Technology

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE BUYING A 5G SIGNAL BOOSTER (2024 UPDATE)

by Paul watson047
  1. INTRODUCTION

You might think buying a 5G signal booster is easy, with many options from brands like weBoost, SureCall, and Nextivity. But before making a purchase, there’s something important you need to understand:

Most 5G signal boosters in the U.S. can’t boost the key 5G signals due to rules set by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). However, for users in areas with other network providers, such as those using Airtel, an airtel signal booster can help. Here’s a simple explanation of why that is, how to check if your 5G signal can be boosted, and what you can do instead.

  1. WHY MOST 5G BOOSTERS NOT WORK ON ALL 5G SIGNALS 

Even though 5G promises faster internet and better performance, many of the frequency bands used for 5G are not allowed to be boosted. That’s because the FCC hasn’t updated its rules for signal boosters in over 10 years, and these rules don’t include many of the newer 5G bands.

So, while some boosters claim to work with 5G, they can only boost certain older bands. Whether a booster will work depends on what kind of 5G your phone is receiving.

  1. HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR 5G SIGNAL CAN BE BOOSTED?

Here’s a quick way to check:

  1. Turn off your WiFi.
  2. Look at the top of your phone screen.
  • If it shows “5G”, there’s a chance it can be boosted.
  • If it shows “5G+”, “5G UW”, or “5G UC”, then boosting it is not possible under current rules.

For T-Mobile users, the situation is more difficult—even basic 5G from T-Mobile often can’t be boosted.

  1. WHICH 5G BANDS ARE BOOSTABLE?

The FCC allows signal boosters to work on older bands like 2, 4, 5, 12, and 13. Some newer ones like bands 25, 26, and 66 can also work, partly because they overlap with the older ones.

A booster is probably going to be helpful if your 5G is using these bands. 

  1. WHICH 5G BANDS CAN BE BOOSTED?

The newer and faster 5G bands—especially mid-band and high-band frequencies—are not boostable. These include bands like n41, n71, n77, n260, and n261, which are often used by carriers for high-speed 5G services.

For example:

  • Verizon and AT&T’s fastest 5G (like 5G+ or 5G UWB) cannot be boosted.
  • T-Mobile’s 5G also can’t be boosted at all under current FCC rules.
  1. ARE SOME BOOSTERS BETTER FOR 5G?

Boosters like CEL-FI GO X or GO G41 can boost some 5G signals (like DSS signals, which are shared with 4G). But none of them can boost the newer, faster bands.

  1. WHAT ABOUT 5G HOME OR BUSINESS INTERNET?

If you’re using 5G internet for your home or business, it’s better to use MIMO antennas instead of boosters. These antennas connect directly to the cell tower and improve speed and stability.

  1. WHY HASN’T FCC UPDATED THE RULES?

Nobody knows for sure. It’s likely due to government delays and red tape. But if you’re unhappy with these limits, you can speak up and ask for change.