

DSL can work well with a clean robust signal. Interference from other nearby routers sharing the same or adjacent frequency are usually the worst offenders if you experience issues as you move away from the router.

The only way to really tell is to try it for yourself and see if it works for you. Let us know how it works for you.

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Re: iphone se signal strength issues
smith6612
Community Leader
Community Leader
If said DSL provider is Verizon, I wouldn't count on the connection being reliable at all. Verizon hasn't cared for DSL since 2008 beyond the bare minimum, and would rather be rid of it. Smiley Happy
So a couple of notes:
  • When the report of -115dB RSSI Signal was reported while the phone was on LTE, what band was this on? Band 2? 4? 13? What was the SNR of the channel being used? -115dB is bad, and with Band 4 or Band 2 will exhibit problems from the phone to the tower due to the tower being unable to "hear" the phone. This effect is seen by poor upload speeds but great download speeds while on LTE Data. On Band 13, you start to exhibit poor SNR due to cross-cell interference and cell breathing, which will cause audio cut-outs and sometimes a handoff to 3G.

  • If the iPhone 5SE reports poor signal while on a call (eg: It's connected to 1xRTT CDMA, not LTE) in comparison to the iPhone 4S, I would recommend stopping by an Apple Store to see if they would be willing to exchange the device for another unit. Or, at least take a look at it. The 4S and 5SE use a similar antenna design, although the 5SE has a much upgraded baseband.

  • The 5SE does support Wi-Fi calling. Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling will hold this option.
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Re: iphone se signal strength issues
MarineR6er
Newbie

I am experiencing this.  My wife and I upgraded both of our iPhone 5's to SE's and we are only getting two bars in our home where we used to get 4-5.  We sat our old iPhone 5's next to our new SE's and our 5's are getting 4 bars whereas our SE's are getting 2 bars.  Called verizon and we trouble shot it and it turns out that it is the iPhone SE's and not Verizons towers in my case!  So tomorrow I am taking mine and my wives new SE's back and exchanging them. 

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Re: iphone se signal strength issues
smith6612
Community Leader
Community Leader

Before exchanging, please tell us what LTE bands are being used by the iPhone 5 and the iPhone 5SE. The iPhone 5 used on Verizon and Sprint isn't capable of locking onto an AWS or PCS LTE signal because it is an old phone created back when Verizon still use PCS for 3G, and AWS wasn't even a thing for them.

To find out, go to the phone app. Dial...

*3001#12345#*

Click on Serving Cell Info.

Check the option "Frequency Band Indicator"

Band 13 will be the iPhone 5's use. Band 4 and/or Band 2 are higher frequency, extra capacity bands which will show up as less signal, but realistically provide better service if the network is tuned correct. You will find these on the iPhone 5SE if you're getting this signal.

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Re: iphone se signal strength issues
DigitalRules
Specialist - Level 1

To find out, go to the phone app. Dial...

*3001#12345#*

Does this only work on Apple phones? Just tried on my phone & get the "call cannot be completed message".

Thanks!!

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Re: iphone se signal strength issues
dexman
Community Leader
Community Leader

For Android devices, Google Play has apps that can give decent signal strength information. I downloaded "LTE Discovery" a while back and am still sifting through all of the readings it presents.

Re: iphone se signal strength issues
MarineR6er
Newbie

I did as you said and it is running on band 13.  I have renewed my network settings manually with Verizon direction many times and the signal initially runs on par with my iphone 5's and drops two bars within one minute. 

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Re: iphone se signal strength issues
smith6612
Community Leader
Community Leader

This is iOS only, correct.

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Re: iphone se signal strength issues
MarineR6er
Newbie

It is IOS.  I have since returned my phones to Best Buy and the new ones have the same problem.  I called Apple and they are replacing the new ones.  So far the SE isn't so special.

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Re: iphone se signal strength issues
gwe1073
Newbie

Yes.  My SE was consistently one bar (sometimes two) less than the iPhone 4S.  I walked around in the office and at home with the SE and two 4S phones, and this was true everywhere I walked.  Both 4S phones were stronger than the SE.  I'm not able to use the SE at work, where I had no problem with the 4S.  I hear the caller fine, but they only get bits of what I'm saying at the other end.  Verizon responded professionally and quickly with replacements.  But after three bad SEs, I'm now awaiting a fourth new phone Monday, changing now to an iPhone 6.   Hopefully it willl be better, though the smaller SE was preferred.

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