Verizon cellular coverage

[somsyank]

My Verizon cell phone coverage has gone from bad to worse, my calls are dropped within two minutes! Anybody else having problems? I'm located south of 466a.

[JB in TV]

yep, it has gotten very bad. I'm in The Village of Charlotte.

[gomoho]

Call Verizon - they are aware there is a problem, but need to be pushed to admit it. I am in Hadley and they a tech come to check the signal in the area and they admitted it was weak. After much back and forth they agreed to provide me at their cost a booster that has somewhat improved my situation, but it still is not up to snuff in my opinion. They did say the more complaints that come in the more attention the problem gets so it is imperative you and your neighbors call to register a complaint - that is the only way a permanent solution will occur. I am currently in a remote area in northwestern Georgia in the mountains and have a far superior signal to anything I can ever get in The Villages. What's wrong with this picture. CALL and complain.

[bluedog103]

Verizon works fine for me. We live in St. Charles but I rarely have a problem anywhere in TV.

[kaydee]

I am North of 466, have Verizon & get perfect reception & no dropped calls.

[MikeV]

Village of Charlotte - No problem with Verizon signal anywhere in the Villages, actually never had a problem anywhere at all.

[Bay Kid]

Press *228, press 2 and upgrade your roaming. Do this twice. I have no problem anywhere in TV.

[rubicon]

Press *228, press 2 and upgrade your roaming. Do this twice. I have no problem anywhere in TV.

*228 send then press 2

[Lovey2]

Never had a problem with my Verizon since I moved here last year... :(

[Sable99]

Press *228, press 2 and upgrade your roaming. Do this twice. I have no problem anywhere in TV.

Do you know if this works with Sprint? I have lousy coverage in the Village of Charlotte and at our home in Michigan. Very frustrating! My iPhone 5s doesn't work but my Mom's tract phone does!

[billethkid]

I have been told the *228 option #2 is for non iphones.

We have had Verizon for more years than I can remember and stay with them because they have more coverage than most other providers. We travel a lot and have friends with other providers (mostly AT&T) that has no service in remote areas that are covered by Verizon.

When we vacation in the foot hills of the blue ridge mountains of TN the only phones that work in the boonies and on the lakes are Verizon.

I am sure there are Verizon no service area but they must be few and far between as we have never had it happen.

[JB in TV]

Press *228, press 2 and upgrade your roaming. Do this twice. I have no problem anywhere in TV.

This only works with older NON 4G phones. It will not work on smart phones. billethkid is part right...It is for "non smart phones" There are other smart phones besides iphones I believe. :D

billethkid, come spend a few hours at my house and see how many inbound calls go straight to voice mail, how many callers say "can't hear you, you are breaking up" and how many calls just drop right in the middle of a call :mad:

[Sable99]

Thanks! I did try *228 before I saw your response and got an error message.

I just got a new 2 year plan when I bought the phone in the fall, so I will have to wait a while to change to Verizon. I can't figure out why I don't get good reception in Michigan as we are just outside the city limits.

[JB in TV]

Thanks! I did try *228 before I saw your response and got an error message.

You're welcome! But you can call Verizon and they may be able to update it by sending a signal to your phone, but my experience says it hasn't helped. You will need to call them from a different phone.

[buzzy]

This only works with older NON 4G phones. It will not work on smart phones. billethkid is part right...It is for "non smart phones" There are other smart phones besides iphones I believe. :D

billethkid, come spend a few hours at my house and see how many inbound calls go straight to voice mail, how many callers say "can't hear you, you are breaking up" and how many calls just drop right in the middle of a call :mad:

So true in my home, in the middle of Pennecamp. OK everywhere else, though. Got worse last year. Seems to be no fix for it.

[buzzy]

Is there any reason to suspect that close proximity to a wireless modem (DSL, not cable) is a factor? The phone seems to drop the most calls when I am sitting by the computer, with the modem on the desk.

[billethkid]

I can appreciate there are areas of weak(er) coverage. Call customer support and have them check the cell tower availability in your specific area.

It accomplishes a couple of things. One they can tell if you have not the best coverage or not. Secondly ask them to note the new area and the unsatisfactory service and ask what their plan is to remedy the poor service.

