I've created an Android (for now - maybe other platforms in the future) application called Coverage Mapper (http://www.coveragemapper.com), available in the Market. It logs signal strength data while you're moving around, uploads it to my server, and generates maps.
It started in the WIND Mobile on hofo, because WIND is a new cell carrier, so their coverage isn't as broad or consistent as carriers that have been around for decades.
Take a look at the website and the maps, and if you want to try it out, download the app and turn it on the next time you go driving around.
Also, it only works for GSM-based phones for now.
Keep in mind, it's still what I would consider a beta application, but I think most of the serious issues have been eliminated.
There are several similar apps out there, none of them particularly fit into the same niche... This is pretty cool sounding though, I will run it.
As with most apps I assume that one needs to be on 2G for it to reliably work? I still don't understand this limitation, as I used several cell tracking programs in Windows Mobile on 3G, but 2-3 similar things in Android read weird data if on 3G.
I haven't used it yet, but is there any tracking of cell tower locations and estimations of those tower locations based on signal and GPS location? Ideally as it gets more data, the estimation is updated. I ask because there's a tower near my wifes old workplace that has eluded me and it drives me nuts not knowing where the thing is. Otherwise I know where all of the towers are in town from previous mapping, but back to your app would be interesting to see the actual coverage.
EDIT: So far in the maps I only see "road coverage", no interpolation of area coverage. And the terms? Tsk..
khaytsus said:
There are several similar apps out there, none of them particularly fit into the same niche... This is pretty cool sounding though, I will run it.
As with most apps I assume that one needs to be on 2G for it to reliably work? I still don't understand this limitation, as I used several cell tracking programs in Windows Mobile on 3G, but 2-3 similar things in Android read weird data if on 3G.
I haven't used it yet, but is there any tracking of cell tower locations and estimations of those tower locations based on signal and GPS location? Ideally as it gets more data, the estimation is updated. I ask because there's a tower near my wifes old workplace that has eluded me and it drives me nuts not knowing where the thing is. Otherwise I know where all of the towers are in town from previous mapping, but back to your app would be interesting to see the actual coverage.
EDIT: So far in the maps I only see "road coverage", no interpolation of area coverage. And the terms? Tsk..
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It works fine for me on 2G and 3G. I don't know why something wouldn't work on 3G.
I am logging the cell's LAC and Cell ID, but I'm not doing anything with the data yet.
For now, all you'll see are the paths people have travelled. The data is all accurate (i.e. no interpolation). I could probably add another layer to guess actual coverage, but one of the purposes of this app was to show carriers where dead spots are. There are definitely areas with a bad signal where a few hundred metres in all directions, you have a great signal. I don't want to interpolate a good signal in spots like that
Related to your tower issue, however, can you not get a list from the FCC? I know in Canada, all that data is public, and updated monthly, allowing things like http://www.candiancow.com/wind
Wow what an awesome Idea! Great way for us to get really accurate coverage maps! Thanks!
If you would consider making it store the data offline and sync it when in wifi range I'd probably install it.
I do not have a dataplan, so 2G/3G would be a bit too costly
minus30 said:
If you would consider making it store the data offline and sync it when in wifi range I'd probably install it.
I do not have a dataplan, so 2G/3G would be a bit too costly
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Click to collapse
It does do that...
Does anyone use this now? Its been a year now.
I just found this app now (Late to the party) but have already started running it.
Only question i have is I am on Virgin mobile and not sure if my data will appear properly on the map (runs off Sprint Network)
ja5219 said:
Does anyone use this now? Its been a year now.
I just found this app now (Late to the party) but have already started running it.
Only question i have is I am on Virgin mobile and not sure if my data will appear properly on the map (runs off Sprint Network)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also replied to your email, but for the benefit of everyone else:
CDMA devices are notoriously bad at reporting their network ID. About half do it, and half don't. There are a bunch of hard-coded conversions to get it working for some devices/networks, but I'll try to get it working for yours later this week.
