It’s happened to all of us before. You’re walking down the street, checking your email on your new iPad, when all of a sudden you lose all connection to your mobile data network, and you can’t even seem to load a simple webpage, or send a single email. This loss of connection can be extremely frustrating, especially for traveling businessmen and women who need access to an internet connection on-the-go.
Believe it or not, there is actually a name for this loss of connection. Areas in which you cannot obtain a cellular signal are known as “dead zones.” Dead zones can drive you mad, and make you feel powerless, but there are ways in which you can avoid finding yourself trapped in a dead zone. But before we start talking about how you can avoid dead zones, it’s important that you understand what they are, and what exactly causes a dead zone.
What are Dead Zones?
Dead zones are areas in which mobile phones cannot transmit to a nearby mobile site, base station, or repeater. In these areas, mobile devices are essentially rendered useless–you are unable to call, text, or use data. Dead zones are usually areas where mobile phone service is not available because the signal between the handset and mobile site antennas is blocked or severely reduced, usually by mountains or hills, dense foliage, or physical distance.
What Causes a Dead Zone?
A number of factors can create dead zones, some of which may even exist in locations in which a wireless carrier claims to offer coverage. Some of the main factors contributing to dead zones include:
- Limitations in cellular network architecture (locations of antennas),
- Limited network density,
- Interference with other mobile sites, and
- Topography and terrain.
Since mobile devices rely on radio waves, which travel through the air and are easily interfered with (particularly at higher frequencies), these devices can be extremely unreliable at times. Like other radio transmissions, the use of mobile data can be interrupted by large buildings, terrain, trees, or other objects between the device and the nearest cell tower.
How can I avoid dead zones?
Many wireless carriers work continually to improve and upgrade their networks in order to minimize dead zones, which the carriers call “coverage holes” or “no-service areas.” However, despite the carriers attempts, they have not yet overcome the many factors contributing to dead zones. If you simply cannot stand working without access to mobile data, you should avoid staying in places with mountainous or hilly terrain while on business trips, and before leasing a new office space, you should always whip out your tablet or smartphone to make sure you’re not about to lease new space in a wireless dead zone.
Also, oftentimes these dead zones are carrier-specific. While one area may be a dead zone for Sprint users, Verizon or AT&T users may find that their devices work just fine in the area. We recommend you purchase your company’s mobile data plan from an MVNO that provides access to the networks of multiple carriers, also known as a “multi-carrier provider.” If you find that one carrier’s network is not working on your device, simply switch to that of another. With a data plan from a multi-carrier provider, you’ll find that you run into dead zones much less often.
DataXoom is an MVNO that provides mobile data solutions exclusively to businesses. With DataXoom’s multi-carrier platform, you and your employees will no longer have to deal with those dreaded dead zones, allowing you to stay connected, productive, and sane. Interested in what DataXoom can offer your company? Drop us a note today at sales@dataxoom.com.
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