VZW Says the Problem with My GNex is I am TOO CLOSE to a Tower!

[GNex Girl]

Seriously, I was told that. I am 2 miles from a tower and was told that due to sectorization (whatever that means) the tower is expected to give out a signal without good building penetration in my direction and that I am too close to the tower and this causes problems with the 4G.

This is what I was told, I am not saying it makes sense. I was given a trouble ticket and someone called me back and told me that others in my area have complained too and that they sent techs out to drive around our sector and measure the signal and the problem is cause by the hardware on the tower and my close distance to it.

Does this make any sense to anyone? What I am experiencing is a low 4G signal indoors with constant switching back and forth between 3G and 4G. There is a delay in the hand-off during which I have no data connection. This not only runs down the battery, but I am constantly losing my data connection.

The VZW solution for me was to turn off 4G and use WiFi in my house. They say they have no plans of upgrading the tower hardware to improve the situation.

 

[hyperdude]

Re: VZW Says the Problem with My GNex is I am TOO CLOSE to a Towe

I have heard of how being being close to the tower doesn't necessarily boost signal. Same idea as being too close to a WiFi router I suppose (at least with certain antenna designs).

Sucks that that's your situation, but it is what it is, I guess. VZW's suggestion to use WiFi at home is a good suggestion though - 4G is a battery hog, and if you've got WiFi no reason to not use that.

 

[GNex Girl]

Re: VZW Says the Problem with My GNex is I am TOO CLOSE to a Towe

But I am 2 MILES away from the tower. It is not in my backyard or anything like that. How can being 2 miles away be too close. Come on, I was born at night but it wasn't last night.


I can't use WiFi when I am outside my house since I am out of range. IDK but selling someone a 4G phone and 4G LTE service and then saying, well sorry, it won't work where you are doesn't seem right to me.

 

[hyperdude]

Re: VZW Says the Problem with My GNex is I am TOO CLOSE to a Towe

I just did a little quick research on what sectorization is (using several directional antennas per cell to cover a wide area), and my guess is that where you are is in basically a blind spot for the tower. As you said in your OP, Verizon said at least part of the problem is with the tower's hardware. "the tower is expected to give out a signal without good building penetration in my direction" Well that's why you don't get good 4G inside your house then. Why exactly the tower was designed that way, I have no clue, I'm not a cell technician.

 

[jephanie]

Re: VZW Says the Problem with My GNex is I am TOO CLOSE to a Towe

Ever since I upgraded, my belief in the superior service of Verizon has been flushed down the toilet. With each passing interaction, I am more and more convinced that they are nothing more than a disorganized cluster**** bunch of graba**tic morons.

I am now on my THIRD Nexus (which technically should be replaced due to what might be a defective pixel in the middle of the screen). I have been sorely disappointed in the vaunted "most reliable" 4G network, the supposed skill/knowledge base of their contact center employees and, unfortunately, the build quality of the Nexus. The thing that keeps me hooked is the promise of a better life that this amazing Ice Cream Sandwich offered. I love the theoretical goodness that has been promised. The only things I want are a RELIABLE data signal and a device that operates PROPERLY.

When it all works, when it REALLY works, I am the happiest user on the planet. I have a difficult time putting the device down. It literally makes me want to use it. Now if only the device wouldn't fail and Verizon would stop sucking like Best Buy......

 

[hyperdude]

Re: VZW Says the Problem with My GNex is I am TOO CLOSE to a Towe

Ever since I upgraded, my belief in the superior service of Verizon has been flushed down the toilet. With each passing interaction, I am more and more convinced that they are nothing more than a disorganized cluster**** bunch of graba**tic morons.

I am now on my THIRD Nexus (which technically should be replaced due to what might be a defective pixel in the middle of the screen). I have been sorely disappointed in the vaunted "most reliable" 4G network, the supposed skill/knowledge base of their contact center employees and, unfortunately, the build quality of the Nexus. The thing that keeps me hooked is the promise of a better life that this amazing Ice Cream Sandwich offered. I love the theoretical goodness that has been promised. The only things I want are a RELIABLE data signal and a device that operates PROPERLY.

When it all works, when it REALLY works, I am the happiest user on the planet. I have a difficult time putting the device down. It literally makes me want to use it. Now if only the device wouldn't fail and Verizon would stop sucking like Best Buy......

