Better Connectivity with a Cell Phone Signal Booster

Have you ever done the ‘searching for signal move? You know where you hold up your cellphone and move from one spot to another looking for bars?

And when you find the elusive bars, you stand rooted to the ground for the duration of your call. Anyone observing would wonder what you are up to. But if they have had to go through connectivity issues due to lack of cellphone signals, they will know exactly what you are going through.

We can agree that cell phones are such lifesavers in these modern times. The ability to stay in touch with loved ones, conduct business or keep up with important news due to internet connectivity is such a convenience.

But sometimes, cell phone connectivity can be an issue. Yet, there is an excellent and affordable solution: a cell phone signal booster.
The frustration of dropped calls and slow data speeds will be a thing of the past with a cell phone signal booster. What you get with this nifty device is the strengthening of weak cellular signals, resulting in faster internet connectivity and crystal clear phone reception.

Keep reading as we explore cell phone signal boosters in more depth. You will learn the following:
• How they work
• The benefits of investing in one for a large building or office
• Types of cell phone boosters
• Considerations when shopping for one
• Installation of cell phone boosters

Exploring Cell Phone Signal Boosters

Let us explore how cell signal capture, amplification and broadcasting work by looking at the essential components.

The External Antenna

You mount the external antenna outside the building to capture the weak signals. It is like mounting an aerial to capture the radio or TV waves.
Mount the external antenna in an area with some signal. Or ensure it faces a cell tower
Also, avoid obstacles like other buildings or dense trees because they interfere with cell signal movement.

The Amplifier

The external antenna sends the captured signals to the amplifier to boost them to the highest power levels.

The type of booster and strength of the incoming signal will determine how the amplification happens. It can be through:
• Gain is expressed in decibels (dB) measures the amplification. The higher the gain, the more power the booster has to amplify the signal.
• Filtering removes noise and interference, thus improving the signal quality. The result is better data speeds, and fewer dropped calls.
• Automatic Gain Control (AGC) automatically adjusts the amplification level depending on the incoming signal strength. Excess amplification can result in interference or distortion of the signal.
• Multiple antennas increase the level of signal capture and amplification. This is critical in areas with mixed signals or too many surrounding obstacles. Such can interfere with free cell signal movement.

The Internal Antenna

The amplified signal goes to the internal antenna for broadcasting within and around the building. Place the internal antenna in a central location within the office or building for maximum output.

Like in the case of the external antenna, avoid obstacles like placing it under furniture so that you don’t interfere with the signal broadcasting.

Benefits of Cell Phone Signal Boosters

If you experience weak signals, thus poor reception, investing in a cell phone signal booster is a sound choice. The benefits are numerous, including:

• Improved connectivity due to signal boosting that strengthens weak cellular signals. You get better call quality and reception, resulting in fewer dropped calls and faster internet speeds.

• Increased productivity when employees have reliable and fast cell phone and internet connectivity. They can communicate and collaborate better, leading to higher efficiency, time saving and reduced delays in work completion.

• Cost-saving for the business because you don’t need to spend on outsourced wifi services, or data plans for employees. You also don’t miss out on business opportunities due to poor connectivity.

• Enhanced customer satisfaction for businesses through better connectivity. You can also take care of their issues quickly because of improved communication.

• Regulatory compliance that requires adequate cellular coverage for emergencies. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), has guidelines for wireless coverage and minimum signal strength in public buildings.

Types of Cell Phone Signal Boosters

Outdoor Boosters for Large Buildings

Outdoor boosters are large and very powerful because they are designed to cover more expansive spaces. They have an outdoor antenna, amplifier and indoor antenna.

For a building with tenants, it helps to have a signal booster that can support multiple carriers since you need to consider that not all will be using one provider.

Also, consider the size of the building and the number of people connecting to the system. Get professional installation to achieve optimal performance.

There are also  regulatory compliance issues like the use of qualified installers as well as acquiring an FCC license.

Indoor Boosters for Smaller Spaces

Indoor signal boosters are smaller and designed for use in smaller spaces. They have an internal and external antenna as well as an amplifier.

Choosing the Right Cell Phone Signal Booster

Have the following in mind when choosing a cell phone signal booster.

Usage

Where do you plan to use the cell phone signal booster? For large spaces, you need a powerful booster. Within the office or home, a small indoor one should be perfect.

To measure the power, look at the gain. As we shared, the higher the gain, the more power the booster has for signal amplification.

The booster you get should be powerful enough to give adequate room coverage, even if the building or house has multiple levels.

Carrier and Phone Compatibility

Carriers: For building with many users, choose a signal booster that supports multiple carriers.

Connectivity: Determine the type of data connectivity you want. Some signal boosters only work on 3G devices, while newer models support 5G.

Phone compatibility: Some phone models will not accept signal boosters. This is especially true for older models that may not be compatible with the more advanced cellular technologies. You must also ensure the booster you need supports the frequency used by your phone.

Number of Users

If there will be multiple users, choose a phone signal booster powerful enough to allow everyone to connect. The number of users will affect the amplifier power. So if there are many users, the booster needs to have higher amplification capabilities.

Professional vs. DIY Installation of Cell Phone Signal Boosters

Table comparing professional vs. DIY cell phone signal booster installation and maintenance

Professional vs. DIY cell phone signal booster installation and maintenance

Solve Connectivity Issues with a Cell Phone Booster

Avoid dropped calls and internet connectivity issues with a cell phone signal booster for your office or building. Improved connectivity leads to higher productivity, cost savings and enhanced customer experiences as we have shared above.

When buying a booster, note the coverage area, number or users, carriers, cell phone and compatibility.

Please do plenty of research to ensure you get the right booster for your needs. Reading customer reviews is always an excellent way to get information on what to expect.

feature picture source: Pexels