How to Permanently Solve Bad Reception with a Cell Phone Signal Booster

A recent survey by the Pew Internet and American Life project found that 72% of Americans experience some form of dropped calls, and 32% experience dropped calls at least a few times per week or more. Like it or not, dropped calls are still a major problem for a large number of people, and while the carriers are continuing to add towers and expand coverage areas, this is not a problem that's going to go away soon. So what is there to do?

After years of research into this problem, the FCC formally approved the use of cell phone signal boosters to extend the range of cell networks into areas that receive poor service, including homes, offices, commercial buildings and more. We'll take a closer look at what cell phone signal boosters are and give some guidance on how to choose the right system to permanently solve your reception problems.

Causes of Poor Cell Phone Signal

When it comes to poor cell phone signal, there are two main contributing factors: distance from the closest cell tower and obstructions causing interference.

Distance from the Closest Cell Tower

Carriers provide cell coverage through a network of strategically placed cellular towers. Ideally, whenever you're within this network, your mobile device will automatically connect with the closest tower, and as you move, will continue hopping to the next closest tower. Unfortunately, as you get towards the edge of your carrier's coverage area, there won't be new towers to hop to, and your mobile device will start to experience degraded signal the further it is from the nearest tower. You'll reach a point where your mobile device is too far from the tower to maintain a consistent connection, and you'll experience dropped calls.

Obstructions Causing Interference

While cell signal passes through the air with minimal trouble, every object it meets between the tower and your mobile device causes some degree of interference. Geographical elements, such as hills, mountains, and trees can cause major signal issues, as well as building materials, like metal siding, concrete, and wire mesh. Additionally, the increased use of energy efficient products, such as radiant barriers and window tinting, have contributed to the degree of cell phone reception problems in new homes.

While either one of these factors are enough to cause dropped calls and poor reception, the combination of the two all but guarantees problems. Next we'll look at how a cell phone signal booster is designed to deal with both of these factors.

What is a Cell Phone Signal Booster?

Cell phone signal boosters (also known as cell phone repeaters) were developed to address the two factors that cause poor cell phone reception. They're designed to amplify a weak outside signal and bypass any obstructions to provide a strong inside signal to an area that was originally lacking.

The system works by mounting an outside antenna in a location that currently has signal, which is typically on the roof. The signal is passed from the outside antenna, by a cable to a signal amplifier inside the building. Once the signal is amplified, it is then sent to an inside antenna, where it is broadcast out to the area which needs better reception. The system also works in reverse, with the signal from your phone being amplified and broadcast back to the tower, ensuring strong, two-way communication.

How to Choose a Signal Booster

In order to select the correct cell phone signal booster for your situation, you need to know the following three pieces of information: The carriers & networks that you need to support, the existing outside signal strength of those carriers, and the size of the area that needs to be covered in boosted signal. Let's review those in more depth:

Carriers & Networks to Support

Cell phone signal boosters only amplify specific frequencies of radio waves, which pertain to specific carriers (AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, etc.) and networks on those carriers (2G, 3G, or 4G LTE). The first thing you need to know is which carrier(s) you need to support, as well as which networks on those carriers, as that determines which signal amplifiers you'll be able to use and which type of outside antenna you'll need.

Most North American carriers (except for T-Mobile and Nextel) use the same frequencies for 2G and 3G networks (which handle voice calls and 3G data), so the same signal amplifier can be used to amplify all of those carriers at the same time. The 4G LTE networks (which currently only handle fast data, no voice) on each carrier use different frequencies, so if you want to boost 4G LTE, then you'll need an amplifier that is specifically designed for that carrier's 4G LTE network.

In addition, if you need to support multiple carriers, then you'll want to use an omnidirectional(omni) outside antenna, which can send and receive from all directions at once. If you only need to support one carrier, then you can use a stronger yagi directional antenna, which you can aim at the closest cell tower and receive more boosting power than you would receive from an omni antenna.

Outside Signal Strength

The outside signal strength of the carriers you need to support determines how strong of an amplifier you need to provide adequate coverage for the area you need covered. The weaker the outside signal is, the stronger the cell phone signal booster needs to be in order to boost the signal and provide adequate coverage.