I could be wrong, but I think that build quality (and quality control, as far as dead pixels and such) are more Samsung's responsibility than Verizon's. It's not Verizon's fault if Samsung's QC missed something. Yes, Verizon and Samsung (and Google) worked together on the LTE Nexus, but still.

That being said, I personally have no problem with Verizon - at least as far as the cell service goes. Yeah, their CSRs suck half of the time, but the corporate stores back up north in my hometown and the one in Minneapolis where I got my Nexus are always helpful, if not also knowledgeable. I know not everyone has the same experience with Verizon, but everyone always has different experiences with any company.

 

[DancesWithFarts]

Re: VZW Says the Problem with My GNex is I am TOO CLOSE to a Towe

Seriously, I was told that. I am 2 miles from a tower and was told that due to sectorization (whatever that means) the tower is expected to give out a signal without good building penetration in my direction and that I am too close to the tower and this causes problems with the 4G.

This is what I was told, I am not saying it makes sense. I was given a trouble ticket and someone called me back and told me that others in my area have complained too and that they sent techs out to drive around our sector and measure the signal and the problem is cause by the hardware on the tower and my close distance to it.

Does this make any sense to anyone? What I am experiencing is a low 4G signal indoors with constant switching back and forth between 3G and 4G. There is a delay in the hand-off during which I have no data connection. This not only runs down the battery, but I am constantly losing my data connection.

The VZW solution for me was to turn off 4G and use WiFi in my house. They say they have no plans of upgrading the tower hardware to improve the situation.

do you believe everything vzw reps tell you?

 

[GNex Girl]

Re: VZW Says the Problem with My GNex is I am TOO CLOSE to a Towe

I just did a little quick research on what sectorization is (using several directional antennas per cell to cover a wide area), and my guess is that where you are is in basically a blind spot for the tower. As you said in your OP, Verizon said at least part of the problem is with the tower's hardware. "the tower is expected to give out a signal without good building penetration in my direction" Well that's why you don't get good 4G inside your house then. Why exactly the tower was designed that way, I have no clue, I'm not a cell technician.

Yes, that does sound like what they were telling me. It sucks to be so close to a tower and yet get such a crappy 4G signal. I haven't spent a lot of time walking around the neighborhood to see if it is much better outside and in different directions. I will try that later.

I mostly want to make sure it is not my phone. Unfortunately, everyone I know has an iphone or a dumb phone so I can't compare another 4G phone.

But still, I can't get over how they would leave us in a blind spot.

 

[GNex Girl]

Re: VZW Says the Problem with My GNex is I am TOO CLOSE to a Towe

do you believe everything vzw reps tell you?

Not at all. That was the point of my post.

 

[DancesWithFarts]

Re: VZW Says the Problem with My GNex is I am TOO CLOSE to a Towe

Not at all. That was the point of my post.

the problem with the GN, and every other LTE phone, lies with vzw's network; more particularly the exchange server. it has a problem with phone authentications. when it doesn't authenticate, some phones will drop data or voice.

if you don't believe me, check all the other LTE phone forums. there's the same complaints across the board. vzw's LTE network is new, and they rushed it to market, so it's no surprise they're totally screwing it up at this point.

 

[GNex Girl]

Re: VZW Says the Problem with My GNex is I am TOO CLOSE to a Towe

and Verizon would stop sucking like Best Buy......

I have to say I am incredibly disappointed in my signal quality when I am so close to a tower.

 

[byrds8]

Re: VZW Says the Problem with My GNex is I am TOO CLOSE to a Towe

2 miles is NOT too close to a tower. Its actually a pretty good bit away from it. Too close to it would be withing a few hundred yards or so. At that point the signal would shoot over you instead of hitting you. I know when our tower within .2 miles went down the next closest is 2.1 miles away and barely had signal. The close one at .2 miles gives us near perfect signal inside my home.

 

[GNex Girl]

Re: VZW Says the Problem with My GNex is I am TOO CLOSE to a Towe

2 miles is NOT too close to a tower. Its actually a pretty good bit away from it. Too close to it would be withing a few hundred yards or so. At that point the signal would shoot over you instead of hitting you. I know when our tower within .2 miles went down the next closest is 2.1 miles away and barely had signal. The close one at .2 miles gives us near perfect signal inside my home.

