Before starting the topic lets learn some important things about the network technology. Wireless network for cell phones has evolved from 1G, 2G i.e. 1st, 2nd generation to 4G and above. Circuits of decade old chips were slower than what we have today. Slower circuits allowed slow network speeds. Evolution of network has come after the new chips and transmission protocols were invented.
1G was voice only network followed by 2G which allowed data i.e. internet. However before 3G data and voice were not possible to be transmitted at once. This was the reason when we receive a call in 2G or 2.5G (EDGE) internet stops. From 3G video calls were possible due to higher frequency. Today 4G and higher generation networks are possible. These networks offer us very high internet speed beating wired USB 2.0 speed by major factor!.
There are many network technologies available and this allows mobile service providers to mix them all. For example some network operators which offer cheaper voice plans use technology switch between voice and data. They use 4G for data and while making call switch to 2G. This disrupts the data communication. With invention of 4G i.e. LTE (Long term Evolution) very high speed is possible for data transmission. But LTE looks mainly for data transmission only. It lacks voice support. Therefore many LTE networks switch to 3G when making voice call. This limitation was removed by implementation of VoLTE (Voice Over LTE). VoLTE requires both network provider and caller device to support VoLTE feature. Problem comes when it is not supported by any one. Your device has VoLTE but network doesn't Or network supports VoLTE but not your device!.
A commercial example of 4G/VoLTE:
In India, Jio has started 4G services which is 4G VoLTE only network. No fallback to 2G or 3G. This is good and problematic also. It remains consistent on 1 network technology and doesn't interrupts its communication whether voice or data. If your device has no VoLTE then making or receiving calls requires internet. What if your internet is off? you cannot receive calls!. It is advisable to get VoLTE device or their JioFi dongle.
Within a network technology like 3G 4G their are different protocols and speed. Example, in 4G some operators use 2300MHz (2.5GHz) and some use 1800MHz. Devices can switch between these bands. Lower frequency can travel long distances just like in light after all all are waves. Red light has lower frequency than Blue/Violet. Therefore road signals use RED. Same way 1800MHz is better in survival than 2300MHz in crowded areas. 2G is even much better.
Now network basics of end user level has been described. The question is sometimes cell signals are full but internet is slow? Can you guess answer? It must not be hard to guess because service provider may be using different bands or different networks for data and voice. This is the reason both may respond differently based on signal strength. Now coming to the solution for Android devices. We can use network signal strength apps to check the signals and find a good location.
Based on my own experience here i write the method. There is a very good network analysis app called Network Cell Info. It can be downloaded from here : http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wilysis.cellinfo
You can also get signal strength in SIM information in settings. Go to settings -> About -> Status or something same in your device. It shows IMEI, Signal, Battery etc. There we can check signals. You can also try this code in phone dialer *#*#4636#*#* to see phone/network information. But to find better internet location the above app is of great use. Follow below points to find better internet speed location.
1G was voice only network followed by 2G which allowed data i.e. internet. However before 3G data and voice were not possible to be transmitted at once. This was the reason when we receive a call in 2G or 2.5G (EDGE) internet stops. From 3G video calls were possible due to higher frequency. Today 4G and higher generation networks are possible. These networks offer us very high internet speed beating wired USB 2.0 speed by major factor!.
There are many network technologies available and this allows mobile service providers to mix them all. For example some network operators which offer cheaper voice plans use technology switch between voice and data. They use 4G for data and while making call switch to 2G. This disrupts the data communication. With invention of 4G i.e. LTE (Long term Evolution) very high speed is possible for data transmission. But LTE looks mainly for data transmission only. It lacks voice support. Therefore many LTE networks switch to 3G when making voice call. This limitation was removed by implementation of VoLTE (Voice Over LTE). VoLTE requires both network provider and caller device to support VoLTE feature. Problem comes when it is not supported by any one. Your device has VoLTE but network doesn't Or network supports VoLTE but not your device!.
A commercial example of 4G/VoLTE:
In India, Jio has started 4G services which is 4G VoLTE only network. No fallback to 2G or 3G. This is good and problematic also. It remains consistent on 1 network technology and doesn't interrupts its communication whether voice or data. If your device has no VoLTE then making or receiving calls requires internet. What if your internet is off? you cannot receive calls!. It is advisable to get VoLTE device or their JioFi dongle.
Within a network technology like 3G 4G their are different protocols and speed. Example, in 4G some operators use 2300MHz (2.5GHz) and some use 1800MHz. Devices can switch between these bands. Lower frequency can travel long distances just like in light after all all are waves. Red light has lower frequency than Blue/Violet. Therefore road signals use RED. Same way 1800MHz is better in survival than 2300MHz in crowded areas. 2G is even much better.
Now network basics of end user level has been described. The question is sometimes cell signals are full but internet is slow? Can you guess answer? It must not be hard to guess because service provider may be using different bands or different networks for data and voice. This is the reason both may respond differently based on signal strength. Now coming to the solution for Android devices. We can use network signal strength apps to check the signals and find a good location.
Based on my own experience here i write the method. There is a very good network analysis app called Network Cell Info. It can be downloaded from here : http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wilysis.cellinfo
You can also get signal strength in SIM information in settings. Go to settings -> About -> Status or something same in your device. It shows IMEI, Signal, Battery etc. There we can check signals. You can also try this code in phone dialer *#*#4636#*#* to see phone/network information. But to find better internet location the above app is of great use. Follow below points to find better internet speed location.
- Start the Network Cell Info app.
- Go to RAW tab and look at your SIM's signal power near ASU.
- It must be showing something like 1nW, 150pW, 57fW etc. It means power of signal in watt. nW = nano watt, pW = pico watt, fW = femto watt.
- Now move your device until the sinal power increases. It should come to nW range. pW, fW are very less!. Once you find the location put your device there are test internet. I should work better than any other location with less power of signals.
Snapshot of app's UI showing power:
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