How to improve 3g signal reception. How to strengthen the cellular signal on your phone with your own hands

Internet access is necessary for every person for work, study or for their personal needs. The mobile phone does not always pick up the Internet. Not everyone knows how to amplify the 3g signal of a smartphone.

In cities where there are a large number of mobile operators, there should not be “dead zones” for the Internet according to prior. In reality, everything is different: a person, moving around the area, periodically gets into them. This is due to architecture, the building material from which houses are built, metal structures. The reasons for poor Internet include the presence of many industrial interference.

To protect the smartphone from mechanical damage, various cases are sold. If there are metal inserts inside the protection, then this affects the quality of the received 3g and 4g signal.

When the user travels outside the city, a 3g signal booster for a smartphone is required, where the Internet speed is sharp or absent.

Almost all people use 3g or 4g Internet, which is offered by mobile operators. It provides access to networks anywhere, unlike a wi-fi network. But due to the congestion of communication lines, the Internet speed drops to the level of 2g. Even when the phone is on a tariff with a good speed of 3g or 4g, it guarantees that the speed will not slow down.

Two solutions will help improve smartphone reception - this is software and using devices purchased or made independently. Each method has pluses. With an integrated approach to increasing the speed of the Internet connection, the user will achieve the fastest possible signal.

Software settings

Sometimes people are unhappy with the speed of the Internet on a mobile phone. Everyone knows that the speed and quality of an Internet connection depend on the operator, the selected tariff and coverage area. But not everyone knows that you can amplify the signal on your smartphone using the InternetSpeedMaster application. The program optimizes the phone by changing system files. It is easy to strengthen the antenna on a smartphone using the application, but you need to have root rights, if the phone is rooted, then installation will take 2 minutes.

Configuring the program for amplifying 3g and 4g

How to configure InternetSpeedMaster to boost 3g and 4g signal:

1. enter the application and grant superuser rights;
2. if the device is rooted, enter ApplyPatch, reboot. The Internet signal booster on the smartphone will work;
3. if the user does not have superuser rights, enter ImproveInternetConnection, then reboot the device.

This method does not work on all devices, so it is recommended that you first get root rights in order to surely increase the 3g signal on your smartphone.

If the user wants to restore the old settings, it is recommended to enter the menu, click "Restore", confirm their actions by selecting the "OK" button.

Hardware improvement

You can strengthen the cellular signal on your smartphone by purchasing additional devices in specialized stores - a repeater and various types of antennas. Such devices significantly amplify the signal coming from the operator. In this situation, no manipulations with the device files are required.

All devices connected to the Internet 3g or 4g, included in the antenna coverage area, increase the download speed. To strengthen the 3g signal for a smartphone with your own hands in the country or in the apartment, you need to take steps that will enable the operator's signal to reach as quickly as possible.

Amplifier 3g and 4g for mobile device

To do this, take a 3g or 4g modem connected to a wi-fi router, and bring it outside through a USB extension cable. Further fixed on the roof under the visor. Such actions will give a positive result, the speed of the Internet connection increases.

If the result of the user is not satisfied, then you can increase the reception of the smartphone signal using a reflector. The device can be made independently, especially since it does not require high costs and special knowledge.

For the manufacture you will need a pan, a metal can or an ordinary colander. The modem is located in the center of the selected reflector. This device will collect a signal on a 3g or 4g modem. With all the simplicity of the device, the speed of the Internet connection increases by 20%.

This article is for those, whotormented with a low 3G / 4G LTE signal making it difficult or impossible to comfortably work on the Internet,and now seriously thinking about improving the quality of access to the global network.

Many users of 3G/4G modems are looking for the answer to the question: - How to improve modem signal reception? How to increase internet speed to fully enjoy online services? So, it should be understood that a high-quality signal directly affects the speed of the Internet, the other possible limitations are the momentary load of the base station (BS) of the operator. In this article, we will describe the most popular and "popular" ways to "overclock" 3G / 4G Internet, describe the pros and cons of each of them.

1. The "stick-rope" method

The easiest way to improve signal reception is by raising the modem to a height using a USB extension cable (preferably not economical and not more than 3m. Otherwise, connection loss is likely)

Primitive economy - a method burdened only by the purchase of a USB extension cable and connection worries.

