Mobile Signal Booster

shandong25 · 16-06-2016, 11:14

Hi everyone. First post.

Just a quick question. Our business has recently moved into new premises that supposedly had BT infinity based on our postcode. We have now found out that the best we can get broadband wise is 1.5Mbps MAX. Thanks BT.

We are looking into using our mobiles but are struggling signal wise as we are in Hexham, Northumberland that has poor reception.

Is there any product out there that you would recommend to increase/improve our mobile phone signal or are we stuck with what we've got ?

Thanks in advance.

interactiv-uk · 16-06-2016, 14:43

What network are you using and where abouts in Hexham are you?

exterra · 16-06-2016, 14:51

If you have slow broadband but can get even a very weak 3G signal standing on the roof of the building / top floor then a Cel-Fi will solve your problems. It's the only legal device that can be used on UK networks and is a 2 minute job to set up and in use works very well.

https://www.cel-fi.co.uk/

Depending on whether you have a business account your network operator may be willing to give you free of charge - EE and o2 certainly used to.

jchamier · 16-06-2016, 15:28

If you're on Vodafone of course you can buy a Suresignal which will work on any internet connection. EE sell theirs in retail shops, Three and O2 can loan if you can convince them.

CEL-FI products are excellent but expensive but require signal in one area (often upstairs by a window) and it spreads this signal around the home/office. Doesn't need internet.

brianbb · 16-06-2016, 16:23

If there is a mobile phone signal there then a signal booster will boost it several times, the gain is 64db. You need an aerial and a mains powered modem, the booster connects the two.
Connected this way it is perfectly legal, it is only illegal to broadcast a signal.
Boosters are not sold in the UK as they are supplied with a second aerial which is normally used to broadcast the signal to a mobile phone. This second aerial should be removed. They are, however available on Ebay's US site.
You need to find your nearest transmitter, (Ofcom's sitefinder page or ring the mobile phone operator's call centre) and note the transmission frequency. Then search the US site for 'WCDMA' followed by the frequency. They call them repeaters. The purchase will appear in the My Purchases list on the UK site in the usual way.

jchamier · 16-06-2016, 17:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianbb

Connected this way it is perfectly legal, it is only illegal to broadcast a signal.

You can't boost a signal without transmitting / broadcasting. What you've posted makes no sense. The only legal signal booster is the CEL-FI product (expensive) which can be managed by the mobile operator.

The mobile operators offer their own femto cells which use internet as backhaul and these work in places where there is no signal at all.

shandong25 · 16-06-2016, 22:28

We're opposite the Egger plant in Hexham and we use Vodafone. So, my only option is suresignal?

shandong25 · 16-06-2016, 22:38

Checked Vodafone website re suresignal and they state you need "Fixed-line home broadband with a minimum upload and download speed of 1Mbps". We've been told by BT that the best we can get is max of 1.5mbps which usually means nowhere near that.

jchamier · 16-06-2016, 23:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by shandong25

Checked Vodafone website re suresignal and they state you need "Fixed-line home broadband with a minimum upload and download speed of 1Mbps". We've been told by BT that the best we can get is max of 1.5mbps which usually means nowhere near that.

Ive had sure signal working on a 512kbps download and 256kbps line - but you had to stop using the internet when on the mobile !

CheshireBumpkin · 16-06-2016, 23:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by shandong25

Hi everyone. First post.

Just a quick question. Our business has recently moved into new premises that supposedly had BT infinity based on our postcode. We have now found out that the best we can get broadband wise is 1.5Mbps MAX. Thanks BT.

We are looking into using our mobiles but are struggling signal wise as we are in Hexham, Northumberland that has poor reception.

Is there any product out there that you would recommend to increase/improve our mobile phone signal or are we stuck with what we've got ?

Thanks in advance.

What sort of data speeds are you get from Vodafone outside your premises? If they're good, an external antenna / 3G or 4G router / wifi calling setup might be a viable workaround.

El Cubido · 17-06-2016, 00:38

Not quite the same as it is a residential rather than office, but when i first moved into my place, my postcode checker said i could get an Infinity/Fibre based product, but when push came to shove BT said they couldn't.

By chance i then got Sky TV and they claimed that i could indeed get Fibre. After the experience with BT, i was sceptical, but lo-and-behold they installed it as promised.

Have you also checked here to see what else is available at your postcode? https://www.samknows.com/broadband/broadband_checker

interactiv-uk · 17-06-2016, 09:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by shandong25

We're opposite the Egger plant in Hexham and we use Vodafone. So, my only option is suresignal?

