Cell service in TV South

[Justputt]

We're near 470 & TP, and often only have 1-2 bars, calls in/out break up, we have Verizon, and looking for options. I stopped by a Verizon office and complained about it. They told me that TV would not let them place towers because they were considered an eyesore. IMO, so are the power stations, power lines, etc., but we have them anyway. Verizon said I could call 611 for a "micro tower" which basically uses my residential internet to provide a stronger signal (I'm guessing basically VOIP). Obviously, this doesn't help away from home, and I don't know how far away I can get from the house before I lose its benefit. Are there any cell service providers that actually have tower coverage in the south? FWIW, I can see a tower from my house toward the TP, assuming not Verizon's. I wonder if TV is really limiting cell tower access...

[Dusty_Star]

We're near 470 & TP,... FWIW, I can see a tower from my house toward the TP, assuming not Verizon's. I wonder if TV is really limiting cell tower access...

I can't speak to if Verizon was accurate, but around 470 & the Florida turnpike are swathes of land not owned by the Villages development, they would have no say about cell tower placement in those areas.

[biker1]

Assuming you have internet access with a Wi-Fi enabled router, turn on Wi-Fi calling on your cellphone. I am also assuming you have a reasonably contemporary cellphone. You should have good results inside your house.


We're near 470 & TP, and often only have 1-2 bars, calls in/out break up, we have Verizon, and looking for options. I stopped by a Verizon office and complained about it. They told me that TV would not let them place towers because they were considered an eyesore. IMO, so are the power stations, power lines, etc., but we have them anyway. Verizon said I could call 611 for a "micro tower" which basically uses my residential internet to provide a stronger signal (I'm guessing basically VOIP). Obviously, this doesn't help away from home, and I don't know how far away I can get from the house before I lose its benefit. Are there any cell service providers that actually have tower coverage in the south? FWIW, I can see a tower from my house toward the TP, assuming not Verizon's. I wonder if TV is really limiting cell tower access...

[frayedends]

I have Verizon also and at our home in Lake Denham we didn't seem to have much issue. But I do recall some issues in certain areas, like even at the Dabney pool (IIRC, I'm only part time for now).

Anyhow, just for fun I checked T-Mobile 5 G coverage and they show our area has 5G ultra capacity coverage. If they have that coverage and are saying we can get internet, you may have much better luck with them. Not sure where their tower is, but I believe 5G needs closer towers than 4G. Here's a link you can check. I have no experience with them in the Villages so I'd seek others input also. I can say back in MA I had T-mobile 4g internet before cable was available (only 2 years ago) and it was very good.


4G LTE & 5G Coverage Map - Cell Phone Coverage | T-Mobile (https://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/coverage-map)

[gorillarick]

Unnecessary worry about number of bars ?
I live plumb middle of The Villages for the past 3 years. Had Verizon with 1 sometimes 2 bars.
Switched to another cell access provider, surprise - also uses Verizon towers and still has 1 sometimes 2 bars.
But, have never had an issue with bad phone calls, calls dropped, nor any other problem.

[Shipping up to Boston]

On one hand it seems like a Verizon monopoly issue

On the other hand, as far as tower placement, siting one seems to be a NIMBY one

Maybe the District Rep(s) could engage on this one...

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Unnecessary worry about number of bars ?
I live plumb middle of The Villages for the past 3 years. Had Verizon with 1 sometimes 2 bars.
Switched to another cell access provider, surprise - also uses Verizon towers and still has 1 sometimes 2 bars.
But, have never had an issue with bad phone calls, calls dropped, nor any other problem. I’m with you I don’t know why people worry about the bars .I rarely have more then 3 and sometimes less,right now in my home I’m looking at 2, I can’t remember the last time I had a dropped call on my phone so why the worry

[Marathon Man]

Assuming you have internet access with a Wi-Fi enabled router, turn on Wi-Fi calling on your cellphone. I am also assuming you have a reasonably contemporary cellphone. You should have good results inside your house.

Yes, turn on wi-fi calling.

[Djean1981]

We live near the turnpike and have Xfinity - No problems..