A low-performance solution, with a minimal increase in speed of a few dB., Apart from the fact that when placed outdoors, you sentence the modem to early failure - according to statistics in a year, since the design feature is designed for room temperature and humidity.

2. Do-it-yourself antenna method

This is the next evolutionary method that allows you to increase the speed of the Internet by making a homemade 3G / 4G antenna. There are a lot of instructions on the Internet for making.

Low gain and dependent on weather factors like wind and rain.In addition, as we wrote earlier, subject to external placement, it negatively affects the viability of the modem.

3. Method "Using modern outdoor 3G / 4G LTE antennas"

In our opinion, the most modern and effective way to increase the level of 3G / 4G signal and provide yourself with reliable Internet for many years is to use specialized external antennas. The main advantage of which over the above methods is this is a high gain(up to 20 dBi and above), ready to work in the most severe weather conditions. Even if you live at decent distances from the operator tower: 7, 10, 20 km. with the right antenna, you can achieve a decent Internet speed - up to 60 Mbps!. If you are in a zone of weak or almost non-existent 4G LTE signal The use of a powerful antenna will help to amplify and provide reliable reception.

Compliance with operator standards and increased signal reception ratio allowing at times increase the speed of 3G & 4G LTE Internet!
+ Independence from weather conditions and a reliable design.
+ Price "does not bite" from 1600 ₽ to 4800 ₽.

Installation according to the rules for maximum results and according to our article "How to properly install a 3G / 4G antenna". This is quite a feasible task that does not require special skills and abilities, and the result is a comfortable speed for years.

Access of stationary computers to the Internet using 3G technology is most often performed using an external USB modem. The device can be connected directly to the end device or to a router. In the second case, a local network with Internet access is organized via Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable.

Swapping the receiving device

Since the data is transmitted from the base stations of the operators, the signal level may differ in different places in the room. The main reasons are obstacles in the form of walls and furniture, interference from household appliances. To amplify the signal, it is best to install a 3G modem near a window, behind which there is a tower with a transmitter.

The optimal location can be found experimentally by measuring the signal at different points in the apartment or office. To check the speed, special sites are used, for example, the SpeedTest service. For smartphones on Android and iOS, you can measure the speed not only through the browser, but also using mobile applications.

Note! Some sites used for speed testing offer to choose a server with which data will be exchanged. For best results and maximum measurement accuracy, mark the nearest server.

How to strengthen the 3G signal with your own hands

If you use a modem to access the Internet via 3G, you can boost the signal strength by using an external antenna or extension cable. Antenna connection is available only if there is a Pigtail connector on the 3G modem. USB extenders work as follows: a modem is connected to one connector, and the other connector is connected to the USB port on the computer. This allows you to place the 3G modem at a distance from the computer or router, in the zone of stable signal reception. There are two types of such devices:

1. Passive - work without an amplifier, effective with a short cord length.
2. Active - have a built-in amplifier to avoid signal attenuation. Can be used with long cables.

Important! When choosing a USB extension cable, it is preferable to select models with a ferrite filter that suppresses interference. Usually it is made in the form of a cylinder with a plastic sheath, which is fixed on the cable.

Tutorial video: How to boost 3G signal

Improve 3G signal on smartphone

On Google Play, you can find special applications to improve 3G reception on Android, for example:

• HSPA+ Tweaker;
• Signal Booster 3G;
• Connection Stabilizer Booster;
• Signal Care Free.

The principle of operation of most of these utilities is to change the active base station. The program determines which BS is connected at the moment and tries to find an access point located closer. In the same way, you can strengthen the 3G signal on the tablet if it is equipped with a SIM card slot.

How to make an amplifier for an Internet modem with your own hands

The Internet signal in the city is provided by the presence of base stations and a special cable. In this case, the signal is stable and guarantees the speed ordered by the tariff. And what to do outside the city, where there is no fiber optic cable?

Outside the city, there is no base station and fiber-optic cable lines for high-speed Internet. Usually, providers develop a high-speed network where there is a large population density. Yes, and this business is quite expensive, even for large organizations. As they say: it is not economically feasible!

