Dropped calls, failed texts plague Lehigh Acres neighborhoods

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. (WINK) — Neighbors say they're fed up with paying for spotty cell service that leaves them struggling with dropped calls and texts that won't send.

Residents told WINK News they have to rely on WiFi to get their phones to work inside their homes. They voiced their frustrations and said they hope providers will work to add cell towers or boost the network in the area.

"They charge every month, and you get very little service for what you pay," Gary Bratton, a T-Mobile customer, said. "It doesn't seem to matter if it's AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon; it's just a lack of cell towers, basically."

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Neighbors say they rely on calling through social media or over WiFi when they're at home. Without it, some say they have to drive miles just to get reception.

"Without that, I have to drive five miles outside just to get reception," Bratton said. "Yeah. It's really horrible."

Joe Welsh, an Xfinity customer, said he can't even text in his home.

" In my house, I can't text my daughter if she's in the other room to get her attention," said Welsh. 

Neighbors say Florida weather adds to the anxiety of the inconsistent connection. Taylor, an Xfinity customer, worries about emergencies.

"If something does happen, if a tree falls, if something happens with a neighbor of mine, I'm not gonna be able to get in touch with who I need to get in touch with, and that's an emergency," Taylor said.

Bratton said when his WiFi went down, he couldn't access his stocks for work or make calls to family.

"Up a creek without a paddle," Bratton said. "It's, it's crazy. I can't do, can't work, and I pay for it, and I pay for nothing basically."

WINK News reached out to T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T and Comcast to see if there are any plans to add more cell towers or boost services. The providers have not yet responded.