Can Your Mobile Phone Reception Decide Where You Want To Live? Perhaps, Yes
Madhavi and Ranjan Arora rented a 3BHK unit recently and are already planning to move out. You would be wondering why. Is it because there are frequent power cuts? Or, is the water supply unreliable? Is the crime rate in the locality high? Well, no. This one is a plush locality, offering great amenities. The only little problem that the couple are facing is that their mobiles remain as good as dead as the network reception is really poor.
Madhavi is an entrepreneur and has to stay connected with her clients; Ranjan is a banking sales professional and being available on the phone happens to be crucial for his job, too.
At a time when staying connected with the world is one of the prime concern for all of us, uninterrupted internet and mobile phone services are of utmost importance.
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“When I came for inspection of this house, I had tried calling my wife But I could not. I thought this is a temporary problem. I couldn't believe this could be an ongoing issue. As a result, we would be shifting from two houses in a span of 25 days,” Ranjan exclaims.
The Arora's tried everything ― from changing the service provider to buying a new phone, from going to receive calls to a particular area where the network used to be comparatively strong.
“Even in this room, you'll have to use the phone in a certain position and direction,” chuckles Madhavi.
One of the main reasons behind this network drop was the fact that two big projects have now clouded the path of the apartment where the Arora's currently live.
New-age construction materials can pose a problem
In most Tier-I and Tier-II cities, cell phone signal is not an issue. Cell phone towers are almost everywhere. Sometimes, it may not be the fault of your service provider but because your home is in some way or the other a radiant barrier. Even the materials used for the construction of the building may cause a problem. Wire mesh, electrical cabling, plumbing, sheet metal can cause varying degree of issues with your network reception. Usually, newer homes that go in for energy saving materials report poor signal reception. Window tinting and varied kinds of insulation affect the reception.
Some people try using signal boosters, Femtocell or network extenders or even call over the wi-fi but for how long? It is a cumbersome process. Leading service providers are introducing 'Open Network' solutions as well.
Word of caution: health hazards
Besides, nobody wants to stay too close to cell phone towers. In 2010, a Hindustan Times report quoted Professor Girish Kumar, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Bombay, as saying: “Being exposed to a mobile tower located within 50 metres of your home or workplace is like being in a microwave oven for 24 hours.” The report also stated how almost 50 families living close to one such tower in Jaipur had developed minor and major health hazards, some as dire as brain cancer.
At a time when real estate developers, leasers, telecommunication giants are harping on automated homes, free wi-fi services and free outgoing calls, we understand that we are indeed moving towards smarter, technologically efficient and well-connected cities and citizens. But, mind where you are investing. Try out easier methods to boost signal. While there are ways to ensure better signal, your 'perfect reception' home shouldn't be too close to a cell phone tower either.