What does RSRP value mean?
Today, let’s explore what RSRP value means in LTE and how it impacts the network experience. As we’ve already discussed signal strength concepts like SINR and RSRQ in earlier topics, understanding RSRP will now complete your picture of LTE radio signal measurements. I’ll help you make sense of this term in a simple way so you can easily identify what the network is really telling you.
RSRP stands for Reference Signal Received Power. It measures the average power of the LTE reference signals received by your device (UE) from a single cell. These reference signals are used for important functions like cell selection, reselection, handover, and other radio measurements.
How RSRP is measured
RSRP measures the power level of specific pilot signals (reference signals) within the LTE downlink. Unlike RSSI, which includes interference and noise, RSRP focuses only on the useful part of the signal. You can think of RSRP as a cleaner measurement that helps your phone understand how strong the useful LTE signal is, without getting confused by background noise.
RSRP Range Interpretation
Let me give you a basic interpretation table, so you know what different RSRP values mean for you:
| RSRP Value (dBm) | Signal Quality | Network Experience |
|---|---|---|
| -80 to -90 | Excellent | Strong connection, ideal for all services |
| -91 to -100 | Good | Reliable for most data and voice usage |
| -101 to -105 | Fair | Still usable, but may see slower speeds |
| -106 to -115 | Poor | Likely to experience drops or slow data |
| Less than -116 | Very Poor | Unstable or no connection |
Why RSRP matters
As you move through different cells, your device constantly monitors RSRP to decide when to switch to a better signal or stay connected to the current one. This is where it becomes a critical factor in handover decisions. If RSRP drops too low, you might face slower speeds or even disconnections. On the other hand, when RSRP is high, your device enjoys stable data flow, better voice quality, and lower battery consumption because it doesn’t need to boost transmission power.
RSRP vs RSRQ and SINR
Since we’ve already looked at SINR and RSRQ before, you might recall that RSRP measures the signal strength, RSRQ tells us about signal quality (by also considering interference), and SINR gives the ratio of signal to interference plus noise. You can think of them as a team working together — RSRP tells you how loud the signal is, RSRQ tells you how clean it is, and SINR tells you how much useful signal you get compared to the mess around it.
What affects RSRP?
- Distance from the cell tower – the farther you are, the lower the RSRP.
- Physical obstructions like buildings, trees, or walls weaken the signal.
- Indoor environments usually give lower RSRP than outdoor areas.
- Weather conditions and terrain can also slightly impact signal strength.
Now that you understand what RSRP means, you can better evaluate LTE performance in real-world scenarios. If you ever notice slow downloads or dropped calls, checking RSRP alongside SINR and RSRQ can help identify whether it’s a signal strength issue or something else affecting the connection.