Do I need a 4G outdoor antenna?
The UK has one of the best 4G cellular networks, however signal quality can vary from region to region, with several factors determining the quality of signal you can expect and in turn the quality of your connection. As you are reading this article, you are likely aware that 4G services are not restricted to mobile phones and can be employed in a fixed broadband deployment, the SIM card installed in a 4G router to serve either a home or business broadband requirement. Your wireless enabled devices can connect to this router which in turn connects to the internet via your local cellular network infrastructure.
Often, the signal is sufficient at a location for the routers inbuilt antennas to receive the service, though distance from the mast and local geographic features will all be factors in its quality. Cellular network operators offer coverage maps on their websites which will advise whether there is a viable 4G service inside and outside of a property at any given location. This distinction is made because the walls of a building will also reduce available signal and it is for this reason that it is recommended to position the 4G router within the property though at one of the outside walls (and ideally a window) so to minimise possible interference.
As the numbers of cellular towers (or masts) reduce as a location becomes more rural/remote, then (due to interference caused by the property itself) it is often the case that the received signal can be better on one side of a building than the others. In these instances, the router should also be tested at different locations within the property, at each of the outside walls (and the upper floors if available) to ensure the optimal service is received. This may not be in an ideal location from the perspective of connecting your devices though that is a problem that can be resolved with some additional networking (for advice see our article about mesh networking).
Should you be researching 4G broadband and wondering if you can achieve sufficient signal to enjoy a reliable business or home broadband service, then the good news is that even a modest 4G signal can be boosted with the use of an outdoor 4G antenna. Installing a 4G antenna works in the same way that an outdoor TV aerial works, signal is received outside of your property, boosted and then it is brought inside your property by cable to deliver that signal to your 4G router. The benefits to this approach being a stronger and more reliable 4G signal and greater flexibility for positioning the 4G broadband router.
There are several types of 4G antenna available; the two main types are directional and omni-directional and as the names suggest a directional antenna must be pointed at a cell mast whilst the omni-directional draws signal from all directions. Freedomsat 4G broadband routers use Multiple In/Multiple Out (MIMO) technology which utilises multiple antennas to improve signal, reducing errors and improving data speed. MIMO 4G wireless routers typically have a minimum of two indoor antennas and when installing an outdoor antenna, you need to ensure that it also implements MIMO technology. Whilst most MIMO capable antennas house both antennas within a single enclosure, some may incorporate two separate antennas but ultimately achieve the same level of efficiency.
Installing a 4G outdoor antenna is relatively straight forward but as mentioned earlier, directional antennas must be pointed in the direction of the cell mast for optimal signal quality and performance. Omni-directional antennas require less consideration for cell mast location than a directional antenna but are less powerful as they draw an equal amount of signal from all directions; that said in the event of a cell mast going offline an omni-directional antenna offers some resilience by operating from a different mast. When deciding if a directional or omni-directional antenna is best for your location you will need to consider the number of cell masts in your location, your distance to the cell mast(s) and the quality of signal at your location. For example, if you are in a location with one or two cell masts which are far away, you will likely receive a greater benefit from a directional antenna which offers greater signal gain.
So, in answer to the question, do I need a 4G antenna? We recommend that you check your 4G signal quality to determine that you not only have sufficient outdoor 4G signal quality but also indoor. If you have a modest outdoor 4G signal then an outdoor antenna is recommended and for those with modest or low indoor 4G signal, an outdoor 4G antenna is definitely recommended.
An indicative test of an operator’s service coverage can be performed at a prospective site by using a mobile phone on that network, though if there is any element of doubt then our sales team can advise regarding the costs of a 4G site survey.