I get a lot of questions from you guys and gals about cell phone boosters, and it’s easy to understand why. I’m always telling you to get one for your home or vehicle, and I’ve done my level best to explain why you should. It’s only natural for you to have questions. I totally get it. Fortunately, I’m happy to share what I know about signal boosters. Getting a cell booster is a big decision, so you should be fully informed before you invest in one. You’ll be glad you did!
To make things easy for you, I put together this frequently asked questions or FAQ file. While it answers many of your questions, it probably won’t cover everything you want to know about cell phone signal booster systems. If you have a question that’s not listed here, just give us a call at 888-233-7563. You also can post your question in the comments section below. One way or another, I’ll get you the answers you’re looking for.
Here is the list of the most frequently asked questions we get about cell signal boosters and the answers to each of them:
Q: “Why is my cell phone reception spotty in certain areas?”
A: There are two things that cause reception problems: distance and obstructions. If your cell phone is too far from a cell phone tower, it weakens your signal. Obstructions are anything that gets between your cell phone and the nearest tower including:
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Hills, mountains, ridges, etc.
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Buildings and homes. (Radio frequency or RF signals struggle to pass through metal, concrete, and some glass.)
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The metal and safety glass of vehicles block RF signals.
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Trees, shrubbery, and other foliage.
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Heavy dust particles in the air.
Q: “How much distance is too much?”
A: You might be surprised to learn that being one to one-and-a-half miles from a cell phone tower can be enough distance to cause reception problems. This is all the more reason why everyone can benefit from a cell phone booster in the home or vehicle.
Q: “What does a cellular signal booster do?”
A: These devices improve existing cell phone signals to reduce dropped calls, missed texts, and slow or interrupted data.
Q: “How does a cell phone signal booster system work?”
A: Understanding each component of a cell phone booster teaches you how these devices work. A cell signal booster consists of an outdoor antenna, booster, and indoor antenna. Here are how these three components are constantly working together to constantly send and receive amplified cellular signal into and out of your home simultaneously:
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The outdoor antenna accesses voice, 3G, 4G, and LTE data signal, then delivers it to the booster.
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The booster receives the signal, amplifies it, then sends it to the indoor antenna.
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The indoor antenna broadcasts the boosted signal throughout your home, office, vehicle, boat, etc.
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This same process works to provide amplified signal when you make a call or send data.
Q: “Do the cell phone boosters you carry work with most phones and carriers?”
A: Yes, the cell boosters we carry work with all North American cell carrier networks and all cell phones and cellular-enabled tablets, etc.
Q: “Do cellular signal boosters work with voice, 4G, and LTE?”
A: We carry a large variety of cellular signal boosters including many that enhance those signals.
Q. “Do cell boosters have a monthly subscription fee?”
No, they don’t. A signal booster is a one-time purchase with no additional fees.
Q: “Which cell phone amplifier should I get?”
A: While there are other factors, the cell phone signal booster system you get largely depends upon the size of your home. Here’s an easy guide the offers an idea of what could be the best cell phone signal booster for your home:
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For those who need a boost in a 1,500 square foot area, we often recommend the weBoost Home 4G.
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The weBoost Connect 4G might help enhance coverage to multiple devices in a 5,000 square foot area.
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If you need coverage up to 7,500 square feet, we might recommend the Connect 4G-X.
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If you have a space that’s 10,000 square feet or more, you’ll need a custom commercial solution. We recommend calling the experts at Solid Signal because we specialize in these solutions.
Note: It’s difficult to predict coverage areas because each installation is different. If you want to know more about residential cell boosters, check out this post about cell phone boosters.
Q: “Is it hard to install a cellular signal booster in my home?”
A: It’s not too difficult to install one of these devices in your home. It generally consists of four relatively easy steps:
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Finding the best cellular signal outside your home.
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Installing the outdoor antenna.
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Connecting outdoor antenna to the amplifier.
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Installing your inside antenna.
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Turning the device on.
Granted, this is a broad overview of the process. There are more details involved when you actually dig down into it. If you want to learn more, check out this post that teaches you how to install a cell phone booster in your home. It walks you through each of these steps in more detail.
Q: “How do I know where my carrier’s nearest cell tower is?”
A: There are a few different ways that cell phone users can find the nearest towers in their communities or anywhere else. The easiest way is to log onto one of these three websites:
These sites ask users to enter their address or zip code. The site produces a map of the address you enter and their locations within a certain radius. It’s a free and easy way to find out where your carrier’s tower is in relation to your home. For more info, check out this post about finding cell tower locations.
Q: “My homeowners’ association doesn’t allow big antennas on our roofs. Can I still get a cell phone booster?”
A: Have you heard about the OTARD rule? It lets you put up small antennas in private outdoor areas if they don’t cause any damage to the structure or the owner says it’s okay to drill or screw into the structure. If you are part of a homeowners’ association, check your HOA guidelines before starting any project.
Q: “I hear you carry cell boosters for cars, trucks, and SUVs. How do I know if I need a cell phone booster in my vehicle?”
A: I believe anyone who drives a vehicle should have a cell phone signal booster in it. There are a few reasons for this. The metal and safety glass in your vehicle tend to block cell phone transmission. Secondly, most people drive through areas that have lots of obstructions. Lastly, you never know when you might have to drive down roads that are far from cell towers or have obstructions. It’s good to have a cell phone booster in your vehicle for these and other safety-related reasons.
Q: “Which cell phone booster should I get for my vehicle?”
A: The cell signal booster you need largely depends on the size of your vehicle and how many devices you want to boost. Here’s a quick and easy guide that should help you identify which of these devices you need:
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If you drive a car and want to just boost YOUR calls and GPS, we recommend the weBoost Drive Sleek.
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Do you have multiple passengers with their own devices? If so, the weBoost Drive 4G-X or 4G-M is what you need.
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If you own a truck or van, or prefer a permanent, seamless installation, consider the weBoost 4G-x Fleet.
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If you own an RV and take it to remote locations, you need the Connect RV 65.
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Over-the-road truckers use the weBoost Drive 4G-X OTR in their big rigs.
Q: “Can I install a cell phone booster in my vehicle?”
A: The answer to this question depends upon which signal booster you have. If you’re comfortable removing trim pieces and carpet, and you’re willing to live with a visible wire here or there, you probably can install a vehicle booster. Many smaller signal boosters are designed for self-installation. Most of these devices use magnetic antenna mounts so there’s no need to drill into your vehicle’s roof or body.
If you want the cleanest look possible, you might consider professional installation. If your cellular signal booster kit includes an NMO antenna mount, you definitely want to turn to the pros. Those kits are definitely not for amateurs!
Your Wireless Service Connection
Solid Signal is proud to be your cell phone booster expert. We have a full line of weBoost and Wilson cell phone boosters for homes, businesses, vehicles, and more. We also carry these devices from Surecall, Hiboost, Smoothtalker, and Uniden. It’s more than just stocking these products on our digital shelves. Solid Signal is also a cellular signal booster experts. Our techs can answer any questions you have about these unique and useful devices.
Solid Signal is also an AT&T Preferred Dealer, which means we offer AT&T wireless plans and the latest cell phones. Give us a call at 888-233-7563 to learn about our latest promotions to help you save money on these purchases. We look forward to helping you save as you stay connected.
