Understanding Cellular Signal Strength and Quality
Cellular performance depends on more than just how many "bars" you see. Factors like distance from the tower, network congestion, and signal interference all affect how strong and stable your LTE connection is. That’s why it’s important to understand the three key signal metrics—RSSI, RSRP, and RSRQ—and what they reveal about your network health.
General suggestions to improve Signal Strength and Quality:
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Avoid placing the antenna near metal objects or inside enclosures that may block signal.
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Try selecting different LTE bands to find the most stable connection.
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Use a high-gain external antenna to boost signal reception.
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Check your provider’s website for 4G/5G coverage details in your area.
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Signal strength may weaken indoors, especially in basements or upper floors. For better reception, place the device near a window or outdoors.
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If the signal strength remains weak, contact your provider for support in improving coverage.
What Affects Signal Strength and Quality
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Base Station capacity - High network congestion due to excessive mobile users.
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Proximity to the base station - The farther away you are, the weaker the signal reception.
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Competing Signals- Interference from other networks or nearby electronic devices can weaken connectivity.
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Physical Obstructions- Buildings, trees, metal obstructions, and moving objects (e.g., trains) may block or weaken signals.
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Weather Conditions- Rain, snow, and atmospheric changes can impact signal stability.
Because of these variables, signal metrics alone don’t always reflect true performance. Even a strong signal can be slowed down by congestion or interference.
Signal Metrics Overview
Metric Definitions
| Metric | Full Name | Purpose |
| RSSI | Received Signal Strength Indicator | Measures overall signal strength, including noise and interference. Higher values indicate stronger reception. |
| RSRP | Reference Signal Received Power | Measures the strength of the LTE reference signal from the tower. |
| RSRQ | Reference Signal Received Quality | Measures LTE signal quality and network congestion. |
Signal Health and Recommendations
| Signal Health | RSSI (dBm) | RSRP (dBm) | RSRQ (dB) | Recommended Actions |
| Excellent | > -60 | > -80 | > -5 | Strong and stable. No action needed. |
| Good | -70 to -60 | -90 to -80 | -10 to -5 | Reliable, minor fluctuations possible. |
| Weak | -80 to -70 | -100 to -90 | -15 to -10 | Unstable. Reposition the router or use external antenna. |
| Poor | < -80 | < -100 | < -15 | High risk of disconnection. Try a different LTE band or high-gain antenna. |
| Invalid | N/A | N/A | N/A | No LTE signal. Check SIM or verify another WAN source. |
Metric Details and Troubleshooting
RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator)
RSSI measures the total power of all received signals—including interference. It helps determine whether a signal is present but is less useful for gauging LTE quality.
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Higher is better: Above -60 dBm is strong; below -90 dBm is weak.
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Low RSSI? Try moving your router closer to a window or using an external antenna.
RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power)
RSRP is a more accurate measure of LTE signal strength. A lower RSRP can lead to slower speeds and frequent disconnections.
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Higher is better: Above -80 dBm is strong; below -110 dBm is weak.
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Low RSRP? Change LTE bands or install a high-gain antenna.
RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality)
RSRQ indicates how clean and usable the LTE signal is. It reflects congestion and interference even when RSSI and RSRP look good.
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Higher is better: Above -10 dB is good; below -15 dB is poor.
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Low RSRQ? Switch LTE bands or reduce interference from nearby electronics.
Key Considerations for LTE Performance
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Signal strength and signal quality must both be evaluated to understand LTE performance.
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Readings may vary by device model, carrier, and local network conditions.
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There’s no single “ideal” value—actual speeds depend on a mix of strength, quality, and congestion.
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Even with good signal strength, you may experience slow speeds due to tower load or interference.
- Download and upload speeds may vary depending on your device’s supported bandwidth. Network performance can also change based on the number of active users and your provider’s traffic management policies.