The situation when there is no or a very weak signal from a mobile phone is quite common, and users often encounter it. This can be caused by various factors – interruptions in the work of the mobile operator, smartphone malfunctions, terrain features, the presence of obstacles on the way, a large distance from the base station, and more. If you cannot use the best 5G network in the UK and regularly encounter connections to 4G or 3G networks, this article is for you.
How Does Mobile Communication Work?
Briefly, the structure of cellular communication can be described as follows: there is a complex of base stations that provide communication in the area. A smartphone is a device that receives and transmits a signal, operating in this network and connecting to a base station, the signal from which is of higher quality.
Standards for communication between a smartphone and a base station:
- 2G. In this network, a subscriber can transmit voice and standard SMS, photos, as well as any information, in accordance with EDGE/GPRS technologies.
- 3G. Large mobile operators use this technology. Here, in addition to voice calls, you can transmit certain data.
- 4G. Here, all operators build a network using a common LTE technology, which provides high-speed data transfer via mobile Internet. Voice calls work using VoLTE technology.
- 5G. This communication standard is not available in all countries. If you are in the UK, you can check the availability of 5G networks from the UK’s largest operators, EE, Vodafone, Three, and O2, using special coverage maps provided by telecom operators.
The user’s smartphone always connects to the most technologically advanced network, even when the signal is weaker. This is the reason for poor signal and interruptions in cellular communication and mobile Internet.
What Does a Mobile Signal Depend On?
The physical proximity of the base station directly affects how good the connection is. The closer the transceiver station is to the house, the better the signal. In the UK, there are no particular problems with the location of base stations. But mobile communications and the Internet may work intermittently outside the city, in the basement, or when buildings are very densely built in the city. This requires amplifying the signal of the base station, the smartphone.
Often the base station itself can be overloaded. This usually happens during holidays or disasters, when mobile network and Internet users simultaneously try to call loved ones or emergency services. In such a situation, nothing can be changed, you need to wait until the situation normalises.
Improving Mobile Internet Signal With a Booster
The main advantage of a booster is the ability to amplify the internet signal and cellular communications in general. To improve the signal, you will need:
- An antenna on the roof of the building – fixed to a 2-6 m mast;
- A booster – it must be installed indoors;
- An indoor antenna (1 or more).
- 50 Ohm coaxial cables connecting all parts of the structure.
The main thing here is the booster. It has 2 basic parameters: frequency and gain. The second is selected depending on the signal strength. The worse the quality of the internet reception, the greater it should be.
Usually, 70-75 dB is enough. However, when the signal reception at home is so poor that it is not even possible to talk on the phone, the coefficient should be at least 75 dB.
The frequency is selected depending on the signal and communication standard. This requires a mobile phone and a locator program that tracks the operator’s base stations.
It is necessary to familiarise yourself with the frequency ranges in each of the communication standards: 3G, 4G, and GSM. If the locator gives one range everywhere, then such a booster is ideal. If it gives two ranges, then you should take a 2-range booster, if three, then a 3-range one, and so on.
Regarding the internal antenna, its operating radius completely depends on the power of the incoming signal and the booster. When the signal is very poor, then a stable connection in the building will be within a radius of 2-4 m from the antenna or to the nearest load-bearing wall. If you want to have a full-fledged Internet signal and communication throughout the house, you need to install several antennas inside.
What to Consider When Choosing a Mobile Signal Amplifier?
When choosing equipment for signal amplification, it is important to consider the power, frequency, and gain. This determines how high-quality the mobile Internet will be, and how quickly the signal will arrive at the base station.
1. Power.
To enhance 4G communication, it is important to choose the right power, absolutely comparable to the area where the Internet needs to be improved. A device with a power of 100 mW is enough for 200 m2. This is an ideal solution for an apartment or cottage. However, an office building requires the most powerful equipment so that all employees can use mobile communications efficiently.
2. Frequency.
Usually, base stations use 2 ranges – 900 and 1800 MHz. The first provides a longer range, and the second serves a larger number of clients of the mobile company. 900 MHz base stations are usually installed in small settlements, and 1800 MHz are the standard solution for large cities. Taking this into account, a signal amplifier is selected. For a country house, a 900 MHz device is enough, and in a city apartment, only 1800 MHz.
3. Gain.
This is the main parameter on which the improvement of the signal received from the base station depends. When choosing a communication amplifier, it is necessary to take into account the features of the mobile phone. When a smartphone has good reception outdoors, but poor reception at home, it is correct to select an amplifier with a coefficient of 70-75 dB. When it has poor reception both at home and outdoors, it is better to take equipment with a coefficient of 75-90 dB. A device below 65 dB is not worth buying. It will not improve the quality of cellular communication.
Wrapping It Up
Among the operators offering the best 5G network connection in the UK, Vodafone, EE and Three deserve special mention. However, in some cases, even technologies like 5G cannot guarantee perfect coverage everywhere. To ensure a stable signal and high-quality connection, it is important to use proven solutions such as signal boosters. We recommend contacting UCtel, which has extensive experience in improving 4G and 5G networks in apartments, houses, and offices.
