Why Is My Cell Signal Low?

Have you noticed when traveling to remote areas that you lose cell phone service? Do you struggle with dropped calls, weak signals, slow data speeds, and poor internet connection? This is a very common complaint among camping enthusiasts, RVers, and outdoor adventurers alike.

The most common cause of weak cell signals is that you are located too far away from the nearest cell tower, and the cell phone signal can’t reach you. Another common cause is that the signal is being blocked by trees, hills, mountains, or other structures.

Fortunately, there are ways to work around these challenges and achieve optimal signal strength. One such way is through a cell phone signal booster, which allows you to turn weak signal strength that results in just one or two bars of connectivity into full bars strength.

Difference between WiFi and Mobile Hotspot

When it comes to accessing the internet, your connection can either be wired — like DSL, cable, and fiber-optic — or wireless, such as a cellular signal. There are two main methods of wireless connection - Wi-Fi and Cellular/LTE data plans.

WiFi

WiFi is the technology that lets you connect a device to an internet service without being physically plugged in. WiFi networks set up in homes, offices, and buildings are static. Once you’re outside of the network’s reach, you no longer have connectivity from it.

Mobile Hotspot

A mobile hotspot is a private network that can be set up on an Apple or Android phone, or standalone mobile hotspot device. This gives you portable internet connection as long as you continue to have cellular coverage. 

How Does a Mobile Hotspot Work?

A mobile hotspot takes your cell signal and turns it into a private WiFi network that can be used on multiple devices. Mobile hotspots can be created using your cell phone, or through separate wifi hotspot devices that come with a data plan (such as the Jetpack or Nighthawk).

Mobile hotspots are accessible and can be used to power multiple devices as long as they are wifi enabled. Hotspots move with you, so they can be used on the road, wherever you go. They can also be used as a backup internet source if your wifi signal goes down.

Think of a mobile hotspot as a portable wifi device that you can access anywhere you have a cellular signal - allowing you to work or browse wherever you are.

How Can I Boost My Mobile Hotspot Signal?

Do you struggle with dropped calls, slow data speeds, and missed texts? That means your cell signal isn’t strong enough to meet your needs.

Weak cellular signals can be caused by your proximity to the nearest cell towers, network overload, and natural terrain and other structures interfering.

Hotspot signal boosters, also known as cell phone signal boosters, can take even a faint cell signal and amplify it.

The same way you would boost a cellular signal or cell phone service, that is how you can also boost a mobile hotspot signal! In other words, there is no need for specifically purchasing a mobile hotspot signal booster - you can simply use a cell phone signal booster.

Mobile hotspot boosters are made up of three components:

• An outside or external antenna that pulls in even the weakest cellular signal
• An amplifier that boosts the cellular signal
• An inside antenna that distributes the signal to cellular devices and other devices requiring internet

In summation, cell phone boosters work by picking up cell signals with the external antenna, transmitting those signals through a cellular signal booster amplification unit, then broadcasting them to your devices through an internal antenna. The signals your cell phone or mobile hotspot device picks up will be much stronger than before, allowing you to easily access the internet, stream content, and make phone calls with crystal clear reception.

How To Create a Mobile Hotspot

If you aren’t interested in purchasing a hotspot device, you can create a personal hotspot right on your cell phone!

To set up a personal mobile hotspot on an Apple iPhone or iPad:

Navigate settings > Cellular > Personal hotspot

Tap on the slider for Allow Others to Join

Set up a hotspot password

To set up a hotspot on Android Cell Phones or Devices:

Swipe down on the home screen and tap the hotspot symbol to turn on the WiFi.

You may need to go into your phone’s settings to set up the hotspot for the first time. The steps vary based on your phone’s model, but will be similar to the following:

Samsung:

Navigate Settings > Connections > Mobile Hotspot and Tethering > Mobile Hotspot.

Tap On/Off.

Tap Password to change the password, if needed.

Pixel:

Navigate Settings > Network and Internet > Hotspot and Tethering > WiFi Hotspot.

Connecting Devices to a Mobile Hotspot:

Once you’ve activated the hotspot, you can connect other cell phones and devices to it.

Open the list of WiFi networks on the device you want to connect.

Tap the name of the mobile hotspot.

Enter the hotspot password when prompted.

Click Connect.

Expert Tips for Boosting Signal

If you feel your cell phone’s signal or hotspot signal could use a boost, then a signal booster is the next step. A cell phone signal booster will allow you to maximize even the faintest of cell signals so that you can have unfettered access to the internet wherever you roam.

Our favorite hotspot boosters are the KING Extend Pro and the KING Extend Pro. If you are looking for the best cell phone boosters on the market to meet your needs, look no further than KING.

KING Extend Pro

The KING Extend Pro is a great option for frequent RVers who want their cell booster to remain stationary and mounted in their RV. The KING Extend Pro boosts and extends your cell signal, providing greater coverage and speeds for all your mobile and data applications. It’s indoor and outdoor antennas are designed specifically for RVs, trucks, travel trailers, ice houses, and horse trailers. Supports multiple users and all cell phone/hotspot devices and carriers. This powerful amplifier kit comes with roof and ladder mounting brackets, and can be used while parked and in-motion. Boosts 5G and 4G LTE / 3G LTE signals for voice and data.

KING Extend Go

The KING Extend Go Portable Cell Signal Booster is a great option for campers, RVers, and outdoor adventurers alike. This is the most versatile portable cell booster available on the market today, and it comes with multiple antenna sets - one for car use and one for RV/portable use. It also comes with a foldable tripod which allows you to get the antenna up higher while camping in order to see over things like trees and buildings that could potentially block a signal from coming through. The kit also contains various mounting options that don’t require permanent installation, making this a very convenient option for frequent travelers. This portable antenna kit is the best cell phone booster on the market for folks looking for a completely portable design and the ability to take their booster anywhere.

Learn more with KING Connect

FAQs

Will a cell phone booster help a hotspot?

Yes! A wifi hotspot device can be boosted using the same signal boosters as cell phones. Simply find the cell phone signal booster that will best meet your needs, and rest assured that it will also work for your wifi hotspot device or the mobile hotspot on your cell phone.

How can I boost my hotspot power?

A hotspot can be boosted the same way you would boost a cell phone signal - through the use of cell signal boosters! Signal boosters work by picking up cell signals with the external antenna, transmitting those signals through a cellular signal booster amplification unit, then broadcasting them to your devices through an internal antenna. The signals your mobile hotspot device picks up will be much stronger than before, allowing you to easily access the internet, stream content, and make phone calls with crystal clear reception.

How do I extend my mobile hotspot range?

You may find your hotspot works better and can reach more devices when boosted with a cell phone booster.

Is there a way to get unlimited hotspot?

Check with your cell phone or hotspot device provider for information on data plans. KING does not currently offer data plans at this time, we simply supply products that help you to boost your signal strength.

Can you run out of hotspot if you have unlimited data?

Unfortunately, there are times when data carriers have been known to throttle back coverage for customers who reach a certain threshold, even when they have unlimited plans. Please see your carrier plan for more information on this.

The good news is that a cell phone booster can help you to more easily access a clear cell phone signal, even when you have been throttled back in priority. We don’t have control over which signals the cell towers prioritize, however we can help you get your strongest signal possible.