A bad signal breaks communication. Calls drop. Messages stall.

To increase the cell phone signal inside a building, start by finding the cause. Cell service in hospitals and offices depends on it.

Why does the cell signal drop indoors?

The cell signal drops indoors because radio waves don’t handle walls and construction materials all that well. They get blocked, absorbed, or scattered depending on what’s in the way. Signal problems inside buildings are pretty common. 

Materials that block RF signals

Some building materials are basically signal kryptonite.

Concrete sucks up radio waves. Steel beams and foil-backed insulation bounce them around or stop them cold. Even low-E glass, which is great for energy savings, can weaken the signal by 30 dB or more.

Most commercial buildings have a mix of all three, which makes things worse.

Signal attenuation from distance

Distance from the nearest tower matters too. If your building is far from one, your signal shows it. 

Every wall, floor, and layer of insulation between you and that tower makes it weaker.

If you’re in a downtown core or tucked into a valley, those surroundings can block signals before they even reach the building.

Network congestion and interference

Too many people on the same frequency can slow everything down.

It’s like a digital traffic jam. You’ll see this in crowded buildings or events.

On top of that, neighboring equipment can leak interference into your space and muddy your signal.

Structural dead zones

Some rooms are signal dead ends. Basements, server rooms, and elevators are classic problem spots. Heavy shielding, no windows, and thick walls can all stack up.

These areas often end up being the exact places where people need a strong signal the most.

Quick troubleshooting to improve the indoor signal

Looking for how to get better cell service in a building? There are a few simple things you can try before bringing in outside help. They won’t solve building-wide issues, but they can help individuals or small teams get a better signal.

If your team switches between Wi-Fi and cellular during the day, it helps to understand where each one fits.

If cell service is weak, Wi-Fi calling can often fill the gap. As explained in our guide on Wi-Fi vs. cellular data, Wi-Fi doesn’t depend on nearby towers, so it can be more reliable indoors.

Switching carriers

Some carriers offer stronger coverage than others, which can help improve cell service in a building without needing extra equipment.

You can test this by swapping SIM cards or checking coverage maps with tools like SignalCheck or CellMapper. One provider may give you stronger, more consistent service inside the building.

Wi-Fi calling

Most smartphones now support Wi-Fi calling by default. If your building has stable broadband and a decent wireless setup, this option works well. It’s fast, easy to turn on, and useful for covering dead zones where cellular falls short.

Moving near windows or outdoors

Sometimes the fix is physical. Moving near a window or stepping outside can sometimes help get better cell service in a building, especially if walls are thick or metal-lined.

Interior rooms with thick walls or metal construction tend to block reception the most, so even a small change in location can help.

Cell phone signal boosters

Boosters pull in the outdoor signal and rebroadcast it indoors. They’re designed for smaller spaces like single offices or retail units. Most only support one carrier at a time and need a strong rooftop signal to work at all.

3 tips to increase cell phone signal inside a building

Still unsure of how to get better cell service? Quick fixes can help, but large buildings need a real system in place. Managed indoor cellular is built to deliver consistent coverage where Wi-Fi or boosters fall short.

1. Distributed antenna systems (DAS)

DAS pulls in outdoor signal and redistributes it using antennas throughout the building. It needs fiber, coax, and power across every floor. Most setups rely on a base station or off-air relay from a nearby tower.

You’ll often find DAS in places like:

• Large hospitals
• Sports arenas
• Multi-level corporate towers

Installing DAS is complex. It takes months of surveys, permits, and carrier agreements. The antennas must be hardwired. Then you’ll need approval to rebroadcast carrier signals, which adds delays.

DAS does work, but it’s rigid and expensive. You get limited visibility once it’s installed. Updates require more physical changes. The system is fixed to its layout, and often to one carrier at a time.

If you're comparing deployment types, our DAS installation guide explains how it works and where the limits show up.

2. CBRS and private LTE

CBRS gives businesses a way to run private indoor cellular without relying on nearby towers. It uses shared spectrum to broadcast LTE or 5G from inside the building itself.

Instead of traditional radios, Meter uses cellular access points, or CAPs. Each CAP connects to our cloud controller, so teams can monitor and adjust coverage in real time.

Meter uses a neutral-host CBRS model. It supports multiple carriers out of the box, with no need for carrier approval or configuration.

Unlike DAS, enterprise 5G with CBRS installs in weeks, not months. No need to run coax or fiber across every floor. No need for signal retransmission agreements. Coverage is software-managed and easy to scale.

CBRS is a strong fit for:

• Office campuses
• Retail buildings
• Multi-tenant commercial space

It’s also the foundation for how we deliver business cellular that feels more like Wi-Fi. Much faster to deploy, easier to manage, and remains flexible as your needs grow.

