It’s important to understand what a signal booster is and how a system works before exploring what makes up the cost of a signal booster system.
What is a signal booster?
A mobile signal booster is a device that uses an outdoor donor antenna for inputs, then boosts each mobile signal and broadcasts the signal via a whip aerial of a distribution antenna system. For single rooms a whip aerial is sufficient, for offices, large homes and commercial buildings a network of internal antennas is needed.
How does a booster work?
The weak input signal is all narrow band frequencies, one band for each network, these are boosted using signal transmitters within the casing, this gives a 7-33 db gain to the signals to allow a poor signal to become full bars internally, the weaker the outside signal the more amplification power required.
A network of indoor antennas then distributes this signal into the area surrounding the amplifier or the antennas used in a DAS.
The signal is transmitted across the cables into the omni antennas and broadcast to all areas of that room. Using multiple antennas you can cover large buildings to ensure full mobile signal coverage in buildings up to 500,000 square metres. Most projects range from 3,000 to 5,000 sq metres and invoice office or apartment blocks.
What are the booster components that add costs?
Firstly you need to address the number of networks you wish to boost – Each one needs an amplifier, this is the most expensive part of the system, you can have 1,2,3 or 4 networks covered, for example with four amplifiers all four of the main operators are covered, it also covers all virtual networks that are MVNOs virtual resellers e.g. Tesco Mobile, sky
The next topic of concern is the size of the area, each antenna will cover an open plan area of 100-300 metres square, the larger the area the more antennas that will be needed.
Summary
A survey by a professional engineer can help give an exact cost, in most cases based on previous experience and jobs completed the team can give an estimate that is usually very accurate and a survey can help identify any issues, such as difficult to cable areas or unusual signal readings.
Once a survey is complete the reception is guaranteed and the responsibility lies with the mobile signal solutions team. Mobile signal solutions have years of experience and local teams that can help get your building fully covered for all UK mobile networks in 2-3 weeks from start to finish.
