How to Check Cellular Coverage as a Soracom Customer
Written by: Brenna Belletti
Published: March 24, 2025
When deploying IoT devices, ensuring consistently strong cellular coverage is critical for reliable operation. As an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator), Soracom leverages multiple carrier networks to provide seamless global connectivity. Determining the available network coverage in a given area, however, can be deceptively complex. While coverage maps and crowd-sourced data may provide high-level insight, they don’t paint the full picture of how reliable the connectivity in a service area may actually be.
The best approach to evaluating cellular coverage should involve several layers of research. In this blog, we will outline a layered approach for checking Soracom’s coverage utilizing everything from high-level marketing materials (such as carrier maps) to direct on-site testing.
1. Check Which Global Carriers Are Supported In Your Area
Soracom partners with multiple mobile network operators (MNOs) across the globe, so your first step should be to review Soracom’s official documentation to see which carriers are supported in your target area of operation. This will give you a baseline understanding of potential connectivity options.
Where to find this information:
- Soracom Carrier Compatibility List (Frequently updated)
- For global deployments, ensure your devices support multiple bands used by different networks.
Note that while it is useful to know which networks are available in a given area, that likely does not indicate real-world coverage strength at a specific location.
2. Consult Carrier Coverage Maps
Once you have identified the carriers available within your deployment area, the next step is to check their official coverage maps. Most mobile carriers will provide coverage maps on their website that attempt to outline each of the areas to which they provide internet service. Of course, these maps are often used for marketing purposes, and thus may not be completely accurate.
Pros:
✅ Quick and easy way to see where coverage should be available
✅ Offers insight into coverage in urban vs rural areas
Cons:
❌ These maps are modeled estimates, not real-world measurements – meaning coverage areas will likely be exaggerated
❌ Will not account for things like network congestion or environmental obstructions
Where to check:
While these maps can give you a rough idea of what’s out there, don’t assume that they’ll reflect what you’ll experience on the ground. Things like natural obstructions, environmental factors, or even indoor vs. outdoor deployments will not typically be accounted for in coverage maps.
3. Also Consult Government or Regulatory Coverage Maps
For a more unbiased take, some government agencies also provide independent cellular coverage maps based on carrier-reported data. These may avoid the marketing spin of carrier maps, but because they rely on self-reported coverage data rather than real-world testing, the information may still be suspect.
Where to check:
- USA (FCC Mobile LTE Coverage)
- UK (Ofcom Mobile Coverage): https://checker.ofcom.org.uk/mobile-coverage
- Canada (CRTC Coverage Map): https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/internet/internetcanada.htm
- Europe (Opensignal Reports): https://www.opensignal.com
Pros:
✅ Less biased than carrier maps
✅ Useful for regulatory compliance checks
Cons:
❌ Relies on carrier-reported data, so not always accurate
❌ May not be updated frequently
4. And Crowdsourced Coverage Maps
Of course to move away from marketing spin completely, crowdsourced coverage maps can provide more accurate real-world data. These maps rely on user-reported signal strength, which will paint a more honest picture of what coverage in an area is like. The risk, of course, is the frequency with which users report their issues may not always account for an up-to-the-moment understanding of coverage.
Best Crowdsourced Coverage Maps:
- CellMapper – Visualizes real-world cell tower locations and signal reports.
- Opensignal – Provides performance-based coverage maps from real users.
- nPerf – Similar to OpenSignal, shows live user network performance data.
- RootMetrics – Independent drive test data for mobile performance.
Pros:
✅ Based on real-world user measurements, so avoids marketing spin
✅ Helps identify weak spots, network congestion, and tower locations
✅ Shows actual tower locations (CellMapper) which can help position antennas properly
Cons:
❌ Limited in some regions where fewer users contribute data
❌ Might not always be up to date
Users will also want to note that most of these maps are not designed for commercial or business use.
5. Perform Onsite Testing (The Most Reliable Method)
Maps and user-generated data can help paint a picture, but you won’t truly understand an area’s coverage without testing signal strength at the actual site. Onsite testing with the actual IoT device and antenna you intend to deploy with is the only way to truly verify signal strength in an area, giving you a real-world understanding of the strengths and challenges of the deployment area. This includes things maps won’t show, such as environmental factors, interference, and building materials that could impact signal quality.
Best Practices for Onsite Testing
1. Check Signal Strength with AT Commands (For IoT Devices)
If you’re using a cellular modem or module, you can send an AT command to check real-time signal quality:
- Signal Strength (RSSI):
AT+CSQ
LTE Signal Quality (RSRP, SINR):
AT+CESQ
📌 Ideal Signal Strength Ranges:
- >-70 dBm = Excellent
- 85 to -70 dBm = Good
- 100 to -85 dBm = Weak but usable
- <-100 dBm = Poor or no signal
2. Use a Field Test App (For Phones & Tablets)
For quick testing with a smartphone or tablet, use these tools to analyze real-time network conditions:
- Android: Network Cell Info Lite – Shows signal strength, tower info, and band details.
- iPhone: Field Test Mode – Built-in tool to check LTE signal strength (dial 3001#12345#* in the Phone app).
Note that using a different device than what will eventually be deployed may yield different results, and should only be used as a reference, not as a full test.
3. Use a Hardware Signal Testing Device
For large-scale deployments, dedicated testing hardware can give you the most accurate readings by accounting for environmental factors and obstructions, helping reduce deployment failures and optimize connectivity before rollout.
A tool like the Impulse Proof of Coverage Test Tool from KS Technologies, for example, is ideal for testing LoRaWAN solutions, though scores of other devices can also perform the needed tests. Be sure to research a device before committing to a full field test.
These tools can provide the most honest and thorough understanding of an area’s connectivity capabilities, reduce troubleshooting costs, and prevent unexpected networking issues in the field.
Bonus Point – Check Your Device’s Band Compatibility
Even if a network is available, your device must support the appropriate LTE bands to connect. Different carriers operate on different frequency bands, so check that your IoT module or device supports the necessary LTE bands for the region:
📌 How to Check Band Compatibility:
- Identify the bands supported by your device (in the datasheet or manufacturer’s website).
- Compare them with the carrier’s bands in your region (check GSMA or the carrier’s website).
If your device does not support the required bands, it likely won’t perform properly if it connects at all.
The Best Approach is a Multi-Layered Strategy
Ensuring strong cellular coverage for your IoT devices requires multiple layers of validation. While carrier maps can provide a rough idea of an area’s coverage, crowd-sourced data and real-world measurement offer the best insight into the viability of a deployment region. For mission-critical deployments, on-site testing with hardware measurement tools is essential to ensure stable connectivity.
Simply follow this checklist for a multilayered connectivity validation process:
✅ Start by checking Soracom-supported carriers
✅ Verify with carrier and regulatory maps (but don’t rely on them alone!)
✅ Check crowdsourced coverage for a more accurate understanding of the area’s connectivity
✅ Conduct on-site signal testing for the most accurate results
✅ Confirm that your device supports the right frequency bands
………………
Got a question about Soracom? Whether you’re an existing customer, interested in learning more about our products and services, or want to learn about our Partner program – we’d love to hear from you!
