The Internet is an indispensable thing in the modern world. The more we need mobile Internet, the more annoying it is to discover a poor signal or even its complete absence. Although the quality of cellular communications has improved in recent years, it still often fails. How to fix low 3G signal quality and what to do about it?
- 2 Strengthening communication using apps: pros and cons
- 3 Using purchased or homemade antennas to enhance communications
- 4 Use of repeaters (repeaters)
4.1 Installation of cellular repeaters
Reasons for a bad mobile signal: can it be improved?
Problems with cellular communications and mobile Internet can be caused by completely different sources: from distance from cell towers to bad weather conditions. Let's look at the most common reasons:
- remoteness of cell towers;
- third party networks disrupting the signal;
- a large number of obstacles - high-rise buildings, metal structures, hills, mountains;
- bad weather conditions - rain, thunderstorms, storms, etc.;
- heavy network load - common in the evening;
- hardware problems - for example, low phone charging.
You can improve your cellular signal, and here are the most obvious and simple ways:
- be closer to a cell tower;
- go out to an open place or to a window - so that barriers do not interfere with the “travel” of radio waves from the phone to the tower;
- recharge the device - moving away from a cell tower requires more transmitter power, which drains the battery faster.
Unexpectedly, I discovered that cases and accessories made of metal - or with metal inserts - can negatively affect the signal, just like large metal structures. I suggest that owners of such accessories test the Internet speed with and without a case. The result may pleasantly surprise you.
Other methods are more complicated and not so obvious; they involve additional devices or programs. Let's look at them in more detail.
Why is the Internet getting slow?
The cause of low Internet speed can only be determined after a comprehensive diagnosis of the Android device. On the other hand, there are several common reasons that can lead to this problem:
- Tariff plan of the operator or provider. The speed of your mobile or WiFi connection depends on the characteristics of your tariff plans. The lower they are, the slower web pages will load.
- Memory filling. If there is not enough free space on your device, information in the browser may load more slowly.
- Auto-update enabled. Android has a feature that automatically downloads upcoming versions of applications. If you have a lot of them installed on your phone, auto-update may work non-stop.
- Bad signal. This is a common problem when connecting to WiFi. Usually it depends on the stability of the router.
Strengthening Connectivity Using Apps: Pros and Cons
There are a large number of signal booster applications available on the Internet. At the same time, you do not risk damaging your phone and do not waste money. Let's see if this is really true?
I will analyze the software method for improving the signal using the example of one of the popular and easy-to-use applications - Internet Speed Master.
The author of the program claims that users will be able to optimize their Internet connection in just a couple of clicks. Apps like these help your phone connect to a stronger network signal.
To use Internet Speed Master, you just need to launch the program and click the “Apply Patch” button for smartphones with Root rights or “Improve Internet Connection” for non-rooted phones. Whenever the signal is bad, just use the application again and the smartphone will find a strong and stable network signal.
Root rights or “Superuser” rights mean full access to all device data. It is thanks to Root rights that the user can get “unlimited” access to all files on a device running Android.
Wikipedia
https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Root
Internet Speed Master has an extremely simple and intuitive interface
Be careful if you want to get root rights. Careless use of “superuser” rights can easily turn a smartphone into a “brick”. It’s better to be on the safe side than to regret later about losing your device.
Let's consider all the pros and cons of this application and the method in general.
Advantages of the software method:
- simple and intuitive interface for most applications;
- the method does not require material costs;
- applications do not require your intervention - just press a couple of buttons;
- you can check the method in a couple of minutes, without even leaving your home.
Disadvantages of the software method:
- does not give a positive result on all devices;
- Many applications require Root rights.
The disadvantages are insignificant compared to the advantages. It's safe to say that trying this method with a bad signal definitely won't hurt.
Find out the connection speed on Android
To get started, you'll need a free Speed Test program. You can download it from the Play Market. After installing the application, follow these steps:
- Enable Speed Test.
- Give the software permissions to work.
- Click "Start" and wait a few seconds.
After analysis, you will see both incoming and outgoing connection speeds.
Using purchased or homemade antennas to enhance communications
Cellular signal strength is measured in decibels (dB) and ranges from -50 dB (excellent signal) to -120 dB (no signal). Antennas, repeaters, repeaters and other equipment increase this level, improving communications.
Cellular signal quality varies from -50 dB to -120 dB
You can find out the signal strength on Android in the following way:
- Go to your phone settings.
- Open the About Phone tab (Help, About Device, etc.).
- Go to the “General Information” column.
- Check the connection quality in the “Signal Level” section. On some devices, the “Signal Strength” item is located in the “SIM Card Status” tab.
The graph with the signal level is in the settings
If the previous method did not improve the signal quality sufficiently, then it is worth trying to increase the communication speed using an antenna. The cost of a purchased antenna starts from 1300 rubles. The range of equipment is quite wide among both Chinese devices and Russian manufacturers.
