Mobile network indoor coverage

Mobile network coverage in Belgium is very good, but indoors the mobile network signal is sometimes less strong and sometimes even insufficient for smartphone use. 

Often equipment meant to improve a weak mobile signal is made available on the market. Such devices are sold as ”GSM signal booster”, “mobile booster”, “GSM repeater” and so on. Mind you, such mobile signal boosters must not be confused with the more familiar Wi-Fi repeaters sometimes also called “Wi-Fi range extenders” or “Wi-Fi extenders”. 

Beware of using mobile repeaters! 

All those mobile signal repeaters use the mobile operators’ frequencies. Such devices pick up the mobile signal from outside and “repeat” it in order to achieve better indoor coverage.

It is forbidden to use GSM repeaters without the operator’s permission.

The frequencies assigned to mobile operators are exclusively available to them. They are the only ones who can use those frequencies to roll out their networks, which they must keep in perfect working order for their customers. This also means that their networks must by no means cause interference for other users. Unauthorised repeaters can cause harmful interference. The BIPT (which constantly monitors the radio spectrum) has the means to locate and confiscate illegal mobile phone repeaters.

Contrary to mobile repeaters Wi-Fi repeaters are allowed. Wi-Fi repeaters pick up the wireless Wi-Fi signal and duplicate the Wi-Fi network. More informaton about boosting your Wi-Fi signal to get better Internet can be found here.

In order to avoid installing illegal equipment, please contact your operator before making the purchase and carrying out the installation. Explain the problems you experience to your operator (exact geographical locaton, times when the problems occur, ...). The operator will be able to tell whether your reception is disrupted because of a temporary problem or whether he is about to adapt his network in the near future. If need be, your operator will propose one or more solutions to your problem.

Users should also always make sure that equipment that is not purchased by way of the operator complies with the legal conditions. In any case radio equipment made available on the market must bear the CE marking and be accompanied by an EU declaration of conformity. A correct CE marking looks as follows: .