Signal booster advice

Forums › New Zealand Mobile and Wireless › Signal booster advice

stevemnz

17 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#304347 27-Apr-2023 09:36

I have read the sticky post on here and also at the RSM site Mobile phone boosters | Radio Spectrum Management New Zealand (rsm.govt.nz)

But struggling to find a any thing that is approved across multiple carriers, the situation is a very remote holiday house in the Marlborough Sounds (on an island) that can get a 4G signal from the beach (spark/Vodafone) but not at the main house.

Would we need to go to both carriers and ask for something that is approved? I assume they would suggest 2 different ones! There are no other houses even close however I also suspect Spark/Vodafone don’t care about this.

Is www.bettercall.co.nz any different from signalboosters.co.nz or mobilebooster.co.nz?

Thanks

wellygary

8810 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5287

#3068321 27-Apr-2023 09:43

TBH:

I would look at going down the Wifi calling route rather than all the issues around rebroadcasting Mobile signals,

Look at setting up a 4G modem were you can get signal and then run a P2P link to the house where you have a regular AP...

( But this will likely need some form of solar and battery for the modem and P2P sites or wired power from the house)

Or if you are using the place on a more regular basis, just go for a Starlink connection... fairly sure Wifi calling works over this??

SATTV

1670 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 658

ID Verified

#3068334 27-Apr-2023 10:08

Is www.bettercall.co.nz any different from signalboosters.co.nz or mobilebooster.co.nz?

Looks dodgy as anything to me.

I would avoid them.

As far as I am aware there is no device that is legal that does all services, you need one device per service and it has to be approved by the carrier.

As above said, use wifi calling, way cheaper and safer.

John

I know enough to be dangerous

stevemnz

17 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#3068338 27-Apr-2023 10:34

SATTV:

Is www.bettercall.co.nz any different from signalboosters.co.nz or mobilebooster.co.nz?

Looks dodgy as anything to me.

I would avoid them.

As far as I am aware there is no device that is legal that does all services, you need one device per service and it has to be approved by the carrier.

As above said, use wifi calling, way cheaper and safer.

John

Yep agreed, thats what I was thinking, we are planning on starlink as well, but some of the oldies still like the traditional cellphone calls!

hsvhel

1273 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 596

ID Verified

#3068340 27-Apr-2023 10:38

Although conclusion reached re Wifi

Looking quickly at that site, grammatically, there are a few mistakes.

No real contact points and the images are odd, like a LHD truck

10/10 would avoid

Referral Link Quic

Free Setup use R502152EQH6OK on check out

coffeebaron

6304 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3567

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3068670 28-Apr-2023 08:38

Powertec are the only approved booster device in New Zealand. Their devices have built in automatic gain control, locations are registered and if there are any issues with them the telco can remotely shut them down. Any other booster on the market should not be used and you are at risk of rather large fine. I have seen what affects non-approved boosters can do to a mobile network.

There are a few Powertec resellers and installers around. I am one of them. Ultimate Broadband do them around the Canterbury area, and I think they have a few installers and contacts covering other parts of the South Island too. They would be good to get in touch with. https://www.ultimatebroadband.co.nz/cell-phone-signal-booster-canterbury/

Rural IT and Broadband support.

Broadband troubleshooting and master filter installs.
Starlink installer - one month free: https://www.starlink.com/?referral=RC-32845-88860-71
Wi-Fi and networking
Cel-Fi supply and installer - boost your mobile phone coverage legally

Need help in Auckland, Waikato or BoP? Click my email button, or email me direct: [my user name] at geekzonemail dot com

tweake

2641 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1137

#3068915 28-Apr-2023 15:12

rule of thumb is any transmitter on commercial frequencies requires a license.

i have built repeaters for tv signal many many decades ago, and the owner had the license and i had output restrictions to adhere to. i know people built there own in the area and a few got confiscated including all the solar gear that powered it (it made the papers).

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

tim0001

274 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 146

#3068948 28-Apr-2023 16:20

There's a couple of cell towers being commissioned in the Marlborough Sounds at the moment, but based on your description probably won't cover you. But on the off chance, they are above Waiona Bay and Tennyson Inlet.

The Starlink option with WiFi Calling and a KiwiVoIP landline have been pretty reliable for us so far. Its a big plus that the Starlink satellites are not reliant on mains power...

stevemnz

17 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#3069349 29-Apr-2023 20:20

Thanks, we are in Tory channel so those towers will be too far away

hsvhel

1273 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 596

ID Verified

#3069402 29-Apr-2023 20:58

stevemnz: Thanks, we are in Tory channel so those towers will be too far away

You're likely in the bespoke solution category

Referral Link Quic

Free Setup use R502152EQH6OK on check out