External antenna/signal booster for GSM mobiles

deetee · 9th February 2009, 18:29

We have recently shifted into a new place of residence where GSM signals of all operators are of very low strength.The place is some 2+ km distant from any nearest tower and all around there are equally taller buildings as this house.
Inside the house the signal is barely one point interms of nokia display. We use airtel ,bsnl and tata indicom (all prepaid).
Except Indicom, rest two operator signal is very weak inside the house. Airtel signal doesn’t even show up where as Bsnl atleast provides meager connectivity.
Earlier occupants had Vodafone postpaid connections and had same issue. Upon multiple requests to customer care, Vodafone installed some kind of roof antenna and signal booster which resolved their problem.
As we don’t have any postpaid connections I don’t think any of the operator will provide a solution on their own.
So , I wish to know if any such roof top antenna and signal booster could be purchased from open market.
Atleast a DIY solution with some common things is also great, if exists.
Please help.

GTO · 9th February 2009, 21:56

Quote:

Earlier occupants had Vodafone postpaid connections and had same issue. Upon multiple requests to customer care, Vodafone installed some kind of roof antenna and signal booster which resolved their problem.
As we don’t have any postpaid connections I don’t think any of the operator will provide a solution on their own.
So , I wish to know if any such roof top antenna and signal booster could be purchased from open market.

Watching this thread closely, as I suffer from the same problem. House on the beach, no operator except for Reliance & Tata CDMA catch range here. If it helps, while a solution is on the way, divert your cellphone to a landline when at home.

Tejas@perioimpl · 9th February 2009, 22:27

Some nokia phones have a port for external antennas which can be bought cheaply and used. But the downside is that your mobile won't be mobile at home. You will have to fix the wire outside and leave your mobile connected to it.
Other options are expensive. There is a booster available but the cheapest starts from 35000 onwards. See the site below for details. Available in mumbai at worli. You will have to email them for hyderabad.

Source for cell mobile phone booster, mobile phone signal enhancer,mobile phone network booster and enhancer

Tejas@perioimpl · 9th February 2009, 22:48

Also see this link:

Cell phone boosters Video ? 5min.com

IMP · 10th February 2009, 00:20

I think its time Indian cellular operators start giving out something like this

Posts tagged Femtocell at Engadget Mobile

OT: I am frustrated with airtel regarding coverage at my house, which is on the 10th floor, i can see around 10-12 cell towers from my house, still face frequent call disconnections.

I am still using airtel only because I do not want to change the phone number, waiting eagerly for the number portability thing to take off.

deetee · 10th February 2009, 11:29

Getting to the terrace, i could catch some signal for Airtel, but inside the house it is pathetic. Nowhere could I manage to get atleast a faint signal.
If I can't find a practical solution , i may have to dump my 5 yr old Airtel conn. and shift to Vodafone( atleast then I could ask them to install a local antenna like they did for earlier occupants.)

I read somewhere that installing a car radio type antenna and leading the cable to one of the rooms where we need connectivity could improve the signal.But then length of the medium may cause heavy loss in signal stregth or unwanted noise, if at all it works.

kb100 · 31st May 2009, 17:22

The BSNL knowledge base threw this up - Cell Phone Antennas and Cell Phone Boosters at Wilson Electronics

I need one desperately!

SirAlec · 31st May 2009, 23:40

This is made by one of my channel partner in delhi. Havn't use it yet. as I deal with them for other products.

You can call them directly at the number given in brochure.

mobile booster.pdf

deetee · 1st June 2009, 13:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by kb100

The BSNL knowledge base threw this up - Cell Phone Antennas and Cell Phone Boosters at Wilson Electronics

I need one desperately!

In that page the first type of installation is what I had seen done by Vodafone. They installed an external antenna, one internal amplifier and multiple internal antennas which are exactly as show in the diagram.
That installation guy said that it costed something like 50K in market.

Technocrat · 1st June 2009, 14:15

We have that Cone type antenna in our Office on each floor & therefore face no signal issues for Idea Network, even in lifts & Basement.

Like this one shown below

External antenna/signal booster for GSM mobiles-antenna.jpg

But I believe this must be some due to an earlier corporate tie up or something

FaeLLe · 8th January 2010, 19:13

Hi all,

Am frustrated with the cell phone reception in my flat in Mumbai.
I live on the 17th floor of a tower on LBS Marg in Vikhroli West but if I walk around the house while on the phone or sometimes even when sitting in the same spot the call gets dropped.

The signal strength in my area is 5 bars which is the worst thing, even my providers cant seem to help.

This is the case with Airtel and Vodafone. (Both operate on different frequencies too). Reliance CDMA is just perfect in my area but I dont/cant drop my Airtel phone.

