How to improve cell service in hospitals: 2025 guide
Poor cell signal is a known issue in hospitals. Staff miss calls. Patients can’t reach their families. Visitors lose service in key areas.
To improve cell service in hospitals, hospitals need a setup that matches their layout and fits into their telecom procurement workflow.
Why do hospitals have such bad reception?
Hospitals often have bad cell reception because their design blocks or weakens the signal.
Dense materials get in the way
Concrete, steel, and low-emissivity glass all block carrier signals. Add lead-lined rooms like X-ray suites, and the signal doesn’t stand a chance.
Medical equipment adds interference
MRI machines, monitors, and telemetry systems produce electrical noise. That noise disrupts cell signals in nearby areas.
The layout creates dead zones
Hospitals are huge with multiple floors, long hallways, and basement levels. Carriers can’t always reach every corner. Some areas end up with zero coverage.
The “no phones” rule isn’t real anymore
Why can't you use a cell phone in a hospital? You can. The FCC and FDA say it’s fine. Some hospitals still ban phones, but that’s usually based on old habits, not current rules.
How poor signal impacts hospital operations
Poor cell signal in a hospital disrupts care and puts safety at risk.
Patients and caregivers miss each other.
Dropped calls and weak signal make it hard to share updates. Confusion and delays follow.
Staff can’t coordinate fast enough.
Nurses and doctors often use personal phones to manage patient care. No signal means slower response times.
Visitors get frustrated.
People expect to stay connected. When phones stop working, long waits feel even longer.
Emergency response slows down.
Some areas lack support for E911. Response time suffers when calls can’t go through.
Data privacy risks increase.
Staff often turn to unsecured apps when they can’t reach each other. HIPAA violations become more likely when staff use unapproved tools to communicate.
4 solutions to improve cell service in hospitals
Improving cell signal inside hospitals isn’t as simple as plugging in new equipment. Each facility has its own layout, materials, and tech stack. Some solutions work better in small clinics. Others are built for large campuses.
Below are the four main options, with tradeoffs that matter.
1. Distributed antenna systems (DAS)
Distributed antenna systems improve indoor cellular coverage. The system pulls in the carrier signal from outside and redistributes it through indoor antennas. DAS is part of a larger wireless network infrastructure used in many hospitals.
Best suited for large hospitals
DAS works well in multi-floor facilities with large square footage. It fills coverage gaps in hard-to-reach areas.
Supports all major carriers
One DAS can carry Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile traffic. Different devices across the hospital stay connected.
Can scale across buildings
A DAS can start in one area and expand as needed. Each expansion increases cost and adds design work.
Compatible with E911
Proper setup allows DAS to route emergency calls with location data.
Comes with tradeoffs
Installation time takes 6 to 12 months. Carriers must approve plans before anything starts.
Once deployed, the system is hard to change or move. Long-term flexibility becomes difficult once the system is in place and locked to its design.
2. Neutral-host CBRS (Private LTE)
CBRS uses shared spectrum to give hospitals their own LTE network. Hospitals use CBRS to improve indoor signal and reduce reliance on external infrastructure.
Faster to deploy than DAS
CBRS systems take 6 to 8 weeks to install. DAS often requires 6 to 12 months.
Supports both private and public traffic
Private LTE supports internal staff devices. Public carrier traffic can also run on the same network when configured.
Lower installation and maintenance costs
CBRS avoids carrier negotiations, coaxial cable runs, and expensive base station leasing. Most systems require less labor and fewer materials.
Built for long-term adaptability
Hospitals can adjust the network to meet future tech needs and layout changes.
Limits to consider
Some mobile devices may need more setup before they connect. Carrier integration also depends on phone compatibility and use case. Most hospitals see this as a manageable tradeoff.
3. Cellular signal boosters
Cellular signal boosters improve indoor coverage by capturing a weak outdoor signal and rebroadcasting it inside the building.
Works well in smaller or older buildings
Boosters are a fit for urgent care centers, small clinics, or legacy hospitals with limited coverage and budgets.
Improves signal in specific areas
Boosters enhance reception in one room, hallway, or wing, depending on the building layout.
Installs quickly with minimal disruption
Most systems take only a few days to set up. Complex cabling or carrier approvals are not required.
Not designed for large-scale use
Boosters do not support multi-floor coordination or reliable traffic across multiple carriers. Full campuses often need a broader solution.
4. Wi-Fi calling (temporary fix)
Wi-Fi calling sends voice calls over the hospital’s wireless network instead of using cell towers. Some hospitals use it to improve coverage during gaps in carrier service.
