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
Cell boosters for vehicles fall under different rules from those for fixed locations. In general, a booster for a vehicle tops out at about 1/100th the power of one for a residence. Of course that’s not a problem because even the largest RV is smaller than the average sized apartment. But, you need to be aware that if you’re in motion, you should be using a booster designed for that purpose.
There’s an exceptions for RVs and mobile homes that stay parked. You can get a booster designed for a home and use it in your RV or mobile home as long as it’s not moving. If it’s moving, you need to be using a mobile booster.
Cell boosters for vehicles
Generally speaking, cell boosters for vehicles are less expensive than ones for home or office. That’s the good news. Even better, most cell boosters for vehicles can be installed by regular folks without any problem. If you want to permanently hide wires under carpets or need to drill through an RV’s body panels to thread a cable, it’s best to consult a pro installer.
The questions you should ask yourself
If you’re looking for better cell service in your vehicle, here are the questions you should ask yourself:
- Is this just for the driver or will passengers want better service as well?
- Is this for a vehicle like a fleet truck, semi, RV, or something like that, or just for a passenger vehicle?
- Will you need a solution that gives you more power and flexibility when you’re parked?
For single drivers: weBoost Drive Sleek
weBoost’s Drive Sleek is the solution for folks who drive alone most of the time. It’s a simple system which connects to a utility outlet (older folks might call it a “lighter socket”) and clips to your vent. You put the phone into the booster’s cradle and you get better service for a single device. It boosts voice and data so you will get better performance from calls as well as apps like Waze and Spotify. It’s available new-in-box and in a refurbished version. There’s also an “OTR” version for big rigs.
For cars, light trucks, and SUVs: weBoost Drive Reach
weBoost’s Drive Reach cell booster is designed for easy DIY installation and will support up to 8 devices in your vehicle. It has the maximum possible power for a vehicle cell booster and two low-profile antennas that won’t change the way your vehicle looks. It’s also available in a refurbished version, as well as versions for RV and large trucks (see below.)
For multiple vehicles: Solid Signal Rover Duo
Solid Signal has created the perfect solution for people with multiple vehicles who want to save a little money. The Rover Duo has one amplifier and two sets of antennas. You install the antennas in your vehicles and simply move the amplifier from vehicle to vehicle. For little more than the cost of one booster, you get the power of two! It’s available in a version for cars and RVs, or an OTR version for cars and big rigs.
For larger vehicles: weBoost Drive Reach RV and OTR
Here’s a tempting idea: take weBoost’s most powerful cell booster and amp it up with bigger antennas designed to work with bigger vehicles. Using proven Drive Reach technology, the Drive Reach RV and Drive Reach OTR give performance that’s almost as good as a residential cell booster. They do this by using much larger antennas that can be mounted high up on the vehicle. Choose the RV version for family trips, or the OTR version for professional truck drivers.
For RVs that stay in one place: weBoost Destination RV
If your RV stays parked, then federal guidelines let you use a more powerful booster while you are parked. That’s where weBoost’s Destination RV comes into play. It’s essentially the popular Home Multiroom booster with different antennas and a pole mount that can be used while the RV is parked. It’s not for use while the RV’s moving but it will provide the maximum possible coverage while you’re in the RV park. It’s a great choice if you’ve settled in for a while.
Frequently Asked Questions
How easy is it to install a vehicle cell booster?
It takes practically no special skill to install a cell booster. Some simply attach to the vent and lighter socket, while others just require running a wire into the vehicle.
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 of the car. 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.
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 resell my booster if I trade in my vehicle?
Yes. If you want to sell your booster as part of selling your car, you can do that. You can also take it out and install it in your next vehicle. Our cell boosters are futureproof.
Does the cradle booster interfere with wireless charging?
Yes. Unfortunately the Drive Sleek does not allow for wireless charging to take place because the phone sits in the cradle. However, the bottom of the cradle is notched so you can feed a charging cable through it.
Will my car’s cell booster give a boost to other cars?
No. Generally speaking, the boost only works inside your vehicle. However, if the boosted signal does go outside your vehicle it may provide a small boost to another car’s phones. This is not a security risk and people in the other car will not be able to see your devices.
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!