Can someone suggest a dealer/retailer from whom I can purchase a cell phone booster.
It should support 800, 1900 and 3G in the future when its launched.

Your help in this matter would be most appreciated.

sen2009 · 8th January 2010, 20:54

Yes, reception in Raj Legacy sucks.
Maybe you can get some non branded stuff cheap from Grant Road. Next option is Ebay which is as much reliable as Grant Road.

GTO · 4th August 2011, 09:58

The best known mobile booster in India seems to be this product from Kumaar.com. Let me just tell you it is RUBBISH.

All GSM providers fail to provide a network at my place; that's why I called the Kumaar dudes over for a demo. After 20 minutes of carefully setting up the equipment, he asked me to check. No improvement. He went up to the terrace, changed the direction of the antenna / panel, then asked me to check again. No improvement. He spent the next 30 minutes adjusting & tweaking but, unfortunately, no improvement yet. It came to a point where I'm literally holding the cell phone next to his "booster" and still couldn't make a call without the other person's voice cracking (same as without the booster).

Maybe it works for some (seeing the client list on his website), but I am not convinced at all. Not cheap either. Cost is Rs. 18,000 for all networks, except the dual-band Vodafone for which the cost is Rs. 36,000.

I guess CDMA is the best bet for those of us living in poor network areas.

sgiitk · 4th August 2011, 11:08

Let me add another bit. 800/900 MHz will have better building penetration that 1800/1900 MHz. The latter will be better for 3G. Then CDMA needs a lower signal level to work. Now CDMA is on 850MHz and the older GSM operators are also on 900 MHz.

Keep this in mind when deciding on the operator. I have checked on many US forums (esp. XDA Developers) and the results with boosters are almost universally bad.

Thamizha · 14th November 2011, 13:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by FaeLLe

Hi all,

Am frustrated with the cell phone reception in my flat in Mumbai.
I live on the 17th floor of a tower on LBS Marg in Vikhroli West but if I walk around the house while on the phone or sometimes even when sitting in the same spot the call gets dropped.

The signal strength in my area is 5 bars which is the worst thing, even my providers cant seem to help.

This is the case with Airtel and Vodafone. (Both operate on different frequencies too). Reliance CDMA is just perfect in my area but I dont/cant drop my Airtel phone.

Can someone suggest a dealer/retailer from whom I can purchase a cell phone booster.
It should support 800, 1900 and 3G in the future when its launched.

Your help in this matter would be most appreciated.

I have exactly the same problem. I reside at 11th floor (in Chennai). All my neighbours residing above 6-7 floor seems to have this problem. Point is we have this problem with every operator

and none are able to help us with this problem and we cant ask for installing the signal booster for the whole apartment, as many would be against such huge spending. So couple of our neighbours have agreed with us to install a antenna and booster point in each of our houses.

I see that you have posted this issue few months back. I hope you found a solution for this. Please let us know on the solution that you have come up to.

I seriously want to get rid of this issue.

9th February 2009, 18:29	#1
deetee BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 485 Thanked: 1,593 Times View My Garage	External antenna/signal booster for GSM mobiles We have recently shifted into a new place of residence where GSM signals of all operators are of very low strength.The place is some 2+ km distant from any nearest tower and all around there are equally taller buildings as this house. Inside the house the signal is barely one point interms of nokia display. We use airtel ,bsnl and tata indicom (all prepaid). Except Indicom, rest two operator signal is very weak inside the house. Airtel signal doesn’t even show up where as Bsnl atleast provides meager connectivity. Earlier occupants had Vodafone postpaid connections and had same issue. Upon multiple requests to customer care, Vodafone installed some kind of roof antenna and signal booster which resolved their problem. As we don’t have any postpaid connections I don’t think any of the operator will provide a solution on their own. So , I wish to know if any such roof top antenna and signal booster could be purchased from open market. Atleast a DIY solution with some common things is also great, if exists. Please help. Last edited by deetee : 9th February 2009 at 18:31.
	() Thanks

9th February 2009, 22:27	#3
Tejas@perioimpl Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bombay Posts: 4,423 Thanked: 9,581 Times View My Garage	Some nokia phones have a port for external antennas which can be bought cheaply and used. But the downside is that your mobile won't be mobile at home. You will have to fix the wire outside and leave your mobile connected to it. Other options are expensive. There is a booster available but the cheapest starts from 35000 onwards. See the site below for details. Available in mumbai at worli. You will have to email them for hyderabad. Source for cell mobile phone booster, mobile phone signal enhancer,mobile phone network booster and enhancer
	() Thanks

9th February 2009, 22:48	#4
Tejas@perioimpl Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bombay Posts: 4,423 Thanked: 9,581 Times View My Garage	Also see this link: Cell phone boosters Video ? 5min.com
	() Thanks

