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Thread: Cell boosters explained?
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03-11-2024, 01:45 PM #21
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Good cell tower signal (bars) only improves the communication between the tower and your device. When boosting a signal, you are only improving that connection between the two.
The data speed from that connection depends on current traffic or usage on the tower, the error and retransmission rate of data packets to and from your device and the tower, and network availability by your provider in your area.
Typically if your getting good signal strength and poor data speeds, its probably due to traffic on the cell tower and/or network availability. With a directional antennae, one could point at a different tower with less traffic and possible signal strength, and receive faster data speeds.
If using a directional antennae, would recommend downloading a cell tower location app like "Network Cell Info Lite". This will locate towers in your area that work with your cell provider. Then point your directional antennae toward that "best" location which can be done using a compass (app or mechanical).
We have had excellent service using these techniques while camping in our RV.Jim and Annette
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03-11-2024, 02:36 PM #22
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All true. Keep in mind phones are still designed primarily to make phone calls and send SMS and not necessarily provide best data performance (there are exceptions). There are also significant differences in antenna design and radio transmission power levels between brands and models. And, the number of bars and performance (both voice and data) are dependent upon the servicing technology - 3G, 4GLTE, 5G, 5GUC as well as weather and temperature - Earth's atmosphere is considered a hostile environment for radio wave propagation. Two bars of 5G will not necessarily translate into better data speed over two bars of 4G LTE since the antennas are very likely on the same towers and the upper bands just do not travel as far in the earth's atmosphere (that means more bit errors). See the picture below. Carriers deliberately reduce older technology (i.e. 4G LTE) in order to deploy newer technology (i.e.5G). This has been true since analog to TDMA/CDMA days. FYI, Network Cell Info Lite is a very good app as is OpenSignal.
Robin & John
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03-21-2024, 12:23 AM #23
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Thank you for this great info. Right now since I work I need the connectivity to be good. We have to deal with what the RV park says they have and what the maps tell us the cell signal is. Both of which are not reliable as we learned during our last big outing. Once retired, I could care less if I am connected or not. I don't desire to watch silly cat videos or post images of everything I consume during the day.
Upstate NY
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