Whip antenna - an inexpensive and simple way to strengthen the communication signal
The main difference between antennas is the radiation pattern - the most common antennas are with circular (can catch a signal from all sides) and directional (maximum effect when directed towards a cell tower) patterns. Antennas also vary in shape. The most popular are pin and panel.
Another type of antenna is panel
If for some reason you do not want to purchase an antenna, you can build it yourself, using simple improvised means. This does not require special knowledge, so most users can do it.
Browser settings
If you don’t want to download anything and deal with new applications, I suggest using another method: changing the settings in the browser you are using. I'll show you using Google Chrome as an example.
- Launch the Google Chrome application.
- Click on the "Options" button to go to the menu.
- Select "Settings". A list with possible settings will open in front of you.
- At the very end of the list you will find the item “Reduce traffic”, tap on it.
- There will be a switch at the top: slide the indicator until the value “On” appears.
An area for a graph will appear at the bottom, which will subsequently show the original file size and the size after compression, that is, how much less your traffic will load, thanks to which new pages will load faster.
Well, we’ve looked at the simplest and most accessible methods that will speed up the Internet on Android devices. You can also try to make the settings individually for your Internet provider such as MTS or Megafon.
Use of repeaters (repeaters)
Repeaters or repeaters are more complex and expensive devices than antennas. Prices for repeaters start at 7,000 rubles, however, they also improve the signal quality more strongly. Even the most inexpensive devices have a coverage area of 200 m² under good conditions (signal of 3-4 sticks). And expensive models (from 40,000) can easily cover several floors of an office building or shopping center.
Repeaters are one of the best devices for signal amplification
Installation of cellular repeaters
If you have already selected a suitable device, you need to install it correctly. Of course, you can use the services of specialists, but it is quite possible to carry out the installation yourself. To do this, just follow the instructions:
- Install an external antenna outdoors. At the same time, directional antennas must look in the direction of the cell tower.
- Place internal antennas indoors, at least five meters below the external one.
- Connect the external and internal antennas with cables and connect to the repeater.
- Connect the repeater to power and check for power supply.
If you are not sure where the cell phone station is, have someone stand at the indoor antenna while you slowly rotate the antenna until you find the best signal.
If everything is done correctly, the signal level near the internal antenna will increase significantly, approaching the maximum.
Refusal of metal cases
Some protective accessories have aluminum inserts that can degrade signal reception. Typically, the problem begins to appear when cellular reception is low. It is recommended to remove the cover and look at the changes. In some cases, the signal level increases, and this is enough to make a call or send a message. If the case is made of silicone, plastic or other material, it is useless to remove it - it transmits electromagnetic waves well.
Other 3G signal boosters
On sale you can find compact amplifiers in the form of stickers located inside the smartphone case. They are a geometric pattern of several metal strips. The manufacturer claims that the amplifier reduces interference and improves the signal in places where it is almost absent. On the AliExpress website, such stickers are sold in sets of 10 for only 140 rubles, but their effectiveness, as they say, relies on chance and, according to most reviews, no increase is observed among users.
Small stickers like this can improve communication
Instead of such stickers, many ordinary users and even experts claim that even an ordinary piece of foil located under the phone cover helps to get an increase in the signal. This method requires minimal costs, so it is quite suitable for testing.
The main reasons for a poor signal lie in the remoteness of cellular stations and remote areas, but the quality of communication is somehow improved using simple and not so simple means. Simple manipulations give a significant increase in communication speed. All that remains is to wish you fast Internet!
First method: choosing the right tariff plan
The main reason for slow internet is your ISP. Set a speed limit for outgoing and incoming traffic for each tariff, which cannot be bypassed without additional payment. These numbers can be found in the rate description and contract and are often the reason why the Internet slows down.
To find out whether the reason for the Internet slowdown is inappropriate speed, it is worth taking measurements on any site to check. The most common and accessible among them is Speedtest.net.
easy to manage:
- Disconnect other devices from the Internet, close all programs that may consume the Internet.
- Pause browser extensions and VPNs.
- Go to the website, start the test by clicking on the “Start Test” button.
- Wait for the result.
If the cost received is comparable to the contract figures or differs from them by 10-15%, the reason for the slowness is a tariff plan that does not meet your needs. It is worth switching to a tariff with a different maximum limit or switching operators.
If the connection is 25% or lower, the reason for the slowdown in connection is not the tariff. It’s worth calling the provider’s hotline and clarifying this information - perhaps the problem arose due to breakdowns or problems with them.
You should also make sure that your tariff does not have traffic restrictions - in such cases, the speed drops sharply as soon as the specified threshold is reached. You can increase it only by paying additional gigabytes. This method is practiced on the MTS modem, and is also used by the Megafon modem and other mobile modems with SIM cards. It is also used by the Belarusian operator Byfly.
How to increase the speed of an MTS modem - video:
Is there nothing broken with the provider and the traffic threshold is not set? Let's look further.
