Here are some quick hacks to boost your signal so you can scroll, stream and work uninterrupted.
Ok ok, we’re spoilt these days. We expect our internet to work on command and when it doesn’t, or it’s painfully slow…well, we’re not happy Jan.
Slow internet and dropped calls are either poor network coverage, signal interference or slow phone performance. Some of your rooms may be a dead spot for mobile reception, so let’s take a look at how to fix each so you can avoid the dreaded load timeout.
1. Identify the nearest mobile phone tower
I have a friend who moved into a beautiful new estate. But, I can only call her if she’s standing between the kitchen table and the window. Why? Because her new estate is too far from her telco’s network tower.
If your internet is sluggish and you have to go outside to talk, you can use apps like Open Signal to check the signal strength in your location and the mobile operators with the best coverage in your area.
There are only 3 networks in Australia (Telstra, Optus and Vodafone), but each has multiple smaller telcos that “borrow” one of those networks. Once you find the nearest tower, you can compare plans from brands that use that network.
For instance, Boost and Beyond use Telstra, amaysim and Southern Phone use Optus, and Felix and TPG use Vodafone.
2. Get a new SIM card (or switch to eSIM)
You might want to switch to a new telco because the tower is closer, and you might also want to check out the condition of your current SIM card. If your SIM has dirty contacts or you’ve had it for years, it might need a clean or replacement. Pop your SIM out and gently clean its metal surfaces with a dab of disinfectant or an alcohol wipe.
If your SIM needs replacing you can contact your telco to request one. Another way to never worry about your SIM card again is to switch yours to an eSIM. Most phones today come eSIM enabled, so you can just “download” your new plan rather than installing a new SIM. It makes switching plans super easy.
You can see which telcos offer eSIM plans here.
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3. Use a signal booster
A mobile phone signal booster (commonly known as a cell repeater) is installed outside your home. It picks up the external signal, amplifies it by up to 32x and sends it to your internal antenna.
Some boosters are fixed to a network (such as Optus or Telstra), but many these days are universal and pick up the signal from any carrier.
4. Check your phone battery
Connecting to a network tower draws power from your phone’s battery. If you are low on battery, your phone might not have enough power to search for a decent signal. Smartphones can also run in the “conserve power” mode and can be programmed to use less power for the signal process.
To conserve the battery, you can close unused apps (particularly those running location services or maps), lower the screen brightness, and turn off unnecessary push notifications. You can also consider using a portable battery charger to keep your phone charged on the go and minimise reception issues due to the low battery.
5. Have you tried rebooting?
Sometimes it’s the little things that make a difference. In a new area, your phone might be trying to reconnect to an old network. To force your phone to search for a better network, you can:
- Turning your phone off and on again
- Turn on airplane mode and then off again (pause for a few seconds in between)
- Check for updates in case it solves your connectivity issues
6. Use an external antenna for your phone
Connecting your cell phone with an external antenna is one of the most cost-effective ways to boost the signal. Outdoor signal strength is always greater than the signal indoors. Therefore, external antennae can help you channel the outdoor signal and boost coverage inside your home.
While considering an external antenna, it’s important to note that if the signal is poor outdoors, you should install directional antennas. The directional antennas are pointed in the direction that the reception is strongest to boost the signal effectively.
If the signal strength is fine outdoors, you can use the omnidirectional antennas. These antennas receive signals from 360 degrees and help you get the best signal reception.
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