Sure signal won't help if its a replacement for broadband you want - it will only be as fast the as the ADSL backhaul so will be the same as your broadband but you will be double billed - once for the broadband and once for the mobile data.

I would hang fire a couple of weeks before spending on anything - as far as I can see from the info I have O2 and Voda SHOULD have 4G around you very soon - the first mast looks to have the final conversion done on 21st June (the antenna swap was done a couple of months ago) - This should fill the A69 valley from Corbridge to Hexham.

de525ma · 17-06-2016, 18:44

EE has 4G there already. Pick a data plan and get a 4G router. Problem solved.

The BT Wholesale checker is the most reliable place for establishing what is available on the Openreach network at a given location: http://dslchecker.bt.com

djfrancis · 21-06-2016, 20:34

You could login into your Vodafone account and opted in for other sure signals if there is any around you
http://imgur.com/5U8NFGF not sure if they are 4G yet

Three inTouch (call and text over WiFi) http://www.three.co.uk/discover/three_intouch
O2 TU Go (call/text over WiFi) http://www.o2.co.uk/apps/tu-go (TU Go is currently available for Pay Monthly and Business customers.)
http://www.vodafone.co.uk/explore/ne...wi-fi-calling/

Richard_T · 21-06-2016, 23:24

Plenty of GSM signal boosters on eabay

countyboy · 22-06-2016, 00:44

Deltenna make an excellent product called a WiBE, which captures 3G and 4G signals at a much higher rate than usual. Worth a look.

interactiv-uk · 22-06-2016, 08:27

4G now live on O2 as I previously mentioned do Vodafone should be live too - Any improvements in the area OP?

natbike · 22-06-2016, 09:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by countyboy

Deltenna make an excellent product called a WiBE, which captures 3G and 4G signals at a much higher rate than usual. Worth a look.

We use these (though only the 3g version). They offer great speeds compared to standard mobiles and consumer units.

They use 4 way directional antennas and give the option of choosing the tower that you want to connect to by performance (speed test) or signal strength.

They're still beaten (IMO) by a well setup router and external aerial, but much easier and simpler to use.

16-06-2016, 11:14	#1
shandong25 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 3	Mobile Signal Booster Hi everyone. First post. Just a quick question. Our business has recently moved into new premises that supposedly had BT infinity based on our postcode. We have now found out that the best we can get broadband wise is 1.5Mbps MAX. Thanks BT. We are looking into using our mobiles but are struggling signal wise as we are in Hexham, Northumberland that has poor reception. Is there any product out there that you would recommend to increase/improve our mobile phone signal or are we stuck with what we've got ? Thanks in advance.

16-06-2016, 14:51	#3
exterra Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 116	bad signal If you have slow broadband but can get even a very weak 3G signal standing on the roof of the building / top floor then a Cel-Fi will solve your problems. It's the only legal device that can be used on UK networks and is a 2 minute job to set up and in use works very well. https://www.cel-fi.co.uk/ Depending on whether you have a business account your network operator may be willing to give you free of charge - EE and o2 certainly used to.

16-06-2016, 16:23	#5
brianbb Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 10	A booster for broadband, not voice, should work. If there is a mobile phone signal there then a signal booster will boost it several times, the gain is 64db. You need an aerial and a mains powered modem, the booster connects the two. Connected this way it is perfectly legal, it is only illegal to broadcast a signal. Boosters are not sold in the UK as they are supplied with a second aerial which is normally used to broadcast the signal to a mobile phone. This second aerial should be removed. They are, however available on Ebay's US site. You need to find your nearest transmitter, (Ofcom's sitefinder page or ring the mobile phone operator's call centre) and note the transmission frequency. Then search the US site for 'WCDMA' followed by the frequency. They call them repeaters. The purchase will appear in the My Purchases list on the UK site in the usual way.

16-06-2016, 14:43	#2
interactiv-uk Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 587	What network are you using and where abouts in Hexham are you?

16-06-2016, 15:28	#4
jchamier Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: This forum Posts: 3,392	If you're on Vodafone of course you can buy a Suresignal which will work on any internet connection. EE sell theirs in retail shops, Three and O2 can loan if you can convince them. CEL-FI products are excellent but expensive but require signal in one area (often upstairs by a window) and it spreads this signal around the home/office. Doesn't need internet.

16-06-2016, 17:16	#6
jchamier Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: This forum Posts: 3,392	Quote: Originally Posted by brianbb Connected this way it is perfectly legal, it is only illegal to broadcast a signal. You can't boost a signal without transmitting / broadcasting. What you've posted makes no sense. The only legal signal booster is the CEL-FI product (expensive) which can be managed by the mobile operator. The mobile operators offer their own femto cells which use internet as backhaul and these work in places where there is no signal at all.