Area that Needs Coverage

The last piece of information that will determine which type of signal booster you need is the size of the area that needs to be covered in boosted signal, as well as the layout of the area. The combination of outside signal strength and the size of the area to be covered will determine how strong of an amplifier you'll need.

In addition, the layout of the area to be covered will determine which type of inside antenna you'll need. If the entire coverage area is located on one floor, then a dome antenna will be the best choice for distributing the boosted signal, but if the coverage area is over multiple floors, then you'll want to go with a panel antenna, which is more directional and can be used to ensure signal is distributed across the required area.

Signal Boosters for Vehicles and Individual Use

Until this point, we've been discussing cell phone signal boosters for buildings, but there are also vehicle signal boosters for cars, trucks, RVs and even boats. While the principles are the same, the outside signal strength and coverage area come less into play, as those are constantly changing as the vehicle moves. Rather, the choice really depends on which carriers and networks you need to support.

Finally, there is a style of signal booster called a cradle, which is meant for one device at a time, and the device must be sitting the cradle the entire time it's in use. It's the most mobile of the signal booster options, as the system consists of only the cradle and a magnetic mount outside antenna, and is also the most affordable, but is less convenient when talking on the phone, as you need to use a Bluetooth headset or speakerphone while in use.

FCC Approval

After years of working with both cell phone signal booster manufacturers and cellular carriers in the United States, the FCC announced in February the formal approval for the use of cell phone signal boosters by consumers in the U.S. In addition to this approval, the FCC also instituted checks to ensure that signal boosting equipment will not interfere with carrier networks, which include the registration of a cell phone signal booster with the carrier that it will be used with, as well as the certification of new signal boosters against a stringent set of standards, to ensure that only safe equipment is being sold to the public. These checks are anticipated to go into effect in the fall of 2013. Overall, both manufacturers and carriers regard this as a great step forward to helping consumers receive better service in their homes, offices, and vehicles.

Understanding the basics of how a cell phone signal booster works and what you need to think about when purchasing one is a huge first step in determining the right system for you. Every situation is different, from the local geography to the construction of the house or building, so if you have the opportunity, consult with a signal booster expert as to what system is best for you.

Mobile Phone Problems

Even though mobile technology often simplifies the completion of everyday tasks, cell phone owners can also encounter technical glitches and unwanted intrusions on their phones. In an April 2012 survey, the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project assessed the prevalence of four problems that cell owners might face.

Some 88% of American adults have cell phones, according to this survey, and, of those cell owners:

• 72% of cell owners experience dropped calls at least occasionally. Some 32% of cell owners say they encounter this problem at least a few times a week or more frequently than that.
• 68% of cell owners receive unwanted sales or marketing calls at one time or another. And 25% of cell owners encounter this problem at least a few times a week or more frequently.

Some 79% of cell phone owners say they use text messaging on their cells. We asked them if they got spam or unwanted texts:

• 69% of those who are texters say they get unwanted spam or text messages. Of those texters, 25% face problems with spam/unwanted texts at least weekly.

Some 55% of cell phone owners say they use their phones to go online— to browse the internet, exchange emails, or download apps. We asked them if they experience slow download speeds that prevent things from loading as quickly as they would like:

• 77% of cell internet users say they experience slow download speeds that prevent things from loading as quickly as they would like. Of those cell internet users, 46% face slow download speeds weekly or more frequently.

Our questions were not intended to measure the incidence of illegal marketing to cell phones. They focused on unwanted intrusions. Still, the telemarketing and spam text findings are noteworthy because legal restrictions apply to both activities under certain circumstances. It is against the law in the U.S. to place unsolicited commercial calls to a mobile phone when the call is made by using an automated random-digit dialing generator or if the caller uses a pre-recorded message.

In the case of unsolicited texts, commercial parties cannot send spam to cell owners who have placed their mobile device on the National Do Not Call registry. For those who have not chosen to go on that registry, governmental regulations bar text messages sent from internet domain names. Any mobile-to-mobile spam messages are permissible to reach consumers on their cell phones, so long as the text contacts were not generated through an automatic dialing system.