Only works when Wi-Fi is strong
Wi-Fi must be stable and well-distributed across the building. Dropped calls still happen in areas with weak or no coverage.
Does not support emergency location tracking
E911 calls made over Wi-Fi may not include accurate location data, which can delay emergency response.
Limited scalability
Wi-Fi calling cannot support broad communication across departments. Visitor access is also unreliable.
Let’s see how CBRS stacks up against DAS and signal boosters in this table:
Choosing the right solution: CBRS vs. DAS vs. boosters
Why cellular connectivity is important in hospitals
Hospitals need strong cellular connectivity to support patient care, safety, and day-to-day operations.
Reliable service improves communication and reduces delays across departments. Network design starts with network performance planning that meets these needs.
Telehealth depends on a stable signal
Remote monitoring, app-based check-ins, and real-time consults require consistent LTE or 5G access throughout the building.
Visitors expect to stay connected
People use phones to coordinate visits, receive updates, and communicate with family. A poor signal creates frustration and confusion.
Compliance depends on accurate location data
E911 rules require calls to include location information. Internal safety systems also rely on strong coverage to function correctly.
Why choose Meter for your hospital
Meter Cellular builds and manages cellular systems for hospitals that need reliable coverage across all areas of their facility. We focus on fast deployment, low overhead, and long-term support using modern tools built for healthcare.
We manage the entire process
Our team runs the wireless site survey, designs the system, coordinates with public carriers, sets up CBRS, and installs the hardware. You don’t have to juggle vendors or manage handoffs.
We use CBRS to reduce cost and complexity
Meter Cellular uses neutral-host CBRS to deliver both private LTE and public carrier access in a single system. Legacy DAS builds depend on carrier infrastructure, which adds cost and delays that hospitals can avoid with CBRS.
We install in 6 to 8 weeks
Traditional DAS can take up to a year. Our CBRS-based systems go live in a fraction of the time.
We support E911 from day one
Every Meter deployment includes location-aware emergency calling with E911 compliance baked in.
We improve Wi-Fi alongside cellular
Many coverage issues trace back to weak wireless infrastructure. We often include enterprise Wi-Fi solutions in the same deployment to fix both at once.
Frequently asked questions
Can cell signal boosters work in healthcare environments?
Boosters can work to improve cell signals in small or isolated healthcare environments. They do not scale well across entire campuses.
Is it legal to use cell phones in hospitals?
Yes, it is legal to use cell phones in hospitals. The FCC and FDA do not ban phones in hospitals. Local policy may still restrict use in certain areas.
How long does it take to install a hospital cellular solution?
Installing a hospital cellular solution like a CBRS system takes 6 to 8 weeks. Boosters can be installed in 1 to 2 days.
What’s the difference between CBRS and DAS?
CBRS creates a private LTE or 5G network that can also support public traffic. DAS redistributes the carrier signal throughout the building.
Does CBRS support multiple carriers like Verizon or AT&T?
Neutral-host CBRS supports traffic from major public carriers.
What’s the cost range for improving hospital cellular coverage?
Boosters are the lowest-cost option for improving cellular coverage. CBRS sits in the middle. DAS is typically the most expensive.
Can cellular systems support emergency call compliance (E911)?
CBRS systems can route emergency calls with accurate location data when configured correctly.
What’s the best solution for older hospital buildings?
The best solution for older hospital buildings is CBRS because it offers more flexibility for larger retrofits.
Boosters help sometimes, mostly in small buildings with isolated coverage issues. Meter Cellular handles CBRS design, installation, and ongoing support. Our team manages the full process.
How Meter Cellular supports hospital connectivity
To improve cell service in hospitals, facilities need a solution that is fast to deploy, cost-effective, and built for clinical environments. Meter Cellular provides this using a neutral-host CBRS network. The system delivers reliable indoor coverage without the complexity of DAS.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Simplified deployment: We handle site surveys, installation, and activation.
- Quick installation: Most deployments take 6 to 8 weeks, not the 6+ months DAS usually requires.
- Reliable coverage: Neutral-host CBRS removes dead zones and supports carrier-grade signal strength.
- Multi-carrier support: One setup works across major carriers, keeping employees and guests connected.
- Dashboard monitoring: The upcoming Meter dashboard integration, planned for Q1-Q2 next year, will display cellular APs, their status, and connected devices
- Compliance and security: The system supports E911 compliance for accurate emergency service access.
You can add Meter Cellular to your existing Meter enterprise networking solution or deploy it as a standalone solution. Either way, you’ll get strong indoor cell coverage that scales with your business.
Contact Meter today to learn more.