Say goodbye to bad cell signal

Two types of network hardware can help South African households and businesses improve their cellular signal in remote areas with limited broadband connectivity options.

MyBroadband was recently approached for advice on these devices for a Limpopo farm with minimal MTN signal available at its main house.

We asked South Africa’s major mobile networks whether this hardware worked and, if so, what particular devices they would advise users in remote areas to buy.

A Vodacom spokesperson explained that there are two main types of cellular connectivity enhancers on the market — active boosters (or extenders) and passive outdoor antennas.

Both are typically mounted on a mast or tall structure to be able to receive the best possible signal from a mobile network tower.

Active boosters or extenders also have high output power to transmit these boosted signals over licensed frequency spectrum, providing better connectivity to handsets and other mobile devices over a large area.

They can also be connected via a wire to an indoor antenna to boost the signal within enclosed spaces.

However, the Vodacom spokesperson advised caution when using generally available active boosters.

“As these are generally wideband and transmit across multiple operators’ bands, they can create interference and poor experience for other customers, especially if poorly installed or when they go faulty,” the spokesperson said.

The mobile network does not endorse any brands of generally available wideband boosters.

MTN South Africa also said it was crucial to manage active boosters carefully to prevent interference or degradation to the broader mobile radio network.

“MTN is committed to sourcing, testing, and installing this type of equipment, but only in exceptional circumstances,” the company said.

“It is important to note that these cell extenders can potentially interfere with the broader mobile radio network if not installed correctly or if they do not meet the necessary technical and regulatory requirements.”

MTN said that resolving interference complaints caused by improperly installed boosters or extenders could take time.

The operator said it collaborated closely with relevant authorities to identify and address sources of interference within its assigned frequency bands.

“This is especially important in cases where quality degradation occurs due to high levels of interference from equipment such as cell extenders,” MTN said.

Active boosters or cell extenders are also very expensive. At the time of publication, most product listings online were more than R5,000.

All of this considered, we found several Icasa and NRCS-approved signal boosters selling online from reputed outlets, with maximum coverage areas no more than 1km².

That means they won’t interfere with other mobile users’ connectivity if a farmhouse is located several kilometres away from populated areas.

Below is an example of an active booster kit and an infographic showing the basic elements of the system.

A cheaper alternative

Passive outdoor antennas don’t re-transmit the signal from a cellular tower but also have high signal gain, enabling them to “grab” as much capacity as possible.

However, these antennas must be linked with a compatible Wi-Fi router with a SIM card. The router transmits the signal over unlicenced 2.4GHz and 5GHz spectrum rather than bands reserved for cellular use.

Devices must be connected to the router to enjoy improved connectivity, which limits the potential coverage area compared to an active booster.

The upside is that passive antennas are more cost-effective and won’t interfere with other customers’ signals.

At the time of publication, we found several high-gain outdoor antennas selling online from around R600 to R1,000.

Bear in mind that you will also need to buy a 4G or 5G–capable Wi-Fi router and a cellular SIM to access the Internet from connected devices.

The Vodacom spokesperson recommended buying passive antennas from reputable and well-established suppliers. In general, some form of installation knowledge is required to ensure proper functioning.

MTN also said that using voice-over-Wi-Fi while connected to a router could help improve the user’s phone calls.

“This feature can be activated in the mobile network settings, allowing voice calls in indoor environments to utilise a Wi-Fi network as an alternative to the mobile radio access network,” MTN said.