Signal Booster and 5G

[RichardS]

I live in a travel trailer in an RV park. My signal is extremely weak. The highest signal strength I have seen is -109 dBm RSRP doing a field test. A more typical strength is -117 dBm. I experience poor call quality, slow or non-existent internet, etc despite having an iPhone 12 and paying for 40 GB a month. I would like to try a signal booster but my understanding is they don't work with 5G as 5G uses different channels than the 4G/LTE channels the booster can boost. My phone usually displays a 5G icon; less frequently it will display LTE. Does anyone know if a signal booster will do anything to improve my signal strength when I am on the 5G network? For instance, will my iPhone 12 default to LTE if a boosted LTE signal is much stronger than the 5G signal? Will the booster still boost voice calls or are voice calls on the same channels as 5G data? The manufacturers of signal boosters seem to be deliberately vague on this point, by saying "5G compatible" or similar but referring only to 4G/LTE in the fine print. The booster I want to buy is $500 so I would definitely like to know before forking out the money.

[BellAntgio]

Hey there @RichardS, 

Welcome to the Community and thanks for your post. 

We wouldn't be able to comment on signal boosters, however a quick test that you can do is to turn off 5G and connect to 4G/LTE to possibly create a more stable connection in that area by going into Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data > LTE.

[LennonFloyd]

I am in need of a cell phone booster but have no idea what type I need to buy? Any advice would help. Ilive north of Thunder Bay with zero cell phone service at home.

[Comms_Tech]

There has to be a signal to boost. You can’t boost no signal to create one. Even one bar can be boosted. But if you don’t have any signal, you’re unfortunately out of luck.

This being said, look at the coverage maps. If it shows coverage where you are, then you may be able to “catch” a signal with an (elevated) antenna. If the map doesn’t show coverage then again, you’re unfortunately out of luck.

[MrEdski]

I have an LTE signal booster I want to point at a bell tower. The installation instructions tell me I have to register the device with my carrier. Most of the carriers are American (because the rest of the planet does not exist!).

Is there the same requirement in Canada? Do I have to register my booster with Bell? How is this done?

How do I contact a real live technical support person at Bell?

All it says here is I have to comply with ISED CPC-2-1-05 

https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/spectrum-management-telecommunications/en/learn-more/key-documents/...

[dks]

My experience with cellular signal boosters in vacation communities in Canada is that no receiver registration is required. They are nothing more than signal receivers which pass the cell signal on to your phone. If you buy from a Canadian vendor, they provide appropriate support for their devices in Canada. The critical piece I found was antenna placement. You have to generally be above trees (higher is better) and be able to point the antenna to the nearest cellular site to your location. A cell tower locater map is helpful for that. 

[Comms_Tech]

You do not have to register the booster with the carrier in Canada.

Be sure to have a booster that boosts the correct frequencies. Typically a carrier use slightly different frequencies than another carrier. Your best bet is to use one configured specifically to the carrier you want to boost.

If you want to talk to a person at Bell, do a web search for Bell Mobility. The number is easily found.

[dks]

Good point. The cellular boosters I have used are made by Uniden and cover all Canadian carrier frequencies. There are other suppliers, as well. 

[Penache]

I purchased a SureCall Cell phone booster. Instructions say to register the device with Bell. How is this done?  What happens if I don’t?

[dks]

Thank you for the question. To the best of my knowledge, you do not have to register a cellular booster with Bell. It’s not their equipment. 

[Devan]

This is an excellent question!  I would love to hear a response from Bell on whether we need to register a device on their network.  Surely, the can answer that.  I appreciate that Bell cannot advocate for particular devices, but surely, they can provide some insight on what devices are being used and the factual signal gains from those devices.  Do do less would be a cop-out.  Bell - give consumers some real advice to keep them on your network or build far more towers immediately (I know which option is cheaper).

[dks]

As a user of cellular repeaters, you don’t have to register them with Bell. Bell doesn’t care as they are no different than any other customer supplied equipment. Bell won’t recommend brands either, for the same reason. I have used Uniden repeaters with good success. The two key things are that the antenna needs to be high enough and pointed to the cell site. And expect to drill holes. There is a thick 1/2” cable from the antenna to the repeater. 

[lalaxton]

Hi there, I've just received a notice in my mailbox from a Rogers tech telling me that my cell booster may be interfering in with the network. Is this really a thing? Maybe my booster is not certified? How to find out.

THanks

[dks]

Thank you for your question. I am confused. Radio interference is administered by Industry Canada, not by cellular networks. Cellular boosters, to the best on my knowledge, and must comply with Industry Canada standards. At the same time, since your question comes from Rogers and doesn't involve Bell equipment, it is beyond the scope of the Bell community forum.