Cell Phone Signal Boosters: How They Work and Who Makes Them

This page explains how a cell phone signal booster works and provides an application note. It also lists vendors and manufacturers of cell phone signal boosters.

As we know, various factors can weaken the transmitted cellular signal. These factors include:

• Building materials like concrete walls, metal studs, and roofs can block cellular signals.
• Cellular devices located far from the cell tower experience weaker signals. This results in slower data speeds and connectivity issues.
• Natural obstructions such as mountains, valleys, and hills can also block or weaken cellular signals.

The device used to overcome these issues is called a signal booster (also known as a signal repeater). It receives the signal, amplifies it, and retransmits the amplified signal. Because it’s mainly used to boost signals for mobile phones, it’s also referred to as a mobile signal booster.

Cell phone signal boosters provide the following benefits:

• Eliminate dropped calls
• Enhance data speeds
• Extend cell phone battery life
• Enable cellular device use in areas with previously poor coverage

Cell Phone Signal Booster Application Note

Wilson Electronics Inc. recently introduced the WCI-1065 and WCI-1075 series of cell phone signal boosters. These devices support signal gains of 65dB and 75dB respectively and are designed for dual-band applications, supporting both 2G and 3G cellular networks.

Figure-2 depicts the WCI-1075 cell phone signal booster designed and manufactured by Wilson Electronics, Inc. As shown, its main function is signal amplification. A -95dBm input signal is amplified by the signal booster with a gain of 75dB, resulting in a -20dBm output signal.

Typical specifications for Wilson signal boosters are:

• Frequency: 824 to 894 MHz, 1850 to 1900 MHz
• Gain: 70dB (for 824 to 894 MHz) / 75dB (for 1850 to 1900 MHz)
• Max. uplink power (EIRP): 3 watts
• Max. downlink power: 26dBm / 25dBm
• Noise figure: 3.5dB typical
• Flatness: +/-5dB
• Power Requirements: 6V AC/3A Max.

Cell Phone Signal Booster Manufacturers/Vendors

Here is a list of popular cell phone signal booster manufacturers and vendors for 2G, 3G, and 4G networks. These are some of the best mobile phone signal boosters available. The list also includes popular signal booster models in parentheses.

• Wilson Electronics (DT Cell Phone Boost, Sleek Vehicle Cellular Signal Booster, DB Pro Cellular Signal Booster)
• Vktech (CDMA Mobile Phone Signal Booster)
• weBoost (3G Cell phone booster, Drive 4G-M booster, Connect 4G Cell Phone Booster)
• Phonetone (62dB, 850MHz, 3G Cell Phone Signal Booster, 70dB version also available)
• SureCall (M2M 4G LTE Signal Booster)
• zBoost (ZB245 Mobile1, dual band, In-vehicle and supports single User)