The times when people used their mobile phones only for calling have passed long time ago. Watching videos, chatting on social networks and messengers, e-mailing are as essential for modern people as eating and sleeping. Mobile Internet is our everything.
Mobile data transfer speed differs depending on your mobile operator and the country you live in. In spite of massively advertised high-speed 4G plans, in practice data rates are often quite disappointing. Or even worse. It’s a rather widespread situation when our customers ask to improve 4G signal in their place but after a few questions it gets clear they do not receive it at all. Their mobile operator doesn’t deliver 4G signal in their area or the nearest cell tower is so far from their house that the best they can count on is 1 bar on a good day.
In order to understand what signal you receive, have a look at the symbols in mobile Internet signal bar on your phone.
What Mobile Internet Signal Indicators Mean
Right next to the signal strength indicator you can find one of 6 letters – G, E, 3G, H, H+ and LTE. Let’s make it clear what each of them means.
G stands for GPRS. It’s the slowest data speed that you can receive. It’s generally used to send text messages, e.g. on Skype e Viber.
E means EDGE or extended GPRS. It’s faster than GPRS but still not enough to get full-scale Internet connection.
Next goes 3G. That is what most of us use to browse Internet, but its highest data rate can go up to not more than 42 Mbit/sec.
H symbol stands for HSPA or HSDPA. It’s an enhanced version of 3G technology, so it has higher mobile data rates to provide smoother Internet connection. H+ is advanced HSPA, accordingly, with even higher mobile data transfer speed going up to 168 Mbit/s for downloads. Pay attention, H or H+ in your Internet signal bar means that you still receive 3G (!) and no way 4G.
If you see tree letters – L,T and E, you won big – you are on Long Term Evolution or 4G, the fastest network the mankind uses now! But what if your network is not efficient enough? No worries, we’ll tell a few smart ways how to get better 4G signal.
Improve 4G signal – set up your mobile phone
Increase 4G signal reception – use a network optimizing app
Boost 4G signal – install a mobile repeater
Adjust Your Phone to Improve 4G Signal
Did you know that when 4G signal reception is not strong in your place, your phone automatically switches to 3G? So, if you see H+ in your phone’s mobile Internet signal bar, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your cannot receive 4G mobile data, the network can simply be not efficient enough. In order to avoid network switch, you can make some adjustments. They can work for any operator, but be careful, it’s recommended to raise the settings back if you notice that they do harm to your phone operation.
- Dial ##DATA# or ##3282# and enter edit mode.
- Find out your MSL and enter it.
- Pick up WiMAX menu (WiMAX_ENTRY_RX (RSSI) (dBm)) and low down the minimum default signal rate to connect to a cell tower up to -95 or – 100 dBm. Return the value back to -89, if you face any network stability problems.
Use 4G Signal Optimizers to Boost 4G Signal
There’re certain mobile applications you can find on Google play market or Apple store that promise to increase 4g signal strength up to 5 bars. Their working principle lies in altering download and upload speeds, i.e. it lets you limit one in favor of the other. Such an app can work for you if you have slight problem with 4G connection and will hardly change anything if your data rate is very low.
By the way, as any mobile application it makes your phone consume more energy than usual and discharges it faster.
Increase 4G Signal Reception with a Mobile Booster
Speaking about a professional and reliable way to improve 4G signal, we’d recommend you to choose a 4G mobile signal booster. These devices are designed specially for the purpose to improve 4G mobile data transfer, so they’re strictly checked both while production and certification. Their price varies between 200 and 1000 euro depending on gain, power, coverage area and a number of frequencies supported.
For the matter of frequencies, it’s crucially important to choose a booster supporting the right one. Generally mobile operators in Europe provide LTE mobile data on 3 frequencies – LTE 800, 1800 and 2600 MHz. In some countries ertain operators work on one only or on all three. To find out which frequency is suitable for your city or even neighborhood, contact your operator or our tech support and we’ll advice you the booster model which fits you the best.
