Mobile Phone Signal Boosters, Frequently Asked Question

What is a mobile phone signal repeater and how does it work?

A mobile phone repeater, or mobile signal booster, is a device used to boost the mobile phone reception to the local area by the usage of a reception antenna, a signal amplifier and an internal rebroadcast antenna.

Mobile signal boosters, works in the same way as a mobile phone mast used to broadcast by the network providers, but are  on a much smaller scale, usually intended for use by one building. Modern phone repeater amplifiers work by rebroadcasting mobile phone signals inside the building. The systems usually use an external, directional antenna (yagi) to collect the best mobile phone signal, which is then transmitted to an amplifier unit which amplifies the signal, and retransmits it locally, providing significantly improved signal strength. Our TX, TG and SB models allow multiple mobile phones to use the same repeater at the same time, so are suitable for commercial as well as home use.The market for Mobile signal repeaters is expected to grow rapidly in the UK over the coming years. This is due to the combination of the poor network coverage in some areas, and the large scale departure from the land-line system. Other advantages of mobile signal repeaters include an increase in the mobile phone's battery life and a lower level of radiation emitted by the handset, both caused by the lower power required to broadcast the signal to the local bi-directional amplifier, due to its proximity to the phone.

Why can I get a signal on my mobile phone outside and not inside the house? 

Houses built within the last four years have insulation panels backed with foil on the outside walls. The foil acts as a total barrier for mobile phone signals. 

Supposing I am the only person using a mobile in the building, then is there a route that will give me a truly cost effective solution? 

What is the least that I can pay and get a result?

This depends on the strength of the signal outside but given that it is good, then given that one's phone needs to be on a tether, the price can be as low as £29.50. This is made up of a small blade antennae and a coupler that is attached to the back of your phone via a Velcro pad.

What constraints or consequences for going the cheapest route?

All three solutions at the cheap end need a cable running from the external antennae to your mobile phone. To put it another way, these systems can only serve one phone at a time. Often useful for those on the move or for people living on their own. 

Is there a solution offered when I can't even get a signal on my mobile phone outside the building? 

Yes, one uses a highly directional antennae called a Yagi Aerial and this is very focused and will receive a signal from the appropriate mast many miles away if properly orientated. 

What is the difference between the various types of antennae? (Aerials) 

The Yagi Antennae (LPDA) is the most focused but in areas of good connectivity a simple stick antennae or panel will do a perfectly satisfactory job. In built up areas with very good signal sometimes a LPDA antenna is usefull for pin pointing a specific mast. 

Can you expand further on the different types of internal and external antenna?

Omni antenna

For area with good outdoor signal strength you will need the standard Omni directional antenna which does not need to be pointed at the local mast as it receives and broadcasts the signal in all directions. If you our in doubt about your signal strength we would recommend up grading to the Yagi aerial as this will provide the strongest possible signal.

Panel antenna

A more discrete wall mounted antenna can also be used in areas with good outdoor signal strength.
These wall mounted internal antenna are quite often used for domestic applications whereby the occupants don't want the re-transmission fittings to be in any way obtrusive. 

Yagi External Antenna (LPDA)

If you live in an area with low signal strength out doors then an external directional antenna are crucial to providing significant signal strength gain. This is because the antenna can be oriented and located outside to provide the best possible signal, usually aligned with the nearest mobile phone mast. This provides a much better signal in areas with poor external signal strength. The antenna can be mounted on a pole for better line of site to the mobile phone mast.

Dome and Wall Mounted (Panel) internal rebroadcast antenna

Our commercial and corporate systems include an internal, single or multiple antennas depending on the building size these rebroadcast the signal through out the building providing the signal to the areas where it is needed. Our home system does not need an internal antenna as the repeater it self has one built into the wall mounted repeater, this will provide a good mobile signal coverage for a average size home. Our commercial mobile signal repeater system provides more flexibility to where the signal in routed to. In office buildings where there are many floors we may need an indoor antenna on each floor to distribute the signal through out the building. Depending on the building type it may only be necessary to have an antenna on every second floor. We have two types of indoor antenna for our commercial system; The dome antenna, which is good for building with high ceilings. Ideal for warehouses and factories as it provides a very wide signal coverage. The wall mounted antenna is for building with low ceilings. Idea for modern office buildings

Delivery

How will my Mobile Phone Signal Booster equipment be delivered?

If an order is received before 12.00pm on a Working Day we will aim to despatch these the same day for Next Day Delivery. Orders after this cut off point cannot be guaranteed for same day despatch. Larger orders will be sent via Fedex and Delivered before 6.00pm if you require a timed service please contact us for a quote, smaller orders will be sent via Royal Mail First Class Recorded. Please note ALL orders will require a signature unless otherwise stated.

What if I am not happy with what I have purchased?

We will endeavour to get you up and running and do not charge for technical support. In the unlikely event you are not happy with your purchase we are quite happy to exchange the items you have purchased for different items at no restocking fee. Failing this we offer a no quibble 30 day money back guarantee, we will refund your money minus postage as long as it is returned again in the same condition it left us in with all original packaging and items.

General Technical Questions 

Why does MobDev offer various kits within each product range that look identical? 

This is because different mobile signal providers operate on two main frequencies, GSM900 and GSM1800 we also do a kit which serves the 3G frequencies, this kit will cover ALL UK providers for voice and data over 3G ONLY. Although the kits within a given range look very similar, they serve different frequencies and this is why we need to know who your providors are.  If you are unsure which kit you need please contact us.

