A signal booster, commonly known as a signal amplifier or cell phone repeater, is an electronic device designed to improve your phone’s connection to your wireless carrier’s network. These devices increase the strength of LTE, 5G, and 4G cellular signals indoors.
Signal boosters consist of three main components: an external antenna, an internal antenna, and an amplifier. As the name suggests, the external antenna needs to be placed outside your home in a location where it can receive maximum signal. The higher you place the external antenna, the better signal you receive.
On the other hand, the internal antenna needs to be placed in the area you want to improve the signal. For instance, if you’re purchasing a signal booster to improve cell phone reception in a single room, placing the internal antenna in the middle of your ceiling might be a good idea. The most essential component of the device, the amplifier, is responsible for receiving the signal from the external antenna, amplifying the weak signal, and sending it to the internal antenna which then rebroadcasts the enhanced signal.
While signal boosters are legal within the United States, they must be FCC-certified and you must register it with your carrier once you purchase it. Although these electronic devices can do a great job amplifying weak signals, they may not be the most optimal choice for your specific use case.
