How Does Cellular Service Work With the SpotOn System?

August 1, 2024

Q&A with Sung, VP of Engineering

Find out what cellular service is used for with SpotOn and if it's required to fence your pup!

The SpotOn collar does not rely on cellular connection to function, so you do not need cell signal to set up a containment area. Your fences are powered by GPS signals, and don't require any other connections.

However, if you decide to add a tracking plan, the tracking plan relies on a cellular connection and enables two-way communication between the collar and your phone, powering features like tracking, escape reports, and more. Again, our plans are optional. If you just need a fence, you can just get a fence.

So, how does it work?

When you have a plan, the collar will connect to the nearest cellular towers so your collar can send signals to your smartphone and enable notifications. Your tracking plan uses LTE-M cellular signals, which is similar to the signal on the LTE or 4G signals you receive on a smartphone. LTE-M is utilized IoT devices (Internet of Things) for better power efficiency and signal range. LTE-M will typically be similar to your phone's signal strength but not always.

Will tracking work for everyone?

While tracking plans are a good fit for many, it's not a good fit for all. For instance, if you live in an area that is known to have little to no cellular coverage, a tracking plan will not be a good fit. For some, cellular reception can vary on your property and you may experience strong signal strength in one area, but the signal may become unresponsive in other spots.

There are other environmental factors that affect LTE and LTE-M signals such as network. These include:

Environmental Factors - Rain, snow, and certain extreme weather conditions can influence overall signal stability.
Electromagnetic Interference - Sources like power lines and equipment (or even solar events) can disturb signal stability.
Congestion - Lots of people in a small area using cellular at the same time. Examples include: music festivals, large events, emergency situations.

The good news...

The good news: you can still use SpotOn to contain your dog with virtual fences, regardless of cellular connectivity! If you have questions about whether or not a tracking plan is a good fit for you, call customer service at 603.488.1504 or email support@spotonfence.com.