When they get repeated calls for the same issue they will eventually remedy the problem by increasing tower coverage. Sometimes new towers are required and other times they can lease from other tower owners.

[gomoho]

I can appreciate there are areas of weak(er) coverage. Call customer support and have them check the cell tower availability in your specific area.

It accomplishes a couple of things. One they can tell if you have not the best coverage or not. Secondly ask them to note the new area and the unsatisfactory service and ask what their plan is to remedy the poor service.

When they get repeated calls for the same issue they will eventually remedy the problem by increasing tower coverage. Sometimes new towers are required and other times they can lease from other tower owners.

This is what I did and they came to check and confirmed I had weak coverage in Hadley. He also explained that everytime a person places a call the signal at that tower drops a tiny bit - now imagine with the influx of new residents, snowbirds, renters and guests currently in The Villages it explains why things have gotten worse in the last months. They did send me a booster which is helping some. You have to be aggressive to get them to provide this because they obviously want you to buy it. I used the argument that I shouldn't have to incur a charge to make the service I pay them for work correctly. The booster came the next day - no cost.

[Spectreron]

VRZN tech support told me when a smart phone is rebooted it syncs with the nearest towers and does whatever it does to keep your system running at optimum. I reboot our phones every week or so and have never had any problems in TV.

[JB in TV]

VRZN tech support told me when a smart phone is rebooted it syncs with the nearest towers and does whatever it does to keep your system running at optimum. I reboot our phones every week or so and have never had any problems in TV.

The signal strength varies alot in TV. My home in Charlotte has poor signal, but a few blocks away, in both Gilchrist and also in Pinellas, i have no problems at our friends homes.

[Bay Kid]

Thanks! I did try *228 before I saw your response and got an error message.

I just got a new 2 year plan when I bought the phone in the fall, so I will have to wait a while to change to Verizon. I can't figure out why I don't get good reception in Michigan as we are just outside the city limits.

Sorry. My kids tell me I have the dumb phone. I am starting my search today for a smart phone!

[PPLEPEU]

We're in Lake Deaton and both our phones are having difficulty with dropped calls, overall poor call quality, and extremely poor battery life. We've learned that if we want to make a phone call, we have to step outdoors.

I've contacted Verizon twice regarding the problems. They acknowledged that our home is on "the fringe of their coverage and the nearest tower is 3 miles away". My guess is their antenna array is on the water tower over by Eisenhower Rec Center. Verizon offered to sell us a device that converts the cellular communication to data that can be fed down a high-speed internet connection -- basically a VOIP connection. We'd have 5 bars of coverage for both our 3G and 4G phones, according to their Help Desk.

Since we don't yet have a high-speed cable connection (waiting for Bright House to finish their work in Lake Deaton), that wasn't an option for us. BTW, they wanted $99 for a reconditioned VOIP device that "normally retails for $299".

We're snowbirds, so we'll put up with the issues through May 1 and hope the situation improves when we return at the end of September. I'm hoping that as Lake Deaton fills in, they will have additional complaints and in response place a tower closer to that Village. If there's no improvement this fall, I'll investigate AT&T's coverage.

[dpingram]

I live in Buttonwood and constantly have dropped calls. Yesterday, 4 times in one call! I have talked to Verizon many times and their answer has been "there must be some interference in your home". Ok... so what's the excuse when I stand outside, have only 1 bar and still drop calls?

[TNLAKEPANDA]

If you have a Android Smart Phone there are apps that you can download to check your signal strength and even find different towers. One is called OpenSignal and the other is FreshNetwork. I am sure that there are others available. I think that Verizon's problems is there are too many users for the towers to handle. Any volunteers willing to switch to AT&T or T-Moble or Sprint ???

[sharoni]

We're in Lake Deaton and both our phones are having difficulty with dropped calls, overall poor call quality, and extremely poor battery life. We've learned that if we want to make a phone call, we have to step outdoors.

I've contacted Verizon twice regarding the problems. They acknowledged that our home is on "the fringe of their coverage and the nearest tower is 3 miles away". My guess is their antenna array is on the water tower over by Eisenhower Rec Center. Verizon offered to sell us a device that converts the cellular communication to data that can be fed down a high-speed internet connection -- basically a VOIP connection. We'd have 5 bars of coverage for both our 3G and 4G phones, according to their Help Desk.

