Poor cell service

We understand the impact of having poor coverage Username03.

Try resetting your network settings to refresh your connection to the network.

• Android: Settings>General Management>Reset>Reset network settings
• Iphone: Settings app > General > scroll to and select Transfer or Reset iPhone > select Reset > Reset Network Settings > select Reset Network Settings again to confirm

Please visit our wireless support section and sign in to start a troubleshooting session on your device in search for personalized solutions.

Also, confirm what coverage is supported in your area by accessing our wireless coverage page. Our outage support page will show you how to check for any service outages. 

Let us know how it goes.

Marilyn, AT&T Community Specialist 

Having adequate network service is important, Username03. Let's look into what can be done to resolve your device's poor cellular service.

First, we want to advise that our systems show no planned network maintenance for system improvement or enhancement in your area. At times when the cellular service on your phone is poor you can check the coverage in your area to confirm whether a network impacting event is trending.

In fact, you' can visit the AT&T Wireless support and sign in for more personalized help with your device.

However, in this instance, here's what you will want to do:

• Restart your device. What this does is that it gives your device a chance to reconnect to our network. Here's how to do that:
  • Visit our AT&T Device Support center. After selecting your device's make and model choose Troubleshooting followed by Reset Device.
• Reset your device's network settings. Be Advised: This step deletes previously associated Wi-Fi networks, security passcodes, and Bluetooth devices as well as cellular network data settings.
  • Android:
    • Settings > General Management > Reset > Reset network settings
  • Apple:
    • Settings app > General > scroll to and select Transfer or Reset iPhone > select Reset > Reset Network Settings > select Reset Network Settings again to confirm

Let us know how it goes. If your experience persists we will need to invite you into a Direct Message to take a closer look into what can be impacting service on your phone.

Lar, AT&T Community Specialist

The coverage is ALWAYS poor. It’s not just my cell phone. It’s everyone in my family and everyone I know with ATT. Why is there no planned maintenance or upgrades in my area? One or two bars of LTE in Owosso is unacceptable. I had 4 or 5 bars of 5G+ in rural France! This isn’t an issue that needs troubleshooting on my part. AT&T needs to upgrade their cell towers! 

How did your issue turn out?

No change. Service is worse than ever in my area with apparently no plans to upgrade their towers. 

I have another update. AT&T I hope you are still reading this board. My alarm company had to come out to my house today because my alarm kept losing connectivity. The alarm company told me they’re using AT&T cell towers. They couldn’t get a signal that stayed strong enough, so they switched to Verizon and put an antenna outside on the house. They still couldn’t get a good signal. They now have to go through my internet which is problematic for many reasons. The alarm guy said this is a problem they’ve been seeing in our area for a few months and that they have tried working with AT&T to get them to make upgrades, but AT&T is making them jump through hoops and use boosters which won’t even work in my case.  I have had no issues with alarm connectivity in 11 years! This is beyond ridiculous. AT&T, why will you not upgrade your cell towers? 1-2 bars of LTE is unacceptable! Not only can I not make a phone call, my house alarm can’t maintain connectivity! I don’t understand it. 

If it happens with Verizon as well, and it sounds like they tried to use a cellular booster, then it's not just an AT&T issue. If could be that your phone company needs to upgrade its device to be compatible with whatever the bands are that Verizon and AT&T use in your area. Verizon and AT&T probably share the same tower, which is a common practice so it's not just AT&T.

AT&T, Verizon, or any provider for that matter can't just flip a switch and increase signal strength or directionality without FCC review and approval. That can take time, a lot of time. 

No service provider can guarantee 100% coverage in all areas. And the coverage maps that ALL providers use just indicate how far the signal can be detected, not the usability of that signal. If your in-home coverage is that bad then you should be using WiFi-C (WiFi Calling) if your phone is capable of that. Your other option would be to either purchase AT&T's Cellular Booster, which is actually a femtocell, or purchase an actual cellular booster. If you are trying to connect to 5G then just set your phone to use LTE all of the time. If that is still not acceptable then WiFi-C, the Cell Booster, or a cellular booster are your only other options, beside switching carriers. 

If your alarm company keeps blaming AT&T, and apparently Verizon as well, then I'd look into another company because something has changed. Either the AT&T/Verizon bands, strength, directionality, or the alarm company needs to upgrade its equipment to keep current and compatible.

Thanks for the reply OttoPylot. It's not just where my house is, it's the city I live in, in general has poor cell service (never used to be this bad). We do have AT&T's cell booster, but it currently isn't working (that's another story, but once its back up I can at least make calls again).  It's an AT&T issue (apparently Verizon as well), and many people I have spoken to share the same frustrations as of recently. I understand that there is a process they have to go through, but their response to me that they have no plans for upgrades is certainly puzzling to say the least.  My alarm company is very reputable, so I trust what they are telling me. They are finding a work around for now, but like I said, no issues with alarm connectivity for 11 years, and we had an equipment upgrade last year from them.  AT&T needs to keep current and address the worsening of their signal.

If you have issues with the Cell Booster, then post in the Cell Booster forum when you are ready and I'll help if I can.

It sounds like you are just in a poor coverage area with VZ and AT&T, of which only the FCC can correct that by increasing power, signal directionality, bands, etc. The CS agents don't know what AT&T's build out plans are as that is known really only to Senior Management. It could very well be that the reason there are no plans to upgrade the tower(s) is an FCC decision or agreement. Nobody really know what goes on behind closed doors between the FCC and the providers.

Thanks OttoPylot. That makes sense. We have to get our IT person out here to help with the cell booster. I think when they installed our new router, the booster is being blocked (at least that's what they think at AT&T) . I'll post in that forum if I run into any issues.