So how do you get better cell phone reception in your apartment?
Signal Boosters and Microcells
The simplest path for most renters is to connect on WiFi. If this doesn’t work or isn’t possible, there are several ways to boost your cell phone signal to overcome bad over-the-air reception.
You can buy a femtocell (or microcell) unit, which sits inside your home like a WiFi router. Just as you would for a router, a femtocell requires a broadband internet connection. The difference is the femtocell boosts your cell signal rather than creating a WiFi network. Femtocells run about $300, but you may be able to get one free or discounted from your cable company with your internet subscription.
If you don’t have internet service through a cable or satellite company, consider purchasing a cell signal booster to get a stronger signal to your phone. Cell boosters can amplify your signal for up to thirty times better reception. The downside is you most likely need to place its antenna outside your home or in a window (although some less effective boosters are available for inside-only installation) and run wires through your apartment. A small booster can run from $50 to $400, but your cell provider may provide one for free or a discount if they determine your external signal is poor.
Because the booster will most likely be mounted outside or affixed to an interior wall, you should speak with your landlord before purchasing. Your landlord may even cover the cost of the booster and installation so they can take ownership even after you move out.
Optimizing Your Phone For Good Reception
There are also small adjustments you can do on your phone to help your signal. A few to try include:
- Keeping your phone fully charged
- Performing a “soft reboot” of your phone by removing and reinserting your SIM card
- Regularly updating your operating system
- Resetting network settings
- Holding your phone upright while you talk as to not block the internal antenna with your hand
You can look up the location of your nearest cell tower on websites like CellReception and AntennaSearch and keep to that side of your home or near that window while you are on the phone if your signal is weak. And be sure to give yourself some distance from other electronic or metal objects or devices in your home while you’re on your phone, as they can cause interference. Remember, the higher the floor you’re on, the better your signal will be.
You have a variety of solutions to combat bad cell reception in your apartment. Try these alone or in combination with each other to get better reception.