Since we don't yet have a high-speed cable connection (waiting for Bright House to finish their work in Lake Deaton), that wasn't an option for us. BTW, they wanted $99 for a reconditioned VOIP device that "normally retails for $299".

We're snowbirds, so we'll put up with the issues through May 1 and hope the situation improves when we return at the end of September. I'm hoping that as Lake Deaton fills in, they will have additional complaints and in response place a tower closer to that Village. If there's no improvement this fall, I'll investigate AT&T's coverage.
Don't bother investigating AT&T, as we are in Charlotte and are having the same problems. 99.9% of the time we have to be outside to talk and sometimes that doesn't even work. Here's hoping they will put a new tower closer to this end of TV as most of the new homes are being built...

[blueeagle65]

In the ten years we have been here we have had ZERO problems with our Verizon Wireless service. I hear bad things about AT&T coverage, but VZ has been excellent. :eclipsee_gold_cup:

[JB in TV]

In the ten years we have been here we have had ZERO problems with our Verizon Wireless service. I hear bad things about AT&T coverage, but VZ has been excellent. :eclipsee_gold_cup:

It seems that the most problems with Verizon are south of 466A. Where do you live?

EDIT: I guess I didn't need to ask if you have been here ten years.

[Steve & Deanna]

We've had no problems with Verizon coverage. Perhaps you should check your battery.

[gomoho]

We've had no problems with Verizon coverage. Perhaps you should check your battery.

It's not a battery issue - it's location, location, location.

[Golfingnut]

I have done many motorcycle tours and Verizon has proved to be most reliable of all the carriers to date. No matter how far off the beaten path, Verizon is there more often than any other service.

[er9027]

Just a couple of things to note: If everyone picked up there phones and called out at the same time there is not and never will be capacity to handle this. NEVER has there been this, even with landlines. Problem being that Verizon has been upgrading their service and will continue. We were in Hadley last month and could not get service in the house but could outside....that is a SIGNAL strength problem(tower). Dropped calls could be the same problem. All cell providers need to continue to upgrade their service !!! BTW,,wasn't familiar with *228,,,I will investigate. Good Luck all!!

[Maryc7878]

Call Verizon. They can see how many calls have been dropped. They should offer you a booster for about $100. Or free. We already had a booster when we moved here. Live in Charlotte. Without the booster we have 1 bar, with booster 5 bars and no dropped calls. Iphone, 4S. Good Luck

[Lpierleo]

When we first came to TV south of 466A in July 2012, coverage was fine. Now I have dropped calls daily and have to go outside to make a call. My son keeps telling me to get a new phone! It is not a phone, but coverage or capacity problem. I will call Verizon as well, but don't intend to give them any more money then I already am each month! Thanks for the info.

[jalopy54]

I lived in The Village of Charlotte and moved to Pinellas. Now, I have 3 bars and never drop a call. Best solution is just move to Pinellas

[jalopy54]

I noticed the same thing when I first moved to The Village of Charlotte. Very good service and then after about 6 months or so dropping calls everyday. :(

[memason]

When we first came to TV south of 466A in July 2012, coverage was fine. Now I have dropped calls daily and have to go outside to make a call. My son keeps telling me to get a new phone! It is not a phone, but coverage or capacity problem. I will call Verizon as well, but don't intend to give them any more money then I already am each month! Thanks for the info.

You should listen to your Son....Your phone could absolutely be part of your problem.

[gomoho]

Do not pay Verizon for a booster - they will supply it for free if you tell them it is their job to provide the signal you are paying for - not yours.

Even with a booster I'm lucky to get 2 bars and still drop calls - but, it is a little better and I expect when the population dies down it will improve even more.

[NJblue]

It probably is true that Verizon has the best signal throughout the country - but that's not what is being discussed here. What is being discussed is that the signal in some areas of TV has severely degraded over time. Up until recently, I have never had a call dropped on Verizon in the 5 years that we were here; now it happens regularly and I'm always getting comments from the other end that I'm "breaking up". We live in Hemingway, just north of 466A.

