Improving your mobile phone reception

• Coverage checkers give an indication of likely coverage at a fixed location. You should also check the coverage of places that you visit frequently, such as your work or places on your commute.
• The location and characteristics of a property can affect mobile signal indoors. Thick walls, metal window frames, ceilings, pillars, or basement rooms can all impair coverage. Signal may also be blocked if the property is in the ‘shadow’ of a hill or large building. Similarly, mobile signals can be degraded inside a vehicle.

• As well as using a coverage checker, speak to people you know about their experiences of making and receiving calls in your area.
• Ask operators about possible quality of coverage. Providers’ contact details are available at the end of this guide.
• The ability of phones to pick up mobile signal varies depending on their design and the antennas in them. If you live in an area with poor coverage, the choice of mobile phone could affect your coverage. For example, if you mainly need telephone and text services, more basic handsets can get better reception than smartphones. Ask for advice when choosing a mobile phone. Some coverage checkers offered by mobile network providers now let you specify which phone you plan to use, so you can find out if it is likely to give you good reception.
• Reception can also be affected by how people hold the phone while using them. You are likely to get better reception for telephone calls if you use your phone with a separate earpiece, connected to the phone by Bluetooth, rather than holding the phone next to your ear.
• Some mobile providers also offer a way to make calls using a wifi connection. This can be a good solution if your home or workplace has poor mobile coverage but a good wifi connection. Some networks allow you to do this automatically using ‘wifi calling’, while others may require you to load a dedicated app. However, not all mobile phones are compatible with wifi calling. Check with the operator if you want to use it.
• Under consumer contract regulations you may have the right to cancel your contract without charge within the first 14 calendar days of signing up. So, check your mobile coverage during this first 14 days to ensure it is satisfactory – if not, you may exit the contract. Some operators provide additional guarantees beyond the first 14 days – check before you buy. You can also test the coverage from different providers without being locked in to a long-term contract by trying a SIM-only monthly contract or pay-as-you-go.

If you're unhappy with your mobile network, it's never been simpler to switch provider.

At home

There are several ways to improve your mobile coverage in the home using a broadband connection.

• By connecting your phone to your wifi you will be able use the data services on your phone (this will also avoid using the monthly data allowance under your phone contract).
• You can make and receive telephone calls using apps such as WhatsApp, FaceTime and Skype – but these do not typically use your mobile phone number.
• Operators also offer devices for the home that can boost your mobile signal (such as O2’s Boostbox). These work by connecting to a router and sending traffic over the broadband network to increase mobile signal.

You could also buy and install a mobile phone repeater. Repeaters use mobile signals from outside a building to improve coverage inside the building. They work best when there is a strong outdoor signal.

More information about mobile phone repeaters is available on our website.

On the train

• Check what’s available with the train operator. Some train companies are working with mobile operators to install equipment on carriages to improve reception. On some trains, you may have the option to access a wifi connection. Some train operators are also looking at including wifi calling options as part of their wifi service.

In the car

• Remember, it is illegal to use a handheld mobile device while driving a vehicle in the UK unless you have hands-free access. It is also illegal to use a handheld mobile device while supervising a learner driver.
• The coverage received within a vehicle is affected by the vehicle’s design. For example, the size of windows and the construction materials can all affect reception. Coverage can also be affected by the phone’s position inside the vehicle. You are more likely to get better reception if you keep your phone in the dashboard cradle compared to the central console, and reception can be poor if you keep your phone in the footwell of the vehicle.
• Some cars have external aerials which can connect with a mobile phone inside the car. This allows the phone to get a signal strength that is similar to the level outside the car. A vehicle using an external aerial could get good in-vehicle coverage on up to 20% more of the UK road network when compared with a vehicle without an external aerial.

Overseas

• If you travel overseas frequently, a global roaming SIM may be a good solution. Check prices with your provider.
• If you need mobile coverage in different locations where different providers operate exclusively, you may want to use a two-SIM card solution. Use providers’ coverage checkers to help with this. Dual-SIM phones are available in the UK and avoid the need to keep two separate phones charged or to switch over your SIMs.

For your business

• Satellite phones (‘Satphones’) may be worth considering if a mobile is critical to your business. There are six operators in the UK and entry-level handsets cost £300-£500 with tariffs starting at around 50p per minute.

If you have any other questions, speak to your provider: