Calls that drop as soon as you walk into the kitchen, messages that arrive late, having to step onto the balcony for a video call: poor mobile coverage at home is a common problem, especially in buildings with thick walls, reinforced concrete or low floors. Before buying any device it is worth understanding where the problem comes from, because the right solution depends on the cause.
Diagnosis first
Is it the house or the area?
The first check is simple: compare the signal outside, in front of the door, with the signal inside. If it is good outside and collapses indoors, the building is the cause. If it is poor outside as well, the area is badly covered by the operator and indoor solutions will help little.
Is it the operator or the phone?
If possible, try another operator's SIM in the same spot, or ask a neighbour. Different operators use different antennas and frequencies, and in a given building one can work much better than another. Different phone models can also receive differently on the same operator.
Map the house
Many phones show the RSRP signal value in dBm in their status information. Writing it down in every room, near the windows and in the middle of the house, reveals where the signal gets in best. Often moving your workspace a few metres is enough to go from a critical situation to an acceptable one.
The solutions, simplest first
1. Turn on Wi-Fi calling
This is the most effective solution and almost always free. With Wi-Fi calling (VoWiFi) the phone routes calls and texts through your home internet connection instead of the cellular antenna. The number stays the same and callers notice no difference.
It is enabled in the phone's settings, under the dedicated option in the network or phone settings, and must be supported by both the operator and the smartphone model. With good Wi-Fi throughout the house, the call problem is effectively solved.
2. Enable VoLTE
If the phone still uses older networks for voice, calls can be more fragile. With VoLTE active, voice travels over the 4G network, which often has better indoor coverage. This too is a setting that depends on operator and model.
3. Consider switching operator
If the diagnosis showed that another operator works much better in that house, switching is a permanent solution with no extra devices. Many operators offer trial periods or cheap prepaid SIMs you can use to test coverage before porting your number.
4. 4G or 5G router with an outdoor antenna
For data, when there is no fixed line or it is slow, a mobile router placed near a window or with an outdoor antenna on the roof or balcony can make a big difference. The outdoor antenna picks up the signal where it is strongest and the router distributes it indoors over Wi-Fi. Combined with Wi-Fi calling, it solves both data and voice.
5. Cellular repeaters
Cellular repeaters amplify the operator's signal and retransmit it indoors. Great care is needed here: an unauthorised or badly installed repeater can interfere with the operator's network and other users, and their use is regulated. The correct routes are devices supplied or approved by the operator and installation following its instructions.
What does not work
- Stickers and passive "boosters" stuck on the back of the phone: they do not improve reception.
- Apps promising to boost the signal: an app cannot change the phone's radio.
- Removing the case: unless it is a metal case, the effect is negligible.
Problem buildings
Some construction elements strongly attenuate the signal:
| Element | Effect |
|---|---|
| reinforced concrete | strong attenuation, especially at mid and high frequencies |
| low-emissivity glass with a metallic layer | blocks far more than ordinary glass |
| insulation panels with aluminium foil | creates genuine shielding |
| basements | receive only the lowest frequencies, if any |
In these cases Wi-Fi calling and an outdoor antenna are almost always more effective than any attempt to bring the signal in from outside.
In short
- Diagnosis comes first: compare inside and outside, different operators and different rooms.
- Wi-Fi calling solves most indoor voice problems, often for free.
- Switching operator is the permanent fix when another one covers that building better.
- A mobile router with an outdoor antenna solves data connectivity in difficult areas.
- Repeaters should be used only if supplied or approved by the operator.