3. Signal repeaters (amplifiers)

Signal repeaters bring outdoor cell signal indoors by capturing and rebroadcasting it. They're still used in small, standalone spaces but have fallen out of use in enterprise settings.

Most repeaters only work when there's already a strong outdoor signal. They need rooftop access and a clean line of sight to a nearby tower. Without that, they offer little value.

Repeaters are now considered outdated for larger deployments. They don’t support multiple carriers well, can’t handle high traffic, and offer no visibility for IT teams. Once installed, there’s no way to monitor or manage performance.

In rare cases, repeaters might still help:

• Small, single-tenant spaces under 20,000 square feet
• Sites with solid rooftop signal and no interference
• Short-term installs with limited user load

For modern networks, especially those with BYOD policies or high user demand, repeaters fall short. Most teams now look to CBRS or managed cellular instead.

How do I know if I need a DAS or CBRS setup?

You need CBRS if you want faster installation, multi-carrier support, and IT control. DAS is better only if your building is very large and you can wait months for permits and cabling.

This chart will help you compare the features of CBRS with CAPs, DAS, and signal boosters:

Considerations when choosing the right solution for your building

Picking the right system comes down to a few practical questions. You’ll need to look at size, users, IT readiness, and how fast you need coverage in place.

Building size and materials

Signal struggles in buildings with concrete walls, metal framing, or coated glass. Larger sites need more antennas, more signal sources, and more planning. DAS can handle complex layouts, but only at a high cost.

Number of users and carriers

Support for multiple carriers is non-negotiable in shared offices and BYOD environments. Boosters rarely support more than one. DAS can, but only after working through each carrier. Neutral-host CBRS covers all major networks through a single system.

IT infrastructure readiness

CBRS connects directly to your network. It needs VLAN tagging, IP address management, and basic RF awareness. Teams already managing corporate Wi-Fi will find it familiar. Network design and security planning help align IT and facilities before deployment starts.

Budget and timeline

CBRS installs in weeks and updates through software. DAS often takes months and involves construction. Boosters cost less but introduce risk, especially in larger spaces or multi-carrier environments.

Most enterprise teams now skip boosters and avoid the delays that come with DAS.

Frequently asked questions

Do signal boosters work in commercial buildings?

Signal boosters work in commercial buildings like small, single-carrier spaces with good outdoor reception. They don’t scale for multi-tenant offices.

Can Wi-Fi calling replace a cellular signal?

Wi-Fi calling helps replace a cellular signal in low-signal areas but depends on stable internet and modern phones. It’s not a full replacement.

How long does it take to install an enterprise solution?

DAS takes several months to install due to permits and carrier coordination. CBRS can be installed in weeks using cloud tools.

Will one system work with multiple carriers?

DAS and neutral-host CBRS support all major carriers. Boosters usually support only one at a time.

Is improving cell signal worth the investment?

Yes, improving the cell signal is worth the investment because a better signal improves safety, call quality, and operational uptime. It also reduces pressure on Wi-Fi networks.

How do I test signal strength in my building?

Test signal strength in your building by using apps like NetMonster (Android) or Field Test Mode (iOS). Walk the building to capture readings in dBm. Anything below -110 dBm is considered weak.

What’s the best solution for a concrete or metal building?

The best solution is CBRS with cellular access points. It handles dense materials, supports multiple carriers, and installs faster than DAS

Boost your network with the new Cellular from Meter

When figuring out how to increase cell phone signal inside a building, most fixes fall short in larger spaces. Meter Cellular solves that by using a neutral-host CBRS network that delivers strong, consistent coverage across every floor and room.

Cellular is the newest addition to the Meter family, designed to handle the signal issues traditional systems can’t.

Features you can expect from Cellular:

1. Simplified deployment: Meter handles everything from site surveys to installation and activation.
2. Quick installation: The process is much faster than traditional DAS, taking just 6 to 8 weeks.
3. Reliable coverage: Neutral-host CBRS gives strong signals and removes dead zones for steady, carrier-grade service.
4. Multi-carrier support: One setup works with major carriers, keeping employees and visitors connected.
5. Dashboard monitoring: The upcoming Meter dashboard integration, planned for Q1-Q2 next year, will display cellular APs, their status, and connected devices
6. Compliance and security: The system supports E911 compliance for accurate emergency service access.

You can add Cellular to your enterprise networking solution from Meter or purchase it separately. Either way, you’ll get a strong, high-quality indoor cell coverage that grows with your business.

Contact Meter today to learn more.