In the United States, the experience of cellphone service can vary widely from state to state, with some areas plagued by dead zones that leave residents without signal. Researchers from Holafly analyzed over 30,000 user complaints submitted to the DeadCellZones.com website to gauge the extent of these connectivity issues. Their findings revealed an alarming number of complaints, compiled to provide a clear overview of the cities, states, and specific zip codes that suffer most from inadequate cell coverage.
According to the study, Cincinnati, Ohio tops the list of cities with the most dead zone complaints, receiving an astonishing 534 reports for every one million residents. The 45255 ZIP Code in Cincinnati holds the unfortunate distinction of having the highest occurrence of dead zones nationwide, with a staggering 6,570 complaints per million people. On a state level, Hawaii ranks as the most problematic, with 282 complaints per million, closely followed by Maine at 264 and Vermont at 252.
Cellular dead zone complaints for each state per one million residents. | Image credit-Holafly
One significant factor contributing to Hawaii's connectivity issues is local resistance to the installation of cell towers. Recent protests arose against AT&T's proposal to build a new cell tower, with residents like Kauai's John Sargent voicing their preference for limited connectivity. "I don’t care if I have reception. In fact, I don’t actually want it," he stated, reflecting a broader sentiment that prioritizes the natural landscape over technological encroachment.
"A number of Hawaiian families who go back 10 generations live out here. The ocean is their refrigerator, the coral is their garden, and they take care of it. They’re very aligned with the land and the sea and they want to protect it. They don’t necessarily want it modernized. So to put in a tower that is 100 feet higher than any other building out here is just absurd."-Terri Tico, local lawyer
According to Holafly, the number of dead zone complaints reached a record high in 2023, with connectivity problems affecting 10% of calls. Thankfully, advancements in 5G technology have led to a decrease in such issues. Network improvements, including carrier aggregation, have improved bandwidth and speed significantly. “Now we are able to take that two-lane highway and make it a 20 lane," stated Verizon spokesperson Andrew Testa, highlighting the benefits of recent upgrades.
U.S. cities with the most cellular dead zone complaints per one million residents. | Image credit-Holafly
While Cincinnati and Hawaii receive much-deserved attention for their connectivity challenges, South Dakota emerges as the state with the fewest complaints, at just 41 per million residents. Among the cities highlighted in the study, California and Colorado stand out, with seven cities from California and five from Colorado making the list of those with the most complaints. El Segundo, California, ZIP code 90245, recorded 1,158 complaints per million, followed closely by Half Moon Bay, with 969.
The local planning commission in Half Moon Bay is taking steps to alleviate these concerns by replacing a 50-foot AT&T cell tower with a new 75-foot tower designed to be further away from high-traffic residential areas and schools. As these adjustments are made, residents hope for improved connectivity and fewer dead zone complaints.
