In general, operators stably support 3G and 4G network modes, but the signal of such a network is not reliable everywhere. There are many reasons for an unstable mobile signal or no signal. They vary depending on the location of the subscriber, weather conditions, and the condition of the phone. If you regularly encounter mobile signal connection problems and are thinking about using indoor mobile signal coverage solutions, this article is for you.
What is a Bad Mobile Connection?
Poor mobile communication brings a lot of problems. Let’s look at aspects that accurately indicate the presence of problems with mobile communications.
The Interlocutor is Hard to Hear
In conversation mode, the sound may be constantly interrupted, only fragments of phrases can be heard, and comfortable communication is impossible. In some cases, additional noise, and clicks may appear, and the interlocutor’s voice may be distorted. Usually, this effect is two-sided, and the interlocutor hears you as poorly as you hear him.
There is No Way to Make a Call
It is not possible to make a call at all because there is no connection to the mobile network. This is usually expressed in the corresponding “No network” icon on the status bar of the smartphone. The same effect happens with a very weak signal when the connection disappears and appears. When trying to contact you, the subscriber will hear the robot message “The called party is unavailable.”
Mobile Internet Works at Low Speed or Does not Work at All
If the signal is weak, the speed of the mobile Internet may not be enough for the comfortable operation of familiar online services. Videos often freeze (there is constant buffering), downloading files takes an inordinate amount of time, and sending and receiving messages in instant messengers is difficult. In the worst-case scenario, mobile Internet simply does not work.
Notifications and SMS Arrive With a Long Delay
Notifications and SMS arrive with a long delay. Important push notifications from applications and SMS messages arrive late or only at the moment when you move to an area of more reliable signal reception.
Reasons for Poor Mobile Signal
The propagation of radio waves in space is a very complex and sometimes unpredictable process, which can be hampered by the most unobvious factors. Here are the main ones.
- Distance from the base station.
Radio waves are a type of electromagnetic radiation. When passing through any substance, the power of a radio wave decreases: this effect is called signal attenuation. Since we live in a world filled with air, even when propagating in open space, radio waves inevitably lose their power.
The attenuation coefficient of a signal in space is directly related to its frequency. A simple rule applies: the higher the communication frequency, the shorter the distance it operates. This is why, outside the city, operators tend to use low frequencies such as 800 and 900 MHz, leaving higher frequencies for populated areas.
Since each base station has a certain range, already at the border of the cell, mobile communications can work intermittently, and with further distance from the signal source, they can completely disappear. Operators are physically unable to provide continuous coverage, so mobile communications sometimes work poorly in country houses, and cottage communities, as well as on highways and in sparsely populated areas.
- Obstacles that prevent signal penetration.
In addition to distance, any obstacles that occur on the line from the signal source to the subscriber play an important role. First of all, we are talking about the walls of the building, windows, roofing, or facade cladding. Semi-underground or underground placement may also be a problem.
Communication interruptions are often observed in the following types of premises:
- Apartments and offices in the old building, in houses with thick walls and ceilings;
- Hangars, boathouses, garages, construction trailers;
- Any buildings made of sandwich panels, buildings with metal cladding;
- Ground floors, basements, and parking lots.
- Changes in elevation and uneven terrain.
Obstacles to the signal can be not only artificial but also completely natural. The mountainous terrain is the most challenging for mobile communications. Mountains, hills, and trees can create radio shadows over a large area, making it impossible to receive a signal at ground level. Often, to strengthen the signal in such an area, it is necessary to raise the antenna to a greater height in order to at least slightly compensate for surrounding obstacles.
- Weather conditions for signal reception.
Adverse weather conditions are another factor that can have a negative impact on the operation of the mobile network. Heavy rain, snowfall, blizzards, and even dense fog can be the decisive events that make weak mobile communications completely unusable. Weather effects have the greatest impact at the edge of the network, as well as when travelling in a car on intercity roads.
- Radio noise and interference.
Interfering radio signals on the mobile frequency can create a jamming effect, making the mobile signal inaudible to your smartphone. Also, a large number of surrounding subscribers who simultaneously use mobile devices leads to a weakening of the connection.
How to Strengthen Mobile Communication?
If you are unlucky enough to encounter a weak signal problem, don’t give up. In most cases, mobile communications can be enhanced using indoor mobile signal coverage solutions.
There are kits for amplifying voice communications and/or mobile Internet for urban and suburban real estate, commercial premises, and even vehicles. When choosing and installing a signal booster, it is best to turn to professionals. If not professionally installed and configured, the booster can cause significant interference in repeaters of mobile operators or other devices that use nearby radio frequencies.
This happens because the external antenna of the booster not only receives but also transmits a significantly amplified signal to the nearest base station. The emitted signal is often the cause of most interference in nearby radio equipment if the system is not configured correctly. Manifestations of such interference and the phenomenon of booster self-excitation are crackling, whistling, gurgling, and noise in the audio path of a mobile phone.
Final Thoughts
When there is no clear mobile signal, the only option is to use a mobile booster. If you do not want to make a mistake when choosing a set of equipment and installing it correctly in a country house, apartment, or office, we recommend contacting a reliable supplier of indoor mobile signal coverage solutions, for example, UCtel. The company provides support in improving the mobile signal of common UK mobile operators, including Virgin, Vodafone, Tesco, etc.
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