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Issues at EWR with ATT Cellular Coverage

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Old Jun 22, 2019 | 10:41 am
  #1  
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Issues at EWR with ATT Cellular Coverage

For the last several months, I am noticing that around Terminal C, I have difficulty accessing ATT cellular data, even though I have two or more bars. While the United or Club Wi-Fi works, I generally shy away due to security concerns. It's exacerbated while on the plane with the cabin door open. I can't send or receive texts or email, again, even though I show 2-5 bars on the phone. On the latest iOS and all other software.

Is anyone else noticing anything similar?
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Old Jun 22, 2019 | 10:48 am
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Time to switch cell carriers? In general, I've found that airports are the worst place for cellphone reception. It's just not a priority for the cellphone companies.
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Old Jun 22, 2019 | 10:49 am
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Originally Posted by LarrySinNJ
For the last several months, I am noticing that around Terminal C, I have difficulty accessing ATT cellular data, even though I have two or more bars. While the United or Club Wi-Fi works, I generally shy away due to security concerns. It's exacerbated while on the plane with the cabin door open. I can't send or receive texts or email, again, even though I show 2-5 bars on the phone. On the latest iOS and all other software.

Is anyone else noticing anything similar?
Specific planes have different bodies that block signals, whether the door is open or not. Its the body of the aircraft inhibiting the signals.

Also you shouldnt be avoiding WiFi due to security concerns. Use a VPN, buy a 30 day trial. Avoiding is the wrong security measure to use. If someone wanted to hack you, going through your cells phone network or open wireless connections isnt much harder.

To be honest, its probably just network congestion while youre in the terminal. Number of users and number of available slots. This occurs at lax as well while on the taxiway. If its just data thats slow, sometimes LTE networks can be more congested than 3G (especially at sporting events) as a result of most people having newer phones. Every time Im at a major sporting event with a LTE slowdown on data, 3G is much more reliable and faster, 100% of the time.
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Old Jun 22, 2019 | 10:52 am
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Originally Posted by laxmillenial
Use a VPN, buy a 30 day trial.
Or, use one of the plethora of free ones.
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Old Jun 22, 2019 | 11:22 am
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Same experience. It’s an ATT network issue. Verizon works fine, even on the plane when ATT coverage is weakest.
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Old Jun 22, 2019 | 11:26 am
  #6  
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Originally Posted by mahasamatman
Or, use one of the plethora of free ones.
Yeah, cause a free vpn is super safe... /s

Could alway just setup your own vpn server at home (many routers have a server built-in) or setup a server/vps with Algo or openvpn.
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Old Jun 22, 2019 | 11:28 am
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Absolutely. And its really weird, it works for awhile, then stops. Toggling airplane mode on and off can give you connectivity for a few more minutes. Then you have to do it again. Very frustrating.
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Old Jun 22, 2019 | 11:43 am
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Yes Yes Yes!!! These days I just expect to be on radio silence from boarding to roughly when we start taxi. Very frustrating and Im glad its not just me or my phone.
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Old Jun 22, 2019 | 11:52 am
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Originally Posted by mahasamatman
Or, use one of the plethora of free ones.
You do know if you use a vpn the provider sees EVERYTHING you do?
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Old Jun 22, 2019 | 12:00 pm
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I'm not sure what this has to with United Airlines. Do we really want to start a list of airports with crappy cell coverage?
Originally Posted by s0ssos
You do know if you use a vpn the provider sees EVERYTHING you do?
You mean like your browser provider already does?
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Old Jun 22, 2019 | 12:03 pm
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Originally Posted by Kacee
I'm not sure what this has to with United Airlines. Do we really want to start a list of airports with crappy cell coverage?

You mean like your browser provider already does?
Lots of phone activity aren't through your browser. Apps are constantly phoning home.

Depends on your browser. WaPo has a post about how letting Google be your browser is like letting a child run a candy store.
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Old Jun 22, 2019 | 12:21 pm
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Originally Posted by Kacee
...
You mean like your browser provider already does?
Originally Posted by s0ssos
Lots of phone activity aren't through your browser. Apps are constantly phoning home.

Depends on your browser. WaPo has a post about how letting Google be your browser is like letting a child run a candy store.
The problem with public wifi/free VPNs isn't what your browser and apps are sending home, but who is on the same wifi/VPN as you and what those people might be doing.
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Old Jun 22, 2019 | 12:27 pm
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Originally Posted by mr8
The problem with public wifi/free VPNs isn't what your browser and apps are sending home, but who is on the same wifi/VPN as you and what those people might be doing.
That's an issue anytime you're sharing a wifi network, not just public free wifi. United Club wifi being a prime example.
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Old Jun 22, 2019 | 12:31 pm
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Originally Posted by mr8
The problem with public wifi/free VPNs isn't what your browser and apps are sending home, but who is on the same wifi/VPN as you and what those people might be doing.
? How does having someone on the same vpn as you make a difference? You might as well as say having someone on the same internet?
And most of the time it doesn't matter if someone is sharing the wifi with you. As long as they haven't hacked it and are doing a man-in-the-middle attack you're fine.
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Old Jun 22, 2019 | 12:40 pm
  #15  
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This is getting a bit off topic, but...
Originally Posted by Kacee
That's an issue anytime you're sharing a wifi network, not just public free wifi. United Club wifi being a prime example.
Yep, VPN even in there too. Same goes for the inflight wifi, though your UA account info is still vulnerable there even if you use a VPN in-flight - I wonder if that's why they eliminated the old login portal at the lounges.
Originally Posted by s0ssos
? How does having someone on the same vpn as you make a difference? You might as well as say having someone on the same internet?
And most of the time it doesn't matter if someone is sharing the wifi with you. As long as they haven't hacked it and are doing a man-in-the-middle attack you're fine.
Well, if you're installing a free VPN then it will often make you install a profile/certificate that could potentially compromise your security, and when something is free, your are often the product.
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