16-06-2016, 22:28	#7
shandong25 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 3	We're opposite the Egger plant in Hexham and we use Vodafone. So, my only option is suresignal?

16-06-2016, 22:38	#8
shandong25 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 3	Checked Vodafone website re suresignal and they state you need "Fixed-line home broadband with a minimum upload and download speed of 1Mbps". We've been told by BT that the best we can get is max of 1.5mbps which usually means nowhere near that.

16-06-2016, 23:05	#9
jchamier Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: This forum Posts: 3,392	Quote: Originally Posted by shandong25 Checked Vodafone website re suresignal and they state you need "Fixed-line home broadband with a minimum upload and download speed of 1Mbps". We've been told by BT that the best we can get is max of 1.5mbps which usually means nowhere near that. Ive had sure signal working on a 512kbps download and 256kbps line - but you had to stop using the internet when on the mobile !

16-06-2016, 23:36	#10
CheshireBumpkin Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Cheshire/Shropshire Border Posts: 592	Quote: Originally Posted by shandong25 Hi everyone. First post. Just a quick question. Our business has recently moved into new premises that supposedly had BT infinity based on our postcode. We have now found out that the best we can get broadband wise is 1.5Mbps MAX. Thanks BT. We are looking into using our mobiles but are struggling signal wise as we are in Hexham, Northumberland that has poor reception. Is there any product out there that you would recommend to increase/improve our mobile phone signal or are we stuck with what we've got ? Thanks in advance. What sort of data speeds are you get from Vodafone *outside* your premises? If they're good, an external antenna / 3G or 4G router / wifi calling setup might be a viable workaround.

17-06-2016, 00:38	#11
El Cubido Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 550	Not quite the same as it is a residential rather than office, but when i first moved into my place, my postcode checker said i could get an Infinity/Fibre based product, but when push came to shove BT said they couldn't. By chance i then got Sky TV and they claimed that i could indeed get Fibre. After the experience with BT, i was sceptical, but lo-and-behold they installed it as promised. Have you also checked here to see what else is available at your postcode? https://www.samknows.com/broadband/broadband_checker

17-06-2016, 09:53	#12
interactiv-uk Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 587	Quote: Originally Posted by shandong25 We're opposite the Egger plant in Hexham and we use Vodafone. So, my only option is suresignal? Sure signal won't help if its a replacement for broadband you want - it will only be as fast the as the ADSL backhaul so will be the same as your broadband but you will be double billed - once for the broadband and once for the mobile data. I would hang fire a couple of weeks before spending on anything - as far as I can see from the info I have O2 and Voda SHOULD have 4G around you very soon - the first mast looks to have the final conversion done on 21st June (the antenna swap was done a couple of months ago) - This should fill the A69 valley from Corbridge to Hexham.

17-06-2016, 18:44	#13
de525ma Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Portsmouth Posts: 787	EE has 4G there already. Pick a data plan and get a 4G router. Problem solved. The BT Wholesale checker is the most reliable place for establishing what is available on the Openreach network at a given location: http://dslchecker.bt.com

21-06-2016, 20:34	#14
djfrancis Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: North West London Posts: 507	You could login into your Vodafone account and opted in for other sure signals if there is any around you http://imgur.com/5U8NFGF not sure if they are 4G yet Three inTouch (call and text over WiFi) http://www.three.co.uk/discover/three_intouch O2 TU Go (call/text over WiFi) http://www.o2.co.uk/apps/tu-go (TU Go is currently available for Pay Monthly and Business customers.) http://www.vodafone.co.uk/explore/ne...wi-fi-calling/

21-06-2016, 23:24	#15
Richard_T Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: East Midlands Posts: 3,842	Plenty of GSM signal boosters on eabay

22-06-2016, 00:44	#16
countyboy Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 924	Deltenna make an excellent product called a WiBE, which captures 3G and 4G signals at a much higher rate than usual. Worth a look.

22-06-2016, 08:27	#17
interactiv-uk Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 587	4G now live on O2 as I previously mentioned do Vodafone should be live too - Any improvements in the area OP?

22-06-2016, 09:41	#18
natbike Forum Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 475	Quote: Originally Posted by countyboy Deltenna make an excellent product called a WiBE, which captures 3G and 4G signals at a much higher rate than usual. Worth a look. We use these (though only the 3g version). They offer great speeds compared to standard mobiles and consumer units. They use 4 way directional antennas and give the option of choosing the tower that you want to connect to by performance (speed test) or signal strength. They're still beaten (IMO) by a well setup router and external aerial, but much easier and simpler to use.

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