Getting Started
Connectivity & Cellular Coverage
How OcuTrap stays connected — 4G LTE cellular, what to expect from coverage, and how the trap keeps working when signal is weak.
OcuTrap connects to the OcuTrap app over 4G LTE cellular — the same kind of network your phone uses. There is no Wi-Fi and nothing to set up: power the trap on and it connects automatically.
How OcuTrap Connects
- Cellular only. OcuTrap uses multi-network 4G LTE across the United States and Canada. It does not use Wi-Fi, and no local network setup is required.
- Data included. The cellular data your trap uses is included in your OcuTrap subscription — there's no separate data plan or SIM card to buy. See Your OcuTrap Subscription.
- Automatic. On power-up, the trap finds a network and comes online on its own.
- No hotspot or router needed. You don't need any other equipment in the field.
What Affects Coverage
Like any cellular device, OcuTrap needs a usable signal where it's deployed.
- Available in the US and Canada. OcuTrap's cellular service covers the United States and Canada. The trap is not supported in other countries.
- Place it where there's signal. Areas with strong cellular signal give you the most reliable connection and the best battery life — a weak signal makes the trap work harder to stay connected and drains the battery faster.
- Obstacles matter. Dense buildings, deep valleys, and very remote backcountry may have little or no coverage.
- GPS is separate. Location uses a built-in GPS module (clear view of the sky helps) and updates about every 8 hours. See GPS.
For battery and signal tips on where to place a trap, see Optimal Trap Placement in Tips and Tricks.
Staying Armed When Signal Is Weak
OcuTrap is built to keep working through brief connectivity gaps:
- In Armed Sleep Offline mode, the trap stays armed and monitoring for captures even while disconnected, checking in with the cloud about every 20 minutes.
- If a capture happens while offline, the trap reports it at its next check-in — you won't lose the event.
- See Power Modes for how the trap balances connectivity and battery.
When a trap is in Hibernation (very low battery, long idle, or powered off), it cannot send or receive anything. See Power Modes.
Checking Your Trap's Connection
- The app shows each trap's status and how long ago it last checked in.
- If a trap won't come online, work through Trap Offline or Won't Connect.
See also
- Technical Specifications — cellular, GPS, and sensor details.
- Power Modes — how the trap conserves battery and stays armed offline.
- GPS — location tracking and map view.
- Trap Offline or Won't Connect — troubleshooting connection issues.