The case for a signal booster
Remote workers and modern businesses depend on fast, reliable connectivity to mobile carriers, especially if they use 3G or 4G LTE Internet. Even homeowners and apartment tenants can easily benefit from having a strong mobile reception.
This is where a signal booster comes in. Simply put, signal booster kits can significantly improve the mobile signal reception and strength of an area. It’s a one-time investment that can quickly erase signal dead zones and boost mobile connectivity. In a digital world where everything is connected, a signal booster is an invaluable gadget to have.
The low-down on mobile signals
A carrier’s cell sites are the source of mobile signals. They have limited coverage range, so carriers need to build multiple sites to achieve a wide service area. In urban and highly-populated regions, there are many cell sites to provide consistent service to a sizable number of subscribers. For far-flung and rural locales, however, there may be not enough sites to provide ample coverage.
Line-of-sight to these carrier sites plays a big factor in determining signal strength. A lot of environmental factors, both natural and man-made, can also influence mobile reception. Most of these elements, however, generally weaken signals.
Natural landforms like mountains, ridges, and hills can block cell site line-of-sight and even repel signals. Foliage, in general, can absorb or reflect mobile signals, making woodlands and forest regions signal dead spots. Atmospheric conditions, such as heavy rain or increased humidity, can also hamper reception.
For cities, there’s also a lot of elements that can induce poor mobile reception. Man-made materials like concrete and steel are notorious signal blockers. This explains why underground parking lots and basements suffer from bad to no reception. Glass covered with certain films and coatings can also repel mobile signals. In addition to these materials, line-of-sight to carrier towers can also be an issue in metropolitan settings.
The benefits of a signal booster
Signal booster kits are generally composed of an amplifier device, an exterior and interior antenna, and cable wiring. The exterior antenna – usually installed in the highest part of a building – draws in existing signals in the area and sends them to the amplifier. The amp unit then boosts the signals, and the interior antenna rebroadcasts them to a targeted area.
The end result is a markedly stronger mobile reception for users in the coverage area. This means more reliable calls and SMS services, faster and dependable 3G and 4G LTE connectivity.
It’s important to remember that a signal booster only works when there are signals around. It won’t work in areas without service coverage from a mobile carrier.
The right signal booster for the right situation
There are booster kits for small homes and offices, large homes and multi-storey buildings. There are kits built for cars and RV use, and some are even designed for water vehicles like yachts and boats. Some are rated for specific carrier use, like a Verizon signal booster or an AT&T booster kit.
Choosing the right signal booster depends on where it’ll be used and how large the desired boosted area is. Generally, the larger the coverage range, the more expensive the booster kit, so it’s vital to do proper measurements before purchasing a unit.