Five Ways to Boost your 3G Signal

No matter how reliable your mobile service usually is, there are probably times when it cuts out just as you need it the most! Whether it cuts off your Netflix in mid-stream or a job interview over Skype, there’s nothing more annoying than a dropped signal. Fortunately, there are a few ways to prevent this from happening. There are a number of factors that can weigh into your signal strength, including the distance from the nearest radio tower and interference from structures both inside and outside the home. Boost your 3G signal whether you’re at home or out and about by employing these five handy tricks.

  1. Buy a signal-boosting case.

Could your funky phone case be blocking your reception? Try removing your phone if you’re not getting enough of a signal. Another option, however, is to purchase a case that’s specifically designed to enhance a 3G signal. Brands like Pong claim to shield you from harmful radiation while enhancing your signal at the same time, and they also protect your phone! If you’re using a Wi-Fi signal to connect, try using the Linkase cases which help grab onto open wireless connections, and come in a range of different colours.

  1. Download a signal-boosting app.

Another option is to download an app designed to find and maximise your mobile broadband or Wi-Fi signals. These work in many different ways. Some help streamline your mobile device by closing background apps that are draining its battery, at times improving the signal this way. Others use crowdsourced data to find the strongest connection points and nearest base stations for a clearer, more reliable signal. These will at the very least point you in the right direction so that you don’t have to hold your phone up and spin in circles to find out where your signal is coming from.

  1. Use a femtocell.

To boost your 3G signal at home, think about purchasing a signal booster or femtocell. These help boost the radio waves that are travelling between your device and the nearest transmitter, working as a miniature base station to help improve connection speeds and clarity. All major phone operators provide products like these, and in fact many use their own small cells to boost service to customers, like the small cells services from Nokia Networks.

  1. Charge your battery.

At times, a slow or spotty connection could be due to something as simple as a low battery. It’s worth plugging your phone in if you notice a weak connection. If your battery is draining too quickly, try downloading battery-saving apps or upgrading to a new device.

  1. Reboot your device.

Finally, the most basic IT advice of turning a device off and on again holds true for network connections as well. If your 3G signal is weak, try rebooting your phone or tablet to see if this makes a difference. Some apps will automatically do this for you, allowing the phone to refresh and reconnect with a better signal.

These are the main ways to boost your signal, allowing you to take advantage of all of the benefits of a speedy 3G network.

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