topic Re: Mobile signal booster in Mobile Network discussions

Mobile signal booster

EinsteinExtreme — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 13:22:03 GMT

Hi, does anyone know if EE do a mobile signal booster? I have a really poor mobile signal indoors and although it's not much better outside, it's still better than I have indoors.

Re: Mobile signal booster

Chris_B — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 13:45:00 GMT

@EinsteinExtreme You need to use Wi-Fi calling as that’s exactly what it’s for.

Re: Mobile signal booster

EinsteinExtreme — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 13:46:48 GMT

Excellent, many thanks.

Does anyone know if EE do a signal booster as the signal is pretty bad indoors but slightly better outside?

Re: Mobile signal booster

Chris_B — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 13:51:25 GMT

@EinsteinExtreme No they don’t and no network does. They used to have them but these worked via 3G and plugged in to a router to give you a connection. 3G is being switched off so the service for these boxes has already been switched off. The advancements of WiFi calling replaced these boxes.

Re: Mobile signal booster

EinsteinExtreme — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 13:54:05 GMT

Thanks but I don't need WiFi calling as I can make and receive calls perfectly well and neither do I have WiFi

Re: Mobile signal booster

bristolian — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 14:27:35 GMT

You claim to have poor mobile coverage indoors, yet admit to being able to make and receive calls perfectly well. What's the issue you have?

It's a common complaint to "only have x bars" of coverage, but these are simply a guide to service, two different phones often give different onscreen displays for the same coverage layer.

The signal box you refer to was a legacy 3G picocell, which are no longer supported. The best way of boosting coverage is to be nearer the TX antenna!

Re: Mobile signal booster

EinsteinExtreme — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 14:40:14 GMT

I'm not claiming anything, I'm telling you my signal is poor inside but better outside.

This is posted in the mobile broadband section so it naturally follows that I'm talking about the data signal.

"X bars" mean nothing in this, Ive done a download speed check and can't get much above 5mbps while indoors.

Re: Mobile signal booster

bristolian — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 15:01:45 GMT

Many users on this forum post in different sections to that which they are asking about, responders can only advise based on the information provided - only in this latest post have you mentioned data speeds.

The answer to your initial question remains unchanged - there is a list of Ofcom-approved repeaters on the following page. It's entirely normal for indoor mobile coverage to be poorer than outdoors, the extent to which this occurs depends on numerous factors.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/advice/using-a-repeater-to-improve-indoor-mobile-phone-signal

Does your router have any facility to check the EARFCN that your are connected to? This will identify the individual radio carrier, and provide a significant degree of information as to what speeds should be attainable.

Re: Mobile signal booster

EinsteinExtreme — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 15:03:44 GMT

Yeah I tend to post in the right sections on forums.

I don't have a router...hence my need for a working mobile internet speed indoors....

Re: Mobile signal booster

Chris_B — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 15:28:22 GMT

@EinsteinExtreme And you get half decent speeds outside? If you do there is nothing that can be done as it’s your home causing this. Buildings block cellular signals but if you can make/receive calls and text ok have you tried just restarting the device. Data speeds are also dependent on what your device is actually doing so if you have a lot of apps running in the background this will hinder speeds as these are all trying to work at the same time via the network.

Re: Mobile signal booster

EinsteinExtreme — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 15:37:51 GMT

I'm just using my phone (S23 Ultra) and I don't use many apps on it so they wouldn't be causing poor download speeds. The reason I'm asking about this is if I stand near a window the speeds increase to around 15-17 Mbps which would be about acceptable but only using it near the window is impractical which is why if I could get some kind of repeater near the window I could bounce off of that. But if EE don't do them then this isn't going to be workable.

Re: Mobile signal booster

bristolian — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 15:46:19 GMT

Refer to my post of 3.01pm yesterday, I included a link to Ofcom's list of approved repeaters. Costs are likely to be in 3 figures.

Re: Mobile signal booster

EinsteinExtreme — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 15:47:29 GMT

Thank you for your contribution

Re: Mobile signal booster

DavidHughes — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 10:54:36 GMT

The Ofcom amplifiers list a number of brands that are legal in the UK. The cheapest mobile signal boosters I can find are German brand Huaptec, they are sold by Mobile Signal Solutions who as based in Chelmsford and usually delivery next day.

The boosters start at about £700 and ok they are expensive but at least they are legal, the only other cheaper ones are the broadband amplifiers that are illegal to use, but legal to sell, which is mad!!

The best mobile signal boosters in the UK cover EE and all the other networks and as EE is on 1800MHz mainly you can choose any of the three models they have, all Ofcom listed and approved.

Keep in mind it will only work if you have signal outside, so it needs a donor signal to bring the EE signal in, once it captures the signal it can boost it by 40dB (Could be more but I think the starter amplifiers are 40db) and thats what gives you full signal.

Re: Mobile signal booster

DavidHughes — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 17:39:24 GMT

Hi, I agree 100% the self contained radio 100% the best way forward, but the time lines and planning involved are huge investment in resources, needing all the networks working at the event. The boosters are way less power, much lower specifications and need that donor antenna to link to a base station, but they do work and a simple option for small events, that just need a little help to get the signal, not just ee usually everyone is effected as the event is either far from a tower or indoors where no signal can get into the building.

For us it's about having an office with access to make calls for emergencies that really helps. I know they are not the be all but they really help when your in the middle of "no where" and lost the signal a mile back on the way to get set up for a country show.

For small events I think they are helpful, suitable only for the indoor locations, find a few key areas you can put them and it can makes the difference between an event going well for the people paying to have there stand at the show, the visa cards working etc. and having that signal in an area where people know they can pick up calls and messages, even if its just at the canteen you put a booster it help the event. Anyhow just an idea and hope its helps

Re: Mobile signal booster

Nathan5346 — Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:20:16 GMT

I understand your frustration as I have the same problem, my phone shows 1 bar on the signal and I'm always waiting for pages and videos to load. EE have said there's no problem in my area so they're no help at all. We live within 300 yards of a mast but we live half way up a hill with the mast being at the top and houses are pretty much blocking our signal...so **bleep**ed if with it but there's nothing I can do other than get home broadband and connect via WiFi

Re: Mobile signal booster

bristolian — Sun, 23 Feb 2025 16:34:44 GMT

@Nathan5346 wrote:

I understand your frustration as I have the same problem, my phone shows 1 bar on the signal and I'm always waiting for pages and videos to load.

Your issue is not necessarily the same as the thread you've latched onto. This can be an issue when adding to other posts rather than starting a new one.

Data speeds do not directly correlate with the perceived quality of signal - "5 bars" does not automatically mean top speeds any more than "only 1 bar" automatically means poor speeds.

Data speeds are far more dictated by the amount of capacity/spectrum available on your serving site/sector, divided by the amount of users.

Re: Mobile signal booster

Kieran1725 — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 16:56:07 GMT

They do I’ve had one in my area you get no signal and you connect it to the WiFi and it boosts your 4g I still have this

Re: Mobile signal booster

bristolian — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 17:12:34 GMT

@Kieran1725 wrote:
They do I’ve had one in my area you get no signal and you connect it to the WiFi and it boosts your 4g I still have this

I'm not sure which post in this thread from May 2025 that you're replying to, but for clarity.

EE's legacy Signal Box were 3G microcells and no longer work, the core network elements they connected to have been decomissioned.

WiFi-calling is a different technology altogether, it doesn't "boost your 4G" as much as operate alongside it - using WiFi in place of 4G, but to provide the same end result.