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Question

Cell phone signal boosters

Sep 25, 2017 6:47AM PDT

Hi, please help me with the following issue..The closest cell tower is 10 miles away and it's nearly impossible to talk on the phone. on the web I came across so called cell phone signal booster, a device that easily amplify weak cellular signal inside any covered area, be it a house, or an office. did anybody use smth of the kind and did it work for u? many thanks!

Discussion is locked

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Answer
I haven't used one but
Sep 25, 2017 7:47AM PDT
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That's the problem!
Sep 26, 2017 6:01AM PDT

That's the problem! All the posts are rather old..And each year the market is changing, new players are appearing..I just want to be sure I'll choose the most modern and safe device..
anyway thank you! I'll go on my research

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Radio waves have not changed
Sep 27, 2017 1:38PM PDT

All you need to know is which frequencies your carrier is using. For example, in North America the big two are 850MHz and 1900MHz. More recently, 1700 & 2100 have been added, depending on who's your carrier. The dual band/3G/4G Wilson amplifier/repeaters with externally mounted antennas are my current favorites to improve indoor reception. Keep in mind that if there is NO signal whatsoever outside of your residence, you are out of luck.

Example:
https://www.wilsonamplifiers.com/weboost-home-4g-cell-phone-signal-booster-kit-470101/

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It looks like wilson is for America only
Oct 23, 2017 3:13AM PDT

Exactly, radio waves haven't changed. Wink but I'm in Germany now..and it looks like wilson is for America only, since frequencies in Europe and America are different. I didn't know that before.

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Answer
It can be a solution
Oct 16, 2017 3:59PM PDT

Considering your problem with the location of the cell tower, the only decision in my opinion is to use a special gadget for improving your phone signal. It can be a special mobile signal booster or a femtocell, the second one is a device which converts landline Internet to cellular signals. It means that you can use your Internet connection with this gadget for improving your mobile phone signal too Happy
However one of my friends who works as a mobile network operator recommends to use phone signal boosters instead of other devices because they're specially made for making better only phone signal https://www.myamplifiers.com/resources/how-it-works/. There are many models of them, they differ in their capacity and coverage so I recommend you to get a consultation in an amplifier's service about appropriate parameters for your house before making this purchase Happy

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Thank you
Oct 23, 2017 3:31AM PDT

Many thanks for your advice! Right now I'm choosing between HiBoost and Stella Doradus, and I'll consider your option as well.. And could you please ask your friend about these brands? Right they seem to be at the top of the market

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what i've found out on the topic
Nov 13, 2017 7:27AM PST

hi guys

what i've found out on the topic, hope smb will find it useful. feel like having a tech blog Grin
German operators work on GSM 900 MHz for calls, 800, 1800 and 2600 for 4G.
now regarding repeater manufacturers. just like I supposed wilson doesn't have repeaters for Europe, their devices work on 850MHz and 1900MHz only, which are frequencies for North America as mentioned before. HiBoost produces both for US and Europe, Stella for Europe only. As a conclusion, since I'm currently based in Germany I'm still at the fork in the road to HiBoost and Stella Doradus. So the issue is not closed yet Wink

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The Stella look overpriced
Nov 13, 2017 10:36AM PST

Seems cheaper to buy the HiBoost product which would cover the same 5 frequency bands. Would give you extra money to customize the antenna/mount/cabling you require for your location.

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Answer
Reminds me of a trick we used with 2G phones
Nov 13, 2017 10:53AM PST

At my uncle's place in similar situation. He couldn't use his cellphone in the house, had to walk out into yard to get connection. We taped a foot square tinfoil on outside of best window for reception from celltower, then one on inside of the window. Ran an insulating wire between them, the ends stripped to bare wire and joined on each end to the foil. It worked! Since then they've installed a closer cellphone tower at his place.