Whether you’re at your workplace, sitting in your office, driving on an expressway, or hiking on a mountainous side, It doesn’t matter. Losing a phone signal is such an annoying and frustrating experience. Studies show that more than 70% of cell phone users in the US report dropped calls, while 77% of consumers report slow connection speeds. In that way, you need to look for ways of minimizing this frustrating experience. One of that ways is employing a mobile signal booster. Today, this article will focus on how to get at mobile signal boosters and facets.
A cell booster, a signal amplifier, signal extender, or cell phone repeater, operates by pulling in a weak outside signal, amplifying it, and rebroadcasting the boosted signal into the desired areas to be accessed by wireless devices. They also operate in reverse in that the signal booster will receive the signal from your phone and send it back to the cell tower.
In getting at a mobile signal booster, you can notice that there are hundreds of boosters on the market. Each device is different, and choosing a suitable product and installing it can be not easy. You will shortly learn the process of getting at a mobile signal booster so you cannot experience dropped calls and slow data connections. Are you ready? Let’s start!
How does a mobile signal booster?
Have you ever asked yourself how does an internet booster work? The working of a mobile signal booster is similar to that of an internet booster, as described below.
Remember that there must be a weak existing signal outside your office, vehicle, or home for a mobile signal booster to work. It is worth noting that a mobile signal booster enhances weak existing signals; it does not produce them. The working of the booster can be described easily by its parts as follows:
- The outside Antenna – Used to capture the weak outside cell phone signal.
- An Amplifier – Used to boost/enhance the weak signal from the outdoor antenna.
- An Indoor Antenna – Used to rebroadcast the robust signal to various wireless devices in your home, office, and vehicle.
The top three elements are connected with the help of coax cables. The cables are specially designed to transmit high-frequency electrical signals with low signal loss over long distances.
How to get at mobile signal booster?
Mobile signal boosters play an essential role, especially when hiking and camping. Most of these hiking sites are in areas with few or no nearby cell towers, thus termed dead zones. You are likely to experience dropped calls, unsent messages, and slow data speeds in these areas.
Going with your mobile signal booster to these areas minimizes these problems, and you will have a positive cellular experience. In most cases, you go to those places in a group, and each of you needs to use his phone without experiencing any dropped calls or slow internet connection. That way, each of you needs to know tricks on how to get at a mobile signal booster, and they are as follows:
i) Be within the coverage of the mobile signal booster
Before you with your mobile signal booster to a dead zone, know the size of the area you plan to cover. This will ensure you carry a booster suitable to cover that area. The larger the area you need to cover, the stronger a booster you’ll need to amplify your signal. Once you are in the area, ensure your phone is within the booster coverage so that you get at it quickly to avoid any complications.
ii) Evaluate the outdoors
Just like distance can disrupt the signal, natural barriers do the same. Different terrines that affect or weaken radio waves include mountains, valleys, and heavily wooded areas. Similarly, weather patterns such as heavy rain or snow could weaken the signal.
To get at the mobile signal booster, you need to locate it strategically so that the natural barriers cannot attenuate signals from it. Alternatively, you can consider a powerful booster whose rebroadcasted signal cannot get blocked.
iii) Limit the number of users
Sometimes, you don’t get at your mobile signal booster because many users access its rebroadcasted signal. It would help if a few manageable people were using the booster to get at it. However, if you need to serve numerous users, opt for a powerful booster that everyone can get at every time.
iv) Understand the booster antennas
To get at your booster, you need to know which indoor and outdoor antenna to use. The main types of outdoor antennas are Omnidirectional and directional. As you decide which is best, take your location into careful consideration. For instance, directional antennas tend to reach further.
The indoor antenna you buy depends on your space. Dome antennas are suitable if you’re in a small space. However, panel antennas are best for a narrow space.
Do I need to pair my cell phone to a mobile signal booster?
No! Your cell phone will automatically pick up on the amplified signal. You need not go through your settings to connect to the signal booster. In addition, there is no password required. Lastly, any device within the signal boosters coverage area will automatically see an enhancement in its signal strength.
Will a mobile signal booster increase data rates?
A mobile signal booster will increase your data rates, whether it’s for a hotspot or a phone. That way, your data rates depend on several factors. They include
- Tower congestion: there’s nothing you can do about congestion, and it will likely fluctuate over the day. The more consumers connected, the minimal your data rates.
- Your phone or hotspot: Largely, the newer your hotspot or phone, the better the data rates you’ll see. Phones are continuously adding new features to enhance data rates. If you’re using a phone that’s more than three years old, it’s perhaps it is time to upgrade!
- Signal strength: However, only up to about -90 dBm RSRP. A signal stronger than -90 dBm won’t increase your data charges.
- Signal quality: the larger your SINR, the higher your data rates. That is why it is essential to use an outdoor directional antenna with your signal booster and aim it correctly to get the best data rates.
- The number of connected bands: LTE phones can connect on several bands simultaneously. The numerous bands you’re connected to, the better. A mobile booster can help amplify weaker bands from outside so you can receive the best data rates.
Are signal boosters legal?
In 2014, the FCC formulated new regulations for all cell signal boosters manufactured in the United States. Two sets of regulations were set: the first set for “broadband” devices that boost all cellular signals from all carriers, and the second set for “carrier-specific” boosters that only boost the signal of one carrier at a time.
i) “Broadband” booster regulations:
The gain of the booster can be no more than:
- 72 dB for the 1900 MHz PCS band
- 71.2 dB for the 2100 MHz AWS band
- 64 dB for the 700 MHz band
- 65 dB for the 850 MHz band
- The downlink output power of the entire booster system, including the power losses from the cable, should not be more than 12 dBm.
ii) “Carrier-specific” booster regulations:
- The booster’s gain can be no more than 100dB on any frequency band.
- The downlink output power of the entire booster system, including the power losses from the cable, should not be more than 12 dBm per 5 MHz block.
Note that any homemade cell phone signal booster used before implementing the above regulations became null and void unless the one met the regulations.
What are the best cell phone signal boosters for rural homes?
The following are the best cell phone boosters for rural areas:
- ORPEY booster repeater amplifier
- SureCall Fusion2Go
- HiBoost smart link
- SureCall Fusion 4 home
- AmazBoost A1
- weBoost home multiroom-470144
- weBoost drive reach OTR 477154
- Cel-Fi Go X -100dB
Can you Boost your Cell Signal at Home for Free?
In most cases, investing in a cell phone signal booster is the most reliable method to maintain robust and uninterrupted coverage. However, this article will provide other ways to boost cell signals at home for free. They include;
- Move to a Different Location in Your House
- Go outside
- Check Your Phone’s Performance
- Remove or Replace Your Phone Case
- Try a Microcell or Femtocell
- Disable LTE if your phone is showing a single bar
- Upgrade to a newer phone
Bottom line
As you can see from the article, mobile signal boosters play an essential role in communication, especially in areas where weak signals are experienced. They improve this weak signal not to experience dropped calls, unsent messages, and slow data speeds.
In addition, you have learned how to get a mobile signal booster and other important information that will help you enhance your cellular experience. Follow the tricks outlined in the article to boost cell signals at home for free.
