REMMY NWEKE in this piece examined the pros and cons of GSM boosters, but insisted it’s a call for a better telecom service delivery in the country.
Prelude:
Although Chike Oyibor, a professional and technology enthusiast in the city, often gets call from home, a rural community of Awba-Ofemili in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, where his aged parents reside, but often there are network issues including that at times, the parents call or pimp Chike in what is also known locally as flashing; for him to call back is always an uphill-task; with the network giving him all manner of pre-recorded Interactive Voice Response (IVR), including that the number that just ‘flashed’ him is out of network coverage area or that to the line does not exist on the network.So, he devised a means of solving the challenge momentarily, since they are getting him, Chike encouraged them to call and go ahead to speak after which he will refund their airtime or even where they do not have at all, he will instantly top their contact line up and then await for their calls, of which the least has been placed at 15 minutes. His other siblings took to this momentary solution sooner than later.
Data jumps:
He also realized that at times during festive seasons like the just concluded Easter or Christmas, the network does not literally misbehave on voice calls, except for data services which jump in and out. Thus forcing him to whenever at home on daily basis to travel to Awka, the capital of Anambra State, which takes 45minutes to an hour due to bad road along Amansea, Ebenebe, Ugbenu, Ugbene and Awba-Ofemili remain unattended to.This is even as the mobile network reception and services at Amansea, or Ebenebe where they claim to have a telecom tower have not been very helpful. In fact some investigations at one of the mobile network operator’s office at Awka, they demand good number of subscribers as attraction for their extending telecom towers further to places like Awba-Ofemili, which has a border with Anyamelum and Achalla in Anambra State and in the northern part has Ibute-Olo in Enugu State.
In fact, just after suffering the same fate during the last Easter, he went online to search for the Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication boosters that could be installed in his house at Awba-Ofemili. And on return to the city of Lagos, he was greeted with the news item making a round over GSM booster and the recent regulatory notice in that respect in that such an attempt could land subscribers in jail.
Does booster work?
Yes, of course, it does work, but, cell phone boosters as its also called can only boost weak cellular 4G, LTE, and 3G signal, they can’t create cellular signal nor do they boost landline Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) signals.Experts at WilliamAmplifiers said that cell phone boosters are a growing market that has gained popularity in the past few years moving from rural areas to urban markets.
A cell phone signal booster, for instance in Nigeria, is an NCC certified electronic equipment that improves existing 5G, 4G LTE, 3G, and 2G networks. Boosters work on any device, and select models actually boost signal. In some climes unlike Nigeria, signal boosters are legal devices that help improve call quality, weak cell signal, and provide faster data speeds.
And if you have usable signal outside your home, vehicle, or office building, like Chike, but weak to no signal inside, then a cell phone signal booster will definitely improve your cell service and signal strength. They also pointed out that the idea eliminates dropped phone calls, slow data speeds, and unsent text messages without needing to connect to WiFi.
How signal booster works?
According to experts at WilliamAmplifiers, a cell phone signal booster also known as a signal extender, signal amplifier, or cell phone repeater; works by pulling in weak outside signal, boosting it, and rebroadcasting the boosted signal into the desired areas. They also work in reverse: the signal booster will receive the signal from your phone and send it back to the tower.There are different boosters available that target different needs including but not limited to In-building Signal Boosters, which are designed for homes, office buildings, commercial buildings, and any building that needs signal. The Vehicle Signal Boosters, which are designed for cars, trucks, Recreational Vehicle (RVs), sport utility vehicles (SUVs), boats, and fleet vehicles.
Also, they posited that keeping in mind that for a cell phone signal booster to work, there must be an existing signal outside your home, office, or vehicle, maintaining that a cell phone signal booster enhances existing signal, it does not create fresh signal.
ITREALMS gathered that most signal booster kits are composed of three main elements, namely an External Antenna which is used to capture the weak cell phone signal; an Amplifier used to boost the weak signal; and finally, a Indoor Antenna used to rebroadcast the enhances signal inside your home, office, or car, whereas the likes of Coax cables are used to connect these top three rudiments; thus designed to deliver high-frequency electrical signals over distances with low signal loss.
Omni versus Uni directional Antennas:
As said by experts at WilliamsAmplifiers.com, Omni antenna pulls in signal from every direction or a 360-degree angle and is assumed as best for people who have medium to strong signal outside, or multiple cell towers nearby to boost multiple carriers.On the other hand, Uni-directional antenna is touted as the most common of which is a Yagi antenna; This antenna, often shaped like a triangle, pulls signal from a 45-degree angle. They are designed to point in the direction of the nearby tower. Having a more focused signal, allows the antenna to reach farther than an omni antenna would. A specialized performer used for extremely poor signal and those who only want to boost a single carrier.
Just as the location of the antenna is crucial, hence, it could dramatically affect the power of the signal that is being sent to the amplifier. You will want to set up the antenna on the side of your home that has the best signal, including but not limited to using the number of bars on your phone, smartphone apps, or use field test mode.
Therefore, ITREALMS gathered, there are various kind of GSM boosters in the market today, some go by antenna and others as booster boxes including the Triband GSM 3G and 4G signal repeater booster with 900/2100/1800mhz; there are also 4G mobile network booster to name a few.
You may land in jail, if …
So recently, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) was in the news, of course due to the note of warning to the public and particularly the subscribers, as it concerns the Global System for Mobile (GSM) boosters in their desire for a better service delivery and connectivity penetration.
The regulator had warned that the sale, installation and use of telecommunications, especially telecom boosters without authorization, saying it may land culprits into jail because it is illegal and desist from even patronizing unauthorized installation in their premises.
“It is illegal and punishable by law,” the regulator declared, noting that illegal installation and use of telecommunications boosters for deployment of services causes interference and degrades quality of services on telecom networks, to mention but a few.
NCC equally said that those found in such an act will be prosecuted according to the law of the land, cautioning, "Do not participate in this act. Offenders will be prosecuted," officials said.
Better telecom service delivery on call:
Evidently, ITREALMS gathered that installation of signal boosters cum amplifiers or repeaters actually reduces alleged radiation risk associated to weak signals, thereby improving voice quality of calls, reduce dropped calls, and protect telecom subscriber from increased radiation risk above normal scientific level, when your signal is weak.
Thus, the benefits of signal boosters cannot be over-emphasised considering the improved reception, improved voice quality, reduction in dropped calls and above all, the singular protection from radiation caused by the ‘weak signal scenario.”
Though no known studies yet have found a link on the use of GSM booster to subscribers’ health, so, yes, when next NCC gives a notice on GSM booster, you may wish to applaud to checkmate the use and deployment by individuals and corporate unduly, but then, it’s a call on both the regulator and Mobile Network Operators in the country for a better telecommunications service delivery so as to deepen penetration of access.
Evidently, ITREALMS gathered that installation of signal boosters cum amplifiers or repeaters, actually reduces alleged radiation risk associated to weak signals, thereby improving voice quality of calls, reduce dropped calls, and protect telecom subscriber from increased radiation risk above normal scientific level, when your signal is weak.
Thus, the benefits of signal boosters cannot be over-emphasised considering the improved reception, improved voice quality, reduction in dropped calls and above all, the singular protection from radiation caused by the ‘weak signal scenario.”
Though no known studies yet have found a link on the use of GSM booster to subscribers’ health, so, yes, when next NCC gives a notice on GSM booster, you may wish to applaud to checkmate the use and deployment by individuals and corporate unduly, but then, it’s a call on both the regulator and Mobile Network Operators in the country for a better telecommunications service delivery so as to deepen penetration of access.
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