3G signal boosters: what replaced them
All four UK networks have switched off 3G, so a 3G booster no longer helps. Calls now run over 4G (VoLTE), and we install CEL-FI systems that carry 4G and 5G indoors.
- Calls now run over 4G
- Ofcom-compliant and legal
- Single-network or all four networks
- Installed and supported UK-wide
Your free signal assessment
An engineer measures your building and tells you exactly what will fix it.
- Signal on every network, room by roomWhere it drops, and by how much.
- The best donor signalWhere the outdoor antenna should go.
- A design and a fixed quoteNo obligation, no surprises.
Why old 3G boosters stopped working
EE, O2, Vodafone and Three have closed their 3G networks to free the airwaves for 4G and 5G. Equipment built only for 3G now has nothing to amplify.
3G masts are off
The 3G signal an old booster relied on has been switched off.
Calls use 4G
Voice calls now travel over 4G, so weak 4G means dropped calls.
More data on 4G and 5G
Apps and video need strong 4G or 5G indoors.
Old kit may be illegal
Unapproved boosters can interfere with the network and should be removed.
4G and 5G signal, brought inside
- CaptureA donor antenna on the roof picks up the strongest signal from each network we measured during the survey.
- Clean and amplifyA Nextivity CEL-FI unit boosts that signal without interfering with the network or your neighbours.
- SpreadSmall indoor antennas cover every floor, so phones get full signal wherever people work.
From survey to full signal, usually in weeks
One team does the whole job, so there is one point of contact from the first call to ongoing support.
- 1SurveyWe measure 4G and 5G signal inside and out.
- 2Design and quoteAntenna plan and a fixed price.
- 3InstallOur own engineers, with minimal disruption.
- 4Test and hand overWe prove the coverage before we leave.
- 5MonitorOptional 24/7 signal monitoring. Learn more
Only legal boosters
Many boosters sold online are illegal in the UK and can disrupt the network for everyone nearby. We install only Ofcom-compliant, operator-approved systems.
Mobile signal before and after our installations
We survey every building before and after installation with our own survey app. These are real readings from recent projects.
O2 network
O2 network
O2 network
Vodafone network
Average signal strength (RSRP) across each surveyed floor. Usable means better than −107 dBm, the level phones need for reliable calls over 4G.
3G switch-off: common questions
Can I still use my 3G booster?
No. With 3G switched off, a 3G-only booster has no signal to work with. If it is an unapproved model, it should also be removed because it can interfere with the network.
Will my phone still make calls?
Yes, over 4G (VoLTE) on any recent phone. Indoors that needs good 4G signal, which is what our systems provide.
What should I install instead?
A CEL-FI system that carries 4G and, where available, 5G. The survey shows which bands reach your building.
Are signal boosters legal in the UK?
Yes, if they meet Ofcom’s rules. Since the Wireless Telegraphy (Mobile Repeater) (Exemption) Regulations 2018, approved single-network boosters can be used without a licence. Multi-network systems need the networks’ consent, which we arrange. Unapproved boosters bought online are illegal, and Ofcom can act against anyone using one.
Can one system cover every network?
Yes. A multi-network CEL-FI QUATRA system covers EE, O2, Vodafone and Three, so staff and visitors get signal whichever network they use.
Instead of 3G
Replace your 3G booster with 4G and 5G
Book a free signal assessment and get a design and fixed quote.