I have a customer living in a high rise with sunscreen film on the windows. In one particular room, unless he is very close to the window, the cellphone signal is not usable.

Can anyone suggest a "booster"? There is no chance to mount anything outside the building and he is too fussy about how things look. Ideally, I could place a small receiver behind the drapes, next to the window, and a transmitter hidden back in the room.

Is Wi-Fi calling not an option?

...

WiFi is not so great in this area either. Separately, I’d be dealing with WiFi.

There is no practical way to run wiring, this needs to be done wirelessly. (Party walls and multiple floors that cannot be breached).

What about one of those "Network Extenders" that you plug into the internet?

Obviously he's not in a bad area for the cellphone company, otherwise they'll be able to supply it for free. Like Verizon did for me 5 years ago. But, if he has a 2nd home that does have poor service, then the phone company might be able to provide it for free.

KOT

They need good signal strength in order to work.

Can you (or they) look at the signal strength with the window film between the phone and cell site, then move to the side where less of the signal is blocked? That could show a decent location for a booster, but some need to be outside.

Is the location/direction of the site known, or are they just trying to use their phones, believing that they should work everywhere?

He may be fussy, but RF doesn't care- he needs to understand this.

What do you mean? They create their own cell signal. And they are connected to the client’s internet for the “service”.

Samsung Verizon SCS-2U01 Wireless Network Extender Signal Booster.

KOT

If you don't have a way of measuring cell signal already, an app like 'Network Cell Info Light' might help you out as you move around the place looking for the best signal.

Usually the cell provider has or recommends a compatible device that connects to the network and broadcasts cellular around the house.

i have had Verizon and AT&T send them to clients for free, and I know clients have also paid for them at times.

Have to buy one designated for the service the client uses.

For an example: [Link: ebay.com]

Buzz asked about a cellular booster, not a WiFi network extender. If the customer already has good WiFi, a cellular booster shouldn't be needed, but I replied about the lack of cellular signal behind the window film WRT performance.

It's not a WiFi booster though that I am talking about. It quite literally creates its own cellphone frequencies. Instead of at the several mile range, it only does 100 to 150foot radius.

It does not require an antenna on the outside of the building to "extend" the cell tower either. As it's connected to the client's router.

KOT

i totally agree

thank u so much for this info.
i hope u share more like this.

The only micro-cells I was somewhat familiar with were the ATT and T-Mobile and I never heard glowing reports about either of them. The T-Mobile needed to be close to a window and in that house, the Wilson didn't work, either- surrounded by tall trees, at a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan so the signal came from the other side, the village didn't want more cell towers and the house is definitely not RF friendly.

Fortunately for this customer, she was elected to the village board and after she told me that many residents commented on the poor cell phone performance (I explained what NIMBY means), she understood and they now have a new-ish tower on village property.

I’ve been poking around and the physics are not good. The receiver and its transmitter must be separated by 30 feet or more and connected with a wire. The esthetics of a wire will not fly with this customer.

Although a small outside receiver could be placed behind a window, we’d still need to deal with the 30 ft separation and the wire.

I suspect that there is an unfortunate cell signal null at the room with the issue. Cell signal in other rooms is fine. This is a river’s edge 19th floor condo. Hundreds of new, nearby condo units have been opened in the last couple years. Maybe the cell provider will put up a new cell.