Therefore, ordinary Internet users suffer in the summer with Internet access and speed when they travel outside the cable network.

A few years ago, there was no way to access the Internet outside of a developed infrastructure. About three years ago, with the advent of usb modems, it became possible to use the Internet in country houses and cottages. But the signal is poor and the speed is the same. There is only one way out: make an amplifier for the Internet modem with your own hands or buy a 3g signal amplifier.

3g network coverage map

Each provider has its own network. For example, in 2012 I bought an MTS modem and suffered all season: there was almost no signal at all. I had to urgently go to the city to hand over the work done, not to mention how to surf the Internet.

The next year, on the advice of friends, I connected to the Internet through Beeline. Of course, I was happy, because compared to MTS, it was gorgeous. But ... only during the day. In the evening, with an increase in the number of Internet consumers, the network hung up.

To choose the best provider for your country house, you need to analyze the network of each provider. A map of the 3g network coverage of a specific provider will help you figure this out.

Type in the search line "MTS network coverage map".

In the address bar you need to write the address and the point you are looking for will be automatically indicated on the map. Now look: is there a network at a given point and of what quality.

3g MTS network coverage map at the desired point

The map shows that there is no MTS signal on my street and two neighboring ones.

Do the same with cards of other providers: in Izhevsk, in addition to MTS, this is Beeline, Tele2, Megafon.

3g network coverage map Beeline at the desired point

Beeline's 3g network coverage map shows a good network, but in fact there was no normal signal for the following reasons:

1. the nearest Beeline base stations are located on the outskirts of the city
2. between the last base station and my street a little more than 8 km (less than 10 km), which means that there seems to be 3g, but the modem constantly loses the 3g network and switches to 2g mode. This switching usually occurs due to a weak signal level or high load.
4. 3g modems operate at frequencies of 1900-2150MHz. The signal of this frequency range passes well only in the "line of sight". Obstacles in the form of mountains, forests, high-rise buildings are barriers to signal propagation over long distances. And the map shows that in a straight line between the city and my street there are several decent-sized "bald spots". Most likely they play some kind of negative role.

As a result of such a search on the 3g network coverage map, I determined that the best option for me is Megafon: a stable network on my street and in the surrounding area for 2-3 kilometers. On the map in the direction of the city, the 3g network is the same color throughout:

Coverage map 3g Megaphone at the desired point

Although Tele2 has the same indicators:

3g Tele2 network coverage map at the desired point

The final choice between the two providers can be made by examining the signal strength of the provider in the area using a cell phone.

3g modem signal level

To determine the signal level of a 3g modem, you need to do the following field studies:

1. using a cell phone (the same provider as the modem), determine the places in your suburban area where the signal is maximum. Walk around all the corners of the cottage: behind the house, behind the bathhouse, in the open space ... everywhere.
2. if there is an indicator on the laptop, then do the same by walking around the entire area with the laptop
3. put on paper indicators at these points - make a map
4. choose the 2-3 points that are most suitable for you and conduct additional studies of the signal level, but already in height: on the 2nd floor, on the roof, using a pole 2-3 m long, etc.
5. stop your choice in one place

The determination of the 3g signal level of the modem can also be controlled using programs that not only show the signal level, but also allow them to be controlled so that the modem itself can select the desired type of network depending on the reception quality. But so far, this case seems very complicated to me.

Such studies need to be carried out in order to determine the direction. The nearest provider's base station may not be in the direction you previously thought. If there are several of them, then for some reason a good signal does not come from the one you were guided by.

And yet, how to strengthen the signal so that Internet access outside the city is stable and faster?

In an online store or offline, you can buy special equipment for these purposes: an amplifier for an Internet modem

Signal booster for Connect 2.4 wi-fi modem

The signal amplifier for the modem must be selected, taking into account the provider network you have chosen.

For example, "Connect 2.4 wi-fi" brand amplifiers are popular:

The 3G/4G modem kit is designed to provide stable Internet access via USB modems in areas of poor signal reception of GSM (GPRS/EDGE), 3G (HSDPA/HSUPA/WCDMA) and 4G (LTE) networks of any operators, as well as to provide wireless connecting computers, laptops, netbooks, tablets, smartphones and other devices using WiFi technology.

