Mobile Signal Strength Recommendations

From Teltonika Networks Wiki

Summary

This chapter is an overview of recommended signal strength levels for different mobile service modes.

Signal Measurement

Signal strength values are defined by a few different measurements which vary even more for different service modes. These measurements are as follows:

  • RSSI
  • RSRP
  • RSRQ
  • RSCP
  • SINR
  • EC/IO

2G (GSM)

2G (GSM) Signal strength is defined by only one value: RSSI – Received Signal Strength Indicator;

RSSI Signal strength
> -70 dBm Excellent
-70 dBm to -85 dBm Good
-86 dBm to -100 dBm Fair
< -100 dBm Poor
-110 dBm No signal

3G (WCDMA, TDSCDMA, CDMA, EVDO, CDMA-EVDO)

For 3G service mode, there are three relevant measurements:

  • RSSI - indicates the received signal strength
  • EC/IO - indicates the downlink carrier-to-interference ratio (signal quality)
  • RSCP - indicates the received signal code power


EC/IO
EC/IO Signal quality
0 to -6 Excellent
-7 to -10 Good
-11 to -20 Fair to poor
RSCP
EC/IO Signal quality
0 to -6 Excellent
-7 to -10 Good
-11 to -20 Fair to poor