How do you boost signal strength with Straight Talk Wireless?

No or Little Signal?

I’ve been having that lately but that is because I moved to an area that my phone doesn’t expect me to be.  This can always be a problem when it comes to having a MVNO like Straight Talk But lately with my HTC Inspire I’ve been having problems with the signal strength due to my location. I have searched long and high and thou I’ve been look around at the Signal Boosters that I could use on my phone.  You could even try zBoost YX545 SOHO Dual-Band Cell Phone Signal Booster but I’ve yet to find out if it would help.  

Called Straight Talk!

I did call Straight Talk to see what we could try to improve my cell phone signal. They suggested two options, chaning my ZIP code of where I am, but I have yet to see much of a difference!  I think I might have to do option two, but that would mean I’ve need to get a new number.  I really don’t care about that because I give out my Google Voice number so it isn’t a big deal on my part.  It isn’t a big process to change the number but my family likes to use my actual number to get a hold of me.  They think the Google Voice number is too troublesome for them!   So if I change my number my family would have to get used to the new number!

I’ve look around!

I’ve check on the Google Marketplace to find anything that would help increase my cellular signal but have yet to find.   Some of the ones that look promising are:

•  Opensignalmaps — The ultimate wifi and signal finding tool. Supports GSM, CDMA, 4G, 3G, 2G.  Now you can refresh network! Boost your bars at the touch of a button.
• Network signal speed booster — Network Speed Booster gives you better signal by connecting you to the best available cell site tower around you!
• Signal Finder —App showing where the nearest towers are for the best cell phone reception.  This application provides the opportunity never to lose reception, showing where the nearest towers are for the best cell phone reception available as well as the strength the towers have at that location.
• Signal Booster Pro — Signal Booster Pro uses sophisticated technologies to dynamically assign your phone to the closest, or highest signal cell tower in your area!

These are just a few apps that look promising but I am quite certain that it will reduce my battery life to half unless I am constantly plugged in all the time.  So I am going to ask others if there is something else I could do to improve my Cell Signal strength?  If you know, you can contact me or leave a comment.  I’d love to hear your opinions on how to increase signal strength and how you did it.

Paul Sylvester

How to figure out which Straight Talk Sim to buy!

So you have an Unlocked Phone!

Just because you have an unlocked phone and can use a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) doesn't mean it will work with Straight Talk.   Let's face it, not all phones are going to be compatible with Straight Talk service.  I talked about How I did it with  my HTC inspire 4G phone, but I am sure some of you have tried and failed at this because of the phone in question.   So what phones work with Straight Talk?   I'm here to help, I might not know all the answers but I will at least give you the important details and point you in the right direction.

It is about the Cell Carriers!

Knowing how some carriers only will work in certain areas can help you determine which SIM card to buy.  It however isn't always going to help.   There may be more than 4 to 5 Cell Carriers in your area and thus you might not know which phones will work with any particular Cell phone.  So I've decided to break this down into small parts and thus maybe then you can figure out if it will work with your phone!

The Data Speed of the Phone!

It isn't really the amount of data that we are worried about but which version of antenna your phone is using. Some phones use Code division multiple access (CDMA) and others use Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and thus if your try to use a CDMA on a GSM network which really are incompatible with each other.   So I will tell you which ones the major providers use:

• AT&T uses GSM
• Sprint uses CDMA
• Verizon Wireless use CDMA
• T-Mobile USES GSM

This is just a short list of providers but these are at least the major players in the USA, so you can see it is a split between CDMA and GSM!  

Now that you figured that out!

You've figured it out now, you've can know if your cell phone will work with Straight Talk.   If you have a CDMA phone you will not be able to use it with Straight Talk, but if your have a GSM.  You now have to ask find out which Frequency your phone uses!  Many GSM phones will use different frequency, some use 800 mhz and others use 1900 mhz spectrum.   You have to choice the right SIM card from Straight Talk but you also have to have the right Phone.   I suggest buying an Unlocked GSM phone [Affiliate Link]and then picking the SIM card.  

This should help you determine if your phone will work with Straight Talk but you can always go buy a GSM Unlocked Phone [Affiliate Link]to be sure!  Nothing is a guarantee when it comes to phones though!

Paul Sylvester

Buy an Unlocked GSM PHONE [Affiliate Link]