Boost cell signal

[Theawfulone]

Budget (including currency): 

Country: US.     

So I am using a (degoogled) pixel  phone on cricket network as my main internet for my house ( I live in a rural area and nothing is available) 

I basically turn the hotspot on, and it's sends the signal to a portable router.

 

So I'm wondering if there is a way to boost my signal. The 5g part doesn't work at all in my area, but 4g does. If I could get a better signal, I could get better speeds. I already have my phone sitting in the window, but that only helps so much. 

Any helpful input is appreciated.

 

 

 

[SpookyCitrus]

Having used cricket in the past many years ago I can't say if it's improved much but if I remember correctly it was pretty bad, connection wise. I'd recommend figuring out what carrier has the best coverage in your area, whether it's AT&T(Cricket), Verizon, T-Mobile and then switch either to that carrier directly or go through Walmart and setup a Straight Talk account for your phone using that carrier. Using a mobile hotspot is kind of the worst way you could possibly go about getting internet especially in rural areas unless you use the carriers devices specifically designed for internet, like a mobile router or cell booster, I'd check with your neighbors and see what they do for internet if they have it, looking into satellite internet would be a good idea as well. But if the mobile hotspot is the only way you can get it I'd definitely recommend going with the carrier that has the best coverage for your area. Also you should take into account that using the mobile hotspot off of a phone especially in a rural area is going to have drawbacks one of which is speeds and probably connection issues, so keeping your expectations at a minimum is going to save you the frustration.

[Needfuldoer]

Cell boosters do exist. You would have to get one that works on your network and register it with your carrier (assuming they would let you in the first place). I presume you'd have a directional antenna for it outside, pointed at the nearest AT&T cell tower. (Cricket is just AT&T.)

 

https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/signal-boosters/consumer-signal-boosters

 

Another option could be a dedicated 4G router with external antennas. That would free up your cell, but you would have to subscribe to an additional line.

 

Just don't let them convince you that you need the AT&T "cell booster", it relies on a broadband Internet connection for backhaul.

 

https://www.att.com/buy/accessories/Specialty-Items/att-cell-booster-cool-grey.html