How to Make Sure You Have Service in Your Home

Today's households rely on cellular and Internet connections for nearly every device. From smart refrigerators to your cellphone, these components must connect to a strong signal 24 hours a day. Take a close look at how you can make sure you have service in your home for optimal experiences.

Connecting to the World

Connecting to cellular and Internet sources is extremely important in the modern world. Certainly, you have information at your fingertips. From verifying a fact to checking local weather conditions, this data allows you to learn about the world and plan your day accordingly.

In addition, emergency alerts run through these platforms. Many people don't have landlines anymore, which means cellular connections cannot be constantly spotty.

Getting the Best Connections

The best way to have service in your home is by setting up an account with a local carrier. You can prepay for the services or sign up for invoicing, depending on a carrier's policy. As a result, you should have reliable service throughout the household.

However, every carrier has varying service quality. Consider these best practices for getting the best connection every time.

a. Look for Cell Sites 

Cellular connections depend on cell sites or towers. Most cities have several towers in a residential community. Ideally, look around your neighborhood for the closest tower. If you cannot spot one, your cellular coverage may be intermittent.

In addition, locating a cell tower may not guarantee good coverage either. In reality, your carrier must have access to each tower for optimal connection.

b. Consider Your Location

Your home's location can influence your cellular or Internet coverage, too. For example, homes residing on hills, within valleys or surrounded by trees have natural obstructions to cellular signals. Because these signals still rely on line of sight today, they may not reach your home even if you're close to the cell tower.

c. Install an Extender or Repeater

If you discover poor coverage at your home, boost weak signals with an extender or repeater. These devices work with a signal reaching the home. As a result, they create a stronger signal transmitted across the household. For example, a cellphone with spotty coverage in a basement can now easily connect when an extender or repeater is operational.

d. Keep Current With Updates

Strong connections also rely on updated devices. Inevitably, phones, repeaters or extenders running on old software will disconnect from service. To avoid disruption, check on any software updates each week. Additionally, activate automatic downloads on your device if possible. New software keeps connections with your service and protects the signals from potential hacks.

Troubleshooting Service Interruptions

Truthfully, some of the best carriers across the nation will have service interruptions. Verify if the interruption comes from an individual device or originates with the carrier. Try these troubleshooting tips to narrow down the outage cause.

a. Analyze Your Device

The outage might originate with your cellphone. Initially, turn the phone's airplane mode on and off. This feature disconnects and reconnects to your cellular service. If the phone connects and operates afterward, the device may have had a connection issue, not the carrier.

Next, verify that the phone has a charged battery. Using a phone with a low battery can create connection problems. Undeniably, any electronic needs enough power to sync with a service and remain connected.

b. Verify Outage With Carrier

With a fully operational phone, turn your attention to the service carrier. They may have a local outage. Subsequently, contact the carrier through their website or give them a call. Many carriers have outage maps on their sites, which allows you to pinpoint your connection problems without waiting on hold. Indeed, any reported outages usually have a resolution time or date for your convenience.

c. Be Aware of Bad Weather 

Weather can act as an obstruction, too. If you have a cloudy, rainy or foggy day, then cell signals may have trouble reaching your home. Consequently, you might turn to your extender or repeater to boost any received signal. However, some households may have to wait out the weather. Boosting devices need at least some signal source to enhance. Bad weather continues to be an issue for all carriers until cellular technology evolves once again.

As a last resort, switching carriers might be a valid choice if service remains spotty in your home. Indeed, carrier coverage may not be adequate in your area. Performing these troubleshooting tips and uncovering the strongest signal is how you can stay connected every day.

Written by Taylor McKnight, Author for Prepaid Bill