Most people can’t imagine life without their cell phone, both when they’re out working or traveling, and at home when they want to send and take calls from the bathroom, kitchen, living room, bedroom, basement, out in the backyard, etc.
We’re all used to the convenience of instant communication with friend, family, and work associates. But the modern world is full of skyscrapers that can interfere with a cell phone signal.
Plus cell towers are not always built close to where a person is at for any given moment. Mountains can cut down, or cut off, cell phone calls. Any of these scenarios can turn a pleasant home into a nightmare dead zone for people desperate to send and receive phone calls. The solution is not to pull up stakes and move, but to try these ideas instead:
Use a signal booster
These are also called mobile phone signal booster for car. They are available at any electronics shop and online. They are mounted near a window, or sometimes require a roof antenna, and use a regular household plug. They boost the cell phone signal inside the house so that even the faintest signal coming from outside can be heard. The more expensive models can even open up a total dead zone to service.
Use a femtocell
Also called a microcell or a network extender. It’s basically the same kind of thing as a signal booster, except there’s no need for an exterior antenna and it’s plugged directly into the home router. The drawback to femtocell is that it works poorly with satellite internet connections. Not a drawback, but strange, is the fact that anyone walking close to the house can also piggyback off of the femtocell to make calls on their own phone.
Use wifi direct
In other words, use Google Hangout or Skype to send calls and text messages and to receive the same. It’s already part of the internet setup, so it doesn’t cost a cent to use. Just make sure the people you really want to be in contact with have wifi as well.