There are also various devices, such as antennas and offset feeds. But, I want to consider the configuration of this amplifier:

1. antenna
2. cable length 1.8 m
3. wireless router for wifi

In principle, if Wi-Fi is not needed, then you can buy an antenna with a 5m cable like RK-50-3-18

After we have clarified the configuration of the purchased amplifier, we will consider options for home-made designs.

Simple 3g modem amplifier design

Last season I made a simple do-it-yourself 3g modem amplifier. I didn’t take any measurements, I just asked the sales guy in the store about the amplifier (I was ready to buy any, if only I had Internet in the country). The guy told me about his method, and I just repeated it:

1. you need to buy an extension cable 3-5m long with usb connectors "father-mother"
2. take a CD disk and on it make a mount for a flash drive in the middle of the disk
3. outside the window, from the outside, on the facade, make some kind of fastener for the disk, such as a carnation
4. hang the disk with the modem on the outside of the window or on the window on the inside of the room (if it is raining or cold), and connect the other cable connector to the laptop

That's the whole design. Indeed, the signal is caught not badly, compared to what it was.

This small amplifier design is powered by a length of cable and a mirrored CD-like surface.

If you increase the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe amplifier and use something of a larger diameter instead of a CD, then you can significantly increase signal reception.

I found on the Internet a do-it-yourself 3g modem amplifier design, similar to my design, but with a large “antenna” diameter:

1. take aluminum basin
2. we mark the center of the basin and come up with some fasteners for the modem at this point. The modem should look exactly in the center of the basin.
3. we connect a cable with a length of 5 m or more, if during the study of your site you determined that you need to raise the amplifier higher
4. We hang the basin on the wall of the house in the direction where the signal is most captured. Can be mounted on a wooden pole and raised as high as possible above the house
5. Using the “poke method”, we select the best location for the center of the basin and finally fix it so that it does not turn around in the wind.

Instead of an aluminum basin, you can take an aluminum colander:

Homemade modem signal amplifier from a colander

They say that the signal level is increased by 3-4 times. I am going to try out this design this summer season, because I need high-quality Internet.

Why homemade? Because I already know from my design that this option works. And because, they say that a purchased amplifier for an Internet modem does not guarantee quality - “money down the drain”, because “our brother is being fooled”: a home-made one works, but a purchased one does not. There is no amplifier in it - a simple reflective desktop-type antenna ( Connect).

Users living in rural areas face certain difficulties that are unknown to urban residents. For example, with the problem of a poor 3G modem signal, which is available to almost every resident. The only way to access the Internet for a rural resident is a regular USB modem.

Of course, not all villagers have problems with poor signal. In particular, the level of communication and the Internet in settlements located near large cities is sometimes more efficient than in the city itself, because the speed of the Internet depends on many different factors, including even such as terrain and network congestion.

If the user has problems with the quality of the 3G modem signal, then, of course, he will ask himself the question: how to amplify the 3G modem signal? Indeed, apart from strengthening the signal, there will be no other way, since poor Internet will not become a factor for a person to move to another area. Looking ahead, we can say that it will be most effective if you buy a cellular signal booster gsm / 3G VEGATEL.

First you need to make sure that there are no alternative solutions for amplifying the network signal. Perhaps a simpler solution would be to change the operator or connect to wired Internet, which is spreading rapidly in Russia. The opinion about the need to change the modem when changing the operator is erroneous. All modems from the three Russian operators are supplied by Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE. Blocked under one or another operator, in Russia they are sold under the name of the provider. All of these modems can be unlocked, except for completely new models. However, over time, they are replaced by new unlocking methods.

Before changing the operator, you must unlock the modem, a description of the unlocking methods is available on the Internet. After that, you only need to change the SIM card. If the change of operator did not give anything, you will need to work on amplifying the signal yourself at home.

How much to pay

All options for amplifying the modem signal are conditionally classified into paid and free. In the case of a paid option, you need to buy additional types of equipment (cables, antennas, signal amplifiers), and this option becomes suitable if the signal quality is poor.

