The Problem’s Sources
Interesting enough, 4G is the most used of its counterparts. With over 5 billion subscriptions as of 2023, its users naturally experience the typical signal issues the most, when sheer numbers are looked at. Said issues are a result of multiple things, which include the following:
- Network congestion, caused by too many users active in an area overloads the network, slowing it down
- Incompatibility with the network, which is basically when your device is part of a different generation; for example, a 3G device in an area with 4G
- Closeness to distant base stations will result in poor signals
- The presence of tall signal-hindering obstacles such as trees, mountains and buildings around the area in question
- The presence of building materials such as cement, brick, glass and metal
- Presence of weather phenomena such as thick clouds, snow and rain
The Problem’s Solutions
Interestingly enough, the above signal-blocking causes have varying fixes. For example, a device change to something compatible with the network in the area would solve compatibility issues. That said, 4G boosters are the one more permanent solution.
Why is this the case? Well, a 4G booster is a unit consisting of multiple pieces, whose collective purpose is to gather whatever signal is around, amplify it and send it out throughout the designated space. The pieces that facilitate this include both external and internal antennas and the amplifier that connects them.
Receiving the Signal
This responsibility falls on the external antenna, which takes anything irrespective of strength and quality. It’s typically fixed somewhere signal interruptions are the most limited, which is usually a high point such as a roof, or a higher place on the wall.
Strengthening What’s Received
The received signal is then sent to an amplifier, with minimal losses thanks to the coaxial cable connecting it to the external antenna. This amplifier is really where the boosting occurs and it’s responsible for cleaning up and strengthening the signal in readiness for distribution throughout the designated space.
Broadcasting Strengthened Signals
The internal antenna receives the boosted signal from the amplifier, which it then sends throughout the entire area, according to the specified coverage. There are times when one of these antennas, which is placed in a place where network problems are most prominent, won’t cover every user. In such cases, multiple of these antennas can be used to increase the coverage.
The solution’s nature is such that it’s quite versatile, with dealers being able to configure it to the needs of a client, and the specifications of whatever building it’s in. As such, you’ll find this tool fitted in hospitals, schools, commercial buildings, apartments and even miniature versions built for vehicles.
The success of these tools is based on how well planned out they are, which is why service providers should come on a scope out the area in search of the places in which signal-boosting is needed the most. A few of how this can be done include the following:
- Ignoring phone bars, as they can be misleading due to how carrier-based they are
- Conduct tests by using field test mode on your Android or Apple device
- Moving around the space in question and placing calls to see whether or not they are dead zones, or experience dropped calls
Another crucial method is taking dBm readings. The decibel-milliwatts dBm are used, along with other metrics such as radio frequency quality, to assess different parts of a location and pinpoint specific problem areas.
What Boosters Won’t Solve
Boosters are the best solution for signals weakened by the above causes. However, a 4G signal booster won’t fix everything, as its input is quite limited. Below are a few situations where the use of these units won’t amount to anything:
- When there’s no signal at all around the designated space, which renders boosters useless, as they aren’t signal generators
- When devices don’t fit with the network, troubles become imperative
- When the base stations are affected by actions such as intentional slowing down of the network by providers, which only they can address
The Right Dealer
Even though they won’t work in the above situations, boosters will help as long as there’s even the smallest signal. This, however, depends on who’s given the service to you. The providers of these tools have to not only have the best quality boosters that can address any network generation and building configuration, they just need to know what they’re doing during installation and possible maintenance, should things go wrong.
A great way of seeing if a dealer is of quality is by testing the booster’s functionality right after it’s been fitted in. Fortunately, tools like the aforementioned field test mode on your device give you the ability to conduct said checks yourself.
Final Thoughts
Boosters in general are tools that are worth trying just because of how frequent signal issues are. When the fact that most of the world is still using LTE, it should come to no one’s surprise that the best solution for those using it is the 4G booster. That said, it should be known that these versatile tools cannot create a signal where there isn’t any, so always consider the actual cause of the problems before getting one.
With expert help, said causes can be found and so will the appropriate help, which may include fitting in a booster according to the right configuration. So, always find the right professionals or services.