Smartphone owners report more problems

Smartphone owners reported higher incidence levels of these problems, compared with other cell owners, as shown in the table below.

Non-white cell owners confront all four problems at somewhat higher weekly rates than do their white counterparts. This might be tied to the fact that African-Americans and Hispanics are more likely than whites to rely on their cell phones as their primary or exclusive phones for calling and for internet access.

For instance, more than half of Hispanic cell internet users (53%) face slow download times at least weekly or more often, compared with 44% of white cell internet users who report this problem. Some 41% of black and 39% of Hispanic cell owners reported dropping calls at least weekly, compared with 30% of white cell owners.

How to Improve Cell Phone Reception

Over the past 20 years cell phone ownership has increased massively, to the point where over 80% of the world's population has cell phone coverage. The technology needed to provide adequate signal has not kept up with demand, which is why 69% of Americans have experienced dropped calls and poor signal. However, with advances in technology there are ways to improve cell reception.

Keep in mind, poor reception is not something that your service provider will fix just because you want them to. It must be justifiably cost effective for them to put up new towers, which will ultimately be criticized by cities, home owners associations, etc. Most users think there is nothing they can do to improve their cell phone reception by themselves. This isn't always true, and the following will explain what you can do to ensure improved mobile coverage without waiting for a new tower to magically appear.

Steps

1. 1
   Try to keep your battery charged to 2 bars or higher. Your cell phone uses a lot more power when connecting a call than when it is on standby. Often, your battery can be strong enough to attempt a call, but not strong enough to find a signal. If you find you are having signal problems, consider how you might improve your signal.
   

   1. 2
      Try moving outside or to a window to place your call rather than making calls from deep inside buildings.Buildings and other large structures are very unfriendly to cell phone signal. If you are having reception problems on the street, try walking to the nearest intersection, as there you may find better coverage. Cellular band radio waves do not effectively penetrate earth: if you are underground you will likely receive no signal. In addition try downloading a signal map tool for your smartphone. These typically work by pointing the user in the direction of their nearest cell tower and can be extremely effective in locating better coverage. 
      
   2. 3
      Utilize a personal cell phone network extender. These devices are a new technology that creates a hybrid amplifier/repeater for personal use through smart technology to extend your cell phone's reception. They are plug and play, can be used with almost any carrier, require no installation and actually work.
      
   3. 4
      Install a cellular repeater. If you are having cell problems in one location, such as your home or office, then try installing a cellular repeater. Cell phone repeaters pick up low cell signal with an antenna, boost the signal and broadcast it over the coverage area. They typically need at least 2 bars of signal where the antenna is placed (usually outside or on the roof) but can substantially improve cell reception, as well as battery life and data download speeds. Some repeaters might need technical knowledge such as the frequency of your carrier, and only work for one service provider. For a less technical approach that improves reception on all carriers, use a dual-band cell phone repeater.
      
   4. 5
      Upgrade your antenna. A few cell phone manufacturers make a "Hi-gain" antenna for their handsets, which may be changed in-store or by the user at home. Although these won’t improve signal as much (or at all) as a repeater these antennas are relatively inexpensive and you are not confined to one location.
      
   5. 6
      Change networks. Most networks operate independently of one another, using their own frequencies and constructing their own cell phone towers. Chances are if the signal is bad with one network you can improve by switching. Most cellular networks these days allow you to transfer your phone number when you change provider.
      
   6. 7
      Hold your phone correctly. Mobile phone antennas are designed to project a signal outward, perpendicular to the long axis of the antenna. As such, mobile phones seek signals in a donut-esque shape around the antenna. Normally, when a mobile is held upright, this is not a problem. However, if you are holding your phone in a strange way, such as on its side or upside down, you will hinder the operation of the antenna. Hold your phone upright to guarantee that your phone can "see" your carrier signal. On most newer phones the antenna is located at the bottom of the phone, so if you are experiencing signal problems on a newer phone turning it upside down will boost your signal.
      
