Atmospheric Humidity Impact on the Strength of Mobile Phone Communication Signal

Abstract

This study examines the influence of atmospheric humidity on mobile phone signal strength, focusing on two major Nigerian networks: 9Mobile and MTN. Signal strength measurements were taken across multiple frequency bands—2100 MHz, 800 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2600 MHz—in selected cities in southern Nigeria. Data collection was conducted using a Cell Signal Monitor application installed on a dual-SIM Android device, with measurements restricted to specific cells to enhance data accuracy. Corresponding relative humidity data were obtained from hourly reports provided by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet). Analysis revealed a slight positive correlation (r = 0.14) between relative humidity and signal strength, with a standard deviation of 0.23. However, results varied across different locations and network cells, suggesting the influence of additional environmental and technical factors, including local topography, base station antenna configurations, seasonal fluctuations, and the distance between mobile devices and transmitters. Some variability may also be attributed to the limitations of the data collection tool used. These findings provide valuable insights for radio scientists and network engineers in optimizing mobile communication infrastructure. Understanding the role of humidity in signal propagation can support more efficient radio resource management and contribute to reducing unnecessary radio frequency emissions.