Actual number of displayed bars at home varies, and was EV 1 / 1X 1 last I looked, but I haven't had trouble with dropped or missed calls or txts. I rarely get reception at work, but my office is underground, with lots of concrete and metal. Sometimes things get through, but not consistently. My last trip was also to a location with poor signal regardless of carrier or phone. Since I'm expanding on everything, my phone is a Samsung Rogue, and I quite like it.