   7. 8
      Host a cell site. This may take time, but where cell phone reception is inadequate property owners can host small cell sites on their properties for major wireless carriers. 3rd parties with Wireless Revenue Programs allow you to register your property to be eligible. Then when there is carrier interest in the area you'll be on the short list of places they choose from and will have optimal coverage. They may even pay your phone bill.
      
   8. 9
      Use Wi-Fi as your cell phone signal. Make calls and connect to internet from your phone as normally you would. If your mobile phone supports UMA, you can use the wi-fi as your cellphone signal where you don't get GSM signal coverage or areas with poor coverage. Not all devices and carriers support UMA calls. There are some blackberry and androids and few other phones that support.
      

      Tips

      • Wireless Signal Booster You can also boost your cell phone signal by using a non-electrical, wireless mobile signal booster.
      • Battery Life When a phone can't find a good signal, it searches. The phone uses a lot of power to do this, which is why having poor signal will drain your battery. Those who have forgotten to turn off their phone on an airplane understand this well. If you have a cell phone building repeater, you will notice that your battery seems to last forever, because it never has to look for a signal, it always has the best possible one available.
      • If all else fails, switch your service provider.
      • Weather: Arid, High humidity and lightning can all cause a reduction in cell signal. If the weather is dry your only option may be a Rain dance.
      • Car Amplifiers If you wish to boost your cell phone reception in your car, you will need a mobile signal booster with a 12v or cigarette lighter adapter.

        Warnings

        • Avoid any solutions that involve a $5 (or equally cheap) patch you stick on or in your phone. These are invariably useless and will not improve your cell reception. These are usually calledInternal Cell Phone Boosters but are nothing more than a waste of money. (some evidence gained by research through non-profits suggests otherwise. But then again, why wouldn't phone manufacturers just include them?)

Causes of weak cell phone signals and regulating cell phone signal boosters

Have you been experiencing many dropped calls lately? Are you living or working in a cell phone signal dead zone? If you have answered yes to these questions then you definitely need cell phone signal boosters. 

Cell phone signal boosters are devices that are used to increase and improve your service providers signal strength. They are also known to reduce noise and to improve the sound quality of phone calls and even increase your battery life. Cell phone signal boosters extend the range of any cell phone signal. There are two ways in which cell phone signal boosters can be used; by connecting the signal booster directly to your phone or by using a repeater (or an amplifier) which requires no physical connection to your phone. 

Weak cell phone signals are caused by various reasons. Building size affects signal strength by attenuating the signal and interference by objects that reflect the signal inside the building is also to blame. This is common in large buildings such as factories and is the same in the basements of big buildings. In these situations Cell phone signal boosters with external amplifiers can be mounted at various locations on the building to improve signal reception. 

Some materials used in building construction also attenuate the signal. Old buildings which have lead in their roofing materials block signal reception. Buildings with very thick concrete walls and floors, fiberglass insulated roofs and metallic window screens are known to block radio signals. Buildings with such materials therefore require cell phone signal boosters mounted on them to amplify the cell phone signals and thus allow users to roam freely without worrying about dropped calls. 

Cell phone signal dead zones can also be caused by signals taking different paths and bouncing off buildings. These signals then are transmitted as destructive signals and require directional cell phone signal antennas to align them and transmit them properly. This is to prevent them from affecting the signal frequency ranges used by cell phones. 

Companies dealing with cell phone signal boosters are bound by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and guidelines as much as it gives the mandate to allow data roaming by carriers. The FCCs role is to ensure that signal boosters do not interfere with carrier networks and their goal is to facilitate the deployment and development of high quality signal boosters that do not interfere with transmission of carrier networks. This is considered necessary considering that quite recently some carrier networks recently argued that certain cell phone signal boosters interfere with their towers thus leading to dropped calls complaints by their subscribers.

PROCESS OF MAKING SIGNAL BOOSTER ANTENNA

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How to Permanently Solve Bad Reception with a Cell Phone Signal Booster

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