What is the significance of various mobile phone signal providers? 

They operate on different frequencies. 

Can 3G phones be enabled? 

Yes. The tethered kits are multi frequency and these will do the job. For a more sophisticated solution, then the TX2200 kit designed for GSM2100 is the solution. 

Would I need to use the services of an electrician or could I do the installation myself? 

The tethered kits and the TX series are within the capabilities of most people but if in doubt, please contact us while we do not provide an installation service in house we have close relationships with several companies across the UK who will be able to install these for you should you wish. Better safe than sorry. The TG and the SB series we HIGHLY reccomend are installed by one of the above mentioned companies, they have knowledge of the install process and correct kit to install these in optimal positions while adhering to all health and safety requirements  that todays businesses have to meet. Again please contact us for details.

Is the orientation or positioning of any of the components especially important? 

Some of the Antennae, particularly the Yagi, need accurate positioning so as to achieve satisfactory signal strength. Apart from this, never allow and aeril being used indoors to point back at the external antennae. 

Which kits are possible for the ‘do it yourself individual' to cope with? 

The booster kits are usually within the capabilities of the ‘do it yourself' sort of person as are the the TX kits but if a Yagi antennae is used, it is advisable to use an aerial specialist so as to ensure perfect orientation. 

Will this telephonic enablement kit interfere with any other equipment such as television satellite and audio set ups? 

The simple answer is NO! It runs on a totally different frequencie to your DECT phones, Wireless broadband routers etc. 

Given that one has been warned not to stand too close to transmission masts, does any of the units sold by MobDev risk radiation damage? Microwave radiation? Quantify. 

No more than the risk when using a mobile phone out doors. Output power is actually less than a mobile phone! The media has suggested that spending hours every day with a mobile glued to one's ear might be damaging but I think that the jury is still out on that one. Apart from this, the signal transmitted within the building is no more than you would expect in any area of good mobile phone reception. 

Do these units consume much power?  Quantify. 

Under five watts.

What is the difference between various providers that will affect my choice of equipment? 

Different providers may use one of three different frequency and the kit that you purchase must deal with the correct frequency for your chosen provider.  Occasionly some providers may share masts with other providers on a different frequencie. However until the repeater is installed you cannot be 100%, this is a rare occurence however and we will gladly swap for a different model if this is encountered.

Will the installation look intrusive when installed in my house? 

This depends on how the installation is done but given professional installation then it can be hard to see anything at all.  

Are there any other companies offering the same sort of products? 

Although there are a few other companies doing similar products, none of them are as neat or as effective as the range sold by MobDev. We have trawled the whole World to ensure that we market the best devices for the purpose that are currently available 

Can one move any of MobDev's enablement kits around when traveling? 

With the exception of the first two tethered kits then the answer is no. 

What are the limitations of the kit when taking into account location, building construction etc?

Rural Areas

In many rural areas the housing density is too low to make construction of a new signal repeater mast cost effective. In these cases it is unlikely that the mobile signal provider will do anything to improve reception, due to the high cost of erecting a new mast. By using a yagi antenna we can receive a signal from a much greater distance away. The yagi directional antenna antenna is used where there is a low signal strength out doors as well as indoors.

Building Construction Material

Some construction materials very rapidly attenuate mobile phone signal strength. Metal is used in many construction materials including roofing. concrete walls and insulation.  Any building which has a significant thickness of concrete or amount of metal used in its production will attenuate the mobile signal . Some solid foam insulation used for roofs or exterior wall has foil backing, which can reduce transmittance.

Building Size

Some large buildings have mobile reception problems such as warehouses, hospitals and factories. Connection can be an increasing problem the further in to a building your, are due to the interference from metal and walls in the construction for the building. Underground areas also have signal problems

Multipath Inteference (Cities)

Even in high signal strength areas in the middle cities, there can still be dead zones in reception strength. Due to the nature of wave signals an apposing signal can have a destructive influence on each other. A direction antenna can be used in these situations to focus on one wave and ignore the destructive influence wave.

Is it possible that these kits could cause power surges? 

Given their miniscule power consumption then the answer is a definite no. The LPDA antenna has a built in surge arrestor also should it get hit by lightening.

Is there a tech support helpline? 

Please call our main number on 01935 891046 but it is better to email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

If the position of the nearest suitable mast is not known what are the various means of locating the aforementioned mast?

Details of local masts can be found on www.sitefinder.ofcom.org.uk. We suggest using the mobile phone signal bars as a crude signal meter when making adjustments, or if possible put your mobile into Engineer service mode which can enable a db readout.

If I move house can the kit then be transferred or transposed? 

It depends how determined you are but the first two kits which are aimed at the single user wouldn't  pose many problems. As soon as a highly directional aerial on a mast is used not to mention hard wiring of the relay unit inside the building, then you may as well sell the system to the new purchaser or tenant and start again when you move into your new house depending how complex the install is.

Are there any legal issues with the use of mobile phone signal boosters?

There are laws that govern the use of these products in various countries. We suggest referring to the governmental organization having jurisdiction in your particular area, as this varies from country to country. All our repeater products including the TX, TG & SB range are CE approved. We would encourage users to contact your specific Mobile provider to obtain permission. Please note this does not apply to the TB01, TB02 & TB03.