# Boosting 2G / 3G / 4G Signal

- **Language:** EN
- **Published on:** 2014-07-31

# Solutions for boosting 2G / 3G / LTE signal

When installing a GPRS / UMTS / LTE router, the main problem encountered is the total absence or very poor cellular network signal. 
While in the first case there are no possible solutions, in the case of a poor signal level there are several possibilities to resolve the situation, ensuring a reliable connection.

The scale used to measure cellular signal strength is a logarithmic scale with dBm as the unit of measurement. The following table shows the link quality in reference to the dBm value.

| -120 dBm | **Impossible connection** |
|---|---|
| -100 dBm | **Poor but usable connection** |
| -80 dBm | **Acceptable connection** |
| -60 dBm | **Good connection** |
| -40 dBm | **Excellent connection** |

Often the coverage problem is limited to the area where the router is mounted: for example, consider the installation of routers in electrical panels or technological rooms, often full of iron structures that behave like Faraday cages and shield the signal. The best solution in this case is to use **high-gain antennas** that allow extending the cable connecting the antenna to the router in order to move the point where the signal is acquired and then bring it to the router without degrading it.

It is essential that the antennas are sized according to the path intended for the extension.
For example, it is useless to buy a medium-low gain antenna (5-6 dB) and connect 10 meters of extension: between splices, solders, connectors and loss along the cable, at the end of the run the signal will arrive so weak as to be unusable. Likewise, it is useless to oversize the antenna and select a very high gain one (20 dB) to move 10 meters from the router: the signal will arrive strong and clear but at the cost of a considerable outlay.

When choosing an antenna, beware of overly cheap products that boast exaggerated gains, because often these are false data or obtained with biased tests.
It is also necessary to consider the frequencies involved in radio communication, as antennas are often designed and produced only for a well-defined frequency range, outside of which the antenna loses its meaning and usefulness.

**In our [online catalog ANTENNAS >>](/en/c/antennas) a wide selection of products for all needs is available, divided by working frequencies.**

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Source: https://shop2.marcomweb.it/en/news/boosting-2g-3g-4g-signal

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