What Should My LTE Signal Strength Be?
When using LTE for mobile internet, one important factor that determines the quality of your connection is the signal strength. You might be wondering, what is an optimal signal strength for the best possible experience? Let me walk you through it.
Generally, the strength of your LTE signal is measured in dBm (decibels milliwatts). The higher the signal strength, the better the connection. But too high or too low can both create issues. Here’s what you need to know about different levels of LTE signal strength:
| Signal Strength (dBm) | Connection Quality | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| -50 to -80 dBm | Excellent to Good | No action needed, optimal performance |
| -81 to -100 dBm | Fair | Service is usable, but speeds may be reduced. You might want to check your position or move closer to the cell tower. |
| -101 to -120 dBm | Poor | Likely to experience slow speeds and occasional service dropouts. Consider changing your location or troubleshooting your equipment. |
| -121 dBm or lower | Very Poor to No Service | Almost no connectivity or very slow speeds. You should consider moving to a location with better coverage or contact your service provider for help. |
As we’ve learned in previous articles, LTE is designed to offer high-speed data and seamless connectivity. To ensure that you get the best experience, your signal strength should ideally fall between -50 dBm and -80 dBm. This range will typically give you excellent to good connection quality, allowing for fast browsing, smooth video streaming, and responsive app usage. Anything lower than that, and you might experience slow speeds or unreliable service.
If your signal strength is poor (anything below -100 dBm), you may start noticing lag, slow speeds, or even dropped connections. In this case, you can try to move closer to a window or an area with better coverage. If you’re still having issues, it’s worth checking if there are any network outages in your area or if your service provider can help with improving the coverage.
In LTE networks, cell towers continuously adjust to provide optimal service to users, but it also depends on factors like your distance from the tower, environmental obstructions (such as buildings), and network congestion. It’s also worth noting that different service providers and locations may have varying network performance, so it’s always a good idea to check your signal strength periodically and take action when needed.
To summarize, your ideal LTE signal strength should ideally be between -50 dBm and -80 dBm. If your signal strength falls below -100 dBm, it could cause noticeable degradation in your service quality. Keep an eye on your signal strength to make sure you’re getting the best experience possible from your LTE network.