Over 90% of people experience bad cell service at some point in the day. That’s because almost every modern building is constructed to block cell phone signals! That’s right, all the same energy-efficient upgrades that keep heat and cold out also block cell phone signals.
Luckily there’s a way to bring great cell service into your home, office, or vehicle. It’s easy to install, has no monthly fee, works with all phones, and is futureproof. It’s called a cell phone signal booster, or cell booster for short.
How a cell booster works
Cell boosters use three parts which, when working together, give you great service inside your home, office, or vehicle. There’s an outside antenna which is mounted up as high as possible. This pulls in the most signal from nearby cell towers. Then there’s a powerful amplifier which helps you get the most out of the signal that’s there. Then, there’s an indoor antenna which blasts great cell service inside. The system amplifies signals from outside and also makes them stronger going back to the cell tower.
Choosing the right cell booster for your needs
Most cell phone booster companies won’t tell you how many square feet their products will cover. That’s because it really varies from location to location. If you are dealing with metal studs such as in an RV or commercial building, that will cut down the range. Large amounts of wiring in the walls can also have a negative effect.
As a general rule of thumb, choose the largest booster you can afford. Every booster comes with everything you need to install including antennas and wiring. However, if you choose a more powerful booster down the line you can generally reuse antennas and wiring, making it a quick upgrade.
Cell boosters for business
There are two things you’ll want to consider when choosing a booster for home. The first is the amount of space you’ll want to cover. The second is whether or not you’re using existing wiring.
50 ohm vs. 75 ohm: Whether or not to use existing wiring
If your office has unused RG6 cable from an old cable TV, TV antenna, or satellite system, you can use it instead of running new wires. In a case where you’re using existing wiring, you should choose the 75-ohm version of the cell booster you need.
If this is an all-new install including new cabling, you should use the 50-ohm version of the booster you choose. The 50-ohm cable that comes with these cell boosters has less loss than typical 75-ohm cable and that means you’ll get even better performance for both incoming and outgoing calls.
For single-person offices or small companies: weBoost Office 100
The weBoost Office 100 is the right choice if you run a small office, for example in a typical strip mall or office park. It’s available in both 50 and 75 ohm versions, installs quickly, and uses an omni antenna so you don’t have to worry about pointing it.
For mid-size offices or small stores: weBoost Office 200
The weBoost Office 200 gives you enough power to blanket a small storefront with great cell service. It’s also easier to control and customize. You can get it in 50 ohm and 75 ohm versions, and there’s an option for professional installation from weBoost. It comes with an omnidirectional antenna, but has enough power that you can upgrade to a directional yagi-style antenna to reach more distant cell towers if you want.
For larger offices, stores, and enterprises: custom solutions from WilsonPro
When you get above 10,000 square feet, you’ll want a completely custom enterprise design. You can buy a solution from WilsonPro yourself and have it installed by a local contractor, but it often pays to work with an integrator like Signal Connect for a custom design.
Using off-the-shelf components you can create systems for areas of 200,000 square feet or higher, including FirstNet and mid-band 5G, and customize coverage so that those areas which really need service get what they need.
Your Signal Connect representative will work with you to get as much information as possible so you’ll get the best result. They’ll give you a custom quote that’s designed just for your space. Call 888-233-7563 for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How easy is it to install an office cell booster?
Most facilities managers and office handymen are able to install a cell booster. If you are comfortable with a drill and a wrench, you can install a cell booster.
How much cell service do I need in order for a booster to work?
A cell booster will work as long as you have one bar outside while standing on your roof. If you have no service, a cell booster won’t work.
Do cell boosters work with 5G?
Yes. All cell boosters sold today work with nationwide (low-band) 5G from all major carriers in the US.
Do I need any sort of license or permit for a cell phone booster?
No. Because cell boosters use the same broadcast frequencies as cell phones, you don’t need a license or special permit to operate one.
Do cell phone boosters require additional power or permitting to my structure?
No. Cell phone signal boosters work off regular 110 volt power. They require no permits to inspections by local officials.
Are there health risks associated with the higher level of radiation coming from cell boosters?
No. Cell boosters output a maximum of under 2 watts of radiation, less than the average night light. There is no evidence that this amount of radiation will have any effect on your health.
Can I get someone to come out and measure my space for a custom installation?
Your Signal Connect representative will help you understand all your options including having a site survey before a system is planned. Call us at 888-233-7563 for more information.
Can I put a cell booster in my regular server rack?
Yes. Some cell boosters are specifically designed for rack mounting, while others can sit on a rack shelf in your server room. Your cell booster won’t have any effect on your server equipment. Generally you should budget about 4RU for a cell booster including spacing for airflow.
Will I need to give my customers some sort of code or password to use a cell booster?
No. Your customers won’t even know the booster is there. All they’ll know is that they will get the same cell service inside your building that they get outside.
What if I need to cover a really massive amount of space, like 500,000 square feet?
Your Signal Connect rep can work with you and with your local cell carrier to design an active Distributed Antenna System to cover large areas. Call 888-233-7563 for more information.
Want to know more?
Solid Signal has cell phone boosters for home, office, enterprise, and vehicle. We can help with spaces from 10-100,000 square feet. Shop our great selection of boosters or call us at 888-233-7563 for a personalized recommendation. If it’s after hours, fill out the form below and we’ll get right back to you!
