Why don't I get 4G in my apartment?
rgavinf
Enthusiast - Level 1

I live 5 miles from Boston. I work 20 miles away in Weymouth. I get 4G service (according to the screen of my Samsung S III) virtually all day long. Until I get home. I literally walk in the front door and my 4G service from the street is reduced to 3G molasses. There is literally one spot in my first floor apartment that gets 4G: the CORNER of one window sill. That's it. I cannot hang out by my window to play with my phone, careful not to move the phone from the 4 inch wide space that connects to 4G.

Anywhere else in my home other than that prized window sill I sit waiting for my phone to connect to the internet and I watch as the signal sits at 3G then down to 1X then the "O with the slash thru it" down to nothing. All without moving an inch.

How can this be?  What on Earth knocks such a strong signal down to nothing in my home? Is it the landlord living above me? How are they shielding me from 4G surfing? Can I withhold rent for it?

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Re: Why don't I get 4G in my apartment?
melvindeville
Contributor - Level 1

signal cant penetrate the structure you live in it sounds like. network extender

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Re: Why don't I get 4G in my apartment?
budone
Legend

I suspect interference from either the electric lines in the place or cable line, bad ground somewhere, even in another apt.

Have you tried in any nearby apartments to see if the same thing occurs, especially on the same floor and same side of the building?

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Re: Why don't I get 4G in my apartment?
rgavinf
Enthusiast - Level 1

Thanks for the replies..

I live in a regular house where i live on the ground floor and the landlord lives in the floor above me.  So I have access to all sides of the house and no consistent 4G signal to speak of.

I'd really like to avoid the Network Extender if I can. $250? gross.

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Re: Why don't I get 4G in my apartment?
rgavinf
Enthusiast - Level 1

Would aluminum siding matter? This house has it.

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Re: Why don't I get 4G in my apartment?
budone
Legend

How old a house? I would try to eliminate the electric line being an issue.

If you have access to the breaker box and it only controls your half of the house, I would kill power to everything.

If not an option, begin unplugging items, disconnect the cable line coming in (if you have cable) from the cable box and disconnect from you tv as well. You may find what is causing the issue with a little troubleshooting.

Keep us updated

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Re: Why don't I get 4G in my apartment?
melvindeville
Contributor - Level 1

yeah pretty penny. but they work. i live in a large metro area but basement apartment. i have home internet so i just use wifi in my apartment. without wifi though i would probably save up for a NE

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Re: Why don't I get 4G in my apartment?
budone
Legend

It may, but I have lived in  and visited friends with aluminum sided houses before without an issue

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Re: Why don't I get 4G in my apartment?
vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

rgavinf,

I've got to admit, indoor coverage is a bit tricky. But hey, it's nothing we can't tackle. Based on your description of things, the issue does seem to be with building material. In these cases, I'd normally recommend a network extender, however, those are made for 3G data connections and voice only. Now, indoor coverage cannot be guaranteed but to help where I can, I'd recommend making sure data roaming is enabled http://vz.to/176BgrV .

EvanO_VZW

Follow us on twitter @VZWSupport

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Re: Why don't I get 4G in my apartment?
rgavinf
Enthusiast - Level 1

In reference to your link,

Step 6

  • Select the option. 
    • Deny data roaming access  
    • Allow access only for this trip 
    • Allow access for all trips

Select which option?  None had helped anyway but thanks.

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