Things are much easier with free options. You can slightly improve the signal quality by assembling amplifiers from improvised means, such as a colander, a tin can, or a winding of copper wire. To improve the quality of the network signal, Russian "kulibins" are ready to perform many tasks.

"Good" Internet

First you need to understand some rules of the "good" Internet, which will allow you to keep the signal quality always at a high level.

1. Since modems often turn off when using them, it's best not to use USB extension cables. The operation of a 3G modem directly depends on the length of the cable. The length of the USB cable when using it should not exceed 1.8 meters.
2. The direction of the modem should always be towards the tower.
3. The quality of communication directly depends on where the modem is located relative to the window. Sitting in the center of the room, users often complain about the poor quality of the Internet. You can place your desktop near the window that "looks" towards the operator's base tower.

"Force" your internet to only accept one particular "signal" if it constantly jumps between WCDMA and EDGE. Going into the modem settings, select the "Network" item and install "3G / WCDMA only".

Free ways

No equipment requires amplifying the signal of a 3G modem at home. You need to stock up only with scissors, a knife, a couple of screws and "straight" hands.

Method 1. You need to take a coil of ordinary copper wire, open the cover of the 3G modem and make 10 turns at the location of the SIM card. Further, without cutting the copper wire, the rest must be thrown out the window of your own window. Then, from a simple tin can, you need to make a “glass” and wind it on the other end of the wire. Place the cut side of the jar to the base tower for double signal amplification.

Method 2. The signal amplifier can be ordinary speakers that reproduce the sound of your computer, which must be plugged into a power outlet and installed near the 3G modem. To avoid characteristic "clicks" you need to lower the sound to a minimum level.

Method 3. The modem can work in the best mode using certain software. It often happens that EDGE, HSPA, 3G|WCDMA icons appear in the 3G modem program. Selecting the mode from which the signal comes in the best way, the modem automatically activates it. Let's describe an example of amplifying the signal of a Megafon 3G modem on our own using HSPA Locker. To hold the signal, this utility constantly sends certain data. After connecting to the Internet, you need to download the HSPA Locker application and install it on your computer.

After the slider reaches the maximum level (up to 3 KB / s), you need to click the "Start" button. A blinking green circle will mean a successful start of the software.

After downloading the application, you can use high-quality Internet.

Paid methods

Requiring certain financial costs from the user, these methods allow you to receive a 3G signal in places where it is not available. Depending on the method, the amount of expenses may vary in the range of 100-5000 rubles.

Method 1."Hanging" the modem on the window using a USB extension cable is one of the most common ways to amplify the signal. A 1.8-meter cable costs approximately 100 rubles. You can buy it at any computer hardware store. You need to insert the USB extension cable with one end into the laptop, and with the other end into the 3G modem and hang it on the window.

Method 2. Before buying a modem, you should first find out what quality of service a particular operator provides. If there is no choice and a low level of quality, you must choose a 3G modem with the ability to connect an external antenna. Despite the small number of such models on the market, they will be easy to find on the market. Their cost is much higher, but when you connect an external antenna, the Internet will also be much more efficient.

Method 3. You can noticeably improve the signal from the tower using a signal amplifier for USB modems, for example, the popular REMO Connect 2.2 in our country. It is a plastic plate on a small stand into which the modem is inserted. Connect this cellular signal booster to a PC using an extension cord. Since the REMO Connect 2.0 kit does not include a USB hub, it has a relatively low price (900 against 1.3 thousand rubles).

Although, this method is not as effective as purchasing a do-it-yourself cellular communication amplification kit from the manufacturer VEgatel.

Method 4. The signal amplifying antenna described in the third method is internal. For the most urgent cases, there are also so-called. outdoor or external types of antennas. Such antennas are mounted on the roof or wall of the house, like a conventional television antenna. The modem is connected using a special FME adapter. To connect the adapter to the modem, various methods are used: using Velcro, glue or clips, as well as using a special connection socket.

Such simple methods are designed to improve the quality of the network signal. You can also try to invent new ways and methods with your own hands.