topic Re: Improve signal coverage by small cells in Mobile Network discussions

Improve signal coverage by small cells

wwwayne — Sun, 13 Apr 2025 20:49:22 GMT

Hi there

Can private individuals purchase and deploy small cells in their own house?

I've seen some small cells uses the LAN port of the network switch or LAN port of router to access the internet.

Re: Improve signal coverage by small cells

XRaySpeX — Sun, 13 Apr 2025 21:13:43 GMT

Isn't that called WiFi Calling (VoWiFi)?

Re: Improve signal coverage by small cells

bristolian — Sun, 13 Apr 2025 21:44:31 GMT

The short answer is no.

EE used to offer the "signal booster" which were 3G picocells backhauled via your home broadband. The preferred solution for indoor coverage issues is now WiFi-calling, where a mobile device connected to the internet via your home broadband/wireless can use that connection for calls & texts.

In-building small cells, distributed-antenna & in-building systems tend to be bespoke systems that are thus reserved for corporate & public-sector users who have a high concentration of users and/or whose buildings don't get good RF penetration.