Part 1: How to Judge Mobile Signal Quality?

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? Background:
Many people believe that more signal bars mean faster internet. This is a misconception. Your internet experience depends not only on signal strength, but also on signal quality, interference, congestion, and network type.

? Key Indicators Explained:

NameAbbreviationMeaning
Signal StrengthRSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator)Indicates how strong the signal is. Usually shown as a negative number (e.g., -60 dBm). The closer to 0, the better.
Signal QualityRSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality)Reflects signal stability. Higher is better (ideally > -10 dB).
Signal-to-Noise RatioSNR or SINRShows how clean the signal is (i.e., less interference). Higher is better.

? How to View Real Signal Strength?

? On Android:

  1. Open your dialer and type:

    markdown
    *#*#4636#*#*
  2. Tap on “Phone Information.”

  3. Scroll to see:

    • RSSI

    • RSRP/RSRQ/SINR

    • Network type (LTE, 5G, etc.)

? On iPhone:

  1. Dial:

    bash
    *3001#12345#*
  2. It will open Field Test Mode.

  3. Go to “Serving Cell Measurements.”

  4. Look for:

    • rsrp0 (main cell signal strength)

    • rsrq0 (main cell signal quality)

    • band (currently connected frequency band)


? Quick Reference (LTE Example):

RSSI RangeSignal Evaluation
-50 to -70 dBmStrong (very stable)
-71 to -85 dBmModerate (usable)
-86 to -100 dBmWeak (may drop)
Below -101 dBmVery weak (move location)

? Practical Tips:

  1. If you have poor signal:

    • Move closer to a window or go higher.

    • Toggle airplane mode on and off to reconnect to a better tower.

    • Avoid using your phone in enclosed metal spaces (e.g., elevators).

  2. If signal is strong but internet is slow:

    • Possible reasons:

      • Network congestion (too many users)

      • DNS issues

      • Speed throttling by the carrier

  3. Recommended Android Apps:

    • Cell Tower Locator – Shows nearby towers.

    • Network Signal Info – Displays live signal strength and quality.


? Summary:

Signal bars are just a visual guide. True signal performance is determined by values like RSSI, RSRQ, and SINR.
You can view these using dialer codes or apps and take steps to improve your connection.

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