[Rwirish]

2 problems. You live near the turnpike and you have Xfinity. 😳

[arbajeda]

I asked the District Manager why there were no cell towers in TV. He told me there is a law restricting towers in age-restricted communities. So far as Verizon, we had the same situation when we moved into Fenney. We called Verizon customer service (not the retail stores), explained the situation to them and they provided us with a network extender on a free lease. Plug in the power cord and connect it with an ethernet cord to your network router, set your phone for wireless calling, and you will have a cell tower in your home.

[Shipping up to Boston]

I asked the District Manager why there were no cell towers in TV. He told me there is a law restricting towers in age-restricted communities. So far as Verizon, we had the same situation when we moved into Fenney. We called Verizon customer service (not the retail stores), explained the situation to them and they provided us with a network extender on a free lease. Plug in the power cord and connect it with an ethernet cord to your network router, set your phone for wireless calling, and you will have a cell tower in your home.

So....assuming the ‘law’ is in place for health reasons and not aesthetics? If it we’re for the former, putting a ‘cell tower in your home’ sounds like a great idea! :a20:

[ColtsFan]

Consumer Cellular and no problem wherever I go.

[bowlingal]

Justputt...go to either of 2 Consumer Cellular offices here in the villages. Great reception, customer service and convenient too

[rsmurano]

There are cell towers in TV, 1 near warm springs and meggison. We switched from Verizon to t-mobile when we moved here and cell service now is better and it’s 5g where we couldn’t get 5G under Verizon. We live about 5 miles from 470.

[bmcgowan13]

I stopped by a Verizon office and complained about it. They told me that TV would not let them place towers because they were considered an eyesore. ...

You can go online and view cell tower locations.

It looks like there a quite a few cell towers up and running already. 5G towers are often not higher than 50' so they are not as obtrusive as the older towers.

Cellular Tower and Signal Map (https://www.cellmapper.net)

[Maker]

I asked the District Manager why there were no cell towers in TV. He told me there is a law restricting towers in age-restricted communities.

That is a blatant flat out lie. There is no such "law".
The term NIMBY comes to mind... Not In My Back Yard

Ask yourself... why would they lie to a resident?

[nhtexasrn]

We're near 470 & TP, and often only have 1-2 bars, calls in/out break up, we have Verizon, and looking for options. I stopped by a Verizon office and complained about it. They told me that TV would not let them place towers because they were considered an eyesore. IMO, so are the power stations, power lines, etc., but we have them anyway. Verizon said I could call 611 for a "micro tower" which basically uses my residential internet to provide a stronger signal (I'm guessing basically VOIP). Obviously, this doesn't help away from home, and I don't know how far away I can get from the house before I lose its benefit. Are there any cell service providers that actually have tower coverage in the south? FWIW, I can see a tower from my house toward the TP, assuming not Verizon's. I wonder if TV is really limiting cell tower access...
We use our wifi for calls inside our house and AT&T for cell service. No problems.

[Robojo]

We're near 470 & TP, and often only have 1-2 bars, calls in/out break up, we have Verizon, and looking for options. I stopped by a Verizon office and complained about it. They told me that TV would not let them place towers because they were considered an eyesore. IMO, so are the power stations, power lines, etc., but we have them anyway. Verizon said I could call 611 for a "micro tower" which basically uses my residential internet to provide a stronger signal (I'm guessing basically VOIP). Obviously, this doesn't help away from home, and I don't know how far away I can get from the house before I lose its benefit. Are there any cell service providers that actually have tower coverage in the south? FWIW, I can see a tower from my house toward the TP, assuming not Verizon's. I wonder if TV is really limiting cell tower access...

I live in citrus grove along meggisoon. I can SEE a cell tower. I use straight talk, which uses Verizon towers.

ALWAYS have 5 bars. Maybe change your settings to a new tower

[Two Bills]

Coleman provides a very good cell service. :shrug:

[cjrjck]

Cell phone reception in the six places I have lived or rented in TV has been iffy to terrible. That's why I use wifi calling at home. Not all of TV has bad reception. It is hit and miss. Power line right of ways are one thing, but I have seen a few places on the border of TV that had incredible backyard views of open farmland if not for ugly cell towers so I know how some folks can be a bit sensitive about them.

[KeithRiz]

Consumer Cellular uses AT&T towers. Looking at the coverage maps, both AT&T and T-Mobile seem to have better coverage than Verizon in the TV area.