10 Free and Low-Cost Mobile Wireless Tools

There's no replacing meaty, licensed tools for wireless network support. But a growing number of free and low-cost apps are available when all you have is a smartphone or tablet at hand. Most of the gems live in the Android space, so you iOS developers need to get to work.

Lee Badman

March 6, 2013

10 Slides


App: OpenSignal

Publisher: OpenSignal, Inc.

Cost: Free

OpenSignal is a wonderful tool for characterizing both Wi-Fi and mobile signals. It integrates with Google Maps to give you good detail on the cell you're connected to and those nearby, along with very effective WLAN reporting and test utilities. I'm floored that this one is free.

About the Author(s)

Lee Badman

Wireless Network Architect

Lee is a Certified Wireless Network Expert (CWNE #200) and Wireless Network Architect for a large private university. He has also taught classes on networking, wireless network administration, and wireless security. Lee's technical background includes 10 years in the US Air Force as an Electronic Warfare systems journeyman technician and Master Technical Training Instructor, and a stint in telecommunications in the private sector. Lee is an active Extra Class amateur radio operator (KI2K), and has a wide range of technical hobbies. He has helped organize and has presented at several higher education and industry conferences, and has done extensive freelance writing work for a number of IT, low voltage, and communications periodicals. Follow him on Twitter at @wirednot, and read his personal blog at wirednot.wordpress.com.

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