Thanks for confirming. I knew that was BS when the rep was telling me that. I can see how if you are within yards of a tower it would miss you, but 2 miles, come on, how stupid do they think I am?

I think it has more to do with the sectorization and they have created a blind spot. Sucks, I wish they would fix it. I am going to keep complaining until they get tired of me calling/emailing them and maybe do something about it. I will rally my neighbors, lol!

 

[Droid800]

Yes, that does sound like what they were telling me. It sucks to be so close to a tower and yet get such a crappy 4G signal. I haven't spent a lot of time walking around the neighborhood to see if it is much better outside and in different directions. I will try that later.

I mostly want to make sure it is not my phone. Unfortunately, everyone I know has an iphone or a dumb phone so I can't compare another 4G phone.

But still, I can't get over how they would leave us in a blind spot.

Could have to do with the laws in your city regarding cell towers. I know in mine they're so uptight you'd think they were trying to build a nuclear reactor.


Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

 

[jephanie]

Re: VZW Says the Problem with My GNex is I am TOO CLOSE to a Towe

I could be wrong, but I think that build quality (and quality control, as far as dead pixels and such) are more Samsung's responsibility than Verizon's. It's not Verizon's fault if Samsung's QC missed something. Yes, Verizon and Samsung (and Google) worked together on the LTE Nexus, but still.

I totally agree with that. However, Verizon's particular ability to handle the exchange issues in my circumstance have been borderline comical. I have been very pleased with Verizon for years but have been slapped around in the face several times (service-wise) since I bought my Nexus.

Providing service day in and day out isn't want separates a good company from a great company. How the company reacts and responds to service issues and failures is what separates them. Verizon has been teetering on incompetence with the various issues I've dealt with since 12/15.

 

[ejaymd11]

Re: VZW Says the Problem with My GNex is I am TOO CLOSE to a Towe

Thanks for confirming. I knew that was BS when the rep was telling me that. I can see how if you are within yards of a tower it would miss you, but 2 miles, come on, how stupid do they think I am?

I think it has more to do with the sectorization and they have created a blind spot. Sucks, I wish they would fix it. I am going to keep complaining until they get tired of me calling/emailing them and maybe do something about it. I will rally my neighbors, lol!

Actually two miles is very close when it comes to something like a cell tower.

 

[GNex Girl]

Re: VZW Says the Problem with My GNex is I am TOO CLOSE to a Towe

Actually two miles is very close when it comes to something like a cell tower.

But is it so close that it is a problem?

 

[byrds8]

Re: VZW Says the Problem with My GNex is I am TOO CLOSE to a Towe

Two miles is not close by any means. These towers/mobile devices arent putting out massive watts and do not have a huge range which is why we have so many of them. Granted oh flat terrain with no obstacles the tower itself can put out enough to reach 30-45mi. The mobile device however can not reach that range. When the area is hilly, the range drops to approx 3mi. Which, like I pointed out when my closest tower went down, the one 2.1mi away barely got us any signal.

 

[ejaymd11]

Re: VZW Says the Problem with My GNex is I am TOO CLOSE to a Towe

But is it so close that it is a problem?

Is it really a problem? Are you dropping calls, not getting calls? Do you have no wifi? The tech gave you a technical reason for the issue. Any of the people disregarding that explanation do you have an experience with cell towers? To be flat on the ground that close to a tower I can see there being an issue. 2 miles is no distance

 

[GNex Girl]

Re: VZW Says the Problem with My GNex is I am TOO CLOSE to a Towe

Is it really a problem? Are you dropping calls, not getting calls?

I drop voice calls when my phone switches from 4G to 3G, so yes, it really is a problem.

Do you have no wifi?

I have wifi in my house, but at the end of my driveway or in my backyard, I don't have wifi. Is it wrong to want to play with my phone outside?

The tech gave you a technical reason for the issue. Any of the people disregarding that explanation do you have an experience with cell towers? To be flat on the ground that close to a tower I can see there being an issue. 2 miles is no distance

Well, I just had another conversation with a different tech guy and he told me that the information I was given last time was wrong. The tower that is 2 miles away is not a 4G tower and the nearest 4G tower to me is 4 miles away. He said given our flat terrain, that 4G tower is expected to have a 20+ mile range and that 4 miles is not too close nor too far away for me to have such a poor 4G signal.

He put in a new trouble ticket. I will report back when I get an update.