Look what I found....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7FgtePUbpQ
I'd be curious to know if carriers have terms in their agreements that allow them to use up your paid-for bandwidth in order to transmit all the stuff they're tracking on your phone. I doubt that it's simply tracking but not transmitting.
This raises serious questions.
nickmv said:
I'd be curious to know if carriers have terms in their agreements that allow them to use up your paid-for bandwidth in order to transmit all the stuff they're tracking on your phone. I doubt that it's simply tracking but not transmitting.
This raises serious questions.
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Click to collapse
They'll make up some story saying that it uses very little data.
So I was wondering. Is it possible to have mobile phones talk to one another without an operator over there cellular radio?
I can't see anything fundamentally wrong with it. A radio is a radio. I assume if you have access to what ever controls the cellular radio on the mobile device, you can pick and choose what frequency (out of the available ones like GSM, 3G, Etc.), send addressed packets over it, and talk to another modified device.
I was trying to research the subject. But I could only find people working with ad-hoc mesh networks over Wifi. Which to be honest, doesn't sound terribly useful considering Wifi's limited range of a few hundred feet at best. Whereas the cellular radio can talk over a few miles depending on conditions between it and the nearest tower.
I'm aware the FCC probably regulates that, but I'm excluding the legality part here. But if there is software out there I'm able to try out and it's iffy legally, I'll just do it inside a Faraday cage
So what are you guy's thoughts on this? Is the cellular radio something that's easy to control in say, Android devices? Is it something that'd require kernel modifications on most devices or could you possible do it through existing methods in the ROM? Do you think it'd be useful or practical if you had to operate without cell towers?
I suppose this is a question, but it's also discussion. I wasn't really sure whether or not to mark it as a question. Since I'm not really asking for someone's help since I'm likely not able to do this even if it's possible. More so I'm asking for opinions and thoughts on the idea since I'm interested in the thought. Though I'm sure it's been considered before, I haven't found anything that looks like it uses cellular radio in this way. Sorry if I shouldve marked this as a question.
Hey, guys:
So...I've just moved into a (very) rural area... and I need Internet Access at a decent speed (forget Dish...the Ping return is ridiculous.)
I have a LOS to a Cell Tower 4.1 miles away.
I've been using my Phone for a Hotspot...but my Sprint Plan is only good for 40GB (I need at *least* double that...and it's not offered.)
I want to buy a dedicated Tablet *just* to provide WiFi to the house (Sprint allows unlimited Data on Tablets; but only 5GB through WiFi Tethering.)
Since I can't (and IMHO shouldn't have to) afford a $400-800 monthly bill, what I need is a way to pull the Data and send it that *doesn't* use the native Hotspot (that is monitored by Sprint.)
Any suggestions on Hardware, Firmware, and/or Apps that might help me would be awesome; 'cause I've tried searching...and the answers I've found are either contradictory, incomplete, or useless (or mebbe I'm just not smart-enough :silly: )
Thanks in advance!
*bump* in the hope that someone will bite...
It was suggested in the Noob section that I post here because I have a Note 5 with a Nextech Wireless (small carrier in Central Kansas) who has a roaming agreement with Sprint's rural co-op; I am not sure if this is the right place as nextech does have it's own network and maintains it's own towers within Ks. I also think the network is more similar to that of US cellular but with a larger coverage area in Kansas, that is based on my limited understanding of cell networks so I am probably wrong.
I am familiar with flashing ROMs on none data activated (wifi only) devices becuase i have been doing it for years, tablets and none activated phones alike; but moving to modding a handset that is on a service plan (out of contract/warranty) is new for me and I am trying to understand the issues I might face doing this. I am interested in putting Lineage OS on it with TWRP; I am sure I would be fine testing this as long as I took a backup of the current ROM but I still want to make sure I know the ins and outs. This also brings up the question of what carrier ROM can I use or do I have a bunch of work ahead of me to make it function?
If this information exist somewhere please feel free to link me to it, again this is a new area for me and I am trying to be cautious moving forward.