We rely on our mobile phones and cellular service wherever we go. How could we not? These are small portable computers that help us stay connected. Unfortunately, there is no perfect cell phone signal. Cellular dead zones are scattered worldwide, some of which are created by someone with a signal jammer to prevent you from using the phone.

Dead zones can be extremely frustrating and unsettling, especially for those who live in remote and rural areas. What to do if there is an emergency? How will you contact the emergency services?

We will discuss what cell dead zones are, what causes them, and various solutions that can help you get cellular coverage where there is none.

What is a cell dead zone?

Cell signal dead zones are areas with no cellular signal, either because the signal is blocked or because the cell tower is too far away. 

What Causes Cell Phone Dead Zones?

A cell phone signal is aided by radio frequency (RF) signals transmitted by cell towers. A dead zone is created if the RF signal is too far away or blocked by obstructions. The most common causes of dead zones are:

Signal jammer

If the jammers block the signals, you will lose the network immediately if you stay within the jammer’s coverage. This is the most common case in schools or gas stations where using a cell phone may cause a problem. The signal jammer can interfere with the cell phone network by sending overwhelming noise signals, and they can block mobile phones, wifi, GPS, and drones.

Distance from cell towers

RF signals can only travel a certain distance; the farther you are from cell towers, the weaker the signal becomes. Finding the nearest cell tower is often the first step to understanding why you are in a dead zone.

Topography

Hills, mountains, ridges and foliage are natural signal barriers. They can absorb or reflect signal waves, preventing any signal from reaching your phone.

Building Material

Metal, low-emissivity glass, concrete, and brick are the main culprits for poor indoor cell signal. Signal waves have difficulty penetrating these materials, causing very poor signal or dead zones.

Tall Buildings

Cell phone signals can be very annoying in areas with lots of tall buildings. Not only are they blocked by the building, but the signals collide as they bounce off the building.

Weather

Humidity, rain and snow can weaken your mobile phone signal.

How to check dead zones

The worst way to know you’re in a dead zone is when you drop an important call or after moving into a new house. Cell phone dead zone maps are a great tool that can be used to check for dead zones ahead of time and prevent your cell signal from being spoofed.

Each cellular carrier has its coverage map, but we all know these maps are not 100% accurate. Cell phone dead zone maps can reveal holes in your carrier’s coverage. Knowing where dead zones are can help you prepare for future travel, long commutes, and future property purchases.

If you are staying nearby an activated signal jammer, you have to find it out and try to get out of it’s coverage area. The signal jammer can jam the signal up to 80 meters, and it’s impossible to resume the signals within it’s coverage.

Cell Phone Dead Zone Solutions

The most common areas where dead zones occur are remote locations off the beaten path. However, they can also occur in homes and commercial buildings.

Unfortunately, little can be done to eliminate dead zones in places with no signal for kilometres, but it is possible to patch up dead zones indoors.

Here are some tips on how to improve your mobile phone signal:

Wifi calls

If you have a reliable wifi connection, you can try using wifi calls. Wifi calling allows you to talk and send text messages over an internet connection instead of over a cellular network. Many people who experience weak or no signal in their homes use Wi-Fi to improve their call quality and text messaging experience. You can enable wifi calling in your phone’s settings.

Apple iPhone -> Settings -> Phone -> WiFi calling

Android -> Settings -> Connections -> WiFi calling

Change mobile operator

Changing mobile carriers can be extremely inconvenient and time-consuming. But, it might be worth it if you don’t have a service in your area. Many cell towers are owned and operated by different operators. It is possible that the cell towers closest to you are not served by your current carrier, hence the dead zones.

Internet amplifier

Cellular signal boosters (signal extenders or cellular repeaters) use antennas, not an Internet connection, to improve your cellular network.

They pick up a weak external signal, amplify it, and relay the amplified signal to the right places in your home or car. They also work the other way around: they pick up your phone’s outgoing signal, amplify it, and send it back to the cell tower.

Keep in mind that cell phone signal boosters will only work if there is a signal outside your home, office, or car, even if it’s just one band. They can amplify the signal, not create it.

But if your signals are blocked by the jammer, as we mentioned above, you probably can’t use wifi at all as most of the signal jammer can block multiple signals at once.

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