[scarecrow1]

Some of the problems with dropped calls and low signals is your home has steel studs around certain walls. I notice if I go to a different part of the house I get a full signal and in other parts a very low signal. I use a Verizon 4G MiFi for my computers with no problems also. I live in Buttonwood. Love Verizon my neighbors have AT&T and are not very happy. They see my signal and are thinking about changing. With any cell phone service, nothing is perfect. There was nothing wrong with my land line except I couldn't take it in the golf cart.

[Bay Kid]

Do not pay Verizon for a booster - they will supply it for free if you tell them it is their job to provide the signal you are paying for - not yours.

Even with a booster I'm lucky to get 2 bars and still drop calls - but, it is a little better and I expect when the population dies down it will improve even more.

I have a booster in my Virginia home. It works great. Always full bars now. Make sure you set it as high up as possible.

[smcgirl]

I lived in an area in MD and there was NO service.Until I got the antena, I didnt even bring my cell phone in the house. A cable person told me to get a Verizon antenna. The antenna is about 4 inches tall. I was the only person in my area that got service! The cost is $350.00, but it was discounted because I told them I wanted to use my cell if there was an emergency. If it doesnt work, you can return. It worked perfect for me.Good luck.

[jalopy54]

I lived in the village of Charlotte and dropped calls all the time. So I moved to Pinellas. Now I have 3 to 4 bars all the time. I could not make it without my Verizon...LOL :1rotfl:

[fraurauch]

My Verizon cell phone coverage has gone from bad to worse, my calls are dropped within two minutes! Anybody else having problems? I'm located south of 466a.

I have been having a similar problem. They initially sent me a new SIM card, nothing changed. Then they sent me a new Iphone 5, nothing changed. Finally, yesterday they called and said there was a problem with the signal in my area and that I needed a network booster. It started out costing $600., after much negotiating on my part, it went down to $200., then $75., finally I talked the guy into sending at no charge. I really badgered the guy. It will be here tomorrow. Will let you know if it improves the signal. By the way, I live in Sunset Pointe, south of 466.

[scarecrow1]

Try using your cell phone outside your house. You have steel framing in most houses and it's like calling from inside a cage. Go to different parts of the house and your reception should change. I have been down here 4 years and used my cell phone gps on golf courses with no problems from Lopez to Brownwood. I read most of the posts and they seem to like Verizon as a provider. I would suggest that if your not happy with Verizon then stop complaining and find a service that your happy with. Be careful what you wish for !!!!!

[PPLEPEU]

Scarecrow, the real issue is wanting to receive what we've purchased through Verizon. Most, if not all, Verizon users are stuck in a multi-year contract. Even if I could move to another provider without penalty, I really do like most things about Verizon and wish they would/could simply provide a trust-worthy connection.

It is more than troubling to get disconnected 5 times during a conference call from our home office - I didn't have the luxury of walking outside as I was leading a PC-driven presentation.

FWIW, when I stopped at the Verizon store on 441 last week, the sales guy there was complaining about the store having similar problems. He said a Verizon big-wig visited their store the previous week and said corporate is aware of coverage/capacity problems in The Villages are and a 'fix' is coming in June.

We'll see - I'll keep fingers and toes crossed. Apparently this issue has been building for a while as The Villages expanded (duh) and part of the problem is the Developer vetoes new tower locations inside TV. Dunno if that's sales gibberish or fact, though...

[dmorhome]

My Verizon cell phone coverage has gone from bad to worse, my calls are dropped within two minutes! Anybody else having problems? I'm located south of 466a.

Live south of 466a and had bad service they gave me a booster and i now have 5 bars inside and 3 outside all the time and no droped calls.

[PPLEPEU]

Live south of 466a and had bad service they gave me a booster and i now have 5 bars inside and 3 outside all the time and no droped calls.

Thanks - that's the route I'll take in the fall if the problems persist.

Is your 'booster' actually a VOIP device that converts your phone's cell signals to data and places that data on your broadband line? That's the Verizon offered to sell me last month. There are other products (Wilson DT4G for example) that actually amplify the signal, but Verizon didn't offer me any of those.

[denisu2]

Terrible in Pinellas. Verizon said it's because there is no tower.

[yesi3putt2]

I recently changed to Republic Wireless..$10/mo..no contract..unlimited talk, text,internet on wi-fi..no dropped calls