Testing and Mapping a Cellular Data Network?

Posted by kdawson on Monday May 17, 2010 @01:38PM from the circles-and-arrows-on-the-back-of-each-one dept.

bgsneeze writes "In order to resolve an ongoing issue with a vendor, I have been trying to find a way to test different 3G data devices empirically. I would like to be able to chart signal strength, latency, and bandwidth. I would also like to create a map of the coverage area. I have a test 3G card from three different providers. I would like to be able to travel with the setup to several different locations and run tests. What software or techniques would Slashdotters use to test the different devices? Are there any free or open source software packages that will do this?"

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Re:Don't waste your time by bughunter · 2010-05-17 14:09 · Score: 4, Interesting

These are simply links to the coverage maps advertised by the providers, in which service quality is frequently exaggerated, if not blatantly false.
For example, AT&T (my provider) claims "good" coverage in two neighborhoods in my home town, Pasadena, where I know for a fact that there is no coverage, or worse, sporadic one-bar-then-no-bar coverage that drains my cellphone battery in an hour. And even worse, they show "best" coverage throughout San Marino, a town in which I can never make or receive calls on AT&T.

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I can see the fnords!