10th February 2009, 00:20	#5
IMP BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pune Posts: 123 Thanked: 30 Times	I think its time Indian cellular operators start giving out something like this Posts tagged Femtocell at Engadget Mobile OT: I am frustrated with airtel regarding coverage at my house, which is on the 10th floor, i can see around 10-12 cell towers from my house, still face frequent call disconnections. I am still using airtel only because I do not want to change the phone number, waiting eagerly for the number portability thing to take off.
	() Thanks

10th February 2009, 11:29	#6
deetee BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 485 Thanked: 1,593 Times View My Garage	Getting to the terrace, i could catch some signal for Airtel, but inside the house it is pathetic. Nowhere could I manage to get atleast a faint signal. If I can't find a practical solution , i may have to dump my 5 yr old Airtel conn. and shift to Vodafone( atleast then I could ask them to install a local antenna like they did for earlier occupants.) I read somewhere that installing a car radio type antenna and leading the cable to one of the rooms where we need connectivity could improve the signal.But then length of the medium may cause heavy loss in signal stregth or unwanted noise, if at all it works.
	() Thanks

31st May 2009, 17:22	#7
kb100 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bangy Boy! Posts: 1,555 Thanked: 21 Times	The BSNL knowledge base threw this up - Cell Phone Antennas and Cell Phone Boosters at Wilson Electronics I need one desperately!
	() Thanks

31st May 2009, 23:40	#8
SirAlec Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: zxc Posts: 3,393 Thanked: 726 Times	This is made by one of my channel partner in delhi. Havn't use it yet. as I deal with them for other products. You can call them directly at the number given in brochure. mobile booster.pdf
	() Thanks

1st June 2009, 14:15	#10
Technocrat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: GTA Posts: 14,813 Thanked: 2,700 Times	We have that Cone type antenna in our Office on each floor & therefore face no signal issues for Idea Network, even in lifts & Basement. Like this one shown below But I believe this must be some due to an earlier corporate tie up or something Last edited by Technocrat : 1st June 2009 at 14:18.
	() Thanks

8th January 2010, 19:13	#11
FaeLLe Newbie Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 19 Thanked: 0 Times	Cell phone boosters Hi all, Am frustrated with the cell phone reception in my flat in Mumbai. I live on the 17th floor of a tower on LBS Marg in Vikhroli West but if I walk around the house while on the phone or sometimes even when sitting in the same spot the call gets dropped. The signal strength in my area is 5 bars which is the worst thing, even my providers cant seem to help. This is the case with Airtel and Vodafone. (Both operate on different frequencies too). Reliance CDMA is just perfect in my area but I dont/cant drop my Airtel phone. Can someone suggest a dealer/retailer from whom I can purchase a cell phone booster. It should support 800, 1900 and 3G in the future when its launched. Your help in this matter would be most appreciated.
	() Thanks

8th January 2010, 20:54	#12
sen2009 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 561 Thanked: 729 Times View My Garage	Yes, reception in Raj Legacy sucks. Maybe you can get some non branded stuff cheap from Grant Road. Next option is Ebay which is as much reliable as Grant Road.
	() Thanks

4th August 2011, 09:58	#13
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,519 Thanked: 300,709 Times View My Garage	Re: External antenna/signal booster for GSM mobiles The best known mobile booster in India seems to be this product from Kumaar.com. Let me just tell you it is RUBBISH. All GSM providers fail to provide a network at my place; that's why I called the Kumaar dudes over for a demo. After 20 minutes of carefully setting up the equipment, he asked me to check. No improvement. He went up to the terrace, changed the direction of the antenna / panel, then asked me to check again. No improvement. He spent the next 30 minutes adjusting & tweaking but, unfortunately, no improvement yet. It came to a point where I'm literally holding the cell phone next to his "booster" and still couldn't make a call without the other person's voice cracking (same as without the booster). Maybe it works for some (seeing the client list on his website), but I am not convinced at all. Not cheap either. Cost is Rs. 18,000 for all networks, except the dual-band Vodafone for which the cost is Rs. 36,000. I guess CDMA is the best bet for those of us living in poor network areas.
	() Thanks

4th August 2011, 11:08	#14
sgiitk BANNED Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurugram Posts: 7,969 Thanked: 4,788 Times	Re: External antenna/signal booster for GSM mobiles Let me add another bit. 800/900 MHz will have better building penetration that 1800/1900 MHz. The latter will be better for 3G. Then CDMA needs a lower signal level to work. Now CDMA is on 850MHz and the older GSM operators are also on 900 MHz. Keep this in mind when deciding on the operator. I have checked on many US forums (esp. XDA Developers) and the results with boosters are almost universally bad.
	() Thanks